Chapter Summaries

Ye Lin subdued the Heaven-Devouring Demon Jar, which offered to raise his cultivation in exchange for its freedom. Old Garden, relieved that the jar would not cause a calamity, asked Ye Lin to kill him, but Ye Lin realized he was too weak to harm him.

• The Heaven-Devouring Demon Jar explained that the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art and the jar had once been one, and offered to raise Ye Lin's cultivation if he released it.
• Ye Lin refused the offer and stored the Heaven-Devouring Demon Jar in his Spatial Ring.
• Old Garden understood that Ye Lin had subdued the jar and said he was glad it would not fall into malicious hands.
• Old Garden said his heart demon had been dispelled and asked Ye Lin to give him a quick death.
• Ye Lin recognized that Old Garden was a First Tribulation Loose Immortal and that Ye Lin could not hurt him.

Ye Lin persuaded Old Garden to abandon his wish to die by reminding him that the woman he loved had wanted him to live and suggesting he might one day bring her back. Old Garden wavered as Ye Lin urged him to pursue the Dao, hoping to recruit him as a future ally.

• Old Garden told Ye Lin that the woman he loved was gone and that he no longer had a reason to live.
• Ye Lin argued that she had wanted Old Garden to live freely and might be heartbroken if he killed himself.
• Ye Lin suggested that Old Garden could reach a realm powerful enough to bring her back from the dead.
• Old Garden doubted he could ever reach such a realm, but Ye Lin reminded him of his extraordinary cultivation talent.
• Ye Lin urged Old Garden to gamble on the path of seeking the Dao rather than die by his own hand, and the cave fell silent.

Ye Lin persuaded Old Garden to regain his confidence, and Old Garden broke free of his chains. The two escaped as the cave collapsed, leaving Old Garden outside after ten thousand years in darkness.

• Old Garden said that his cultivation and body had been ruined during ten thousand years of imprisonment.
• Ye Lin encouraged Old Garden to fight for a chance to recover, reminding him of his talent and perseverance.
• Old Garden agreed to try and shattered the chains binding him.
• Old Garden carried Ye Lin out of the cave just before it collapsed into ruins.
• Outside, Old Garden looked over the desolate wasteland and reflected on how long he had been sealed away.

Old Garden revealed his true appearance and joined Ye Lin on the journey to the Golden Crow Empire’s imperial capital, reflecting on a past chance to gain the empire’s support. After they entered the city and headed for the Third Prince’s residence, Old Garden noticed two people tailing them, but Ye Lin chose not to act.

• Old Garden transformed into a graceful young man and said he would travel with Ye Lin until he judged whether Ye Lin was qualified.
• Old Garden recognized Ye Lin’s destination as the Golden Crow Empire’s imperial capital and recalled that its Emperor had once begged him to become an imperial offering.
• Old Garden regretted refusing the Golden Crow Empire’s help, wondering whether its support could have changed his fate.
• Ye Lin and Old Garden entered the imperial capital, where the Golden Crow Empire was falling into disorder as its Emperor’s health declined.
• Old Garden sensed two people following them as they headed toward the Third Prince’s residence, but Ye Lin said someone else would deal with them.

Ye Lin brought Old Garden to the Third Prince’s residence, where Chu Yang learned that the First Prince and Fifth Prince had arranged the assassination. With the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and Blood Sword Manor supporting him, Chu Yang prepared to respond to his brothers.

• Ye Lin entered the Third Prince’s residence with Old Garden, who sensed a familiar and repulsive aura beyond its gates.
• Chu Yang asked the elderly eunuch whether the investigation into the attack had uncovered its perpetrators.
• The eunuch reported that the First Prince had arranged the attack and the Fifth Prince had helped him.
• Chu Yang condemned his brothers and asked whether Marshal Li had been contacted.

Chu Yang learned that Marshal Li had secretly entered the imperial capital and hoped to win his support in the struggle for the throne. After introducing Gu Changge and Nine Thousand Years to each other, Chu Yang urged Ye Lin to help him retaliate against those who had tried to assassinate him.

• An old eunuch told Chu Yang that Marshal Li had entered the imperial capital in secret and would arrive soon.
• Chu Yang recalled Marshal Li's past efforts to protect him and resolved to bring the marshal to his side.
• Ye Lin arrived with Gu Changge, and he concealed Gu Changge's true identity while introducing him as a friend.
• Chu Yang introduced Nine Thousand Years as an overseer of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau who had come to protect him and handle affairs.
• Chu Yang told Ye Lin that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and Blood Sword Manor had joined him and asked whether they should move against his would-be assassins.

Chu Yang decided to claim the position he believed was rightfully his, and Li Ziqiang agreed to help him. Li warned that both prime ministers had secretly backed the eldest prince, leaving Chu Yang facing a major threat in the imperial court.

• Ye Lin told Chu Yang to wait until he naturally took his rightful position before dealing with the princes.
• Li Ziqiang arrived, and Chu Yang introduced him to Ye Lin and the others before recounting recent events.
• Li Ziqiang asked Chu Yang whether he had made up his mind, and Chu Yang declared that he would seize the position rather than hide beneath Li's protection.
• Li Ziqiang agreed to help Chu Yang and said their support gave them a fifty-percent chance of success.
• Li Ziqiang revealed that both prime ministers had secretly backed the eldest prince.

Chu Yang secured Li Ziqiang’s support for a plan to take control of the capital and obtain the imperial decree, while avoiding direct involvement that could provoke Golden Crow Pass. After Li Ziqiang left, Chu Yang ordered Nine Thousand Years to replace the palace’s personnel and monitor the other princes.

• Li Ziqiang explained that he would secretly bring the Fire Cloud Army to the capital and help Chu Yang seize the palace and imperial decree, but could not openly involve his family in the imperial succession struggle.
• Chu Yang accepted Li Ziqiang’s help and said he had an eighty percent chance of success.
• Li Ziqiang praised Ye Lin for his conduct, promised him a grand gift, and left through a black hole.
• Chu Yang ordered Nine Thousand Years to mobilize the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, replace the palace’s personnel with their own people, and watch the other princes.
• Nine Thousand Years hesitated, but Chu Yang said the Emperor had given him authority to act by handing him control of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Ye Lin and Chu Yang prepared for Chu Yang to take the throne of the Golden Crow Empire, while Chu Yun summoned his ministers to court. The chapter ended as the Prime Minister addressed Chu Yun, whose return revealed that the officials’ loyalty had waned.

• Nine Thousand Years vanished after Chu Yang dismissed him.
• Chu Yang told Ye Lin that the Fire Cloud Army would arrive the next day and that he had prepared to take control of the capital.
• Chu Yang promised Ye Lin three favors if he became Emperor, and Ye Lin agreed.
• The next morning, soldiers patrolled the deserted capital as officials hurried to the palace.
• Chu Yun appeared in court and remarked that he and the ministers were meeting again after many years apart.
• The Prime Minister expressed relief at Chu Yun’s apparent recovery.

Chu Yun confronted the Golden Crow Empire’s ministers for disrupting the court while he was ill and ordered officials on a list to be executed. The two Prime Ministers realized he was clearing the way for the Third Prince.

• Chu Yun thanked the Left Prime Minister for handling state affairs, then accused the ministers of causing chaos while he was still alive.
• Chu Yun unleashed his Divine King pressure and warned that the court’s actions threatened the Golden Crow Empire.
• Chu Yun summoned the guards and ordered the old eunuch to reveal a list of officials whose nine clans would be exterminated.
• Golden-armored soldiers seized the named officials as they pleaded with Chu Yun and the Prime Minister for mercy.
• The Left and Right Prime Ministers recognized that the officials being removed were powerful figures and understood Chu Yun was making room for the Third Prince.

Chu Yun appointed the Third Prince Crown Prince, exiled three rival princes to military training, and ordered the execution of the Eighth and Seventh Princes for colluding with the Demon Sect. In a secret realm, Chu Yun revealed he was near death and urged the old eunuch to support the new emperor as a supernatural storm gathered over the capital.

• Chu Yun spared the highest-ranking ministers, then ordered the Third Prince to become Crown Prince and sent the First, Second, and Fifth Princes to the military.
• Chu Yun stripped the Eighth and Seventh Princes of their royal status and ordered their immediate execution for colluding with the Demon Sect.
• Chu Yun dismissed the court, and the Right Prime Minister mocked the Left Prime Minister for failing to stay composed.
• Chu Yun told the old eunuch that he could barely hold on and instructed him to assist the new emperor, then knocked him away with a slap.
• Black blood spread through Chu Yun's veins as dark clouds, lightning, thunder, and tremors struck the imperial capital.

Chu Yang’s allies seized control of the imperial capital and prepared to enter the palace to receive Chu Yun’s succession edict. As forces converged on his residence, the Fire Cloud Army stormed the city, leaving Chu Yang’s faction poised for the final step.

• Blood Sword Manor presented Chu Yang with thirty elite sword disciples, including Celestial God experts, as hostile forces approached his residence.
• Chu Yang revealed hidden forces while his allies took control of the palace and killed the Imperial City Guard troops.
• The imperial capital’s gates opened, and Marshal Li’s three-thousand-strong Fire Cloud Army charged in to seize the city.
• Chu Yang learned that the palace guards were under his faction’s command and the other princes were watched by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
• Ye Lin agreed that Chu Yang’s faction had the advantage and prepared to enter the palace to receive Chu Yun’s final succession edict.

Chu Yun’s cultivation deviation brought apocalyptic lightning to the Golden Crow Empire, while rival powers anticipated exploiting his fall. Chu Yun appeared over the capital and challenged the Heavenly Dao as the storm struck the city.

• An old man on an immortal mountain and a golden-winged figure mourned Chu Yun’s impending fall and predicted the Golden Crow Empire’s decline.
• A disheveled old man on a demonic island celebrated Chu Yun’s apparent collapse and vowed to take over the Golden Crow Empire.
• A black-robed man ordered his ministers and army commanders summoned so he could plan an attack on the weakened empire.
• Lightning battered the imperial capital, destroying the palace plaza and killing many people, while golden light shielded the main hall.
• Chu Yun appeared in the sky, shattered the falling lightning, and roared at the Heavenly Dao for trying to destroy his empire.

Chu Yun fought back against a lightning strike that threatened to disgrace the Golden Crow Empire, but he was overwhelmed until an aged God Emperor intervened. The heavens cleared, leaving Chu Yun wounded and despairing over the imperial family’s dependence on Golden Crow Pass.

• Lightning struck Chu Yun, but golden radiance protected him, and he formed a golden giant to punch at the clouds.
• The lightning tore apart the golden giant, and Chu Yun fell into the palace square, badly injured.
• An aged voice defended the Golden Crow Empire, and a gigantic palm scattered the clouds.
• The speaker and the Heavenly Dao exchanged words before the clouds dispersed, revealing that two God Emperor powers had clashed.
• Chu Yun realized that he was the imperial family’s last surviving heir and that Golden Crow Pass could take control of the empire if he fell.

After Chu Yun died from his injuries, Chu Yang advanced toward the imperial palace as the other princes launched an attack to stop him. Protected by Ye Lin, the Fire Cloud Army, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and Blood Sword Manor, Chu Yang raced toward the palace while the battle intensified.

• Chu Yun died after Jin Yang chose not to use his power to prolong the emperor’s life.
• Chu Yang led his forces toward the imperial palace as the Fire Cloud Army took control of the capital’s streets.
• Golden-armored soldiers and enemy experts attacked Chu Yang, while nine True God eunuchs and Blood Sword Manor swordsmen came to protect him.
• The capital’s formation weakened the shockwaves as the princes sent in their hidden forces to kill Chu Yang.
• Ye Lin grabbed Chu Yang and carried him toward the palace when their defenders began to falter.

Chu Yang neared the Golden Crow Empire’s imperial palace as Blood Sword Manor fought to secure his succession, but a Half-Emperor expert blocked his path. Ye Lin saw no way forward and looked to Old Garden for help.

• An old eunuch waited at the palace gates, expecting Chu Yang to arrive alive and become Emperor.
• Blood Sword Manor committed itself to Chu Yang’s cause as the fighting escalated and True God experts joined the battle.
• A Half-Emperor expert appeared before Chu Yang and stopped him just a hundred meters from the imperial palace.
• Ye Lin recognized the threat and turned toward Old Garden as their only hope.

Ye Lin considered fleeing after Old Garden admitted he could not defeat Half-Emperor Wan Wusheng, who had appeared at the imperial palace to kill Chu Yang. Jian Wudi intervened to protect Chu Yang, forcing Wan Wusheng to withdraw and leaving Chu Yang’s path to the throne secure.

• Old Garden shook his head at Ye Lin, who prepared to escape rather than risk his life against the Half-Emperor.
• Wan Wusheng told Chu Yang that someone had paid him an offer too high to refuse, then pointed at the Third Prince to kill him.
• Jian Wudi appeared beside Chu Yang and forced Wan Wusheng back with a casual wave.
• Wan Wusheng recognized Jian Wudi, realized Blood Sword Manor was committed to Chu Yang, and left to avoid retaliation from the future emperor.

Chu Yang ascended as Emperor of the Golden Crow Empire, then left for Golden Crow Pass to secure its recognition. Ye Lin took charge of palace affairs and learned that Hong Batian had sensed a mysterious drop of blood that could transform him.

• Chu Yang entered the imperial palace, ending the fighting in the capital, and became the new Emperor of the Golden Crow Empire.
• Chu Yang left Ye Lin in charge of the palace and departed for Golden Crow Pass to seek its support.
• Ye Lin instructed Wusheng to arrange a court assembly for the next day.
• Hong Batian told Ye Lin that he had sensed a drop of blood that could help him reach an unknown realm, and Ye Lin promised to obtain it for him.
• Hong Batian gave Ye Lin a collection of cultivation techniques from the world.

After the Third Prince’s victory, Chu Zheng and the other princes feared the new emperor’s revenge and began fleeing the Golden Crow Empire. Chu Zheng planned to seek refuge in the Qilin Empire and hoped its impending war with the Golden Crow Empire would give him another chance at power.

• Ministers entered the imperial palace as the capital’s overnight damage was repaired and ordinary residents resumed their lives.
• Chu Zheng raged over his defeat, blaming the Blood Sword Manor and the Half-Emperor expert who had fled instead of fighting.
• A black-clad man advised Chu Zheng to escape beyond the empire’s borders, and Chu Zheng chose to flee to the Qilin Empire.
• Chu Zheng hoped the Qilin Empire’s coming attack would weaken his younger brother’s rule and allow him to make a comeback.
• The other princes, ministers, and jianghu factions involved in the succession struggle also packed their belongings and fled before the new emperor could retaliate.

After ascending the throne, Chu Yang summoned the ministers who had taken part in the struggle for succession and confronted them about the previous night’s events. The court remained too frightened to answer, leaving Chu Yang’s question hanging.

• The ministers hesitated outside the grand hall, while the old eunuch ordered them to enter and pay their respects.
• Founding ministers led the way into the hall, and the rest followed after delaying for more than ten minutes.
• The ministers bowed to Chu Yang, who sat on the imperial throne beside Ye Lin.
• Chu Yang asked whether the ministers refused to acknowledge him as Emperor, and they hastily denied it.
• Chu Yang asked what had kept them busy the previous night and whether they had heard about the imperial capital’s commotion.