Chapter Summaries

Shen Changchuan recognized that Wan Zunli’s overwhelming assault was hiding a soul attack meant to exploit a weakness in his spatial defenses. He crushed Zhou Lingyun’s Jade Talisman, whose Fire Phoenix halted Wan Zunli’s ambush and left him stunned.

• Shen Changchuan realized Wan Zunli’s relentless attacks were likely a cover for a fatal move and stopped treating the fight as a chance to improve his cultivation.
• Shen Changchuan took the Jade Talisman he had obtained after killing Zhou Lingyun and crushed it as Wan Zunli prepared another attack.
• A golden Fire Phoenix erupted from the talisman and burned away the spiritual-energy storm and Wan Zunli’s Mana Torrents.
• Shen Changchuan saw Wan Zunli’s soul hovering above his body, frozen midway through forming a soul attack.
• Wan Zunli realized Shen Changchuan had another lifesaving Jade Talisman and exclaimed in disbelief.

Wan Zunli’s carefully planned assassination of Shen Changchuan unraveled when Shen unleashed a Fire Phoenix attack carrying Peak Spirit Wandering Realm power. Wan Zunli faced the overwhelming strike without time to prepare, while Shen retreated to escape the inferno.

• Wan Zunli realized Shen Changchuan had somehow used the Power of Space to evade his killing blows.
• The Fire Phoenix locked onto Wan Zunli with Peak Spirit Wandering Realm divine sense, hindering his movement and magical power.
• Wan Zunli raised layers of shields and activated a Crystal Skull spiritual artifact to defend himself.
• The Fire Phoenix struck Wan Zunli, unleashing a devastating firestorm that shattered the ground for more than ten miles.
• Shen Changchuan retreated higher into the air to avoid the flames and their lingering spiritual will.

Shen Changchuan searched the aftermath of the Fire Phoenix spell but could not find Wan Zunli, leaving the old ghost’s fate uncertain. He left the area stronger from the battle and vowed to settle their debts once he had cultivated further.

• Shen Changchuan searched the chaotic battlefield for Wan Zunli while staying alert for another attack.
• As the magical aftershocks faded, Shen Changchuan found no sign of Wan Zunli and wondered whether the Fire Phoenix spell had killed him.
• Shen Changchuan discovered Wan Zunli’s charred Crystal Skull, which had lost all its spiritual power.
• Shen Changchuan concluded that Wan Zunli was likely badly injured even if he had survived, and vowed to seek revenge after advancing his cultivation.
• Shen Changchuan recognized that the battle had improved his abilities, then flew away before others could arrive.

After surviving Wan Zunli’s ambush, Shen Changchuan returned to Soul-Severing City, rested, and reviewed how the battle had improved his cultivation and understanding of the Power of Space. He planned to borrow his master’s Flying Boat to perfect the Void-Stepping Technique, whose progress had reached 25%.

• Shen Changchuan reached Soul-Severing City without encountering another attacker and resolved to focus on cultivation, especially the Void-Stepping Technique.
• Exhausted from the battle and several days of travel, Shen Changchuan rented a cave residence and slept for two days.
• Shen Changchuan found only Wan Zunli’s charred Crystal Skull at the battlefield and suspected that Wan Zunli had escaped alive.
• Shen Changchuan recognized that the battle had greatly improved his control of magical power and understanding of the Power of Space.
• Shen Changchuan planned to borrow his master’s Flying Boat to cultivate the Void-Stepping Technique, which had advanced to 25%.

After surviving a life-and-death battle, Shen Changchuan broke through a bottleneck in his Void-Stepping Technique and spent a month consolidating his gains. His master Roaming Dragon finally contacted him and summoned him to a secluded valley, where he warned Shen Changchuan to conceal his movements from now on.

• Shen Changchuan broke through the Void-Stepping Technique's 20% bottleneck during battle, gaining greater insight into the Power of Space and strengthening his cultivation foundation.
• Shen Changchuan secluded himself in Soul-Severing City for a month to digest his gains, raising the technique's progress to 28%.
• Shen Changchuan worried when his master Roaming Dragon failed to answer his Message Talisman, especially because Roaming Dragon faced trouble within the Immortal Sect.
• Roaming Dragon sent Shen Changchuan a location in the Soul-Severing Mountain Range and told him to come find him.
• Shen Changchuan traveled to a secluded valley and paid his respects to Roaming Dragon, who told him to hide his movements whenever he went out.

Shen Changchuan told Roaming Dragon that Wan Zunli had ambushed him, prompting his usually composed master to erupt in fury and vow to seize the Corpse Refining Sect elder. Roaming Dragon left the encounter determined to make Wan Zunli pay for nearly killing the disciple he had trusted to carry on the Dragon Firmament Sect’s legacy.

• Roaming Dragon advised Shen Changchuan to stay alert on the dangerous immortal path and privately marveled at his rapid cultivation progress.
• Shen Changchuan asked whether Roaming Dragon already knew about his encounter with Wan Zunli, then explained that the Corpse Refining Sect elder had ambushed him during his journey.
• Roaming Dragon flew into a rage, shattered the chair beside him, and promised to seize Wan Zunli and give Shen Changchuan an explanation.
• Roaming Dragon recalled sparing Wan Zunli after an earlier attack and regretted that the elder had returned to threaten Shen Changchuan’s life.
• Roaming Dragon reflected that Shen Changchuan was his most valued disciple and might one day inherit the Dragon Firmament Sect’s legacy.

Shen Changchuan asked Roaming Dragon to let him avenge himself on Wan Zunli, then explained how he had survived the assassination by using the Void-Escaping Gu to wield the Power of Space. Roaming Dragon was stunned by his disciple’s strength and saw it as a possible opportunity.

• Roaming Dragon vowed to kill Wan Zunli after learning Shen Changchuan had survived another assassination attempt.
• Shen Changchuan asked his master to spare Wan Zunli so he could settle the blood feud himself in the future.
• Roaming Dragon warned that Wan Zunli would be more careful next time and insisted Shen Changchuan could not risk his life again.
• Shen Changchuan described the battle and demonstrated how he used the Void-Escaping Gu to wield the Power of Space.
• Roaming Dragon realized Shen Changchuan had reached a level of spatial power usually achieved only with rare treasures crafted by a Mystic Core Realm Old Ancestor.

Shen Changchuan told Roaming Dragon how he had used the Void-Escaping Gu to contend with Wan Zunli and grow stronger, astonishing his master. Roaming Dragon agreed to leave Wan Zunli alive as Shen Changchuan’s future opponent, then warned him to be cautious of those who might target him.

• Roaming Dragon was astonished that Shen Changchuan had used the Void-Escaping Gu to face Wan Zunli across a realm gap and temper his cultivation.
• Shen Changchuan asked Roaming Dragon to spare Wan Zunli so he could defeat him personally after growing stronger.
• Roaming Dragon agreed to let Wan Zunli live until Shen Changchuan was ready to settle their grievance.
• Roaming Dragon praised Shen Changchuan’s potential and warned him that others might resent or target him, urging him not to let enemies track and ambush him again.

Roaming Dragon warned Shen Changchuan that rival factions within the Immortal Sect might target him, and Shen accepted the need for greater caution. After hearing about Shen’s Void-Stepping Technique, Roaming Dragon agreed to lend him the Ten Thousand Mile Sky-Traveling Boat but explained it would not help him sense the Power of Space again; he then offered Shen a risky opportunity suited to his current strength.

• Roaming Dragon warned Shen Changchuan that powerful figures within the Immortal Sect might secretly move against him.
• Shen Changchuan admitted he had been careless when Wan Zunli ambushed him and promised to conceal his tracks better in the future.
• Shen Changchuan told Roaming Dragon about his Void-Stepping Technique and demonstrated its power, astonishing his master.
• Shen Changchuan asked to borrow the Ten Thousand Mile Sky-Traveling Boat to study the Power of Space, and Roaming Dragon agreed to lend it.
• Roaming Dragon explained that the boat would not help Shen sense the Power of Space after his first ride, then offered him a dangerous opportunity and asked whether he would risk everything on it.

Shen Changchuan failed to gain insight into the Power of Space after a month aboard Roaming Dragon's Ten Thousand Mile Sky-Traveling Boat, though he advanced his Void-Stepping Technique to 30%. With the joint grand competition approaching and perfection still years away through ordinary effort, he turned his attention to the ancient inheritance trial Roaming Dragon had told him about.

• Shen Changchuan spent a month observing the chaotic void and the boat's spatial patterns but gained no insight, even with the Jade Platform tainted by the Enlightenment Stone's aura.
• Shen Changchuan gave up trying to comprehend the Power of Space and noted that his Void-Stepping Technique had reached 30% progress.
• Shen Changchuan estimated that completing the remaining 70% would take over ten years without a special opportunity, too long before the joint grand competition.
• Shen Changchuan recalled Roaming Dragon's account of an ancient trial and inheritance ground that could grant rare treasures and had helped the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect's Dao Child and other young geniuses.

Shen Changchuan reflected on the Divine Ability Seeds held by the Outer Domain Prodigies and realized their abilities might stem from an opportunity won by the Immortal Sect Dao Child. He weighed the possibility of facing the Dao Child, then set his thoughts aside and waited for his master to return and take him to the ancient inheritance trial.

• Shen Changchuan recalled how he had suppressed an Outer Domain Prodigy and learned that many prodigies of their generation had condensed Divine Ability Seeds.
• Shen Changchuan connected the prodigies’ Divine Ability Seeds to the Immortal Sect Dao Child’s opportunity in an ancient assessment inheritance and wondered whether he could defeat him.
• Shen Changchuan reminded himself that his progress depended on his Progress Bar Panel rather than natural aptitude, so he could accept losing to powerful peers.
• Shen Changchuan reasoned that his conflict was with the Dao Seeking Society, not necessarily the Dao Child, who rarely intervened on its behalf.
• Shen Changchuan regretted having used his Qi Induction Realm chance to enter the ancient trial and waited for his master to return and bring him to the Immortal Sect.

Shen Changchuan spent months cultivating in Soul-Severing City, reaching the late eighth level of the Out-of-Body Realm but failing to advance the Void-Stepping Technique beyond 40%. Roaming Dragon finally returned and told him they would go pay respects to his patriarch.

• Shen Changchuan stayed in seclusion in Soul-Severing City, studying the Power of Space and cultivating while waiting for his master.
• Shen Changchuan remained unable to push the Void-Stepping Technique beyond 40% and worried that the bottleneck could hinder his future progress.
• Shen Changchuan continued cultivating for three more months and broke through to the late eighth level of the Out-of-Body Realm.
• Shen Changchuan used up his Superior Spirit Stones, then received one hundred more from the person who handled Shi Mengting's spoils of war.
• Roaming Dragon returned and told Shen Changchuan to go pay respects to his patriarch.

Zhou Tianhai celebrated the Zhou Clan’s success in securing a crucial slot, while warning First Madam that Shen Chong had become a major threat. He blamed her for letting Shen Chong and Shen Changchuan grow powerful, leaving the Zhou Clan’s operation and her own fate at risk.

• Zhou Tianhai celebrated after learning that the Zhou Clan had obtained the slot needed for its scheme.
• First Madam warned Zhou Tianhai that Shen Chong had destroyed Zhou Clan teams and might interfere with their operation.
• First Madam hoped the Zhou Clan would kill Shen Chong and Shen Changchuan, fearing they would take revenge after her maternal relatives left.
• Zhou Tianhai berated First Madam for failing to eliminate the two boys when they were weak and for allowing them to become threats.
• First Madam admitted her earlier attempts to hunt them down had failed, and Zhou Tianhai scolded her over her past and her mother's example.

Zhou Tianhai decided to investigate Shen Chong for the powerful inheritance that might explain his rise, while avoiding Shen Changchuan because the Roaming Dragon backed him. Meanwhile, Shen Changchuan followed his master into the depths of the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect and stood before the mysterious presence who was Roaming Dragon’s master.

• Zhou Tianhai concluded that Shen Chong might have inherited a powerful expert’s techniques and ordered a probe into him after the Zhou Clan’s Ancient Inheritance assessment.
• The First Madam asked Zhou Tianhai to deal with Shen Changchuan as well, but Zhou Tianhai refused to risk provoking the Roaming Dragon.
• Shen Changchuan returned with the Roaming Dragon to the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect and entered a grotto-heaven secret realm rich in spiritual energy and Dao resonance.
• The Roaming Dragon led Shen Changchuan into the dangerous, turbulent space at the realm’s source and respectfully greeted his own master.
• Shen Changchuan sensed an immense presence concealed in the darkness and followed the Roaming Dragon’s lead in showing respect.

Roaming Dragon asked his master to secure Shen Changchuan a place in the Ancient Inheritance assessment, offering to give up his next Seven Sons election opportunity in exchange. The master agreed, while Shi Mengting sought a method from the Heavenly Demon Sect's Old Ancestor to counter the person who had disrupted her spatial techniques.

• The aged master examined Shen Changchuan and recognized his Eternal Wood Scripture, Divine Ability, Spirit Body, Gu Path methods, and Power of Space.
• Roaming Dragon asked his master for a qualification for Shen Changchuan to enter the inheritance assessment, but the master said his influence had faded.
• Roaming Dragon offered to withdraw from the next century's Seven Sons election in exchange for an opportunity for Shen Changchuan.
• The master accepted Roaming Dragon's offer after warning that the Seven Sons position could help him advance to the Mystic Core Realm.
• Shi Mengting told the Heavenly Demon Sect's Old Ancestor that someone had used spatial power to disrupt her Sky-Controlling Bracelet and Three Thousand Void-Illusion Steps, and asked for a countermeasure.

Shi Mengting recounted her defeat by Shen Changchuan and asked her Old Ancestor to strengthen the Sky-Controlling Bracelet, accepting reduced control in exchange for protection from spatial interference. The Ancient Inheritance trial was set to open in two months, while Shen Changchuan’s Void-Stepping Technique reached 50% progress.

• Shi Mengting concluded that Shen Changchuan had won because she lost her composure after her Sky-Controlling Bracelet and Three Thousand Void-Illusion Steps were disrupted by his Power of Space.
• Shi Mengting told her Old Ancestor how Shen Changchuan had defeated her, and the Old Ancestor explained the bracelet’s vulnerability and the tradeoff involved in strengthening it.
• Shi Mengting asked the Old Ancestor to strengthen the Sky-Controlling Bracelet, and he told her the Ancient Inheritance trial would open in two months with Jade Clarity Sect disciples attending.
• Shi Mengting understood that she was expected to target the Jade Clarity Sect disciples and welcomed the chance to avenge her defeat.
• Shen Changchuan saw that his Void-Stepping Technique had advanced to 50% and expected to perfect it before the internal competition in two years.

After receiving a month of guidance from Old Ancestor Qianyuan, Shen Changchuan improved his Void-Stepping Technique and stabilized his cultivation. Two months later, he and Roaming Dragon reached a vast, spiritually barren region at the center of the Southeast Continent.

• Shen Changchuan raised the Void-Stepping Technique's progress to 50% and confirmed that it had become much more useful in combat.
• Old Ancestor Qianyuan gave Shen Changchuan a Dao lecture, explained key points in his cultivation, and let him experience the Power of Space directly.
• Qianyuan Ancestral Master helped Shen Changchuan resolve flaws in his magical power, bringing him close to the peak of the Eighth Level of Out-of-Body Realm.
• Shen Changchuan accepted that he could not expect frequent guidance, but felt that Qianyuan's help had set his future cultivation on a clear path.
• Two months later, Roaming Dragon and Shen Changchuan arrived at a barren region where no spiritual resonance or heavenly treasures could be found.

Shen Changchuan learned why the region around the ancient trial inheritance was a Spirit-Severed Land and heard Roaming Dragon explain the wider structure of the Southeast Continent. The chapter left Shen Changchuan with a broader understanding of the cultivation world and thoughts of exploring it once he could protect himself.

• Shen Changchuan realized that the region before him contained no spiritual energy at all and wondered why no cultivator city had arisen there.
• Roaming Dragon explained that a supreme Mystic Core Realm expert had once tried to establish a foundation there, but spiritual resources and underground veins had quickly collapsed.
• Roaming Dragon said the ancient trial inheritance might absorb spiritual energy across a million li, creating the Spirit-Severed Land, and that prolonged stays there could weaken cultivators.
• Roaming Dragon described the six regions of the Southeast Continent, their overlord forces, and how distance limited their influence and kept most regions at peace.
• Roaming Dragon explained that the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect and Heavenly Demon Sect's feud was exceptional and that the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect used a grand competition as a pretext for exchanges and secret plans.
• Shen Changchuan listened to Roaming Dragon and considered traveling the world after reaching the Spirit Wandering Realm.

Shen Changchuan prepared for the Ancient Inheritance trial by refining his techniques and weighing whether to use a rare breakthrough pill. He arrived with Roaming Dragon at the gathering platform, where a late-arriving Buddhist monk announced himself.

• Shen Changchuan reviewed his progress in the Void-Stepping Technique and improved Gold Thorn Technique, reaching 55% and 5% respectively.
• Shen Changchuan reached the peak of the Eighth Level of Out-of-Body Realm and considered using the Sheng-Yuan Pill given to him by True Person Qianyuan.
• Shen Changchuan decided to save the Sheng-Yuan Pill until after the trial so he could first perfect his strength at his current cultivation level.
• Shen Changchuan followed Roaming Dragon to the white jade platform that served as the gathering point and entrance for the ancient inheritance.
• A Buddhist monk arrived amid shaking golden light and Sanskrit chants, greeting Roaming Dragon as Benefactor You.

Roaming Dragon and Shen Changchuan met Master Bu Chi and his junior, Wu Hua, before the other factions arrived for the Ancient Inheritance assessment. Shen Changchuan recognized Heavenly Demon Sect candidate Shi Mengting among the arriving competitors and remembered how powerful she was.

• Roaming Dragon greeted Master Bu Chi, introduced Shen Changchuan, and the two old companions exchanged praise.
• Master Bu Chi examined Shen Changchuan and called him an uncarved jade, while Shen noticed Wu Hua and secretly guarded against him.
• Shen learned that Wu Hua was a Hanging Temple prodigy accompanying Bu Chi to the assessment, but Bu Chi revealed little else about him.
• Roaming Dragon and Bu Chi paused as several factions arrived aboard flying boats for the Ancient Inheritance trial.
• Shen recognized Shi Mengting aboard the Heavenly Demon Sect's black flying boat and recalled that she had overpowered him before he injured her by surprise.