Chapter Summaries

Zhuang Hong encountered a powerful Tentacle Monster in the mountain, where it had raised the worms and created the vortex tied to the Ash Disease in Oasis World. After calmly questioning each other, the monster asked where Zhuang Hong got his Treasure Pointers, and Zhuang Hong realized it was the fisherman.

• Zhuang Hong met a dark-red Tentacle Monster that ignored him and carried a Blue Core Combination Beast into the mountain.
• Zhuang Hong watched worms swarm over the corpse and saw the Tentacle Monster inspect the worms and vortex before returning to face him.
• Zhuang Hong armed himself with source-power armor and the Dragon Tendon Sword as the Spirit Ascension Level Eight monster approached.
• The Tentacle Monster said it was curious how a Core Combination Insect had found its hidden lair and claimed Zhuang Hong would ultimately belong to it.
• The Tentacle Monster asked where Zhuang Hong had obtained his Treasure Pointers, and Zhuang Hong recognized it as the fisherman.

Zhuang Hong learned that Zhishi was using Space-Corroding Worms to maintain a vortex between spaces, then fought him after Zhishi tried to capture him. Their battle ended in a wary stalemate, with both probing for an opening and Zhuang Hong secretly preparing traps.

• Zhuang Hong questioned Zhishi about the Space-Corroding Worms and learned they corroded the Space Barrier to form and maintain the vortex.
• Zhishi attacked Zhuang Hong, hoping to capture him and test whether consuming an unusual insect could help him reach the True Spirit Level.
• Zhuang Hong transformed into his Agile Form and changed his armor's color, surprising Zhishi and prompting him to say he wanted to study Zhuang Hong before consuming him.
• Zhuang Hong and Zhishi exchanged blows, and Zhishi tried to trick Zhuang Hong after offering to let him land one slash in exchange for an answer.
• Zhuang Hong and Zhishi continued fighting without gaining the advantage, while Zhuang Hong considered laying invisible Fine Silk traps and remained wary of Zhishi's hidden strength.

Zhuang Hong fought Zhi Shi, whose mastery of source power let him overpower Zhuang Hong and damage the Dragon Tendon Sword. Zhuang Hong fled and used tricks to wear Zhi Shi down, then questioned why his pursuer had weakened after half a day.

• Zhi Shi explained that Zhuang Hong's crude use of source power was a fatal weakness and unleashed a powerful attack with his Dual Blades.
• Zhuang Hong blocked the strike with the Dragon Tendon Sword and Vibration Sword Style, but the impact damaged his weapon and wounded him.
• As Zhi Shi prepared another attack, Zhuang Hong fled, then used Tough Armor Bullets and Ejection to keep his pursuer at bay.
• Zhuang Hong alternated between running from Zhi Shi's bursts of power and taunting him with a feigned attack, planning to exhaust him.
• After half a day of pursuit, Zhuang Hong noticed Zhi Shi's aura and speed had weakened and asked him why he was so weak.

Zhuang Hong killed one of Zhishi’s bodies using a concealed trap and several hidden weapons, then discovered that Zhishi had three more clones. As the remaining Zhishis surrounded him, Zhuang Hong secretly replenished his strength by absorbing the corpse.

• Zhuang Hong drew Zhishi back toward the vortex, then used a concealed Fine Silk trap and Spider Web Bullets to immobilize him.
• Zhuang Hong disarmed Zhishi, pierced him with hidden weapons, and cut off his head before destroying the body to ensure he was dead.
• Three more Zhishis appeared, and Zhuang Hong realized that the opponent he had killed was only one of Zhishi’s clones.
• Zhuang Hong recalled that Zhishi’s aura resembled the Mantis Monsters once controlled by Hei Jinhua and concluded that Zhishi had been waiting for his other clones.
• While the three Zhishis approached and taunted him, Zhuang Hong secretly absorbed nutrients from the corpse to regain strength.
• Zhuang Hong asked whether Zhishi belonged to the Parasitic Beast Race and why he kept switching between clones to speak.

Zhuang Hong fought off Zhi Shi’s clones and reached the vortex chamber, where he discovered Zhi Shi valued the Space-Corroding Worms more than the passage. He held the worms hostage and declared the chamber his territory, forcing the clones to retreat before they could negotiate.

• Zhuang Hong pretended to challenge Zhi Shi’s three clones, then fled toward the vortex passage while they pursued him.
• Zhuang Hong used his First Point Five Liberation Form to smash through the clone guarding the passage and enter the mountain chamber.
• Zhuang Hong connected Fine Silk to the Space-Corroding Worms and killed several to prove he could threaten them.
• Zhi Shi’s four clones froze when they saw Zhuang Hong could kill the worms, revealing how much he cared about them.
• Zhuang Hong declared the vortex chamber his territory and ordered Zhi Shi’s clones to withdraw beyond the safe range before talking.

Zhuang Hong held Zhishi at bay by threatening the Space-Corroding Worms while he waited to digest Zhishi’s avatar and grow stronger. After Xiao Bai confirmed that more avatars were approaching, Zhuang Hong pressured Zhishi into answering questions and learned that the vortex produced Two Realms Magnetic Stones for Zhishi’s attempt to become a True Spirit.

• Zhuang Hong rejected Zhishi’s offer to leave peacefully, saying he did not trust the Parasitic Beast Race, and killed more Space-Corroding Worms to pressure him.
• Zhuang Hong decided to remain inside the mountain until he finished digesting Zhishi’s avatar and could attempt to reach the Spirit Ascension Level.
• Zhuang Hong sent Xiao Bai to scout the area, and Xiao Bai reported that more of Zhishi’s avatars were on their way.
• Zhuang Hong threatened to kill one hundred Space-Corroding Worms for every additional avatar he sensed, then questioned Zhishi about his avatars and the vortex.
• Zhishi revealed that the vortex passage produced Two Realms Magnetic Stones, which could help Rising Spirit Beasts transform into True Spirits, and admitted he was preparing to advance.

Zhuang Hong learned that Yan Worms caused Rotting Ground and that Space-Corroding Worms were crucial to Zhishi’s efforts to produce Two Realms Stone. He became concerned that Yan Worms could destroy Life Worlds, but Zhishi did not know how to remove the ashes completely.

• Zhishi explained how Space-Corroding Worms eroded Space Barriers to create Two Realms Products and said the worms Zhuang Hong had killed would take decades to replace.
• Zhuang Hong described the Rotting Ground that had led him to Zhishi, and Zhishi explained that Void Spirits saw it as filthy decay caused by Yan Worms.
• Zhuang Hong asked whether killing the Yan Worms would stop the Rotting Ground from spreading rapidly, and Zhishi said it would slow the spread but not halt the erosion.
• Zhuang Hong asked how to remove the ashes completely, but Zhishi admitted he did not know a method and questioned why Zhuang Hong cared about mayflies.
• Zhuang Hong rebuked Zhishi for insulting mayflies by throwing ten more Space-Corroding Worm corpses before him.

Zhuang Hong negotiated with Zhi Shi for half of the prey brought to feed the Space-Corroding Worms, hoping to grow strong enough to reach the Purple Spirit Ascension Level. Zhi Shi agreed, but Zhuang Hong suspected he had his own timetable for obtaining the Two Realms Magnetic Stone and killing him.

• After digesting Zhi Shi's clones, Zhuang Hong reached Core Combination Level Nine but failed to advance to the Spirit Ascension Level.
• Zhuang Hong rested with Xiao Bai keeping watch, then removed his warning line and invited a Zhi Shi clone into the cave.
• Zhuang Hong pointed out that the Space-Corroding Worms seemed hungry and demanded half of any prey Zhi Shi brought in; Zhi Shi agreed.
• Zhuang Hong suspected Zhi Shi wanted to obtain the Two Realms Magnetic Stone soon and planned to kill him once it was ready.
• The next day, Zhi Shi brought in a Core Combination Beast, and Zhuang Hong drained its insides before leaving the dried body for the worms.
• When Zhi Shi protested that Zhuang Hong had taken more than half, Zhuang Hong claimed he had divided the beast into its inside and outside.

Zhuang Hong weakened Zhishi’s Space-Corroding Worms while using the Void Spirits to approach a breakthrough, then persuaded Zhishi to bring him multiple beasts at once. Zhishi suspected Zhuang Hong had a hidden motive but decided to test him with two Core Combination Beasts.

• Zhuang Hong spent three months consuming most of the Void Spirits Zhishi brought in, strengthening himself while the underfed Space-Corroding Worms weakened.
• Zhuang Hong neared the Purple Spirit Ascension Level and planned to break through before the Two Realms Magnetic Stone was completed.
• Zhishi confronted Zhuang Hong over taking most of the Void Spirits and threatened to stop hunting them and kill him.
• Zhuang Hong argued that Zhishi should bring four Core Combination Beasts at once so Zhuang Hong could eat two and the Space-Corroding Worms could have the rest.
• Zhishi recognized that Zhuang Hong might want to consume two beasts at once and decided to test his intentions by bringing him two Core Combination Beasts next time.

Zhuang Hong reached the brink of advancing to the Purple Spirit Ascension Level after feeding on Core Combination Beasts, then began a dangerous bodily transformation. Zhishi realized Zhuang Hong was advancing and sent four avatars into the cave to kill him while he was vulnerable.

• Zhishi brought four Core Combination Beasts, and Zhuang Hong ate two, took several bites from a third, and fed the rest to the Space-Corroding Worm.
• Zhishi detected a concealed magnetic fluctuation and believed the Two Realms Magnetic Stone would form soon, while Zhuang Hong absorbed the beasts' nutrients.
• After two days, Zhuang Hong's Source Power Orb turned pale violet and his body began transforming, swelling uncontrollably despite his shift into Agile Form and then Meat Shield Form.
• Zhishi recognized that Zhuang Hong was advancing and sent four avatars into the cave with blades to attack him.

Zhuang Hong transformed into his powerful Meat Shield Form and devoured four Zhishi clones, accelerating his advance toward Spirit Ascension. Zhishi then revealed more than thirty clones and sent them to surround Zhuang Hong.

• Zhuang Hong emerged from the collapsing cave in Meat Shield Form after his body transformed out of control.
• Zhuang Hong chased down and devoured two injured Zhishi clones while the other two failed to stop him.
• Zhuang Hong fought the remaining Zhishi clones, whose attacks shattered his armor but failed to seriously wound him.
• Zhuang Hong taunted Zhishi for caring about the Space-Corroding Worms and declared that Zhishi had already failed.
• Zhishi revealed more than thirty armed clones surrounding Zhuang Hong and launched them into an attack.

Zhuang Hong fought Zhishi’s clones, using his strength and Fine Silk to devour several of them while Zhishi switched to cautious hit-and-run tactics. Zhishi’s Violet Extremity Sword blasted through Zhuang Hong’s chest, but Zhuang Hong survived, healed himself, and returned to Agile Form ready to continue fighting.

• Zhuang Hong charged toward the cavern and fought off Zhishi’s clones, crushing and devouring three of them as they attacked him.
• Zhishi stopped the reckless assault and ordered his clones to use cautious hit-and-run tactics, preventing Zhuang Hong from capturing them.
• A hidden clone fired the Violet Extremity Sword through Zhuang Hong’s chest, but he survived by moving his vital organs and repaired the damage.
• Zhuang Hong devoured two more clones, then claimed he was badly wounded while Zhishi remained unsure of his condition.
• Zhuang Hong drank a healing potion and shrank back into Agile Form, condensed another saber, and challenged Zhishi to continue.

Zhuang Hong completed his transformation into Spirit Ascension Level and used his newfound speed and strength to slaughter Zhishi’s clones. When Zhishi’s remaining clones trapped and attacked him, Zhuang Hong revealed a spike ability that wiped them out, leaving Zhishi shocked.

• Zhuang Hong finished transforming, then swiftly killed and devoured Zhishi’s clones to replenish his energy.
• Zhuang Hong dodged the Violet Extremity Sword beams and cut down more clones until Zhishi had only a dozen left.
• Zhuang Hong headed toward the cave, forcing Zhishi’s remaining clones to block his way and launch a desperate attack.
• Zhishi’s clones clung to Zhuang Hong and stabbed him while another fired the Violet Extremity Sword, but Zhuang Hong dodged the beam.
• Zhuang Hong erupted spikes from his body, killing the clones attached to him and surprising Zhishi.

Zhuang Hong defeated Zhishi’s clones, then rushed to the cave when Xiao Bai warned him of another enemy and recovered the Two Realms Magnetic Stone from a fleeing clone. Zhishi revealed that the stone was only semi-finished because it had been removed from the passage early, and blamed Zhuang Hong for forcing him to take it out.

• Zhuang Hong killed Zhishi’s remaining fighting clones and explained that their manipulation delay made them vulnerable to his speed.
• After Xiao Bai reported an enemy near the cave, Zhuang Hong captured the bound Zhishi clone and pursued two more clones fleeing from the cave.
• Zhuang Hong killed one fleeing clone, crushed the other, and found the Two Realms Magnetic Stone hidden in a box inside its body.
• Zhuang Hong killed the Space-Corroding Worms and gave Xiao Bai a corpse as a reward.
• Zhishi offered to teach Zhuang Hong techniques in exchange for the stone, then explained it was semi-finished because it had been taken from the passage early.
• Zhishi cursed Zhuang Hong when Zhuang Hong asked why he had removed the stone from the passage.

After reaching Spirit Ascension Level, Zhuang Hong destroyed Zhishi’s Space-Corroding Worms and learned that True Spirits could leave the Dragon Court Mixed Domain and explore the Great Universe. The chapter ended with Zhuang Hong excited by the prospect of the vast universe, despite Zhishi warning that reaching True Spirit was nearly impossible.

• Zhuang Hong completed his evolution to Spirit Ascension Level Stage 1 and discovered that his abilities had become more powerful.
• Zhuang Hong carried Zhishi’s captive avatar to the cave and asked about the Semi-Finished Two Realms Magnetic Stone and the pointer, but Zhishi refused to answer.
• Zhuang Hong killed every Space-Corroding Worm, intending to let the damaged barrier passage repair itself, and Zhishi lamented the loss of his precious worms.
• Zhishi warned Zhuang Hong that advancing to True Spirit was nearly impossible and explained that only three True Spirits existed in the Dragon Court Mixed Domain.
• Zhishi explained that True Spirits could leave the Dragon Court Mixed Domain and explore the Great Universe, but Zhuang Hong responded with excitement rather than fear.

Zhuang Hong discovered that the ashes had stopped spreading rapidly after he destroyed the Space-Corroding Worms, then returned to Oasis World and sought help controlling Zhishi's clone. He reached the edge of the Rotting Ground and asked Beast Tamers where he could find Master Lan.

• Zhuang Hong decided to study Zhishi's intact clone brains and use Beast Taming Runes to try to control a clone and locate Zhishi's true body.
• Zhuang Hong found no suitable Steel Seal Template for the unusual brains and decided to ask Lan Linzhong and the other Beast Tamers for help.
• Zhuang Hong crossed the ash-covered Rotting Ground and saw that the starlike specks had vanished and the ashes had stopped spreading wildly.
• Zhuang Hong traveled through the ruined Lingjiang City and reached Beast Tamers building an isolation belt at the edge of the Rotting Ground.
• The Beast Tamers recognized Zhuang Hong and Xiao Bai, and Zhuang Hong asked them where he could find Master Lan.

Zhuang Hong told Lan Linzhong that he had removed the source of Ashes at Flying Orchid Peak, temporarily slowing its spread. Lan Linzhong celebrated the hope this offered, proposed a Bestowing Divinity Assembly to honor Zhuang Hong, and then asked him for help making Beast Taming Steel Seals from two Tentacle Beast heads and Zhishi's clone.

• Zhuang Hong learned that Lan Linzhong had credited him with discovering a way to stop Ashes, then traveled to Red Stone City to meet him.
• Zhuang Hong confirmed that he had removed the source of Ashes at Flying Orchid Peak but warned that the danger and damage remained; Lan Linzhong wept with relief and called him a savior.
• Lan Linzhong proposed holding a Bestowing Divinity Assembly to enshrine Zhuang Hong as a god, but Zhuang Hong declined the honor.
• Zhuang Hong showed Lan Linzhong two Tentacle Beast heads and Zhishi's controlled clone, asking him to make Beast Taming Steel Seals from their brains.
• Lan Linzhong told his old friends about Zhuang Hong's achievement and argued that they should honor him regardless of whether they could prove he had stopped Ashes; the elders agreed to suppress any doubts.

Zhuang Hong returned to Red Stone City and became a source of hope for Beast Tamers, while Lan Linzhong and other elders worked on a Beast Taming Steel Seal for Zhishi's clone. He reunited with Yin Zizhong, who explained how he became Young Master of the White Dragon Legion and sought advice about Qiao Hongxin and the girls around him.

• Lan Linzhong gathered elder researchers to study Zhishi's clone and promised to design its Beast Taming Steel Seal within ten days.
• News of Zhuang Hong's return spread, drawing Beast Tamers to Red Stone City, where he withdrew from public view rather than meet his admirers.
• A servant brought Yin Zizhong to Zhuang Hong, and Yin explained that the White Dragon Legion had made him its Young Master because he was Zhuang Hong's disciple.
• Yin told Zhuang Hong that he accepted the role as a chance to unite the legion and serve people, and said that defeating the Ashes was only one stage of his larger dream.
• Yin said the White Dragon Legion and Iron Ape Legion had clashed and that Qiao Hongxin seemed to dislike him, then admitted he could not tell which of the girls around him he liked.
• Zhuang Hong teased Yin about having several possible female leads and encouraged him to learn from Lan Linzhong's sixteen concubines, while Yin insisted he would love only one woman.

Zhuang Hong used the Beast Taming Steel Seal to control Zhishi's clone and tried to ambush Zhishi's main body, but Zhishi severed their connection and escaped. With Xiao Bai's help, Zhuang Hong found Zhishi's abandoned hiding place and searched through the wreckage.

• Lan Linzhong told Zhuang Hong that the Beast Taming Steel Seal for the Tentacle Beast was complete, and Zhuang Hong left Oasis World with Xiao Bai and Zhishi's clone.
• After three days of travel, Zhuang Hong branded Zhishi's clone with the seal and used it to locate Zhishi's main body.
• Zhuang Hong reached a region of towering mountains, but Zhishi had severed his connection to the clone and disappeared.
• Zhuang Hong discarded the useless clone and sent Xiao Bai to search for Zhishi's scent.
• Xiao Bai led Zhuang Hong to a concealed cave, where Zhuang Hong found Zhishi's trashed hiding place and began looking for anything useful.

Zhuang Hong searched Zhishi’s abandoned underground workshop, recovered three Jade Tablets containing cultivation techniques, and followed his Treasure Pointers to a fake treasure site. There, he encountered a weaker Void Spirit whose pointer led it to Zhuang Hong, and the chapter ended with the frightened creature realizing it should run.

• Zhuang Hong collected weapons and materials from Zhishi’s ruined workshop and learned that the Jade Tablets contained the Source Unleashing Art, the Three Bone Pill formula, and a Clone Technique.
• Zhuang Hong left the underground space with the Jade Tablets and followed his Treasure Pointer toward its destination.
• Zhuang Hong found a stone pillar marked “Treasure Is Here” and discovered that inserting a pointer revealed Zhishi’s message, “Good luck.”
• Zhuang Hong confirmed there was no treasure and encountered a Half-Beast Race Void Spirit whose pointer led it to him.
• Zhuang Hong told the Void Spirit that he was its treasure, and it trembled with fear before deciding to run.