Chapter Summaries

Xu Wuyi accepted the extremely high-risk vanguard mission and began scouting the final eight hundred meters toward the 7-C Rift core. After activating the K7 hub station, he mapped hazards and Star Beast threats while advancing into the danger zone, as the command post and other fighters tracked his progress.

• Xu Wuyi accepted Zhao Zhen's mission to scout the terrain and threats between K7 and the rift core.
• Xu Wuyi reached K7 Heights, activated the hub base station, and completed the preliminary regional network.
• Xu Wuyi used his mental power to identify dangerous terrain, energy turbulence, and groups of powerful Star Beasts ahead.
• Xu Wuyi entered the final eight-hundred-meter zone and streamed exploration data and threat markings to the command post.
• Zhao Zhen and the officers watched Xu Wuyi advance, while Lei Lie and the blade-carrying man noticed he had moved ahead of them.

Xu Wuyi fought through the dangerous terrain and reached the edge of the 7-C rift, where he activated the final signal base station. He then prepared to collect energy samples as the mission continued.

• Xu Wuyi eliminated three level-32 Ash Worms in twelve seconds, widening his lead over the other teams.
• Xu Wuyi was caught by corrosive silk from Molten Core Crystal Spiders, but froze and killed them with his spear and [Undying Flame] before continuing.
• Lei Lie saw Xu Wuyi far ahead and urged his squad to increase their pace, while the saber-carrying man to the southeast chose a safer detour around dense energy turbulence.
• Xu Wuyi fought through several more Star Beast interceptions and reached the edge of the 7-C rift thirty-seven minutes after entering the area.
• Xu Wuyi activated the final signal base station successfully, then took out energy collection tubes to begin gathering samples.

While collecting energy near the rift, Xu Wuyi discovered evidence of man-made equipment that may have been used to expand or keep the rift open. Major Zhao Zhen ordered the squads to search for further evidence and assigned Xu Wuyi to defend the KZ-1 base station while conducting cautious reconnaissance.

• Xu Wuyi collected energy samples near the rift and spotted metal debris with signs of professional tool damage.
• Xu Wuyi sent images and details of the suspected artificial equipment to the command center.
• Major Zhao Zhen's technical staff analyzed the debris and found evidence it might have been part of rift-related equipment installed before the missile strike.
• Zhao Zhen informed the squad leaders that an unknown force might be worsening the rift disaster and ordered them to report and preserve any similar evidence.
• Zhao Zhen ordered Xu Wuyi to hold the safe zone around KZ-1 and conduct reconnaissance without approaching the rift or entering possible ambush areas.

Xu Wuyi defended the K7 rendezvous point and briefed Lei Lie and the other arriving squads about the man-made traces near the rift. After all five remaining squads assembled, military support arrived and took over the sweep, leaving the Martial Masters at K7 to await further orders.

• Xu Wuyi checked the KZ-1 base station, built a defensive position, and watched the rift while recovering.
• Lei Lie's squad reached K7, and Xu Wuyi told Lei Lie about the man-made traces and the quiet rock zone.
• Luo Geng and the other two-person squads arrived at K7 and took up positions to rest and keep watch.
• Zhao Zhen announced that military support had arrived and ordered the Martial Masters to hold at K7 while the military swept the target area.

After the army completed the Star Beast purge, Xu Wuyi and the other teams withdrew and received their mission rewards. Back at the temporary base, Xu Wuyi counted his 3,217 new points and began considering how to use his greatly increased reserves.

• The military used the deployed signal base stations to locate and eliminate the Star Beasts, then announced the purge was complete.
• Xu Wuyi, Lei Lie, Luo Geng, and the other teams withdrew from the rift as military crews began setting up stabilization and protective equipment.
• The teams returned to the temporary command base, where Zhao Zhen distributed their mission rewards and reminded them not to discuss the encrypted discovery near the rift.
• Xu Wuyi received 3,217 points, bringing his total to 5,359, and checked his personal data panel in his barracks.

After returning from the Ashen Wasteland mission, Xu Wuyi reviewed his combat data, conserved his points, and focused on strengthening his existing abilities. On the fourth morning, Tana contacted him.

• Xu Wuyi decided to return to school and digest the mission’s combat experience instead of immediately taking another high-risk mission.
• Lei Lie praised Xu Wuyi’s performance as the transport plane carried the Martial Masters back to Yuntai City.
• Xu Wuyi returned to Star Martial University, informed his parents he was safe, and archived encrypted evidence of human activity near the rift.
• Xu Wuyi spent several days analyzing his battle recordings and organizing data as his personal combat system took shape.
• Xu Wuyi saved his 5,359 points and focused on solidifying his foundation at level 34.8.
• Tana contacted Xu Wuyi after a period of little communication.

Xu Wuyi met with Tana on the Battle Net, where she asked him to represent the Western Desert Royal Family in Flame Venerable’s arena competition. After learning the terms and the strength of the field, he examined information about a leading opponent, Meng Jingyuan.

• Tana contacted Xu Wuyi and asked him to meet her in their private Battle Net training space.
• Tana explained that Flame Venerable had opened an under-twenty-four arena competition to outside reinforcements, with a portion of his inheritance at stake for the winner’s faction.
• Tana offered Xu Wuyi thirty million Federal Credits to compete for the Western Desert Royal Family, plus ten million and access to internal-price resources if he won the inheritance.
• Tana described the 32-person elimination tournament, which would take place on Battle Net in the Western Desert royal capital in a week.
• Tana warned Xu Wuyi that many contestants had Life Energy Levels above 30 and introduced Meng Jingyuan, a level 36.2 saber genius and a leading threat.

Xu Wuyi reviewed the powerful fighters expected at the Flame Venerable Arena Tournament and agreed to Tana’s commission. After sharpening his combat instincts with cleanup missions, he traveled with Tana and other invited martial artists to the Western Desert Royal Capital, where the tournament arrangements were explained.

• Xu Wuyi studied the profiles of Meng Jingyuan, Bai Li, and Ta Shan, then accepted Tana’s commission to compete in the tournament.
• Xu Wuyi completed several level-two cleanup missions around Yuntai City over the next three days to keep his combat instincts sharp.
• Xu Wuyi boarded Tana’s aircraft and reunited with Star Martial University senior Gu Yang, who introduced him to Meng Ke and Su Qing.
• During the five-hour flight, Tana showed Xu Wuyi the Flame Martial Arena and explained the tournament venue and accommodations.

Xu Wuyi arrived in the Western Desert with Tana, Gu Yang, Meng Ke, and Su Qing to represent the royal family in the Flame Venerable Arena Tournament. After settling into the palace, he met Tana’s cousin Ta Shan, who revealed that he had recruited a level-thirty-six fighter from Black Stone Academy.

• Gu Yang told Xu Wuyi that the tournament was also a chance for major forces to display their younger fighters, but Xu Wuyi remained calm about representing the royal family.
• Tana introduced Xu Wuyi, Gu Yang, Meng Ke, and Su Qing to Hassan, who escorted them to meet Prince Tamur at the palace.
• Tamur questioned whether Xu Wuyi could defeat the level-thirty-six genius Ta Shan had invited from Black Stone Academy, and Tana insisted that he could.
• Hassan settled Xu Wuyi into a private building, where Xu Wuyi began adapting to the Western Desert’s fire-leaning energy environment.
• Tana brought Ta Shan to meet Xu Wuyi, and Ta Shan told him that his Black Stone Academy recruit was no weaker than himself.

Xu Wuyi sparred with Ta Shan to determine who would represent the royal family in the arena match. Xu Wuyi decisively defeated him, leaving Ta Shan to acknowledge his loss.

• Ta Shan argued that the stronger fighter should represent the royal family and offered Xu Wuyi his full appearance fee instead.
• Xu Wuyi refused payment without fighting and proposed a spar; Ta Shan agreed to fight in the Black Stone Academy fighter's place.
• Xu Wuyi and Ta Shan entered the Battle Net arena, where Ta Shan attacked with his Heaven-Burning Saber Art.
• Xu Wuyi used his spear to counter Ta Shan's attacks and disarm him, stopping the spear tip just short of his chest.
• Ta Shan admitted defeat, while Tana watched with shining eyes.

After Xu Wuyi defeated Ta Shan in their spar, Ta Shan agreed that Xu Wuyi would represent the royal family and told Fu Yun about the result. Fu Yun recognized Xu Wuyi from their prior acquaintance and, knowing his reputation, declined to fight him and went to meet him instead.

• Xu Wuyi beat Ta Shan in their Battle Net spar, and Ta Shan agreed that Xu Wuyi would take the royal family's spot.
• Tana told Xu Wuyi that the Black Stone student was Fu Yun, a fourth-year with a strong tournament record, and Xu Wuyi recognized the name.
• Ta Shan told Fu Yun that Xu Wuyi had defeated him in fewer than ten moves.
• Fu Yun explained that Xu Wuyi had defeated Hong Nianyi's phantom on the Nine Stars Monument and said he would not accept a fight against him.
• Ta Shan brought Fu Yun to Xu Wuyi's residence, where Fu Yun and Xu Wuyi greeted each other as old acquaintances.

Xu Wuyi secured the royal family's place in Flame Venerable's arena matches after Fu Yun withdrew and praised Xu Wuyi's strength. With the draw scheduled for the next day and the matches beginning the day after, Xu Wuyi prepared himself for the competition.

• Fu Yun told Ta Shan that Xu Wuyi was among the strongest fighters under twenty-four and withdrew from the royal family's spot.
• Fu Yun told Xu Wuyi that Red Star members were interested in his intent and that Big Sister was attempting to reach major completion in her Heart Image.
• Ta Shan accepted Fu Yun's withdrawal and asked Xu Wuyi to represent the royal family in the arena matches.
• Tana told Xu Wuyi that thirty-two participants would draw opponents the next day and compete in five rounds the day after, with Flame Venerable watching.
• After Tana left, Xu Wuyi looked out at the night sky and sank his consciousness into his sea of consciousness.

Xu Wuyi attended the opening of the Flame Venerable Arena Tournament, where Flame Venerable announced a 32-person virtual contest and began the draw. Xu Wuyi drew number seven and learned his first opponent was number twenty-six, a stocky close-range fighter.

• Xu Wuyi continued his cultivation while waiting for the tournament to begin.
• Xu Wuyi and Tana entered the Flame Martial Arena and took their reserved seats near Prince Tamur, Ta Shan, and Fu Yun.
• Xu Wuyi sensed the competitors, including Meng Jingyuan, Bai Li, and Ta Shan, among the thirty-two contestants.
• Flame Venerable announced that the competitors would draw lots and fight virtual duels with no restrictions on methods or weapons.
• Xu Wuyi drew number seven and identified number twenty-six, a stocky young man skilled in close-range fist arts, as his first opponent.

Xu Wuyi defeated Shi Gang with one controlled spear strike, then watched Bai Li begin her match against a Western Desert swordsman. Bai Li gained the upper hand and appeared to be closing in on victory.

• Xu Wuyi prepared for his first-round match while the earlier contestants fought.
• Xu Wuyi faced Shi Gang of the Stone Rock Tribe and stopped his charging punch with one precise spear strike.
• Shi Gang conceded, and the referee declared Xu Wuyi the winner.
• Xu Wuyi returned to his seat and checked the bracket, which could pit him against Bai Li in the next round.
• Bai Li evaded a Western Desert swordsman's attacks, drew her sword, and forced him to abandon his blade as she targeted his wrist.

Xu Wuyi faced Bai Li in the second round and countered her spatial sword techniques with his mental strength and spear. After Bai Li unleashed the Void-Gazing Five Kills, Xu Wuyi broke through the attack and pursued her with another thrust.

• Bai Li defeated her first opponent with the Void-Gazing Sword Step, and Xu Wuyi drew her as his second-round opponent.
• Bai Li attacked Xu Wuyi from multiple directions using spatial movement, but he sensed her fluctuations and parried every strike without moving his feet.
• Bai Li used the Void-Gazing Five Kills to create five attacking figures, and Xu Wuyi froze them briefly with his intent before shattering four with his spear.
• Xu Wuyi struck Bai Li's true body, leaving her bleeding, then followed her retreat with a faster, heavier thrust.

Xu Wuyi defeated Bai Li and advanced through the tournament to the semifinals, where he was set to face Star Martial senior Gu Yang. Gu Yang acknowledged Xu Wuyi’s strength but vowed to fight rather than forfeit.

• Xu Wuyi used the flame clinging to Bai Li to anticipate her movement, wounded her with his spear, and won after she admitted defeat.
• Xu Wuyi reflected on Bai Li’s swordsmanship as spectators and local representatives investigated his background and discussed Meng Jingyuan as a tournament favorite.
• Xu Wuyi defeated a Western Desert clan disciple in three moves and a Central Province swordfighter in fifteen moves to reach the top four.
• Xu Wuyi, Meng Jingyuan, Gu Yang, and Talon advanced to the semifinals, with Xu Wuyi matched against Gu Yang.
• Gu Yang told Xu Wuyi that he would not forfeit and would show him what Star Martial’s upperclassmen could do.

Xu Wuyi defeated Gu Yang in the second semifinal and advanced to the final against Meng Jingyuan. After studying Meng Jingyuan’s thunder technique during the rest period, Xu Wuyi took the stage to face him.

• Ta Shan told Xu Wuyi that his cousin Talon could not defeat Meng Jingyuan.
• Meng Jingyuan defeated Talon in five seconds with a palm strike carrying Thunder true intent.
• Xu Wuyi defeated Gu Yang after overpowering him with successive spear thrusts and stopping his final attack at Gu Yang’s throat.
• Tana congratulated Xu Wuyi on reaching the final, and he studied Meng Jingyuan’s technique while resting.
• Xu Wuyi and Meng Jingyuan took the stage for the final.

Xu Wuyi faced Meng Jingyuan in the final match, countering the Thunder Blade Sect heir’s relentless attacks with precise basic spearwork. When Meng Jingyuan unleashed his killing move, Xu Wuyi set aside his spear and shattered the lightning pillar with a punch, leaving the match’s outcome unresolved.

• Xu Wuyi and Meng Jingyuan began the final match, and Meng Jingyuan opened with Thunderclap Slash.
• Xu Wuyi met Meng Jingyuan’s attacks head-on and precisely deflected his Chain Thunder strikes.
• Meng Jingyuan attacked at full speed for dozens of moves, but Xu Wuyi’s basic spearwork kept him from breaking through.
• Meng Jingyuan retreated and unleashed Thunder Blade; Heavenly Punishment, engulfing the arena in a pillar of lightning.
• Xu Wuyi planted his spear, used the Opening Stance, and shattered the lightning pillar with a punch.

Xu Wuyi defeated Meng Jingyuan in the Flame Martial Arena and caught Flame Venerable’s attention, who offered to teach him for three months. Xu Wuyi accepted a token and three days to decide, but planned to consult his teacher Han Mo first; at the celebratory banquet, Fu Yun told him his victory would soon make him known across the Federation.

• Xu Wuyi defeated Meng Jingyuan with a basic body-tempering fist technique, and Meng Jingyuan acknowledged his superior foundation.
• Flame Venerable advised Meng Jingyuan about his thunder true intent and recognized Xu Wuyi’s progress with the Hundred Refinements Furnace.
• Flame Venerable invited Xu Wuyi to study with him for three months, and Xu Wuyi said he needed to consult Han Mo before deciding.
• Flame Venerable gave Xu Wuyi a token granting access to Palace East Garden and three days to consider the offer.
• Xu Wuyi attended the royal family’s victory banquet, where Fu Yun said his win would spread his name through the Federation and help him obtain missions and resources.

After returning from the Western Desert, Xu Wuyi studied Flame Venerable’s insights on merging artistic conceptions and asked Han Mo for permission to study under him. Han Mo encouraged him to accept Flame Venerable’s three-month offer, leaving Xu Wuyi ready to learn from the Grandmaster.

• After reviewing his battle with Meng Jingyuan, Xu Wuyi sensed a possible embryonic fist intent and strengthened his Great Sun Atop the Mountain conception.
• Xu Wuyi left the Western Desert with Gu Yang, Meng Ke, and Su Qing, while Tamur asked him to look after Tana.
• Back at Star Martial University, Xu Wuyi studied Flame Venerable’s insights and began fusing his Mountain and Burn true intents more deeply.
• Xu Wuyi met Han Mo and said he would follow his teacher’s decision about Flame Venerable’s invitation.
• Han Mo approved Xu Wuyi’s three months of study with Flame Venerable and urged him to learn from the Grandmaster’s strengths.