Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Breaking Through”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zi Yan absorbs the Ancestor Dragon Pool and awakens the power of her Void Divine Dragon bloodline. She uses the pool to create a massive barrier around East Dragon Island, preventing Qiong Leng’s avatar from escaping.
• Xiao Meng and his avatars pursue Qiong Leng, intending to capture him. Realizing he is trapped, Qiong Leng decides to self-destruct and destroy Dragon Island along with his enemies.
• Xiao Meng’s four avatars form a defensive formation around Qiong Leng. They use the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art, the Great Wilderness Scripture, and the Primordial Origin Flame to absorb and suppress the destructive energy.
• Qiong Leng detonates himself, creating a devastating black energy storm. Xiao Meng activates the Heaven-Transforming Armor, while his avatars shield him. All four avatars are destroyed, and Xiao Meng is severely injured but survives.
• Zi Yan reinforces the barrier with her blood and the Ancestor Dragon Pool, preventing the explosion from killing everyone on Dragon Island. The dragon clan contributes their blood to stabilize the barrier.
• After the blast, Xiao Meng falls unconscious. The Taixu Divine Lotus absorbs the remaining black energy and heals him, while Zi Yan and the dragon clan prepare to evacuate Dragon Island.
• Two days later, the surviving black energy has mostly been devoured. Xiao Meng awakens and receives a system prompt urging him to break through to the Divine Astral Realm while his body is at its limit.
• Despite Zi Yan’s concern, Xiao Meng attempts the breakthrough. The process causes extreme pain and repeatedly tears his body apart. After twelve failures, he finally succeeds on the thirteenth attempt by opening the Rest Gate.
• Xiao Meng recovers with the help of the Taixu Divine Lotus, Dragon Spirit Fruits, and the Rest Gate’s enhanced vitality.
• He organizes the evacuation of the dragon clan and Dragon Island’s other inhabitants to the northwest region of the continent. He then plans to travel to the Void Lightning Pool to temper his body, consolidate his new realm, and claim a powerful ninth-grade golden pill.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Demonstrates immense resilience, tactical awareness, and willingness to risk his life. He finally breaks into the Divine Astral Realm after enduring horrific pain, though he remains irreverent and playful even when badly injured. He also shows responsibility by protecting Gu Nianxue and ensuring the evacuation of Dragon Island.
• Zi Yan: Grows substantially stronger after absorbing the Ancestor Dragon Pool and awakening her Void Divine Dragon bloodline. She takes command during the crisis, repeatedly strengthens the barrier despite suffering injuries, and earns the cooperation of the dragon clan as Dragon Emperor.
• Qiong Leng: Reveals his desperation and ruthlessness by choosing self-destruction rather than allowing Xiao Meng to capture his avatar. His plan causes immense destruction but fails to kill Xiao Meng.
• Gu Nianxue: Her intense worry for Xiao Meng becomes increasingly evident, suggesting deepening feelings despite her continued denial. She helps protect the group and accepts Xiao Meng’s defensive jade slips.
• Big Old Two: Remains fiercely loyal to Xiao Meng and acts as a practical leader during the crisis. It protects Gu Nianxue, directs the dragon clan, and maintains confidence that Xiao Meng will survive.
• The dragon clan: Initially divided and distrustful, the clan unites under Zi Yan and Xiao Meng’s leadership when survival is threatened. Their willingness to donate blood and assist with the evacuation reflects their acceptance of Zi Yan as Dragon Emperor.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and self-transcendence: Xiao Meng’s breakthrough emphasizes that true advancement requires enduring extreme suffering and surpassing one’s perceived limits.
• Sacrifice and survival: Qiong Leng’s self-destruction, the loss of Xiao Meng’s avatars, and the dragon clan’s blood sacrifice all show the costs of survival during a catastrophic conflict.
• Leadership and loyalty: Zi Yan proves herself as Dragon Emperor, while Big Old Two and the dragon clan demonstrate varying forms of loyalty to Xiao Meng and Zi Yan.
• Hidden strength and trump cards: Xiao Meng’s use of the Heaven-Transforming Armor reveals his strategy of concealing his strongest abilities until absolutely necessary.
• Affection beneath conflict: Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue’s teasing arguments conceal genuine concern and growing intimacy. Their relationship is further highlighted by Zi Yan’s playful teasing.

Character Interactions

• Zi Yan saves Xiao Meng by sealing Dragon Island with the Ancestor Dragon Pool’s barrier, then argues with him when he risks himself during the explosion.
• Big Old Two repeatedly reassures Zi Yan and Gu Nianxue that Xiao Meng will survive while ordering the dragon clan to reinforce the barrier and evacuate.
• The dragon clan follows Zi Yan’s commands and contributes their blood after realizing that cooperation is their only chance of survival.
• Zi Yan warns Xiao Meng against attempting a breakthrough while injured, but he proceeds anyway. She later teases him about Gu Nianxue’s concern.
• Xiao Meng jokingly calls Gu Nianxue his “wife,” embarrassing and angering her while clearly enjoying her emotional reaction.
• Xiao Meng and Zi Yan bicker over the Dragon Emperor’s throne, displaying their familiar guardian-and-daughter-like dynamic despite their official roles.
• Before leaving, Xiao Meng gives Gu Nianxue jade slips for protection, and she angrily confronts him over his concealed background and powerful resources.

Chapter Summary: “Retrieving the Nine Profound Golden Lightning”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Meng travels through the dangerous void with Gu Nianxue, Zi Yan, and Big Old Two, heading toward the Void Lightning Pool. The chaotic spatial energy is deadly to ordinary cultivators, but Big Old Two’s Ancient Void Dragon abilities allow them to travel safely.
• Xiao Meng explains that he intends to use the lightning to temper his body and consolidate his cultivation. Zi Yan jokes about his apparent fondness for pain, creating a lighthearted exchange despite the danger ahead.
• Xiao Meng examines Zi Yan’s Ancestor Dragon Pool, learning that it contains:
  • An internal world with nine Dragon Transformation Pools
  • Three dried-up pools due to damage
  • The Ancestor Dragon Hall
  • A powerful cultivation method, the Ancestor Dragon Scripture
• He warns Zi Yan not to reveal or casually cultivate the Ancestor Dragon Scripture, since its requirements are exceptionally demanding and exposing it could attract powerful enemies. Zi Yan, in turn, bargains for future access to the Dragon Transformation Pools.
• The group reaches the Void Lightning Pool, an enormous lake composed entirely of destructive silver lightning. Gu Nianxue and Zi Yan are shocked by its power, which could kill two- or three-star Dou Saints.
• Xiao Meng enters the pool without using defensive treasures, enduring the lightning with his physical body. He stops after advancing roughly a thousand meters, where the lightning reaches his current limit.
• After several days of adaptation, Xiao Meng realizes that the remaining seven of his Eight Gates have loosened following his earlier breakthrough of the Rest Gate. The system explains that damaging one part of the Eight Gates’ unified structure weakened the entire formation.
• Xiao Meng breaks through the remaining seven gates with surprising ease, greatly increasing his physical strength. He estimates that he could now kill an early-stage Dou Venerable with a single punch.
• He continues deeper and encounters Black Devil Lightning, far more destructive than ordinary lightning. He remains in a safer region for several days to consolidate his cultivation.
• Xiao Meng considers how to obtain the Nine Profound Golden Lightning, realizing that brute force would be impractical even with assistance from Zi Yan, Big Old Two, and Xiao Xuan’s jade slips.
• The system advises him to use the aura of the Destruction Divine Thunder within his Taiyi True Water Pool. Xiao Meng follows this advice and uses the aura to suppress the Nine Profound Golden Lightning.
• With a jade slip protecting him from the surrounding lightning, Xiao Meng reaches the deepest region of the pool and encounters the Nine Profound Golden Lightning in the form of an enormous golden lightning dragon.
• The dragon awakens when Xiao Meng produces the Haotian Tower and attacks him. Xiao Meng easily shatters its initial lightning strike, then uses the Destruction Divine Thunder’s aura to overpower and frighten it.
• Rather than destroy the lightning dragon, Xiao Meng offers to help it gain sentience in the future. The Nine Profound Golden Lightning submits and enters the Haotian Tower.
• Xiao Meng then decides to collect the surrounding Black Devil Lightning for future puppet-refining. However, just as he prepares to do so, his expression changes suddenly, and he flees the lightning pool with murderous intent, setting up the next chapter’s conflict.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Demonstrates increasing confidence in his physical strength and strategic abilities. He endures terrifying lightning, breaks through all eight gates, and successfully subdues the Nine Profound Golden Lightning through intimidation and negotiation rather than relying solely on force.
• Zi Yan: Shows her playful, mischievous personality while also revealing the immense potential and importance of her Ancestor Dragon Pool. Her natural bond with the artifact confirms her special status within the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
• Gu Nianxue: Remains concerned for Xiao Meng’s safety, despite trying to hide her worry behind indignation. Her reactions show increasing familiarity and emotional investment in him and the group.
• Big Old Two: Acts as the group’s guide and protector during the journey, confidently navigating the void and assuring Xiao Meng that he can safeguard the others.
• Nine Profound Golden Lightning: Is introduced as an immensely powerful but not-yet-sentient entity. Its submission to Xiao Meng suggests that it possesses instinctive awareness and may become an important ally or weapon in the future.

Significant Themes

• Power through endurance: Xiao Meng’s cultivation advances by deliberately exposing himself to extreme pain and danger, reinforcing his commitment to strengthening his body.
• Strategic strength over brute force: Xiao Meng recognizes that directly fighting the Nine Profound Golden Lightning would be costly and instead uses the superior aura of the Destruction Divine Thunder to suppress it.
• Inherited potential and destiny: Zi Yan’s effortless mastery of the Ancestor Dragon Pool and the existence of the Ancestor Dragon Scripture emphasize the importance of bloodline, inheritance, and suitability.
• Dangerous knowledge: The Ancestor Dragon Scripture is portrayed as both immensely powerful and hazardous, highlighting the risks of pursuing techniques beyond one’s capabilities.
• Domination and cooperation: Xiao Meng subdues the lightning dragon but offers it future benefits instead of destroying it, suggesting that alliances can be more valuable than conquest.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng and Zi Yan: Their teasing, bargaining, and sibling-like quarrels provide comic relief. Xiao Meng is frustrated by Zi Yan’s luck in obtaining the Ancestor Dragon Pool, while Zi Yan uses her possession of the Dragon Transformation Pools and Scripture as leverage.
• Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue: Gu Nianxue repeatedly expresses concern for him, while Xiao Meng reassures her that the lightning cannot kill him. Their exchange reveals mutual concern beneath playful irritation.
• Xiao Meng and Big Old Two: Big Old Two supports Xiao Meng’s expedition and promises to protect the others. Xiao Meng reciprocates by warning him to remain careful.
• Xiao Meng and the Nine Profound Golden Lightning: Their encounter shifts from violent confrontation to submission. Xiao Meng establishes dominance through the Destruction Divine Thunder but persuades the lightning dragon to follow him by promising to help it develop sentience.

Chapter Summary: “Slaying Yao Xiaotian”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Outside the Void Lightning Pool, Yao Xiaotian leads a group of powerful, black-energy-infused fighters in attacking Zi Yan, Big Old Two, and Gu Nianxue, who are protected by a barrier formed through the Ancestor Dragon Pool.
• Xiao Meng arrives just in time and immediately kills several attackers with a lightning strike. He identifies the enemy forces as members of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, all apparently controlled by Qiong Leng.
• Xiao Meng recognizes Yao Xiaotian as the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan’s chief and realizes that the black energy has dramatically enhanced his strength. Rather than fight recklessly, he orders his injured companions to recover while he handles the enemies.
• He creates four incarnations using the Self-Manifestation Great Law, giving each one a jade slip to increase its combat strength. Three incarnations engage Huang Tian and the Heavenly Demon Phoenixes, while another fights the snake-carrying elder.
• Xiao Meng deliberately appears to struggle against Yao Xiaotian, using defensive techniques and pretending to be near his limit. He lures Yao Xiaotian into the Void Lightning Pool, where he can exploit the environment and keep the battle away from his allies.
• Yao Xiaotian uses powerful inherited techniques, including the Yellow Springs Finger and Yellow Springs Great Seal, destroying or overpowering several of Xiao Meng’s techniques. Xiao Meng withstands the attacks and continues delaying him.
• Once Yao Xiaotian is trapped inside the lightning pool, Xiao Meng’s incarnations eliminate the Three Heavenly Demon Phoenixes, kill Huang Tian, and defeat the snake-carrying elder. They absorb the black energy from their bodies using the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art.
• Xiao Meng then reveals that he had been pretending to be weak. He combines the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art with the Nine-Dragon Immortal-Slaying Formation, using seven lightning dragons to devastate Yao Xiaotian and strip away his remaining power.
• With Yao Xiaotian helpless, Xiao Meng brutally tortures him for insulting Gu Nianxue and attempting to take her. Yao Xiaotian begs for death but is denied and is eventually tortured to death.
• Afterward, Xiao Meng collects the lightning from the Void Lightning Pool with the Haotian Tower. He has Zi Yan and the others retreat into the Ancestor Dragon Pool to recover and carries it away, deciding the area is no longer safe.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, strategic patience, and ruthless decisiveness. Rather than defeating Yao Xiaotian through direct force, he uses deception, incarnations, battlefield positioning, and the lightning pool to secure victory.
• Xiao Meng’s protective feelings toward Gu Nianxue become clear. Yao Xiaotian’s crude remarks about her provoke Xiao Meng’s strongest hostility and motivate his merciless punishment.
• Yao Xiaotian is revealed as arrogant, cruel, and overconfident. He underestimates Xiao Meng, becomes obsessed with obtaining his incarnation technique, and ultimately falls into Xiao Meng’s trap.
• Zi Yan, Big Old Two, and Gu Nianxue are shown to have endured several days of siege. Zi Yan’s use of the Ancestor Dragon Pool is crucial to their survival, though it leaves her physically exhausted.
• Huang Tian and the Heavenly Demon Phoenixes appear powerful but function largely as controlled puppets under Qiong Leng’s influence. Their defeat removes a major hostile faction from the battlefield.

Significant Themes

• Deception and strategic intelligence: Xiao Meng wins by concealing his true strength and manipulating Yao Xiaotian into entering a disadvantageous battlefield.
• Protection and loyalty: Xiao Meng’s determination to defend Gu Nianxue and his injured allies drives his actions.
• Corruption and control: The black energy turns powerful clansmen into weapons or puppets under Qiong Leng’s influence, stripping many of them of free will.
• Pride and downfall: Yao Xiaotian’s arrogance causes him to dismiss Xiao Meng’s warnings and pursue him recklessly, leading directly to his death.
• Retributive justice and brutality: Xiao Meng views Yao Xiaotian’s crimes and insults as deserving extreme punishment, emphasizing the chapter’s harsh moral atmosphere.
• Power through cooperation: Xiao Meng’s incarnations act in coordination, allowing him to fight multiple powerful enemies simultaneously and overwhelm them through formation techniques.

Character Interactions

• Zi Yan and Big Old Two initially react with relief when Xiao Meng arrives after their prolonged defense.
• Xiao Meng communicates mentally with the group, telling them to recover while he confronts the attackers.
• Gu Nianxue warns Xiao Meng to be careful, and his reassuring response strengthens the emotional bond between them.
• Yao Xiaotian repeatedly taunts Xiao Meng, boasts of his superiority, and demands the technique used to create incarnations. Xiao Meng responds by pretending to be weak while secretly manipulating the battle.
• After defeating Yao Xiaotian, Xiao Meng personally punishes him for threatening and insulting Gu Nianxue, ending their conflict with Yao Xiaotian’s death.

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Meng learns that Yao Xiaotian—not Qiong Leng—had enslaved the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan. With Yao Xiaotian dead, his Soul Imprints vanish, ending the clan’s control and abuse. The surviving clansmen choose to serve Xiao Meng, who leaves their leadership to Big Old Two, a Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix. They name it the Demon Emperor and call Xiao Meng the Emperor’s Master.
• Zi Yan moves most of the clan into the Ancestor Dragon Pool. Xiao Meng retrieves a massive Divine Phoenix Stone from their forbidden grounds; Big Old Two consumes a piece and withdraws to sleep, with the possibility of evolving into an Elder Immortal Phoenix.
• At the Skeleton Mountain Range, Xiao Meng has the entire ruin uprooted and stored for later study, rather than explore it piece by piece.
• Fearing Qiong Leng will turn the Beast Domain’s inhabitants into puppets, Xiao Meng begins relocating its magical beasts. His forces subdue resistant clans and uproot millions of mountains, carrying their inhabitants into the Ancestor Dragon Pool.
• Xiao Meng then turns to the sea, using several heavenly treasures and help from Zi Yan, the Beast Domain clans, and the Sea Clan to relocate vast numbers of marine creatures. Near the northern ice region, he learns that a mysterious woman has killed many Sea Clan experts while draining the region’s cold power.
• Xiao Meng identifies the woman as Xue You, an Earth-born enemy inhabiting Nalan Yanran’s body. She had entered Nalan Yanran before birth and sealed herself inside the girl while her body gradually strengthened. Xue You’s recovery is accelerating in the Far Northern Land, and Xiao Meng fears her power may rival Qiong Leng’s.
• After months of work, Xiao Meng reaches Endless City and directs the Sea Clan to move nearby marine life beyond its expanding wall. He later takes Gu Nianxue for a brief ride and tells her that Xiao Xuan and the Ancient Clan have already begun relocating the Central Plains’ people.

Character developments and interactions

• The Heaven Demon Phoenix survivors’ grief over Huang Tian gives way to gratitude toward Xiao Meng, who has ended their enslavement. Big Old Two reluctantly accepts them as followers and takes on the title of Demon Emperor.
• Xiao Meng becomes increasingly strategic and forceful: he evacuates entire regions to keep their inhabitants from falling under Qiong Leng’s control, using coercion against clans that refuse to cooperate.
• Zi Yan’s spatial abilities and the expanding coalition of clans make the huge evacuation possible. Xiao Meng also creates four copies of himself to operate multiple treasures at once.
• Gu Nianxue’s affection for Xiao Meng deepens, though their teasing reveals friction over his secrecy. She objects to being expected to call Xiao Xuan “Ancestor,” and twists Xiao Meng’s ears after discovering he had already arranged for the Ancient Clan’s relocation. Their argument ends in playful, flirtatious banter.

Significant themes

• Protection through drastic action: Xiao Meng’s vast evacuation effort is driven by the fear that Qiong Leng will enslave entire populations.
• Power, exploitation, and recovery: The Phoenix Clan’s abuse under Yao Xiaotian contrasts with the new danger posed by Xue You, whose recovery depends on Nalan Yanran’s body and the Far Northern Land’s ice.
• Scale and urgency: The immense size of the Beast Domain and ocean makes the rescue effort exhausting and seemingly endless.
• Trust and intimacy: Xiao Meng’s secrecy frustrates Gu Nianxue, but their affectionate teasing shows a close relationship beneath the conflict.

Chapter Summary: “I’m Your Uncle-in-Law”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After spending more than half a year at sea, Xiao Meng travels through the Snake-People territory on his way home.
• He discovers that Hai Bo Dong and Mu Zichen have grown dramatically stronger. Hai Bo Dong’s power has evolved enough to resist Qiong Leng’s black energy, while Mu Zichen’s Undying Body makes him nearly invincible against opponents of the same level.
• The Snake-People have also advanced significantly because of Xiao Meng’s pills. Many Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs have appeared, and one Snake-Person has even reached the Dou Venerable realm by successfully fusing with a Soul Snake. However, the fusion process is extremely dangerous, with most attempts ending in failure and several deaths. Medusa remains willing to sacrifice lives to strengthen her people.
• Xiao Meng visits Jia Nan Academy to use its spatial wormhole and return to the Xiao Clan. He reunites with Old Man Huo, teasing and tormenting him before asking him to gather ingredients for an eighth-grade pill. Old Man Huo is shocked and excited by Xiao Meng’s rapid progress in alchemy.
• At the Inner Academy, Xiao Meng learns that Xiao Yan entered the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave-Dwelling, while Xiao Chen left with a mysterious person. Yao Chen assures him that Xiao Yan is safe, as his True-Named Soul Lamp is growing brighter, indicating rapid cultivation progress.
• Xiao Meng returns to the Xiao Clan with Gu Nianxue and Fallen Heart Flame, now intelligent enough to speak, accompanying them.
• He is astonished by the Nether Emperor’s rapid cultivation. With the Taishi Tree and the abundant Divine Power of the Netherworld Realm, the Nether Emperor has reached a level capable of fighting powerful Seven- or Eight-Star Dou Saints.
• Xiao Meng discovers that Xiao Chen brought back a severely wounded Nine-Star Peak Dou Saint. The injured person is revealed to be Zhukun, whose body is contaminated by Qiong Leng’s black energy.
• Xiao Meng uses the Taixu Divine Lotus to extract the black energy from Zhukun. Because Zhukun’s injuries are severe, he orders the Nether Emperor to use the Taishi Tree to heal him.
• Xiao Meng decides that Zi Yan should be informed of Zhukun’s condition. Although she has long resented her father, seeing him gravely injured may help her let go of her hatred and repair their relationship.
• Before meeting Xiao Zhan, Xiao Meng pressures Gu Nianxue into accompanying him. He repeatedly calls her his wife in front of others, attempting to force the relationship into public acceptance.
• Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue encounter Xiao Xun’er. Gu Nianxue recognizes that Xun’er is her niece, the daughter of her brother Gu Yuan.
• Xiao Meng deliberately introduces Gu Nianxue as his wife and declares himself Xun’er’s “uncle-in-law,” shocking and angering both women.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: He has become significantly stronger and more capable, particularly in alchemy and handling powerful enemies’ energy. Despite serious concerns about Xiao Yan, Xiao Chen, and Zhukun, he remains confident and playful. He also continues his mischievous campaign to make Gu Nianxue publicly acknowledge their relationship.
• Gu Nianxue: She remains embarrassed and resistant to Xiao Meng’s insistence that she is his wife, frequently pinching or scolding him. However, she accepts the Nether Emperor’s Heart Scale and willingly interacts warmly with Xiao Xun’er, showing that her opposition is more emotional embarrassment than true hostility.
• Hai Bo Dong and Mu Zichen: Both have made extraordinary breakthroughs. Hai Bo Dong can now partially withstand Qiong Leng’s power, while Mu Zichen’s Undying Body has made him exceptionally difficult to injure.
• Medusa: Her determination to strengthen the Snake-People has become increasingly ruthless, as she accepts the deaths caused by Soul Snake fusion in exchange for producing a Dou Venerable.
• Nether Emperor: Its connection to the Taishi Tree has allowed its cultivation to rise at an astonishing pace. It also shows loyalty to Xiao Meng and gives Gu Nianxue a valuable Heart Scale as a formal gift.
• Zhukun: Though still unconscious, his condition reveals that he encountered an opponent vastly more powerful than himself, strongly suggesting contact with Qiong Leng’s true body.
• Xiao Xun’er: She is stunned to learn that the woman accompanying Xiao Meng is her aunt and becomes furious when Xiao Meng claims the title of uncle-in-law. Her previous confidence is replaced by shock and embarrassment.

Significant Themes

• Rapid growth and power escalation: Nearly every major faction and character has advanced during Xiao Meng’s absence, emphasizing the increasingly dangerous scale of the conflict.
• The cost of strength: The Snake-People’s Soul Snake fusion demonstrates that advancement often requires severe sacrifices, raising questions about Medusa’s willingness to endanger her subjects.
• Family and reconciliation: Zhukun’s injury creates an opportunity for Zi Yan to overcome her resentment and reconnect with her father.
• Loyalty and mutual support: The Nether Emperor’s bond with the Taishi Tree and its willingness to heal Zhukun reflect the importance of alliances and shared power.
• Romantic teasing and social acknowledgment: Xiao Meng repeatedly calls Gu Nianxue his wife, using humor and public embarrassment to push her toward accepting their relationship.
• Hidden dangers: Zhukun’s helplessness against Qiong Leng’s power suggests that the true enemy is far more formidable than previously understood.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng playfully bullies Old Man Huo by pulling his beard, then shocks him by requesting materials for an eighth-grade pill.
• Xiao Meng reunites with the Inner Academy’s elders and questions Yao Chen about Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen’s whereabouts.
• He introduces Gu Nianxue as his wife to Xiao Ning and the others, making her extremely embarrassed.
• He teaches Fallen Heart Flame to call Gu Nianxue “sister-in-law,” despite the flame not understanding the relationship.
• The Nether Emperor recognizes Gu Nianxue as Xiao Meng’s wife and gives her its precious Heart Scale, effectively treating her as family.
• Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue argue over visiting Xiao Zhan, with Xiao Meng using jealousy to manipulate her into going.
• Their encounter with Xiao Xun’er becomes the chapter’s comedic climax: Gu Nianxue warmly embraces her niece, while Xiao Meng repeatedly emphasizes that he is her uncle-in-law, leaving Xun’er stunned and enraged.

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Meng travels across the expanding Endless City, where he finds Xiao Xuan, Xiao Chen, Gu Yuan, and other experts fighting a black-clad demon whose power exceeds Dou Sheng and resembles Dou Di.
• The system identifies the attacker as an extraterrestrial Otherworldly Demon, strengthened by Qiong Leng’s evil power. A phantom of the Heavenly Tomb helps restrain him, but cannot end the battle.
• Xiao Meng uses an Endless Tree secret technique to make Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen half-City Guardians, letting them draw on Endless City’s power for up to two years. Their strength rises dramatically, helping them hold back the demon.
• He learns that the human population has been evacuated, and reveals he has also relocated the Beast Domain’s magical beasts and the northern sea’s inhabitants. The Soul Clan remains inaccessible behind a powerful barrier, linked to a remnant of a terrifying being that may persist for one or two thousand years.
• Xiao Meng sends Gu Yuan and the other experts to help with further evacuations, then organizes a new home for the Beast Domain’s magical beasts by reclaiming land from the sea. Zhukun joins the work, greatly speeding it up.
• After six months of cultivation, Xiao Meng returns to find the conflict has escalated: thousands of demons have appeared, and the battle has caused heavy casualties. Zi Yan’s Ancestor Dragon Pool barrier helps contain them.
• The system reveals that Qiong Leng opened a passage for the demons by trading with the remnant intent, obtaining the Demon Ancestor Tree and Asura War Banner. Xiao Meng flies off to respond.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiao Meng demonstrates growing authority and capability: he can control Endless City, empower its defenders, coordinate mass evacuations, and continue advancing his own cultivation.
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen trust Xiao Meng enough to follow his instructions without demanding explanations. Gu Yuan and the other elders are initially wary of taking orders from him, but recognize his influence and the city’s power.
• Zhukun’s relationship with Zi Yan has improved, though she still will not call him “Dad.” At Xiao Meng’s advice, Zhukun works hard to earn her respect; his efforts help the relocation, even if his plan is unlikely to win her admiration.
• Xiao Meng brings Gu Nianxue along while managing the settlement effort, mixing personal time with urgent responsibilities.

Significant themes

• Escalating invasion and uncertain survival: What began as one powerful intruder becomes a full-scale demonic assault.
• Responsibility and cooperation: Xiao Meng’s leadership depends on coordinating powerful but independent allies and protecting displaced populations.
• Power with limits: Endless City can greatly strengthen defenders, but only temporarily, while the Heavenly Tomb and its taboo contents remain mysterious.
• Family and earned affection: Zhukun’s wish to repair his bond with Zi Yan highlights that parenthood requires more than status or strength.
• Unresolved cosmic dangers: Qiong Leng’s dealings with the remnant intent suggest that the greater threat is still unfolding.

Chapter Summary: Slaying a Dou Di-Level Otherworldly Demon

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Dou Qi Continent’s forces are overwhelmed by the vastly more numerous Otherworldly Demons. Gu Yuan is seriously wounded while being surrounded by numerous demons at the peak Eight- and Nine-Star Dou Saint levels.
• Just as Gu Yuan is about to die, Xiao Meng arrives and destroys the entire group with a single lightning-infused palm strike, killing more than a dozen powerful demons.
• Xiao Meng reveals that Gu Yuan is his “brother-in-law,” shocking everyone. Gu Yuan is furious because Xiao Meng is involved with his sister, Gu Nianxue, though he is secretly relieved that Xiao Meng saved him.
• Drawing on Endless City, the Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures, and four powerful clones, Xiao Meng massacres huge numbers of demons. He then destroys the spatial wormhole that is continuously transporting reinforcements from the Demon Clan’s territory.
• Two powerful demon experts break through the battlefield to stop Xiao Meng. Xiao Meng intercepts them, allowing the others to retreat into Endless City. His four clones self-destruct around one of the enemies, killing a demon comparable to a Dou Di.
• The remaining Dou Di-level demon nearly kills Xiao Meng, but Xiao Meng receives power through his contract with the Nether Emperor. This power also draws upon the Taishi Tree, manifesting as a gigantic black python that devours and kills the demon.
• The attack severely injures both Xiao Meng and the Nether Emperor, while the Taishi Tree loses several leaves. Xiao Meng returns to Endless City to recover, and the surviving forces regroup.
• The system explains that Qiong Leng is using repeated attacks to force Xiao Meng and the others to draw on Endless City’s power, slowing the growth of the Endless Tree and giving the Demon Ancestor Tree time to mature.
• Xiao Meng learns that Qiong Leng cannot yet control demons beyond the Dou Di realm, while Xue You and the mysterious man in purple are temporarily avoiding the dangerous dark region and can currently use only about half their strength.
• After recovering, Xiao Meng returns to the Xiao Clan to prepare for future battles. He arranges for rare medicinal herbs from the Dou Saint ruins to be transplanted, sends the Heaven-Through Flood Dragon to storage, and assigns Fallen Heart Flame to protect the Xiao Clan’s disciples.
• Xiao Meng takes Gu Nianxue to the Sacred Mountain, obtains a branch from the Bodhi Ancient Tree, and begins inscribing formations in the Netherworld Realm as weapons against the Otherworldly Demons.
• The chapter ends when Xiao Meng suddenly senses an emergency and rushes away from Wutan City.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Xiao Meng demonstrates overwhelming combat power but also strategic awareness. Rather than fight endlessly, he prioritizes destroying the enemy’s transport passage and protecting the people behind Endless City’s walls.
• He displays a reckless willingness to sacrifice his clones, using their self-destruction to eliminate a Dou Di-level opponent.
• His connection to the Nether Emperor and the Taishi Tree becomes more significant, though using that power causes severe backlash.
• Gu Yuan survives but reacts with intense anger and embarrassment after learning Xiao Meng is romantically involved with Gu Nianxue. Despite his resentment, he recognizes Xiao Meng as a crucial protector of the continent.
• Gu Nianxue shows affection and patience toward Xiao Meng, accepting his responsibilities and helping support his preparations.
• Zhukun, Zi Yan, Xiao Xuan, and Xiao Chen cooperate to defend Xiao Meng while he destroys the wormhole. Zi Yan strains herself by using the Ancestor Dragon Pool, while Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen prevent the demons from interfering.
• The Nether Emperor directly supports Xiao Meng despite being in another realm, transferring power through their contract and suffering serious injuries in the process.
• Xiao Zhan discusses the urgent need for medicinal ingredients with Xiao Meng, while Xiao Meng organizes the Xiao Clan and Jia Nan Academy to cultivate supplies.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li have grown considerably stronger through cultivation beneath the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice for collective survival: Xiao Meng’s clones give their lives to kill a single powerful enemy, emphasizing the extreme cost of the war.
• Strategy versus brute force: The battle cannot be won by slaughter alone; destroying the spatial passage and slowing the enemy’s reinforcements is essential.
• Family, resentment, and obligation: Gu Yuan’s anger at Xiao Meng’s relationship with Gu Nianxue contrasts with his dependence on Xiao Meng to survive and protect their world.
• Hidden power and dangerous consequences: The Taishi Tree and Nether Emperor’s power turn the battle decisively, but their use produces severe physical and spiritual backlash.
• Preparation for a larger conflict: The current victory is temporary. The Demon Ancestor Tree continues to grow, Endless City must keep expanding, and Xiao Meng must gather medicine, formations, and other resources for future battles.
• Hope amid overwhelming odds: Although the Dou Qi Continent suffers heavy losses, Xiao Meng’s arrival prevents disaster and gives the defenders time to recover.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng repeatedly teases Gu Yuan by calling him “brother-in-law,” while Gu Yuan internally fumes over Xiao Meng’s relationship with Gu Nianxue.
• Zhukun and the other leaders prioritize rescuing Gu Yuan and later protect Xiao Meng as he destroys the wormhole.
• Zi Yan risks serious injury to trap a demon with the Ancestor Dragon Pool and receives aid from the Void Dragon Clan.
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen defend Xiao Meng during both the wormhole attack and the final confrontation with the demon forces.
• The Nether Emperor communicates with Xiao Meng through their contract, providing the decisive power needed to kill the last Dou Di-level demon.
• Gu Nianxue and Xiao Meng share a quieter, affectionate exchange after the battle, with her encouraging him to focus on his preparations.
• Xiao Meng works with Xiao Zhan and the wider Xiao Clan network to secure medicinal resources and strengthen their ability to survive the coming war.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Meng returns from the Netherworld Realm and reaches Endless City, where Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen are struggling to hold back a vast Otherworldly Demon invasion pouring through six Space Wormholes.
• He gives Zi Yan an enhanced Dragon-Phoenix Heavenly Crystal, which heals her injuries and promises a major increase in power. He then joins the battle, killing thousands of weaker demons while the strongest enemies remain beyond his reach.
• Xiao Meng conceives a plan to turn the demons’ energy into a weapon. Using the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art, he absorbs their power and channels it into the Myriad Furnace God, attempting to refine five hundred top-grade Seventh-Tier pills at once.
• When the demons’ strongest fighters break through Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen’s defense, Xiao Meng uses four incarnations and jade slips to form an Annihilation Formation. It destroys eight powerful demons, though the incarnations are sacrificed.
• The pill batch triggers an immense purple-gold tribulation. Xiao Meng draws the lightning into the demon horde and uses it to destroy four of the six Space Wormholes, but the furnace becomes trapped and the lightning begins to fade.
• With enemies closing in and only two Wormholes left, the system reveals that Xiao Meng can activate the Mark of the Gods with his blood essence. He unleashes its divine power, wiping out the surrounding elite demons and both remaining Wormholes—then collapses.

Character developments

• Xiao Meng shifts from frontline fighter to strategist, combining pill refining, demon-energy absorption, formations, and tribulation lightning. His ingenuity repeatedly changes the course of the battle, but the final use of the Mark of the Gods leaves him severely depleted.
• Zi Yan receives a rare power-enhancing treasure and is expected to become more capable of defending the continent.
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen are shown fighting desperately to protect the city, sustaining serious injuries when the demons use a forbidden technique.
• The defenders’ perception of Xiao Meng changes: their confusion and disbelief turn into awe as his increasingly audacious plans succeed.

Significant themes

• Ingenuity under pressure: Xiao Meng turns apparent disadvantages—the demons’ energy and the pill tribulation—into tools against the invasion.
• Sacrifice and cost: Xiao Meng risks his strength, loses four incarnations, and ultimately spends precious blood essence to activate the Mark.
• Power and responsibility: His immense abilities are used to protect the continent and give others time to recover.
• Hope amid overwhelming odds: Each time the defense appears close to collapse, Xiao Meng finds another way to resist.

Character interactions

• Xiao Meng reassures the injured defenders and entrusts Zi Yan with the Heavenly Crystal, while Zhukun and the others question his unusual actions.
• The Yao Clan experts help prepare ingredients for his mass pill-refining attempt, initially baffled by what he is doing.
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen hold off the elite demons to protect Xiao Meng, while the demons repeatedly try to break through and kill him.
• Xiao Meng’s confident taunts and the defenders’ growing admiration contrast with the demons’ mounting fear as his plans destroy their forces and Wormholes.

Concise Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• After Xiao Meng’s use of the Mark of the Gods, he remains unconscious while recovering from the loss of vital blood. His Astral Energy begins transforming from Heaven-Level to Divine-Level. Meanwhile, the Dragon-Phoenix Heavenly Crystal drives Zi Yan’s strength toward the Dou Di level.
• The Otherworldly Demon Clan launches a major assault, opening ten Space Wormholes and overwhelming Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen. Zi Yan emerges as a gigantic purple-gold dragon and faces a devastating Heavenly Tribulation, which also kills most of the demons caught beneath it and destroys several Wormholes.
• When Zi Yan’s protection from the Ancestor Dragon Pool begins to fail, Little Gold—Xiao Meng’s golden figure—appears and devours the tribulation’s lightning. Xiao Xuan urges Zhukun to rescue his badly wounded daughter. The Mark of the Gods had also sealed Zi Yan’s rapidly reverting ancestral bloodline, preventing the tribulation from continuing.
• A later invasion is several times stronger. Xiao Meng awakens, but Big Old Two’s transformation into an Elder Immortal Phoenix turns the battle: she survives her own tribulation, lures demons into its path, and destroys their Wormholes. Zi Yan recovers and proves comparably powerful.
• Xiao Meng arranges for Zhukun and Gu Yuan to seek the Nether Emperor’s help in breaking through. During another attack, he fights using his own strength rather than Endless City’s power, training against the demons while Zi Yan and Big Old Two confront the strongest foes.
• Xiao Meng reaches the peak of the Divine Astral Realm and begins preparing for the Transcendent Realm, which requires opening 360 million bodily apertures, forging an Indestructible Golden Body, and condensing a Great Dao primordial spirit.

Character development and interactions

• Xiao Meng advances toward a new level of power while remaining a decisive protector even when unconscious: Little Gold saves Zi Yan at his critical moment of need. Once awake, he deliberately uses battle to test his own strength.
• Zi Yan evolves toward her ancestral dragon heritage, survives a near-fatal tribulation, and becomes one of the continent’s foremost defenders. Her father, Zhukun, is frantic to save her, while Xiao Xuan keeps him from rushing into certain death.
• Big Old Two undergoes a fundamental change from a Nine-Colored Heavenly Phoenix into an Elder Immortal Phoenix, proving her strength through repeated rebirth and turning her tribulation against the demons.
• Xiao Xuan remains a vital defender, using the Heavenly Tomb’s projection against powerful enemies. Gu Yuan and Zhukun prepare to pursue breakthroughs with Xiao Meng’s help.
• A comic interlude has Mang Tianchi boast that Xiao Meng and Zi Yan are Jia Nan Academy students. The Thunder Clan backs him, while others mock his self-congratulation. The Ancient Clan’s chief counters that Xiao Meng and Xiao Yan are marrying into his clan, leaving Gu Yuan uneasy about the resulting family seniority.

Significant themes

• Sacrifice and protection: Xiao Meng, Zi Yan, Big Old Two, and the defenders repeatedly risk themselves to protect the continent.
• Transformation through ordeal: Tribulations and battle bring devastating costs but also profound evolution.
• Hope amid overwhelming odds: Each victory buys time, yet the demons’ repeated, escalating attacks keep the danger unresolved.
• Power and fate: Zi Yan’s ancestral transformation draws heaven’s opposition, while the Mark of the Gods shields and restrains her.
• Comic pride amid crisis: The academy and marriage banter briefly relieves tension and highlights how personal relationships persist even during war.

Chapter Summary: Breaking Through and Facing the Tribulation

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Demon Clan’s invasion continues for more than three months through over twenty spatial wormholes. Xiao Meng uses the relentless battles to temper his body, refine eighth-grade pills, practice with Black Devil Lightning, and create Annihilation Formations.
• After repeatedly testing his limits in the Ancestor Dragon Pool, Xiao Meng finally begins breaking through to the seventh realm, the Transcendent Realm. This breakthrough involves opening hundreds of millions of minor apertures and enduring tribulation lightning.
• Xiao Meng’s breakthrough immediately triggers an extraordinarily powerful Heavenly Tribulation—far more terrifying than normal because of his unique circumstances. He breaks through three grades at once, making the tribulation even more dangerous.
• The lightning relentlessly pursues him, destroys the surrounding land, and annihilates the attacking Otherworldly Demons. Xiao Meng uses the Heaven-Transforming Armor, Sky-Piercing Shuttle, Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures, the Self-Manifestation Great Law, and the Thunder Emperor Treasure Art to survive.
• After fighting the tribulation for more than a day, Xiao Meng is nearly reduced to a mangled corpse. The Nether Emperor lends him the Taishi Tree’s power but eventually collapses. At the last moment, the Taixu Divine Lotus protects Xiao Meng from further harm, allowing him to survive until the tribulation ends.
• Once Xiao Meng recovers, the Demon Clan initially falls silent, but soon tens of millions of demons begin attacking Endless City to drain its energy and hinder the growth of the Endless Tree.
• The system advises Xiao Meng to appoint city defenders. Mu Zichen, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Hai Bo Dong, Xiao Yan, Zi Yan, and Big Old Two are identified as potential candidates, though several cannot or will not accept the role.
• Xiao Meng recruits his elder brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. They willingly become city defenders because they regret being unable to help during the invasion and want to contribute to protecting the Dou Qi Continent.
• After bringing them to Endless City, Xiao Meng grants them independent spatial worlds from which they can control the city’s power, greatly reducing the Endless Tree’s energy consumption.
• Xiao Meng retaliates against the Demon Clan by using four incarnations and jade slips to form a massive Annihilation Formation. The resulting explosion kills more than a million Otherworldly Demons.
• Xiao Meng then leaves with Gu Nianxue to spend time with her, though the chapter ends by reminding readers that the Hell Gate in the Black-Corner Region remains a looming threat. The system’s seal will expire in about three years, near the time of the Three-Year Agreement.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng demonstrates extreme endurance, combat ability, and resourcefulness. Although his breakthrough nearly kills him, he refuses to give up and repeatedly rises after being destroyed by the tribulation.
• His survival also reveals the importance of his powerful treasures and companions, especially the Nether Emperor and the Taixu Divine Lotus.
• The Nether Emperor supports Xiao Meng by channeling the Taishi Tree’s power, but is eventually overwhelmed and rendered unconscious.
• The Taixu Divine Lotus finally intervenes decisively, protecting Xiao Meng after the system refuses to help.
• Big Old Two continues to serve as a powerful and cunning battlefield ally, killing demons and destroying spatial wormholes while helping evacuate the city during the tribulation.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li move from feelings of helplessness and guilt over their limited role in the invasion to becoming active protectors of Endless City.
• Gu Nianxue remains close to Xiao Meng and notices that he is concealing worries about the future, particularly the continuing threats facing the continent.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance through suffering: Xiao Meng’s breakthrough is presented as an ordeal of pain, destruction, and survival rather than a simple increase in power.
• Power and responsibility: Greater strength brings greater danger and greater responsibility, as Xiao Meng must protect Endless City while confronting threats far beyond ordinary cultivators.
• Cooperation and family loyalty: Xiao Meng relies on the Nether Emperor, the Taixu Divine Lotus, Zi Yan, Big Old Two, and especially his brothers. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li’s decision to become city defenders emphasizes familial duty.
• Sacrifice for collective survival: The city defenders and Xiao Meng’s incarnations accept danger and even death to preserve Endless City and the Dou Qi Continent.
• Temporary peace versus looming disaster: Even after surviving the tribulation and weakening the Demon Clan, the Hell Gate and the approaching expiration of the system’s seal ensure that the crisis is far from over.
• Humor amid danger: Xiao Meng’s complaints about the tribulation, his teasing of his brothers, and his irritation at having his date interrupted provide comic relief within an otherwise highly destructive sequence.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng and Big Old Two: Big Old Two recognizes Xiao Meng’s breakthrough and helps clear the battlefield, ordering the others back to Endless City so they will not be caught in the tribulation.
• Xiao Meng and the Nether Emperor: Xiao Meng calls on the Nether Emperor for assistance when the tribulation becomes unbearable. The Nether Emperor helps temporarily but collapses under the strain.
• Xiao Meng and the Taixu Divine Lotus: After the system ignores his pleas, Xiao Meng is saved when the Taixu Divine Lotus finally shields him. He jokingly scolds it for intervening so late.
• Xiao Meng and Xiao Ding/Xiao Li: Their reunion begins with playful intimidation and sparring. Xiao Meng recruits them as city defenders, while the brothers express both affection and responsibility toward their family and homeland.
• Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue: Xiao Meng tries to conceal his worries and takes Gu Nianxue sightseeing, suggesting that personal happiness and intimacy remain important to him despite the ongoing war.
• Xiao Meng and the Demon Clan: Xiao Meng’s Annihilation Formation provides a massive retaliatory strike, showing that he can turn defensive pressure into devastating offensive action.

Chapter Summary: Divine Elephant King

Key Plot Points and Events

• Facing the sealed Hell Gate in the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Meng learns from the system that he can temporarily suppress it by creating a Young Divine Elephant King using the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength, the Bodhi Ancient Tree, Sacred Mountain, and various heavenly treasures.
• Xiao Meng spends two months meditating inside the Bodhi Ancient Tree and finally comprehends the technique’s essence. Over the following weeks, he condenses a golden Divine Elephant Embryo within his Heavenly Abode.
• To nurture the embryo and awaken its consciousness, Xiao Meng gathers Bodhi leaves, Taishi Tree leaves, divine treasures obtained through fishing, and medicinal pills. He also begins drawing on the Netherworld Realm’s Divine Power to accelerate its growth.
• The Nether Emperor delivers medicinal ingredients supplied by the Yao Clan. Xiao Meng agrees to allow Yao Dan and other experts to observe him refining the rare Ninth-Grade Golden Soul-Nourishing Pill.
• Xiao Meng recruits Mu Zichen as a city guardian for Endless City. Mu Zichen accepts immediately, showing his loyalty and willingness to support Xiao Meng.
• Xiao Meng learns that Xuan Ancestor is close to breaking through to Dou Di, while Xiao Zhan and Zi Yan’s father still require more time. He also confirms that some Xiao Clan members have accepted seals to suppress their Dou Di bloodlines, avoiding the restrictions those bloodlines impose on future advancement.
• Huangzai has been causing trouble in Endless City and was nearly killed by powerful Otherworldly Demons. The Nether Emperor admits he went there to rescue it. Xiao Meng approves of Huangzai’s aggressive actions because they prevent other factions from underestimating him.
• At Endless City, Xiao Meng avoids directly attacking the powerful demon horde but spends time with Xiao Ding and the others. He later urges the major factions to support Huangzai’s request concerning Jia Nan Academy, while emphasizing that cooperation is voluntary.
• In the Tagor Desert, Xiao Meng publicly refines a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill. He processes thousands of ingredients simultaneously, draws Divine Power from the Netherworld Realm, withstands eighty-one strikes of the pill’s Nine-Gold Profound Lightning with his body, and successfully captures the escaping pill.
• Xiao Meng feeds the Soul-Nourishing Pill and three additional Ninth-Grade Golden Pills to the Divine Elephant Embryo, greatly assisting its development and the awakening of its consciousness.
• After spending time with Gu Nianxue, Xiao Meng enters seclusion in Endless City. He breaks through three ranks in succession, triggering another devastating lightning tribulation that nearly destroys the Demon Clan. The surviving demons above Dou Di flee, while Xiao Meng is severely injured and must recover in Zi Yan’s Ancestor Dragon Pool.
• The chapter ends with preparations for Jia Nan Academy’s grand opening. The academy has been rebuilt into a vast, fortified complex with tens of thousands of halls, and it will accept humans, magical beasts, and Sea Clan members from across the continent.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng grows more capable and resourceful. Though initially unable to use the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength, he successfully comprehends it and creates the foundation of a powerful future divine beast.
• His status as the continent’s greatest pill refiner is reinforced when he successfully produces a Ninth-Grade Golden Pill, astonishing even the Yao Clan.
• Xiao Meng also demonstrates greater political influence, recruiting allies, managing the Xiao Clan’s bloodline risks, and encouraging the major factions to support his plans.
• The Nether Emperor remains loyal and useful but is shown to be mischievous and unreliable, joining Huangzai in fighting demons despite Xiao Meng’s orders. It also acts as an intermediary between Xiao Meng and the Yao Clan.
• Mu Zichen proves his unwavering loyalty by accepting the city guardian position without hesitation.
• Huangzai is reckless and confrontational, attacking demons and provoking major factions, but Xiao Meng recognizes that its boldness strengthens his authority.
• Gu Nianxue and Xiao Meng maintain a playful but combative romantic relationship, frequently bickering over his physical teasing.
• Zi Yan continues to interact with Xiao Meng in a lively, aggressive manner, teasing him about his repeated injuries and biting him when he insults her.
• Xuan Ancestor is nearing a Dou Di breakthrough, suggesting that the forces allied with Xiao Meng are steadily becoming stronger.

Significant Themes

• Creation and cultivation of new life: Xiao Meng is not merely acquiring power; he is creating and nurturing a Divine Elephant King that may eventually become an unrivaled magical beast.
• Power balanced with foresight: Xiao Meng recognizes both the benefits and drawbacks of the Dou Di bloodline, choosing to limit its influence for those who wish to preserve their chances of reaching Dou Di.
• Authority and strategic intimidation: Huangzai’s provocative behavior and Xiao Meng’s public announcement pressure the major factions into taking his plans seriously.
• Loyalty and alliance-building: Mu Zichen’s immediate agreement, the Nether Emperor’s support, and the cooperation of the Yao Clan demonstrate the growing network surrounding Xiao Meng.
• Overwhelming strength and sacrifice: Xiao Meng repeatedly endures terrifying lightning tribulations and severe injuries, emphasizing both his extraordinary durability and the physical cost of his rapid advancement.
• Unity across races: Jia Nan Academy’s decision to admit humans, magical beasts, and Sea Clan members reflects a broader movement toward cooperation in the face of continental threats.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng argues with the system before accepting its solution for the Hell Gate.
• He thanks the Bodhi Ancient Tree and relies on its wisdom-enhancing power to comprehend the divine technique.
• Xiao Meng and the Nether Emperor discuss the Xiao Clan’s progress, Huangzai’s recklessness, the Endless City crisis, and the sealing of the Dou Di bloodline.
• Xiao Meng warmly receives Mu Zichen, who agrees to serve as an Endless City guardian.
• He socializes with Xiao Ding and the other city defenders over barbecue and drinks.
• Yao Dan and the gathered experts observe Xiao Meng’s pill refinement with awe and disbelief, confirming his unmatched alchemical skill.
• Xiao Meng’s relationship with Gu Nianxue is affectionate but comedic, marked by teasing and her repeated attempts to resist his advances.
• Zi Yan mocks Xiao Meng after his injuries, leading to a playful exchange in which she bites him.
• The rebuilt Jia Nan Academy represents the culmination of many characters’ cooperation and becomes the setting for the next major stage of the story.

Chapter Summary: Primordial Battle Body

Key plot points and events

• Jia Nan Academy opens an unprecedented admissions round, welcoming humans, magical beasts, and Sea Clan applicants. Nine trials determine placement: passing two earns entry to the Outer Academy, four to the Inner Academy, and six to the Small Inner Academy. Passing seven or more earns the title of New Student King; rumors also circulate about a secret tenth trial.
• Applicants from the Black-Corner Region receive priority. The region has been transformed under Xiao Meng’s reforms: residents use secure identity tokens, settlement is regulated, and rules and complaint systems are designed to protect ordinary people from cultivators and corrupt enforcers.
• The trials prove extraordinarily difficult. Yan Wuyou of the Flame Clan reaches the Inner Academy, while even the Ancient Clan prodigy Gu Zhen struggles to pass the fifth trial.
• Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, both from the Xiao Clan, pass the sixth trial. Xiao Yu’s strength is especially striking: at twenty-three, she is a 3-Star Dou Wang capable of fighting at the level of a 9-Star Dou Wang.
• Several other successful applicants come from Wutan City. When onlookers accuse them of receiving special treatment, the youths defeat their challengers quickly, revealing the strength of the Xiao Clan’s earlier promise to train disciples from the city’s allied factions.
• Among the ten applicants who pass the sixth trial is Tie Da, a seemingly ordinary village youth with no detectable Dou Qi, who nearly clears the seventh. Su Qian brings him to Xiao Meng, who discovers that Tie Da possesses the Primordial Battle Body, one of the highest-ranked divine bodies.
• Xiao Meng offers to train Tie Da personally. Learning that Tie Da came to the academy hoping to obtain medicine for his ill mother, Xiao Meng promises to treat her himself and arranges for a Space Wormhole to connect the academy to Tie Da’s village. He also raises the possibility of Tie Da eventually guarding a city for him.
• Admissions conclude with students of all three races accepted. Those who pass receive Transformation Pills, while the academy provides increasingly lavish facilities and strengthens training for its existing students.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiao Meng is shown as both a powerful reformer and an approachable mentor. He has reshaped the Black-Corner Region to protect its residents, recognizes Tie Da’s rare potential, and responds warmly to the young man’s concern for his mother. His conversation with Tie Da also reveals his confidence and pride in his reputation.
• Tie Da is introduced as physically imposing but simple and humble. His filial devotion matters more to him than cultivation, and his request for medicine establishes his priorities. Xiao Meng’s offer leaves him astonished and grateful.
• Su Qian is protective of the academy’s interests and initially objects when Xiao Meng offers to train Tie Da, fearing the academy will lose its promising student. He agrees once Xiao Meng clarifies that Tie Da will remain enrolled.
• The Ancient Clan prodigies, including Huo Xuan, Lei Dong, and Gu Zhen, reveal competing views about Jia Nan Academy’s growing influence and the collection of Dou Techniques. Gu Qingyang curbs their careless talk and directs them to focus on the trials. Their confidence gives way to concern after Gu Zhen’s difficult passage.
• Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning establish the Xiao Clan’s exceptional strength through their trial results, while the Wutan City youths demonstrate that the Clan’s training has benefited its allies as well as its own members.

Significant themes

• Merit tested beyond raw power: The trials assess perseverance, temperament, aptitude, and combat ability, not merely cultivation level or lineage.
• Power and responsibility: Xiao Meng’s rules in the Black-Corner Region emphasize accountability and protections for ordinary people.
• Opportunity and institutional change: Jia Nan Academy’s expanded resources and inclusive admissions make it a major force, drawing talent from different races and social backgrounds.
• Potential in unlikely places: Tie Da’s lack of visible Dou Qi conceals a rare divine body, underscoring that extraordinary talent may come from humble origins.
• Compassion and loyalty: Tie Da’s devotion to his mother shapes his choices, while Xiao Meng’s response turns personal kindness into the start of a mentorship.

Chapter Summary: Taking Office as Headmaster of Jia Nan Academy

Key plot points and events

• Jia Nan Academy holds its new-student assembly on September 15. After lengthy speeches on the academy’s history, principles, and rules, Mang Tianchi announces that he is stepping down and names Xiao Meng as his successor.
• Xiao Meng arrives in an extravagant procession: Huangzai carries him, the Nether Emperor accompanies him, and more than a hundred Ancient Void Dragons and eighty-one Heavenly Demon Phoenixes fly in support. Xiao Meng is caught off guard and complains that the spectacle makes him look like an emperor.
• Mang Tianchi formally hands over the headmaster’s token. Xiao Meng takes his seat and effortlessly raises the assembled crowd with his power, confirming his fearsome reputation.
• The Thunder Clan offers an enormous collection of Dou Techniques, prompting other factions to bring gifts as well. The Ancient Clan delays its appearance but ultimately gives an even larger collection. Xiao Meng welcomes all the visitors without openly reacting to the unequal contributions.
• The Ancient Clan’s elders explain that some factions are using their gifts to try to limit Jia Nan Academy’s growth. They fear the academy could become powerful enough to threaten their own influence and hope to preserve their clans’ chances of reaching Dou Di. Gu Nianxue objects that such rivalry is shortsighted while the Demon Clan threatens the continent.
• Xiao Meng addresses the guests sharply, condemning their secretive schemes and warning that anyone who targets him will face lethal consequences. He says he will not be intimidated by the prospect of making enemies of the entire world.
• He then introduces 321 newly recruited elders and instructors, most of them powerful experts. They say they have joined to help the continent in its crisis. The chapter ends as Xiao Meng asks Su Qian which candidates refused the academy’s invitation.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiao Meng becomes headmaster and shifts from playful self-confidence to stern authority. Though angered by the factions’ political maneuvering, he intends to fight the Demon Clan regardless, believing the crisis is partly his responsibility. He also welcomes the Ancient Clan warmly, especially after seeing Gu Nianxue.
• Mang Tianchi gives a self-congratulatory account of the academy’s founding before stepping down. Xiao Meng’s irreverent treatment of him—telling him to hand over the token and go rest—spoils Mang’s good mood.
• Big Old Two reveals that he, Zi Yan, Mang Tianchi, and Su Qian arranged the grand procession. Xiao Meng is annoyed that no one warned him, while Big Old Two tries to shift the blame.
• Gu Nianxue argues that the factions should unite against the Demon Clan rather than protect their own future influence. Her concern contrasts with the elders’ pragmatic, self-interested calculations.
• Xiao Meng’s family recognizes that his smile is false and suspects he is furious. Xiao Zhan understands that the factions’ lack of unity is what has angered him most.
• Su Qian serves as the ceremony’s organizer and presenter, helping manage the succession, receive guests, and introduce the new instructors.
• The ancient clans and other factions show mixed motives: some provide substantial gifts, but their cooperation is partly driven by fear of Xiao Meng’s power and competition over access to the means of reaching Dou Di.

Significant themes

• Unity versus self-interest: The looming Demon Clan invasion makes cooperation vital, yet factions remain focused on power, status, and their own advancement.
• Power and political mistrust: Jia Nan Academy’s expansion is viewed as a possible threat, despite its stated purpose of training defenders.
• Responsibility and leadership: Xiao Meng accepts that he must help face the invasion even if others fail to contribute.
• Appearance and sincerity: Xiao Meng’s courteous welcome masks his anger, while his public warning makes clear that he will not tolerate manipulation.

Chapter Summary: “Xiao Meng’s Counterattack”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Meng publicly asks Grand Elder Su Qian to identify the factions and individuals who refused Jia Nan Academy’s invitation for help. Su Qian names 317 people from 84 factions, causing widespread fear because Xiao Meng’s overwhelming strength makes retaliation seem entirely possible.
• Xiao Meng declares that Jia Nan Academy’s lack of resources is only an illusion. He unveils the Heaven-Piercing Tower, a massive ten-level divine artifact containing Spirit Veins, Immortal Veins, Dao Law Crystals, and powerful cultivation opportunities. Reaching its second level guarantees advancement to Dou Saint, while the third level makes Dou Di attainable.
• He rewards loyal academy leaders and former elders who defended Jia Nan Academy during its crisis. Eighty-three names are engraved onto a bronze stele, granting them privileged access to the tower. Mang Tianchi, the Qian-Bai Elders, Su Qian, and other devoted protectors receive especially generous benefits.
• Xiao Meng grants the Gu Clan Three Immortals and other allied factions tokens allowing them to cultivate in the tower’s first four levels for ten years. These factions are promised enormous breakthroughs, potentially beyond the Dou Di realm.
• He introduces a merit-point system for academy elders, instructors, and students, allowing contributions to be exchanged for access to the Heaven-Piercing Tower.
• Xiao Meng announces the future construction of the Heart-Questioning Forest, which will test the loyalty and integrity of academy staff. Elders and instructors must pass the trial to serve, and periodic retesting will remove those who become corrupt or abandon the academy’s principles.
• He establishes thirteen permanent laws for Jia Nan Academy. The most severe bars members of factions such as the Yao Clan, Yan Clan, Shi Clan, and Myriad Sword Pavilion from holding any important academy position. Because those factions rejected the academy, Xiao Meng declares that Jia Nan Academy will reject them forever.
• Xiao Meng expands his plans beyond the academy by distributing Immortal Veins throughout the Dou Qi Continent. These will create cultivation holy lands, spirit stone mines, and cities managed by selected factions under strict rules.
• Medusa receives an Immortal Vein for the Snake-People in the Tagor Desert, creating a shared holy land with the Jia Ma Empire. Other Immortal Veins are allocated to the Beast Mountain Range, the Sea Clan, the Outer Academy, the Black-Corner Region, the Inner Academy, and various major factions.
• Xiao Meng warns everyone not to absorb the Immortal Veins’ energy too quickly, explaining that it must first be converted from a higher form of power into something their bodies can safely use.
• Since no student qualified for the Freshman King title, Xiao Meng awards it to Tie Da, believing the giant would have qualified if he possessed cultivation.
• At the end of the assembly, Xiao Meng suddenly senses something in the distance, orders everyone to remain behind, and flies away alone.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Xiao Meng reveals himself as decisive, uncompromising, and willing to alienate the entire continent rather than submit to pressure. His retaliation against the uncooperative factions is both political and personal.
• Su Qian is initially nervous about Xiao Meng’s intentions but cooperates by naming the opposing factions. He later receives recognition for his lifelong service and defense of the academy.
• Mang Tianchi, the Qian-Bai Elders, and the loyal former academy staff are honored for standing with Jia Nan Academy during its crisis. Their gratitude leads them to swear renewed loyalty and promise to protect the academy unto death.
• The Gu Clan Three Immortals and allied factions are rewarded for supporting Jia Nan Academy. Their excitement demonstrates how dramatically Xiao Meng’s favor can alter a faction’s future.
• The rejected factions, especially the Yao Clan, are terrified and regretful. They recognize too late that their refusal has cost them access to the greatest cultivation opportunities on the continent.
• Lei Ying and the Thunder Clan are relieved that they supported the academy. Lei Ying emphasizes the importance of thanking Mang Tianchi, acknowledging that the Thunder Clan might otherwise have faced disaster.
• Medusa is stunned and grateful when Xiao Meng fulfills his promise to provide the Snake-People with a superior territory. She credits her earlier decision to support Xiao Meng with transforming her people’s destiny.
• Gu Nianxue becomes angry because the Ancient Clan receives no Immortal Vein. Her elders imply that she should obtain one through her personal relationship or influence with Xiao Meng, leaving her offended and uncomfortable.
• Tie Da unexpectedly receives the Freshman King title, provoking envy among other students but no open opposition because of Xiao Meng’s authority.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and betrayal: Xiao Meng rewards those who remained loyal during Jia Nan Academy’s crisis and permanently excludes those who refused to help.
• Power and political authority: Xiao Meng demonstrates that overwhelming strength allows him to reshape the academy and the continent without needing the approval of established clans.
• Merit over status: Access to resources will increasingly depend on service, contribution, and personal ability rather than bloodline or factional prestige.
• Institutional reform and moral integrity: The merit system and Heart-Questioning Forest are designed to prevent corruption and ensure that academy leaders preserve their original ideals.
• Abundance and responsibility: Xiao Meng distributes immense resources widely, but imposes strict rules against hoarding, reckless extraction, and exploitation.
• The rise of a new cultivation era: The Heaven-Piercing Tower and Immortal Veins promise to transform the Dou Qi Continent, making previously unattainable realms accessible to many.
• Consequences of misjudgment: The factions that rejected Jia Nan Academy assumed Xiao Meng would fear becoming the enemy of the world; their miscalculation leaves them excluded from unprecedented opportunities.

Overall Significance

The chapter marks Xiao Meng’s complete consolidation of power over Jia Nan Academy and the beginning of a continent-wide transformation. He combines ruthless retaliation with generous rewards, punishing disloyal factions while empowering allies and ordinary cultivators. The sudden departure at the end suggests that a new crisis or major event is about to interrupt his reforms.

Chapter Summary: “Two Years”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Two years pass after the Hell Gate seal dissipates. The young Divine Elephant King, condensed by Xiao Meng, develops intelligence and intimidates the demons, preventing a catastrophe on the Dou Qi Continent.
• The continent and Jia Nan Academy undergo tremendous growth due to the power of the Immortal Veins. Many children are born with extraordinary cultivation talent, Spirit Veins, or special physiques.
• Jia Nan Academy becomes the continent’s foremost academy. Its instructors and elders make enormous breakthroughs through the Heaven-Piercing Tower, with many reaching the Dou Venerable and Dou Saint realms. Mang Tianchi reaches the peak of Dou Saint.
• The Xiao Clan’s influence becomes overwhelming. It possesses multiple Dou Dis, powerful divine beasts, Xiao Meng’s unfathomable strength, and Xiao Li’s ability to kill even Heavenly Sovereigns alongside Endless City.
• Hai Bo Dong becomes a city guardian, gaining terrifying ice-based combat power. Skyfire Venerable reaches the Dou Saint realm while overseeing the Black-Corner Region, and the Fallen Heart Flame transforms into a boy named Xiao Yun.
• Xiao Meng reaches the completion of the Transcendent Realm after opening all 360 million of his apertures and forming a Golden Body. However, he struggles to advance toward the Saint Ascension Realm and instead focuses on the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength.
• Xiao Meng spends time with Gu Nianxue and visits the young Divine Elephant King, whom Gu Nianxue affectionately names “Little Gold.”
• At Endless City, the Nether Emperor, Huangzai, and Zi Yan deliberately appear to be losing against seven extremely powerful Otherworldly Demons. Their real goal is to lure out three stronger demons hiding nearby. Xiao Meng refuses to intervene so he will not ruin their strategy.
• Xiao Meng searches for Tie Da, but finds him in seclusion. He later discovers that Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu are also cultivating. He visits them after they emerge and approves them for city-guardian assessment trials.
• Xiao Meng encounters You Quan, an Outer Academy student with the rare Profound Nether Physique. He transfers her to the Small Inner Academy, gives her cultivation techniques and resources, and marks her for intensive development.
• Xiao Xuan informs Xiao Meng about an ominous Spirit Vein in the Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Meng reveals that he has known about it and is preserving it for an important purpose. A mysterious force from a hidden space now envelops the entire region, though Huangzai and the Nether Emperor are monitoring it.
• Xiao Meng encourages Tie Da to cultivate for another year before attempting the city-guardian assessment. He also advises him to train in the academy’s trials and Heart-Questioning Forest.
• Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu successfully climb Sacred Mountain despite Xiao Meng increasing its difficulty tenfold. They receive tokens allowing them to attempt the city-guardian trials.
• Still unable to break through to the Saint Ascension Realm and increasingly worried about the future battle with Qiong Leng, Xiao Meng decides to use his mysterious fishing rod to search other worlds for treasures. The chapter ends when he catches something—or someone—and hears a startled cry.

2. Character Development

• Xiao Meng: Becomes vastly stronger, reaching the completed Transcendent Realm, but remains frustrated by his inability to advance further. He shows restraint by avoiding Endless City’s battle and maturity by cultivating and developing promising younger figures rather than solving every problem personally.
• Gu Nianxue: Continues her affectionate but combative relationship with Xiao Meng. She is nurturing toward Little Gold and eager to contribute as a city guardian, though Xiao Meng postpones her request.
• The Xiao Clan: Evolves into the dominant power on the continent, producing numerous elite cultivators and city guardians while maintaining control over the Heaven-Piercing Tower and Endless City.
• Hai Bo Dong: Transforms from the formerly modest Ice Emperor into a formidable city guardian capable of freezing vast regions and killing large numbers of demons.
• Tie Da: Shows exceptional combat ability despite slow cultivation progress. His desire to serve Xiao Meng motivates him to seek city-guardian status, but Xiao Meng urges him to improve patiently.
• Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu: Demonstrate significant cultivation progress and determination by enduring Sacred Mountain’s enhanced trial. They become eligible to pursue city-guardian positions.
• You Quan: Is identified as a rare talent with the Profound Nether Physique and receives a major opportunity to advance under Xiao Meng’s guidance.
• The Nether Emperor: Is revealed to be far more calculating and sinister than Gu Nianxue believes, masterminding the trap for the hidden demons.
• The Divine Elephant King/Little Gold: Develops intelligence and responsibility, continuing to guard the Hell Gate while forming a spoiled but affectionate bond with Xiao Meng.

3. Significant Themes

• Peace built on power and vigilance: The continent prospers, but its safety depends on powerful figures constantly guarding against demons and hidden threats.
• Cultivation and patience: Xiao Meng, Tie Da, and others confront the difficulty of advancement. The chapter emphasizes steady preparation over reckless pursuit of strength.
• Mentorship and succession: Xiao Meng invests in promising younger talents such as You Quan, Tie Da, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Yu to strengthen the future of the continent.
• Hidden dangers and strategic deception: The battle outside Endless City highlights the importance of concealing one’s true strength and drawing enemies into carefully prepared traps.
• Family and companionship: Amid large-scale conflicts, Xiao Meng’s interactions with Gu Nianxue, Little Gold, Xiao Xuan, and his relatives provide warmth and humor.
• Power versus responsibility: Although Xiao Meng could dominate most battles, he recognizes when intervention would be harmful and prioritizes broader strategic goals.
• The limits of supremacy: Despite being nearly invincible by continental standards, Xiao Meng remains anxious because his strength may still be insufficient against Qiong Leng and the Demon Ancestor Tree.

4. Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng and Gu Nianxue: Their relationship is playful, affectionate, and argumentative, with teasing and physical intimacy balanced by genuine concern. Gu Nianxue also acts protectively toward Little Gold.
• Xiao Meng and Little Gold: Little Gold favors Xiao Meng and demands to be carried, while Xiao Meng pretends to dislike its weight and threatens it jokingly for neglecting its duty.
• Xiao Meng and Xiao Xuan: They discuss the continent’s spirit stone mines and the dangerous force in the Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Meng reassures Xiao Xuan that the situation is under control.
• Xiao Meng and Tie Da: Xiao Meng acts as a mentor, refusing to let Tie Da rush into becoming a city guardian and recommending further training.
• Xiao Meng and Xiao Ning/Xiao Yu: Their reunion is humorous and competitive. Xiao Meng tests them by increasing Sacred Mountain’s difficulty, then gives them access to the city-guardian trials.
• Xiao Meng and You Quan: Their brief interaction changes You Quan’s future. He recognizes her potential immediately and grants her admission to the Small Inner Academy and valuable cultivation resources.
• Xiao Meng and the Endless City defenders: He observes the Nether Emperor, Huangzai, and Zi Yan’s strategy but deliberately stays away, allowing them to complete their ambush.
• Xiao Meng and the academy elders: His rare appearance creates excitement and awe, especially after he personally selects You Quan for advancement.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Five years pass on the Dou Qi Continent, which experiences an unprecedented golden age: Dou Venerables, Dou Saints, and even Dou Dis become increasingly common.
• Jia Nan Academy and its Heaven-Piercing Tower become the continent’s premier cultivation destination. Outsiders can earn entry by accumulating merit points through hunting Otherworldly Demons, giving rise to the profession of Demon Hunters.
• Mengjia Snake City, built in the former Tagor Desert by the Snake-People and Jia Ma Empire, flourishes near Endless City. Xiao Meng further supports its development by placing five immortal veins within it.
• Zi Yan, Huangzai, and the Nether Emperor argue over whether to hunt Otherworldly Demons. Zi Yan refuses until they promise her valuable Law Crystals from the Heaven-Piercing Tower. After bargaining, she reluctantly agrees to join them.
• The group reveals that Xiao Meng has been in seclusion on the tower’s tenth floor for years, though Zi Yan suspects this explanation is merely an excuse.
• Endless City faces increasingly fierce attacks from the Otherworldly Demon Clan. Its six guardians—Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Tie Da, Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, and You Quan—defend it, while Xiao Chen, Zhukun, Gu Yuan, and others hunt demons outside the city. Xiao Xuan uses the Heavenly Tomb’s power to restrain many powerful enemy experts.
• In the Saint King World, Xiao Meng has spent over thirty years being hunted by the Eight Desolations Hall. Though he has reached the peak of the Saint Ascension Realm, he remains badly injured and believes he must reach the Primordial Realm to survive, and the Nine Revolutions Realm to destroy the Eight Desolations Hall.
• Xiao Meng considers escaping through a mysterious Dark Abyss but fears being separated from Great Freedom Heaven. He remains determined to obtain the Eight Desolations Hall’s divine artifact, which can rebuild Nalan Yanran’s body, and to settle his long-standing grudge with the organization.
• The Eight Desolations Hall eventually locates him with a fleet of enormous ships and hundreds of thousands of experts, forcing him to flee deeper into the abyss.
• Meanwhile, Xiao Yan has spent more than ten years cultivating inside the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor’s cave-dwelling. Within its Heavenly Flame Sea, he gains overwhelming control over the flames ranked below the top twenty-two Heavenly Flames.
• Xue You, formerly known as Nalan Yanran, and the mysterious purple-robed man enter the cave using a piece of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade combined with a strange Causal Thread.
• They attack Xiao Yan, but he uses the Heavenly Flame Sea’s power to dominate the battlefield. Xue You’s ice techniques freeze some flames, yet Xiao Yan’s flames ultimately overwhelm both opponents.
• Xiao Yan tears away the purple-robed man’s hood and recognizes his face, ending the chapter with shock at discovering that the supposedly dead man is still alive.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Has become extraordinarily powerful, reaching the peak of the Saint Ascension Realm, but decades of pursuit have left him wounded and exhausted. His goals are now clear: reach a higher realm, reclaim the divine artifact needed to restore Nalan Yanran, and destroy the Eight Desolations Hall.
• Zi Yan: Remains youthful, impulsive, proud, and gluttonous. She is tired of fighting Otherworldly Demons but still depends on Huangzai and the Nether Emperor to obtain Law Crystals. Her relationship with them is playful but contentious.
• Huangzai and the Nether Emperor: Both have advanced in cultivation and use their connection to Xiao Meng and the Heaven-Piercing Tower to suppress Law Beasts. They manipulate Zi Yan into joining their demon-hunting expedition, revealing their cunning and pragmatic personalities.
• Xiao Yan: After more than a decade of cultivation, he has gained near-absolute authority over the Heavenly Flame Sea inside the cave-dwelling. His confidence and combat power have increased dramatically, allowing him to fight two powerful enemies simultaneously.
• Nalan Yanran/Xue You: Her identity and nature have changed significantly. She now calls herself Xue You and possesses terrifying ice-based power, appearing as an enemy of Xiao Yan rather than the woman he once knew.
• The purple-robed man: Remains Xiao Yan’s long-time pursuer and enemy. He demonstrates great speed and strength but is ultimately overpowered within the Heavenly Flame Sea. His unmasking provides the chapter’s major cliffhanger.

Significant Themes

• The rise of a new cultivation age: The Dou Qi Continent has transformed into a powerful, flourishing center of cultivation, contrasting sharply with the dangers of the Saint King World.
• Power gained through risk and sacrifice: Demon Hunters risk their lives to earn access to the Heaven-Piercing Tower, while Xiao Meng endures decades of pursuit to obtain a divine artifact and repay his enemies.
• The contrast between safety and danger: The Dou Qi Continent is described as a peaceful refuge compared with the brutal Saint King World, where even powerful individuals can be hunted without respite.
• Long-term consequences and unresolved grudges: Xiao Meng’s thirty-year conflict with the Eight Desolations Hall and Xiao Yan’s confrontation with his former pursuer show how past conflicts continue to shape the characters’ futures.
• Control of one’s environment: Xiao Yan’s advantage comes not merely from his personal cultivation but from mastering the Heavenly Flame Sea, demonstrating how terrain and resources can determine victory.
• Identity and resurrection: The chapter emphasizes concealed identities and the possibility of restoring the dead, especially through Xue You’s transformed identity and the revelation that Xiao Yan’s supposedly deceased enemy survived.

Character Interactions

• Zi Yan, Huangzai, and the Nether Emperor engage in humorous but antagonistic bargaining over Law Crystals, with Zi Yan demanding rewards before agreeing to help them.
• Zi Yan angrily confronts Huangzai over the repeated claim that Xiao Meng is merely in seclusion, showing both her attachment to Xiao Meng and her frustration at being kept uninformed.
• Xiao Meng reflects on his bond with Nalan Yanran and his need to obtain a divine body for her, despite her current identity as Xue You.
• Xiao Yan and Xue You meet as enemies, with their past connection now replaced by hostility and suspicion.
• Xiao Yan directly challenges the purple-robed man, eager to learn the identity of the person who relentlessly hunted him.
• The battle between Xiao Yan, Xue You, and the purple-robed man escalates from mutual underestimation to Xiao Yan’s overwhelming dominance inside the Heavenly Flame Sea.
• The final unmasking leaves Xiao Yan stunned, suggesting the revealed identity is someone deeply connected to his past and presumed dead.

Chapter Summary: “Return”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Yan discovers that the purple-robed man pursuing him is Jia Lie Ao, whom he had previously killed by snapping his neck. Jia Lie Ao reveals that the original Jia Lie Ao is dead and strongly implies that he is now occupying the body through soul possession.
• Jia Lie Ao and Xue You question Xiao Yan about the strange Heavenly Flames within the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave-Dwelling. Xiao Yan explains that the flames recorded on the Dou Qi Continent are only weakened or contaminated versions of these true Divine Flames.
• The revelation causes Jia Lie Ao and Xue You to suspect that Tuoshe Ancient Emperor may have possessed the legendary Flame Mantra, possibly identifying him with a mysterious figure who mastered a powerful Heavenly Art in the distant past.
• During a question-for-question exchange, Jia Lie Ao reveals that he and Xue You are enemies of Xiao Meng and were ordered to kill him. Xiao Meng used Xiao Yan’s immense fortune and a Causal Thread to suppress their strength, making Xiao Yan an unintended shield and target.
• Xue You attempts to escape through a powerful spatial artifact called the Profound Gate, aided by a mysterious third party connected to the Demon Ancestor Tree. Xiao Yan severely injures Jia Lie Ao and Xue You but is unable to prevent their escape.
• The mysterious helper is revealed to be Qiong Leng, who forcibly connects the escape route to the outside world. Xiao Yan’s attacks follow the pair through the gate, injuring them further.
• After emerging near the Tagor Desert, Jia Lie Ao and Xue You are intercepted by Nether Emperor, Huangzai, Zi Yan, Xiao Ding, and others. Despite being badly wounded and relentlessly pursued for months, the two are eventually rescued by Qiong Leng, who sacrifices many Otherworldly Demons to secure their retreat.
• Meanwhile, in the Saint King World, Xiao Meng destroys the Eight Desolations Hall of Great Freedom Heaven. He massacres its disciples and defeats its hall master in retaliation for their century-long persecution of him and the destruction of his allies’ faction.
• Xiao Meng retrieves a Glazed Jade Pagoda from the ruins and reflects on his growth over the past century. He has advanced from the Transcendent Realm to the peak of the Nine Revolutions Realm, passing several major cultivation breakthroughs and tribulations.
• Remembering Brother Yang and the protection he once received, Xiao Meng declares that he has avenged the Ancient Heaven Sect. He then returns through a spatial passage, wondering what has become of the Dou Qi Continent.

Character Developments

• Xiao Yan becomes increasingly suspicious of Xiao Meng but remains loyal to him, rejecting Jia Lie Ao’s attempts to turn them against each other. His confidence and mastery over the Divine Flames are emphasized, as he dominates the battle inside the cave-dwelling.
• Jia Lie Ao is revealed to be a soul occupying the body of the deceased Jia Lie Ao. He remains manipulative and provocative, attempting to exploit Xiao Yan’s trust in Xiao Meng, but is repeatedly overwhelmed by Xiao Yan’s power.
• Xue You demonstrates caution and strategic thinking by preparing the Profound Gate and seeking outside assistance rather than continuing a losing battle. Even while badly wounded, she remains defiant and vows revenge against Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Meng is shown to be far more powerful and ruthless than previously understood. He has spent a century growing in strength while being hunted, and he now possesses enough power to annihilate a major faction almost effortlessly.
• Nether Emperor, Huangzai, and their allies coordinate to defend Endless City and pursue the escaping enemies, revealing the broader conflict surrounding Xiao Meng and the Dou Qi Continent.
• Qiong Leng emerges as a powerful and dangerous external force capable of manipulating the Demon Ancestor Tree and rescuing Jia Lie Ao and Xue You, though doing so requires sacrificing numerous Otherworldly Demons.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and manipulation: Jia Lie Ao claims that Xiao Meng has used Xiao Yan as a shield, raising doubts about Xiao Meng’s motives and the trust between the brothers.
• Hidden identities and buried truths: Jia Lie Ao’s resurrection, the unknown origins of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, and the possible connection to the Flame Mantra suggest that the characters’ understanding of history is incomplete.
• Power and transformation: Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Meng display dramatic growth, with Xiao Yan commanding Divine Flames and Xiao Meng reaching the peak of the Nine Revolutions Realm.
• Revenge and retribution: Xiao Meng’s destruction of the Eight Desolations Hall is presented as repayment for years of persecution and the massacre of those close to him.
• Limits of victory: Although Xiao Yan and his allies badly injure their enemies, they cannot kill or capture them. The escape reinforces the continuing danger posed by Jia Lie Ao, Xue You, Qiong Leng, and the forces behind them.
• Loyalty and remembrance: Xiao Yan refuses to abandon Xiao Meng, while Xiao Meng honors Brother Yang and the Ancient Heaven Sect, showing that personal bonds continue to shape the conflict.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao Yan and Jia Lie Ao: They engage in a tense interrogation, exchanging questions while accusing one another of deception. Jia Lie Ao tries to undermine Xiao Yan’s faith in Xiao Meng, but Xiao Yan responds with hostility and refuses to be manipulated.
• Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Ao, and Xue You: Their confrontation shifts from interrogation to combat when Xue You attempts to activate the Profound Gate. Xiao Yan nearly kills both before outside intervention enables their escape.
• Xiao Yan and Qiong Leng: Qiong Leng’s appearance instantly changes the battle. His overwhelming power forces Xiao Yan back and demonstrates that stronger entities are directly involved in the conflict.
• Nether Emperor, Huangzai, Zi Yan, and the fugitives: The allies cooperate in a prolonged pursuit, repeatedly injuring Jia Lie Ao and Xue You but failing to prevent Qiong Leng from extracting them.
• Xiao Meng and the Eight Desolations Hall: Xiao Meng confronts the hall over its past crimes, dismisses its defenses, and destroys the entire faction as punishment.
• Xiao Meng and Brother Yang: Xiao Meng’s tribute to Brother Yang provides an emotional conclusion, linking his revenge to gratitude and loyalty rather than simple bloodlust.

Chapter Summary: The Eternal Supreme Dao—Void

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huangzai returns severely injured after battling nine powerful fiends born from the Demon Ancestor Tree. Xiao Meng learns that Qiong Leng sacrificed countless Otherworldly Demons to strengthen them.
• Xiao Meng arrives above Endless City and instantly erases the massive Otherworldly Demon army, shocking everyone and revealing that he has returned to the Dou Qi Continent after years of secluded cultivation.
• The Nether Emperor, Zi Yan, Xiao Xuan, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and others are being overwhelmed by the nine fiends. Xiao Meng orders them to withdraw and personally confronts the enemies.
• Xiao Meng initially suppresses the fiends with the Thunder Emperor Treasure Art, the Heaven-Annihilating Sword, sword qi, and powerful fist techniques. When the fiends reveal their monstrous true forms and greatly increase their strength, he defeats them through overwhelming physical power, destroying several completely.
• Qiong Leng manifests through the Demon Ancestor Tree and rescues the surviving fiends. Xiao Meng taunts and challenges him, but Qiong Leng withdraws, warning that the fiends will return.
• Xiao Meng then travels to the Soul Realm and attacks its mysterious black barrier. Hun Tiandi appears and reveals that he recognizes Xiao Meng and harbors intense hostility toward him.
• Hun Tiandi proves far stronger than the nine fiends, wielding a terrifying blood blade, powerful demonic techniques, multiple incarnations, and abilities apparently connected to the Great Terror. Xiao Meng nevertheless overcomes and destroys him after a fierce battle against Hun Tiandi and the Soul Clan forces.
• Xiao Meng believes Hun Tiandi is dead, but the system reveals that Hun Tiandi cultivated the Three-Lives Reversal Art. Xiao Meng destroyed Hun Tiandi’s “past self,” allowing him to reincarnate and become even more talented. Xiao Meng is furious that he unintentionally helped his enemy.
• After returning, Xiao Meng spends time with Gu Nianxue, establishes defensive formations, lectures at Jia Nan Academy, and waits for Huangzai to emerge from seclusion.
• Two years later, Xiao Meng enters seclusion to comprehend the Eternal Law of Void. After thirty years, he finally understands it.
• Xiao Meng undergoes an unprecedented Heavenly Tribulation near Endless City, deliberately forcing Qiong Leng, Xue You, and the purple-robed figure to endure it with him. The tribulation lasts eighty-one days and leaves everyone badly injured.
• At the end of the tribulation, Xiao Meng successfully controls the Void Law. Qiong Leng and the others realize that Void is the supreme eternal Dao, far beyond Chaos, fate, and karma, and understand why powerful beings seek to eliminate Xiao Meng.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Demonstrates overwhelming growth in combat ability, defeating the Demon Ancestor Tree’s fiends and Hun Tiandi while remaining confident and provocative. However, he recognizes that Qiong Leng is still stronger and becomes increasingly determined to master Void. His relationship with Gu Nianxue also becomes more affectionate and peaceful, and he begins prioritizing her companionship before entering seclusion.
• Qiong Leng: Shows that its strength has recovered substantially and remains a major threat. It avoids directly fighting Xiao Meng but manipulates events by empowering the nine fiends and obstructing Xiao Meng’s cultivation. Its fear and shock after Xiao Meng comprehends Void reveal that Xiao Meng has become an even greater danger.
• Hun Tiandi: Appears as a powerful enemy connected to the Great Terror. He possesses advanced techniques and multiple incarnations, but is ultimately defeated. His survival through the Three-Lives Reversal Art turns Xiao Meng’s victory into an unintended benefit for him.
• Gu Nianxue: Acts as Xiao Meng’s emotional anchor, encouraging him not to neglect his cultivation or the safety of the continent. Their bond strengthens through their peaceful travels and time together.
• The Nether Emperor and Zi Yan: Continue supporting Xiao Meng. The Nether Emperor respects his strength and worries about the danger of the fiends, while Zi Yan maintains a playful, teasing relationship with him despite his status.
• The Endless City defenders: Their awe and fear toward Xiao Meng increase as they witness him effortlessly destroy armies and battle beings far beyond ordinary Dou Di experts.

Significant Themes

• The nature of Void: Void is presented as both nothingness and infinity, being and nonbeing, beginning and end. It transcends time, space, matter, fate, karma, and Chaos, while also serving as the source and final destination of all existence.
• Growth and cultivation: Xiao Meng’s long periods of seclusion demonstrate that true advancement requires patience and profound comprehension, not merely increased power or more techniques.
• The danger of incomplete victories: Xiao Meng’s defeat of Hun Tiandi shows that killing an enemy may not end the threat, especially when extraordinary cultivation arts allow reincarnation or transformation.
• Cosmic conflict: The struggle between Xiao Meng, Qiong Leng, the Great Terror, and the forces of the Soul and Demon Clans expands beyond personal rivalry into a battle over the fate and structure of the universe.
• Confidence versus genuine danger: Xiao Meng often mocks his enemies and acts fearlessly, but he understands that Qiong Leng remains formidable and that the Void Law is necessary for him to survive.
• Love amid catastrophe: Xiao Meng’s time with Gu Nianxue provides emotional calm and human warmth against the backdrop of world-ending battles and cosmic threats.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng comforts and protects the injured Huangzai, then avenges it by confronting the nine fiends.
• He instructs the Nether Emperor and the other defenders to withdraw, showing both authority and concern for their safety.
• Xiao Meng repeatedly taunts Qiong Leng, attempting to provoke it into directly revealing or exposing its true body.
• His playful exchanges with Zi Yan—especially flicking her forehead and withholding Law Crystals—contrast with the seriousness of the surrounding war.
• Xiao Meng and Hun Tiandi exchange hostile provocations while testing one another’s techniques and connection to the Great Terror.
• Xiao Meng spends peaceful, intimate time with Gu Nianxue, who worries about the burden he carries and supports his eventual cultivation.
• During the tribulation, Xiao Meng deliberately mocks Qiong Leng, Xue You, and the purple-robed figure, turning his breakthrough into both a cultivation trial and an act of retaliation.
• Their final reactions to Void establish Xiao Meng’s transformation from an exceptionally powerful cultivator into a threat capable of challenging the fundamental order of existence.

Chapter Summary: Law Completion, Killing Hun Tiandi Again

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Meng spends decades recovering from the severe Dao injuries caused by the Tribulation Lightning. With the Taishi Tree’s help, his injuries improve, though the Taixu Divine Lotus remains dormant.
• He successfully comprehends the Void Law, discovering that it can erase matter, its traces, and even other Great Daos into absolute nothingness. The system reveals that Xiao Meng is the only person in the world capable of wielding this power.
• Xiao Meng learns that the mysterious dark energy within Qiong Leng, Zi You, and Xue You is another eternal supreme Dao, equal in level to the Void Law. Its will, however, has not awakened again.
• Nalan Yanran’s body is successfully reconstructed using heavenly treasures. Her blood, marrow, organs, and divine soul gradually recover. Xiao Meng moves her coffin from the Netherworld Realm into the Heaven-Piercing Tower so she can revive safely.
• Xiao Meng investigates Xiao Yan’s prolonged absence in the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor’s cave-dwelling. The system explains that Xiao Yan’s spirit is connected to the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame, one of three Origin Flames in the universe. The flame once divided itself into many fragments to avoid being enslaved by powerful beings, and those fragments are gathered inside the cave-dwelling.
• After three years of cultivation beneath the Bodhi Tree, Xiao Meng’s laws reach minor completion. He repeatedly attacks Qiong Leng’s faction and the Demon Ancestor Tree, using them as combat practice while preventing the damaged Demon Ancestor Tree from recovering.
• The Hell Gate suddenly shakes violently. The system reveals that Hun Tiandi has reincarnated in Endless-Sands Hell, subdued billions of demons, and intends to escape into the Dou Qi Continent.
• Xiao Meng enters the hell realm alone, leaving the Young Divine Elephant King to guard the gate. He confronts Hun Tiandi but avoids fighting directly in the latter’s territory, luring him into a prolonged pursuit.
• Their conflict lasts nearly a century. Xiao Meng assassinates powerful demons across a massive region to remove potential reinforcements. When his laws finally reach major completion and perfection, his strength increases dramatically.
• Xiao Meng ultimately fights Hun Tiandi in a half-year life-and-death battle. Despite Hun Tiandi’s superior cultivation, primal demon body, and environmental advantage, Xiao Meng kills him at the cost of grievous injuries.
• After recovering, Xiao Meng’s laws reach perfection. He remains in Endless-Sands Hell for another century to hunt demons and stabilize his cultivation, but fails to find a path toward the Heaven-Defying Realm. He later returns to the Dou Qi Continent and gains only partial insight beneath the Bodhi Tree before traveling to the Eternal Life Immortal Realm.
• Fifty years pass on the Dou Qi Continent while Xiao Meng is absent. Endless City nearly falls several times to Qiong Leng, Zi You, Xue You, and the Demon Ancestor Tree.
• Nalan Yanran eventually awakens, and Xiao Yan emerges from seclusion at critical moments. However, Xiao Yan is later ambushed, loses his physical body through self-destruction, and falls into a prolonged sleep in the Netherworld Realm. One of the causal threads suppressing Zi You and Xue You is also severed.
• Nalan Yanran, the Nether Emperor, Huangzai, and others help defend Endless City. Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan’s Battle Skills Pavilion greatly strengthens the younger generation. Jia Nan Academy produces increasingly powerful students, including over two hundred Small Inner Academy entrants and five new “Freshman Kings.”
• Gu Nianxue learns through Little Gold that Xiao Meng survived an incident involving the Black-Robed Sect. She initially misunderstands an image of Xiao Meng with other women and angrily assumes he was flirting, but later realizes he had likely been in danger.
• Gu Nianxue’s disciple, Chuxia, arrives and discusses the academy’s rising talents and Xiao Meng’s discipleship standards. Tie Da was the first person to pass the mysterious tenth testing checkpoint, because he possessed a childlike heart. You Quan has yet to pass it despite her exceptional talent and the Nether Emperor’s guidance.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Advances from incomplete mastery of the laws to perfection, fully establishes the terrifying power of the Void Law, and defeats Hun Tiandi through patience, strategy, assassination, and a final desperate battle. His growing strength is balanced by continued uncertainty about the system, the dark supreme Dao, and his path to the Heaven-Defying Realm.
• Hun Tiandi: Reincarnates as a powerful primal demon and initially intends to use Xiao Meng to sever his future body. After Xiao Meng exposes this secret, Hun Tiandi abandons that plan and becomes determined to kill Xiao Meng outright. He is ultimately slain again.
• Nalan Yanran: Successfully receives a reconstructed body and awakens. Because her soul and blood contain Xue You’s recorded information, she is effectively a powerful counterpart or replica of Xue You and becomes an important defender of the Dou Qi Continent.
• Xiao Yan: His identity becomes more mysterious through his connection to the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame. He later sacrifices his physical body to severely injure Zi You and Xue You, leaving his divine soul dormant.
• Gu Nianxue: Remains deeply concerned about Xiao Meng and continues nurturing younger talent. Her playful but affectionate relationship with Little Gold and Chuxia reveals her protective, lively personality.
• Chuxia: Develops into a promising disciple, motivated by admiration for both Gu Nianxue and Xiao Meng. She hopes to enter the Small Inner Academy and eventually pass the tenth checkpoint.
• Tie Da and You Quan: Tie Da’s childlike nature allows him to pass the tenth checkpoint, while You Quan continues striving to become Xiao Meng’s formal disciple.

Significant Themes

• Nothingness and impermanence: The Void Law represents the ultimate end of all things, suggesting that even the strongest laws and beings cannot escape eventual erasure.
• Fate and altered destiny: Xiao Meng’s arrival has changed the original destinies of Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Ao, the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame, and other major figures. The consequences of these changes remain unclear.
• Power and sacrifice: Xiao Meng, Xiao Yan, and others repeatedly accept severe injuries, self-destruction, and prolonged isolation to protect the world and defeat stronger enemies.
• Strategy over brute force: Xiao Meng succeeds against Hun Tiandi not through superior cultivation, but by choosing the battlefield, eliminating enemy reinforcements, exploiting time differences, and waiting for his laws to mature.
• Inheritance and cultivation of the next generation: The Xiao Clan and Jia Nan Academy create systems for nurturing new experts, emphasizing the importance of teaching, testing, and controlled access to powerful techniques.
• The value of innocence and a childlike heart: Tie Da’s success at the tenth checkpoint implies that purity, sincerity, or freedom from excessive calculation may be more important than raw strength.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao Meng and the system debate the nature of the Void Law, the dark supreme Dao, Hun Tiandi’s reincarnation, and Xiao Yan’s connection to the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame. The system remains deliberately evasive, deepening Xiao Meng’s suspicions.
• Xiao Meng and the Nether Emperor cooperate in preparing Nalan Yanran’s revival and defending the Dou Qi Continent.
• Xiao Meng and Hun Tiandi exchange mocking, hostile dialogue before engaging in their prolonged pursuit and final battle. Xiao Meng’s revelation about Hun Tiandi’s plan provokes Hun Tiandi into abandoning his original strategy.
• Gu Nianxue and Little Gold maintain a mischievous, affectionate relationship. Little Gold deliberately shows her an incomplete image of Xiao Meng to provoke jealousy before eventually confirming that he survived.
• Gu Nianxue and Chuxia interact as mentor and disciple, combining affectionate teasing with serious discussion about talent, discipline, and the standards required to become Xiao Meng’s disciple.

Chapter Summary: “Cataclysm”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Meng undergoes an extraordinarily powerful Heaven-Defying Tribulation in the Eternal Life World. More than ten thousand calamities—including lightning, yin-yang demons, Five Elements beasts, Chaos tribulations, karmic punishment, and the Five Decays—attack him simultaneously.
• After fighting for eighty-one years, Xiao Meng destroys every tribulation and shatters the cages formed by the Great Dao. He successfully reaches the peak of the Heaven-Defying Realm, becoming an undying, peerless powerhouse.
• More than a century later, the Dou Qi Continent remains under constant threat. Endless City has nearly fallen numerous times, though new experts have emerged to defend it.
• Qiong Leng, Xue You, and Zi You suddenly recover their strength and advance to the Half-Step Delusion-Breaking Realm. Their mysterious master orders them to eliminate “Sequence Three,” making Xiao Meng their primary target.
• Xiao Yan’s Causal Thread with Xue You is severed, removing an important advantage. Believing Xiao Meng cannot be contacted, Xiao Yan chooses to consume an unripe Taishi Fruit despite its lethal risks, hoping to break through and buy time for the continent.
• Nalan Yanran and Zi Yan also receive Taishi Fruits. Nalan Yanran seeks to reach the Fate-Reversal Realm and use the Heaven-Piercing Tower, while Zi Yan hopes to improve her strength despite the seal within her body. Other weaker allies are refused because the fruit would almost certainly kill them.
• After three months, the three enemies attack Endless City. Xiao Yan, Zi Yan, Nalan Yanran, Huangzai, the Nether Emperor, and later Little Gold confront them.
• The defenders initially hold off the invaders despite being weaker. Xiao Yan fights Zi You, Zi Yan and Nalan Yanran fight Xue You, and Huangzai and the Nether Emperor battle Qiong Leng.
• The conflict lasts for years. Little Gold joins the battle, while the Sacred Mountain and Bodhi Tree struggle to contain the demons escaping from Hell Gate.
• Xiao Yan burns the origin of the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame, transforming himself into a fiery prison that seals Zi You, apparently sacrificing his own future and possibly his life.
• Zi Yan removes Xiao Meng’s seal and burns the reverted Ancestor Dragon Blood Essence hidden within her, creating the powerful Undying Domain that traps Xue You. This also costs her nearly everything.
• Huangzai, the Nether Emperor, and other major defenders are incapacitated. Little Gold continues fighting Qiong Leng for two years.
• In the third year, Qiong Leng absorbs the Demon Ancestor Tree’s origin and gains the upper hand. Xiao Xuan emerges from the Heavenly Tomb and uses its power to fight alongside Little Gold, but doing so rapidly consumes his lifespan.
• After another two years, Xiao Xuan is nearly exhausted and Qiong Leng prepares to kill him. Just before the fatal blow lands, the Heavenless Umbrella appears to protect Xiao Xuan, signaling Xiao Meng’s return.

Character Developments

• Xiao Meng: Completes his long-prepared breakthrough and reaches the peak of the Heaven-Defying Realm. His return at the end provides the first true hope after years of catastrophe.
• Xiao Yan: Displays extreme determination by consuming an unripe Taishi Fruit and later burning the Azure Heaven Emperor Flame’s origin to seal Zi You. His actions emphasize his willingness to sacrifice himself for the continent and his family.
• Zi Yan: Moves from frustration over her seal to learning that it contains a dangerous trace of reverted Ancestor Dragon Blood Essence. She deliberately breaks the seal and uses the blood essence to activate the Undying Domain, accepting severe personal consequences.
• Nalan Yanran: Takes responsibility for defending the continent, breaks through to the Fate-Reversal Realm, and joins Zi Yan against Xue You.
• Huangzai: Evolves into a Desolate Ancient Divine Phoenix and demonstrates greatly enhanced strength, though even its power is insufficient to defeat Qiong Leng.
• The Nether Emperor: Draws deeply on the Taishi Tree’s power and fights beyond its limits, ultimately suffering severe backlash and collapsing.
• Little Gold: Becomes a major combatant through the Mark of the Gods and accumulated treasures. It fights Qiong Leng for years and temporarily stabilizes the battlefield.
• Xiao Xuan: Sacrifices his lifespan by drawing on the Heavenly Tomb’s power, standing between Qiong Leng and the defenseless survivors.
• Qiong Leng, Xue You, and Zi You: Become much more dangerous after reaching the Half-Step Delusion-Breaking Realm. Their confidence grows, but they are forced to confront unexpectedly powerful resistance.

Significant Themes

• Defiance against heaven and fate: Xiao Meng’s breakthrough embodies the struggle to surpass all laws, shackles, and predestined limitations.
• Sacrifice for survival: Xiao Yan, Zi Yan, Xiao Xuan, the Nether Emperor, Huangzai, and the spiritual treasures of the continent all sacrifice their origins, lifespans, or future potential to protect others.
• Hope amid despair: The defenders repeatedly seem doomed, yet each sacrifice buys additional time and creates new possibilities.
• Family, loyalty, and collective resistance: The characters fight not for personal advancement but to protect the Dou Qi Continent, their companions, and their shared legacy.
• The cost of power: Every major breakthrough or forbidden technique carries devastating consequences, including death, loss of cultivation, shortened lifespan, or permanent injury.
• Fate versus human choice: Although the invaders believe the outcome is predetermined, the defenders repeatedly reject surrender and choose resistance.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Yan consults Huangzai and the Nether Emperor about Xiao Meng and eventually asks for the Taishi Fruit.
• Nalan Yanran volunteers to take risks for the continent, persuading the others to let her use a Taishi Fruit.
• Zi Yan insists on joining despite the Nether Emperor’s objections and later demands the truth about her seal.
• Huangzai reveals the nature of Zi Yan’s sealed Ancestor Dragon Blood Essence, enabling her final transformation.
• Xiao Yan and Zi You engage in a brutal duel, with Xiao Yan using his unusual flame to injure and ultimately seal his opponent.
• Zi Yan and Nalan Yanran cooperate against Xue You, while their personal hostility toward her intensifies the battle.
• Huangzai and the Nether Emperor coordinate their attacks against Qiong Leng, using the Taishi Tree as their principal weapon.
• Little Gold repeatedly relieves pressure on the other fighters, eventually battling Qiong Leng alone.
• Xiao Xuan joins Little Gold in a final stand, sacrificing his remaining lifespan.
• The chapter ends when Xiao Meng’s Heavenless Umbrella intervenes, dramatically reversing the atmosphere of hopelessness.