Chapter Summaries

Zhao Li explained to Zhao Yannian that cultivation could change as people questioned and expanded on the paths left by their predecessors. After leaving Zhao Yannian to study attribute-less Dou Qi, Zhao Li arranged for Elder Wu to look after the Danyuan Sect and later encouraged Zhao Yannian to explore the continent on his own.

• Zhao Li compared cultivation to a mountain path carved by generations and told Zhao Yannian to try his own ideas without doubting everything.
• Zhao Li asked Elder Wu to watch over the Danyuan Sect while he was away, and Elder Wu assured him the sect was in good hands.
• Zhao Li found Zhao Yannian in the Transmission Hall, where Zhao Yannian bluffed Tang Xiaogang with supposed insights into Li Ling's medicine refining demonstration.
• Zhao Li told Zhao Yannian to stop showing off and either watch carefully or leave, prompting Zhao Yannian to slip away from the crowd.
• Zhao Li told Zhao Yannian to go wherever he liked and handle anything that displeased him, promising to take responsibility for the consequences.

Zhao Yannian set out from Danyuan City to explore the Jianghu, while Zhao Li secretly followed and joined him under a new identity. The two traveled together, with Zhao Yannian unaware that his companion was his master.

• Zhao Yannian bought a demonic beast horse in Danyuan City and rode out to begin his journey.
• Zhao Li watched Zhao Yannian leave, then followed him and decided to spread the Dao across the world.
• At a fork in the road, Zhao Yannian let his horse choose their route and continued into unfamiliar country.
• Zhao Li changed his appearance and approached Zhao Yannian on the road as a wandering young man.
• Zhao Yannian invited Zhao Li to travel together, introduced himself using his master's name, and asked about Zhao Li's background.
• Zhao Li claimed he was a wandering cultivator and teased Zhao Yannian inwardly for being too trusting.

Zhao Li and Zhao Yannian stayed in Huang Family Village for a wedding, where Zhao Yannian noticed the villagers were unusually powerful. The celebration was interrupted by an armed force demanding that the village hand over a Divine Skill.

• Zhao Li and Zhao Yannian entered Huang Family Village and accepted the village chief's invitation to stay for his granddaughter's wedding.
• Zhao Yannian told Zhao Li that several villagers had auras strong enough to threaten him, but chose to stay and investigate.
• The next day, Zhao Li and Zhao Yannian joined the villagers as they prepared for the wedding and welcomed the bride.
• An armed force arrived at the village, and the village chief shielded his granddaughter as A Niu lowered his head under the villagers' questioning gazes.
• A man in an Azure Brocade Robe demanded that the village surrender the Divine Skill and threatened to destroy their homes and families.

A Niu exposed Huang Family Village’s past as a bandit stronghold and revealed that it possessed a Divine Cultivation Manual. Shangguan Yan killed A Niu, accepted the manual, and allowed the village to remain; Zhao Li discovered the manual was a life-burning technique with poor returns.

• A Niu accused Huang Family Village of massacring villagers twenty years earlier to obtain a secret, and Zhao Yannian realized the villagers had once been bandits.
• Shangguan Yan demanded the Divine Cultivation Manual and said Huang Family Village could remain if it handed it over.
• The village chief negotiated with Shangguan Yan and demanded A Niu’s death in exchange for the manual.
• Shangguan Yan killed A Niu, and the village chief gave him the sheepskin scroll.
• Zhao Li examined the scroll and recognized its technique as the Qianyuan Blood Burning Technique, which traded lifespan for little power.

Shangguan Yan tested the Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique on a Flame Guard and left the village after warning its people to keep the method secret. As the wedding ended, Zhao Yannian prepared for an attack while Zhao Li studied the technique and silently stopped villagers outside their room.

• Shangguan Yan had Flame Guard Ninety-Nine study the Sheepskin Scroll's Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique, then warned the villagers against revealing it and departed with his army.
• The village chief secretly decided to kill Zhao Li and Zhao Yannian to protect the village's secret, but continued the wedding festivities.
• Zhao Yannian stayed through the wedding under watch, then faked drunkenness, armed his room with traps, and hid on a roof beam.
• Zhao Li examined the villagers and considered how the blood-burning technique might relate to his Universal Cultivation Method, but rejected using Zhijiao to mislead them.
• Zhao Yannian knocked several villagers down, while Zhao Li immobilized a few others outside the house.

Zhao Yannian trapped the village chief and his men, learned about the Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique, and killed the chief when he refused to spare him. He left Huang Family Village and continued into the mountain forest, while Zhao Li quietly shielded him with an Energy Barrier.

• Zhao Yannian knocked down the armed men who entered his room, then trapped the village chief and his second group with a hidden mechanism.
• The village chief offered Zhao Yannian a scroll containing a Harvesting and Replenishing Technique and begged him to spare his life.
• Zhao Yannian took the scroll, decided the village chief could not be trusted, and shot him through the head with a Strong Crossbow.
• Zhao Yannian identified the Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique as an Evil Technique and left the village for the mountain forest.
• Zhao Li placed an Energy Barrier around Zhao Yannian before silently leaving the area.

After Zhao Yannian escaped into the mountains and continued his journey, Zhao Li ended his half-month watch and reunited with Big Xiong in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. Their reunion turned into drinking and teasing, and Big Xiong asked about Zhao Li’s strength.

• Zhao Yannian spent the night in the forest, broke through a minor level, and traveled for more than half a month before reaching a main road.
• Zhao Li stopped following Zhao Yannian and traveled to the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, where he located Big Xiong.
• Big Xiong struck Zhao Li’s flying wine jar, then recognized him when Zhao Li appeared.
• Zhao Li teased Big Xiong into transforming into human form, and the two shared wine while catching up.
• Big Xiong asked Zhao Li’s current strength, and Zhao Li replied that he was a Dou Zun.

Zhao Li learned from Big Xiong that Ye Yunsheng had become a Dou Zun, stirring memories of their youthful affection. He chose not to visit her and returned to drinking with Big Xiong.

• Zhao Li told Big Xiong he had reached Dou Zun, and Big Xiong revealed that another Dou Zun was connected to him.
• After teasing Zhao Li and drawing out the conversation, Big Xiong named Ye Yunsheng as the other Dou Zun.
• Zhao Li recalled his youthful feelings for Ye Yunsheng and considered how she had risen from a girl unable to cultivate to a rare expert.
• Big Xiong asked whether Zhao Li would go see Ye Yunsheng, but Zhao Li declined and invited him to drink.

Zhao Li learned that Ye Yunsheng had founded a nation and considered going out to see how her efforts to reform society had progressed, but stayed in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range to cultivate and study his technique. A year later, Zhao Yannian was trapped in Wuxuan City, where a mysterious barrier protected him from Bengbuzu as he waited for Zhao Li to arrive.

• Big Xiong told Zhao Li that Ye Yunsheng had visited the valley eight years earlier and later came to Great Gan for negotiations, where people addressed her as Your Majesty.
• Zhao Li wondered whether Ye Yunsheng had founded a nation to pursue reforms, but decided to remain with Big Xiong while Zhao Yannian trained and he continued improving the Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique.
• Zhao Li spent the next year cultivating, studying the Cultivation Method, and sparring with Big Xiong, who began to sense an opportunity for a breakthrough.
• In Wuxuan City, Bengbuzu sent Zhao Yannian crashing through a pillar, but a barrier protected him from the attack.
• Bengbuzu's next hammer strike rebounded and sent him flying, while Zhao Yannian recovered behind the barrier and silently urged his teacher to come quickly.
• Bengbuzu failed to break through the barrier and demanded to know who Zhao Yannian was.

Zhao Li arrived in time to rescue Zhao Yannian from Bengbuzu and learned why Zhao Yannian had exposed the City Lord's Mansion. With Zhao Yannian safe, Zhao Li confronted Bengbuzu about Wuxuan City's secret.

• Bengbuzu failed to harm Zhao Yannian and tried to lure him into cooperating to find a mysterious Cave Dwelling.
• Zhao Li appeared and immobilized Bengbuzu and the others, while Zhao Yannian greeted his teacher and explained the City Lord's Mansion's crimes.
• Zhao Li comforted Zhao Yannian, helped him recover, and sent him away from the hall.
• Zhao Li approached the terrified Bengbuzu and demanded that he discuss the secret he knew.

Zhao Li learned that Bengbuzu had seized Wuxuan City to search for a Cave Dwelling, then killed him and ordered the city’s officials to end the Evil Spirit rumors. He brought Zhao Yannian to the hidden cave for a treasure hunt, leaving them inside after Zhao Li opened the stone passage by simply pushing it.

• Bengbuzu confessed that he had taken over Wuxuan City to search for a Cave Dwelling marked on a fragmentary map, and he handed the map to Zhao Li.
• Zhao Li used his Soul Power to locate the cave, killed Bengbuzu, and told the remaining officials to dispel the Evil Spirit rumors and restore peace.
• Zhao Li brought Zhao Yannian to the cave and waited two hours for his injuries to heal before inviting him to explore it.
• Zhao Yannian cautiously led the way, wary of traps, while Zhao Li explained that he had found no danger inside.
• At the cave’s end, Zhao Li pushed aside a concealed stone wall, leaving Zhao Yannian astonished by his master’s effortless strength.

Zhao Li discovered a hidden Blacksmith Shop inside the stone chair and found an Equipment Refining Legacy left by a renowned master. After reading the maker’s tragic account, Zhao Li reflected on the dangers of attracting powerful enemies, then returned to Zhao Yannian with the legacy.

• Zhao Yannian opened the Stone Boxes, found a Mysterious Tier, High Grade hammer Dou Technique, and accidentally released a foul-smelling cloud from a shriveled pill.
• Zhao Li read the Heaven and Earth Throw technique and noticed that the stone chair was absorbing Dou Qi.
• Zhao Li probed the stone chair and discovered a hidden space containing a Blacksmith Shop and a Smelting Furnace.
• Zhao Li read the autobiography and Equipment Refining Legacy, learning that its maker had been imprisoned and forced to forge for a powerful force.
• Zhao Li returned from the hidden space and told Zhao Yannian that he had found something worthwhile.

Zhao Yannian chose to continue traveling rather than return home, and Zhao Li left him to face the world on his own. Zhao Li then began investigating the equipment-refining legacy, deciding to study metals at a blacksmith shop in Qingzhou City.

• Zhao Yannian dismissed the equipment-refining legacy but told Zhao Li he had found a Mysterious Tier, High Grade Dou Technique and Cultivation Method in the cave dwelling.
• Zhao Li warned Zhao Yannian to be more careful after he had been poisoned by miasma from a damaged pill.
• Zhao Yannian said he wanted to remain in the world and become strong enough to shelter people seeking change, so Zhao Li placed a barrier on him and departed.
• Zhao Yannian calmed himself, then realized Zhao Li had left him stranded at the cave entrance above a deep gorge.
• Zhao Li tested the refining method on stone, made a fragile stone knife, and concluded he needed to learn about materials before continuing.
• Zhao Li left the Myriad Beast Mountain Range and went to a blacksmith shop in Qingzhou City to study metals.

Zhao Li studied forging under Tie Long in the Qing Province Iron Shop, then demonstrated his skill by making him a sword. After reflecting on the lost potential of runes and formations, Zhao Li searched Great Gan for skilled forgers and headed to Treasure Forging Pavilion in Danyuan City.

• Zhao Li entered the Qing Province Iron Shop and arranged to study with its chief blacksmith, Tie Long.
• Over the next few days, Zhao Li learned Tie Long's forging knowledge and exhausted what he could teach.
• Zhao Li forged a longsword from scrap and Mysterious Iron, then gave it to Tie Long before leaving.
• Zhao Li reflected that the continent's forging arts lacked the runes and formations needed to create true Divine Weapons.
• Zhao Li searched Great Gan, found the strongest forgers in Danyuan City, and walked toward Treasure Forging Pavilion.

Zhao Li spent two years studying Formations and talismans, improving his understanding of rules and his Soul Power while planning to make his techniques more practical. He returned to Danyuan Sect, where Lin Lan announced that he intended to step down and make Zhao Li the next Sect Master.

• Shangguan Yan used the Blood Burning Realm Breaking Technique to grow stronger and decided he needed more women.
• Zhao Li struggled with the limits of Formations and talismans, then studied them until he found that analyzing how he interacted with heaven and earth improved his comprehension and Soul Power.
• Zhao Li developed a Formation capable of displaying one-thousandth of his strength, though he judged its costly materials made it impractical for most people.
• Zhao Li returned to Danyuan Sect after sensing that the Great Elder had crushed his Jade Token.
• Lin Lan gathered the sect's higher-ups and announced that he planned to step down as Sect Master and pass the position to Zhao Li.

Lin Lan named Zhao Li the next Sect Master of the Danyuan Sect, despite Zhao Li’s objections, and arranged for the elders to handle the sect’s affairs. After the meeting, Zhao Li asked about the child Lin Lan was holding and learned his name was Yun Shan, Yun Family’s Eldest Sister’s grandson.

• Lin Lan explained that Zhao Li’s strength and alchemy skills surpassed his own and proposed that Zhao Li succeed him as Sect Master.
• Zhao Li objected and suggested that Li Ling or someone else take the position, but Lin Lan assured him the elders would manage the work.
• Lin Lan declared the succession approved and ordered the elders to arrange a grand Succession Ceremony.
• Zhao Li accepted the role reluctantly and asked the elders to look after the sect’s affairs.
• Zhao Li later asked Lin Lan about the child in his arms, and Lin Lan said the child was Yun Shan, Yun Family’s Eldest Sister’s grandson.

Lin Lan told Zhao Li how he found Yun Shan after Yun Xin'er died pursuing a Heavenly Flame, and Zhao Li recognized the child as the future Misty Cloud Sect Master. Lin Lan planned to teach Yun Shan, while Zhao Li agreed to take him as a disciple once he was ready to cultivate.

• Zhao Li recognized Yun Shan and asked Lin Lan how he had brought the child back from the Jia Ma Empire.
• Lin Lan explained that he had helped the Yun Family recover, then searched for Yun Xin'er, who had died in a battle over a Heavenly Flame.
• Lin Lan said the flame might have been the Sea Heart Flame, and Zhao Li wondered whether Han Feng had obtained it.
• Lin Lan said he would keep Yun Shan with him and teach him, then suggested Zhao Li take the boy as a disciple.
• Zhao Li agreed, but Lin Lan proposed waiting until Yun Shan formally began cultivating before making him a disciple.

Lin Lan and Zhao Li reaffirmed their bond before preparing the Danyuan Sect for Zhao Li’s Succession Ceremony. As guests arrived and Lin Lan urged Zhao Li to make a name for himself, Zhao Li confronted his habit of hiding from danger and decided to stop deliberately concealing himself.

• Lin Lan accepted responsibility for raising Yun Shan, and he and Zhao Li expressed how fortunate they were to have met and helped each other.
• Lin Lan urged Zhao Li to prepare for the Succession Ceremony and show everyone the strength of his disciple.
• Three months later, Zhao Li had expanded Danxia Mountain and created a formation that improved the sect’s environment and could repel intruders below Dou Zun.
• As guests arrived from across the region for the ceremony, Lin Lan encouraged Zhao Li to use the occasion to become renowned across the continent.
• Remembering his fear of the Soul Clan and Hun Tiandi, Zhao Li reflected that his excessive caution contradicted his desire to cultivate freely and decided to let fate guide him.

Zhao Li overcame his inner fear and took part in the Danyuan Sect's succession ceremony. He received the Sect Master Seal from Lin Lan and became the sect's seventh-generation master as Elder Wu continued the ceremony.

• Zhao Li regained his confidence, and Lin Lan noticed that his repressed manner had changed.
• Guests from across Great Qian arrived at Danxia Peak to observe the Danyuan Sect's succession ceremony.
• Elder Wu thanked the guests and announced that Lin Lan would pass the sect master position to Zhao Li.
• Guests doubted Zhao Li's youth and the claims about him, so Zhao Li mocked one critic through a voice transmission.
• Lin Lan handed Zhao Li the Sect Master Seal, and Zhao Li briefly promised to lead the Danyuan Sect well.
• Elder Wu resumed presiding over the ceremony and announced the gift list.

At Zhao Li’s succession ceremony, the assembled factions presented extravagant gifts, and the Great Li Dynasty’s offering of the Primordial Chaos Scripture made Zhao Li suspect that someone from his past had come. He recognized Miss Ye in the crowd and greeted her after many years apart.

• Elder Wu announced the ceremony gifts, including a Seventh Tier Magic Core from the Great Qian Imperial Family and a Sixth Rank Pill Formula from Wang Jian.
• Zhao Li recognized Wang Jian, thanked him for attending, and used his power to keep him seated.
• Xiong Ba presented a Millennium Black Spirit Treasure Ginseng on behalf of the Myriad Beast Mountain Range and congratulated Lin.
• Elder Wu announced that the Great Li Dynasty had gifted an Earth Tier High Grade cultivation technique called the Primordial Chaos Scripture, stirring Zhao Li’s suspicions.
• Miss Ye stood up and greeted Zhao Li, who confirmed her identity and welcomed her after their long separation.