Chapter Summaries

After realizing the Basic Formation Annotations contained no formation diagrams, Xiao Lin set it aside and focused on cultivation, breaking through to Eight-Star Dou Emperor before the secret realm expedition. He led the Xiao Household’s group to the gathering site, where forces from the Falling Goose Empire and several small nations had already assembled.

• Xiao Lin finished reading the Basic Formation Annotations, found it nearly useless without formation diagrams, and tossed it into his Storage Ring.
• Xiao Lin cultivated for around two months and broke through to Eight-Star Dou Emperor, then spent the remaining month consolidating his cultivation and teaching Xiao Zhan and younger members of the Xiao Household.
• Xiao Lin led ten Great Dou Masters and one Battle Spirit from the Xiao Household to gather outside the eastern gate of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.
• Several hundred people from the Gama Empire forces set out together for an ungoverned region between the Gama Empire and the Falling Goose Empire.
• Xiao Lin and the Gama Empire forces arrived to find several hundred people from the Falling Goose Empire waiting, along with groups from small nations.

The Gama and Falling Goose Empires gathered at an ancient secret realm, where their leaders traded insults but avoided fighting before its entrance opened. Once the protective formation vanished, Xiao Lin entered among the advancing experts and secretly marked a pursuing Falling Goose Battle King for death.

• Yan Luotian mocked the Gama Empire’s Mittel Family, and Yun Shan confronted him on behalf of the Gama Empire; the two leaders exchanged insults before returning to their groups.
• Xiao Lin told the Xiao Household members to search the secret realm’s outer regions while the empire’s Dou Emperors and Battle Kings headed for its center.
• The protective formation collapsed, and experts from both empires rushed into the secret realm, an ancient ruined sect.
• Yan Luotian raced toward the central hall ahead of Yun Shan and the other experts, while Xiao Lin took a separate path.
• A Five-Star Battle King from the Falling Goose Empire pursued Xiao Lin, who decided to kill him.

After entering the Secret Realm, Xiao Lin was targeted by Yan Bohong, a Five-Star Dou Wang from the Falling Goose Empire who wanted to kill Jia Ma Empire’s younger generation. Xiao Lin revealed overwhelming strength and killed Yan Bohong, leaving him to continue exploring the Secret Realm.

• After the protective formation shattered, Xiao Lin entered the Secret Realm and chose to search nearby rather than rush toward its center.
• Yan Bohong recognized Xiao Lin as a young Jia Ma Empire Dou Wang and decided to assassinate him, while other explorers avoided the route they shared.
• Yan Bohong blocked Xiao Lin near a well-preserved building and admitted that he had come to kill Jia Ma Empire cultivators rather than seek resources.
• Yan Bohong attacked Xiao Lin with Flying Swallow Slash, but Xiao Lin caught the strike with a giant hand of dou qi, revealing that his strength exceeded that of a One-Star Dou Wang.
• Yan Bohong tried to flee, but Xiao Lin struck him with God-Slaying Finger and killed the Five-Star Dou Wang.

Xiao Lin killed Yan Bohong, claimed his valuables, and entered a strange nine-story pavilion in the ancient secret realm. He found an empty first floor with a mysterious black circle, while a dormant soul awakened above and watched him.

• Xiao Lin killed Yan Bohong with the God-Slaying Finger, took his Storage Ring, and disposed of his corpse.
• Xiao Lin examined Yan Bohong's wealth and rejected the idea of making a living through murder and robbery.
• Xiao Lin judged the secret realm to be the remnant of a Dou Zong- or Dou Venerable-level force and entered the nine-story pavilion.
• A sleeping soul at the top of the pavilion awakened and watched Xiao Lin arrive.
• Xiao Lin found the first floor empty except for a huge black circular pattern and suspected the pavilion held an important secret.

Xiao Lin discovered that the Nine-Story Pavilion was a trial for learning the lost Nine Fundamental Formations. After mastering the One-Origin Formation and the Two Polarities Formation, he advanced to the second floor and devoted himself to the trial.

• Xiao Lin stepped onto the black pattern and recognized that it was the One-Origin Formation, one of the Nine Fundamental Formations.
• Xiao Lin studied the One-Origin Formation using the Basic Formation Annotations, then mastered it by breaking and resetting it.
• A watching soul grew more solid when Xiao Lin took out the Basic Formation Annotations and reacted with surprise.
• The pavilion transported Xiao Lin to its second floor, where he found the Two Polarities Formation and inferred that each floor contained another fundamental formation.
• Xiao Lin mastered the Two Polarities Formation and continued the trial, losing track of time as he pursued the remaining formations.

Xiao Lin mastered the Nine Fundamental Formations in the Formation Pavilion and discovered that his years of study had lasted only five days outside. He met the pavilion’s creator, Formation Old Man, and began to understand how the old soul body had helped him.

• Xiao Lin mastered the Nine Fundamental Formations and reached the Formation Pavilion’s ninth floor.
• Xiao Lin sensed a hidden presence, then worried that he had spent years studying and left the Xiao Household searching for him.
• Formation Old Man emerged and told Xiao Lin that only five days had passed outside the pavilion.
• Xiao Lin raised his guard against Formation Old Man, then relaxed and apologized after learning that the old man had established the Formation Pavilion.
• Xiao Lin suspected that Formation Old Man had altered the flow of time inside the pavilion to help him study.

Xiao Lin learned that Formation Old Man had been a hired formation master for the Savage Sect, not one of its members, and that the Basic Formation Annotations Xiao Lin had acquired were his work. With his soul nearing its end, Formation Old Man chose Xiao Lin as his inheritor and used the Formation Pavilion to help him master the Nine Fundamental Formations.

• Formation Old Man celebrated Xiao Lin's talent and explained that he had spent part of his remaining soul power helping Xiao Lin learn the Nine Fundamental Formations in only a few days.
• Xiao Lin asked whether Formation Old Man mourned the destruction of his sect, and Formation Old Man clarified that he had only been hired by the Savage Sect to build the Formation Pavilion.
• Formation Old Man explained that disaster struck just after he completed the pavilion, leaving him buried alongside the Savage Sect and his soul trapped there.
• Xiao Lin showed Formation Old Man the Basic Formation Annotations he had won at auction, and Formation Old Man confirmed that he had written and given the book to the Savage Sect.
• Formation Old Man revealed that he had originally planned to spend years testing potential heirs, but chose Xiao Lin after seeing him enter with the book, then spent his soul power to help him master the Nine Fundamental Formations.

Xiao Lin learned that mastering the Nine Fundamental Formations made him a Formation Master, but that becoming a Spirit Array Master required learning to condense Spirit Seals. He chose Formation Old Man as his master and was accepted as his disciple.

• Xiao Lin asked Formation Old Man why mastering the Nine Fundamental Formations still left him unable to use formations flexibly in battle.
• Formation Old Man explained that Spirit Array Masters could deploy formations with Spirit Seals, which replaced the materials and preparation ordinary Formation Masters needed.
• Xiao Lin recognized Spirit Array Masters from his memories of the Greater World and eagerly asked Formation Old Man to teach him to condense Spirit Seals.
• Xiao Lin kowtowed and took Formation Old Man as his master, and Formation Old Man gladly accepted him as a disciple.
• Formation Old Man told Xiao Lin to rise and asked him his name.

Xiao Lin became Formation Old Man’s disciple and learned that his master once belonged to the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, a sect destroyed by enemies from beyond the heavens. Formation Old Man revealed a dangerous secret about the sect’s former site, and Xiao Lin vowed not to investigate it until he was strong enough.

• Xiao Lin formally paid respects to Formation Old Man, who praised his Dou Emperor cultivation and Heavenly Realm Soul Power.
• Xiao Lin asked Formation Old Man about his former sect, and Formation Old Man said it was the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, renowned for formations before enemies from beyond the heavens destroyed it.
• Formation Old Man hesitated before telling Xiao Lin that a clue to the sect’s former site was hidden in a copy of Basic Formation Annotations.
• Formation Old Man warned Xiao Lin not to visit the former site until his Spirit Formation Master level and strength were sufficient, explaining that the enemy might also have perished there.
• Xiao Lin considered where the enemies from beyond the heavens might have come from, then vowed to leave the former site alone until he was strong enough.

Xiao Lin learned that the Basic Formation Annotations concealed a secret leading to the former site of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, which he could uncover only after becoming a Spirit Array Master. With Formation Old Man's final help, Xiao Lin condensed his first Spirit Seal and became a Spirit Array Master, while his teacher spent the last of his soul power.

• Formation Old Man told Xiao Lin that the Basic Formation Annotations concealed the former location of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and that Xiao Lin would have to unravel the book's secrets himself.
• Formation Old Man taught Xiao Lin how to condense Spirit Seals so he could advance from Formation Master to Spirit Array Master.
• Xiao Lin repeatedly failed to form his first Spirit Seal but kept trying.
• Formation Old Man poured his remaining soul power into Xiao Lin's sea of consciousness, helping the half-formed Spirit Seal take shape.
• Xiao Lin successfully condensed a Spirit Seal and realized Formation Old Man had helped him at the cost of his remaining soul power.

Xiao Lin watched Formation Old Man use his remaining Soul Power to help him condense a Spirit Seal, then say farewell as his soul dispersed. The Formation Pavilion preserved a fragment of the old man's soul before collapsing, leaving Xiao Lin with hope that he could one day revive his master.

• Xiao Lin realized Formation Old Man had sacrificed his remaining Soul Power to help him condense his first Spirit Seal.
• Formation Old Man comforted Xiao Lin, and Xiao Lin promised to rebuild the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace.
• Formation Old Man's soul dispersed, but the Formation Pavilion's power preserved a fragment of it as an azure crystal.
• Xiao Lin collected the soul fragment and escaped through the ninth floor as the Formation Pavilion collapsed.

As Xiao Lin completed the Nine Fundamental Formations and became a Spirit Array Master, crowds gathered outside the Formation Pavilion, waiting for its defenses to fade. When he emerged, the onlookers suspected he had claimed its treasure and inheritance, and the Jia Ma and Falling Goose Empire Dou Wang prepared to see whether he was an ally or an enemy.

• The Formation Pavilion’s glowing defenses attracted people from across the Secret Realm, but its barriers kept them from entering.
• After failed attempts to break in, the gathered visitors waited as the pavilion’s glow gradually dimmed over three days.
• Xiao Lin completed the Nine Fundamental Formations, condensed his first Spirit Seal with Formation Old Man’s help, and became a Spirit Array Master as Formation Old Man’s soul dissipated.
• The pavilion’s defenses vanished, but it began shaking before anyone could enter, and a figure leaped out from its ninth floor.
• The crowd suspected that the newcomer had taken the treasure and inheritance, while the Jia Ma and Falling Goose Empire Dou Wang waited to learn which side he belonged to.

Xiao Lin emerged from the Nine-Story Pavilion and learned that the Jia Ma Empire and the Falling Goose Empire had gathered over its treasures and inheritance. When a Four-Star Battle King from the Falling Goose Empire confronted him, Xiao Lin stepped forward to face him with the Jia Ma Empire's support.

• Nalan Jie recognized Xiao Lin as he descended from the collapsing Formation Pavilion.
• Xiao Lin asked Nalan Jie why everyone had gathered, and Nalan Jie explained what had happened outside.
• The Falling Goose Empire's group approached, and Mu Chen challenged their intentions to seize Xiao Lin's inheritance.
• A Falling Goose Empire Dou Wang said he wanted to speak with Xiao Lin, so Xiao Lin stepped forward and thanked Mu Chen for his support.
• Nalan Jie urged the Jia Ma Empire to unite against their rival, and Xiao Lin faced the Four-Star Battle King in a silent confrontation.

Xiao Lin faced Yan Penghong, a Four-Star Battle King from the Falling Goose Empire, who demanded to know where his missing brother Yan Bohong was. Their confrontation nearly sparked a battle between the two empires, but the arrival of a powerful Dou Emperor halted the impending clash.

• Yan Penghong questioned Xiao Lin about Yan Bohong’s disappearance, and Xiao Lin denied knowing where his brother was.
• Yan Penghong accused Xiao Lin of lying and threatened him, while Xiao Lin taunted him and claimed he had killed Yan Bohong with one finger.
• Yan Penghong flew into a rage and rallied the Falling Goose Empire’s forces to attack, prompting the Jia Ma Empire’s fighters to take battle stances as smaller nations withdrew.
• A powerful figure approached without hiding their battle qi, and both empires realized a Dou Emperor had arrived.

Ying Changkong, the Dou Emperor leader of the Black Eagle Bandit Group, arrived at the clash between the Falling Goose Empire and the Jia Ma Empire and targeted the Jia Ma side for their treasures. When he threatened to kill anyone who refused to surrender their Storage Rings and Xiao Lin’s inheritance, Xiao Lin decided Ying Changkong had chosen the path to death.

• Ying Changkong arrived above the two sides, and the Falling Goose Empire’s people greeted him uneasily because of his notorious reputation.
• Yan Penghong begged Ying Changkong to attack the Jia Ma Empire’s people, and Ying Changkong warned him that he would resume his usual conduct after the Secret Realm matter ended.
• Ying Changkong turned his attention to the Jia Ma Empire’s side, leaving its people worried about facing a Dou Emperor.
• Ying Changkong demanded that the Jia Ma Empire’s people surrender their Storage Rings and any treasures or inheritance they had obtained, threatening to kill those who refused.
• Xiao Lin decided that Ying Changkong had chosen the path to death.

Xiao Lin refused to surrender the Spirit Array Master inheritance and faced pressure from Ying Changkong, a Dou Emperor, to hand it over. He proposed a plan to reduce the Jia Ma Empire group’s losses, and they agreed to consider it together.

• Xiao Lin decided he would protect the inheritance he had gained in the Formation Pavilion, even if doing so risked attracting the Hun Clan’s attention.
• Nalan Jie and Mu Chen warned Xiao Lin that Ying Changkong’s Dou Emperor strength made resistance dangerous, while the other Jia Ma Empire experts resigned themselves to surrendering their Storage Rings.
• Xiao Lin asked whether the others would surrender their valuables too, and Yan Shi and Feng Li said they saw no way to oppose a Dou Emperor.
• Xiao Lin offered a method that might reduce their losses, then gathered the Dou Wangs and Dou Ling experts to explain it.
• The group discussed Xiao Lin’s proposal and agreed to it because they had no better option.

Xiao Lin lured Ying Changkong away from the Jia Ma Empire group, allowing them to escape while he drew the Dou Emperor into a trap. Just as Xiao Lin prepared to kill Ying Changkong, a mysterious figure faster than Ying Changkong arrived, disrupting his plan.

• Xiao Lin claimed that his inheritance revealed the Secret Realm's secrets and flew off as bait, prompting Ying Changkong to pursue him instead of attacking the Jia Ma Empire group.
• Nalan Jie worried about Xiao Lin, while Mu Chen urged the group to retreat; most of the Falling Goose Empire factions refused to stop them, and Yan Penghong let them leave.
• Xiao Lin slowed his flight to draw Ying Changkong away from the others and toward a deserted hill.
• Ying Changkong struck Xiao Lin with Falling Eagle Strike, but Xiao Lin took the attack without injury and landed on the hill to lure him into position.
• As Xiao Lin prepared to reveal his strength and kill Ying Changkong, a faster figure changed course and flew toward them.

Yun Shan arrived just as Ying Changkong was about to attack Xiao Lin, stopping the bandit leader and revealing an unexpected change in the contest for the Secret Realm’s inheritance. The chapter left Ying Changkong cowed by Yun Shan’s strength and Xiao Lin facing his first contact with the Misty Cloud Sect’s master.

• Ying Changkong prepared to kill Xiao Lin before the approaching Dou Emperor arrived.
• Yun Shan fired a green arrow at Ying Changkong, forcing him to dodge and abandoning his attack on Xiao Lin.
• Xiao Lin recognized Yun Shan and wondered why he had left the Central Hall, where he was expected to contend with Yan Luotian.
• Yun Shan mocked Ying Changkong for bullying a Dou Wang and called on him to leave.
• Ying Changkong, far weaker than the Nine-Star Dou Emperor Yun Shan, backed down, and Xiao Lin found Yun Shan pleasing to the eye.

Yun Shan drove Ying Changkong away while protecting Xiao Lin, then explained that the Secret Realm expedition had ended early after Yan Luotian destroyed the Savage Sect’s cultivation-method repository. The Jia Ma Empire and Falling Goose Empire’s forces had departed, leaving Xiao Lin intent on killing Ying Changkong later without exposing himself.

• Ying Changkong threatened Yun Shan, Xiao Lin, the Misty Cloud Sect, and the Xiao Household before flying away, while Xiao Lin secretly decided to kill him later.
• Yun Shan coughed up blood and told Xiao Lin that he had been injured fighting Yan Luotian.
• Yun Shan explained that Yan Luotian had destroyed the Savage Sect’s repository during the Central Hall struggle, preventing either empire from obtaining its cultivation methods and Dou Techniques.
• The Jia Ma Empire’s Dou Emperors attacked Yan Luotian, who escaped severely wounded while Yun Shan suffered minor injuries.
• The Central Hall conflict ended early, both empires’ forces left the Secret Realm, and Yun Shan encountered Ying Changkong pursuing Xiao Lin while passing through the area.

After Ying Changkong’s defeat, Xiao Lin explained to Yun Shan how he had obtained an inheritance and joined him on the way back to the Jia Ma Empire’s main force. Yun Shan tried to recruit Xiao Lin, and they agreed to strengthen cooperation between the Xiao Household and the Misty Cloud Sect, leaving the Xiao Household with stronger ties and a more secure position in the empire.

• Xiao Lin told Yun Shan that he had obtained an inheritance and had lured Ying Changkong away to protect the others from the Jia Ma Empire.
• Yun Shan showed no greed for Xiao Lin’s inheritance and praised his talent, encouraging him to help the Xiao Household grow stronger.
• Xiao Lin and Yun Shan flew together to reunite with the Jia Ma Empire’s main force while Yun Shan offered cultivation advice and tried to recruit him.
• Xiao Lin declined to join the Misty Cloud Sect but agreed to strengthen cooperation between it and the Xiao Household.
• Yun Shan welcomed the cooperation, giving the Xiao Household closer ties to both the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Royal House.