Chapter Summaries

After the battle of Chuan City, Fang Yun entered the Craftsmen Realm’s Sacred Land to cultivate and confronted the gradual loss of his perception and identity. He recovered everything that made him himself and concluded that his true self was not ordained by heaven and earth.

• The people celebrated Fang Yun’s victory, and news spread that he would cultivate for an extended period in the Sacred Land of the Divine Craftsmen Hall.
• Great Scholar Haiya and the others shifted their efforts toward the Craftsmen School and the Half-Sage Former Residence while Fang Yun was away.
• Fang Yun paid his respects to First Sage Zhuge and forced his way through the cave’s powerful resistance to reach the jade slab.
• Fang Yun sat on the jade slab, entered a boundless void, and gradually lost his thoughts, emotions, and perception.
• Fang Yun recognized that his innate nature was given by heaven and earth, while his experiences and choices belonged to himself, and he reclaimed his sense of self.

In Elm Town, Zhang Houlu lectured on the Doctrine of the Mean as he prepared to advance to Great Scholar. A young Licentiate challenged his interpretation by asking what Heaven ordained with, and Zhang Houlu answered that it ordained with destiny.

• Zhang Houlu drew scholars and children to his lectures on the Doctrine of the Mean in a dilapidated house in Elm Town.
• Zhang Houlu explained that understanding one's inherent nature and destiny formed the basis for advancing through the realms toward the Sacred Way.
• Zhang Houlu said he had delayed becoming a Great Scholar to comprehend the Doctrine of the Mean and invited listeners to correct him.
• A young Licentiate interrupted Zhang Houlu and declared that he was wrong.
• The young Licentiate asked what Heaven ordained with, and Zhang Houlu answered that Heaven ordained with destiny.

Fang Yun challenged Zhang Houlu’s understanding of the Way and Destiny, arguing that correct conduct must be distinguished from what is not the Way and that people could seek what Heaven had not decreed. He left Zhang pondering the word “Principle,” and Zhang raced toward the Jing Kingdom Capital to pursue the idea.

• Fang Yun used stones and questions about pain to lead Zhang Houlu and the gathered scholars to reconsider whether everything that happened could simply be called the Way.
• Fang Yun argued that the Way had to distinguish right from wrong and asked what existed beyond the nature Heaven decreed.
• Fang Yun declared that people could seek what Heaven had not decreed, then left after answering Zhang’s question about what to cultivate with the word “Principle.”
• Zhang Houlu remembered the word, wrote it on the ground, and raced toward the Jing Kingdom Capital.
• The scholars in Elm Town discussed Fang Yun’s ideas about the Way and Destiny, while the author added an explanatory note comparing Confucian Principle with Daoist Great Way.

Scholars interpreted the mysterious young man’s cultivation idea as Tempering the Heavenly Principle and set out to find Zhang Houlu, hoping to learn from the teacher behind it. Meanwhile, Fang Yun emerged from the Craftsmen Realm as a Literary Ancestor and used a divided consciousness to approach Jing Bushou with a question about leading the Craftsmen Realm to glory.

• The scholars concluded that the Fifth Realm cultivation method was Tempering the Heavenly Principle and speculated that a powerful teacher was seeking disciples.
• The scholars decided to find Zhang Houlu and discreetly test the method’s effects rather than publicize it.
• Fang Yun left the Half-Sage Former Residence in the Poison Desert, having advanced to the Fifth Realm and become a Literary Ancestor.
• Fang Yun confirmed that the power he had gained in the Craftsmen Realm remained his and sent a divided consciousness into the realm.
• A white-bearded old man appeared before Jing Bushou and asked whether he was willing to lead the Craftsmen Realm toward glory.

Jing Bushou accepted the Craftsmen Realm’s old man’s offer to compete for control of the realm, while Fang Yun secretly took the contents of Jing Bushou’s and Lei Tingyu’s shells. The chapter left Jing Bushou, Lei Tingyu, and Jing Lan each expecting to be chosen, unaware that Fang Yun had already passed the trial and become master of the Craftsmen Realm.

• The old man confiscated the contents of Jing Bushou’s Sea-Swallowing Shell and explained that Jing Bushou’s predecessor had been put into seclusion for using similar tricks.
• Jing Bushou agreed to devote himself to the Craftsmen Sacred Way and lead the Craftsmen Realm toward glory.
• The old man revealed that he had chosen others too, then gave Jing Bushou a runed Sage Page and promised him Zhuge Liang’s treasures and path to Saint Enfeoffment if he succeeded.
• Jing Bushou resolved to take control of the Craftsmen Realm and thought about using his authority over Jing Lan while dismissing Lei Tingyu’s motives.
• Lei Tingyu entered the Famous Craftsmen Workshop, and Jing Lan anticipated being chosen.
• Fang Yun flew toward Sea Frontier City with the contents of Lei Tingyu’s and Jing Bushou’s shells, having already passed the trial and become master of the Craftsmen Realm.

Fang Yun claimed the Craftsmen Realm’s treasures, repaired Zhuge Liang’s ancient Marquis Wu Chariot, and returned to Sea Frontier City. As the city’s scholars gathered around him in fear, a powerful aura rose from the southeast.

• Fang Yun examined the treasures taken from Jing Bushou and Lei Tingyu, including the Nine Dragons Token and a volume of the Tao Yuanming Collection.
• Fang Yun identified Lei Tingyu’s worn Marquis Wu Chariot as one Zhuge Liang had ridden after his Saint Enfeoffment.
• Fang Yun sacrificed his newer Marquis Wu Chariot in the Mountain of Ten Thousand Menaces to restore the ancient chariot, which reached six resonances when boosted by his Power Literary Platform.
• Fang Yun sent the restored chariot, the Starfire Armillary Mirror, and the Red Giant’s Fire into the Craftsmen Realm for its Great Scholars to modify them.
• Fang Yun returned to Sea Frontier City, where Jing Liren and other scholars gathered in the Literary Academy, and a powerful aura suddenly rose from the city’s southeast.

Fang Yun took control of Sea-Cliff Ancient Land after Lei Konghe left for the Poison Desert, and reassured its people that Jing Bushou and the others were alive and had entrusted their treasures to him. He then asked Jing Liren and Zhu Qiyue to take him to the passage Lei Tingyu was building to the Saint Origin Continent.

• Lei Konghe recovered his strength, read Lei Tingyu’s final message, and flew from Sea Frontier City toward the Poison Desert.
• Fang Yun told Sea Frontier City's gathered leaders to choose a new Jing Family head from a collateral branch, implying Jing Bushou and the other Great Scholars would not return.
• Fang Yun said the missing Great Scholars were alive and had entrusted their treasures to him, then declared himself the will of Sea-Cliff Ancient Land.
• Fang Yun promised to establish rules, connect Sea-Cliff Ancient Land with the Human Race, and leave its people to govern themselves.
• Fang Yun asked Jing Liren and Zhu Qiyue to take him to the passage to the Saint Origin Continent, and Jing Liren explained that only Lei Tingyu held the token needed to enter.

Fang Yun repaired Lei Tingyu’s passage between worlds and set terms for trade and the collection of divine treasures in the Sea-Cliff Ancient Land. After Fang Yun returned to the Poison Desert, Lei Konghe arrived in Sea Frontier City, learned what had happened, and went back into the desert in fury.

• Fang Yun showed Jing Liren and Zhu Qiyue that he held the token for the ancient Teleportation Array and admitted that his Marquis Wu Chariot had been built by First Sage Zhuge.
• Fang Yun repaired the array, arranging for it to connect to the Sacred Academy’s Star Gate and limiting access to his friends and qualified scholars.
• Fang Yun promised to protect the Sea-Cliff Ancient Land’s interests through restricted access and a future Sea-Cliff Trading Company, then ordered Jing Liren and Zhu Qiyue to gather divine treasures.
• Jing Liren and Zhu Qiyue collected treasures from the major lineages, and Fang Yun rewarded them before flying toward the Poison Desert.
• Lei Konghe arrived in Sea Frontier City, demanded answers about Lei Tingyu and the missing treasures, and returned to the Poison Desert threatening those he blamed.

The Eastern Sea Dragon Sage warned the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan that Dragon City was about to open and that its treasures could determine the race’s survival amid the coming turmoil. With Fang Yun trapped in the Sea-Cliff Ancient Land, the dragons prepared to seek entry without his help.

• The Eastern Sea Dragon Clan gathered before the Eastern Sea Dragon Sage, and Ao Huang swung from his whisker until Ao Yuwei made him stop.
• The Eastern Sea Dragon Sage warned the dragons that they would have to enter Dragon City without his protection and explained the dangers and rewards within.
• The dragons discussed seeking Dragon City treasures to protect their race and Saint Origin Continent if Two Worlds Mountain fell.
• The Eastern Sea Dragon Sage explained that the city’s power would initially repel sages, giving dragons like Ao Yuwei a chance to enter first.
• Ao Qingyue offered to retrieve Fang Yun, but the Eastern Sea Dragon Sage explained that the Sea-Cliff Ancient Land passage would not reopen for months, meaning Fang Yun would miss Dragon City’s opening.

As Dragon City approached, the dragons and their rivals prepared for its opening while Ao Zhou recruited allies to kill Fang Yun. The chapter ended with Zong Moju preparing to enter Dragon City despite Wang Jinglong warning him away.

• At the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Qingyue asked how to handle the Merfolk, and the Eastern Sea Dragon Sage said Fang Yun had likely settled the matter and warned that the Great Scholars of Haiya should worry.
• Ao Zhou met Gu Xu and urged the Demon Emperor to help kill Fang Yun, revealing a treasure that could transport him; Gu Xu agreed to recruit three Half-Sages in exchange for a map of Dragon City's Outer City.
• In the Lava Sea, the Poison Flood Dragon Sage swallowed the Dragon-Slaying Platform so he could carry it into Dragon City and evade the city's checks.
• At the Western Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Min vowed to obtain Dragon City's treasures and kill Fang Yun after returning.
• Zong Moju left Old Peach Residence for the Sacred Academy, where Wang Jinglong warned him that Dragon City was dangerous, but Zong Moju insisted his remaining years had already been stolen away.

Fang Yun investigated Countercurrent Lake and Dragon Might Strange Mountain in the Poison Desert, deciding to postpone claiming the Boundary Cup until he could bring reinforcements. He reached the strange mountain and examined its sealed cave, which held an immense concentration of Dragon Qi.

• Fang Yun recognized Countercurrent Lake as the Boundary Cup, but left after judging that he could not safely defeat the nine Emperor Realm Inverse Stele Fierce Spirits guarding it.
• Fang Yun planned to return for the Boundary Cup with Great Scholars or Half-Sage Incarnations after opening the Two Worlds Passage.
• Fang Yun searched the Poison Desert for Dragon Might Strange Mountain in accordance with his agreement with the Grave Clan.
• Fang Yun entered the dense poisonous mist using his protections and discovered the strange mountain, which had erupted through Burial Saint Valley's ground.
• Fang Yun saw that the mountain's cave contained golden Dragon Qi sealed inside and found no information explaining the mountain's origin.

Fang Yun entered Dragon Might Strange Mountain and fell through a strange space until he appeared above the ruined planet of Dragon City. Surrounded by unseen watchers, he headed toward a nearby Moon Fortress.

• Fang Yun used the Heavenly Constancy Soul-Splitting Technique to send a duplicate into the cave and confirmed that its Dragon Might did not seem dangerous to him or his treasures.
• Fang Yun entered the cave fully armed, but the golden Dragon Qi stripped him of control over his power and sent him plummeting through an unknown space.
• Fang Yun's fall slowed, revealing Dragon City Planet, a vast, ruined ocean world encircled by a broken ring and illuminated by three hundred and sixty suns.
• Fang Yun sensed powerful heroic souls watching him from Dragon City and the void, and realized he had arrived at the greatest Dragon Soul Battlefield.
• Fang Yun put away his treasures except for the Marquis Wu Chariot and accelerated toward a nearby Moon Fortress.

Fang Yun crossed into Dragon City and discovered it was a vast, active battlefield filled with fighting races. As a Dragon Emperor and an Ancient Demon Emperor questioned what race he belonged to, an enormous vortex of Dragon Qi formed above him.

• Fang Yun sealed the Moon Fortress after restoring its Annihilation Dragon Spear, which could be used only once, and left a clone and autonomous mechanisms behind.
• A young man from Dragon City visited the Sacred Court and sent a message to Mr. Astonishing Dragon, while an identical young man appeared outside the Dragon Palace.
• Blaze Sage asked Yuan Wan whether to give Fang Yun another item, and Yuan Wan urged him to do so because Fang Yun could offer greater benefits than the Sacred Academy.
• Lei Konghe vowed revenge on Fang Yun for killing his elder brother, but a strange mountain swallowed him as it drew in the Poison Desert and surrounding land.
• Fang Yun descended into Dragon City aboard the Sand Boat and passed through a barrier that revealed the city’s raging battle.
• A Dragon Emperor and an Ancient Demon Emperor asked Fang Yun whether he belonged to their races as Dragon Qi gathered into a huge vortex above him.

Fang Yun absorbed the Ancestral Dragon’s Light, drew the attention of the Water Race gathered in Dragon City, and used the Two-Dragon Seal to have the Black Dragon Emperor escort him to the main camp. He entered the Candle Dragon Mountains war zone, where the Azure Dragon Sage Ao Zhen commanded the forces.

• Fang Yun absorbed Dragon Qi with his sword, Literary Platform, and Literary Palace Coiled Dragon, then stored excess energy in ten Dragon Qi Jars.
• A colossal True Dragon eye appeared in the sky and sent the Ancestral Dragon’s Light down to Fang Yun, prompting the Water Race from across the Myriad Worlds to gather in Dragon City.
• Fang Yun struck at the Ancient Demon Emperor with a point of golden light, then showed the Two-Dragon Seal to the Black Dragon Emperor and ordered him to lead the way to the main camp.
• Fang Yun ignored the Water Race experts calling for him to stop and followed the Black Dragon Emperor into the Candle Dragon Mountains.
• Fang Yun recognized the Candle Dragon Mountains as a war zone commanded by the Azure Dragon Sage Ao Zhen, a powerful Dragon Sage known for protecting loyal subordinates and punishing cowards.

Fang Yun joined Ao Zhen’s command in the Candle Dragon Mountains and registered at the local Military Academy. His Two-Dragon Seal contained enough military merit to earn him a Seventh-Rank Military Peerage, leaving him worried about where that merit had come from.

• Fang Yun met Ao Zhen in Candle Dragon Hall, presented his Two-Dragon Seal, and agreed to follow the commander’s rules.
• Ao Zhen sent Ao Tu to take Fang Yun to the Military Academy to register his identity.
• Gui Ling explained that Fang Yun could receive a Tenth-Rank Military Peerage as a Literary Star Dragon Noble, then checked the Dragon Court’s records for his merit.
• Gui Ling confirmed Fang Yun’s recorded military merit and transferred it to his Two-Dragon Seal, promoting him to a Seventh-Rank Military Peerage.
• Ao Tu was astonished by Fang Yun’s rank, while Fang Yun wondered whether the military merit had been assigned to him by mistake.

Fang Yun’s military peerage was officially verified as Seventh-Rank, giving him broad authority in Candle Dragon City. As he set out to test himself against enemies, Ao Tuo confronted him and demanded the Ancestral Dragon’s Light, prompting Fang Yun to ask what punishment the dragon deserved.

• Fang Yun asked Gui Ling to obtain renewed verification of his military merit, and the Dragon Court and Military Hall confirmed his Seventh-Rank Military Peerage.
• Ao Tu explained Fang Yun’s authority in Candle Dragon City, and Fang Yun said he intended to accumulate military merit and help revitalize the Dragon Race.
• Ao Tu showed Fang Yun around the war-focused Candle Dragon City and introduced him to its camps and generals.
• Fang Yun left the city with Ao Tu to look for enemies, then encountered Ao Tuo and more than thirty Water Race members near the southern wall.
• Ao Tuo demanded the Ancestral Dragon’s Light, and Fang Yun asked Ao Tu what crime applied to a dragon who defied him and tried to seize his possessions.

Fang Yun ordered the execution of Ao Tuo and thirteen Water Race who tried to seize his Ancestral Dragon's Light, then watched as terrifying Saint shadows appeared above Dragon City. The chapter ended with Ao Zhen roaring against them and the dragons' cries restoring courage throughout the city.

• Ao Tuo invoked his One-Dragon Seal and Dragon Emperor Remnant Lineage, but Fang Yun ordered the fourteen Water Race executed for plotting to attack him.
• Dragon City soldiers and Emperor Realm generals overwhelmed Ao Tuo and the others, killing all fourteen as Fang Yun watched.
• Fang Yun challenged anyone else who wanted his possessions, and the remaining Water Race withdrew without answering.
• Flames, cracks, and countless meteors filled the sky as visitors from many races arrived beneath the immense, terrifying shadows of Saints.
• Ao Zhen rose before Candle Dragon Hall and roared at the Saint shadows, while dragon cries across Dragon City eased the fear of its inhabitants.

After entering Dragon City, Fang Yun faced Water Race members who coveted the Ancestral Dragon's Light, while Ao Bo recognized his status and explained the light's uncertain nature. Fang Yun refused to trade what was rightfully his and revealed that Dragon Qi had weakened the seal on the Starfire Armillary Mirror; Ao Huang and Princess Yu Wei remained elsewhere in the vast city.

• The Water Race members who had tried to seize the Ancestral Dragon's Light were executed, and Ao Bo arrived to pay respects to Fang Yun.
• Ao Bo explained that the Ancestral Dragon's Light was believed to shine on the first being to enter Dragon City, though its purpose was unknown.
• Ao Po offered a Half-Sage treasure for the light, but Fang Yun refused to yield it and said he would only trade for a supreme treasure.
• Fang Yun revealed the Starfire Armillary Mirror, and Ao Bo warned him to keep it from the Ancient Demons and Evil Dragons.
• Ao Bo said Princess Yu Wei had entered first and that he and Ao Huang had arrived together, while Ao Tu cautioned Fang Yun against crossing Dragon City’s battlefields to find them.

Fang Yun learned that Dragon City had established the Dragon Shadow Wall to rank reinforcements and reward their achievements, while expelling the least successful. The rankings appeared and revealed an extraordinary prize for first place on the Emperor-Slaying Ranking, leaving the reinforcements stunned.

• Fang Yun told Ao Tu to search for Ao Huang and Ao Yuwei, and instructed Ao Bo to stay near the city walls and gather news about the Human Race and Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.
• A bell rang across Dragon City, and a white jade Dragon Shadow Wall appeared before the Candle Dragon Hall.
• Gui Ling explained that the wall would rank outsiders by enemy kills, new military merit, military nobility, and extraordinary talents, with the lowest tenth of reinforcements expelled after a month.
• Gui Ling revealed that Fang Yun was a seventh-rank military noble, astounding the gathered Emperor Realm beings and prompting Zhang Yuan to flatter him.
• The Dragon Shadow Wall displayed its rankings and announced that first place on the Emperor-Slaying Ranking would receive lavish rewards, including a Dragon Emperor Image Jade.

Fang Yun chose to compete for the Extraordinary Talent Ranking by repairing mechanisms rather than hunt enemy Emperors, and entered Candle Dragon City's vast Old Goods Vault to inspect its damaged defenses. He asked for the mechanisms' blueprints, while Ao Tu questioned whether he truly intended to avoid the combat rankings.

• Ao Po charged out to hunt enemy Emperors, and Water Race members followed as Dragon City revealed the rewards for its four rankings.
• Gui Ling explained that the Dragon Shadow Four Rankings would be settled in ten months and that Dragon City would expel the bottom tenth of the Military Merit Ranking each month.
• Fang Yun told Zhang Yuan to hunt enemies and asked Gui Ling to take him to the logistics camp so he could compete through repairing mechanisms.
• The logistics general gave Fang Yun a Dragon Scales token and sent a Crab Demon King to guide him to the Old Goods Vault.
• Fang Yun saw that the vault held hundreds of thousands of damaged mechanisms, asked for their blueprints, and was questioned by Ao Tu about his ranking plans.