Chapter Summaries

Lin Yuan and Wen Zhong’s army were trapped in a formation built into Dragon-Severing Ridge, and Lin Yuan discovered that the earthfire trap was designed to target Wen Zhong. As eight rune-covered bronze pillars rose around the ridge, the formation’s true killing move began.

• Earthfire erupted beneath Dragon-Severing Ridge and a wall of flame sealed the Shang Army’s retreat, while the system warned Lin Yuan that Wen Zhong’s death trajectory was converging.
• Wen Zhong ordered the soldiers to form up, and Lin Yuan warned him that the enemy might be waiting for him to reveal his abilities; the mountains then began closing in on the army.
• Lin Yuan used his Mystic Thunder Eyes to trace the fire veins and discovered that the formation centered on Wen Zhong rather than the soldiers.
• Wen Zhong tried to escape upward, but a descending fire net repelled him and trapped him at the center of the ridge.
• Lin Yuan set out to find the Formation Eye as eight enormous crimson bronze pillars rose from the ground.

Lin Yuan and Wen Zhong discovered that Dragon-Severing Ridge was a killing formation powered by underground fire veins, and Wen Zhong held off its Divine Fire Pillars while Lin Yuan searched for the Formation Eye. Lin Yuan traced the formation’s power to an inconspicuous mountainside, but a powerful Golden Immortal appeared to stop him.

• Eight Divine Fire Pillars activated, forcing Lin Yuan, Wen Zhong, and the Shang Army to retreat as the flames threatened to consume protective mana.
• Lin Yuan identified Dragon-Severing Ridge as a grand formation, and he and Wen Zhong agreed that Wen Zhong would hold off its attacks while Lin Yuan searched for the Formation Eye.
• Wen Zhong fought the pillars’ flames as Lin Yuan examined their power sources and warned him not to be herded toward the formation’s center.
• Lin Yuan sent a message asking the Four Demon Generals to come to Dragon-Severing Ridge and directed flying cultivators to move the ordinary soldiers northwest.
• Lin Yuan traced the fire veins to a mountainside and found a shared mana-flow point, but a Golden Immortal attacked and warned him away from the Formation Eye.

Lin Yuan discovered and damaged a crucial earth-vein transfer node while fighting the Immortal guarding it, and the Four Demon Generals arrived to help disrupt the formation. The damaged node weakened one of the eight Divine Fire Pillars, giving Wen Zhong an opening as Lin Yuan prepared to destroy it further.

• Lin Yuan fought the formation guard and exposed a golden Formation Disk beneath the mountainside, identifying it as a crucial earth-vein transfer node.
• Lin Yuan drew the guard away from the Formation Disk and sensed that Mo Liqing, Mo Lihai, Mo Lihong, and Mo Lishou were approaching.
• Wen Zhong fought the eight Divine Fire Pillars as the formation shifted its lethal central area beneath him, while the Four Demon Generals disrupted the pillars and their supporting formation objects.
• Lin Yuan asked Mo Lihong to use the Mixed Element Umbrella against the guard, then struck the Formation Disk and cracked it.
• The third Divine Fire Pillar dimmed after the damage cut off one stream of Earthfire, and Lin Yuan prepared to dismantle the Formation Disk.

Lin Yuan and the Four Demon Generals destroyed the first Formation Disk at Dragon-Severing Ridge, weakening the Heaven-Reaching Divine Fire Pillars enough for the Shang Army to begin retreating. Lin Yuan discovered a concealed main earth vein that likely hid the true Formation Eye, while a mysterious figure appeared in Scarlet Cloud and challenged him to find it.

• Lin Yuan coordinated with Wen Zhong and the Four Demon Generals to crack and destroy the golden Formation Disk, throwing the earth veins and divine fire formation into chaos.
• Wen Zhong broke the weakened restrictions around a Divine Fire Pillar and ordered the Shang Army to retreat through the thinned northwest barrier.
• Several enemy Qi Practitioners arrived, and the Four Demon Generals held them back while Lin Yuan stayed with Wen Zhong to investigate the still-active killing trap.
• Lin Yuan traced the redirected fire veins and found that their main source was concealed behind an invisible barrier.
• A figure appeared in Scarlet Cloud, praised Lin Yuan's formation skills, and told him to find the true Formation Eye himself.

Lin Yuan searched Dragon-Severing Ridge for the formation’s hidden eye and discovered that three locks concealed its true core. After finding the third lock within Scarlet Cloud, he faced Yun Zhongzi and vowed to take Wen Zhong away.

• Lin Yuan saw through a false fire vein and traveled north until he found the first formation lock hidden in an ordinary stone wall.
• Lin Yuan broke the first lock with the Thick Earth Sword while Mo Lihai’s pipa music delayed the formation-guarding Daoist’s attack, briefly disrupting the Divine Fire Pillars.
• Lin Yuan traced the replenishing earthfire and determined that three locks concealed the true Formation Eye, locating the second in the southeastern mountain belly.
• Lin Yuan realized the third lock was hidden in Scarlet Cloud, prompting Yun Zhongzi to emerge and confirm the formation’s arrangement.
• Lin Yuan told Yun Zhongzi that he intended to take Wen Zhong with him, then prepared to dismantle the formation as Yun Zhongzi defended it.

Lin Yuan fought Yun Zhongzi at Dragon-Severing Ridge and used the links between the Formation Locks to expose the third one. After Wen Zhong helped shatter the second lock with Divine Thunder, Lin Yuan prepared to attack the third lock beneath Yun Zhongzi.

• Yun Zhongzi revealed the moving third Formation Lock among the scarlet clouds, and Lin Yuan realized he could trace it through the earth veins.
• Lin Yuan attacked the second Formation Lock, forcing his way through Yun Zhongzi's divine flames and breaking several of its protective fire patterns.
• Lin Yuan used Celestial Sound Soul-Shaking to create an opening, then had Wen Zhong strike the lock with Divine Thunder.
• Lin Yuan's swords shattered the second Formation Lock, forcing the third lock to reveal itself beneath Yun Zhongzi at the center of Scarlet Cloud.
• Lin Yuan told Yun Zhongzi that the real dismantling of the formation was about to begin.

Lin Yuan and Wen Zhong destroyed Dragon-Severing Ridge’s true Formation Eye and escaped the fire formation. Wen Zhong crossed the ridge alive as the system reported that his predetermined death trajectory was collapsing.

• Lin Yuan sent Mo Liqing and the other Demon Generals to open the northwest exit, then attacked Scarlet Cloud and severed a fire connection to the earth veins.
• Lin Yuan directed Wen Zhong to strike underground with divine lightning, disrupting the Divine Fire Pillars and revealing the true Formation Eye beneath Wen Zhong’s fire cage.
• Wen Zhong struck the Formation Eye with his Twin Whips and divine lightning, destroying it and collapsing the fire prison.
• Mo Liqing reported the exit was clear, and Lin Yuan, Wen Zhong, and the Four Demon Generals led the remaining Shang Army out of Dragon-Severing Ridge.
• Yun Zhongzi warned that the Karmic Tribulation would continue, and the system reported that Wen Zhong’s predetermined death trajectory was collapsing after he crossed the ridge.

After escaping the Tongtian Divine Fire Formation, Wen Zhong survived Dragon-Severing Ridge, and Lin Yuan inherited the source of his Mystic Thunder Eyes. Lin Yuan reached the Mid-Stage Taiyi Golden Immortal, but a message from Jiepai Pass reported that Holy Mother Huo Ling had clashed with Guangchengzi.

• Wen Zhong returned to camp with burns but a stable foundation, and thanked Lin Yuan and the Four Demon Generals for helping him escape Dragon-Severing Ridge.
• Lin Yuan received the system’s confirmation that Wen Zhong had escaped his death tribulation and inherited the source of the Mystic Thunder Eyes.
• Lin Yuan tested his enhanced sight, which let him clearly perceive injuries, meridians, mana, and spiritual states.
• After several days of recovery and cultivation, Lin Yuan naturally broke through to the Mid-Stage Taiyi Golden Immortal.
• Wen Zhong received an urgent message from Duobao reporting that Holy Mother Huo Ling had clashed with Guangchengzi at Jiepai Pass.

Lin Yuan arrived at Jiepai Pass as Guangchengzi prepared to strike Holy Mother Huo Ling with the Heaven-Flipping Seal. Wen Zhong’s survival had further altered the calamity and raised new questions about the Investiture of the Gods roster.

• Golden Spirit Holy Mother learned that Wen Zhong and Lin Yuan had survived Dragon-Severing Ridge, and Tongtian noted that many Interception Sect disciples had escaped their fated calamities.
• The Primordial Secret Realm Monitoring Stone recorded Dragon-Severing Ridge’s shift and raised the Historical Deviation Rate to 31.1%, prompting observers to wonder what would happen to the roster if its expected victims survived.
• After Wen Zhong recovered, Lin Yuan hurried toward Jiepai Pass to prevent Holy Mother Huo Ling’s fall and the conflict that would follow.
• Lin Yuan reached Jiepai Pass and saw Guangchengzi raise the Heaven-Flipping Seal against Holy Mother Huo Ling, so he rushed in and warned her not to meet it head-on.

Lin Yuan arrived at Jiepai Pass in time to warn Holy Mother Huo Ling away from Guangchengzi’s Heaven-Flipping Seal, then watched her battle West Qi’s immortals with the Golden Radiance Crown and Fire Dragon Soldiers. As Guangchengzi prepared a second strike, Lin Yuan sensed the danger rising and had already sent word to Duobao to come quickly.

• Lin Yuan warned Huo Ling to evade the Heaven-Flipping Seal, and she dodged its blow as it crushed a mountain beneath her.
• Guangchengzi confronted Huo Ling over her defense of Jiepai Pass, and she chose to keep fighting while Lin Yuan watched.
• Huo Ling used the Golden Radiance Crown and Fire Dragon Soldiers to disrupt the Elucidation Sect disciples and drive them back.
• Lin Yuan used his communication jade talisman to tell Duobao that Huo Ling had encountered Guangchengzi and needed help.
• Guangchengzi quietly locked onto Huo Ling with Jade Clarity aura as the Heaven-Flipping Seal hovered overhead, and Lin Yuan sensed a second strike was coming.

Holy Mother Huo Ling defended Jiepai Pass with the Golden Radiance Crown and Fire Dragon Soldiers while Guangchengzi sought an opening to strike. After Lin Yuan helped her evade the Heaven-Flipping Seal, Guangchengzi turned his next attack on Lin Yuan.

• Holy Mother Huo Ling used the Golden Radiance Crown and Fire Dragon Soldiers to repel the Elucidation Sect disciples at Jiepai Pass.
• Guangchengzi ignored Lin Yuan's taunts and watched for a chance to catch Holy Mother Huo Ling while she was unable to change direction.
• Lin Yuan spotted Guangchengzi's concealed attack on Huo Ling, and she jumped clear before the Heaven-Flipping Seal destroyed her giant fire dragon.
• Guangchengzi focused his attention on Lin Yuan after his strike failed, while Lin Yuan learned that Duobao was hurrying to the pass.
• Guangchengzi sent the Heaven-Flipping Seal toward Lin Yuan for his third strike.

Guangchengzi attacked Lin Yuan and Holy Mother Huo Ling with the Heaven-Flipping Seal, but Lin Yuan discovered how to break its tracking lock and helped Huo Ling escape. Guangchengzi then abandoned the seal and charged directly at Lin Yuan.

• Lin Yuan evaded the concealed Heaven-Flipping Seal, but it caught his shoulder and left him with a bloody wound.
• Guangchengzi sent the giant seal after Holy Mother Huo Ling, and Lin Yuan spotted a brief delay in its tracking lock.
• Lin Yuan directed Huo Ling through rapid turns, allowing her to escape the seal's suppression range before it crashed into the earth.
• Guangchengzi recognized that Lin Yuan had studied the seal's weakness, put it away, and charged at Lin Yuan himself.

Lin Yuan warned Holy Mother Huo Ling through Guangchengzi’s attacks, but Guangchengzi wounded her with a hidden sword strike. As the death-tribulation danger intensified, Lin Yuan urged her to retreat because Jiepai Pass’s defense mission was already complete.

• Guangchengzi attacked Lin Yuan directly, but Lin Yuan evaded him until Holy Mother Huo Ling intervened and brought him back toward Jiepai Pass.
• Lin Yuan told Holy Mother Huo Ling that Duobao was on his way and warned her not to chase Guangchengzi or face the Heaven-Flipping Seal head-on.
• Guangchengzi used the Heaven-Flipping Seal to draw Holy Mother Huo Ling’s attention, then launched a concealed Jade Clarity Sword Light at her back.
• Lin Yuan warned Holy Mother Huo Ling in time for her to dodge the sword light, but it cut her shoulder and the Heaven-Flipping Seal blasted her backward.
• Lin Yuan urged Holy Mother Huo Ling to withdraw, arguing that she had defended the pass and completed her mission; she looked between the rising Heaven-Flipping Seal and Jiepai Pass.

Lin Yuan persuaded Holy Mother Huo Ling to withdraw from her battle with Guangchengzi, but Guangchengzi blocked their retreat and pursued them. As the Heaven-Flipping Seal prepared to crush them, Lin Yuan sensed that Duobao had arrived and planned to make an opening for Huo Ling to escape.

• Lin Yuan convinced the injured Huo Ling that withdrawing would follow Saint Tongtian’s rule and would not mean admitting defeat.
• Huo Ling used the Golden Radiance Crown and Fire Dragon Soldiers to obscure the battlefield, then retreated toward Jiepai Pass with Lin Yuan.
• Guangchengzi dropped the Heaven-Flipping Seal to carve a chasm across their route, then pursued them as they tried to go around it.
• Lin Yuan sensed Huo Ling’s death tribulation intensify while Guangchengzi sealed the area and enlarged the Heaven-Flipping Seal for a sweeping attack.
• Lin Yuan told Huo Ling he would make an opening for her to escape and sensed Duobao approaching from the eastern sky.

Duobao arrived at Jiepai Pass in time to stop Guangchengzi from pressing his attack and take the wounded Holy Mother Huo Ling away. With Huo Ling leaving the pass alive, Lin Yuan believed the chain of events that would have led to her death had been broken.

• Lin Yuan pulled Holy Mother Huo Ling out of the Heaven-Flipping Seal’s path, and Duobao arrived to shield them and hold the seal back.
• Duobao questioned Guangchengzi, then declared the clash over and said he would take Huo Ling away to recover.
• Guangchengzi withdrew after Lin Yuan explained that he had learned to call for help early.
• Duobao scolded Huo Ling for considering a direct strike against the Heaven-Flipping Seal and thanked Lin Yuan for sending word in time.
• Duobao decided to return Huo Ling to recover, leaving the Fire Dragon Soldiers in the care of other Qi Practitioners at Jiepai Pass.

Lin Yuan helped Duobao escort Holy Mother Huo Ling away from Jiepai Pass and realized her survival also prevented her relic from becoming another provocation between the Elucidation and Interception Sects. After Huo Ling recovered, the system confirmed she had escaped her fatal tribulation, and a major karmic connection leading toward Golden Turtle Island broke.

• Duobao slowed the group’s journey so Huo Ling could recover while Lin Yuan monitored the dispersal of her calamity aura.
• Lin Yuan recognized that Huo Ling’s death would have put the Golden Radiance Crown in Guangchengzi’s hands and likely deepened the sects’ conflict when he returned it to Biyou Palace.
• Lin Yuan explained the danger to Duobao, who understood why keeping the crown with its living owner mattered.
• Huo Ling dispersed the Jade Clarity Dharma Power from her wound, and Duobao ordered her to return to Golden Turtle Island for secluded cultivation.
• Lin Yuan received confirmation that Huo Ling had escaped her fatal tribulation and saw a major karmic aura connecting her to Golden Turtle Island break.

Lin Yuan gained the Innate Fire Spirit after saving Holy Mother Huo Ling, and he began combining its power with his swords. The group returned to Golden Turtle Island, where Golden Spirit Holy Mother waited and noticed Huo Ling standing close to Lin Yuan.

• Lin Yuan discovered that the Innate Fire Spirit gave him strong fire affinity and let him control Huo Ling's flames.
• Huo Ling offered to teach Lin Yuan fire arts and promised to help him if he faced danger.
• Lin Yuan combined fire with his Thick Earth Sword and Qingxuan Sword, and Huo Ling demonstrated how to carry fire with sword qi.
• Duobao urged Lin Yuan and Huo Ling to return to Golden Turtle Island so Huo Ling could recover and Lin Yuan could stabilize his cultivation.
• The group arrived at Golden Turtle Island, where Golden Spirit Holy Mother saw Huo Ling beside Lin Yuan and reacted with a subtle expression.

Lin Yuan returned to Golden Turtle Island with Duobao and Huo Ling, then reported to Tongtian about the confrontation at Jiepai Pass and the Golden Radiance Crown’s karmic implications. Tongtian brought Lin Yuan into the Interception Sect’s decision-making for major actions, but an urgent message about Yu Yuan arrived before the meeting could end.

• Jin Ling warned Lin Yuan not to risk himself recklessly, while Duobao joked about taking him in and Huo Ling invited him to learn fire arts.
• At Biyou Palace, Huo Ling recounted the battle at Jiepai Pass, and Tongtian approved her decision to withdraw once the pass’s objective had been achieved.
• Duobao explained how the Golden Radiance Crown could have drawn him into a conflict with Guangchengzi and the Elucidation Sect if Huo Ling had died.
• Tongtian urged Lin Yuan to integrate his sword, formations, lightning, fire, movement techniques, and physical cultivation into a unified path rather than simply accumulating methods.
• Tongtian ordered the Interception Sect to inform Lin Yuan about major actions involving core disciples so he could advise on the Karmic Tribulation.
• Duobao received an urgent message identifying One-Qi Immortal Yu Yuan of Penglai Island, and his expression turned grave.

Lin Yuan learned that Yu Yuan had been captured by West Qi and suspected Lu Ya would use the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife, so he set out with the Treasure-Dropping Coin to rescue him. On the way, he encountered Chen Yue, his former classmate from Blue Star, and they recognized each other.

• Duobao reported that West Qi had captured Yu Yuan, and Lin Yuan warned that Lu Ya might use a weapon that attacked the Primordial Spirit.
• Tongtian showed how Huo Ling's survival had severed a chain of calamities and given the Interception Sect time to prepare.
• Tongtian assigned Lin Yuan to receive information about major calamities involving core disciples.
• Lin Yuan borrowed Zhao Gongming's Treasure-Dropping Coin and left to rescue Yu Yuan with three disciples chosen by Jin Ling.
• Near West Qi, Lin Yuan met Chen Yue, his former class monitor from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School, and they recognized each other.

Lin Yuan reunited with Chen Yue on the mountain road and learned that Taoist Lu Ya had been summoned to kill Yu Yuan with the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife. Lin Yuan hurried to the execution platform and arrived as Lu Ya prepared to act.

• Lin Yuan recognized Chen Yue, his former class monitor, and the two compared their cultivation and school leaderboard rankings.
• Chen Yue told Lin Yuan that Yu Yuan had been captured and Taoist Lu Ya had been summoned because ordinary methods could not kill him.
• Lin Yuan used Mystic Thunder Eyes to locate the killing intent three thousand li southwest and rushed toward Yu Yuan with three Interception Sect disciples.
• Chen Yue warned Lin Yuan that Lu Ya's Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife was dangerous, then watched Lin Yuan leave, hoping to see whether he could keep saving people.
• Lin Yuan arrived at the platform where Yu Yuan was bound and saw Taoist Lu Ya holding a scarlet gourd.