Recaps

Golden Dragon offered Liu Qiang an essence in exchange for information about Xiao Jing and Luo Chiyou, but Liu Qiang and Chen Xiaodao had never heard of them. After learning that Longwind City was Jiangzhou’s last surviving human shelter, Golden Dragon paid two more essences to join Liu Qiang’s convoy there.

• Golden Dragon asked Liu Qiang and Chen Xiaodao about Xiao Jing and Luo Chiyou, but neither recognized the names.
• Golden Dragon gave Liu Qiang an energy essence and learned that he was a wandering merchant from Longwind City.
• Liu Qiang told Golden Dragon that Longwind City was Jiangzhou’s only surviving human city after a B-Rank Black Tide destroyed the others.
• Golden Dragon decided to seek information in Longwind City and offered two essences for a ride.
• Liu Qiang accepted the fare, and Golden Dragon joined the convoy as it continued across the wasteland.

Golden Dragon traveled with Liu Qiang’s merchant caravan toward Longwind City, whose currency and relative safety impressed him. During the night, a C-Rank Weird Calamity attacked the camp, and Golden Dragon began fighting it by tearing through space with a punch.

• Golden Dragon asked Liu Qiang about the merchants’ earnings and learned that Longwind City used officially issued Longwind Currency.
• Liu Qiang shared hot soup with Golden Dragon and described life in Longwind City as nearly paradise compared with the apocalypse.
• Golden Dragon sensed a presence outside the vehicle and alerted Chen Xiaodao to a Weird Calamity approaching the camp.
• The Weird Calamity paralyzed the watchmen and began turning Golden Dragon and Chen Xiaodao bluish-gray with its eerie chanting.
• Golden Dragon confronted the C-Rank Weird Calamity and struck the air, spreading cracks through space around his fist.

Golden Dragon saved Liu Qiang’s convoy from a C-Class Weird Calamity and continued with them to Longwind City. After seeing the territory’s lush landscape and the extraordinary plants beyond its walls, he grew curious about its Lord and the possibility of competing for one of the twelve seats.

• Golden Dragon destroyed the C-Class Weird Calamity with one punch and told the shaken merchants he would keep watch.
• At dawn, Liu Qiang led the convoy toward Longwind City, and the merchants treated Golden Dragon with newfound respect.
• The convoy entered Longwind Territory, where Golden Dragon noticed the fresh air and high concentration of life energy.
• Liu Qiang pointed out Longwind City, and Golden Dragon was astonished by its walls, the Crystal Ring Mother Tree, and the Crystal Ring Giant Tree Grove.
• Golden Dragon said he was curious about the Longwind Lord and considered whether he might compete for one of the twelve seats.

Golden Dragon entered Longwind City with Liu Qiang, completed visitor registration, and began exploring the city. He was welcomed through the gate and headed toward the Outer City and Adventurer Guild to seek information about two people.

• Golden Dragon followed Liu Qiang's convoy to Longwind City and watched the city and its surroundings as they traveled.
• At the gate, Qiu An checked the convoy's Temporary Subject Certificates and required Golden Dragon to follow the city's procedures.
• Golden Dragon registered his information using a Mirror-Image Flower and received a visitor card that he had to update every three days.
• Qiu An welcomed Golden Dragon into Longwind City, where he saw the bustling trading area and learned how goods were moved through the Outer City.
• Liu Qiang found his caravan and led Golden Dragon onward, planning to visit the Adventurer Guild for information about the two people Golden Dragon sought.

Golden Dragon toured Longwind City with Liu Qiang, who explained how the city’s rules and residents’ labor helped people survive. After meeting Lei Xiaohu, a boy Liu Qiang had helped rescue with his mother, Golden Dragon reflected that the child needed to bear some hardships himself to grow.

• Liu Qiang guided Golden Dragon through Longwind City and told him he hoped the city would live up to his expectations.
• Liu Qiang met Lei Xiaohu, praised his improved weight, and gave him ten Silver Coins despite the boy’s protests.
• Liu Qiang told Golden Dragon how he had rescued Lei Xiaohu and his sick mother and helped them settle in Longwind City.
• Liu Qiang explained that Lei Xiaohu and his mother now earned Contribution Points and Longwind Currency through work.
• Golden Dragon approved of Liu Qiang’s efforts, then watched Lei Xiaohu carry his heavy bundle onward without intervening.

Golden Dragon explored Longwind City with Liu Qiang and asked about Xiao Jing and Luo Chiyou at the Adventurer Guild. After learning they had headed toward the Abyss Rift and never returned, he planned to investigate there, but paused when Liu Qiang invited him to stay a few more days.

• Golden Dragon admired Longwind City's orderly streets and learned from Liu Qiang about its candles, Rune Stones, and Rune creations.
• Liu Qiang showed Golden Dragon the Sunlight Sunflower statue at Sunrise Plaza and led him toward the Adventurer Guild.
• At the Adventurer Guild, Liu Qiang asked adventurers about Xiao Jing and Luo Chiyou, and one said they had gone to the Abyss Rift and never returned.
• Golden Dragon paid the adventurer for the information and decided to go directly to the Abyss Rift to investigate.
• Liu Qiang asked Golden Dragon to stay in Longwind City for a few more days, and Golden Dragon hesitated as he looked toward the Spirit Orchid Giant Tree Grove.

Golden Dragon agreed to stay in Longwind City for two more days, then visited the lively Explosive Tavern with Liu Qiang. He enjoyed Soul Jade Forget Worry and the tavern’s music, and the chapter left him about to try chargrilled swamp crocodile meat.

• Golden Dragon accepted Liu Qiang’s invitation to stay in Longwind City for two more days.
• Liu Qiang brought Golden Dragon to the Explosive Tavern, where they ordered drinks and food.
• Golden Dragon listened to the tavern’s music and remembered the lively cities of the Old Era.
• Golden Dragon tasted Soul Jade Forget Worry, praised its flavor, and learned from Liu Qiang how the wine was brewed.
• The waitress served their drinks and chargrilled swamp crocodile meat.

Golden Dragon enjoyed Longwind City’s food and peaceful nighttime streets, growing curious about the city’s mysterious Lord. In the Sacred Court, Lincon’s advisers assessed Golden Dragon’s immense strength before Luo Chiyou said she might know him.

• Golden Dragon praised the fresh meat, and Liu Qiang explained how Longwind City cultivated Spirit Plants and raised Carrion Rats and Swamp Crocodiles.
• Liu Qiang found Golden Dragon rooms at an inn, and Golden Dragon admired the illuminated city while wondering about its Lord.
• Zhang Rui and Zhou Qing told Lincon that Golden Dragon had settled in the city and was powerful enough to defeat a Weird Calamity in one strike.
• Zhou Qing reported that Chen Siwei believed Golden Dragon was stronger than her, leading Zhang Rui to suspect he was A-Rank.
• Luo Chiyou said she thought she knew Golden Dragon.

Luo Chiyou identified the visitor as Kangjin long of Star Pavilion and explained his formidable vibration ability. She suggested recruiting him to Longwind City, believing his ideals might make him consider joining.

• Luo Chiyou recognized the middle-aged visitor as Kangjin long, a high-ranking member of Star Pavilion who had once reached the peak of B-Rank.
• Luo Chiyou explained that Kangjin long could use vibrations to shatter objects, elements, and even space, and that he had killed a challenger in one move.
• Lincon considered the danger Kangjin long might pose if he discovered the Abyss Rift and asked Luo Chiyou what she recommended.
• Luo Chiyou suggested that Longwind City try to recruit Kangjin long, surprising Zhou Qing and Zhang Rui.
• Luo Chiyou explained that Kangjin long hoped darkness would recede and civilization would revive, and that he was willing to give his life for that ideal.

Luo Chiyou, Zhou Qing, and Zhang Rui discussed how to recruit Kangjin long by letting him experience Longwind City’s ideals and way of life. The plan depended on Lincon impressing Kangjin long himself, while Longwind City continued concealing its strength from rival factions.

• Luo Chiyou described Kangjin long as an idealistic man who might be drawn to Longwind City’s vision of the future.
• Zhou Qing proposed keeping Kangjin long in Longwind City long enough for him to form an emotional connection and compare it with Star Pavilion.
• Luo Chiyou warned that Kangjin long was discerning and proud, so he would leave if he recognized a deliberate attempt to manipulate him.
• Zhou Qing asked Luo Chiyou to help with the plan and said Lincon should act normally when Kangjin long observed him.
• Zhou Qing told Lincon that his strength and personal charisma would be decisive in persuading Kangjin long to join Longwind City.

Golden Dragon toured Longwind City and learned how its subject system offered residents a path to greater status and opportunity. Before leaving to investigate Star Pavilion members Heart Moon Fox and Jishui Leopard, he met the dead Luo Chiyou, who told him they had died in an Abyss rift.

• Liu Qiang explained Longwind City's subject classifications and the opportunities available to its residents.
• Golden Dragon spent two days visiting Outer City sites, including Glory Tower, the Longwind Library, and Longwind Lake.
• Golden Dragon decided to leave Longwind City and resume investigating Heart Moon Fox and Jishui Leopard for the master of Star Pavilion.
• Golden Dragon found Luo Chiyou waiting in his room and learned that she had become a Sakura Spirit after dying in an Abyss rift with Xiao Jing.
• Luo Chiyou confirmed that Jishui Leopard was dead, and Golden Dragon questioned why she had not arranged for him to cover her retreat.

Luo Chiyou persuaded Golden Dragon to tell Star Pavilion she and Jishui Leopard were dead, while sharing her wish to live peacefully in Longwind City. As Golden Dragon departed, the people he had saved sent him off as a friend, leaving him uncertain whether he would return.

• Luo Chiyou told Golden Dragon that her spirit body depended on the Light-Dark Cherry of the Far Shore and asked him to report that she and Xiao Jing were dead.
• Luo Chiyou described her desire for a peaceful life and challenged Golden Dragon to reconsider serving as Star Pavilion's blade.
• Golden Dragon agreed to tell the Pavilion Master that Luo Chiyou had died, then wondered whether he would return to Longwind City after his report.
• Liu Qiang's group gathered outside the city and gave Golden Dragon gifts, including a Rune weapon, Rune Stones, candles, and Rune Gauntlets.
• Golden Dragon accepted Liu Qiang's friendship and departed, looking back at Longwind City as Luo Chiyou's words returned to him.

Lincon and Zhou Qing accepted that Golden Dragon had left Longwind City, hoping the gifts and his visit would eventually make him reconsider. Lincon then discussed the upcoming Temple trial and Longwind City's plans to shelter a human camp under strict rules.

• Zhou Qing told Lincon that Golden Dragon had received Longwind City's gifts but had still departed, though the group hoped they had planted a seed that might bring him back.
• Zhang Rui told Lincon that the Temple trial would open in three days with thirty-seven participants, and Lincon left the arrangements to him.
• Zhang Rui explained that different groups among the trial participants kept their distance, but Lincon insisted that resources be distributed by contribution and strength rather than faction.
• Zhang Rui described a human camp that wanted to join Longwind Territory while retaining some autonomy, and Lincon agreed to shelter it as long as its people obeyed Longwind City's rules.

Lincon concluded that Jiangzhou could no longer provide the resources he needed to grow stronger, so he began preparing to travel beyond it while securing Longwind City and the Abyssal Territory. He set out for Northern Province with several Spirit Plants and three Sunlight Elves, bound for the place where the Fire God Tree had been burned down.

• Lincon reviewed his progress and recognized that leveling up and expanding Composite State had both reached a bottleneck in Jiangzhou.
• Lincon decided to leave Jiangzhou to find stronger enemies, rare Spirit Plant materials, and new advancement opportunities, while planning for the risks of leaving his territories.
• Lincon warned the Ant Queen, Hei Shi, and Alashu about his journey and arranged for a Void-Nesting Bird to keep him informed and a Bone Demon squad to deceive the Blood Demon Lord.
• Lincon relied on Chen Siwei to help oversee Longwind City and prepared several powerful Spirit Plants and three Sunlight Elves for the trip.
• Lincon departed in the rain for Northern Province, telling Luo Chiyou that he was heading to the place where the Fire God Tree had been burned down, not Peerless City.

Lincon left Longwind City to search for the Sun Seed and Divine Blood needed to advance the Fire God Tree toward the Fusang Divine Tree. After crossing Jiangzhou with the Void Dandelion, he saw that his three Sunlight Elves had evolved into Light Sprites.

• Lincon recalled the Fire God Tree’s memories of its destruction and considered the Sun Seed and Divine Blood needed to awaken its mythical advancement path.
• Lincon departed the Sacred Court with Luo Chiyou and used Void Dandelion seeds to travel to an old road outside Longwind Territory.
• Lincon sensed the Gray Feather Squad nearby, and Shen Xi recognized him through a fragment of precognition but kept his identity secret.
• Lincon crossed the Jiangzhou region in one day as the rain disaster ended.
• Lincon’s three Sunlight Elves were revealed to have evolved into Light Sprites with healing pollen and light-based invisibility.

Lincon crossed Lin Province and entered Northern Province, following the Fire God Tree’s guidance toward a human camp. The chapter left him approaching the camp as its residents noticed him and grew alarmed.

• Lincon admired the ruined landscape at the border of Jiangzhou before Luo Chiyou explained that they had entered Lin Province.
• Luo Chiyou described Lin Province’s industrial past and its remaining A-Rank Abyss Rift, after the lord of Peerless City had conquered the B-Rank rift.
• Lincon crossed Lin Province over two days and left Void Dandelion seeds along the route for his return journey.
• Lincon entered Northern Province, where the Fire God Tree’s Primordial Spirit guided him toward his destination.
• Lincon and Luo Chiyou sensed a small camp ahead, and Lincon approached it to rest.
• The camp’s residents spotted Lincon approaching, and a commotion broke out.

Lincon reached Arhat Camp and asked to stay the night while traveling from Lin Province. After Arhat welcomed him and offered food and water, Lincon revealed that he intended to join Peerless City.

• A farsight guard spotted Lincon approaching Arhat Camp alone and alerted Arhat.
• Arhat gathered his men at the gate, assessed Lincon, and told the camp to prepare while he gauged the stranger’s intentions.
• Lincon arrived at the gate and asked to stay for the night, and Arhat allowed him into the camp.
• Arhat led Lincon to a simple room and brought him water and food despite the camp’s scarce supplies.
• Lincon drank the water and told Arhat he had come from Lin Province to join Peerless City.

Lincon and Luo Chiyou discovered a C-Rank Anomaly Calamity, Strange Scorpion, approaching Arhat Camp. Arhat and the camp’s defenders drove it off, while Lincon watched and judged the camp’s response.

• Luo Chiyou reported that Arhat Camp had few Ability Users but seemed capable of defending itself.
• Lincon and Luo Chiyou sensed Strange Scorpion prowling near the camp and decided to wait for the guards to notice it.
• The camp guards raised an alarm, and Arhat and the other Ability Users rushed out as ordinary residents lit bonfires.
• Arhat attacked Strange Scorpion with six energy arms, while the other Ability Users joined the fight.
• After half an hour of fighting, Strange Scorpion retreated into the darkness, and Lincon observed how the camp members stood together.

After surviving the Strange Scorpion attack, Lincon learned about Arhat’s Golden Light Dharma Form and received a map to help him travel to Peerless City. The map revealed that Redwood Forest and other places in Northern Province were perilously dangerous.

• Arhat checked that everyone had survived the Strange Scorpion attack, ordered the camp to stay awake, and stitched his wounds.
• The next morning, Lincon praised Arhat’s Golden Light Dharma Form, and Arhat explained how he had developed his ability.
• Arhat warned Lincon about the dangerous route to Peerless City and gave him a map of Northern Province.
• Lincon asked about Redwood Forest, and Arhat described its immense ancient tree, month-long fire, and dangerous creatures.
• Arhat pointed out other perilous places on the map, including Black Pool and a monster-occupied nest, and warned that Northern Province was growing more dangerous.

Lincon left Arhat Camp a letter recommending that Arhat seek refuge in Longwind City and gave him valuable candles, then tracked down and killed the wounded Strange Scorpion. He and Luo Chiyou set out for Redwood Forest, with Lincon planning to travel the distance on foot to strengthen himself.

• Lincon gave Arhat a bag of valuable candles and a letter recommending Longwind City, then left without revealing his name.
• Arhat discovered the letter was a recommendation and ordered his underlings not to touch the candles, while reconsidering his plans to seek refuge in Peerless City.
• Lincon followed Luo Chiyou's mark to the Strange Scorpion hiding in an abandoned mine and killed it with platinum flames.
• Lincon and Luo Chiyou headed toward Redwood Forest, and Lincon said he would use the journey of more than three hundred kilometers to improve his strength.

Lincon traveled west toward Redwood Forest, helping people and fighting dark creatures as reports of his deeds spread the name “Dark Traveler.” Near the forest, he sensed growing danger and saw a Black Tide rushing toward the mountain range.

• Lincon crossed a hostile camp, killed its administrator and the people who hunted humans, and left the remaining residents to scatter.
• Lincon continued west, defeating dark creatures, gaining levels, and helping travelers and camps along the way.
• People across Northern Province began calling Lincon the “Dark Traveler,” though he did not know why his reputation was rising.
• As Lincon neared Redwood Forest, the Fire God Tree's primordial spirit grew restless, dark creatures grew stronger, and the air became hotter and scorched.
• Lincon made camp behind a thorn barrier formed by the Abyss Blood Dragon Vine and saw a Black Tide of dark creatures charge toward Redwood Forest.

Lincon and Luo Chiyou followed the Black Tide to Redwood Forest, where an army of dark creatures faced the Abyssal Creatures that had devastated the forest. As the two armies prepared to clash, Lincon concealed himself from the A-Rank Flame Demon Lord and watched the A-Rank Death Scythe lead the dark forces.

• Luo Chiyou wondered whether the Black Tide was charging toward Redwood Forest to fight the Abyssal Creatures, and Lincon followed the horde to investigate.
• Lincon and Luo Chiyou reached the valley and saw an immense army of dark creatures confronting the Abyssal Creatures.
• Lincon felt the Fire God Tree’s anger and grief as he saw that the Abyssal Creatures had stripped Redwood Forest of all vegetation.
• Lincon spotted the A-Rank Flame Demon Lord, concealed his presence, and watched it turn its attention to the A-Rank Death Scythe at the head of the dark army.

Lincon and Luo Chiyou let the battle between Death Scythe’s dark creatures and the Flame Demon army distract their enemies while they entered the depths of Redwood Forest Valley. Lincon found the burned remains of the Fire God Tree’s forest and vowed to avenge it, though he knew he was not yet strong enough to face the Flame Demon Lord.

• Death Scythe ordered the dark creatures to attack, and the Flame Demon army met them with waves of fire and winged fighters.
• Luo Chiyou asked Lincon whether they should assassinate the leaders, but Lincon chose to wait for both sides to weaken and led her deeper into Redwood Forest Valley.
• Lincon and Luo Chiyou crossed the battlefield unseen and reached the ash-covered core of the valley.
• Lincon sensed the lingering aura of the Pure Fire Domain and felt the Fire God Tree’s Primordial Spirit convey despair.
• Lincon discovered the charred stumps formed the remnants of a growth pattern around the Fire God Tree and promised to avenge it, while accepting that he might have to wait until he was stronger.

Lincon and Luo Chiyou reached the Flame Demon Lord’s throne, where Lincon awakened the lingering will in the Fire God Tree’s remains. The tree’s power surged into Lincon, raising his Nature Saint level and letting him sense the Flame Demon Lord, which had now discovered him too.

• Lincon found the Flame Demon Lord’s crystal-covered throne built from the Fire God Tree and shattered its surface.
• Luo Chiyou captured the living dark red fluid inside the crystals in a sealed jade bottle.
• Lincon released the Fire God Tree’s Primordial Spirit, which returned to the remains and awakened their lingering will.
• The Fire God Tree’s power fed back to Lincon, raising his Nature Saint level beyond fifty and greatly expanding his perception.
• Lincon sensed the Flame Demon Lord across Redwood Forest Valley, and it turned its gaze toward him.

Lincon awakened the Fire God Tree, claimed an A-Rank Life Crystal, and entered the Divine Transformation Composite State to fight alongside Death Scythe against the Flame Demon Lord. The Flame Demon Lord began to self-destruct, trapping Lincon and Death Scythe as Lincon’s attempt to escape failed.

• Lincon watched the Fire God Tree awaken, drawing surviving Fire God Butterflies and new sprouts from the ashes of Redwood Forest.
• As the Flame Demon Lord rushed toward Lincon, the Primordial Fire God Tree stump collapsed and revealed an A-Rank Life Crystal, which Lincon grabbed.
• Lincon fused with the Fire God Tree, Void Dandelion, and Light-Dark Cherry of the Far Shore to enter the third-stage Composite State: Divine Transformation.
• Lincon’s Life Deprivation weakened the Flame Demon Lord and amplified Death Scythe’s curse, so Lincon and Death Scythe joined forces against it.
• The Flame Demon Lord transformed into a giant of black flames, then began self-destructing and locked down the surrounding space, trapping Lincon and Death Scythe.
• Lincon pushed his powers to their limits, but his spatial escape failed as the self-destructing core pulled him toward it.