Chapter Summaries

After killing Sima Dizang and Sima Tianzang, Li Xiao transformed into a Zombie Emperor and sealed Central Pivot Prefecture to prevent the Sima Family from escaping. He fought Sima Qianli, the family’s hidden Zombie Emperor ancestor, who tried to save his descendants and offered compensation as their battle continued.

• Sima Tianzang attacked Li Xiao with four Yin Water Swords, but Li Xiao reversed yin and yang, became a Zombie Emperor, and killed him with one punch.
• An arrow warned the Sima Family to flee, so Li Xiao planted the Sin Soul Banner and sealed Central Pivot Prefecture before attacking its members.
• Sima Qianli emerged from underground and asked Li Xiao to spare the Sima Family, but Li Xiao refused and challenged him after discovering he was a Zombie Emperor.
• Li Xiao and Sima Qianli exchanged powerful blows that devastated Central Pivot Prefecture, then took their fight into the sky.
• Sima Qianli explained that Zombie Emperors who sought the throne were doomed to die, and offered Li Xiao an Emperor-level magical treasure while recognizing his formidable strength.

Li Xiao forced Sima Qianli to compensate him with materials for refining an Emperor-grade Artifact, and learned that the land had once hosted a war between Drought Gods and Ghost Gods. Sima Qianli began providing emperor-grade materials for Li Xiao’s banner, including a stone that Li Xiao recognized as a kidney stone.

• Sima Qianli explained Emperor-grade Artifacts, but Li Xiao rejected an artifact as compensation and demanded enough materials to refine one, threatening the Sima Family until Sima Qianli agreed.
• Sima Qianli told Li Xiao that Drought Gods and Ghost Gods had once fought on the land, prompting Li Xiao to wonder whether the Ancient Demon Pit held their secrets.
• Sima Qianli promised to punish Sima Sang, and Li Xiao agreed not to harm the Sima Family further if he received the promised materials.
• Sima Qianli took Li Xiao to his Crystal Palace beneath a lake and explained that its connection to the earth veins made it dangerous to move.
• Sima Qianli presented emperor liver wood for Li Xiao’s banner, then revealed emperor kidney stone and described how it could help transform the banner into the Infinite Heavy Water Banner.
• Li Xiao recognized the emperor kidney stone as a kidney stone.

Li Xiao accepted a cache of Emperor-grade materials from Sima Qianli, who secretly used Li Xiao’s imprisoned ancestor as a source of those resources. Li Xiao headed home planning to cultivate, reforge the Sin Soul Banner, and eventually destroy the Sima Family.

• Sima Qianli gave Li Xiao emperor kidney stone, emperor-fallen gold, emperor lung chromium, emperor heartfire blood, and emperor spleen thick earth to secure his forgiveness.
• After Li Xiao left, Sima Qianli revealed that he had imprisoned Li Zhenlian and harvested materials from him for ages.
• Sima Qianli admitted that he had directed the Sima Family’s attacks on the Li Family because he feared Li Zhenlian’s secret would be exposed.
• Li Xiao flew toward the Eastern Zombie Prefecture, suspecting Sima Qianli had a hidden motive for his generosity.
• Li Xiao planned to cultivate to the Drought Demon God Realm, reforge the Sin Soul Banner into an Emperor-grade Artifact, and kill Sima Qianli when he returned.

Li Xiao began reforging the Sin Soul Banner with rare emperor-grade materials while learning about the paths beyond the Drought God realm. After leaving his stream running for several days, he finally attracted a viewer.

• Li Xiao ignored the commotion over his attack on the Sima Family and began reforging the Sin Soul Banner in his courtyard.
• Li Xiao used Red Lotus Karmic Flame to fuse emperor liver wood into the banner’s pole and absorbed emperor kidney stone into its fabric, turning it into an Infinite Bitter Sea Heavy Water Banner.
• Li Xiao recalled Li Zongxu’s explanation of the five elemental Drought God paths and the Pangu God realm, then resolved to cultivate all five elements.
• Li Xiao opened the Mysterious Broadcast System while the banner reforged, but no viewers joined for several days.
• Everyone on the Ground Should Die entered Li Xiao’s stream and asked whether he was refining an artifact, and Li Xiao confirmed it.

Li Xiao tricked Everyone on the Ground Should Die into sending a Teleportation Talisman to Owl, who killed the fish-bodied viewer, then reflected on how viewers and Mother’s alternate identities worked. Twenty-seven days into refining the Sin Soul Banner, Li Xiao began inscribing a difficult qi-refiner secret art when a viewer finally objected.

• Everyone on the Ground Should Die urged Li Xiao to accept a Teleportation Talisman, and Li Xiao sent it to Owl instead of using it himself.
• Owl killed Everyone on the Ground Should Die with one punch, and Li Xiao learned the viewer had been a fish-headed monster.
• Li Xiao considered why viewers existed and concluded there was too little evidence to understand their motives.
• Li Xiao reflected on how Hawkins, Owl, and his other alternate identities functioned as parts of Mother, each with distinct abilities and purposes.
• Twenty-seven days later, Li Xiao finished fusing emperor liver wood into the Sin Soul Banner’s shaft and began inscribing the Twelve-Character, Seven-Day Scripture of Divine Might Talisman Forging.
• A viewer who had entered the livestream finally could not bear to watch Li Xiao’s artifact refining any longer.

While inscribing a flagpole, Li Xiao discussed the Livestream System’s viewers and streamers with Guarding the Central Court, then baited the hostile viewer One Punch per Kid into sending him a Teleportation Talisman. After the system notarized their agreement, Li Xiao transferred the talisman to Owl, and One Punch per Kid’s panicked voice cut off.

• Ironclad Proton Li criticized Li Xiao’s flagpole inscription and offered to teach him the Ancient Li Heaven's Nine-Purple Fortune-Suppressing Formula, but left when Li Xiao asked him to send a Teleportation Talisman.
• Guarding the Central Court explained that some powerful viewers stirred up chaos, some viewers tried to seize streamers’ status, and disguised avatars often exploited the system for Live Points.
• One Punch per Kid argued that viewers deserved benefits, and Li Xiao challenged him to send a Teleportation Talisman so they could meet in person.
• Guarding the Central Court proposed that the Livestream System notarize their agreement, and One Punch per Kid sent Li Xiao a Teleportation Talisman after Li Xiao agreed.
• Li Xiao transferred the Teleportation Talisman to Owl, and One Punch per Kid’s panicked voice abruptly cut off.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Owl kills One Punch per Kid, Li Xiao obtains two Storage Rings containing cultivation resources.
• Guarding the Central Court is shocked by how quickly the fight ends and realizes Li Xiao is far more powerful and experienced than he appears.
• Li Xiao jokingly claims to be a sealed Transcendent One, then admits he is only a newcomer. Guarding the Central Court ironically believes the false claim and rejects the truth.
• Guarding the Central Court asks Li Xiao to help free him from his seal, explaining that he is trapped as the energy-providing core of the Central Court. Li Xiao mocks the situation by comparing it to stories where a son rescues a sealed parent.
• Li Xiao spends seven days engraving secret patterns onto the Sin Soul Banner. The completed patterns greatly increase its power and give it the ability to control both water and fire.
• During the process, cautious viewers investigate but flee before being trapped, leaving Li Xiao frustrated that he gains almost no livestream points.
• Li Xiao examines One Punch per Kid’s belongings and discovers:
  • Essential oils and a body-tempering technique
  • Large quantities of pink clothing and equipment decorations
  • Various weapons and materials
  • A valuable talisman compendium, including teleportation-talisman techniques
• The body-tempering technique, called the “Gay God’s Body Tempering Scripture,” greatly strengthens the body but causes cultivators to become eccentric and obsessed with pink clothing. Li Xiao sends it to Hawkins for possible improvement.
• Li Xiao studies teleportation talismans and successfully draws one, but abandons charging it because filling it with mana would take at least a month.
• Instead, he returns his attention to reforging the Sin Soul Banner and preparing to explore the bottom of the Ancient Demon Pit.

Character Developments

• Li Xiao demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, resourcefulness, and increasing confidence. He continues using humor and deception to conceal his true capabilities.
• He becomes more pragmatic about the livestream system, deciding to capture hostile viewers whenever possible rather than expect them to provide points willingly.
• His curiosity expands beyond immediate survival: he begins studying the deeper principles behind teleportation talismans and artificially established rules.
• Guarding the Central Court is revealed to be trapped and dependent on outside help. His desperation makes him gullible, especially regarding Li Xiao’s claims of being a Transcendent One.
• One Punch per Kid, though already dead, is characterized through his possessions as both a vicious body cultivator and an absurdly pink-obsessed eccentric.

Significant Themes

• Predator-versus-predator livestream culture: Revealing one’s location is dangerous, and viewers and streamers must constantly assess one another’s intentions.
• Deception and belief: Li Xiao repeatedly lies, while Guarding the Central Court believes the lie and doubts the truth, creating a satire of familiar “nobody believes the protagonist” tropes.
• Power hidden beneath appearances: Li Xiao appears to be a beginner but possesses unusual abilities, while One Punch per Kid’s ridiculous appearance conceals genuine danger.
• The cost of power: Powerful techniques can carry unexpected consequences, such as the personality changes caused by the body-tempering scripture or the immense mana cost of teleportation.
• Understanding rules and reality: Li Xiao begins considering the distinction between naturally occurring laws and rules deliberately established by powerful beings.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiao and Guarding the Central Court engage in playful but manipulative banter about Li Xiao’s supposed cultivation level.
• Guarding the Central Court asks Li Xiao for help escaping his imprisonment, but Li Xiao refuses after revealing that his “Transcendent One” identity was fabricated.
• Li Xiao’s interaction with One Punch per Kid is indirect: after Owl kills him, Li Xiao sorts through his possessions, ridiculing his pink aesthetic while recognizing the value of his techniques.
• Li Xiao sends the body-tempering scripture to Hawkins, suggesting cooperation with others to study and potentially modify the dangerous technique.

Li Xiao emerged from seclusion on the Ghost Festival, shared Li Dun’s unusual cooking, and gained an insight into how taste differed between living and dead creatures. He suspected that Li Dun had been sent to gauge his strength and decided to let the restless members of the Li Family witness it indirectly at the Ancient Demon Pit.

• Li Xiao failed to uncover the principle behind Teleportation Talismans, then resumed reforging the Sin Soul Banner while spies stayed out of the Zombie King Estate.
• On the Ghost Festival, Li Xiao left seclusion as King Li’s Manor celebrated the rebirth ceremonies of Li Zongxu’s descendants.
• Li Dun visited with his homemade Ghost Jump Over the Wall, and Li Xiao explained that its zombie dog meat suited ghosts and zombies but not the living.
• Li Xiao’s observation about the different tastes of living and dead creatures gave Owl an insight into cooking for different preferences.
• Li Dun left after eating, and Li Xiao suspected someone had sent him to test whether Li Xiao was a Zombie Emperor.
• Li Xiao decided to reveal a Zombie Emperor’s strength indirectly through the Ancient Demon Pit.

Li Xiao returned to the Ancient Demon Pit to investigate its secrets, using his Emperor Soul Banner to clear a path through the monsters. He descended deep into the pit, discovered the remains of a creature from another world, and ended the chapter livestreaming his dangerous expedition.

• Li Xiao received permission from Li Zongxu to enter the Ancient Demon Pit, while Li Shengsi and other elders watched his movements.
• Dead Yin warned Li Xiao to be cautious, but sensed his immense power and let him proceed alone.
• Li Xiao collected mutated venomous creatures with his blood copper and descended into the pit with the Emperor Soul Banner, destroying the monsters in his way.
• Li Xiao found and identified the skeleton of a Rainbow-feathered Leopard, a creature that did not exist in this world.
• Li Xiao resumed his livestream, titled it as a deadly expedition, and told viewers he planned to test how far he could descend.

Chapter Summary: “Never Repay It All”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xiao continues livestreaming his descent into the Ancient Demon Pit, already 450,000–500,000 meters underground. He explains that the pit is so dangerous that only a Zombie King, equivalent to a third-rate cultivator, could normally reach such depths.
• He describes the streamer’s world as one dominated by zombies, ghost cultivators, yin energy, and Killing Intent, making it especially hostile to qi refiners. Most qi refiners are eventually corrupted and perish.
• Viewers alternately encourage Li Xiao, mock his bravery, or challenge him to take greater risks. Li Xiao responds that he intends to explore as far as possible, even if death is the result.
• At 500,000 meters, the monsters become much more dangerous and unusual. Li Xiao captures several with his Emperor Soul Banner, strengthening the artifact.
• Viewer participation becomes chaotic, so Li Xiao activates paid speaking mode. During this, Ou Zhizi analyzes the Emperor Soul Banner and suggests adding a Soul Refining Formation so it might advance from an Emperor-grade artifact to a higher-level treasure.
• A highly intelligent three-eyed monster attacks Li Xiao. Unlike the other creatures, it can speak, strategize, retreat, and use rocks as weapons.
• Rather than fight it in close combat, Li Xiao uses the Waters of the Sea of Bitterness and the Emperor Soul Banner to restrict its movement. He creates a large formation of water dragons and chains, eventually imprisoning the monster.
• The monster is revealed to be at the peak of the Ghost King level, nearly an Emperor-level existence. Its capture greatly increases the banner’s power.
• Li Xiao realizes that the Ancient Demon Pit is even more dangerous than expected. Even Zombie Kings could die there, and he wonders whether his father, Li Zongxu, had truly encountered similar dangers during his own descent.
• Reflecting on Li Zongxu’s willingness to continue descending merely because Li Xiao asked him to, Li Xiao recognizes the depth of his father’s love.

Character Developments

• Li Xiao demonstrates caution, intelligence, and adaptability. Though he presents himself as fearless, he refuses to fight the monster in close combat because he understands his weaknesses as a qi refiner. He relies on strategy and specialized techniques instead.
• He also becomes more aware of the risks his father took for him and begins viewing Li Zongxu’s actions not merely as kindness, but as genuine familial devotion.
• Ou Zhizi is established as a knowledgeable and generous viewer who offers valuable advice about improving the Emperor Soul Banner.
• The three-eyed monster is distinguished from the mindless creatures around it by its speech, intelligence, tactical thinking, and near-Emperor-level strength.
• The livestream audience is shown to be largely motivated by entertainment rather than sincere concern. Many viewers want to watch Li Xiao risk death, while others challenge or flatter him for amusement.

Significant Themes

• Courage versus recklessness: Li Xiao argues that “defying the heavens” does not mean abandoning reason. True determination requires using the methods best suited to one’s abilities.
• Strength through strategy: The chapter emphasizes that intelligence, preparation, and exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses can overcome overwhelming physical power.
• The dangers of fame and spectatorship: The audience cheers for Li Xiao’s dangerous expedition largely because they hope to witness a disaster, highlighting the superficiality of public support.
• Family love beyond repayment: The central emotional theme appears at the end. Li Xiao concludes that favors can be repaid, but genuine family affection can never be fully repaid.
• The unknown and escalating danger: The Ancient Demon Pit continues to reveal increasingly powerful and intelligent threats, suggesting that its deepest secrets remain far beyond Li Xiao’s current understanding.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiao engages with viewers who question his courage, challenge his methods, and encourage him to fight the monster directly. He calmly defends his decision to avoid close combat.
• He has a productive discussion with Ou Zhizi about the Emperor Soul Banner’s classification, limits, and potential evolution.
• Dragon Abyss offers sincere encouragement, contrasting with the audience members who mock or provoke Li Xiao.
• Li Xiao’s reflections on Li Zongxu provide the chapter’s most important personal interaction, even though Li Zongxu is not physically present: Li Xiao recognizes that his father’s willingness to risk death for him represents love that can never truly be repaid.

Chapter Summary: Abyssal Will

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xiao unexpectedly obtains a second magical treasure from the depths of the Ancient Demon Pit: the Sea-Summoning Jadewater Banner.
• The banner can summon and control vast quantities of seawater, potentially flooding an entire world if its wielder has sufficient mana.
• Artifact expert Ou Zhizi examines the banner and identifies it as a rare growth-type magical treasure—a top-tier treasure that naturally becomes stronger as its user grows.
• Li Xiao learns that only a few million such treasures exist across the Myriad Realms, making his discovery extraordinarily valuable. However, the banner requires immense mana and is considered only an ordinary example among growth-type treasures.
• The livestream audience begins trying to deduce the location of Li Xiao’s world so they can search for the banner themselves. Li Xiao silently observes and gathers information while continuing his descent.
• Rather than fear potential intruders, Li Xiao openly invites them, warning that his world contains dangerous beings who may kill them.
• At a depth of roughly 800,000–900,000 meters, Li Xiao encounters a massive creature hidden within black mist. He cuts through one of its tentacles with the Emperor Soul Banner, but the appendage quickly regenerates.
• The creature is identified as a likely corpse-like Abyssal Demon Octopus, a species normally associated with the Abyssal World.
• This leads to a discussion of the Abyssal Will, a hostile force that conquers worlds, assimilates their inhabitants, and transforms them into aggressive or cunning beings.

Character Developments

• Li Xiao remains calm, confident, and opportunistic. He is delighted by the banner’s discovery, but does not become complacent. He continues descending while carefully absorbing information from the livestream.
• His confidence borders on provocation: he welcomes powerful cultivators into his world despite knowing they may be seeking his treasure, suggesting he either possesses overwhelming confidence in his defenses or is deliberately luring them in.
• Li Xiao’s independence is emphasized through his refusal to rely casually on outside experts. He maintains strict boundaries between his available sources of assistance, represented by the “left hand” and “right hand.”
• Ou Zhizi is established as a highly knowledgeable, possibly top-tier artifact refiner, with specialized understanding of lost growth-type treasure-forging techniques.
• Guarding the Central Court contributes important knowledge about Abyssal Demon Octopuses and the Abyssal World, expanding the group’s understanding of the danger beneath the Demon Pit.

Significant Themes

• Rare power and opportunity: Growth-type treasures represent permanent, self-improving power and are coveted throughout the cultivation world.
• Greed and danger: The audience’s willingness to risk entering Li Xiao’s deadly world illustrates how greed can override caution.
• Confidence versus recklessness: Li Xiao’s cheerful invitation to potential enemies may be strategic bravado, genuine confidence, or a trap.
• The cultivation world’s cowardice and self-interest: Although cultivators once tried to oppose the Abyssal Will, they abandoned the effort after suffering losses, choosing personal safety over confronting a universal threat.
• Corruption and assimilation: The Abyssal Will transforms conquered worlds and their inhabitants, turning them hostile, cunning, and morally degraded.
• Uncertainty about Li Xiao’s world: The appearance of an Abyssal creature raises the possibility that his world may be connected to, or influenced by, the Abyssal World.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiao allows Ou Zhizi to inspect the Sea-Summoning Jadewater Banner, leading to an explanation of growth-type treasures.
• Livestream viewers react with envy and begin discussing ways to locate Li Xiao’s world.
• Ou Zhizi warns Li Xiao about the danger posed by powerful cultivators seeking the treasure; Li Xiao responds by welcoming them while issuing a warning about the world’s deadly inhabitants.
• The viewers speculate humorously about the tentacled creature, while Li Xiao ignores their jokes and attacks it directly.
• Guarding the Central Court identifies the creature as an Abyssal Demon Octopus and explains the nature of Abyssal Worlds and the Abyssal Will.
• Ou Zhizi and Guarding the Central Court offer contrasting perspectives on the Abyssal Will: one emphasizes the cultivation world’s failed resistance, while the other describes its corrupting effects.

Chapter Summary: Star-Eating Dragon

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xiao reflects on the selfishness of intelligent beings and concludes that the cultivation world is unlikely to unite against the Abyssal Will.
• An Abyssal Demon Octopus attacks him with rapidly regenerating tentacles. Li Xiao uses the Emperor Soul Banner and the Roaming Dragon Sword Technique to repeatedly sever them.
• To overcome the octopus’s regeneration, Li Xiao releases a massive amount of the Waters of the Sea of Bitterness. The water traps and crushes the creature, while the banner prevents it from escaping.
• After two hours of struggle, Li Xiao captures the octopus inside the Emperor Soul Banner, confirming that it is more like an undead entity than a living creature.
• During the livestream, viewers question Li Xiao’s true cultivation level. He claims to be a third-rate cultivator capable of challenging a second-rate opponent because of his powerful artifacts and Gu insects.
• Li Xiao continues descending into the Ancient Demon Pit, defeating or imprisoning increasingly powerful monsters. At nearly nine hundred thousand meters, the creatures are strong enough to fight Zombie Kings, but the Emperor Soul Banner keeps them at bay.
• A mysterious crimson glow appears below. Ou Zhizi identifies it as condensed Murderous Intent rather than ordinary light.
• A gigantic, black-scaled claw—revealed to belong to a Western dragon—bursts through the Waters of the Sea of Bitterness and overwhelms the Emperor Soul Banner.
• Li Xiao teleports away to avoid the attack, but the resulting shockwave still shakes him. The claw then retracts into the red glow, leaving the nature and size of the dragon unresolved.

Character Developments

• Li Xiao demonstrates increasing confidence and adaptability. He combines sword techniques, artifacts, and the Waters of the Sea of Bitterness to defeat enemies that would otherwise be extremely difficult.
• He remains determined to reach the bottom of the Demon Pit despite warnings from viewers, revealing both courage and a strong appetite for danger and discovery.
• His explanation of his cultivation rank shows modesty—or deliberate concealment—while emphasizing that his true combat power comes from his artifacts and Gu insects.
• Ou Zhizi continues to serve as an experienced commentator, recognizing the significance of the Demon Pit’s artifacts and explaining the terrifying nature of condensed Murderous Intent.
• Zhixing acts as a cautious and concerned observer, repeatedly warning Li Xiao to prepare an escape route.
• The livestream audience shifts from amusement and skepticism to fear as the monsters and the mysterious dragon grow stronger.

Significant Themes

• Selfishness and lack of empathy: Li Xiao’s opening reflection suggests that intelligent beings prioritize personal interests, making genuine unity nearly impossible.
• Comedy built on danger and tragedy: The audience treats Li Xiao’s perilous expedition as entertainment, even viewing it as a performance rather than a genuine life-threatening journey.
• Power versus preparation: Li Xiao’s success depends less on cultivation rank alone than on his exceptional artifacts, Gu insects, and tactical creativity.
• Curiosity and reckless ambition: Despite warnings, Li Xiao insists on exploring the Demon Pit’s depths, driven by the secrets and relics hidden below.
• The unknown scale of danger: Each descent reveals stronger monsters, culminating in a dragon claw so immense that it fills the entire passage.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiao engages playfully with viewers, dismissing their concerns while promising more exciting dangers.
• Viewers debate whether he is hiding his true strength after witnessing his effortless capture of the Abyssal Demon Octopus.
• Zhixing advises him to carry teleportation talismans, but Li Xiao politely refuses to retreat from his goal.
• Ou Zhizi provides expert commentary on both the Demon Pit’s historical significance and the frightening red Murderous Intent.
• The chapter ends with Li Xiao confronting a mysterious dragon presence, setting up a major threat beneath the pit.

Li Xiao subdued the Abyssal Demon Eye with Mother's help and gained control of its abilities. He continued descending into the Ancient Demon Pit, where the monsters grew stronger, leaving viewers wondering what awaited at the bottom.

• Ou Zhizi warned Li Xiao that the Abyssal Demon Eye could twist the minds of anyone who saw it in person, while the Moderator System assured viewers that the broadcast room protected them.
• Mother's will entered Li Xiao, erased the Abyssal Demon Eye's will, and turned it gold, making it an organ under his control.
• Li Xiao told Ou Zhizi and the viewers about the eye's abilities, including reconnaissance, control, and an ability already occupied by a juvenile Star-Eating Dragon.
• Li Xiao split the eye into countless tiny eyes and resumed descending through the Ancient Demon Pit, using the Waters of the Sea of Bitterness to clear monsters from his path.
• Half an hour later, stronger monsters began breaking through the Emperor Soul Banner's defenses, so Li Xiao's golden demon eyes fired rays to destroy them.

Li Xiao used the Lock Key to open a monster’s mind and learned how the Ancient Demon Pit formed, discovering that the Abyssal will was sealed below and that the Artisan God had fallen in the world. He concealed the Artisan God’s Vault from the viewers, declared he would continue downward, and decided to check other monsters’ memories before proceeding.

• A red light brought Li Xiao a third magical treasure, the Lock Key, which could open any kind of lock or obstruction.
• Li Xiao used the Lock Key to open a monster’s head and examine its memories, learning that the Ancient Demon Pit was created during a war to seal the Abyssal will.
• Li Xiao discovered that the fallen cultivator was the Artisan God, whose lost treasures might be connected to the magical treasures in the pit.
• Li Xiao told the viewers that the Abyssal will was sealed below, prompting many cultivators to abandon plans to visit the Yin-Spirit World.
• Li Xiao refused to turn back, hoping to find the Artisan God’s corpse and vault, but chose to examine more monsters’ memories before continuing.

Li Xiao investigated the conflicting accounts surrounding the Artisan God and learned that the likely figure was Gu Guizong, a powerful artificer notorious for duplicating treasures and planting backdoors. As Li Xiao descended into the Ancient Demon Pit, a monster decapitated him, but he survived by reattaching his head and restoring his life.

• Li Xiao unlocked captured monsters’ memories and found conflicting descriptions of the mysterious powerhouse, while learning that the Lock Key had belonged to the Forest Lord rather than the Artisan God.
• Hawkins and Owl considered whether the Artisan God had died in the Ancient Demon Pit or been corrupted by the Abyssal Will, and Li Xiao continued plunging into its depths in search of the vault.
• Hawkins identified Gu Guizong as the likely Artisan God, and Owl retrieved records describing Gu Guizong’s immense wealth, duplicated treasures, and mother-and-child backdoors.
• Li Xiao and Owl speculated that Gu Guizong’s power might explain how he survived the backdoor scandal, while his disappearance and supposed death remained mysterious.
• A monster evaded Li Xiao’s defenses and severed his head with claws that also harmed his soul, but blood-red copper wires reattached his head and restored him as livestream viewers watched.

Li Xiao continued exploring the Ancient Demon Pit, protected by Black Jue and White Jue as more magical treasures arrived and acknowledged him as their master. After acquiring the Dragon-Subduing Stone and discussing Teleportation Talismans with his viewers, he pressed deeper, where an ancient golden bell flew to him.

• Li Xiao summoned Black Jue and White Jue, whose abilities made monsters attack the banner instead of him as he explored farther down.
• A hiltless, double-pointed flying sword reached Li Xiao, and he identified it as the growth-type magical treasure Two-Headed Dragon.
• A stone arrived and Li Xiao recognized it as the Dragon-Subduing Stone, which anchored its bearer's dragon aura and luck.
• Li Xiao warned viewers that the Ancient Demon Pit was dangerous and said he might sell Teleportation Talismans after exploring farther.
• Li Xiao continued downward, and an ancient golden bell endured the banner's attacks before flying to him.

Li Xiao used the Golden Palace Miro Bell to protect himself while descending through the Ancient Demon Pit, and his livestream audience showered him with attention and Live Points. After a viewer named Youmingzi threatened to enter his world and attack him, Li Xiao stopped the palace and began shopping for supplies, ending as he browsed the livestream shop’s bizarre items.

• Li Xiao tested the Golden Palace Miro Bell and formed a golden palace that kept the monsters outside while his Emperor Soul Banner and Twin-Headed Dragon Flying Sword attacked them.
• Li Xiao read inside the palace as female viewers flirted with him, and Unmarried Young Dragon and Zhixing tipped him millions of Live Points.
• Youmingzi announced that he had found Li Xiao’s world and would enter the livestream to kill him, so Li Xiao stopped the palace’s descent.
• Li Xiao spent Live Points on the Netherworld Yin Talisman Scripture and searched the shop for a reusable escape item, finding a selection of strange goods.

Li Xiao left the Ancient Demon Pit to meet Youmingzi, who had forced his way into the Yin-Spirit World and challenged him. Their fight revealed that Youmingzi was a Dead Puppet Master, but his true location remained unknown.

• Li Xiao browsed the livestream shop, then exchanged points for Teleportation Talismans so he could return to the Ancient Demon Pit after meeting Youmingzi.
• Youmingzi broke through the Yin-Spirit World's barrier and headed toward Li Xiao, intent on killing him and taking his place.
• Li Xiao teleported out of the Ancient Demon Pit to fight Youmingzi away from the seal on the abyssal will.
• Youmingzi attacked Li Xiao, and Li Xiao's flying sword clashed with the Skeleton Staff Sword.
• Li Xiao blocked a surprise strike with the Emperor Soul Banner and realized the Youmingzi he had been fighting was a lifeless puppet.
• Ou Zhizi identified Youmingzi as a Dead Puppet Master, and Li Xiao began searching for the real Youmingzi by comparing the identical Skeleton Staff Swords.

Li Xiao battled Youmingzi’s puppets and discovered that their hidden attacks could disrupt his teleportation. He survived by summoning the Golden Palace Miro Bell, while Youmingzi concealed himself and released more puppets, leaving Li Xiao to seek a way to reach the puppet master.

• Li Xiao fought two puppets while searching for Youmingzi, then used the Sea-Summoning Jadewater Banner to attack them with a torrent.
• Youmingzi broke through to the twelfth level of the Undying Yin Corpse Transformation, nearly doubling the puppets’ strength and enabling their coordinated Yin Swords Double Kill.
• The puppets severed Li Xiao’s limbs by using hidden puppets and faint energy threads to interfere with his teleportation.
• Li Xiao summoned the Golden Palace Miro Bell to protect himself, then teleported his severed limbs away from Youmingzi’s reach.
• Li Xiao reattached his limbs inside the palace and judged that he needed to find and kill Youmingzi, while Youmingzi concealed himself and released his fifth and sixth puppets.

Chapter Summary: “The Origin of the Puppets”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xiao is trapped in the forest by Youmingzi, who attacks him through multiple puppet dolls. Four puppets assault the Golden Palace Miro Bell from different directions, gradually weakening its powerful defenses.
• Realizing that remaining inside the palace will eventually exhaust his magical power, Li Xiao releases Gold-Seeking Insects to locate Youmingzi. However, Youmingzi anticipated this strategy, and all the insects are destroyed by the puppets.
• Li Xiao uses the Yin-Yang Gu to transform life force into killing intent and suddenly emerges from the palace. He captures one puppet and attempts to use it as a shield against the others, but the remaining puppets rapidly cut his body into pieces.
• Li Xiao survives by activating the Blood Copper in his body and using the Vitality Gu to regenerate. He then summons the Emperor Soul Banner and unleashes the “Ten-Direction Thunder Dragon, Bitter-Sea Thunder Prison,” severely damaging the puppets with purple lightning.
• Youmingzi responds by summoning six additional puppets and launching a devastating storm of sword light. Li Xiao barely escapes using teleportation, though his reaction speed proves inferior to Youmingzi’s.
• Youmingzi reveals his ability to shift between puppet bodies—or possibly that each puppet contains a part of his true self. He cuts off Li Xiao’s remaining foot before retreating into another puppet, making himself extremely difficult to kill.
• The chapter ends with Li Xiao learning that Dead Puppet Masters use the corpses of powerful beings as puppet materials. Such corpses are difficult to modify, and the practice causes Dead Puppet Masters to be hunted by the descendants of those whose bodies they stole.

Character Developments

• Li Xiao: Demonstrates that he is a genuine second-rate fighter, possessing numerous hidden abilities and considerable resilience. He uses Gu insects, Blood Copper, regeneration, teleportation, the Emperor Soul Banner, and the Twin-Headed Dragon Flying Sword. However, the battle exposes his limitations: his reaction speed is inferior to Youmingzi’s, and his Vitality Gu can no longer restore him repeatedly as effectively as before.
• Youmingzi: Establishes himself as a highly dangerous and tactically intelligent opponent. He anticipates Li Xiao’s methods, controls numerous powerful puppets, and can apparently transfer himself between them. His combat ability and speed force Li Xiao into a defensive struggle.
• Ou Zhizi: Provides important background information about Dead Puppet Masters and explains the origin and rarity of their puppets.
• The viewers: Their commentary emphasizes Li Xiao’s unexpected strength and reveals how unusual and reviled Dead Puppet Masters are.

Significant Themes

• Preparation versus adaptability: Both fighters rely on hidden techniques and advance planning. Youmingzi’s prior knowledge of Li Xiao’s Gu abilities gives him a major advantage.
• The limits of regeneration: Li Xiao’s recovery powers are formidable but finite. His growing strength has outpaced the restorative capacity of his Vitality Gu.
• Identity and survival: Youmingzi’s ability to inhabit or switch between puppets makes his true body—and perhaps his true identity—uncertain.
• Power and sacrifice: Dead Puppet Master techniques require the corpses of powerful beings, linking strength to grave violation and moral transgression.
• The difference between strength and victory: Li Xiao is strong enough to qualify as a major faction leader, yet Youmingzi’s superior speed, preparation, and unusual abilities leave him at a serious disadvantage.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiao and Youmingzi exchange taunts throughout the battle. Youmingzi mocks Li Xiao’s failed attempts to find him and confidently challenges him to use every technique he possesses.
• Li Xiao questions Youmingzi’s puppet-based abilities and later asks about the origins of the puppets after hearing the viewers discuss Dead Puppet Masters.
• The viewers evaluate Li Xiao’s combat strength and react to his grotesque Gu techniques, while Ou Zhizi gives Li Xiao—and the audience—crucial context about the Dead Puppet Master profession.