Chapter Summaries

Gu Sheng broke through to the seventh level of the Black Tortoise Realm and reunited with Situ Qingfeng, who had awakened his Heavenly Demon Spirit Body and reached the peak of the Earth Martial Realm. Returning toward Great Desolation City, Gu Sheng learned that the Imperial Sect was under attack and arrived just in time to stop Ye Jianjia from sacrificing herself.

• Gu Sheng mastered the initial form of the Myriad Dao Returning to One Art, using it to shape his astral qi into powerful weapons while maintaining his defense with the Dual Sea of Consciousness secret technique.
• Situ Qingfeng emerged from seclusion with his Golden Winged Great Peng bloodline fully awakened and his cultivation at the peak of the Earth Martial Realm, then gave Gu Sheng a Communication Jade Talisman before leaving for his ancestral land.
• Gu Sheng met Tantai Ying, who told him that the Imperial Sect's enemies had forced the sect into a desperate defense, and he used her teleportation gate to return there.
• At the Imperial Sect, Long Yundao and the wounded disciples faced the Xuanxu Sect Master, while Ye Jianjia prepared to leave the sect-protecting formation and give herself up.
• Gu Sheng appeared in the great hall, stopped Ye Jianjia, and ordered her to treat her injuries as Tantai Ying's pressure immobilized the Xuanxu Sect Master.

Gu Sheng fought the Xuanxu Sect and Great Desolation Sacred Academy disciples at the Imperial Sect’s martial arena, killing several opponents despite their higher cultivation. As Shen Qingshi and seven Earth Martial Realm disciples surrounded him, Gu Sheng revealed a clone and activated the North Star Immortal Slaying Sword Array, leaving the eight trapped beneath a barrage of flaming qi swords.

• The Xuanxu Sect Master challenged Gu Sheng to a duel, and Gu Sheng faced the sect’s disciples at the Imperial Sect’s martial arena.
• Gu Sheng killed successive Xuanxu Sect disciples with single sword strikes, then defeated Han Xiao by combining true qi and spiritual power.
• Gu Sheng killed Zhao Wuji with the Heaven Breaking Sword Art after activating the second transformation of Nirvana Three Profound Transformations.
• Shen Qingshi and seven Earth Martial Realm disciples surrounded Gu Sheng and attacked him with the Eight Wastelands Dragon-Locking Array.
• Shen Qingshi’s spear struck Gu Sheng’s afterimage as Gu Sheng revealed a clone and activated the North Star Immortal Slaying Sword Array against the eight attackers.

Gu Sheng killed eight Xuanxu Sect experts, then left the Imperial Sect’s protection and agreed to help Miss Tantai refine a pill for her sister, Bing Tang. As Ye Jianjia departed to train, Shen Qingtian arrived seeking Gu Sheng’s help to kill Shen Qingyun when he traveled south in ten days.

• Gu Sheng used a sword formation to kill eight Earth Martial Realm experts, and Miss Tantai and Long Yundao stopped the Xuanxu Sect’s sect master from attacking him.
• The Xuanxu Sect’s sect master withdrew, while Miss Tantai revealed that Bing Tang’s condition had worsened and asked Gu Sheng to refine a Nine Revolutions Mystic Violet Golden Pill.
• Gu Sheng told Long Yundao he would leave the Imperial Sect’s role within three to five days, and agreed to help Miss Tantai prepare the pill the following afternoon.
• Gu Sheng received Ye Jianjia’s farewell note, and Long Yundao told him she had left the sect to gain experience.
• Long Yundao told Gu Sheng that Shen Qingtian of the Great Desolation Sacred Academy had come to see him.
• Shen Qingtian asked Gu Sheng to help kill Shen Qingyun when he left Great Desolation City for the southern border in ten days.

Gu Sheng agreed to help Shen Qingtian unlock a restriction in exchange for a reward, then learned the Imperial Sect had regained its second-rate status and went to Linlang Pavilion. There, he began the Spiritually Connected Divine Art with Miss Tantai to strengthen their spiritual power and prepare to refine a Mystic Violet Golden Pill for her dying sister, Bing Tang.

• Shen Qingtian told Gu Sheng that Shen Qingyun and his mother had forced her mother to death, and Gu Sheng agreed to help her in ten days in exchange for a reward.
• Long Yundao told Gu Sheng that the Imperial Sect had officially regained second-rate status and brought three Black Tortoise Realm cultivators to join it.
• At Linlang Pavilion, Xiao Cheng warned Gu Sheng that the Great Desolation Sacred Academy had been secretly investigating him and showed him a private cultivation room prepared by Miss Tantai.
• Miss Tantai explained that the Spiritually Connected Divine Art could only be used with one person in her lifetime and that she was risking her future because Bing Tang had only three days left without a Mystic Violet Golden Pill.
• Gu Sheng and Miss Tantai achieved Unity of Spirit, greatly expanding their spiritual power, and Gu Sheng began preparing the pill ingredients with precise control.

Gu Sheng refined three peak Rank 7 Mystic Violet Golden Pills for Tantai Xueli, revealing techniques that led her to suspect he was the Northern Star Pill Emperor. He then arranged his departure from the Imperial Sect and promised Xu Lingsu pills, while Shen Qingtian sought information about him and an unknown figure followed him to Yellow City.

• Gu Sheng used the Northern Star Fire Control Art and Northern Star Pill God Technique to refine three Mystic Violet Golden Pills with nine complete pill patterns and a faint tenth mark, and Tantai Xueli swore not to reveal what she had witnessed.
• Gu Sheng told Tantai Xueli to use the pills to save the Grand Pavilion Mistress, then left to prepare for his open departure from the Imperial Sect.
• At Great Desolation City, Gu Sheng asked Xu Lingsu to arrange a meeting with City Lord Xu in three days and told her he planned to leave the Imperial Sect.
• Gu Sheng revealed to Xu Lingsu that he had reached the seventh level of the Black Tortoise Realm, accepted her request for a fourth-grade Body Tempering Pill and a fifth-grade Spirit Awakening Pill, and promised to meet her in three days.
• Shen Qingtian approached Xu Lingsu and offered her an intermediary position in exchange for information about Gu Sheng; an unseen shadow watched them before withdrawing.
• Gu Sheng arrived in Yellow City and sensed that someone had locked onto his aura.

Gu Sheng withdrew Bai Lingtong from the Imperial Sect’s intelligence network and learned that Lu Chongshan was preparing to attack him with several allies. Town Guard Commissioner Chen Zhongting brought gifts and information to seek Gu Sheng’s forgiveness, leaving Gu Sheng with a warning that the assault could come as soon as the next night.

• Gu Sheng confronted a Town Guard messenger, told Chen Zhongting to meet him at Linlang Pavilion, and had Xiao Yun investigate the Town Guard Commissioner’s residence and a jade pendant.
• Gu Sheng ordered Xiao Yun to give Bai Lingtong an intelligence position, then persuaded Bai Lingtong to openly serve the Imperial Sect and investigate the Sun Moon Sect, the Great Desolation Alliance, and Shen Qingtian’s planned ambush of Shen Qingyun.
• Chen Zhongting arrived at Linlang Pavilion with gifts and apologized to Gu Sheng, revealing that Lu Chongshan had allied with three other Town Guard Commissioners and Shadow Hall to attack him.
• Chen Zhongting warned that Lu Chongshan might strike as early as the next night and offered Gu Sheng two Heavenly Martial Incarnations as another part of his apology.

Gu Sheng survived Lu Chongshan’s ambush at Linlang Pavilion with help from Chen Zhongting, Long Yundao, Shen Qingtian, and a hidden Grandmaster Realm protector, while the attackers were killed. After ordering an investigation into the leak, Gu Sheng agreed to join Shen Qingtian’s plan to ambush Shen Qingyun and gained Chen Zhongting’s pledge of allegiance.

• Gu Sheng sensed killing intent and warned Chen Zhongting, allowing them to escape as Lu Chongshan’s attack destroyed part of Linlang Pavilion.
• Lu Chongshan led five Heavenly Martial Realm fighters against Gu Sheng, but Long Yundao and Shen Qingtian intervened.
• A hidden Grandmaster Realm protector killed Lu Qingfeng and several commanders, while Shadow beheaded Lu Chongshan before he could self-destruct.
• Gu Sheng ordered Xiao Yun to investigate who had leaked news of Tantai’s departure, then thanked Long Yundao, Chen Zhongting, and Shen Qingtian for their help.
• Shen Qingtian told Gu Sheng that Shen Qingyun would visit Soulfall Valley in three days to seek the Ten Thousand Year Black Jade Spirit Pool, and they planned an ambush there.
• Chen Zhongting pledged allegiance to Gu Sheng, who told him the Town Guard Manor could come to him for help.

Gu Sheng rushed to the Myriad Ant Desert after Gu Ningshuang sent a broken distress message, only to be trapped by a red-robed puppet master and his controlled Giant Ants. After defeating the ants, Gu Sheng faced six martial-art puppet fighters and prepared to use the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall to sever their master's control.

• Gu Sheng told Chen Zhongting to secure one vacant Town Guard Commissioner post for their people and asked Xiao Yun to support future cooperation with the town guard's residence.
• Bai Lingtong reported that Shen Qingyun had gone to seek spirit liquid at the Ten Thousand Year Black Jade Spirit Pool, and Gu Sheng ordered him to expand surveillance of the Sun Moon Sect and represent Linlang Pavilion in negotiations with Chen Zhongting.
• Gu Ningshuang sent Gu Sheng an urgent message from the Myriad Ant Desert, warning him of a trap before the communication cut off.
• Gu Sheng traveled by teleportation formation to Profound City and hurried into the desert, where a formation trapped him among six Giant Ants controlled by a red-robed old man.
• Gu Sheng killed all six Giant Ants and then fought six martial-art puppets under the old man's command.
• Yue Shen Gong recognized the unusual control threads and advised Gu Sheng to use the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall; Gu Sheng summoned the bronze palace.

Gu Sheng freed the victims of the Spirit Puppet Reincarnation Array, defeated and captured the red-robed old man, and learned that Gu Ningshuang was imprisoned in a ruined tower. As three rescued puppets recognized his connection to the Myriad Spirits Palace, Gu Sheng remembered Qin Lie’s words and touched his jade talisman.

• Gu Sheng used the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall to discover how to break the Spirit Puppet Reincarnation Array and learned that the red-robed old man had modified an array created by Yue Shen Gong's wife.
• Gu Sheng used the three puppets to shatter the barrier, erased the old man's control over them, and repelled his Soul Shredding attack.
• Gu Sheng captured the old man and forced him to reveal that Gu Ningshuang and a wounded Heavenly Martial Realm martial artist were imprisoned in a ruined tower a hundred miles south.
• Gu Sheng swallowed the old man with the Bronze Ancient Hall, then temporarily restored the clarity of the three puppets' residual souls.
• The white-haired puppet asked whether Gu Sheng was a senior from the Myriad Spirits Palace, and Gu Sheng recalled Qin Lie's words as he touched his jade talisman.

Gu Sheng rescued Gu Ningshuang and her companions, then learned more about her master’s regard for him and helped her begin training harder. After stabilizing his cultivation, Gu Sheng received Ying’s offer to teach him the Reverse Fate Scripture in exchange for eventually killing the Bitter Sea Sacred Land Holy Son Yun Wushuang.

• Gu Sheng absorbed the Myriad Spirits Palace martial artists’ souls as Living Puppets, found the hidden entrance in the ruins, and woke Gu Ningshuang while leaving her master and two companions unconscious.
• Gu Sheng told Gu Ningshuang to keep his visit secret and revealed that he was Linlang Pavilion’s Third Pavilion Master before leaving as her master began to wake.
• Gu Ningshuang’s master praised Gu Sheng’s talent, offered to secretly protect Gu Ningshuang on her planned secret-realm trip, and urged her to train harder; she requested access to the third level of the Sword Tomb.
• Gu Sheng learned that the red-robed elder’s inheritance site had destroyed itself, then compressed his true energy in a secluded cave to stabilize his cultivation.
• Ying revealed the Reverse Fate Scripture, which could reshape Gu Sheng’s foundation, and offered him the secret art in exchange for killing Yun Wushuang, the Bitter Sea Sacred Land Holy Son.

Gu Sheng accepted Ying’s dangerous secret art and went to Myriad Spirits Palace, where he learned his parents had arranged his marriage to Xiao Mengling. After Zhao Lingqian confronted him over the engagement, he trapped Gu Sheng and Xiao Mengdie inside a sealing barrier and ordered his disciples to attack.

• Gu Sheng accepted Ying’s inheritance, learned its lethal cultivation method, and decided to prepare before using it.
• At Myriad Spirits Palace, Xiao Mengdie recognized Gu Sheng and helped him gain an audience with Sect Master Xiao Xuance, who revealed that Gu Sheng’s parents had arranged his marriage to Xiao Mengling.
• Xiao Xuance invited Gu Sheng to stay for a banquet, while Zhao Lingqian openly opposed the engagement and warned Gu Sheng to leave.
• Xiao Mengdie threatened Zhao Lingqian with her blade when he insulted Gu Sheng, then led Gu Sheng away from the hall.
• Zhao Lingqian used the Myriad Spirits Heaven Sealing Cover to trap Gu Sheng and Xiao Mengdie, then ordered more than a dozen disciples to attack and force Gu Sheng to call off the engagement.

Gu Sheng defeated Zhao Lingqian and the Myriad Spirits Palace disciples who attacked him, then extorted three million High-grade Spirit Stones and a promise of five million total. Zhao Qianhuan learned Gu Sheng possessed the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall and planned to kill him, while Xiao Xuance visited Xiao Mengling at the Great Desolation Sacred Academy.

• Gu Sheng used his Spirit Embryo Incarnation and powerful physique to defeat the Myriad Spirits Palace disciples, then forced them to flee.
• Gu Sheng trapped Zhao Lingqian with the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall and demanded five million High-grade Spirit Stones; Zhao Lingqian paid three million and left owing the rest.
• Zhao Lingqian returned to Zhao Qianhuan and reported Gu Sheng's strength and possession of the Divine Craftsman's Maze Hall.
• Zhao Qianhuan dismissed the loss of Spirit Stones and vowed that Gu Sheng would be dead after that night.
• Xiao Xuance entered Xiao Mengling's cultivation chamber at the Great Desolation Sacred Academy.

Xiao Mengling put off meeting Gu Sheng until after her martial arts breakthrough, while the Blazing Heaven Saintess defeated the Sky-Piercing Holy Son and warned everyone against seeking her in marriage. At Myriad Spirits Palace, Zhao Qianhuan launched a coup during Gu Sheng’s welcoming banquet, and Gu Sheng called on Shadow as two Heavenly Martial Realm experts attacked him.

• Xiao Mengling accepted the old Gu family betrothal token but told Xiao Xuance she would meet Gu Sheng only after her breakthrough attempt.
• The Blazing Heaven Saintess defeated the Sky-Piercing Holy Son and warned that she would hunt down anyone who came to propose marriage.
• Xiao Mengdie warned Gu Sheng that Zhao Qianhuan might target him, and Xiao Xuance urged Gu Sheng to stay close during the banquet.
• Granny Lingyu reported that black-clad attackers had assaulted Myriad Spirits Palace, and Zhao Qianhuan arrived with armed forces to demand Xiao Xuance surrender the Palace Master position.
• Zhao Lingqian trapped the banquet guests beneath the Myriad Spirits Heaven Sealing Cover and sent two Heavenly Martial Realm experts after Gu Sheng, while Xiao Mengdie tried to defend him.
• Gu Sheng remained calm as the two experts lunged at him and ordered Shadow to make a move.

Gu Sheng and Xiao Xuance discovered that the Zhao Family’s betrayal was tied to a hidden enemy who trapped Myriad Spirits Palace in an ancient formation and ordered Gu Sheng captured alive. While imprisoned inside the palace, Gu Sheng used Ying’s secret technique to strengthen his foundation, but Xiao Mengdie found him drenched in blood as his body repeatedly burst apart and healed.

• Gu Sheng killed two Heavenly Martial Realm experts, but Zhao Qianhuan escaped under the protection of the Myriad Spirits Heaven Sealing Cover after another Sect Realm expert appeared.
• Gu Sheng and Xiao Xuance suspected Zhao Qianhuan’s betrayal was connected to the attack on Xiao Mengdie, then discussed delaying Gu Sheng’s marriage agreement with the Xiao family.
• The Ancient Heaven Sealing Formation trapped Myriad Spirits Palace, and Ying failed to break it; Gu Sheng and Xiao Xuance suspected the Zhao Family was being directed by a hidden enemy.
• Outside the formation, a Black Robe Man berated Zhao Qianhuan, injured Zhao Lingqian, and ordered the Zhao Family to capture Gu Sheng alive within three days.
• Gu Sheng used Ying’s secret technique to reverse his qi and blood, breaking open his dantian and greatly condensing his true qi while strengthening his vitality and meridians.
• Xiao Mengdie entered Gu Sheng’s quiet room the next morning, found him covered in blood as his flesh burst apart and healed, and screamed in alarm.

Gu Sheng broke through to the Earth Martial Realm, awakened the Nine Grotto-Heavens, and received the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves Divine Art’s inheritance. After Xiao Xuance and Xiao Mengdie questioned his rapid rise, Ying reminded him of their agreement to kill the Bitter Sea Holy Son and promised to help him become strong enough within three years; then Gu Sheng sensed danger from the southeast.

• Gu Sheng’s breakthrough triggered a heavenly phenomenon, and Xiao Xuance sealed the area and ordered the Myriad Spirits Palace disciples to keep what they witnessed secret.
• The creator of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves Divine Art appeared in Gu Sheng’s Sea of Consciousness, identified Gu Sheng as its destined successor, and passed on the art’s inheritance before vanishing.
• As Gu Sheng’s nine acupoints transformed into the Nine Grotto-Heavens, the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron absorbed the rampaging spiritual energy and helped him advance to the fourth level of the Earth Martial Realm.
• Xiao Xuance and Xiao Mengdie questioned Gu Sheng about his sudden breakthroughs, but he concealed the true source of his progress, and Xiao Xuance chose not to press him.
• Ying revealed that she knew Gu Sheng had succeeded and reminded him to help kill the Bitter Sea Holy Son; Gu Sheng then sensed an approaching danger from the southeastern horizon.

Zhao Qianhuan led an assault on the Myriad Spirits Palace, and Gu Sheng killed him despite suffering devastating injuries. As Gu Sheng struggled to recover, the Blood Fiend Twin Venerables attacked him, and Shadow ignited her Origin Fire to stop a blood dragon from reaching him.

• Xiao Xuance told Gu Sheng that Zhao Qianhuan had advanced to the Martial Ancestor Realm and was attacking the Myriad Spirits Palace with two other experts and several hundred cultivators.
• After the sect-protecting formation collapsed and the Myriad Spirits Heaven Sealing Cover trapped the defenders, Shadow tried to evacuate Gu Sheng and Xiao Mengdie, but Zhao Qianhuan's attack drove them back.
• Gu Sheng opened his Nine Grotto-Heavens, used a spiritual attack and the Nine Dragon Universe Cauldron's power, and killed Zhao Qianhuan with a crimson-gold sword strike.
• Shadow returned as the Blood Fiend Twin Venerables attacked the injured Gu Sheng, while Xiao Xuance fought to protect him.
• The two elders summoned blood dragons that overwhelmed Xiao Xuance and threatened Gu Sheng; Shadow destroyed one dragon, then ignited her Origin Fire as the other lunged toward Gu Sheng.

After Shadow defeated the Blood Fiend Twin Venerables by burning her Origin Fire, Gu Sheng saved her from dying and later recovered from his own severe injuries. He learned of Spirit Flame Mountain’s Dragon Blood Crystals and prepared to seek them out to strengthen his body, leaving Myriad Spirits Palace with an old map and a plan to find the secret realm entrance.

• Shadow destroyed the Blood Fiend Twin Venerables with her shadow spears, but her Origin Fire began consuming her life, so Gu Sheng forcibly extinguished it before collapsing.
• Gu Sheng awoke after three days and learned that Shadow had been taken to Linlang Pavilion to recover her depleted origin.
• Xiao Xuance told Gu Sheng that Spirit Flame Mountain held Dragon Blood Crystals and gave him an old map of its secret realm.
• Gu Sheng recovered his spiritual power, promised Xiao Mengdie he would return safely, and decided to seek a breakthrough in physical strength.
• As Myriad Spirits Palace rebuilt after the attack, Gu Sheng accepted Xiao Xuance's warning about the secret realm and said he had a way to locate its entrance.

Gu Sheng traveled to Spirit Flame City to investigate the marked Crimson Flame Valley and became Xie Qingxuan’s escort into the Spirit Flame Mountain Range in search of the Spirit Flame Immortal Herb. After accepting her payment, he learned the herb was needed to save an elder of her family.

• Gu Sheng left Myriad Spirits Palace with Xiao Xuance’s distress signal and learned that Tantai had taken Ying to Medicine King Valley for treatment.
• Gu Sheng rented a Gale Wolf carriage, traveled to Spirit Flame City, and entered the city after revealing his Earth Martial Realm cultivation.
• At Green Pine Residence, Gu Sheng overheard men plotting to seize the Spirit Flame Immortal Herb and force Xie Qingxuan to submit.
• Xie Qingxuan asked Gu Sheng to escort her into the mountains, and he agreed to protect her for three hundred High-grade Spirit Stones despite A-He’s objections.
• The next morning, Xie Qingxuan paid Gu Sheng five hundred Spirit Stones and explained that she sought the herb to save an elder of her family.

Gu Sheng escorted Xie Qingxuan into the Spirit Flame Mountain Range, where the Blood Moon Wolf King attacked and he secretly diverted it toward Meng Xiao’s group. After escaping with Xie Qingxuan and Xie He, Gu Sheng revealed to his spirit companions that he had saved them for his own purposes; the chapter ended with Xie He badly wounded while fighting a Spirit Cat Demonic Beast.

• Liu Qingyun and Meng Xiao tried to persuade Xie Qingxuan to abandon her agreement with Gu Sheng, but she refused and departed with him.
• As the group entered the mountains, Gu Sheng sensed danger and warned everyone, but Meng Xiao dismissed him until the Blood Moon Wolf King appeared and killed its guard captain.
• When the wolf king attacked, Meng Xiao, Liu Qingyun, and their men fled; Gu Sheng secretly made the beast turn after them, allowing Xie Qingxuan and Xie He to escape with him.
• Gu Sheng told the Innate Spirit Embryo and Yue Shen Gong that he had used the wolf king against Meng Xiao and saved Xie Qingxuan because she held clues he needed.
• Meng Xiao and Liu Qingyun survived by hiding among rocks, blamed Gu Sheng for directing the wolf king, and sent a message requesting a Heavenly Martial Realm retainer.
• After a day of travel and fighting demonic beasts, Xie He insisted on battling a Spirit Cat alone, was badly wounded, and Xie Qingxuan pleaded with Gu Sheng to help him.

Gu Sheng saved Xie He, used him to draw out demonic beasts, and killed a Blood Moon Wolf King that had broken through to the Heavenly Martial Realm. While Xie He returned with the corpse, Meng Xiao cornered Xie Qingxuan, and Gu Sheng appeared to stop him and face the five Earth Martial Realm fighters.

• Gu Sheng killed the Spirit Cat Demonic Beast before it could attack Xie He, then ordered Xie He to act as bait while he hunted the beasts drawn by the scent of blood.
• Xie He encountered the Blood Moon Wolf King but watched from hiding as Gu Sheng used his Nine Grotto-Heavens and sword arts to kill it.
• Gu Sheng ordered Xie He to drag the Wolf King's corpse back, then sensed someone nearby and warned that someone was looking to die.
• Meng Xiao and five Earth Martial Realm martial artists surrounded Xie Qingxuan and demanded that she submit to Meng Xiao.
• Gu Sheng appeared, severed Meng Xiao's arm, and faced the five fighters as they charged him.