Chapter Summaries

Zhang Tianyu completed the first Mystery of Time task by sensing the valley that had nurtured the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, then received a new task in Death Valley. After reassuring Xiao Wu, he returned to Shrek Academy and began distributing immortal herbs to the Shrek Seven Devils.

• Zhang Tianyu failed to find the Water and Fire Dragon Lords’ remains, then realized the valley itself embodied the new world and completed the task, earning a Mystery of Time Fragment and 5,000 Reward Points.
• The system assigned Zhang Tianyu a task to visit Death Valley and comprehend the cycle of death and rebirth; he set off back to Shrek Academy.
• Xiao Wu waited anxiously for Zhang Tianyu, kissed him, and received his promise that he would never leave her.
• Zhang Tianyu planned to distribute immortal herbs before leaving for Death Valley, then handed them out to the Shrek Seven Devils after breakfast.
• Tang San recognized the herbs as top-grade immortal herbs and excitedly asked Zhang Tianyu where he had obtained them.

After sharing Immortal Herbs with the Shrek Academy students, Zhang Tianyu left for Death Valley, a perilous Spirit Hall training ground. Biluo stopped a deadly sandstorm, but Zhang Tianyu’s progress was interrupted by a giant sand scorpion erupting from beneath the sand.

• Zhang Tianyu gave the students Immortal Herbs suited to them, and Ning Rongrong’s Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
• Zhang Tianyu refused to let the students accompany him to Death Valley and left after saying goodbye to Xiao Wu.
• Zhang Tianyu reached Death Valley and learned from the Live Map that it held deadly sandstorms, desperadoes, dangerous soul beasts, poisonous insects, and evil creatures.
• A sudden sandstorm swept over Zhang Tianyu, but Biluo stopped it by controlling the weather.
• A sand scorpion stung Zhang Tianyu, who killed it with Biluo before a giant sand scorpion burst from beneath the ground.

Zhang Tianyu discovered that Death Valley’s soul beasts produced Beast Cores and unlocked a powerful new soul skill that increased his damage against evil soul masters. After killing three desperadoes and questioning the survivor, he learned that Beast Cores could be absorbed or traded at Valley Market.

• Zhang Tianyu killed a six-thousand-two-hundred-year Sickle-Tailed Sand Scorpion and found a gemstone-like object that the system identified as a unique Death Valley item.
• Zhang Tianyu watched four desperadoes kill five of six Spirit Hall soul masters, then noticed that his Second Martial Soul’s fourth soul skill had reached full unlock progress.
• Zhang Tianyu unlocked Sword of Punishing Evil, which greatly increased his damage against dark-type soul masters, evil soul masters, and people with heavy blood debts.
• Zhang Tianyu pursued the desperadoes and killed three of them with his swords, leaving their short, fat leader alive to answer questions.
• The surviving desperado identified Zhang Tianyu’s gemstone as a Beast Core that could restore or increase Soul Power and be traded at Valley Market for goods such as Wind-Stabilizing Stones.

Zhang Tianyu traveled with Wu Di to the inner-region Valley Market, where he searched for clues to his Cycle of Life and Death mission. When he heard that the Grey Wolf Gang leader’s wife had given birth and free water was being handed out, he rushed toward the lake, suspecting the birth might connect to the mission.

• Zhang Tianyu spared Wu Di, learned about Death Valley’s dangers and the rumored Spirit Hall trainees, and ordered Wu Di to guide him toward the inner region and Wind Curtain.
• Zhang Tianyu and Wu Di flew to the inner-region Valley Market without encountering sandstorms, thanks to Biluo’s pressure.
• Wu Di warned Zhang Tianyu not to approach the lake because the Grey Wolf Gang controlled it, so Zhang Tianyu shared water from his System Space with him.
• Zhang Tianyu searched Valley Market for clues to his Cycle of Life and Death mission but found none.
• Soul masters announced that the Grey Wolf Gang leader’s wife had given birth and that free water was available by the lake, so Zhang Tianyu hurried there to investigate.

Zhang Tianyu tried to investigate whether a newborn would fulfill the “rebirth” part of his Death and Rebirth mission, while secretly provoking the Grey Wolf Gang with Sword Qi Clones. After the clones vanished, Grey Big Wolf accused Zhang Tianyu of causing the disturbance and ordered his men to arrest him, leaving Zhang and Wu Di surrounded.

• Zhang Tianyu and Wu Di reached the lakeside, where Iron-Backed Wolf demanded that people congratulate the Grey Wolf Gang leader to receive free water.
• Zhang Tianyu used Huangquan to create Sword Qi Clones that stirred up the crowd, and Iron-Backed Wolf insulted the onlookers as he tried to control them.
• Grey Big Wolf and his wife emerged with their newborn son, but Zhang Tianyu saw no sign that the child was connected to his mission.
• Grey Big Wolf ordered his men to seize the troublemakers, but Zhang Tianyu’s Sword Qi Clones vanished before they could be brought to him.
• Grey Big Wolf suspected Zhang Tianyu because he had not reacted to the clones disappearing, and Iron-Backed Wolf ordered the gang members to arrest him without evidence.
• Grey Wolf Gang members subdued Wu Di while a watching young man held back from intervening and waited to see how Zhang Tianyu would respond.

Zhang Tianyu killed Iron-Backed Wolf and fought Grey Big Wolf, while Hu Liena’s Spirit Hall forces captured the Grey Wolf Gang. After revealing her disguise, Hu Liena confronted Grey Big Wolf over the gang’s failure to honor its agreement and the death of a Spirit Hall envoy.

• Zhang Tianyu killed four Soul Kings, then killed Iron-Backed Wolf when he tried to exploit Zhang Tianyu’s apparent mercy.
• Zhang Tianyu wounded Grey Big Wolf by seeing through his eighth soul skill, Pale Wolf Howling at the Moon.
• Hu Liena ordered Spirit Hall forces to seize the Grey Wolf Gang while Zhang Tianyu kept Grey Big Wolf occupied.
• Hu Liena revealed that she had been disguised as a young man, and Zhang Tianyu recognized her true form.
• Hu Liena accused Grey Big Wolf of breaking Spirit Hall’s agreement and suggested the Grey Wolf Gang was responsible for the death of a Spirit Hall envoy.

Zhang Tianyu dealt with the Grey Wolf Gang, then joined Hu Liena on the way to the core area while trying to raise her favorability. He refused to become her easy-to-use helper and left her behind as they approached the Wind Curtain.

• Hu Liena captured Grey Big Wolf and assured him that Spirit Hall would raise his newborn child, while Zhang Tianyu realized the gang had betrayed Spirit Hall.
• Zhang Tianyu introduced himself as Kakashi, and Hu Liena invited him to join Spirit Hall after learning he was a Soul Saint with a Mutated Martial Soul.
• Zhang Tianyu and Hu Liena discovered they were both headed to the core area, but the system told Zhang Tianyu her favorability remained at Chance Encounter.
• Zhang Tianyu gave Wu Di water and continued with Hu Liena, refusing to help her cross the Wind Curtain unless she could offer him something in return.
• Hu Liena sped ahead in irritation, but Zhang Tianyu followed on a Flying Sword and identified the distant hurricane-driven sand as the Wind Curtain.

Hu Liena was stung by a Sickle-Tailed Sand Scorpion and became trapped in a sandstorm with several deadly Black-Striped Rattlesnakes. Zhang Tianyu arrived after a five-thousand-year rattlesnake bit her, killed the snakes, and found her unconscious; he then crouched beside her and reached to undo her clothes.

• Zhang Tianyu flew away, and Hu Liena stepped into a Sickle-Tailed Sand Scorpion's territory and was stung in the heel.
• Hu Liena treated her swollen foot and used a Wind-Stabilizing Stone as a sandstorm began, but she heard Black-Striped Rattlesnakes approaching.
• Hu Liena dodged several rattlesnake attacks while Ghost Douluo remained unable to help after being stung by a sand scorpion.
• Hu Liena used her soul skills against three rattlesnakes, but a fifth, older snake bit her shoulder and injected its deadly venom.
• Zhang Tianyu arrived as the sandstorm stopped, cut the rattlesnake in two, and killed the other snakes before Hu Liena passed out.
• Zhang Tianyu called Hu Liena lucky to have encountered him, then crouched beside her and reached to undo her clothes.

After saving Hu Liena from the rattlesnake venom, Zhang Tianyu teased and angered her before winning her over with gentle care and medicinal roast meat. Hu Liena’s favorability toward him soared, and Zhang Tianyu learned that reaching the core area would complete his mission.

• Hu Liena woke by the campfire and realized Zhang Tianyu had cured her poison, though he had removed her clothes to treat her wound.
• Zhang Tianyu claimed he had used valuable immortal-grade herbs and asked Hu Liena to help him get reimbursed after they returned to Spirit Hall.
• Hu Liena’s favorability toward Zhang Tianyu rose after he saved her, then fell when he insulted her figure and provoked her.
• Zhang Tianyu offered Hu Liena medicinal roast meat, and his gentle care sent her favorability soaring to [Heart's Desire].
• Zhang Tianyu explained his Praise After Suppression technique to the system, then helped Hu Liena eat until she was satisfied.
• Hu Liena watched Zhang Tianyu tend the fire and felt that he was actually pretty good before their eyes met.

Zhang Tianyu cared for Hu Liena through the night, then took her toward the Wind Curtain after she recovered. He stopped the ancient, raging barrier with one sword strike, leaving Hu Liena stunned by his power.

• Zhang Tianyu checked Hu Liena’s fever and injuries, and she asked his age before falling asleep while he pondered his mission to experience death and rebirth.
• Hu Liena woke safely at dawn, dressed in clothes Zhang Tianyu had prepared, and followed him on an Illusion Sword as Huangquan carried them toward the Wind Curtain.
• Zhang Tianyu teased Hu Liena by explaining that he had brought her along to protect the immortal herbs, then complimented her as the first woman he had found pretty average on his journey.
• At the Wind Curtain, Hu Liena described its dangers and said it had never stopped for thousands of years.
• Zhang Tianyu slashed the Wind Curtain with the Azure Firmament Sword, abruptly stopping the wind and sand and leaving Hu Liena awed.

Zhang Tianyu and Hu Liena crossed the Wind Curtain after he halted it with a sword slash, then headed to meet Hu Liena’s companions, Xie Yue and Yan. Yan challenged Zhang Tianyu’s presence, but Hu Liena defended him and made Yan apologize, leaving Yan stunned by her reaction.

• Zhang Tianyu stopped the Wind Curtain with a single sword slash, startling Hu Liena and drawing the attention of mysterious figures in the valley.
• After his sword’s power faded and the Wind Curtain returned, Zhang Tianyu agreed to accompany Hu Liena to Crescent Bay in search of the Teardrop Gem.
• Hu Liena told Zhang Tianyu she needed to meet Xie Yue and Yan, and Zhang Tianyu decided to travel with them.
• Zhang Tianyu and Hu Liena arrived at the meeting point, where Xie Yue and Yan greeted them and learned that Kakashi would join their journey.
• Yan objected to Zhang Tianyu coming along, but Hu Liena rebuked him and demanded that he apologize, which he did in shock.

Zhang Tianyu traveled with Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan to Crescent Bay, while two powerful beings followed them and Ghost Douluo secretly watched. The lake beast woke instead of entering its expected dormant period, and three powerful auras appeared, leaving the group unsure who had arrived before Ghost Douluo.

• Zhang Tianyu set boundaries with Hu Liena, then took her, Xie Yue, and Yan flying toward Crescent Bay.
• Zhang Tianyu sensed scarlet eyes near the Crimson Basin, while a black-robed figure and a giant beast agreed to pursue the group.
• Zhang Tianyu realized Ghost Douluo was shadowing them and considered using the hidden Titled Douluo as protection if danger arose.
• The group reached Crescent Bay, where the lake shook and its powerful resident awakened instead of remaining dormant.
• Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan prepared to abandon their training, but two powerful auras appeared before Ghost Douluo revealed himself, leaving the newcomers unidentified.

Zhang Tianyu dispelled the Scarlet Blood Demon Lord’s blood rain with Azure Firmament, proving his power to the rulers of Death Valley’s forbidden lands. He then confronted the three rulers about why they wanted him to stop the Wind Curtain, and Feilian revealed it was a prison the gods had created for them.

• Feilian and the Poison Flame Overlord confronted Ghost Douluo’s group, demanding to know who had stopped the Wind Curtain.
• The Scarlet Blood Demon Lord arrived and trapped the group beneath his corrosive Heaven-Falling Blood Rain.
• Zhang Tianyu drew Azure Firmament and erased the blood rain with a single strike, stunning the three rulers and the others.
• Feilian invited Zhang Tianyu to speak privately, and Zhang Tianyu guessed the rulers wanted to escape the Wind Curtain.
• Feilian admitted that the gods had created the endless Wind Curtain as a prison for the three rulers.

Zhang Tianyu negotiated with Feilian, Poison Flame Overlord, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord to free them from Death Valley in exchange for seven years of service or ten acts of help. After secretly giving them pills, he left the three powerful wardens writhing in pain as they realized the medicine could harm them.

• Feilian, Poison Flame Overlord, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord offered Zhang Tianyu treasures and future help in exchange for stopping the Wind Curtain and freeing them.
• Zhang Tianyu demanded that the three serve as his bodyguards for seven years or help him ten times, and they agreed after he demonstrated that he could escape them.
• The three wardens secretly planned to kill Zhang Tianyu once they crossed the Wind Curtain, while Zhang Tianyu searched the system and Mall for a way to control them.
• Zhang Tianyu gave each warden a black pill, claiming it would only take effect if they intended to harm him or those around him.
• Poison Flame Overlord, Feilian, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord swallowed the pills, then suffered sudden, excruciating pain when Zhang Tianyu reminded them of the pills' condition.

Zhang Tianyu used a remotely controlled diarrhea worm to force Poison Flame Overlord, Feilian, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord to abandon thoughts of harming him, then sought an opportunity at the Dead Sea. He reached the lake safely with Huangquan, but looking into its strange blue-and-black depths made his vision blur and filled him with fear.

• Poison Flame Overlord, Feilian, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord suffered sudden stomach pain whenever they considered harming Zhang Tianyu, and he explained that the medicine would stop if they meant him no harm.
• Zhang Tianyu promised to take the three rulers out within five days and told them he was searching for an opportunity connected to death and rebirth.
• Feilian identified Rebirth Cliff and the Dead Sea as possible locations, and Zhang Tianyu chose to investigate the Dead Sea.
• Zhang Tianyu parted from Hu Liena and the others, while Ghost Douluo led them out of the core area.
• Zhang Tianyu rode Huangquan through the death energy and reached the Dead Sea, where the lake’s blue-and-black bottom made his vision blur.

After the system urged Zhang Tianyu to develop his ability to comprehend, death energy consumed him at the Dead Sea and he awoke in a bizarre space transformed into a many-eyed mass of tentacles. With Huangquan, Biluo, and the system silent, he began trying to understand what had happened to him.

• Zhang Tianyu saw an indescribable shape beneath the lake and struggled to understand the system’s explanation about comprehension and ascension.
• The system told Zhang Tianyu that he had come to comprehend death and rebirth, then Huangquan vanished and death energy engulfed him, leaving only his skeleton.
• An eerie beam rose from the Dead Sea, and Scarlet Blood Demon Lord, Poison Flame Overlord, and Evil God Feilian wondered what Zhang Tianyu’s opportunity would mean for them.
• Zhang Tianyu woke in a strange space with a body covered in writhing tentacles and eyes, but could not reach the system, Huangquan, or Biluo.
• Zhang Tianyu examined his monstrous body, lamented his transformation, and suddenly recalled something.

After Zhang Tianyu died at the Dead Sea, he understood the cycle of Death and Rebirth in a strange star-filled space and returned to life. He completed the quest, received a new mission in the Far North, and absorbed the Dead Sea’s remaining deathly energy as Rebirth Cliff collapsed.

• Zhang Tianyu realized that he had died and pieced together the system’s clues, understanding death and rebirth as entering a new world in a new form.
• The strange space transformed into a starry sky, and Zhang Tianyu’s body returned to human form before a voice greeted him as a new inheritor and sent him back.
• The system announced completion of the Cycle of Life and Death quest and activated a new quest to investigate an ancient dream sealed in ice in the Far North.
• Zhang Tianyu learned that the skeletons around the Dead Sea belonged to beings who had failed to understand and accept rebirth, while the deathly energy kept its distance from him.
• Rebirth Cliff collapsed into the Dead Sea, and Zhang Tianyu sent Huangquan to absorb the surrounding deathly energy.
• The pillar of light vanished, leaving the three big shots outside wondering what had happened.

Zhang Tianyu emerged from Rebirth Cliff after a strange trial, collected the Three Forbidden Lands’ treasures, and freed the three powerful rulers from the Wind Curtain. He enslaved them with Marionette control for seven years and returned toward Heaven Dou City, eager to see Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.

• Rebirth Cliff collapsed as Zhang Tianyu emerged, and he learned that less than three minutes had passed outside despite his experience of years in the strange space.
• Zhang Tianyu collected Beast Cores, Soul Tools, and the Three Forbidden Lands’ specialties, learning that Miracle Fruit raised levels at the cost of cultivation potential and lifespan.
• Zhang Tianyu cut through the Wind Curtain, completed the Three Stooges quest, and gained 40% Second Martial Soul Soul Skill Unlock Progress, 1,000 Reward Points, and the Thread of the Dharma Emperor.
• Zhang Tianyu pretended to remove the three rulers’ poison insects but secretly placed Marionette control inside them, forcing them to accept his command for seven years after they attacked him.
• Zhang Tianyu reached the outskirts of Heaven Dou City and looked forward to seeing Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.

Zhang Tianyu returned to the academy with Evil God Feilian, the Poison Flame Overlord, and the Scarlet Blood Demon Lord, whom Flender agreed to house in the forest. After Liu Erlong’s energy went out of control, Zhang Tianyu entered her cabin and took advantage of the situation.

• Zhang Tianyu brought the three powerful newcomers into the academy forest and introduced them to Flender and Liu Erlong.
• Flender led the Poison Flame Overlord, the Scarlet Blood Demon Lord, and Evil God Feilian away to arrange lodging and dinner.
• Liu Erlong asked Zhang Tianyu about the newcomers, then admitted that his return was welcome before fleeing to her cabin in embarrassment.
• Liu Erlong’s energy spiraled out of control as she dwelled on her feelings and memories of Zhang Tianyu.
• Zhang Tianyu burst into Liu Erlong’s cabin, claimed he had come to help, and removed their clothes.

Zhang Tianyu returned to Shrek Academy, shared supplies from Death Valley, and told his friends he planned to travel to the Far North after a few days’ rest. He comforted Ning Rongrong about his absence and promised to give her and the others an answer within seven years, then headed into the forest at night.

• Zhang Tianyu reunited with Xiao Wu and the others after returning to the classroom.
• Zhang Tianyu distributed potions, Bone Jade Blood Marrow, Crimson Pupil, and Beast Cores, advising everyone to save the cores for emergencies rather than use them to gain levels immediately.
• Zhang Tianyu told the group he planned to retrieve his clan’s relics in the Far North, and they agreed to spend his remaining days with him in Heaven Dou City.
• Ning Rongrong met Zhang Tianyu in the courtyard, confessed how much she had missed him, and kissed him.
• Zhang Tianyu asked Ning Rongrong to wait for him and promised to give her and the others an answer within seven years; after she returned to bed, he went into the forest toward the three powerful residents’ homes.