Chapter Summaries

Ye Tianming took command of the demon-slaying squads and organized them to fight in rotating shifts, while Fang Qianyuan revealed that he had advanced to the fourth transformation. After the demons appeared to dwindle, a gigantic demon forced its way through the spatial gateway and unleashed a massive horde.

• Ye Tianming proposed rotating the squads between fighting and resting, and Ba Ming put him in charge of assigning their tasks.
• Ba Ming told Fang Qianyuan's squad to fight in the third wave and discovered that Fang Qianyuan had reached the fourth transformation.
• Ye Tianming used the power of his Moon-Howling Gray Wolf to kill the first demons, and the squads took turns clearing the scattered minions.
• A lookout reported that fewer demons remained beyond the vortex, leading the disciples to hope that reinforcements were near.
• A demon over thirty feet tall broke through the spatial gateway, followed by thousands of demons flooding into the hall.

Demons poured through the void barrier and overwhelmed the disciples defending the Teleportation Array, while a Kunlin Insect King above Seven Turns threatened their formation. Ye Tianming wounded it but was blasted away when it unleashed demonic essence gang baleful intent, and the disciples feared it had Ninth-Transformation cultivation.

• Countless demons broke through the barrier, and Ye Tianming identified the giant beetle as a mutated Kunlin Insect King likely above Seven Turns.
• Wu Longjie ordered the disciples to fall back to the Teleportation Array, where Ye Tianming organized them into two defensive circles.
• Senior Brother Kong sent his Silver-Armored Blade Mantis against the Kunlin Insect King while the disciples and their spirit creatures fought off the demon horde.
• Seven-Turn-or-higher demons joined the attack, disciples and spirit creatures were injured, and Senior Brother Kong warned that his Blade Mantis could not hold much longer.
• Ye Tianming charged beneath the Kunlin Insect King and wounded its belly, but its demonic essence gang baleful intent blasted him away and prompted cries that it had Ninth-Transformation cultivation.

Fang Qianyuan watched the disciples suffer mounting casualties against the Kunlin Insect King and its demon army, then proposed retreating toward the passage and drawing the demons away. When Ba Ming challenged him to do it himself, Fang Qianyuan agreed and told the others to seize the opportunity.

• The Kunlin Insect King overwhelmed Ye Tianming, and the disciples struggled to fight it and the surrounding demons.
• Fang Qianyuan joined the battle and killed more than a dozen demons, but the disciples continued to suffer injuries and deaths.
• As Senior Sister Mi struggled to treat the wounded and the battle spread despair, Fang Qianyuan spotted a possible escape route through the passage leading to the stone gate.
• Fang Qianyuan proposed drawing away the demons' main force so the others could retreat and hold the passage, but Ba Ming challenged him to carry out the plan himself.
• Fang Qianyuan said he had a way to draw the demons away and urged the others to seize their chance.

Fang Qianyuan charged into the demon horde and used his speed to wound its leaders and draw most of the demons away from the Teleportation Array. The Training Institute disciples seized the opening and prepared to fight their way out.

• Fang Qianyuan ignored Wei Wen, Ding Long, and the others’ warnings and charged into the demon ranks.
• Fang Qianyuan used Shadow Step to evade the demons and reached the cluster of demon leaders.
• Fang Qianyuan killed an Ape Demon leader and rapidly wounded several more with Wolf Rush Strike.
• Fang Qianyuan dodged the enraged demons and lured nearly all those beyond the inner ring away from the Teleportation Array.
• The Training Institute disciples celebrated Fang Qianyuan’s success and called on everyone to attack together.

The Training Institute disciples escaped the Demon horde through the Black Vortex and held the entrance passage until reinforcements arrived. The Institute Master and Ye Li defeated the remaining Demons and resealed the Demon Suppression Cavern.

• Fang Qianyuan led the disciples to hold the choke point, where they repelled the Kunlin Insect King and praised him for finding a way out.
• Ba Ming complained that Fang Qianyuan had taken credit meant for Ye Tianming, but Ye Tianming urged him to wait for reinforcements.
• The Institute Master and Ye Li arrived with Training Institute elites, learned that four disciples had died and more than ten were injured, and took charge of the defense.
• The Institute Master and Ye Li killed the Kunlin Insect King and defeated the remaining Demons.
• The Institute Master used a Jade Talisman to seal the Demons back into the void, bringing peace to the Demon Suppression Cavern.

After the Demon Calamity, Fang Qianyuan learned that the Merit Hall might downgrade his major merit because Ye Li’s son, Ye Tianming, had also distinguished himself. Fang Qianyuan chose to fight for the second-class major merit and the high-grade spirit creature it could earn him.

• Fang Qianyuan and his companions returned safely to the surface, and Gong Yuan learned of Fang Qianyuan’s breakthrough.
• Training Institute administrators interviewed Fang Qianyuan and his companions separately about the disaster and recorded their accounts.
• Wei Wen predicted Fang Qianyuan would receive a generous reward, and rumors spread that a hero of the Demon Calamity would be honored.
• Gong Yuan told Fang Qianyuan and Wei Wen that Ye Li was trying to downgrade Fang Qianyuan’s second-class major merit to third-class, reducing his spirit-creature reward.
• Gong Yuan explained that Ye Tianming had also fought the Insect King and made a contribution, complicating Fang Qianyuan’s claim.
• Fang Qianyuan said his actions deserved second-class major merit and decided to fight for it.

Fang Qianyuan’s role in the Demon Cave disaster became the center of a dispute over major merit, as Ye Li’s faction backed Ye Tianming’s claim and Gong Yuan argued for Fang. When Gong Yuan warned that the academy elders favored Ye Tianming, Fang asked how much authority the Sect Envoy had.

• Gong Yuan publicized Fang Qianyuan’s actions, while rumors spread that Ye Li was trying to suppress Fang’s achievements in favor of his son, Ye Tianming.
• Fang Qianyuan reassured the new disciples at Gending Court that the Merit Hall would not erase anyone’s achievements without cause.
• Ye Li told Ye Tianming and his allies that merit awards depended on demonstrating greater value and that Ye Tianming’s battle with the Insect King would secure the second-class major merit.
• Three days later, the Sect Envoy arrived at Cang Mountain Academy, and Gong Yuan summoned Fang to meet him.
• Gong Yuan told Fang that most elders supported the Merit Hall’s arrangement but assured him that he would receive a third-class major merit; Fang asked how much say the Sect Envoy had.

Fang Qianyuan challenged the Training Institute’s decision to award him third-class great merit and appealed to Special Envoy Elder Yuan. Elder Yuan accepted Fang Qianyuan’s argument and ruled that he deserved second-class great merit, leaving the Institute to submit his case alongside Ye Tianming’s.

• Fang Qianyuan persuaded Gong Yuan to bring him before the special envoy to challenge the merit assessment.
• At the Heaven and Earth Institute, Fang Qianyuan met Elder Yuan, with Ye Tianming, Institute Master Wei Ruwei, and the elders present.
• When Elder Yuan asked whether he objected to receiving third-class great merit, Fang Qianyuan declared that he deserved at least second-class merit.
• Ye Li rebuked Fang Qianyuan, but Fang Qianyuan defended his right to argue his case before the special envoy.
• Elder Yuan reviewed the dossier and ruled that Fang Qianyuan deserved second-class great merit, ordering the Institute to submit his case alongside Ye Tianming’s.

Fang Qianyuan secured a high-grade spirit creature reward and received a Blue-Eyed Gray Wolf from the sect, quickly bonding with it and replacing his former Gray Wolf as his primary spirit creature. He also summoned the spirit of his former Gray Wolf as an avatar, though its combat ability remained uncertain.

• Elder Yuan granted Fang Qianyuan the opportunity to receive a high-grade spirit creature for his major merit and warned him to conduct himself carefully.
• Gong Yuan explained that Headquarters would send Fang Qianyuan a list of high-grade spirit creatures to choose from, and said he had applied for the sect's standard mid-grade creature as well.
• The Administrative Hall sent Fang Qianyuan a sealed Blue-Eyed Gray Wolf spirit after his fourth-transformation cultivation was confirmed.
• Fang Qianyuan bonded with the Blue-Eyed Gray Wolf and mastered its circulation routes, replacing his former Gray Wolf as his primary spirit creature.
• Fang Qianyuan used manifestation Dao methods to summon an avatar of his former Gray Wolf, which appeared suitable as a mount.

Fang Qianyuan received permission to choose a high-grade spirit creature as his sect reward and considered how it would shape his future combat style. Despite Elder Gong warning that the Gale Berserker Wolf demanded exceptional stamina and might not suit him, Fang chose it.

• Fang Qianyuan tested his transformed strength by using spirit essence to tear through a tree, then reflected on the advantages of high-grade spirit creatures.
• Ding Long sent a Swift Eagle to tell Fang Qianyuan that the sect had approved his reward, and Fang hurried to the Heavenly Hall.
• Gong Yuan showed Fang Qianyuan a list of high-grade spirit creatures and recommended the Two-Headed Gray Wolf or Crimson-Patterned Tiger.
• Fang Qianyuan considered the Two-Headed Gray Wolf but became interested in the Gale Berserker Wolf.
• Gong Yuan explained that the Gale Berserker Wolf could unleash powerful wind and Gang Edge attacks but consumed tremendous spirit essence and stamina.
• Fang Qianyuan dismissed the warning and chose the Gale Berserker Wolf.

Fang Qianyuan received a high-grade Gale Berserker Wolf as a reward for his deeds during the demon-suppression mission and successfully communed with it. By nightfall, he had begun mastering its protective gale and Gang Edge attacks.

• Gong Yuan agreed to request a Gale Berserker Wolf for Fang Qianyuan, estimating it would arrive within several days.
• Cang Mountain Academy held a ceremony honoring Fang Qianyuan and Ye Tianming with second-class major merits, distributing mission spoils and announcing that the disaster could not have been avoided.
• Ba Ming resented Fang Qianyuan’s reward, while Luo De remarked that the high-grade spirit creature could help establish Fang Qianyuan’s foundation.
• After the ceremony, Fang Qianyuan returned to the library’s rear courtyard and successfully merged the Gale Berserker Wolf into his spirit sea.
• Fang Qianyuan spent hours calming the unfamiliar spirit and formed an initial connection with it before nightfall.
• Fang Qianyuan tested the Gale Berserker Wolf’s powerful protective gale and Gang Edge attacks, then declared that the communion had worked.

Fang Qianyuan practiced the Gale Berserker Wolf’s Raging Wind Slash and developed a combat style suited to his strengths. Gong Yuan then inscribed a talisman on Fang Qianyuan’s body, making the spell easier and faster to cast.

• Fang Qianyuan tested his improved strength and unleashed Raging Wind Slash, carving deep gashes into a distant mound.
• Fang Qianyuan spent the following days mastering the Gale Berserker Wolf’s abilities while the Demon Suppression Cavern remained closed for rectification.
• Gong Yuan began tracing an Inscribed Talisman on Fang Qianyuan’s body as Wei Wen, Wei Wu, Ding Long, and the others watched.
• Fang Qianyuan fired Raging Wind Slash after Gong Yuan completed the talisman and found that his spirit essence flowed more smoothly, making the spell easier to cast.

Fang Qianyuan received a wolf-themed inscribed talisman that increased his casting speed and explained how he planned to use it in combat. He agreed to enter the upcoming Sect Grand Tournament qualifiers, while his senior brothers warned that the tournament could bring both attention and disappointment.

• Gong Yuan completed Fang Qianyuan's inscribed talisman, which increased his casting speed by about twenty percent without weakening his spells.
• Fang Qianyuan told Wei Wen, Ding Long, and Gong Yuan that he wanted to use faster, repeated attacks rather than rely on a single powerful strike.
• Gong Yuan announced that the Sect Grand Tournament qualifiers would begin soon and invited Fang Qianyuan to participate; Fang accepted.
• Gong Yuan urged Fang Qianyuan to prepare and represent the Heavenly Hall Lineage with spirit and vigor.
• After Gong Yuan left, Ding Long joked that the tournament was a matchmaking gathering, and Wei Wen cautioned Fang Qianyuan to prepare for the disappointment of an early defeat.

Fang Qianyuan decided to enter the Sect Grand Tournament, while Ye Tianming prepared for the academy selection and grew strong enough to injure his sparring partner, Ba Ming. Ye Li gave Ba Ming a Spirit Turtle Inscribed Talisman and expected him to keep training Ye Tianming.

• Fang Qianyuan thanked Wei Wen for his warning but chose to enter the tournament to test himself against other talents.
• Ye Tianming and Ba Ming sparred with their spirit creatures possessing their bodies, and Ye Tianming's Crescent Slash cut Ba Ming's chest.
• Ye Tianming told Ba Ming he would participate in the academy selection and resolved not to miss the opportunity again.
• Ye Tianming asked Ye Li for a different sparring partner because Ba Ming could no longer dodge his attacks, but Ye Li told him to learn to control his strength.
• Ye Li bought Ba Ming a Spirit Turtle Inscribed Talisman, and Ba Ming gratefully promised to master it and continue training Ye Tianming.

Fang Qianyuan sparred with his fellow disciples and demonstrated how much he had improved ahead of the Training Institute selection. Wei Wen warned that aristocratic clan heirs with real combat experience would be their toughest opponents, leaving the group to consider the gap between their preparations and those of the powerful families.

• Fang Qianyuan outmaneuvered Ding Long in a spar, and Ding Long admitted he could barely keep up with him.
• Fang Qianyuan defeated Wei Wu, explaining that he could recover quickly while using Shadow Step and that he was developing techniques around Raging Wind Slash.
• Wei Wen praised Fang Qianyuan for building a coordinated fighting style around suitable spirit creatures and talismans, unlike Wei Wu, who had wasted time switching training paths.
• Wei Wen argued that sparring offered limited preparation compared with real combat, and Ning Yuerong said powerful families sometimes used dangerous fights, even fatal ones, to train their heirs.
• Wei Wen warned that aristocratic clans and powerful families would be the group’s greatest rivals in the upcoming selection.

Fang Qianyuan urged his companions to treat themselves, rather than aristocratic elites, as their greatest opponents, then entered the Training Institute selection trials. He defeated Feng Bao quickly and decisively, leaving the trials underway.

• Fang Qianyuan told Ning Yuerong, Ding Long, Wei Wu, and Wei Wen that overcoming themselves mattered more than comparing themselves with aristocratic geniuses.
• The Training Institute began its selection trials, with contestants competing across four arenas for four places on the team sent to Headquarters.
• Wei Wu won his match by default after his opponent abandoned the contest with a stomachache.
• Fang Qianyuan faced Feng Bao, who expected to win because he had sixth transformation cultivation while Fang Qianyuan had only fourth transformation cultivation.
• Fang Qianyuan moved behind Feng Bao, knocked him down, pinned his arms, and released him after Feng Bao surrendered.

Fang Qianyuan stayed undefeated through the first three days of the Training Institute’s selection trials, drawing growing attention as he defeated increasingly strong opponents. The chapter left him facing elite disciple Lan Mei, who hoped her cultivation and refined skills would give her a chance.

• Feng Bao accepted his defeat to Fang Qianyuan, signed the match record, and left.
• Fang Qianyuan won match after match, often by walkover, and remained undefeated through the first two days of the trials.
• Other disciples discovered that Fang Qianyuan had defeated several notable opponents, and news of his record spread through the selection trials.
• Fang Qianyuan reflected on the disciples’ differing strengths and decided to improve through repeated sparring and hard training.
• Fang Qianyuan continued winning on the third day as his opponents grew stronger.
• Fang Qianyuan was matched against Lan Mei, who prepared to fight despite Ma Wenhua warning her about his strength and spirit creature.

Fang Qianyuan faced Lan Mei in the Training Institute selection tournament and used his speed and combat arts to overcome her careful defenses. He left the match victorious after evading her counterattack and placing his palm against her back.

• Fang Qianyuan and Lan Mei exchanged greetings before beginning their match as spectators marveled at his rapid rise.
• Lan Mei summoned her blue-eyed gray wolf and ten ordinary gray wolves, while Fang Qianyuan assessed her disciplined spirit creatures.
• Fang Qianyuan used chained Shadow Steps to attack from behind, but Lan Mei rode her blue-eyed wolf away and formed a defensive ring with her pack.
• Fang Qianyuan broke through the wolves' formation and dispersed one with a Claw Strike before advancing on Lan Mei.
• Lan Mei countered with a sudden bite from her blue-eyed wolf, but Fang Qianyuan halted and changed direction, pressed his palm to her back, and declared that she had lost.

Fang Qianyuan defeated Lan Mei, prompting other disciples to avoid fighting him, and then faced Ba Ming, a Seven Turns expert linked with a high-grade Spirit Creature. Fang Qianyuan seized the initiative and wounded Ba Ming, leaving him at a disadvantage as the fight continued.

• Senior Brother Wen explained to Ma Wenhua that Fang Qianyuan's abrupt change of direction showed the strength of his muscles, bones, and meridians.
• Lan Mei admitted defeat to Fang Qianyuan, and Wei Wen and the others celebrated his victory.
• After some disciples forfeited their matches, Fang Qianyuan was paired against Ba Ming, whose Seven Turns cultivation and Two-Headed Gray Wolf drew warnings from Wei Wen and the others.
• Ba Ming spirit-linked with the Two-Headed Gray Wolf, but Fang Qianyuan immediately called on the Gale Berserker Wolf and attacked with Shadow Step and Claw Gang.
• Fang Qianyuan's attacks cut Ba Ming several times, and Fang Qianyuan continued the fight to wear down his opponent with superior stamina.

Fang Qianyuan defeated the Seventh Transformation disciple Ba Ming despite Ba Ming’s Spirit Turtle Inscribed Talisman, then learned that he was tied with Ye Tianming at the top of the selection rankings. As the final matches approached, Fang Qianyuan ignored the standings and continued cultivating.

• Fang Qianyuan wore down Ba Ming with relentless attacks, but Ba Ming used a Spirit Turtle Inscribed Talisman to block a strike and counterattack.
• Fang Qianyuan dodged Ba Ming’s punch and slammed into the talisman’s gang essence shell, sending Ba Ming out of bounds and winning the match.
• Ba Ming rejected Fang Qianyuan’s offer to help him up, while Wei Wen and the others congratulated Fang Qianyuan on defeating a Seventh Transformation opponent.
• The new rankings listed Fang Qianyuan and Ye Tianming with one hundred wins and no losses, followed by six other contenders with fewer wins.
• As the candidates prepared for their remaining matches, Fang Qianyuan paid little attention to the rankings and resumed circulating his energy to cultivate.