Chapter Summaries

Shi Chun brought his group to Blazing Fire Island ahead of the Divine Fire Domain opening and arranged for them to stay at the luxurious Divine Fire Palace. At Artifact Cloud Valley, Yan Qufeng and two elders discovered Shi Chun was listed as a participant under the unfamiliar Bright Mountain Sect and recognized its sect master, Tong Mingshan.

• Tong Mingshan and Zhu Xiangxin explained that opening the Divine Fire Domain required at least eighteen divine fire attributes, while Situ Gu possessed six.
• Shi Chun chose the expensive Divine Fire Palace for his group, despite their concerns about the cost, and they spent the evening dining by the sea.
• Yan Qufeng arrived at Artifact Cloud Valley with the Hundred Refinements Sect and examined the Divine Fire Pact Register.
• A disciple reported that guests were protesting Shi Chun's inclusion in the participant register because he was not an artifact refiner.
• Yan Qufeng and the elders found Shi Chun listed under the Bright Mountain Sect, noticed it had only thirteen participants, and recognized Tong Mingshan's name with surprise.

Shi Chun and the newly formed Bright Mountain Sect sparked outrage by entering the Divine Fire Pact, but influential figures and artifact refiners calmed the objections before the Divine Fire Domain opened. Yan Qufeng learned that Bright Mountain Sect’s founder was his expelled disciple Tong Mingshan, who still had not arrived.

• Yan Qufeng and Jie Lunguang suspected that Bright Mountain Sect’s sect master, Tong Mingshan, was the disciple expelled from their sect, but they could not confirm it because the sect had not arrived.
• A crowd challenged Shi Chun’s right to join the Divine Fire Pact, and the event’s organizer defended his expulsion from Mount Wukang and his later move into artifact refining.
• News of Bright Mountain Sect’s thirteen expelled members spread across the Cultivation World, provoking anger among artifact refiners and drawing scrutiny to the sect.
• Young Master Nan urged influential figures to calm the Artifact-Refining Schools, while Shi Chun kept the other eleven members secluded as the Divine Fire Domain’s opening approached.
• Private persuasion and public endorsements eased the major schools’ objections, leaving the controversy unable to affect the pact.
• Yan Qufeng confirmed that Tong Mingshan had founded Bright Mountain Sect and grew frustrated as other artifact-refining schools questioned him while Tong remained absent.

Yan Qufeng sought to recruit Tong Mingshan and his followers to improve the sect’s chances in the Divine Fire Domain, while Gong Shaoci explained how Shi Chun’s participation could disrupt the betting pool. Shi Chun received word that his companions wanted to see him and went to address them, though he had still not told them they were expected to enter the Domain.

• Yan Qufeng reasoned that Tong Mingshan’s thirteen followers and Shi Chun could improve the sect’s chances of absorbing divine fire, then sent Jie Lunguang to fetch Tong Mingshan’s master.
• Yan Qufeng and Pan Gongying discussed whether the Bright Mountain Sect would attend and concluded that Shi Chun might be the reason Tong Mingshan had founded it.
• Gong Shaoci told Lan Qiaoyan and Miao Yilan that Shi Chun was a wild card in Young Master Nan’s betting pool and explained how he had helped arrange the Bright Mountain Sect’s entry.
• Shi Chun received Feng Chi’s message that his companions wanted to see him and told Young Master Nan he had delayed informing them about entering the Divine Fire Domain.
• Shi Chun replied that he would go to them, while Young Master Nan worried that the matter might not be settled before the Domain opened.

Shi Chun convinced his group to enter the Divine Fire Domain despite the dangers, insisting they act together while allowing anyone to withdraw before it opened. As the group dispersed, a woman spotted Zhu Xiangxin in the corridor and called out to him.

• Shi Chun confirmed that he had arranged for the group to enter the Divine Fire Domain, and Chu Jingtang and the others worried about its dangers and the hostile artifact refiners.
• Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, and Zhu Xiangxin argued that entering was a rare opportunity and urged everyone to go.
• Shi Chun declared that the group would enter together or not at all, then overruled Chu Jingtang's warning about past entrants being trapped by blaming him for raising the danger after the arrangements were made.
• Shi Chun said he would lead the way but let anyone withdraw before the domain opened, and Wu Jinliang left with Duan Xiangmei.
• After the group dispersed, a woman in the corridor saw Zhu Xiangxin and called him her senior brother.

Man Yunjiao brought Zhu Xiangxin to meet Ten Thousand Herbs Hall’s leaders, who apologized for expelling him and tried to persuade him to return. Tempted by their promises of advanced training and resources, Zhu Xiangxin agreed in principle but planned to keep his intentions secret until after entering the Divine Fire Domain with Shi Chun.

• Wu Jinliang told Shi Chun that Man Yunjiao had sought out Zhu Xiangxin, warning that the meeting might concern entry into the Divine Fire Domain.
• Man Yunjiao brought Zhu Xiangxin to Bai Tingfang, Ao Hongyou, and Lian Hu, where Lian Hu admitted he had been wrong to expel him without consulting his master.
• Bai Tingfang confirmed that Zhu Xiangxin was listed to enter the Divine Fire Domain, and Ao Hongyou asked him to return to Ten Thousand Herbs Hall.
• Ao Hongyou promised Zhu Xiangxin advanced techniques, alchemy instruction, and the sect’s full support if he returned after obtaining divine fire.
• Zhu Xiangxin said he was now a member of Bright Mountain Sect, but admitted he was conflicted about leaving it.
• Lian Hu urged Zhu Xiangxin to hide his plans, use Shi Chun’s help to seek divine fire, and repay Shi Chun by turning his past methods against him.

Shi Chun learned that Zhu Xiangxin, An Wuzhi, and Tong Mingshan had been summoned by their former sects before entering the Divine Fire Domain. Tong Mingshan rejected the Hundred Refinements Sect’s offer to return, reaffirmed his loyalty to the Bright Mountain Sect, and earned Shi Chun’s praise.

• Wu Jinliang told Shi Chun that Tong Mingshan had been called out, and Shi Chun revealed that he had asked Young Master Nan to watch over the situation.
• Feng Chi reported that Zhu Xiangxin had met with Ten Thousand Herbs Hall leaders, while An Wuzhi and Tong Mingshan had also been summoned by former sects.
• The Hundred Refinements Sect offered Tong Mingshan advanced methods and resources in exchange for returning and leading the Bright Mountain Sect members to serve them in the Divine Fire Domain.
• Tong Mingshan refused, declaring that he could not betray the Bright Mountain Sect, and left after Yan Qufeng acknowledged that his decision was final.
• Tong Mingshan told Shi Chun about the meeting and explained that returning would not benefit him or the Bright Mountain Sect.
• Shi Chun praised Tong Mingshan for proving himself worthy of being the Bright Mountain Sect’s sect master.

Shi Chun’s group reported to Artifact Cloud Valley for the Divine Fire Pact, while Bai Shuchuan arrived too late to find him. Mulan Qingqing met Shi Chun for a meal and reminded him of their three-year agreement, leaving him eager to treat her as a friend despite the coming danger of the Divine Fire Domain.

• Bai Shuchuan tried to enter the Divine Fire Palace inn to confirm Shi Chun’s presence, but a new guest-only rule turned him away.
• Artifact Cloud Valley staff ordered Shi Chun’s group to report in, and Shi Chun led the thirteen Bright Mountain Sect members to their assigned building.
• Bai Shuchuan returned to the inn, booked a room, and searched for Shi Chun, but the attendants denied knowing anything about him.
• Mulan Qingqing met Shi Chun at Artifact Cloud Valley and invited him to share a meal.
• Mulan Qingqing reminded Shi Chun of their three-year agreement, and Shi Chun agreed that they only needed to determine a winner and offered her a Mother-Child Talisman to stay in touch.
• Shi Chun dismissed the danger of the Divine Fire Domain and said he intended to explore it if he got the chance.

Shi Chun dined with Mulan Qingqing, then joined Lan Qiaoyan, Miao Yilan, and Gong Shaoci, where he tried to ingratiate himself with the powerful young man. Back at his room, Shi Chun sent flirtatious messages to Mulan Qingqing and Miao Yilan, but only Miao Yilan replied before ending their conversation.

• Mulan Qingqing dined with Shi Chun while privately worrying about the palm print on her chest and their three-year agreement.
• Gong Shaoci invited Shi Chun and Mulan Qingqing to join Lan Qiaoyan and Miao Yilan, but Mulan Qingqing left and Shi Chun chased after her to return her Mother-Child Talisman.
• Lan Qiaoyan clarified that Gong Shaoci and Miao Yilan were together, while Shi Chun acted deferentially toward Gong Shaoci and gave Miao Yilan a Mother-Child Talisman.
• Shi Chun offered to pay for the meal and gave Gong Shaoci a Mother-Child Talisman, but Gong Shaoci declined it and directed him to contact Young Master Nan instead.
• Shi Chun messaged Mulan Qingqing that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but she ignored him.
• Shi Chun sent Miao Yilan a nearly identical compliment; she warned him to watch his words, then stopped replying.

Young Master Nan learned that Jieyun Mountain had joined with four Life Continent artifact-refining sects to target Shi Chun, but Shi Chun chose not to warn them and began investigating their people. That night, the Divine Fire Domain’s opening began, and the Divine Fire Spirit Gate was activated as participants assembled to enter.

• The Divine Fire Palace owner identified and executed the woman who had leaked Shi Chun’s lodging information, while Young Master Nan declined to get involved in the punishment.
• Young Master Nan learned that Jieyun Mountain had contacted the Heavenly Furnace Sect, the Fengluo Cult, the Spirit-Refining Fort, and Seven Star Island, then warned Shi Chun that they might attack him inside the Divine Fire Domain.
• Shi Chun told Young Master Nan to leave the four sects alone, then sent Tong Mingshan and the others to investigate where they were staying.
• Eight people who had absorbed divine fire began preparing the Divine Fire Spirit Gate, and participants were summoned to assemble in Artifact Cloud Valley.
• The enormous Divine Fire Spirit Gate appeared over the valley as the eight elders used their void flames to activate it, drawing crowds across the island to watch.

As the Divine Fire Pact participants waited for the entrance to align, Shi Chun considered whether the Bright Mountain Sect could take first place. Tong Mingshan estimated he would need to absorb at least six more kinds of divine fire to make up for the gap in his refining skill, and Shi Chun suggested that might be possible.

• The artifact refiners watched the metal ring align with the Divine Fire Domain while many participants recognized Shi Chun from warnings about his past schemes.
• Bai Shuchuan and Qiao Wugong discussed how the four sects might kill Shi Chun inside the domain or ambush him on his return.
• Young Master Nan accepted a bet that the Bright Mountain Sect would take first place, despite believing its chances were slim.
• Shi Chun asked Tong Mingshan whether absorbing more divine fire could help him win the Pact’s artifact-refining contest.
• Tong Mingshan said he would need at least six additional kinds of divine fire to overcome the skill gap, and Shi Chun mused that someone from the Heavenforging Sect had managed something similar.

Shi Chun and the others discussed the three treasures offered for the Divine Fire Pact while trying to determine which one the Demonic Path wanted him to take. Meanwhile, the sect leaders watched the Divine Fire Domain being opened, and the metal ring finally locked into place at dawn.

• Tong Mingshan explained that the Desolate-Breaking Remnant Blade was likely a fragment of an ancient divine weapon, while Xiao Sheng described the Remnant Dragon Artifact Spirit and the risks of refining artifact spirits.
• Shi Chun remained uncertain which of the three contest prizes the Demonic Path wanted him to take.
• Su Qiao teased Qu Wuming after the Extreme Fire Sect’s Desolate-Breaking Remnant Blade beat the Treasure-Evolving Sect’s offering, costing Qu Wuming’s sect the chance to send one hundred disciples into the Divine Fire Domain.
• Luo Yan told the gathered sect leaders to stop bickering, and Situ Gu said he would try opening the domain if the terrace experts had not succeeded by daybreak.
• At dawn, the metal ring above the terrace locked into place, and the leader announced that the Divine Fire Domain was ready.

The Bright Mountain Sect reached the Divine Fire Domain entrance after the other sects had entered, but Su Qiao stopped them to inspect Wu Jinliang’s gourd. After confirming it held only water, Su Qiao let them proceed, while Qu Wuming warned Shi Chun about the Extreme Fire Sect’s interest in winning back its prize blade.

• Eight cultivators channeled their Void Flames into the metal ring, opening the Divine Fire Domain and restoring calm.
• The sects’ disciples displayed their wristbands, activated their lotus lamps, collected Ice Sheep, and flew through the ring in an orderly procession.
• Qu Wuming and Su Qiao discussed the Bright Mountain Sect and the Extreme Fire Sect’s stake in the Desolate-Breaking Remnant Blade.
• Shi Chun’s group arrived, and Su Qiao halted them to question Wu Jinliang about the enormous gourd on his back.
• Wu Jinliang showed Su Qiao that the gourd contained ordinary drinking water, and Su Qiao returned it and allowed the group to continue.
• Qu Wuming identified Su Qiao to Shi Chun and warned him that the Extreme Fire Sect had sent over a hundred disciples determined to win back its blade.

Shi Chun and the Bright Mountain Sect entered the Divine Fire Domain, where they made covert contact with Demonic Path allies and learned they had forty-nine days to search for opportunities. The chapter left Shi Chun and the other participants free to set out from the elders’ designated return point.

• Su Qiao warned Shi Chun’s group against Qu Wuming’s Treasure-Evolving Sect, and Shi Chun’s group entered the airborne ring with their lotus lamps.
• Shi Chun and the others arrived in the scorching Divine Fire Domain, landed on solid ground, and identified several people carrying demonic flame among the gathered groups.
• Shi Chun warned his companions to watch for members of four hostile sects, while Wu Jinliang used sandalwood gold to signal the Demonic Path allies.
• A Demonic Path group answered with a rolled sleeve, secretly confirming contact with Shi Chun’s party.
• Ten elders arrived, led the participants to a mountain beneath the multicolored stars, and announced a forty-nine-day limit for returning there.
• Shi Chun’s group saluted the elders before the participants dispersed to seek opportunities.

After the Divine Fire Domain opened, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang met members of the Four Cauldron Sect who had been sent to work with them. Outside, the sects watched the Life Lotus Lamps while Young Master Nan launched a betting operation across the four great continents.

• Situ Gu and the other seven figures slowed the metal ring, then flew toward the Blazing Fire Sect as the freed sect leaders emerged to watch the Life Lotus Lamps.
• Island Master Xin and Sect Master Wu privately agreed not to pursue Jieyun Mountain’s demand to hunt Shi Chun, though Sect Master Wu’s elder had already warned the disciples to avoid certain groups.
• Gong Shaoci told Lan Qiaoyan that Young Master Nan had rented the Sky-Gazing Mirror and opened betting pools in all four great continents’ royal capitals.
• Inside the Divine Fire Domain, Shi Chun waited for Wu Jinliang to return, then set out with his companions while Demonic Path groups watched them.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang met Xu Anchang and You Mu of the Four Cauldron Sect, who explained that their side had managed to bring only twenty-five people, including eight outsiders in their team.

Shi Chun learned that the Demonic Path teams sought the Desolate-Breaking Remnant Blade and arranged for his group to join the Four Cauldron Sect, with Tong Mingshan to be promoted as an exceptional artifact refiner. Meanwhile, Ao Hongyou overheard Young Master Nan claim he had sent Shi Chun’s group into the Divine Fire Domain to stir up trouble, though Nan later admitted he did not know why he had made the remarks.

• Xu Anchang told Shi Chun that the Demonic Path wanted the Desolate-Breaking Remnant Blade and planned to help Feng Yaoyang win first place and absorb Divine Fire.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang learned that Feng Yaoyang was the Four Cauldron Sect’s public leader and arranged for their teams to join forces.
• Shi Chun told Tong Mingshan and the others to present Tong as the Hundred Refinements Sect’s most talented artifact-refining disciple and to defer to the Four Cauldron Sect after the teams merged.
• Young Master Nan’s aide reported that the three groups he wanted to approach had been found, and Nan flew ashore to meet them.
• Ao Hongyou and his companions overheard Young Master Nan say he had sent Shi Chun’s group into the Divine Fire Domain to stir up trouble and threatened their lives if they failed.
• Young Master Nan repeated similar remarks near the Vermilion Bird Pavilion and the Hundred Refinements Sect, then said he did not know why he had been made to put on the performance.

Shi Chun’s group met the Four Cauldron Sect and endured Feng Yaoyang’s insults as the parties argued over joining forces. Tong Mingshan revealed his extraordinary artifact-refining skill and challenged Feng Yaoyang, but Shi Chun and Xu Anchang defused the contest so the group could set out to search for Divine Fire.

• Shi Chun waited until dawn with his group before Xu Anchang arrived with the Four Cauldron Sect party led by Feng Yaoyang.
• Feng Yaoyang objected to joining forces with Shi Chun’s group, but Xu Anchang and several others backed the alliance.
• Shi Chun introduced Tong Mingshan, and the Bright Mountain Sect members praised his artifact-refining talent and claimed Situ Gu had personally instructed him.
• Tong Mingshan said he had refined a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart in half a day and challenged Feng Yaoyang to a contest, wagering that the loser would yield any Divine Fire to the others.
• Tong Mingshan called for his refining materials, and Shi Chun realized he was bluffing and persuaded him and Xu Anchang to abandon the contest and move out.

Shi Chun and Xu Anchang joined their groups and returned to the magma region to search for Divine Fire, following the advice to seek in ordinary places and take from extreme ones. After gathering the Bright Mountain Sect members, Shi Chun announced that he intended to kill Feng Yaoyang and asked who would attempt it, leaving Tong Mingshan to volunteer.

• Shi Chun and Xu Anchang discussed Tong Mingshan’s refusal to return to the Hundred Refinements Sect and shared the saying, “Seek in the Ordinary, Take from the Extreme.”
• Shi Chun persuaded Xu Anchang to search the magma region, and Xu Anchang relayed the saying to Feng Yaoyang, who ordered the Four Cauldron Sect group to assemble.
• The two groups flew back to the entrance’s magma field and began searching its islands.
• Wu Jinliang summoned the Bright Mountain Sect members to meet Shi Chun, who declared his intent to kill Feng Yaoyang and asked for someone to make the attempt.
• Tong Mingshan volunteered to act, and Shi Chun praised him as the Bright Mountain Sect’s Sect Master.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang carried out their plan against Feng Yaoyang, killing him and another Demonic Path disciple before escaping under pursuit. They reached the elders guarding the mountain peak, where Shi Chun claimed Feng Yaoyang had been killed by an assassin and Wu Jinliang urged the pursuers to chase the masked figure.

• Shi Chun searched the magma region with Wu Jinliang, spotted a possible monster beneath a mound, and found no divine fire.
• Shi Chun persuaded Feng Yaoyang to reveal his location by claiming he had found divine fire, while Wu Jinliang prepared Tong Mingshan as a masked decoy assassin.
• Wu Jinliang immobilized Feng Yaoyang and his companion, and Shi Chun killed both men before staging a fight with Wu Jinliang and Tong Mingshan.
• When someone approached, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang fled with Tong Mingshan pursuing them in disguise, while Wu Jinliang shouted for help to draw others after them.
• Wu Jinliang led the group to the ten elders at the mountain peak, and Shi Chun said Feng Yaoyang had been killed as Wu Jinliang pointed the pursuers after the masked figure.

After Feng Yaoyang was killed, Shi Chun blamed the attack on Life Continent sects pursuing him and revealed that he had found a possible sign of divine fire. Xu Anchang considered letting Tong Mingshan absorb it to help secure first place, then proposed eliminating the Four Cauldron Sect disciples who might oppose the plan.

• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang sought refuge beneath the ten elders, while Xu Anchang led Four Cauldron Sect disciples to investigate Feng Yaoyang’s death.
• Shi Chun told Xu Anchang that a Life Continent sect had likely sent the killer to hunt him, and claimed that he had spotted a possible sign of divine fire.
• Xu Anchang asked Shi Chun privately to confirm the discovery, and Shi Chun said he could lead them back to the pulsing red glow near the magma.
• Xu Anchang suggested that Tong Mingshan absorb the divine fire and compete for first place, and Shi Chun reluctantly agreed it could work for a short time.
• Xu Anchang said the Four Cauldron Sect could eliminate its seven dissenting disciples, and Shi Chun fell silent.

Feng Chi defied the order to abandon Shi Chun’s mission and staked her life on his success. Meanwhile, Shi Chun led the Bright Mountain Sect and the Four Cauldron Sect to a magma spring where he claimed divine fire might be hidden.

• Several Life Lotus Lamps fell, including Feng Yaoyang’s and seven more belonging to the Four Cauldron Sect.
• Master Qing told Feng Chi and Xiang Lan’er to withdraw because those above were abandoning the original plan and preparing to seize the target by force.
• Feng Chi urged Master Qing to postpone the new plan, insisting Shi Chun could still succeed, and staked her life on her belief.
• Feng Chi told Xiang Lan’er that Shi Chun represented her last hope, and Xiang Lan’er realized Feng Chi could be killed if her gamble failed.
• Shi Chun met the Bright Mountain Sect and Four Cauldron Sect groups, then led them to the Tortoise-Back Ground’s Magma Spring Eye.
• At Xu Anchang’s instruction, You Mu and three disciples entered the magma to investigate.