Chapter Summaries

Shi Chun confronted the Extreme Fire Sect over Black Tiger’s treasure, then offered to sell the secret art for finding divine fire if they agreed to drop their past grievances. Su Qiao had the guests escorted away so the sect’s senior figures could discuss whether to gather the asking price.

• Shi Chun suggested that the Extreme Fire Sect’s urgent demand for Black Tiger’s treasure connected it to the Demonic Path, and the sect’s delegation reacted with alarm.
• After learning the treasure was called Heaven, Earth, and Man, Shi Chun asked the Extreme Fire Sect to bear witness that he had not known its name and declared he would not return it.
• Shi Chun challenged the sect over its pursuit of him in the Divine Fire Domain and said he would sell the secret art for finding divine fire if it let their past conflict go.
• Shi Chun showed Su Qiao his asking price and began to leave when an elder criticized it, prompting Su Qiao to call him back and discuss the transaction.
• Su Qiao sent Shi Chun, Young Master Nan, and Tong Mingshan away, then told the remaining senior figures to gather the money or borrow what they lacked.

Shi Chun sold the source of the Divine Fire-finding Secret Art to nine great sects, using the payments to settle his conflict with the Artifact Refining World while secretly advancing his own plans. After the sect leaders united to target Situ Gu, Mulan Jin decided to wait until the competition ended before arresting Shi Chun and imprisoning him for fifty years.

• The Blazing Fire Sect ran short of materials as several sects borrowed supplies to pay Shi Chun, and the Golden Hall's elder hurried to seek other sources.
• Shi Chun collected payment from nine of the Ten Great Sects, mostly in Artifact Refining materials, while Wu Jinliang delivered his remaining lists.
• Leaders of eight sects gathered at Summer Path Mountain and joined the other leaders to discuss their target, Situ Gu of the Heavenforging Sect.
• Lu Mi reported to Mulan Jin that Shi Chun had sold nine sects the source of the Secret Art for finding Divine Fire and collected materials that could support Tong Mingshan.
• Mulan Jin suspected Shi Chun had a hidden plan involving Tong Mingshan and ordered Lu Mi to arrest them after the competition and lock Shi Chun up for fifty years.

The sect leaders postponed confronting Situ Gu, while the Fengluo Cult secretly secured something from Shi Chun and withdrew from Artifact Cloud Valley. After the Divine Fire Spirit Gate closed, the nine lords believed Zhen'er had escaped, but the Heart-of-the-Lake Tower’s formation reactivated and trapped them again.

• Gu Yanduo ended the Nine Great Sects’ discussion about Situ Gu until after the grand competition, and Luo Yan’s visit yielded no answers.
• Feng Zhuoyi and his companions returned to Tang Qianjin, who learned they had secured what Shi Chun promised and led the Fengluo Cult away from Blazing Fire Island.
• Qiao Wugong stopped Tang Qianjin’s group to ask about Shi Chun, but Tang claimed his disciples had not encountered him, and Qiao let them pass.
• The overseers emerged, the Divine Fire Spirit Gate closed, and the nine lords sensed that Zhen'er had left the Divine Fire Domain.
• The Heart-of-the-Lake Tower’s formation activated, unleashing water that suppressed the lords’ divine fire forms as the First Lord accused Su of deceiving them.

After the Two-Realm Passage closed, Shi Chun contacted Mulan Qingqing with a Mother-Child Talisman and spun an increasingly dramatic confession to win her sympathy. He left her alarmed by claiming the Stargazing Pavilion had marked him for certain death.

• The Two-Realm Passage closed while dozens of Life Lotus Lamps remained, and the Sky-Gazing Mirror broadcast the scene across the Four Great Continents.
• Young Master Nan explained the Mirror Projection to Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, while the Ten Great Sects postponed the competition until after daybreak.
• Shi Chun messaged Mulan Qingqing to tell her he was out of the Divine Fire Domain and had wanted to know whether she was safe.
• Mulan and Shi Chun exchanged messages as he claimed that he had regretted injuring her, nearly died after Li Hongjiu wounded him, and had stayed alive by thinking of her.
• Shi Chun told Mulan that the Stargazing Pavilion was watching him and he faced certain death, leaving her asking whether his injuries were that serious.

Shi Chun tried to secure Mulan Qingqing’s help by claiming the Stargazing Pavilion would come for him, while Young Master Nan defended the Sky-Gazing Mirror’s coverage of the Artifact Refining World competition. Bian Weiying learned that Wei Mo might leave Life Continent and was told to investigate whether Shi Chun had mastered Fifth-Rank Immobilizing Talismans.

• Mulan Qingqing exchanged messages with Shi Chun, who insisted the Stargazing Pavilion planned to seize him after the Divine Fire Pact competition and declared his love for her.
• Mulan Qingqing told Shi Chun to contact her if the Pavilion came for him, though his romantic messages left her uncomfortable and reminded her of his past deception.
• Luo Yan demanded that Young Master Nan withdraw the Sky-Gazing Mirror, but Young Master Nan warned that canceling the broadcast could expose the Artifact Refining World to scandal over the betting pool.
• Bian Weiying met Yin Huixin and Yi Huachun after visiting Wei Mo, and told them he might be transferred from Life Continent.
• Bian Weiying relayed Wei Mo’s request to investigate Shi Chun’s time at Mount Wukang because he might have learned to craft Fifth-Rank Immobilizing Talismans.
• Bian Weiying told the elders that Shi Chun’s Bright Mountain Sect would compete in the Royal Capital, and Wei Mo had offered to arrange their admission to the Tournament Grounds.

The schools inspected their contestants’ divine fires before the final contest, and Luo Shengsheng of the Great Inscription Pavilion emerged as the leader with ten. Li Hongjiu was scolded by Qu Wuming for his poor showing, then challenged Luo Shengsheng and loudly declared that he would still win the championship.

• Bian Weiying, Yi Huachun, and Yin Huixin entered the Tournament Grounds as privileged guests, hoping to see how Shi Chun had fared after leaving Mount Wukang.
• The inspection revealed that Luo Shengsheng had absorbed ten divine fires, surpassing every other contestant and alarming the leaders of the major schools.
• Li Hongjiu drank openly as the schools’ leaders watched, and Qu Wuming publicly berated him and kicked his wine gourd away.
• Li Hongjiu recovered his gourd and insulted Luo Shengsheng, who challenged him to prove his words in the contest.
• After Pavilion Master Xiao warned Li Hongjiu not to cause trouble, Li Hongjiu declared that even thirty-six divine fires would not stop him from winning the championship.

The sects gathered for the artifact refining competition as news spread that Luo Shengsheng had absorbed ten divine fires and Gu Liani seven. Tong Mingshan reunited briefly with his former master from the Hundred Refinements Sect, while Shi Chun met Sect Master Yan Qufeng; the chapter ended with Situ Gu and Zhen’er arriving.

• Li Hongjiu provoked Luo Shengsheng, but an Elder restrained Luo and led him away before he could retaliate.
• News of Luo Shengsheng’s ten divine fires and Gu Liani’s seven spread among the gathered sects, astonishing the disciples and elders.
• The Bright Mountain Sect arrived at the competition grounds, where Tong Mingshan recognized the Hundred Refinements Sect and greeted his former master, Luo Wan.
• Yan Qufeng approached Shi Chun and introduced himself as Sect Master of the Hundred Refinements Sect, while Tong Mingshan kept his distance.
• Wu Jinliang pointed out the arriving Heavenforging Sect, where Shi Chun saw Situ Gu accompanied by the curious Zhen’er.

Shi Chun stopped Yan Qufeng and Luo Wan from pressuring Tong Mingshan to return to the Hundred Refinements Sect, leaving the decision until after the competition. The artifact-refining contest then began as the competitors were called into the arena.

• Situ Gu brought Zhen'er into view, and Shi Chun warned her to keep her distance from him in public.
• Yan Qufeng urged Tong Mingshan to return to the Hundred Refinements Sect, while Luo Wan threatened to kneel and begged his former disciple to come home.
• Tong Mingshan refused, but Shi Chun intervened and postponed the discussion until after the competition so Tong Mingshan could focus.
• Yan Qufeng dismissed Tong Mingshan’s chances because he had absorbed only four divine fires, and Shi Chun mocked the Hundred Refinements Sect for underestimating his talent.
• Blazing Fire Sect disciples carried artifact-refining materials into the valley, and the presiding elder called all competitors into the arena.

Tong Mingshan entered the Divine Fire Pact contest as the Bright Mountain Sect loudly cheered him, while spectators across the Four Great Continents watched the event. Feng Chi remained convinced Shi Chun’s group could win and urged Master Qing to prepare for the struggle over the items, as the chapter ended with news of Shi Chun reaching a harbor worker who had once cursed him.

• Shi Chun urged Tong Mingshan to focus on the contest, and the Bright Mountain Sect rallied around their sect master as he entered the arena.
• The Bright Mountain Sect’s noisy cheering drew attention, while Sect Master Yan watched them and Luo Wan worried that his former disciple Tong Mingshan would not return to the Hundred Refinements Sect.
• Regional Lord Wei Mo joined Bian Weiying, Yi Huachun, and Yin Huixin to watch the Mirror Projection and asked them to identify Shi Chun’s group.
• Feng Chi argued that Tong Mingshan’s four divine fires did not reveal Shi Chun’s true strength and told Master Qing to plan how to protect the items if Shi Chun’s group won.
• People across the Four Great Continents watched the contest, including an old woman who had cursed Shi Chun and a harbor worker who had also come from the Eastern Nine Plains.

As Shi Chun’s former associates regretted their past choices, Qiao Wugong confirmed that Shi Chun’s group had absorbed several divine fires and considered striking before they grew stronger. The artifact-refining competition began with a timed star-sand test, and Tong Mingshan drew attention by working with only one flame while Shi Chun worried he might reveal too much strength.

• People from the Eastern Nine Plains who had once known Shi Chun complained about him, but their stories earned little sympathy and they regretted parting ways with him.
• Qiao Wugong confirmed through his contacts that Shi Chun’s group had absorbed at least four divine fires, and he resolved to deal with them before they gained more power.
• Bai Shuchuan volunteered to take two junior brothers to watch Shi Chun and his companions.
• The Artifact Cloud Valley competition began with participants inspecting their star sand and then racing to extract at least three jin and six liang of iron before one incense stick burned out.
• Tong Mingshan used a single white flame during the test, observing other competitors as he followed Shi Chun’s instruction not to stand out.
• Shi Chun noticed that Tong Mingshan’s restrained approach was attracting attention and wondered whether he would conceal his true strength well enough.

Luo Shengsheng, Gu Liani, and Zuo Zisheng passed the opening smelting round before Tong Mingshan finished, while the competitors continued vying for rank. Tong Mingshan then completed his work, and the Bright Mountain Sect’s noisy celebration drew a rebuke from the presiding elder before Shi Chun apologized.

• Luo Shengsheng finished first and passed inspection, followed by Gu Liani, who also passed.
• Mi Liangmeng and Zuo Zisheng finished their smelting, with Zuo Zisheng completing the round before Tong Mingshan.
• Tong Mingshan used four colors of divine fire to finish smelting and walked toward the judges’ station.
• Wu Jinliang led the Bright Mountain Sect in loudly cheering for Tong Mingshan, prompting the presiding elder to order them to stop.
• Wu Jinliang accused the elder of unfairly targeting their small sect, and Mulan Jin called him a real character.
• Shi Chun told Wu Jinliang to be quiet and apologized to the presiding elder.

Wei Mo explained that Shi Chun’s rumored Fifth-Rank Immobilizing Talisman had put him at odds with the Stargazing Pavilion and threatened Wei Mo’s position as Regional Lord. As the competition continued, Gong Yuanzhi questioned Lan Qiaoyan about the talisman’s origins, while Li Hongjiu finished his iron ball to cheers from the Treasure-Evolving Sect.

• The Blazing Fire Sect’s Sect Master let the Bright Mountain Sect’s disturbance pass after warning that further rule-breaking would lead to expulsion.
• Wei Mo told Mount Wukang’s representatives that Shi Chun’s escape from an attack with a suspected Fifth-Rank Immobilizing Talisman had prompted efforts to remove him from office.
• Wei Mo revealed that Mulan Jin and the Stargazing Pavilion were investigating Shi Chun over suspected ties to the Demonic Path, leaving Mount Wukang worried about the consequences.
• A richly dressed man approached Wei Mo, who expected him to become the next person in charge of Life Continent and prepared to introduce him to Mount Wukang’s representatives.
• Gong Yuanzhi asked Lan Qiaoyan whether Mount Wukang or the Land of Exile could have supplied Shi Chun’s talisman, and she doubted either explanation.
• Li Hongjiu completed a fiery-red iron ball, prompting cheers from the Treasure-Evolving Sect despite the competition rules.

The first round ended with fifty-two contestants qualifying, and the second round began with each receiving a prepared iron lump. As the refining contest got underway, Shi Chun publicly declared his support for Li Hongjiu, drawing surprise from the gathered sects.

• Xu Mang, Huang Chunzhu, Yan Chunlai, Du Da, and other contestants qualified as the first round neared its end.
• A sect disciple explained to Wu Jinliang that passing the first round brought fame and convinced sects to invest in a refiner’s training.
• The incense burned out, and the presiding Elder ended the first round; fifty-two contestants passed while the rest were escorted away.
• Supervisors purified the contestants’ refined metal, divided it into iron lumps, and prepared the materials and positions for the second round.
• The presiding Elder lit a two-hour incense stick, and Shi Chun grew wary of Li Hongjiu’s chances before the contest began.
• Shi Chun shouted that Li Hongjiu would win the championship, surprising the spectators, while Wu Jinliang jokingly announced that the Sect Master had taken the field.

The artifact-refining contest began, and the competitors softened their materials while their rivals watched one another. As Miao Yilan learned how the Exquisite Heart test was judged, the spectators explained that a True Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart was far beyond the disciples’ expected abilities.

• The elder began the contest, and the fifty-two contestants used Flame Aura to soften their iron materials.
• Yan Chunlai and Du Da poured their strength into refining, while Gu Liani tried to catch up with Luo Shengsheng’s many-colored Flame Aura.
• Luo Shengsheng watched Li Hongjiu warily because the Great Inscription Pavilion feared Li Hongjiu might attack him, and Li Hongjiu teased him with a smile.
• Tong Mingshan exchanged a glance with Shi Chun while concealing the true strength of his fire and displaying four Divine Fires.
• Gong Shaoci explained that the contestants were refining Exquisite Hearts, and Lan Qiaoyan and Gong Yuanzhi described how a True Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart differed from an ordinary one.

Luo Shengsheng and Gu Liani each attempted to refine a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart during the competition. As both divided their materials into nine regions, the spectators watched to see who could complete the demanding work within the time limit.

• Luo Shengsheng drew his divine-fire flames into the heated material and began refining the interior of an Exquisite Heart.
• Shi Chun asked Yan Qufeng about Luo Shengsheng’s technique and learned that the contestants had only two hours to refine as many apertures as possible.
• Luo Shengsheng shaped the material into a heart, divided it into nine regions, and began refining each one separately.
• Yan Qufeng and Pan Gongying explained how dividing the material helped manage the heat and preserve its fine channels.
• Gu Liani also divided her material into nine regions and gave Luo Shengsheng a cold sidelong glance as she competed with him.

As Gu Liani, Mi Liangmeng, and Tong Mingshan attempted to refine Nine-Aperture Exquisite Hearts, their choices stirred the competition and left observers unsure whether Tong Mingshan could succeed. Meanwhile, Li Hongjiu stopped working and entered a mysterious state, ending the chapter as he began to speak of drawing strength from heaven and earth.

• Gu Liani began refining a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart with seven divine fires, and Mi Liangmeng followed with his own nine-aperture attempt.
• Mi Liangmeng decided to gamble on nine apertures after Gu Liani's attempt provoked his competitive spirit, while Luo Shengsheng forced himself to ignore Li Hongjiu's taunting stare.
• Shi Chun encouraged Tong Mingshan to stop holding back, and Tong divided his material into nine pieces, stunning spectators across the competition.
• Yan Qufeng and Luo Wan doubted Tong Mingshan's decision, prompting Shi Chun to defend his talent and criticize the Hundred Refinements Sect for undervaluing him.
• Xu Mang, Huang Chunzhu, and Yuan Yao each chose to refine seven apertures, while Qu Wuming considered withdrawing Li Hongjiu for his lack of effort.
• Li Hongjiu suspended his heart-shaped material, entered a profound state, and began reciting words about a speck of strength from heaven and earth.

Li Hongjiu used an unseen force to form the internal structure of a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart, then began refining molten material around it with a method that stunned the artifact refiners. The contest continued as the other contestants realized they could not understand his approach.

• Guang Haoyou warned Qu Wuming that Li Hongjiu might summon lightning, prompting Qu Wuming to rebuke him through a magical voice transmission.
• Li Hongjiu extinguished the electric flower and drew an invisible substance from the void, while Mulan Jin recognized that he had glimpsed Dao techniques.
• Li Hongjiu burned the refining material and shaped the unseen substance into the rootlike internal structure of a Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart.
• Yan Qufeng explained that Li Hongjiu seemed to be refining the material around a structure formed from nothing, a demanding technique that could replace step-by-step refinement.
• Li Hongjiu lowered the root-shaped structure into the molten material, leaving Luo Shengsheng, Tong Mingshan, and the other contestants dumbstruck.

Li Hongjiu stunned the Artifact Refining contest by controlling thousands of strands, leaving the other contestants and the Great Inscription Pavilion shaken. As the contest continued, Tong Mingshan drew strength from the Bright Mountain Sect’s support and prepared to reveal his two true fires.

• Li Hongjiu’s refining display amazed the Treasure-Evolving Sect, while Xiao Youhong admitted that the Great Inscription Pavilion had misjudged him.
• The Great Inscription Pavilion’s Luo Shengsheng nearly lost heart, but Xiao Youhong encouraged him to resume refining with renewed determination.
• Gu Liani realized Li Hongjiu was the true figure she wanted to measure herself against, then returned to her own contest after her father encouraged her.
• The Bright Mountain Sect members silently waved to reassure Tong Mingshan, who felt moved by their support.
• Tong Mingshan extinguished his disguising flames and revealed the black and white flames of his two true fires.
• An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin saw the Bright Mountain Sect’s support for Tong Mingshan in the Mirror Projection and regretted not being there with them.

The artifact-refining competition intensified as Li Hongjiu completed his Exquisite Heart and seemed poised to claim first place. Luo Shengsheng continued refining without reacting to Li Hongjiu’s taunt, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Li Hongjiu’s display crushed Zuo Zisheng’s hopes of winning, and the other competitors focused on refining their own Exquisite Hearts.
• Yan Qufeng observed that Luo Shengsheng had finished five apertures, while Mi Liangmeng’s progress brought him close to Gu Liani despite having absorbed fewer divine fires.
• Tong Mingshan finished two apertures, prompting praise from the Hundred Refinements Sect and disbelief from the Bright Mountain Sect group.
• Luo Shengsheng finished his sixth aperture and began refining the seventh as Li Hongjiu’s Exquisite Heart cooled and he signaled Qu Wuming that it was complete.
• Li Hongjiu provocatively challenged Luo Shengsheng with a look, but Luo Shengsheng ignored him and continued refining, unsettling Li Hongjiu.

As Luo Shengsheng began refining a True Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart, Li Hongjiu restarted his work, while Mi Liangmeng and Gu Liani abandoned their ordinary refinements to attempt True Hearts as well. Tong Mingshan’s work was ruined by the upheaval, but watching Li Hongjiu prompted him to consider creating his own refining method.

• Luo Shengsheng began refining the ninth aperture, and observers realized he was attempting a True Nine-Aperture Exquisite Heart.
• Li Hongjiu reignited his finished Exquisite Heart and began refining again after recognizing Luo Shengsheng’s plan.
• Yan Qufeng explained that Luo Shengsheng had tried to make Li Hongjiu submit his work before revealing his true refinement, forcing Li Hongjiu to lose time restarting.
• Mi Liangmeng and Gu Liani abandoned their other materials and focused their divine fires on single pieces to attempt True Hearts.
• Tong Mingshan ruined a piece of material, realized his refining foundation lagged behind the great sects, and considered inventing his own refining method after looking at Li Hongjiu.