Chapter Summaries

After days of seemingly ineffective cult attacks lulled Wuqiong Town into complacency, Yang Guanghong betrayed the defenders and helped the cult breach the western wall. Lu Changsheng led Yue Shulan, Tong Yuhua, and the others through the enemy encirclement as the town fell.

• Duan Changhe and the cultists repeatedly attacked Wuqiong Town, while Mo Wanyun and Zhao Yicheng held off the Blood Exchange experts and the townspeople grew less wary.
• Lu Changsheng warned Yue Shulan, Tong Yuhua, and the others that the attacks concealed another plan, while two conspirators discussed detonating Sky Thunder Stones buried near the wall.
• During the next attack, explosives tore open the western wall, and Yang Guanghong led the Yang Family experts in turning on the city guards.
• Duan Changhe and Zhu Quan overwhelmed the defenders, while Zhao Yicheng and Mo Wanyun retreated under pursuit.
• Lu Changsheng killed his opponent and cut a path through the cultists, then led Yue Shulan, Tong Yuhua, and the others out of the encirclement toward the county city.

Lu Changsheng disguised himself as Ye Chen, killed the Blood Exchange expert Zhu Quan, and returned to Wuqiong Town to confront the cultists slaughtering its people. He withstood their arrows and gained an edge over Branch Master Duan Changhe, but their battle was still underway.

• Lu Changsheng sent Xiao Chao, Yue Shulan, Lu Xue, and the others toward the county seat while he remained behind, then disguised himself as Ye Chen.
• Lu Changsheng captured cultist Zhang Ji, learned of one hideout, and killed him after questioning him.
• Lu Changsheng found Zhu Quan carrying Zhao Yicheng’s severed head and killed him in a four-slash duel.
• Lu Changsheng arrived at Wuqiong Town, where Duan Changhe’s forces were slaughtering civilians and the remaining city guards were struggling to hold the streets.
• Lu Changsheng endured a rain of arrows and Duan Changhe’s powerful bow shot with his protective Gang Qi, then clashed with Duan Changhe and forced him to stagger back.

Lu Changsheng killed Duan Changhe and more than a hundred cultists, then chose to defend the town until reinforcements arrived. He sought spirit jade to strengthen himself, but the next day three late-stage Blood Exchange experts from the Scent Worship Cult reached the city, and Lu Changsheng prepared to face them.

• Lu Changsheng defeated and beheaded Duan Changhe, then cut down more than a hundred cultists as the city guards routed the survivors.
• Lu Changsheng told the townspeople he would stay and defend the town while the county sent reinforcements, and Han Bingwu thanked him.
• Lu Changsheng absorbed spirit jade and mined an intermediate spirit jade deposit, seeking enough Source Energy Points to break through within five days.
• Lu Changsheng waited on the city wall as guards and civilians repaired the damage, while Han Bingwu brought him food at noon.
• Three late-stage Blood Exchange experts from the Scent Worship Cult arrived, and Han Bingwu and the city guards urged Lu Changsheng to flee, but he stood ready to face them.

Lu Changsheng defeated three evil-cult experts who besieged the city, killing Qi Zhiquan and Qi Chaoyun while Xie Liufeng escaped to report to the main altar. He mined high-grade spirit jade and spent Source Energy Points to break through to mid-stage Blood Exchange, leaving him prepared to face stronger enemies.

• Lu Changsheng fought Qi Zhiquan, Qi Chaoyun, and Xie Liufeng alone, enduring their attacks and overpowering Qi Zhiquan.
• Qi Zhiquan fled, but Lu Changsheng pursued and killed him; he later returned to the city with Qi Zhiquan and Qi Chaoyun's heads.
• Xie Liufeng escaped to an outpost and sent a secret letter to the main altar, hoping it would dispatch powerful reinforcements.
• Lu Changsheng used the Pangolin to find and excavate high-grade spirit jade, gaining Source Energy Points.
• After two days, Lu Changsheng spent 2,500 Source Energy Points to raise the Golden Body Art to Minor Mastery and break through to mid-stage Blood Exchange.

After breaking through, Lu Changsheng defended Wuqiong Town by fighting the powerful Holy Cult expert Mo Xueyou to a standstill and forcing him to retreat. Reinforcements arrived the next day, and their leaders discussed the growing battle over the town.

• Lu Changsheng tested his increased strength and blade techniques after his breakthrough, gaining confidence that he could defend the town.
• Mo Xueyou arrived with Holy Cult experts and challenged Lu Changsheng, who blocked his full-force strike and fought him cautiously using his movement and defensive techniques.
• Unable to gain an advantage and unwilling to reveal his hidden power, Mo Xueyou acknowledged Lu Changsheng's strength and withdrew with the other cultists.
• Lu Changsheng returned to the wall as the guards celebrated, then resolved to speed up the excavation of spirit jade so he could strengthen his techniques before facing Mo Xueyou again.
• Reinforcements led by four perfected Blood Exchange experts arrived at Wuqiong Town, where Yue Shulan and the others worried about Lu Changsheng.
• The four reinforcement leaders met with Lu Changsheng and discussed how Wuqiong Town had become the likely site of a major battle between the two factions.

Lu Changsheng improved his combat skills before agreeing to fight Mo Xueyou’s cultists in arena matches to save captured civilians. After both sides drew lots, Lu Changsheng discovered that he had drawn number 3.

• Lu Changsheng accepted Zhao Changyun’s request to help defend Wuqiong Town while keeping his identity secret.
• Mo Xueyou gathered cult experts and planned an attack, while Lu Changsheng accumulated Source Energy Points and raised Spirit Severing Slash, Footprints on Snow, and Body Protection True Gang to minor mastery.
• Zhao Changyun and the other government experts agreed to answer Mo Xueyou’s challenge after learning he had threatened to sacrifice captured civilians unless they won arena matches.
• Lu Changsheng and the government experts faced Mo Xueyou’s group outside the town, where the two sides agreed to draw lots for one-on-one fights to the death.
• The experts from both sides drew metal spheres from the box, and Lu Changsheng privately saw that his number was 3.

Mo Xueyou’s cult won the first two arena battles through hidden weapons and a secret art, then slaughtered civilians to terrorize the government fighters. Lu Changsheng entered the third match disguised as Ye Chen and overwhelmed Shangguan Jinghong with his aura, leaving the fight underway.

• Ning Shiqiong defeated Feng Zishuo by striking him with a Blood Fiend Divine Needle, leaving him gravely poisoned.
• Tan Zhiguang used a Blood Pill and secret art to defeat Yan Canyang, putting the government side two matches behind.
• Mo Xueyou ordered cultists to execute a group of civilians and collect their essence blood before announcing the third match.
• Shangguan Jinghong challenged the government fighters, and Lu Changsheng stepped forward under the name Ye Chen.
• Lu Changsheng’s aura suppressed Shangguan Jinghong at the start of their battle, startling the cultists and encouraging the government fighters.

Lu Changsheng defeated Shangguan Jinghong and Xia Yongqian in succession without revealing his full strength. When the Holy Cult refused to send another fighter and Mo Xueyou ordered a full assault, both sides abandoned the arena agreement and began a decisive battle.

• Lu Changsheng overwhelmed Shangguan Jinghong with his speed and killed him with a slash to the neck.
• Xia Yongqian challenged Lu Changsheng and tried to use a hidden Blood Fiend Divine Needle, but Lu Changsheng killed him before he could deploy it.
• Lu Changsheng remained on the platform, frightening the Holy Cult fighters and leaving Mo Xueyou unwilling to send another opponent.
• Mo Xueyou ordered the Holy Cult forces to attack the government martial artists, and Zhao Changyun ordered his side to counterattack.
• The battle erupted across the field, with Zhao Changyun confronting Mo Xueyou.

Lu Changsheng fought off the cultists as Mo Xueyou revealed his Demonic Power and killed Zhao Changyun. Lu Changsheng beheaded He Tiesong, then held Mo Xueyou at bay until the cultists retreated, and he ordered the defenders back to the city while preparing to grow stronger before their next attack.

• He Tiesong attacked Lu Changsheng, but Lu Changsheng repelled him while the government forces and cultists fought across the battlefield.
• Mo Xueyou transformed into a demon servant, killed Zhao Changyun, and devoured his heart, causing the government forces to lose hope.
• Lu Changsheng unleashed Three-Fold Wave and beheaded He Tiesong, rallying the government forces to continue fighting.
• Lu Changsheng and Mo Xueyou clashed, with Lu Changsheng using his speed to evade and pressure him until Mo Xueyou withdrew with the cultists.
• Zhang Yonghong pledged to follow Lu Changsheng, who ordered the defenders to clear the battlefield, return to the city, and stay on guard.

Lu Changsheng mined rare spirit jade and used his Source Energy Points to raise his Golden Body Art and other skills, preparing to face Mo Xueyou. When the cultists attacked the town, Lu Changsheng left the city walls to confront Mo Xueyou and his four allies.

• Lu Changsheng mined high-grade spirit jade and Purple Chill Spirit Jade Marrow, killed several centipedes, and raised his Source Energy Points to 2,100.
• Mo Xueyou gathered four martial artists to help restrain Lu Changsheng and planned to attack the city within three days.
• Lu Changsheng spent 3,000 Source Energy Points to advance his Golden Body Art to Major Accomplishment, greatly increasing his strength.
• Lu Changsheng used another 1,800 Source Energy Points to upgrade Spirit Severing Slash, Footprints on Snow, and Body Protection True Gang, strengthening his speed, blade techniques, and defenses.
• The cultists attacked the town, and Mo Xueyou challenged Lu Changsheng to fight outside the city.
• Lu Changsheng leaped down from the wall to face Mo Xueyou and asked how he wanted to die.

Lu Changsheng routed the Holy Cult attackers but failed to kill Mo Xueyou after Miao Qingfeng intervened. He returned safely to the county town, where he resumed cultivation and prepared for the growing conflict.

• Lu Changsheng defeated Mo Xueyou and four black-robed experts, killing the four newcomers as government fighters charged out of the city.
• Mo Xueyou fled, but Miao Qingfeng arrived and drove Lu Changsheng back before he could finish the pursuit.
• Lu Changsheng returned to his courtyard, reassuring Fang Qing, and news of his victory spread through the county town.
• Lu Changsheng exchanged heads for contribution points and planned to keep hunting cultists until he could reach Body Metamorphosis and take the Deputy Hall Master assessment.
• Qin Ruobing gave Lu Changsheng and Tong Yuhua the Roaming Dragon Phantom Movement Technique as the Holy Cult threat intensified.
• Lu Changsheng continued secretly watching the County Magistrate's residence and suspected the group's plan involving Du Ling was nearing completion.

Lu Changsheng brought the Pangolin and its ant colony to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where he discovered a Primeval Stone mine occupied by Bloodthirsty Rats. After surviving the rat swarm and absorbing a rich haul of mid-grade Primeval Stones, he advanced his avatar to a fifth-rank Advanced Mountain Spirit and prepared to mine further.

• Du Wentao delayed moving against the cultist bandits until he received modified bed crossbows, while worrying about his daughter Du Ling and his missing younger sister.
• Lu Changsheng kept a low profile, then traveled with the Pangolin and its ant colony toward the Hundred Thousand Mountains to search for spiritual resources.
• Lu Changsheng discovered a Primeval Stone mine and killed two fourth-rank Bloodthirsty Rats, prompting the Rat Kings to send their swarm after him.
• Lu Changsheng fought off Bloodthirsty Rats for three days and found a deposit of mid-grade Primeval Stones.
• Lu Changsheng absorbed the stones and spent two thousand Source Energy Points to reach level 50 as a fifth-rank Advanced Mountain Spirit.
• Lu Changsheng set out to mine more Primeval Stones, confident he could face the Rat King and aiming to break through to the Body Metamorphosis realm.

Lu Changsheng discovered and absorbed a pool of Low-grade Primeval Liquid, then returned to Changping County and led Yue Wanting to confront the Three Rivers Gang. After killing Huang Tianba with one punch, he put Yue Wanting in charge of the gang.

• Lu Changsheng found a pool of Low-grade Primeval Liquid deep in the Primeval Stone Vein and absorbed it, gaining Source Energy Points.
• Two Rat Kings and a swarm of Bloodthirsty Rats attacked, but Lu Changsheng swiftly defeated the Rat Kings and drove the remaining rats back.
• Yue Wanting brought offerings to Lu Changsheng and told him the Sea Shark Gang had clashed with the Three Rivers Gang, so he accompanied her to their headquarters.
• Lu Changsheng smashed the Three Rivers Gang's sign and accused them of cult activity, provoking Huang Tianba into attacking him.
• Lu Changsheng killed Huang Tianba with one punch and declared that Yue Wanting would lead the Three Rivers Gang; its members accepted her as their new gang leader.

Lu Changsheng reached Blood Exchange Perfection and perfected his three martial skills, gaining combat power comparable to an ordinary Body Metamorphosis expert. He left Changping County in disguise to hunt Mo Xueyou.

• Tong Yuhua escorted Lu Changsheng to meet Qin Ruobing, who discussed Deputy Hall Master assessments and warned them about the escalating battles outside the city.
• Mo Xueyou increased his Demonic Power compatibility to over twenty percent and vowed to kill Ye Chen.
• Lu Changsheng spent 3,500 Source Energy Points to cultivate the Golden Body Art to Perfection and break through to Blood Exchange Perfection.
• Lu Changsheng later spent 2,100 Source Energy Points to perfect Spirit Severing Slash, Footprints on Snow, and Body Protection True Gang, then tested his strengthened blade, speed, and defense.
• Lu Changsheng left through the eastern city gate, disguised himself as the cultist Zhang Ji, suppressed his cultivation to Bone Forging, and hurried into the wilderness to pursue Mo Xueyou.

Lu Changsheng infiltrated a Holy Cult gathering disguised as Zhang Ji and learned that the cult planned to gather essence blood and force a decisive battle with the county government. After leaving the canyon, he pursued and killed Mo Xueyou, even as Miao Qingfeng rushed to intervene.

• Lu Changsheng captured a Holy Cult scout, learned the cultists had gathered at First-Line Sky Canyon, and killed him.
• Lu Changsheng disguised himself as Zhang Ji and joined the Holy Cult gathering, where he recognized the Venerable Master as Zhao Yuanjing.
• Zhao Yuanjing ordered the cult to attack nearby towns for essence blood and revealed plans to force the county government into a decisive battle.
• Miao Qingfeng assigned an attack on Taoyuan Town, while Mo Xueyou ordered his subordinates to regroup in two days.
• Lu Changsheng followed Mo Xueyou into the forest and overpowered him in a fight, forcing him to flee as cultists and government martial artists watched.
• Lu Changsheng killed Mo Xueyou with a final blade strike just before Miao Qingfeng arrived to save him.

Lu Changsheng confronted Miao Qingfeng, a powerful cult protector, and endured his attacks by combining his defensive techniques with Essence Blood. Miao Qingfeng retreated, while Lu Changsheng let him escape and returned, leaving their deadly feud unresolved.

• Miao Qingfeng attacked Lu Changsheng with a powerful blade strike, then transformed with bat-demon Demonic Essence Blood to catch up as Lu Changsheng fled.
• Lu Changsheng activated Three-Fold Wave and Body Protection True Gang and blocked Miao Qingfeng’s full-power slash without injury.
• Lu Changsheng ignited a drop of Essence Blood and fought Miao Qingfeng at full strength, replenishing his blood and qi with points as the battle continued.
• Miao Qingfeng failed to weaken Lu Changsheng’s defenses and withdrew; Lu Changsheng chose not to pursue him, and the cultists fled.
• Miao Qingfeng raced away, concluding that Lu Changsheng’s potential was too dangerous and that he had to find a way to kill him.

Lu Changsheng excavated a rich Primeval Stone deposit, defeated a powerful Shadow Serpent, and gathered enough Source Energy Points to bring the Golden Body Art to consummate mastery. He ended the chapter with one hundred drops of essence blood and strength sufficient to challenge Miao Qingfeng.

• Zhao Yuanjing ordered Miao Qingfeng to accept punishment after he failed to kill the mysterious government martial artist, while the city learned that the fighter had killed Mo Xueyou and driven Miao Qingfeng back.
• Lu Changsheng discovered a deposit of mid-grade Primeval Stones underground and absorbed them, raising his Source Energy Points to 2400.
• Lu Changsheng fought and killed a fifth-rank Shadow Serpent whose ancient bloodline let it resist his Soul Strike, then stored its corpse for the Ant Queen.
• After half a month of excavation and cultivation, Lu Changsheng accumulated 4400 Source Energy Points and used 4000 to advance the Golden Body Art to consummate mastery.
• Lu Changsheng formed a hundredth drop of golden essence blood, tested his strengthened Gang Qi and saber techniques, and resolved to keep advancing toward the limit of Blood Exchange.

Lu Changsheng raised his skills to consummate mastery, then ambushed and killed Miao Qingfeng during the battle at Taoyuan Town. As the town’s defenders celebrated, four black-clad figures emerged from the forest and surrounded Lu Changsheng and Jiang Chen.

• Lu Changsheng upgraded Spirit Severing Slash, Body Protection True Gang, and Footprints on Snow to consummate mastery, greatly increasing his strength.
• After gathering intelligence on Miao Qingfeng, Lu Changsheng went to Taoyuan Town and waited in the forest while the cult attacked.
• Jiang Chen fought Ding Songyang outside the town until Miao Qingfeng ambushed Jiang Chen and severed his arm.
• Lu Changsheng struck Miao Qingfeng by surprise, cut off both his arms, and killed him with a third strike.
• Four black-clad figures suddenly appeared and surrounded Lu Changsheng and Jiang Chen.

Lu Changsheng held off four Evil Cult Protectors and their ally, helping the defenders of Changping County repel the attack. He pursued and killed Ding Songyang, then returned to find Jiang Chen dead and paid his respects.

• Yu Zhangyuan, Luo Hongzhi, Ge Fei, and Xin Shaoqi surrounded Lu Changsheng while Ding Songyang attacked the wounded Jiang Chen.
• Lu Changsheng withstood the Protectors’ attacks, even after they activated their Demonic Essence Blood, and fought them until they retreated.
• The Evil Cult forces withdrew, and Ding Songyang fled while Jiang Chen collapsed from exhaustion.
• Lu Changsheng pursued Ding Songyang, whose allies abandoned him, and beheaded him with a single strike.
• Jiang Chen died at the city gate, and Lu Changsheng poured Spirit Wine on the ground and said farewell as the martial artists bowed.

Lu Changsheng secretly hunted Holy Cult forces and waited in Sigang Town for its Body Metamorphosis Protectors to appear. When Wu Changsong and Chu Huanlin attacked, he killed Wu Changsong in three slashes, routed the cultists, and left the battlefield.

• Lu Changsheng asked Qin Ruobing about Holy Cult moles in the Demon Suppression Department, and she denied that the other two Deputy Hall Masters were moles and promised to investigate secretly.
• Lu Changsheng spent half a month hunting Holy Cult members and gave the tavern owner's son a rough martial arts manual called the Heaven-Splitting Divine Palm.
• Wu Changsong and Chu Huanlin ambushed and killed the town's two government Blood Exchange experts, leaving the defenders and civilians facing the town's fall.
• Lu Changsheng rushed to the city gate and killed Wu Changsong in three slashes while Chu Huanlin escaped into the forest.
• Lu Changsheng slaughtered the fleeing cultists on the battlefield, then departed as the townspeople watched in awe.