Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan mastered the Divine Control Art, gaining much finer command over the Crimson Blood Blade, then went to buy supplies and saw Ruins City struggling with famine. After discovering that rice cost five times more than before winter, he asked to speak with the shop owner about a major deal.

• Zhang Yuan comprehended the Divine Control Art and practiced controlling the Crimson Blood Blade through a series of attacks before swallowing it again.
• Zhang Yuan left his home, prepared for spring, and went to the market to buy supplies.
• Zhang Yuan saw beggars and starving people in Ruins City, including parents selling their children, and gave two steamed buns to a dying old man.
• Zhang Yuan found that rice prices had risen fivefold and learned that the prolonged winter and poor spring planting had driven prices up across Ruins City.
• Zhang Yuan asked the rice shopkeeper whether the owner was present so he could discuss a major deal.

Zhang Yuan arranged to buy grain and distribute porridge in the Primal Heavenly King’s name, then rejected an Inner Hall mission to hunt a Moon Gazing Bear King. When Xuan Ji threatened to expel him for refusing, Zhang Yuan surrendered his Guardian plaque and left Heavenly King Hall.

• Zhang Yuan paid a deposit for thirty thousand taels' worth of grain and asked the Rice Shop Owner to arrange porridge distribution in the Primal Heavenly King’s name.
• Xuan Yong gave Zhang Yuan an Inner Hall order to hunt a Moon Gazing Bear King and return its Bear Gall within half a month.
• Zhang Yuan refused the mission, citing injuries and his status as an Outer Hall Guardian, then exchanged all his remaining Dao Merit for talismans.
• Xuan Ji confronted Zhang Yuan and threatened to expel him from Heavenly King Hall for defying the Inner Hall’s order.
• Zhang Yuan handed his Guardian identity plaque to Xuan Yong and left Heavenly King Hall voluntarily.

Zhang Yuan fled Ruins City for his remote home in West Mountain Village to escape Xuan Xin’s schemes and prepare for a fight. After driving out the squatters and restoring the house, he secured his hidden escape route and waited for Xuan Xin to come after him.

• Zhang Yuan gathered his valuables, weapons, and equipment, then left Ruins City for West Mountain Village.
• Zhang Yuan found six armed squatters in his house and knocked them down with slaps when they attacked him.
• Zhang Yuan ordered the men to clean and repair the house, then questioned Scarface about how they had come to live there.
• After the work was done, Zhang Yuan let the men go and reopened the underground passages leading toward the Long Sky River.
• Zhang Yuan hid his valuables in the underground chambers and waited for Xuan Xin’s next move.

Zhang Yuan left Ruins City to regain his composure in West Mountain Village, where he prepared for the enemies pursuing him. He faced Xuan Xin, Hui Neng, Dong Peng, and Chen Zi'an by the Long Sky River, but Hui Neng sealed his dantian and the two Fourth Order Martial Artists attacked.

• Zhang Yuan returned to West Mountain Village and spent three days calming his mind and cultivating the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art.
• Zhang Yuan spotted Xuan Xin, Dong Peng, Chen Zi'an, and Hui Neng approaching, then used Carefree Roaming to lead them away from his home.
• Zhang Yuan confronted Hui Neng by the Long Sky River and asked if he was the Heavenly King Hall elder.
• Hui Neng struck Zhang Yuan with a Seal Origin Talisman, sealing his dantian.
• Xuan Xin ordered Dong Peng and Chen Zi'an to attack the weakened Zhang Yuan, and they charged at him.

Zhang Yuan revealed that the Seal Origin Talisman had not stopped him from using his saber and killed Dong Peng and Chen Zi'an with successive slashes. He stood before Xuan Xin and Hui Neng as both men reacted with fear and grim seriousness.

• Dong Peng and Chen Zi'an attacked Zhang Yuan while his dantian was supposedly sealed.
• Zhang Yuan drew his saber and struck Dong Peng down with one slash, leaving Chen Zi'an unharmed by targeting his companion.
• Chen Zi'an attacked Zhang Yuan with his fists, but Zhang Yuan's next slash destroyed his arms and killed him.
• Zhang Yuan landed before Xuan Xin and Hui Neng with the General-Slaying Saber still humming.
• Xuan Xin retreated in terror, while Hui Neng regarded Zhang Yuan with grave seriousness.

Zhang Yuan was trapped by Hui Neng’s talisman spell, but used the Crimson Blood Blade to kill Xuan Xin and pursue Hui Neng. Just as Hui Neng reached for his life-saving profound talisman, Zhang Yuan severed his hand, leaving the White-Browed Master unable to activate it.

• Hui Neng halted Zhang Yuan with a spell formed from numerous talismans.
• Xuan Xin approached the immobilized Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan spat out the Crimson Blood Blade and pierced Xuan Xin’s throat.
• The Crimson Blood Blade broke through Hui Neng’s defenses and chased him as he fled.
• Hui Neng summoned a profound talisman, but a flash of blade light severed his right hand at the wrist.

Zhang Yuan killed Hui Neng after the Primal Heavenly King's divine power failed to answer the White-Browed Master's desperate summons. In the Outer Ruins, the Primal Heavenly King's porridge sheds drew the people's gratitude and faith, which flowed into the statue as a gray-robed Daoist noticed the change.

• Zhang Yuan severed Hui Neng's right hand, causing his mystic talisman to fall, then struck at his throat.
• Hui Neng burned his Mana and life force to summon the Primal Heavenly King's divine power against Zhang Yuan.
• Zhang Yuan sent the Crimson Blood Blade through Hui Neng's throat when the summoned divine power receded, and Hui Neng died.
• Starving people received porridge at three sheds established in the Primal Heavenly King's name and thanked the deity.
• Threads of faith flowed to the Primal Heavenly King Statue, and a gray-robed Daoist opened his eyes in surprise.

Zhang Yuan defeated the Heavenly King Hall cultivators and collected their Source Essence and belongings. He used Chen Zi'an to awaken the Soul-Devouring Mask, then prepared to leave with a powerful talisman and Xuan Xin’s possessions.

• Zhang Yuan sent Hui Neng and Xuan Xin onward, gaining little Source Essence from Hui Neng and more than ten points from Xuan Xin.
• Zhang Yuan gained 73.5 points of Source Essence from Dong Peng, then discovered Chen Zi'an was barely alive rather than pretending to be dead.
• Zhang Yuan placed the Soul-Devouring Mask on Chen Zi'an, and it devoured his soul and formed a lifelike copy of his face before returning to its faceless state.
• Zhang Yuan sent Chen Zi'an onward for 67.3 points of Source Essence and fed the Source Essence from all four men to the Red-Eyed Crow.
• Zhang Yuan collected the men’s valuables, including Hui Neng’s powerful talisman and Xuan Xin’s belongings, then burned their clothes to ashes.

After killing Xuan Xin, Hui Neng, and their allies, Zhang Yuan weighed fleeing to the Great Dream Marsh against the Li Family and Heavenly King Hall, then resolved to stand his ground. He recovered, tested the Soul-Devouring Mask by impersonating Chen Zi'an, and returned to the Xia Ruins to ensure his porridge relief effort continued.

• Zhang Yuan considered fleeing to the Great Dream Marsh but decided he would no longer run and would face any Li Family pursuers at Long Sky River.
• Zhang Yuan hid the spoils, concealed Xuan Xin's two Jade Tokens separately, and spent the night restoring his vitality and true qi.
• Zhang Yuan used the Soul-Devouring Mask to take on Chen Zi'an's appearance and voice, then openly returned to the Xia Ruins.
• Zhang Yuan checked his home and saw through the Red-Eyed Crow that it was safe and undisturbed.
• Zhang Yuan gave Wu's Shop Owner silver notes for the porridge relief effort and warned him to honor the agreement with Guardian Zhao Yun.

Zhang Yuan explained to Xuan Cheng how he had killed Xuan Xin and Hui Neng, then offered to return their belongings to Heavenly King Hall. After Hui Zhi Head Seat learned of Zhang Yuan’s porridge relief efforts, he asked whether Zhang Yuan would serve as the hall’s Guardian Deity General.

• Zhang Yuan returned to West Mountain Village and found Xuan Cheng waiting in his courtyard.
• Xuan Cheng said Hui Zhi Head Seat had summoned him from Secluded Cultivation to investigate what had happened to Xuan Xin and Hui Neng.
• Zhang Yuan recounted the events and offered to return the items he had taken from them.
• Xuan Cheng identified the Golden Light Life-Protecting Profound Talisman and explained the effects of Xuan Xin’s remaining talismans and pills.
• After receiving Hui Zhi Head Seat’s reply, Xuan Cheng asked whether Zhang Yuan would become Heavenly King Hall’s Guardian Deity General.

Zhang Yuan rejected the Heavenly King Hall’s offer to become a Guardian Deity General because he would not accept its binding oaths and obligations. Though Xuan Cheng warned that the Li Family would retaliate without the temple’s protection, Zhang Yuan chose to stay in West Mountain Village and face them.

• Xuan Cheng explained that a Guardian Deity General had to register his identity, divide his divine soul, and swear a Heart Oath, so Zhang Yuan declined the position.
• Xuan Cheng warned that the Heavenly King Hall would not shield Zhang Yuan from the Li Family if he rejected the offer, but Zhang Yuan told him to let the Li Family come.
• Xuan Cheng gave Zhang Yuan an outer hall protector’s Identity Token and explained that it could be used to make a Tracking Talisman.
• Xuan Cheng told Zhang Yuan to keep his spoils, especially the Golden Light Life-Protecting Profound Talisman, which might let him escape Li Shentong’s attack.
• After Xuan Cheng departed, Zhang Yuan resolved to remain in West Mountain Village and use the Li Family as a whetstone for his strength and will.

After refusing Heavenly King Hall’s offer, Zhang Yuan focused on strengthening his martial arts in West Mountain Village while the Li Family investigated the deaths of Hui Neng and Li Chenye. The Li Family identified Zhao Yun as the suspected killer and ordered a search for him.

• Zhang Yuan accepted that refusing Hui Zhi Head Seat’s proposal had severed his ties with Heavenly King Hall, then prioritized cultivating his core art, Wind Cloud Nine Blades, and Great Stele Shattering Hand.
• Zhang Yuan spent several days cultivating in West Mountain Village as the Li Family reacted to Hui Neng’s death and Heavenly King Hall’s refusal to pursue the killer.
• Li Chang'an learned that Hui Zhi Head Seat blamed Hui Neng and Chenye for their own deaths and that Heavenly King Hall would not seek accountability.
• The Li Family’s Twelfth Brother reported that Zhao Yun, an Outer Hall Guardian, was linked to the deaths of Hui Neng and Chenye, along with two other Guardians.
• Li Chang'an ordered the Li Family to find Zhao Yun and kill him.

The Li Family issued an enormous bounty for Zhao Yun, and Zhang Yuan learned that the danger was closing in. After killing a spy who had come to claim the reward, Zhang Yuan discovered that the Red-Eyed Crow had evolved to Level 5 and calmly prepared for the coming storm.

• The Li Family blanketed Ruins City and its surroundings with bounty notices offering up to twenty thousand taels for Zhao Yun alive.
• Wu Feng killed Shopkeeper Sun when he suspected the shopkeeper might betray him over the bounty.
• Zhang Yuan caught Scarface spying on his residence, heard about the Li Family's bounty, and killed him.
• The Red-Eyed Crow evolved from Level 4 to Level 5, gaining Intermediate Mystic Spirit.
• Zhang Yuan accepted that the Li Family would soon find him and remained calm as the storm approached.

Zhang Yuan prepared to defend his home in West Mountain Village as the Li Family arrived with more than a hundred armed men, led by a Fifth Order powerhouse. The battle began when Zhang Yuan struck down their guide with a sudden arrow, leaving the Li Family force on alert.

• The Red-Eyed Crow showed off its improved scouting abilities and brought Zhang Yuan a cluster of wild fruit.
• Zhang Yuan learned that the Li Family had placed bounty notices around Ruins City and expected them to come for him.
• Zhang Yuan took position in an abandoned house with his Iron Womb Bow and monitored the approaching force through the Red-Eyed Crow.
• Li Wanlong sensed the Red-Eyed Crow watching him, so Zhang Yuan sent it higher and continued scouting from the woods.
• Liang Qi guided Li Wanlong and Li Changxing toward Zhang Yuan's residence, but Zhang Yuan's arrow pierced Liang Qi's chest and killed him.

Zhang Yuan used his archery to kill Liang Qi and a Li Family warrior, then fled into the mountain forest as Li Wanlong and the two Fourth Order experts pursued him. He narrowly evaded Li Changxing’s ambush and continued escaping Li Wanlong’s devastating attacks.

• Li Wanlong knocked down most of Zhang Yuan’s arrows, but one Li Family warrior was killed, prompting Li Wanlong to order his men to spread out and advance.
• Zhang Yuan raced toward the mountains using Carefree Roaming and quickly left Li Changxing and Li Changgeng behind.
• Li Changxing and Li Changgeng split up to pursue Zhang Yuan into the forest, where Zhang Yuan’s black arrow grazed Li Changxing’s shoulder.
• Li Wanlong reached Li Changxing, called him trash, and locked onto Zhang Yuan’s position with his powerful senses.
• Zhang Yuan fled as Li Wanlong repeatedly struck at him with powerful palm attacks, evading them with twelvefold agility and Carefree Roaming.

Zhang Yuan stopped fleeing and challenged Li Wanlong to a decisive battle, unleashing his abilities against the fifth-tier powerhouse. Their first clash left Zhang Yuan injured but forced Li Wanlong to stagger backward, shocking him.

• Li Wanlong pursued Zhang Yuan through the forest but could not close the distance, until Zhang Yuan stopped in a valley and faced him.
• Zhang Yuan discarded his bow and quiver, drew his saber, and activated the Black Giant Ant and Jade Mantis abilities to boost his strength and blade skill.
• Li Wanlong prepared his Gold Shattering Hand and attacked Zhang Yuan with a powerful punch, but Zhang Yuan charged through the resulting storm and slashed at him.
• Li Wanlong struck Zhang Yuan in the chest, and Zhang Yuan met his Gold Shattering Hand with his left fist.
• Zhang Yuan was knocked back with his sleeve destroyed and bloodied knuckles, while Li Wanlong staggered three steps and stared at him in shock.

Zhang Yuan fought Li Wanlong, a Fifth Order powerhouse, and used his strength and saber skills to force him onto the defensive. The battle continued until Li Family reinforcements arrived in the nearby forest.

• Li Wanlong was shocked that Zhang Yuan's boosted strength could nearly match his Gold Shattering Hand, then activated his Golden Body and offered Zhang Yuan a chance to submit to the Li Family.
• Zhang Yuan attacked again with his General-Slaying Saber, and Li Wanlong shattered his saber light and tried to seize the weapon.
• Zhang Yuan evaded Li Wanlong's grasp and counterattacked with a Flame Light slash, forcing Li Wanlong to retreat.
• Zhang Yuan combined his mastery of the Wave Cutting Blade with the Wind Cloud Nine Blades and drove Li Wanlong back with successive attacks.
• Li Wanlong engaged Zhang Yuan in a mobile battle, hoping to wear him down and find a chance to kill him.
• Two Fourth Order Li Family martial artists and a group of elite warriors arrived in the nearby mountain forest.

Zhang Yuan fought Li Wanlong while the fifth-rank powerhouse defended against his attacks and waited for an opening. After Li Wanlong countered Zhang Yuan’s desperate strike and shattered his saber, Zhang Yuan killed him with a hidden crimson weapon as Li Family reinforcements arrived.

• Zhang Yuan repeatedly attacked Li Wanlong, but Li Wanlong adapted by defending steadily and waiting for Zhang Yuan to tire.
• When Li Family reinforcements arrived, Zhang Yuan unleashed his full strength in a powerful saber strike.
• Li Wanlong blocked Zhang Yuan’s attack with two golden palms, shattered the General-Slaying Saber, and blasted Zhang Yuan backward.
• Li Wanlong pounced on the wounded Zhang Yuan and reached for his head, but Zhang Yuan spat a streak of crimson light into his throat.
• Li Wanlong realized Zhang Yuan had used a divine weapon, then fell and died.

After killing Li Wanlong, Zhang Yuan escaped into Taiwu Mountain and began recovering from his severe injuries. Li Changxing and Li Changgeng found Li Wanlong dead and led the defeated Li Family forces back toward Ruins City.

• Li Wanlong's hidden injuries erupted after his death, and Zhang Yuan acknowledged the danger he had faced in defeating him.
• As Li Family elites approached, Zhang Yuan retrieved his Iron Womb Bow, fled into the forest, and swallowed the Crimson Blood Blade when the Red-Eyed Crow returned it.
• Zhang Yuan took a Ganoderma Ginseng Pill and a Healing Pill to recover, then disappeared deeper into the mountain forest.
• Li Changxing and Li Changgeng found Li Wanlong's body and realized that the fifth-rank elder had been killed.
• Li Changxing wanted to pursue the murderer, but Li Changgeng warned that they could not defeat him and risked being killed by the mountain's Weirdnesses.
• The two men carried Li Wanlong's corpse away and led the dispirited Li Family warriors back toward Ruins City.

Zhang Yuan ambushed the retreating Li Family party with deadly archery, killing many warriors and wounding Li Changxing. Li Changgeng stayed behind to hold Zhang Yuan off while Li Changxing fled toward Ruins City, and Zhang Yuan confronted Li Changgeng with his quiver empty.

• Zhang Yuan shot Li Wanlong's carrier and repeatedly picked off Li Family warriors as the group tried to escape.
• Li Changxing ordered the warriors to scatter, but Zhang Yuan wounded him with a powerful arrow and drove him into cover.
• Li Changgeng charged toward Zhang Yuan to buy Li Changxing time to flee, while the remaining Li Family warriors followed Li Changxing toward Ruins City.
• Zhang Yuan revealed himself to Li Changgeng after exhausting his arrows and discarded the Iron Womb Bow.