Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan killed Li Changgeng and the remaining Li Family warriors, then gathered their Source Essence and escaped to recover at his home in West Mountain Village. He invested Source Essence in the White Dragon Loach and prepared to use his hidden route to the Long Sky River if the Li Family retaliated.

• Zhang Yuan defeated Li Changgeng and slaughtered the Li Family warriors who remained, though the battle worsened his injuries and exhausted his True Qi.
• Zhang Yuan laid the corpses to rest, gained a large amount of Source Essence from Li Wanlong, and invested some in the White Dragon Loach.
• Zhang Yuan collected a long saber and other supplies, burned the remaining spoils, and returned to his home in West Mountain Village.
• Zhang Yuan entered his underground chamber and began recovering, relying on the Red-Eyed Crow to watch for threats and a secret tunnel to the Long Sky River as an escape route.

Li Chang'an learned that Li Wanlong had died during the failed attempt to kill Zhao Yun, then sought Li Shentong's counsel. Li Shentong urged the Li Family to withdraw its bounty and negotiate peace with Zhao Yun, leaving Li Chang'an stunned.

• Li Changxing reported that Li Wanlong had died and Li Changgeng's fate was unknown after Zhao Yun defeated their forces at West Mountain Village.
• The Li Family elders doubted Li Changxing's account, tested him for possession, and found no sign of an aberration.
• Li Chang'an ordered those involved confined and the news kept secret, then went to consult Li Shentong.
• Li Chang'an told Li Shentong about the deaths and the Li Family's predicament.
• Li Shentong advised withdrawing the bounty and wanted notice against Zhao Yun and sending someone to negotiate peace.
• Li Chang'an objected, but Li Shentong asked whether he could protect the family if he left the estate; Li Chang'an fell silent and slapped himself.

Li Shentong explained why the Li Family had to withdraw its bounty on Zhao Yun, and Li Chang'an accepted that the clan could not risk its aging ancestor in a fight. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan recovered, gained a stronger underwater ability through the White Dragon Loach’s evolution, and left West Mountain Village in disguise to gather news.

• Li Shentong told Li Chang'an that he had only about ten years left unless he broke through to the seventh order, and warned that hunting Zhao Yun could endanger the Li Family.
• Li Chang'an bowed to Li Shentong and agreed to withdraw the bounty rather than risk a battle.
• The Li Family removed its bounty notices, and news of its defeat spread as Zhao Yun’s reputation grew.
• Zhang Yuan healed from his injuries while hiding in West Mountain Village, unaware that the Li Family had withdrawn its bounty.
• The White Dragon Loach evolved to the Fifth Level, giving Zhang Yuan Intermediate Water Profound Understanding and greatly improving his control of water.
• After waiting several more days without a Li Family attack, Zhang Yuan disguised himself and went to Ruins City to gather information.

After hearing that the Li Family had spread rumors about his divine weapon, Zhang Yuan considered striking back and received detailed intelligence on the family from an unknown enemy. As he returned home, he sensed someone approaching.

• At Xinglong Inn, Zhang Yuan heard rumors about Zhao Yun and learned the Li Family was claiming he owned a powerful Profound Artifact.
• Zhang Yuan suspected the Li Family was trying to make him a target and resolved to plan a future retaliation.
• Using the Red-Eyed Crow to scout, Zhang Yuan spotted a middle-aged man waiting outside his home and verified that he was only a Second Order cultivator.
• The middle-aged man delivered Zhang Yuan a detailed scroll about the Li Family and left without revealing who had sent him.
• Zhang Yuan realized an enemy of the Li Family wanted to use him as a blade, then turned toward the path when he sensed someone approaching.

Zhang Yuan met Hui Zhi, the Heavenly King Hall’s chief Great Master, who visited to thank him for his charitable work and offer him an honorary post as Guardian Deity General. After learning the role’s freedoms, authority, and duties, Zhang Yuan accepted.

• Zhang Yuan sensed a powerful newcomer and recognized the gray-robed Daoist riding a green donkey as Hui Zhi, then steadied himself instead of fleeing.
• Hui Zhi greeted Zhang Yuan politely, and Zhang Yuan invited him into his courtyard for tea.
• Hui Zhi gave Zhang Yuan a jar of Wild Mountain Tea and thanked him for his charitable work on behalf of the Heavenly King Hall.
• Hui Zhi explained that honorary Guardian Deity Generals could act freely while retaining high authority, but had to help defend the temple and suppress the uncanny.
• Zhang Yuan accepted Hui Zhi’s offer to become an honorary Guardian Deity General.

Hui Zhi appointed Zhang Yuan as a Guardian Deity General, gave him a Divine General Token, and entrusted him with the vicious Profound Artifact Taotie. When Zhang Yuan drew the saber, its killing intent nearly overwhelmed him, but the Divine Nest Emblem and Crimson Blood Divine Blade awakened and restored his clarity.

• Hui Zhi merged Zhang Yuan’s Outer Hall Guardian plaque into a new Divine General Token and gave it to him.
• Hui Zhi presented Zhang Yuan with Taotie, a sealed Profound Artifact once wielded by the previous Guardian Deity General, and warned that its wielders had met bad ends.
• Hui Zhi departed on his gray donkey, telling Zhang Yuan to return the saber if he could not subdue it.
• Zhang Yuan drew Taotie and was overwhelmed by its bloodlust until the Divine Nest Emblem appeared and the Crimson Blood Divine Blade awakened.
• Zhang Yuan regained his clarity and examined Taotie, recognizing its savage killing intent as a danger to its wielder.

Zhang Yuan subdued and refined the Taotie Saber, then went to Heavenly King Hall in Ruins City and revealed his real name. The hall learned that the former Zhao Yun was the newly appointed Guardian Deity General.

• Zhang Yuan resisted the Taotie Saber's mental assault, but the Crimson Blood Blade absorbed its backlash and destroyed its vicious aura.
• Zhang Yuan refined the Taotie Saber, tested its power, and spent several days mastering it at his residence in West Mountain Village.
• After receiving a message talisman, Zhang Yuan went to Heavenly King Hall in Ruins City with the Taotie Saber on his back.
• When the hall's Daoist challenged him for returning after being expelled, Zhang Yuan said his name was Zhang Yuan and asked Chen Daoren to register it.
• The Daoist saw Zhang Yuan's Divine General Token and realized he was the newly appointed Guardian Deity General, astonishing the hall.

After registering as Guardian Deity General, Zhang Yuan paid respects to the Primal Heavenly King and received Hall Enlightenment, an extraordinary blessing that let him gain profound insights into the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art. The other Daoists witnessed the rare event as Zhang Yuan became immersed in his cultivation.

• Zhang Yuan registered under his true name as Guardian Deity General, and Chen Daoren gave him a token holding five hundred Dao Merit.
• Zhang Yuan entered the Main Hall, offered incense, and bowed before the Primal Heavenly King statue in gratitude.
• A mysterious force enveloped Zhang Yuan, separated his consciousness from his body, and presented him with a choice among his cultivated arts and Martial Skills.
• Zhang Yuan chose the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art and gained sudden insights into its deepest principles.
• The Daoists in the Main Hall saw golden radiance and falling blossoms around Zhang Yuan and recognized that he had received Hall Enlightenment.

After comprehending the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art, Zhang Yuan learned from Hui Zhi that the Celestials were coming to Xia Ruins and that the Yan Clan was involved. He left the Heavenly King Hall with new warnings and added more silver to fund refugee relief.

• Zhang Yuan finished his profound comprehension before the Primal Heavenly King Statue and followed Ming Guang to meet Hui Zhi.
• Zhang Yuan revealed his origins and offered to resign, but Hui Zhi assured him that the Heavenly King Hall would protect him from Azure Cloud Temple.
• Hui Zhi warned Zhang Yuan that the Celestials were coming through the Yan Clan’s plot, explained that they came from Blue Star, and advised him to avoid them.
• Zhang Yuan visited Wu Feng’s Rice Shop, reviewed the porridge-distribution ledger, and added twenty thousand taels to the relief effort.

Zhang Yuan investigated the aberration that had attacked Cow Family Village and found two Minotaurs feasting in the ancestral hall. He killed one and struck down the other, though the chapter ended before the fight's outcome was fully confirmed.

• Zhang Yuan accepted a Heavenly King Hall mission after villagers reported that an aberration had killed people in Cow Family Village.
• Zhang Yuan entered the deserted village and followed a blood trail to its ancestral hall, where he found the villagers and livestock slaughtered.
• Zhang Yuan found two Minotaurs eating human remains inside the hall and attacked the one that rose to face him.
• Zhang Yuan severed the first Minotaur's arm and neck, then pressed a Fiend Condensing Talisman against its face.
• Zhang Yuan used Black Giant Ant Power to smash the charging second Minotaur's head.

Zhang Yuan failed to condense Baleful Infants from two Minotaurs and returned to the Heavenly King Hall, where he unexpectedly met two Celestials. After identifying them, he agreed to learn more about the pair, and the girl introduced herself as Dongfang Mingyue.

• Zhang Yuan killed two Minotaurs in Cow Family Village, but his Fiend Condensing Talismans failed to produce Baleful Infants, leaving only their horns to turn in.
• Zhang Yuan confirmed that no other strange entities remained in Cow Family Village, then returned to the Heavenly King Hall and exchanged the horns for a small amount of Dao Merit.
• Zhang Yuan recognized a young man and woman entering the hall as Celestials and used the Red-Eyed Crow's special vision to assess their tiers and see purple halos around their heads.
• The white-robed Celestial noticed Zhang Yuan watching him, and Zhang Yuan identified himself as a Guardian Deity General and welcomed the pair.
• The girl challenged Zhang Yuan when he tried to leave, so he offered to take them to a nearby restaurant; she introduced herself as Dongfang Mingyue.

Zhang Yuan met Dongfang Mingyue and Dongfang Jin, two Celestials searching the Xia Ruins for the wanted White Wolf. Dongfang Mingyue revealed that White Wolf was an illegal stowaway, while Zhang Yuan remained unsure how much he could trust her.

• Zhang Yuan recognized Dongfang Mingyue’s name and noticed that she seemed unusually well integrated into the world compared with Dongfang Jin.
• Zhang Yuan brought Dongfang Mingyue and Dongfang Jin to a restaurant and learned they had come to Heavenly King Hall to issue a bounty for White Wolf.
• Dongfang Mingyue explained that White Wolf was a fifth-rank expert skilled in assassination and disguise, and offered a Marrow Cleansing Pill, a Profound Artifact, or fifty thousand taels for his capture or death.
• Dongfang Jin threatened Zhang Yuan when he asked whether White Wolf was a Celestial, but Dongfang Mingyue confirmed that White Wolf was an illegal stowaway.
• Dongfang Mingyue said White Wolf had killed innocents and tarnished the Celestials’ reputation, while Zhang Yuan questioned whether he could trust her.

Zhang Yuan learned more about Dongfang Mingyue’s motives and the approaching Celestial presence in Xia Ruins, then posted her bounty and resumed his Dao Merit missions. He remained unable to find the Fiend Infant Hui Feng needed until Guardian Liao offered information about where to find one.

• Zhang Yuan agreed to post Dongfang Mingyue’s bounty for White Wolf, then left their dinner after learning about the Celestial clans and the Duanmu Clan’s arrival in half a month.
• Dongfang Mingyue told Dongfang Jin she had chosen Zhang Yuan because he carried luck and might help her kill White Wolf and avoid returning to Qian Capital.
• Zhang Yuan sensed that Xia Ruins was becoming dangerous and, the next morning, posted the bounty at the Heavenly King Hall and told Hui Zhi about Dongfang Mingyue.
• Zhang Yuan spent the next few days hunting strange entities but obtained only a Second Grade Baleful Infant, which was too weak for Hui Feng’s needs.
• Guardian Liao approached Zhang Yuan at the Outer Hall and said he knew where to find a Fiend Infant, prompting Zhang Yuan to ask what he wanted in return.

Liao Chen offered Zhang Yuan the location of a Yin Fiend Corpse Cave in exchange for Dao Merit if Zhang Yuan obtained a Baleful Infant. After checking Liao Chen’s background and agreeing to the terms, Zhang Yuan went with him to Taiwu Mountain and entered the cave’s eerie forest alone.

• Liao Chen told Zhang Yuan about a naturally formed Yin Fiend Corpse Cave containing at least one Iron Zombie and offered its location for one hundred Dao Merit if Zhang Yuan obtained a Baleful Infant.
• Zhang Yuan agreed to Liao Chen’s terms after learning that Liao Chen wanted the reward to support his family.
• Zhang Yuan asked Xuan Yong Daoren about Liao Chen and confirmed that he was a diligent, trustworthy Outer Hall Guardian.
• The next morning, Zhang Yuan and Liao Chen traveled to Taiwu Mountain, where Liao Chen led him to the remote forest near the cave.
• Liao Chen waited at the forest’s edge while Zhang Yuan entered alone and spotted an abandoned grave mound amid the cold, unsettling woods.

Zhang Yuan found the Yin Fiend Corpse Cave beneath a burial mound and drew out a powerful zombie. After fighting defensively against its claws and black mist, he strengthened himself and counterattacked with the Taotie Saber.

• Zhang Yuan located the underground cave by stomping around the burial mound, then struck into it with his saber and wounded a creature below.
• A swarm of black insects poured from the mound, but Zhang Yuan killed them all with a net of saber light.
• A massive zombie emerged from the collapsing ground, and Zhang Yuan recognized that it seemed close to Bronze Zombie level.
• The zombie attacked Zhang Yuan with powerful claws and sinister black mist, forcing him to retreat while Yin Fiend Qi closed off his escape.
• Zhang Yuan activated multiple enhancements and counterattacked, unleashing the Taotie Saber’s crimson flames and striking the zombie’s left arm.

Zhang Yuan defeated a Bronze Skin Iron Zombie with the Taotie Saber, using its Blood Fiend Qi to overwhelm the creature while avoiding a lethal blow to its head. He pinned it down and extracted its Baleful Infant with a Fiend Condensing Talisman, leaving the zombie dead.

• Zhang Yuan’s opening slash cut away the zombie’s arm flesh, and the Taotie Saber’s Blood Fiend Qi burned the wound so it could not heal.
• Zhang Yuan dodged the zombie’s attacks and repeatedly slashed its shoulders, waist, and limbs, crippling it with the saber’s Blood Fiend Qi.
• The Bronze Skin Iron Zombie spewed poisonous Corpse Qi, but Zhang Yuan swept it aside with Blood Fiend Qi and remained unharmed.
• The wounded zombie tried to flee toward a deep pit, but Zhang Yuan split its back, stomped on its neck, and pinned it down.
• Zhang Yuan pierced open the zombie’s skull and used a Fiend Condensing Talisman to draw out its Baleful Infant, after which the zombie stopped moving.

Zhang Yuan extracted a high-rank Baleful Infant from a Bronze Skin Iron Zombie and commissioned Elder Hui Feng to refine Transformation Origin Pills. After receiving three pills, he took one to begin breaking through to fifth-order True Essence.

• Zhang Yuan used the Fiend Condensing Talisman to extract a Baleful Infant from the Bronze Skin Iron Zombie and left the Yin Fiend Corpse Cave without exploring it further.
• Zhang Yuan returned to Xia Ruins with Liao Chen and paid him one hundred Dao Merit for the opportunity.
• Zhang Yuan gave the Baleful Infant to Elder Hui Feng, who agreed to refine three Transformation Origin Pills for him.
• After three days of cultivation, Zhang Yuan collected the pills from Hui Feng and paid the additional three hundred Dao Merit.
• Zhang Yuan prepared his true qi, swallowed a Transformation Origin Pill, and felt its medicinal power surge into his Qi Sea Dantian.

Zhang Yuan used three Transformation Origin Pills to condense his true qi into true essence and break through to the fifth tier. After spending three days checking for lingering problems, he left seclusion and found a message summoning his attention to the Heavenly King Hall.

• Zhang Yuan used the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art and the pills’ power to open his remaining acupoints and begin condensing qi into essence.
• Zhang Yuan opened the final major acupoint atop his head and condensed his first drop of true essence, reaching the fifth tier.
• Zhang Yuan swallowed his third Transformation Origin Pill and converted all the true qi in his dantian into true essence.
• Zhang Yuan inspected his cultivation for hidden problems and spent three more days resolving them.
• Zhang Yuan found a message talisman on his door, changed clothes, and headed to the Heavenly King Hall.

Zhang Yuan agreed to accompany Liao Chen to a newly discovered Yin Fiend Corpse Cave, but suspected a trap and killed him before he could spring it. After uncovering Liao Chen’s poisoned hidden weapon, Zhang Yuan challenged others concealed in the valley, where his Taotie Saber stirred for blood.

• Liao Chen contacted Zhang Yuan and offered to lead him to another Yin Fiend Corpse Cave in exchange for seventy Dao Merit.
• Zhang Yuan met Liao Chen the next morning and traveled with him into Taiwu Mountain to a dark valley.
• Zhang Yuan accused Liao Chen of luring him into a trap and beheaded him with one saber strike.
• Zhang Yuan kicked open Liao Chen’s clenched hand and exposed a metal cylinder that fired poisoned needles.
• Zhang Yuan called on the people hiding in the valley to come out as his Taotie Saber trembled with a desire for blood.

Yan Qingshan and the Black-Robed Old Man ambushed Zhang Yuan to avenge Yan Wushuang and seize his Taotie Saber. Zhang Yuan revealed fifth-order strength and evaded their opening attacks, but Yan Qingshan recognized that his recent breakthrough made him an even greater threat.

• Yan Qingshan and the Black-Robed Old Man confronted Zhang Yuan, and the Black-Robed Old Man revealed that Yan Qingshan sought revenge for Yan Wushuang.
• Zhang Yuan admitted he had killed Yan Wushuang and prepared to face the two fifth-order experts instead of fleeing.
• The Black-Robed Old Man attacked with hidden weapons as Yan Qingshan charged with his Bintie Long Spear, a Profound Artifact.
• Zhang Yuan activated his Divine Nest Parasitic Body Powers and dodged the hidden weapons and Yan Qingshan's spear thrust.
• Yan Qingshan sensed Zhang Yuan's fifth-order True Essence and resolved that the newly advanced fighter could not be allowed to live.