Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan continued cultivating in Upper Scene Heaven and refused to yield to Xiao Yan’s pressure or seek favor with his followers. After Xiao Hong warned him about the consequences of opposing Xiao Yan, a young Daoist attendant delivered Zhang Yuan a letter from an unknown sender.

• Zhang Yuan meditated on a mountain peak and sensed the threshold of a higher realm in the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art.
• At the Martial Pavilion, Zhang Yuan noticed people avoiding him because he had refused Xiao Yan’s invitation, but he ignored them and went to study.
• Xiao Hong urged Zhang Yuan to give Xiao Yan face and warned that some people in the Martial Pavilion could not be offended.
• Zhang Yuan said he had no reason to fear Xiao Yan, and Xiao Hong left after acknowledging Zhang Yuan’s resolve.
• A young Daoist attendant delivered Zhang Yuan a letter, and Zhang Yuan gave him a Beast Tooth as a tip.

Su Jingyao asked Zhang Yuan to retrieve a Human-Faced Butterfly from Ink Abyss in exchange for rare herbs he needed to cultivate the Six Harmonies Qilin Body. Zhang Yuan learned she needed the butterfly for a secret technique before the Nine Peaks Tournament and agreed to help.

• Zhang Yuan received Su Jingyao's invitation and met her at the Dragon Phoenix Tea House in Approaching Immortals Hamlet.
• Su Jingyao explained that she had seen the Qilin Dark Markings on Zhang Yuan and recognized his cultivation of the Six Harmonies Qilin Body.
• Su Jingyao offered Zhang Yuan a three-hundred-and-eighty-year-old Qilin Grass for bringing her a Human-Faced Butterfly from Ink Abyss.
• Zhang Yuan revealed he had already used five-hundred-year Qilin Grass, so Su Jingyao added a two-hundred-year Black Ginseng to her offer.
• Su Jingyao explained that she needed the butterfly to cultivate a secret technique for the Nine Peaks Tournament and had chosen Zhang Yuan because she trusted his character and luck.

Zhang Yuan agreed to help Su Jingyao capture Human-Faced Butterflies in Ink Abyss and learned that the Qi Observation Technique could reveal and even enable the theft of a person’s fortune. He left with a month and a half to complete the task, newly alert to the possibility that Xiao Yan or an associate was targeting his fortune.

• Zhang Yuan negotiated with Su Jingyao over the reward, then agreed to catch Human-Faced Butterflies for her.
• Su Jingyao lent Zhang Yuan a Thousand Silk Net, and he demonstrated that he already knew how to use it before they made a Dao Contract.
• Su Jingyao taught Zhang Yuan how to refine the net and explained the Human-Faced Butterflies’ powers, habits, and weaknesses.
• Su Jingyao revealed that she had recognized Zhang Yuan’s fortune through the Daoist Sect’s Qi Observation Technique.
• Su Jingyao warned Zhang Yuan that fortune could be stripped and plundered, leading him to suspect Xiao Yan or someone close to him had mastered the technique.

Zhang Yuan entered Ink Abyss to prepare for capturing Human-Faced Butterflies, but the canyon’s growing malice hindered his scouting and weakened the Red-Eyed Crow. After he retreated from Mist Wolves, a pack surrounded the tree he had climbed.

• Zhang Yuan spent the following weeks practicing his martial arts and Thousand Silk Net while remaining wary of Xiao Yan, whose alliance to conquer Mo Yuan Black Dragon Pool kept growing.
• Zhang Yuan returned to Ink Abyss after deciding he had prepared enough for Su Jingyao’s task.
• Zhang Yuan found that Ink Abyss’s malice hampered both him and the Red-Eyed Crow, forcing him to recall the scout as his vitality drained faster than usual.
• Zhang Yuan heard Mist Wolves and fled, but howls from several directions revealed that a pack had encircled him.
• Zhang Yuan climbed a towering tree, where several hundred Mist Wolves gathered below and fixed their scarlet eyes on him.

Zhang Yuan fought off the Mist Wolves in the trees and slaughtered many with the Taotie Saber. As the surviving pack hesitated in fear, the Wolf King emerged from the forest.

• The Mist Wolves climbed the trees and surrounded Zhang Yuan, who shot several with his Iron Womb Bow.
• Zhang Yuan switched to the Taotie Saber and killed Mist Wolves as he leaped among the branches.
• Zhang Yuan unleashed Sweep Through a Thousand Armies and killed three Mist Wolves with one slash.
• The surviving Mist Wolves gathered around Zhang Yuan but hesitated after seeing the corpses and sensing his Blood Fiend Qi.
• The Wolf King appeared, and the Mist Wolves parted and bowed before their leader.

Zhang Yuan fought the Mist Wolf King in a duel and nearly fell victim to its soul-attacking ability before the Divine Nest restored his senses. He killed the Wolf King with the Crimson Blood Blade, and the grieving pack retreated into the forest.

• The Mist Wolf King challenged Zhang Yuan to a one-on-one fight, and Zhang Yuan accepted.
• The Wolf King evaded Zhang Yuan’s Mountain Severing Strike and struck his Dragon Carp Armor shield before launching another attack.
• Zhang Yuan countered with the Taotie Saber, but the Wolf King broke through his saber momentum and used its divine ability to seize his mind.
• The Divine Nest awakened and freed Zhang Yuan, allowing him to kill the Wolf King with the Crimson Blood Blade and store its body.
• The Mist Wolves howled in grief and withdrew into the dark forest after their king fell.

Zhang Yuan spent his luck point to find the Yin Fiend Land while hunting the Human-Faced Butterfly in Ink Abyss. He reached a Cold Pond and used the Mist Wolf King’s corpse as bait, then hid and waited for the butterfly to appear.

• Zhang Yuan sacrificed a mutated giant bear to the Divine Nest and invested the Source Essence in the Brocade Fur Rat.
• With his vitality and other strength dwindling, Zhang Yuan used the extra point of luck and wished to find the Human-Faced Butterfly.
• Zhang Yuan summoned the Red-Eyed Crow and followed it through increasingly cold, Yin Fiend-filled forest.
• Zhang Yuan found a black Cold Pond in the Yin Fiend Land and recalled the Red-Eyed Crow when it could no longer endure the Killing Intent.
• Zhang Yuan placed the Mist Wolf King’s preserved corpse beside the pond as bait, then concealed himself and waited for the Human-Faced Butterfly.

Zhang Yuan waited in ambush at the Cold Pond until the Human-Faced Butterfly appeared, then used Evil Suppression Talismans and the Thousand Silk Net to capture it. He left the butterfly tightly bound, though the struggle left him badly injured.

• Zhang Yuan stayed hidden behind a rock despite the danger of the Yin Fiend Qi and considered abandoning his wait if the Human-Faced Butterfly did not appear soon.
• The Human-Faced Butterfly arrived and approached the Wolf King's corpse, and Zhang Yuan launched his ambush with an Evil Suppression Talisman.
• The butterfly shattered the first talisman, but Zhang Yuan followed with two more and caught it in the Thousand Silk Net.
• Zhang Yuan struggled to hold the butterfly, increasing his strength until blood seeped from his face and he spat out Essence Blood.
• The Thousand Silk Net tightened around the Human-Faced Butterfly, suppressing its resistance and leaving it unable to move.

Zhang Yuan escaped Ink Abyss after capturing a rare Purple Butterfly and delivered it to Su Jingyao. She rewarded him with a cultivation method and three treasures, leaving him with more than the original bargain promised.

• Zhang Yuan sealed the Human-Faced Butterfly in an Animal Hide pouch, then fled Ink Abyss when the Cold Pond erupted with Yin Fiend Qi.
• Zhang Yuan recovered enough to return to Approaching Immortals Hamlet and meet Su Jingyao, giving her the pouch.
• Su Jingyao discovered that Zhang Yuan had caught a Purple Butterfly, a much rarer and more valuable kind than the Blue Butterfly she had expected.
• Zhang Yuan declined to demand a larger reward, and Su Jingyao took the pouch with her to prepare fair compensation.
• Su Jingyao returned with a jade slip containing a cultivation method and three Medicine Boxes holding Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Su Jingyao gave Zhang Yuan the Hidden Artifact Technique, which could conceal his aura and fortune but relied on a vulnerable natal Profound Artifact. After learning that Xiao Yan had led an expedition into Ink Abyss, Zhang Yuan warned a fellow martial artist to stay away and then absorbed the technique from its jade slip.

• Su Jingyao explained the Hidden Artifact Technique's benefits and risks, and Zhang Yuan thanked her and agreed to keep it secret.
• After Su Jingyao left, Zhang Yuan went to the Merit Hall to request Ganoderma Ginseng Pills and learned that Xiao Yan had led more than three hundred experts into Ink Abyss to attack the Black Dragon Pool region.
• Zhang Yuan suspected the expedition might face a serious problem and warned a martial artist not to enter Ink Abyss for the next few days.
• Zhang Yuan submitted his pill-refining application, returned to Approaching Immortals Hamlet, and used the jade slip to imprint the Hidden Artifact Technique into his Sea of Consciousness.

Zhang Yuan triggered the Ninth Divine Weapon Diagram while attempting to cultivate the Hidden Artifact Technique, learned the Divine Concealment Art, and improved his control of the Crimson Blood Blade. After he emerged from seclusion, news of a disaster at Ink Abyss prompted the Martial Pavilion to send its disciples to Guard View Platform.

• While connecting his soul to the Crimson Blood Blade, Zhang Yuan accidentally unsealed the Ninth Divine Weapon Diagram and endured its torrent of information.
• The diagram gave Zhang Yuan the Divine Concealment Art, which complemented the Divine Treasury Art and suited the Crimson Blood Blade, so he abandoned the Hidden Artifact Technique.
• Zhang Yuan cultivated the Divine Concealment Art for three days, strengthening his control of the Crimson Blood Blade and uncovering more of its secrets.
• At the Merit Hall, a badly wounded fifth-tier martial artist arrived with a warning about Ink Abyss and Black Dragon Pool, then died before explaining further.
• The Martial Pavilion ordered its disciples to guard Guard View Platform at Ink Abyss, and Zhang Yuan rushed there with the others.

Zhang Yuan took up his post on a Guard View Platform as a beast tide erupted from Ink Abyss, fighting off Black Eagles and a giant python. He then began helping a nearby guard under attack.

• Zhang Yuan arrived at a Guard View Platform and found its formations, weapons, and bows prepared for the defenders.
• A horn sounded, and Zhang Yuan shot down a black eagle as it charged from the clouds.
• Hundreds of Black Eagles attacked the platforms, and Zhang Yuan fended them off with his palm technique and Taotie Saber.
• Zhang Yuan killed a giant python that stealthily climbed onto his platform, then spotted a hole in the clouds pouring out Yin Fiend Qi.
• Zhang Yuan saw a nearby guard overwhelmed by Black Eagles and began shooting the birds with an iron bow.

Zhang Yuan and the other defenders faced a massive assault by Dark Red Lizards along the western line of the Mo Yuan Great Canyon. A lightning strike wiped out the first wave, but more monsters kept climbing as Zhang Yuan killed two that reached his platform.

• Zhang Yuan used his Red-Eyed Crow's extraordinary vision to spot countless monsters climbing toward the Guard View Platforms.
• Hundreds upon thousands of Dark Red Lizards burst through the clouds, and one martial artist abandoned his post and fled.
• A voice shouted for the defenders to halt, and lightning swept across the canyon, destroying the first wave of monsters and killing the fleeing martial artist.
• More Dark Red Lizards reached the platforms, and Zhang Yuan killed two of them with his Taotie Saber.
• Thunder boomed again as another wave of monsters charged upward.

After seven days fighting the monsters and Ferocious Beasts at Ink Abyss, Zhang Yuan returned safely to Approaching Immortals Hamlet and recovered. Su Jingyao found him and asked him to become her Guardian of the Dao.

• Zhang Yuan fought through repeated attacks at Guard View Platform, eating medicinal meals and pills during brief lulls to restore his strength.
• After seven days, Zhang Yuan was relieved from duty with three hundred and fifty Dao Merit and returned home to rest.
• Zhang Yuan recovered, ate breakfast in Approaching Immortals Hamlet, and received a Talisman Letter from Su Jingyao.
• Su Jingyao arrived and congratulated Zhang Yuan on mastering the Hidden Artifact Technique, which he confirmed without revealing that he had mastered the Divine Concealment Art.
• Su Jingyao asked Zhang Yuan if he would become her Guardian of the Dao, leaving him surprised by the request.

Su Jingyao asked Zhang Yuan to serve as her Guardian of the Dao in the upcoming Nine Peaks Tournament, offering him Dao Merit in exchange. Zhang Yuan agreed, and after Su Jingyao left, he returned to cultivating the Divine Concealment Art for five more days.

• Su Jingyao explained that Upper Scene Heaven's Nine Peaks Tournament was held in secret realms and that participants often recruited Guardians of the Dao below the sixth rank.
• Su Jingyao said Yuan Zishan had lured away the two shidis she wanted as Guardians, leaving Zhang Yuan as her final choice.
• Su Jingyao offered Zhang Yuan one thousand Dao Merit if they reached the top ten, or three hundred if they did not, and Zhang Yuan asked whether they could aim for the top three.
• Zhang Yuan agreed to serve as Su Jingyao's Guardian of the Dao, and she warned him not to fall for Yuan Zishan if she approached him.
• Zhang Yuan watched Su Jingyao leave, returned home, and cultivated the Divine Concealment Art for another five days.

After the Ink Abyss beast tide ended, Zhang Yuan collected his reward and learned that Xiao Hong and Chen Ziyi had died after Xiao Yan abandoned their expedition. Zhang Feihu survived with lasting injuries and told Zhang Yuan what had happened.

• Zhang Yuan killed a Great Rock Scorpion while guarding Guard View Platform, then watched the clouds disperse as the Ink Abyss beast tide ended.
• Zhang Yuan collected six hundred Dao Merit and planned to save it for instruction from the Martial Pavilion's Law Teaching Elders.
• Zhang Feihu approached Zhang Yuan, and they went to a restaurant in Approaching Immortals Hamlet to talk.
• Zhang Feihu told Zhang Yuan that Xiao Hong and Chen Ziyi had died during the beast tide after Xiao Yan escaped with his trusted followers and abandoned the expedition team.
• Zhang Feihu said he had survived but suffered injuries that damaged his martial foundation, while Xiao Yan returned unpunished and profited from the failed operation.

After Zhang Feihu left Upper Scene Heaven, Zhang Yuan focused on cultivation until Yuan Zishan invited him to Plum Garden. Zhang Yuan refused to be drawn away from his commitment to Su Jingyao, leaving Yuan Zishan speechless after she came to visit him in person.

• Zhang Feihu left Upper Scene Heaven after warning Zhang Yuan not to underestimate Xiao Yan.
• Zhang Yuan spent most of his time cultivating the Mixed Origin Heavenly Astral Righteous Art and the Six Harmonies Qilin Body with Qilin Pills.
• Yuan Zishan's maid invited Zhang Yuan to a gathering at Plum Garden, but he refused and returned to his home.
• Zhang Yuan sent a talisman letter, and Yuan Zishan soon arrived at his courtyard in person.
• Zhang Yuan told Yuan Zishan he had agreed to be Su Jingyao's Guardian of the Dao and would not promise himself to another, leaving her speechless.

Zhang Yuan avoided Yuan Zishan’s advances with Su Jingyao’s help, then signed a Dao Contract to serve as her Guardian of the Dao in the Nine Peaks Tournament. After learning how Upper Scene Heaven’s array sealed Ink Abyss, he returned to his quiet room and checked his Divine Nest Panel.

• Su Jingyao arrived after Zhang Yuan summoned her and drove Yuan Zishan away from him.
• Su Jingyao gave Zhang Yuan the Dao Contract for the tournament in the Azure Profound Secret Realm, and Zhang Yuan signed it.
• Su Jingyao gifted Zhang Yuan a Golden Body Protection Talisman and warned him to beware Yuan Zishan’s admirers and avoid Ink Abyss.
• Su Jingyao explained that the Eight Gates Profound Yang Thunderfall Grand Array forced threats from Ink Abyss toward its Life Gate, where Guard View Platform stood.
• Zhang Yuan returned to his quiet room and summoned the Divine Nest Panel to review his status.

After spending his remaining Dao Merit on saber instruction, Zhang Yuan was challenged by He Yin and then pressured by Yang Hongyu to fight at the Trial Edge Platform. Zhang Yuan demanded five hundred Dao Merit to accept, and someone offered to pay it.

• Zhang Yuan thanked Elder Qiu for his guidance after half a month of saber training and considered taking a task to earn more Dao Merit.
• He Yin and several companions blocked Zhang Yuan and tried to force him to fight at the Trial Edge Platform, but Zhang Yuan rebuffed and intimidated them.
• Yang Hongyu arrived, and the onlookers urged Zhang Yuan to accept a match as a way to improve through combat.
• Zhang Yuan asked for an appearance fee and demanded five hundred Dao Merit before he would go to the Trial Edge Platform.
• Yang Hongyu was left unable to answer, and another person offered to pay the Dao Merit.

Zhang Yuan accepted Yang Hongyu’s challenge and paid five hundred Dao Merit to establish a life-and-death contract for their fight on the Trial Edge Platform in three days. Su Jingyao warned him about Yang Hongyu’s strength, but Zhang Yuan remained confident he would win.

• Xiao Yan arrived and encouraged Zhang Yuan and Yang Hongyu to settle their dispute on the Trial Edge Platform.
• Zhang Yuan insisted that Yang Hongyu pay five hundred Dao Merit as an appearance fee, regardless of who won.
• Zhang Yuan and Yang Hongyu transferred the Dao Merit and signed a Life and Death Contract for a fight in three days.
• Xiao Yan left after expressing his interest in the match, which soon became a major topic in the Martial Pavilion.
• Su Jingyao visited Zhang Yuan, warned him about Yang Hongyu and the Qian Capital Yang Family, and agreed to watch the fight.
• Zhang Yuan told Su Jingyao to bet on his victory, displaying confidence that he would defeat Yang Hongyu.