Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan and the Dao Soldiers defeated a horde of Walking Corpses, and Zhang Yuan gained more than seven thousand points of Source Essence. He rode on to the Ruins City where the zombies had emerged and sensed that something dangerous still lurked there.

• The Walking Corpses charged Zhang Yuan and the three hundred Dao Soldiers, who attacked with arrows and javelins.
• Zhang Yuan killed the leading Iron Zombie with his Overlord Halberd and fought through the horde while the Dao Soldiers cut down the other zombies.
• After a fierce battle, Zhang Yuan and the Dao Soldiers destroyed all the zombies, including five Iron Zombies, though more than a dozen Dao Soldiers were injured by corpse poison.
• Zhang Yuan sent Mo Wei and the Dao Soldiers back to camp, then continued alone to claim more Source Essence.
• Zhang Yuan reached the abandoned Ruins City where the zombies had emerged, found fresh earthen pits, and sensed something dangerous remained hidden there.

Zhang Yuan used the Red-Eyed Crow’s vision to find a monster hiding beneath the ruins and attacked it with the Overlord Halberd, powered by an Earth Fire Crystal. A Bronze Zombie emerged and struck back, leaving their fight underway.

• Zhang Yuan used the Red-Eyed Crow’s special vision to locate a creature concealed beneath the ruins.
• Zhang Yuan infused the Overlord Halberd with Primordial Chaos Gang Qi and the Earth Fire Crystal’s power, then stabbed into the ground.
• A Bronze Zombie burst from the earth, revealing its massive body, spiked back, and paired meteor hammers.
• The Bronze Zombie hurled a meteor hammer at Zhang Yuan, but he dodged and thrust at its abdomen.
• The Bronze Zombie knocked Zhang Yuan’s Overlord Halberd aside with its other hammer.

Zhang Yuan used the God Slaying Flying Dagger to destroy a powerful Bronze Zombie and gained a large amount of Source Essence. Back at camp, he punished Mo Wei for disobeying orders, then spent Source Essence on two parasites before going to sleep.

• Zhang Yuan dodged the Bronze Zombie's meteor hammers and ordered Mo Wei to leave the battlefield.
• Zhang Yuan pierced the Bronze Zombie's spirituality with the God Slaying Flying Dagger, then destroyed its head with the Overlord Halberd.
• Zhang Yuan gained 23,770 Source Essence and confirmed that no Yin Fiend weirdnesses remained in the ruins.
• Zhang Yuan returned to camp and ordered Mo Wei to receive twenty strokes for disobeying him.
• Zhang Yuan spent 10,000 Source Essence on the Brocade Fur Rat and 20,000 on the Gray-Toothed Lynx, then went to sleep.

Zhang Yuan encountered a blind elder and a little girl at a roadside tea stall and saw through the elder’s disguise as a Blood Shadow Tower assassin. The elder attacked Zhang Yuan, and their fight began at the stall.

• Zhang Yuan rode into Western Plains City ahead of the Dao Soldiers he had left under Mo Wei’s command.
• Zhang Yuan spotted a blind Cloth-robed Elder and a little girl sharing rice porridge at a roadside tea stall.
• Zhang Yuan ordered buns and rice soup, then asked the Cloth-robed Elder why a Sixth Order Expert served the Blood Shadow Tower.
• The Cloth-robed Elder admitted he was an assassin and warned Zhang Yuan that he would not be his last victim.
• The Cloth-robed Elder flipped the table and stabbed at Zhang Yuan, who blocked the first sword thrust with his blade.
• The Cloth-robed Elder twisted his sword and launched a second attack at Zhang Yuan’s chest.

Zhang Yuan fought the Cloth-robed Elder, whose swordsmanship and demonic qin nearly created an opening for a hidden assassin. After Zhang Yuan killed the Little Girl, he revealed that he had anticipated the ambush and charged at the gray-robed elder with overwhelming speed and saber force.

• The Cloth-robed Elder pressed Zhang Yuan with a relentless sword attack, forcing him to defend while he kept their fight away from the tea stall's patrons.
• Zhang Yuan countered the elder's storm of sword gleams with a fiery saber strike, but the elder dodged and used his huqin to disrupt Zhang Yuan's follow-up.
• The Little Girl attacked Zhang Yuan from behind with a Black Fiend Blade, but the Witch God Ring blocked the demonic music long enough for Zhang Yuan to evade and decapitate her.
• The Cloth-robed Elder admitted that the Little Girl was his longtime partner and the true killing move, while Zhang Yuan confirmed he had seen through their plan.
• Zhang Yuan activated the Black Giant Ant and Golden Grasshopper Parasitic Body Powers and rushed toward the gray-robed elder with a blazing saber strike.

Zhang Yuan killed the Cloth-robed Elder during the Blood Shadow Tower’s second assassination attempt, then reported the threat to Upper Scene Heaven. After the sect warned the assassins and sent him a Life-Protecting Talisman, Zhang Yuan entered Secluded Cultivation.

• Zhang Yuan used the power of Divine Nest Possession to break the Cloth-robed Elder’s defenses and cleave him in two.
• Zhang Yuan collected the assassins’ swift sword and dagger, ordered soldiers to burn the bodies, and returned to the Dao Camp.
• Mo Wei urged Zhang Yuan to punish the city’s wealthy figures for betting on his survival, but Zhang Yuan refused to act on unverified rumors and said he had informed Upper Scene Heaven.
• Upper Scene Heaven warned the Blood Shadow Tower and bestowed a Life-Protecting Talisman on Zhang Yuan.
• Zhang Yuan entrusted the Dao Camp’s daily affairs to the three deputy generals, with Sun Yujiang taking over temporarily, and entered Secluded Cultivation.

Zhang Yuan received an order to investigate a devastating attack on a Wu Family caravan and recover its stolen goods, a task he suspected involved the Savage Sand Army. As Wu Family representatives arrived at the Dao Barracks, he prepared to face the troublesome assignment.

• In Anluo City, a middle-aged man canceled the contract on Zhang Yuan after receiving word from Upper Scene Heaven, while hinting that greater changes were coming.
• Zhang Yuan fed the Huqin Swift Sword to the God Slaying Flying Dagger, kept a sinister dagger as a hidden weapon, and began secluded cultivation.
• After ten days, Zhang Yuan received a sect edict ordering him to investigate horse bandits who had massacred a caravan and retrieve its goods.
• Sun Yujiang warned Zhang Yuan that the attackers were likely a beacon division of the Savage Sand Army, and Zhang Yuan suspected Fei Hongming was waiting for him to fail.
• Three Wu Family representatives arrived at the Dao Barracks near dusk.

Wu Ziyu asked Zhang Yuan to pursue the Horse Bandits who stole the Wu Family’s Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma, offering a large reward. After receiving word that Upper Scene Heaven had sent reinforcements, Zhang Yuan agreed to lead Dao Soldiers into the Western Regions and requested the Wu Family’s surviving Fourth Order guard as a guide.

• Wu Ziyu urged Zhang Yuan to hunt the Horse Bandits, and Zhang Yuan explained that his limited forces could not easily take on the Savage Sand Army.
• Wu Ziyu offered Zhang Yuan at least thirty thousand taels of gold to recover the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma, and Zhang Yuan promised an answer the next morning.
• After leaving the barracks, Wu Ziyu told his attendants that Zhang Yuan was powerful and that provoking him would be unwise.
• The next morning, Zhang Yuan agreed to pursue the Horse Bandits and asked Wu Ziyu to bring the Wu Family’s surviving Fourth Order guard to serve as a guide.
• Zhang Yuan decided to lead the Dao Soldiers into the Western Regions after learning that Upper Scene Heaven had dispatched a Sixth Order Expert and two hundred elite Dao Soldiers as reinforcements.

Zhang Yuan led three hundred Dao Soldiers beyond Great Qian’s borders to investigate the Horse Bandits who had attacked the Wu Family caravan. After reaching the bloodied campsite, he decided to search for clues at River Mouth Market, a place known to supply the bandits and handle stolen goods.

• Zhang Yuan reviewed his Divine Nest upgrades and rode his Gray-Toothed Lynx toward the Western Regions with three hundred Dao Soldiers and his companions.
• Wu Ziyu told Zhang Yuan they were nearing the site of the Wu Family caravan’s attack.
• Zhang Yuan inspected the campsite, heard the surviving fourth-rank guard recount the ambush, and ordered the troops to camp there for the night.
• Zhang Yuan considered using the Red-Eyed Crow to locate the Horse Bandits, but it had not spotted them during the journey.
• Wu Ziyu suggested that Zhang Yuan investigate River Mouth Market, where Horse Bandits obtained provisions and fenced stolen goods.

Zhang Yuan entered River Mouth Market in disguise, but local thugs targeted him and he killed their bald leader. After raising his aura to the fourth tier, he continued through the market and rejected a ragged boy who begged to become his disciple, tossing him some silver instead.

• Zhang Yuan entered River Mouth Market and surveyed its crowded, lawless streets.
• A local thug tried to stage a scam against Zhang Yuan, so Zhang Yuan slapped him and knocked out his teeth.
• The thug's bald leader attacked Zhang Yuan, who drew his saber and beheaded him.
• Zhang Yuan raised his aura to the fourth tier as the thug and the leader's companions fled, while the market quickly returned to normal.
• A ragged boy knelt before Zhang Yuan and begged to become his disciple, but Zhang Yuan kicked him away and tossed him several pieces of broken silver.

Zhang Yuan sought the best information network in River Mouth Market and tracked the youth he had sent to find Zhao San'er. He killed the youth after discovering a poison needle in his hand, while Zhao San'er remained on his knees before him.

• Zhang Yuan asked a youth who had the best information in River Mouth Market and sent him to bring Zhao San'er to the tavern.
• The youth hid Zhang Yuan's silver, went to Zhao San'er, and warned him that Zhang Yuan was looking for him.
• Zhang Yuan appeared at Zhao San'er's room and restrained him with an invisible force as Zhao San'er tried to attack with hidden weapons.
• Zhang Yuan killed the youth and found a blue poison needle in his hand.
• Zhang Yuan turned his gaze toward Zhao San'er, who was terrified and begging for his life.

Zhang Yuan learned from Zhao San'er that the Azure Wolf Camp likely destroyed the Wu Family Caravan and may be found at Crescent Oasis, then set out to investigate. After reaching the oasis, his Red-Eyed Crow killed an attacking hawk, and two more hawks pursued it.

• Zhang Yuan tortured Zhao San'er for information and learned that the Azure Wolf Camp was suspected of destroying the Wu Family Caravan and often resupplied at Crescent Oasis.
• Zhang Yuan killed Zhao San'er, took the money hidden beneath his bed, and left River Mouth Market after sending a Talisman Letter to Mo Wei.
• Zhang Yuan traveled northwest and used the Red-Eyed Crow to survey Crescent Oasis, spotting its large population and crowded market.
• A hawk attacked the Red-Eyed Crow, which tore open the hawk's neck and sent it plunging to the ground.
• Two more hawks flew from the oasis toward the Red-Eyed Crow, and Zhang Yuan ordered it to climb higher.

Zhang Yuan entered Crescent Oasis while searching for the Azure Wolf Camp and the stolen Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma, and learned that a monthly auction was approaching. He left the bazaar after a stall owner demanded an exorbitant price for Qilin Grass, then was stopped and told to pay.

• Zhang Yuan recalled the Red-Eyed Crow to avoid drawing attention from people who might be controlling trained hawks.
• Crescent Oasis riders charged Zhang Yuan for an entry plaque and warned him to obey the oasis's rules.
• Zhang Yuan entered the oasis, sensed that a powerful watcher was monitoring him, and listened for information at a busy tavern.
• Zhang Yuan learned that the New Moon Auction would take place in two days and wondered whether the stolen Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma would appear there.
• Zhang Yuan spotted Qilin Grass at a bazaar stall, but the owner demanded fifty thousand taels and called after him that he had not paid when Zhang Yuan tried to leave.

Zhang Yuan exposed an extortion scheme at Crescent Oasis and forced the patrol leader to back down with his Fifth Order strength. The leader then offered to borrow him an invitation to the auction, which Zhang Yuan wanted to attend while searching for clues about the Wu Family's lost treasure.

• A vendor demanded fifty thousand taels from Zhang Yuan under Crescent Oasis's supposed rule that anyone who asked a price had to buy.
• The patrol leader surrounded Zhang Yuan and offered to settle the dispute for one-tenth of the price, but Zhang Yuan chose to pay the full amount.
• Zhang Yuan released his terrifying aura, revealing himself as a Fifth Order powerhouse, and the patrol leader returned his silver notes and beat the vendor.
• Zhang Yuan left the stall without taking its Qilin Grass, and the patrol leader caught up to ask whether he had an auction invitation.
• Zhang Yuan said he had no invitation, and the patrol leader offered to borrow one for him.

Zhang Yuan attended the Crescent Oasis auction and bought the Wu Family’s stolen Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma for eight hundred thousand taels. After noticing pursuers following him, he left the oasis and rode southeast with several riders close behind.

• Zhang Yuan entered the guarded Oasis Auction with an invitation and watched as rare goods sold for high prices.
• Zhang Yuan recognized the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma as the treasure stolen from the Wu Family and waited before bidding.
• Zhang Yuan outbid the competition with an offer of eight hundred thousand taels and received the genuine spirit ganoderma.
• Zhang Yuan noticed several people following him on his way back to the inn, checked out, and left the oasis.
• Zhang Yuan rode southeast, and several riders emerged from the oasis and pursued him.

Zhang Yuan turned to face five masked riders who had pursued him for the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma and defeated four of them. He chased down their Sixth Order leader, who offered him eight hundred thousand taels of silver, but Zhang Yuan rejected the offer and attacked again.

• Zhang Yuan stopped his exhausted horse and confronted five masked riders, whose burly Sixth Order leader demanded the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma and his banknotes.
• Zhang Yuan attacked with the Overlord Halberd, killing one rider, gravely wounding another, and forcing the burly leader to flee.
• Zhang Yuan killed two more riders and pursued the one-armed survivor, then used Divine Nest Possession—Golden Grasshopper to catch up with the leader.
• The burly leader turned to fight Zhang Yuan, but their weapons clashed and his saber was damaged as he fell behind in strength.
• The burly leader offered Zhang Yuan eight hundred thousand taels of silver to end the fight, but Zhang Yuan refused and launched another attack.

Zhang Yuan recovered the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma for Wu Ziyu and stayed near Crescent Oasis to hunt the Horse Bandits responsible for robbing the Wu Family’s caravan. After two days of watching the oasis, he spotted a large bandit force leaving and led his troops in pursuit.

• Zhang Yuan killed five brigands who had tried to rob him and confirmed they were not part of the Savage Sand Army.
• Zhang Yuan sent a Talisman Letter and waited for Mo Wei and the three hundred Dao Soldiers to arrive.
• Zhang Yuan gave Wu Ziyu the Seven-Leaf Spirit Ganoderma and explained that he had bought it at auction for eight hundred thousand taels of silver.
• Zhang Yuan proposed watching Crescent Oasis with the Red-Eyed Crow, and Wu Ziyu chose to stay with the group.
• After two days, the Red-Eyed Crow spotted several hundred riders leaving Crescent Oasis, and Zhang Yuan led the Dao Soldiers and Wu Family experts in pursuit.

Zhang Yuan used the Red-Eyed Crow to identify the Azure Wolf Camp and destroy its three hawk scouts before attacking the Horse Bandits from long range. The ambush left the camp in chaos, and its charging leader was struck down by an arrow.

• Zhang Yuan spotted a force of nearly nine hundred Horse Bandits through the Red-Eyed Crow and confirmed they were the Azure Wolf Camp when they raised their blue wolf banner.
• The Red-Eyed Crow killed all three hawks sent to intercept it and escaped the Horse Bandits' arrows.
• Zhang Yuan began sniping the Horse Bandits from five or six hundred paces away, killing riders and throwing the Azure Wolf Camp into confusion.
• A Horse Bandit leader charged toward Zhang Yuan with dozens of men, but an arrow shattered his heart-protecting mirror and pierced his chest.

Zhang Yuan used his Eagle Shooting Bow and Taotie Saber, with help from the Gray-Toothed Lynx, to slaughter the Azure Wolf Camp’s Horse Bandits. After provoking the camp into a furious charge, he fled across the Great Desert Gobi with hundreds of Horse Bandits in pursuit.

• Zhang Yuan killed the charging Horse Bandit leader and several others with arrows from his Eagle Shooting Bow.
• Zhang Yuan and the Gray-Toothed Lynx charged into the scattered Horse Bandits, cutting down or tearing apart most of them.
• Zhang Yuan fired high-arcing arrows at the Azure Wolf Camp, drawing out stronger Horse Bandit experts and killing several of them.
• Zhang Yuan used the Gray-Toothed Lynx’s speed to evade the experts and lead them back toward the main force.
• The enraged Horse Bandits charged after Zhang Yuan, who fled across the Great Desert Gobi.

Zhang Yuan drew the Azure Wolf Camp horse bandits across the desert, using his speed and archery to wear down their formation. He then led three hundred hidden riders in a counterattack against the exhausted pursuers.

• Zhang Yuan used the Gray-Toothed Lynx and his Eagle Shooting Bow to harass the Azure Wolf Camp, killing horse bandits while evading their sixth-rank leader.
• The Azure Wolf Camp leader rallied his men into a fierce charge, and Zhang Yuan fled southeast while continuing to shoot at them.
• After the horse bandits changed mounts, Zhang Yuan turned north and kept them pursuing until their stamina and formation began to fail.
• Zhang Yuan stopped beyond a sand dune, where three hundred bow-armed riders emerged from hiding.
• Zhang Yuan raised his halberd and charged down the dune with the three hundred riders toward the Azure Wolf Camp.