Chapter Summaries

Kelin Xiaoman struggled to protect the gravely wounded Shiheng in the dangerous mountain range after night fell. She made a hidden cave and concealed the Swift Raptor’s corpse, leaving them with a temporary chance to survive.

• Kelin Xiaoman found herself exhausted with unconscious Shiheng as night fell, making both the journey back and staying in the mountains dangerous.
• She used tendons from the dead seventh-level Swift Raptor to lower herself and Shiheng down the cliff.
• Kelin Xiaoman dug a concealed cave with Shiheng’s weapon and carried him inside.
• She recovered enough magic to heal her injured hands with a water-element spell.
• Kelin Xiaoman dragged the Swift Raptor’s corpse into the cave and covered it with stones to hide its scent from other beasts.

Kelin Xiaoman spent the night repeatedly healing Shiheng while restoring her mana, and the two finally collapsed into deep sleep at dawn. They woke after nightfall the following day, and Shiheng helped Xiaoman roast Swift Raptor meat in the cave.

• Kelin Xiaoman repeatedly meditated to restore her mana and used it to heal Shiheng's wounds through the night.
• Shiheng thanked Xiaoman and urged her to rest, but she insisted on continuing because he had saved her from the velociraptor.
• At dawn, Xiaoman finally fell asleep after Shiheng's wounds improved, and Shiheng soon fell asleep from exhaustion as well.
• The two slept until nightfall, when hunger woke Kelin Xiaoman and she began preparing a campfire and Swift Raptor meat.
• Shiheng woke and joined Xiaoman in tending the fire and roasting the meat.

After recovering from his injuries, Shiheng developed a Berserk Cultivation Secret Method and taught it to Kelin Xiaoman. After two days of practice, Xiaoman successfully grasped the Berserk Art.

• After seven days of recuperation, Shiheng recovered, though his meridians remained damaged and he could not use his berserk ability.
• Shiheng developed a Berserk Cultivation Secret Method and taught it to Kelin Xiaoman.
• Shiheng explained how extreme emotions could awaken hidden power, and Xiaoman realized she wanted to protect those she cared about.
• Kelin Xiaoman practiced the method for two days, exploring the connection between her emotions and magical energy.
• At dawn, Kelin Xiaoman released a powerful aura and successfully grasped the Berserk Art.

After recovering in the cave, Shiheng and Kelin Xiaoman emerged stronger and were ambushed by five Shadowfang Beasts drawn by the Swift Raptor meat. They defeated the pack and continued through the forest to search for Huohe and the others.

• Kelin Xiaoman advanced to the middle stage of a First-Level Warrior and could reach the early stage of a Third-Level Warrior with berserk, while Shiheng advanced to the early stage of a Fifth-Level Warrior.
• Shiheng and Kelin Xiaoman left the cave carrying the remaining Swift Raptor meat, but five Shadowfang Beasts ambushed them at the cliff top.
• Kelin Xiaoman and Shiheng activated berserk and fought the pack, with Shiheng shielding Kelin Xiaoman after she was wounded.
• Kelin Xiaoman used Berserk Shadowless Slash to kill the remaining Shadowfang Beasts, and she collected their five cores.
• After resting and gathering their spoils, Shiheng and Kelin Xiaoman continued through the forest to search for Huohe and the others.

Huohe and his companions fought their way past a sixth-rank Shadow Leopard while searching the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts for the missing Shiheng and Xiaoman. After defeating the beast, they rested briefly and continued toward the middle reaches to find their companions.

• Huohe and his companions set out to search for Shiheng and Xiaoman, but a sixth-rank Shadow Leopard blocked their way into the mountains.
• Huohe, Kelan Kai, and Xifaman discussed how to draw the Shadow Leopard's attention and strike its weak points as the beast attacked them again.
• Kelan Kai charged the Shadow Leopard as bait, allowing Xifaman to wound its eye and Huohe to stab its exposed belly.
• Huohe and the others kept attacking until the Shadow Leopard died, though the fight left them exhausted and wounded.
• Huohe ordered the group to rest briefly before continuing into the middle reaches to search for Shiheng and Xiaoman.

Huohe and the others encountered a den guarded by a Black Iron Demon Bear and two Red-Patterned Tigers, and their desperate battle turned when Shiheng and Xiaoman returned. After killing the beasts, the companions reunited and began making their way out of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts.

• Huohe led the wounded group deeper into the mountain range while they searched for the missing Shiheng and Xiaoman.
• Xifaman detected powerful beasts, and the group found a Black Iron Demon Bear and two Red-Patterned Tigers guarding Clearheart Spirit Grass.
• Huohe organized a fight, but the three beasts overwhelmed the exhausted companions and severely wounded Huohe and Xifaman.
• An unknown attacker struck the bear in the eye, then Shiheng and Xiaoman emerged and attacked its weak points.
• The companions joined Shiheng and Xiaoman to kill the bear and both tigers.
• Shiheng explained that injuries and high-level beasts had delayed his return, and the reunited group rested before heading out of the mountain range.

After returning safely to camp, Shiheng kept watch while his exhausted companions rested. The next morning, he announced that he would teach them his powerful Berserk Secret Method, leaving Huohe especially shocked and moved.

• The group gathered Clearheart Spirit Grass and buried magical beast cores, then carried their treasures back to camp on the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts' outskirts.
• Shiheng stayed awake through the night to guard his exhausted companions.
• After preparing breakfast, Shiheng told everyone he possessed a Berserk Secret Method and would teach it to them.
• Huohe was deeply shaken by Shiheng's revelation because he had long regretted being unable to become a Divine Beast Warrior.

Over three months, Shiheng healed his injuries and taught the Berserk Secret Method, while Huohe and Kelan Kai mastered it through their powerful emotions. The others also improved, and Huohe emerged at the late stage of the sixth level, able to reach mid-stage seventh-level strength when berserk.

• Shiheng spent three months recovering in camp and preparing for his future cultivation and trials.
• After persistent practice, Kelan Kai and Huohe successfully learned the Berserk Art, while the others could not master the method.
• Kelan Kai used his despair over his broken arm to understand sorrow, reached the peak of the fifth level, and gained mid-stage sixth-level combat strength when berserk.
• Huohe drew on his desire to restore the Basik Family and awakened its faint divine beast bloodline, advancing to the late stage of the sixth level.
• When berserk, Huohe could break through the sixth-level barrier and reach the combat strength of a mid-stage seventh-level warrior.
• Xifaman reached the peak of the fifth level, while Nalan Ruoshui and her sister strengthened their magic and physiques and neared the first warrior level.

Huohe and his group returned to the Radiant Church camp, where Huohe concealed their victory over a level seven Swift Raptor while reporting that they had killed three Shadow Alliance warriors. The legion commander praised their service and revealed that the Church had secured a level nine magical beast cub to gain an advantage in future conflicts.

• A messenger scout told Huohe that the Radiant Church had secured the level nine magical beast cub and ordered his group back to camp.
• Huohe rewarded the scout with a Level Three Magic Core, then led his group back to the Radiant Church camp.
• The legion commander questioned Huohe about the expedition, and Huohe claimed they had killed three Shadow Alliance warriors who had fled into their sector.
• Huohe presented the three warriors' heads and concealed that his group had killed a level seven Swift Raptor.
• The legion commander praised Huohe's group, promised military merit and rewards, and explained that the cub could give the Radiant Church an advantage in future faction struggles.

After reporting their success, Shiheng feared that the future arrival of Emperor Star would destroy both great alliances and vowed to grow strong enough to protect his companions. The group rested at camp, Xifaman advanced to sixth level, and the level nine cub was safely escorted to the Radiant Church headquarters.

• The legion commander thanked Huohe and his companions for their service and promised them recognition and rewards.
• Shiheng recalled the coming catastrophe led by Emperor Star and privately vowed to gain strength to protect those around him.
• Huohe and the others returned to camp and slept deeply after their exhausting journey and battles.
• During several peaceful days of recovery, Xifaman broke through to the early stage of a sixth-level warrior.
• The Church escorted the level nine magical beast cub to its headquarters, ending the immediate struggle over it.

Huohe and his companions received military rewards for their deeds in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, then discussed their separate plans after leaving the camp. Huohe prepared to take up his new fief, while Shiheng chose to remain in the army and grow stronger.

• Huohe and his companions registered their magic cores and other deeds at the Hall of Military Merit, earning titles, fiefs, and rare cultivation resources.
• Huohe became an earl with three towns around Wu Mountain Town, while Xifaman became a baron, Kelan Kai became a viscount, and Shiheng received a baron's title in the Principality of Klan.
• Nalan Jingyu and Nalan Qingyou exchanged their military merits for level-six and level-seven magic resources, while Kelin Xiaoman left the camp after Grand Duke Kelin summoned her.
• Huohe's companions discussed their plans: Xifaman would join him in Wu Mountain Town, Kelan Kai would return to Black Rock City, and the Nalan sisters would return to their family territory before cultivating in seclusion.
• Shiheng chose to remain in the military camp to train and seek a breakthrough, and Huohe promised to help him and keep in touch.

Shiheng returned to Yanhe Village carrying the reward from his mission and a baron’s title, after parting from his companions. He reassured his impoverished parents that he had not deserted and promised that their family would never be poor again.

• Shiheng reflected on parting from his companions and resolved to protect his family and pursue his own path.
• Shiheng quietly returned to his family’s shabby house in Yanhe Village and found his parents eating watery porridge and sparse greens.
• Shiheng’s father asked whether he had deserted, and Shiheng denied it, explaining that he had earned military merit on a mission and been made a baron.
• Shiheng opened his bundle of gold coins and showed his parents the Baron's Token, explaining that he had earned the wealth through dangerous service.
• Shiheng promised his parents that their hardship was over and declared that their family was now nobility.

Shiheng returned to Yanhe Village as a newly appointed baron, reunited with his parents, and arranged for them to move to Hess City while giving back to the villagers. After settling them safely and spending seven days at home, he returned to the military camp to continue his training and service.

• Shiheng cooked magical beast meat for his parents, told them about his title, and agreed with them to settle in Hess City instead of Kelan City.
• Shiheng held a feast for Yanhe Village to thank the villagers for caring for his parents and announced that his family would move to Hess City.
• Before leaving, Shiheng gave the village chief four hundred jin of fourth-level magical beast meat for the children and five hundred gold coins to help the village.
• Shiheng bought a residence in Hess City, introduced himself to City Lord Kleisler, and spent seven days caring for his parents.
• After ensuring his parents were settled and safe, Shiheng said goodbye and returned to the military camp.

After securing his family’s future, Shiheng returned to military service and was appointed a centurion in Legion Commander Kolewell’s personal guard. After six months of intense training, he was sent with one hundred guards to reinforce the Magic Crystal Vein, which the Shadow Alliance had attacked.

• Shiheng left ten thousand gold coins for his family and arranged for his father to receive his noble stipend.
• Shiheng reported back to Legion Commander Kolewell, who praised his ambition and appointed him a centurion in the personal guard.
• Shiheng trained relentlessly and established himself as a fifth-level beginner warrior, able to reach combat power comparable to a half-step seventh-level warrior in his berserk state.
• Over the next six months, Shiheng advanced to the fifth-level middle stage and neared the next breakthrough.
• Kolewell told Shiheng that the Shadow Alliance had attacked the Magic Crystal Vein and ordered him to reinforce it with one hundred personal guards.
• Shiheng assembled the guards and rode toward the Magic Crystal Vein.

Shiheng arrived as Kelin Laiyang’s defenders were close to losing the Principality of Klan’s magic crystal mine, and saved Kelin from a fatal spell. He turned to attack the Shadow Alliance mage but was pinned down by the mage, a Shadow Leopard, and another warrior.

• Kelin Laiyang urged his battered defenders to hold the mine against the Shadow Alliance’s attacks.
• The Shadow Alliance’s level-six fire mage unleashed powerful area spells, devastating the defenders and targeting Kelin with Flameblood Slash.
• Shiheng arrived, scattered the spell with his saber, and ordered Kelin to rally the remaining soldiers and stabilize the line.
• Shiheng charged the mage, but a peak level-six Shadow Leopard ambushed him and forced him into combat.
• The mage attacked Shiheng with fire spells while he fought the Shadow Leopard, and a peak level-six Shadow Alliance warrior joined the assault from the flank.
• The three enemies overwhelmed Shiheng’s attacks, wounded him, and forced him to retreat.

Shiheng broke through to the fifth-level late stage while fighting three sixth-level peak enemies, then used his berserk power to drive them off and save Laiyang City. After receiving healing, he stabilized his injuries and consolidated his new cultivation, leaving him able to reach the seventh-level early stage when berserk.

• Shiheng broke through to the fifth-level late stage under pressure from a sixth-level peak warrior, and his Berserk Secret Art raised his combat strength to the seventh level.
• Shiheng endured a Flame Slash, killed the sixth-level mage’s magical beast, and severed the mage’s arm.
• A sixth-level warrior rescued the wounded mage and fled with him, ending the battle in victory for Laiyang City’s defenders.
• Laiyang’s defending commander thanked Shiheng, who asked for a quiet room to recover.
• Laiyang brought a Holy Light Priest to heal Shiheng, who stabilized his injuries and consolidated his fifth-level late-stage cultivation.

Theodora learned that Shiheng, a fifteen-year-old warrior, had severed his arm and killed his contracted magical beast, and swore revenge. After discovering that the Magic Crystal Vein concealed a level 8 mine, he agreed to delay the assault until the Shadow Alliance could gather enough sixth-level mages, leaving the attack planned for five days later.

• Theodora raged over his defeat and demanded that his intelligence commander identify the man who had severed his arm and killed his magical beast.
• The commander reported that Shiheng came from Yanhe Village, was just over fifteen, and could greatly increase his strength with a Berserk Secret Art.
• Theodora vowed to torture Shiheng and ordered the commander to capture him, but the commander warned that deploying four seventh-level warriors could alert the Radiant Church.
• The commander revealed that an informant had discovered a level 8 magic crystal mine beneath the vein and proposed a covert assault while secretly abducting Shiheng.
• Theodora ordered an immediate attack, then agreed to wait five days because the Shadow Alliance needed time to assemble sixth-level mages.

Shiheng discovered a level 8 magic crystal mine and secretly claimed a Space Ring containing a God-level expert’s severed arm. He left the mine concealing his discovery, unaware that watchers in the camp were already plotting against him.

• Shiheng found a level 8 magic crystal vein and ordered everyone who had seen it to keep silent and remain under guard.
• Shiheng went deeper into the mine and discovered a severed arm bearing an ancient Space Ring.
• Shiheng bound the ring with his blood, stored the arm inside it, and hid the ring beneath his clothes.
• Shiheng warned the Laiyang commander that the mine could bring disaster and advised him to survey it and report it to the Radiant Church.
• Shiheng returned to camp concealing the ring, while furtive watchers began focusing on him.

After cultivating the Destruction Battle Qi Technique for three days, Shiheng saw the Shadow Alliance attack the Radiant camp and received a letter containing an urgent request for reinforcements. He joined the battle when his comrades were slaughtered, but an eighth-level warrior broke his weapon and wounded him, leaving him fleeing with five enemies in pursuit.

• Shiheng mastered the Destruction Battle Qi Technique, which strengthened his berserk power, and cultivated for three days until he reached the peak of fifth-level warrior strength.
• The Shadow Alliance attacked the Radiant camp, and the Laiyang garrison commander gave Shiheng a letter detailing the enemy's forces and asked him to deliver it to Grand Duke Kelin or the Radiant Church headquarters.
• Shiheng tried to find a chance to escape with the letter, but seeing his comrades fall drove him to unleash his berserk power, raising his strength to the peak of seventh level.
• Shiheng killed two sixth-level Shadow Alliance warriors, then Theodora sent four seventh-level advanced warriors to surround him.
• An eighth-level warrior struck Shiheng, cleaved his saber in two, and wounded him; Shiheng fled the battlefield as the eighth-level warrior and four others pursued him.

Shiheng fled the Shadow Alliance pursuers while badly wounded, then leaped from a cliff to escape capture. He briefly caught a vine before falling unconscious into the river, which carried him away as his pursuers began searching below.

• Shiheng evaded the eighth-level warrior’s Battle Qi slashes while racing toward the mountain forest.
• Shiheng used the forest’s trees and cliffs to dodge the pursuers as his injuries worsened and his berserk power faded.
• Shiheng blasted back two seventh-level warriors with his remaining strength and jumped off the cliff.
• The eighth-level warrior ordered his subordinates to search along the river for Shiheng, alive or dead.
• Shiheng caught a vine briefly, lost consciousness, and was swept away by the river.