Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: Tianlong Profound Realm

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren travels for seven days across more than one hundred thousand li, leaving Daning Kingdom and arriving in Tianlong Kingdom.
• He is immediately struck by Tianlong Kingdom’s denser spiritual energy and much higher overall martial strength. Divine Sea Realm practitioners are common, and even Heavenly Gang Realm experts can be sensed in public.
• Lu Ren sells miscellaneous resources for two hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones but keeps his valuable martial manuals and treasures for Qingyun Sect, knowing that possessing them openly could attract dangerous enemies.
• At a luxurious inn, he learns that the Tianlong Profound Realm will open in seven days. The realm was left behind by the first ruler of Tianlong Kingdom—or possibly the former Tianlong Dynasty—and may contain the ruler’s inheritance.
• Lu Ren resolves to compete for the inheritance and enters the Nameless Treasure Pagoda to cultivate.
• He focuses on the Dragon Elephant Mutual Combat Technique, an Ancient Mysterious-Tier High-grade martial skill that allows him to attack simultaneously with a dragon claw and elephant trunk.
• After ten thousand years of cultivation inside the pagoda, Lu Ren reaches the technique’s major accomplishment stage, though he falls just short of perfection because his Spirit Stones run out.
• Xiao Man also cultivates for ten thousand years by absorbing spiritual energy. Its aura becomes significantly stronger, although it remains inside an egg.
• After leaving the pagoda, Lu Ren gathers information about the upcoming competition. The three great sects, the royal family, and the top ten geniuses of the Tianlong Ranking are expected to participate.
• Seven days later, Tianlong Palace appears in the sky amid violent spatial disturbances, officially signaling the opening of the Tianlong Profound Realm. The people of Tianlong Kingdom view the event as a chance to restore their nation’s status as a dynasty.

Character Development

• Lu Ren: Becomes more aware of the vast gap between his current strength and the greater martial world. His confidence remains strong, but he recognizes Tianlong Kingdom as a serious challenge and wonders whether he can compete with its top ten geniuses. His Dragon Elephant combat abilities advance substantially.
• Xiao Man: Grows stronger through ten thousand years of spiritual cultivation, though its mysterious egg form remains unchanged.
• Tianlong Kingdom’s young geniuses: Though not directly introduced, they are established as Lu Ren’s major future rivals, particularly the suspected Supreme Extreme Realm expert ranked first on the Tianlong Ranking.

Significant Themes

• The vastness of the martial world: Lu Ren’s arrival in Tianlong Kingdom emphasizes how limited his previous experience was.
• Power and danger: Valuable treasures can provoke robbery, and strength is necessary to protect one’s possessions.
• Cultivation through time and perseverance: Ten thousand years of concentrated training allow Lu Ren to make major progress despite limited resources.
• National glory and inheritance: The Tianlong Profound Realm represents both a personal opportunity for martial advancement and a possible path for Tianlong Kingdom to reclaim dynastic status.
• Limits of resources: Even Lu Ren’s extraordinary cultivation environment is constrained by the finite supply of Spirit Stones.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren has no major direct conversations in the chapter. Instead, he overhears travelers and martial artists discussing the Profound Realm, the Tianlong royal family, and the kingdom’s top-ranked geniuses.
• His relationship with Xiao Man is shown through their shared cultivation inside the Nameless Treasure Pagoda.
• Lu Ren’s thoughts also remain influenced by Senior Lei Hong’s earlier information, which is confirmed when the secret realm finally appears.

Chapter Summary: Son of National Destiny

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Tianlong Profound Realm suddenly appears, drawing powerful figures, sects, and geniuses from across the Tianlong Kingdom to the Golden Palace.
• The three great sects—Xuan Shui Sect, Burning Flame Sect, and Divine Wind Sect—rush to investigate, hoping the realm will help restore the fallen Tianlong Dynasty to its former glory.
• Lu Ren heads toward the Golden Palace after concealing his identity and altering his appearance. He does so because he expects conflict with Tianlong Kingdom geniuses and does not want to create another enemy after already provoking the Shenwu Kingdom.
• At the Golden Palace, the Tianlong Mansion has already assembled around the entrance. The Eighth Prince, who possesses the Tianlong Ancestor’s bloodline, is presented as the person most likely to inherit the ancestor’s legacy.
• Mansion Lord Zuo Qianqiu announces that only the top ten geniuses on the Tianlong Ranking may enter the Profound Realm. This restriction is intended to prevent excessive casualties and internal conflict.
• The person who acquires the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance will become the “Son of National Destiny,” a figure representing the future of the entire Tianlong Kingdom. The kingdom plans to stake its national revival on this inheritance.
• Those outside the current top ten protest, arguing that the rankings were determined six months earlier and may no longer reflect everyone’s true strength.
• To address this, Zuo Qianqiu offers an alternative: anyone who can withstand ten moves from Zhou Yan may enter the realm along with the ranked geniuses.
• The challenge immediately intimidates the crowd because Zhou Yan is ranked fourth on the Tianlong Ranking, possesses a Seventh-grade Bloodline, has reached the Third Heaven of Sword Intent, and cultivates powerful high-grade martial techniques.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates caution and strategic awareness by hiding his identity before entering the competition. He recognizes that the Profound Realm will likely become a battlefield among the strongest geniuses.
• The Eighth Prince is portrayed as proud and confident, believing his inherited Tianlong bloodline gives him the best chance of obtaining the ancestor’s inheritance.
• Zuo Qianqiu emerges as a politically calculating leader. He presents the restrictions as measures to protect weaker cultivators while ensuring that only the kingdom’s most capable geniuses compete.
• The leaders of the three great sects show concern that Tianlong Mansion may try to monopolize the Profound Realm, reflecting the rivalry between the royal family and the sects.
• Zhou Yan is established as a major obstacle and likely upcoming antagonist or benchmark for Lu Ren and the other challengers.

Significant Themes

• National revival and destiny: The Tianlong Kingdom hopes to recover its former status as a dynasty through the ancestor’s inheritance.
• Power tied to political legitimacy: The title of Son of National Destiny links individual strength with the fate and prosperity of the entire nation.
• Competition and controlled opportunity: Access to the realm is restricted to the strongest, creating tension between established rankings and emerging talents.
• Hidden identity and survival: Lu Ren’s disguise reflects the dangers of political rivalries and the need to conceal one’s origins in a high-stakes conflict.
• Legacy and bloodline: The Tianlong Ancestor’s bloodline and inheritance suggest that lineage, talent, and fortune will all influence who rises to power.

Character Interactions

• Shui Qinghan and Zuo Qianqiu clash indirectly when Shui questions the royal family’s apparent attempt to control the Profound Realm. Zuo reassures the sects but imposes conditions favoring the strongest elites.
• Zuo Qianqiu and the Eighth Prince interact as mentor and royal authority figures, with Zuo encouraging the prince and emphasizing his bloodline advantage.
• Zuo Qianqiu and the gathered disciples engage in a political negotiation: he limits entry while offering a difficult challenge to those who believe they deserve a chance.
• Lu Ren remains an observer within the crowd, secretly evaluating the situation and the threats posed by the Tianlong royal family and its geniuses.

Chapter Summary: “Gathering of Geniuses”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Tianlong Emperor’s selection test requires candidates to withstand ten moves from Zhou Yan, the tenth-ranked genius of the Tianlong Ranking. This effectively means only those with strength comparable to the ranking’s top ten can qualify for entry into the Tianlong Profound Realm.
• Zhou Yan steps forward as the first challenger and quickly overwhelms numerous disciples from the three major sects. He defeats most opponents within a few moves while using only half his strength, demonstrating the enormous gap between ordinary sect geniuses and Tianlong Ranking elites.
• Only five contestants manage to endure ten moves against Zhou Yan, establishing themselves as the strongest younger disciples present.
• Jinshitai, the number-one genius of Daning Kingdom, challenges Zhou Yan. Although Daning is considered an insignificant neighboring kingdom, Jinshitai reveals powerful strength through his refined Exotic Earth, the Heavenly Killing Stone.
• Jinshitai successfully blocks Zhou Yan’s attacks and forces him to acknowledge defeat. Despite winning, Jinshitai realizes that Zhou Yan has not shown his full depth, and that even the fourth-ranked Tianlong genius is far stronger than expected.
• The crowd discusses the advantage provided by powerful Exotic Five Elements, recognizing that such treasures can dramatically increase a martial artist’s combat strength.
• Wu Ao, the eldest prince of Shenwu Kingdom, arrives and announces his intention to seize the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance. His overwhelming Baleful Intent, formed from extensive killing, intimidates many of the gathered disciples.
• Zhou Xuan, Tianlong Kingdom’s top-ranked genius, confronts Wu Ao but allows him to enter the competition, confident that Wu Ao is not a serious threat.
• Lu Ren then volunteers to challenge Zhou Yan. Because Lu Ren’s displayed cultivation is only at the eighth level of the Divine Sea Realm, the crowd reacts with surprise and contempt, assuming he is unqualified to participate.

Character Developments

• Zhou Yan: Establishes himself as an exceptionally powerful spear-user whose strength far exceeds ordinary ninth-level Divine Sea Realm martial artists. He uses only half his strength against most challengers and remains composed throughout the battles. His performance suggests that even his ranking as fourth-ranked—according to the later dialogue—is not indicative of his full potential.
• Jinshitai: Demonstrates that a genius from a lower-ranked kingdom can still compete with Tianlong Kingdom’s elites. His mastery of the Heavenly Killing Stone and formidable defensive and offensive abilities earn him a place among the strongest candidates.
• Lu Ren: Quietly observes the competition and evaluates the difference between kingdom environments and sect cultivation. Though he appears weaker because of his eighth-level cultivation, his decision to challenge Zhou Yan hints that he possesses hidden confidence and strength.
• Wu Ao: Is introduced as an ambitious and arrogant foreign prince. His Baleful Intent reveals extensive combat experience and killing, while his stated goal of obtaining the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance establishes him as a major rival.
• Zhou Xuan: Displays confidence in his own superiority by permitting Wu Ao to enter, suggesting he believes no outsider can threaten his position or inheritance claim.
• Gu Yifan: Though absent from the immediate contest, he is mentioned as having greater innate talent than Zhou Yan. His weaker achievements are attributed to being born in the poorer cultivation environment of the Seventy-Two Nations.

Significant Themes

• The influence of cultivation environment: The chapter emphasizes that talent alone is not enough; access to superior resources and stronger environments allows dynasty-born geniuses to develop more complete foundations than those from weaker kingdoms.
• The hierarchy of genius: The Tianlong Ranking divides martial artists into sharply different levels, showing that small differences in ranking can represent enormous gaps in actual strength.
• Hidden strength and appearances: Jinshitai’s humble national origin does not reflect his true ability, while Lu Ren’s eighth-level cultivation causes others to underestimate him.
• Power gained through rare treasures: The Exotic Five Elements, especially Jinshitai’s Heavenly Killing Stone, can greatly enhance a martial artist’s combat ability.
• Competition for inheritance: The gathering is not merely a qualification test; it is a contest involving national pride, sect prestige, and the chance to obtain the Tianlong Ancestor’s legacy.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhou Yan and the sect disciples: Zhou Yan dismisses their challenges and defeats them decisively, humiliating the strongest disciples of the three major sects.
• Zhou Yan and Jinshitai: Their battle is the chapter’s central confrontation. Jinshitai blocks Zhou Yan’s attacks through the Heavenly Killing Stone, but Zhou Yan retains the upper hand in depth and experience before conceding.
• Wu Ao and Zhou Xuan: Their exchange establishes immediate rivalry. Wu Ao openly seeks Tianlong’s inheritance, while Zhou Xuan responds with disdain and confidence.
• Lu Ren and the gathered geniuses: Lu Ren’s challenge creates shock because his visible cultivation seems insufficient. The crowd’s dismissive reaction sets up the possibility that he will overturn their expectations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren challenges and defeats Zhou Yan, securing a spot in the Tianlong Profound Realm.
• Eighteen individuals enter the Tianlong Profound Realm, a ruined imperial palace site.
• A voice announces that five Tianlong Tokens are hidden within, and only those who obtain one will proceed to the Tianlong Great Hall for the inheritance.
• Lu Ren discovers a fifth-tier spiritual herb, Gold-Silver Grass, and encounters Jinshitai.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates his strength and multitasking ability in combat, earning respect from Zhou Yan and others.
• Lu Ren shows caution and strategic thinking by deciding to retreat and search for spiritual herbs instead of immediately competing for the Tianlong Tokens.

Significant Themes

• Strength and skill in combat are respected and admired.
• Caution and strategic thinking are crucial for survival and success.
• The value and allure of spiritual herbs and resources are highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Zhou Yan: Lu Ren challenges and defeats Zhou Yan, earning his respect and a spot in the Tianlong Profound Realm.
• Lu Ren and Jinshitai: Lu Ren encounters Jinshitai and anticipates a potential confrontation over the Gold-Silver Grass.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jinshitai, a body-refining Martial Artist, arrives to kill Lu Ren for the increased chance of finding a Tianlong Token.
• Lu Ren defeats Jinshitai, who underestimates Lu Ren's strength, and takes his Heavenly Killing Stone seed.
• Lu Ren continues searching for the Tianlong Token and collects fifth-tier spirit herbs.
• Wu Ao reveals he's been following Lu Ren and proposes cooperation to contend against other geniuses.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Demonstrates his strength and confidence in facing powerful opponents, showing his determination to break through to the ninth level of the Divine Sea Realm.
• Jinshitai: Underestimates Lu Ren and pays the price, showcasing the danger of underestimating opponents.
• Wu Ao: Reveals his strategic thinking and desire to cooperate with Lu Ren, indicating his respect for Lu Ren's strength.

Significant Themes

• Strength and Power: Lu Ren's strength is the key to his survival and success in the ancient Tianlong site.
• Cooperation and Alliances: Wu Ao seeks an alliance with Lu Ren to increase his chances against other powerful geniuses.
• Underestimation: Jinshitai's underestimation of Lu Ren leads to his downfall.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren vs. Jinshitai: Lu Ren easily defeats Jinshitai, proving his strength and Jinshitai's underestimation.
• Lu Ren and Wu Ao: Wu Ao proposes cooperation with Lu Ren, acknowledging Lu Ren's strength and potential, while Lu Ren agrees, seeing Wu Ao as a valuable ally.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren and Wu Ao discover a seven-story treasure tower guarded by a powerful formation.
• They join fifteen others from Tianlong Kingdom to break the formation and enter the tower.
• Inside, they find various treasures, including the Sacred Spirit Ganoderma, a rare spiritual herb.
• Lu Ren and Wu Ao work together to reach the seventh floor, where five Tianlong Tokens are located, sparking a conflict among the remaining six people.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates significant growth in strength, easily defeating a powerful opponent and holding his own against top geniuses.
• Wu Ao shows cunning and strategic thinking, agreeing to distract the main opponents while Lu Ren attempts to snatch the tokens.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Greed: The characters' desire for power and treasures drives their actions and conflicts.
• Teamwork vs. Individualism: Lu Ren and Wu Ao temporarily set aside their differences to work together, while the others prioritize their own interests.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Wu Ao form an uneasy alliance to reach the seventh floor and obtain the Tianlong Tokens.
• The top geniuses from the three major sects and Tianlong Mansion clash due to their desire for the tokens, prioritizing their own interests over unity.
• Zhou Yan, a formidable opponent, is repelled by Lu Ren, highlighting Lu Ren's growth in strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren and Zhou Yan's battle reveals Lu Ren's strength, shocking Zhou Yan and the others.
• Zhou Xuan and Wu Ao engage in a fierce fight.
• Zhou Yan challenges Lu Ren to a one-on-one battle, but Lu Ren holds his ground.
• Lu Ren and Zhou Yan exchange over a hundred blows, with Lu Ren's strength surprising the geniuses from the three major sects.
• Han Feng, Zhuo Bufan, and Nie Tian join the fight against Lu Ren, but he withstands their combined attack using an Exotic Five Elements lotus.
• Lu Ren retrieves four Tianlong Tokens and throws one to Wu Ao before they both retreat.

Character Developments

• Zhou Yan: Realizes Lu Ren's strength and is forced to admit he can't defeat him alone.
• Lu Ren: Proves his strength and resilience, reaching the Supreme Extreme Realm in the Cloud River Realm and demonstrating the power of his Nine Yang Sacred Body.
• Wu Ao: Plays a supporting role, catching the Tianlong Token and retreating with Lu Ren.

Significant Themes

• Strength and power dynamics: Lu Ren's strength is revealed, challenging the expectations of the other characters.
• Pride and humility: Zhou Yan's pride leads him to underestimate Lu Ren, ultimately causing him to face a strong opponent he can't defeat alone.
• Teamwork vs. individual prowess: Lu Ren initially holds his own against Zhou Yan, but when the other geniuses join the fight, he must use a powerful technique to defend against their combined assault.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren vs. Zhou Yan: A tense and evenly matched battle between two powerful opponents.
• Zhou Xuan vs. Wu Ao: A fierce fight between the two leaders of their respective groups.
• Lu Ren vs. the geniuses from the three major sects: Lu Ren withstands their combined attack, showcasing his strength and resilience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren and Wu Ao meet after Lu Ren obtains the Tianlong Token.
• Lu Ren cultivates using the Sacred Spirit Ganoderma, advancing to the ninth level of the Divine Sea Realm.
• Lu Ren and Wu Ao head to Tianlong Palace, where they're surrounded by other geniuses, including Zhou Xuan.
• Zhou Xuan challenges Lu Ren, underestimating him due to his age and level.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Advances to the ninth level of the Divine Sea Realm, demonstrating immense power and confidence.
• Wu Ao: Recognizes Lu Ren as a friend, reveals his status as the First Prince, and shares information about Wu Tianqiong.
• Zhou Xuan: Underestimates Lu Ren's strength, leading to a direct confrontation.

Significant Themes

• Power and cultivation level disparity.
• Underestimation of opponents based on age and cultivation level.
• The importance of the Heavenly Dragon Token and Tianlong Palace.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Wu Ao: Form an alliance, with Wu Ao providing information and Lu Ren sharing his strength.
• Lu Ren and Zhou Xuan: Engage in a direct confrontation, with Zhou Xuan underestimating Lu Ren's power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Xuan, now at the ninth level of the Divine Sea Realm, challenges Lu Ren.
• Lu Ren and Zhou Xuan engage in a fierce battle, initially resulting in a draw.
• Zhou Xuan activates his bloodline, increasing his strength by seventy percent.
• Lu Ren uses his Reincarnation Five Elements Lotus and a poisonous vine to entangle Zhou Xuan, then strikes with his Thunder Tribulation Sword Momentum, defeating Zhou Xuan.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates significant growth in strength, surprising everyone by drawing with Zhou Xuan and later defeating him.
• Zhou Xuan, despite his overconfidence, is humbled by his defeat and realizes the importance of his role in the Tianlong Kingdom's ascension.

Significant Themes

• The power of underestimation and adaptability (Lu Ren's use of the poisonous vine and Zhou Xuan's underestimation of Lu Ren).
• The importance of one's role and responsibility (Zhou Xuan's realization about his kingdom's future).

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Zhou Xuan's intense battle highlights their skills and determination.
• Zhou Xuan's realization about Lu Ren's identity and the importance of his own role in the kingdom's future leads to a shift in his perspective.

Chapter Summary: Golden Steps

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Xuan, the Eighth Prince of Tianlong Kingdom, is forced to confront the possibility of death after Lu Ren defeats him with the help of the Exotic Wood.
• Lu Ren demands that Zhou Xuan kneel if he wants to live. Zhou Xuan initially reacts angrily, but ultimately kneels, reasoning that enduring temporary humiliation is worthwhile if it allows him to survive and achieve greater ambitions.
• Lu Ren unexpectedly reveals that the kneeling was not truly required; he had already moved toward Tianlong Palace and tells Zhou Xuan to begin the inheritance trial. Zhou Xuan is embarrassed and emotionally conflicted, but vows to remember that Lu Ren spared him.
• Lu Ren, Zhou Xuan, Wu Ao, Han Feng, and Zhuo Bufan begin the Tianlong Ancestor’s trial together by stepping onto the Golden Steps.
• Their Tianlong Tokens explode into golden light, activating the stairs and creating overwhelming pressure. The trial tests both cultivation and physical strength.
• Wu Ao and Zhou Xuan quickly take the lead, reaching the ninth step. Han Feng and Zhuo Bufan struggle much earlier, with Zhuo Bufan collapsing on the third step because his cultivation emphasizes speed rather than physical endurance.
• Lu Ren relies on his Nine Yang Sacred Body to overcome the pressure. Though initially behind, he reaches the seventh step, then the eighth, and finally the ninth, catching up with Wu Ao and Zhou Xuan.
• Observers outside Tianlong Palace are shocked by Lu Ren’s performance, especially because he matches two fighters who have reached the Supreme Extreme Realm.

Character Developments

• Zhou Xuan: Demonstrates political ambition and pragmatism by accepting humiliation to preserve his life. His willingness to kneel shows that he can suppress his pride for a greater goal. He also reveals considerable strength, remaining among the leaders of the trial despite his earlier defeat.
• Lu Ren: Shows both dominance and restraint. Although he humiliates Zhou Xuan verbally, he does not actually require the prince to kneel. During the trial, Lu Ren’s physical cultivation and perseverance become increasingly apparent, allowing him to challenge stronger opponents.
• Wu Ao: Maintains his position as one of the strongest participants and recognizes Lu Ren’s unusual ability, calling him extraordinary.
• Han Feng: Struggles on the sixth step despite possessing abundant true energy and a powerful bloodline, showing the trial’s emphasis on physical strength.
• Zhuo Bufan: Is eliminated from meaningful competition early because his speed-focused cultivation leaves his body poorly suited to endure the Golden Steps’ pressure.

Significant Themes

• Pride versus survival: Zhou Xuan must choose between preserving his dignity and preserving his life, deciding that survival and future achievement matter more than momentary humiliation.
• Strength beyond cultivation: The trial proves that raw true energy is insufficient; physical constitution, endurance, and body refinement are equally important.
• Perseverance and determination: Lu Ren advances despite increasingly crushing pressure, relying on willpower and his Nine Yang Sacred Body.
• Hidden potential and changing perceptions: Lu Ren’s rapid progress surprises everyone and challenges assumptions about his strength.
• Strategic humility: Zhou Xuan’s decision to endure humiliation reflects the idea that a powerful person must sometimes bend in order to accomplish greater ambitions.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Zhou Xuan: Their conflict shifts from hostility to reluctant respect. Lu Ren defeats Zhou Xuan but spares him, while Zhou Xuan promises to remember the mercy. Lu Ren’s revelation that the kneeling was unnecessary leaves Zhou Xuan embarrassed.
• Zhou Xuan and the other geniuses: His companions are shocked that he kneels and attempt to defend him, but Zhou Xuan stops them and accepts responsibility for his own survival.
• Lu Ren and Wu Ao: They compete directly during the trial, with Wu Ao recognizing Lu Ren’s exceptional performance.
• The contestants: Lu Ren, Zhou Xuan, Wu Ao, Han Feng, and Zhuo Bufan temporarily cooperate by entering the trial together, but the inheritance ultimately remains a competition in which each must rely on personal ability.
• The outside observers: The people from Tianlong Mansion and the major sects react with disbelief as they watch Lu Ren rise from an unexpected participant to a contender matching the leading geniuses.

Chapter Summary: “Breaking Through the Limit”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren reaches the ninth Golden Step and pushes his true energy toward its limit, using the overwhelming Golden Light pressure to compress and refine the energy in his Divine Sea.
• Zhou Xuan forces himself toward the tenth step despite the pressure tearing open cracks in his skin. After reaching it, he nearly collapses, but Lu Ren catches him and prevents him from falling.
• Wu Ao stops at the ninth step, choosing to absorb the Golden Light and strengthen his cultivation rather than risk advancing further. Zhou Xuan, however, continues because he believes Tianlong Kingdom depends on him obtaining Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance.
• Lu Ren tells Zhou Xuan to endure on the tenth step while he attempts to break through into the Supreme Extreme Realm. He promises that, if successful, he will help Zhou Xuan advance to the inheritance.
• Lu Ren continues climbing despite increasingly crushing pressure. He progresses from walking to crawling, eventually scraping the nails from his hands as he drags himself toward the eleventh step.
• Although his body reaches its limit, Lu Ren draws strength from memories of his master and the Qingyun Sect elders who sacrificed themselves for him. He makes one final desperate charge and lands on the eleventh step.
• The pressure compresses his Divine Sea almost completely, triggering a massive eruption of true energy. Lu Ren successfully breaks through into the Supreme Extreme Realm, shocking everyone watching.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Demonstrates extraordinary physical endurance, determination, and selflessness. Rather than pursuing the inheritance solely for himself, he protects Zhou Xuan and intends to help him fulfill his responsibility to Tianlong Kingdom. His perseverance allows him to break through his cultivation bottleneck.
• Zhou Xuan: Shows courage and responsibility by continuing upward despite severe injuries, motivated by the fate of his kingdom. He becomes more grateful toward Lu Ren after being rescued and recognizes the sincerity behind Lu Ren’s support.
• Wu Ao: Displays a pragmatic attitude, accepting that the ninth step is his limit and prioritizing cultivation over the uncertain inheritance.
• Observers from Tianlong Kingdom: Initially misinterpret Lu Ren’s assistance as humiliation or interference, revealing their prejudice and lack of understanding of his intentions. Their attitude contrasts with the significance of Lu Ren’s sacrifice.

Significant Themes

• Breaking through personal limits: The Golden Steps serve as both a physical and spiritual trial, with Lu Ren’s breakthrough coming only after he surpasses what his body believes is possible.
• Sacrifice and responsibility: Zhou Xuan climbs for the sake of Tianlong Kingdom, while Lu Ren risks delaying or compromising his own opportunity to help him.
• Perseverance fueled by memory: Lu Ren’s recollection of those who sacrificed themselves for him gives him the strength to continue when his body can no longer move.
• Misjudgment versus true character: The people watching condemn Lu Ren without understanding him, while his actions reveal genuine loyalty and selflessness.
• Opportunity through hardship: The immense pressure that threatens to destroy Lu Ren instead becomes the catalyst for his advancement.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren saves Zhou Xuan from falling off the tenth step, creating a moment of trust and gratitude between them.
• Lu Ren explains that he plans to break through first and then help Zhou Xuan reach the inheritance, emphasizing his belief that Zhou Xuan—not an outsider—should inherit Tianlong Ancestor’s legacy.
• Zhou Xuan questions why Lu Ren would help him, and Lu Ren answers that Tianlong Kingdom needs its own prince to save it.
• The spectators from Tianlong Kingdom criticize Lu Ren’s actions, while the geniuses from Tianlong Mansion openly hope he fails. Their reactions heighten the contrast between public suspicion and Lu Ren’s actual intentions.

Chapter Summary: “Divine Blessing, Revival of All Things”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren’s breakthrough to the Supreme Extreme Realm triggers an extraordinary phenomenon. Divine phantoms appear in the sky, and a powerful Divine Blessing descends upon him.
• The blessing spreads far beyond the Tianlong Profound Realm, transforming the entire

Tianlong Kingdom

• Ordinary plants become spiritual herbs and flowers.
• Barren mines and mountains release abundant spiritual energy.
• The world’s spiritual energy grows denser.
• Wild beasts evolve into Monstrous Beasts.
• Cultivators throughout the kingdom break through their bottlenecks.
• The people mistakenly assume that the Eighth Prince, Tianlong Xuan, has obtained the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance and celebrate the kingdom’s apparent rise.
• The Tianlong Emperor sees the transformation and believes his son has inherited the Ancestor’s legacy. He leads the Imperial Guards toward the Tianlong Profound Realm to welcome him.
• Inside the realm, Lu Ren completes his breakthrough:
  • His compressed Divine Sea explodes and reforms into a larger, sturdier Divine Sea.
  • Divine runes are engraved into its walls.
  • His true energy becomes roughly three times stronger, and his Divine Sea doubles in size.
  • The Golden Light, once oppressive, becomes a source of energy that he absorbs.
• Zhou Xuan and Wu Ao recognize that Lu Ren has surpassed the Divine Sea Realm’s limits and entered the Supreme Extreme Realm. Both conclude that he is the true leading genius among the Seventy-Two Nations.
• The Tianlong Emperor arrives and discovers that Xuan is still lying helplessly on the Golden Steps and has not obtained the inheritance.
• Zuo Qianqiu reveals that the kingdom’s transformation was caused by Lu Ren’s Divine Blessing, not by Tianlong Xuan.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren achieves a major advancement, breaking through the Divine Sea Realm’s ultimate limit and becoming vastly more powerful. His breakthrough also demonstrates that his talent and potential exceed those of his peers.
• Zhou Xuan becomes deeply impressed by Lu Ren and admits that he feels inferior despite being a genius himself.
• Wu Ao similarly realizes that his younger brother, Wu Tianqiong, is no match for Lu Ren.
• Tianlong Xuan is revealed to be in a poor state, undermining the assumption that he gained the Ancestor’s inheritance.
• The Tianlong Emperor shifts from confident anticipation to confusion when he learns that his son is not responsible for the kingdom’s miraculous transformation.
• Zuo Qianqiu accurately identifies Lu Ren as the source of the Divine Blessing and explains the situation to the Emperor.

Significant Themes

• Breakthrough and transcendence: Lu Ren surpasses the established limits of cultivation, marking him as an extraordinary figure.
• The influence of individual power: His personal advancement transforms an entire kingdom, showing how the achievements of one powerful cultivator can affect countless people.
• Misunderstanding and mistaken identity: The kingdom credits Tianlong Xuan for the miracle, while the true source is Lu Ren.
• National destiny and prosperity: The Divine Blessing revitalizes Tianlong, giving the kingdom the potential to become a dynasty and changing its future.
• Recognition of true genius: Zhou Xuan and Wu Ao acknowledge Lu Ren’s superiority, reinforcing his growing reputation as the greatest genius of the region.

Character Interactions

• The people of Tianlong celebrate together, believing their kingdom has received heavenly favor through the Eighth Prince.
• The Tianlong Emperor and the Imperial Guard Commander share excitement over the supposed success of Tianlong Xuan and travel together to welcome him.
• Zhou Xuan and Wu Ao observe Lu Ren’s breakthrough and privately compare his strength to their own and to Wu Tianqiong’s.
• The Tianlong Emperor questions Zuo Qianqiu about Xuan’s condition and the source of the kingdom-wide changes.
• Zuo Qianqiu corrects the Emperor’s misunderstanding by identifying Lu Ren as the person responsible for the Divine Blessing.

Chapter Summary: A Favor Along the Way

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren’s breakthrough into the Supreme Extreme Realm triggers a Divine Blessing, causing spiritual rain and the revival of all things throughout the Tianlong Kingdom.
• The Tianlong Emperor and others realize that Lu Ren—not the Tianlong Ancestor—was responsible for the kingdom’s restoration. The emperor orders his people to publicly claim that the Eighth Prince, Zhou Xuan, inherited the Ancestor’s power, concealing Lu Ren’s achievement.
• Although Lu Ren could enter Tianlong Palace himself and seek the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance, he chooses to help Zhou Xuan instead. He supports Zhou Xuan up the Golden Steps and enables him to enter the palace.
• Once Zhou Xuan enters, everyone except him is teleported out. Lu Ren is then approached by the Tianlong Emperor, who offers him lavish rewards and promises that Lu Ren’s kingdom will become an eternal ally of Tianlong Kingdom.
• Lu Ren introduces himself under the name Lu Yun and refuses to reveal his kingdom, partly to protect his identity and partly because he does not want Jiangyun Kingdom—whose emperor he dislikes—to benefit from his actions.
• The Tianlong Emperor invites Lu Ren to the imperial palace and treats him with extraordinary respect, even allowing him to ride in the Imperial Carriage.
• Wu Ao departs after speaking with the emperor. The emperor praises Wu Ao’s former potential and announces that he will personally attend Wu Tianqiong’s wedding, surprising Wu Ao and the surrounding leaders.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Demonstrates remarkable power by entering the Supreme Extreme Realm and triggering a Divine Blessing. Rather than acting solely for personal gain, he strategically gives Zhou Xuan the chance to obtain the inheritance. He remains cautious about revealing his identity and accepts the emperor’s hospitality without exposing his true origins.
• Zhou Xuan: Shows perseverance by enduring the Golden Steps’ pressure with Lu Ren’s assistance and successfully entering Tianlong Palace to receive the Ancestor’s inheritance.
• Tianlong Emperor: Proves politically shrewd by hiding Lu Ren’s role from the public, presenting Zhou Xuan as the source of Tianlong’s revival. He also recognizes Lu Ren’s immense value and immediately seeks to establish a powerful relationship with him.
• Wu Ao: Reacts with restrained surprise when the Tianlong Emperor announces his intention to attend Wu Tianqiong’s wedding. The emperor’s comments also reveal that Wu Ao once possessed talent comparable to his more ruthless brother.
• Zuo Qianqiu and the sect masters: Become increasingly astonished by Lu Ren’s talent, status, and the emperor’s unusually high regard for him.

Significant Themes

• Selflessness and strategic generosity: Lu Ren sacrifices a potentially valuable inheritance opportunity to assist Zhou Xuan, turning a personal loss into a political advantage.
• Power and political maneuvering: The Tianlong Emperor manipulates public perception by attributing the Divine Blessing to Zhou Xuan while privately seeking to win Lu Ren’s allegiance.
• Identity and secrecy: Lu Ren carefully conceals his origins, understanding that revealing them could expose him or undesirably benefit Jiangyun Kingdom.
• Recognition of extraordinary talent: Lu Ren’s breakthrough reshapes the political calculations of the entire Tianlong Kingdom and makes him a figure of immense future potential.
• Past choices and missed potential: The emperor’s comparison between Wu Ao and Wu Tianqiong highlights how ruthlessness, rather than talent alone, can determine who rises to prominence.

Important Character Interactions

• The Tianlong Emperor and Zuo Qianqiu discuss how to conceal Lu Ren’s contribution and preserve the kingdom’s public narrative.
• Lu Ren and Zhou Xuan share the chapter’s central interaction, with Lu Ren physically and symbolically helping Zhou Xuan reach Tianlong Palace.
• The Tianlong Emperor and Lu Ren establish a mutually beneficial relationship: the emperor offers protection, rewards, and alliance, while Lu Ren accepts the invitation without revealing his true background.
• The Tianlong Emperor and Wu Ao discuss Wu Ao’s former potential and Wu Tianqiong’s upcoming wedding, foreshadowing greater political connections between Tianlong Kingdom and Wu Ao’s imperial family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren is astonished by the dense spiritual energy in Tianlong Kingdom, unaware that his recent breakthrough to the Supreme Extreme Realm caused this Divine Blessing.
• The Tianlong Emperor plans to announce that his daughter, Zhou Xuan, received the ancestor's inheritance to explain the blessing, keeping Lu Ren's role secret.
• Lu Ren learns about Wu Tianqiong's wedding, which will gather monarchs from seventy-two kingdoms. He expresses interest in attending.
• Lu Ren inquires about the feud between Wu Ao and Wu Tianqiong. The Tianlong Emperor reveals that Wu Tianqiong forced Wu Ao to hand over a cultivation method, leading to Wu Ao's downfall.
• Upon returning to the imperial palace, the Tianlong Emperor takes Lu Ren to the national treasury, offering him any Heavenly Materials, Earthly Treasures, or martial arts manuals as a token of gratitude.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Realizes the impact of his breakthrough, expresses interest in witnessing a Divine Bloodline, and considers using Wu Ao to cooperate against Wu Tianqiong.
• The Tianlong Emperor: Shows generosity and magnanimity, offering Lu Ren the national treasury's contents as a gesture of goodwill.

Significant Themes

• The power of Divine Blessings and their impact on the world.
• The consequences of actions and the ripple effects they create (Wu Ao vs. Wu Tianqiong).
• The value of gratitude and reciprocity (The Tianlong Emperor's offer to Lu Ren).

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and the Tianlong Emperor: They discuss the Divine Blessing, Wu Tianqiong's wedding, and Wu Ao's feud with Wu Tianqiong. The Tianlong Emperor shows hospitality and generosity towards Lu Ren.
• Lu Ren's internal dialogue: He considers using Wu Ao to cooperate against Wu Tianqiong and acknowledges the need to strengthen his power before confronting Wu Tianqiong.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren visits the Tianlong Kingdom's treasury, seeking resources to improve his cultivation.
• He finds a mysterious golden page containing the 'Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art', an Ancient Technique that surpasses Earth Tier and might even be Divine-grade.
• Lu Ren decides to study and cultivate this powerful technique to challenge Wu Tianqiong.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates his ambition and strategic thinking, aiming to challenge a higher-level opponent despite his Scrap Bloodline.
• The Tianlong Emperor shows generosity and trust in Lu Ren, willing to give him resources and even the mysterious golden page.

Significant Themes

• The power of ancient techniques and their rarity in the current world.
• The importance of resources and cultivation methods for Martial Artists' growth.
• Ambition and determination in the face of adversity, as shown by Lu Ren.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren interacts with the Tianlong Emperor, negotiating for resources and ultimately obtaining the 'Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art'.
• Their interaction shows mutual respect and trust, with the Tianlong Emperor valuing Lu Ren's potential and Lu Ren appreciating the Emperor's generosity.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Tianlong Emperor gives Lu Ren the mysterious Golden Page, admitting that although it seems extraordinary, he cannot determine its origin or purpose.
• Lu Ren decides to enter seclusion in the Tianlong Kingdom’s treasury to cultivate the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art, requesting protection and access to Spirit Stones.
• The Emperor provides ten million Low-grade Spirit Stones and orders the Imperial Guards to guard the treasury. Lu Ren stores three million Spirit Stones in the Nameless Treasure Pagoda, enough to sustain himself and Xiao Man for 150,000 years of internal cultivation time.
• Lu Ren activates the Golden Page with a drop of blood essence. It merges into his mind and transmits the frighteningly powerful circulation method of the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art.
• The technique’s description reveals an astonishing concept: the cultivator turns their body into a tomb, gathers countless tombs into a divine tomb garden, and gains power capable of suppressing all things. Lu Ren realizes it far surpasses the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
• Lu Ren spends 50,000 years comprehending the technique before beginning actual cultivation.
• Upon circulation, his Dragon Elephant True Qi collapses and loses its former attributes, transforming into pure true qi. Because the new technique is vastly stronger, he is able to recultivate without his cultivation base completely collapsing.
• The technique consumes enormous amounts of true qi and places immense pressure on his body and Divine Sea. Lu Ren realizes that his Nine Yang Sacred Body and Supreme Extreme Divine Sea Realm are essential for surviving the process.
• After a total of 100,000 years, his true qi reaches its transformation limit. The Golden Page reappears as a thumb-sized golden tomb above his Divine Sea, marking the formation of the Great Tomb Prototype.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren demonstrates extraordinary patience and determination. Despite possessing only ordinary comprehension and a Scrap Bloodline, he commits to cultivating the technique for hundreds of thousands of years if necessary.
• He gains a new level of confidence after recognizing that the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art is far beyond his previous cultivation method.
• His physical foundation proves crucial: the Nine Yang Sacred Body and Supreme Extreme Divine Sea allow him to withstand the technique’s overwhelming demands.
• The Tianlong Emperor shows significant trust in Lu Ren by granting him access to the royal treasury and allowing him to cultivate there under heavy guard.
• Xiao Man becomes increasingly astonished by Lu Ren’s prolonged cultivation and the mysterious power manifested by his new technique.

Significant Themes

• Long-term perseverance: Lu Ren’s progress depends not on exceptional natural talent but on his willingness to spend tens of thousands of years studying and refining the technique.
• Power beyond understanding: The Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art is portrayed as something far beyond conventional cultivation knowledge, hinting at immense future potential.
• Transformation and renewal: Lu Ren abandons the attributes of his former Dragon Elephant cultivation and rebuilds his true qi from the foundation up.
• Preparation and foundation: His powerful body and expanded Divine Sea are shown to be necessary prerequisites for safely cultivating a technique of this magnitude.
• Time distortion: Vast periods pass within the cultivation space while only a short time elapses in the outside world, emphasizing the unique advantage of Lu Ren’s cultivation environment.

Character Interactions

• The Tianlong Emperor and Lu Ren discuss Lu Ren’s seclusion, with the Emperor supplying Spirit Stones and promising not to disturb him before Wu Tianqiong’s wedding.
• The Emperor’s guards privately marvel at the unprecedented trust shown to Lu Ren, who is allowed to remain inside the kingdom’s treasury.
• Xiao Man observes Lu Ren from a distance and questions the extraordinary technique he is cultivating, becoming increasingly shocked by the duration and supernatural signs of his progress.
• Lu Ren internally reflects on the connection between helping Zhou Xuan obtain the Tianlong Ancestor’s inheritance and gaining the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art, viewing the event as a benefit to his own cultivation journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ren successfully cultivates the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art, transforming his True Qi into Great Tomb True Qi.
• His True Qi becomes incredibly powerful, allowing him to shatter a distant peak with a single palm strike.
• Lu Ren decides to consolidate his cultivation and practice the first form of the Great Tomb martial arts, the Great Tomb Suppressing Prison Palm.
• Zhou Xuan returns from the Tianlong Profound Realm, having obtained the Tianlong Ancestor's inheritance and broken through to the Heavenly Gang Realm.
• The Tianlong Emperor hosts a welcoming banquet for Zhou Xuan and reveals his intention to reward Lu Ren handsomely for his help.

Character Developments

• Lu Ren: Successfully cultivates the Great Tomb Devouring Heaven Art, significantly increasing his True Qi power. He plans to consolidate his cultivation and practice the Great Tomb martial arts.
• Zhou Xuan: Breaks through to the Heavenly Gang Realm after obtaining the Tianlong Ancestor's inheritance. He expresses his desire to follow Lu Ren closely, understanding his father's intention to use Lu Ren's influence to boost his own achievements.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and Hard Work: Lu Ren's cultivation of a God-tier Cultivation Method over a hundred thousand years demonstrates his perseverance and dedication.
• Power and Influence: The Tianlong Emperor's desire for Zhou Xuan to follow Lu Ren highlights the importance of power and influence in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ren and Xiao Man: Xiao Man witnesses Lu Ren's power increase and expresses shock and apprehension.
• The Tianlong Emperor and Zhou Xuan: The Tianlong Emperor reveals his intention to reward Lu Ren and encourages Zhou Xuan to follow Lu Ren closely.
• Zhou Xuan and Wu Tianqiong: Zhou Xuan's confidence in defeating Wu Tianqiong grows after his breakthrough.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Tianqiong, the Thirteenth Prince of Shenwu Kingdom, plans to use his wedding to assert his authority and eliminate potential threats.
• He orders his "Wu" secret agent to capture and kill the Sect Master of Qingyun Sect, Yun Qingyao, and the Sect Master of Jiangyun Kingdom to lure Lu Ren into action.
• Lu Ren emerges from seclusion after cultivating the Great Tomb Suppressing Prison Palm, a powerful Earth-grade Low-rank martial skill.
• He uses all the Low-grade Spirit Stones in the Tianlong Kingdom's treasury for his cultivation.
• Zhou Xuan, now at the Heavenly Gang Realm, takes Lu Ren around the royal city and hosts a banquet with other geniuses.

Character Developments

• Wu Tianqiong: Shows his ambition and ruthlessness in eliminating potential threats and solidifying his power.
• Lu Ren: Advances in his cultivation, demonstrating his rapid growth and powerful new skills.
• Zhou Xuan: Breaks through to the Heavenly Gang Realm and shows concern for Lu Ren's well-being.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and political intrigue within the seventy-two kingdoms.
• The importance of cultivation and strength in this world.
• The theme of ambition and the consequences of pursuing power at any cost (Wu Tianqiong).

Character Interactions

• Wu Tianqiong and his secret agents: Show a hierarchical relationship, with Wu Tianqiong giving orders and the secret agents executing them.
• Lu Ren and the Tianlong Emperor: Their relationship remains cordial, with the Emperor providing resources for Lu Ren's cultivation.
• Lu Ren and the geniuses of the three major sects: They make amends and show camaraderie, acknowledging Lu Ren's strength and status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Xuan, the Eighth Prince of Tianlong Kingdom, decides to attend Wu Tianqiong's banquet as a personal guard to the Tianlong Emperor, allowing him and his companions to witness the demeanor of the princes from the seventy-two kingdoms.
• The Tianlong Emperor's procession, including Zhou Xuan and his companions, arrives in Shenwu Royal City for Wu Tianqiong's wedding banquet.
• The young man in white, a powerful figure from the Wuji Saber Sect, learns about the divine maiden with a Divine Bloodline and decides to target her for his sect.

Character Developments

• Zhou Xuan: He has grown more confident and less concerned about winning or losing, understanding that Tianlong Kingdom's fortune is secured with the Divine Blessing.
• Lu Ren: He is filled with determination and excitement about seeing his master, Yun Qingyao, and has some resentment towards Jiang Yun Emperor.
• The young man in white: He is revealed to be a powerful figure from the Wuji Saber Sect, seeking to recruit the divine maiden with a Divine Bloodline.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics among the seventy-two kingdoms, with Tianlong Kingdom's revival challenging Shenwu Kingdom's dominance.
• The awakening of a Divine Bloodline, which attracts the attention of powerful figures like the young man in white.
• The importance of bloodlines and their influence on one's cultivation and status.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Xuan and his companions discuss attending the banquet as personal guards to the Tianlong Emperor.
• The people of Shenwu Royal City discuss and anticipate the arrival of the monarchs from the seventy-two kingdoms.
• The young man in white interacts with a waiter, learning about the divine maiden and deciding to target her for his sect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Tianlong Emperor, Zhou Xuan, and Lu Ren arrive at the Shenwu Kingdom's imperial palace for Wu Tianqiong's wedding.
• Emperor Shenwu Wu Zhentian welcomes them, with Wu Tianqiong accompanying him.
• The Tianlong Emperor and his entourage are hosted in a pavilion within the palace.
• A welcoming banquet is held, where princes and princesses greet each other, with Zhou Xuan and Wu Tianqiong being the center of attention.
• Lu Ren approaches Wu Ao, Wu Tianqiong's brother, seeking his help to deal with Wu Tianqiong.

Character Developments

• Wu Tianqiong: He is confident, arrogant, and believes he is the best among the seventy-two kingdoms' geniuses. He looks down on Lu Ren, not recognizing him due to his disguise.
• Wu Ao: He is resentful towards Wu Tianqiong, who took everything that should have been his. He is initially hostile towards Lu Ren but becomes more cooperative after hearing Lu Ren's plan.
• Lu Ren: He is calm, collected, and strategic. He uses Wu Ao's resentment to convince him to help in his plan against Wu Tianqiong.

Significant Themes

• Resentment and Rivalry: Wu Ao's resentment towards Wu Tianqiong and Lu Ren's rivalry with Wu Tianqiong are central themes.
• Power Dynamics: The political and martial power dynamics between the seventy-two kingdoms, and within the Shenwu Kingdom, are explored.

Character Interactions

• Wu Tianqiong and Zhou Xuan: They exchange pleasantries, with Wu Tianqiong looking down on Zhou Xuan, and the Tianlong Emperor suggesting a spar between them.
• Lu Ren and Wu Ao: Lu Ren approaches Wu Ao with a plan to defeat Wu Tianqiong, appealing to Wu Ao's resentment towards his brother.