Chapter Summaries

Shi Guang fought Zhao Zicheng after he interrupted the trial with a bonus challenge, and her relentless attacks made him recognize the fighting style as Yu Sheng’s. Zhao Zicheng invoked his Fourth Awakening, but Shi Guang revealed an awakening of her own as the fight continued.

• Qi Tian crawled after another student while Yuan Zhong and the youths lay exhausted, leaving Shi Guang as the only one standing on the field.
• Sun Wen began announcing Shi Guang’s advancement, but Zhao Zicheng dropped a Sandbag toward her and challenged her to defeat him.
• Shi Guang dodged the Sandbag and attacked Zhao Zicheng with a dagger, a Crossbow, and an Entrenching Tool, forcing him to defend and retreat.
• Zhao Zicheng recognized Shi Guang’s relentless attacks as Yu Sheng Style and used Internalization to strengthen himself.
• Zhao Zicheng declared that he was a Fourth Awakening person, and a blurry figure with a Crystal Stone on its forehead appeared behind Shi Guang.

Shi Guang fought Zhao Zicheng using a powerful phantom and nearly overcame him, while Yu Sheng watched the assessment. Yu Sheng declared that Shi Guang had won and would skip the assessment to enter Ink Academy after revealing she had been ready to use a homemade explosive.

• Shi Guang summoned a phantom that attacked alongside her and pressured Zhao Zicheng from two sides.
• Zhao Zicheng activated Damage Reflection, destroyed the phantom, and narrowly avoided Shi Guang's entrenching-tool strike before holding a dagger to her neck.
• Yu Sheng announced that Shi Guang would skip the assessment and enter Ink Academy, but Sun Wen argued that Zhao Zicheng had not lost.
• Shi Guang moved her hand away from her backpack, revealing she had been gripping the fuse of a homemade explosive.
• Yu Sheng insisted that Zhao Zicheng had lost because Shi Guang could have killed them both.

Shi Guang effortlessly stopped Zhao Zicheng’s challenge, and the chaotic first-round brawl continued as the examinees fought to stay standing. Sun Wen revealed that qualifiers had to remain upright for a full minute, leaving the battered candidates facing a new test of endurance.

• Zhao Zicheng called Shi Guang his sister-in-law to end their spar, and Mu Yu mistakenly launched another attack before leaving after realizing something was wrong.
• Shi Guang collected her weapons and gave Zhao Zicheng medicine; Yu Sheng told him that her Entrenching Tool had poisoned him, making Zhao reconsider his strength after a year at Ink Academy.
• Sun Wen announced that one minute remained, prompting the exhausted examinees to resume fighting, with Yuan Zhong and Qi Tian attacking their rivals especially viciously.
• At the countdown’s end, Qi Tian, Yuan Zhong, and several other examinees managed to stand, but Sun Wen revealed they had to stay upright for a full minute to qualify for the next round.
• An exhausted boy collapsed immediately after Sun Wen announced the rule.

Sun Wen completed Ink Academy’s first assessment, advancing students who endured the trial or showed their abilities and dismissing the rest. As the survivors recovered with Qi Liquid, Zhao Zicheng met an unusually shameless new student whose manner reminded him of himself.

• Sun Wen encouraged the students to endure the assessment as Mu Yu sprayed them with a high-pressure water gun, and Qi Tian discarded his Iron Rod to prove he could stand unaided.
• After the final three-second blast, Sun Wen announced that those still standing had advanced and separately passed Wei Sun, Su Bai, and three others who had demonstrated their strengths.
• When a student challenged Shi Guang’s direct enrollment, Sun Wen offered him a life-and-death contest against her, then explained that Ink Academy’s harsh selection aimed to reduce its high death rate.
• Sun Wen ordered the eliminated students to leave and the successful students to rest, while A Tai brought out buckets of Qi Liquid for them.
• The honest-looking fatty drank Qi Liquid and ate watermelon, and Zhao Zicheng pointed out his fake uniform before recognizing how much the fatty’s shamelessness resembled his own.

Sun Wen and the Vice Principal discussed the unusually strong assessment candidates and decided to redirect a scheme meant for Shi Guang toward Yuan Zhong. Zhao Zicheng then explained how Shi Guang had gained control of their fight and neutralized most of his skills.

• Shi Guang told Yu Sheng that she had planted explosives at Ink Academy but never used them, while Yu Sheng said he had detonated his own.
• Sun Wen watched the remaining candidates and agreed with the Vice Principal that Ink Academy should select only the most outstanding among them.
• The Vice Principal ordered Sun Wen to ensure Yuan Zhong passed and receive special attention, prompting Sun Wen to redirect his plan from Shi Guang to Yuan Zhong.
• Zhao Zicheng agreed to target Yuan Zhong, then Sun Wen asked him to analyze why his fight with Shi Guang had gone so badly.
• Zhao Zicheng explained that Shi Guang exploited the distance between him and his Awakening Object, seized the initiative during a brief opening, and was unaffected by the emotions his skills relied on.

Zhao Zicheng explained how Shi Guang nearly defeated him, then received a penalty from the loudspeaker for his performance. Ji Hong outlined a plan for Zeshan to evade Skyvault Ravine’s demands while preparing to involve Ten Thousand Demon Forest in the first battle.

• Zhao Zicheng recalled how Shi Guang’s combat experience overcame his physical advantage and how her poison and explosives nearly took him down.
• Zhao Zicheng vowed to train harder, and Sun Wen accused him of making him look bad.
• The loudspeaker penalized Zhao Zicheng 50 credits for damaging Ink Academy’s reputation.
• Fei asked Ji Hong about Skyvault Ravine’s likely plans after the one-year agreement ended, and Ji Hong predicted Eagle Ravine Mountain would attack Demon-Suppressing Pass while Zeshan was sent to Ghost Gate.
• Ji Hong proposed appearing to fight hard at first, then citing heavy losses to avoid further action until Eagle Ravine Mountain was transferred back.
• Ji Hong said Ten Thousand Demon Forest must join the first battle as cannon fodder, and Fei enthusiastically agreed.

Ji Hong went to Ten Thousand Demon Forest to discuss the attack on Demon-Suppressing Pass, while Old White Ape tried to use the campaign to consolidate his control over the forest. Ji Hong saw through his maneuver and attacked him, leaving Old White Ape injured and the negotiations unresolved.

• Fei praised Ji Hong's service and sent him to speak with Ten Thousand Demon Forest.
• Old White Ape greeted Ji Hong humbly and deliberately wounded himself to hide his improving strength.
• Ji Hong questioned Old White Ape about the forest's internal politics as Fire Fox approached.
• Old White Ape volunteered Ten Thousand Demon Forest as the vanguard against Demon-Suppressing Pass and proposed sending rival tribes to fight under Fire Fox's command.
• Ji Hong recognized that Old White Ape was using the battle to strengthen his authority and blasted him backward with his demon aura.

Old White Ape persuaded Ji Hong to let him remain in Ten Thousand Demon Forest and secretly pursue an alliance with the Human Race, while committing the forest to the campaign against Demon-Suppressing Pass. Fire Fox then accepted the Fire Fox Clan becoming subordinate to the White Ape Clan, leaving Old White Ape with control over its future.

• Old White Ape refused to serve as the vanguard, claiming he needed to stabilize Ten Thousand Demon Forest and care for two injured human prodigies.
• Old White Ape offered Ji Hong a recorder as proof of his supposed collusion with the Human Race and proposed sending humans resources and a message of peace.
• Ji Hong ordered Ten Thousand Demon Forest to spare no effort in the coming campaign, then departed.
• Old White Ape warned Fire Fox not to visit Skyvault Ravine and cautioned him about the approaching war.
• Fire Fox offered to make the Fire Fox Clan a vassal of the White Ape Clan, and Old White Ape took possession of Black Flood Dragon's scale rather than let Fire Fox destroy it.

Sun Wen announced the second enrollment test after Wang Youcai humbled Qi Tian and helped him make progress. The candidates had three hours to destroy Su Mo’s fans, and Sun Wen prepared to send them his coordinates.

• Old White Ape returned to the dungeon beneath the Ten Thousand Demon Forest and left the tree hollow open.
• Wang Youcai introduced himself to Sun Wen, revealed that his father was the Ink Pavilion Finance Department Minister, and began fanning him.
• Wang Youcai invoked his seniority to chastise Qi Tian, who apologized and addressed him as uncle.
• Sun Wen hinted that Qi Tian should follow his own sense of justice, and Qi Tian made progress before turning a dangerous gaze on Wang Youcai.
• Sun Wen announced that candidates had three hours to destroy Su Mo’s fans, with solo success earning admission and teams of up to five advancing to the next round.

Wang Youcai gathered information from Sun Wen about Su Mo and then approached Xu Yuanqing to negotiate for Su Mo’s fans. Xu Yuanqing became interested when Wang Youcai offered credit agreements from two promising freshmen, leaving the negotiation about to begin.

• Several freshmen left to find Su Mo, but none agreed to team up with the others.
• Wang Youcai gave Sun Wen a signed contract transferring its proceeds and traded more contracts for fruit and information about Su Mo.
• Sun Wen learned that Wang Youcai’s Awakening Object was his eyes, though Wang Youcai refused to explain its abilities.
• Wang Youcai asked Sun Wen whether Su Mo carried his fan and where he kept spare fans, then left with the information.
• Wang Youcai visited Xu Yuanqing and offered Qi Tian’s and Yuan Zhong’s credit agreements in exchange for Su Mo’s fans, prompting Xu Yuanqing to perk up.

Wang Youcai paid Xu Yuanqing with twelve agreements to retrieve the folding fans from Su Mo, and Xu Yuanqing left to confront him. After beating Su Mo and taking the fans, Xu Yuanqing left him to face Yuan Zhong, who arrived carrying a sack and tools.

• Wang Youcai gave Xu Yuanqing twelve agreements in exchange for retrieving every fan from Su Mo.
• Xu Yuanqing promised to return with the fans, then charged into Su Mo’s dormitory and attacked him.
• Xu Yuanqing pinned Su Mo down, took twelve inscribed folding fans, and left with them.
• Yuan Zhong arrived carrying a sack, rope, and steel needles, and Su Mo kicked him while venting his anger.

After buying his way into Ink Academy with a fan, Wang Youcai turned the remaining fans into a bidding business, drawing approval from the Vice Principal. The battered examinees returned to find him had destroyed all but one fan and announced that the highest bidder would get it.

• Su Mo dragged Qi Tian into his dormitory and beat him alongside Yuan Zhong.
• Xu Yuanqing delivered twelve fans to Wang Youcai, who left without drinking Xu Yuanqing's expired cola.
• Wang Youcai presented Sun Wen with a fan and was admitted to Ink Academy as the second successful examinee after Shi Guang.
• Wang Youcai set up a fan auction and offered Sun Wen and the Vice Principal shares of the proceeds; the Vice Principal approved the arrangement.
• After Yuan Zhong, Qi Tian, and the other examinees returned battered, Wang Youcai tore up ten of his eleven fans and put the last one up for the highest bidder.

Wang Youcai’s attempt to auction a folding fan for direct admission faltered when the candidates refused to buy their way in. Sun Wen explained Ink Academy’s values and offered the lone bidder a dangerous special assessment, which the boy accepted before heading east.

• Wang Youcai destroyed ten fans and tried to sell the last one, but only one boy bid 500 credits.
• Sun Wen told Wang Youcai that Ink Academy valued character and growth more than credits, and Wang Youcai thanked him for the lesson.
• Sun Wen told the bidder he could earn direct admission by retrieving pink fur from a dangerous demon near the East Campus energy chamber.
• The boy accepted the assessment despite the risk of dying and carried the fan toward the east side of the field.
• Sun Wen told Wang Youcai that the dangerous test represented Ink Academy’s true style, and Wang Youcai silently acknowledged him.

Yu Sheng discovered that the egg beside his bed produced gray aura when he smoked it, and he began tormenting it to cultivate. The chick inside realized it had to grow stronger than Yu Sheng to hatch and started absorbing energy frantically, while Yu Sheng looked forward to both his fourth awakening and a tastier meal.

• Yu Sheng returned to his dormitory and wondered why the fiery-red egg had stopped absorbing energy.
• The egg shook when Yu Sheng suggested roasting it, and the chick inside blamed the old man who had delayed its hatching.
• Yu Sheng noticed gray aura seeping from the egg and entering his body.
• Yu Sheng smoked the egg over a fire, causing the gray aura and the chick's resentment to intensify.
• Yu Sheng infused the egg with energy, and the chick began absorbing it frantically so it could become strong enough to hatch.

Yu Sheng subdued Yuan Zhong and made him help roast the egg while Yuan Zhong’s fear produced abundant gray aura. The chapter left Yu Sheng considering whether to cut Yuan Zhong’s wig for even more.

• Yu Sheng dodged Yuan Zhong’s attack and used Teleportation to pin a dagger against his neck.
• Yu Sheng refused Yuan Zhong’s offer of credits and made him hold the egg while he prepared to roast it.
• Yu Sheng adjusted Yuan Zhong into a humiliating crouch, and gray aura poured from above Yuan Zhong’s head.
• Yu Sheng approached Yuan Zhong with scissors, frightening him into producing even more gray aura.
• Yu Sheng asked why Yuan Zhong was so upset about his hair when it was only a wig.

Yu Sheng trimmed Yuan Zhong’s wig after the egg absorbed Gray Aura, then returned to cultivation. At Ghost Gate, Zhong Yushu prepared for the coming threat and arrived to address the Reserve Corps, leaving his speech about to begin.

• Yu Sheng cut Yuan Zhong’s blue-green wig after Yuan Zhong held the egg until it stopped producing Gray Aura, then took the egg back and resumed cultivating.
• Old Ghost arrived at Ghost Gate to purge the Dark Pavilion, while Zhong Yushu discussed his chances of reaching the Ninth Awakening and warned that the Demon Domain might attack within a month.
• Old Ghost ordered the soldiers to rest and recuperate, return to the walls in half a month, and prepare scouts and weapons.
• Sun Yingxiong went live from the Ink Pavilion rooftop, told the Reserve Corps he hoped as many of them as possible would return alive, and yielded the microphone to Zhong Yushu.
• Zhong Yushu appeared on the rooftop with a solemn expression and faced the livestream camera.

Zhong Yushu sent the Reserve Corps to defend several passes, then mourned the young soldiers who would likely die and blamed himself for failing to protect them. He and Sun Yingxiong discussed the Ninth Awakening and leadership succession before their solemn conversation turned into teasing about Sun Yingxiong’s past.

• Zhong Yushu asked the Reserve Corps whether they were ready to die, and its members answered that they were always ready.
• Zhong Yushu ordered the Reserve Corps from several provinces to report to different passes, then quietly wished the departing soldiers safety.
• Zhong Yushu told Sun Yingxiong that he blamed himself for leaving the next generation to bear the burden of defending the Human Race.
• Zhong Yushu and Sun Yingxiong admitted they were not fully confident of reaching the Ninth Awakening, and Sun Yingxiong said he still needed an opportunity.
• Sun Yingxiong said Yu Mo was not suited to lead and that they had time to find a successor, prompting Zhong Yushu to accuse him of showing off.
• Zhong Yushu mocked Sun Yingxiong’s old name and recalled his perfect record at Ink Academy, while Sun Yingxiong threatened to beat him after his Ninth Awakening.

After the final assessment, Sun Wen announced that only three of the nine remaining examinees would be admitted, setting off an unrestricted overnight contest. He walked away under the returning students’ threats, while the examinees eyed one another warily.

• Sun Wen congratulated the fewer than ten examinees who had advanced, but a bloodied youth returned clutching pink beast fur and collapsed after declaring that he had succeeded.
• Sun Wen congratulated the unconscious youth on becoming a future junior and sent Wang Youcai to carry him to the Infirmary.
• With returning students and teachers waiting to retaliate, Sun Wen postponed the next exam until eight the following morning and announced that only three spots remained.
• Sun Wen told the nine examinees that alliances, poison, ambushes, and traps were allowed, while forbidding outside help from combatants and advising them not to kill.
• Sun Wen invoked his examiner status to deter the returning students from beating him, then left with A Tai as they vowed to hang him later.
• The nine examinees departed cautiously, watching one another and reacting nervously to every movement.

After Qi Tian left, Zhao Zicheng tried to gather stories about Yu Sheng from Shi Guang and asked her to hit him, but she shut him out. In Jiangcheng, Qiu Xiaoxiao secretly vowed revenge on the Ink Pavilion while Zong Ren decided to distance himself from her; Xiangliu stirred the Demon Domain as Yu Sheng considered returning there to seek his next Awakening Object.

• Qi Tian insulted the others and left, while Yuan Zhong and the remaining candidates also departed and Shi Guang put away the Remote Control.
• Zhao Zicheng escorted Shi Guang to her dorm, coaxed stories about Yu Sheng from her, and asked her to hit him, but she searched online and shut the door in his face.
• Zong Ren told Qiu Xiaoxiao that few survivors remained after the Ink Pavilion’s actions and warned her to recover or he would find another teammate.
• After Zong Ren left, Qiu Xiaoxiao revealed her hatred of the Ink Pavilion and vowed to destroy it and this year’s geniuses, while Zong Ren resolved to leave her behind.
• In Zeshan, Xiangliu read a letter and stirred up marsh gas and demon aura that panicked nearby Demon Beasts.
• Yu Sheng considered returning to the Demon Domain to find the next Awakening Object, then closed his eyes without revealing his decision.

Jiangcheng descended into chaos as examinees fought and schemed through the night, while Sun Wen, A Tai, Zhao Zicheng, and Mu Yu watched their antics from a hotel rooftop. The chapter ended with Zhao Zicheng asking Sun Wen how many surveillance cameras he had hidden around the city.

• Yuan Zhong tried to persuade Qi Tian to cooperate, but Qi Tian refused and declared he would wait in the street for anyone who wanted to stop him.
• A woman threw a cabbage core at Qi Tian and scolded him for shouting in the middle of the night, briefly disrupting his dramatic challenge.
• An ambusher struck Yuan Zhong with a brick, but Yuan Zhong escaped, sneaked up behind the attacker, knocked him out, and tied him up.
• Wang Youcai knocked on Sun Wen's door to ask about his dorm room, then wondered if he should act stupider the next day.
• Sun Wen, A Tai, Zhao Zicheng, and Mu Yu watched the examinees on a large screen from the top floor of the Gold Yuanbao chain hotel.
• Zhao Zicheng asked Sun Wen how many surveillance cameras he had hidden around Jiangcheng.