Chapter Summaries

Yu Sheng received a Myriad Phenomena Fruit and Dragon Python’s scale from Porcupine, then discovered the scale’s aura made lesser demons submit to him. At Demon-Suppressing Pass, the Golden Leopard Clan launched an assault, and the defenders and Ink Academy freshmen prepared to fight.

• Porcupine gave Yu Sheng a Myriad Phenomena Fruit and Dragon Python’s scale, claiming the scale would let him travel freely across the Thousand-Li Demon Plain.
• Yu Sheng hung the scale around his neck and saw a low-level demon beast prostrate itself before Dragon Python’s aura.
• A scout announced that the Golden Leopard Clan was attacking Demon-Suppressing Pass from thirty li away.
• Cong Yunfeng deployed the defenders while Su Mo ordered the Ink Academy freshmen to fight separately and obey military law.
• Hundreds of golden leopards charged the pass, and Cong Yunfeng confronted their leading attacker as the defenders braced for battle.

Su Mo realized the Golden Leopard Clan’s assault was a suicide attack meant to start a war, but the clan’s members detonated themselves before Demon-Suppressing Pass could stop them. After the Golden Leopard King died and the battle ended, Shi Guang asked to take a foreleg home to roast.

• Cong Yunfeng led the defenders against the Golden Leopard Clan while Su Mo and Chu Yu watched and questioned the attackers’ strange behavior.
• Su Mo recognized the leopards as cannon fodder and ordered the defenders to kill them quickly, but the Golden Leopard King pushed his clan into a desperate final charge.
• The golden leopards detonated themselves on Demon-Suppressing Pass, causing a few casualties despite the protection of the Human Race’s Sixth Awakening fighters.
• The Golden Leopard King died, and the battle ended with the soldiers processing the remains while the Ink Academy freshmen confronted the reality of war.
• Shi Guang returned with a second-level golden leopard corpse, asked about earning Two-Pattern Cloud Merit and taking the corpse, then settled for taking a foreleg to roast.

After a minor battle at Demon-Suppressing Pass, Chu Yu tended to a young soldier and reminded the students that the formation protected the roots of the Human Race. Su Mo rebuked the new students for their poor showing and ordered them to return in a year, while Chu Yu urged them to live well and protect the future; Qi Tian left vowing to return and bring her home.

• Shi Guang offered food to Qi Tian and Wang Youcai for five credits, while Su Mo transferred money to her.
• Chu Yu urged the wounded Xiao Douzi to treat his injury, and he showed her the wooden charm his mother had carved for him.
• Chu Yu explained that she stayed within the formation because it was where the Human Race had its roots.
• Su Mo mocked Qi Tian and condemned the new students' performance, ordering them to return to Demon-Suppressing Pass in a year or be expelled.
• Chu Yu told the students that her generation had reached its limit and asked them to live well, while hoping they would never need to return to the pass.
• Qi Tian bowed to Chu Yu and the soldiers, vowed to return within ten years and bring Chu Yu home, then left identifying himself as Qi Tian of the Human Race.

After witnessing Chu Yu defend Demon-Suppressing Pass, the students left with a new understanding of Ink Academy’s brutal purpose and the Human Race’s struggle. Su Mo watched them inherit the ideals of earlier generations, then wrote “Flowers bloomed across the mountains” and “No longer young” on his fan.

• Yuan Zhong, Li Zi, Shen Feng, and Wang Youcai thanked Chu Yu and promised to return for her before leaving Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Shi Guang exchanged a stiff smile and a quiet nod with Chu Yu, then descended from the pass.
• Wang Youcai told the group he understood Ink Academy’s harsh training as a hope for the Human Race, and wondered if he could become the madman who soared above the rest.
• Qi Tian, Yuan Zhong, Shen Feng, and Li Zi silently reflected on Wang Youcai’s words as Su Mo watched them and remembered his own youth.
• Su Mo opened his fan and wrote “Flowers bloomed across the mountains” and “No longer young.”

Su Mo found Shi Guang calmly roasting a Golden Leopard leg with an unusually well-stocked backpack while the others gathered around her. Meanwhile, Yu Sheng harvested demon plants and gathered gray aura from the beasts on the Thousand-Li Demon Plain, then marked them so they would keep supplying him from within ten li.

• Su Mo emerged from the shadows to criticize the group, then changed course and sat with Shi Guang when he saw her roasting meat.
• Shi Guang seasoned the Golden Leopard leg with supplies from her backpack, divided it into portions, and ate alone while the others gathered around the fire.
• Yu Sheng took a ripened demon plant from a lion, which backed away rather than fight him.
• Yu Sheng herded low-level demon beasts until their gray aura flowed into him, and he noted that the Demon Domain was the fastest place to build strength and earn money.
• Yu Sheng painted markings on a white horned horse and an Azure Wolf so the beasts would keep supplying him with gray aura within ten li.

Zhao Zicheng taught Qi Tian that an invincible heart meant provoking stronger people until they feared you, then demonstrated his supposed dominance by ordering Xu Yuanqing to fetch milk tea. He left with Qi Tian after reminding him about his debt and eyeing his money and watch.

• Zhao Zicheng explained to Qi Tian that an invincible heart came from challenging stronger opponents and standing back up after being beaten.
• Zhao Zicheng provoked a Fifth Awakening third-year student, who ignored him and walked away, and called it a demonstration of strength.
• Zhao Zicheng shouted for Xu Yuanqing to buy him milk tea, and Xu Yuanqing delivered a cup in exchange for a tip.
• Qi Tian idolized Zhao Zicheng and imagined having his grandfather fetch him milk tea.
• Zhao Zicheng reminded Qi Tian about the credits he owed and suggested he could pay with money or his watch.

Qi Tian embraced Zhao Zicheng’s advice as the path to invincibility, but his attempt to imitate Zhao led a senior to beat him and Xu Yuanqing to confront him over his debts. Qi Tian remained convinced that his suffering was strengthening him, while Xu Yuanqing demanded repayment.

• Qi Tian returned to his dormitory with only a SIM card, believing Zhao Zicheng had shown him the road to invincibility.
• Qi Tian challenged a senior on the sports field, who tossed him through the air and left him dizzy and sick.
• Qi Tian called out to Xu Yuanqing and demanded milk tea despite admitting he had no money and owed hundreds of credits.
• Xu Yuanqing dragged Qi Tian away and warned him to earn credits and repay his debt within a week.
• Xu Yuanqing discovered Qi Tian had given Zhao Zicheng his bank card and student account to look after, then slapped him as Qi Tian boasted about his invincible heart.
• Qi Tian endured Xu Yuanqing’s blows in silence and believed the ordeal had improved his energy.

Xu Yuanqing beat Qi Tian for refusing to hand over his IOU, but Qi Tian mistook the punishment for training in an invincible heart and kept provoking people. Zhao Zicheng used Qi Tian’s phone to stir up more trouble, while Xu Yuanqing confronted him over Qi Tian’s money.

• Xu Yuanqing beat Qi Tian for half an hour, but Qi Tian refused to give in or hand over his IOU.
• Xu Yuanqing stripped Qi Tian and hung him from the roof of the Teaching Building after Qi Tian demanded more punishment.
• Qi Tian believed his defiance made everyone fear him, while Zhao Zicheng watched from the dormitory and admitted he had misled him to collect the IOU money.
• Zhao Zicheng posted insults on Qi Tian’s Campus Account, prompting students to drag Qi Tian to the rooftop and beat him.
• Zhao Zicheng sent Bai Haitang romantic messages from Qi Tian’s phone, then Xu Yuanqing confronted him for keeping all of Qi Tian’s fortune.

Xu Yuanqing continued manipulating Zhao Zicheng and Qi Tian, while Yu Sheng used the Dragon Python’s scale to enter the Azure Wolf Clan’s woods and obtain help reaching a coveted Ice Lotus. The Dragon Python assigned Porcupine to command the coming battle, leaving Yu Sheng’s whereabouts unknown.

• Xu Yuanqing left Zhao Zicheng after feigning concern about Qi Tian’s missing belongings, then sent Qi Tian a message that led to another bullying incident.
• Yu Sheng entered the Azure Wolf Clan’s territory under the Dragon Python’s aura and found its Demon Plants disappointing.
• Yu Sheng pointed toward Demon-Suppressing Pass and made the Azure Wolf King understand that he wanted the Ice Lotus, so the king chose to help him rather than risk offending the envoy.
• The Dragon Python told Porcupine that the Ten Thousand Demon Forest’s Vanguard Army would arrive in three days and ordered him to oversee the battle.
• The Dragon Python asked about White Ape’s offspring, and Porcupine realized he had no choice but to accept command in Vulture’s absence.

Old White Ape used the Golden Leopard Clan’s destruction and the coming assault on Demon-Suppressing Pass to unite Ten Thousand Demon Forest under Eagle Ravine Mountain while limiting Black Flood Dragon’s ability to interfere. He persuaded the clan chiefs to accept a deadly surprise attack by promising their descendants a chance to enter Skyvault Ravine, the Sacred Land.

• Old White Ape destroyed a message about the Golden Leopard Clan’s fall and reasoned that the resulting conflict would distract Black Flood Dragon while Ten Thousand Demon Forest united under Eagle Ravine Mountain.
• Old White Ape considered advancing to Level Eight by arranging for the White Ape Clan to die fighting, leaving him as the sole survivor, and justified sacrificing his descendants to preserve the clan’s future.
• Old White Ape summoned the Fire Fox Clan, Black Tiger Clan, Azure Bird, Thunder Eagle, and Blazing Lion chiefs, then announced that they would attack Demon-Suppressing Pass before dawn.
• Old White Ape offered the Golden Leopard Clan’s cub a chance to serve the God Race in Skyvault Ravine and showed the chiefs proof of the opportunity.
• The clan chiefs pledged to fight to the death for the Demon Domain, eager to secure their descendants’ chance to enter Skyvault Ravine.

Zhong Yushu left his attempt to break through to the ninth awakening and charged into the Demon Domain after learning the demons had attacked the Demon-Suppressing Pass early. He confronted the Black Flood Dragon King at Skyvault Ravine and launched a spear attack, leaving the decisive battle on the verge of beginning.

• Sun Yingxiong called Zhong Yushu away from fishing, and Zhong sold his fish before hurrying to the Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Zhong Yushu entered the Demon Domain and warned the demons to stand aside, making Dragon Python and Fei feel the strength of his aura.
• An old woman's laugh terrified the eighth-level Demon Beasts, and Zhong Yushu thanked the unseen senior before pressing deeper into the Demon Domain.
• At Skyvault Ravine, Zhong Yushu accused the Ten Thousand Demon Forest of breaking the agreement and attacking the Demon-Suppressing Pass early.
• When the Black Flood Dragon King mocked the Human Race's resolve and Skyvault Ravine stayed silent, Zhong Yushu threatened a decisive battle and struck first, grazing the king's waist.

Zhong Yushu fought three eighth-level demon lords in Skyvault Ravine until a hidden ninth-awakening human expert intervened and forced the Demon Domain to apologize. He left with a red dragon’s fang, while the Demon God warned that the human expert would no longer be able to hide.

• Zhong Yushu fought the Black Flood Dragon and two other demon lords, breaking through the Black Flood Dragon’s Swallowing Mountains and Rivers attack.
• A hidden ninth-awakening old woman stopped the Demon God from crushing Zhong Yushu and threatened to kill it and destroy its lair.
• The Demon God apologized for the Demon Domain’s actions, and the old woman ordered Zhong Yushu to take a fang from its red dragon son.
• Zhong Yushu slapped the red dragon and snapped off one of its fangs, then left Skyvault Ravine with the bloodstained trophy.
• The Demon God warned the old woman that she would no longer be able to hide, and she replied that she would be the one to die next time.

The Black Flood Dragon King retreated after the Demon God punished him, while Yu Mo planned a carefully limited first battle at Demon-Suppressing Pass. Meanwhile, Yu Sheng stole the Fire Lion Clan’s Earthfire Lure and fled into the mountains, where the Mountain-Guarding Old Man sensed him and his pursuer.

• The Demon God’s aura severely injured the Black Flood Dragon King, who suppressed his anger and returned to Flood Dragon Abyss rather than risk his clan’s destruction.
• Zhong Yushu returned to Demon-Suppressing Pass, but fled when the Mountain-Guarding Old Man woke and cursed him for abandoning his post.
• Yu Mo told Sun Yingxiong that Ten Thousand Demon Forest and Eagle Ravine Mountain would attack, and argued that Demon-Suppressing Pass must win narrowly so Old White Ape would call for reinforcements.
• Yu Sheng used Dragon Python’s scale to distract the Fire Lion and steal the Fire Lion Clan’s Earthfire Lure, then fled as the furious clan chief chased him.
• Yu Sheng reached the mountains, where the Mountain-Guarding Old Man sensed him and the approaching Fire Lion.

Yu Sheng and the Mountain-Guarding Old Man captured a sixth-level Fire Lion by exploiting Yu Sheng’s ability to imitate human and demon auras. After Yu Sheng valued the Fire Lion and negotiated a share of the proceeds, the old man reconsidered killing it and asked about the value of its other parts.

• The Mountain-Guarding Old Man accused the Fire Lion of trespassing and dragged it across the boundary into the mountains.
• Yu Sheng revealed himself to the Fire Lion, changing clothes and showing that he was the human behind the White Ape’s transformed aura.
• Yu Sheng stopped the old man from smashing the Fire Lion’s head, explaining that its intact hide could sell for about 40 million.
• Yu Sheng argued that he deserved 40 percent of the proceeds because he had risked his life luring the Fire Lion and had used the Dragon Python’s scale to weaken it.
• The Mountain-Guarding Old Man accepted the deal, then asked Yu Sheng about the value of the Fire Lion’s Demon Core, Demon Crystals, and bones.

Yu Sheng and Xin Yongfeng dealt with the Fire Lion and discussed the approaching attack on Demon-Suppressing Pass. Yu Sheng left to earn merit, while Xin Yongfeng resolved to keep guarding the mountain and revive the Seventh Division.

• Xin Yongfeng killed and carefully harvested the Fire Lion, then asked Yu Sheng to transfer the proceeds to an account labeled Seventh Division.
• Xin Yongfeng tried to make Yu Sheng his sworn younger brother, but Yu Sheng refused and promised only to send the money.
• Xin Yongfeng proposed that Yu Sheng lure valuable Demon Beasts to the mountain so they could split the profits, but Yu Sheng said his scale's effect would soon end and the pass was facing an attack.
• Yu Sheng remembered his mission to defend Demon-Suppressing Pass for school advancement and left to earn merit.
• Xin Yongfeng decided to stay on the mountain, support the old Seventh Division members, and form a New Seventh Division, and his cultivation bottleneck began to loosen.

Yu Sheng reached Demon-Suppressing Pass alone to undertake Pass Ascension after learning that the Golden Leopard Clan had died in a recent attack. He met Chu Yu on the pass, where she urged him to wait until he had more experience, but he insisted that he had to try eventually.

• The Mountain-Guarding Old Man roasted Fire Lion meat and grumbled about Zhong Yushu and the cost of the meat.
• Yu Sheng reported to a soldier at Demon-Suppressing Pass, learned the Golden Leopard Clan had died defending it, and began climbing the steps.
• Yu Sheng inscribed only his name on the pass wall before continuing upward.
• Chu Yu offered Xiao Douzi her meal, refused his protective charm, and encouraged him to stay safe; Xiao Douzi shared the food with nearby people.
• Chu Yu saw Yu Sheng arrive alone and warned that he should gain more experience before undertaking his advancement mission, but Yu Sheng said he had to try and began looking for the section commander.

An enemy assault led by the Azure Bird, Thunder Eagle, and Blazing Lion clans began at Demon-Suppressing Pass, with the Mirage Dragon teleporting beasts onto the walls. Yu Sheng fought back amid the chaos as Cong Yunfeng’s soldiers surrounded Chu Yu, who hesitated to act.

• Cong Yunfeng gave Yu Sheng a general’s insignia and explained that he could temporarily command a section if its general fell.
• Yu Sheng prepared his weapons and conserved his strength until Demon-Suppressing Pass sounded a yellow alert for an enemy attack.
• Cong Yunfeng identified the Mirage Dragon and warned the soldiers that it could transport Demon Beasts directly onto the pass.
• Blazing Lions and Thunder Eagles appeared on the battlements, and a veteran soldier saved Yu Sheng from a Thunder Eagle before being killed by another.
• Yu Sheng killed the Thunder Eagle that attacked him with his Dragon-Patterned Staff and thin sword.
• Cong Yunfeng stopped the hesitant Chu Yu from acting as soldiers formed a protective ring around her.

Chu Yu witnessed the heavy losses at Demon-Suppressing Pass as Yu Sheng used Thunderblast Fruits to hold back the Demon Beasts, and Little Bean died trying to reach her. Old White Ape advised the Eagle Ravine Mountain Commander to withdraw, and the Commander ordered the troops to retreat for a day before fighting again.

• Chu Yu accepted the soldiers’ protection and closed her eyes against the carnage around her.
• Yu Sheng wounded and bloodied, used all five Thunderblast Fruits to blast Demon Beasts away from Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Cong Yunfeng intercepted the Azure Bird Clan’s chief when it charged at Yu Sheng.
• Two sixth-level Demon Beasts charged toward Chu Yu as the fighting intensified, and Little Bean died while trying to hand her his blood-soaked wooden token.
• Old White Ape watched the battle with an Eagle Ravine Mountain Commander and urged it to withdraw.
• The Commander ordered the troops to retreat and rest for a day before returning with more forces.

After the battle at Demon-Suppressing Pass, Chu Yu mourned Xiao Douzi while Yu Sheng helped carry the dead and learned the rules of the pass. The Commander planned more probing attacks, unaware that Yu Mo expected the Demon Clan to be lured into a full-scale invasion.

• Chu Yu took Xiao Douzi's wooden token and hung it on her drawing board, then sat silently without painting.
• Yu Sheng treated his wounds, heard a burly soldier's advice about surviving on the walls, and helped carry a stretcher.
• The Commander ordered Old White Ape's Ten Thousand Demon Forest to lead the next day's siege, and Old White Ape praised the Commander to secure its favor.
• Yu Mo predicted that Eagle Ravine Mountain would probe the defenses several more times before a force from Dawn Pass drove it back and provoked a large invasion.
• Yu Mo circled Demon-Suppressing Pass in red on the white cloth.

As fighting resumed at Demon-Suppressing Pass, Ink Academy’s teachers and returning students left to join the battle, leaving Xu Yuanqing scrambling to find someone to lead the Freshman Tournament. Lin Xiaoxiao reached the Fourth Awakening and was appointed team leader before she fainted, leaving the freshmen to care for her and learn about the assignment.

• Sun Yingxiong and Yu Mo reflected on the casualties expected at Demon-Suppressing Pass, and Yu Mo accepted that soldiers faced death in war.
• Xu Yuanqing asked for volunteers to lead or judge the Freshman Tournament, but the returning students rushed off to Demon-Suppressing Pass to meet their mission quotas.
• The vice principal left to help defend the pass, leaving Xu Yuanqing alone with a few bewildered freshmen at Ink Academy.
• Xu Yuanqing spotted Big White and went to find Lin Xiaoxiao, who announced that she had reached the Fourth Awakening before fainting onto Big White’s back.
• Xu Yuanqing appointed the unconscious Lin Xiaoxiao team leader and told the freshmen, including Shen Feng and Wang Youcai, to care for her and explain the assignment when she woke.