Chapter Summaries

Yu Sheng spoke with the Demon Lord, who grieved over the woman who had awakened and taught it, then regained hope that her final wish was for it to search the Sea of Space. Yu Sheng encouraged it to pursue that mission rather than help him, and the Demon Lord thanked him for reminding it of her.

• Little Red Dragon and Young White Ape fled after the Demon Lord killed Mad Lion and Tyrant Tiger and turned its attention to Yu Sheng.
• The Demon Lord asked Yu Sheng whether the woman had left it a message, and Yu Sheng truthfully explained what she had said.
• The Demon Lord recalled how the woman had taught and cared for it, then lamented that she had died without mentioning it.
• Yu Sheng suggested that the woman had sent him to the Demon Lord to protect it, and the Demon Lord took heart and vowed to seek the Heavenly Race's roots in the Sea of Space.
• Yu Sheng told the Demon Lord to follow its own wish instead of helping him, and it thanked him for speaking like the woman.

The beast told Yu Sheng it considered itself a beast of the Heavenly Race and might return from the sea of space to revive the Heavenly Race, even if that meant war. After recalling its loyalty to the fallen woman, it led the Beast Race through a space rift into the sea of space.

• The beast said it might return from the sea of space and asked whether Yu Sheng would hate it if it chose to start a war.
• Yu Sheng told the beast it could make its own choice, though he would eliminate it if he later believed that was right.
• The beast said it would follow the fallen woman's footsteps and fulfill her wish, despite the dangers ahead.
• The beast rallied the Demon Beasts of Hundred Desolate Mountain, and they declared that the Beast Race feared nothing.
• The beast opened a rift to the sea of space and led its warriors into it.

Yu Sheng watched the Beast Race depart through the Space Rift, then left Hundred Desolate Mountain carrying Mad Lion’s and Tyrant Tiger’s Demon Crystals and Demon Cores. As rumors turned him into a demon-eating Demon Lord Killer, Young White Ape and Little Red Dragon fled the mountain and reflected on how terrifyingly powerful their opponents were.

• The Beast Race members entered the Sea of Space, and the Space Rift vanished after the last one exchanged a quiet farewell with Yu Sheng.
• Yu Sheng collected Mad Lion’s and Tyrant Tiger’s Demon Crystals and Demon Cores, then left the abandoned core of Hundred Desolate Mountain.
• The Demon Beasts outside the mountain spread exaggerated stories that Yu Sheng had killed three Demon Lords and eaten them, giving him the name Demon Lord Killer.
• Young White Ape and Little Red Dragon reached ruins far from Hundred Desolate Mountain and admitted their relief at being weak enough to escape the battle.
• Little Red Dragon recalled how his first experiences beyond Skyvault Ravine had culminated in seeing Yu Sheng instantly kill two Demon Lords.

Little Red Dragon weighed whether to kill Young White Ape to conceal their alliance, but decided the risk of the truth spreading was too great. They agreed to bury what had happened and go their separate ways.

• Young White Ape accused Little Red Dragon of wanting to kill it and explained how the recent events had shattered Little Red Dragon’s confidence.
• Young White Ape openly accepted that Little Red Dragon might kill it to silence it and return to serving Old White Ape.
• Little Red Dragon raised a claw as if to kill Young White Ape, then stopped and said it trusted Young White Ape to keep quiet.
• Little Red Dragon admitted that killing Young White Ape could expose their alliance, while Young White Ape acknowledged it might have a backup plan.
• Little Red Dragon and Young White Ape agreed to conceal their shared past and end their brief alliance.

Little Red Dragon and Young White Ape accepted that their failed schemes had still contributed to the deaths of two Demon Lords, then continued toward Skyvault Ravine. At the ravine, Yu Sanshui warned the group about its formidable defenses and began describing what his senses revealed inside.

• Little Red Dragon lamented that Old White Ape’s plans had unfolded as expected, but Young White Ape argued that their actions had helped cause two Demon Lords’ deaths.
• Little Red Dragon took comfort in Young White Ape’s reasoning, and the pair resumed their journey in better spirits.
• Yu Sanshui and the group approached Skyvault Ravine, whose immense walls impressed Yu Sanshui.
• Yu Sanshui pointed out two powerful Demon King guards and warned that a concealed Demon Lord waited inside the city.
• Yu Sanshui explained that his Ninth Awakening senses could detect the Demon Lords’ vigorous qi-blood, then asked the group what they thought Skyvault Ravine looked like to him.

Yu Sanshui and Army-Breaker’s Soldiers realized Skyvault Ravine held a vast hidden force of Demon Lords, enough to threaten the Human Race with annihilation. Torn between survival and sacrifice, Yu Sanshui ordered the soldiers to retreat and carry the warning back, while claiming he would heroically give his life.

• Yu Sanshui and Army-Breaker’s Soldiers discussed the hidden Demon Lords in Skyvault Ravine and feared what an assault on the Human Race would mean.
• Yu Sanshui considered attacking the ravine to kill as many Demon Lords as possible, though he dreaded dying and longed for the chance to surpass the Ninth Awakening.
• Army-Breaker’s Soldiers silently watched as Yu Sanshui struggled between protecting the Human Race and preserving his own life.
• Yu Sanshui stood and issued a highest-level directive for everyone to retreat, survive, find Yuan Qingshan, and report the intelligence.
• Yu Sanshui told the soldiers to say that he had heroically given his life and insisted they remember his name.

Yu Sanshui accepted the Ninth Awakening Order and prepared to die in an attack on Skyvault Ravine, but Xin Yongfeng’s sudden arrival disrupted his final charge. Xin Yongfeng revealed himself as a human spy and offered to guide the soldiers into the ravine after dark.

• Yu Sanshui accepted the Ninth Awakening Order, and Army-Breaker's Soldiers saluted him as he prepared to face Skyvault Ravine.
• Yu Sanshui released his suppressed energy and built his aura to its peak as he approached the ravine.
• A bird slammed Yu Sanshui back into the woods, extinguishing his aura and interrupting the soldiers’ farewell.
• The bird revealed himself as Xin Yongfeng, a human spy who had spent a year undercover in Skyvault Ravine.
• Xin Yongfeng offered to guide the soldiers inside after dark and excitedly asked what had happened on the front lines.

Yu Sanshui rescued Xin Yongfeng and Army-Breaker's Soldiers, then ordered Xin Yongfeng to take them back to the Human Race alive. Repeated interruptions kept ruining Yu Sanshui’s attempts to prepare for a suicidal attack, and he turned his anger on Xin Yongfeng.

• Yu Sanshui slapped Xin Yongfeng twice, and Xin Yongfeng realized Yu Sanshui was a ninth-awakening senior after Yu Sanshui’s strength dropped to that of an ordinary person.
• Xin Yongfeng knelt and apologized, while Yu Sanshui scolded him and smacked him over his willingness to die.
• Yu Sanshui told Xin Yongfeng that the fighting continued at the front and ordered him to take Army-Breaker’s Soldiers back to the Human Race alive.
• Yu Sanshui tried to work up the resolve to sacrifice himself, but Xin Yongfeng interrupted to ask what he planned to do.
• Yu Sanshui told Xin Yongfeng that he had made him experience death twice in advance and threatened to beat him black and blue.

Yu Sanshui questioned Xin Yongfeng about the Demon Lords in Skyvault Ravine and was shocked that fewer than thirty remained. He began suspecting Xin Yongfeng of being a Human Race spy, leaving Xin Yongfeng furious at the accusation.

• Yu Sanshui stopped approaching Xin Yongfeng and asked how long he had stayed in Skyvault Ravine and whether he knew its terrain.
• Xin Yongfeng said he had spent a year there and knew the ravine well, then described the Demon Lords among the outskirts tribes, the Twelve God Clans, and hidden forbidden grounds.
• Xin Yongfeng estimated that fewer than thirty Demon Lords were currently in Skyvault Ravine, with more than fifty expected after the front-line forces returned.
• Yu Sanshui, sensing a vast sea of fire, reacted with disbelief that there were so few Demon Lords and questioned whether Xin Yongfeng had defected to the Demon Domain.
• Xin Yongfeng angrily insisted that he had devoted his spirit and soul to the Human Race.

Yu Sanshui sensed at least a hundred Demon Lords in Skyvault Ravine, but Xin Yongfeng insisted the number was impossible and helped him check the area against a rough map. Yu Sanshui ended the discussion doubting his perception and reconsidering whether to charge into the ravine.

• Yu Sanshui told Xin Yongfeng that he sensed at least a hundred Demon Lords in Skyvault Ravine and explained that the matter could affect the Human Race’s survival.
• Xin Yongfeng said he had explored Skyvault Ravine extensively and was certain there were fewer than thirty Demon Lords.
• Xin Yongfeng drew a rough map of Skyvault Ravine, and Yu Sanshui used it to point out places where he sensed Demon Lords.
• Xin Yongfeng identified one location as empty grassland and another as the Taotie Clan’s main base, where he knew of only one Demon Lord.
• Xin Yongfeng questioned whether the Taotie Clan or Old White Ape could have hidden more than ten Demon Lords, leaving Yu Sanshui deeply uncertain about his perception.

Yu Sanshui explained how the Demon God might fail to detect hidden energy sources in Skyvault Ravine, then stopped Xin Yongfeng from rushing off with the intelligence. He persuaded Xin Yongfeng to help Army-Breaker secretly plant its flag on the ravine’s walls.

• Xin Yongfeng questioned Yu Sanshui about the energy masses he had sensed and whether the Demon God could detect them.
• Yu Sanshui explained that demonic aura and human energy affected perception differently, and that ninth awakening cultivators hid their energy to avoid being sensed.
• Xin Yongfeng concluded that the Demon God might overlook the energy sources hidden in Skyvault Ravine and tried to leave to report the information.
• Yu Sanshui grabbed Xin Yongfeng and demanded that he help Army-Breaker before leaving.
• Yu Sanshui explained Army-Breaker’s slogan and suggested that Xin Yongfeng sneak up to plant its flag and escape.

Yu Sanshui persuaded Xin Yongfeng to sneak a homemade Army-Breaker banner onto Skyvault Ravine, and the soldiers eagerly made one from their clothes and blood. Watching them, Xin Yongfeng reflected on how the Reserve Corps’ hard-won honor had become a burden and admitted he envied the freedom and pride of his soldiers.

• Yu Sanshui pressured Xin Yongfeng to put Army-Breaker’s name on Skyvault Ravine’s walls, and Xin Yongfeng reluctantly agreed.
• Yu Sanshui had the soldiers make a flag from their clothes and write “Army-Breaker” on it with their blood.
• Xin Yongfeng questioned the soldiers’ lack of concern for dignity, but came to understand their enthusiasm and sense of purpose.
• Yu Sanshui asked Xin Yongfeng what kind of life he wanted for his soldiers.
• Xin Yongfeng said the Reserve Corps’ honor had become a burden and admitted he hoped his own soldiers could live more freely.

Yu Sanshui revealed that he was Yu Sheng’s father, prompting Xin Yongfeng to change his tune after learning that Yu Sheng was the new Ink Pavilion Head. The chapter ended with Xin Yongfeng promising to put in a good word for Yu Sanshui while casually suggesting Yu Sheng’s father might be plotting to kill him.

• Army-Breaker’s Soldiers finished writing “Army-Breaker” in blood and decided to fill the remaining space with more insults so everyone could take part.
• Xin Yongfeng criticized Army-Breaker’s shamelessness, and Yu Sanshui told him that the Human Race’s new Ink Pavilion Head had trained them.
• Yu Sanshui revealed that the new Ink Pavilion Head was his son, Yu Sheng, and Xin Yongfeng eagerly claimed that he and Yu Sheng were sworn brothers and close business partners.
• Yu Sanshui asked Xin Yongfeng to put in a good word with Yu Sheng, then told him to call him Little Brother Yu and offered him a cigarette.
• Xin Yongfeng promised to help, then suggested that Yu Sanshui was not plotting to kill Yu Sheng or get him killed, leaving Yu Sanshui visibly uneasy.

Yu Sanshui persuaded Xin Yongfeng to help Army-Breaker hang its first flag at Skyvault Ravine. After Xin Yongfeng secretly put it up, Yu Sanshui ordered the soldiers to retreat before the Demon Lords discovered them.

• Yu Sanshui claimed he and Yu Sheng had only had a small disagreement and pressured Xin Yongfeng into helping them reconcile.
• Army-Breaker's Soldiers completed their first flag and solemnly gave it to Xin Yongfeng, who flew toward Skyvault Ravine with it.
• The soldiers worried when Xin Yongfeng passed the ravine without stopping, while Yu Sanshui insisted he would obey an order from someone at the Ninth Awakening.
• As darkness fell, Xin Yongfeng appeared as a white ape and secretly hung the flag on a pointed rock.
• Army-Breaker's Soldiers recorded the flag being hung, and Yu Sanshui ordered them to retreat before the Demon Lords found them.

Yu Sanshui led Army-Breaker away from Skyvault Ravine after receiving Yu Sheng’s order, while repeated flags bearing the unit’s name misdirected the Demon Domain’s search. Old White Ape learned of the humiliation and flew into a rage, demanding to know where Little Red Dragon was.

• Yu Sanshui relayed Yu Sheng’s order for Army-Breaker to return home immediately, and the unit fled along secluded trails.
• Demon Lords discovered Army-Breaker’s flag at Skyvault Ravine and launched a search, but Yu Sanshui hid the unit before they arrived.
• A second Army-Breaker flag appeared at Skyvault Ravine, confusing the Demon Lords and drawing their search back toward the area.
• Army-Breaker used the distraction to get farther away, evading pursuers by taking deserted trails and avoiding beast packs.
• A Demon King reported the incident to Old White Ape, who condemned the insult and demanded to know where Little Red Dragon was.

Old White Ape questioned Little Red Dragon and Young White Ape after Army-Breaker’s battle flag appeared on Skyvault Ravine’s wall, then condemned them for pursuing Yu Sheng to prove themselves. He ordered Little Red Dragon executed and Young White Ape imprisoned for a hundred years, and the Red Dragon Clan Chief did not object.

• Little Red Dragon returned with Young White Ape, and Old White Ape demanded to know what their mission had been.
• Little Red Dragon explained their pursuit of Yu Sheng but concealed details about the Demon Lord of Hundred Desolate Mountain.
• Old White Ape questioned Young White Ape, who confessed that Little Red Dragon had targeted Yu Sheng and formed an alliance with him.
• Old White Ape sentenced Little Red Dragon to execution and Young White Ape to a hundred years in prison under military law.
• Old White Ape warned the Red Dragon Clan Chief about Army-Breaker and the Taotie Clan, and the clan chief stayed silent.

Old White Ape claimed Little Red Dragon’s life and offered it a chance to kill Young White Ape before it died. As Little Red Dragon attacked, Young White Ape accused Old White Ape of treating it like a slave and denounced the lessons and neglect that had shaped it.

• Old White Ape told Little Red Dragon that its life belonged to him, then offered it the chance to kill Young White Ape before it died.
• Little Red Dragon tore off Young White Ape’s arms and wounded its back as Young White Ape fled and cried out.
• Young White Ape accused Old White Ape of teaching it to put profit and strength first, then using other reasons to condemn it.
• Young White Ape called itself Old White Ape’s errand-running dog and asked whether Old White Ape had ever truly cared about it.

Old White Ape killed Young White Ape and offered Little Red Dragon a chance to live and serve him. After Little Red Dragon accepted, Old White Ape rallied the Demon Beasts to avenge their humiliation at Skyvault Ravine, leaving Little Red Dragon shaken by the unfamiliar feeling of being protected.

• Old White Ape explained that Young White Ape owed its status to him, and Young White Ape died with resentment and a hint of understanding in its eyes.
• Little Red Dragon stopped resisting after killing Young White Ape and looked defiantly toward its father, the Red Dragon Clan Chief.
• Old White Ape offered Little Red Dragon a chance to take Young White Ape's place and support its ambitions if it did not betray him.
• Little Red Dragon bowed to Old White Ape and called him Master.
• Old White Ape shielded Little Red Dragon and urged the Demon Beasts to avenge their humiliation at Skyvault Ravine and reclaim their honor.
• Little Red Dragon watched Old White Ape's imposing back and felt the unfamiliar sensation of being protected.

After the Demon Clan withdrew from Demon-Suppressing Pass, the Human Race celebrated its victory while Yu Mo remained worried about Army-Breaker. Old White Ape deduced that Army-Breaker would head for Dome Pass and planned to ambush them along the route.

• Old White Ape rallied the Demon Clan to hunt Army-Breaker, then ordered the troops to withdraw without opposition.
• Yuan Qingshan declared a great Human Race victory as celebrations spread, while Yu Mo watched the Demon Domain anxiously and later sat with Zhong Yushu on a mountain summit.
• Old White Ape concluded that humans had been inside Skyvault Ravine and ordered a blockade around the Thousand-Li Demon Plain.
• Old White Ape predicted Army-Breaker would abandon the route through Demon-Suppressing Pass and head toward Dome Pass.
• Old White Ape planned to conceal several tribes along the route to Dome Pass and trap Army-Breaker.

Yu Mo explained to Zhong Yushu that the Human Race had little hope against the Demon Domain, but his simulations showed Yu Sheng could destroy the Demon Clan if he reached the Ninth Awakening. With Old White Ape’s forces closing in, Yu Mo feared he had sent the Human Race’s only hope into danger.

• Old White Ape ordered the Demon Beasts to spread out and seal the roads around Deep Mountain.
• Yu Mo watched the Demon Beasts gather as Zhong Yushu questioned how waiting there could help Yu Sheng.
• Yu Mo admitted he was afraid and hoped Yu Sheng might be touched to find him waiting.
• Yu Mo explained that the Demon Gods and Demon Lords had prolonged the Human Race’s survival for their own interests, but Old White Ape’s rise had made time run short.
• Yu Mo said his simulations showed the Human Race could not defeat the Demon Domain with its current strength, but Yu Sheng could destroy the Demon Clan if he reached the Ninth Awakening.
• Yu Mo lamented that he had sent Yu Sheng, the Human Race’s only hope, into danger.