Chapter Summaries

Six months after Yu Sheng disappeared, the Black Market scaled back, a black-robed criminal hunter became infamous, and Yu Sanshui’s public appearances ended after a surge of spiritual energy. At Zhao Zicheng’s home, Mu Yu kept training him, while A Tai settled in after Sun Wen sent him away.

• Yu Mo failed to find Yu Sheng and sent more people into Sin City, then the Black Market abruptly closed its branches across the cities except for its locations in the Demon Domain and Ink City.
• A black-robed person tortured criminals and left them in the wilderness, while the Guard Bureau arrested the criminals who reported the attacks instead of pursuing the culprit.
• Yu Sanshui repeatedly appeared in public to flirt with middle-aged women doing square dancing, then vanished after a powerful surge of spiritual energy.
• Zhao Zicheng’s daughter turned one and often played on Mu Yu’s Gravestone, while Mu Yu beat Zhao Zicheng during training and helped him approach the Eighth Awakening.
• Sun Wen drove A Tai away after he reached the Ninth Awakening, and A Tai moved in with Zhao Zicheng, whose wife hired a cook to feed him.

As tensions rose between the Human Race and the Demon Domain, both sides gathered troops and prepared for a major conflict at the Four Great Passes. Yu Mo stayed silent as time ran out.

• Lin Xiaoxiao returned from the mountains but found Zhao Zicheng's daughter preferred Gravestone to Big White, and Zhao Zicheng endured the family's repeated beatings.
• Zhao Zicheng and Mu Yu discussed Boss Yu's whereabouts and Shi Guang's return from the Demon Domain, then Mu Yu dragged Zhao Zicheng back to training.
• Over the next six months, the Human Race intensified Reserve Corps training and moved troops toward the Four Great Passes as the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion and Dark Pavilion withdrew from public view.
• Demon Beasts assembled near the Four Great Passes, while the Human Race sent columns of soldiers toward the fortified passes.
• Army-Breaker personnel posted that they would rely on themselves to plant their flag atop the walls of Skyvault Ravine, then disappeared from the forum.
• Yu Mo remained silent as the public watched for signs of war, and he said time was running out from his office at the Gold Ingot Group.

Sun Wen and Yu Mo discussed whether Sun Wen could reach the Tenth Awakening in time to help humanity, but Sun Wen’s fortune-based power could not be advanced through gifts. Yu Mo left after admitting he would force competitors of the Gold Ingot Group to suspend operations, while Sun Wen resolved to cultivate faster at any cost.

• Sun Wen explained that his fortune depended on wealth he earned himself, so Yu Mo could not simply give him the Ink Pavilion’s assets to speed his breakthrough.
• Sun Wen said he was improving rapidly but feared he would still be at the Ninth Awakening when humanity needed him.
• Yu Mo insisted that Sun Wen’s power had to be passed on because humanity faced annihilation otherwise.
• Yu Mo ordered competing companies to suspend operations indefinitely and admitted he had lied about never forcing anyone to make sacrifices.
• Sun Wen realized Yu Mo had given him the answer he needed, then frantically absorbed Demon Crystals and devoted himself to cultivation.

Yu Mo faced influential businessmen who demanded that the Light Group remove the seals placed on their companies, but he insisted the crackdown was necessary to save the Human Race. After accusing them of planning for their own survival after the Human Race fell, he called himself a madman, leaving the meeting room in fearful silence.

• Influential businessmen confronted Yu Mo at the Light Group and demanded that the seals on their companies be removed.
• Yu Mo asked them to trust him, promising to explain himself and repay their sacrifices in six months.
• The businessmen rejected Yu Mo’s promise and warned that they had resources and fallback plans of their own.
• Yu Mo accused them of hoping to bargain with the Demon Domain after the Human Race was destroyed.
• Yu Mo condemned the businessmen’s selfishness and described himself as a madman, leaving them silent and exchanging uneasy glances.

Yu Mo sent the Human Race’s leading conglomerate heads to Sin City and asked Chu Huai to prevent their connections from causing trouble. Meanwhile, powerful Demon Domain figures debated the approaching final battle against the Human Race, though one still felt uneasy.

• Yu Mo told the conglomerate leaders that their family businesses had made them vulnerable and arranged for them to be sent to Sin City.
• Light Group Members seized and gagged the leaders, then escorted them out of the Meeting Room.
• Yu Mo called Chu Huai to warn him about the leaders’ connections and asked him to handle any resulting trouble.
• Yu Mo wondered where Yu Sheng had gone after discovering Sun Wen had lied, then left in a good mood.
• In the Sea of Space, Demon Domain figures argued over finding something and whether to return to their devastated forces.
• The Demon Domain figures said the final battle with the Human Race would begin in six months, while one voiced unease and Sky Dog was mocked for being timid.

Old White Ape announced that the Demon Domain would prepare for war, and the Demon Gods said they would join the fight in six months. As Old White Ape left, the Demon Gods discussed keeping him weak and had already decided he would eventually die, while Zhu Yan questioned Sky Dog about his plans.

• After the Demon Gods left the Sea of Space, the fragmented area collapsed, and Old White Ape declared that the Demon Domain was preparing for war.
• Ji Hong heard the order and said the Human Race could still strike a devastating blow even if the Fourth Generation had perished.
• Old White Ape climbed to Demon God Mountain and paid his respects to the Demon Gods, who praised his service and told him they would act in six months.
• Old White Ape promised to serve the Demon Gods, then departed without objecting to their cold dismissal.
• After Old White Ape left, the Demon Gods discussed keeping his strength at the Demon King Realm and using him as their representative, effectively deciding his death sentence.
• Zhu Yan asked Sky Dog what he intended to do, and Sky Dog retorted that he did not need to report to him.

Sky Dog confronted Zhu Yan over his suspicions, then discovered Nine-Tailed Fox waiting in his underground chamber after escaping imprisonment and reaching the Demon God Realm. Nine-Tailed Fox proposed working together to protect the Demon Domain, but Sky Dog rejected him and ordered him off his territory.

• Sky Dog questioned Zhu Yan about whether his warning came from suspicion or fear, and Zhu Yan stayed silent to avoid endangering their fragile alliance.
• After Sky Dog left, a peacemaker warned Zhu Yan against worsening their conflict with only half a year remaining before the final battle.
• Sky Dog found that his Snake Servant was missing, but the Demon Crystals in his passage were untouched.
• Sky Dog entered his underground chamber and found Nine-Tailed Fox beside the dead black snake, having broken free of his chains and reached the Demon God Realm.
• Nine-Tailed Fox explained that Sky Dog had once saved his life and proposed they become partners for the sake of the Demon Domain.
• Sky Dog rejected Nine-Tailed Fox as an unworthy equal and ordered him to leave, his eyes filled with killing intent.

Nine-Tailed Fox swore its loyalty to the Demon Domain and told Sky Dog about Old White Ape's strength and plans. Meanwhile, the Reserve Corps announced a major mobilization, abolishing the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion and sending its members to war.

• Nine-Tailed Fox vowed to defend the Demon Domain, and Sky Dog let it into the inner chamber after destroying Black Snake's corpse.
• Sky Dog asked who had freed Nine-Tailed Fox, and Nine-Tailed Fox named Old White Ape and explained what Yu Sheng had told it.
• Nine-Tailed Fox concealed itself and Sky Dog in demon aura for half an hour; afterward, Sky Dog returned to Demon God Mountain while Nine-Tailed Fox stayed behind.
• The Reserve Corps posted notices seeking transport teams and coffin bearers, prompting speculation about the scale of the coming battle.
• The Reserve Corps announced that the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion was abolished, its members would join the war, and the Demon-Slaying Army would be established.

The abolition of the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion and Dark Pavilion was followed by the four major academies’ closure and a Mobilization Order recalling their graduates to Ink City. As people prepared to join the war, Zhao Zicheng, Mu Yu, and Lin Xiaoxiao got ready to leave Jiangbei City.

• Civilians mourned the abolition of the Demon-Slaughtering Pavilion, remembering its fighters who had died protecting them.
• The Dark Pavilion announced its dissolution and the creation of a scout and assassination unit within the Reserve Corps.
• The Ink Pavilion announced that the four major academies would close, form a joint academy army, and mobilize graduates to return for war.
• Awakened graduates across the Human Race gathered and traveled toward Ink City, while families said tearful farewells.
• In Jiangbei City, Zhao Zicheng packed to leave as Mu Yu and Lin Xiaoxiao discussed their chances of reaching the eighth awakening and Lin Xiaoxiao fussed over Big White.

Zhao Zicheng left home with Mu Yu, A Tai, and Xiao Xiao, while his wife watched him go and prayed that he would return alive. At Ink Academy, a summons revealed the terrifying power of its reserves, leaving the freshmen shaken by an unseen presence.

• Zhao Zicheng's wife watched him leave and silently told him to come back alive, and he promised he would return.
• After Zhao Zicheng and the others left, his wife rushed outside, then returned to care for their crying daughter and prayed for his safe return.
• An enormous clock appeared over Ink Academy as the freshmen witnessed the academy's summons.
• A gray-haired middle-aged man descended into the Inner Courtyard and vanished.
• The sky darkened, and the freshmen sensed an unseen presence passing by that filled them with fear.

Ink Academy’s graduates made dramatic entrance displays, and Mu Yu and A Tai staged an intimidating arrival together. The spectacle left Zhao Zicheng envious as he anticipated the 140th Cohort’s next performances.

• Bai Haitang appeared on a descending spear, and Zhao Zicheng joined her while lamenting that the school had required them to make dramatic entrances.
• Lin Xiaoxiao sent Big White running through the air above Ink Academy, but no one noticed his bow or rainbow-colored tail.
• Mu Yu’s chant darkened the sky as a chained gravestone descended amid raging spiritual energy and space rifts.
• A Tai hurled the gravestone to the ground, then stepped back as Mu Yu appeared beside it and leaned against it.
• Zhao Zicheng envied Mu Yu’s use of A Tai as a dramatic backdrop.

Zhao Zicheng and the others waited for Yu Sheng and Sun Wen to return to Ink Academy, but Shi Guang arrived in Yu Sheng’s place and refused to explain what had happened. Sun Wen remained unreachable, and the group was left anxious as a Gold Ingot Group truck pulled up at the academy gates.

• Zhao Zicheng called out to the absent Yu Sheng and pleaded with him to return to the 140th Cohort.
• Shi Guang arrived in Yu Sheng’s place and reported to the Inner Courtyard alongside him as an Ink Academy graduate.
• Shi Guang told Zhao Zicheng that Yu Sheng could not come because Sun Wen would die if he did, but she refused to reveal more.
• Shi Guang explained that Yu Sheng believed knowing the truth would prevent Zhao Zicheng from making a choice and cause him more suffering.
• Zhao Zicheng called Sun Wen but got an automated message, then vowed to smash his face if they met.
• A Gold Ingot Group truck stopped at Ink Academy’s gates.

Sun Wen sent the 140th Cohort custom clothing, equipment, and supplies at Ink Academy, but Yu Sheng was absent from the gifts, deepening the students’ sense that something was missing. A letter from Sun Wen said he could not return to the academy and had failed to repay it, while Xu Yuanqing tried to turn the visit into a chance to make money.

• Gold Ingot Group employees unloaded boxes of supplies labeled for Zhao Zicheng, Lin Xiaoxiao, A Tai, Mu Yu, and Shi Guang, along with a shirt for Gaga.
• Zhao Zicheng found that the boxes contained custom-made equipment and supplies, while Mu Yu suggested Yu Sheng needed none of them anymore.
• The students of the 140th Cohort headed to the Inner Courtyard in subdued spirits, and Ink Academy’s teachers took the remaining supplies.
• The principal read a letter in which Sun Wen said he could not return to the academy and had failed to repay it, then put it away without comment.
• Xu Yuanqing complained that Sun Wen had brought nothing for him, argued with the Old Principal, and imagined starting a funeral business with Shi Guang.
• Xu Yuanqing eagerly asked the students whether they had prepared a surprise for him, assuming they knew he had reached the Eighth Awakening.

Xu Yuanqing confronted the 140th Cohort over their despair at Yu Sheng’s absence and reminded them they could stand together without him. Zhao Zicheng and the others regained their resolve, then Xu Yuanqing rushed off after hearing Sun Wen had brought him a gift.

• Xu Yuanqing learned that the 140th Cohort was dejected because Yu Sheng had not come.
• Xu Yuanqing pointed to Bai Haitang, the sole survivor of the 139th Cohort, and challenged the group for depending too heavily on Yu Sheng.
• Xu Yuanqing urged the 140th Cohort to remember their own contributions and keep fighting even without their leader.
• Zhao Zicheng said the cohort would remain a group as long as they were still together, and the others thanked Xu Yuanqing.
• Zhao Zicheng revealed that Sun Wen had brought Xu Yuanqing a gift, and Xu Yuanqing immediately vanished.

Zhao Zicheng endured more teasing from Mu Yu before Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan arrived at the Ink Academy to challenge the Old Principal’s summons. The Old Principal summoned Sun Yingxiong as well, but Sun immediately crushed him with spiritual pressure and left, while the others mocked the Principal.

• Mu Yu teased Zhao Zicheng about money and his supposed expertise, while Lin Xiaoxiao and A Tai stayed nearby.
• The 140th Cohort’s mood improved, and students and graduates watched them with envy.
• Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan arrived and demanded to know why the Old Principal had summoned them away from Spirit Mind.
• The Old Principal defended the summons by invoking the Ink Academy’s rules and revealed that he had also summoned Sun Yingxiong.
• Sun Yingxiong pressed the Old Principal to the ground with spiritual pressure, then left after briefly laughing.
• Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan mocked the Old Principal, who angrily told them to leave.

The Old Principal was struck repeatedly by a mysterious ninth-awakening alumnus, then punished Ink Academy’s students for failing to defend him. Zhao Zicheng photographed the students lying facedown, planning to sell the pictures if the Human Race won the final battle.

• Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan teased the Old Principal about following rules, and he revealed that another ninth-awakening guest had answered his call.
• The guest’s spiritual energy struck the Old Principal, who complained that the impact had been harder because his control was rusty and his call had disrupted his great-grandson’s sleep.
• After another attack flattened the Old Principal, Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan joked about rules and left.
• The Old Principal scolded the students for standing by while he was attacked, then knocked them facedown in rows when one student objected.
• Zhao Zicheng photographed the students and decided the pictures would fetch a good price if the Human Race won the final battle.

The Three Major Universities gathered for the Mobilization Order, with the Military Academy energized by Zhong Yushu’s return and Spirit Martial students shouting enthusiastically. Yuan Qingshan organized Spirit Mind’s students into mixed teams for three months of closed training and urged them to stay safe.

• Graduates crowded the Three Major Universities, and Zhong Yushu’s return sent the Military Academy into a frenzy.
• Spirit Martial students shouted and pounded their chests while Spirit Mind’s principals, Yuan Qingshan and Qi Changshan, worried about how to rally their students.
• Yuan Qingshan called Spirit Mind’s students together and announced three months of closed training, with teams of fifty Spirit Martial students, fifty Spirit Mind students, and one Ink Academy student.
• Yuan Qingshan told the students to build coordination, call home if needed, and stay safe before training began the next day.

As the Human Race prepared for war, the Black Market supplied the Four Great Passes while Xiao Nan chose to keep the Barbarian City branch as a fallback in the Demon Domain. He broke with headquarters to preserve a chance for the Black Market to survive if the Human Race lost, leaving Old Black to question the danger of his choice.

• The Light Group arrested people who investigated the missing Academy graduates, while Yu Mo defended the arrests as necessary during the crisis.
• The Black Market closed its headquarters in Ink City, and its staff transported supplies to the Four Great Passes, donating half of what they carried.
• Old Black confronted Xiao Nan in Barbarian City and asked why he had not shut down the branch and returned to headquarters.
• Xiao Nan declared that Barbarian City would break away from the Black Market and side with the Demon Domain as a fallback if the Human Race lost.
• Old Black warned Xiao Nan that the Demon Clan's victory would leave him with less than a one-percent chance of survival, but Xiao Nan said that chance was still hope.
• Xiao Nan asked Old Black what people lived for, saying that even though he had plenty of money, he still found it boring.

Xiao Nan told Old Black that he had spent his life following other people without understanding his own feelings, but had finally found a goal: keeping the Black Market in Sin City running. Old Black accepted that Xiao Nan had given the Black Market a way forward, leaving Xiao Nan feeling unburdened and wondering whether Shi Guang had felt the same after finding her own goal.

• Xiao Nan told Old Black that he had struggled to find a reason to live and had blindly pursued the things other people wanted.
• Xiao Nan said that Sin City was his home and the Black Market was their business, and that he wanted to keep it going at any cost.
• Old Black admitted he had mistaken Xiao Nan's difficulty expressing emotions for selfishness and thanked him for leaving the Black Market a way forward.
• Old Black bowed to Xiao Nan and left, telling him that the Black Market owed him.
• Xiao Nan felt unburdened and wondered whether Shi Guang had felt the same after finding her own goal.

Xiao Nan rested peacefully on the city wall, while the Human Race and Demon Beasts gathered for the approaching Final Battle. Sun Wen remained unable to reach the Tenth Awakening despite his surging Spiritual Energy, and his attempt left Yu Mo injured as he continued searching for a way to find Yu Sheng.

• Xiao Nan lay on the city wall and felt at peace, believing Sin City was where he belonged.
• Three months after the Mobilization Order, forces massed around the four Human Race City Passes as Demon Beasts gathered across the Demon Domain.
• Yu Mo told Sun Wen that his heart was in turmoil and that reaching the Tenth Awakening would not guarantee he could find Yu Sheng.
• Sun Wen insisted he was only one step from the Tenth Awakening, then roared in frustration and unleashed Spiritual Energy that destroyed the room and injured Yu Mo.
• Confucian Scholar shielded Yu Mo from Sun Wen's outburst, then left, while Sun Wen wondered what it would take to advance to the Tenth Awakening.