Chapter Summaries

Xu Yuanqing arrived in time to save A Tai and the others, then destroyed his Awakening Object and spent his life holding off fifteen Demon Lords while Mu Yu prepared the Gravestone’s ninth awakening. He died in a final explosion after Zhao Zicheng announced that the waiting time was up, leaving the students alive and the Phoenix gone forever.

• Xu Yuanqing burst into the fight with a Phoenix’s sea of fire, driving back the Demon Lords and shielding A Tai and the other students.
• Xu Yuanqing refused to leave while fifteen Demon Lords threatened the Human Race, and he vowed to hold them off for the remaining six minutes.
• Xu Yuanqing destroyed his Awakening Object and burned his blood essence to fight the Demon Lords, while Mu Yu continued forming the Gravestone’s ninth marking.
• Xu Yuanqing was beaten down as the students watched helplessly, and Zhao Zicheng finally shouted that the waiting time was up.
• Xu Yuanqing told his students that no Ink Academy student should die before their teacher, then unleashed his remaining spiritual energy and vanished in an explosion.

As Mu Yu desperately wrote on the Gravestone, A Tai, Lin Xiaoxiao, Big White, Zhao Zicheng, and Bai Haitang sacrificed themselves one after another to protect him from the Demon Lords. Their blood triggered the Gravestone to glow as a voice declared that they would enter the Ninth Awakening with their lives and slay the demons.

• A Demon Lord struck Xin Yongfeng aside and attacked Mu Yu, but A Tai shielded Mu Yu and died beneath its claws.
• Lin Xiaoxiao took A Tai's place, but Big White used Swap Position to take the Demon Lord's blow for her and died.
• Zhao Zicheng rushed in to protect Big White's body, and Bai Haitang intercepted the attack, sacrificing herself to save Zhao Zicheng.
• Bai Haitang used her last strength to block a Demon Lord's tail from reaching Mu Yu, while Mu Yu continued writing on the blood-soaked Gravestone.
• A voice announced that they would enter the Ninth Awakening with their lives and slay the demons, and the Gravestone began to glow.

Mu Yu gave his life to kill fifteen Demon Lords and trap the Demon God, buying the Human Race three minutes to fight on. As the battle resumed, Old White Ape tormented Yu Sheng with the deaths and suffering around him before leaving for the next battlefield.

• Mu Yu reached the ninth awakening without Demon Cores, killed all fifteen Demon Lords, and flew toward Demon-Suppressing Pass as his life ran out.
• Zhao Zicheng and Lin Xiaoxiao watched Mu Yu leave, and Zhao Zicheng ate Demon Lord flesh to regain enough strength to keep fighting.
• Mu Yu bound the Demon God with chains and the Gravestone, declared the 140th Cohort worthy of the Human Race and Ink Academy, and vanished, leaving the Demon God trapped for three minutes.
• The Demon God broke free and drove Zhong Yushu back, while the Old Man from the Black Market destroyed his Awakening Object to fight Sky Dog and Yu Sanshui fought recklessly.
• Old White Ape taunted Yu Sheng over the fallen fighters and urged him to reach the tenth awakening, then chose to leave for the next place.

Zhong Yushu sacrificed his Awakening Object and borrowed the Reserve Corps’ strength to fight a Demon God, while the Human Race gained the upper hand as Sky Dog and Bifang fell. With the battle turning against the Demon Domain, Yu Mo anticipated someone’s next move, and Xiao Nan decided she could no longer let the Human Race accommodate the Black Market for her sake.

• Old White Ape brought Yu Sheng back to Demon-Suppressing Pass and explained that Shi Guang’s cautious fighting style made her nearly impossible to kill.
• Yu Mo declared the battle decided and left the remaining work to Yu Sheng, while Old White Ape praised Yu Mo’s effort to win with fewer casualties.
• After the Confucian Scholar fell, Zhong Yushu used the Reserve Corps’ strength one last time, destroyed his Awakening Object, and charged the Demon God.
• Sky Dog died, and Old Man and Yu Sanshui defeated the weakened Bifang, shifting the battle in the Human Race’s favor.
• Yu Mo concluded that someone concerned for Sin City would act to cut losses, while Xiao Nan decided not to make the Human Race accommodate the Black Market for her sake.

Sikong Nan sacrificed himself by unleashing the Ten Thousand Poisons Fruit, helping the Human Race win the battle at Demon-Suppressing Pass. With reinforcements rushing to Dawn Pass, Yu Sheng prepared to break through to the Tenth Awakening while Old White Ape waited for him.

• Sikong Nan destroyed the Ten Thousand Poisons Fruit, killing himself and countless Demon Beasts as the poison spread through their packed ranks.
• Old White Ape condemned Yu Mo’s sacrifices, while Old Man died after Zhu Yan’s self-destruction sent him flying.
• Yu Sanshui and the woman joined Zhong Yushu to kill a Demon God, and Zhong Yushu died declaring that a War God could slay gods.
• Yuan Qingshan ordered every able soldier to reinforce Dawn Pass after the Human Race won at Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Old White Ape asked Yu Sheng how soon he could reach the Tenth Awakening, and Yu Sheng answered that it would take three hours.
• Yu Sheng sat among the corpses and focused on his breakthrough as Old White Ape waited and Yu Mo watched from afar.

After the Human Race won at Dawn Pass and the passes beyond, Yu Sheng awakened to the Tenth Awakening and faced Old White Ape above Demon-Suppressing Pass. Their battle began as Yu Sheng summoned a phantom that struck fear into Old White Ape.

• Second Madam died after killing a Demon God, and the Human Race swept through Dawn Pass, Ghost Gate, and Dome Pass.
• Blind Old Man said his work was done and asked that Sin City be given a place to live, while Confucian Scholar and Brawny Man returned to Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Shi Guang watched Yu Sheng and vowed to stay alive until she saw him kill Old White Ape.
• Yu Sheng awoke to the Tenth Awakening, rejected Old White Ape's claim that he could command every law, and rose to confront him.
• Yu Sheng and Old White Ape exchanged punches before Old White Ape summoned a giant ape phantom and Yu Sheng raised the Dragon-Patterned Staff.
• A staff-bearing phantom appeared behind Yu Sheng, and Old White Ape recognized it with fear before attacking Yu Sheng in a frenzy.

Yu Sheng unleashed the ancient Scroll against Old White Ape, who revealed his true form and name, Shen, and fought through its power. The Scroll shattered, leaving Yu Sheng badly injured and Old White Ape still able to hover as he claimed victory.

• Yu Sheng and Old White Ape clashed with the powers of their phantoms and laws, collapsing the space around them.
• Yu Sheng summoned his Awakening Objects and unfurled an ancient Scroll that filled the sky and overwhelmed Old White Ape with its power.
• Old White Ape revealed that his name among the Heavenly Race had been Shen and transformed into his true form.
• Shen charged toward the Scroll despite his body splitting open, while its figures faded and Yu Sheng neared collapse.
• The Scroll shattered and returned to Yu Sheng, leaving both fighters wounded as Shen declared himself the victor.

Yu Sheng used his last Awakening Object to kill Old White Ape, who died regretting his choices and declaring that the world would remain filthy. Shi Guang carried the unconscious Yu Sheng into the Demon Domain, keeping him away from the Human Race’s ninth-awakening experts.

• Yu Sheng revealed a crude dagger Awakening Object with nine crystal stones and used it to fatally wound Old White Ape.
• Old White Ape asked whether Yu Sheng hated him, and Yu Sheng said he did because Old White Ape had let A Tai and Mu Yu die.
• Old White Ape died after lamenting his failure to purify the world, and Yu Sheng collapsed from exhaustion.
• Shi Guang carried Yu Sheng away and declined help, wary that the Human Race might turn against him.
• Yu Sanshui and the other ninth-awakening experts showed no intention of stopping Shi Guang, who took Yu Sheng deep into the Demon Domain and refused to let Yu Sanshui follow.

After the Human Race’s victory, the survivors mourned their dead and tried to rebuild their lives, while Confucian Scholar buried Yu Mo in the Demon Domain and withdrew from the world. Generations later, Demon-Suppressing Pass had become history, remembered as the place where humanity had once stood against the demons.

• Yu Mo confessed his deceptions to Confucian Scholar on video, asked to be buried where his teacher had stayed, and died on Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• Confucian Scholar refused to accept Yu Mo’s death, then buried him at Skyvault Ravine and left the Human Race, eventually living alone in Sin City.
• The Human Race celebrated its victory as survivors such as Zhao Zicheng, Yu Sanshui, Yuan Qingshan, Qi Changshan, and Xin Yongfeng settled into their postwar lives, while many veterans struggled with the end of the war.
• At a Mid-Autumn gathering, Zhao Zicheng poured wine for fallen comrades, and little Zhao gave Lin Xiaoxiao a white puppy that moved her to tears.
• In a future where the Demon Clan had become history, an old man claiming to have attended Ink Academy’s 132nd class remembered Yu Sheng as a tour guide named the former site: “Here, once there was a Demon-Suppressing Pass...”

Er Mao thanked readers as Demon-Suppressing Pass ended and invited them to follow the next novel, Above the Immortals. The chapter closed with a tribute to the Xu Clan’s Twelve Blades.

• Er Mao recalled Demon-Suppressing Pass’s publication, conclusion, and achievements, then thanked readers for their support.
• Er Mao said the story had reached its station but invited readers to continue with the next journey, Above the Immortals.
• Er Mao introduced Above the Immortals and described its premise of awakened Ancient Immortals and the question of whether people should rise above them.
• Er Mao named the Xu Clan’s Twelve Blades and recited tributes to Liu Qingfeng, Xu Wenxuan, Wan Bo, Ji Hong, Yu Mo, Zhong Yushu, Xu Yuanqing, Xin Yongfeng, Chu Yu, Old White Ape, Every member of the 140th Cohort, and Shi Guang.

Yu Sheng reported Yu Sanshui’s hotel visit for a payment, then attended Second High School’s Heroes Memorial Hall opening. There, a young man in a baseball cap stood before a black-and-white photograph, holding onto a medal and trying to understand the person in it.

• Yu Sanshui left home dressed for a secret hotel meeting, and Yu Sheng reported his location in exchange for 100,000 yuan.
• Yu Sanshui called Yu Sheng after being caught, but Yu Sheng ended the call and went to sleep.
• Second High School opened its Heroes Memorial Hall, where the principal honored fallen Sages and graduates, including Yu Sheng and Shi Guang.
• A young man in a baseball cap stared at a black-and-white photograph and reflected on a repaired backpack and the Human Race’s only medal.

Ji Hong and Old White Ape debated whether to continue along a dangerous path, using tea and wine as metaphors for their choices. They parted with an offer of tea and wine, while Old White Ape urged Ji Hong to stay safe before an uncertain encounter.

• Old White Ape drank wine steeped with tea and argued that life’s bitterness was reason enough to stop moving forward.
• Ji Hong countered that the road continued as long as one kept the heart to walk it, then offered Old White Ape tea made from stream water.
• Old White Ape said he would keep moving forward and warned Ji Hong that the road ahead ended at a cliff and an abyss.
• Old White Ape urged Ji Hong to stay beneath the tree and promised to keep him alive, then revealed that he had buried a jar of wine for whoever survived.
• Old White Ape said they might not have been enemies if they had met years earlier, while Ji Hong quietly sipped his tea and smiled.

Zong Ren escaped an abusive childhood and spent years working toward an awakening that he hoped would earn him a place at Ink Academy and bring honor to his school. When his assessment showed only two-pattern talent and Teacher Zhang turned his attention to seven-pattern Wang Cong, Zong Ren lost faith in the affection he had found and disappeared into the darkness.

• As a child, Zong Ren stabbed his abusive parents to death, burned down their home, and left with a knife.
• Ten years later, Zong Ren prepared for his awakening assessment, encouraged by Teacher Zhang and determined to enter Ink Academy and reach Demon-Suppressing Pass.
• The assessment announced that Zong Ren had two-pattern talent, while Wang Cong had seven-pattern talent.
• Teacher Zhang ignored Zong Ren's apology and praised Wang Cong, leaving Zong Ren feeling abandoned.
• Zong Ren concluded that he had never truly had a home and vanished from the crowd.

Zhao Zicheng and Lin Xiaoxiao encountered a boy at the city gate who resembled someone from their past. They recognized him as both the same person and not the same, and Lin Xiaoxiao accepted that it no longer mattered.

• Zhao Zicheng chastised his son for wanting to become a hero, then reminisced about his strength alongside A Tai.
• Lin Xiaoxiao arrived on White Dog and dragged Zhao Zicheng out of the City Lord's Residence to show him something.
• At the city gate, Lin Xiaoxiao pointed out a boy eating a steamed bun and asked Zhao Zicheng if he looked familiar.
• Zhao Zicheng recognized the boy, and Lin Xiaoxiao said he was and was not the person they remembered, but that it no longer mattered.

After Yu Sheng fought off attackers at the house where Shi Guang was recovering, blood from the Inner City spilled into the Outer City and sparked a brief slaughter over the gutters. Shi Guang joined Yu Sheng outside, and their presence drove away the onlookers as they ordered the street cleaned and discussed keeping Sikong Nan alive.

• When the Inner City's sewage gates closed, a fresh torrent of water and blood poured into the gutters, drawing Outer City residents back to fight over it.
• Yu Sheng guarded the house with a dagger after killing attackers, while Sikong Nan watched from a distance and then fled when Yu Sheng spotted him.
• Shi Guang came outside carrying the Entrenching Tool after recovering, and Yu Sheng asked whether her fever had passed and whether the medicine had been real.
• The onlookers lost their greed when they saw Shi Guang was well, but Yu Sheng ordered them to remove the bodies and clean the blood.
• Shi Guang and Yu Sheng discussed keeping Sikong Nan alive and scaring him before returning inside.

Shi Guang drove Sikong Nan around the Outer City with repeated saber cuts, then warned its residents that he must not die. Sikong Nan survived the ordeal, left shaken and afraid as Shi Guang walked away.

• Residents of the Outer City gathered in the morning sunlight before the Inner City gate opened.
• Sikong Nan fled the Inner City as Shi Guang followed and cut his back whenever he slowed.
• Sikong Nan ran a lap around the Outer City and stumbled back into the Inner City.
• That night, Shi Guang checked Sikong Nan and asked whether he had medicine or needed help.
• Shi Guang warned the onlookers that anyone who killed Sikong Nan would be killed, and the watchers withdrew.

On New Year's Eve, Xu Yuanqing tried to earn money at Ink Academy but was left stranded outside its locked gates with only one yuan. Meanwhile, Yu Sheng and Shi Guang reunited at school, shared leftovers in their dorm, and greeted the New Year together.

• Xu Yuanqing advertised Ink Academy training on the street, but passersby rejected him and a child refused to share candied hawthorn.
• Xu Yuanqing found Ink Academy's gates locked and squatted outside with his single coin.
• The principal of Second High School tried to invite Shi Guang to celebrate New Year's Eve, but she left when Yu Sheng arrived.
• Yu Sheng and Shi Guang walked to their dorm and agreed to buy a home the following year.
• Yu Sheng and Shi Guang finished their leftovers, watched fireworks, and exchanged New Year's greetings.

On New Year's Eve, Yu Mo and Sun Yingxiong shared a meal with Zhong Yushu at the Ink Pavilion, while Old White Ape tried to comfort Ji Hong in the Demon Domain. At Demon-Suppressing Pass, the soldiers welcomed the New Year without turning from their watch, and Chu Yu painted them as she wished Wenxuan a happy New Year.

• Yu Mo told Sun Yingxiong he had no home to celebrate in, and the two wished each other a happy New Year.
• Sun Yingxiong used his teleportation ability to bring freshly cooked dishes to the office, where Zhong Yushu joined them and sampled the food.
• Old White Ape visited Ji Hong, spoke to him about facing his emotions, and wished him a happy New Year before leaving.
• Ji Hong silently began to wish the Human Race a happy New Year, then stopped and walked away in disgust at himself.
• At Demon-Suppressing Pass, the officers and soldiers exchanged New Year greetings while Chu Yu painted the soldiers in color and the fireworks in black.
• Chu Yu called this her first New Year at Demon-Suppressing Pass and wished Wenxuan a happy New Year.