Chapter Summaries

A Void Behemoth emerged from a spatial black hole and threatened to shatter the Wilderness Realm. A mysterious figure atop the beast invited Lu Changsheng to join his faction, but Lu refused without learning who he was.

• A Void Behemoth rushed through the spatial black hole as cracks spread across the sky, and Lu Changsheng sent a phantom to prepare the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Grand Array.
• The imperial preceptor and the Nine Heavens Division tried to stabilize the realm, but the Void Behemoth broke through the Heavenly Road and its sealing array.
• Kong Jianghan recognized the creature as a Void Behemoth and explained that such beasts fed on Hearts of the Realm and could destroy entire realms.
• Lu Changsheng saw a black-clad figure standing atop the Void Behemoth, and the figure addressed him as impressive.
• The black-clad figure invited Lu Changsheng to join his faction, but Lu refused and asked not to hear the figure's name or faction.

Lu Changsheng refused the Dark Domain’s offer to recruit him and fought its black-clad representative, breaking his dark domain and forcing him to concede defeat. The representative left on a Void Behemoth, warning that higher-ups would come to recruit Lu Changsheng.

• The black-clad figure threatened Lu Changsheng and attacked him with phantom daggers after he refused to join the Dark Domain.
• Lu Changsheng’s many Dao Laws shattered the phantom daggers and struck the black-clad figure, while the Void Behemoth swallowed the spatial storm created by their clash.
• The black-clad figure spread his dark domain to strengthen himself, but Lu Changsheng broke through it with a burst of white light and wounded him.
• The black-clad figure admitted he could not defeat Lu Changsheng but renewed his recruitment offer; Lu Changsheng again refused, saying he wanted a leisurely life.
• The black-clad figure warned that higher-ups would come to recruit Lu Changsheng, then departed into a spatial black hole on the Void Behemoth.

Lu Changsheng defeated the Heavenly Spirit Realm’s forces, ending the realm war and leaving Hong Ying to dictate the terms of surrender. The Heavenly Spirit Realm’s leaders agreed to submit to her control, while Lu Changsheng remained troubled by the powerful figures who had taken an interest in him.

• The allied army celebrated victory after Lu Changsheng defeated the void beast and crippled the Heavenly Spirit Realm’s strongest fighters.
• Hong Ying began setting surrender terms, and Lu Changsheng told her to decide without him.
• Kong Jianghan agreed to repair the Wilderness Realm’s Heavenly Road, connect the two realms, and hand over the Heavenly Spirit Realm’s Heart of the Realm.
• Hong Ying demanded that Kong Jianghan and the other three leaders either die or submit to her control.
• Lu Changsheng killed the bushy-bearded man when he objected, and Kong Jianghan and the other leaders released soul fragments to Hong Ying.

After the realm war, the Cloud Phoenix Empire sent its army to destroy the Buddhist Sect for its past betrayal. Hong Ying agreed to spare the sect’s followers if the Buddhist Lord and four Great Buddhas died, and the chapter ended with their souls vanishing and the Buddhist Sect reduced to a name.

• The Heavenly Spirit Realm became a vassal of the Cloud Phoenix Empire, and the victorious forces prepared to reap the benefits while its opponents feared the consequences.
• The imperial preceptor led the Nine Heavens Division and allied forces to Buddha Mountain, where the Buddhist Lord fought him as the armies clashed.
• The Cloud Phoenix Empire’s forces overwhelmed the Buddhist Sect, severely wounding the four great Buddhas and slaughtering its members.
• The abbot of Pure Heart Temple appeared and pleaded for the killing to stop, but Yun Zhan accused the Buddhist Sect of causing the Continent Alliance’s collapse and countless deaths.
• Hong Ying agreed to spare the Buddhist Sect’s followers on the condition that the Buddhist Lord and four Great Buddhas die.
• The Buddhist Lord and four Great Buddhas took their own lives, leaving the Buddhist Sect existing in name only.

After the realm war, Xiao Hei returned to the Cottage, where the disciples discussed their plans to travel and cultivate. Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng planned to leave together, while Ning Chenxin stayed behind to spread the Confucian Dao.

• The Buddhist Sect's leaders fell, and its abbot took over and reformed the sect as the Cloud Phoenix Empire became the Wilderness Realm's ruling power.
• Xiao Hei mastered the Eternal Devil Body's third layer in the Extreme Northern Icefield and returned to the Cottage.
• Hong Ying, Ye Qiubai, and Ning Chenxin cooked at the Cottage while they waited for Xiao Hei to arrive.
• Ye Qiubai planned to visit the Boundless Realm after tending to the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, while Ning Chenxin planned to remain and spread the Confucian Dao.
• Xiao Hei and Shi Sheng said they would travel with Ye Qiubai, and Lu Changsheng gave Shi Sheng permission to go.

The Heavenly Road was repaired, and Ye Qiubai, Hong Ying, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng led the first group from the Wilderness Realm to the Heavenly Spirit Realm. Meanwhile, a high-dimensional faction ordered a five-star executive to recruit someone from the Wilderness Realm.

• Ye Qiubai entrusted the Azure Cloud Sword Sect to Liang Feng, while Jian Chaomian prepared to cultivate in the Heavenly Spirit Realm and Ning Chenxin recruited Confucian Dao cultivators, including Zhong Wu.
• Hong Ying refused to let every faction leave the Wilderness Realm without approval, and Dean Yan and Lin Rufeng chose to remain until they found successors for their duties.
• Yun Ming turned away five sect masters who had failed to support the Cloud Phoenix Empire, but allowed Mu Heze to meet Hong Ying because the Mu Lineage had supported the empire and fought in the realm war.
• After the Heavenly Road repairs were completed, Ye Qiubai, Hong Ying, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng departed for the Heavenly Spirit Realm with the first group, while Ning Chenxin and Mu Wan'er stayed behind.
• In a high-dimensional realm, a black-clad man ordered a five-star executive to personally recruit the person the Dark Ranking had misjudged.

Hong Ying began establishing the Cloud Phoenix Empire’s rule over the Heavenly Spirit Realm, while Ye Qiubai prepared to travel to the powerful Boundless Realm. The chapter ended as Xiao Hei faced the Thick Earth Sect’s master, whose resistance was part of Kong Jianghan’s plan to deter other factions.

• Kong Jianghan welcomed Hong Ying to the Heavenly Spirit Realm and brought her group to the newly completed Cloud Phoenix Imperial Palace in Cloud Phoenix City.
• Ye Qiubai asked Kong Jianghan about the Boundless Realm, learned that even Kong Jianghan would have to act cautiously there, and agreed to take the spatial path from the Heavenly Spirit Sect.
• After hearing that some factions opposed the Cloud Phoenix Empire’s rule, Hong Ying sent Ye Qiubai, Ning Chenxin, Xiao Hei, Shi Sheng, and the Nine Heavens Division to suppress them.
• Kong Jianghan revealed that the Thick Earth Sect had been prompted to resist so the Cloud Phoenix Empire could make an example of it.
• The Thick Earth Sect’s master demanded that one of the newcomers defeat him, and Xiao Hei stepped forward to test his improved Eternal Devil Body.
• The Thick Earth Sect’s master attacked with a sandstorm, but Xiao Hei released overwhelming killing intent that shocked the sect’s disciples.

Xiao Hei defeated the Thick Earth Sect master, securing the sect’s support for the Cloud Phoenix Empire and helping it establish control over the Heavenly Spirit Realm. After several days of cultivation breakthroughs, Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng prepared to travel to the Boundless Realm, parting from Hong Ying.

• Xiao Hei shattered the Thick Earth Sect master’s sandstorm and earthen mountain attacks, forcing him to admit defeat.
• The Thick Earth Sect master pledged to support the Cloud Phoenix Empire, and Ye Qiubai and his companions subdued the other opposing factions in a single day.
• Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Hong Ying made cultivation breakthroughs while staying in the Heavenly Spirit Realm.
• Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng met Kong Jianghan at the Heavenly Spirit Sect to use a spatial ship to reach the Boundless Realm.
• Ye Qiubai and Hong Ying said goodbye, and Kong Jianghan dismantled the array so Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng could set off.

Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei encountered spatial turbulence while traveling to the Boundless Realm, where Xiao Hei used it to temper his body. They met Mu Fusheng and his guard Xiao Si, and agreed to travel together toward the Boundless Realm.

• On the fourth day of the voyage, Xiao Hei left the spatial ship and endured spatial turbulence to temper his body, causing a fourth set of markings to flicker into view.
• Ye Qiubai watched closely, ready to rescue Xiao Hei if danger arose.
• Mu Fusheng and his guard Xiao Si arrived aboard a sturdier spatial ship, and Mu Fusheng praised Xiao Hei's courage before asking Ye Qiubai where they were from and where they were headed.
• Ye Qiubai told Mu Fusheng they came from the Wilderness Realm and were traveling to the Boundless Realm.
• Mu Fusheng invited Ye Qiubai and his companions to travel with him, and they accepted.
• Ye Qiubai and Mu Fusheng introduced themselves, agreed to be friends, and Mu Fusheng offered to help them in the Boundless Realm.

As Ye Qiubai and his companions traveled through the Boundless Realm with Mu Fusheng, a spatial storm swept them into danger. Just as they struggled to keep their fragile ship intact, a phantom descended upon it.

• Xiao Hei’s fourth layer of markings began flickering, and Mu Fusheng explained the Boundless Realm’s factions, including the Boundless Imperial Kingdom and the four great clans.
• Mu Fusheng revealed that his father ruled the Boundless Imperial Kingdom and promised Ye Qiubai plenty of wine from across the realms.
• A massive spatial storm approached, so Mu Fusheng had Xiao Si pilot the ship away from it while he covered himself in defensive talismans.
• As the ship was battered by the storm, Ye Qiubai used the eighth sword of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon to disperse a stream of spatial turbulence.
• The storm swept the ship inside, and Xiao Si warned that it might not survive; when switching ships proved too dangerous, Ye Qiubai prepared to act, but a phantom descended upon the ship.

Ye Qiubai and his companions survived a spatial storm thanks to Mu Zhengyan, then entered the Boundless Realm, where Ye Qiubai felt close to a breakthrough. Mu Fusheng offered to take them with him, but they parted ways after he gave them a map and identity jade pendant.

• A spatial storm nearly destroyed Ye Qiubai and the others’ ship before Mu Zhengyan appeared, dispelled the storm, and repaired the ship’s formation.
• Mu Fusheng and Mu Zhengyan exchanged a heated, familiar reprimand, revealing that Mu Zhengyan was Mu Fusheng’s father.
• Mu Fusheng explained the relative dangers of small, medium, and large spatial storms as the group continued safely through space.
• Ye Qiubai and his companions entered the Boundless Realm and felt its dense Spiritual Qi, which left Ye Qiubai on the verge of breaking through to the Void God Realm.
• Mu Fusheng invited Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng to join him, but Ye Qiubai declined; Mu Fusheng gave them an identity jade pendant and a map before they parted.

Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng chose to become mercenaries rather than join a faction or travel as rogue cultivators, hoping to cultivate while searching for their goals. They founded the Cottage Mercenary Group in Cloudrise City and began looking over available missions.

• Ye Qiubai and the others decided that becoming mercenaries would let them stay independent while seeking clues and improving their strength.
• The three traveled to Cloudrise City and entered its Mercenary Union, where most mercenaries were at least in the Void God Realm.
• Luo Yun warned Ye Qiubai that a new group had to complete a mission within half a month or lose its status, but he declined her advice to join an existing group.
• Ye Qiubai paid ten origin crystals and named their group the Cottage, while Lu Changsheng began setting up a spatial teleportation array so he could respond when they caused trouble.
• The Cottage Mercenary Group was established, and Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng went to inspect the mission board.

Ye Qiubai and his companions chose an escort mission for its high reward, but the Scale Armor Mercenary Group challenged their claim because it had reserved the job. As Ye Qiubai prepared to compete for the employer’s choice, he reflected on Mu Ziqing’s presence somewhere in the Boundless Realm and resolved to grow stronger.

• Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng searched the Yellow-rank mission board and chose a high-paying escort mission to earn origin crystals and seek information.
• He Lin and the Scale Armor Mercenary Group confronted Ye Qiubai, claiming they had reserved the same mission.
• Luo Yun explained that reservations were an unwritten custom, not a Mercenary Guild rule, and Ye Qiubai insisted on accepting the mission.
• He Lin proposed that both groups let the employer choose between them, and Ye Qiubai agreed to meet the employer’s clan the next day.
• That night, Ye Qiubai sensed Mu Ziqing’s icy presence through her jade pendant and vowed to become strong enough to bring her back.

Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng joined He Lin’s Scale Armor Mercenary Group as escorts for the Yang Lineage’s journey to Dragonrise City. The party left Cloudrise City under strained terms, unaware of any immediate threat, while Ye Qiubai quietly sensed that no ambush was nearby.

• He Lin tried to recruit Ye Qiubai and his companions into the Scale Armor Mercenary Group, but Ye Qiubai refused.
• At the Yang Lineage’s residence, Yang Qi initially dismissed the three newcomers, but a woman in the carriage persuaded him to let both groups escort them, with the hundred-essence-crystal reward going to whoever contributed more.
• Yang Qi ordered everyone to follow his arrangements, and the party left Cloudrise City for Dragonrise City to support the Yang Lineage’s marriage alliance with the Long Lineage.
• After leaving the city, He Lin and his mercenaries prepared for an attack, while Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng chatted about Lu Changsheng.
• Yang Qi scolded Ye Qiubai and the others for seeming careless, but Ye Qiubai calmly said there was no ambush nearby; the party continued on as night fell.

While the Yang Lineage's party camped on Boundary Mountain, Ye Qiubai and his companions sensed that a formation had sealed the area and warned Yang Qi that an attack was coming. Yang Qi and He Lin remained doubtful, so Ye Qiubai prepared to fight with Xiao Hei and Shi Sheng.

• The Yang Lineage's guards established camp while He Lin assigned the Scale Armor Mercenary Group to scout and protect the perimeter.
• Yang Qi rebuked Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng for cultivating instead of standing guard, but Ye Qiubai said he could detect nearby danger.
• Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng sensed killing intent and realized the camp had been enclosed by a sophisticated screening formation.
• Ye Qiubai warned Yang Qi that an attack might come within an incense stick's time, and Yang Qi relayed the warning to He Lin.
• He Lin questioned Ye Qiubai's discovery, but Ye Qiubai stopped trying to convince them and readied his Dark Demon Sword while Xiao Hei and Shi Sheng prepared to fight.

Ten concealed attackers ambushed the Yang Lineage's temporary camp with three killing formations, and Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei revealed their power to defend it. The ambush began with the Yang guards slaughtered and the Scale Armor Mercenary Group taking casualties.

• A group of twelve black-clad attackers prepared to bypass the Scale Armor Mercenary Group's lookouts and strike the camp in secret.
• He Lin checked on the camp while Yang Qi warned his sister to stay inside the carriage, and Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei readied their senses and power.
• Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei detected the approaching attackers, but Yang Qi doubted them when no enemies appeared.
• Three killing formations suddenly attacked the guards, killing every Yang Lineage guard and wounding two members of the Scale Armor Mercenary Group.
• Ye Qiubai unleashed his Sword Ancestor Sword Intent to block the formations, while Shi Sheng released the Power of the Stars and Xiao Hei shattered one formation with a punch.

Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei destroyed the three killing arrays and then intercepted twelve black-clad cultivators targeting the carriage. They killed all twelve in less than ten breaths, leaving Yang Qi to rely on Ye Qiubai to protect his younger sister.

• Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei shattered the three killing arrays with their attacks.
• Yang Qi asked Ye Qiubai to protect his younger sister, and Ye Qiubai agreed to do what the mission required.
• Twelve black-clad cultivators ambushed the carriage, including one in the late Void God Realm, but Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei rushed to stop them.
• Xiao Hei killed the late Void God Realm attacker with a punch that drove his head into the ground.
• Shi Sheng cleaved apart four early Void God Realm attackers with his axe, while Ye Qiubai swept the remaining seven into his river of swords.
• The three Cottage fighters killed all twelve attackers in less than ten breaths.

After Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng defeated the assassins, the Scale Armor Mercenary Group and Yang Qi recognized their strength and continued escorting the Yang Lineage toward Dragonrise City. When Xiao Hei questioned why the Yang Lineage’s daughter had to accept a political marriage, Ye Qiubai began to understand his master’s way of thinking.

• Ye Qiubai and his companions searched the area after defeating the twelve Void God Realm assassins, while the Scale Armor Mercenary Group and Yang Qi’s men checked for further threats.
• He Lin apologized to Ye Qiubai and offered the Scale Armor Mercenary Group’s mission payment to the Cottage Mercenary Group, hoping to build a relationship with the three young cultivators.
• Yang Qi spoke with his sister in the carriage, and she confirmed that the danger had passed; they discussed reaching Dragonrise City and her impending marriage to strengthen the Yang Lineage.
• The Yang Lineage continued toward Dragonrise City with the Scale Armor and Cottage Mercenary Groups guarding the party, while Yang Qi treated Ye Qiubai and his companions with new respect.
• When Xiao Hei asked why the Yang Lineage’s daughter had to be sacrificed for a political marriage, Ye Qiubai and Shi Sheng reacted with embarrassment, and Ye Qiubai thought he was beginning to understand Lu Changsheng.

Yang Zhenhuai confronted Li Man and Kang Shicheng after Yang Qi’s party survived an assassination attempt, while Yang Yuwan’s convoy continued toward Dragonrise City. As the travelers neared the city, Ye Qiubai sensed a powerful cultivator approaching, leaving the group on alert.

• Yang Zhenhuai accused Li Man and Kang Shicheng of fearing the Yang–Long marriage alliance, but both men denied involvement in the attack and offered to investigate.
• Yang Zhenhuai warned that the Yang Lineage would fight to the bitter end if Yuwan were harmed.
• Yang Yuwan asked Xiao Hei about his companions’ home, and he told her they came from the Wilderness Realm.
• Yang Yuwan and Xiao Hei discussed her impending marriage as the convoy drew within a day of Dragonrise City.
• Ye Qiubai and Shi Sheng sensed a powerful cultivator approaching, and Ye Qiubai warned the group to prepare as the cultivator arrived.

A Half-Emperor blocked Yang Qi’s group and demanded Yang Yuwan, the target of the favor he had agreed to repay. Though the Scale Armor Mercenary Group withdrew, Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei stayed to protect her, and the old man began attacking them.

• The old man stopped the carriage and demanded that Yang Yuwan be handed over or take her own life, explaining that he had to repay a debt of gratitude.
• Yang Qi warned that the Long Lineage might retaliate, but the old man said he could escape them; He Lin then withdrew the Scale Armor Mercenary Group from the mission.
• Yang Yuwan urged Yang Qi and Ye Qiubai to leave, but Yang Qi drew his sword to protect her, and the old man immobilized him with his power.
• Ye Qiubai blocked the old man’s attack with Sword Ancestor-level Sword Intent and refused to abandon the mission; Shi Sheng and Xiao Hei prepared to fight beside him.
• The old man unleashed his Half-Emperor pressure and sent two enormous palm imprints crashing down on Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei.