Recaps

Zhang Xuezhou learned that researchers considered the Kunpeng Combat Technique impossible to develop further because of his weak genes, and the Sequence Committee offered him a firearm as compensation. He left to consult Ren Yisheng, while Zhang Manqian sent him information suggesting that the Tuer District might help the Zhang Household investigate their strange experiences.

• Zhang Xuezhou questioned the research document, and the Sequence Committee administrator explained that the Kunpeng Combat Technique had reached the limits imposed by his genes.
• The Sequence Committee offered Zhang Xuezhou a latest-model firearm as compensation, provided he obtained a gun ownership permit; he said he would collect it the next day.
• Zhang Manqian remained angry about the reward, but Zhang Xuezhou accepted the explanation and decided he would need to ask Ren Yisheng about further developing the technique.
• Zhang Xuezhou ate synthetic nutritional paste, drove off to visit Ren Yisheng in the jade, and left before Tuer Kalanduo could get into the car.
• Zhang Manqian sent Zhang Xuezhou details and her conjectures about visiting the Tuer District, which she believed could be easier to approach than the Genas Lineage.

Zhang Xuezhou tried to use the Soul-Collecting Technique to help Ren Yisheng escape the Soul Jade, but neither it nor Ren Yisheng’s Return to the Aperture Technique worked. After studying Zhang Xuezhou’s Kunpeng Combat Technique research, Ren Yisheng resolved to find a way to build himself a body while helping Zhang advance the technique.

• Zhang Xuezhou practiced the Soul-Collecting Technique for hours, but Ren Yisheng felt no change, and his Return to the Aperture Technique also failed.
• Ren Yisheng explained that the Soul Jade had become like his body and that his connection to his original body was weakening.
• Zhang Xuezhou showed Ren Yisheng the Sequence Committee’s research on the Kunpeng Combat Technique, and Ren Yisheng recognized how difficult their path would be.
• Ren Yisheng vowed to keep fighting and proposed cultivating a body for himself using a technique.
• Zhang Xuezhou named the Puppet Technique, Yin Soul Possession, and Technique Method Mimicry as possible methods, and promised to seek them out.

Professor Luo Hui urged Zhang Xuezhou to visit Tangshan Recuperation Center and warned him that Zhou Yueyan’s theory of strengthening crane genes could make his family’s business dependent on the Zhou Household. Zhang recognized that both the Luo and Zhou Households had a stake in Flying Entertainment Livestream’s success and treated the Luo Household as a potential supplier.

• Professor Luo Hui met Zhang Xuezhou at Jishi Medical Center and pressed him to arrange X432 repair treatments at Tangshan Recuperation Center and speak with Luo Tianming.
• Zhang explained that he had been busy and that his family needed approvals to raise money, then agreed to visit and contact Luo Tianming.
• Professor Luo Hui warned Zhang that Zhou Yueyan’s crane-gene theory could leave his family dependent on expensive blood serum, and offered the Luo Household’s serum at a reduced price.
• Zhang asked to buy fifty doses on credit, but Professor Luo Hui advised him to begin with one or two doses a month and cautioned against excessive injections.
• Zhang considered the financial and medical risks, concluded that the Luo and Zhou Households benefited from Flying Entertainment Livestream’s continued success, and warmed to the Luo Household as a supplier.

Zhang Xuezhou collected his shooting certificate and went to the research center to claim the firearm awarded as compensation, with Tuer Kalanduo following him. There, Zhou Yueyan confronted Tuer Kalanduo about the Tuer Clan’s intelligence gathering.

• Tuer Kalanduo tracked Zhang Xuezhou to the Song Household using satellite positioning and accompanied him inside.
• Song Sijia gave Zhang Xuezhou his shooting certificate and invited him to breakfast, while barely noticing Tuer Kalanduo.
• Tuer Kalanduo offered to teach Zhang Xuezhou her clan’s ability if he visited the Tuer District, but he declined because of the Soul Jade affair.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Tuer Kalanduo entered the research center, where he discussed her cultivation through resisting his presence and the Tuer Clan deity.
• Zhou Yueyan stopped Zhang Xuezhou and challenged Tuer Kalanduo over the Tuer Clan’s intelligence gathering.

Zhang Xuezhou learned why Zhou Yueyan considered Tuer Kalanduo a dangerous spy and negotiated blood-dose supplies for himself and Zhang Manqian. Zhou Yueyan then gave him an Infinite Gun, whose resemblance to Wang Yi'an’s genetic weapon left him wondering whether it was a weakened version.

• Task force members detained Tuer Kalanduo at the High-Tech Agricultural Products Research Center after Zhou Yueyan recognized her and warned Zhang Xuezhou about the Tuer Clan.
• Zhou Yueyan asked Zhang Xuezhou whether he disliked her research, and he revealed that Professor Luo Hui had offered him crane blood doses for 1.5 million each.
• Zhou Yueyan offered Zhang Xuezhou high-grade crane blood doses and secured verbal orders for five doses for him and future supplies for Zhang Manqian.
• Zhou Yueyan took Zhang Xuezhou to a shooting range and showed him the arm-mounted Infinite Gun, which held 300 rounds and had three firing ranges.
• Zhang Xuezhou compared the Infinite Gun to Wang Yi'an’s genetic weapon and asked Zhou Yueyan whether it was a weakened version.

Zhang Xuezhou tested the Infinite Gun and discussed its strengths and weaknesses with its designer, Professor Gao Qiang, and Pei Jinghong. Pei worried that genetic advancement could let powerful Sequence Holders dominate humanity, while Zhou Yueyan argued that evolution would benefit everyone and suggested Zhang might one day complete the Theoretical Development of the Kunpeng Combat Technique.

• Zhang Xuezhou tested the Infinite Gun and complained that its weak firepower made it difficult to use effectively.
• Professor Gao Qiang defended the gun's large ammunition capacity and usefulness in the wild, but Zhang's pebble comparison angered him, and he stormed off.
• Zhang Xuezhou examined Pei Jinghong's automatic-aiming rifle, and Pei asked about Song Xianzhong's ability to reflect attacks aimed at him.
• Pei Jinghong warned that advanced Gene Fighting Techniques could create immortal Sequence Holders who might rule nations or civilizations.
• Zhou Yueyan argued that genetic evolution would benefit humanity collectively and pointed to Luo Zhong as an example.
• Zhou Yueyan suggested Zhang Xuezhou might complete the Theoretical Development of the Kunpeng Combat Technique and recreate Luo Zhong's power.

Zhou Yueyan encouraged Zhang Xuezhou to invest in his Intimidation Combat Technique and promoted the Infinite Gun as a tool for hunting mutated creatures and earning money. Zhang Xuezhou took the gun and ammunition, while Zhou Yueyan reflected on how both he and Wang Li would need vast resources to advance their combat techniques.

• Zhou Yueyan explained that she had supported Zhang Xuezhou to bind their interests together and hoped he would become a powerful talent for the Scarlet Alliance State and the Zhou Household.
• Zhang Xuezhou said he would not devote all his resources to the Gene Fighting Technique while he focused on his Realm Technique, awaited Ren Yisheng's help, and planned to improve his genes with Black-Tipped Chickens.
• Zhou Yueyan told Zhang Xuezhou that laboratories paid well for intact mutated creatures and argued that the Infinite Gun would help him hunt them in the Qinmeng Empire's ruins.
• Zhang Xuezhou tested the Infinite Gun, accepted two boxes of fine-hair bullets, and left in good spirits.
• Zhou Yueyan considered the difficult paths available to Zhang Xuezhou and reflected that Wang Li's pursuit of the Black Armor Combat Technique, like the Zhou Household's own training, required piling up resources.

Zhang Xuezhou and Wang Li discussed the costly blood agents needed to advance the Black Armor Combat Technique and the possibility of starting a laboratory. Zhang Xuezhou rejected an immediate investment but became interested in the gene-eroding creatures of the Qinmeng Ruins.

• Wang Li celebrated obtaining the complete Black Armor Combat Technique but told Zhang Xuezhou that he could not afford the blood agents needed to advance through its stages.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that he had spent heavily reserving twenty-five doses of crane blood agent, while Wang Li lamented that the Zhou Household would not sell him the high-grade Black Tortoise agents he needed.
• Wang Li proposed that he and Zhang Xuezhou develop a laboratory, but Zhang Xuezhou refused for now because it would be expensive and they lacked equipment, researchers, and materials.
• Wang Li said his brothers and their livestream students could buy low-grade blood agents, prompting Zhang Xuezhou to agree to think the idea over.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked whether local cranes could supply genes for blood agents, and Wang Li explained that only creatures from the Qinmeng Ruins had the erosive genes needed to alter human genes.
• Zhang Xuezhou suggested that they explore the Qinmeng Ruins and possibly supply the Zhou Household with mutated creatures.

Zhang Xuezhou shared the Person-Fixing Technique and other Realm Techniques with Zhang Manqian, who became eager to learn them. After discussing their abilities and plans to travel abroad, Zhang Manqian noticed that Duoduo was missing.

• Zhang Manqian explained that her Tiger and Crane Dual Forms required expensive high-grade blood serums, while Zhang Xuezhou said their family could not afford to spend freely.
• Zhang Xuezhou introduced the Person-Fixing Technique, and Zhang Manqian compared it to An Ran's pseudopsychology and decided she wanted to master it.
• Zhang Xuezhou described how the Person-Fixing Technique could predict which abilities an opponent would use, though its accuracy depended on experience and cultivation.
• Zhang Xuezhou listed his nine avoidance Techniques, and Zhang Manqian realized they could greatly improve their ability to fight and survive in the wild.
• Zhang Xuezhou suggested that they travel abroad together once they had learned more abilities, and Zhang Manqian asked where Duoduo was.

After Tuer Kalanduo was released from detention, Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Manqian proposed that she invest in their businesses and supply research materials from the Thousand Islands Alliance. Tuer agreed, hoping cooperation would make her a member of the Zhang family, while Zhang Xuezhou saw the partnership as a chance to expand abroad.

• Tuer Kalanduo returned to the Zhang Household villa less than three days after being detained and complained that her clan had paid a ransom for her release.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Tuer to bring technology to the Scarlet Alliance State and invest in his businesses, while Zhang Manqian suggested that joining their family would help her gain his trust.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that they would accept ordinary research materials, including low- and mid-grade blood serum information, rather than demanding cutting-edge technology.
• Tuer agreed to provide any unclassified materials she could obtain because she hoped to become a member of the Zhang family and follow Zhang Xuezhou.
• Zhang Xuezhou welcomed their cooperation and looked toward expanding overseas as a way for the family to escape its limited opportunities at home.

After the Sequencer Grand Gathering, Zhang Xuezhou received invitations to join teams exploring the dangerous Qinmeng Ruins but did not commit to a trip. Tuer Kalanduo explained the ruins’ creature tides and the extreme threat posed by ferocious beasts.

• Zhang Xuezhou received invitations from Luo Gaogao, Zuo Teng, Zhu Kuang, Zhou Tianhao, Changkong Shenguang, and Changkong Weiguang to explore the Qinmeng Ruins, but politely left the possibility open.
• Zhang Manqian pointed out that Zhang Xuezhou’s seven-day cycle could help him explore without needing sleep, while warning that human hunters were a danger in the lawless ruins.
• Tuer Kalanduo described how an exotic beast tide had destroyed her lineage’s laboratory and explained that such events could produce mutant beasts and ferocious beasts.
• Tuer Kalanduo explained that mutant beasts had enhanced physical abilities, while ferocious beasts exceeded ordinary means of combat.
• Tuer Kalanduo revealed that the Alliance States had studied an ant nearly half a person’s height, whose speed, steel-biting jaws, and two-ton strikes could threaten even Zhou Xin.

Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Manqian reviewed Tuer Kalanduo’s database and decided to build a private laboratory for their own needs while exploring communications research. The chapter ends with Zhang Manqian reminding Zhang Xuezhou that Director Wen Yishan had invited him to visit the production crew for The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.

• Zhang Xuezhou found laboratory guides and drug-manufacturing records in Tuer Kalanduo’s database, and Zhang Manqian saw how much she would need to learn.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that their laboratory could not legally sell drugs without a quota, but argued that they needed it to avoid dependence on outside suppliers as they advanced in Sequence Tier.
• Zhang Manqian agreed to focus on research related to their needs, while Zhang Xuezhou suggested Wang Li work on communications equipment using information from Tuer Kalanduo.
• Zhang Xuezhou considered communications research a long-term investment despite the Alliance States’ regional monopolies and slow technological development.
• Tuer Kalanduo said she had no further information about novels or film and television, and Zhang Manqian recalled that Director Wen Yishan had invited Zhang Xuezhou to visit The Smiling, Proud Wanderer production crew.

Zhang Xuezhou visited the set of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer to film his brief role as Hou Renying, while learning that the drama’s broadcast dividends would depend on screen time. He regretted choosing such a small part when Zuo Teng estimated his share would be far less than the money available for larger roles.

• Zhang Xuezhou arrived at the Western Capital City filming base, where Wen Yishan was struggling to direct the lead actor under intense production pressure.
• Wen Yishan arranged to shoot Zhang Xuezhou’s scenes as Hou Renying, and Zhang Xuezhou agreed to perform the character’s somersaults himself.
• Zhang Xuezhou watched clips of the cast and learned that Song Fengying was filming Ning Zhongze on location and his father was playing Danqingsheng.
• Zuo Teng arrived as Lin Pingzhi and told Zhang Xuezhou that cast members would share broadcast dividends according to their characters’ screen time.
• Zuo Teng estimated Zhang Xuezhou would earn only eight hundred thousand to a million, leaving Zhang Xuezhou regretting his choice of a minor role.

Zhang Xuezhou declined a major share of the adaptation’s profits and took a minor role in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, then surprised the cast and director with his fierce performance. The chapter left Wen Yishan wondering who Zhang Xuezhou really was and imagining him in much more imposing roles.

• Zhang Xuezhou told Zuo Teng he lacked the ability and time to take a major role, so he would play Hou Renying instead.
• Zuo Teng lamented that Zhang Xuezhou had missed out on the profits because he lacked reliable information and connections.
• Wen Yishan coached Zhang Xuezhou and the actor playing Hong Renxiong through their tavern scene after they had been reciting numbers.
• Zhang Xuezhou smashed the prop table and delivered Hou Renying’s lines with such ferocity that the actor playing Linghu Chong froze in fear.
• After viewing the scene, Wen Yishan was shaken by Zhang Xuezhou’s imposing bearing and thought he could play much more formidable characters.

Zhang Xuezhou joined Wen Yishan’s production of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer and chose to play Zuo Lengchan after Wen praised his ability to portray a fearsome villain. The crew prepared to film his roles while Wen continued searching for actors suited to the story’s other powerful characters.

• Wen Yishan urged Zhang Xuezhou to take a villain role, explaining that his intimidating gaze made him suited to the part.
• Zuo Teng supported Wen and reminded Zhang that his mental strength made his fierce expressions especially frightening.
• After comparing Ren Woxing’s and Zuo Lengchan’s screen time, Zhang chose Zuo Lengchan for the larger role and its share of the profits.
• Zhang filmed Hou Renying scenes, and Wen praised his performance during the Qingcheng confrontation.
• Wen planned to prepare Zuo Lengchan’s costume, makeup, and scenes around Zhang’s seven-day filming interval, while worrying about casting Ren Woxing, Dongfang Bubai, and Feng Qingyang.

Zhang Xuezhou spoke with Luo Tianming about their transaction, while Zuo Teng overheard and grew wary of how much leverage Zhang seemed to have over the powerful elder. The filming continued, and Zuo Teng performed his fight scene as Lin Pingzhi while Zhang Xuezhou finished playing a victim and wondered whether his Black-Tipped Chickens could help advance his genes.

• Luo Tianming reached Zhang Xuezhou by communicator and objected to paying in advance, but Zhang pointed out that Professor Luo Hui had not delivered his prepaid crane-bird blood serums either.
• Zuo Teng overheard their conversation, warned Zhang Xuezhou that Luo Tianming might retaliate after the transaction, and wondered what Zhang could offer that the elder needed.
• Zuo Teng took his place as Lin Pingzhi and acted out the scene in which he confronted Yu Renhao and swiftly defeated his opponents.
• A crew member told Zhang Xuezhou his scene was over, and Zhang got up and cleaned the chicken blood from his skin.
• Zhang Xuezhou wondered how his Black-Tipped Chickens were doing and whether eating them could improve his genes and reduce his need for crane-bird blood serum.

Zhang Xuezhou checked on the Black-Tipped Chicken breeding project at the North Rehe Research Institute and learned it would take months to produce a flock. He then inspected the stones collected from Sinkhole No. 2, hoping to find living liquid to study himself.

• Zhang Xuezhou left the production set after agreeing to act as Hou Renying if Wen Yishan could arrange filming within a few days.
• Zuo Teng concluded Zhang Xuezhou would not team up with him for the Qinmeng Ruins and resolved to see who advanced farther.
• Zhang Xuezhou learned that the Black-Tipped Chickens would need another seven or eight months to become a useful flock.
• Xu Shengzhi reported that the institute had collected 9,627 stone specimens from Sinkhole No. 2, and Zhang Xuezhou approved of the effort.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the specimen room and searched the stones for heat, hoping to find the liquid he planned to study.

Zhang Xuezhou selected five heat-sensing stones at the North Rehe Research Institute and proposed studying their long-term effects on Black-Tipped Chickens. He then collected twenty doses of crane-bird blood preparation from Professor Luo Hui's laboratory and began explaining Ren Yisheng's Mental Strengthening to the Luo Household and other listeners.

• Zhang Xuezhou chose five stones from the 9,627 specimens and told Xu Shengzhi to make them the focus of research alongside the Black-Tipped Chickens.
• Xu Shengzhi agreed to build a practical pen with the stones and became eager about researching their connection to the chickens.
• Zhang Xuezhou drove back to Western Capital City after finishing most of his business at the North Rehe Research Institute.
• Luo Tianming told Zhang Xuezhou that Professor Luo Hui's laboratory had prepared twenty doses of mid-grade crane-bird blood preparation, and Zhang Xuezhou said he would collect them that day.
• Zhang Xuezhou arrived at Professor Luo Hui's laboratory, received the preparations, and began explaining Mental Strengthening while Luo Tianming, Professor Luo Hui, Song Xianzhong, Changkong Luo, and a head in culture fluid listened.

Zhang Xuezhou reviewed his dealings with Luo Tianming and discussed Ren Yisheng’s prospects for restoring his body through the Tomb Scripture and other techniques. He learned that Ren Wuyang had gone to Qinmeng to hunt exotic beasts and asked Ren Anran to tell him that he wanted to go there too.

• Zhang Xuezhou concluded that he had limited what Luo Tianming learned about Mental Strengthening and had safely obtained crane blood serum while Luo Tianming remained confined.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Ren Yisheng about the situation, and Ren Yisheng admitted that Mental Strengthening remained difficult to promote despite his improvements to it.
• Zhang Xuezhou suggested that Ren Yisheng recite the Tomb Scripture, and Ren Yisheng agreed to try it because it posed no apparent risk.
• Zhang Xuezhou considered ways to help Ren Yisheng’s Yang Corporeal Soul and resolved to search for more techniques and knowledge.
• Ren Anran told Zhang Xuezhou that Ren Wuyang had gone to Qinmeng with Zhu Shengnan to hunt exotic beasts and pursue the Fifth Sequence.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Ren Anran to tell Ren Wuyang that he wanted to visit Qinmeng and become familiar with the terrain.

Tuer Kalanduo watched Zhang Xuezhou enter his otherworldly state while Zhang Manqian kept her under surveillance and turned to study. Zhang Xuezhou then awoke in the Northern Border, where Dong Zhongshu pressed Governor Li Guang to treat his ailments and revealed that the emperor had died.

• Tuer Kalanduo sensed Zhang Xuezhou had gone to another world again and wondered whether he was a god or divine messenger.
• Tuer Kalanduo watched Zhang Xuezhou's body while Zhang Manqian monitored her and chose to focus on studying.
• Zhang Xuezhou awoke before Li Guang, Dong Zhongshu, and Li Jiao in the Northern Border.
• Dong Zhongshu asked Li Guang to use the Jade Purity True Technique to suppress his ailments, but Li Guang hesitated over how Dong Zhongshu had learned about it.
• Dong Zhongshu told Li Guang that the emperor had died and warned that refusing to help could endanger soldiers and the route through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

Li Guang pressed Zhang Xuezhou for the route through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, while Dong Zhongshu urged them to cooperate. After Zhang Xuezhou demanded that Li Guang address their problems first, Li Guang learned that Emperor Jing had died and realized he might soon lose command, leaving him unable to wait.

• Dong Zhongshu warned Zhang Xuezhou that Li Guang might use him and then discard him, while Li Guang dismissed the Confucian School and called for Li Jiao.
• Zhang Xuezhou clarified that he had only come to collect payment for treating Zhou Cang and Zhao Mu, and that he had never agreed to guide Li Guang through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
• Zhang Xuezhou described the route’s eighty-one changing passages and their shifting schedules, revealing knowledge Li Guang had failed to obtain in more than twenty years.
• Li Guang offered to use the Jade Purity True Technique to suppress Dong Zhongshu’s conflicting powers and teach Zhang Xuezhou the Supreme Purity True Technique in exchange for being taken to the mountains.
• Zhang Xuezhou insisted that Li Guang solve their problems first, then left with Li Jiao to find food while Dong Zhongshu stayed behind to urge Li Guang to show compassion.
• Li Guang learned that Emperor Jing had died and feared the new emperor would replace him, so he decided he had to reach the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains before losing command of the Northern Frontier Legion.

Zhang Xuezhou negotiated with Li Guang for treatment of Dong Zhongshu and Zhao Liang and instruction in the Supreme Purity True Technique in exchange for guiding him through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Li Guang agreed and began teaching Zhang Xuezhou as they rode out, while Zhang shared knowledge about the technique’s harmful effects.

• Zhang Xuezhou rejected Li Jiao’s initial persuasion, then explained that treating Dong Zhongshu and Zhao Liang and letting him study the Supreme Purity True Technique would cost Li Guang little.
• Zhang Xuezhou recounted how the Golden Toad Dharma King’s grotto-heaven treasure pearl and his past experiences with Zou Bugui had led him to learn the paths through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
• After Zhang Xuezhou finished eating, Li Jiao took him to Li Guang, who said he had already cast spells on Dong Zhongshu and Zhao Liang.
• Li Guang offered to teach Zhang Xuezhou the Supreme Purity True Technique while Zhang guided their journey, then pulled him onto his white horse and began explaining the technique.
• Li Guang warned Zhang Xuezhou that the technique could damage the bodies of injured people, and Zhang shared knowledge about how proper nutrition could reduce those effects.

Zhang Xuezhou guided Li Guang through a secret route in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains toward the Xieluosi River Holy Land, revealing how quickly its demons could reach Shanggu Commandery City. As they crossed the mountains and prepared to cross a frozen lake, Li Guang sensed an ominous warning from Zhang Xuezhou’s battered blade but could not identify its cause.

• Zhang Xuezhou led Li Guang along the route the Golden Toad Dharma King had once taken, and Li Guang realized the Xieluosi River Holy Land was close enough to threaten Shanggu Commandery City quickly.
• Li Guang spotted a bat demon guarding Great Yin Mountain and shot it with an arrow as they rode past.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Li Guang reached a lake inhabited by Flood Dragon Fish, where Li Guang hunted the fish and Zhang Xuezhou helped prepare them.
• Li Guang saw Zhang Xuezhou using a battered treasured blade to gut fish and recognized it as the Deer-Slaying Blade, regretting that Emperor Jing had never possessed it.
• As ice spread across the lake, Li Guang sensed an ill omen reflected from the blade but could not determine who or what might threaten him.

Li Guang forced Zhang Xuezhou to hand over the Deer-Slaying Blade in exchange for letting him leave before the Xieluosi River Holy Land. Li Guang then reached the Swan Demon’s spring and waited for a chance to shoot the Tiger Strength Demon King, but his attention shifted to the white fox and her five-colored treasure garment.

• Li Guang pressured Zhang Xuezhou to guide him closer to the Xieluosi River Holy Land and repeatedly demanded his Deer-Slaying Blade.
• Zhang Xuezhou handed Li Guang the blade and escaped before guiding him across the final two mountain peaks.
• Li Guang stealthily approached the spring, where the Tiger Strength Demon King courted a white fox who wore a protective five-colored treasure garment.
• After hearing the fox explain that her great-grandfather had warned her not to remove the garment, Li Guang aimed his arrow at her instead of the Tiger Strength Demon King.
• The white fox finally removed the garment, and Li Guang loosed his waiting arrow.

Zhang Xuezhou tried to cross the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains while hiding his connection to Li Guang’s attack, but a crow’s death and a messenger bird’s alarm exposed him. As demon birds closed in, a giant demon crane arrived and interrupted his latest disguise.

• Zhang Xuezhou flew through the mountains, struggled against the bitter Bixi wind, and found the crow he had encountered dead beside a white-feathered demon bird.
• Zhang Xuezhou pretended to be the crow’s distant cousin and claimed he planned to carry the body to their ancestor for burial.
• After the demon bird flew away, Zhang Xuezhou abandoned the body and tried to flee, but learned that the bird had raised the alarm about the dead messenger of Peak 278.
• Dozens of demon birds surrounded Zhang Xuezhou, and he claimed he was Black Feather’s cousin when they asked about the crow.
• A giant demon crane descended before Zhang Xuezhou could finish his excuse, leaving him without the crow’s body to use as cover.