Chapter Summaries

Gu Chen and Xiao Ye entered Clear Cloud Town, where the townspeople mistook them for cultivators from a superior sect and begged them to deal with an evil spirit. After Gu Chen completed his sign-in, three hostile figures appeared and unleashed a piercing sound as Xiao Ye raised a soul-defense array.

• The town chief and several residents warned Gu Chen and Xiao Ye that an evil spirit had attacked the town and that the superior-sect cultivators who arrived earlier had fallen victim to it.
• Gu Chen and Xiao Ye reached the square, where Gu Chen realized the wounded people in iron cages still had traces of soul presence, and Xiao Ye prepared an array plate.
• Gu Chen signed in and received black dragon essence blood, a Soul Refining Cup, and a strength enhancement, then told Xiao Ye they should leave.
• A shrill sound rang out as three hideous figures appeared, and Gu Chen stepped in front of Xiao Ye.
• Xiao Ye unfolded a soul-defense array plate to shield them while Gu Chen prepared to act.

Gu Chen destroyed three soul bodies and, with Xiao Ye’s help, pursued the person controlling them. After the controller died, Gu Chen used the Soul Refining Cup to preserve his soul, while Shan Jing ordered the monks to surround the two youths and planned to capture Gu Chen alive.

• Gu Chen used the Soul Break needle to destroy the three soul bodies while Xiao Ye asked Tongtong to locate their controller.
• Xiao Ye found the controller behind the iron cages and warned Gu Chen as the figure tried to flee.
• Shan Jing arrived with a group of monks and claimed the matter of the evil creature for himself, but Gu Chen and Xiao Ye pursued the fleeing figure.
• The controller died before Gu Chen could reach him, so Gu Chen used the Soul Refining Cup to collect the remnants of his soul.
• Shan Jing decided to capture Gu Chen alive and kill Xiao Ye, then ordered the monks to spread out around them.
• Gu Chen returned to Xiao Ye and warned him by voice transmission to be wary of the Buddhist Order monks.

Gu Chen and Xiao Ye confronted Shan Jing and the Buddhist Order monks after leaving Clear Cloud Town. Gu Chen killed Shan Jing, while Xiao Ye attacked the remaining monks, and Gu Chen began using the Soul Refining Cup to learn what Shan Jing knew.

• Gu Chen deliberately slowed his flying boat so Shan Jing and the Buddhist Order monks could catch up, then Shan Jing attacked and surrounded him.
• Shan Jing offered Gu Chen a pill that would bolster virility and relax the body, revealing his intentions toward him.
• Gu Chen pretended to accept the pill, then shouted for Xiao Ye to attack as Xiao Ye activated several formations.
• Gu Chen ignored Shan Jing's spiritual pressure and smashed his head with a spear, killing him.
• Xiao Ye struck the other monks with lightning spells while Gu Chen activated the Soul Refining Cup to investigate Shan Jing.

Xiao Ye and Gu Chen uncovered the Buddhist Order’s plans to manipulate mortals, undermine the Aid the Azure Gate, and cultivate Evil Spirits from suitable souls. As they hurried to report their findings about Evil Energy to their Master, a report from the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty revealed a Privilege Token that bypassed a secret realm’s suppression.

• Xiao Ye and Gu Chen destroyed the evidence of their battle, collected the storage rings, and left the area after nearby spiritual senses swept through it.
• Gu Chen used the Soul Refining Cup to investigate Shan Jing’s memories and learned that the Buddhist Order had deliberately caused the town’s calamities.
• Gu Chen explained that the Buddhist Order sought faith, planned to swallow up the Aid the Azure Gate, strengthened Evil Spirits through evil deeds, and harvested suitable souls as materials.
• Xiao Ye grew angry at the Buddhist Order’s treatment of mortals, and Gu Chen suspected that the Evil Energy in the monk’s memories was the same Devil Qi they had encountered before.
• Gu Chen said they needed to return and tell their Master, while an official informed Zhou Mu that a Privilege Token let its holder move freely in a secret realm without being affected by its suppression.

Zhou Mu learned about the Privilege Token while Lu Changzhi received rewards from Gu Chen’s completed task and gave Luan Bird essence blood to Xiao Ming. After Gu Chen and Xiao Ye returned and reported what they had discovered, Lu Changzhi suspected the Buddhist Order had access to Devil Qi, while Xiao Ye concluded that actions mattered more than claims.

• Zhou Mu received a Privilege Token that let its holder use their power freely within the secret realm, then ordered the visitor to search for more and keep it secret.
• Lu Changzhi received ten drops of Luan Bird essence blood and a Soul-Snatching Banner as rewards, then gave the essence blood to Xiao Ming, who swallowed it and rested.
• Gu Chen and Xiao Ye returned and told Lu Changzhi what Gu Chen had learned from the Soul Refining Cup about Devil Qi, evil spirits, and a pill supplied by the Buddhist Order.
• Lu Changzhi suspected the Buddhist Order could obtain Devil Qi and decided to ask the sect master and others about its source and location.
• Xiao Ye said the Aid the Azure Gate and Buddhist Order failed to live up to their claims, and that people should judge powers by what they actually did.

Lu Changzhi learned more about the Buddhist Order’s exploitation of Western Region commoners and asked Cang Wenyu to investigate Devil Qi. Cang Wenyu described the sect’s rapid cultivation gains and preparations for the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s contest, then explained that a Privilege Token could protect entrants to a restrictive secret realm; Lu Changzhi asked what the sect would do if it could not replicate one.

• Lu Changzhi discussed Xiao Ye’s experience with Gu Chen and suggested the monks had sought Gu Chen’s abundant Yang Qi to ward off evil spirits.
• Cang Wenyu explained that the Buddhist Order taught Western Region commoners to accept suffering, while the sect’s elders secretly recruited promising youths by posing as monks.
• Cang Wenyu agreed to investigate the Devil Qi Lu Changzhi had reported and notify him when the sect learned more.
• Cang Wenyu said meditation cushions and Origin Spirit Liquid had helped key disciples make months’ worth of progress in less than ten days, and mentioned the sect’s plans to enter the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s contest of prodigies.
• Cang Wenyu explained that people over thirty faced increasing suppression in the contest’s secret realm, but a Privilege Token could prevent it and the ancestors were trying to replicate one.
• Lu Changzhi asked what the sect planned to do if the attempt to replicate the Privilege Token failed.

As the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen approached, its age limit and rumors about powerful contenders stirred excitement across the cultivation world. In the Northern Region, Qin Han killed four men in a tavern and reflected on how he had regained his strength, killed Zhang Yanran, and destroyed the Yun Clan before a voice from his ring urged him onward.

• Cang Wenyu said they would have to trouble the sect's ancestor and ordered more life-saving means prepared for the disciples.
• The Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen announced that anyone aged thirty or under could enter by paying spirit stones, with no cultivation requirement.
• Rumors spread about Heaven's Chosen from the Star Moon Holy Land, the Extreme Arms Holy Land, the Cloud Heaven Holy Land, the Buddhist Order, and elsewhere as the contest drew near.
• Qin Han entered a tavern in the Northern Region carrying an enormous heavy sword and killed four men who approached him.
• Qin Han recalled regaining his cultivation, killing Zhang Yanran, and wiping out the Yun Clan after they sought revenge.
• A voice from Qin Han's ancient ring told him it was time to go.

Qin Han prepared to leave for the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen while Elder Hua urged him to prioritize his growth. Mu Fan's upgraded system began producing resources, and Lu Changzhi received a strange talent before learning of an opportunity for Qin Jiuxiao.

• Elder Hua told Qin Han to head for the Southern Region and absorb the Yun Clan's resources, but he chose to stay and treat his pursuers as tempering.
• Elder Hua recalled helping Qin Han handle the Yun Clan and hoped he would gain opportunities in the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen so she could rebuild her body.
• Mu Fan's Idle System returned with faster cultivation and system management features, allowing him to idle cultivate Principles and Applications of Teleportation Arrays and automate talisman-making.
• Mu Fan received one hundred jin of Spirit-Restraining Stone and considered using it to make attacks that could overcome cultivators' spiritual defenses.
• Lu Changzhi obtained the talent The Older the Grade, the Stronger and considered whether to give it to the sect master or Peak Master Xu.
• Lu Changzhi received a notification about a new opportunity for his Black Noble Qin Jiuxiao.

Lu Changzhi learned that Qin Jiuxiao was about to enter a powerful state of enlightenment and gave a talent to the sect master instead of using a copying opportunity. As Qin Jiuxiao began cultivating in enlightenment, Liu Qingyan joined him, while Elder Xuan encountered the extraordinary man he had been searching for.

• Lu Changzhi read Qin Jiuxiao's fortuitous opportunity information and chose to give a talent to the sect master while saving his copying opportunities for the contest of heavenly geniuses.
• Huang Yunya decided to stop waiting for Elder Xuan and prioritize protecting the Cloud Heaven Holy Land's genius before the contest.
• Liu Qingyan resolved to grow stronger and seek advice from Luo Zhen, but Qin Jiuxiao summoned her to help with his cultivation.
• Qin Jiuxiao suddenly entered a state of enlightenment, and Liu Qingyan sat down to cultivate beside him.
• Elder Xuan searched near the border between the Western and Northern Regions, questioned whether the extraordinary man was still alive, and heard the man answer him.

Elder Xuan found the secluded fortune-reader Cai and brought him to the Cloud Heaven Holy Land after agreeing to consider his demand to learn stargazing. As Cai prepared to read the disciples’ fortunes ahead of the contest of heavenly geniuses, the four prospective holy sons tried to distinguish themselves, and Cai noticed Qin Jiuxiao’s activated physique.

• Elder Xuan met Cai, who agreed to read the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s fortune in exchange for being taught stargazing.
• Elder Xuan brought Cai back to the Holy Land, where Huang Yunya agreed to let Cai attempt to learn the art after weighing the risks.
• Cai Kun sat before the gathered core disciples to read their fortunes ahead of the contest of heavenly geniuses.
• Elder Xuan introduced the four prospective holy sons, especially Luo Zhen and Qin Jiuxiao, prompting observers to suspect Cai was evaluating the future holy son.
• Qin Jiuxiao activated his Hard and Unyielding Physique to impress Cai, who frowned as he looked toward Qin’s waist.

Cai Kun used a mysterious blue eye to examine the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s fortune and discovered that its fortune converged on Lu Changzhi, who appeared as a hollow within it. When Cai Kun tried to investigate further, Lu Changzhi’s system detected the prying and responded with [Impermanent Karma], leaving Cai Kun injured.

• Qin Jiuxiao realized that the effects of a fake pill made his physique’s activation cause an embarrassing reaction, and Elder Xuan began Cai Kun’s fortune-reading.
• Cai Kun summoned a blue sphere, revealed it as a gigantic eye, and used it to observe what ordinary sight and divine sense could not.
• Cai Kun saw that the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s fortune was poor and that its fortune was converging on the junior who had pointed at him, Lu Changzhi.
• Cai Kun focused on the strange phenomenon, and Lu Changzhi’s system detected the prying and offered [Impermanent Karma] as a response.
• Lu Changzhi accepted the response, and a gigantic hand struck Cai Kun through his vision, making the blue sphere shudder and causing him to spit blood.
• The blue sphere shut, Cai Kun’s eyes returned to normal but bloodshot, and Elder Xuan asked what had happened.

Cai Kun failed to read the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s fortune and warned Elder Xuan that a deceased patriarch’s actions might be harming it, suggesting the Holy Land sever ties with him. On Hidden Origin Peak, Lu Changzhi learned how Impermanent Karma had blocked Cai Kun’s probing and considered the approaching Struggle of the Heaven’s Chosen.

• Cai Kun refused to examine the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s fortune again and hurried to leave after his attempt injured him.
• Cai Kun told Elder Xuan that a deceased patriarch had affected the Holy Land and advised striking the patriarch’s ancestral registration and severing ties with him.
• Cai Kun said Luo Zhen and Qin Jiuxiao appeared to be the two people on whom the Holy Land’s fortune rested, and Elder Xuan reported his words to Huang Yunya.
• Huang Yunya declined to decide whether to disown the patriarch, wary of the condemnation such an act would bring.
• Lu Changzhi learned that Impermanent Karma could conceal him from karmic probing or make his karma overwhelming, then discussed preparations for the Struggle of the Heaven’s Chosen and his search for fortuitous opportunities.

Lu Changzhi searched neighboring sects for opportunities but found little worth pursuing, then learned the Five Symbols Sect’s ancestors had replicated and enhanced the Privilege Token. The sect prepared to leave for the Heaven's Chosen gathering the next morning, equipped with tokens that could let their holders borrow power from the secret realm’s restriction.

• Lu Changzhi searched the Azure Cloud Sect and the Flower Spirit Sect, finding only bad fortune and a pregnant disciple whose unborn son would be talented.
• Lu Changzhi abandoned his search and decided to wait for the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen.
• Cang Wenyu visited Hidden Origin Peak and told Lu Changzhi the Five Symbols Sect would set off together the next morning.
• Cang Wenyu showed Lu Changzhi two kinds of Privilege Token replicas that the ancestors had made, including an enhanced kind that could borrow power from the secret realm’s restriction.
• Cang Wenyu gave Lu Changzhi seven enhanced tokens for him and his six disciples, and Lu Changzhi felt sorry for whoever they would face.

Lu Changzhi prepared Hidden Origin Peak for a trip to hunt spirit beasts, while Mu Fan realized it was really an off-sect team-building outing. Meanwhile, the Dongfang Clan prepared to enter the secret realm without recovering its lost artifact, and the Five Symbols Sect departed for Heaven's Chosen City.

• Lu Changzhi asked his disciples about the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen, and Qin Li, Mu Fan, Luo Ling'er, Xiao Ye, and Jin Fugui showed little interest in competing while several agreed to help Qin Li hunt spirit beasts.
• Lu Changzhi handed out enhanced Privilege Tokens and told everyone to prepare to set out with the sect the next morning.
• Mu Fan concluded that Lu Changzhi had arranged an off-sect team-building trip for Hidden Origin Peak.
• Dongfang Jun learned that the Dongfang Clan still had no information about the Mystic One Sect's ancestors or its lost artifact, so he decided to send elders to try to recover benefits another way.
• The Five Symbols Sect's flying boats departed for Heaven's Chosen City after Cang Wenyu announced their departure.

The Five Symbols Sect arrived in Heaven's Chosen City for the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen, and Cang Wenyu warned Lu Changzhi about the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty's scheme to obtain offspring from talented cultivators. Lu Changzhi went out with Gu Chen and the others to explore the city, and they heard that a major power had arrived.

• The Five Symbols Sect's flying boat reached Heaven's Chosen City and was assigned an out-of-the-way lodging.
• Cang Wenyu gave Lu Changzhi pills and warned him that the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty used trained women to conceive offspring from talented cultivators.
• Lu Changzhi passed the pills and warning on to Gu Chen, Xiao Ye, Mu Fan, and Jin Fugui.
• Mu Fan found a booklet mentioning the city's black market, so Lu Changzhi and the others headed out to explore.
• The group passed a building where female cultivators went to relax, then heard someone announce that a major power had arrived.

Lu Changzhi watched the Dongfang Clan and Cloud Heaven Holy Land arrive for the Struggle of the Heaven's Chosen, assessing their young members and their hidden strengths. When he examined the veiled woman leading the Cloud Heaven Holy Land, he saw green light rising from her head.

• The Dongfang Clan arrived, and Lu Changzhi noticed its experts had conjured hair while its strongest young member, Dongfang Yao, had a trouble-bringing talent and faintly gray luck.
• A large fleet from the Cloud Heaven Holy Land arrived, drawing attention to a veiled young woman whose displayed cultivation was at the Seventh Level of Void Transformation.
• Dongfang Jun and a clan elder judged the woman to be a formidable Heaven's Chosen, while Dongfang Yao watched her with a sharp gaze.
• At the Five Symbols Sect's lodgings, Cang Wenyu praised the woman, and Xu Kun challenged him for keeping up appearances despite their being alone inside the formation.
• A hidden figure reported that the woman's actual cultivation was at the Ninth Level of Void Transformation, though she displayed the Seventh Level.
• Lu Changzhi examined the veiled woman with the system and saw green light rising from her head.

Lu Changzhi examined the Cloud Heaven Holy Land’s prospective holy sons and discovered two fortuitous opportunities for Chen Guyun. As the Star Moon Holy Land arrived in grand fashion, he turned his attention to its famous strongman Xu Hao.

• Lu Changzhi recognized Tang Zining as a fellow Five Symbols Sect accomplice and judged that her favorable fortune would bring her gains on the trip.
• Lu Changzhi inspected the prospective holy sons, noting Luo Zhen’s rise, Qin Jiuxiao’s comparatively low cultivation, and Sun Wuyang’s favorable prospects.
• Lu Changzhi probed Chen Guyun’s fortune and recorded two opportunities: a storage ring beneath an ancient tree and a Wind-Breaking Spear trial in the sixty-fourth city.
• The Cloud Heaven Holy Land arrived at its central accommodations, then the Star Moon Holy Land swept in and drew attention with its imposing body-tempering cultivators.
• Lu Changzhi watched the renowned Xu Hao and wondered whether a green light would appear above his head.

Lu Changzhi examined the Star Moon Holy Land’s disciples and learned more about the Five Symbols Sect’s carefully chosen students studying abroad. When the Extreme Arms Holy Land arrived, he used Accomplice Identification and saw green lights across the group.

• Lu Changzhi viewed Qian Shenglin’s opportunity in the Trial Realm, where he would find a body-refining treasure medicine and obtain the Myriad Jun Bell.
• Lu Changzhi inspected the Star Moon Holy Land’s disciples and noted their opportunities, including spirit stones, escape talismans, and a martial skill.
• Lu Changzhi asked Cang Wenyu how many Five Symbols Sect disciples studied abroad, and Cang Wenyu explained that only the best candidates were chosen.
• Lu Changzhi guessed that a Five Symbols Sect student among the holy lands’ chosen would be hiding his abilities, and Cang Wenyu confirmed he was right.
• The Extreme Arms Holy Land arrived, and Lu Changzhi used Accomplice Identification, seeing green lights throughout the group.

The Extreme Arms Holy Land arrived with its Seven Heroes, whose strength unsettled the gathered forces. Qin Han learned from Elder Hua that Jiang Xin possessed the Origin of Fire, and Elder Hua urged him to use medicinal powder to force intimacy with her during the secret realm so he could gain access to her and the holy land.

• Lu Changzhi noticed that four of the Extreme Arms Seven Heroes had green light above their heads, including Jiang Xin.
• The gathered forces assessed the Seven Heroes, and Huang Yunya felt pressured by Jiang Xin's Dao Comprehension Realm cultivation before age thirty.
• Min Qianlan asked Xu Hao whether he could face the Seven Heroes, and Xu Hao welcomed the chance to fight stronger opponents.
• Elder Hua told Qin Han that Jiang Xin carried the Origin of Fire and suggested he join the Extreme Arms Holy Land to reach it.
• Elder Hua advised Qin Han to use medicinal powder to make Jiang Xin develop feelings for him during the secret realm, assuring him she could protect him.
• Qin Han accepted Elder Hua's plan and stared at Jiang Xin with burning intent.

Lu Changzhi checked the Extreme Arms Holy Land youths’ fortuitous opportunities and learned their faction’s fortunes gave them brighter prospects than those of the Star Moon Holy Land. After the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty did not greet the arriving Seven Heroes, Lu Changzhi and his companions reached the black market, Treasure Exchange Land.

• Lu Changzhi used Fortuitous Opportunity Peeking on Lin Yun and found she would obtain a Saint Artifact, the Purple Flame Pill Furnace, and three Dao Comprehension Pills.
• Lu Changzhi examined the other Extreme Arms Holy Land youths and concluded their faction’s strong fortunes improved the younger generation’s prospects.
• When the system suggested he could get more peeking uses after the shop reached level six, Lu Changzhi stopped it and persuaded it to reveal that the Dao Simplification Brush was 99.99% complete.
• The Extreme Arms Holy Land party descended into the city, while onlookers discussed the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty and the expected arrival of the Buddhist Order.
• Mu Fan led Lu Changzhi and the others to the black market, where they donned cloaks and entered Treasure Exchange Land; Lu Changzhi noticed its rules said transactions there incurred no fees.