Chapter Summaries

After surviving a life-or-death crisis, Song Changming used the temporary Potential Unleashed status to perfect the Opening Mansion Method and successfully broke through to the Grandmaster realm. He demonstrated his new power before the city and told Su Qingqing that her care had helped him recover enough to succeed.

• At midnight, Song Changming received the Potential Unleashed status and rapidly raised the Opening Mansion Method to its perfected stage.
• Song Changming prepared his body, consumed Earth Heart Fire Milk, and began opening his Purple Mansion at dawn.
• Song Changming formed his Martial Dao Purple Mansion and nurtured his first drop of Purple Mansion Essence Blood, reaching the Grandmaster realm.
• Song Changming struck the sky with Grandmaster power, scattering the clouds and leaving a palm print that astonished the city's residents.
• Su Qingqing woke and found Song Changming in the courtyard; he welcomed her to a meal and confirmed that he had become a Grandmaster.

The Su Family and the fox demons resumed their battle while Su Jichuan pursued the badly wounded Hu Zhong. Song Changming arrived after breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm and faced Su Jichuan, ending the chapter as their fight began.

• King Cui sent Hu Zhong away to tend to his injuries as Xi Yanxue led the fox demons into another battle with the Su Family.
• Su Jichuan pursued Hu Zhong, tracked him with an Iron Toad, and wounded him in a ravine.
• Su Jichuan trapped Hu Zhong with an Iron Bird’s sound waves and prepared to strike, but Song Changming destroyed the device with a blade of crimson light.
• Song Changming revealed that he had broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, and Hu Zhong welcomed his arrival.
• Su Jichuan confronted Song Changming and Hu Zhong, while Song Changming activated all five Witch Soldier Seals and charged at Su Jichuan’s spirit blades.

King Cui and the fox demons resumed their battle against the Su Clan while Hu Zhong was pursued and nearly killed by Su Jichuan. Song Changming arrived after breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm and faced Su Jichuan in his first fight since the breakthrough.

• King Cui ordered the badly injured Hu Zhong to retreat, and Su Jichuan followed him with an Iron Toad tracking device.
• Su Jichuan wounded Hu Zhong and trapped him with an Iron Bird’s sound waves as Hu Zhong prepared to use a life-saving treasure.
• Song Changming destroyed the Iron Bird with a scarlet blade strike and arrived as a newly advanced Grandmaster, freeing Hu Zhong.
• Song Changming activated all five Witch Soldier Seals and charged Su Jichuan as Su Jichuan sent two spirit-blade pythons to attack him.

Song Changming used his newly awakened strength and a flash of insight from the mysterious stone slab to kill Su Jichuan, then hurried to join King Cui’s battle against the Su Family. He and Xi Yanxue joined forces against Su Xiang as the Su Family realized Su Jichuan was missing.

• Song Changming overpowered Su Jichuan and killed him with a devastating saber slash that shattered his protective talisman and spirit sword.
• Song Changming realized that the slash had briefly incorporated saber essence from the stone slab Xi Yanxue had given him, then collected Su Jichuan’s Cosmic Ring and Purple Mansion Essence Blood.
• Hu Zhong urged Song Changming to support King Cui, and Song Changming flew toward the battle as Xi Yanxue resisted calls for the fox clan to retreat.
• Song Changming attacked Su Xiang and drove him back, revealing his strength to the Su Family’s Old Grandmasters.
• Song Changming and Xi Yanxue exchanged a glance and prepared to join forces against Su Xiang, while the Su Family realized Su Jichuan’s aura had vanished.

Song Changming used his newly awakened power to kill Su Jichuan and then rushed to aid King Cui and the fox clan against the Su Family. The chapter ended with him and Xi Yanxue joining forces against Su Xiang as the battle’s balance began to shift.

• Song Changming overwhelmed Su Jichuan with a saber strike infused with a fleeting insight from the stone slab’s Saber Essence, killing him and collecting his Cosmic Ring and Purple Mansion Essence Blood.
• Song Changming realized that Potential Unleashed had let him grasp the stone slab’s Saber Essence briefly, then hurried toward King Cui’s ongoing battle after Hu Zhong urged him to help.
• Xi Yanxue hesitated when a fox clan great demon urged her to retreat, but Song Changming arrived and struck Su Xiang from behind.
• Song Changming clashed with Su Xiang and forced him back, revealing enough strength to alarm the Su Family Old Grandmasters.
• Song Changming and Xi Yanxue exchanged a glance and prepared to fight Su Xiang together, while the Su Family realized Su Jichuan and Su Muchuan were missing.

Song Changming unleashed the dead-silent saber intent from the stone slab, killing Su Ao and severely wounding Su Xiang, but the strike exhausted his power. As Xi Yanxue and Su Fengye clashed near him, Su Xiang hesitated to attack Song Changming after meeting his gaze.

• Xi Yanxue and Song Changming attacked Su Xiang, who summoned Su Ao to reinforce him.
• Su Ao wounded Xi Yanxue, but Song Changming intercepted Su Xiang’s follow-up strike and unleashed the saber intent he had learned from the stone slab.
• Song Changming’s strike shattered Su Xiang’s spirit swords, badly injured him, and killed Su Ao, though it drained Song Changming’s Spiritual Power and Grandmaster power.
• Xi Yanxue shielded Song Changming as the Su Family ordered Su Fengye to attack him, and she fought Su Fengye instead.
• Su Xiang began gathering strength to strike Song Changming, but froze when Song Changming opened his eyes and met his gaze.

Song Changming’s sudden rise to Grandmaster Realm helped the Hu side inflict heavy losses on the Su Family, but he was badly overdrawn and Su Dongdan still held the advantage over King Cui. As the Su Family sent bull demons toward the city and King Cui was forced to stay and fight, Hu Zhong carried Song Changming away while Xi Yanxue and the fox clan great demons blocked the Su Grandmasters.

• Song Changming intimidated Su Xiang, restored his power with pills and Grandmaster blood, and left the Su Grandmasters vulnerable to a fox demon’s attack.
• Xi Yanxue defeated Su Fengye but spared his life, while King Cui and the Su Family Ancestor returned from their clash with King Cui wounded and the Ancestor uninjured.
• Su Dongdan learned from Su Xiang that Song Changming had killed Su Ao and the Su brothers, then summoned the Black Soul Nether Bull and its herd to attack the Hu Family’s city.
• Su Dongdan injured King Cui and kept him from stopping the bull demons, so King Cui ordered Hu Zhong and Song Changming back to the city.
• Xi Yanxue and the fox clan great demons blocked the pursuing Su Grandmasters while Hu Zhong carried the overdrawn Song Changming away.

As the Royal Residence and the Longevity Su Clan fought across Cuibai Main City, Su Family forces raided Song Changming’s residence and injured his companions. Qiaoqiao Bird arrived, killed the intruders, and revived Little Yellow in a burst of flames, prompting Song Changming to rush home and find his friend protecting everyone.

• Emerald Banner Army forces and Su Family disciples clashed throughout Cuibai Main City while Su Family retainers attacked Song Changming’s residence, hoping to seize his body-tempering secrets.
• The retainers broke through the residence’s protective arrays, injured Big Yellow, Ah Da, Ah Er, and Song Ping'an, and were defeated by Su Qingqing’s demonic eye technique.
• Qiaoqiao Bird appeared, killed the wounded Su clan members, and poured demonic power into Little Yellow, which erupted in a towering pillar of fire.
• Outside the city, Song Changming and Hu Zhong fought the Black Soul Nether Bull and its herd; after sensing the flames from his residence, Song Changming hurried back.
• Song Changming found Qiaoqiao Bird protecting Su Qingqing and the others as Little Yellow radiated immense demonic power, and he recognized Qiaoqiao Bird as a friend.

The Su Family attacked Song Changming’s residence during the battle in Cuibai Main City, but Su Qingqing and Qiaoqiao Bird intervened as Little Yellow unleashed a pillar of fire and immense demonic power. Song Changming returned to find Qiaoqiao Bird protecting his household and recognized her as a friend.

• Su Family members broke through the formations at Song Changming’s residence, subdued its defenders, and tried to seize its people and possessions.
• Su Qingqing defeated the intruders with her demon eyes, then Qiaoqiao Bird arrived and killed the wounded Su clan members.
• Qiaoqiao Bird sent demonic power into the fallen Little Yellow, causing it to rise and unleash a pillar of fire into the sky.
• Song Changming finished off the bull demons while Hu Zhong fought the Black Soul Nether Bull, then sensed the blaze erupting in Cuibai Main City.
• Song Changming flew back to his residence, found Qiaoqiao Bird protecting his household, and recognized her as an ally.

Song Changming returned to find the Song Residence attacked and Little Yellow’s bloodline awakening, then went to the Su Estate to punish the Longevity Su Clan. He slaughtered the defenders but failed to break the estate’s ancient protective formation and ended the chapter considering how to proceed.

• Song Changming learned that Su Qingqing had protected the Song Residence from attackers and that Little Yellow had awakened more of her bloodline; the Qiaoqiao Bird assured him she was temporarily safe.
• Song Changming ordered Su Qingqing, Song Ping'an, and the others to evacuate the city, then flew to the Su Estate to confront the Longevity Su Clan.
• Song Changming used his flying swords to kill many Su clan members, but the estate’s protective formation stopped them from entering.
• Song Changming struck the formation with his saber, and Qianyuan deployed a Black Tortoise Formation to contain the destructive force.
• Song Changming’s stronger strike failed to break the ancient formation and rebounded against him, leaving him injured; he began to consider abandoning the attempt.

Song Changming returned to the city, rescued the Song Residence’s occupants from danger, and learned that Little Yellow’s bloodline had awakened. He attacked the Su Estate in retaliation for the Su Family’s rebellion, but its ancient protective formation withstood his strongest strike, leaving him injured and the estate standing.

• Song Ping'an told Song Changming that Su Family attackers had raided the residence and wounded Little Yellow, while Su Qingqing and the Qiaoqiao Bird had protected everyone.
• The Qiaoqiao Bird told Song Changming that Little Yellow had been stimulated and its bloodline had awakened further; Song Changming then ordered Su Qingqing, Song Ping'an, and the others to leave the city.
• Song Changming went to the Su Estate, declared that the Su Family had rebelled and oppressed royal authority, and slaughtered the clan members who confronted him with his flying swords.
• Song Changming struck the Su Estate’s protective formation with his saber, prompting Su Dongdan to send Shouzheng, Yunxin, and Yuzhou back to defend it.
• Qianyuan deployed a Black Tortoise Formation to contain Song Changming’s next strike, but the ancient formation endured and its backlash injured him.
• Song Changming prepared to abandon his attempt to destroy the Su Estate after realizing he could not break its formation by brute force.

The Qiaoqiao Bird used the Heavenly Phoenix Feather to break the Su Estate’s ancient protective formation, then joined Song Changming in attacking the Su Clan. Song Changming killed Su Xiang, leaving the exposed estate and the Su Family’s surviving fighters in turmoil.

• The Qiaoqiao Bird arrived by Little Yellow’s command to destroy the Su Clan, but her first attack could not break the Su Estate’s protective formation.
• The Qiaoqiao Bird revealed the Heavenly Phoenix Feather and used it to pierce the formation, exposing the Su Estate to attack.
• Su Xiang and three Su Family Old Grandmasters tried to defend the estate, while Song Changming overwhelmed Su Shouzheng and pursued the retreating Grandmasters.
• Song Changming’s Stone Slab Sword Intent strengthened his strikes, and he knocked Su Xiang into the ruins before cutting him in two.
• The Su Clan’s members and fighters learned that Su Xiang was dead and feared that the family was finished.

The Qiaoqiao Bird used the Heavenly Phoenix Feather to break the Su Estate’s protective formation, allowing Song Changming and his allies to assault the exposed Su clan. Song Changming killed Su Xiang, leaving the Su Family in despair as the battle continued.

• The Qiaoqiao Bird arrived under Little Yellow’s command to exterminate the Su Clan, but her initial attack could not break the estate’s formation.
• The Qiaoqiao Bird released the Heavenly Phoenix Feather, which pierced the formation and exposed the Su Estate to attack.
• Su Xiang and three returning Su Family Old Grandmasters briefly stopped the Qiaoqiao Bird’s assault, while Song Changming attacked the elders.
• Song Changming overwhelmed Su Shouzheng and Su Xiang, using traces of Stone Slab Sword Intent to strengthen his strikes.
• Song Changming struck Su Xiang down and split his body with a final blade attack, devastating the Su clan members.

Song Changming, Qiaoqiao Bird, King Cui, and Xi Yanxue joined forces against Su Dongdan after he attacked the city and tried to seize the Heavenly Phoenix Feather. Song Changming killed Su Dongdan with his ultimate saber strike, while the surviving Su Family Grandmasters fled and the great fox demons wondered whether Song’s strike had embodied the Heavenly Dao.

• Su Dongdan attacked Song Changming and Qiaoqiao Bird with the Heaven Overturning Seal, but Qiaoqiao Bird used the Heavenly Phoenix Feather to burn it away.
• Su Dongdan tried to take the Heavenly Phoenix Feather, wounded Qiaoqiao Bird, and sent a coiling dragon sword qi toward the city, forcing King Cui and Song Changming to intercept it.
• King Cui, Song Changming, Qiaoqiao Bird, and Xi Yanxue joined the fight against Su Dongdan while the other great fox demons and Hu Zhong held off the remaining Su Family Grandmasters.
• Qiaoqiao Bird burned away Su Dongdan’s left arm with the Golden Divine Flame, Xi Yanxue’s divine fox pinned him, and Song Changming beheaded him with his gathered saber strike.
• The remaining Su Family Grandmasters fled as King Cui and Hu Zhong pursued them, while exhausted Song Changming collapsed and the great fox demons discussed his saber strike.

After Wang Quan’s victory over the Longevity Su Clan, Song Changming returned to the Song Residence to recover and discovered that his enlightenment had allowed him to master the ancient Martial Law Silent Saber. He remained exhausted but was recovering by dawn, when Su Qingqing’s mother, Xi Yanxue, arrived to reunite with her daughter and thank him.

• Song Changming learned that the Nineteenth Army had lost thousands of soldiers and ordered compensation for the fallen soldiers’ families while lightly punishing Xiao Peibai.
• Song Changming returned home and found Little Yellow Bird still asleep inside a fiery shell as its bloodline awakening continued; Qiaoqiao Bird denied that it was a Heavenly Phoenix.
• Song Changming studied the stone slab’s saber intent during Potential Unleashed, causing sabers throughout the Song Residence and nearby guards to hum.
• Song Changming comprehended the ancient Martial Law Silent Saber, a devastating single strike that could drain all his strength when used.
• Song Changming recovered through the night and drank Cloud Ding Tea with Su Qingqing before Xi Yanxue arrived and thanked him for protecting her daughter.

After the Su Clan’s destruction, Song Changming accepted King Cui’s offer to become Grand Marshal of the Army and formally took up the post. At his first military council, he announced plans to fill four vacant marshal positions.

• Su Qingqing asked Xi Yanxue about Su Fengye, and Xi Yanxue told her to look ahead and leave the past behind.
• Song Changming asked Xi Yanxue where she had found the Blade-Mark Stone Tablet, and she offered to give him the coordinates of the primitive forest in Yuanzhou.
• King Cui praised Xi Yanxue and the Fox Mountain forces for helping destroy the Su Clan, then appointed Song Changming Grand Marshal of the Army; Song Changming accepted after Hu Zhong explained he could delegate administrative work.
• Xi Yanxue left with Su Qingqing, while King Cui and Hu Zhong returned to the Royal Residence; Song Changming recovered, consolidated his cultivation, and completed the handover with Hu Zhong.
• A month later, Song Changming entered the military headquarters as Grand Marshal and was welcomed by the marshals and senior officers.
• Song Changming convened his first military council and announced that the military would establish a candidate list to fill four vacant marshal positions.

Song Changming finalized the Marshal Candidate List and began planning a headquarters of his own while the Su clan survivors fled to Wind Province. As Jiang He investigated the clan’s destruction and the Gu Family debated whether to shelter Su Fengye and Gu Xinyue, Gu Yuanyang decided to argue for their return.

• Song Changming approved seventy-eight marshal candidates, including Hu Fanyi, and scheduled the selection for just before the end of winter.
• Song Changming decided to recruit capable low-ranking officials and civilians to staff his Marshal's headquarters.
• Gu Xinyue led the surviving Su clan members, including the unconscious Su Fengye, into Wind Province to seek refuge with the Longevity Gu Clan.
• Liu Xiangnan confirmed to Jiang He that King Cui had destroyed the Su Clan, and Jiang He set out for Yuanzhou to investigate.
• Gu Yuanyang initially rejected Gu Xinyue's return, but his wife persuaded him that Su Fengye's talent and bloodline made helping him worthwhile.
• Gu Yuanyang left the hall, apparently resolved to argue that the Gu Family should take in his son-in-law and daughter.

Lu Yuchen pursued a chance to serve in the military by writing a policy essay for Song Changming, the Grand Marshal. After Song Changming praised his essay, armored cavalry arrived to summon Lu Yuchen to military headquarters.

• Lu Yuchen told his classmates that a Flag Lord had asked him to submit a policy essay, and his teacher encouraged him to pursue a military post.
• Lu Yuchen used his tuition money to obtain medicine for his sick mother, then told her he was likely to enter military service so she would accept treatment.
• Lu Yuchen spent three days writing his policy essay, determined to win the Flag Lord's recognition and support his family.
• Song Changming reviewed Lu Yuchen's essay, praised its far-sighted ideas, and asked Yang Zhen to identify its author.
• Armored cavalry arrived at Lu Yuchen's home the next morning and summoned him to military headquarters as his mother and sister watched.

Lu Yuchen prepared a policy essay for a military Flag Lord, hoping to secure a place in official service and support his sick mother and younger sister. Song Changming praised his essay, and the next morning armored cavalry arrived to escort Lu Yuchen to military headquarters at the Marshal’s summons.

• Lu Yuchen told his classmates that a Flag Lord had asked him to submit a policy essay, then his teacher encouraged him to pursue the opportunity.
• Lu Yuchen gave his tuition money to his younger sister for their mother's medicine, then assured his mother that he would soon enter military service.
• Lu Yuchen worked through the night on his policy essay and submitted it at military headquarters.
• Song Changming read Lu Yuchen's essay, praised its reforms and foresight, and learned his name from Yang Zhen.
• Armored cavalry arrived at Lu Yuchen's home the next morning and summoned him to meet the Marshal.

Lu Yuchen and six other scholars met Grand Marshal Song Changming, who recruited them to build his cabinet staff, with Lu and Wang Wenyu quickly emerging as his strongest aides. By year’s end, Song’s headquarters was running smoothly while King Cui weathered the backlash over the destruction of the Su Clan and remained ruler of Cuibai Way.

• Lu Yuchen was escorted to military headquarters, where he met Wang Wenyu and the other scholars summoned to meet Song Changming.
• Song Changming praised the seven scholars’ policy essays, especially Lu Yuchen’s, and recruited all seven to work under him.
• Lu Yuchen and Wang Wenyu celebrated their new positions, and the seven scholars began handling memorials and other cabinet work.
• Lu Yuchen proved the most capable aide, with Wang Wenyu next, as Song Changming’s staff settled into its duties.
• King Cui faced pressure from Longevity Clans over the destruction of the Su Clan, but the Cloud Emperor refused to surrender him and King Cui remained ruler of Cuibai Way.