Chapter Summaries

Ning Wanjun planned to use captured cannons to strengthen Jinxia City, while Xia Fan negotiated with Fang Xiandao over Qian Zhi and her Living Dead abilities. Their conversation was interrupted when Li reported that a living Yao had been captured.

• Ning Wanjun ordered He Guicai to prepare voluntary recruitment for an artillery force using the cannons seized from Dong Sheng Kingdom.
• Xia Fan thanked Fang Xiandao for his help during the attack, but Fang declined to join the Affairs Bureau and chose to remain in Jinxia to verify his Divination Art.
• Fang Xiandao explained that Living Dead were born among a branch of the Fang family in Ling Province and could not reproduce.
• Xia Fan offered to teach Fang Xiandao about his Sorcery Art in exchange for letting Qian Zhi visit his residence to make ice, and Fang agreed.
• Shanhui and Li found Xia Fan at Wanfu Restaurant, where Li told him that someone had reported a captured living Yao to the Bureau of Military Affairs.

Xia Fan learned that a foreign Yao had been captured and imprisoned, then recognized her as an Elf and decided to bring her to the Villa for the Princess to judge. He left the dungeon with Xue Zhigeng's cooperation, while the Elf remained unable to communicate with anyone around her.

• Xia Fan left Fang Xiandao at their meal, and Fang realized Xia had left him with the bill.
• Li told Xia Fan that fishermen had found a Yao by the seashore and that she was being held in the Bureau of Military Affairs' dungeon.
• Xia Fan confronted Xue Zhigeng at the dungeon and saw the chained Yao, whom he recognized as an Elf.
• Xia Fan had the jailer remove the gag and chains, but the Elf spoke an unfamiliar language and broke down sobbing.
• Xia Fan told Xue Zhigeng that the Elf might be from overseas and said he would take her to the Villa for the Princess to decide her fate.
• Xue Zhigeng agreed and apologized to Xia Fan for his past actions, blaming Master Wen for having forced him to act against him.

Xia Fan and Ning Wanjun learned that the Elf, Aili Moonlight Polo, had fled World Island after a devastating invasion, and Mo Yun was able to translate for her. Aili’s account revealed that World Island’s people had relied on the Tree Spirit’s power and were overwhelmed by an enemy’s warships and sorcery troops.

• Xia Fan brought the Elf from the prison to Fengyang Mountain Villa, where she tried to communicate through gestures and drawings.
• Ning Wanjun told Xia Fan that the Elf’s boat had no sails or oars and seemed alive, and she suggested seeking a translator in the Capital Bureau of Military Affairs.
• Mo Yun recognized the Elf’s language as Laitan and identified her as Aili Moonlight Polo.
• Aili told Xia Fan, Ning Wanjun, and Mo Yun that she had sailed from World Island to escape foreign invaders and had hoped to find the prosperous western continent described in a travelogue.
• Aili explained that the enemy’s huge fleet, cannon fire, and powerful sorcery troops defeated World Island’s resistance after more than a century of intermittent war.

Aili wrestled with her fear and uncertainty about the changed kingdom of Da Qi, but Li's kindness and a shared meal of fried crab renewed her resolve to seek a future for the World Islanders. Meanwhile, Li celebrated her successful recruitment effort with Shanhui, and Xia Fan discovered her late-night gift before finding her howling on a rooftop.

• Aili worried that the World Islanders could not survive at sea and resolved that they had to stop shutting themselves away from the world.
• Li visited Aili with fried crab, and Aili tried it, thanked Li, and gained confidence to pursue negotiations.
• Li told Shanhui that Aili had eaten the crab and joked about becoming the leader of all Yao.
• Xia Fan found Li's note and bowl of fried crab, then followed Shanhui's howl into the courtyard and saw Li standing on a rooftop.

Ning Wanjun, Xia Fan, and the others learned that the Elves used Tree Spirit seeds as sorcery materials and that a huge Tree Boat carrying over thirty thousand people was seeking supplies. Aili agreed to return with news of trade negotiations, while Xia Fan urged the Elves to consider venturing beyond the Tree Spirits’ protection.

• Ning Wanjun brought Xia Fan, Mo Yun, Aili, Li, and the others to the East Sea shore, where Aili demonstrated a vine-covered Green Shuttle that moved through the water.
• Aili explained that Elven sorcery depended on Tree Spirit seeds, which could grow into useful plants and devices, and that Elven Qi Sense Users could communicate with them.
• Aili told Ning Wanjun that enemies were attacking World Island to seize Tree Spirit power and force the Elves to operate enormous sail-less warships.
• Aili asked to trade for supplies for the Tree Boat, and Xia Fan and Ning Wanjun learned that it carried over thirty thousand people.
• Ning Wanjun invited an envoy to Jinxia City to negotiate, while Xia Fan asked Aili to consider whether the Elves could thrive beyond the Tree Spirits’ protection.

Aili returned to the Noah Tree Boat with news that Jinxia City could provide supplies, and High Priestess Sainiya considered trading there after an offshore inspection. When Aili urged the Islanders to engage with the outside world, Pang Ting revealed that their bloodline had driven The Empire and the Pope to wage war against them, leaving the danger of contact unresolved.

• Aili reunited with Heim Shaman and told him she had visited the Western Continent and secured permission to dock and trade in Jinxia City.
• Aili reported her findings to High Priestess Sainiya, who proposed redirecting Noah toward the Western Continent and sending scouts to inspect the offshore conditions.
• Pang Ting warned that the Western Continent might reject Islanders and that neighboring rulers could threaten them.
• Aili urged the Islanders to explore the outside world and learn its languages and techniques, but Pang Ting opposed her.
• Pang Ting explained that Islanders' descendants would inherit their bloodline, which The Empire and the Pope feared would eventually replace ordinary humans, and said the Tree Spirits offered the Islanders their only protection.

Sainiya agreed to seek talks with the people of Jinxia City, and the High Priestess met with the Third Princess of Qi State to discuss trade. Xia Fan chose to acquire a sample of every seed the Noah Tree Boat offered.

• Sainiya told Aili that the Tree Boat's people needed to learn about their enemy and the outside world, and offered to speak with the princess.
• The Tree Boat reached the coast near Jinxia City and sent Green Shuttles ashore for the meeting.
• The Third Princess of Qi State welcomed Sainiya, who introduced herself as the Noah Tree Boat's High Priestess and presented a trade booklet.
• The princess entrusted the trade decisions to Xia Fan, who examined the list and requested one of everything related to seeds.

Ning Wanjun and Mo Yun negotiated with Sainiya for fifty Qi Sense Users to study in Jinxia City and assist with Mo Yun’s manufacturing work. As the Elves became a public curiosity, Xia Fan tested a radically improved Mechanical Beast powered by Golden Silk Vine, leaving Ning Wanjun impressed by its potential for warfare.

• Sainiya asked to send young Elves to study Qi State’s language, and Mo Yun agreed on the condition that they were Qi Sense Users and helped with her manufacturing projects.
• Ning Wanjun permitted the Elves to remain in Jinxia City and publicly described them as seafaring merchants from afar.
• Xia Fan completed his first evaluations of the Elves’ seed products and tested a redesigned Mechanical Beast built with Tree Spirit branches and Golden Silk Vine.
• Xia Fan piloted the Mechanical Beast at increasing speed, and it ran steadily without showing signs of falling apart.
• Ning Wanjun recognized the Mechanical Beast’s military potential, and Xia Fan explained that Golden Silk Vine had made a remarkable difference.

Xia Fan tested Golden Silk Vine as cushioning for the Mechanical Beast and considered how Root-Nodule Grass and Soft Bamboo Nan could benefit Jinxia City. He left focused on using Soft Bamboo Nan’s water jets to improve ship propulsion and strengthen the city’s naval power.

• Xia Fan used Golden Silk Vine to cushion the Mechanical Beast’s joints, greatly improving its mobility and reducing impact damage.
• Ning Wanjun tried operating the Mechanical Beast, but it split its legs and fell when its joints rotated without restraint.
• Xia Fan recognized Root-Nodule Grass as a potential aid for improving soil and supporting crops around Jinxia City.
• Xia Fan considered Soft Bamboo Nan’s water-pumping abilities for the Salt Field and farmland, then became interested in using its water jets to propel ships.
• Xia Fan resolved not to overlook any source of power, given the threats posed by the Dong Sheng Kingdom and the Western Pole Fleet.

Ning Weiyuan learned that Xu State Iron Cavalry had helped destroy the Qi forces in Leizhou, leaving Suzhou in danger. He pressed Ning Qianshi to serve at the front, though his brother resisted and a friend arrived to summon him for a drink.

• Ning Weiyuan questioned Du Qi, who described Zuo An and Ba Xingtian’s halted pincer plan and the attack by an unknown force of heavy armored cavalry.
• Du Qi confirmed the cavalry carried long spears with curved blades, and Ning Weiyuan identified them as Xu State Iron Cavalry.
• Ning Weiyuan ordered warnings sent to the Ministry of War and the frontline, then went to question Ning Qianshi about the possibility of a leak.
• Ning Qianshi denied knowing how Xu State had become involved and protested when Ning Weiyuan urged him to go to Suzhou and win merit.
• A Bureau of Military Affairs practitioner arrived asking Ning Qianshi to drink with him, and Ning Weiyuan left the warm pavilion.

Ning Qianshi explained to Fei Nian his plan to dismantle the great clans and break the imperial succession cycle. He left Fei Nian with instructions for reporting from Shangyuan and asked him to give Luo Qingqing a warning about her dispute with the Fourth Prince.

• Ning Qianshi welcomed Fei Nian, drank the wine he had brought, and asked whether he had settled his affairs in Suzhou.
• Fei Nian said he had taken several people away and had no remaining concerns about the Fei Clan, and Ning Qianshi said the great clans would be eradicated and the Bureau of Military Affairs would manage newly awakened Qi Sense Users.
• Ning Qianshi told Fei Nian that he might travel to Suzhou and that Fei Nian should write to him if anything happened in Shangyuan City.
• Fei Nian asked why Ning Qianshi did not simply take the Crown Prince’s place, and Ning Qianshi said the plan would let the secular world see the outcome and break the imperial family’s cycle.
• Ning Qianshi told Fei Nian that Luo Qingqing had trouble with the Fourth Prince and asked him to give her a slight warning, leaving her to handle the dispute herself.

Luo Qingqing was ambushed during her escort, but Luo Tang rescued her and reunited her with Luo Changtian. As they tried to escape through a forest, an attacker emerged from the night and stabbed Luo Changtian in the back.

• Luo Qingqing was locked in a village room for the night while reflecting on the uncertain path ahead of her.
• Masked attackers posing as villagers entered to kill or capture Luo Qingqing, but she fought back until Luo Tang arrived and killed one of them.
• Luo Tang freed Luo Qingqing and explained that Luo Changtian had learned Luo Yufei was behind the attack and had come to rescue her.
• Luo Qingqing, Luo Tang, and Luo Changtian fought their way toward a nearby forest, with Luo Changtian creating an opening using his techniques.
• Luo Qingqing spotted a distortion in the air and warned Luo Changtian, but a figure emerged from the night and stabbed him through the back.

Luo Qingqing and Luo Tang fought off masked intruders while a hidden sorcerer attacked from the shadows. Luo Qingqing finally exposed and burned the sorcerer, but another masked man emerged from the house and slashed Luo Tang’s neck.

• Luo Qingqing illuminated the courtyard, killed three masked intruders, and realized the enemy sorcerer was hiding in the shadows.
• The hidden sorcerer struck Luo Qingqing, leaving her badly injured, while Luo Tang used Life Bestowal to fight four more attackers.
• Luo Qingqing used herself as bait and chained delayed Moonlight Radiance spells to reveal the sorcerer’s position.
• Luo Qingqing trapped the sorcerer in Li Fire and burned him, but a masked man seized Luo Tang inside the house.
• The masked man cut into Luo Tang’s neck as she stared at Luo Qingqing.

Luo Qingqing escaped the attack with the wounded Luo Changtian, but he died before they reached help, and she collapsed. She later awoke in a remote village, where the locals discussed the blind city girl in their care.

• Luo Qingqing killed a masked attacker, found Luo Tang fatally wounded, and heard her urge her to go.
• Luo Qingqing treated Luo Changtian's chest wound and carried him out of the courtyard, leaving Luo Tang behind.
• Luo Qingqing followed the river until she found an old woman and a hunter, but the hunter told her Luo Changtian was already dead, and she collapsed.
• Duo Laotai brought the unconscious Luo Qingqing to her village by the Yue River, where children gathered to peek at her.
• Duo Laotai told the children that Luo Qingqing had lost her family and her sight.

After losing her sight, Luo Qingqing reflected on her past and found a flaw in her belief that preserving order was always right. Three days later, armed outsiders invaded Wuming Village while Duo Ye and Duo Laotai were away hunting.

• Duo Laotai explained that Luo Qingqing’s injuries had left her blind and recalled how she had asked about her companion’s burial and payment before her own condition.
• Luo Qingqing reviewed her life and concluded that bad order could prevent better orders from emerging, so she would weaken and destroy it where she could.
• Luo Qingqing encountered a vast white door in her inner world, which opened slightly after she accepted the price of watching herself.
• Several dozen armed outsiders entered Wuming Village and blocked its only passage.
• Erhu pulled Aduo away from the commotion and warned that the newcomers were probably not there to trade.

Luo Qingqing emerged from hiding and confronted the armed men searching for her, defending the villagers as they attacked. She revealed a translucent sword and sensed the qi around her in a transformed white world as the fight began.

• Luo Qingqing told Erhu and Aduo that her pursuers would not stop and walked out to face them.
• The search party threatened the villagers and demanded that they hand Luo Qingqing over.
• Luo Qingqing appeared and challenged Master Shi, who admitted the men would kill the villagers even if they captured her.
• A man sent to seize Luo Qingqing collapsed, and she deflected more than ten arrows with a translucent sword.
• Luo Qingqing sensed the qi around her as the attackers charged and raised her sword toward the first mass of qi.

Luo Qingqing unleashed a sorcery art that bound her to order and slaughtered the attackers, including Fangshi Shi, who realized she had become a Listener. After killing him, she vowed to confront the forces threatening the village and bring the fight to the Capital Imperial Palace.

• Luo Qingqing used her sword and sorcery art to cut down the martial arts fighters and sever Fangshi Shi’s Kun Technique.
• Fangshi Shi recognized Luo Qingqing as a Listener, then collapsed from the wound inflicted by her sword.
• Luo Qingqing rescued Erhu and Aduo, while Erhu began considering going to the city to learn more about what he had witnessed.
• Luo Qingqing rejected Fangshi Shi’s warning that the Qi State would hunt her and vowed to strike first at the Capital Imperial Palace.
• Luo Qingqing killed Fangshi Shi and declared that she had severed the shackles that once imprisoned her.

After Luo Qingqing defeated the pursuers, she urged the villagers to leave Wuming Village with her for Jinxia City before another imperial group arrived. Erhu decided to go with her, hoping to undergo Qi Awakening and become a Qi Sense User.

• Luo Qingqing revealed why the imperial palace had pursued her and asked the villagers to relocate with her to Jinxia City, promising to support them until they were settled.
• Luo Qingqing named Jinxia City as their destination and said an official she trusted could help them, while Erhu asked whether she would live with them and learned she had other work to do.
• Luo Qingqing warned that another group could arrive within seven days and urged everyone to prepare to leave the next morning disguised as a merchant caravan.
• After returning from a hunt, Erhu's family heard what had happened and discussed the villagers' fears about leaving Wuming Village.
• Erhu told his family he had decided to go with Luo Qingqing, along with Liuya, Aduo, Brother Niu, and Qinger, because he wanted to undergo Qi Awakening and become a Qi Sense User.

Luo Qingqing brought all twenty-six households from Wuming Village to Jinxia City, where she discovered the city had a General Affairs Bureau that could help newcomers settle in. After registering the villagers, she entered the city with them, surprised by how much its systems had changed.

• Luo Qingqing found that all twenty-six households had gathered to leave Wuming Village and set out for Jinxia City.
• Luo Qingqing used Luo Family shops to secure travel funds, and the villagers reached Jinxia City after nearly half a month.
• Luo Qingqing and the villagers arrived at the Inland River Wharf, where a girl offered them guidance from the General Affairs Bureau.
• The girl explained that the bureau helped newcomers find lodging, work, farming opportunities, and housing, and gave Luo Qingqing a city map.
• Luo Qingqing led the villagers to register their details and entered Jinxia City with a bronze token.

Luo Qingqing brought the villagers to Jinxia City’s General Affairs Bureau and unexpectedly saw Luo You'er, whom she had missed for years but could not approach. She learned that Xia Fan had reshaped the city after the Sea Bandit attack, and his continued success reassured her as she prepared to leave.

• Luo Qingqing led the villagers through Jinxia City and found the General Affairs Bureau.
• Luo Qingqing recognized Luo You'er working at the bureau and fought the urge to approach her before returning to the villagers.
• Luo Qingqing asked a guide whether the bureau could arrange their move and learned that Sea Bandits had attacked the city after colluding with the Wang family.
• The guide explained that Xia Fan had arranged compensation for residents, established the bureau, and been promoted to Myriad-Edge.
• The guide told Luo Qingqing that Xia Fan had abolished the Wu Gangs and brought dock labor and goods transport under bureau oversight.
• Luo Qingqing reflected that Xia Fan remained the same person she had known in Qingshan Town and closed her eyes, feeling she could leave in peace.