Chapter Summaries

Ye Tian’s forces launched an assault on the Star Luo Empire’s port, where Purple Pearl led a boarding attack against Zhu Yi’s fleet. As Purple Pearl and Zhu Yi faced off, he used his Netherworld Shadow Clone to create three attacking bodies.

• Ye Tian delayed the port assault until dawn and assigned Zhou Long’s left-wing fleet to cover Purple Pearl.
• Purple Pearl led thirty-seven ships toward the port, while Zhu Yi rallied the outnumbered Star Luo fleet to defend it.
• Purple Pearl ordered her pirates to board the enemy ships, and the two fleets began fighting at close quarters.
• Purple Pearl boarded Zhu Yi’s flagship with twenty elite Soul Masters and blocked his Air Cut attack.
• Zhu Yi unleashed Netherworld Shadow Clone, surrounding Purple Pearl with three physical copies before attacking with Netherworld Penetration.

Ye Tian’s forces defeated the Star Luo naval fleet and captured Tianxing Port after learning that its defenses had been weakened. He tried to win over the port’s exploited dockworkers, but they feared the consequences of the officers’ deaths and begged him to let them go.

• Purple Pearl killed Zhu Yi, then led her subordinates to defeat the Star Luo fleet, capturing five warships while one was burned by its resisting crew.
• Purple Pearl reported the battle’s casualties to Ye Tian, and Xu MoYang revealed that most of the soldiers stationed at Tianxing Port had been transferred to defend Tianxing City.
• After confirming the port’s defenses were nearly empty, Ye Tian approved Purple Pearl’s request to lead the vanguard, and his forces seized the port.
• Ye Tian sent the Heavenly Strategy Army to seal the roads and gathered more than a thousand dockworkers in the dockside square.
• Ye Tian revealed that the fleet officers who had abused the laborers had been executed and invited the workers to voice their grievances, but they knelt and pleaded for mercy.

Ye Tian forced the dock laborers to prove their allegiance by cutting down the heads of Star Luo soldiers, then rallied them to join a Righteous Army under Princess Dai Ya. The laborers embraced the cause of avenging her father, and Ye Tian declared them the army’s first recruits as they prepared to march against Star Luo City.

• Ye Tian ordered the kneeling laborers to cut down the heads of Star Luo soldiers or face death, and Hei Niu recognized Zhu Yi as the man who had caused his sister’s death.
• Hei Niu hacked Zhu Yi’s head apart, and the other laborers followed until all had offered proof of allegiance; Gu Yuena burned the remains.
• Ye Tian introduced himself as the son of the former Nation Protecting General and presented Dai Ya as the surviving daughter of the former Star Luo Crown Prince.
• Ye Tian accused the Star Luo Emperor of murdering his father and brother, prompting the laborers to vow loyalty to Dai Ya’s Righteous Army.
• Dai Ya swore to avenge her father, and Ye Tian named the laborers the army’s first recruits and promised them honors for taking Star Luo City.

Ye Tian recruited an army at Tianxing Port and planned a direct strike on Star Luo City while Spirit Hall tied down the empire’s northern forces. After the rebels defeated a Star Luo detachment, Governor Leike reported their alleged strength and Dai Ya’s claim of imperial kinship to the Star Luo Emperor, who ordered the rebels eliminated.

• Ye Tian ordered Zhou Long to keep recruiting and training soldiers after settling the laborers’ families and occupying the areas around the port.
• Thirteen reported that Spirit Hall’s army had advanced into Star Luo territory but was blocked at the Heaven Soul Mountain Range by two hundred thousand imperial troops.
• Ye Tian decided to recruit twenty thousand troops, abandon their supplies, and march west directly toward Star Luo City, and Thirteen accepted the order.
• Over the next half month, Zhou Long accelerated recruitment, and the Heavenly Strategy Army routed two thousand soldiers sent by Governor Leike.
• Leike fled to Star Luo City and told the court that the rebels numbered over a hundred thousand and claimed their leader Dai Ya was the emperor’s niece.
• After Leike repeated the rebels’ accusation that the emperor had murdered his father and elder brother, the Star Luo Emperor smashed his desk and ordered the rebels eliminated.

After learning that Spirit Hall had invaded the Star Luo Empire, Ning Fengzhi abandoned his seclusion and decided to lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to aid it. The sect prepared to leave, and Ning Fengzhi agreed to let Xiao Wu join them.

• Gu Rong told Sword Douluo Chen Xin that Spirit Hall had sent two hundred thousand troops into the Star Luo Empire and seized territory north of the Heaven Soul Mountain Range.
• Gu Rong and Sword Douluo found Ning Fengzhi drinking tea and painting in his secret chamber, then informed him of the invasion and Heaven Dou's failure to intervene.
• Ning Fengzhi condemned Xue Qinghe's inaction and decided that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would commit its full strength to helping the Star Luo Empire.
• Ning Rongrong returned to the Ning Residence, where Ning Fengzhi explained the invasion to her and Xiao Wu.
• Xiao Wu asked to go with the sect to fight Spirit Hall, and Ning Fengzhi agreed.

Dai Mubai learned that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would support the Star Luo Empire, and Oscar and Ma Hongjun joined him in preparing to leave. Meanwhile, Tang San helped the Clear Sky Sect produce Godly Zhuge Crossbows and offered to recruit its former affiliated sects, leaving the sect’s efforts against Spirit Hall underway.

• Ning Rongrong told Dai Mubai that Sect Master Ning had agreed to support the Star Luo Empire, and Oscar and Ma Hongjun said they would go with him.
• The Seven Monsters decided to leave a letter for Tang San explaining where they had gone.
• At the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Tang San tested the first Godly Zhuge Crossbow forged by the Clear Sky Sect disciples and judged it effective against soul masters below the Soul Elder rank.
• Tang Wan explained that the Clear Sky Sect would mass-produce the crossbows and recruit troops to use them.
• Tang San proposed recruiting the Clear Sky Sect’s former affiliated sects and offered to persuade them himself.

Ye Tian reviewed the Heavenly Strategy Army’s preparations and learned that Star Luo was assembling forces to crush them. After Zhou Long urged him to secure his followers’ future, Ye Tian ordered a Military Merit Land Grant Policy, leaving his army with a new way to recruit and reward soldiers.

• Ye Tian ordered Zhou Long to bury the executed recruits whose bodies had been displayed as warnings.
• Thirteen reported that Tianxing’s governor and wealthy families had fled, while Star Luo’s troops had gathered at Yenisei Fortress and a governor had been appointed to lead five provinces against Ye Tian.
• Ye Tian cautioned Zhou Long and Thirteen not to underestimate Star Luo, despite the empire’s apparent weakness.
• Zhou Long urged Ye Tian to seize the southern provinces and warned that Spirit Hall might not protect the Heavenly Strategy Army’s interests after unifying the continent.
• Ye Tian considered his soldiers’ families and ordered Thirteen to draft a policy awarding land and Gold Soul Coins to soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle.

Ye Tian’s Military Merit Land Grant policy drew thousands of recruits and prompted him to prepare to seize Tianxing City. Liu Wenxuan, a Soul Emperor and former deputy governor-general, offered to serve him for the sake of Tianxing’s civilians, but grew troubled when Ye Tian admitted his alliance with Spirit Hall.

• Ye Tian agreed to send Zhou Long and the new recruits to capture Tianxing City and gain experience.
• Thirteen introduced Liu Wenxuan, a noted scholar and former provincial deputy governor-general, to Ye Tian.
• Liu Wenxuan praised Ye Tian’s military merit policy and offered to serve as his vanguard, while warning that war could devastate Tianxing’s starving civilians.
• Ye Tian reassured Liu Wenxuan that grain was already being shipped to the disaster-stricken provinces.
• Liu Wenxuan asked whether Ye Tian was allied with Spirit Hall, and Ye Tian confirmed the alliance without concealment.
• Liu Wenxuan grew grave as he considered Ye Tian’s strength and disciplined army.

Liu Wenxuan joined Ye Tian’s command and was appointed governor of Tianxing Province, where he would implement Ye Tian’s Military Merit Land Grant Policy. Zhou Long captured Tianxing City with little effort, while Gu Yuena waited for a chance to help in the coming attack on Star Luo City.

• Liu Wenxuan set aside his concerns about Spirit Hall and pledged unconditional allegiance to Ye Tian after hearing his plans for the common people.
• Ye Tian appointed Liu Wenxuan governor of Tianxing Province and gave him authority to recruit his own clerks and assistants.
• Liu Wenxuan promised to govern diligently and implement Ye Tian’s Military Merit Land Grant Policy, then knelt to thank him for trusting him.
• Zhou Long’s twenty-thousand-man army scattered leaflets promising pardons and land to those who surrendered, and mutinous soldiers opened Tianxing City’s gates at night.
• Ye Tian praised Zhou Long’s capture of the city, while Gu Yuena complained that she had no duties and Ye Tian promised she could fight during the attack on Star Luo City.

At Star Luo's morning court, Emperor Star Luo approved Zhu Zicheng's plan to raise an army against Dai Ya's southern rebellion. He appointed Zhu Zicheng grand marshal and Dai Mubai deputy marshal, leaving Zhu Zicheng eager to clear the way for his daughter and son-in-law's future.

• Emperor Star Luo raged over Dai Ya's capture of Tianxing City and feared her claim to the throne.
• Zhao Wenzhuo urged tax relief and grain aid, but Zhu Zicheng argued that the rebels had to be crushed with a military campaign.
• Zhu Zicheng proposed recruiting soldiers from the empire's clans and consolidating Tianxing Province's local garrisons.
• Zhu Zicheng revealed that Dai Mubai had secretly returned and credited him with the plan to suppress the rebellion.
• Emperor Star Luo appointed Zhu Zicheng grand marshal and Dai Mubai deputy marshal and vanguard officer, ordering the recruitment of fifty thousand troops.

Dai Mubai and the others reunited with Tang San at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and discussed the Star Luo Empire’s southern rebellion. Xiao Wu realized her feelings for Tang San had faded, while the assembled leaders prepared to raise troops against the rebellion and Spirit Hall.

• Dai Mubai reunited with Tang San, and the group traveled to the main hall to discuss the southern rebellion and the imperial decree.
• Tang San tried to take Xiao Wu’s hand, but she recoiled and realized she now saw him only as a brother while still thinking of Ye Tian.
• Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, Tang Wan, and the Shrek Seven Devils gathered for a meal and discussed Spirit Hall’s role in the conflict.
• Dai Mubai said he had encountered Dai Ya, Spirit Hall elders, and Ye Tian at the Elephant Armor Sect more than half a year earlier.
• Yu Yuanzhen proposed raising one hundred thousand troops and offered for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to cover the shortfall and military expenses.

Dai Mubai agreed to seek his emperor’s approval for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan’s military expansion and a marriage alliance for his sister. After Zhu Zicheng arrived to organize the Southern Expedition Army, he appointed Tang San and the Shrek Seven Monsters to military roles, leaving Xiao Wu to choose her own post.

• Yu Yuanzhen offered to fund soldiers’ armor and weapons and proposed a marriage between Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai’s second sister, and Dai Mubai agreed to seek his father’s approval.
• Zhu Zicheng arrived at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with two hundred guards, and Yu Yuanzhen promised to complete the recruitment in one month.
• Dai Mubai introduced Tang San to Zhu Zicheng, who appointed him general of the Tang Sect Legion.
• Zhu Zicheng assigned Ma Hongjun as a deputy general and vanguard officer, Oscar and Ning Rongrong to logistics and healing, and Zhu Zhuqing to intelligence work in the command tent.
• When Ning Rongrong asked Xiao Wu what role she wanted, Xiao Wu chose to join her in the soul master legion.

Ye Tian prepared for a campaign against Star Luo City, arranging maritime transport and using the new army as a decoy while developing instant noodles as fast military rations. After receiving a map of the southern defenses and a shipment of supplies, he ordered the army to launch a lightning strike on Star Luo City.

• Ye Tian reassigned maritime transport to Bo Saixi after Purple Pearl's pursuit was interrupted by a typhoon.
• Ye Tian inspected the new army and explained to Zhou Long that its apparent weakness could make it useful as bait for a long-range raid.
• Thirteen delivered a military map showing that the southern armies were concentrated in Tianxing Province and identified three routes for an advance.
• Ye Tian showed Zhou Long and Thirteen instant noodles and self-heating packs, which could reduce cooking time and help conceal the army's position.
• Ye Tian said Bo Saixi had gone to receive a supply shipment and ordered the army to set out for a lightning strike on Star Luo City once it arrived.

Ye Tian learned that Zhu Zhuqing had entered Tianxing Province to gather intelligence, but chose to let the North Star Squad watch her rather than capture her before his planned surprise attack. Zhu Zhuqing remained in Iton City despite Aunt Tang’s concerns and agreed not to venture deeper into the province.

• Zhou Long told the Thorn Legion’s officers to recognize Princess Dai Ya as their leader and ordered them back to training.
• Thirteen informed Ye Tian that Zhu Zhuqing had entered Tianxing Province to gather intelligence for the Star Luo Empire.
• Ye Tian decided the North Star Squad should keep watching Zhu Zhuqing because capturing her could prompt the empire to send a large force and disrupt his plans.
• In Iton City, Aunt Tang urged Zhu Zhuqing to return, but Zhu Zhuqing insisted that she was an intelligence officer serving the Southern Expedition Army.
• Aunt Tang warned Zhu Zhuqing not to go deeper into Tianxing Province, and Zhu Zhuqing agreed to stay within limits.

Zhu Zhuqing infiltrated Tianxing City to spy on the rebel army’s strength, but Ye Tian’s forces discovered her and sent Xiao Bai to capture her. Zhu Zhuqing tried to evade Xiao Bai’s attack, but Xiao Bai overwhelmed her with her power.

• Zhu Zhuqing disguised herself, slipped away from Aunt Tang, and entered Tianxing City to investigate the enemy army.
• Thirteen reported Zhu Zhuqing’s arrival to Ye Tian, who ordered his forces to capture her and promised Xiao Bai five packs of Instant Noodles for her help.
• The North Star Squad tracked Zhu Zhuqing to a vantage point overlooking the Thorn Legion’s training grounds, where she observed and counted the soldiers.
• Xiao Bai approached Zhu Zhuqing, whose sharp hearing let her dodge the first Water Curtain attack.
• Xiao Bai revealed she was Ye Tian’s friend, and Zhu Zhuqing spotted Ye Tian nearby and questioned why he was in Tianxing City.
• Xiao Bai unleashed her nine soul rings and expanded her Water Curtain, sweeping away Zhu Zhuqing and her afterimages.

Ye Tian imprisoned Zhu Zhuqing after exposing her failed surveillance and challenging her view of the southern uprising. Five days later, Bo Saixi returned with military supplies and proposed using Storage Soul Tools to transport ammunition despite the rain-damaged roads, leaving her to arrange the needed tools.

• Xiao Bai immobilized Zhu Zhuqing, and Ye Tian revealed that he had monitored her movements and rejected her claim that the southern uprising was merely a rebellion.
• Ye Tian ordered Xiao Bai to seal Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation and warned that her Aunt Tang could be killed if Zhu Zhuqing tried to die; he told Thirteen to leave her guards alone unless they caused trouble.
• Bo Saixi returned to Tianxing Port with the cargo, and Zhou Long warned Ye Tian that heavy rain had made the northern roads impassable for transporting supplies.
• Bo Saixi suggested gathering several thousand Storage Soul Tools to carry the Heavenly Strategy Army's ammunition, and Ye Tian assigned her to obtain them from Spirit Hall and elsewhere.

Zhu Zhuqing escaped Ye Tian’s dungeon after breaking the seal on her dantian, but collapsed from hunger and exhaustion. She woke in Peach Blossom Village, where she learned that Ye Tian had confiscated noble land and distributed it among the commoners.

• Zhu Zhuqing broke through the restriction on her dantian and secretly prepared to escape the dungeon.
• Ye Tian told Xiao Bai and Thirteen that he intended to let Zhu Zhuqing escape, and ordered the nearby soldiers replaced with old, weak, sick, and disabled men.
• Zhu Zhuqing slipped past the sleeping guards, crawled through the night, and fainted from exhaustion.
• Peach Blossom Village women found Zhu Zhuqing and cared for her until she woke three days later.
• A woman in red explained that Ye Tian had redistributed nobles’ land among commoners according to household size, counting women too.

Zhu Zhuqing warned Aunt Pan and the villagers that the Star Luo army would soon crush Ye Tian’s rebellion, but learned why they were willing to fight for him. She realized Ye Tian had won the commoners’ loyalty and was a far more formidable enemy than she had imagined.

• Zhu Zhuqing urged Aunt Pan to flee before the Star Luo army arrived and warned her family to leave the rebel forces.
• The villagers angrily rejected Zhu Zhuqing’s description of Ye Tian as a rebel and defended him.
• Aunt Pan explained that Master Pan had abused and impoverished her family until Ye Tian executed him and distributed the seized land to the villagers.
• Aunt Pan and the women declared they would take up arms for Ye Tian rather than submit to the nobles again.
• Zhu Zhuqing fell silent as she recognized the strength of Ye Tian’s support among the commoners.

After the Black Eagle Legion advanced toward Tianxing Province, Ye Tian’s subordinates debated how to respond. Ye Tian chose to use the province’s terrain and people to trap the legion while minimizing his army’s losses, and he pointed to a red marker as he announced the next part of his plan.

• A shy youth told Aunt Pan that Imperial soldiers carrying Blue Striped Black Eagle Banners were approaching, and the village chief had gone to alert General Ye.
• Zhu Zhuqing recognized the Black Eagle Legion and realized it had likely come south because of her, then agreed to flee to the mountains with the villagers.
• In Tianxing City, Ye Tian’s subordinates debated whether to destroy the Black Eagle Legion outright or follow their established strategy.
• Ye Tian declared that winning the people’s hearts was paramount and decided to use Tianxing Province as home ground to trap the Black Eagle Legion and limit casualties.
• Ye Tian moved his command baton toward a red marker in the north and described the plan as checking the king and taking the rook.

Ye Tian learned that the Black Eagle Legion stored its supplies in Flying Tiger Town and sent Zhou Long with the Heavenly Strategy Army to attack the depot. After receiving Zhu Zhuqing’s warning and visiting Peach Blossom Village, Ye Tian discovered where the villagers had fled into the mountains.

• Thirteen reported that Flying Tiger Town was guarded by at least two thousand soldiers and held the Black Eagle Legion’s supply depot.
• Ye Tian ordered Zhou Long to lead the Heavenly Strategy Army to Flying Tiger Town at night and prevent the soldiers from burning their supplies.
• Thirteen gave Ye Tian a letter from Zhu Zhuqing warning that the Black Eagle Legion was powerful and urging him to evacuate the civilians.
• Ye Tian decided to go to Peach Blossom Village, while Thirteen noticed that the North Star Squad had been deployed nearby.
• Ye Tian questioned the old men remaining in the deserted village, and they revealed the villagers’ route into the mountains.