Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Lightning Tribulation manifests a human face, revealing itself as a god from the Martial God Hall.
• Qiongqi, despite its injuries, intervenes to protect Xiao Chen, attempting to devour the Lightning Tribulation.
• Qiongqi's true body is destroyed by the god, and it suffers severe injuries.
• Xiao Chen is struck by lightning, his body severely injured.
• Old Master and Second Master decide to fight against the god to save Xiao Chen.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: Despite his dire situation, he's worried about Qiongqi's safety and shows concern for his friends.
• Qiongqi: Despite its heavy injuries, it bravely intervenes to protect Xiao Chen, showing its loyalty and power.
• Old Master and Second Master: They overcome their fear of the god and decide to fight to save Xiao Chen, demonstrating their loyalty and courage.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and friendship: Both Qiongqi and the Redhorn Dragon Toads show unwavering loyalty to Xiao Chen, even in the face of a god.
• Power dynamics: The god from the Martial God Hall looks down on all living beings, treating them as mere straw dogs, highlighting the power imbalance between gods and mortals.
• Consequences of past actions: Qiongqi's injuries are a result of past conflicts with the Martial God Hall, illustrating the long-lasting effects of past actions.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and Qiongqi: Xiao Chen is worried about Qiongqi's safety, while Qiongqi is determined to protect Xiao Chen, showing a strong bond between them.
• Old Master and Second Master: They decide to fight together against the god, showing unity and determination in the face of adversity.
• The god and Qiongqi/Old Master and Second Master: The god from the Martial God Hall looks down on and mocks Qiongqi and the Redhorn Dragon Toads, highlighting the power gap and the god's arrogance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen faces the Martial God Hall's Evil God's lightning tribulation, which severely wounds Old Master and Second Master.
• Xiao Chen breaks through to the King Realm in his moment of crisis and strikes the lightning tribulation with a powerful sword attack.
• The Star God Hall intervenes, healing Xiao Chen, Qiongqi, Old Master, and Second Master with starlight, and countering the Martial God Hall's lightning tribulation.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen demonstrates immense potential and determination, breaking through to the King Realm and attempting to defy a god.
• Old Master and Second Master show loyalty and sacrifice, accepting their fate and expressing no regrets for following Xiao Chen.
• The Martial God Hall's Evil God reveals its power and arrogance, underestimating Xiao Chen initially but growing concerned when the Star God Hall intervenes.

Significant Themes

• Defiance against overwhelming odds: Xiao Chen's attempt to challenge a god and the Star God Hall's intervention against the Martial God Hall.
• Loyalty and sacrifice: Old Master and Second Master's acceptance of their fate and Xiao Chen's determination to avenge them.
• The power of intervention: The Star God Hall's intervention turning the tide of the battle, highlighting the influence of divine entities.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen, Old Master, and Second Master: Xiao Chen mourns the impending deaths of Old Master and Second Master, while they express loyalty and no regrets for following him.
• Xiao Chen and the Martial God Hall's Evil God: Xiao Chen attempts to defy the god, while the Evil God initially underestimates him but later grows concerned.
• The Star God Hall and the Martial God Hall: The Star God Hall intervenes on Xiao Chen's behalf, countering the Martial God Hall's lightning tribulation and healing Xiao Chen and his allies.

Chapter Summary: Divine Thunder Fluid Reward

Key Plot Points and Events

• A deity or avatar from Martial God Hall, represented by the “Lightning Tribulation face,” attempts to kill Xiao Chen.
• A mysterious woman from Star God Hall intervenes. She summons a divine sword made of starlight and destroys the Martial God Hall avatar despite its powerful lightning shield.
• Before departing, the woman reveals that Xiao Chen is her child and promises to explain everything when he returns to Star God Domain. She urges him not to fear hardship and to look to the night sky for Star God Hall’s protection.
• Xiao Chen learns that Star God Hall, though weakened and secluded after an ancient divine war, remains an immensely powerful force that Martial God Hall cannot easily challenge.
• Old Master and Second Master return safely after being seriously injured earlier. They explain that Star God divine power completely restored them, relieving Xiao Chen of his fear for their survival.
• Two new thunderclouds appear, initially alarming everyone. Qiongqi identifies them as the reward for surviving the Lightning Tribulation: two drops of Divine Thunder Fluid.
• Xiao Chen consumes the green and purple drops. Their energy strengthens his foundation, increases his potential, and forms a hidden green-and-purple Tribulation Crest within his body.
• Qiongqi then suggests that, now that Xiao Chen has entered the King Realm, he should attempt to make the Wind Lord Sword acknowledge him as its master.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen survives a near-fatal attack from Martial God Hall and gains a powerful connection to Star God Hall. He discovers that the mysterious Star God woman is likely his mother, creating a major revelation about his origins.
• His concern for Star God Hall shows his gratitude and sense of responsibility, while his joy at Old Master and Second Master’s survival highlights his deep bonds with them.
• By absorbing the Divine Thunder Fluid, Xiao Chen’s physical foundation and future potential grow substantially. His green-and-purple lightning also demonstrates the unusual strength of his tribulation.
• The Star God woman is introduced as a powerful and protective maternal figure. Her effortless destruction of the Martial God avatar confirms Star God Hall’s lingering might.
• Qiongqi continues acting as Xiao Chen’s guide, explaining the meaning of the tribulation reward and directing his next step toward mastering the Wind Lord Sword.
• Old Master and Second Master recover through Star God power and reaffirm their loyalty and admiration for Xiao Chen.

Significant Themes

• Maternal protection and hidden identity: Xiao Chen’s rescue reveals that his origins are tied to Star God Hall and sets up future revelations about his family.
• The return of ancient powers: Star God Hall’s intervention suggests that an ancient force believed to be diminished still possesses overwhelming strength.
• Cause, suffering, and reward: Xiao Chen’s near-death experience is followed by a heavenly reward, emphasizing the idea that great tribulations produce great opportunities.
• Legacy and destiny: The Tribulation Crest and Xiao Chen’s connection to Star God Hall indicate that his potential is linked to powerful ancient inheritances.
• Loyalty and companionship: Xiao Chen’s concern for Old Master and Second Master, and their willingness to fight for him, reinforce the importance of bonds amid conflicts between divine powers.

Important Character Interactions

• The Star God woman confronts Martial God Hall indirectly, destroying its avatar and openly challenging its authority.
• She speaks tenderly to Xiao Chen as her child, creating an emotional first connection despite their physical separation.
• Xiao Chen consults Qiongqi about her identity, Star God Hall’s strength, and the Divine Thunder Fluid.
• Xiao Chen reunites with Old Master and Second Master, sharing mutual relief after their dangerous battle.
• Qiongqi encourages Xiao Chen to absorb the tribulation reward and later pushes him toward testing whether the Wind Lord Sword will accept him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen’s Dragon Slayer Sword remains under repair because ordinary spirit swords cannot withstand the destructive force of his battles against peerless geniuses and Dragon Children.
• He attempts once again to subdue the Wind Lord Sword, a flawless divine artifact whose sword spirit previously rejected him for having too low a cultivation level.
• The Wind Lord Sword’s spirit, Fengyun, is shocked to discover that Xiao Chen has already broken through to the King Realm—far sooner than expected.
• Fengyun reveals that it is over 31,000 years old but still considers itself a “child” because divine sword spirits mature extremely slowly. It demands to be called “Fengyun, the Little Ancestor” rather than “Little Fengyun.”
• Fengyun releases a terrifying Divine Might that nearly overwhelms Old Master and Second Master. Xiao Chen is unaffected because Fengyun already considers him a potential future master.
• At Xiao Chen’s request, Fengyun withdraws its pressure, allowing the two elders to recover and retreat.
• Xiao Chen learns that reaching the King Realm is not enough to become Fengyun’s master; he must pass a trial.
• Fengyun explains that its trial required Xiao Chen to trigger a Lightning Tribulation while breaking through to the King Realm. Xiao Chen has already accomplished this, but Fengyun did not witness it because it was asleep inside the Space Stone Ring.
• Despite passing the intended test, Fengyun declares that Xiao Chen has been “eliminated” because his current cultivation is still insufficient to wield the divine artifact. It tells him to wait until he reaches the next realm.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen demonstrates rapid, extraordinary growth by reaching the King Realm much earlier than Fengyun believed possible. His confidence and determination remain intact even when confronted with an unexpected trial.
• He also shows consideration for others by asking Fengyun to stop suppressing Old Master and Second Master.
• Fengyun is revealed to be a proud, childish yet immensely powerful divine sword spirit. Although arrogant, it recognizes Xiao Chen’s exceptional innate talent and mysterious destiny, deciding that he may be worth investing in as a future master.
• Old Master and Second Master are reminded of the overwhelming power of a complete divine artifact. Their fear of Fengyun contrasts with their respect and loyalty toward Xiao Chen.
• Qiongqi, though powerful in the past, is currently so severely injured that it cannot compare with Fengyun’s present strength.

Significant Themes

• Power and qualification: Exceptional talent alone does not guarantee control over a divine weapon; Xiao Chen must continue growing before he is truly worthy of Fengyun.
• Rapid growth and destiny: Xiao Chen’s unusually fast cultivation and ability to trigger a Lightning Tribulation suggest that his potential and fate are far beyond ordinary cultivators.
• Pride and recognition: Fengyun’s arrogance reflects the status of divine artifacts, but its willingness to consider Xiao Chen shows that true potential can earn even the most discriminating entity’s approval.
• The gap between realms: The chapter emphasizes the enormous difference between ordinary cultivators, injured ancient beings, and fully empowered divine artifacts.
• Humor amid danger: Fengyun’s childish insistence on being called “the Little Ancestor” and its teasing of the frightened elders add comedy to an otherwise intimidating encounter.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen respectfully negotiates with Fengyun, while Fengyun responds with mockery, pride, and reluctant approval.
• Fengyun intimidates Old Master and Second Master through its Divine Might, but Xiao Chen intervenes on their behalf.
• The two elders privately discuss Fengyun’s strength and doubt whether Xiao Chen can truly subdue it yet.
• Xiao Chen and Fengyun debate the nature of the trial, with Xiao Chen discovering that he has already met its unusual requirement but still lacks the cultivation necessary to become the sword’s master.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen reveals a two-colored King Tribulation mark, proving that he triggered and survived an extraordinarily rare dual-lightning tribulation despite being in the law-deficient mortal world.
• Fengyun discovers two lingering traces of divine power in the area and realizes that two gods had descended and fought there, an act normally forbidden by divine laws.
• Xiao Chen explains that a god from the Martial God Hall tried to kill him, while the Star God Hall crossed the starry sky, slew an Evil God, and saved him.
• Xiao Chen admits that he may have originated from the Star God Hall. Shocked by his connection to such a supreme power, Fengyun immediately offers allegiance and asks to recognize him as its master.
• Xiao Chen forms a blood contract with Fengyun through the Wind Lord Sword, making Fengyun his divine artifact spirit.
• After recognizing Xiao Chen, Fengyun’s cultivation is suppressed to the King Realm, synchronizing with Xiao Chen’s strength. However, it remains immensely powerful as a divine artifact.
• Xiao Chen tests the Wind Lord Sword and casually slices through nearly half of a massive mountain, though the attack consumes a large amount of his Source Energy.
• As Xiao Chen prepares to collect spirit mushrooms, his Communication Jade Pendant suddenly vibrates intensely. Upon checking it, his expression becomes extremely grim, setting up an urgent new development.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen demonstrates his exceptional talent and resilience by surviving the dual-lightning King Tribulation. He also becomes more open with Fengyun, revealing the divine conflict surrounding his origins in order to build trust.
• His connection to the Star God Hall is implied to be far more significant than previously known, suggesting that he may be a divine son or descendant raised in the mortal world.
• Xiao Chen gains the Wind Lord Sword as a contracted divine artifact, greatly increasing his combat power, though he must manage its enormous energy consumption.
• Fengyun undergoes a dramatic change in attitude. It initially acts arrogant and superior as the “Little Ancestor,” but becomes extremely submissive and eager to serve after learning of Xiao Chen’s connection to the Star God Hall.
• Fengyun’s powers are restricted after the contract, but its explanation clarates that divine artifacts are naturally limited in the mortal realm and that its strength will grow alongside Xiao Chen’s.
• Qiongqi, Old Master, and Second Master provide commentary: Qiongqi consoles Xiao Chen about Fengyun’s weakened aura, while the others emphasize the overwhelming might of divine artifacts.

Significant Themes

• Power and divine hierarchy: Xiao Chen’s hidden connection to the Star God Hall dramatically changes how Fengyun and others perceive him.
• Destiny and mutual dependence: The master-spirit contract links Xiao Chen and Fengyun’s fates, with Fengyun’s strength now tied to Xiao Chen’s growth.
• Hidden identity and origins: Xiao Chen’s possible divine heritage becomes increasingly important, explaining why supreme powers intervened on his behalf.
• Law versus power: The gods’ unauthorized descent and battle violate strict divine laws, emphasizing the tension between cosmic rules and beings powerful enough to ignore them.
• Opportunity within calamity: The King Tribulation nearly kills Xiao Chen but also grants him immense benefits through the Divine Thunder Fluid, illustrating how danger and advancement are intertwined.
• The cost of strength: Although the Wind Lord Sword dramatically enhances Xiao Chen’s attacks, using it rapidly drains his Source Energy.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and Fengyun: Their relationship shifts from distrust and arrogance to a formal master-spirit bond. Xiao Chen remains slightly disappointed by Fengyun’s suppression, while Fengyun is thrilled to serve him.
• Xiao Chen and Qiongqi: Qiongqi reassures him that Fengyun remains extraordinarily powerful despite its King Realm appearance.
• Old Master and Second Master: Their contrasting remarks highlight the significance of the Star God Hall and the terrifying power of divine artifacts.
• Xiao Chen and the divine factions: The Martial God Hall treats him as a target, whereas the Star God Hall protects him by killing the attacking Evil God, suggesting that Xiao Chen is central to a larger conflict between the two supreme powers.

Chapter Summary: “Bloodlight Soared to the Heavens”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen learns that Qin Chuan of the Qiankun Dynasty has invaded Black Cloud City and forcibly taken Mei’er, Jin Xian’er, and Yu Mei.
• He immediately returns with Old Master and Second Master, despite knowing that the Qiankun Dynasty is vastly more powerful than Great Xia.
• Black Cloud City has been devastated: hundreds of Black Cloud Guards are brutally killed, the city gates and protective formation are destroyed, and civilians are forced to kneel while being beaten by Qiankun guards.
• Qin Chuan ordered the attack because he desired Xiao Chen’s women. He views Great Xia’s people as insignificant and assumes no one can oppose him because of the Qiankun Dynasty’s overwhelming status.
• Qin Chuan’s guards deliberately torture the citizens and wait for Xiao Chen’s return so they can humiliate him and demonstrate their authority.
• Xiao Chen arrives above the ruined city, sees the massacre, and erupts with fury. Old Master detects that the formation was destroyed by an Emperor Realm expert.
• Xiao Chen orders his companions to attack and charges into the city, intent on killing the invaders.
• Old Master and Second Master debate whether they can withstand the Qiankun Dynasty, but Old Master insists that Xiao Chen must be supported and that the matter cannot end without bloodshed.
• The chapter ends as an injured old woman defies the Qiankun guards. One guard claims that the Qiankun envoy previously slaughtered nearly a hundred Scarlet Dragon Divine Guards before the Xia Emperor without consequences, emphasizing the terrifying power imbalance.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: His anger shifts from personal outrage over the abduction of his women to murderous fury at the massacre and abuse of Black Cloud City’s citizens. His resolve to confront the Qiankun Dynasty becomes absolute.
• Old Master: Remains fiercely loyal and decisive. Although aware of the danger, he prioritizes standing beside Xiao Chen and is willing to fight first and consider the consequences later.
• Second Master: Shows concern about the immense power of the Qiankun Dynasty and questions whether they can survive a confrontation, revealing a more cautious perspective.
• Qin Chuan: Is established as arrogant, predatory, and cruel. He treats women as possessions and entire dynasties as inferior territories available for his exploitation.
• The old woman: Despite severe torture, she refuses to submit or insult Xiao Chen, demonstrating courage and loyalty among the oppressed citizens.

Significant Themes

• Tyranny and abuse of power: Qin Chuan uses his superior status to violate women, massacre resistance, and terrorize civilians.
• Honor and loyalty: Xiao Chen’s allies and the citizens of Black Cloud City refuse to abandon him, even under overwhelming intimidation.
• Power imbalance and imperial arrogance: The Qiankun Dynasty’s dominance allows its people to act with impunity, while weaker dynasties are expected to endure humiliation.
• Righteous vengeance: Xiao Chen’s return transforms the chapter from one of helpless suffering into the beginning of a retaliatory confrontation.
• Resistance under oppression: The old woman’s defiance symbolizes the city’s refusal to accept the invaders’ authority.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen informs Old Master and Second Master of the abductions, prompting their immediate decision to return with him.
• Old Master and Second Master argue over the danger of challenging the Qiankun Dynasty, with Old Master ultimately insisting on supporting Xiao Chen.
• Qin Chuan’s guards torment the citizens and demand that they denounce Xiao Chen, using cruelty to reinforce their master’s dominance.
• The old woman rejects the guard’s demand and curses the invaders, provoking the guard to boast about the Qiankun Dynasty’s past humiliation of Great Xia’s forces.
• Xiao Chen’s silent reaction to the ruined city and suffering citizens establishes that his coming confrontation will be driven by both personal loss and outrage at the massacre.

Chapter Summary: “Black Cloud City’s People Need Not Kneel Before Any Fiend!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Qiankun Dynasty’s envoys terrorize Black Cloud City, abducting women, killing guards, and abusing the citizens while relying on the dynasty’s overwhelming reputation to avoid consequences.
• One envoy threatens an elderly woman and demands that she denounce Xiao Chen as trash. Despite her fear, she refuses, declaring that Xiao Chen’s kindness toward the city is too great for her to betray him.
• As the guard prepares to whip her, Xiao Chen arrives dramatically amid purple qi and sword light, severing the guard’s arm.
• Xiao Chen uses his spiritual power to lift the kneeling citizens, declaring that the people of Black Cloud City do not need to kneel before evil.
• When the injured envoy continues insulting the citizens, Xiao Chen kills him instantly. He then massacres nearly all the remaining Qiankun guards with sword qi, leaving only one terrified survivor.
• The surviving guard realizes that the Qiankun Dynasty’s name cannot protect them from Xiao Chen and fears the consequences of provoking him.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen is shown as a fiercely protective leader. He treats Black Cloud City as his responsibility, refuses to tolerate the abuse of its people, and openly challenges the Qiankun Dynasty despite its terrifying power.
• The old woman demonstrates extraordinary loyalty and courage. Though frightened, she refuses to insult Xiao Chen, showing that his past protection and kindness have earned genuine devotion.
• The Black Cloud City citizens shift from despair and fear to hope and defiance when Xiao Chen appears. Their cries of loyalty reveal that many now regard him as their true City Lord, even without official appointment.
• The Qiankun guards are exposed as arrogant bullies who exploit their status to terrorize weaker people. Their confidence collapses once they encounter someone stronger, revealing their dependence on the Qiankun Dynasty’s reputation rather than personal courage.

Significant Themes

• Protection and leadership: Xiao Chen proves that true authority comes from defending the people, not merely holding an official title.
• Loyalty repaid by loyalty: The old woman’s willingness to suffer for Xiao Chen reflects the bond created by his protection of the city.
• Resistance against tyranny: The citizens’ refusal to continue kneeling symbolizes their rejection of oppression once someone dares to stand against it.
• Power versus justice: The Qiankun Dynasty represents unchecked power and impunity, while Xiao Chen uses overwhelming strength to punish those who abuse the weak.
• Fear and hope: The chapter moves from widespread despair caused by the dynasty’s might to renewed courage after Xiao Chen’s intervention.

Character Interactions

• The Qiankun guard attempts to humiliate and intimidate the old woman, but her loyalty to Xiao Chen provokes his attack.
• Xiao Chen intervenes before the guard can strike, then respectfully thanks the old woman and reassures the citizens.
• The citizens publicly pledge to live and die alongside Xiao Chen, strengthening the emotional bond between him and Black Cloud City.
• Xiao Chen confronts the guards’ threats directly, rejecting the idea that their origin gives them the right to mistreat his people. His decisive killings establish him as the city’s protector and a direct enemy of the Qiankun Dynasty.

Chapter Summary: “A Chun’s Death”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen returns to Black Cloud City and uses his divine sense to search for Hei Meier, Qing Yumei, and Jin Xian’er, only to discover that Qin Chuan has taken them to Martial God City, headquarters of the Martial Hall.
• A surviving Qiankun Dynasty guard reveals that Martial Hall Master Nie Qingfeng deliberately informed Qin Chuan about the women in Black Cloud City, intending to use Qin Chuan and the Qiankun Dynasty to eliminate Xiao Chen.
• Enraged by the invasion and the slaughter of civilians, Xiao Chen executes the guard despite his pleas for mercy. Old Master and Second Master arrive afterward, having restrained themselves while Xiao Chen vented his killing intent.
• Xiao Chen learns that Xu Potian, Thunderstorm, and the Blade and Sword Brotherhood are in danger. He immediately rushes to their temporary stronghold.
• The stronghold has been devastated. Most of its young fighters have been killed after Qin Chuan and his allies destroyed the city’s defensive formation and attacked the Brotherhood.
• Xu Potian, Thunderstorm, A Chun, and more than twenty surviving members have been brutally tortured and chained. Qin Ying, Qin Chuan’s cousin, interrogates them about Xiao Chen’s whereabouts.
• Despite severe injuries and threats of horrific torture, none of the captives betray Xiao Chen. Xu Potian insists that Xiao Chen is his brother and that he would rather die than reveal his location.
• Qin Ying embraces a ruthless “the strong rule the weak” philosophy and decides to kill the captives one by one as punishment for their defiance.
• He selects A Chun and shoots him through the brow with a divine arrow, killing him instantly. Xu Potian erupts in grief and fury, vowing to kill their enemies.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: His affection for Black Cloud City and his allies is shown through his explosive rage at the invasion. His killing of the guard demonstrates his harsh sense of justice, while the deaths of the Brotherhood members intensify his determination to confront the Martial Hall and Qiankun Dynasty.
• Xu Potian: His loyalty to Xiao Chen becomes central. Although Qin Ying attempts to terrify and humiliate him, Xu Potian refuses to betray his sworn brother and is willing to sacrifice himself to protect the others.
• A Chun: He is established as a patriotic, idealistic young warrior who had previously searched for a cause worth serving. He finds that cause in Xiao Chen, whom he regards as a righteous hero, and accepts death rather than betray him.
• Qin Ying: He is revealed as sadistic, arrogant, and contemptuous of ordinary people. He treats torture and murder as entertainment and cannot understand genuine brotherhood or self-sacrifice.
• Qin Chuan and Nie Qingfeng: Qin Chuan is portrayed as the powerful aggressor behind the attack, while Nie Qingfeng emerges as the conspirator who engineered the conflict to target Xiao Chen.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and brotherhood: The captives’ refusal to betray Xiao Chen contrasts sharply with Qin Ying’s belief that all relationships are ultimately disposable.
• Oppression and resistance: The invading forces treat Great Xia’s citizens as insignificant, while the Blade and Sword Brotherhood resists despite overwhelming odds.
• Justice and vengeance: Xiao Chen’s execution of the surviving guard and his impending confrontation with the Martial Hall reflect the chapter’s escalating cycle of violence and retribution.
• Strength versus morality: Qin Ying claims that power determines who lives and dies, but the Brotherhood’s courage suggests that moral conviction can endure even when physical strength cannot.
• Sacrifice for a greater cause: A Chun’s death emphasizes the willingness of ordinary warriors to die for their country, comrades, and ideals.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen interrogates and executes the surviving Qiankun guard, while Old Master and Second Master support him from the background.
• Qin Ying repeatedly attempts to break Xu Potian and the other prisoners through intimidation and torture.
• Xu Potian openly defends his bond with Xiao Chen and challenges Qin Ying’s cynical worldview.
• A Chun and the other captives reinforce Xu Potian’s defiance, collectively refusing to reveal Xiao Chen’s whereabouts.
• Qin Ying kills A Chun in front of the others, provoking Xu Potian’s uncontrollable rage and setting the stage for Xiao Chen’s arrival and confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Ultimate Slaughter”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Chun, a young and righteous member of the Blade and Sword Brotherhood, is found dead, hanging from a beam after being killed by Qin Chuan’s forces. Several Brotherhood members and Black Cloud Guards have also been brutally maimed or killed.
• Xu Potian and the surviving youths grieve over A Chun, recalling his selflessness and his decision to protect villagers during the Sick Demon’s invasion.
• Qin Ying and the guards mock the grieving survivors, provoking Xiao Chen, who arrives too late to prevent the massacre.
• Xiao Chen is devastated and blames himself for not leaving one of his powerful protectors behind. He vows to kill everyone responsible.
• His grief and fury trigger an uncontrolled transformation into a demonic state. Terrifying images of corpses, blood, and an Asura appear behind him.
• Despite Qin Ying’s warnings that he belongs to the powerful Qin Family of the Qiankun Dynasty, Xiao Chen attacks. He instantly kills one guard and uses the Blood Rat Thousand Sword Sutra to severely mutilate Qin Ying.
• Xiao Chen then tortures the remaining guards with thousands of cuts before turning his attention back to Qin Ying. Rather than killing him immediately, he plans to cripple him and use him to reach Qin Chuan.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: His normally controlled and resilient personality collapses under overwhelming grief. His self-blame and rage push him into demonhood, revealing a terrifying willingness to abandon restraint and pursue revenge at any cost.
• Xu Potian: His grief turns into furious demands for vengeance. His emotional breakdown highlights the depth of his bond with A Chun and the Brotherhood.
• A Chun: Though dead, he is characterized as exceptionally righteous, humble, compassionate, and devoted to protecting ordinary villagers.
• Old Master and Second Master: They recognize the danger of Xiao Chen’s demonic transformation. Second Master wants to intervene, but Old Master allows Xiao Chen to release his rage, trusting Qiong Ancestor to prevent the situation from becoming fatal.
• Qin Ying: His initial arrogance and confidence in his family’s influence collapse into panic and terror when Xiao Chen ignores his threats.
• The guards: Their earlier cruelty and mockery give way to fear when they realize that Qin family status cannot protect them.

Significant Themes

• The injustice of a cruel world: The chapter repeatedly questions why virtuous people like A Chun suffer while villains prosper.
• Grief transforming into vengeance: Xiao Chen’s sorrow becomes a destructive force, blurring the line between justice and brutality.
• The cost of powerlessness and negligence: Xiao Chen’s belief that he arrived too late—and could have prevented the deaths—fuels his violent reaction.
• The danger of demonhood: His transformation represents both supernatural corruption and the psychological consequences of uncontrolled hatred.
• Arrogance versus consequences: Qin Ying’s reliance on family prestige proves useless against someone consumed by grief and rage.

Character Interactions

• Xu Potian and the Brotherhood mourn A Chun together, cursing the invaders and condemning their cruelty.
• Qin Ying and his guards deliberately ridicule the survivors, intensifying the emotional conflict.
• Xiao Chen apologizes to A Chun and the injured Brotherhood members before promising Xu Potian that none of the perpetrators will be spared.
• Old Master and Second Master debate whether to restrain Xiao Chen, with Old Master choosing to let him vent his fury.
• Qin Ying attempts to negotiate by invoking the Qin Family’s power and offering compensation, but Xiao Chen rejects any compromise and begins his revenge.
• The chapter ends with Qin Ying begging for death, while Xiao Chen declares that he will keep him alive long enough to find Qin Chuan.

Chapter Summary: “Have They Been Tamed?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen fulfills his promise to avenge the massacre in Black Cloud City. He cripples Qin Ying’s remaining limbs, leaving the Qiankun Dynasty noble alive but permanently ruined. Although Qin Ying is a King Realm cultivator with powerful vitality, even he cannot regenerate severed limbs without reaching the Emperor Realm.
• Xiao Chen comforts the survivors of the Blade and Sword Brotherhood and releases Xu Potian and the other captives. He gathers A Chun’s corpse and expresses regret over the deaths and injuries suffered by the brotherhood.
• The wounded brothers reassure Xiao Chen that they do not blame him. They identify the Qiankun Dynasty’s men—especially Qin Chuan—as the true perpetrators and express gratitude for Xiao Chen’s intervention.
• Determined to finish the retaliation, Xiao Chen takes the barely surviving Qin Ying and leaves with Old Master to find Qin Chuan. He orders the injured members of the brotherhood to remain behind and recover rather than risk further deaths.
• The citizens of Black Cloud City praise Xiao Chen for defending them. He publicly promises to kill Qin Chuan and cleanse the Martial Hall of those responsible for the massacre. The citizens kneel in gratitude and acclaim him as their protector.
• At the Martial Hall, Qin Chuan is drinking wine and watching dancers, but he remains dissatisfied. He dismisses them as inferior and asks Nie Qingfeng whether the three divine maidens from Black Cloud City have been “tamed.”
• Nie Qingfeng explains that the women have resisted all attempts to persuade or tempt them. Qin Chuan believes Xiao Chen is the only obstacle and reveals that his cousin has already gone to Black Cloud City to kill him.
• The chapter ends when an urgent messenger arrives at the Martial Hall with news of a disaster, implying that Qin Chuan’s assumptions about Xiao Chen have already been overturned.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen becomes more forceful and uncompromising after witnessing Black Cloud City’s suffering. His grief and rage drive him to pursue not only Qin Ying but the higher-ranking Qin Chuan and the entire Martial Hall.
• Qin Ying experiences a complete reversal of fortune. Once someone who enjoyed ordering executions, he is now helpless, mutilated, and at the mercy of another. His power and status cannot save him from permanent physical ruin.
• Xu Potian displays profound grief over A Chun and the fallen brothers but remains loyal to Xiao Chen, recognizing that the Qiankun Dynasty is responsible for the tragedy.
• The Blade and Sword Brotherhood demonstrate strong unity and trust. Despite their injuries, they refuse to resent Xiao Chen and continue to support him.
• The citizens of Black Cloud City shift from helpless fear to collective hope and devotion, viewing Xiao Chen as a genuine lord who protects ordinary people rather than treating them as expendable.
• Qin Chuan is shown as arrogant, entitled, and morally corrupt. He treats women as possessions, looks down on people from Great Xia, and completely underestimates Xiao Chen.
• Nie Qingfeng appears subservient to Qin Chuan despite privately resenting his arrogance. His willingness to help Qin Chuan obtain the three divine maidens reveals his moral weakness and complicity.

Significant Themes

• Justice and revenge: Xiao Chen’s retaliation answers the massacre and restores a sense of justice to Black Cloud City, though his vengeance is severe and uncompromising.
• Reversal of power: Qin Ying, once the wielder of life and death, becomes the victim of the same kind of cruelty he inflicted on others.
• Loyalty and brotherhood: The injured survivors stand by Xiao Chen, emphasizing that shared sacrifice and trust are stronger than blame.
• Protection of the powerless: Xiao Chen’s willingness to oppose the Qiankun Dynasty and Martial Hall establishes his role as a leader who values common citizens.
• Arrogance and underestimation: Qin Chuan’s confidence in his status blinds him to Xiao Chen’s strength, setting up an impending confrontation.
• Objectification and resistance: Qin Chuan’s language about “taming” the three divine maidens highlights his possessiveness and abuse of power, while their refusal to submit represents resistance to coercion.

Important Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen confronts and mutilates Qin Ying, turning the former executioner into a powerless victim.
• Xiao Chen and Xu Potian share an emotional farewell over A Chun and the fallen brothers; Xu Potian reassures him that the tragedy is not his fault.
• Xiao Chen instructs the wounded brotherhood to stay behind, showing both authority and concern for their survival.
• Xiao Chen addresses the citizens directly, promising further justice and earning their devotion.
• Qin Chuan pressures Nie Qingfeng about the three women, while Nie Qingfeng reluctantly explains the delay.
• Qin Chuan reveals his plan to have his cousin kill Xiao Chen, unaware that Xiao Chen is already coming for him.

Chapter Summary: “Kill to the Martial Hall”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Martial Hall guard reports to Hall Master Nie Qingfeng that Xiao Chen has returned to Black Cloud City.
• The guard reveals that Xiao Chen has slaughtered all the prominent members of the Qiankun Dynasty stationed in the city, including Qin Chuan’s cousin, Qin Ying.
• Enraged and frightened for his own safety, Qin Chuan kills the guard who failed to warn him that Xiao Chen could defeat King Realm experts.
• Nie Qingfeng explains away his omission by claiming he underestimated Xiao Chen’s strength, though the chapter reveals that this was deliberate.
• Nie Qingfeng had schemed to use the Qiankun Dynasty’s forces against Xiao Chen, hoping Qin Ying would kill him. His true goal was to eliminate Xiao Chen indirectly and avenge the Martial Hall’s Deputy Hall Master, Huang Wuming, whom Xiao Chen had killed.
• Xiao Chen unexpectedly attacks the Martial Hall directly instead of retreating or submitting. In a half-demonic state, he destroys hundreds of Martial Hall guards on his way to the main hall.
• Surrounded by several hundred General Realm guards, Xiao Chen kills them merely by looking at them, causing their hearts to explode.
• A powerful old King Realm Martial Hall expert attacks Xiao Chen with fire-based techniques, but Xiao Chen destroys him instantly with a Demon Finger.
• Nie Qingfeng and Qin Chuan arrive in time to witness the old expert’s death. Qin Chuan realizes with shock that Xiao Chen has broken through from the Ninth Heaven of the Grandmaster Realm to the King Realm.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: His anger and demonic transformation have made him extremely ruthless. He demonstrates overwhelming power, effortlessly killing General Realm cultivators and defeating a powerful King Realm expert. His direct assault shows that he is no longer willing to tolerate the Martial Hall’s schemes or intimidation.
• Nie Qingfeng: Revealed as calculating and manipulative. He deliberately concealed Xiao Chen’s true abilities and arranged for the Qiankun Dynasty’s forces to clash with him. His plan was motivated by revenge for Huang Wuming and the Martial Hall’s existing conflict with Xiao Chen’s sect.
• Qin Chuan: His arrogance collapses once he learns that Xiao Chen killed his cousin and possesses the strength to defeat Kings. He becomes furious at Nie Qingfeng for withholding information but remains unable to challenge Xiao Chen confidently.
• Qin Ying: Though already killed before the chapter begins, his defeat serves as proof of Xiao Chen’s terrifying combat ability and causes Qin Chuan to panic.
• Martial Hall guards and elder: They are portrayed as powerful by ordinary standards but helpless against Xiao Chen, emphasizing the enormous gap between their strength and his.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and borrowed conflict: Nie Qingfeng attempts to use the Qiankun Dynasty as a weapon against Xiao Chen rather than confronting him directly.
• Arrogance and miscalculation: Qin Chuan’s belief that Xiao Chen is merely a provincial nobody leads to the destruction of his forces.
• Power escalation: Xiao Chen’s rapid advancement to the King Realm dramatically changes the balance of power.
• Revenge and institutional pride: The Martial Hall’s desire to avenge Huang Wuming is tied not only to personal hatred but also to protecting its reputation and authority.
• Fear versus defiance: While the Martial Hall and Qin Chuan rely on status and intimidation, Xiao Chen responds with open violence and refuses to submit.

Important Character Interactions

• The guard’s report exposes the disaster in Black Cloud City and triggers Qin Chuan’s rage.
• Qin Chuan confronts Nie Qingfeng, accusing him of hiding Xiao Chen’s strength; Nie Qingfeng offers a defensive explanation while concealing his true motives.
• Xiao Chen’s arrival interrupts their discussion and turns the confrontation into a direct assault on the Martial Hall.
• Xiao Chen silently intimidates the surrounding guards before killing them, then defeats the Martial Hall’s elder in front of Nie Qingfeng and Qin Chuan.
• The chapter ends with Qin Chuan recognizing that Xiao Chen is now a King Realm cultivator, leaving the Martial Hall’s planned ambush in ruins.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen’s rapid cultivation breakthrough is revealed: in only half a month, he advanced from the ninth level of the Grandmaster Realm to the King Realm.
• Despite being newly advanced, Xiao Chen effortlessly killed a fourth-level Moon Realm King in one strike, shocking Nie Qingfeng and the Martial Hall elders. His true combat strength is estimated to have reached the Moon King Realm.
• Qin Chuan demands the return of his cousin, Qin Ying, threatening to exterminate Xiao Chen’s clan if Qin Ying has been harmed.
• Old Master reveals Qin Ying, horribly mutilated and near death. At Xiao Chen’s command, Qin Ying is thrown back to Qin Chuan.
• Qin Ying begs to be killed, believing his ruined body and lost limbs have left him no future. Qin Chuan instead promises to find healers and save him.
• Xiao Chen condemns Qin Chuan for invading Black Cloud City, slaughtering its citizens and the Blade and Sword Brotherhood, and abducting his people. He declares that Qin Chuan and Qin Ying will pay for their crimes.
• Qin Chuan openly expresses the class prejudice of the Qiankun Dynasty, claiming that “highborn” people may kill those from Great Xia, while the reverse is an unforgivable crime. He orders Xiao Chen to be captured, tortured, and prevented from reincarnating.
• Qin Chuan summons his terrifying protector, a silver-haired ancient demon revealed by Xiao Chen’s Cosmos God Eyes to be a Triangular Silver-Eyed Demon Sheep.
• The demon attempts to crush Xiao Chen with its overwhelming demonic pressure and demands that he kneel. Xiao Chen remains completely unaffected.
• The demon realizes that Old Master, who appears ordinary and gives off no discernible aura, is secretly shielding Xiao Chen. It warns Old Master not to oppose the Qiankun Dynasty and “lead himself astray.”

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: Demonstrates extraordinary cultivation speed and combat strength. He also shows a fierce sense of justice and loyalty toward the people of Black Cloud City and his companions. Though calm, he is filled with righteous anger at Qin Chuan’s hypocrisy and aristocratic contempt.
• Old Master: Reveals himself as an extraordinarily powerful protector. His presence is subtle enough to conceal his cultivation, yet he effortlessly neutralizes the demon’s pressure and keeps Xiao Chen safe.
• Qin Chuan: His arrogance and class prejudice become explicit. He is deeply distressed by Qin Ying’s condition, but his grief is overshadowed by outrage that someone he considers “lowborn” dared to injure a member of the Qiankun Dynasty’s elite.
• Qin Ying: Reduced to a broken, dying state, he recognizes that his life has been permanently ruined and begs Qin Chuan to end his suffering.
• Nie Qingfeng and the Martial Hall elders: Are stunned by Xiao Chen’s power but also expose their moral cowardice by having previously ignored the demon’s killings of ordinary citizens and children.

Significant Themes

• Class oppression and aristocratic superiority: Qin Chuan embodies the Qiankun Dynasty’s belief that its people are inherently superior to those of Great Xia.
• Hypocrisy and unequal justice: Qin Chuan treats the deaths of his own people as intolerable while dismissing the slaughter committed against Black Cloud City and Xiao Chen’s allies.
• Power versus status: Xiao Chen’s lowly origins mean little in the face of his overwhelming strength, challenging the Qiankun Dynasty’s assumptions about hierarchy.
• Hidden strength: Old Master’s quiet, unassuming appearance conceals power capable of countering an ancient demon.
• Moral indifference: The Martial Hall’s willingness to ignore the demon’s murder of children reveals the corruption and self-interest of supposedly protective authorities.
• Retribution: Xiao Chen’s actions are framed as retaliation and defense rather than senseless cruelty, emphasizing that Qin Chuan’s violence has consequences.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and Qin Chuan: Their confrontation is driven by mutual hatred. Qin Chuan sees Xiao Chen as an insolent lowborn criminal, while Xiao Chen condemns Qin Chuan as a hypocrite responsible for widespread bloodshed.
• Qin Chuan and Qin Ying: Qin Chuan shows genuine emotional attachment to his cousin, comforting him and promising to save him, though his grief fuels his desire for revenge.
• Xiao Chen and Old Master: Xiao Chen commands Old Master confidently, showing their close alliance and trust. Old Master immediately obeys and protects him without needing to reveal his strength.
• Xiao Chen and the demon: The demon attempts to dominate Xiao Chen through fear and pressure, but Xiao Chen’s composure causes it to realize that a greater power stands behind him.
• The demon and Old Master: Their exchange shifts the balance of the confrontation. The demon initially threatens Xiao Chen but ultimately addresses Old Master cautiously after recognizing his hidden influence.

Chapter Summary: “Why Didn’t You Save Him?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Chuan and Nie Qingfeng are shocked when Old Master reveals overwhelming power against the silver-haired Triangular Silver-Eyed Demon Sheep.
• Old Master is revealed to be a Redhorn Dragon Toad and a Pinnacle Emperor Realm expert—far stronger than the Sheep, who is only a Seventh-Heaven Emperor.
• Old Master condemns the Sheep for devouring humans, especially children, and criticizes the Martial Hall for protecting such a monstrous criminal.
• The Sheep defends its actions, claiming that demons eating humans is natural and that killing only a few dozen people in a city of millions is insignificant.
• Old Master rejects this justification, emphasizing that morality depends on good and evil rather than species. He then crushes the Sheep beneath a giant blood-colored palm.
• Before the Sheep dies, Xiao Chen uses the Dragon Slaying Fortune Seizing Sutra to drain its remaining fortune. Because of the difference in cultivation realms, he obtains only one percent, but the gain is still substantial.
• The onlookers recognize Xiao Chen’s technique as a secret art associated with the Dragon Slayer Hall and become suspicious of how he learned it.
• Xiao Chen orders Old Master to kill the remaining enemies. Old Master prepares to attack, while Qin Chuan angrily questions why Nie Qingfeng did not intervene to save the Sheep.
• Nie Qingfeng responds that the Sheep was too dangerous to fight and that avoiding conflict was the wiser choice.

Character Developments

• Old Master: His true strength and identity become clearer. He is a supreme Redhorn Dragon Toad capable of effortlessly defeating a Sun Emperor. Despite being a demon himself, he possesses a firm moral boundary and hates the Sheep’s indiscriminate slaughter.
• Xiao Chen: Shows growing ruthlessness toward those who harm innocents and demonstrates mastery of the Dragon Slaying Fortune Seizing Sutra. His mysterious background and connection to powerful figures become even more apparent.
• Triangular Silver-Eyed Demon Sheep: Its callous worldview is exposed. It sees human lives—including children—as food and cannot understand why its actions are considered evil. Its arrogance collapses into terror once Old Master reveals his superior cultivation.
• Nie Qingfeng: Remains cautious and politically restrained. Though also a Pinnacle Emperor Realm expert, he chooses not to risk a confrontation with Old Master, prioritizing survival and stability.
• Qin Chuan: Becomes increasingly alarmed by Xiao Chen’s hidden support and furious over the loss of his strongest protector.

Significant Themes

• Good and evil transcend species: Old Master argues that being a demon does not automatically make someone evil, just as being human does not guarantee virtue.
• The abuse of authority: The Martial Hall’s failure to stop the Sheep’s atrocities reveals corruption and complicity within an institution supposedly regarded as sacred.
• Hidden strength and underestimated powers: Xiao Chen’s seemingly weak position is challenged by the revelation that he is protected by a Pinnacle Emperor Realm expert.
• Moral limits and personal responsibility: Old Master admits to having eaten people but distinguishes his actions from the Sheep’s indiscriminate murder of innocents.
• Power and fortune: Xiao Chen’s fortune-seizing technique reinforces the chapter’s cultivation-world emphasis on absorbing an enemy’s strength, resources, and destiny.

Important Character Interactions

• Old Master and the Sheep: Their confrontation is both physical and ideological. Old Master condemns the Sheep’s cruelty, while the Sheep tries to justify cannibalism as natural behavior.
• Old Master and Xiao Chen: Their cooperation demonstrates trust. Old Master defeats the Sheep and deliberately leaves it weakened so Xiao Chen can harvest its fortune.
• Xiao Chen and the Martial Hall: Xiao Chen’s demand that Old Master eliminate the remaining “dog thieves” shows his open hostility toward the Martial Hall and those who enabled the Sheep.
• Qin Chuan and Nie Qingfeng: Qin Chuan accuses Nie Qingfeng of failing to protect the Sheep. Nie Qingfeng defends his decision as a practical response to Old Master’s overwhelming strength.

Chapter Summary: In the Dead of Night, Have You Ever Felt Guilty?

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the Triangular Silver-Eyed Demon Sheep’s death, Qin Chuan pressures Nie Qingfeng to avenge him. Nie refuses to act without compensation, revealing that he values his own cultivation prospects more than Qin Chuan’s life.
• Nie explains that he has been trapped at the Pinnacle Emperor Realm for a thousand years and fears damaging his foundation by fighting. His real motivation for favoring Qin Chuan is the hope of obtaining a pill that could help him break through.
• Qin Chuan offers Nie an Emperor-Ascension Pill in exchange for killing Xiao Chen and Old Master. Nie demands a Heavenly Dao Oath to ensure Qin Chuan keeps his promise, and Qin Chuan reluctantly complies.
• Nie Qingfeng finally reveals his terrifying strength. His aura places him near the Supreme Martial Emperor Realm, stunning Qin Chuan, Xiao Chen, the Martial Hall elders, and the citizens of Martial God City.
• Nie challenges Old Master to become his demon slave and threatens Xiao Chen, blaming him for the destruction of Vice Hall Master Huang Wuming’s soul tablet.
• Xiao Chen refuses to submit, while Old Master mocks Nie’s arrogance. Nie summons a gigantic divine staff phantom and forces the citizens to kneel before him, presenting their fear and obedience as proof of his superiority.
• Old Master publicly accuses Nie and the Martial Hall of allowing the Goat Demon to slaughter children. His words awaken doubt among the citizens, several of whom realize that missing children may have been victims of the demon rather than accidents.

Character Developments

• Nie Qingfeng: Revealed as calculating, self-interested, and deeply ambitious. Although he presents himself as a powerful protector, he refuses to risk himself unless rewarded. His desire to break through to the Emperor Realm drives his alliance with Qin Chuan. His arrogance becomes increasingly evident as he demands worship and slavery.
• Qin Chuan: Becomes desperate and fearful after losing his guardian. He is forced to bargain with Nie and surrender an extremely valuable pill. His resentment grows when he realizes Nie had the strength to intervene earlier but deliberately withheld it to extract a better offer.
• Xiao Chen: Remains defiant despite recognizing Nie’s overwhelming power. He refuses to be intimidated by Nie’s status or threats and accepts the challenge without surrendering.
• Old Master: Shows courage and moral authority. Rather than being cowed by Nie’s near-Supreme power, he denounces his hypocrisy and exposes the Martial Hall’s possible crimes before the entire city.
• Martial God City’s citizens: Initially revere Nie as a divine protector, but Old Master’s accusation causes them to question the Martial Hall’s official explanations and recognize their own suffering.

Significant Themes

• Power versus morality: Nie possesses immense strength but uses it to dominate and humiliate others rather than protect the innocent.
• Corruption behind authority: The Martial Hall’s respected public image is challenged by allegations that it tolerated or concealed the Goat Demon’s murders.
• Self-interest and manipulation: Nie and Qin Chuan cooperate only because each wants something from the other, revealing the transactional nature of their alliance.
• False worship and coercion: The citizens’ kneeling is not genuine devotion but the result of fear and overwhelming power.
• Courage against oppression: Xiao Chen and Old Master refuse to submit despite facing an apparently invincible enemy.
• Guilt and accountability: Old Master forces Nie—and the citizens—to confront whether a protector who permits atrocities can still claim moral authority.

Character Interactions

• Qin Chuan and Nie Qingfeng: Their relationship shifts from mutual flattery to tense bargaining. Qin Chuan needs Nie’s protection, while Nie exploits his desperation to demand a divine pill and a formal oath.
• Nie Qingfeng and Old Master: Nie treats Old Master as an inferior demon who should become his slave. Old Master rejects this hierarchy and attacks Nie’s character rather than merely challenging his strength.
• Nie Qingfeng and Xiao Chen: Nie accuses Xiao Chen of opposing the Martial Hall and threatens to make him suffer. Xiao Chen responds with calm defiance.
• Old Master and the citizens: Old Master’s public accusation breaks the citizens’ unquestioning faith in the Martial Hall, turning his words into a moral challenge to the city’s entire belief system.
• Qin Chuan and Nie’s power: Qin Chuan’s anger reveals that he understands Nie’s earlier refusal was deliberate manipulation, not genuine helplessness.

Chapter Summary:

Zhang Qitian’s Astonishment

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Master exposes the Martial Hall’s suspicious handling of the recent disappearances of children in Martial God City. Although the Hall initially promised answers within three days, it later offered evasive explanations, causing public distrust.
• Using a powerful Divine Ability, Old Master broadcasts his accusation throughout the city despite Nie Qingfeng’s attempt to suppress his aura.
• Nie Qingfeng and the Martial Hall elders realize that Old Master is far stronger than expected. Old Master casually destroys Nie Qingfeng’s lightning technique with one finger, shattering his divine power and sending him crashing to the ground.
• Nie Qingfeng identifies Old Master as a Half-Emperor, a realm far beyond the Martial Hall’s expectations.
• The Martial Hall is thrown into panic. Its members had believed Xiao Chen’s strongest protector was only at the Peak Emperor Realm, but Old Master’s true strength proves their intelligence completely wrong.
• Qin Chuan, realizing that neither he nor the Martial Hall can resist Old Master, contacts Patriarch Qin Zhantian for assistance. Qin Zhantian replies that he will arrive soon, restoring Qin Chuan’s confidence.
• Old Master subdues Nie Qingfeng and asks Xiao Chen how he should deal with him. The Martial Hall’s survival is placed in Xiao Chen’s hands.
• Zhang Qitian reflects on how he had recognized Xiao Chen’s extraordinary potential in the past, while Huang Wuming ignored his warnings and repeatedly moved against Xiao Chen.
• Xiao Chen ultimately gives a brief and decisive order: “Wipe them out!”

Character Developments

• Old Master: Reveals overwhelming strength by resisting Nie Qingfeng’s suppression and defeating him with a single finger. His arrogance and absolute confidence emphasize his status as a Half-Emperor.
• Nie Qingfeng: Falls from an apparently dominant position to complete defeat, exposing the vast gap between himself and Old Master.
• Xiao Chen: Demonstrates that he now possesses the authority and power to determine the fate of the Martial Hall. His cold order shows his decisiveness and willingness to destroy those who have repeatedly opposed him.
• Qin Chuan: Becomes increasingly frightened and humiliated after realizing that his actions have provoked a force far beyond his control. He reluctantly seeks help from Qin Zhantian.
• Zhang Qitian: Is vindicated in his earlier judgment that Xiao Chen possessed extraordinary destiny. He regrets being unable to prevent the Martial Hall from antagonizing Xiao Chen.
• Huang Wuming: Though absent, his past decisions are condemned through Zhang Qitian’s reflections. His refusal to trust Xiao Chen and his secret attempts to suppress him helped create the Martial Hall’s present crisis.

Significant Themes

• The danger of misjudging an opponent: The Martial Hall severely underestimated Xiao Chen’s backing, leading it into an irreversible disaster.
• The collapse of authority: The Martial Hall’s reputation begins to fracture as citizens question its failure to investigate the missing children.
• Consequences of arrogance and prejudice: Huang Wuming and Qin Chuan’s contempt for Xiao Chen causes them to provoke a force they cannot defeat.
• Power and hidden strength: Old Master’s true cultivation changes the balance of power instantly, demonstrating that appearances and intelligence reports can be dangerously misleading.
• Fate and recognition: Zhang Qitian’s belief that Xiao Chen was destined for greatness contrasts with those who labeled him a Heaven-Jealous One and tried to destroy him.

Character Interactions

• Old Master and Nie Qingfeng: Nie Qingfeng attempts to suppress Old Master, but Old Master effortlessly breaks through his power and defeats him.
• Old Master and the public: Old Master broadcasts the truth about the missing children, challenging the Martial Hall’s legitimacy and influencing public opinion.
• Qin Chuan and the Martial Hall elders: Qin Chuan demands that they reveal a hidden trump card, but the elders resent his blame-shifting and insist that no ordinary force can oppose a Half-Emperor.
• Qin Chuan and Qin Zhantian: Qin Chuan secretly requests aid, and Qin Zhantian promises to arrive shortly.
• Zhang Qitian and Xiao Chen: Zhang Qitian recalls their earlier meeting and recognizes that Xiao Chen has surpassed all expectations.
• Xiao Chen and the Martial Hall: After being given control over Nie Qingfeng’s fate, Xiao Chen orders the complete destruction of the Martial Hall and its forces.

Chapter Summary: “Where Is Mei’er?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen declares that Martial Hall must be exterminated, driven by its repeated attempts to kill him, attacks on his sect, responsibility for Dong Wenjian’s death, and its latest scheme to hand him over to the Qiankun Dynasty.
• Several Martial Hall elders condemn Xiao Chen for prioritizing revenge during the coming Myriad Dynasty War. They hypocritically defend Martial Hall’s actions, including its cooperation with the Qiankun Dynasty and the suffering inflicted on Black Cloud City.
• Old Master, Xiao Chen’s Half-Emperor-level protector, instantly kills the outspoken elders. He annihilates them with simple gestures, demonstrating the overwhelming power gap between a Half-Emperor and Star Emperors.
• Old Master explains that Martial Hall’s long history of exploiting and abandoning commoners makes its members deserving of death. He continues killing elders, including those who beg for mercy and those who try to appear defiant.
• Xiao Chen’s Dragon Slaying Fortune Seizing Sutra enters a temporary cooldown after he absorbs the fortune of a Sun Emperor whom someone else had seriously wounded before Xiao Chen delivered the final blow. The technique’s limitations are governed by karma.
• Xiao Chen then turns his attention to Qin Chuan, who is trapped in a demonic prison. Qin threatens him with retaliation from the Qin Family and the Qiankun Dynasty, but Xiao Chen refuses to be intimidated.
• Xiao Chen demands to know where Mei’er and Yu Mei have been imprisoned. Qin Chuan taunts him, claiming that he has already abused the women and that they are being held in a Martial Hall residence.
• Enraged by Qin Chuan’s provocation, Xiao Chen attacks him with his sword, ending the chapter with Qin Chuan badly mutilated.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen becomes fully committed to revenge against Martial Hall. His sense of justice is severe and personal: those who harm his people must pay with their lives, regardless of political consequences or their affiliations.
• Old Master is portrayed as utterly ruthless and fiercely loyal to Xiao Chen. He shows no respect for Martial Hall’s status, killing powerful elders effortlessly and exposing their supposed courage as meaningless before absolute strength.
• Martial Hall’s elders reveal their hypocrisy and arrogance. They believe Martial Hall is entitled to oppress others, yet regard resistance against it as unacceptable. Their reactions to death range from begging to calculated defiance.
• Qin Chuan shifts from arrogant confidence to panic and desperation. Even while being tortured, he continues provoking Xiao Chen by invoking his family’s power and making vile claims about Mei’er and Yu Mei.
• Mei’er and Yu Mei do not appear directly, but their imprisonment and possible mistreatment become the emotional trigger for Xiao Chen’s most intense rage.

Significant Themes

• Retribution and karma: Xiao Chen believes evil must be repaid precisely, while the Dragon Slaying Fortune Seizing Sutra physically reflects karmic laws through its cooldown.
• Hypocrisy of power: Martial Hall claims to serve the greater good while exploiting commoners and protecting only the wealthy and influential.
• Absolute strength versus status: Titles, clans, and political alliances mean nothing against overwhelming power. Old Master’s executions and Xiao Chen’s treatment of Qin Chuan reinforce this idea.
• Loyalty and protection: Xiao Chen’s violence is motivated not only by personal hatred but by his determination to protect his sect and the women close to him.
• Fear beneath bravado: The elders’ posturing and Qin Chuan’s threats collapse when confronted with forces they cannot control.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen confronts Martial Hall collectively, while its elders argue that unity against foreign enemies should take precedence over revenge.
• Old Master acts as Xiao Chen’s enforcer, silencing and killing elders who insult or challenge his master.
• Xiao Chen and Qin Chuan engage in a confrontation centered on threats, political power, and the whereabouts of Mei’er and Yu Mei. Qin attempts to provoke and intimidate him, but Xiao Chen responds with torture and violence rather than negotiation.
• The chapter ends with Xiao Chen’s anger escalating after Qin Chuan’s taunt, signaling that the search for Mei’er and Yu Mei will drive the next stage of the conflict.

Chapter Summary: “The Bigger Picture First? What About My Dead Brothers?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Chen learns that Qin Chuan claimed to have “used” Hei Meier, Qing Yumei, and Jin Xian’er, implying they had been violated. Enraged, Xiao Chen immediately attacks him with 138 blood swords.
• Just as Qin Chuan is about to die, Xia Emperor Ye Haoran and Fortune Hall Master Wang Fusheng arrive and deflect the attack. Wang Fusheng heals Qin Chuan and frees him from Xiao Chen’s demonic prison.
• Qin Chuan, despite being rescued, arrogantly orders Ye Haoran and Wang Fusheng to capture and execute Xiao Chen, relying on his status as an envoy of the powerful Qiankun Dynasty.
• An elder explains that Qin Chuan abducted Xiao Chen’s women, killed members of Black Cloud City and the Blade and Sword Brotherhood, and received assistance from Martial Hall Master Nie Qingfeng.
• Ye Haoran and Wang Fusheng are secretly furious at Qin Chuan’s actions, but they hesitate because Great Xia is far weaker than the Qiankun Dynasty, which oversees the regional Myriad Dynasty War trials.
• Ye Haoran urges Xiao Chen to prioritize “the bigger picture,” but Xiao Chen rejects this compromise, insisting that the deaths of A Chun, the Black Cloud Guards, and his brothers cannot be ignored.
• At Xiao Chen’s command, Old Master kills Nie Qingfeng before the Xia Emperor and Wang Fusheng, crushing him beneath his divine toad power.
• Old Master then prepares to kill Qin Chuan and the Martial Hall elders. Wang Fusheng intervenes, creating a barrier of golden cicadas, but Old Master’s overwhelming demonic strength quickly suppresses him.
• The chapter ends with Qin Chuan panicking and insulting Wang Fusheng for failing to stop Old Master.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen abandons restraint completely. His grief and fury over the deaths of his comrades outweigh political consequences, showing that he will no longer submit to authority or sacrifice justice for Great Xia’s interests.
• Old Master demonstrates terrifying power, effortlessly killing Nie Qingfeng and overpowering Wang Fusheng despite both being Half-Emperor-level experts. His loyalty to Xiao Chen is absolute.
• Qin Chuan is revealed as arrogant, cruel, and cowardly. Even after being saved, he shows no gratitude and continues to treat Great Xia’s leaders as servants. His injuries leave him permanently disfigured, intensifying his hatred of Xiao Chen.
• Ye Haoran is torn between his anger at Qin Chuan and fear of the Qiankun Dynasty. His appeal to consider the “bigger picture” reflects political helplessness rather than sympathy for Qin Chuan.
• Wang Fusheng initially acts as a mediator and rescuer, but his intervention places him in direct conflict with Old Master. He is shocked to discover that Old Master is far stronger than expected.
• Nie Qingfeng is exposed as a corrupt enabler who protected Qin Chuan and helped him harm others. His death marks the collapse of Martial Hall’s authority.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus political pragmatism: Ye Haoran argues that Great Xia must consider its weakness and the Qiankun Dynasty’s power, while Xiao Chen insists that political concerns cannot excuse murder and abuse.
• Loyalty and revenge: Xiao Chen’s determination is driven by loyalty to his dead brothers and comrades. Their deaths become a moral debt that he refuses to let powerful outsiders erase.
• The abuse of power: Qin Chuan uses his foreign status to commit atrocities and demand obedience, while Nie Qingfeng abuses his position to protect him.
• Changing identity and strength: Ye Haoran can no longer see Xiao Chen as the insecure, broken youth he once knew. Xiao Chen has become an unyielding and formidable figure capable of challenging Great Xia’s highest authorities.
• Power hierarchy: The conflict emphasizes that even among Half-Emperors, strength varies greatly. Old Master’s ancient bloodline and demonic abilities place him far above ordinary experts.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and Qin Chuan: Their confrontation is fueled by Qin Chuan’s provocation and crimes against Xiao Chen’s companions. Xiao Chen responds with immediate lethal force.
• Qin Chuan and Ye Haoran/Wang Fusheng: Qin Chuan treats both leaders with contempt, ordering them around even after they save his life.
• Ye Haoran and Xiao Chen: Ye Haoran appeals to their past relationship and asks Xiao Chen to remain calm, but Xiao Chen ignores him, revealing the depth of his transformation.
• Xiao Chen and Old Master: Xiao Chen gives the order to kill, and Old Master obeys without hesitation, displaying their complete trust and unity.
• Old Master and Wang Fusheng: Their clash demonstrates Old Master’s superior strength as Wang’s defensive techniques are rapidly overwhelmed.
• Qin Chuan and the Martial Hall elders: Qin Chuan expects them to protect him, but his panic and insults show that he views even his supposed allies as disposable tools.

Chapter Summary: “I Shall Bear It All on My Shoulders!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Fusheng, a Half-Emperor, confronts the Redhorn Dragon Toad (“Old Master”), but is quickly overwhelmed.
• Ye Haoran joins the battle, using the Azure Sky Dragon Emperor Art to summon a massive azure dragon. Despite combining their strength, he and Wang Fusheng are effortlessly defeated.
• Old Master’s terrifying bloodline power proves overwhelming, convincing the Martial Hall elders and the citizens of Martial God City that he is nearly—or possibly already—at the Great Emperor level.
• At Xiao Chen’s command, Old Master annihilates Qin Chuan and the Martial Hall elders. Qin Chuan dies in a cloud of blood while arrogantly insisting that the powerful Qin Family will protect him.
• Ye Haoran and Wang Fusheng warn Xiao Chen that Qin Chuan’s death will bring disaster upon Great Xia. The Qin Family may manipulate the Myriad Dynasty War selections, forcing Great Xia to rank last and surrender half its territory.
• Xiao Chen acknowledges the consequences but refuses to regret his decision, insisting that his murdered brothers must be avenged.
• Qin Zhantian, Qin Chuan’s ancestor and a true Great Emperor, suddenly arrives amid thunder and overwhelming imperial might. He sees Qin Chuan’s remains and prepares to confront Xiao Chen and his allies.

Character Developments

• Old Master/Redhorn Dragon Toad: Reveals astonishing strength, defeating a Half-Emperor and a near-Half-Emperor simultaneously with ease. His power establishes him as a terrifying, possibly Great Emperor-level existence.
• Xiao Chen: Demonstrates unwavering resolve and a willingness to accept responsibility for his choices. Though he understands that killing Qin Chuan may endanger Great Xia, he prioritizes justice and vengeance for his fallen brothers.
• Ye Haoran: Initially attempts to stop Xiao Chen for the sake of Great Xia’s stability and survival. However, Xiao Chen’s argument about the murdered innocents leaves him speechless, forcing him to recognize the moral weight of the decision.
• Wang Fusheng: Becomes visibly distressed after Qin Chuan’s death, focusing on the political and military consequences for Great Xia. His usually composed demeanor gives way to anger and fear.
• Qin Chuan: Dies arrogantly and without understanding how Xiao Chen, whom he considers insignificant, could dare kill him. His death exposes his reliance on family power and status.
• Qin Zhantian: Arrives furious over his grandson’s death. His appearance introduces an immediate and far more dangerous threat, as even Old Master and the others are forced to their knees by his Emperor’s might.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus political pragmatism: Xiao Chen chooses personal justice and vengeance over the safer course of preserving Great Xia’s political position.
• Responsibility and sacrifice: Xiao Chen declares that he will bear whatever consequences follow, accepting the possibility that his decision may cost the nation territory and lives.
• The consequences of power and status: Qin Chuan believes his family’s influence makes him untouchable, but Xiao Chen rejects the idea that lineage should shield murderers from punishment.
• Revenge and the weight of the dead: The memory of Xiao Chen’s slain brothers drives his actions and prevents him from accepting compromise.
• Escalating power and danger: Old Master’s overwhelming strength shifts the balance of the conflict, only for Qin Zhantian’s arrival to reveal an even greater threat.

Character Interactions

• Old Master versus Wang Fusheng and Ye Haoran: The two powerful experts combine their attacks, but Old Master crushes them both, demonstrating the vast gap between their abilities.
• Qin Chuan versus Xiao Chen: Qin Chuan mocks Xiao Chen and trusts in the Qin Family’s influence, but Xiao Chen allows Old Master to execute him despite the political consequences.
• Ye Haoran and Xiao Chen: Ye Haoran urges Xiao Chen to consider the greater good, while Xiao Chen counters that the spirits of his murdered brothers deserve justice. Ye Haoran is unable to refute him.
• Wang Fusheng and Xiao Chen: Wang Fusheng angrily warns Xiao Chen that Great Xia may suffer catastrophic retaliation. Xiao Chen responds that he will personally shoulder the consequences.
• Qin Zhantian and the group: Qin Zhantian’s arrival transforms the aftermath of Qin Chuan’s death into a new crisis. His imperial pressure immobilizes everyone, ending the chapter on a tense cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary: “Worries”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Master reflects on how the recent Rebirth of Spiritual Energy has changed the world. Once nearly invincible as a Half-Emperor, he now repeatedly encounters Great Emperors.
• Qin Zhantian, a Great Emperor and elder of the powerful Qin Family, confronts Xiao Chen over the deaths of Qin Chuan and others. He attempts to suppress Xiao Chen with his Emperor pressure, but Xiao Chen remains standing.
• Qiongqi suddenly appears and protects Xiao Chen. He effortlessly destroys Qin Zhantian’s divine pressure, revealing demonic power comparable to a Great Emperor.
• Qin Zhantian warns that the Qin Family possesses several Great Emperors, including a legendary fourth-level Moon Emperor. Qiongqi nevertheless challenges him arrogantly, claiming he could crush him.
• Qin Zhantian ultimately chooses not to fight. Because the Myriad Dynasty War is approaching and the Qiankun Dynasty is responsible for maintaining order, an Emperor battle could create serious consequences.
• Before leaving, Qin Zhantian threatens to retaliate during the Myriad Dynasty War. He vows to manipulate the Azure Spirit Domain’s arrangements so that Great Xia receives overwhelming opponents, finishes last, and suffers catastrophic losses.
• After Qin Zhantian departs, Qiongqi privately admits that he was bluffing because his severe injuries have left him far weaker than before. He retreats into Xiao Chen’s body to recuperate.
• Xiao Chen explains to Ye Haoran that Qiongqi is his “protector,” shocking Ye Haoran because Great Emperor-level Dao Protectors are virtually unheard of in Great Xia.
• Wang Fusheng warns that Qin Zhantian’s threat is extremely serious: if Great Xia is placed at the bottom of the Azure Spirit Domain’s competition, its citizens could be exposed to slaughter and its territory divided among stronger dynasties.

Character Developments

• Xiao Chen: Remains calm and fearless despite facing a Great Emperor. His confidence is revealed to depend partly on Qiongqi’s protection, though he is still bold enough to have attacked Qin Chuan and the Martial Hall.
• Qiongqi: Publicly appears overwhelmingly powerful and contemptuous of Qin Zhantian, but privately reveals that his confidence is largely a façade. His injuries have severely weakened him, forcing him to rely on intimidation and strategy rather than direct combat.
• Qin Zhantian: Demonstrates loyalty to his family and anger over the deaths of its members, but also shows political caution by avoiding a direct Emperor battle before the Myriad Dynasty War. He shifts from immediate revenge to a larger plan against Great Xia.
• Ye Haoran: Is astonished by Xiao Chen’s hidden backing and realizes that Xiao Chen’s recent rise is supported by an extraordinary expert. Their former closeness has weakened, especially because of the matter involving Ye Qingxuan.
• Wang Fusheng: Understands the political danger facing Great Xia and becomes deeply concerned about Qin Family retaliation and the coming war.
• Old Master: His earlier depression disappears once Qiongqi arrives, showing how greatly he relies on powerful allies in the changed era.

Significant Themes

• Changing power structures: The Rebirth of Spiritual Energy has overturned the old balance of power, making former Half-Emperor experts vulnerable to newly emerged Great Emperors.
• Appearance versus reality: Qiongqi’s intimidating display hides his serious injuries, emphasizing the difference between outward dominance and actual strength.
• Political warfare: The Qin Family’s influence is as dangerous as its martial power. Rather than fight immediately, Qin Zhantian plans to use the Myriad Dynasty War’s rules against Great Xia.
• Protection and hidden foundations: Xiao Chen’s rapid rise is linked to the mysterious experts supporting him, suggesting that his true background and resources remain concealed.
• The vulnerability of weaker nations: Great Xia’s survival depends not only on individual strength but also on diplomacy, competition arrangements, and the protection of its people.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and Qiongqi: Qiongqi defends Xiao Chen aggressively, while Xiao Chen later teases him for “stealing a chicken” by bluffing Qin Zhantian. Their exchange reveals familiarity and a humorous, informal relationship despite Qiongqi’s ancient status.
• Qiongqi and Qin Zhantian: They engage in a tense confrontation marked by mutual probing. Qiongqi insults and challenges Qin Zhantian, while Qin Zhantian assesses whether fighting is worth the political and personal cost.
• Xiao Chen and Ye Haoran: Ye Haoran questions Xiao Chen about Qiongqi’s identity. Xiao Chen gives the guarded answer that Qiongqi is merely his protector, highlighting both their past relationship and their present distance.
• Ye Haoran and Wang Fusheng: Both recognize the danger posed by the Qin Family, with Wang Fusheng articulating the broader consequences for Great Xia and its citizens.

Chapter Summary: “Crisis Looming Like a Mountain”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The upcoming Myriad Dynasty War is revealed to be a massive battle royale involving the young prodigies of countless dynasties from the Azure Spirit Domain and the Xuanhuang Continent.
• Stronger dynasties will begin closer to the battlefield’s core, while weaker dynasties will start at the outskirts. Victory requires fighting toward the center and surviving the conflicts.
• Great Xia Dynasty is revealed to be one of the weakest dynasties in the Azure Spirit Domain. Due to its barren territory, scarce resources, and declining fortunes, it has almost no chance of winning and may finish last.
• The hostile Qiankun Dynasty has already targeted Great Xia, making the dynasty’s survival even more doubtful. If Qiankun deliberately attacks Great Xia during the war, annihilation is considered nearly certain.
• The Xia Emperor declares that if Great Xia cannot survive, he will die alongside its billions of citizens rather than abandon them.
• A dispute arises over Xiao Chen’s killing of Qin Chuan, a member of the Qiankun Dynasty. Wang Fusheng argues that the act endangered Great Xia, while Old Master defends Xiao Chen, insisting that Qin Chuan was the aggressor.
• Xiao Chen accepts responsibility for carrying Great Xia’s hopes in the war, promising to fight to the death and never retreat.
• Wang Fusheng warns Xiao Chen that the other dynasties possess prodigies as talented as—or more talented than—him. His ability to defeat stronger opponents within Great Xia may not translate to the Azure Spirit Domain or the Xuanhuang Continent.
• Realizing that his current first-level King Realm cultivation may be insufficient, Xiao Chen requests access to the Crimson Dragon Sacred Pool. The Xia Emperor agrees to let him undergo its baptism in three days.
• The Xia Emperor warns that the pool contains extremely violent True Dragon blood. Even exceptional prodigies can endure it for only about one hour, and forcing further absorption could cause death.
• Meanwhile, in the Qiankun Dynasty, members of the Qin Family angrily question Qin Zhantian after learning that someone from Great Xia killed one of their people. They demand revenge and criticize Qin Zhantian for failing to capture the culprit.

2. Character Developments

• Xiao Chen shifts from confidence based on his dominance within Great Xia to a more sober awareness of the vast gap between Great Xia and the wider world. He recognizes that he must rapidly increase his strength if he hopes to protect Great Xia and achieve his broader ambitions.
• The Xia Emperor is portrayed as a responsible but helpless ruler. Though unable to guarantee victory, he is determined to share his people’s fate and values Xiao Chen’s willingness to shoulder the dynasty’s burden.
• Wang Fusheng is established as a pragmatic and compassionate leader. He wants to protect Great Xia’s population, even when doing so requires suppressing his anger and tolerating enemies such as Qin Chuan.
• Old Master remains fiercely loyal to Xiao Chen. He prioritizes Xiao Chen’s honor and supports his actions, arguing that Xiao Chen is the only person capable of representing Great Xia in the war.
• Qin Zhantian comes under pressure from the Qin Family for failing to avenge their fallen member, setting up possible conflict within the Qiankun Dynasty.

3. Significant Themes

• The burden of responsibility: Xiao Chen is forced to carry the hopes and survival of billions, while the Xia Emperor bears responsibility for the entire nation.
• Weakness versus overwhelming power: Great Xia’s poverty and remote location have left it far behind the major dynasties, emphasizing the brutal inequality of the cultivation world.
• Sacrifice for the people: The Xia Emperor’s willingness to die with his citizens and Wang Fusheng’s restraint both demonstrate different forms of devotion to the nation.
• Honor versus pragmatism: Old Master defends Xiao Chen’s justice and personal dignity, while Wang Fusheng focuses on the consequences for Great Xia as a whole.
• The limits of past achievement: Xiao Chen’s previous victories have made him confident, but he must now confront a world filled with stronger prodigies and recognize that his former advantages may no longer be enough.
• Urgency and preparation: With the war less than half a month away, Xiao Chen must risk the dangerous Crimson Dragon Sacred Pool to gain strength before the decisive conflict.

4. Character Interactions

• Xiao Chen and the Xia Emperor: Their exchange reflects mutual respect. The Xia Emperor warns Xiao Chen about the dangers of the sacred pool, while Xiao Chen formally acknowledges him and seeks his help.
• Xiao Chen and Wang Fusheng: Wang Fusheng cautions Xiao Chen against underestimating the wider world, prompting Xiao Chen to reevaluate his chances and pursue rapid cultivation.
• Wang Fusheng and Old Master: They argue over Xiao Chen’s killing of Qin Chuan. Wang emphasizes the danger to Great Xia, while Old Master insists that Qin Chuan deserved death and that Xiao Chen must be trusted.
• The Xia Emperor and Wang Fusheng: Both understand Great Xia’s desperate position, but the Xia Emperor emphasizes accepting death alongside his people, while Wang Fusheng focuses on preserving the population.
• Qin Family elders and Qin Zhantian: The elders condemn Qin Zhantian for failing to retaliate against Great Xia, revealing that Qin Chuan’s death may provoke a direct and dangerous response from the Qiankun Dynasty.