Chapter Summaries

Mo Li explained that he had fought The Middle Clown Chain and Azhdaha, who had been controlled by a curse, and asked Rimuru to get Great Sage to break it. Rimuru called for Great Sage, who felt slighted by her habit of summoning it only when she needed help.

• Rimuru and Milim repeatedly insisted they would avenge Mo Li, but he stopped them and made them sit down.
• Mo Li told Rimuru and Milim that he had encountered Laplace, Tia, and Forthman from The Middle Clown Chain, and had pinned two beneath mountains and sealed the third.
• Mo Li explained that The Middle Clown Chain had cursed and controlled Azhdaha, forcing him to fight Azhdaha after suppressing the clowns.
• Mo Li said he had sealed Azhdaha in a safe place and asked Rimuru for help breaking the curse.
• Rimuru realized Great Sage could help and called for it, while Great Sage silently resented being summoned only when needed.

Rimuru investigated the curse on Mo Li and identified Clayman as the likely culprit after Milim recognized his aura on a necklace. Rimuru persuaded Milim to share what she knew about Clayman, and Mo Li revealed that Clayman belonged to The Middle Clown Chain.

• Great Sage told Rimuru she could not remove the curse if it came from an Ultimate Skill, and Mo Li showed Rimuru the necklace he had taken from Azhdaha.
• Milim recognized Clayman's aura on the necklace, prompting Rimuru to blame Clayman for what happened to Mo Li.
• Rimuru persuaded Milim that sharing information about Clayman would not violate the Demon Kings' rules, and Milim agreed to answer her questions.
• Milim shared extensive knowledge of Clayman's abilities, which she had learned through her Dragon Eye and encounters with Demon Kings.
• Rimuru connected Clayman to The Middle Clown Chain, and Mo Li confirmed Clayman was a member.

Mo Li learned that Rimuru's Great Sage could remove the curses afflicting Azhdaha, and Rimuru prepared to set out. As Rimuru and Milim left, Mo Li sensed he had forgotten something, while Xiao wondered what his King was doing.

• Rimuru told Mo Li that Great Sage could lift the curse, after first pretending the news was bad to tease him.
• Mo Li hit Rimuru and Milim on the head, then confirmed that Great Sage could remove the curses on Azhdaha.
• Relieved, Mo Li agreed that the problem should soon be resolved, and Rimuru went to prepare for their departure.
• Rimuru returned and dragged Milim away before she could stay and play with Mo Li.
• Mo Li wondered what he had forgotten and returned to his tea, while Xiao sneezed in the Jura Great Forest and wondered what his King was doing.

Mo Li, Rimuru, and Milim went to free Azhdaha from his seal, where Azhdaha demanded to beat Mo Li up as compensation for his suffering. Milim destroyed the sealing pillars and beat Azhdaha down, and Rimuru began lifting his curse.

• Rimuru tried to leave Tempest with Mo Li, but Milim insisted on joining them.
• Mo Li, Rimuru, and Milim reached Azhdaha’s sealing formation, and Azhdaha accused Mo Li of coming to seal him permanently.
• Mo Li apologized for his negligence and offered to find someone to lift Azhdaha’s curse, but Azhdaha demanded to beat him up instead.
• Mo Li told Rimuru to free Azhdaha and explained that destroying the six stone pillars would break the formation.
• Milim smashed the pillars and, after Azhdaha challenged Mo Li, beat Azhdaha into submission.
• Rimuru began lifting Azhdaha’s curse at Mo Li’s request.

Mo Li waited with Milim while Rimuru worked to lift Azhdaha’s curse, then considered Milim’s advice about becoming a Demon Lord. He decided it was time to pursue awakening as a Demon King, especially with the Jura Great Forest at risk of being claimed by others.

• Rimuru began lifting Azhdaha’s curse while Mo Li set up a tea table nearby and hoped the process went smoothly.
• Mo Li made Milim fruit tea after she complained of being hungry, and she eagerly drank it.
• Milim asked when Mo Li would become an Awakened Demon King and suggested destroying a country to provide enough sacrifices.
• Milim urged Mo Li to become a Demon Lord, warning that the Jura Great Forest could be divided among other Demon Lords without their recognition.
• Mo Li reconsidered his plans in light of the changing situation and decided it was time to advance to an Awakened Demon King.

Mo Li agreed with Milim that he would become a Demon King after advancing to an Awakened Demon King, though he already had his own plans for earning the position. Milim wanted to help him prepare, but Mo Li reassured her that her presence in Tempest was already a great help.

• Milim was surprised when Mo Li agreed to become a Demon King, and he explained that he first intended to advance to an Awakened Demon King.
• Mo Li considered the ways he could secure a Demon King position and reasoned that proving his strength would be enough to earn Guy's recognition.
• Milim urged Mo Li to destroy a small country and gather sacrifices for his awakening, planning to seek Guy and Ramiris's recommendations afterward.
• Mo Li stopped Milim from arranging his advancement and asked whether she doubted he could become a Demon King through his own abilities.
• Milim admitted that she wanted to do something for Mo Li because she felt she had not helped him, and Mo Li reassured her that staying by his side was already valuable.

Mo Li asked Milim about the Demon Kings, and she revealed their rules, strengths, abilities, and secrets. He told her he planned to leave Tempest alone for a while to seek a chance to become an Awakened Demon King and let Rimuru and the city grow without his protection.

• Milim agreed to answer Mo Li’s questions and shared extensive information about the Demon Kings, including Guy’s abilities and combat habits.
• Milim described Guy’s companions Raine and Misari, as well as Velzard, giving Mo Li a clearer understanding of Guy’s power.
• Milim asked when Mo Li would become an Awakened Demon King, hoping he would spar with her afterward.
• Mo Li said he might leave alone to seek an opportunity to advance and to give Rimuru and Tempest room to mature.
• Mo Li reflected that when the time came, he had to leave.

Mo Li told Milim and Rimuru he planned to travel alone to seek a chance to become an Awakened Demon King after his battle with the Middle Clown Chain exposed his weakness. Rimuru finished removing Azhdaha’s curse and, understanding Mo Li’s need to advance, blamed the organization for his damaged life force.

• Milim insisted on joining Mo Li, but he said she could come only if she traveled without snacks or honey and ate rations.
• Mo Li promised to cook for Milim and Rimuru when he returned, and Milim agreed to stay behind.
• Rimuru arrived after finishing the curse removal on Azhdaha, who had fallen asleep from depleted magicules.
• Mo Li told Rimuru he planned to seek an opportunity to become an Awakened Demon King because his fight with Laplace had shown him how vulnerable he was.
• Rimuru accepted that Mo Li needed to advance to restore his damaged life force and blamed the Middle Clown Chain.

Mo Li prepared to return to Tempest with Rimuru, Milim, and Azhdaha while they searched for Xiao. Rimuru received a strange report from Souei about Xiao, and Mo Li read the letter to learn what had happened.

• Mo Li told Rimuru he would leave once matters were settled and he had mostly recovered, while Rimuru reported that Souei had not found Xiao.
• Mo Li woke Azhdaha and invited him to return to Tempest, then explained that Laplace and Tia were trapped beneath the ground and Forthman had been divided and sealed away.
• Rimuru received a new letter from Souei, and Mo Li hurried over when she said it contained news of Xiao.
• Rimuru said something surprising had happened to Xiao and handed the letter to Mo Li.

Mo Li, Rimuru, Milim, and Azhdaha were shocked to learn that Xiao had conquered over sixty percent of the Jura Great Forest and crossed the river. As they hurried back to Tempest to meet him, Xiao learned from Souei that Mo Li had returned there and that something had happened to the Dragon King.

• Mo Li read Souei's letter and learned that Xiao had swept through the western and southern Jura Great Forest and crossed the river.
• Rimuru and Milim realized Xiao had seized more than sixty percent of the forest, while Mo Li admitted he had only told Xiao to conquer the west and act within his means.
• Azhdaha read the letter, despaired over Xiao's victories, and joined Mo Li, Rimuru, and Milim as they set off for Tempest.
• Souei told Xiao that Mo Li was in Tempest and that something had happened to the Dragon King, though he assured Xiao that Mo Li was unharmed.
• The two Ancient Rock Dragon Lizard ministers urged Xiao's army to hurry toward Tempest so they could learn what had happened to the Dragon King.

Tempest’s residents and Mo Li’s three beasts waited for their absent leaders, while the beasts discussed the city and wondered about Xiao. A tremor drew everyone to the outskirts, where Souei announced that Xiao had returned with the dragon army.

• Shuna worried about Rimuru and Morax, while Benimaru reassured her and told Gobta to train.
• Brown Crane, Du Lu, and White Crane discussed Tempest, its named monsters, and their curiosity about Xiao.
• The ground shook, prompting White Crane, Brown Crane, and Du Lu to fly toward Tempest’s outskirts.
• Benimaru, Old Man White, and the others formed up to meet the approaching force.
• Souei arrived and announced that Xiao had returned, leading the dragon army.

Xiao returned to Tempest with the Dragon Lizard army, his increased strength and murderous aura alarming everyone. He learned that Morax had left with Rimuru and Milim, and agreed to wait in Tempest for their return.

• Souei announced Xiao's return as Xiao and the Dragon Lizard army approached Tempest.
• Benimaru, Shuna, Gobta, and the others were stunned by Xiao's terrifying aura and greater strength.
• The Ancient Rock Dragon Lizard elders anxiously asked about their Dragon King, and Shuna explained that Morax had left with Rimuru and Milim.
• Du Lu and Brown Crane reassured the elders that their Dragon King was not in serious danger.
• Xiao asked where Morax had gone, and Souei urged him to rest in Tempest until Morax and the others returned.
• Xiao accepted Souei's suggestion and agreed to wait.

Xiao returned to Tempest after conquering most of the Jura Great Forest, but black energy began corroding him until Mo Li’s golden magicules suppressed it and he fell asleep. When Mo Li returned to Tempest and learned Xiao had shut himself away, he rushed to Xiao’s room, where he found a shocking sight.

• Souei reported that Xiao had subdued nearly all of the Jura Great Forest, and Benimaru recommended waiting for Rimuru and Mo Li before deciding how to govern it.
• Xiao suffered as black energy tried to break free inside him, but golden magicules suppressed it and he fell into a deep sleep.
• Milim arrived in Tempest and damaged a newly repaired road, then fled when Rimuru scolded her.
• Mo Li returned with Rimuru, learned Xiao had not left his room, and hurried there with the others.
• Mo Li opened Xiao’s door, and everyone was shocked by what they saw.

Mo Li found Xiao unconscious and overwhelmed by karmic debt, drove the others from the room, and used his energy to suppress the black aura. Xiao recovered and advanced to entry-level Special A-rank, but his karmic debt remained unresolved as Mo Li considered leaving Tempest to pursue his Awakened Demon King evolution.

• Mo Li found Xiao unconscious with a corrosive black aura, and Shion hurt her hand when she tried to touch him.
• Mo Li ordered Rimuru and the others out, rebuking them for failing to notice Xiao's condition.
• Mo Li carried Xiao to bed and used golden energy to suppress the aura and calm his condition.
• Xiao's strength rose from peak A-rank to entry-level Special A-rank as Mo Li's energy helped him overcome the crisis.
• Xiao woke and thanked Mo Li, while Mo Li recognized that Xiao's karmic debt still threatened his recovery and considered leaving Tempest to advance.

After a month of peace in Tempest, Mo Li summoned Xiao, White Crane, Brown Crane, and Du Lu to grant them names. He named Du Lu Mooncarver, Brown Crane Mountain Shaper, White Crane Cloud Retainer, and her disciple Ganyu, then began to raise another matter.

• Mo Li told Rimuru that Xiao's karmic debt could flare up if he fought again, and said he might be able to resolve it after becoming an Awakened Demon King.
• A month after Mo Li returned, Tempest regained peace, and he summoned White Crane, Brown Crane, and Du Lu while Xiao escorted them.
• Mo Li reminded the three beasts of his promise and named Du Lu Mooncarver, Brown Crane Mountain Shaper, and White Crane Cloud Retainer.
• Mo Li named White Crane's sleepy disciple Ganyu, who hid behind her master after greeting him.
• Mo Li told the gathered monsters that he had one more matter to discuss.

Mo Li gave Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, and Xiao Immortal Arts Inheritances, then asked them to sign contracts protecting Tempest. The four agreed, and Xiao vowed to answer whenever Tempest’s citizens called for his help.

• Mo Li presented each of the four with an Immortal Arts Inheritance, but they initially tried to refuse the gifts.
• Mo Li insisted that they keep the inheritances, and Xiao carefully tucked his book away.
• Mo Li explained that he wanted contracts with them to protect Tempest after he eventually left, with their True Names and inheritances as payment.
• Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver agreed to the terms, and Mo Li reassured them that he trusted them.
• Xiao accepted the contract and vowed to come protect Tempest’s monsters whenever they called his name.
• Mo Li told Xiao he could leave if he ever grew tired, and gently stroked his head.

Mo Li entrusted Tempest to Xiao, Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, and the others, giving them guidance on the adeptal arts and warning them not to teach them to evildoers. He then revealed that he would leave Tempest for a while, and Xiao promised to protect it until his return.

• Mo Li assured Xiao that he was free to leave whenever he wished, then placed Tempest in the hands of Xiao, Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, and the others.
• Cloud Retainer asked to teach Mo Li's adeptal arts to others, and Mo Li permitted her to teach worthy people while warning her to hold anyone who used them for evil accountable.
• Mo Li advised the group to seek Rimuru's help with the arts, avoid techniques beyond their abilities, and told Xiao that some arts could suppress his karmic debt.
• After the others left, Xiao asked to accompany Mo Li when he learned Mo Li was leaving Tempest, but Mo Li refused and told him to guard the settlement.
• Xiao promised to defend Tempest and hold the line to the death if a crisis left no other choice.

After a month of growth and construction in Tempest, Mo Li prepared to leave alone for an important journey, entrusting Xiao with guarding the city and its people. Rimuru and Tempest's leaders watched him depart, while Rimuru vowed to protect their home until he returned.

• Mo Li assigned work and training across Tempest, while Xueyue and Lishui cultivated, Liuyun learned from the technical staff, and Xiao arranged for an inn to be built.
• Over the next month, Rimuru expanded Tempest's roads, housing, and systems, and Mo Li's newly named allies helped strengthen the city's forces.
• Xiao reported that he had delivered Mo Li's books to Benimaru and the others and explained Mo Li's instructions to Rimuru's associates.
• Mo Li refused Xiao's request to accompany him and asked him to defend Tempest, then left the inn alone in the night.
• Rimuru and Tempest's leaders watched Mo Li depart, and Rimuru chose not to stop him, promising herself to protect their home until he returned.

Mo Li traveled to the Kingdom of Blumund to relax, gather information, and seek a path toward becoming an Awakened Demon King. After buying ten boxes of tea, he ran into Elaine and realized he had no human money to pay for them.

• Mo Li chose to travel to the Kingdom of Blumund, hoping to gather information and possibly hear news of a war.
• After five days, Mo Li arrived in Blumund and walked through its prosperous streets toward the Free Guild.
• Mo Li was lured into buying ten boxes of tea by the stall owner’s discounts and gift-box offer.
• Elaine recognized Mo Li and greeted him while he waited for his tea.
• When the stall owner asked for five silver coins, Mo Li realized he had brought no money and asked Elaine if she had any.

Mo Li bought tea while wandering through the Kingdom of Blumund to learn about the continent’s affairs and wars. Elaine grew uneasy at the implications of his questions but chose not to pursue or reveal her suspicions.

• Mo Li admitted he had brought no money, so Elaine paid five silver coins for his tea.
• Elaine asked why Mo Li had come to Blumund, and he said he was sightseeing and gathering information.
• Mo Li asked where Elaine’s teammates were, and Elaine complained that they were still asleep at the inn.
• Mo Li said he was seeking information about the continent’s situation and where wars had broken out.
• Elaine suspected Mo Li’s inquiry might relate to Demon Lords and a larger conflict, but decided to keep her thoughts to herself.