Recaps

Catherine of the Wildcat Sisters warned Russell that Lone Wolf Lisbon planned to lure Snow Ghosts into attacking Wuyou Snake Manor, and Russell prepared to request reinforcements. He also considered bringing Xiangshui River Cave under his control, with the aim of resolving its situation completely.

• Catherine told Russell that Lisbon was preparing to lure Snow Ghosts toward Wuyou Snake Manor, and she showed him a warning letter from her sister, Little Wildcat.
• Russell let Catherine leave through the front gate, then agreed with Eric and Charles that the manor needed help to withstand a Snow Ghost attack.
• Russell ordered Knight Retainers Tom and John to ride to Fluorite Castle and urgently summon Knight Captain Kendall.
• While waiting for a reply, Russell and the others played chess, and Russell admitted he was considering taking control of Xiangshui River Cave.
• Charles cautioned Russell to distinguish those with blood on their hands, and Russell said he wanted to resolve Xiangshui River Cave completely.

Russell discussed the danger posed by Xiangshui River Cave and welcomed Chris, who had been sent to support the manor. In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell examined Chris and his Nightmare Ghost Horse and wondered whether it could produce a foal with his father's horse.

• Russell agreed with Charles and Eric that Xiangshui River Cave had to be brought under control before its cave freemen could threaten the territory.
• Morris brought milk tea to Russell, Charles, and Eric, and Russell promised Morris and Mrs. Moore an extra pudding each.
• Chris arrived at the manor annex on his Nightmare Ghost Horse to support Russell while Kendall remained away so Lone Wolf Lisbon would not be deterred from acting.
• Russell asked Chris about Battle Aura cultivation, and Chris explained how Russell could develop Battle Qi Penetration and progress toward Battle Qi Projection.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell observed the magical light surrounding Chris and his Nightmare Ghost Horse, then imagined the horse producing a foal with his father's female Nightmare Ghost Horse.

Russell and Chris rode to the southeastern boundary of Wuyou Snake Manor after Snow Ghosts invaded, where Eric and three Knight Retainers were fighting them. Russell joined the battle and, as the knights rallied around Eric, charged with them against the Great Snow Ghost.

• Russell finished practicing the Radiant Sword Technique and sparred with Charles while Chris gave him pointers.
• Jack reported that Snow Ghosts had invaded and that Eric was holding them off, so Russell armored up and rode out with Chris, Charles, and Jack.
• Russell, Charles, and Jack joined Eric and the Knight Retainers, who formed a squad to fight the twelve Snow Ghosts.
• Eric ordered the knights to focus their attacks on the Great Snow Ghost, but repeated charges only wounded its undead body.
• The knights' Battle Aura resonated as Russell and the others charged together at the Great Snow Ghost.

Eric led the knight squad in defeating a Great Snow Ghost and eleven Snow Ghosts, while Knight Captain Chris recovered an upper-grade Hail Bead from the Great Snow Ghost. After the hunt, Russell ordered a monument to be erected in memory of the twelve humans whose corpses had become Snow Ghosts.

• Eric concentrated the squad’s Battle Aura into a sword strike that severed the Great Snow Ghost’s neck, and Russell rescued Charles when Snow Ghosts brought down his horse.
• The six remaining riders charged through the Snow Ghost horde again while Chris held the line; Chris later severed the Great Snow Ghost’s limbs and crushed its head with the Nightmare Ghost Horse.
• The Snow Ghosts’ bodies decayed into foul powder, leaving Hail Beads, and the hunt ended with eleven ordinary beads recovered.
• Chris praised Russell’s performance and gave Charles the Great Snow Ghost’s upper-grade Hail Bead, but Russell told Charles to return it to Chris as his spoil.
• Russell invited everyone to lunch at the manor’s annex and ordered Charles to arrange a stone monument mourning the return of twelve humans.

After a Snow Ghost invasion, Russell and his companions discussed the creatures and the valuable Hail Beads they left behind. Russell turned his attention to Lone Wolf Lisbon, who had lured the Snow Ghosts to the territory.

• In the kitchen, Ram told the servants about Snow Ghosts, while Mrs. Moore corrected his claims and explained that Hail Beads could be valuable and were rumored to help create an immortal Magic Potion.
• Russell, Charles, Eric, and Knight Captain Chris discussed how Snow Ghosts revived and joked about what might happen if a corpse found a replacement head.
• Russell examined the high-grade Hail Bead and considered how Snow Ghosts' Battle Aura became hail and condensed into beads when they were killed.
• Russell asked whether alchemy could use Hail Beads to grant long life, and Chris doubted that the beads could provide the Snow Demons' true power.
• Russell set the bead aside as a valuable currency and asked how they should deal with Lone Wolf Lisbon for luring the Snow Ghosts to them.

After the Snow Ghost attack, Russell planned to kill Lone Wolf Lisbon without relying on his father and waited for the Wildcat Sisters to approach him. In the Dark Dreamscape, Little Dream Dragon swallowed the Hail Bead, and Russell noticed the dreamscape had expanded.

• Russell told Charles, Eric, and Knight Captain Chris that Lisbon had to die, but refused to ask the Baron for help.
• After Knight Captain Chris left, Russell rejected Eric’s offer to infiltrate Xiangshui River Cave and decided to wait for the Wildcat Sisters.
• Russell met Little Dream Dragon in the Dark Dreamscape and saw the Hail Bead glowing in his bedside drawer.
• Little Dream Dragon swallowed the Hail Bead, while Russell found he and the dragon could not touch the Green Ceramic Sword there.
• Russell rode Little Dream Dragon around the Dark Dreamscape and noticed more of a tree had entered it than before.

Russell confirmed that Little Dream Dragon had swallowed the Hail Beads and expanded the Dark Dreamscape, then traveled to Fluorite Castle after Baron Roman summoned him. Their awkward father-son talk focused on Russell’s first Snow Ghost hunt, and they left the study for lunch.

• Russell checked that the Hail Beads were gone and concluded that Little Dream Dragon had truly swallowed them and expanded the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell received Baron Roman’s invitation to dine at Fluorite Castle and returned there with Knight Raphael.
• Baron Roman praised Russell for handling the Snow Ghost hunt well, while Madam Meryl worried that he had taken too much risk.
• Baron Roman and Russell spoke privately in the study about the hunt and Russell’s adjustment to independent life.
• A manservant announced that lunch was ready, and Baron Roman and Russell left the study together.

Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor and hosted Lord Ertlas, who delivered lumber and shared stories about Snow Ghosts, Snow Demons, and Russell’s grandfather. After Ertlas left, Russell reviewed the manor’s finances with Morris and confirmed they could afford to build a Windmill Mill.

• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor and learned that Lord Ertlas had personally brought a convoy of lumber from Red Falcon Manor.
• Russell talked with Ertlas about the unexplained origins of Snow Ghosts and heard how Snow Demons and Snow Beasts threatened the snowfields.
• Ertlas recalled how Russell’s grandfather Rhode Fluorite died fighting a Snow Giant alongside the Grand Duke, and urged Russell to grow strong and pursue an earl’s title.
• Ertlas finished the lumber handover, dined at the manor annex, and departed with his convoy after dark.
• Russell met with Morris in the study, reviewed the accounts, and learned the manor had enough money to build a Windmill Mill.

Russell met Katie, who apologized for her sister Catherine’s behavior and asked him to treat a Half Ghost Beast that had been the Wildcat Sisters’ companion since childhood. He agreed to try, and Katie promised to bring the beast to the underground river entrance later that night.

• Russell pondered how to help Snowcake grow before Morris told him that Katie had come to visit.
• Katie apologized for Catherine’s discourtesy, and Russell urged her to speak plainly about her purpose.
• Katie explained that the Wildcat Sisters wanted Russell to treat their beloved Half Ghost Beast, while Charles argued that it would be better to kill it.
• Russell promised to do everything he could, and Katie said the Wildcat Sisters would owe him a favor if he tried and serve him if he succeeded.
• After Katie left, Russell ordered Eric to have the retainer knights wait at the underground river entrance.

Russell examined the dying Half Ghost Beast Wolfhound sent by the Wildcat Sisters, then entered the Dark Dreamscape to test whether Little Dream Dragon could remove the Snow Demon's interference. The chapter left Russell preparing to attempt the cure, while Katie and Catherine waited to learn whether he would save Kevin.

• Charles explained that Half Ghost Beasts were difficult to save, but Russell insisted on seeing the wolfhound before deciding what to do.
• Eric returned with the wolfhound, and Russell and Eric sensed Earth Power clashing with the Snow Demon's interference inside it; they could find no treatment and settled it in an abandoned kennel.
• Russell let the servants sleep an hour later, while Katie told Catherine that Kevin's fate would determine whether the Wildcat Sisters trusted Russell or joined Lone Wolf.
• Katie and Catherine discussed Lone Wolf Lisbon's growing arrogance and the possibility that he had found a Mushroom Bug before going to sleep.
• Russell entered the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon, saw the blue Snow Demon power entwined with the wolfhound's white Earth Power, and asked Little Dream Dragon to draw out the blue light.

Russell extracted the Snow Demon's disruptive power from the Half-Ghost Beast Wolfhound, Kevin, with Little Dream Dragon's help, but learned that the power made her sick and did not expand Dark Dreamscape. The next morning Kevin had recovered and might still evolve into a Phantom Beast, so Russell offered Eric the chance to become its rider in exchange for his loyalty.

• Russell had Little Dream Dragon absorb the Snow Demon's power from Kevin, and she reacted with disgust.
• Russell realized Hail Beads contained Earth Power, unlike the Snow Demon Power inside Kevin, and decided not to make Little Dream Dragon eat that power again.
• The next morning, Russell found Kevin's swellings had shrunk and the wolfhound had regained enough strength to stand.
• Eric reported that Kevin's Snow Demon's power had receded while its Earth Power seemed to be changing toward Phantom Beast primal power.
• Russell asked Eric to pledge loyalty in exchange for the chance to ride Kevin, and Eric immediately knelt and agreed.

Russell soothed Kevin long enough for Eric to form a contract with the wolfhound, whose healing and evolution transformed it into a Phantom Beast. The newly created Phantom Beast Knight and Kevin displayed their power as Charles arrived in shock.

• Kevin resisted Eric's attempt to contract with him, and Eric refused to regret swearing fealty to Russell.
• Russell calmed Kevin and helped Eric resume the contracting attempt before Kevin's Earth Power faded.
• Eric guided Kevin's Earth Power until its tumors disappeared and its body began transforming.
• Kevin bit Eric, and their powers fused into Essence Breath as the contract formed.
• Kevin evolved into a large Phantom Beast with gold-and-silver eyes, and Charles arrived at the courtyard entrance, startled by the scene.

Eric became a Phantom Beast Knight after Kevin the wolfhound evolved into a Phantom Beast, strengthening Russell’s security. Russell kept the news secret while preparing to deal with Lone Wolf Lisbon and waited for the Wildcat Sisters to seek him out.

• Charles envied Eric’s advancement, and Russell joked that a dragon might have healed Kevin under its watchful gaze.
• Eric and Kevin returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, where Russell and the household welcomed them as a newly formed Phantom Beast Knight and Contract Partner.
• Eric asked Russell to conceal his advancement until they dealt with Lone Wolf Lisbon, and Russell ordered everyone to keep it secret while holding a sober celebratory feast.
• Russell inspected the territory with Eric and learned that Origin Breath felt like a natural part of the body, unlike Battle Aura, which required guidance.
• Russell criticized the territory’s backward farming and declined to seek out the Wildcat Sisters, deciding to wait for Katie and Catherine to approach him.

Russell went night fishing for Blind Dragons while searching the Dark Dreamscape for Spirit Worms, then met Katie and Catherine by the river. After confirming Kevin was alive and contracted to Eric, he accepted the Wildcat Sisters’ pledge of loyalty.

• Russell camped by the Glimmering River and searched the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon but found no Spirit Worms.
• Russell went night fishing again the next night, catching ordinary fish but no Blind Dragons.
• Eric brought Katie and Catherine to Russell, and they joyfully reunited with Kevin, who had contracted with Eric.
• Russell explained Kevin’s contract and asked what the sisters planned to do now that Kevin could not return to them.
• Russell warned the sisters he would not shelter fugitives and explained the rules and loss of freedom that came with becoming his followers.
• Katie and Catherine pledged loyalty to Russell, and he accepted them as his eyes and ears probing the night.

After accepting the Wildcat Sisters’ allegiance, Russell explained his plan to seize Xiangshui River Cave and recruit its freemen. The sisters agreed to help draw out Lone Wolf Lisbon, and a rumor that Lisbon possessed a Mushroom Bug gave Russell another reason to capture him.

• Tom reported that the Wildcat Sisters had no known criminal records, reassuring Russell about their background.
• Russell told Katie and Catherine that he wanted to eliminate Lone Wolf Lisbon and claim all of Xiangshui River Cave and its freemen.
• Katie offered to pretend to defect to Lisbon and lure him out, while Russell agreed not to judge the sisters for killing in self-defense.
• Katie and Catherine revealed a rumor that Lisbon had used a Mushroom Bug to obtain the resources needed to become a Great Ranger.
• Russell ordered the sisters to gather more information about the Mushroom Bug and arranged for Kevin and Eric to support them.

Russell told Mrs. Moore to simplify her fish soup recipes after finding her Blind Dragon soup overloaded with seasonings. He enjoyed the first new soup and asked Morris to pass on his praise.

• Russell asked Mrs. Moore to improve her Blind Dragon soup by using fewer seasonings, but she misunderstood and became anxious.
• Russell ordered Mrs. Moore to make a different fish soup each day using salt, ginger, garlic, and only one other seasoning.
• Morris explained Russell’s instructions to Mrs. Moore and reassured her that Russell was not blaming her.
• Barbara returned from visiting Lord Kevin and revealed that she had petted the Phantom Beast, prompting Morris to warn her to keep the news secret.
• Russell drank the fish soup made with black pepper, enjoyed it, and asked Morris to praise Mrs. Moore.

Russell discussed Eric’s advancement and his plans for Xiangshui River Cave with Baron Roman, then visited Glimmering Town and ordered a man arrested for defecating beside the river.

• At dinner, Russell said Charles and Eric would soon move to Small Market Town, while Kevin the wolfdog would remain at the manor to guard Russell.
• Russell told Baron Roman that Eric had become a Phantom Beast Knight after Kevin contracted with a Half Ghost Beast, and he planned to lure Lisbon out before consolidating Xiangshui River Cave.
• Russell agreed to return for his grandmother’s birthday and accepted Meryl’s offer to lend him a gemstone necklace if he could not prepare a special gift.
• Russell rode through Glimmering Town with his Knight Retainers and noticed residents relieving themselves near the Glimmering River.
• Russell ordered James to arrest a man defecating by the river and hand him over to the town watch commander.

Russell visited Glimmering Town after merchant caravans arrived and bought two White Crystals after haggling with a gemstone seller. He left with the crystals, realizing the seller had still made a substantial profit.

• Charles reported that Red-nosed Rudy had organized the magic potion operations and that he had settled the manor's disputes.
• Russell ordered that tunic supervisors handle disputes first, with a weekly manor court that he would attend.
• After hearing that merchant caravans had filled Glimmering Town, Russell rode there and explored the crowded market with Charles and his companions.
• At a gemstone stall, Russell learned that White Crystal could help focus the mind during Battle Aura cultivation and meditation.
• Russell bargained the seller down from thirteen Gold Coins to eight for two White Crystals, then suspected he had still overpaid.

Russell bought two crystal lenses to make monocles for his farsighted grandmother, then used the Dark Dreamscape to search the caravan for valuable goods. He discovered and bought a pregnant Golden Black Pig that seemed to be carrying a Phantom Beast baby, and returned to the territory with Charles after collecting the finished lenses.

• Russell asked a lamp artisan to polish two White Crystals into lenses for monocles intended as a birthday gift for Old Madam Ingrid.
• Russell stayed at a small inn and entered the Dark Dreamscape, where he searched the caravan's stalls for magical goods.
• Russell found a glowing pregnant sow at a livestock stall and suspected it was carrying a Phantom Beast baby.
• Russell bought the Golden Black Pig sow and sent Jack and the other Knight Retainers to take it to Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Russell collected the finished monocles, met Charles, and returned to the territory.

Russell discovered that the Golden Black Sow carried a Phantom Beast baby, but Little Dream Dragon refused to help it develop, leaving its chances uncertain. He prepared to visit Fluorite Castle for Old Madam Ingrid’s birthday.

• Russell told Charles and Butler Morris that the Golden Black Sow might carry a Phantom Beast baby and ordered the sow to receive careful care.
• Eric confirmed the baby’s aura was weak and it would probably struggle to develop into a Phantom Beast.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell failed to persuade Little Dream Dragon to breathe dragon flame to help the baby.
• Russell decided the sow’s fate was up to chance and considered joining Baron Gloomlight’s Snow Ghost-clearing expedition.
• Russell trained and inspected his territory, then dressed for his journey to Fluorite Castle ahead of Old Madam Ingrid’s birthday.

Russell returned to Fluorite Castle ahead of his grandmother’s birthday banquet and reunited with relatives and visiting lords. After hearing them discuss the Grand Duchy’s plans for war, he went to see his mother and sister, then returned to the hall to wait for his elder brother and sister’s family.

• Russell arrived at Fluorite Castle and learned that his grandmother would come the next day, while Lord Cooper, Rowena, her husband, and Roland were expected soon.
• Old Butler Carter welcomed Russell, and Russell told him he was family rather than a servant.
• Baron Roman introduced Russell to visiting lords, including Dave Golden Mushroom, who said Russell’s aunt was unwell but stable.
• The lords discussed whether the new Grand Duke would pursue war, and Russell questioned the risks of the unmarried ruler being the Shadowflame Family’s only heir.
• Baron Roman sent Russell to check on Meryl, and Russell found her and Laura organizing the birthday banquet.
• Russell returned to the hall, listened to stories about the snowfields, and began thinking about Roland and Rowena.

Russell reunited with his older brother Roland and older sister Rowena, who returned to Fluorite Castle with her husband, Lord Cooper. After the family welcomed them and exchanged greetings, everyone gathered in the sitting room to catch up.

• Baron Roman and the household went to the castle gate to welcome Roland, Rowena, and Lord Cooper.
• Roland greeted Baron Roman and Madam Meryl, then warmly embraced Russell and Laura.
• Rowena greeted her parents and the knights, teased Russell about not writing to her, and invited him to visit Black Court Mountain.
• Rowena spoke with Old Butler Carter, while Roland helped host the gathering in the sitting room.
• Russell sat with Lord Cooper as the family and guests chatted around them.

Russell reunited with his family at Fluorite Castle, shared pearls with Rowena, and listened as Roland discussed the Grand Duke’s plans and the Snow Giant. After Roland visited Lord Ross, Russell went to sleep, expecting the Dark Dreamscape to make Fluorite Castle the domain of him and the Little Dream Dragon.

• Russell surprised his family by explaining his recent discoveries and gave Rowena a pearl necklace and ring.
• Roland told Baron Roman that the Grand Duke wanted to open new territory and gain the Shadowflame Dragon’s recognition, while the Snow Giant remained missing.
• Baron Roman urged Roland to maintain his relationship with the Grand Duke, and Roland left to visit Lord Ross.
• Russell watched Roland talk to Lord Ross from his room, then shut the window and went to sleep.

Russell accepted Rowena’s challenge to a duel and discovered he could hold his own against her with the Radiant Sword Technique. Their fight continued at the training grounds, where Baron Roman and Meryl watched as Rowena began to grow anxious.

• Russell woke at Fluorite Castle and joined Rowena, Cooper, Laura, and Roland for breakfast.
• Rowena challenged Russell to a duel after he teased her, and Russell agreed to fight after breakfast.
• Russell drank several bowls of Qi and Blood Paste, which strengthened his Battle Aura before training.
• At the training grounds, Eric warned Russell that Rowena’s opened limb meridians gave her a physical advantage, so Russell relied on his swordsmanship.
• Russell and Rowena exchanged dozens of blows; Rowena gained the upper hand, but Russell’s steady defense and counterattacks forced her to stay cautious.
• Baron Roman and Meryl arrived to watch as Rowena grew anxious during the duel.

Russell defeated Rowena in a sibling duel by patiently waiting for her Battle Aura to falter, earning praise from Baron Roman and the others. At Old Madam Ingrid’s birthday gathering, Rosen discussed vassal duties with Russell and asked whether he would take Royal as a knight attendant, but Russell declined for now.

• Madam Meryl questioned whether Russell could beat Rowena, while Baron Roman explained that Russell’s careful battle style gave him a chance if Rowena lost her composure.
• After a hundred exchanges, Rowena’s Battle Aura faltered, and Russell pierced her combat uniform and struck her soft armor, knocking her down and winning the duel.
• Rowena demanded another fight, but Cooper took her away to change; Baron Roman, Roland, Charles, and Dave Golden Mushroom praised Russell.
• Old Madam Ingrid arrived with Rosen’s family, and the family gathered in the great hall to celebrate her birthday.
• Rosen told Russell that Royal had nurtured a Battle Qi Seed and asked whether Russell would take him as a knight attendant, but Russell declined because he had only just begun cultivating Battle Aura.