Chapter Summaries

Russell visited Wuyou Snake Manor, the fief granted to him after his coming-of-age ceremony, with Charles and Eric. As they rode back, Russell reflected on the extraordinary world he lived in and the dragon Lord Ross’s importance to his family.

• Charles told Russell that Wuyou Snake Manor covered nearly twenty thousand hectares and had 580 serf households, while Eric warned that the free folk of Xiangshui River Cave could not be relied upon.
• Russell rode to the manor and saw its farmlands, serfs, village houses, and the baron's country residence, but decided to wait until the handover before inspecting it closely.
• Charles suggested that Russell could advance by winning Lord Ross’s favor, but Russell told him not to bring it up again.
• Russell rode back with Eric and Charles, thinking about the world’s extraordinary powers and how dragons like Lord Ross could decide everything.

Russell learned why Clay Dragon Ross was vital to the Fluorite Mushroom Family and why he needed to avoid drawing the dragon’s attention. After returning to Fluorite Castle, Russell saw Ross again and discovered a faint dragon-shaped mark on his palm.

• Russell recalled that Clay Dragon Ross had guarded the family for over sixty years, created valuable Clay Ore deposits, and driven back Snow Demon invasions.
• Russell remembered that Ross had stared at him after his transmigration and seemed to recognize something unusual, so he decided to stay away from the dragon.
• Russell parted from Charles and Eric, then rode back to Fluorite Castle while Charles and Eric discussed how he had changed and hoped to ride a Phantom Beast someday.
• Clay Dragon Ross returned to the castle and perched on a tower, making Russell’s horse tremble as he passed.
• Russell noticed a faint red dragon-shaped mark on his palm, clenched his fist until sparks vanished, and thought that he could only ride his dragon in dreams.

Russell returned to Fluorite Castle, discussed moving to Wuyou Snake Manor with his mother, and joined his family for dinner. He saw the family’s Mushroom Bird and Rainflower Sprite quarrel and reflected that he would have to cultivate a sprite himself.

• Russell arrived at Fluorite Castle and greeted Butler Carter before going to see his mother and sister Laura.
• Meryl told Russell that his parents thought he should wait to move to Wuyou Snake Manor until its servants and his retainers were arranged, but she accepted his decision to leave.
• Russell promised Meryl he would return to Fluorite Castle for lunch every day.
• At dinner, Luorui the Mushroom Bird and Tess the Rainflower Sprite argued while Meryl tried to stop them.
• Russell thought about how sprites evolved from Spirit Worms and regretted that he would have to cultivate one himself.

Russell had dinner with Baron Roman, who advised him about ruling Wuyou Snake Manor and asked him to join the Dragon Blood Knights. Russell declined and went to sleep, where he met the Little Dream Dragon in his dream.

• Luorui and Tess argued until Baron Roman entered and ordered them to quiet down.
• Baron Roman explained that Russell could raise three Spirit Worms and warned him to manage Cave Freemen carefully in Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Baron Roman asked Russell to join the Dragon Blood Knights, but Russell declined, and Meryl supported his decision.
• Baron Roman told Butler Carter to hire servants and retainers for Russell's fief.
• Russell went to bed and found the Little Dream Dragon in his familiar dream of Fluorite Castle.

Russell explored the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon, learning how magic appeared there and where its boundary lay. After waking and preparing to leave for Wuyou Snake Manor, he heard a servant explain that his sick mother had made him eager to serve Russell.

• Russell rode Little Dream Dragon through the Dark Dreamscape and examined Clay Dragon Ross's abundant magic.
• Russell observed the magic of Roman Fluorite Mushroom, Meryl, the knights, and the castle's treasures, then found an invisible barrier beyond the castle wall.
• Russell said he would learn whether the Dark Dreamscape's range changed after he moved to Wuyou Snake Manor, and Little Dream Dragon disappeared as the dream ended.
• Butler Carter woke Russell, and the household servants helped him wash and dress.
• A male servant praised Russell's resemblance to his grandfather, then revealed that his mother had fallen ill and that he had desperately wanted to serve Russell.

Russell formed the first staff and retinue for his fief, then left Fluorite Castle for Wuyou Snake Manor. He departed with his parents’ farewells and a convoy carrying his new followers, wealth, and supplies.

• Russell let Thomas remain at Fluorite Castle to care for his ill mother and asked Butler Carter to recruit a new personal servant.
• Russell ate breakfast with Laura, who asked to visit Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Baron Roman recruited four Armored Knight Retainers for Russell, and Butler Carter assembled ten servants for his household.
• Baron Roman gave Russell five carriages of wealth, three Spirit Worms, magic potion seeds, and serf technicians skilled in growing magical herbs.
• Russell said farewell to Baron Roman, Meryl, and Laura, then rode toward Wuyou Snake Manor with his teachers, retainers, servants, and supplies.

Russell arrived at Wuyou Snake Manor to take possession of it under Baron Lord’s decree. The manor’s managers and serfs pledged loyalty to their new lord, while concern over the delayed wheat planting remained unresolved.

• Old Barton and the other serfs worried that the late end of the Ice Age would delay wheat planting and bring punishment, then wondered whether Russell might assign them Magic Potion Fields.
• Kendall escorted Russell’s convoy across the Glimmering River and summoned Wuyou Snake Manor’s Tunic Chiefs and Serf Managers.
• Kendall announced Baron Lord’s decree granting Wuyou Snake Manor and its people and property to Russell Fluorite Mushroom.
• Old Hans knelt first before Russell, and the Tunic Chiefs and Serf Managers followed.
• Russell introduced himself as the new lord, promised to protect the serfs, and asked for their loyalty; the managers and gathered serfs pledged it.

Russell settled into Wuyou Snake Manor and heard reports on its land, crops, and serfs. He kept Old Hans as steward, ordered plans for Magic Potion Fields, and arranged a celebratory dinner with Black Pearl Wine.

• Russell appointed Mr. and Mrs. Brown to serve under Butler Morris and gathered his teachers, squires, Old Hans, and the five Tunic Chiefs in the study.
• Old Hans reported that Wuyou Snake Manor covered 19,500 hectares, with 15,000 cultivated across five tunics devoted mainly to grain and fodder.
• The five Tunic Chiefs described their farmland and serfs, and Russell retained Old Hans as manor steward while urging him to treat the serfs more kindly.
• Russell told Charles and Eric to tour the manor with him the next day and plan Magic Potion Fields for the three Spirit Worms gifted by his father.
• Russell ordered a lavish dinner and Black Pearl Wine to celebrate taking over the territory.

Russell shared a lively banquet with his teachers and Knight Retainers at Wuyou Snake Manor, then discussed how to arrange the manor with Butler Morris. After agreeing to a private evening drink with Morris, Russell finished bathing and felt newly aware of the attraction of Head Maid Leona.

• Charles and Eric argued over Black Pearl Wine until Russell raised a toast and eased the tension.
• Russell, his teachers, and the four Knight Retainers ate and drank together for two hours.
• Morris showed Russell a detailed plan for arranging the manor annex, and Russell approved it while requesting guest rooms for Charles and Eric.
• Morris asked Russell to continue the tradition of sharing a drink in the study, and Russell agreed to meet him after his bath.
• Leona brought Russell a towel after his bath, and Russell noticed her figure before turning his gaze to the moonlight.

After settling into the manor annex, Russell learned about the duties and levies expected of a new lord. In the Dark Dreamscape, he discovered a faint magical light moving in the Glimmering River, possibly from a pearl-producing clam, but Little Dream Dragon ended the dream before he could investigate it in reality.

• Morris reported that the manor annex's staff and supplies had been settled, and Russell left the choice of his manservant and household assignments to him.
• Morris explained that serfs had to give their lord eggs and flour for Lord's Blessing Day, and Russell agreed to instruct Old Hans the next day.
• Russell slept and found that the Dark Dreamscape now outlined the manor annex and the land around it instead of Fluorite Castle.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon spotted a faint, slowly moving magical light in the Glimmering River, which Russell suspected came from a river clam with a Magic Pearl.
• Russell tried to leave the Dark Dreamscape to retrieve the pearls, but Little Dream Dragon ended the dream before he could do so.

Russell woke refreshed and hurried to the Glimmering River to search for the clams he had seen in the Dark Dreamscape. With Old Hans and the others’ help, he found a giant clam containing five Magic Pearls, then ordered warm milk tea for the workers.

• Russell woke after a restful night and remembered the clams he had seen in the Dark Dreamscape.
• After breakfast, Russell asked Old Hans to gather clams and river snails from the Glimmering River.
• Old Hans found an unusually large black clam, and Charles urged Russell to open it.
• Eric used Battle Aura to force the clam open, revealing five Magic Pearls inside.
• Russell praised Old Hans and ordered Butler Morris to have the kitchen prepare warm milk tea for the workers.

Old Hans and the other workers celebrated finding five magical pearls, while Russell considered whether pearls could be cultivated before beginning knight training. Eric taught Russell the Radiant Sword Technique, and Russell started directing his Battle Aura into the meridians in his hands.

• Old Hans, Black Pete, One-Eyed Boris, and Barbara enjoyed milk tea in the boiler room as Boris boasted about the pearls.
• Russell, Charles, and Eric examined five pearls, and Russell wondered whether river clams could be used to cultivate pearls artificially.
• Russell joined Eric for morning training, where Eric taught him the Radiant Sword Technique and explained how its forms guided Battle Aura through barriers.
• Russell repeatedly practiced a sword stroke, drawing Battle Aura toward the meridians in his hands despite being unable to release a sword gleam.

Russell traveled from his manor to Fluorite Castle, where he reunited with his family and met his grandmother, Old Madam Ingrid. She advised him to rule his fief firmly, while her pointed remarks hinted at tension within the household.

• Russell finished his morning drills and left Eric and Charles to choose fields for growing magical herbs while he went to Fluorite Castle.
• Russell rode to the castle with four Armored Knights and male servant Ram, cultivating his battle qi along the way.
• Butler Carter welcomed Russell at the castle, while Tom teased Ram and James and John warned Tom to treat him properly.
• Russell greeted Baron Roman, Baroness Meryl, Laura, and his grandmother, Old Madam Ingrid, who had come to visit.
• Old Madam Ingrid explained that Russell's uncle Rosen could not come because snow ghosts had been appearing in the Northlands, then advised Russell to manage his fief firmly.

Russell visited his family at Fluorite Castle, exchanged gifts, and received Magic Potions before returning to Wuyou Snake Manor. He began his first inspection of the fief and arrived at Bean Wheat Tunic, where the serfs welcomed him.

• Baron Roman gave Russell a batch of Magic Potions and reminded him to train his Battle Aura.
• Russell gave pearls to Old Madam Ingrid, Meryl, and Laura, explaining that he had found them inside a giant river clam.
• Russell declined to stay the night at Fluorite Castle and left for Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, learned that Teacher Charles and Teacher Eric were inspecting the estate, and set out with four Knight Retainers to survey his fief.
• The serfs of Bean Wheat Tunic knelt and welcomed Russell as he rode into their Small Market Town.

Russell toured Small Market Town, considered the manor’s sparse population and the nearby freefolk, then joined Charles and Eric in choosing land along the Glimmering River for magic potion cultivation. The surveyors began marking out the new Magic Potion Tunic, leaving Russell admiring the birch forest as work continued.

• Russell told the kneeling serfs they no longer needed to kneel when he passed, and they praised his kindness.
• Russell surveyed Small Market Town and worried that Wuyou Snake Manor had too few people to support a thriving town.
• Charles and Eric met Russell and proposed creating a Magic Potion Tunic along both banks of the Glimmering River.
• Russell ordered John to summon Old Hans and instructed the group to begin surveying the land that day.
• Charles divided Magic Potion Tunic into sections for Monochoria, Fluorite Mushrooms, and Dill, and Old Hans’s crew began measuring the plots.

Russell established Magic Potion Tunic and placed three Worm Grass crops, assigning Rudy to manage the new operation. The serfs finished their work and received bread, while Russell arranged roast meat for the retainers guarding the crops.

• Russell placed the Fluorite Mushroom Bug on a birch tree, where it grew a large cluster of glowing Worm Grass, and appointed Rudy as Tunic Chief of Magic Potion Tunic.
• Russell converted a wheat field into a Monochoria Magic Potion Field and ordered Old Hans and Rudy to sow Monochoria across one hundred and fifty mu after harvesting the wheat.
• Russell placed the Dill Worm Grass in a field across the river, completing the placement of all three Worm Grass crops.
• Russell had bread distributed to the serfs and ordered extra roast meat for the Knight Retainers guarding the newly planted Worm Grass.
• Mrs. Moore directed the kitchen staff as Mrs. Brown helped prepare dinner and praised Russell.

Russell camped in the birch forest to watch over the Fluorite Mushroom Bug's Worm Grass, then explored the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon. He discovered a faint magical glow inside a birch tree and suspected it was nurturing a Spirit Worm.

• Russell decided to camp beside the thickest birch tree while Eric and four Knight Retainers kept watch, and he told Charles to remain at the manor annex.
• Russell fell asleep and entered a new Dark Dreamscape in which Little Dream Dragon revealed the Worm Grass, Jack, and the Green Ceramic Sword as glowing spots.
• Russell rode Little Dream Dragon through the forest and along the Glimmering River, but found no unusual lights or another pearl-producing river clam.
• Russell realized Little Dream Dragon was circling the birch tree, inspected its trunk, and spotted a faint glow that he thought might come from a Spirit Worm developing inside.

Russell and Snowflake used Dragon Breath to strengthen a birch tree nurturing a Birch Worm, and Russell grew hopeful that it would survive. After inspecting the manor's magical herbs and crops, Russell asked Old Hans what Wuyou Snake Manor most needed to develop.

• Russell asked Snowflake how to help the birch tree, and Snowflake breathed Dragon Breath on it, brightening its glow and strengthening the Birch Worm's chances of being born.
• Russell woke at the birch grove, sent the exhausted Jack to rest, and watched over the tree, convinced the Birch Worm would succeed.
• Russell had breakfast, handed the Worm Grass over to a serf technician, and inspected the Monochoria and Dill Worm Grass as the serfs harvested green shoots.
• Old Hans recalled his experience cultivating magical herbs and explained that he had once been a serf technician before becoming foreman at Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Russell asked Old Hans what should be addressed first to develop Wuyou Snake Manor.

Russell asked Old Hans what Wuyou Snake Manor needed and decided to build a windmill mill in Alfalfa Tunic so the serfs would no longer have to travel to town to grind flour. He ordered Old Hans to recruit workers and Charles to hire master craftsmen, leaving the mill project ready to begin.

• Russell encouraged Old Hans to speak freely about what would make life at the manor easier.
• Old Hans suggested building a mill because serfs had to travel far and wait in line to grind their grain in town.
• Russell and Charles determined that the Glimmering River was unsuitable for a watermill, so Russell chose to build a windmill mill in windy Alfalfa Tunic.
• Russell told Old Hans to recruit one hundred workers and provide them two meals a day.
• Russell asked Charles to hire craftsmen to oversee construction and said he would pay them.

Russell devoted himself to sword training and managing his territory, but became alarmed when the Dark Dreamscape and Little Dream Dragon stopped appearing. After another fruitless night, he suspected Little Dream Dragon needed time to recover from breathing dragonfire, while the Birch Worm continued to develop.

• Russell practiced the Radiant Sword Technique and asked Eric about mastering Battle Qi Chain; Eric said he needed a Phantom Beast to advance.
• Russell camped at Magic Potion Tunic but failed to enter the Dark Dreamscape, and he worried that Little Dream Dragon had disappeared.
• Russell considered whether Little Dream Dragon had exhausted itself by breathing dragonfire to help the birch tree nurture a Spirit Worm.
• Russell spent the day overseeing his territory and preparations for Windmill Mill, then camped at Magic Potion Tunic again.
• Little Dream Dragon did not appear for a second night, but Russell sensed that the Birch Worm was close to taking shape.