Chapter Summaries

Russell inspected Fluorite Mushroom harvesting at Magic Potion Tunic before learning that the Grand Duke had approved his title of Grand Scholar for inventing Reading Glasses. He attended the reward ceremony in Small Market Town, where the delegation prepared to read the Grand Duke’s proclamation.

• Russell told Charles to take his time developing Fluorite Mushroom production because the territory lacked trees and workers.
• After lunch, Butler Morris informed Russell that envoys from the Grand Duke had arrived to reward him.
• Commander Lucas explained that the Grand Scholars’ Round Table had recognized Russell’s Reading Glasses invention and that Grand Duke Kunsitan had approved the title of Grand Scholar.
• Russell arranged an afternoon ceremony and welcomed the delegation at Small Market Town, where residents gathered to celebrate him.
• Russell surveyed Small Market Town’s expanding streets, market, public toilets, dormitories, and planned districts before Commander Lucas began the reward proceedings.

Russell received the Grand Duke’s decree naming him a scholar, then learned that rats had been damaging grain while the Red-eyed Rat King was away. He summoned Red-eye, whose call drew rats from across the territory.

• Commander Lucas read the Grand Duke’s decree, and Russell accepted the title of Scholar and its accompanying honors.
• Russell awarded every resident two copper coins, then hosted the delegation and arranged a gift of thanks.
• After the delegation left, Russell learned that Charles had no news about Rain Dragon Cigar production and decided to visit the cigar workshop with him.
• Charles reported that rats had damaged grain while the Red-eyed Rat King was away, and Russell called Red-eye to restore control.
• The Red-eyed Rat King howled, and rats began rushing toward the manor residence from every direction.

Russell inspected Wuyou Snake Manor after returning and decided he would contract the Red-eyed Rat King once he became a Great Knight. He checked on the manor’s breeding operations and ended the evening by calling for a banquet to celebrate his new title of Scholar.

• Russell told the Red-eyed Rat King he would make it his Phantom Beast after advancing to Great Knight, then ordered it to send its rats to search for treasure and patrol without damaging the manor.
• Russell offered Charles a Phantom Beast if he ever advanced to Great Knight, but Charles explained that years of neglect had made cultivating Battle Aura too painful for him.
• At the Wuyou Black Pig farm, Russell ordered Charles to buy ordinary sows and said he would ask his aunt to help purchase Golden Black Sows for breeding.
• At the Bear Bee farm, Russell urged Big Beard Kenny and his wife to find a way to raise a queen bee and promised rewards for their work.
• Russell invited the manor’s officials to a banquet that evening to celebrate his title of Scholar.

At the evening banquet, Russell ordered Horace to recruit more serfs, freemen, and craftsmen, while the officials praised the territory’s growing prospects. The next morning, after dreaming of becoming a Dragon Knight, Russell challenged Eric to a spar and revealed how much his strength had improved.

• Horace reported that the cave trading market had gained the Cave Freemen’s trust and that more than a hundred freemen had joined the manor.
• Charles argued that Russell’s fair treatment of freemen and his two little sprites would attract more settlers, especially skilled craftsmen, and Russell tasked Horace with promoting recruitment.
• Russell toasted his officials and privately resolved to become a Dragon Knight and form a contract with Little Dream Dragon.
• Russell dreamed of defeating a Frost Giant and reaching his hometown, then woke feeling homesick before his mood lifted during his morning routine.
• Russell challenged Eric to a spar, and after their first exchange Eric realized Russell’s strength had grown enormously and began fighting in earnest.

Russell tested his growing strength, visited the brick kiln and cigar factory in Glimmering Town, and challenged Sir Soske over the factory’s refusal to accept his quality supervision. He exposed defects in the Rain Dragon Cigars and left Soske facing his accusation.

• Russell defeated Eric in a duel, explained that Origin Dragon Breath had helped him advance, and said he wanted to become a Phantom Beast Knight rather than pursue riding a dragon.
• Russell sparred with Jack, Tom, John, and James, defeated them, and encouraged them to keep cultivating for a chance to contract other Phantom Beasts.
• Russell inspected the Black-Waist Snake Brick Kiln Factory and told Little William to improve the Slag Bricks, expand production, and fix safety hazards despite the coal shortage.
• At the Cigar Factory, Russell confronted Sir Soske for rejecting Charles’s quality supervision, but Soske insisted that he answered only to Baron Roman.
• Russell tore apart a Rain Dragon Cigar and showed Soske its shredded tobacco, accusing him of failing to meet the requirement that each cigar use one intact leaf.

Russell confronted Soske for using broken tobacco leaves at the Cigar Factory and persuaded Baron Roman to replace him so Rain Dragon Cigars could uphold their quality and reputation. With Soske transferred, Russell planned to standardize production under Old Hans and expand from luxury cigars into the wider tobacco market.

• Russell rebuked Soske for rolling Rain Dragon Cigars from broken leaves, and Soske defended his cost-cutting and loyalty to the family.
• Russell told Baron Roman that Soske's shortcuts threatened the Rain Dragon Cigar brand and explained why meticulous craftsmanship and whole leaves mattered.
• Baron Roman agreed to transfer Soske and let Russell take charge of the factory, including introducing young women cigar rollers for premium cigars.
• Baron Roman moved Soske to another business, and Russell told the cigar technicians to halt production until new procedures were established.
• Russell ordered the existing cigars sealed and divided between Fluorite Castle and his own group, while planning to sell premium cigars before expanding into cheaper products and cigarettes.

Russell assigned Old Hans to manage the Cigar Factory and established three Rain Dragon Cigar series with different quality levels and restrictions. After Russell banned smoking indoors, Katie and Catherine argued over Katie’s decision to rebuild her Battle Aura, leaving Katie resolute despite the risk of failure.

• Russell appointed Old Hans to manage the Cigar Factory and ordered him to enforce strict quality standards for Rain Dragon Cigars.
• Russell named the current premium cigars White Dew and planned Windfrost and Cloud Mist Magic Tobacco series, reserving them for nobles and Hail Bead buyers.
• Russell ordered everyone to smoke outside after Katie choked on cigar smoke in the manor annex.
• Catherine praised Russell’s concern for Katie, while Katie rebuked her for indulging in romantic thoughts about their lord.
• Catherine warned Katie that rebuilding her Battle Aura could leave her powerless, but Katie said she would become a serf if she failed and remained content with her choice.

Russell planned renovations to Wuyou Snake Manor, settling on adding a floor to the rear and improving bridges and grounds instead of building a Small Castle. Butler Morris informed the servants, who discussed the changes and their hopes for better sleeping arrangements.

• Russell reviewed Butler Morris's floor plan and decided to add a third floor above the manor residence's rear row rather than build a Small Castle.
• Russell ordered a fence, a tidied lawn, a training ground, and sturdier bridges at Wuyou Snake Manor and Magic Potion Tunic.
• Russell asked Butler Morris to oversee the renovations and have Charles recruit stonemasons and carpenters.
• Russell read a geographical chronicle and learned that the Scorching Torrent Kingdom had two dragons, the Scorching Dragon and the Torrent Dragon.
• Butler Morris told the servants about the renovations, and they discussed room assignments and Fox's snoring.
• Butler Morris said he would hire another male servant after Fox hoped to have a room to himself.

Russell took stock of his Magic Potions and planned to begin training young knights, then learned Katie had started recultivating her Battle Aura. He sponsored her with potions and left Charles embarrassed after warning him to behave properly.

• Russell told Charles to trade the next harvest of Fluorite Mushrooms for Qi and Blood Paste or Meatballs to prepare for training children as knights.
• Russell agreed that Charles's son and Eric's son could join the future training program.
• Charles asked to exchange for a Healing Potion for Katie, who had dispersed her ranger Battle Aura to start over.
• Russell summoned Katie, reassured her that failure would not cost her position, and gave her two Healing Potions and ten Beneficial Supplement Potions.
• After Katie left, Russell cautioned Charles against improper conduct when he saw him watching her wistfully.

Russell measured the expanded Dark Dreamscape, discovered that several freshwater clam ponds had produced pearls, and checked Katie’s Battle Aura reconstruction. He rode Little Dream Dragon to the snowfields to search for Snow Demons, but Little Dream Dragon fell asleep before they could begin.

• Russell measured the Dark Dreamscape at 252 mu and found that Little Dream Dragon’s speed had increased to 35 kilometers per hour.
• Russell found magic light from pearls in several freshwater clam ponds and concluded that crushed shell fragments produced more successes than clay pellets.
• Russell examined Catherine and Katie’s Battle Aura, recorded Katie’s damaged meridians, and found no way to help her rebuild them yet.
• Russell rode Little Dream Dragon south toward the snowfields to look for lone Snow Demons, but Little Dream Dragon yawned and plunged them into the Dark Dreamscape.

Russell inspected Cave Tunic’s expanding Blood Fang Fungus fields, then explored the summer snowfields after the Red-eyed Rat King’s scouts confirmed the area was safe. The chapter ended with Russell reflecting on the snow forest’s resilience and his confidence that they could eventually drive out every Snow Demon.

• Drulk showed Russell the enlarged Blood Fang Fungus Magic Potion Field, and Russell ordered frequent inspections of the Ice Cap for cracks.
• Charles reported that the Blood Fang Fungus harvest had produced three batches, while Russell noted that dill, dandelions, and tobacco would help supply Magic Potions until Fluorite Mushroom yields increased.
• Russell agreed to send the Sentry Mouse Squad to scout Big Mouth Cavern’s surroundings before the group climbed to the snowfields.
• The Red-eyed Rat King summoned its rat swarm, which scouted the area and returned to report that it was safe.
• Russell led the group into the snow forest, where he observed the thriving wildlife and said they could eventually sweep away every Snow Demon.

Russell explored the snow forest outside Big Mouth Cavern and ordered hunting banned so the fragile ecosystem could grow and perhaps produce a Phantom Beast. On the way back, he led his retainers in defeating five Snow Ghosts and collected their Hail Beads for Little Dream Dragon.

• Russell and his companions searched the snow forest but found no large beasts or anything remarkable.
• Russell ordered Drulk to forbid hunting in the snow forest and told Charles to post a notice in Cave Tunic.
• The Red-eyed Rat King spotted five Snow Ghosts charging toward Big Mouth Cavern, and Russell organized the group to face them.
• Russell rapidly killed the five Snow Ghosts with help from his retainers, while the Red-eyed Rat King and Tom collected their Hail Beads.
• Charles realized Russell was close to the strength of a Great Knight, and Catherine praised his fighting.

Lame Rice and Gwen with a Crooked Neck learned that composted urine and manure could increase their wheat yield, and they prayed for Lord Master Russell to prosper. After hunting five Snow Ghosts, Russell decided to camp at Wolf Head Cavern and hunt more, with Eric and Catherine joining him for safety.

• Gwen with a Crooked Neck pointed out that the wheat fertilized with Urine Fertilizer grew better than the surrounding crop.
• Lame Rice explained that urine and feces had to be composted and said the trial showed fertilizer increased yields by ten to twenty percent.
• Lame Rice told Gwen with a Crooked Neck that the extra grain would remain theirs because Lord Master Russell would not raise the land rent.
• Lame Rice and Gwen with a Crooked Neck prayed for Lord Master Russell to ride a dragon soon.
• Russell hunted five Snow Ghosts, collected their Hail Beads, and decided to camp at Wolf Head Cavern to hunt more.
• Russell asked Charles to summon Eric for protection, and Catherine offered to camp with him.

Russell explored the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon and found a tiny, unfamiliar magical creature sleeping in a massive snow cedar. He left the creature unidentified as he examined its strange appearance.

• Russell spent the evening joking with Charles and the others before drinking soup tea and going to sleep.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon entered the Dark Dreamscape and headed for the snow forest to search for magical creatures.
• Russell spotted faint magical glow on an enormous snow cedar and rode around it to investigate.
• Little Dream Dragon found a palm-sized creature sleeping where a branch met the trunk, and Russell wondered what it was.

Russell encountered Fairy Saiban, the collective spirit of the snow forest, in the Dark Dreamscape and received a Berry of Plunder. After eating it, he wondered whether he could hear Phantom Beast Whisper and whether other snow forests might have their own fairies.

• The Little Dream Dragon's dragonflame awakened a magical creature in the snow cedar, which entered the Dark Dreamscape and danced with Russell, the Little Dream Dragon, the Sword Butterfly, and a flower.
• The creature told Russell that the snow forest's shared spirit had formed from the snow cedars' free wills and gave him a Berry of Plunder as the forest's blessing.
• The forest spirit explained that eating the berry would let Russell hear Phantom Beast Whisper, then identified itself as Fairy Saithpania before fading into the snow cedar.
• Russell named the spirit Fairy Saiban and ate the berry while the Little Dream Dragon searched the forest for another one.
• Russell noticed no immediate change and wondered whether every snow forest on the snowfield could have its own fairy.

After receiving Sprite Saiban’s Essence Berry, Russell discovered that he could sometimes hear Phantom Beasts’ whispers. He returned from the snowfields without finding Saiban, but the new ability surfaced again at home as he heard Red-eye complain about its name.

• Russell searched Saiban Snow Forest with Eric, but neither of them sensed anything unusual about the snow cedar.
• Russell realized that he had heard Kevin’s whisper and concluded that the Essence Berry had given him the ability to hear Phantom Beast Whispers.
• Russell searched his books for information about sprites and Essence Berries but found no records.
• Russell heard Red-eye planning to steal Bear Bee honey, summoned it, and warned it not to raid the farm.
• Red-eye agreed to stay away from the honey, then whispered that it wanted to be called Kevin too.

Russell confirmed he could sometimes hear Phantom Beasts’ whispers, named the Red-eyed Rat King Jerry, and arranged renovations for the manor annex. He named the renovated estate Cigar Courtyard and prepared to plant thorn hedges.

• Russell heard the Red-eyed Rat King’s whispers and named him Jerry.
• Russell welcomed Captain Candice and commissioned a renovation that would add a floor to the manor annex.
• Russell named the manor annex Cigar Courtyard and asked Captain Candice to carve the name above its gate.
• Knight Retainer Jack returned with the thorn seeds, and Russell told Charles to arrange serfs to plant the hedges the next day.
• Russell invited Charles and Eric to dinner at Cigar Courtyard but refused Charles’s request for more Pinkish Wine.

Russell found no Snow Ghosts near Guangguang River Valley and returned to the manor territory. There, Charles discovered that Old Charlie’s strange trees were Worm Grass, and Russell set out to inspect them for a Spirit Worm.

• Russell confirmed that the nearby Snow Ghosts had disappeared and rode through Small Market Town toward the manor.
• Old Charlie asked Charles for help with strange trees growing around his home in Wheat Tunic after the Tunic Chief refused to let him cut them down.
• Charles visited Old Charlie’s home, identified the trees as Worm Grass, and ordered people to guard them.
• Charles rushed to Cigar Courtyard and reported the Worm Grass to Russell, who immediately prepared to inspect it for a Spirit Worm.

Russell discovered and bonded with a Bamboo Spirit Worm in Old Charlie's yard, where a bamboo grove was actually a single Worm Grass plant. After rewarding Old Charlie for reporting it, Russell left Charles to investigate Tunic Chief Black Pete, whom Charles suspended from his post.

• Russell recognized the bamboo grove as Worm Grass and explained that its many stalks belonged to one plant with underground roots.
• Russell used Jade Powder and his blood to contract the Bamboo Spirit Worm, which then stored the entire bamboo grove inside itself.
• Russell rewarded Old Charlie with one Gold Coin for discovering the Worm Grass and promised rewards to anyone who promptly reported magical creatures.
• Black Pete asked Charles to help him earn a reward, but Charles blamed him for neglecting his duties and suspended him as Tunic Chief pending an investigation.

Russell planted the rapidly spreading Bamboo Spirit Worm at Cigar Courtyard and rewarded Old Charlie for finding it, inspiring the serfs to search for Worm Grass. As harvest season began, Russell received a reply from his elder brother Roland and was pleased by its contents.

• Russell planted the Bamboo Spirit Worm near Cigar Courtyard and wondered whether it would spread into a vast bamboo forest.
• Nicole and Rosie crowded around the new Bamboo Spirit Worm until Russell told them to stop.
• Russell arranged a celebratory banquet and invited Old Charlie, then sent him home with a gold coin, fine clothes, and a carriage ride.
• Word of Old Charlie's reward spread through Wuyou Snake Manor, prompting serfs to search the fields for Worm Grass.
• In November, Raphael arrived with letters from Fluorite Castle and Roland Fluorite Mushroom, and Russell smiled after reading Roland's reply.