Chapter Summaries

Russell led knights to Fluorite Castle for training as the threat of Snow Giant Da loomed, while Katie stayed behind and resolved to grow stronger. After intensive cultivation, Russell broke through his final branch meridian and became a Great Knight.

• Russell left Charles in charge of the territory and took Eric, Grove, and four knight retainers to Fluorite Castle for training.
• Katie asked to join the field training, but Russell ordered her to remain behind and recover her strength; she vowed to prove herself through cultivation.
• Russell trained with the Knight Order and consumed Magic Potions while Madam Meryl warned him about Snow Giant Da and offered to supply more potions.
• Russell entered deep meditation and broke open the final branch meridian, joining all his meridians and condensing his Battle Aura.
• Russell advanced to Great Knight and demonstrated his strength by sending a sword light three meters beyond his window.

Russell advanced to Great Knight and began learning to cultivate the Battle Qi Chain so he could contract a Phantom Beast. A week later, he celebrated Dragon Birth Festival at Fluorite Castle, where he told his family of his progress as they worried about a possible invasion by Snow Giant Da.

• Russell recognized that Great Knights could cultivate Battle Qi Chains and resolved to master one within a month so he could contract a Phantom Beast.
• Russell asked Eric to teach him the Battle Qi Chain, then practiced projecting and drawing back his Battle Aura but struggled to keep it from dispersing.
• The Glow Scorpion's constant muttering distracted Russell, so he stopped training and went to sleep.
• At Fluorite Castle's Dragon Birth Festival gathering, Old Madam Ingrid and Madam Meryl worried about Roman and Roland at Red Castle and discussed the threat of Snow Giant Da.
• Russell told Rosen and his family that he had advanced to Great Knight and was working to cultivate the Battle Qi Chain, prompting his family to celebrate his progress.

Russell and Rosen discussed the approaching Ice Age, Lord Ross’s reluctance to accept a rider, and Russell’s hopes of riding a dragon. After the first snow marked the Ice Age’s arrival, Russell trained his Battle Aura techniques in the wet grounds of the estate.

• Russell celebrated his advancement to Great Knight during the Dragon Birth Festival.
• Rosen told Russell that Lord Ross might have refused riders ever since the Battle of the Fall frightened him twenty years earlier.
• Rosen encouraged Russell to pursue riding Lord Medicarren, and Russell agreed to strive for it.
• Snow began falling, marking the arrival of the Ice Age.
• Russell practiced Battle Qi Chain and other Great Knight techniques, then demonstrated a powerful sword aura that vaporized water.

Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, then learned that Snow Giant Da was preparing an invasion and that the Knight Order would march to Fire Ant Swamp. He left his territory under Katie’s care and set out with the support squad, departing Fluorite Castle after bidding farewell to his family.

• Russell inspected the rebuilt Cigar Courtyard, met the new servant Donnie, and returned to Fluorite Castle.
• Uncle Rosen received Baron Roman’s warning that Snow Giant Da was gathering the Snow Demon and Snow Ghost legions, and ordered the Knight Order to assemble for a march to Fire Ant Swamp.
• Russell assigned Katie to guard the territory with Red-eyed Rat King Jerry and asked Morris to help protect the sprites.
• Russell held a farewell banquet, then left Wuyou Snake Manor before dawn and joined the Knight Order at Fluorite Castle.
• Russell placed Eric in command of the support squad and said goodbye to Madam Meryl and Laura before setting out toward Glimmering Market.

Russell marched with the Human Knight Order toward the coming battle while training and preparing to rely on Unicorn Polly if things went wrong. The Snow Demon Legion raided a Cold Spring Point, where Russell and Eric’s support formation helped crush a Snow Ghost horde as Phantom Beast Knights fought two Snow Demons.

• Russell worried about the coming battle and resolved to master the Battle Qi Chain and contract Polly during the march.
• As the Knight Order traveled along the Ice Snow Great Wall, Russell trained on Polly while Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts in the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell noticed Snow Ghost groups heading northwest and suspected Snow Giant Da was gathering them, but a sudden disturbance pulled him back to reality.
• Tom woke Russell with news that the Snow Demon Legion had invaded the Cold Spring Point, and Russell joined Eric’s formation.
• Eric led the support formation in repeated charges that destroyed the Snow Ghost horde, while Russell collected Hail Beads.
• Russell saw Phantom Beast Knights overpowering two Snow Demons and concluded that the battle was stable.

Russell’s detachment survived an encounter with Snow Demons, and Russell later led Little Dream Dragon to devour a Snow Demon and gain two Ice Soul Beads in the Dark Dreamscape. At Glimmering Market, he reunited with Baron Roman and Roland, met Aunt Michelle, and told his father that he had become a Great Knight.

• After the battle, Rosen and the other knights discussed the Snow Demon Legion’s advance and the territory’s defenses, while Rosen and Lord Ertlas kept the two Ice Soul Beads for Baron Roman.
• That night, Russell directed Little Dream Dragon east-southeast, where it devoured five groups of Snow Ghosts and then swallowed a Snow Demon, producing two Ice Soul Beads.
• The next morning, Baron Roman’s Knight Order reached Glimmering Market, where Baron Roman ordered everyone to rest before departing for Fire Ant Swamp the following day.
• Russell followed Baron Roman and Roland to their courtyard and met Aunt Michelle, whom Baron Roman introduced as Russell’s aunt.
• Baron Roman asked Russell about the march and his training, and Russell said he was a Great Knight and was working to form a Battle Qi Chain and contract Polly.

Russell learned that Redcastle was preparing for war against Snow Giant Da and that the Shadowflame Dragon might receive aid from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom. Baron Roman told Russell he would have to join the campaign, leaving Roland to guard the family’s territory.

• Russell discussed contracting the Glow Scorpion with Baron Roman and suggested his calm Great Knight follower might try to bond with it.
• Roland explained that Snow Giant Da had awakened near Fire Ant Swamp and was summoning the Snow Demon Legion, prompting the Grand Duke to awaken the Shadowflame Dragon.
• Russell learned that the Grand Duke had requested a dragon from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom to aid the Shadowflame Dragon, though Roman warned that dragons’ territorial boundaries could complicate the conflict.
• Russell wondered whether he and Little Dream Dragon were secretly drawing on the Shadowflame Dragon’s power and resolved to repay the Grand Duchy’s protection if necessary.
• Baron Roman told Russell that the family would join the war and that he was most worried about Russell, while Roland would remain to guard their territory.

Russell traveled with the Guangguang River Valley Knight Order toward the war front while preparing to become a Phantom Beast Knight. In Cloud Marsh Province, he successfully formed a contract with Unicorn Polly and gained primordial breath.

• Russell told Polly that he was close to mastering the Battle Qi Chain and would soon form a contract with her.
• Baron Roman gave Russell his stored Magic Potions and asked him to become a Phantom Beast Knight and stay alive.
• The Guangguang River Valley Knight Order crossed Thousand Lakes Province and Mountain Province before entering Cloud Marsh Province.
• Russell rode Polly into a grove with Eric standing guard and began the contract ritual using the Battle Qi Chain and his blood.
• Russell and Polly synchronized their thoughts, transformed their powers into primordial breath, and became a Phantom Beast Knight and his contracted beast.

After advancing to Phantom Beast Knight, Russell tested Unicorn Polly’s innate spells and discovered that Little Dream Dragon’s source dragonflame had transformed her Dream Walk. Russell and Polly left the chapter flying through the forest with their new Dream Escape Technique.

• Russell rode Polly through the swamp forest and learned to use Wind Walk, eventually flying beside her.
• Russell and Polly entered Dream Walk, becoming invisible to animals as they explored the woods.
• Russell discussed Little Dream Dragon, whose source dragonflame began flowing from the M-shaped Mark into him and Polly.
• Polly absorbed the dragonflame, which fused with her Dream Walk and allowed her to fly while remaining in the Dream Walk state.
• Russell named Polly’s new ability Escape into the Dark Dreamscape, or the Dream Escape Technique.

Russell advanced to Phantom Beast Knight and shared the news with Baron Roman, who urged him to keep a low profile before the war. In the Dark Dreamscape, Little Dream Dragon brought Polly into the spirit realm, welcoming her as a new member of their growing family.

• Russell told Eric that he would leave command of the support unit to him because he lacked experience with life-or-death battles.
• Russell told Baron Roman he had advanced to Phantom Beast Knight, and Baron Roman advised him to keep the news quiet and protect the family’s interests during the war.
• Russell met Little Dream Dragon in the Dark Dreamscape and noticed its horns had grown three tines.
• Little Dream Dragon brought Polly into the Dark Dreamscape in spirit form, where Russell explained the realm and its abilities to her.
• Russell welcomed Polly into the Dark Dreamscape family alongside Little Dream Dragon, Sword Butterfly, and Thorn.

Russell and the Knight Order crossed onto the snowy frontier, where Baron Roman introduced him to protected Goose-like Dragons and discussed Pseudo-Dragon Offspring. That night, Russell and Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts, while Polly worried that she could not help them and wondered why she had been brought into the Dark Dreamscape.

• Russell reasoned that the Dark Dreamscape was shaped by Mental Power and that Polly could enter it through her connection with him.
• Russell trained with Polly while traveling with the Knight Order, then crossed the border caverns into the snowfields.
• At Reed Green Wave Cold Spring Point, Baron Roman showed Russell the protected Goose-like Dragons, and Russell explained what he had read about Phantom Beast Pseudo-Dragon Offspring.
• Baron Roman said he might still advance to Tier 4, and Russell encouraged him before the Knight Order continued to its next camp.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts through the night but found no Snow Demons, while Polly felt useless and wondered why Little Dream Dragon had brought her into the Dark Dreamscape.

The Guangguang River Valley Knight Order arrived at Swan Castle in Fire Ant Swamp as nobles gathered to prepare for the coming Snow Demon Legion. Russell greeted Baron Kunbiv Shadowflame and the other lords, then learned that his cousin Mel had become a Phantom Beast Knight.

• Baron Roman and the Guangguang River Valley Knight Order traveled from the snowfield to Swan Castle, where an envoy reported that several provincial lords had arrived and Red Castle had sent four Wyvern Knights to monitor the Snow Demon Legion.
• Baron Kunbiv Shadowflame welcomed Baron Roman and said the front lines remained in a standoff while Snow Giant Da gathered his forces.
• Russell greeted Kunbiv, his uncle Meijie, cousin Mel, Baron Gevidas, and Kunteang Sunflower at the castle.
• After the banquet, Mel showed Russell his new partner, Mora the Iron Feather Grey Crane, and revealed that he had become a Phantom Beast Knight after giving up on Lord Medicarren.

Russell introduced his newly contracted Unicorn Polly to Cousin Mel, who regretted that she was no longer available to trade for. As war approached, Russell trained while Mel explained he would soon return home, and that night Russell admired the Wyverns gathered at Swan Castle while wondering when Little Dream Dragon would grow into a true dragon.

• Cousin Mel visited Russell at the Phantom Beasts' camp to show off Mora and his progress with Battle Qi Sword Control.
• Unicorn Polly arrived, and Russell told Mel that he had contracted her a few days earlier in a snowy forest.
• Mel worried that Russell's contract might cost him Lord Medicarren's recognition as a Wyvern Knight, but Russell said he would prioritize gaining strength before the coming war.
• Russell trained with Polly while Mel said his grandfather had sent him to see the front lines and would soon send him back to Sancha River Mouth.
• Russell warned Mel about the danger of seeing Snow Giant Da, and the cousins later returned to Swan Castle to rest.
• That night, Russell toured Swan Castle with Little Dream Dragon, Sword Butterfly, and Thorn, admired several Wyverns, and wondered when Little Dream Dragon would grow into a true dragon.

As Knight Orders gathered at Fire Ant Swamp, Russell welcomed relatives Baron Curis Zi Cao and Baron Davis Golden Mushroom before joining the campaign against the Snow Demon Legion. The Shadowflame Dragon ordered an immediate offensive, and Russell entered the snowfields to hunt Snow Ghosts while Snow Giant Da waited at Lightning Rod Point.

• Baron Roman told Russell to visit his pregnant sister Rowena at Black Court Mountain after the war, and Russell promised to check on her and stand up for her.
• Baron Davis Golden Mushroom arrived on a Peat Dragon and invited Baron Roman and Russell to visit his family at Kingtop Castle.
• Russell reflected that Baron Davis had no male heir and noticed how useful the Peat Dragon could be for fuel and fertilizer.
• After Wyvern Knights reported that the Snow Demon Legion had formed, the nobles ended their banquets and moved their Knight Orders to the border caverns.
• On January 19, the Shadowflame Dragon ordered the Wyvern Knights and Knight Orders to exterminate the Snow Demon Legion while Snow Giant Da remained at Lightning Rod Point.
• Russell followed the support formation into battle, killed Snow Ghosts with his Green Ceramic Sword, and collected a Hail Bead.

Russell and the Knight Order fought through the Snow Demon Legion’s outer perimeter, killing Snow Ghosts and mounted Great Snow Ghosts while collecting Hail Beads. That night, Little Dream Dragon took Russell and Unicorn Polly into the dream snowfield, where Russell urged it to feast on the glowing Hail Beads.

• Russell, Unicorn Polly, and the Knight Order charged through the Snow Ghosts, while Kevin collected Hail Beads for James.
• Eric led the support formation in an Arrow Formation charge that killed a mounted Great Snow Ghost and its Ghost Beast, and James crushed their remains to find two Hail Beads.
• James dodged an ambush by a half-destroyed Snow Ghost, then Eric ordered the knights to clear the battlefield and rest.
• Russell recalled how much stronger he and Eric had become since their first battle at Wuyou Snake Manor and chose to avoid hunting Snow Demons for their valuable Ice Soul Beads.
• After a day of fighting, the Knight Order withdrew to underground caverns, and Little Dream Dragon brought Russell and Polly into the dream snowfield.
• Little Dream Dragon flew toward the blue-green lights, and Russell encouraged it to eat its fill.

Snow Ghosts, Ghost Beasts, and Snow Demons mysteriously crumbled across the snowfield while Little Dream Dragon feasted in the Dark Dreamscape. As the Knight Order awaited the approaching Shadowflame Dragon and Grand Duke, Russell prepared to welcome them.

• Snow Ghosts and Snow Demons vanished as their snow mounds collapsed, leaving a stretch of snowfield silent.
• Little Dream Dragon ate many Hail Beads and a Snow Demon's Ice Soul Bead before Russell woke the next morning.
• Cousin Mel left to guard his territory and asked Russell to tell him about Snow Giant Da and return safely.
• The Knight Order continued clearing the snowfield, then rested on January 22nd as the Shadowflame Dragon drew near.
• Knight Captain Kendall summoned Russell and Eric to the command tent, where Baron Roman told Russell to prepare to welcome the Shadowflame Dragon and the Grand Duke.

Russell and the gathered nobles welcomed the Shadowflame Dragon as it arrived at the underground front lines. Its Dragon's Might forced the knights and their beasts to kneel, and it left the ground molten when it landed before them.

• Russell listened as young knights discussed whether they had seen a dragon and hoped to receive the Shadowflame Dragon's Gaze.
• A messenger announced the Shadowflame Dragon's arrival, and Count Oscro led the nobles outside to welcome it.
• The Shadowflame Dragon appeared in the sky with Wyverns and birds, and its Dragon's Might pressed Russell, Polly, and the gathered forces to the ground.
• Russell studied the dragon as it descended, its heat melting the frozen ground and transforming the cold surroundings.
• The Shadowflame Dragon landed amid earthquakes, turning the ground beneath it into lava, then looked down indifferently at the kneeling knights.

Russell witnessed the Shadowflame Dragon arrive as the Grand Duchy prepared for war against Snow Giant Da. Grand Duke Kunsitan rallied the knights, but Count Merlin took charge of the battle plans, leaving the Knight Orders to organize and advance toward the snowfields.

• The Shadowflame Dragon arrived with Grand Duke Kunstan Shadowflame and the assembled nobles and knights, then fixed its attention on Snow Giant Da in the northwest.
• Grand Duke Kunsitan swore to kill Snow Giant Da and led the knights in a shared oath to fight, even at the cost of their lives.
• Count Merlin interrupted Kunsitan’s speech and took the lead in the command tent, outlining a plan to separate the Snow Demon Legion from Snow Giant Da and support the Shadowflame Dragon.
• Count Merlin learned that twenty Knight Orders had assembled and directed them to take their positions and drive back the Snow Demon Legion.
• Count Merlin distributed Rain Dragon Cigars invented by Russell and ordered the Knight Orders to be ready to charge after one cigar.
• Russell returned with Baron Roman to the Gloomlight River Valley Knight Order’s encampment to prepare to advance, while Count Merlin and Grand Duke Kunsitan remained alone in the command tent.

Count Merlin warned Grand Duke Kunsitan about the battle, but Kunsitan insisted on joining the Dragon Blood Knights to win Shadowflame's recognition. On the battlefield, Russell and the Gloomlight River Valley Knight Order used coordinated formations to break through the Snow Ghosts while the main teams engaged the Snow Demons.

• Count Merlin cautioned Grand Duke Kunsitan that the battle was too important to rely on their preparations alone, but Kunsitan refused to continue the argument.
• Grand Duke Kunsitan said he wanted to fight alongside the knights like his grandfather Quentin III Shadowflame, and Count Merlin reluctantly allowed him to go.
• Russell reassured Polly that their Dream Escape Technique could withstand Snow Giant Da and the Shadowflame Dragon, then joined the charge against the Snow Ghosts.
• The Knight Order split into two wings, cut the Snow Ghost horde into sections, and turned back in an Arrow Formation to attack again.
• Russell collected Hail Beads as Polly helped him move through the Snow Ghosts, then rejoined the support formation to keep scattered Snow Ghosts from disrupting the teams fighting the Snow Demons.

The Gloomlight River Valley Knight Order fought through the Snow Demon Legion, helping clear a battlefield for the Shadowflame Dragon and Snow Giant Da. Baron Roman’s unit rested after the battle and counted its dead and wounded.

• The knights surrounded and killed a Muscle-bound Snow Demon, then recovered two Ice Soul Beads from its body.
• Russell watched the Knight Order advance across the snowfield as its formations drove the Snow Demon Legion away from Snow Giant Da.
• A Wyvern relayed orders for Baron Roman to turn right and draw more Snow Demons away, helping create a broad battlefield by evening.
• Baron Roman ordered his knights to rest and count casualties; Russell reported no deaths and seven injured in the support formation.
• Uncle Rosen called the battle unprecedented, while Old Lord Sali lamented that twenty-one years had passed since the previous great battle.