Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, sends Bai Xiang, the former Grand Priest, and Princess Changle to reattempt awakening the Creation Realm Divine Kings in the Ancestral God Hall.
• After one hour, no news arrives, indicating a failed attempt.
• Bai Xiang and Princess Changle try to awaken Creation Realm Divine Generals and then Divine Beings, but many have also vanished.
• Bai Xiang reports the failure and the disappearance of many Divine Kings, Generals, and Beings to Ji Ao.

Character Developments

• Ji Ao: Initially furious, he becomes anxious and terrified as the situation worsens. He faints upon hearing the full extent of the disaster.
• Bai Xiang: Despite his initial confidence, he becomes shocked and terrified as he realizes the extent of the problem. He remains calm enough to report the situation accurately.
• Princess Changle: She assists Bai Xiang but also becomes shocked and terrified by the results.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Ji Ao still trusts Bai Xiang but suspects Dongyang Si Chen's motives.
• Power and loss: The disappearance of the Divine Kings, Generals, and Beings represents a significant loss of power for Great Zhou.
• Fear and uncertainty: The characters grapple with fear and uncertainty as the situation spirals out of control.

Character Interactions

• Ji Ao and Bai Xiang: Ji Ao initially trusts Bai Xiang but becomes increasingly anxious and terrified as Bai Xiang reports the failures.
• Bai Xiang and Princess Changle: They work together to attempt the awakening but become increasingly shocked and terrified as they realize the extent of the problem.
• Ji Ao and Dongyang Si Chen: Though not present, Dongyang Si Chen's actions and motives are a source of suspicion and concern for Ji Ao.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Emperor Ji Ao faints due to anger and worry about the missing Sacred Sacrifices.
• He orders a secret investigation into the disappearance, with no leads found yet.
• The rebel armies continue advancing, causing panic and pleas for aid from all prefectures and commanderies.
• Ji Ao, desperate, seeks Ye Zhen's help by requesting his presence in Luoyi to discuss wedding arrangements, hinting at his need for intervention.

Character Developments

• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, shows signs of desperation and loss of confidence due to the crisis.
• Ye Zhen decides to intervene, prioritizing his alignment against Heaven Temple and the future of the Primordial Continent.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and control in the Primordial Continent.
• The consequences of inaction and the need for intervention.
• The alignment of forces against Heaven Temple.

Character Interactions

• Ji Ao reaches out to Ye Zhen for help, showing his desperation and trust in Ye Zhen.
• Ye Zhen considers Ji Ao's request, ultimately deciding to intervene due to his alignment against Heaven Temple.
• Ye Zhen and Ji Ao's relationship deepens, with Ji Ao showing sincerity by personally welcoming Ye Zhen to Luoyi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, seeks Ye Zhen's help to deal with the four rebel armies besieging Great Zhou.
• Ye Zhen agrees to help on the condition that he has absolute command authority and access to significant military resources, including Holy Sacrifices of Ancestral God Hall.
• Ji Ao agrees to Ye Zhen's conditions, except for the provision of Holy Sacrifices of the Creation Realm Divine King Realm.

Character Developments

• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, shows humility and desperation in seeking Ye Zhen's help, demonstrating the immense pressure he's under.
• Ye Zhen maintains a calm and calculated demeanor, using the opportunity to secure significant military resources and power.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and alliances in the face of adversity.
• The importance of military resources and strategic planning in war.
• The shifting relationships between former enemies, now potential allies.

Character Interactions

• Ji Ao and Ye Zhen engage in a formal yet tense negotiation, with Ji Ao showing deference to Ye Zhen's demands.
• The interaction highlights the complex history between the two characters and their current need for cooperation.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen watches Ji Ao, the New Monarch, leave after proposing reasonable conditions for the Five Kings Divine Punishment, finding his behavior strange.
• Ye Zhen decides to use this opportunity to scout Luoyi Imperial Palace for rescuing Yu Chaoen and investigates Ji Ao's strange actions.
• Ji Ao leads Ye Zhen, unseen, to the Imperial Family Sacrificial Grounds and enters Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's Imperial Temple.
• Inside the temple, Ji Ao addresses Founding Ancestor Ji Bang as "Imperial Father" and mentions the "imperial clan's last guardian force."

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen shows cunning and daring by entering Luoyi Imperial Palace with his true body and following Ji Ao.
• Ji Ao displays unusual behavior, kneeling before Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's statue and speaking to it as if it were his father.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Ye Zhen's trust in Ji Ao is tested as he follows him, while Ji Ao's trust in Ye Zhen is questioned when he seeks confirmation from his "Imperial Father."
• Power dynamics: The conversation between Ji Ao and the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal hints at the true power structure within the imperial clan.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Ji Ao: Ye Zhen follows Ji Ao, trying to understand his strange behavior, while Ji Ao, seemingly unaware, leads Ye Zhen to the Imperial Temple.
• Ji Ao and Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Ji Ao addresses the Divine Statue of Founding Ancestor Ji Bang as "Imperial Father," suggesting a complex relationship or delusion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen learns that Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long, thought to be dead, is advising Ji Ao, the New Monarch.
• Ji Ao plans to deploy the Imperial Clan's final guardian force, led by Ye Zhen, to combat a threat.
• Ji Ao performs ancestral rites and verifies his bloodline to obtain the Imperial Clan's Guardian Blood Token.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Realizes the extent of Ji Ao's power and the existence of the Imperial Clan's final guardian force.
• Ji Ao, the New Monarch: Demonstrates his resolve and capability by activating the Imperial Clan's final guardian force.
• Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long: Revealed to be alive and advising Ji Ao, showing his continued influence.

Significant Themes

• Trust and power dynamics within the Imperial Clan.
• The importance of bloodline and ancestry in Great Zhou's politics and military.
• The weight of history and the legacy of Founding Emperor Ji Bang.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Ji Ao: Ye Zhen learns about Ji Ao's true capabilities and the extent of Ji Ao's trust in him.
• Ji Ao and Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long: Ji Ao seeks his father's guidance to activate the Imperial Clan's final guardian force, highlighting their close relationship and Ji Long's continued influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, obtains the Imperial Family Guardian Blood Token and travels to the Imperial Palace Inner Court.
• Ye Zhen follows Ji Ao, hoping to enter the Imperial Family Secret Realm.
• Ji Ao enters the Imperial Clan's Small World, and Ye Zhen manages to slip in behind him.
• Ye Zhen is astonished by the incredibly dense Worldly Essence and the strength of the inhabitants in the Imperial Clan's Small World.
• Ji Ao reaches the Imperial Temple within the Small World's Luoyi City and places the Imperial Family Guardian Blood Token on the ancestral register, requesting ten Creation Realm Divine Kings and thirty Creation Realm Divine Generals.

Character Developments

• Ji Ao demonstrates his authority and power as the New Monarch, successfully activating the imperial family's protective force.
• Ye Zhen shows caution and strategic thinking, ensuring he has a plan for escape before entering the Imperial Family Secret Realm.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the imperial family, with their Small World being a testament to their strength and resources.
• The dense Worldly Essence in the Imperial Clan's Small World, which enhances the cultivation and strength of its inhabitants.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Ji Ao interact indirectly as Ye Zhen follows Ji Ao into the Imperial Clan's Small World.
• Ji Ao interacts with the sixteen Internal Inspectorate eunuchs, who serve him and facilitate his entry into the Imperial Temple.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen senses an incredibly powerful aura from the Imperial Temple, rivaling a Dao Ancestor.
• He realizes there's a Creation Realm Divine Lord or even a Dao Ancestor within the temple.
• Ji Ao, the New Monarch, is possessed by an entity within the Imperial Temple.
• The possessed Ji Ao takes the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal and destroys the remnant soul of Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long.
• The Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal merges into Ji Ao's body, and his cultivation rapidly increases to the Creation Realm.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Realizes the depth of the Great Zhou Imperial Clan's power and becomes more cautious.
• Ji Ao, the New Monarch: Possessed by an entity, destroys Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's soul, and his cultivation increases dramatically.
• Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long: His remnant soul is destroyed by the possessed Ji Ao.

Significant Themes

• Power and Authority: The entity possessing Ji Ao demonstrates immense power, challenging Ye Zhen's understanding of the Great Zhou Imperial Clan's strength.
• Possession and Control: The possession of Ji Ao raises questions about who truly controls the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal and the Great Zhou Imperial Clan.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and the Entity in the Imperial Temple: Ye Zhen observes the entity's actions from a distance, trying not to draw its attention.
• Ji Ao and the Entity: Ji Ao is possessed by the entity, which uses him to destroy Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's soul and absorb the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal.
• Ji Ao and Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long: Ji Ao, under the entity's control, destroys his father's remnant soul.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen retreats from the Imperial Temple after realizing the possessed Ji Ao's cultivation aura rivals a Creation Realm Divine Lord's, potentially even a Dao Ancestor.
• Ye Zhen searches for Yu Chaoen within the Imperial Clan's Small World.
• He discovers a dungeon imprisoning rebel primordial spirits, Devil Race captives, Ancient Clan captives, and Demon Race captives, including two Creation Realm Divine King's divine sources.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen demonstrates decisiveness and caution, prioritizing his safety and understanding the gravity of the situation.
• Ji Ao, possessed by Great Zhou's Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, rapidly gains power, becoming a formidable threat.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The story highlights the power dynamics between the Great Zhou Imperial Clan, Heaven Temple, and other factions, with the Imperial Clan's strength being emphasized.
• Cultivation and Danger: The narrative underscores the dangers of cultivation, with Ye Zhen's decision to retreat showing that even powerful cultivators must be cautious.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Ji Ao: Ye Zhen's interaction with the possessed Ji Ao is brief but tense, leading to Ye Zhen's retreat.
• Ye Zhen and Eunuch Liu: Ye Zhen, disguised as Ji Ao, interacts with Eunuch Liu, who leads him to the dungeon and provides information about the captives.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen, possessing Ji Ao, visits the Imperial Palace's dungeon to rescue Yu Chaoen's primordial spirit but faces strict rules and decides against it.
• He leaves the dungeon, and Eunuch Liu plans to report the visit to the chief steward.
• War drums, specifically Dragon Skin War Drums, start resonating within the palace, indicating something significant is happening.
• The possessed Ji Ao (actually Great Zhou's Founding Ancestor Ji Bang) is seen pounding on a top-grade Dragon Skin War Drum atop the Imperial Temple.
• Palace attendants gather around the Imperial Temple, kneeling in rows according to rank.
• The war drums cause the stone guard statues behind the Imperial Temple to crack and reveal golden armor underneath.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen demonstrates his cunning and caution, deciding not to take risks by rescuing Yu Chaoen's primordial spirit.
• The possessed Ji Ao (Ji Bang) shows his power and intent by pounding on the Dragon Skin War Drum, hinting at his plans for the empire.

Significant Themes

• Power and control: Ji Bang's actions suggest he's asserting his power and control over the empire through the war drums and the revelation of the golden-armored statues.
• Secrets and revelations: The cracking of the stone guards' surfaces hints at hidden truths being revealed, foreshadowing potential changes in the empire.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Eunuch Liu: Ye Zhen issues orders to Eunuch Liu, who is surprised but compliant. They both acknowledge the strict rules governing the dungeon.
• Ye Zhen and the palace attendants: The attendants are shocked and honored by Ye Zhen's visit to the dungeon, with some even weeping in gratitude.
• Ji Bang (possessing Ji Ao) and the palace attendants: The attendants gather around the Imperial Temple, kneeling in respect to Ji Bang as he pounds the war drums.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A stone guard at the Imperial Temple reveals a golden-armored arm, indicating a living person sealed inside.
• Founding Emperor Ji Bang awakens the first general, Huang Jian, using the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal and Ancestral God Mountain.
• Huang Jian, freed from his stone confinement, pays respects to Ji Bang and takes over beating the Dragon Skin War Drum.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Realizes the strategic cunning of Founding Emperor Ji Bang and the value of the materials used in the stone guards. Witnesses the awakening of Huang Jian and the power of the Dragon Skin War Drum.
• Founding Emperor Ji Bang: Shows his excitement and determination in awakening his generals. Uses the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal and Ancestral God Mountain to free Huang Jian.
• Huang Jian: Awakens from his stone confinement, revealing his loyalty and prowess. Takes over beating the Dragon Skin War Drum, demonstrating its powerful influence on the divine soul.

Significant Themes

• Strategic Cunning: Founding Emperor Ji Bang's long-term planning and foresight are emphasized.
• Power and Control: The awakening of Huang Jian and the use of the Dragon Skin War Drum highlight the power dynamics between Ji Bang and his generals.
• Sacrifice and Endurance: The generals' long confinement and awakening suggest themes of enduring hardship and sacrifice for a greater cause.

Character Interactions

• Founding Emperor Ji Bang and Huang Jian: Their interaction shows their shared history, loyalty, and determination. Ji Bang entrusts Huang Jian with the task of awakening the other generals.
• Ye Zhen and the Events: Ye Zhen's observations and realizations drive the narrative, providing insight into the events unfolding before him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen enters the Ancestral God Hall and meets the revived Founding General Huang Jian.
• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang revives an army of nearly four hundred thousand stone guards, stronger than Ye Zhen's Zhenhai Army.
• Thousands of battle soul statues in the Battle Soul Hall shatter, causing chaos.
• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang revives his ministers, generals, and Sacred Priests, including some at the Creation Realm Divine King level.
• Ye Zhen escapes the Imperial Clan's Small World, pursued by Ji Bang and his forces.

Character Developments

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Revives his army and ministers, showing his strategic prowess and determination to battle the Primordial Wilderness again.
• Ye Zhen: Realizes the threat posed by Ji Bang's revived forces and escapes using the Twelve Yuan Chen Celestial Treasure Beads.

Significant Themes

• Power and Resurrection: The chapter explores the theme of power and its consequences, as Ji Bang's revival of his army and ministers changes the balance of power in Great Zhou.
• Espionage and Discovery: Ye Zhen's infiltration and subsequent discovery by Ji Bang highlight the risks and rewards of espionage.

Character Interactions

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang and Founding General Huang Jian: They interact briefly, with Huang Jian volunteering to pursue the intruder but being declined by Ji Bang.
• Ye Zhen and A Yuan: Ye Zhen contacts A Yuan to escape the Imperial Clan's Small World, demonstrating their trust and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen safely returns to the Luoyi Imperial Palace but senses Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's attention.
• Ye Zhen decides to wait at East Arrival Pavilion to avoid suspicion, sending his Blood Essence Clone to wait in the palace while his true body escapes and absorbs power from the Primordial Earthly Human Dao Great Formation.
• Ji Ao (possessed by Ji Bang) returns and expresses disdain for Ye Zhen's youth and status.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen demonstrates caution and strategic thinking, prioritizing his safety and understanding the threat Ji Bang poses.
• Ji Bang, possessing Ji Ao's body, reveals his ambition and disdain for Ye Zhen, hinting at his potential actions upon his return.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and political intrigue within the imperial court.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponents.
• The dangers of revealing one's true intentions too early.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Ji Bang (through Ji Ao): Tension and hidden threats, with Ji Bang's return potentially spelling danger for Ye Zhen.
• He Changying and Ji Ao (Ji Bang): He Changying senses the change in Ji Ao's demeanor but is unable to understand the implications, showing his loyalty and concern for the emperor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, possessing Ji Ao, demands to see Ye Zhen's files, surprising Grand Supervisor He Changying.
• Ji Bang openly uses spiritual sense to probe Ye Zhen, an arrogant and disrespectful act.
• Ye Zhen blocks Ji Bang's spiritual sense and asserts boundaries between ruler and subject.
• Ji Bang asks about Ye Zhen's lineage, hinting at potential trouble if revealed.
• Ji Bang questions the authenticity of Ye Zhen's battle achievements and military merits.

Character Developments

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Returns with a forceful and commanding presence, acting without fear and secure in his backing.
• Ye Zhen: Stands his ground against Ji Bang's arrogance, showing neither servility nor overbearance. He remains firm in his refusal to reveal his lineage, hinting at potential trouble.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics between ruler and subject.
• The consequences of revealing hidden truths.
• The arrogance of power and its potential backlash.

Character Interactions

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang and Ye Zhen: Their exchange is tense and filled with underlying threats and challenges. Ji Bang tries to assert his dominance, while Ye Zhen maintains his composure and respect while pushing back against Ji Bang's arrogance.
• Grand Supervisor He Changying: Witnesses the exchange between Ji Bang and Ye Zhen, growing bewildered by the shift in their dynamic. He Changying is caught between his loyalty to the Emperor and his respect for Ye Zhen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Bang, possessed by Ji Ao, orders Ye Zhen to lead an army to cleanse the Four Seas, demoting him from King of North Sea to Duke of the State for 'improper conduct' after Ye Zhen smashes a tea bowl.
• Ye Zhen is given a massive army, including the Resurrection Legion, and two renowned generals as deputies.
• The imperial palace's atmosphere suggests an impending significant change.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Accepts his demotion and new orders, understanding that Ji Bang is playing a strategic game. He realizes Ji Bang might suspect his involvement in the earlier intrusion into the Imperial Clan's Small World.
• Ji Bang (possessed by Ji Ao): Manipulates Ye Zhen, stripping him of his title to make future rewards more impactful. He assigns Ye Zhen a vast army, hinting at his own suspicions or knowledge of Ye Zhen's actions.
• He Changying: Realizes the gravity of the situation but dares not reveal his thoughts, understanding that something major is happening within the palace.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Ji Bang uses his authority to control Ye Zhen, demonstrating the power imbalance between them.
• Suspicion and hidden knowledge: Both Ji Bang and Ye Zhen suspect each other, leading to strategic gameplay and hidden agendas.
• Change and adaptation: The changing political landscape forces Ye Zhen to adapt his strategies and conditions.

Character Interactions

• Ji Bang and Ye Zhen: Their interaction is tense and strategic, with each trying to outmaneuver the other. Ji Bang manipulates Ye Zhen, while Ye Zhen tries to maintain control over the situation.
• He Changying and Ji Bang: He Changying is confused and intimidated by Ji Bang's actions, understanding that something significant is happening but not daring to intervene or question it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Emperor Ji Ao (Founding Ancestor Ji Bang) issues decrees summoning high-ranking ministers and appointing Nian Feixiong to key military positions.
• Nian Feixiong, revealed to be an Old Ancestor of the Nian family, takes command of the Imperial Guard, with Nian Feizhang as a figurehead.
• He Changying, upon returning to the palace, encounters Yu He, an Old Ancestor of the internal inspectors, who takes over the Secret Directorate and reorganizes the palace.
• New officials are appointed to the Heavenly Patrol Division and Prime Minister's Mansion.

Character Developments

• He Changying becomes increasingly aware of the presence and influence of Old Ancestors, leading to a shift in his power dynamics and role within the palace.
• Nian Feizhang experiences a loss of power and status, as Nian Feixiong (his ancestor) takes control of the Imperial Guard.
• Yu He, the Old Ancestor of internal inspectors, reasserts control over the palace and its affairs, marking a significant change in the power structure.

Significant Themes

• The influence and reemergence of Old Ancestors, challenging the status quo and established power structures.
• The struggle for power and control within the palace and military.
• The impact of the ongoing war on personnel decisions and appointments.

Character Interactions

• He Changying interacts with Nian Feixiong and Yu He, leading to a loss of control and a shift in his role.
• Nian Feizhang interacts with Nian Feixiong, resulting in a loss of power and status within the Imperial Guard.
• He Changying and Yu He establish a new dynamic, with Yu He taking control and He Changying acting as a figurehead.
• New officials are introduced, indicating a reshuffling of power and influence within the government.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang returns and resurrects famous ministers and generals, appointing them to key positions in Great Zhou, including Wang Meng as the Chief Clerk of the Prime Minister's Mansion and Zhang Xun to lead the Heavenly Patrol Division.
• Ye Zhen realizes that Ji Bang's return is to reclaim control of Great Zhou and that Ye Zhen's role as Grand General of Cavalry is likely a disguise for Ji Bang's forces.
• Ye Zhen leaves the Primordial Earthly Human Dao Great Formation and returns to Luoyi, where he learns about the changes in the Secret Directorate and the Heavenly Patrol Division.
• Ye Zhen orders his intelligence networks to go into a secure state and invites Marquis Taichuan Liu Ye and Duke of Xinning Prefecture Gu Yan to discuss matters.
• Ye Zhen heads to the Ancestral God Hall to inform Princess Changle about the situation but learns that she has been summoned to the imperial palace by Founding Ancestor Ji Bang.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Realizes the true purpose behind his appointment as Grand General of Cavalry and takes proactive measures to secure his intelligence networks and prepare for the upcoming power struggle.
• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Shows caution and wariness in his return to Great Zhou, indicating a deep understanding of the political landscape and a strategic mind.
• Princess Changle: Summoned to the imperial palace by Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, suggesting that her position and future may be at stake.

Significant Themes

• Power struggle and political intrigue: The return of Founding Ancestor Ji Bang and his worthy ministers and fierce generals set the stage for a power struggle within Great Zhou.
• Disguise and deception: Ye Zhen's role as Grand General of Cavalry and Ji Bang's methodical approach to reclaiming control of Great Zhou highlight the use of disguise and deception in political maneuvering.
• Preparation and adaptation: Ye Zhen's quick response to the changing political landscape demonstrates the importance of preparation and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Their interactions are implied through Ye Zhen's deductions about Ji Bang's intentions and actions, highlighting the tension between them.
• Ye Zhen and Princess Changle: Ye Zhen's attempt to inform Changle about the situation and his concern for her well-being show their close relationship and mutual trust.
• Ye Zhen and his intelligence networks: Ye Zhen's orders to secure their intelligence networks and his invitation to Marquis Taichuan Liu Ye and Duke of Xinning Prefecture Gu Yan indicate his reliance on them and his desire to maintain his power base.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen suspects that Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's summoning of Princess Changle has an important purpose, as it's unusual and urgent.
• Ye Zhen waits for Changle for two hours, planning to infiltrate the palace if she doesn't return soon.
• Ye Zhen returns home to find officials waiting, as the day's Imperial Decrees have stirred upheaval.
• Ye Zhen meets with Liu Ye, Marquis Taichuan, and Gu Yan, Duke of Xinning Prefecture, to give them secret instructions.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen shows concern for Changle's safety and is strategic in his political moves.
• Liu Ye and Gu Yan display loyalty to Ye Zhen but are shocked by his revelations.

Significant Themes

• The political climate is tense and unpredictable, with potential purges and power shifts.
• Trust and loyalty are crucial in political alliances.
• The past (Founding Era) holds lessons for the present.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen interacts with Liu Ye, Marquis Taichuan, and Gu Yan, giving them crucial instructions while keeping them in the dark about the full situation.
• Ye Zhen's concern for Changle's safety is evident in his plans to infiltrate the palace if necessary.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Zhen receives a letter from Princess Changle, confirming her safety and her upcoming secluded cultivation in the Imperial Clan's Secret Realm.
• Ye Zhen realizes that infiltrating the palace to find Changle is no longer feasible, as the Secret Realm is within the Imperial Clan's Small World.
• Ye Zhen decides to ask Founding Ancestor Ji Bang about Changle's whereabouts and their wedding date in a few days.
• Ye Zhen visits Yu Chaoen in the Mirage Dragon Pearl Temporal Space, where his primordial spirit has been recovering.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Struggles to understand Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's intentions and feels irritated by the lack of readable traces in Ji Bang's methods. He becomes more cautious and strategic in his plans.
• Princess Changle: Remains safe and retains some freedom, but her situation is uncertain due to Ji Bang's involvement. She is set to enter the Imperial Clan's secluded cultivation Secret Realm.
• Yu Chaoen: His primordial spirit has mostly recovered, and he expresses a desire to enter the palace again, hinting at a potential plan or secret.

Significant Themes

• Uncertainty and unpredictability: Founding Ancestor Ji Bang's return introduces chaos and endless variables into the situation, making it difficult for Ye Zhen to plan ahead.
• Power dynamics: The return of a powerful figure like Ji Bang shifts the balance of power within Great Zhou, affecting the plans and decisions of other characters.
• Loyalty and duty: Yu Chaoen's request to enter the palace again suggests a strong sense of loyalty to the princess and a desire to fulfill his duties, despite the risks involved.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Princess Changle: Their relationship remains strong, with Ye Zhen prioritizing Changle's safety and well-being. He is determined to find out what Ji Bang intends to do with her.
• Ye Zhen and Yu Chaoen: They catch up on recent events and discuss Yu Chaoen's plans for the future. Ye Zhen offers to help Yu Chaoen find a suitable body to possess.
• Ye Zhen and Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Their relationship is tense and uncertain, with Ye Zhen struggling to understand Ji Bang's intentions and Ji Bang's actions affecting Ye Zhen's plans and decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Chaoen decides to re-enter the imperial palace to gather information about Changle and prepare for potential dangers.
• Ye Zhen learns that Yu Chaoen has a clone in the palace, refined from a Primordial Fetus Ganoderma, which he plans to use to re-enter the palace.
• Yu Chaoen enters the clone's body, and Ye Zhen agrees to help him return to the palace.

Character Developments

• Yu Chaoen: Shows his dedication to Changle and Ye Zhen, regarding them as family. He demonstrates his strategic thinking and resourcefulness by having prepared a clone for such an emergency.
• Ye Zhen: Shows concern for Yu Chaoen's safety and understands the difficulties of re-entering the palace. He respects Yu Chaoen's decision and offers his support.

Significant Themes

• Family and loyalty: Yu Chaoen's actions highlight his commitment to Changle and Ye Zhen, showing that family bonds can transcend death and possession.
• Power dynamics and politics: The imperial palace is depicted as a treacherous place, reflecting the complex power struggles within the Great Zhou government.
• Uncertainty and danger: The return of Founding Ancestor Ji Bang brings instability and potential threats to the Primordial Continent, with Ye Zhen and his army being among the first to face these challenges.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Yu Chaoen: Their conversation reveals their mutual respect and understanding. Ye Zhen listens to Yu Chaoen's plans and offers his assistance, while Yu Chaoen shares his thoughts and preparations openly with Ye Zhen.
• Yu Chaoen and Changle: Although not physically present, Changle's well-being is the primary motivation for Yu Chaoen's decision to re-enter the palace, highlighting their strong family bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Grand General of Cavalry is a high-ranking temporary military post in Great Zhou, akin to the Grand Marshal, but with authority spanning multiple war zones and defined by an Imperial Decree.
• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, the former emperor, plans to use the appointment ceremony to increase Ye Zhen's visibility and reclaim control of Great Zhou.
• Ye Zhen receives a message from Yu Chaoen about Princess Changle and the purges within Luoyi Imperial Palace.
• Ye Zhen meets with Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, who probes Ye Zhen's loyalty and commitment to the war.
• The appointment ceremony is held, with Founding Ancestor Ji Bang, Prime Minister Wen Gang, and Wang Meng in attendance. Ye Zhen accepts the seal and banner, then departs with the ten thousand Imperial Guards.

Character Developments

• Ye Zhen: Shows concern for Princess Changle and accepts the Grand General of Cavalry post, understanding his role as a figurehead.
• Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Probes Ye Zhen's loyalty and uses the appointment ceremony to increase Ye Zhen's visibility, aiming to reclaim control of Great Zhou.
• Wang Meng: Quietly consolidates power within the imperial court by transferring key personnel through his position as Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Founding Ancestor Ji Bang uses the appointment ceremony to increase Ye Zhen's visibility and consolidate power, while Wang Meng quietly transfers key personnel to gain influence.
• Loyalty and commitment: Founding Ancestor Ji Bang probes Ye Zhen's loyalty, and Ye Zhen shows concern for Princess Changle, demonstrating his commitment to her.
• Visibility and perception: Founding Ancestor Ji Bang aims to make Ye Zhen's banner more eye-catching to draw the attention of other powers across the Primordial Continent.

Character Interactions

• Ye Zhen and Founding Ancestor Ji Bang: Founding Ancestor Ji Bang probes Ye Zhen's loyalty, and Ye Zhen accepts his role as a figurehead, understanding the implications of the appointment ceremony.
• Ye Zhen and Wang Meng: Though they do not interact directly, Wang Meng's actions in consolidating power within the imperial court indirectly affect Ye Zhen's position as Grand General of Cavalry.
• Ye Zhen and Princess Changle: Ye Zhen shows concern for Princess Changle, demonstrating his commitment to her, despite her absence and his impending campaign.