Chapter Summaries

Zhang Wushuang, Zhao Siqi, and Zhang Mingshu discussed whether Kong Junhao’s repeated visits to Baishi Village were his own doing or part of a larger scheme, and considered investigating the factions within the Kong Gate. The chapter also reviewed the Zhang Household’s position and the stages of Martial Dao cultivation, leaving Zhao Xiaojie preparing to advance toward the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm.

• Zhang Wushuang, Zhao Siqi, and Zhang Mingshu discussed Kong Junhao’s unexplained visits and whether someone was plotting against Baishi Village.
• Zhang Mingshu explained that the Kong Gate was divided into factions, and the group considered asking Zuo Wuming to investigate its plans through Qi Lu Academy.
• Zhang Mingshu reflected on the Zhang Household’s growing influence in Huai Ren County and its reliance on Li Jixu and the Star Cult to maintain stability.
• Zhao Xiaojie began cultivating the Kuiyang Nine Forging Scripture during seclusion and prepared to break through to the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm.
• The chapter outlined how Martial Artists advanced through the realms, explaining that reaching the He Dan Hun Yuan Realm gave them qualifications comparable to cultivators.

Zhao Xiaojie successfully broke through to the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm, becoming a Fifth-Order Martial Artist and strengthening the Zhang Household’s position. He and Zhang Mingshu celebrated the breakthrough and turned to the need to expand the family’s special operations team.

• Zhao Xiaojie absorbed Spiritual Energy and refined his Internal Power until it transformed into Yuan energy in his Dantian.
• Zhao Xiaojie completed his breakthrough to the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm, and Zhang Mingshu sensed the change outside the secret chamber.
• Zhao Xiaojie embraced Zhang Mingshu and said his strength had increased several times.
• Zhang Mingshu considered the household’s allies, their ties to other forces, and the support they provided one another.
• Zhang Mingshu planned to discuss the family’s future with Zhao Xiaojie and expedite the expansion of the special operations team.

After reaching the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm, Zhao Xiaojie worked with Zhang Mingshu to plan a military reorganization and strengthen Baishi Village’s defenses. They left the chapter with new guard assignments, a planned expansion of the special operations squad, and Huang Nanzhen slated for experience in the Patrol Team.

• Zhao Xiaojie emerged from the secret chamber after his breakthrough, and Zhang Mingshu welcomed him before they went to the council hall to discuss the lineage’s future.
• Zhao Xiaojie proposed expanding the special operations squad, and Zhang Mingshu agreed that Zhao Xiaojie should select promising young members and lead them on a future trial at Liangshan Marsh.
• Zhang Mingshu planned personnel rotations, including recalling Zhao Chuan to Baishi Village, assigning Zhao Dun and Zhou Wenxuan to Gaoyou Town, and transferring Chen Gaoda to the Coastal Escort Team.
• Zhang Mingshu planned to merge the Baishi Town and Lan Mountain Town guards into the First Town Guard, establish Second and Third Town Guards, and rotate Zhang Fengmu to the front line.
• Zhang Mingshu planned another Patrol Team reshuffle, including promoting Shi Sanli’s son, while Zhao Xiaojie suggested assigning Huang Nanzhen there and finding him a demon spirit.

Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie reorganized the Star Moon Squad, expanded its reserves, and planned to strengthen Baishi Village’s defenses and train its younger generation. Princess Xiao then arrived secretly with word that the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm was ready to open and that war was imminent.

• Xia Qirui remained commander-in-chief as the front line was reorganized, while Sun Chengping joined the Coastal Escort Team and Wen Xinrong was promoted to the Patrol Team.
• Zhang Mingshu established the Star Moon Squad, assigned members and reserves, and arranged new demon spirit contracts for Guan Nanxing and Huang Nanzhen.
• Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie planned to strengthen Baishi Village’s defenses, expand the squad, and cultivate the younger generation.
• Princess Xiao secretly visited Baishi Village and told Zhang Mingshu that the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm’s opening time was nearly certain and that the forces were preparing for war.

Xiao Lingying asked Baishi Village to send its strongest teams into the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm, where the Yan King's Mansion planned a major expedition against entrenched forces. Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie mobilized allied fighters and supplies, and the expanded Star Moon Squad set out as the first preparations brought the battle closer.

• Xiao Lingying told Zhao Siqi, Zhang Mingshu, and Zhao Xiaojie that the Yan King's Mansion wanted Baishi Village's strongest battle teams, especially demon-spirit and magic-spirit contractors, to join the expedition.
• Xiao Lingying showed Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie a map of the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm and identified the area she would attack, while they noted its many factions and dangerous regions.
• Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie arranged for the Star Moon Squad and Black Stone Squad to enter first, with Zhao Siqi leading a later group and Zhao Chuan and Lü E guarding the household.
• Zhang Mingshu recruited fighters from affiliated families and organizations, gathered logistics support from Qunwa Island, and transferred Zhang Shaoting to command the Second Town Guard.
• Zhao Xiaojie departed with the expanded Star Moon Squad as supplies, Daizong cultivators, academy students, and more than a hundred Demon Hunters assembled for the expedition.

Zhang Mingshu prepared Baishi Village’s forces and traveled to the entrance of the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm, where he was scheduled to lead the first group inside. As his allies readied themselves to follow, reports suggested the Wang Clan was building ships for a possible large-scale voyage.

• Zhang Mingshu assigned Black Stone Squad, Ghost Flag, and the remaining Yin Spirit Wood and Ghost Spirits to Zhao Siqi while Baishi Village prepared for the expedition.
• Zhao Xiaojie reported the divisions within Yan King's Mansion and the factions and allies already gathering at the Secret Realm entrance.
• Zhang Mingshu left Baishi Village and reached the entrance two days later, learning that his group would enter that evening.
• Zhang Mingshu reviewed intelligence about the Secret Realm and met with Princess Xiao while Zhao Xiaojie gathered Star Moon Squad for the crossing.
• Zhao Siqi prepared to lead the second group, and Qunwa Island reported that the Wang Clan was building large sea vessels in Donglai Prefecture.

Zhang Mingshu organized the Baishi Village vanguard after they entered the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm, establishing a camp and preparing to explore a distant settlement. He sent Zhao Xiaojie and the Star Moon Squad ahead while scouts Wu Sanchai and Zhu Mingting cleared the route.

• Zhang Mingshu entered the secret realm with Little White and Ren Yuan, then gathered the arriving members of Baishi Village and cultivators from allied groups.
• Zhao Xiaojie reported that all personnel were ready, and Zhang Mingshu urged everyone to stay calm and united while they waited for the vanguard to assemble.
• Zhang Mingshu assigned Little Zhao to explore nearby and established a temporary camp to defend the entrance and support incoming forces.
• After several days, Zhang Mingshu spotted lights from a distant settlement and ordered Zhao Xiaojie to lead the Star Moon Squad toward it.
• Wu Sanchai and Zhu Mingting scouted ahead using their Demonic Spirits to detect and eliminate dangers along the route.

Xiao Lingying coordinated forces as the Wang Household prepared to enter the Ancient Yan Kingdom Secret Realm. In the realm, Zhao Xiaojie’s Star Moon Squad scouted a well-defended bandit stronghold and began planning an assault, leaving the team wary of its strength and hidden backing.

• A Nightingale scout told Xiao Lingying that the Wang Household was gathering in Donglai Prefecture and building sea vessels for a large-scale entry.
• Zhao Xiaojie led the Star Moon Squad to a mountain bandit stronghold and ordered Wu Sanchai and Zhu Mingting to scout it.
• Wu Sanchai and Zhu Mingting found about two hundred well-equipped bandits, a powerful leader, and a warehouse containing many Spirit Stones and rare Spiritual Items.
• Zhao Xiaojie suspected a powerful figure was backing the bandits and planned to wait for Zhang Mingshu’s reinforcements before attacking the next night.
• Bandits rushed out after a false alarm exposed their defensive mechanisms, and Zhao Xiaojie realized that their watch and defenses were more thorough than they appeared.

Zhao Xiaojie and the Star Moon Squad launched a surprise attack on the mountain stronghold before Zhang Mingshu arrived, using drugs and stealth to get past its defenses. They reached the banquet hall and engaged the bandits, while Zhang Mingshu’s advance team waited near the main gate.

• Zhao Xiaojie arranged for Zhang Mingshu to arrive before dawn and planned to draw the stronghold’s attention while Zhang Mingshu’s people broke through.
• Wu Sanchai, Zhu Mingting, and Huang Lindang disabled traps and drugged the sentries as Zhao Xiaojie and the Star Moon Squad began their assault.
• The stronghold’s alarm rang during the banquet, and the bandit chief ordered his men to prepare for battle.
• Zhang Mingshu’s advance team followed Zhao Xiaojie’s marks to the main gate but hesitated over whether to join the fight or wait.
• Wu Sanchai guided the squad along the walls, while Zhu Mingting and the Huang brothers helped clear and attack the defenders.
• Zhao Xiaojie led the Star Moon Squad to the banquet hall, where Chen Junxi, Zhang Shaoqing, Shi Beilu, Bai Shuping, Wen Xunrong, and the others fought the bandits.

Zhang Mingshu’s reinforcements joined Zhao Xiaojie’s Star Moon Squad in attacking the mountain stronghold, overwhelming the bandits and breaking their morale. Zhang Mingshu held back while fighting a bandit leader, who recognized the opening and silently cooperated in hopes of surrendering and earning merit.

• Zhu Mingting used Shadow Step to disrupt the enemies while Meng Langyue used Moonlight Restoration Technique to restore the squad under the moonlight.
• Zhao Xiaojie drew the bandits’ attention as An Muyuan fought a bandit leader, and Wu Sanchai and Zhu Mingting went to meet Zhang Mingshu’s troops and block escape routes.
• Zhang Mingshu led the allied forces up the mountain, cutting through enemies and lifting their morale as they joined the Star Moon Squad’s attack.
• The Star Moon Squad and allied forces routed the bandits, whose leaders disagreed over whether to flee or fight.
• Zhang Mingshu restrained himself while battling a bandit leader, who realized the arrangement and cooperated in hopes of surrendering and earning merit.

Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie led the Star Moon Squad and their allies to crush the mountain stronghold, where Mo Daheng eventually surrendered and revealed what he knew about the forces behind it. The victors began interrogating prisoners and reporting to Princess Xiao while considering their brief window to recover before the next mission.

• Zhang Mingshu led the assault on the stronghold as the Star Moon Squad overwhelmed the bandits, while the Liu and Meng family members advanced cautiously in formation.
• Zhao Xiaojie killed another bandit chief, breaking the defenders' morale and sending many fleeing toward exits that had been blocked.
• At dawn, Mo Daheng surrendered to Zhang Mingshu and explained that drugs let him reach the Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm in combat.
• Zhao Xiaojie's men began interrogating the stronghold's core figures, and messengers were sent to report the victory to Princess Xiao.
• Mo Daheng described the hidden forces behind the stronghold, the recent removal of an earlier group, and his decision to surrender after recognizing Zhang Mingshu's strength.

After securing the mountain stronghold, Zhang Mingshu organized its defenses and assessed the cultivator families likely to challenge them in Yingzhou. Zhao Xiaojie reported that the County Princess had secretly entered the secret realm with Fuding Sect’s support, and Zhang Mingshu began preparing for the coming battle while questioning the status of their scouts.

• Zhang Mingshu ordered the stronghold’s defenses rebuilt and had Zhao Xiaojie’s people clear the routes around their camp.
• Zhang Mingshu analyzed Mo Daheng’s testimony and concluded that the enemy forces were likely small and medium-sized cultivator families beneath the Sixteen Prefectures’ great families.
• Zhao Xiaojie told Zhang Mingshu that the County Princess had secretly entered the secret realm and that Fuding Sect had joined their side.
• Zhang Mingshu considered how the County Princess’s arrival and the lack of news from other regions might disrupt their plans.
• Zhang Mingshu told Zhao Xiaojie to prepare for a long-term battle and asked where their scouts in the other regions were.

Zhang Mingshu reorganized the captured stronghold and prepared the Star Moon Squad and reinforcements for the battles ahead. Xiao Lingying secretly joined them, while they awaited an inspection by the cultivators behind the scenes.

• Zhang Mingshu inspected the stronghold's defenses and found a concealed cave containing ancient cultivation methods and combat techniques, which he collected for study.
• Zhao Xiaojie organized the troops as the stronghold filled with the Star Moon Squad and arriving reinforcements.
• Xiao Lingying received Zhang Mingshu's battle report, secretly traveled to the stronghold, and observed preparations from a concealed cave.
• Zhang Mingshu had Zhao Xiaojie form small combat units and train them, leaving their captains room to choose tactics and earn merit.
• Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie prepared to receive the cultivators behind the scenes, who they expected to inspect the stronghold soon.

Zhang Mingshu and Mo Daheng prepared the stronghold for cultivators arriving on an assignment to hold it, concealing their forces among the bandits. When the cultivators approached, Zhang Mingshu ordered everyone to act according to the plan, and the visitors began inspecting the stronghold.

• Mo Daheng reported that the stronghold was ready, and Zhang Mingshu reviewed the preparations and approved the arrangements.
• Zhao Xiaojie organized the troops and prepared to trap the incoming cultivators, while Zhang Mingshu assessed the secret realm’s stars and unusual weather.
• As night fell, Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie spotted cultivators approaching the stronghold in secret.
• Zhang Mingshu ordered the troops to act, and the men maintained their bandit roles while Mo Daheng welcomed the visitors.
• The cultivators inspected the stronghold after receiving orders to hold strategic points and report threats from outside forces to their family.

Zhang Mingshu lured nine cultivators sent by forces subordinate to the Ding Family of Yingzhou into the stronghold and activated Princess Xiao’s grand formation to trap them. As the captives prepared to resist and distrust spread among their three family groups, Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie’s plan to capture them and extract intelligence began.

• The Ding Family of Yingzhou deployed its subordinate families to watch and defend its territory.
• Zhang Mingshu observed nine cultivators arrive in three groups and ordered Mo Daheng to keep them distracted while they searched for the stronghold’s chief.
• The cultivators focused on the stronghold’s supplies and discussed dividing them, while Zhang Mingshu’s group prepared its resources and waited.
• After all nine cultivators landed, Zhang Mingshu activated Princess Xiao’s grand formation, sealing the stronghold and blocking escape and distress signals.
• Zhang Mingshu called on the trapped cultivators to surrender, but a Core Formation Realm cultivator began gathering Spiritual Energy to attack.

Zhao Xiaojie and the Star Moon Squad defeated the nine cultivators attacking the stronghold, killing one Core Formation Realm cultivator and forcing Hong Liuyao to surrender. Hong Liuyao realized the attackers came from outside the minor world and revealed what he knew about the Main Family’s plans.

• Mu Yeran ambushed an enemy Core Formation Realm cultivator while Zhao Xiaojie led the Star Moon Squad into battle and surrounded the nine cultivators with their great formation.
• Zhang Mingshu used his Heart Moon Fox ability to control a Core Formation Realm cultivator, allowing Zhao Xiaojie to kill him with the Azure Edge Sword.
• The Star Moon Squad sealed the enemy’s escape routes and subdued the remaining cultivators, while Hong Liuyao surrendered after exhausting his magic and talismans.
• Hong Liuyao learned that the Star Moon Squad came from outside the minor world and cooperated, revealing everything he knew about the Main Family’s plans.

Hong Liuyao’s surrender gave Zhang Mingshu’s forces crucial intelligence and prompted them to move against the nearby families. Zhao Xiaojie’s team found the Wu Family’s hidden lair and prepared to draw out its Core Formation Realm ancestor.

• Hong Liuyao submitted to Zhang Mingshu, and several Foundation Establishment Realm captives revealed what they knew.
• Xiao Lingying, Zhang Mingshu, and Zhao Xiaojie organized teams to attack the three nearest families, with Zhao Xiaojie leading the Star Moon Squad toward the Wu Family’s Lair.
• Mi Tu, Gu Caishan, and Li Qingqin guided Zhao Xiaojie and Mu Yeran through the forest toward the Wu Family’s secluded stronghold.
• Zhao Xiaojie’s team discovered a stone house protected by strange runes in a concealed valley.
• Mi Tu offered to lure the Wu Family Ancestor out of the defenses so the team could surround and contain him.

Hong Liuyao led Zhang Mingshu’s joint squad into the Gan Family’s ancestral land to kill a Core Formation Realm cultivator and secure his Pledge of Allegiance. They ambushed the cultivator as he emerged from seclusion, and Hong Liuyao shattered his Golden Core, leaving him dead.

• Hong Liuyao reflected on his Rogue Cultivator origins and agreed to help Zhang Mingshu kill the newly advanced Gan Family cultivator in exchange for a Pledge of Allegiance.
• Hong Liuyao guided Zhang Mingshu’s squad through the Gan Family’s ancestral land, disabling its formations and revealing a hidden path to the cultivator’s cave.
• The cultivator sensed the intruders, so Zhang Mingshu ordered the squad to attack before he could recover from his interrupted seclusion.
• Zhang Mingshu pierced the cultivator’s defenses and chest with his spear, and Hong Liuyao shattered his Golden Core with a sword strike.

Hong Liuyao’s Yi Tian Fen Dan Sword quickly defeated an opponent, while Mi Tu lured the Wu Family Ancestor into an ambush at the Wu Family’s Lair. The Star Moon Squad injured the Ancestor and began wearing him down, but his demonic-beast power and frenzy kept the battle raging.

• Hong Liuyao used the Yi Tian Fen Dan Sword to pierce an opponent and shatter their Golden Core, surprising Zhang Mingshu with how quickly the fight ended.
• Mi Tu went to the Wu Family Ancestor and claimed an unknown force was attacking Wu Family Town.
• Mu Yeran blocked the Wu Family Ancestor as Zhao Xiaojie and the Star Moon Squad launched their ambush and surrounded him.
• Zhao Xiaojie’s Word Spirit, Pledge of Allegiance, caused the Wu Family Ancestor to tear off his own arm, while the Poison of Jealousy drove him into a frenzy.
• The Wu Family Ancestor narrowly dodged a sword strike, then unleashed his demonic-beast power as the Star Moon Squad used their formation to evade him and slowly drain his magic power.

Zhao Xiaojie and his allies subdued the Wu Family Ancestor, then joined Zhang Mingshu and Hong Liuyao in trapping the Gan Family Ancestor inside a Cage Formation. As the group reinforced the formation and blocked the town’s reinforcements, the Gan Family Ancestor prepared to fight back.

• Zhao Xiaojie, Mu Yeran, and Zhu Mingting’s Phantom Cat worked together to subdue the Wu Family Ancestor.
• Zhao Xiaojie left some people to secure the scene and led the others toward the Gan Family’s town.
• Zhang Mingshu and Hong Liuyao lured the Gan Family Ancestor out by presenting him with the Gan Family Head’s severed head.
• The ambushers activated the Cage Formation, and the enraged Gan Family Ancestor failed to break through its defenses.
• Zhao Xiaojie’s team arrived, reinforced the formation, and set a defensive line to stop the town’s people from aiding the Gan Family Ancestor.
• The trapped Gan Family Ancestor drew magical artifacts and spirit talismans from his Storage Bag as the group prepared to wear him down.