Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yu's team used stealth and skirmishing tactics against Zhao Wuji's team in the training arena, but Zhao Wuji's overwhelming strength kept them on the defensive. The battle continued as Zhang Yu struggled to hold him off and buy time for his teammates.

• Zhao Wuji charged Zhang Yu's formation while Sun Dongyu, Wu Xusong, and Zheng Yiji launched attacks, and Zhang Yu ordered his team to scatter.
• Zhu Mingting dodged Zhao Wuji and disrupted his charge, while Zhan Ying ambushed Zheng Yiji and the teams clashed across the arena.
• Zhao Wuji unleashed Dark Beast: Savage Roar, boosting his strength and speed as Zheng Yiji switched to close combat against Zhan Ying.
• Shi Xianghao used Shadow Stealth to sneak behind Zheng Yiji and press a dagger to his neck, while Zhu Mingting fought Wu Xusong.
• Zhang Yu returned to block Zhao Wuji, using [Shadow Spirit] and Furious Charge to evade and resist his blade, but the impacts numbed Zhang Yu's hand.

Zhang Mingshu’s fighters defeated Zhao Wuji after coordinating their attacks, and Zhang Mingshu then settled the Baishazhou Bai Clan’s dispute over whether to return home. The clan divided its members by individual choice, with fewer people registering to leave than expected.

• Zhu Mingting and Sun Dongyu forced Wu Xusong to withdraw, then helped Zhan Ying and Zhao Wuji defeat Wu Sanchai.
• Sun Dongyu, Zhu Mingting, and Zhan Ying joined Zhang Yu in overwhelming Zhao Wuji and ending the battle.
• Zhang Mingshu praised the fighters, distributed rewards, and went to the Baishazhou Bai Clan’s meeting in Baishi Town.
• Zhang Mingshu had representatives discuss and vote on plans for the clan, allowing elders and young people to choose separately whether to move back.
• Fewer Bai Clan members registered to return than the elders had expected, and those who chose to leave prepared to move away.

After the war ended, Zhang Mingshu reorganized his forces and appointed officials and commanders throughout the towns under his influence. The new arrangements brought Stone Bridge Town and nearby areas under closer administration while leaving some places officially self-governing.

• Zhang Mingshu appointed Zhang Xi mayor of Baishi Town, kept Zhao Chuan as Head Steward, and named Ren Yuan Head Instructor and Leng Yunuan head of the Town Guard.
• Xiao Shiyi became mayor of Lan Mountain Town, with Hong Liuyao as commander; Zhang Mingshu also reassigned leaders in Yuanshan, Gaoyou, and Gaoyou’s surrounding defenses.
• Zhang Mingshu appointed Chen Gaoda mayor of Stone Bridge Town and Zhang Lingmi commander, then assigned new officials and Town Guard commanders in Huangzhuang and Wenzhuang.
• Zhang Mingshu arranged leadership for Spirit Water Market, Dongguan, and Liukeng, bringing them under his administration while preserving their official self-governance.
• The Patrol Team expanded with Guan Nanxing and Rogue Cultivators who chose to leave the secret realm and follow Zhang Mingshu; coastal defenses and frontline forces also received new personnel.
• Zhang Mingshu sent Starry Field Regiment members to Yuanshan Town and dispatched willing Bai Family members and others to Shucheng, then spent months receiving returning officials and overseeing handovers instead of cultivating.

Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji led a carefully planned ambush against thieves from a nearby family who had been stealing Spirit Medicines around Yuanshan Town. After striking the thieves and taking back their stolen goods, the Zhang Household’s forces drove them into Zhao Wuji’s ambush, where the battle intensified.

• Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji tracked the thieves along a planned route while their people prepared traps and blocked escape paths.
• The thieves collected Spirit Medicines and stored them in their Storage Bags before Zhang Yu ordered the attack.
• Sun Dongyu, Zheng Yiji, and Zhan Ying wounded several thieves, while Wu Sanchai stole Storage Bags bearing the enemies’ Household insignia.
• Zhao Wuji’s forces drove the thieves into the ambush circle, where the enemy maintained its formation and counterattacked.
• Zhao Wuji charged into the enemy ranks with Green Beast - Iron Horse Charge and split apart the man who blocked his path with Green Face - Blade of Wrath.

Zhao Wuji and the Starry Field Regiment pursued a band of thieves through repeated ambushes, with Zhang Yu quietly escalating the conflict until the chase reached the Sha and Wang Households’ territory. Meanwhile, Zuo Wuming took the Hanlin Realm imperial examination in the Sea of Learning Secret Realm and seemed able to advance at will.

• Zhao Wuji and his companions overwhelmed the ambushers, while Huang Baihao’s medicinal wine helped Shi Xianghao escape an attack.
• Zhang Yu’s group joined the pursuit, and Zhao Wuji led the Starry Field Regiment through successive ambushes as the thieves sent distress signals and retreated.
• After two days and two nights, the pursuit reached the territory of the Sha and Wang Households, where Household members and barbarian slaves charged out to fight.
• Zuo Wuming entered the Hanlin Realm imperial examination in the Sea of Learning Secret Realm and appeared to have no difficulty advancing in rank.

Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji led the Zhang Family’s rapid assault on the Sha and Wang Families, surrounding their compounds and cutting off reinforcements. After a failed breakout, the two families abandoned the Wang compound and gathered at the Sha compound, while local officials and political factions complicated the conflict.

• Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji bought intelligence, assembled their forces, and launched a swift attack on the Sha and Wang Families.
• Zhang Yu’s deployment trapped both families in their compounds, and Zhang Yu’s forces killed more than a hundred Third- and Fourth-tier fighters in three days.
• Zhao Wuji led irregular raids while Gu Xiaobing used his demon spirit and composite bow to kill or wound the enemy’s fighters.
• The Sha and Wang Families sent messengers for help on the fourth day after their reinforcements failed to break through.
• On the fifth night, the two families staged a simultaneous breakout, then retreated together to the Sha Family compound and abandoned the Wang compound.
• The conflict remained tangled by local officials’ corruption and the Zhao Family’s opposition to any single family becoming too powerful.

Zhang Yu dealt with the Sha Family’s conflict and met Gongsun Bowang, who proposed cooperation involving demon spirits. Zhao Siqi postponed the decision until the family head emerged from seclusion, while planning to investigate the Gongsun Family further.

• After the Prefect’s official refused to intervene, Zhang Yu extorted a large sum from the Sha Family and strengthened ties with its neighboring families.
• Zhang Yu and Zhang Xi continued overseeing Yuanshan Town and Stone Bridge Town as Zhao Wuji and Zhang Wushuang returned to cultivation.
• Gongsun Bowang visited Zhang Yu and offered one-fifth of the demon spirits as payment if the Zhang Family helped his young disciples contract them.
• Zhang Yu returned to Baishi Village and reported Gongsun Bowang’s proposal to Zhao Siqi.
• Zhao Siqi told Zhang Yu to defer the decision until the family head left seclusion and to investigate the Gongsun Family more deeply.

Zhang Mingshu emerged from seclusion to help Zhang Wushuang awaken an Earth Spiritual Root, then returned to cultivation as negotiations with the Gongsun Family began. Under Zhang Xi’s leadership, the Zhang Family strengthened its alliances and influence while Zhang Mingshu worked to condense his final star mote and break through to the [Star Yuan Realm].

• Zhang Mingshu helped Zhang Wushuang awaken an Earth Spiritual Root, and [Regeneration] activated during the ritual.
• Zhang Mingshu reviewed family affairs, confirmed the second generation could take on more responsibility, and returned to seclusion.
• Gongsun Bowang sent Gongsun Bowen to Baishi Village with young disciples, a demon spirit, and access to the Gongsun Family’s secret Northern Frontier trade route.
• Zhang Xi received Gongsun Bowen and questioned him about the proposed cooperation, including demon spirits, trade, and the division of benefits.
• The Zhang Family consolidated its control around Yuanshan Town and continued preparing for Zhang Wushuang’s Golden Spiritual Root awakening.
• Zhang Mingshu continued cultivating toward his 108th star mote and a breakthrough into the [Star Yuan Realm].

After emerging from seclusion in the Star Yuan Realm, Zhang Mingshu began the cooperation with the Gongsun Family by overseeing Bai Libow's contract with a Gale Demon Wolf. The successful ritual revealed potential dangers, but the families prepared to proceed with another contract.

• Zhang Mingshu emerged from seclusion after breaking through to the Star Yuan Realm and received a list of candidates for the first contract attempt.
• Zhang Mingshu released a Gale Demon Wolf in a fortified ritual chamber and used the Life Book and formation to bind it to Bai Libow.
• Bai Libow established trust with the Gale Demon Wolf, learned to issue commands, and began sensing wind-element energy.
• Zhang Mingshu congratulated Bai Libow but noticed possible hidden dangers in the ritual.
• The Gongsun Family arranged for Gongsun Baiyang to contract with a Dune Demon Wolf two days later.

Gongsun Baiyang successfully contracted a Dune Demon Wolf through Zhang Mingshu’s ritual, and all five Gongsun Family disciples in the trial succeeded. The Zhang and Gongsun Families agreed on terms for recurring cooperation, while Zhang Mingshu began planning the next rotation of personnel to Shucheng.

• Zhang Mingshu performed the ritual, and Gongsun Baiyang formed a contract with the Dune Demon Wolf.
• Zhang Mingshu helped all five Gongsun Family disciples contract demon beasts, strengthening the Gongsun Family’s trust in the Zhang Family.
• Gongsun Bowen and Zhang Xi negotiated an annual arrangement covering up to ten people and beasts, with the Zhang Family selecting two participants or receiving three extra demon beasts if the Gongsun Family filled all ten places.
• The Gongsun disciples trained with their contracted beasts, and Gongsun Bowen arranged to return with another group in two months.
• After the Gongsun Family left, Zhang Mingshu began planning how to strengthen the family and organize the next personnel rotation to Shucheng.

Ghost Spirits began haunting Wenzhuang, frightening residents and causing minor losses, so Wu Ergou, Zhang Xi, and Liu Shiyuan investigated. Zhang Wushuang ended her seclusion to join the search, and the group set out to inspect affected households for clues.

• Reports of Ghost Spirits and strange nighttime disturbances reached Zhang Xi after ten days, and Zhang Mingshu sent Wu Ergou to investigate while Liu Shiyuan accompanied Zhang Xi to Wenzhuang.
• Wu Ergou released the Ghost Spirits in his Hundred Child Urn and captured the wandering ghosts, learning that they were long-dead residents who had recently awakened and were not directed by a Ghost Cultivator.
• Wu Ergou captured countless weak Ghost Spirits overnight, then Zhang Xi and Liu Shiyuan went to check on Zhang Wushuang, who was still cultivating in seclusion.
• Zhang Wushuang ended her seclusion and agreed to help investigate the hauntings.
• Zhang Wushuang, Zhang Xi, and Liu Shiyuan entered Wenzhuang and decided to inspect the households that had suffered losses for clues.

Zhang Wushuang, Zhang Xi, and Liu Shiyuan investigated the Ghost Spirit attacks in Wenzhuang and trapped a powerful Ghost Spirit that was nearing transformation into a Fierce Spirit. As the creature weakened, Zhang Wushuang’s Spirit Eye Star revealed an enormous surprise that startled Zhang Mingshu in Baishi Village.

• Zhang Wushuang used his Spirit Eye Star to find yin energy and strange footprints linking dead livestock and sick children to a powerful Ghost Spirit.
• Zhang Wushuang, Zhang Xi, and Liu Shiyuan identified several areas of Ghost Spirit activity and returned at night with Wu Ergou and other cultivators.
• Wu Ergou released Ghost Spirits from the Hundred Child Urn to patrol, drawing a group of Ghost Spirits toward them.
• A powerful Ghost Spirit nearing transformation into a Fierce Spirit pounced at the group, and Zhang Wushuang recognized it as their target.
• Zhang Wushuang trapped the Ghost Spirit in a formation while Zhang Xi and Liu Shiyuan restrained it with a talisman and lightning, weakening it.
• Zhang Wushuang’s Spirit Eye Star detected an enormous surprise, startling Zhang Mingshu far away in Baishi Village.

Zhang Wushuang and her companions fought undead around Wenzhuang and tried to seal a Holy Grail of the Undead Fragment Phantom in an abandoned shrine. The phantom overwhelmed them and embedded itself in Zhang Xi’s shoulder, leaving Zhang Wushuang using her Regeneration ability to help him resist its force.

• Zhang Wushuang stopped her companions from attacking the first Fragment Phantom, and the group defeated the Ghost Spirit and captured it in Wu Ergou’s Hundred Child Urn.
• The four found another Fragment Phantom in an abandoned shrine and began setting up a formation to seal it.
• The phantom released a burst of power that trapped the group in an illusion of countless Ghost Spirits and focused its force on Zhang Xi.
• The fragment became embedded in Zhang Xi’s shoulder blade, and Zhang Wushuang and the others awoke as the illusion shattered.
• Zhang Mingshu urged Zhang Wushuang to use Regeneration, and she poured vitality into Zhang Xi as the fragment’s force began overwhelming him.

Zhang Xi used the [Holy Grail of the Undead] Fragment to weaken Wen Jingye, the vengeful Ghost Spirit of the former Wen Family head, and helped him regain his clarity. Wen Jingye released his resentment, contracted with Zhang Xi, and advanced to the fifth tier.

• Zhang Xi sensed a powerful Ghost Spirit awakening in the Wen Family's ancestral hall and warned Zhang Wushuang.
• Zhang Mingshu recognized the Ghost Spirit as Wen Jingye, the former Wen Family head, and Zhang Wushuang, Zhang Xi, Liu Shiyuan, and Wu Ergou went to confront him.
• Zhang Xi used the fragment's power to strip resentment from Wen Jingye, weakening him and restoring some of his clarity.
• Zhang Xi told Wen Jingye about the Wen Family's survivors and the Huang Family's destruction, helping Wen Jingye let go of his obsession.
• Wen Jingye asked to become Zhang Xi's Yin Spirit, and after Zhang Xi accepted the contract, the fragment's power advanced Wen Jingye to the fifth tier.

Zhang Xi married Zhu Qimeng as the Zhu Family integrated into the Zhang Family, while Zhu Jiancheng prepared to enter seclusion and pursue a breakthrough. Zhang Yu returned from fighting in Yuanshan Town, where rising conflict signaled growing trouble for the Zhang Family.

• Zhang Wushuang awakened his Golden Spiritual Root, completing his collection of all five Spiritual Roots, then returned to the Daizong Secret Realm to cultivate.
• Zhang Xi arranged new administrators for Stone Bridge Town and offered positions in Zhang Family industries to displaced Zhu Family members.
• Zhang Yu returned to Baishi Village after driving off invaders in a fierce battle in Yuanshan Town and attended Zhang Xi's wedding.
• Zhu Jiancheng escorted Zhu Qimeng into the Zhang Family, where she married Zhang Xi in a festive ceremony.
• Zhu Jiancheng resolved to enter seclusion and pursue the Spirit Transformation Realm so the Zhu Family could recover its foundations.

The Zhang brothers discussed how to secure Yuanshan Town and expand into the Five Lotus Mountain Range while coordinating with the Zhuge Family on maritime trade. They planned to exploit tensions between the Xu and Liang families, but Zhao Wuji urged an immediate attack on the Liang Family.

• The Zhuge Family proposed cooperating with the Zhang Family to develop islands and gave the Zhangs room to occupy the Five Lotus Mountain Range.
• Zhang Xi, Zhang Yu, and Zhao Wuji agreed that they needed to defeat nearby hostile families before expanding further.
• The brothers identified the Xu Family and Liang Family as their main targets because both had seized territory and caused trouble.
• Zhang Xi proposed approaching the Xu Family about maritime cooperation and using the Zhuge Family's name to help isolate the Liang Family.
• Zhao Wuji rejected the indirect plan and offered to lead troops straight to the Liang Family.

Zhang Xi sought Qunwa Island’s support against Evil Dragon Island, then negotiated an alliance with the Zhuge Family. The parties agreed that the Zhuge Family would first draw the Xu and Liang Families’ forces away, creating an opening for the Zhang Family to act.

• Zhang Xi traveled to Qunwa Island with Zhao Wuji, Little White, and Ren Yuan, but the island lord insisted that their priority remained taking revenge on Evil Dragon Island.
• Zhang Xi returned to report to Zhang Mingshu, who concluded that the Zhuge Family had likely already suffered from Evil Dragon Island’s pirates.
• Zhang Xi, Zhao Wuji, and Ren Yuan visited the Zhuge Family, where Zhang Xi and Zhuge Yunfei agreed to cooperate with Qunwa Island against Evil Dragon Island.
• The Zhang and Zhuge Families discussed strategy and agreed that the Zhuge Family would use its sea forces to restrain the Xu and Liang Families and disperse their troops.
• Zhuge Yunfei proposed using a decoy to draw the Xu Family’s attention while the Zhang Family seized two towns, as the Zhuge Family continued harassing the Liang Family’s coastal salt fields.

Zhang Mingshu prepared the Zhang Family for a campaign to expand its control while secretly negotiating with the Hua Family. Hua Dongning offered a register of Haitou Town’s population and tax revenue, and Zhang Mingshu acknowledged his sincerity before beginning to state a condition.

• Zhang Mingshu learned that Five Lotus County and Haiqu County had been assigned to the Zhang Family if it could take control of them.
• Zhang Mingshu recalled most of his generals from Guangling Prefecture and left Xia Qirui and Zhang Fengmu to oversee affairs there.
• Hua Dongning traveled to Baishi Village and presented Zhang Mingshu with a register of Haitou Town’s population and tax revenue.
• Zhang Mingshu accepted the register, said the Zhang Family would not mistreat sincere partners, and began to add, “However...”

The Zhang Family coordinated with the Hua Family to make it look as though they were concentrating on Haitou Town, then launched a surprise attack on Xu Family Town. The Xu Family’s defenses collapsed, and the chapter left the Zhang forces overwhelming the Xu compound while Xu Hongchang struggled to resist.

• Zhang Mingshu had Zhang Xi explain the plan to Hua Dongning, who agreed to help lure the Xu Family’s attention toward Haitou Town.
• The Zhang Family gathered its forces in Lan Mountain Town as the Hua and Sha Families publicly defied it, leading the Xu Family to expect an attack on Haitou Town.
• When Han Gan led the Zhang forces into Haitou Town, the Hua Family cleared their path, while Zhang Yu’s elite squad struck Xu Family Town’s main compound.
• Zhao Wuji ambushed Xu Family reinforcements, and the Hua forces pursued Xu Family Martial Artists as the defenders began to collapse.
• Xu Hongchang confronted Zhang Yu but was forced back until Zhao Wuji joined the battle; the Xu Family lacked cultivators, while the Zhang Family attacked with empowered Martial Artists, cultivators, and demonic spirits.

Zhao Wuji and Zhang Yu defeated Xu Hongchang and took control of Xu Family Town, then joined their allies to attack Liang Family Settlement. The attackers surrounded the settlement and prepared to break its formation, while the Liang Family awaited possible reinforcements.

• Zhao Wuji and Zhang Yu broke the Xu Family's defenses and killed Xu Hongchang, causing resistance in Xu Family Town and Xu North Town to collapse.
• Han Gan led Zhang Family and Hua Family forces in taking control of Xu Family Town and bringing the territory under Zhang Family administration.
• After resting for two days, the Zhang Family, Sha Family, Gongsun Family, and Hua Family launched a three-direction attack on Liang Family Settlement, defended by Liang Youkuan.
• Han Gan's forces cleared the area around Liang Family Settlement and surrounded its walls and Defensive Formation.
• A Gongsun Family formation master prepared to break the formation with materials gathered from the allies' supplies, while Zhang Mingshu considered establishing a regional express delivery service using Spirit Horse Dilu.