Chapter Summaries

Zhang Mingshu's reinforcements and the Zhuge Family's fleet arrived, crushing the pirates' formation and forcing their leader to flee. Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji pursued him underwater, and Zhang Yu wounded him with his Alchemy Dagger, but the pirate leader's demon beast intervened and kept him alive.

• Zhang Mingshu's fleet and the Zhuge Family's fleet joined the battle, overwhelming the pirates as Little White and the sailors killed those who tried to escape into the sea.
• Zhang Yu transformed into water to pursue the retreating pirate ship while Zhao Wuji followed; Zhang Yu stabbed the ship's bottom with his Alchemy Dagger and sent it sinking.
• The pirate leader leaped into the sea, and Zhao Wuji killed his trusted subordinate with a spear guided by Water Flow Control.
• Zhang Yu and Zhao Wuji trapped the pirate leader underwater while the battle around them continued, and an Alchemy Crossbow Bolt from Harrier Ridge created an opening.
• Zhang Yu stabbed the pirate leader with his Alchemy Dagger, but the leader's demon beast arrived and protected him from Zhao Wuji's follow-up attack.

Zhang Mingshu and the allied Zhang and Zhuge forces crushed the pirate fleet, then prepared to attack Evil Dragon Island while the Han Family’s fleet sailed to join them. The chapter left the three allied families rendezvoused and heading toward the island.

• Zhang Mingshu and the Zhang Family’s fighters battled the pirates underwater, while the Zhuge Family’s fleet helped prevent enemy counterattacks and escape.
• Zhang Mingshu and the allied forces nearly wiped out the pirates, then cleared the battlefield and sailed home to recuperate.
• Zhang Mingshu learned from captured pirates that Evil Dragon Island had lost most of its ships and could no longer launch effective attacks at sea.
• Zhang Yu kept the [Harrier Ridge] forward to reconnoiter the waters and restrict the pirates’ view of the allied forces.
• Half a month later, the Zhang and Zhuge fleets set out for Evil Dragon Island as the Han Family prepared to rendezvous with them.
• The Zhang, Zhuge, and Han families rendezvoused and headed together toward Evil Dragon Island.

The Zhang, Zhuge, and Han families joined forces and agreed on an encirclement plan to attack Evil Dragon Island. Their fleets launched the assault, and the Han Family’s cannon struck the island’s defensive formation as the battle began.

• Zhuge Yunfei arrived with the Zhuge Family fleet and joined Zhang Mingshu to plan an attack on Evil Dragon Island.
• Han Lie arrived with the Han Family fleet and proposed guarding the pirates’ rear to complete the encirclement.
• Zhang Mingshu ordered the three families’ fleets to advance and surround Evil Dragon Island.
• Zhang Yu and his squad defeated nearby pirate patrol boats as the fleets fought their way toward the island.
• The Han Family fired a powerful cannon at Evil Dragon Island’s defensive formation.

The Han Household, Zhuge Family, and Zhang Household launched a coordinated assault on Evil Dragon Island, breaking through its defenses and landing troops while the pirates struggled to resist. The battle reached its climax with the island’s defenses near collapse, but the pirates’ reinforcements had still not arrived.

• The three households combined artillery and magic talismans to disrupt Evil Dragon Island’s formation and open cracks in its defenses.
• Zhang Mingshu ordered the fleet to charge as the warriors began landing, while Zhao Wuji, Leng Xiuyang, Wu Dalang, and the Demon Hunter-supported fighters broke through the pirates’ blockade.
• The three fleets pressed their assault with magical weapons and spells, forcing the pirates’ defenses into disarray.
• Han Lie, Zhang Yu, Zhao Wuji, Zhu Jianzhen, Jiang Zhi tu, and Jiang Zhi lu fought through the battle’s climax as the pirates made a final stand.
• An Muyuan cut down several early fifth-tier Martial Artist pirate leaders, while Shi Beilu disrupted the enemy’s rear formation with [Gale Assault].

Zhang Mingshu led the allied forces in a final assault on Evil Dragon Island, driving the pirates back to their fortress and breaking through its defenses. As the pirates fled, their leader and the barbarian experts retreated into the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm.

• Zhang Mingshu brought fresh reserves onto Evil Dragon Island at dawn and pushed the pirates back after the Zhuge Family’s Word Manifestation destroyed a fortification.
• The pirates withdrew to the island’s fortress, and Zhang Mingshu ordered his soldiers to advance behind a shield formation while archers returned fire.
• A Zhuge Family cultivator blasted a breach in the fortress wall, and Zhao Wuji and Leng Xiuyang joined the soldiers in fighting the pirates pouring out.
• Zhang Mingshu ordered a Han Family cultivator to blast open the fortress foundation, while Zhao Wuji, Leng Xiuyang, Zhao Dun, and Zhao Chuan led the assault through the breaches.
• The allied forces crushed the pirates’ defensive lines, and the pirate leader and barbarian experts retreated into the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm.

Zhang Mingshu’s allied forces defeated the pirates on Evil Dragon Island and opened the entrance to the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm. After several days of exploration and negotiation among the three families, Zhang Mingshu prepared an elite force to enter and fight the barbarians inside.

• Zhao Wuji smashed open the stone gate to the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm, and the allied forces guarded the entrance while they finished clearing the island.
• The Zhang Family, Han Family, and Zhuge Family sent scouting teams into the dim passage, while Zhang Mingshu kept Zhao Wuji out of further reconnaissance.
• Zhang Mingshu ordered Zhang Xi to return to Baishi Village and hold down the fort, then the Zhang Family transferred Ren Yuan, Zhao Xiaojie, and other elite fighters to the island.
• Zhuge Yunfei and Han Longyu proposed that the three families jointly occupy Evil Dragon Island, with the Zhang Family managing it and the other two families supervising.
• Zhang Mingshu gathered Zhao Xiaojie, Ren Yuan, Xia Qirui, Han Gan, Leng Xiuyang, Wu Dalang, and others before the gate and asked if they were ready to attack the secret realm.

Zhao Wuji and Zhao Xiaojie’s group entered the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm and fought a formidable black-robed barbarian elder, who eventually withdrew after reinforcements arrived. They secured the passageway and reached the plaza surrounding Evil Dragon Pool, while the wider war left the barbarians with little chance to send reinforcements.

• Zhao Wuji and Zhao Xiaojie encountered a black-robed barbarian elder inside the secret realm and clashed with him in the passageway.
• An Muyuan and Chen Junluo joined the fight, and the elder withdrew after experts from the Zhuge Family and Han Family arrived.
• Zhao Xiaojie and Zhao Wuji discussed the elder’s overwhelming skill and suspected he might have fallen from a higher realm.
• The group inspected the passageway, established guards and fortifications, arranged a protective formation, and reset the Stone Gate’s controls.
• Zhao Wuji’s group passed through the gate and found a broad plaza with a huge pool surrounded by snowy mountains.

Zhao Xiaojie, Zhao Wuji, Zhuge Yunyu, and the others cautiously explored Evil Dragon Pool, where dangerous winds and tremors threatened the teams. After an Earth Dragon attacked Shi Beilu’s team and vanished when they retreated, the groups concluded it was likely an illusion and halted their advance for the night.

• Zhuge Yunyu explained the legends surrounding Evil Dragon Pool and warned that the realm’s winds could badly injure anyone who flew too high.
• Zhao Xiaojie, Zhao Wuji, Zhuge Yunyu, and Han Shaoyang organized cautious exploration teams and established emergency plans.
• Shi Beilu’s team encountered violent tremors and fought an Earth Dragon that breathed fire and resisted their attacks.
• The Earth Dragon vanished when Shi Beilu’s team retreated, and the returning teams concluded that the encounter had probably been an illusion.
• Zhuge Yunyu, Zhao Xiaojie, and the other leaders ordered the teams to rest and avoid advancing until they had assessed what would happen overnight.

Shi Beilu and Shi Beichun survived the Earth Dragon Illusion at Evil Dragon Pool, prompting Zhuge Xiongwen and Han Jinyu to investigate the Secret Realm. Zhuge Xiongwen left Han Jinyu to hold the area while he went to the front line for the coming war.

• Shi Beilu and Shi Beichun discussed the terrifying Earth Dragon Illusion after surviving it.
• Zhao Xiaojie urged Zhuge Yunyu and Han Shaoyang to summon high cultivators, and they requested help from their Lineages.
• Zhuge Xiongwen arrived at Evil Dragon Pool, sensed a powerful force possibly tied to the fallen Evil Dragon, and found that it had hidden itself again.
• Han Jinyu arrived, and he and Zhuge Xiongwen discussed the illusions, the barbarians' withdrawal, and the danger of exploring without knowing the patterns.
• Zhuge Xiongwen agreed to answer the Zhao Kingdom Lord's summons to the front line, while Han Jinyu stayed behind to hold Evil Dragon Pool.

Zhao Wuji protected fishermen in the nearby waters and became their local overlord before clashing with Wu Ling'er of Evil Fang. Wu Ling'er claimed the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm had belonged to her Household, and Zhao Wuji demanded an explanation.

• Han Jinyu meditated in the passage, easing the others’ fears of a barbarian counterattack.
• Zhang Lineage transferred some of its middle-tier fighters back to Donghai Prefecture, while Zhao Xiaojie allowed Zhao Wuji to explore the sea.
• Zhao Wuji used his water abilities to dominate the nearby waters and protect fishermen from Huai Ren County and Guanyun County.
• Wu Ling'er attacked Zhao Wuji underwater, but his Golden Pattern Water Shield held against her strikes.
• Wu Ling'er identified herself as a servant of the Evil Fang protector Black Widow and claimed the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm had belonged to her Household.

Wu Ling'er explained Evil Fang’s search for the Dragon Soul sealed within the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm, then fought Zhao Wuji and lost. Afterward, she looked at Zhao Wuji differently, while their rivalry remained unresolved.

• Wu Ling'er told Zhao Wuji that Evil Fang sought to awaken the Dragon Soul sealed inside the Evil Dragon Pool Secret Realm, and Zhao Wuji challenged her claims and questioned Evil Fang’s presence in his Household’s territory.
• Zhao Wuji used the water to fling Wu Ling'er into the air, then taunted her before she caught herself on a rising column of water.
• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er fought hand-to-hand in the water, and Zhao Wuji gradually gained the upper hand with his strength and experience.
• The pair surfaced and rested on a coral reef, where Wu Ling'er admitted she had lost but vowed to keep fighting Zhao Wuji.
• Wu Ling'er gazed at Zhao Wuji and felt that he was a different kind of boy.

Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er became friends as they met regularly at sea, sharing their backgrounds and growing closer. When Zhang Yu disappeared during a battle, Wu Ling'er chose to leave with Zhao Wuji so she could stay by his side and help him.

• Zhao Wuji told Zhang Mingshu about meeting Wu Ling'er, and Zhang Mingshu advised him to keep interacting with her because her faction might have peaceful intentions.
• Wu Ling'er returned after half a month, and she and Zhao Wuji agreed to meet regularly and try to become friends.
• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er patrolled, trained, and talked together, discovering that they were both orphans and growing closer.
• During the midsummer battle of Year 36 of the Sacred Reign, Zhang Yu disappeared after his unit was ambushed, and Zhang Mingshu used the Life Book to confirm that he was still alive.
• The Zhang Household recalled its forces from Evil Dragon Island as it organized a search for Zhang Yu, and Zhao Wuji prepared to leave with the returning fighters.
• Wu Ling'er arranged for White Whale to deliver a letter and decided to leave the sea with Zhao Wuji so she could stay by his side and help him.

Wounded and separated from his troops, Zhang Yu fled through enemy territory while a Shadow Leopard pursued him. After three days and nights, he escaped into a lake that the demon beast feared to enter, leaving him alive but stranded far from his family.

• Zhang Yu used [Shadow Spirit] and [Fearless - Iron Will] to evade the Shadow Leopard and keep moving despite his wounds and exhaustion.
• Zhang Yu recalled how the armies’ decisive battle scattered his forces and how he escaped by disguising himself in a Pseudo-Kang Kingdom uniform.
• Zhang Yu fled into the mountains alongside defeated enemy soldiers, then left them and continued alone as the Shadow Leopard tracked him.
• Zhang Yu spotted a lake and leaped into it, causing the Shadow Leopard to lose his scent and refuse to enter the water.
• Zhang Yu reached the shore, rested briefly, and thought about his family.

Injured Zhang Yu met Qu Ziyi, a young hunter and cultivator who treated his wounds and brought him to her hidden village. As Zhang Yu rested under her family’s care, Pharmacist Qu noticed a familiar scent on him and wondered who it belonged to.

• Qu Ziyi found the wounded Zhang Yu by a lake and gave him a spirit fruit.
• Zhang Yu introduced himself as a deserter, and Qu Ziyi treated his wounds with herbs.
• Qu Ziyi led Zhang Yu through the forest’s traps to her village, where she settled him in her home.
• Qu Ziyi brought her grandfather, Pharmacist Qu, to examine Zhang Yu and apply an ointment.
• Pharmacist Qu recognized a familiar scent on Zhang Yu but could not recall its source, and he returned home to ponder it.

Pharmacist Qu risked his failing health to protect the village when Acid Rain struck, and Zhang Yu carried him to safety. After the rain stopped, Miss Qu treated the villagers while worrying that the exposure might leave her grandfather with little time to live.

• Pharmacist Qu treated Zhang Yu's wounds with a special salve while recalling his past and the choices made by those from the Sky-Toppling Observatory.
• When the villagers cried that Acid Rain had arrived, Pharmacist Qu went outside to guide people to shelter despite Miss Qu's protests.
• Pharmacist Qu helped villagers escape the rain until he collapsed at the village entrance, and Zhang Yu carried him back inside.
• Miss Qu explained that Acid Rain poisoned food and crops, sickened people, and had killed her parents after they were exposed to it.
• The rain stopped, Pharmacist Qu woke after taking a pill, and Miss Qu went out to distribute medicinal decoction and check the villagers.

Zhang Yu married Qu Ziyi at Pharmacist Qu’s urging, and the old man arranged for the villagers to relocate before he died. Qu Ziyi and Zhang Yu then sought help from Dianyangzi’s disciples, where they met Lan Xiyang.

• Pharmacist Qu learned that Zhang Yu was unmarried and connected to the former Sky-Toppling Observatory, then asked him to marry Qu Ziyi.
• Zhang Yu promised to treat Qu Ziyi sincerely, and the villagers arranged a simple wedding for them.
• After the wedding, Pharmacist Qu refused Zhang Yu’s pills, gave his knowledge to Qu Ziyi, and urged the villagers to relocate for safety.
• Three days later, Pharmacist Qu died, leaving Zhang Yu a letter for Gu Canchi and Qu Ziyi a letter requesting help from the Rogue Cultivators.
• Qu Ziyi led Zhang Yu to the mountain cave, where Lan Xiyang welcomed them and offered to prepare a wedding gift.

Dianyangzi received Pharmacist Qu’s letter and agreed to help Qu Ziyi and Zhang Yu, including escorting them to Donghai Prefecture and arranging the villagers’ relocation. After Dianyangzi led Pharmacist Qu’s funeral, the group began preparing to move the villagers to safety.

• Lan Xiyang brought Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to meet Dianyangzi, who read Pharmacist Qu’s letter and agreed to help them.
• Dianyangzi promised to send people to help relocate the village and personally escort Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to Donghai Prefecture.
• Dianyangzi and his disciples accompanied Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to the village, where he began searching for a suitable relocation site.
• Dianyangzi led the villagers in a funeral procession and cremation for Pharmacist Qu, while Qu Ziyi mourned him.
• Dianyangzi, Zhang Yu, and Qu Ziyi began organizing the villagers’ relocation to a safer place.

Dianyangzi, Zhang Yu, and Qu Ziyi traveled toward Donghai Prefecture while evading the fighting, and Dianyangzi learned that Zhao Wuxu had abdicated after a disastrous defeat. The Zhao Clan split over whether to become an imperial dynasty or focus on cultivation, while Zhao Wuji was recalled to the clan with Wu Ling'er, delaying the Zhang Clan’s attempt to rescue Zhang Yu.

• After helping villagers settle in a new area, Dianyangzi left the mountain range with Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to travel toward Donghai Prefecture.
• Dianyangzi led Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi around checkpoints and battle lines, then stopped with them at a busy town to rest and investigate the news.
• Dianyangzi reported that Zhao Wuxu had been forced to abdicate after a crushing defeat by the barbarian tribes, and Zhao Xiangyu had succeeded him.
• Zhao Wuxu returned to the Handan Zhao Clan as clan head, while Zhao Yunji stepped down and joined the imperial house; the Zhao Clan divided over its future direction.
• Zhao Wuxu and Zhao Yunji took Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er from the Zhang Clan, forcing Zhang Mingshu to recall Zhao Wuji and suspend the rescue effort for Zhang Yu.

After more than a month of travel, Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi returned to the Zhang Family’s territory, where Zhang Yu reunited with his mother and learned about the family’s strengthened ties to the Zhao Clan. The chapter left Zhang Yu home safely, with the mystery surrounding Zhao Wuji’s parentage still unresolved.

• Dianyangzi guided Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi through dangerous territory, then parted with them near Donghai Prefecture.
• Zhang Yu secretly confirmed that East Sea County remained stable before continuing toward Huai Ren County with Qu Ziyi.
• Lü E waited outside Baishi Town, welcomed Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi, and learned that they had married before Qu Ziyi’s grandfather died.
• Lü E gave Zhang Yu the latest intelligence, including news that Zhao Wuji had been taken to the Handan Zhao Clan and that the Zhao Family’s support of the Zhang Family was now clear.
• Zhang Yu learned that Zhao Wuji was of the Zhao Clan’s bloodline, while Zhao Siqi’s suspicions about her father and mother remained unproven.

Zhang Mingshu and the Household’s forces joined the battle against the barbarians and the Pseudo-Kang Kingdom, fighting fiercely while searching for the missing Zhang Yu. An Siwei was struck by a poisoned arrow and died in An Muyuan’s arms.

• Zhang Mingshu waited for the central army’s signal, then led three thousand elite soldiers into the enemy formation with Zhao Xiaojie at the front.
• Han Yuan, Xia Qirui, Han Gan, and the Household’s other fighters broke through enemy defenses with their demon spirits and martial arts.
• Zhang Wushuang and Zuo Wuming joined the battle to help search for Zhang Yu, who had already returned to Baishi Village without the army’s knowledge.
• An Muyuan protected his grandfather An Siwei as they fought, but an enemy arrow pierced An Siwei’s chest.
• A physician said the arrow was poisoned, and An Siwei died after telling An Muyuan not to grieve.