Chapter Summaries

The Zhang Family warriors avenged An Siwei while Zhao Xiaojie and his allies led their three thousand troops through the battle against the Pseudo-Kang Kingdom. As the armies across the region committed to the fight, Zhang Mingshu reshaped his force into defensive formations and remained wary that rival families might sacrifice the Zhangs for their own ends.

• An Siwei's death enraged the Zhang Family warriors, and An Muyuan fought fiercely to avenge him.
• Zhao Xiaojie, Xia Qirui, and Han Gan led their troops in a coordinated assault, while Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan's demonic spirits struck the enemy.
• Zhao Xiangfu alerted Zhou Bai to the Zhang Family's momentum, and Zhou Bai committed reserves and ordered both wings to advance after confirming other armies had joined the fighting.
• As the battle swelled, Zhao Xiaojie kept the three thousand Zhang Family soldiers in formation, and Zhang Mingshu used the Formation Disk to arrange them into concentric defenses.
• Zhang Mingshu kept a reserve squad at his side and feared the other families might exploit the Zhang Family's rapid rise by treating its soldiers as expendable.

The Zhang Household held its formation through a bloody battle against Pseudo-Kang and barbarian forces, while Zhang Mingshu and Zhao Xiaojie kept their troops organized. As night fell, Zhao Xiangfu and Zhou Bai committed the entire army to continue fighting, and the melee shifted into a dangerous contest of concealment and ambush.

• Zhang Mingshu maintained the Zhang Household’s position and killed an enemy general who broke through the defensive formation.
• Zhao Xiaojie led the Martial Artists in a tight line that stopped the enemy assault.
• An Muyuan withdrew to rest after exhausting himself, while the Zhang Household gathered An Siwei’s body and those of its other fallen warriors and treated the wounded.
• Zhao Xiangfu and Zhou Bai committed the entire army to sustain the battle through the night.
• Zhang Mingshu used the Life Book, Star Moon Painting, and Star Scripture to detect and stop enemy assassins targeting commanders.

Zhao Xiaojie and Zhang Mingshu helped Zhao Kingdom hold off Pseudo-Kang Kingdom and the barbarians through a night of fighting, forcing the enemy to retreat at dawn. After the Zhang family troops withdrew to rest, Zhao Chuan reported an apparent internal upheaval in Pseudo-Kang Kingdom, though Zhang Mingshu suspected it might be a trap.

• Zhao Xiaojie used his demon spirit’s abilities and the Thirty-Six Stratagems to support Zhao Kingdom’s defenses, while Zhang Mingshu’s troops held their formation through the night.
• Zhao Kingdom counterattacked, and Pseudo-Kang Kingdom and the barbarian army withdrew after daybreak.
• Zhang Mingshu waited for orders, then led his exhausted troops away from the battlefield to rest.
• Zhao Chuan told Zhang Mingshu that an internal upheaval seemed to have begun in Pseudo-Kang Kingdom and its army was withdrawing.
• Zhang Mingshu welcomed the report cautiously, warning that the withdrawal could be a trap.

Zhang Mingshu and the Zhao Kingdom army advanced with the Great Jin and Southern Jin armies toward the Pseudo-Kang Kingdom’s Royal Capital, where fierce fighting resumed. As casualties mounted and enemy defenses seemed to waver, Zhang Mingshu remained wary of the barbarians’ hidden strength and searched for intelligence about nearby secret realms.

• Zhang Mingshu waited for the central army commander’s order rather than pursue the retreating enemy, then rallied his troops before they advanced.
• The armies of the three great powers moved forward along separate fronts, forming an encirclement around the Pseudo-Kang Kingdom and barbarian armies.
• Zhang Mingshu’s force reached the front after several days without encountering enemy resistance, and the Zhao Kingdom army attacked the defensive line near the Royal Capital.
• As battles around the surrounding small cities intensified and casualties rose, Zhang Mingshu stayed in the rear, watched for the barbarians’ trump card, and ordered Zhao Chuan to investigate reports of wavering defenses.
• Zhang Mingshu used his new authority to seek intelligence about nearby secret realms while wondering what the barbarians were concealing.

Zhang Mingshu watched the Zhao Kingdom’s forces launch an assault on the enemy-held city while considering the weaknesses in the allied families’ discipline. The battle escalated into fierce fighting atop the city walls.

• Zhang Mingshu brought several people to the front line and told Chen Junxi to wait for the order to attack.
• Zhao Xiangfu directed the army as the Zhao Kingdom’s first echelon advanced toward the city under a rain of arrows.
• Fifth-tier Martial Artist junior commanders led elite guards in an assault on the walls while catapults hurled boulders at the defenders.
• The Zhao Kingdom’s soldiers fought their way onto the city wall, and the allied families’ second echelon charged up behind them.

Zhang Mingshu watched the Zhao Kingdom battle as cultivators clashed with barbarian shamans and Celestial Master Dao experts. When an evil-spirit-possessed barbarian attacked the army’s rear, Zhang Mingshu defeated and killed him, and the Life Book analyzed the energies released from his body.

• A young cultivator named Lu Xingwei introduced himself as a Personal Disciple of Hengyue Tianfeng and cleaved the black-robed shaman’s Demon Ghost Banner in two, boosting the Zhao Kingdom soldiers’ morale.
• Above the clouds, Great Cultivators from both sides continued their evenly matched battle, as an azure luan fought a Celestial Master Dao cultivator’s Eagle Demon Spirit.
• An evil-spirit-possessed barbarian broke through toward the army’s rear, but Zhang Mingshu intercepted him with his spear.
• Zhang Mingshu deflected the barbarian’s Evil Spirit Slash and used the Demonic Spirit: Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the Demonic Spirit: Heart Moon Fox to overwhelm him.
• Zhang Mingshu pierced the barbarian’s chest and killed him, and the Life Book analyzed the energies released from his body.

Zhao Kingdom’s forces pressed their assault on the city while the Azure Luan defeated the Eagle Demon Spirit in the sky. Zhou Buding subdued a barbarian warrior with his Timely Rain technique, spared his life, and sent him north after he swore never to invade the Central Plains again.

• Zhang Mingshu urged Zhao Kingdom’s soldiers onward as they climbed the city walls and the defenders’ formation began to falter.
• The Azure Luan trapped and shredded the Eagle Demon Spirit, and the Zhao cultivator withdrew his painting after winning the exchange.
• Zhou Buding fought a peak He Dan Hun Yuan Realm barbarian warrior while holding back his strength to match his opponent.
• The barbarian warrior unleashed his bloodline power, but Zhou Buding used Timely Rain to extinguish it and suppress his fighting spirit.
• Zhou Buding wounded the barbarian warrior and his Four-winged Flying Snake Demon Spirit without killing them, and the warrior vowed never to enter the Central Plains again before flying north.

The human alliance pushed the barbarians and Pseudo-Kang Kingdom back to the Royal Capital, setting the stage for a difficult siege and a struggle among the human factions over the recovered territory. At East Twelve Fort, Zhuge Yunfei proposed that Zhang Mingshu shift his family’s efforts toward rear logistics and jointly develop the Five Lotus Mountain Range.

• The armies of Great Jin, Southern Jin, and Zhao Kingdom forced the barbarians and Pseudo-Kang Kingdom to abandon more than a dozen small cities and retreat toward the Royal Capital.
• Zhang Mingshu, Zhang Shaoqing, and Chen Junxi discussed the coming siege and warned that the barbarians would try to exhaust the human forces and provoke conflict among them.
• A soldier told Zhang Mingshu that Zhuge Yunfei had arrived with important business, and Zhang Mingshu invited him to his command tent at East Twelve Fort.
• Zhuge Yunfei told Zhang Mingshu that the Royal Capital campaign could become a costly war of attrition and offered to help the Zhang Family return earlier by assigning some troops to logistics.
• Zhuge Yunfei presented a map and proposed that the two families jointly develop the Five Lotus Mountain Range, while Zhang Mingshu weighed the plan against his family’s many existing responsibilities.

Zhang Mingshu weighed the Zhang and Zhuge families’ future alliance while dealing with military affairs and the families under his command. The chapter left him preparing to visit North Mountain Valley, while the Zhang Family continued its cautious campaign and assessed its allies and rewards.

• Zhang Mingshu considered the implications of Zhuge Yunfei’s map and learned that Zhang Yu had returned safely and settled his marriage.
• Zhang Yu traveled to North Mountain Valley with Qu Ziyi and his grandfather’s ashes, intending to bury the ashes and visit Gu Canchi.
• Zuo Wuming and Zhang Wushuang exposed people who had sold Zhang Family intelligence, and Zhang Mingshu expelled them and their families.
• Lu Qianchen, Ji Qianye, and Tian Qianyang fought alongside Zhang Mingshu and earned military merit with few casualties.
• Zhang Mingshu attended discussions about military rewards, while the He Family of Qingxi Town sought to pledge allegiance to the Zhang Family.

He Xi arranged marriages for Lu Qianchen and Tian Qianyang while planning to loosen the ties between their families. After returning to Baishi Village, Zhang Mingshu named Zhang Xi’s son Zhang Yanhua.

• He Xi led the Qingxi He Family to join the Zhang Family and asked Zhang Mingshu to arrange her marriage to Lu Qianchen and Ji Qianye’s marriage to Tian Qianyang.
• Zhao Xiaojie summoned Lu Qianchen, who agreed to marry He Xi after several days of consideration.
• He Xi planned to hand the He Family’s authority to another Core Formation Realm cultivator and later separate the He, Lü, and Ji families further.
• Zhang Mingshu and Zhang Xi returned to Baishi Village in autumn of Shengtong Year Thirty-Seven, after missing Zhang Xi’s son’s first-birthday banquet.
• Zhang Mingshu named Zhang Xi’s son Zhang Yanhua.

Zhang Mingshu reviewed the Royal Capital’s defenses and planned how the Zhang Family would consolidate its territories and forces while preparing for a prolonged war. He arranged new posts and deployments, leaving the family’s next major expansion into the Five Lotus Mountain Range for later.

• Zhang Mingshu confirmed that the Royal Capital’s defensive formation and supplies could support a long war, while the shifting balance allowed counterattacks against the barbarians.
• Zhang Mingshu welcomed Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi home after they returned from guarding Grandpa Qu’s tomb, and urged Zhang Yu to take on greater responsibility.
• Zhang Mingshu told the family that the National Lord had intervened in the East Sea General appointment, and Zuo Wuming guessed that Zhao Wuji would receive the post.
• Zhang Mingshu assigned Zhang Xi to oversee East Sea County and Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to take charge in Guanyun County, while other personnel and forces prepared for rotations.
• Zhang Mingshu decided to strengthen Qushan Ancient City and move the ancestral temple there before pursuing the Five Lotus Mountain Range, while Lu Qianchen and the others remained at the front until their rotation.

Zhao Xiangfu received high military rank while Zhao Xiangyu expanded his authority, and Zhao Wuji returned to the East Sea to establish a base for his army. At Baishi Village, Zhang Mingshu prepared Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to lead the Lineage’s delegation to the Mount Lao Secret Realm trial.

• Zhao Xiangfu was appointed General of Galloping Cavalry and Duke of Ye, while Zhao Xiangyu took the title of King Zhao.
• Zhao Wuji was appointed East Sea General and had to find an island for his troops because they could not permanently station on Evil Dragon Island.
• Zhao Wuji returned to Baishi Village with Wu Ling'er, and the pair visited Zhang Mingshu and Zhang Yu, who had recently married.
• The Zhuge Family began selecting young cultivators for the Mount Lao Secret Realm trial, and Zhang Mingshu chose Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to prepare for it.
• Zhao Wuji handled his military affairs independently, while Zhang Wushuang returned to the Daizong Secret Realm to cultivate.

Zhao Wuji chose Evil Stream Island as a base for his East Sea forces and gathered support from the Zhang Family, the Zhao Family, and Wu Ling'er to take it. He began the assault with a naval bombardment and White Whale's attack, leaving the pirates in chaos as the battle continued.

• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er agreed to search for a concealed, defensible island, and Wu Ling'er summoned White Whale while planning to report to her master.
• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er inspected Evil Stream Island and decided to seize it from the Rogue Cultivator and the pirates occupying it.
• Half a month later, Zhang Mingshu arrived with the Zhang Family's warships, and Zhao Wuji surrounded the island with his assembled fleet.
• Zhao Wuji ordered his forces to target the Rogue Cultivator and pirates while sparing innocents, and Wu Ling'er confirmed that White Whale would create a diversion.
• Zhao Wuji launched the attack with catapults and ballistae, while White Whale crashed into Evil Stream Island and sent the pirates into chaos.

Zhao Wuji’s inexperienced fleet struggled against the pirates of Evil Stream Island, and the battle turned into a costly clash at close quarters. With help from the Zhang Family fleet and Wu Ling’er, Zhao Wuji withdrew safely and planned to regroup before attacking again.

• The pirates adapted to the Zhao Family fleet’s attacks, and the Zhang Family fleet intervened to rescue Zhao Wuji’s struggling left wing.
• The peak Spirit Transformation Realm pirate leader attacked with lightning, prompting Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling’er to protect the warships and lead a boarding assault.
• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling’er fought their way across pirate ships while the Zhao Family soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
• The pirates sank one of their own ships to thwart Zhao Wuji’s advance, forcing him and Wu Ling’er to retreat with the White Whale’s help.
• Zhao Wuji withdrew his forces safely with the Zhang Family fleet’s assistance and decided to rest, resupply, and adjust his tactics before returning.

Zhao Wuji led the Zhao Family fleet in a carefully coordinated assault that drove the pirates back toward Evil Stream Island, while the Zhang Family fleet joined the attack. When the Rogue Cultivator was forced to command the rear guard, Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er launched a direct strike against him, leaving their clash underway.

• Zhao Wuji repaired and retrained his forces, then led the Zhao Family fleet toward Evil Stream Island with the Zhang Family fleet following.
• Zhao Wuji ordered his soldiers to grapple enemy ships and use them as shields while the fleet attacked, forcing the pirates to retreat toward the island.
• Zhao Wuji pursued the retreating pirates with giant crossbows as Wu Ling'er used whirlpools to disrupt their ships.
• After the Rogue Cultivator took command of the rear guard, Zhao Wuji set out by small boat to confront him, while Zhang Mingshu attacked the pirates with the Zhang Family fleet.
• Zhao Wuji charged the Rogue Cultivator and broke through his lightning web as Wu Ling'er and the White Whale rocked the pirate ship and she moved in with her dagger.

Zuo Wuming used his Scholar Realm Word Spirit to reshape the battlefield and weaken the Spirit Transformation Realm peak Rogue Cultivator. Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er pressed their attacks, and the chapter ended with Wu Ling'er stabbing at the Rogue Cultivator’s heart from behind.

• Zuo Wuming trapped the Rogue Cultivator in a Word Spirit scene that restricted his use of Water Element power and intensified his sorrow.
• The Rogue Cultivator fired an Ice Arrow at Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er, but Zuo Wuming’s shifting scene and summoned attacks broke through his defenses and reduced his realm.
• Zhao Wuji activated the Green-faced Beast’s power and clashed with the Rogue Cultivator, while Wu Ling'er destroyed his defensive artifact with her dagger and water attacks.
• Zhao Wuji deflected the Rogue Cultivator’s lightning, kicked him backward, and created an opening for Wu Ling'er.
• Wu Ling'er flashed behind the Rogue Cultivator and stabbed toward his heart.

Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er defeated the Rogue Cultivator through a coordinated assault, with Wu Ling'er draining his power and Zhao Wuji delivering the final blows. They emerged to find the pirates surrendering, and Zhao Wuji planned to use the captured men as labor for the island base.

• Wu Ling'er dodged the Rogue Cultivator's attacks and wounded him while Zhao Wuji struck through his golden defense and forced him to abandon an arm.
• Zhao Wuji charged through the Rogue Cultivator's lightning barrier as Wu Ling'er used Jade Sound to slip inside and attack.
• Wu Ling'er stabbed the Rogue Cultivator through the heart with Blood Cry, draining his power, and Zhao Wuji cut off his remaining arm and searched for his Divine Soul.
• Wu Ling'er explained that Blood Cry had devoured the Rogue Cultivator's Divine Soul through the Profound Gang Dagger.
• Zhao Wuji and Wu Ling'er emerged with the scholar, and the pirates surrendered after Zhao Wuji's fearsome appearance intimidated them.
• Zhao Wuji planned to sentence the pirates to labor at construction sites to help build the island base.

Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi arrived in Green Bamboo City ahead of the Zhuge Family's trial and settled into lodgings at the City Lord's Manor. With a month to wait before entering the secret realm, they began exploring the city and preparing for the trial.

• The Zhang Family welcomed Zhang Yabang and Zhang Yanye, the children of Zhang Xi and Liu Shiyuan and Meng Qiuyan, respectively.
• Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi traveled to the Zhuge Family's central territory and were impressed by Green Bamboo City's bustling marketplace and dense Wood Element Spiritual Power.
• Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi reported to the City Lord's Manor, where Zhuge Yunyi greeted them and arranged their lodgings.
• Zhuge Yunyi invited Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to a banquet for visiting young talents and told them the trial would begin in about a month.
• Zhang Yu urged Qu Ziyi to use the waiting period to improve her strength, and the two began exploring Green Bamboo City.

Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi attended the Zhuge Family banquet, where Zhuge Yunfei told Zhang Yu to negotiate for the Zhang Family’s remaining secret-realm quota. Led to a meeting with Han Family representatives, they began discussing cooperation for the trial.

• Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi arrived at the banquet in plain clothes and met Lu Zilie of the Zhuoxian Lu Family.
• Zhuge Yunfei greeted Zhang Yu and advised him to negotiate carefully for the Zhang Family’s remaining quota, since the Han Family wanted additional places.
• Zhuge Yunling escorted Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi to the rear courtyard to meet the Han Family representatives.
• Han Zhengyang and Han Zhengming proposed cooperating with the Zhang Family for the secret-realm trial.
• Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi began negotiating terms, seeking sincere partners who would help them inside the secret realm.

Zhang Yu entered the Mount Lao Secret Realm and passed through the Heart-Questioning Trial, revisiting a childhood encounter with a water ghost and reflecting on how his Demonic Spirit changed his fear of pain. He emerged in a misty forest, while Qu Ziyi remained trapped in a scene from before her parents’ deaths.

• Zhuge Wenyun activated the formation, and Zhang Yu and Qu Ziyi entered the secret realm with the other candidates.
• Zhang Yu faced memories and moral choices in the Heart-Questioning Trial, including the childhood water ghost incident in which Zhao Wuji rescued him.
• Zhang Yu recalled gaining [Fearless—Iron Will] through his Demonic Spirit and becoming numb to pain.
• Zhang Yu emerged in a Spiritual Energy-rich forest as spirit beasts howled in the distance.
• Qu Ziyi remained trapped in a memory from before her parents died.