Chapter Summaries

Saine reached Gezes City amid the uncontrolled war on Thousand Leaf Coral Island and left the refugees who had followed him to choose their own refuge. He entered the city and found the Snella family residence, realizing his mentor Moxidu had belonged to that family.

• Saine reflected on the worsening war and told the bearded man he would no longer protect the group, then vanished and left him an Earth Element Energy Crystal.
• The bearded man decided to lead the refugees to Gezes City and ask to join the Teuton Kingdom.
• Saine entered Gezes City and went to the Snella family's Baron’s Residence rather than seeking out Earl Hank.
• Saine recognized that the pattern on Moxidu's Magic Medal matched the Snella Family Crest and concluded that his mentor's full name had been Moxidu Snella.

Saine entered the Snella Estate, where Baron Snella faced the threat of Gezes City falling and pressure from Earl Hank to use his family’s inherited reserves. The chapter left Baron Snella brooding over Hank’s demands as war threatened the Snella Family’s ancestral lands.

• Saine used his exceptional physical control to leap into the Snella Estate without knocking or using flight magic.
• The chapter described how the Snella Family had kept most of its fertile land despite centuries of decline and repeated wars around Gezes City.
• Baron Snella remained in Gezes City with his eldest son while many of his relatives and heirs had fled to the kingdom’s interior.
• Baron Snella recalled that the family had once used an inherited magical item to save Gezes City, after which the Teuton royal family seized two other treasures from them.
• Baron Snella cursed Earl Hank for demanding that the Snella Family bear the front line’s burden while contributing nothing himself.

Saine visited Baron Snella during the family’s crisis, gave him magical equipment and two Flame Bombs, and asked for help finding several people in the Western Islands. Baron Snella showed Saine a map left by a mysterious benefactor seventeen years earlier, which might lead Saine to someone he sought.

• Baron Snella recalled how two mysterious visitors had aided the Snella Family, then Saine appeared and put the hall’s guards and servants to sleep.
• Saine revealed his Identity Badge, and Baron Snella recognized it as proof of a connection to the visitors who had helped his family.
• Saine gave Baron Snella intermediate-grade magical equipment and two Flame Bombs, but withheld more powerful formal Magic Conductors.
• Saine asked Baron Snella for advice on finding several people in the Western Islands.
• Baron Snella led Saine to the family’s underground treasure cellar and produced a map given to him by a master seventeen years earlier.

Saine used Soul Magic to verify Baron Snella’s identity and memories, then buried his mentor Moxidu’s ashes at the Snella Family’s ancestral graveyard. He set out north with Yuli, gaining new insight into the human heart and Soul Magic.

• Saine examined the Magic Map and found coordinates that likely led to Zorro and Fei'er near the edge of the Southern Black Domain.
• Saine searched Baron Snella’s memories and confirmed Zorro and Fei'er had visited him, while discovering the baron’s gratitude had curdled into resentment and improper desire for Fei'er.
• Saine left the Snella Family and buried Moxidu’s ashes in the Snella Family’s ancestral graveyard without using magic or help.
• After burying Moxidu, Saine felt relieved and noticed his Mental Strength had increased by several points.
• Saine told Yuli they were heading north and gained a deeper understanding of Soul Magic as he reflected on the human heart.

Saine reached Moduolong Island in the Black Domain to seek information about Lina from Fei'er and Zorro, but found the island barren and dangerous. After a Black Magician's apprentice ambushed him and demanded energy crystals, Saine faced a local who had mistaken him for a weak apprentice.

• Saine used Zorro's Magic Map to evade Western Islands patrols and reached Moduolong Island beneath Tourmaline and Bai Xing's invisibility shields.
• Saine observed Moduolong Island's sparse population, barren land, volcanic center, and lack of magical beasts as he flew north toward the central address on the map.
• A Black Magician's apprentice launched an acid ray at Saine, but Saine's Fire Elemental Shield blocked it.
• The apprentice emerged from a wooden hut and demanded three High-Level Energy Crystals on behalf of Master Babaluka, not recognizing Saine as a Level-1 Magician.

Saine captured and interrogated a Black Wizard Apprentice on Moduolong Island, learning more about the island’s dangers and the Black Domain’s divisions. He continued toward the island’s center, wondering what the territories ruled by Black Knights were like.

• Saine subdued the Quasi-Magician with a Flame Hand and used Soul Magic to obtain the information he wanted.
• Saine learned that Moduolong Island lay on the Black Domain’s fringe, while the dead Second-Level Black Magician Van Basten’s island was closer to its dangerous center.
• After questioning the Black Wizard Apprentice, Saine snapped his neck and discarded his corpse.
• Saine reflected that Moduolong Island hosted multiple Second-Level Black Magicians and that the Black Domain’s human population was exploited as a resource.
• Saine learned that Black Magicians controlled the eastern two-thirds of the Black Domain and Black Knights controlled the western third, then continued toward the island’s center.

Saine traveled across Moduolong Island, avoiding known strongholds while drawing the attention of its Black Magicians after revealing his first-level aura. As he continued toward the island’s center, Formal Black Wizards watched him cautiously and waited for a chance to test his strength.

• After Saine left the hut, Black Wizard Apprentices fought over the dead Quasi-Magician’s body and inheritance, while others hurried to report his death to the Formal Black Wizard behind him.
• Saine used the Quasi-Magician’s memories to avoid dangerous territories and learned that Qiongni had once helped his senior brother Zorro and senior sister Fei'er escape the Underdark.
• After crushing two Quasi-Magicians and three Advanced Apprentices who confronted him, Saine loosened his Aura Concealment Technique and flew toward the island’s center.
• Saine’s first-level aura drew the attention of native and passing Black Magicians, who watched him from the shadows and assessed his displayed abilities.
• The Formal Black Wizards held back from challenging Saine, but they anticipated conflict if he stayed on Moduolong Island and disrupted its balance.

Saine found the Magic Tower where his Senior Sister Fei'er lived and revealed his identity after its defenses attacked him. He and Fei'er reunited, and Saine saw that she had grown old without advancing to Level 1.

• Saine reached a Magic Tower on Moduolong Island and suspected that either Zorro or Fei'er lived there.
• The tower's traps and magical restrictions attacked Saine, but his Magic Robe protected him from harm.
• Saine removed his hood and mask, and Fei'er recognized him and asked him to wait.
• Fei'er opened the door in a white dress, and she and Saine greeted each other with excitement.
• Saine noticed that Fei'er had aged and had not advanced to Level 1, but he reassured her and gently embraced her.

Saine reunited with Fei'er and learned how she and Zorro had survived amid the shifting powers of the Black Domain. After hearing that Fei'er had given up on advancing to Rank One to spare Zorro further burdens, Saine offered to provide the resources for her to try again.

• Saine and Fei'er discussed their years apart, and Fei'er told him that Zorro had become a Formal Magician twenty years earlier.
• Fei'er explained that she and Zorro relied on Moxidu's connections before joining Qiongni's faction under Martin, whose power had weakened after Maijana's death and the destruction of the City of Mozhsuobula.
• Fei'er told Saine that her attempt to advance to Rank One had failed twelve years earlier, leaving her unable to afford another attempt and causing her aged appearance.
• Fei'er said she had refused Zorro's offer to gather the resources for another attempt because she did not want to burden him.
• Saine took Fei'er's hand and promised to provide the resources, urging her to keep trying so they could continue their path on the Truth Dao together.

Saine offered Fei'er the resources she needed to try advancing to Level 1, including Water of Lorraine, and reassured her that he could afford them. Fei'er accepted his support and promised to reward him after her breakthrough.

• Saine told Fei'er he had joined the Azure Source Holy Tower but kept his new master’s identity from her.
• Saine brought out fire-element Energy Essences, magic materials, and two vials of Water of Lorraine for Fei'er.
• Fei'er asked Saine what he had experienced and acquired during the years they were apart.
• Fei'er embraced and kissed Saine, accepting his help and thanking her junior brother.
• Saine encouraged Fei'er to look beyond Level 1 toward the Star Realm and the summit of knowledge and Truth.
• Fei'er whispered that she would reward Saine once she advanced to Level 1.

Saine toured Fei'er's Magic Tower and learned that Mentor Moxidu had been killed by the Level One Black Magician Di'ersi. Fei'er recounted Zorro's failed duel with Di'ersi, leaving Saine to face the depth of his Senior Brother's grudge.

• Fei'er showed Saine her Magic Tower, where he saw imprisoned creatures and wondered whether his fellow disciples still shared his path.
• Saine asked Fei'er about Moxidu's death, and she said Di'ersi had killed their mentor.
• Fei'er explained that Di'ersi joined Kanterla after the City of Mozhsuobula fell and became a potion-making slave under his rule.
• Fei'er said Zorro challenged Di'ersi with Martin's help, but lost their witnessed duel and had one arm severed.

Saine vowed to avenge Moxidu by finding a way to fight Di'ersi, then faced a new threat when Babaluka attacked Fei'er's Magic Tower. Fei'er identified the intruder, and Saine asked whether Martin would blame him if he killed Babaluka.

• Saine resolved to fight Di'ersi and avenge Moxidu despite the danger.
• A rumble shook Fei'er's Magic Tower, and Saine and Fei'er went upstairs to investigate.
• Saine saw a brown-robed Black Magician hovering outside with a dark-yellow fireball at his staff.
• Fei'er identified the intruder as Babaluka, a First-Level Black Magician known for seeking profit and picking fights.
• Saine asked Fei'er whether Martin would blame him for killing Babaluka, and Fei'er said probably not.

Saine emerged from Fei'er’s Magic Tower to confront Babaluka, whose attacks had threatened the tower. Igniting his Azure Fire, Saine drove Babaluka into a desperate flight, while Fei'er watched from below.

• Saine reasoned that Babaluka had been stirring up trouble to attract Martin’s attention and decided to confront him.
• Saine left Fei'er’s Magic Tower and approached Babaluka in the air, unnerving the older Black Magician.
• Saine ignited the emerald Azure Fire around his body, startling the watching Black Magicians with its heat and power.
• Babaluka fled as Saine charged after him across the sky.
• Fei'er watched Saine’s pursuit from the Magic Tower, visibly flushed.

Saine killed the Level-1 Black Magician Babaluka after pursuing him across Moduolong Island, using Owl Little Qi to stop his escape. He returned to the Magic Tower with Babaluka’s corpse and offered it to Fei'er for her research.

• Saine fought Babaluka for a day and a half, relying on his own strength and the equipment Moxidu had left him.
• Little Qi ambushed the exhausted Babaluka, pierced his shoulder, and brought him within Saine’s reach.
• Saine killed Babaluka with Azure Fire Flame and stored his corpse as Spoils of War.
• The watching Black Magicians dispersed after Babaluka’s death, while some wondered whether Little Qi was connected to Martin.
• Saine returned to the Magic Tower and offered Babaluka’s headless corpse to Fei'er as a research gift.

Saine reunited with Fei'er on Moduolong Island, defeated a Black Magician, and learned that Lina had once searched for him. The next morning, Saine and Fei'er set out to visit Zorro in the island’s north.

• Fei'er declined Saine’s offer of Babaluka’s corpse, and Saine stored it in his Space Ring after killing the Level-1 Black Magician.
• Saine and Fei'er shared mushroom soup and agreed to visit Zorro the following day.
• Fei'er told Saine that Lina had come to Moduolong Island seeking news of him, then went north with her mentor, Master Feilunna.
• Saine felt relieved to learn Lina was likely still in the Western Islands and might have reached Level 1.
• Saine and Fei'er traveled north across Moduolong Island, discussing its depleted Energy Crystal veins and other resources.

Saine reunited with Senior Brother Zorro at his Magic Tower on Moduolong Island, where the three surviving disciples of Moxidu shared their experiences. Zorro gave Saine Moxidu’s alchemical books and notebooks, and Saine then laid out his inherited legacy for Zorro and Fei'er.

• Fei'er guided Saine to Zorro’s Magic Tower in northern Moduolong Island, where Zorro welcomed them with excitement.
• Saine told Zorro about his escape from underground and how he had gathered Moxidu’s ashes.
• Zorro gave Saine Magic Books and alchemical notebooks left by Moxidu, and Saine accepted them with a bow.
• Saine divided the legacy he had inherited from Moxidu into three portions and laid them before Zorro and Fei'er.

Saine divided Moxidu’s inheritance with Zorro and Fei'er, keeping the books and alchemy notes while giving his Senior Brother valuable equipment and crystals. Saine offered to bring Zorro and Fei'er to the Azure Source Holy Tower, but Zorro stayed behind to inherit Moxidu’s legacy and settle old grudges, which Saine suspected involved Di'ersi.

• Saine laid out Moxidu’s inheritance, and Zorro accepted one-third while Saine kept copies of books and notes he had not yet read.
• Zorro offered one Metal Disc to Fei'er, but she declined and asked him to make her one if he uncovered how they worked.
• Fei'er took her rightful share, and Zorro praised Saine for joining a proper Holy Tower organization.
• Saine invited Zorro and Fei'er to join the Azure Source Holy Tower, but Zorro refused because he intended to inherit Moxidu’s legacy and settle his grudges.
• Saine asked whether Zorro’s grudge concerned Di'ersi, and Zorro’s magical power surged hard enough to shatter a corner of the stone table.

Saine learned more about Di'ersi, her Level-3 backer Kanterla, and Zorro’s ties to Dean Martin as he prepared to avenge Moxidu. Zorro agreed to take Saine to meet Martin, and he revealed that he had last seen Lina twenty-two years earlier, when Martin seemed especially interested in her identity.

• Saine recognized Zorro’s metal left hand and learned that Di'ersi had severed his original hand.
• Saine promised to kill Di'ersi, and Zorro shared details of her spells, her backer Kanterla, and his own grudge against her.
• Zorro explained that Martin had secured his three-hundred-year alchemy contract and promised to help him take down Di'ersi through the influence of a Black Tower.
• Saine rejected waiting three hundred years, and Zorro offered to take him to meet Martin so the dean could restrain Di'ersi.
• Saine asked about Lina, and Zorro said he had last seen her twenty-two years earlier as a Level-1 Magician while Martin showed great interest in her identity.

Saine met Rank Three Black Magician Martin on Dalan Island and established his connection to Moxidu and the City of Mozhsuobula Black Magic Academy. Martin revealed that Lina had joined the Pale Bone Black Tower, where her victory in a deadly trial had earned the notice of its leaders.

• Zorro took Saine to meet Martin at his castle on Dalan Island, where Martin recognized Saine as Moxidu's former disciple.
• Saine called Martin “Headmaster,” prompting Martin to recall the destroyed City of Mozhsuobula Black Magic Academy and its talented apprentices.
• Martin asked whether Saine and Lina were close, and Saine confirmed that Lina was his girlfriend.
• Martin told Saine and Zorro that Lina had joined the Pale Bone Black Tower and taken first place in its Trial of Death more than twenty years earlier.
• Martin said the Pale Bone Black Tower's headmasters praised Lina and that she might have caught the Tower Master's attention.

Saine learned that Lina had become a Level 1 Black Magician and joined the Pale Bone Black Tower, then questioned Martin about reaching her. Martin tried to recruit Saine with a long-term Magic Contract while promising to restrain Kanterla, but Saine left the offer undecided as Martin explained that secret realms in the southern Knight Continent would soon draw the Black Magicians' attention.

• Martin told Saine that the Pale Bone Black Tower lay in the Black Domain's central region and would be difficult to reach or join.
• Saine realized Martin's warnings about the Pale Bone Black Tower served Martin's own interest in keeping Saine nearby and gaining ties to Lina's tower.
• Martin offered Saine resources in exchange for signing a Magic Contract lasting at least thirty years, but Saine said he would consider it.
• Martin promised to restrain Kanterla over the attack on Saine's mentor, Moxidu, though he said the conflict would not be resolved soon.
• Martin explained that secret realms in the southern Knight Continent were about to open and that Black Magicians would seek to obtain their resources.