Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao defended his decision to protect and recruit Yang Cai despite the risk of angering the Ding Family. He persuaded Liang Muqiu and Lü Yue that Yang Cai was a valuable long-term investment and planned to use the Xun Family to help shield them from the Ding Family's pressure.

• Meng Zhao brought Yang Cai to the Meng Family Manor and arranged for him to recover and receive medical care.
• Liang Muqiu and Lü Yue warned Meng Zhao that protecting Yang Cai could provoke the Ding Family without sufficient benefit.
• Meng Zhao argued that Yang Cai had the potential to become a Half-step Grandmaster or Grandmaster, making his protection a worthwhile investment.
• Meng Zhao explained that the Meng forces needed to challenge Lingwu City's established powers to grow, and that they could defend themselves against the Ding Family for now.
• Meng Zhao proposed using his little sister's abduction to pressure the Xun Family into helping block the Ding Family, and he outlined a strategy to divide and confront local powers while seeking friendship with the Zhuo Family.

Meng Zhao agreed with Liang Muqiu and Lü Yue to use the Xun Family against the Ding Family, then received You Shuren to negotiate compensation for Meng Rong’s abduction and Meng Chuan’s injury. The chapter ended with Meng Zhao rejecting the Wu and Xun Families’ generous offer as inadequate.

• Meng Zhao, Liang Muqiu, and Lü Yue settled their plans and agreed that Yang Cai would remain in the Meng Family’s main hall while training.
• Wu Zunyuan sent You Shuren to the Meng estate to negotiate with Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao told You Shuren that Meng Chuan and Meng Rong could leave the negotiations to him, while warning that the Southern An Meng Family would decide whether to settle the matter peacefully.
• You Shuren presented a gift list of money, properties, and martial arts resources intended for Meng Rong, Meng Chuan, and Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao threw the gift list to the floor and accused You Shuren of treating the Meng Family like beggars.

You Shuren offered the Meng Family additional treasures from the Xun and Wu Families to secure a reconciliation, and Meng Zhao learned their origins and uses. After Meng Rong and Meng Chuan agreed to settle the matter peacefully, Meng Zhao had their approval to reconcile with the two families.

• You Shuren offered Moon Essence Dew for Meng Rong and an Eight-Armed Asura Painting for Meng Chuan after Meng Zhao rejected the initial compensation as insufficient.
• You Shuren explained that Moon Essence Dew could preserve youth and that the painting contained a meditation method and a combat art with one divine-intent inheritance remaining.
• Meng Rong was captivated by the promise of eternal youth, while Meng Chuan showed eagerness to receive the painting.
• Meng Zhao asked Meng Rong and Meng Chuan whether they would accept reconciliation with the Xun and Wu Families, and both agreed.

Meng Zhao negotiated with You Shuren over reconciliation between the Meng, Xun, and Wu Families, seeking help for Yang Cai and warning the Wu Family about Song Zhiwen. You Shuren agreed to report both requests, while Meng Zhao continued to test the ties between Song Zhiwen and Wu Zunyuan.

• Meng Zhao told You Shuren that Meng Chuan and Meng Rong had agreed to reconcile with the Xun and Wu Families, then asked for an additional favor.
• Meng Zhao asked the Xun Family to help Yang Cai settle his enmity with the Ding Family, and You Shuren refused to promise anything without consulting his superiors.
• Meng Zhao argued that Yang Cai had acted in self-defense and urged You Shuren to ask the Xun Family to negotiate with the Ding Family.
• Meng Chuan and Meng Rong were surprised by Meng Zhao's open bargaining but felt no resentment because he had spoken candidly with them.
• Meng Zhao told You Shuren to inform the Wu Family that he might soon move against Song Zhiwen, and You Shuren agreed to pass on the message.

Wu Zunyuan and Xun Min discussed Meng Zhao’s demands and agreed to help him, but Wu Zunyuan reacted with killing intent when he learned Meng Zhao planned to target Song Zhiwen. He then proposed gathering the Wushui Alliance to drive Meng Zhao out of Lingwu City.

• You Shuren reported that Meng Zhao had demanded resources and the Eight-Armed Asura Painting from the Wu and Xun Families.
• Xun Min agreed to help Meng Zhao smooth the way, asking him to keep the Meng Rong affair from damaging the Xun Family.
• You Shuren revealed Meng Zhao’s second condition, and Wu Zunyuan unleashed a chilling killing intent upon hearing Song Zhiwen’s name.
• Wu Zunyuan claimed he feared Meng Zhao’s actions against Song Zhiwen could spark a war between the Song and Meng Families.
• Wu Zunyuan urged Xun Min to gather the Wushui Alliance and discuss driving Meng Zhao out of Lingwu City.

Wu Zunyuan tried to rally the Wushui Alliance against Meng Zhao, but Xun Min rejected the idea and left to investigate Song Zhiwen. Wu Zunyuan then ordered You Shuren to find a way to protect Song Zhiwen, and You Shuren proposed negotiating with Meng Zhao for a high enough price.

• Wu Zunyuan urged Xun Min to unite the Wushui Alliance against Meng Zhao, but Xun Min warned that the alliance would not risk provoking the Meng Family.
• Wu Zunyuan claimed he would wait until the dispute was settled before dealing with Meng Zhao, while Xun Min offered no real promise and left to investigate Song Zhiwen.
• Wu Zunyuan demanded that You Shuren recount his meeting with the Meng Family in full.
• Wu Zunyuan suspected Meng Zhao was testing him or using the Meng Rong matter to pressure him into abandoning Song Zhiwen.
• You Shuren advised Wu Zunyuan to negotiate with Meng Zhao, saying Song Zhiwen could offer a high enough price to resolve the matter.

You Shuren accepted Meng Zhao’s conditions, and Meng Zhao sent Meng Chuan and Meng Rong back to Nan’an while cautiously investigating Song Zhiwen and strengthening his forces. As Lingwu City grew more turbulent, a fire prompted Prince Yanping Beitang Ang to collect donations from the city’s factions, including five thousand taels from Meng Zhao.

• You Shuren returned to Meng Mansion with twelve carts of apology gifts and accepted all of Meng Zhao’s conditions, while the Wu Family handled the property transfers.
• Meng Zhao sent Meng Chuan and Meng Rong to Nan’an under the protection of Vermilion Bird Divine Guards and three Xiantian masters led by Cang Shu Yun.
• With little information about Song Zhiwen and no further developments concerning Wu Zunyuan, Meng Zhao held back from acting and reinforced his forces near Eternal Mausoleum.
• Two inner-city factions fought over territory, and the ensuing fire devastated much of a commercial street, killing and injuring civilians and causing heavy losses.
• Prince Yanping Beitang Ang executed the faction leaders and solicited donations from Lingwu City’s aristocratic families; Meng Zhao contributed five thousand taels of snow-patterned silver.

Meng Zhao kept watch on major developments in Lingwu City while his forces dealt with unrest in the Iron Hand Society and expanded the Great Banner Gang. The chapter left Han Pu rewarded for peacefully bringing neighboring powers into the gang.

• A Flower Thief terrorized Lingwu City's noblewomen, and Meng Zhao ordered his forces to watch for the culprit and help those harmed.
• Dragon City arranged a fight with Zhuo Mufeng beside Mingxiu Lake, drawing Meng Zhao's attention, while Chi Nianwen stayed guarded about the Zhuo Family's plans.
• Lou Guanlan, Meng Zhao, Cao Zhan, Zhou Hu, and others exposed and suppressed Iron Hand Society rebels who had secretly allied to overthrow the organization.
• Han Pu used covert methods to persuade several small powers to disband and join the Great Banner Gang without bloodshed.
• Meng Zhao praised and richly rewarded Han Pu for expanding the Great Banner Gang.

Meng Zhao attended a large gathering at Mingxiu Lake to watch Dragon City fight Zhuo Mufeng, while displaying his newly attained innate cultivation to Lingwu City's leaders. He left the question of how he compared with Dragon City unanswered, awaiting the duel.

• More than three hundred representatives of Lingwu City's families and martial forces gathered at Mingxiu Lake to watch Dragon City battle Zhuo Mufeng.
• Meng Zhao arrived with Liang Muqiu, Han Lu, Zhu'er, and four household retainers, then exchanged greetings with prominent figures including Wu Zunyuan, You Shuren, Fu Qingtong, Li Li, and Zhai Hao.
• Li Li praised Meng Zhao for reaching the innate realm, and Zhai Hao asked how he compared with Dragon City.
• Meng Zhao said he had no basis to judge Dragon City and intended to watch the duel before forming an opinion.

Meng Zhao told Li Li and Zhai Hao that Tie Xiongfei had been killed by a mysterious masked man and revealed that Song Zhiwen had ordered the poisoning. He warned that Song Zhiwen might be the Song Family heir, leaving Li Li and Zhai Hao cautious about confronting the family.

• Meng Zhao told Li Li and Zhai Hao that a bronze-masked man had drained Tie Xiongfei’s vital essence and had also tried to assassinate him.
• Meng Zhao revealed that Tie Xiongfei had named Song Zhiwen as the one who ordered and supplied the poison.
• Zhai Hao offered to mediate with the Song Family, and Li Li offered to join him in approaching them.
• Meng Zhao explained that Song Zhiwen was likely the Song Family heir and warned that attacking him could provoke the family.
• Li Li and Zhai Hao reconsidered their support because they could not commit their sects to a conflict with the Song Family.

At Mingxiu Lake, Song Zhiwen and Kui Gang approached Meng Zhao’s gathering, where Kui Gang praised Meng Zhao’s strength and prospects. Kui Gang offered Meng Zhao a jar of Bear Bone Wine to celebrate his entry into the Innate realm.

• Meng Zhao asked Li Li and Zhai Hao about recent changes in the city’s situation.
• Song Zhiwen found Meng Zhao with Li Li and Zhai Hao and asked Kui Gang to assess him.
• Kui Gang praised Meng Zhao’s talent, power, and backing, then warned Song Zhiwen not to harbor improper thoughts toward him.
• Kui Gang went with Song Zhiwen to meet Meng Zhao, and Li Li reminded Kui Gang of the Bear Bone Wine he owed him.
• Kui Gang offered Meng Zhao a jar of Bear Bone Wine as a congratulatory gift for entering the Innate realm.

Kui Gang introduced Song Zhiwen to Meng Zhao and his companions, whose hostile reaction revealed an undisclosed conflict. Left alone with Meng Zhao, Song Zhiwen admitted he knew Tie Xiongfei, and Meng Zhao’s question made clear that his past schemes had been exposed.

• Kui Gang presented Meng Zhao with a gift and introduced Song Zhiwen as a talented young man seeking his acquaintance.
• Meng Zhao, Li Li, and Zhai Hao reacted to Song Zhiwen with hostility, prompting Kui Gang to shield him and demand an explanation.
• Li Li and Zhai Hao persuaded Kui Gang to leave with them, and Kui Gang withdrew after warning Song Zhiwen to take care.
• Song Zhiwen asked Meng Zhao why he treated him as an enemy, and Meng Zhao asked whether he knew Tie Xiongfei.
• Song Zhiwen acknowledged his family’s past dealings with the Iron Hand Society and realized Meng Zhao had uncovered some of his schemes.

Meng Zhao confronted Song Zhiwen over Tie Xiongfei’s claim that Song had ordered the attempt on his life, then released a terrifying killing intent that left Song certain he could not win. Onlookers noticed their confrontation and wondered how Meng Zhao compared with Young Hero Dragon City.

• Meng Zhao told Song Zhiwen that Tie Xiongfei had accused him of ordering the poison attack and asked him to explain himself.
• Song Zhiwen denied the accusation, claimed Tie Xiongfei might be trying to sow discord, and flattered Meng Zhao to persuade him to doubt the story.
• Meng Zhao challenged Song Zhiwen’s claim that he was an insignificant junior and threatened to kill him without provoking the Song Family.
• Song Zhiwen resisted Meng Zhao’s killing intent with his Buddhist cultivation, then judged that he had almost no chance of defeating him or surviving a fight.
• Onlookers observed the confrontation and speculated about whether Meng Zhao or Young Hero Dragon City was stronger.

Meng Zhao confronted Song Zhiwen over the failed plot to poison him, threatened to kill him, and declared war on the Song Family if it protected him. Song Zhiwen asked what Meng Zhao wanted, and the two secretly discussed the secret of Eternal Mausoleum.

• Meng Zhao told Song Zhiwen he believed him responsible for the poisoning plot and warned him to stay guarded, despite having no evidence.
• Song Zhiwen asked whether Meng Zhao was declaring war on the Song Family, and Meng Zhao said he was willing to fight them if they protected Song Zhiwen.
• Song Zhiwen crushed his fan and asked what Meng Zhao wanted, indirectly admitting Tie Xiongfei had once been his man.
• Meng Zhao said he wanted justice and asked why Song Zhiwen had tried to kill him.
• Song Zhiwen secretly asked whether the motive was the secret within Eternal Mausoleum, and Meng Zhao confirmed it before asking about its Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm and the severed finger.

Song Zhiwen revealed that the Eternal Mausoleum concealed a perilous Ancient Battlefield, and Meng Zhao agreed to set aside their feud if the information was true. Meng Zhao tested Song Zhiwen in a handclasp, then showed mercy and let him go with a warning.

• Song Zhiwen told Meng Zhao that the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm was an Ancient Battlefield filled with unknown dangers and that Tie Xiongfei’s severed finger had come from there.
• Meng Zhao listened to Song Zhiwen’s account and said he would forgive the poisoning attempt if the information was true, but still needed to vent his resentment.
• Meng Zhao challenged Song Zhiwen to a handclasp and infused his palm with the power of his Dragon Body, martial art, and Evil Eye Secret Technique.
• Song Zhiwen met Meng Zhao’s strength with his own arts and physique, but their clash left his palm scorched and marked with finger imprints.
• Song Zhiwen thanked Meng Zhao for showing mercy, and Meng Zhao ended their dispute while warning him not to betray him again.

Liang Muqiu explained the origins, opportunities, and dangers of the Ancient Battlefield to Meng Zhao and urged him not to risk himself exploring it. Meng Zhao agreed to wait for scouts to gather information and suggested that Liang Muqiu lead the expedition.

• Song Zhiwen left after speaking with Meng Zhao, and Liang Muqiu asked Meng Zhao how their conversation had gone.
• Meng Zhao recounted his discussion with Song Zhiwen, and Liang Muqiu explained how Ancient Battlefield grotto-heavens had formed and why they contained both valuable inheritances and deadly hazards.
• Liang Muqiu warned Meng Zhao that the Ancient Battlefield's accumulated vile energies could endanger his life and ruin his fortune.
• Meng Zhao reassured Liang Muqiu that he would not gamble with his safety and suggested she lead the exploration.
• Liang Muqiu relaxed at Meng Zhao's promise, though she blushed when he held her hand.

Meng Zhao learned that Dragon City and Zhuo Mufeng’s duel stemmed from their rivalry over Ding Yuqin, who had chosen Dragon City after previously becoming entangled with Zhuo Mufeng. The group discussed Ding Yuqin’s beauty and the duel’s deeper causes while Meng Zhao tried to placate Liang Muqiu.

• Meng Zhao gathered with Li Li, Zhai Hao, Kui Gang, Shui Xianrou, and Yan Xing while waiting for Dragon City and Zhuo Mufeng to arrive.
• Meng Zhao asked Yan Xing why Dragon City and Zhuo Mufeng had arranged a public fight to the death.
• Yan Xing explained that Ding Yuqin had pledged herself to Dragon City after Zhuo Mufeng had sought to marry her, and that the Zhuo Family had given Zhuo Mufeng the Phoenix Wing Censer for the duel.
• Li Li criticized Ding Yuqin’s romantic entanglements, while Meng Zhao asked whether she was exceptionally beautiful and Liang Muqiu squeezed his hand in irritation.
• Yan Xing said Ding Yuqin had ranked eighth among Lingwu City’s beauties, and Meng Zhao concluded that the rivalry was likely more about male pride and family face than love.

Meng Zhao questioned whether Dragon City’s remarkable success with women was connected to the Flower Thief’s recent crimes, though he admitted it was only speculation. The Zhuo and Ding Families arrived for their duel, and Zhu’er was disappointed by Dragon City’s ordinary appearance.

• Yan Xing described Dragon City’s rise through life-and-death battles and his success with numerous influential women.
• Meng Zhao wondered whether Dragon City might be the Flower Thief, noting that the crimes had begun after Dragon City arrived.
• The others considered Meng Zhao’s suspicion but treated it as an unsubstantiated guess.
• Meng Zhao dismissed the accusation as speculation, and Kui Gang remarked that Widow Xie was too formidable to be easily deceived.
• The Zhuo and Ding Family groups arrived at the duel, and Zhu’er called Dragon City ordinary before Li Li challenged her judgment.

Dragon City and Zhuo Mufeng signed a Life and Death Contract and began their duel at Mingxiu Lake. Zhuo Mufeng revealed the Zhuo Family’s Earth-tier Divine Weapon, the Phoenix Wing Censer, giving him a chance to challenge Dragon City despite their disparity.

• Dragon City urged Zhuo Mufeng to call off the fight, but Zhuo Mufeng demanded the witnesses and refused to retreat.
• Representatives of the Xun, Zhuo, and Lin families and two Old Men in Silver Robes witnessed the duel as Dragon City signed the contract and Zhuo Mufeng sealed it with his bloody fingerprint.
• The witnesses declared the life-and-death duel begun, and the crowd cleared the field while members of the Zhuo Family handed Zhuo Mufeng a wooden case.
• Zhuo Mufeng opened the case and revealed the Phoenix Wing Censer, an Earth-tier Divine Weapon from the Zhuo Family.

Zhuo Mufeng wielded the Phoenix Wing Censer against Dragon City, whose skill let him evade the first powerful strike and counterattack. Zhuo Mufeng then used the weapon’s overwhelming power to press Dragon City with sweeping, relentless attacks.

• Han Pu recalled the legendary weapons that inspired the Phoenix Wing Censer as Dragon City waited for Zhuo Mufeng to use its power.
• Zhuo Mufeng used the censer to amplify his strength and attacked Dragon City with Wind Sweeps Plum Blossoms.
• Dragon City evaded the strike and countered with a flurry of kicks, but Zhuo Mufeng swept them away with the censer.
• Meng Zhao, Kui Gang, and Li Li discussed the weapon’s advantage and Dragon City’s chances, with Li Li warning that Zhuo Mufeng needed to finish the fight quickly.
• Zhuo Mufeng unleashed the censer as a blazing fire phoenix and used its broad attacks to restrict Dragon City’s movement.