Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao gathered the Dan Chi warriors under his command and offered them a new martial art to strengthen them and win their loyalty. He taught the four Tulu the Coiling Serpent Transformation, whose final Dragon Transformation Form promised a major boost in qi, blood, and strength.

• Ji Rulin introduced Meng Zhao to five thousand Dan Chi warriors and ordered them to obey his command.
• Meng Zhao addressed the warriors in halting Dan Chi, then met the four Tulu assigned to assist him.
• Meng Zhao announced that he had created the Coiling Serpent Transformation and asked the four Tulu to help teach it to the warriors.
• Meng Zhao demonstrated the martial art and explained its focus on qi, blood, muscles, sinews, and joints.
• Meng Zhao described the nine forms, including the Dragon Transformation Form, which could greatly increase a martial artist's foundation and strength.

Meng Zhao demonstrated the Coiling Serpent Transformation and agreed to give it to the Dan Chi Clan as a betrothal gift after the current matter was settled. Ji Rulin and the Tulu warriors welcomed the prospect, while Meng Zhao intended the martial art to strengthen the clan and improve its warriors’ adaptability.

• Meng Zhao explained how the five Serpent Styles softened the body and supported the four powerful Flood Dragon Styles, while keeping the final Dragon Transformation unpassed down.
• Meng Zhao demonstrated all nine styles, impressing Ji Rulin and the four Tulu warriors with their practical value and combat power.
• Ji Rulin asked whether the Coiling Serpent Transformation could be taught throughout the Dan Chi Clan, and Meng Zhao initially refused because it would diminish his influence among the five thousand men he commanded.
• Meng Zhao agreed to share the martial art with the clan after the current matter was settled, offering it as a betrothal gift to Ji Rushuang’s family.
• Ji Rulin grew excited, and Meng Zhao considered how the styles could strengthen the Dan Chi Clan and address its warriors’ rigidity in formations and more technical combat.

Su Tianwang grew increasingly anxious when Geng Pomo failed to return, and he ordered Yuan Qing and Qiu Lian to stop searching and prepare to move their base. The two Vajras suspected that the Heavenly King's enemies had killed Geng Pomo and privately debated whether to keep obeying Su Tianwang or flee with the collected supplies.

• Su Tianwang sent Yuan Qing and Qiu Lian to investigate Geng Pomo's disappearance, but they returned without finding any clues.
• Su Tianwang concluded that Geng Pomo had likely met with calamity at the hands of someone in their organization and ordered his men to move the base and hasten their collection of ferocious beasts' flesh-and-blood essence.
• Su Tianwang reassured Yuan Qing and Qiu Lian that Geng Pomo's fate was uncertain, though both remained frightened by the possibility of a hidden enemy.
• After leaving the cave, Qiu Lian asked Yuan Qing who might have harmed Geng Pomo, and Yuan Qing suspected the Heavenly King's enemies rather than the Danchi people or ferocious beasts.
• Yuan Qing and Qiu Lian debated whether to obey Su Tianwang or abandon him and flee with the supplies, knowing either choice could cost them their future.

Yuan Qing and Qiu Lian decided to remain loyal to Su Tianwang despite their fears, while Meng Zhao continued training the Dan Chi warriors and learned that the Rebel Army’s growing impatience threatened the clan. He urged Ji Zhenyun to accept their recruitment so the Dan Chi Clan could carry out its plan to defeat them from within.

• Yuan Qing convinced Qiu Lian that fleeing would leave them vulnerable to both Su Tianwang’s enemies and Su Tianwang himself, and the two departed in separate directions.
• Meng Zhao trained five thousand Dan Chi warriors, strengthened his relationship with Ji Rushuang, and improved his command of the Dan Chi language.
• Ji Zhenyun summoned Meng Zhao and Ji Rulin, explaining that the Rebel Army had sent another envoy with valuable gifts and might soon attack the Dan Chi Clan.
• Meng Zhao advised Ji Zhenyun to join the Rebel Army to remove its threat and execute their plan to destroy it from within.

Meng Zhao learned about the Rebel Army’s principal envoy, Purple Butterfly, and deputy envoy, He Xin, and judged that they represented opposing factions. He arranged for Ji Zhenyun to maintain ties with He Xin while he handled Purple Butterfly, hoping to exploit the divide and strengthen the Dan Chi Clan’s position.

• Ji Zhenyun agreed to hand the negotiations to Meng Zhao and briefed him on the Rebel Army delegation.
• Ji Zhenyun described Purple Butterfly as a shrewd envoy who had cultivated contacts among the Dan Chi people and likely sought to undermine the clan.
• Ji Zhenyun and Ji Rulin explained that they trusted He Xin, who had first approached the Dan Chi Clan and expressed goodwill toward it.
• Meng Zhao suspected that Purple Butterfly and He Xin represented the Rebel Army’s war and peace factions, respectively, and saw He Xin as a potential bargaining chip.
• Meng Zhao told Ji Zhenyun to keep close to He Xin and disclose Meng Zhao’s wish to draw nearer to the Rebel Army, while Meng Zhao dealt with Purple Butterfly himself.

Meng Zhao met Purple Butterfly while posing as Lu Yang, the Ji Clan’s son-in-law and a clan guardian, and claimed responsibility for the Dan Chi Clan’s increased scrutiny of the rebel envoy. Purple Butterfly grew furious at the man he saw as the cause of his plans unraveling.

• Ji Rulin brought Meng Zhao to the rebels’ lodging and told him that the Dan Chi Clan had watched them before, though less intensely.
• Meng Zhao entered the wooden house and met Purple Butterfly, who questioned why he had never heard of him.
• Meng Zhao introduced himself as Lu Yang, claimed to command five thousand warriors, and said he had advised the clan to imprison Purple Butterfly’s contacts and watch his people.
• Purple Butterfly recognized Meng Zhao as the Ji Clan’s son-in-law but became enraged when Meng Zhao took credit for the measures disrupting his plans.

Meng Zhao confronted Purple Butterfly about the Rebel Army’s failed plans against the Dan Chi Clan and proposed negotiations. Purple Butterfly agreed to talk but threatened other ways to attack, while Meng Zhao offered to mediate between the two sides.

• Meng Zhao approached Purple Butterfly and explained that he wanted to discuss an outcome beneficial to both sides.
• Purple Butterfly denied plotting against the Dan Chi Clan and tried to undermine Meng Zhao, then agreed to negotiate.
• Meng Zhao told Purple Butterfly that bribed tribesmen had repented or been confined, the clan’s routes were guarded, and a surprise attack would fail.
• Purple Butterfly threatened to use poison or lure beast kings against the Dan Chi Clan.
• Meng Zhao urged Purple Butterfly to reconsider his hostility and said he would mediate between the Rebel Army and the Dan Chi Clan.

Meng Zhao negotiated with Purple Butterfly, pretending to accept recruitment for the Dan Chi Ji Clan branch. Purple Butterfly was surprised and demanded proof that Meng Zhao had authority to make such a major decision.

• Meng Zhao used his influence over Ji Zhenyun and his uncle to present himself as someone who could help bring the Dan Chi Clan branch into an agreement with Purple Butterfly’s side.
• Purple Butterfly revealed that his side had thirty thousand elite troops in Hu Mountain and threatened to settle matters by force if the Dan Chi Clan refused recruitment.
• Meng Zhao claimed that he accepted recruitment on behalf of his father-in-law and declared that their forces would unite.
• Purple Butterfly questioned Meng Zhao’s sincerity, then doubted that an outsider by surname could make the decision for the Dan Chi Clan.

Meng Zhao negotiated the Dan Chi Clan’s integration with Purple Butterfly, insisting that the clan retain control of its families and that his five thousand warriors receive equal treatment as a vanguard force. Purple Butterfly rejected both terms, concluding that the Dan Chi Clan was not sincerely joining them.

• Meng Zhao told Purple Butterfly that his father-in-law had authorized him to negotiate and that the Dan Chi Clan had no choice but to integrate.
• Purple Butterfly welcomed the proposed merger and suggested discussing its details with Patriarch Ji.
• Meng Zhao demanded that the Dan Chi Clan’s elderly, children, and other clansmen remain in their tribal lands beyond the other side’s control.
• Purple Butterfly objected that leaving the families free would remove a crucial means of keeping the Dan Chi warriors in check.
• Meng Zhao proposed sending five thousand warriors as a vanguard, with full equipment and the same benefits as elite Rebel Army soldiers.
• Purple Butterfly became angry and decided that neither condition was acceptable, believing the Dan Chi Clan was negotiating without sincerity.

Meng Zhao rejected Purple Butterfly’s objections and used the Dan Chi Clan’s strength to pressure him into reconsidering the terms. He left the negotiations unresolved, promising to return the next day.

• Purple Butterfly angrily rejected Meng Zhao’s two conditions, saying he lacked authority to accept them.
• Meng Zhao warned that the Dan Chi Clan had tens of thousands of battle-ready warriors and could call on a million clanspeople if the Rebel Army attacked.
• Purple Butterfly challenged Meng Zhao’s ability to rally the Dan Chi people and claimed the mountain routes were blocked.
• Meng Zhao pointed out that he and his pregnant wife had entered Hu Mountain, undermining Purple Butterfly’s claim that no one could pass the blockade.
• Meng Zhao ended the meeting and left Purple Butterfly stunned, saying he would return the next day.

After talks with Purple Butterfly broke down, Meng Zhao went to meet He Xin, the deputy envoy he considered a more promising partner for cooperation with the Dan Chi Clan. He Xin received Meng Zhao warmly, and their conversation suggested he might be willing to help, though his true intentions remained uncertain.

• Purple Butterfly reconsidered Meng Zhao’s proposed terms after Meng Zhao left, while Meng Zhao hoped the abrupt departure would prevent an immediate conflict and give both sides room to reflect.
• Meng Zhao chose to approach He Xin, believing the deputy envoy had stronger ties to the Dan Chi Clan and could help establish cooperation.
• Meng Zhao arrived at He Xin’s well-provisioned quarters and noticed that the Ji family had treated him far better than Purple Butterfly.
• Ji Rulin introduced Meng Zhao as Lu Yang, praising his martial skill and intelligence and saying the Ji family would follow his judgment.
• Meng Zhao and He Xin exchanged toasts, and He Xin said Meng Zhao’s return could spare him a painful choice between his superiors’ orders and protecting the Dan Chi Clan.
• He Xin congratulated Meng Zhao on Ji Rushuang’s pregnancy and promised him a gift for the unborn child.

Meng Zhao recounted his proposals for an alliance between the Dan Chi Clan and the Rebel Army, then pushed He Xin to act quickly before Purple Butterfly could claim the credit. He Xin agreed to return to his post and seek approval, leaving the Ji Family Uncle and Nephew hopeful that the merger would proceed.

• Meng Zhao calmly accepted He Xin's offer of goodwill, easing Ji Zhenyun and Ji Rulin's concerns about Ji Rushuang and her unborn child.
• Meng Zhao described his negotiations with Purple Butterfly and presented his two proposals to He Xin and the Ji Family Uncle and Nephew.
• The Ji Family Uncle and Nephew recognized that the Dan Chi Clan could resist the Rebel Army, though both sides would suffer greatly in a war.
• He Xin recalled his earlier efforts to befriend the Dan Chi Clan and offered to mediate with his superiors.
• Meng Zhao warned He Xin that Purple Butterfly might still accept the proposals, pressuring him to act before his rival could secure the credit.
• He Xin promised to return to his post, seek instructions, and work toward merging the two forces, while asking the Ji family to delay.

Meng Zhao agreed to accompany He Xin to the Rebel Army garrison to persuade He Xin’s superior, despite the risks. When He Xin asked to test Meng Zhao’s martial arts, Meng Zhao displayed the Python Toad Swallowing Moon Skill and left He Xin and the Ji family impressed by his extraordinary mastery.

• He Xin asked Meng Zhao to accompany him back to the garrison and help persuade his superior.
• Ji Zhenyun and Ji Rulin each offered to go in Meng Zhao’s place, but Meng Zhao insisted that he take responsibility for the negotiations.
• He Xin assured them he would keep Meng Zhao safe, then asked to see his martial arts.
• Meng Zhao poured a cup of wine and used the Python Toad Swallowing Moon Skill to draw He Xin, Ji Zhenyun, and Ji Rulin into its moonlit vision.
• He Xin praised Meng Zhao’s skill and conceded that only a few people in the Rebel Army could match him.

Meng Zhao prepared to travel with He Xin to the Rebel Army camp, hoping to negotiate and bring the rebels under his command. Before leaving, he warned Ji Zhenyun how to defend the Dan Chi Clan and admitted he lacked certainty, though he was willing to eliminate the rebel leadership if necessary.

• Meng Zhao warned He Xin that he intended to exchange martial arts with the Rebel Army and heard that He Xin wanted him and the Dan Chi Clan to join his faction.
• After the banquet, Meng Zhao reviewed intelligence and told Ji Zhenyun to guard against Purple Butterfly, outside attacks, and other threats while he was away.
• Ji Zhenyun questioned whether Meng Zhao should travel alone with He Xin, and Meng Zhao explained that his martial arts made him the safest representative to send.
• Ji Zhenyun asked whether Meng Zhao could bring the rebels under his command, and Meng Zhao said he would proceed step by step but could assassinate their leaders if needed.

Meng Zhao accompanied He Xin to the Rebel Army’s hidden mountain camp, where he assessed its defenses and discipline. He learned that the Divine Might Army had thirty thousand soldiers and was led by five Holy Envoys, while its position of Divine Might General remained vacant.

• Meng Zhao and He Xin hurried through the mountains and reached the Rebel Army camp by evening.
• Meng Zhao praised the camp’s layout and told He Xin he had studied military texts and formations under a reclusive master.
• Camp guards challenged He Xin and Meng Zhao, verified He Xin’s token and password, and escorted them inside.
• He Xin left Meng Zhao in a guest tent while he reported their arrival and sought assistance from his superior.
• Meng Zhao recalled He Xin’s account of the Divine Might Army’s six guards, five Holy Envoys, and vacant Divine Might General position.

Meng Zhao learned that the Divine Might Army’s Five Great Holy Emissaries were powerful enough to challenge Grandmaster-level opponents together, and he began planning how to take control of the army. He Xin reported his encounter with Meng Zhao to Xiang Qing, who praised him for his role in the events.

• Meng Zhao learned that the Five Great Holy Emissaries belonged to rival factions, while Gold Envoy He Wuji remained above their disputes and was the strongest of the five.
• He Xin told Meng Zhao that the emissaries could combine their martial arts in the Innate Five Elements Annihilation Grand Array to temporarily withstand a Grandmaster.
• Meng Zhao abandoned his overconfidence and considered how capturing the Divine Might Army and its emissaries could strengthen his position in Liang Prefecture.
• He Xin went to Xiang Qing’s tent and recounted everything that had happened during his visit to the Dan Chi Clan.
• Xiang Qing praised He Xin, and He Xin credited his superior with arranging the favorable outcome.

Xiang Qing delayed meeting Meng Zhao while he weighed the Dan Chi Clan’s proposed conditions and warned He Xin to conceal Meng Zhao’s arrival from Si Peng. Luo Ning then urged Xiang Qing not to act against Si Peng alone, and Xiang Qing explained that Si Peng and Wei Hua had abandoned their original arrangement by backing Su Hongtu for Divine Might General.

• Xiang Qing told He Xin that Meng Zhao was formidable and ordered him to treat Meng Zhao courteously while postponing their meeting until the next morning.
• Xiang Qing warned He Xin to keep Meng Zhao’s arrival secret from Si Peng, and He Xin left to explain the delay to Meng Zhao.
• Luo Ning entered Xiang Qing’s tent and urged him to consult Si Peng before acting on the Dan Chi Clan matter.
• Xiang Qing told Luo Ning that Si Peng and Wei Hua had gone too far by backing Su Hongtu for Divine Might General.
• Luo Ning reflected that Si Peng’s dealings with Su Tianwang had led him to seek control of the army for Su Hongtu.

Luo Ning and Xiang Qing discussed the danger of Si Peng and Wei Hua gaining control through the Dan Chi Clan, which could destroy the Five Holy Emissaries’ unity and cost them their chance to learn how to reach the grandmaster realm. They also considered whether He Wuji’s indifference meant he could break through on his own, leaving the others unable to use their shared grand array.

• Luo Ning warned Xiang Qing that handling the Dan Chi Clan alone could anger Si Peng and Wei Hua and weaken the five emissaries’ unity.
• Xiang Qing argued that Si Peng must be stopped from bringing the Dan Chi Clan under his leadership, lest he join forces with Su Hongtu and seize control of the Divine Might Army.
• Xiang Qing explained that a falling-out with their lord could cost the five emissaries the grandmaster breakthrough secret tied to the Innate Five Elements Annihilation Grand Array.
• Luo Ning wondered whether He Wuji’s passivity meant he had gained confidence in reaching the grandmaster realm as the martial tide rose.
• Xiang Qing realized that He Wuji breaking through alone would leave the other four unable to operate the grand array or pursue its breakthrough method.

As Xiang Qing delayed negotiations with Meng Zhao, Fire Envoy Si Peng learned of Meng Zhao’s presence and went to confront him. Si Peng’s move threatened Xiang Qing’s plan to secure the Dan Chi Clan’s support.

• Luo Ning and her companion worried that He Wuji might become a grandmaster and ruin their long-held plans.
• He Xin told Meng Zhao that Xiang Qing had changed his intentions, reassured him, and ordered guards to keep him inside the tent.
• Meng Zhao realized Xiang Qing was delaying their meeting to gain an advantage in negotiations, but he remained firm about his two conditions.
• Si Peng arrived at Meng Zhao’s tent and ordered its guards not to leave or report his visit.
• Si Peng revealed that his informants had already reported Meng Zhao’s arrival and entered the tent, while Xiang Qing’s delay left his plan vulnerable.

Meng Zhao met privately with Fire Envoy Si Peng, who questioned why He Xin had brought him to the Rebel Army camp instead of Purple Butterfly. Meng Zhao explained the events behind his arrival while concealing parts of his identity, and he began considering whether to change his plans and work with Si Peng’s faction.

• Si Peng entered Meng Zhao’s tent after sensing his unusual qi cultivation and introduced himself as the Fire Envoy.
• Meng Zhao identified himself as Lu Yang, the Dan Chi Ji Clan patriarch’s son-in-law, and said he had come to discuss unification with the army.
• Si Peng said he and Xiang Qing were rivals and proposed speaking openly with Meng Zhao.
• Si Peng asked why He Xin had brought Meng Zhao to camp and whether something had happened to Purple Butterfly.
• Meng Zhao recounted how he saw through the envoys’ scheme and came to work with He Xin, altering details to conceal his identity; Si Peng listened and grew thoughtful.