Recaps

Chen Xuanji and Mo Qingxiang discussed the struggle among Great Wei’s aristocratic families and planned to strike at hidden forces in Guangyue Prefecture, while Chen Xuanji kept his intentions from Chen Qingzhou and remained indifferent to Chen Yunfan’s fate. At Mengshui Pass, Chen Yi met Xiao Jinghong and requested maps and intelligence for his journey into Barbarian Tribe territory to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.

• Chen Xuanji told Mo Qingxiang that the conflict between the northern and southern families could help unite Great Wei, and said he would act in Guangyue Prefecture against pirates and their backers.
• Chen Xuanji revealed the emperor’s Calligraphy Copybook, decided to personally move against the hidden forces, and ordered Mo Qingxiang to locate their traces within three days.
• Chen Xuanji refused to interfere with Chen Yunfan’s choices, while Mo Qingxiang warned that the emperor’s order sending Yunfan to Hanxu Pass carried other intentions.
• At Mengshui Pass, Chen Yi arrived in disguise to meet Xiao Jinghong and asked her for a detailed map of Barbarian Tribe territory and information about the Horse Bandits.
• Chen Yi said he expected to return within a month, and Xiao Jinghong sensed a familiar figure in him.

Chen Yi prepared to enter Barbarian territory disguised as Song Jin Jian to rescue Xiao Jinghong’s parents, while Xiao Jinghong assessed the risks and provided him with intelligence. After saying farewell at Mengshui Pass, Chen Yi set out alone toward the western mountains.

• Xiao Jinghong showed Chen Yi a map of Barbarian territory and explained the Black Bear Tribe, the ailing Barbarian King, and the succession struggle among the princes.
• Xiao Jinghong ordered Su Zhenyue to investigate Horse Bandits still active on the Tea Horse Road and summoned Ma Kui to review scouting reports from beyond Mengshui Pass.
• Xiao Jinghong considered Chen Yi’s plan to impersonate Song Jin Jian and decided his disguise gave him a better chance of rescuing Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing than she would have.
• Chen Yi told Xiao Jinghong he would use the Horse Bandits’ information to find a guide and enter Barbarian territory as Song Jin Jian.
• Chen Yi bid farewell to Xiao Jinghong and vanished from Mengshui Pass, heading west toward the mountains.

Chen Yunfan arrived at Hanxu Pass with his younger brother Chen Yu and met Regional Commander Li Changqing, who hinted that Chen Yi might be in danger. Chen Yunfan learned that the Minister of War had been gravely wounded in an attack and reacted with fury.

• Merchants near Hanxu Pass discussed the unrest in Poshushuo and the strength and recent troubles of the Dingyuan Army.
• Chen Yunfan traveled to Hanxu Pass with Chen Yu, while Chen Yu teased him about Chen Yi’s accomplishments and complained that he had not learned martial arts.
• At the pass, Chen Yunfan met Li Changqing and Shi Junqing, then declined Li Changqing’s invitations to a welcome banquet.
• Li Changqing said he could wait if Chen Yi stayed at Hanxu Pass, but questioned whether Chen Yi could afford to wait.
• Li Changqing revealed that the Minister of War had been attacked and gravely wounded in Guangyue Prefecture, prompting Chen Yunfan to demand who had done it.

Chen Yunfan learned that his father, Chen Xuanji, had supposedly been gravely wounded by Japanese pirates and confronted Li Changqing at Hanxu Pass. After Lin Zhong assured him that Chen Xuanji was unharmed and secretly far more powerful than a great grandmaster, Chen Yunfan agreed to stay in Shuzhou, while Chen Yi watched and wondered whether Chen Xuanji had been injured.

• Chen Yunfan challenged Li Changqing over the report that Chen Xuanji had been gravely wounded, then cut down Li Changqing and wounded the soldiers surrounding them.
• Shi Junqing confirmed that Old Marquis Xiao had sent word of Chen Xuanji's attack by Japanese pirates on the Northern Mountain Road in Guangyue Prefecture.
• Chen Yunfan tried to leave for Guangyue Prefecture, but Lin Zhong and Chunying stopped him and promised to explain why he could not leave Shuzhou.
• Lin Zhong told Chen Yunfan that Chen Xuanji was uninjured and had cultivation beyond the upper three grades, which Chen Yunfan took to mean his father was a great grandmaster.
• Shi Junqing arranged treatment for Li Changqing and the soldiers and ordered Hanxu Pass's gates sealed, while Chen Yunfan went to rest at the General's Residence.
• Chen Yi watched what had happened in Hanxu Pass and wondered whether Chen Xuanji had been injured.

Chen Yi warned Chen Yunfan that Li Changqing might be cooperating with the Vermilion Bird Guard, while privately reconsidering the Chen and Cui families’ role in Shuzhou. Two days later, Chen Yi reached Shijia Town on the Tea Horse Road, where local cutthroats set their sights on a seemingly frail traveler.

• Chen Yi suspected that Chen Xuanji, the Chen Family, and the Qinghe Cui Family were connected to the White Tiger Guard’s plans for Shuzhou, and considered speaking with Chen Xuanji when he arrived.
• Chen Yi visited Chen Yunfan in a Chess Dao Illusion Realm and told him that Li Changqing might be cooperating with the Vermilion Bird Guard, warning him to be careful.
• Chen Yunfan thanked Chen Yi and learned that he had come to inspect the Tea Horse Road, then lamented that he could not match either Chen Yi or Chen Xuanji.
• Two days later, a group of men at Shijia Town’s Golden Mountain Inn decided to rob a traveler they believed was a frail scholar.
• Xi Yanqiu heard the men’s plans and hoped the traveler would not be foolish, while others warned him not to interfere.

Chen Yi forced Xi Yanqiu and the sallow-faced man to reveal that Old Eight at Baolin Temple had been to the Barbarian Tribe, then set out with them to find him. As they left Shijia Town, Xi Yanqiu asked whether Chen Yi was heading to the Barbarian Tribe.

• Xi Yanqiu went to investigate the silent stone house and found Lei Gouzi and his men grotesquely tangled together, with Chen Yi waiting behind them in a Black Iron Mask.
• Chen Yi threatened Xi Yanqiu and the others until the sallow-faced man revealed that Old Eight at Baolin Temple had traveled to the Barbarian Tribe.
• The sallow-faced man and Xi Yanqiu tried to escape, but Chen Yi trapped them in an illusion and then released them, leaving Lei Gouzi and his men alive.
• Chen Yi ordered the sallow-faced man to guide him to Baolin Temple, and Xi Yanqiu joined them after Chen Yi allowed it.
• Chen Yi reflected that surviving Horse Bandits were scarce after recent killings and King Landu's rebellion, while Xi Yanqiu asked if he was going to the Barbarian Tribe.

Chen Yi flew Xi Yanqiu and Qiu Shan toward Barbarian Tribe territory, and both men insisted on joining him despite the danger. At Baolin Temple, Chen Yi stopped the abuse of a woman and demanded to know who Old Eight was, then cut half the temple away when its people failed to answer.

• Chen Yi carried Xi Yanqiu and Qiu Shan through the night sky, and Xi Yanqiu asked to accompany him into Barbarian Tribe territory.
• Xi Yanqiu and Qiu Shan both insisted on joining Chen Yi despite his warning that the journey was almost certain to kill them, and Chen Yi agreed to take them.
• Chen Yi brought the two men to Baolin Temple, where they heard a woman being assaulted inside.
• Chen Yi froze Baolin Temple with his spiritual intent and demanded to know who Old Eight was.
• When a man inside cursed Old Eight instead of answering, Chen Yi cut away half of Baolin Temple and repeated his question.

Chen Yi found Zhang Badan at Baolin Temple, killed the horse bandits there, and forced Zhang to guide him to the Barbarian Tribe. After Chen Yi left the others behind, Zhang identified his sword and concluded that he was Song Jin Jian of Great Wei.

• Xi Yanqiu and Qiu Shan brought Zhang Badan to Chen Yi, who confirmed that Zhang had visited the Barbarian Tribe.
• Chen Yi killed the horse bandits at Baolin Temple with the Uncontested Sword and took Zhang along as a guide.
• A young woman led some survivors east toward Great Wei, while other women stayed behind; Poshushuo Kingdom horse bandits found two of them and killed them before riding after Chen Yi.
• Zhang refused to guide Chen Yi and bit off his tongue, but Chen Yi healed it and tortured Zhang until he agreed to lead them.
• Chen Yi left Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang behind, and Zhang recognized the Uncontested Sword and identified Chen Yi as Song Jin Jian of Great Wei.

Chen Yi, revealed as the renowned Uncontested Sword, brought Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang Badan toward the Barbarian Tribe, stopping at Lal Mountain as he pursued his own purpose. Three days later, as the Poshushuo Kingdom’s conflict escalated and Dragon Field Academy prepared to recruit students, Xiao Wan’er kept Chen Yi’s secret and prayed for his safe return.

• Zhang Badan recognized Chen Yi as the Uncontested Sword, and Chen Yi took him, Xi Yanqiu, and Qiu Shan toward the Barbarian Tribe.
• At Lal Mountain, Zhang Badan explained the mountain’s history, and Chen Yi camped with the others while cultivating and learning that Feng Erbao had issued an edict condemning Chen Yunfan and Li Changqing.
• Chen Yi considered the risks to Chen Yunfan as Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang Badan ate venison beside the campfire.
• King Landu’s fifty thousand troops defeated the Poshushuo Kingdom’s hundred thousand reinforcements, prompting Shuzhou officials to tighten their vigilance.
• At Dragon Field Academy, Xiao Wan’er and Cui Qingwu discussed recruiting students, while Xiao Wan’er concealed Chen Yi’s absence and hoped he would return safely.

Cui Qingwu told Xiao Wan'er how Chen Yi had changed since coming to Shuzhou, and Xiao Wan'er secretly copied one of his early poems. Meanwhile, Chen Yi and his companions reached Lord Ba's black market and obtained an old passage token for the Black Bear Tribe, though Lord Ba warned that the tribe's rules had changed.

• Cui Qingwu recalled Chen Yi's youthful sharpness and recited his poem about seeing his father off, while Xiao Wan'er reflected on how his arrival in Shuzhou had changed her and Second Sister's lives.
• Xiao Wan'er copied Chen Yi's poem onto Yunsong Paper and locked it away with two other sheets.
• Chen Yi, Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang Badan traveled to a hidden black market near Lal Mountain, where Zhang Badan introduced them to Lord Ba.
• Lord Ba recognized Chen Yi's Uncontested Sword and, after Chen Yi paid five hundred in gold, gave him an old passage token to the Black Bear Tribe.
• Lord Ba warned that the Black Bear Tribe had grown powerful under Muhage and that the token would not guarantee Chen Yi entry; he also cautioned Chen Yi against killing their people.

Chen Yi traveled through Barbarian territory toward the Black Bear Tribe and learned that the Barbarian royal family was embroiled in growing tensions. At the North Wolf Tribe, he discovered that Chu Xiudao was challenging the Barbarian Great Grandmaster Yu Chuan and secretly set out to witness the fight.

• Chen Yi drank with Lord Ba, discussed the ambitions of the Left King Muhage and the unstable Barbarian succession, then left Stone Hollow with Zhang Badan, Xi Yanqiu, and Qiu Shan.
• Chen Yi and his companions used Lord Ba’s passage token to cross three tribes and reached the North Wolf Tribe, where its Wolf Cavalry guarded the camp.
• Zhang Badan reported that the eldest and second princes’ forces had clashed and that a Wei man had challenged a Barbarian Great Grandmaster.
• Chen Yi’s daily intelligence revealed that Chu Xiudao was challenging Yu Chuan near the Barbarian God Grotto, so Chen Yi left a masked double in his room and slipped out toward the grotto.

Chen Yi reached the Barbarian God Grotto and discovered that the Barbarians were holding Chu Xiudao there until he won a duel against the great grandmaster Yu Chuan. He disguised himself as a Wei servant and entered the grounds, where he saw Chu Xiudao waiting for the fight to begin.

• Chen Yi traveled to the Barbarian God Grotto and found a stone tower guarded by more than a thousand Barbarians.
• Chen Yi overheard Chu Xiudao and Yu Chuan discussing their duel and learned that Chu Xiudao could leave if he won.
• Chen Yi followed a Barbarian woman’s cart into the tower grounds by disguising himself as one of her Wei servants.
• Chen Yi joined the crowd around the training ground and saw Chu Xiudao face Yu Chuan.
• Yu Chuan delayed the duel, saying an honored guest was coming.

Chen Yi watched Yu Chuan and Chu Xiudao prepare for their long-awaited bout while concealing his strength from the powerful Barbarian princes. After Yu Chuan overwhelmed Chu Xiudao, the Blade Ghost burned his soul and summoned a bronze gate filled with shrieking figures.

• Chen Yi sensed Yu Chuan's immense blood qi and spotted a tiger-shaped aura behind him, then hid when Longge Huazhuo arrived with an even more overwhelming presence.
• Longge Huazhuo left abruptly after learning that Longge Mowang and Wenkela were at the Golden Tent, while Wu Sa reassured the others that King Mo had made preparations.
• Chu Xiudao accused the Barbarians of scheming and suggested Longge Mowang might kill his father, alarming Longge Shiying, but Wu Sa persuaded her to stay and wait for news.
• Yu Chuan crushed Chu Xiudao's ghostly attack with his blood qi and sent him flying with a kick, while Longge Shiying cheered.
• Chu Xiudao rose with blood-red eyes, used the Soul-Burning Art, and summoned a massive bronze gate from which countless clawed figures and shrill voices emerged.

Chu Xiudao used the Soul-Burning Art to fight Yu Chuan amid the ghosts and totems on the Training Ground, then unleashed a final life-consuming slash. Yu Chuan died from the attack, and Wu Sa told the grieving Barbarians that the Panda Heavenly God had come for him.

• Chu Xiudao invoked the Soul-Burning Art and filled the Training Ground with ghosts as Yu Chuan summoned his tiger Beast Spirit to fight him.
• Chu Xiudao wounded Yu Chuan with a barrage of slashes, while Yu Chuan armored himself with his Beast Spirit and tried to reach the Mysterious Gate.
• The Mysterious Gate sank away and closed, and Chu Xiudao gathered the ghostly blue flames to prepare a final attack.
• Chu Xiudao unleashed a life-consuming slash that passed Yu Chuan, leaving him mortally wounded as Chu Xiudao collapsed.
• Yu Chuan's body shrank and half his torso was revealed to be missing; as the Barbarians rushed toward Chu Xiudao, Wu Sa told them that the Panda Heavenly God had come for Yu Chuan.

Chen Yi saved Chu Xiudao by faking his death and used an illusion to send Longge Shiying east with a false accusation against King Mo. After escaping with Chu Xiudao, Chen Yi treated him in a secluded cave, where the wounded swordsman regained consciousness.

• Yu Chuan died after his battle with Chu Xiudao, and Wu Sa agreed to honor Yu Chuan's request for Chu Xiudao to receive a proper burial.
• Chen Yi secretly put Chu Xiudao into a feigned death, hid him on the Wooden Cart, and altered A Da and A Er's memories to conceal what had happened.
• Longge Shiying ordered Chu Xiudao's body thrown into the mountains, while Chen Yi earned rewards for witnessing the battle and accumulated more fortune.
• Chen Yi used an illusion to make Longge Shiying believe that guards sent by King Mo had attacked her and blamed the Second Princes, then escaped with Chu Xiudao.
• Longge Shiying and Wu Sa hurried south toward the Golden Tent after suspecting the king was in danger, while Chen Yi carried Chu Xiudao away and treated him in a cave.
• Chu Xiudao awoke after Chen Yi's treatment, though his injuries and inner strength were recovering slowly.

Chen Yi treated the injured Chu Xiudao, who explained how Meng Xingdu had lured Central Plains experts into the Barbarian Tribe’s territory to weaken them before the Hidden Immortal Competition. Chu Xiudao agreed to help Chen Yi rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, while Chen Yi left him to recover for two days.

• Chen Yi told Chu Xiudao that he could heal his damaged mind, qi sea, and meridians within two days, and they discussed Liu Lang’s progress and mischief.
• Chu Xiudao explained that Meng Xingdu had conspired with the Barbarian Tribe to ambush Central Plains Grandmasters and weaken them for the Hidden Immortal Competition.
• Chu Xiudao recounted how he had been trapped and forced to fight Barbarian Tribe Great Grandmasters, including Yu Chuan, whom he had killed.
• Chen Yi told Chu Xiudao about his plan to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing from the Black Bear Tribe, and Chu Xiudao promised to support him after recovering.
• Chen Yi set up a Medicine Formation around the cave and left, while Chu Xiudao wondered whether Chen Yi’s movement technique had reached perfection before dismissing the possibility.

Chen Yi left the North Wolf Tribe for the Black Bear Tribe after hearing that the Golden Tent had summoned the tribal chiefs, while arranging for Chu Xiudao to take Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang Badan north to the Black River. The chapter left Chen Yi at the Black Bear Tribe’s gate, identifying himself as Song Jin Jian and presenting his passage token.

• Chen Yi heard the North Wolf Tribe chief discuss the Golden Tent’s summons and news that Wei people had died at Mengshui Pass.
• Chen Yi departed with Xi Yanqiu, Qiu Shan, and Zhang Badan, then told them to wait in a cave while he went alone to the Black Bear Tribe.
• Chu Xiudao arrived at the cave, revealed that he had come on Chen Yi’s orders, and took the three men toward the Black River.
• Chen Yi reached the Black Bear Tribe late at night and gave the name Song Jin Jian as he presented his passage token to the guards.

Chen Yi, traveling under the name Song Jin Jian, reached the Black Bear Tribe and was summoned to meet Left King Muhage after clashing with the tribe’s warriors. Muhage asked after Mr. Cui, but Chen Yi denied knowing who he meant and entered the Left King’s house to talk.

• Chen Yi presented a Black Bear Tribe travel permit at the gates and drew his sword on Zhang Erniu when the interpreter threatened him.
• Chen Yi repelled the tribe’s warriors without killing them, and Asutai stopped the fight and recognized him as a guest of his father.
• Asutai ordered Zhang Erniu taken away and led Chen Yi into the settlement, where Chen Yi learned that Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing were confined near Muhage’s main tent.
• Muhage asked Chen Yi how Mr. Cui was, and Chen Yi said he did not know whom the Left King meant.

Chen Yi met with Muhage to report that the scheme to force the Xiao Family’s cooperation had failed and proposed luring Xiao Jinghong into an ambush. Muhage agreed to the plan, and Chen Yi began explaining his master’s request for further help with a Southern Expedition.

• Chen Yi entered Muhage’s great tent, where Muhage introduced the sleeping Black Bear Mugan as his brother and the Black Bear Tribe’s guardian deity.
• Asutai visited Fu Wanqing and told her that Song Jin Jian had come to see Muhage; Fu Wanqing recognized the name and warned that Muhage might retaliate against him for injuring a warrior.
• Fu Wanqing reflected on Song Jin Jian and two Unorthodox Path practitioners visiting the tribe, then returned to the bedside of the unconscious Xiao Fengchun and wished he would wake.
• Chen Yi told Muhage that his master’s plan to make the Xiao Family cooperate through Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing had failed because Xiao Jinghong refused.
• Chen Yi revealed that Xiao Jinghong had entered the Sword Dao Extreme Realm and was nearing the Grandmaster Realm, then proposed using her parents to lure her into an ambush near Mengshui Pass.
• Muhage approved the plan but threatened to expose Chen Yi and his master if it failed; Chen Yi then said his master wanted Muhage’s help with the planned Southern Expedition.

Chen Yi persuaded Muhage to send an envoy to the Poshushuo Kingdom to delay King Landu’s rebellion, then agreed to spar with Yuan Jingxuan. After Chen Yi left to visit Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, Muhage revealed that he intended to use the crisis to target Xiao Jinghong and prepare the Barbarian Tribe’s advance into the Central Plains.

• Chen Yi convinced Muhage that the Poshushuo Kingdom’s internal conflict could distract it from profiting during a war between the Central Plains and the Barbarian Tribe.
• Muhage ordered Yuan Jingxuan to go to the Poshushuo Kingdom and make King Landu’s bandits withdraw to the Tea Horse Road.
• Yuan Jingxuan challenged Chen Yi to a spar, and Chen Yi accepted for that night before asking to see Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.
• Muhage said Yuan Jingxuan would later accompany Chen Yi to Mengshui Pass, where he was to kill Xiao Jinghong.
• After Chen Yi left, Muhage and Yuan Jingxuan agreed that Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing could return alive, while Xiao Jinghong’s death would help weaken Shuzhou before the Barbarian Tribe marched north.

Chen Yi, posing as Song Jin Jian, visited Fu Wanqing and the gravely injured Xiao Fengchun in the Black Bear Tribe, secretly treating Xiao while pretending to negotiate their return to Shuzhou. He obtained Fu Wanqing’s handwriting for a forged letter implicating the Xiao Family in collaboration with the barbarians, and Muhage approved the scheme.

• Chen Yi entered Fu Wanqing and Xiao Fengchun’s house despite Fu’s objections and discovered that Xiao was near death while Fu’s cultivation had been sealed.
• Chen Yi restrained Fu Wanqing and secretly used a silver needle and spiritual energy to treat Xiao Fengchun while telling her news about Shuzhou and the Xiao Family.
• Chen Yi offered to escort Fu Wanqing and Xiao Fengchun back to Shuzhou in exchange for a family letter, and Fu agreed in hopes of getting Xiao medical help.
• Chen Yi collected Fu Wanqing’s ordinary family letter, then told Muhage he had needed her handwriting to fabricate correspondence with the Golden Tent.
• Muhage praised Chen Yi’s plan to use the forged letter to justify the barbarians’ future conquest of Shuzhou.

Chen Yi sparred with Yuan Jingxuan to strengthen Muhage’s trust and demonstrated that he could withstand the warrior’s attacks. After Yuan Jingxuan used the Black Bear Tribe’s Spirit Fusion Method and reached Grandmaster-level strength, the fight continued with Chen Yi evading his assault and countering with his sword.

• Chen Yi presented Muhage with a forged family letter and persuaded him that Cui’s plans would help the Barbarian Tribe seize Shuzhou.
• Muhage brought Chen Yi to the tribe’s arena to spar with Yuan Jingxuan before hundreds of warriors.
• Chen Yi blocked Yuan Jingxuan’s punches and injured his hands by repeatedly striking the same spots with the Uncontested Sword.
• Yuan Jingxuan fused with his Bear Spirit, increasing his strength and aura until they reached the Grandmaster Realm.
• Yuan Jingxuan charged with his axe, and Chen Yi evaded his attacks before rising into the air and striking with his sword.

Chen Yi defeated Yuan Jingxuan in a spar, then joined Muhage and the others for a feast where they discussed the summons to the Golden Tent. As Muhage decided to attend despite the risk of angering the Barbarian Emperor, Chen Yi received an intelligence prompt about the emperor’s succession announcement.

• Chen Yi used his speed and swordsmanship to wear down Yuan Jingxuan, then wounded him with the Killing Sword: Mother-Child Chain until Muhage stopped the fight and declared Chen Yi the winner.
• Yuan Jingxuan admitted defeat, and Muhage praised him while warning him not to underestimate Wei martial artists.
• Muhage invited Chen Yi, Yuan Jingxuan, Asutai, and the others to feast in the great tent.
• Muhage and Yuan Jingxuan discussed the next day’s Golden Tent meeting and the attack on Longge Shiying, which they suspected might involve a prince’s plot.
• Muhage decided to attend the meeting despite Yuan Jingxuan’s warning that the Barbarian Emperor might be displeased.
• Chen Yi saw a Heaven Grade Lower intelligence prompt stating that the Barbarian Emperor would announce his successor at noon in the Golden Tent.

Chen Yi learned that the Barbarian Emperor planned to choose a successor and arranged to accompany Muhage to the Golden Tent, hoping to assess the threat and seize a chance to disrupt the Barbarian Tribe’s plans. The next morning, he set out with Muhage for the Golden Tent, knowing the journey could expose him to danger.

• Chen Yi learned that the Barbarian Emperor would summon the tribal chiefs to announce his successor, and he decided he needed to visit the Golden Tent.
• Chen Yi toasted Muhage and Yuan Jingxuan, then asked about the princes’ conflict; Muhage explained that Longge Mowang had stationed men around the Golden Tent and that the struggle for succession threatened to divide the tribes.
• Chen Yi persuaded Muhage to take him to the Golden Tent as a servant, and Muhage agreed to depart early the next morning.
• Asutai told Chen Yi he could not go to the Golden Tent because his Slave Mark would bring shame on his father, and Chen Yi encouraged him to grow strong enough that no one would dare slight him.
• Chen Yi considered the dangers of the Golden Tent in the Chess Dao Illusion Realm and resolved to proceed cautiously.
• The next morning, Yuan Jingxuan left for the Poshushuo Kingdom, and Muhage called Chen Yi to accompany him to the Golden Tent.

Chen Yi traveled with Muhage’s party toward the Golden Tent, where Bi Qi tested him and Chen Yi suspected the priest possessed a Bear Spirit. At the Golden Tent, Muhage was told the emperor was occupied, but he refused to wait and led his party onward.

• Muhage’s party departed the Black Bear Tribe, while Asutai told Fu Wanqing that Song Jin Jian and Yuan’s group planned to visit Mengshui Pass, leaving her anxious about returning to the Central Plains.
• Bi Qi questioned Chen Yi about his fight with Yuan Jingxuan and warned him against scheming; Chen Yi used Qi Gazing Technique and saw black, bear-shaped energy around Bi Qi’s head.
• Chen Yi considered whether Barbarian priests cultivated spirits through a secret Spirit Possession Method and disguised his face further, wary that the Golden Tent’s Asas might see through him.
• After hours of travel, Muhage asked Chen Yi to lead Mugan as the party approached the Golden Tent, whose gold came from the Central Plains and whose construction had reportedly killed many people.
• A guard told Muhage that the emperor was meeting tribal representatives and asked him to wait, but Muhage refused and ordered his warriors to follow him to see the emperor.