Chapter Summaries

Bai Xiaowen researched Mosiguli Temple in the Wisdom Treehouse and used the Doom Bracelet to seek revelations, entering a deep Meditation. While the Elven Queen guarded his retreat, Qiao Rui planned for the team to help the Elf Kingdom and for Li Shuyi to seek swordsmanship training in the Elven Capital.

• Bai Xiaowen studied the Song of Forgotten Kings, identified Mosiguli Temple as a likely ancient temple, and searched the treehouse's books for information about it.
• After days of reading and fasting, Bai Xiaowen prayed to the Doom Bracelet and received a stream of mostly blank visions.
• The Elven Queen ordered the Spellbreaker Guards to secure the Wisdom Treehouse while Bai Xiaowen Meditated.
• Li Shuyi and Qiao Rui discussed the team's plans, and Qiao Rui proposed that Li Shuyi stay behind to brief Bai Xiaowen and seek guidance from an Elven swordsmanship master.
• Li Shuyi decided she could ask the Camelot Queen to help her find formidable Elven swordsmanship teachers.

After his Meditation, Bai Xiaowen prepared to investigate the cause of the earthquake in Amusha Forest and set out with Li Shuyi and Eswan. As they sailed toward the region, he used his enhanced mental scan and asked Eswan whether he had been there before.

• Bai Xiaowen awoke from a day-long Meditation after eight days without food and told the Elven Queen Froya that he had leads on the earthquake but needed evidence.
• Bai Xiaowen requested Recording Crystals so he could document the truth himself, and Froya arranged for Eswan to accompany him and Li Shuyi.
• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan boarded a boat and sailed toward Amusha Forest.
• Bai Xiaowen discovered that his mental scan now reached three thousand meters and swept across the seabed as they traveled.
• Bai Xiaowen asked Eswan whether he had ever been to Amusha Forest.

Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan explored the submerged center of Amusha Forest and fought an Elite Spike Shark guarding an underwater cave. After discovering that the shark’s crystals could strengthen the Butcher, they swam deeper into the cave.

• Bai Xiaowen stopped the ship over the former center of Amusha Forest and summoned a Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier to guard it.
• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan used the Magic Conch to dive underwater and followed the seabed forest to a cave with strong currents.
• A Spike Shark ambushed Eswan, but he dodged and joined Bai Xiaowen and the Butcher in killing it.
• Bai Xiaowen discovered that the Spike Shark’s crystals reduced damage and ordered the Butcher to eat some, increasing his Armor and Magic Resistance.
• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan entered the underwater cave.

Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan discovered an Earth Vein Corridor and inferred that a shattered Earth Vein Pillar had caused the earthquake in Amusha Forest. They headed toward the corridor’s center to find evidence, while Li Shuyi fought mutated beasts and trained under Eswan.

• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan passed through an underwater fissure and surfaced in a vast chamber beneath the sea.
• Bai Xiaowen identified the chamber as an Earth Vein Corridor and explained that the crystals scattered there were fragments of its shattered Earth Vein Pillar.
• Eswan and Li Shuyi concluded that the pillar’s destruction had caused the corridor to collapse and triggered the earthquake in Amusha Forest.
• Bai Xiaowen led the group toward the corridor’s center to investigate where the pillar had stood.
• Bai Xiaowen had Li Shuyi fight the mutated beasts while Eswan coached her in swordsmanship, including Sword Chant, which he said she could not truly learn.

Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan encountered a leyline-crystal-covered Overlord Python, and Eswan sent Li Shuyi to test her Sword Bard training against it. Li Shuyi evaded the python’s charge and began exploiting precise repeated strikes as Bai Xiaowen recognized the value of technique beyond the Spirit Realm’s numerical system.

• Bai Xiaowen and his companions crawled past enormous stalactites into a cavern filled with leyline crystals.
• An Overlord Python emerged from a pile of rocks, and Bai Xiaowen used Insight to identify its abilities and formidable defenses.
• Eswan decided that Charlotte should fight the python to test her Sword Bard techniques, while Bai Xiaowen promised to help if she faced danger.
• Li Shuyi dodged the Overlord Python’s charge and led it into a stalactite column, stunning it for three seconds.
• Li Shuyi struck the same spot twice with her swords, and Bai Xiaowen realized that her technique let the second blow deal more damage.

Li Shuyi fought the Overlord Python alone, using the battle to improve her swordsmanship and eventually defeat the level 10 Rare Boss without being hit by it. Her Awakening Skill quest advanced to its third step: travel to Du Ega in the Orc Kingdom and defeat the Shadowblade Sword Saint.

• Li Shuyi adapted to the Overlord Python's attacks as Eswan coached her and her swordsmanship proficiency began to improve.
• Li Shuyi dodged the python's Mottled Python Pattern with Grand Duke's Wrath while Bai Xiaowen and Eswan watched without interfering.
• Li Shuyi outlasted the Overlord Python and killed it, losing about a third of her Life Value to flying rocks rather than the boss's attacks.
• Li Shuyi discovered that her Swordsmanship Specialty had reached level 10 and that she had completed the second step of her Awakening Skill quest by independently killing a level 10 Rare Boss.
• Li Shuyi received the quest's third step: travel to Du Ega in the Orc Kingdom and defeat the Shadowblade Sword Saint in the Ring of Glory.

Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi discussed the final step of Li Shuyi’s Awakening Skill quest while collecting the Overlord Python’s S-Tier rewards. Eswan identified the pale yellow platform as the remains of an Earth Vein Pillar, and Bai Xiaowen had Butcher remove a piece for further investigation.

• Bai Xiaowen told Li Shuyi that the Shadowblade Sword Saint was likely a Rare Boss and warned that reaching the duel could require prerequisite quests.
• Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi opened the Overlord Python’s Golden Treasure Chest after Li Shuyi earned an S-Tier rating for her solo kill.
• Li Shuyi drew a Giant Snake Ring Bone and a Golden Ring Belt from the chest.
• Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi drew a Leyline Crystal Cluster, three Four-Star Enhancement Cards, and a Python-Patterned Cloak.
• Eswan identified the pale yellow platform as the remains of an Earth Vein Pillar, and Bai Xiaowen ordered Butcher to pry off a large piece.

After discovering evidence that the Earth Vein Pillar had broken, Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi encountered a Ghost Ship on their way back to report to the Elven queen. They boarded to fight its Snakefolk crew, where Observer Halofenson revealed a hidden transformation as the battle began.

• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Eswan returned to the surface carrying evidence of the Earth Vein Pillar’s collapse.
• Bai Xiaowen spotted a Ghost Ship and left Eswan behind while he and Li Shuyi flew aboard on a White Eagle.
• Bai Xiaowen summoned his creatures as Li Shuyi charged into the Snakefolk and cut down several fighters.
• Observer Halofenson confronted Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi with two other Leader Tier Snakefolk at his side.
• Halofenson ordered the Snakefolk to transform, and their bodies began to mutate.

Bai Xiaowen identified the weaknesses of Halofenson’s Mutant Snakefolk and directed Li Shuyi to attack the slow, swollen-armed fighters. She killed several of them, while Halofenson redirected the remaining mutants to target Bai Xiaowen.

• Bai Xiaowen used Insight to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the three types of Mutant Snakefolk as they attacked Li Shuyi.
• Bai Xiaowen shot an enlarged-headed snakefolk and used summoned creatures to help Li Shuyi escape the mutants’ tails.
• Halofenson ordered the Ghost Ship to leave Eswan behind, while Bai Xiaowen realized that the mutations concentrated power in one area at the cost of weakness elsewhere.
• Bai Xiaowen told Li Shuyi to kill the swollen-armed snakefolk and gave her a Berserk Talisman that protected her from mental control.
• Li Shuyi evaded the mutants’ attacks and killed several swollen-armed snakefolk with swift sword strikes.
• Halofenson ordered the remaining snakefolk to focus their tails and mental attacks on Bai Xiaowen.

Bai Xiaowen overwhelmed Halofinsen’s Mutated Snakefolk with two Super Orochi Nagi attacks, then ordered his allies to capture the fleeing researcher alive. Eswan joined the fight and helped subdue Halofinsen, whose survival became the priority.

• Halofinsen summoned more than a hundred Mutated Snakefolk, but Bai Xiaowen froze them with Intimidation and burned through their ranks with two Super Orochi Nagi attacks.
• Eswan reached the Ghost Ship and guarded Bai Xiaowen and Delifa while Delifa prepared Corpse Revival.
• Halofinsen fled toward the sea, but Kitz appeared through Targeted Airdrop and blocked his escape as Li Shuyi pursued him.
• Delifa raised the slain Mutated Snakefolk as skeleton soldiers, and Eswan moved to stop Halofinsen after Bai Xiaowen ordered him captured alive if possible.
• Eswan used Elven Sword Chant to overwhelm Halofinsen with twin Calyx Rapiers, striking nonvital areas to weaken him without killing him.

Bai Xiaowen and his allies defeated the Snakefolk attackers, but Halofinsen escaped with a magic talisman. They captured an agility-type Snakefolk boss and planned to question him about the Amusha Sea and the great earthquake.

• Li Shuyi held off two Snakefolk bosses while Eswan and Kitz fought Halofinsen, and Bai Xiaowen sent his skeleton army to help end both battles quickly.
• Bai Xiaowen told Halofinsen to surrender, but Halofinsen crushed a magic Spell Talisman and escaped from the ship.
• Li Shuyi and the summons defeated the two Snakefolk bosses, and one surrendered after Bai Xiaowen promised to treat prisoners well.
• Bai Xiaowen had Li Shuyi bind the prisoner and sever his wrist tendons so he could not escape, then said he hoped to question him about the Amusha Sea and the great earthquake.

After verifying the Snakefolk’s plan to destroy the Earth Vein Pillars, Bai Xiaowen received the Crimson Oakheart and urged the nations to form a unified alliance. With the Orc Kingdom’s ongoing wars blocking the alliance, he proposed traveling to its capital to negotiate.

• Bai Xiaowen returned to Mushadir with the Ghost Ship and presented the Recording Crystal and Snakefolk captive to the leaders, who accepted his evidence and gave him the Crimson Oakheart.
• Bai Xiaowen declined to level up or submit his Summon Angerclaw quest, choosing to wait until he obtained the Elder Rune Armor and the Mother of Direwolves.
• The Elven Queen and Camelot Queen warned that the war with the Orc Kingdom kept their elite armies from joining an alliance against the Snakefolk.
• Felix, Basaka, Harold, and other representatives discussed how to resolve the Orc threat, while Bai Xiaowen argued against a war among the nations.
• Bai Xiaowen announced that he would travel to the Orc capital to meet its leader, insisting that the Orc people’s survival mattered too.

Bai Xiaowen arrived in the Orc Kingdom with Li Shuyi and Ahan to persuade King Kamush to join a continental alliance against the Deep-Sea Snakefolk. Kamush accepted the possibility of a ceasefire but rejected an alliance, demanding food and permission for the Orcs to cut down trees.

• Bai Xiaowen told Li Shuyi that uniting the continent took priority over their Awakening Skill quests, which also required visiting the Orc Kingdom.
• Bai Xiaowen, Li Shuyi, and Ahan flew to Redstone City and were escorted to the Redstone Throne to meet High Chieftain King Kamush.
• Bai Xiaowen spoke Orcish and told Kamush he represented everyone on the Black Tide Continent who wanted to survive.
• Bai Xiaowen asked the Orcs to join a ceasefire and the Continental Unification Alliance against the Deep-Sea Snakefolk.
• Kamush said the Orcs might accept a ceasefire if they received food and could cut down trees, but he refused to ally with their sworn enemies.

Bai Xiaowen tried to persuade Orc High Chieftain Kamush to join the Continental Alliance by warning that the Orc Kingdom could face the same disaster as Amusha Forest and showing evidence of the broken Earth Vein Pillar. Kamush remained resistant, so Bai Xiaowen stayed in Redstone City and asked him to reconsider.

• Bai Xiaowen warned Kamush that the Orcs' high plateau would not protect them from the upheaval threatening the continent, but Kamush dismissed the danger.
• Bai Xiaowen explained that a broken Earth Vein Pillar had caused the Amusha Forest earthquake and tsunami, then showed the Orcs a recording of the underwater ruins and a crystal fragment.
• Isgu confirmed that the recording was genuine and sensed earth energy in the crystal, though a one-eyed Orc argued that Bai Xiaowen's evidence could be staged.
• Bai Xiaowen offered food and pay for Orcs who joined the Continental Allied Army, but Kamush insisted that the Elf Kingdom and Camelot agree to his terms first.
• Bai Xiaowen warned Kamush that the six great kingdoms might attack the Orcs if they refused to unite, then asked to remain in Redstone City while Kamush considered the proposal.

Bai Xiaowen answered Isgu’s questions about the Earth Vein Pillars and won the Orc leaders’ trust. King Kamush agreed to a ceasefire and joined the Guardian Faction, signing and swearing to both agreements.

• Bai Xiaowen identified Kilgaz, Rul, and Isgu as prominent Orc leaders and judged that King Kamush and the other leaders might support an alliance.
• Isgu asked Bai Xiaowen whether an Earth Vein Pillar lay beneath the Orc Kingdom, and Bai Xiaowen explained that he had seen the kingdom in the Prophecy Tablet.
• Isgu said he would report Bai Xiaowen’s answers to the great chieftain and arranged for a guide so Bai Xiaowen and his companions could move freely through Redstone City.
• King Kamush agreed to a ceasefire and to join the Guardian Faction.
• King Kamush signed both agreements and swore by the god of war to honor them.

Bai Xiaowen gathered intelligence in the Orc Kingdom as the seven nations formed an alliance and chose Ahan to command their army. With their time in the Black Tide Plane limited and no third main quest appearing, Bai Xiaowen planned how he and Li Shuyi could complete their Awakening Skill quests.

• Bai Xiaowen toured Redstone City with Mulkan and collected intelligence, including the locations of Rul and Halaken and Marshal Kilgaz's influence.
• The seven nations officially formed an alliance, and Ahan became commander of the Continental Allied Army while the Camelot Queen chaired the Continental Council.
• Bai Xiaowen worried that the remaining time in the Black Tide Plane might not be enough for Grand Unification or their Awakening Skill quests.
• Bai Xiaowen explained that failing the quests could improve their ticket's matching priority for a return visit, though the plane might achieve Grand Unification before they came back.
• Bai Xiaowen told Li Shuyi he had devised a plan based on their intelligence and asked her to listen and prepare to work with him.

Bai Xiaowen visited Redcrest Mountain Camp and met Halaken, the Orc Kingdom’s prized Mother of Direwolves, while looking for a way to advance Rageclaw’s Awakening Skill quest. The chapter left Rageclaw facing Halaken’s rejection as Rul said only Fenrir was powerful enough to mate with her.

• Rul welcomed Bai Xiaowen and showed him around Redcrest Mountain Camp, explaining Direwolf-taming techniques.
• Bai Xiaowen asked about the strongest Direwolf and learned that Fenrir was Halaken’s mate, though Halaken was valued for her pure bloodline.
• Rul led Bai Xiaowen to Halaken’s shed, where he fed and praised the giant Mother of Direwolves.
• Bai Xiaowen summoned Rageclaw and asked Rul for advice, while Rageclaw showed strong interest in Halaken.
• Halaken rose and roared at Rageclaw when he approached, and Rul said only Fenrir could satisfy her.

Bai Xiaowen provoked Marshal Kilgaz at Redcrest Mountain Camp, where Fenrir challenged Rageclaw’s place as Harekin’s mate. The chapter ended with Bai Xiaowen accepting Kilgaz’s duel and demanding that Fenrir and Rageclaw also fight to the death.

• Bai Xiaowen realized that Kilgaz was a hardliner among the orcs, while Rul and Isgu were moderates.
• Kilgaz arrived with Fenrir and declared that Rageclaw could not become Harekin’s mate, then ordered Bai Xiaowen to leave Redcrest Mountain Camp.
• Rul defended Bai Xiaowen’s permission to visit, but Kilgaz declared it void and accused Rul of betraying the orcs.
• Fenrir shoved Rageclaw aside and joined Harekin, prompting Rageclaw and Fenrir to growl at each other.
• Bai Xiaowen insulted Fenrir, and Kilgaz challenged him to a duel.
• Bai Xiaowen accepted and added that Rageclaw and Fenrir must fight a life-and-death duel to decide which was Harekin’s mate.

Bai Xiaowen and Kilgaz began a sacred duel, with Rageclaw fighting Fenrir while the two men fought separately. As both Bai Xiaowen and Rageclaw neared defeat, Bai Xiaowen activated Symbiosis and shared half his strength with Rageclaw.

• Bai Xiaowen challenged Kilgaz to a duel, and Master Rul agreed to oversee it under Orc custom.
• Rul brought Harekin to the valley and announced rules separating the men’s fight from the wolves’ fight.
• Kilgaz charged Bai Xiaowen, who slowed him with Frost Shards and summoned Butcher to absorb the cleaver’s blows.
• Fenrir overwhelmed Rageclaw with repeated charges and pinned him near the valley wall, preparing to bite him.
• Bai Xiaowen checked their shared damage, drew on the Ring of Torment, and activated Symbiosis to share half his strength with Rageclaw.

Bai Xiaowen and Rageclaw used their Strength advantage to defeat Kilgaz and Fenrir in the sacred duel. Fenrir died and dropped a golden treasure chest, while Kilgaz was left severely injured.

• Rageclaw gained Strength through Symbiosis, pinned Fenrir, and tore into the wolf while Fenrir struggled to counterattack.
• Kilgaz used Soul-Shaking Roar and Earthsplitter Slash against Bai Xiaowen, but Bai Xiaowen bound his hands and restrained him with superior Strength and summoned creatures.
• Bai Xiaowen endured Kilgaz's attacks until his Strength exceeded 130, then used a Kusanagi-Style Flash Shoulder Throw to reduce Kilgaz to a Severe Injury state.
• Bai Xiaowen cast Symbiosis on Rageclaw again, raising its Strength to roughly 120 without stacking the earlier bonus.
• Rageclaw lifted Fenrir and slammed it against the rocky ground until its Life Value reached zero, causing a golden treasure chest to appear.