Chapter Summaries

Disguised as a centaur laborer, Zong Shen infiltrated the Wild Hoof tribe and looted its marked valuables while the centaurs focused on the battle outside. He stole the Wild Hoof Totem under a time stop, escaped in griffon form, and headed back to regroup before checking the last location.

• Zong Shen joined a centaur reinforcement group in disguise, then summoned his Wolf Cavalry and allies through Pascal Contract's Big Pocket.
• Zong Shen slipped into the Wild Hoof tribe and looted twenty-two of its twenty-three marked locations while the centaurs gathered in the south.
• Zong Shen learned that the Wild Hoof centaurs and Stoneclaw Tauren had fought for generations over their ancestral feud and tribal totems.
• Zong Shen used the Time Stop Orb to freeze the centaurs, returned to human form, and took the Wild Hoof Totem.
• Zong Shen transformed into a griffon and flew away as the centaurs discovered the totem's disappearance; he headed north to regroup and pursue the final marked location.

Zong Shen retrieved the final marked treasure from a pool near the centaur tribe: Pakka Gris's honorary family crest, a token that could earn the friendship of Marquis Trond Gris. The Wild Hoof Tribe had already lost its totem, and the crest revealed that the centaurs had also killed the marquis's eldest son, leaving the tribe vulnerable to a punitive expedition.

• Zong Shen flew past the centaur tribe in a miniature black dragon form and reached the gold-marked location at a waterfall pool.
• Zong Shen mimicked a murloc, dove into the pool, and summoned twelve Tidal Sea Spirits to clear bones from the marked spot.
• Zong Shen found a pale-gold crest bearing an eagle clutching a branch and surfaced to inspect it.
• Zong Shen learned the crest belonged to Pakka Gris, the eldest son of Marquis Trond Gris, who had been ambushed and killed by centaurs four years earlier.
• Zong Shen realized he could return the crest to Fangtooth Fortress to gain the Gris family's friendship while the Wild Hoof Tribe faced the loss of its totem and possible destruction.

Zong Shen discovered that the Wild Hoof Totem could recruit centaurs, then inspected the Stoneclaw Tribe while its Tauren fought the centaurs. He left intending to approach the Tauren later and return to his territory after resting.

• Zong Shen used the Strategy Module to locate the battle between the centaurs and Tauren and flew there to observe.
• Zong Shen inspected the Wild Hoof Totem's attributes and learned that it could recruit centaur warriors and laborers every 168 hours.
• Zong Shen watched the Tauren gain the upper hand as the centaurs' formation fell into chaos after the totem's theft.
• Zong Shen flew to the Stoneclaw Tribe and found its Tauren well-equipped, vigilant, and living in a developed settlement.
• Zong Shen decided to approach the Stoneclaw Tribe later and try to bring the tribe and its totem under his command rather than steal the totem outright.
• Zong Shen flew south to rest before returning to his territory, while the Cthulhu's giant eyeball was expected to arrive soon.

Zong Shen rested in Green Cypress Forest before using a teleportation gate to return to his territory. Meanwhile, King Ragnar mobilized the Lodbrok forces against Sandina, who escaped Sagsen Imperial City before it was placed under martial law, setting the Nord Kingdom on the brink of war.

• Zong Shen rested in Green Cypress Forest until the Eye of Cthulhu drew closer, then used the Thousand-Kilometer Teleportation Gate to return to his territory.
• King Ragnar ordered Axe Fortress into martial law, prepared the kingdom for war, and declared the Trivashin Family traitors after Sandina's assassination attempt failed.
• Queen Sandina tried to leave Sagsen Imperial City for Autumn Harvest City, but Marquis Bol Wollaston and Grand Scholar Richards stopped her by invoking the founding ancestor's decree.
• Sandina returned to her quarters, then escaped through a hidden teleportation array with several royal guards while her other confidants scattered through the city.
• After receiving Ragnar's orders, Sagsen's officials sealed the city and sent forces to arrest Sandina, but she had already escaped.

After returning to his territory, Zong Shen heard that undead had appeared in the West Mine Tunnel and ordered preparations for a post-challenge expedition. Vereesa also reported the latest spoils from the Goblin Tribe and nearby ruins, including an unsettling eyeball-covered totem, before Zong Shen and Luna turned to inspect the loot.

• The Tauren defeated the centaurs, who retreated after losing the Wild Hoof Totem, while the Tauren returned to their tribe to regroup.
• Zong Shen returned to his territory, had Iron Hand Barenk repair the Magic Energy Drill, and checked on Dwarf Uncle's Griffon Bomber experiments.
• Luna reported that undead had attacked scouts in the West Mine Tunnel, and that Dutra had collapsed a section of the tunnel to seal it off.
• Zong Shen ordered Luna to tell Dutra to prepare miners and an escort team for work before the defensive challenge, then lead an expedition to expand the mine afterward.
• Vereesa reported treasure chests, Denars, merchant goods, equipment, two Unknown Runic Gate Keys, an Azshara Elven Key, and an eyeball-covered totem recovered from the Goblin Tribe and nearby ruins.
• After Vereesa left, Luna kissed Zong Shen, and they went to inspect the recovered spoils.

Zong Shen inspected the spoils from the Wild Hoof Tribe and reviewed the territory’s defenses with Maryl, who identified underground attacks as their main vulnerability. Later, Luna told him she might be pregnant, and the Strategy Module explained that her pregnancy would become normal after the Defense Challenge and the rules changed.

• Zong Shen examined the Evil Totem and the Wild Hoof Tribe’s treasure chests, magical items, and 1,329,725 Denars, then stored the totem in his personal Storage Grid.
• Zong Shen toured the Residential District with Luna and confirmed that the territory’s defenses and construction were largely on schedule.
• Maryl reported that the territory was well protected above ground but vulnerable to tunneling, and suggested acquiring high-tier Earth Element reinforcement Magic Arrays.
• Zong Shen returned to the Lord’s Fortress, where Luna said she thought she was carrying a life but could sense little vitality from it.
• The Strategy Module told Zong Shen that Luna was in a semi-gestational state and could carry the baby normally after the Defense Challenge and the new rules took effect.

Zong Shen left his territory to keep the Eye of Cthulhu chasing him and traveled toward Wentro Bang City, where he surveyed the enormous river port and its defenses. The chapter left him approaching the city on foot disguised as a mercenary, while the Eye of Cthulhu turned back toward him and Safri's party continued its journey.

• Luna told Zong Shen that she was pregnant, and they shared their excitement before she fell asleep.
• With the Eye of Cthulhu closing in, Zong Shen packed Flying Tiger and his troops, then teleported to Green Cypress Forest to lead the pursuing eyeball away from his territory.
• The Eye of Cthulhu detected Zong Shen's direction and made a wide turn back toward him, while Safri and two bishops sensed its faint fel energy and resumed their journey.
• Zong Shen flew toward Wentro Bang City on Flying Tiger, learning that it was a vast river port and supply hub for Fangtooth Fortress.
• Zong Shen landed near the city, stored Flying Tiger, and walked toward Wentro Bang City in disguise while using the Strategy Module to gather information.

Zong Shen entered Wentro Bang City as Count Malen Babit gathered its leaders to decide how the city would respond to King Ragnar’s declaration of war on the Trivashin Family. The chapter left Zong Shen at a checkpoint, where guards questioned him and he offered them a small bribe.

• Zong Shen entered the city alone while a patrol cavalry squad discreetly followed him.
• Count Malen Babit told the gathered nobles, merchants, and faction leaders that King Ragnar had survived an assassination attempt and declared war on the Trivashin Family.
• Sassen shared Severed Finger’s intelligence about Queen Sandina and said the organization would side with the royal family.
• Viscount McIntosh Ryan argued that Wentro Bang City should support the royal family, while Count Malen listened and considered his own ambitions.
• At the checkpoint, mounted rangers and Berserker Axe Warriors questioned Zong Shen about his origins and purpose.
• Zong Shen claimed he was an adventurer from Green Cypress Forest and slipped a handful of Denar to one of the guards.

Zong Shen entered Wentro Bang City and visited Little Ears Tavern, where he discovered the tavern used poisoned liquor to identify vulnerable guests. He learned that a Hero-tier dancer was being auctioned and outbid a mercenary for her, drawing the angry man’s attention.

• Zong Shen bribed the checkpoint guards, entered the city, and bought a Nord mountain horse to travel faster.
• At Little Ears Tavern, Zong Shen drank the house specialty, Blazing Revelry, and recognized its paralyzing toxin as a trap for weak patrons.
• Zong Shen identified a Hero-tier dancer and asked the bartender to introduce him to Ram, the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s manager.
• Zong Shen offered to buy the dancers outright, but Ram refused and named a price of 100,000 Denar.
• During the auction, Zong Shen bid 1,000 Denar for the Hero-tier dancer, prompting the previous bidder, a mercenary with a sunken skull injury, to approach him with a dagger.

Zong Shen killed Broken Head in Little Ears Tavern, bought Betty’s freedom, and accepted her quest to rescue her younger siblings from the Aldrich Dance Troupe. After equipping Betty and learning about her talents, he prepared to leave the tavern despite the mercenaries waiting outside, intending to rescue her family and buy supplies for his territory.

• Zong Shen killed Broken Head with a radiant headbutt and two punches after the mercenary charged him.
• Zong Shen paid Ram 1,000 Denar for Betty and took her to a VIP room at Little Ears Tavern.
• Zong Shen offered Betty freedom and a place in his territory, and she agreed to pledge loyalty if he rescued her younger brother and sister.
• Zong Shen accepted Betty’s quest to rescue her siblings from the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s stronghold and gave her armor, clothes, a hand crossbow, and bolts.
• Zong Shen examined Betty’s hero attributes and skills, then decided she could develop into a diplomat and learn scout skills.
• Zong Shen learned that more than a hundred Tree Nail mercenaries waited outside the tavern to ambush him, and he planned to use Levitation to leave and shop for supplies.

Zong Shen and Betty left Little Ears Tavern under cover of night and reached the Free Trade Market of Traveling Merchants so he could buy bulk supplies for his territory. He identified the Golden Pocket Watch as a reliable merchant faction and surveyed prices before deciding what to purchase.

• Zong Shen chose the Free Trade Market of Traveling Merchants and used levitation to take Betty through the night toward the outskirts.
• Zong Shen tossed Denar to distract the vagrants in an alley, then left with Betty and walked through the filthy outer district while observing the city’s conditions.
• Zong Shen reached the market and used the Strategy Module to find the Golden Pocket Watch, a well-stocked itinerant merchant faction.
• Zong Shen learned the prices of flour, produce, jerky, and cloth, and planned to buy flour in bulk, some jerky, and a small amount of produce and cloth.

Zong Shen bought a large shipment of supplies from the Golden Pocket Watch Merchant Caravan, then rescued Betty’s younger siblings from the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s outpost. Betty joined him as a hero, and he returned with her and the children to his territory through a teleportation gate.

• Zong Shen negotiated a 30,000 Denar discount and bought food, cloth, and iron tools from the Golden Pocket Watch Merchant Caravan.
• Zong Shen traveled with Betty to the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s outpost and used Flying Tiger to distract its guards.
• Zong Shen rescued Betty’s younger brother Kaji and younger sister Olga, leaving the other children behind.
• Betty reunited with Kaji and Olga, and the completed quest made Betty a hero under Zong Shen’s command with 90 Loyalty.
• Zong Shen placed a teleportation beacon in the Green Cypress Forest and led Betty, Kaji, and Olga back to his territory.

Zong Shen settled Betty and her siblings in the Lord’s Fortress, updated Luna on the territory and his plans, and spent the night reading beside her. At dawn, he recruited new Lion Knights and centaurs, leaving them ready to be assigned to the territory’s forces.

• Zong Shen gave Betty and Olga clothes, let Kaji bathe, and arranged for the three siblings to stay in an empty room in the Lord’s Fortress.
• Zong Shen told Luna about his supplies, Betty’s diplomatic talent, and his plans to leave again to walk the Eye of Cthulhu; he stayed with her and read until morning.
• Zong Shen reviewed the City Wall construction schedule and remembered his available recruitment abilities and other long-cooldown rewards.
• Zong Shen used the Silver Lion War Banner to recruit twenty-four Fourth Order Lion Garrison Knights and twelve Fifth Order Lion Charge Knights.
• Zong Shen activated the Wild Hoof Totem and recruited centaur laborers, vanguards, assassins, shadow wizards, and a death summoner.

Zong Shen discovered that Alana was actually Jenny Pendragon, the Fifth Princess of the Avalon Kingdom, and brought her to the Lord's Fortress after she revealed her identity. Jenny's subject status was revoked, and Zong Shen prepared to hear more about her past and the kingdom quest her revelation triggered.

• Zong Shen ordered the newly recruited centaurs to follow Vereesa, who translated his instructions into their language.
• Zong Shen visited the Tailor Shop and asked Alana to come outside with him.
• Alana revealed that her true name was Jenny Pendragon and that she was the Fifth Princess of the Avalon Kingdom.
• The Lord System revoked Jenny's subject status, converted her Loyalty into Affection, and triggered a Kingdom Era quest.
• Zong Shen reassured Jenny and invited her to the Lord's Fortress, where he introduced her true identity to Luna.

Zong Shen learned that Princess Jenny had escaped a royal assassination plot and accepted her request to escort her safely to Eo Imperial City to meet Old King Guser. He postponed the dangerous journey until he had enough strength, while arranging protection for Jenny in his territory.

• Princess Jenny told Zong Shen how her third sister’s assassination attempt forced her to flee, disguise herself, and live as a slave, while other royal siblings also pursued her.
• Zong Shen revealed that Old King Guser was alive but weakened after his failed Red Dragon baptism, and Jenny resolved to return to him.
• Zong Shen accepted Jenny’s task to take her safely to Eo Imperial City, which could rewrite part of Avalon’s Epoch transition, and promised to wait until he was strong enough.
• Jenny agreed to remain in Zong Shen’s territory as chief tailor Alana, and Zong Shen moved her into the Lord’s Fortress and gave her a Communication Crystal.
• Zong Shen told Maryl and Luna Jenny’s true identity and ordered them to keep her safe and protect her secret before he left to scout the final wave.

Zong Shen returned to Wentro Bang City to explore its docks and planned to destroy the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s base on his way back. After entering the bustling city with Jeanne and Canigia, he headed toward the dock district.

• Zong Shen decided to attack the Aldrich Dance Troupe’s base and selected Jeanne, Gugat, Canigia, five squads of Dragonborn Rangers, and all the Lion Knights for the operation.
• Zong Shen packed the troops into Pascal Contract’s Big Pocket, then rode Eagle Sauce with Jeanne and Canigia through a Thousand-Kilometer Teleportation Gate toward Wentro Bang City.
• Zong Shen waited for the teleportation gate to vanish, flew to the city’s outskirts, stowed Eagle Sauce, and bought two mountain horses for 900 Denar.
• Zong Shen and his companions entered Wentro Bang City in tattered Leather Armor without trouble at the checkpoint.
• Zong Shen used the Strategy Module to navigate toward the dock district as he observed the crowded streets and high property prices.

Zong Shen explored Wentro Bang City's busy riverside docks and considered how trade, city planning, and Legion growth could shape his territory. Meanwhile, Count Malen Babit chose the king's side and learned that Zoe had run away to pursue her dream of becoming an adventurer.

• Zong Shen praised Bang City's lively streets and examined the Nivarei River docks, where merchants coordinated shipments to fill large orders.
• Zong Shen discussed the Guide Legion's progress and the Defense Challenge while walking through the dock market with Jeanne and Canigia.
• Jeanne identified Wentro Bang City as a trade and transit hub rather than a suitable fortress, and Zong Shen reflected on how Lords could build cities independently.
• Count Malen Babit chose to side with the Lodbrok Family, and the city's powers agreed to fund the expansion of its City-State Army in return for protection.
• Count Malen learned that Zoe had disappeared with armor, a crossbow, and a battle sword, then ordered a discreet search while he went to reassure his wife.

Count Mallen and the Countess worried about Zoe Babbitt’s repeated attempts to become an adventurer, while arranging another search for her. Zoe had disguised herself and reached the docks, preparing to leave Wentro Bang City by ship.

• Count Mallen recalled Zoe’s combat skills, her obsession with adventuring, and her three previous escapes from home.
• Count Mallen ended the meeting and had the steward ask the Black Street leaders to search for Zoe.
• The Black Street leaders agreed to alert their members and watch for Zoe, expecting her to be disguised.
• Count Mallen comforted the Countess and revealed that he could track Zoe through a spell on her storage necklace.
• Zoe arrived at the dock district disguised as a young man and prepared to board a ship heading north.

Zoe prepared to escape Wentro Bang City by disguising herself with Transformation Potions and boarding a merchant ship, but she stopped at Dock Market when she saw thieves targeting Zong Shen's companions. After Jeanne and Kaginia defeated the thieves, Zong Shen approached Zoe and asked if she had warned them.

• Zoe recalled buying Transformation Potions and other goods from Boswell while planning her next adventure toward the Steel Sand Gobi.
• Zoe entered Dock Market to wait for her ship and tried to ignore her hunger as she watched a grilled-fish stall.
• Zong Shen, Jeanne, and Kaginia arrived at the stall disguised as ordinary travelers.
• Zoe shouted to warn them when two thieves approached with blades, and Jeanne and Kaginia quickly injured the thieves.
• Zong Shen walked over to Zoe and asked whether she had been the one to warn them.

Zong Shen rescued Zoe after she was attacked by Black Street rats and escaped Wentro Bang City with her on Eagle Sauce. Outside the city, he introduced himself as a Lord and gave the hungry Zoe food, leaving her bewildered but safe.

• Zong Shen secretly thanked Zoe for warning him at the grilled fish stall and gave her 100 Denar before rejoining Jeanne and Kaginia.
• Zong Shen, Jeanne, and Kaginia ate grilled fish, shopped in the market, and noticed Black Street rats attacking Zoe.
• Kaginia killed the attackers with Wind Blades, and Jeanne joined the fight as Zoe warned them that the City-State Army would arrive.
• Zong Shen opened a spatial gate, brought out Eagle Sauce, and carried Zoe, Jeanne, and Kaginia out of Wentro Bang City despite the towers' arrows.
• Zong Shen landed in a wasteland outside the city, told Zoe he was a Lord, and offered her beef jerky and flatbread.