Chapter Summaries

Heidens entered the Valley of Silence to ask his former teacher Desri to join the Church’s campaign against Lin Qin, accusing the ruler of Dragon Rock Territory of attacking the Radiant Church and threatening the continent’s order. Desri left his family and secluded home behind to lead the gathered army, though the chapter ended before he reached the border.

• Heidens and Alsop entered the hidden valley, and Desri recognized that they had come over the conflict with Lin Qin.
• Heidens presented his accusations and warned that Lin Qin’s power threatened the faith and stability of the continent.
• Iserin and Hayward challenged Heidens, questioning whether war would protect the innocent and urging negotiations.
• Desri recalled the suffering he had witnessed as Pope and looked to his family and the villagers he had protected.
• Desri accepted Heidens’s request, took up his ancient scepter, and told his family he would return soon.
• Heidens told Desri that the army had gathered at the border and was waiting for him to take command.

The Radiant Church and Dark Church advanced toward Black Wind City, each preparing to kill Lin Qin and seize Dragon Rock Territory's resources. As both factions rested and refined their plans, Desri sensed another presence nearby, leaving their approach shadowed by the possibility of a third party.

• Useno briefed Desri on Lin Qin's rise and power, and Desri ordered the Radiant Church to offer him imprisonment before using force.
• Elaine reviewed the Shadow Angel Battle Formation's mission to retrieve Lin Qin's corpse and Dragon Rock Territory's core resources, while warning Kasa not to act recklessly.
• The Dark Church detected the Radiant Church resting nearby and decided to wait for the two sides to weaken each other before striking.
• Desri sensed another presence near Black Wind City and resolved to meet Lin Qin himself.
• The Radiant Church prepared its battle formation and perimeter wards as Useno reported that they would reach Black Wind City the next morning.

Lin Qin sensed danger and strengthened Dragon Rock Territory’s defenses as the Radiant Church prepared to attack. The Dark Church’s forces also waited in secret, with Elaine ordering Kasa to hold back until the battle reached the right stage.

• Lin Qin extended patrols and ordered heightened night watches after sensing unusual tension.
• Soros reported declining trade and delayed deliveries, while Pallas found no large army near the borders.
• Lin Qin ordered stronger city defenses, and Hosen, Bader, Shi Gen, Soros, and Old Jack organized preparations in Black Wind City.
• Desri and Useno planned to offer peace before attacking at dawn, while the Radiant Church prepared in a secluded valley.
• Elaine ordered Kasa and the Shadow Angel Battle Formation to remain hidden and wait for her signal before moving against Lin Qin.

Lin Qin defeated Desri and the Radiant Church forces in their failed decapitation operation at Black Wind City. Desri escaped, while the Dark Church canceled its plans and withdrew, recognizing Lin Qin’s dominance in Chaos Territory.

• Desri offered Lin Qin a chance to surrender, but Lin Qin refused and dispelled the Angel Battle Formation’s attack with the Laws of the Earth.
• Desri attacked Lin Qin with his Light Element mastery, but Lin Qin transformed into a Dragonblood Warrior and shattered the beam with Earth Pulsation.
• Lin Qin saw through Desri’s Light Phantom and drove him to burn his holy power and flee after another pulsation attack destroyed the Angel Battle Formation.
• Pallas protected Lin Qin’s allies from Useno and the Ascetics, while Lin Qin killed one Ascetic and the battlefield’s remaining Radiant Church forces were defeated or captured.
• Kasa and Elaine witnessed the defeat, canceled the Dark Church’s plan, and withdrew to report Lin Qin’s strength to the Pope.

After defeating the Radiant Church’s forces, Lin Qin searched Useno’s memories and learned about the Church’s strength and secrets. He ordered Dragon Rock Territory to prepare for expansion and future attacks, while the Radiant and Dark Churches received news of their failed operation.

• Lin Qin assigned compensation for fallen soldiers, treatment for the wounded, heightened city defenses, and repairs after the battle.
• Lin Qin searched Useno’s memories, learned about the Radiant Church’s forces and defenses, and left him an imbecile for Murphy to dispose of.
• Lin Qin ordered his leaders to train the army, gather intelligence, patrol the territory, and continue purging potential traitors as Dragon Rock Territory prepared to take over the Chaos Territory.
• Lin Qin reviewed his fight with Desri and returned to cultivating the Laws of the Earth.
• The Radiant Church and Dark Church received reports that their operation had failed and Desri had escaped badly injured.

After the Radiant Church’s defeat, Heidens and Morsfield ordered their forces to withdraw from Dragon Rock Territory while gathering intelligence on Lin Qin. Lin Qin continued strengthening his territory’s defenses, unaware that Elaine’s spies were already watching.

• Heidens learned that Desri had been defeated and ordered the Radiant Church to halt operations against Dragon Rock Territory while preparing for “that place.”
• Heidens ordered intelligence gathering on Lin Qin, and the Radiant Church stopped activity along the border.
• Morsfield canceled the Dark Church’s hostile missions against Lin Qin and sent Elaine to gather information while ordering Kasa to the northern Black Ice Plains.
• Lin Qin ordered Dragon Rock Territory to strengthen its defenses and accelerate recruit training, expecting the Churches to return.
• Elaine positioned Dark Church infiltrators near Dragon Rock Territory and told them to observe Lin Qin and his subordinates without taking action.

Lin Qin ordered Dragon Rock Territory to advance north and capture Black Stone City as the first step toward unifying Chaos Territory. Hosen and Bader took the city in under three hours, and Dragon Rock Territory began consolidating its control.

• Lin Qin assigned Hosen and Bader to lead twelve thousand troops north, with Pallas providing aerial support and Murphy's team scouting the target cities.
• After marching for five days, Hosen's army reached Black Stone City, where Kaili prepared to defend the city against them.
• Murphy's surveillance team sabotaged defenses inside Black Stone City, and Hosen launched the assault while Pallas set the city gate ablaze.
• Bader and the soldiers breached the gate, and Hosen and Bader defeated and captured Kaili as the defenders surrendered.
• Hosen reported the victory to Lin Qin, who ordered the campaign to proceed as planned, while Soros and Old Jack took charge of Black Stone City's administration.

As the Northern Alliance gathered at Black Marsh City to resist the Dragon Rock Army, Lin Qin traveled to the front and offered its leaders one last chance to surrender. Hake attacked him and was struck down with a single move, leaving the seven remaining Saint Realm experts facing Lin Qin in fear.

• Nelson united Black Marsh City, Grey Rock City, Iron Wall Fortress, and Dark Church forces into an alliance with over thirty thousand troops and eight Saint Realm experts.
• After learning of the alliance's strength and fortified defenses, Lin Qin left Black Wind City alone and reached the Dragon Rock Army's camp two days later.
• Lin Qin ordered Hosen to keep to the plan and advance on Black Marsh City, saying he would handle the allied Saint Realm experts.
• The Dragon Rock Army surrounded Black Marsh City, and Lin Qin appeared alone to demand surrender and the alliance's disbandment.
• Hake charged Lin Qin, who shattered his defenses and hurled him into the city wall with one strike.
• Lin Qin turned toward the seven remaining Saint Realm experts as the battlefield fell silent.

Lin Qin captured Black Marsh City and brought most of the Chaos Territory under Dragon Rock rule, then began consolidating its cities, army, and resources. As he continued cultivating, major powers across the Yulan Continent learned of his rise and chose to watch him cautiously rather than provoke him.

• Lin Qin defeated Hake, prompting Iron Wall Gale and Nelson to surrender Black Marsh City and the allied forces without further fighting.
• Lin Qin assigned Nelson and Gale administrative roles, ordered Hosen and Bader to reorganize the troops, tasked Pallas with securing the northern border, and gave Murphy authority to deal with threats.
• Within half a month, the remaining northern cities and tribes submitted, expanding Dragon Rock Territory to nearly three-quarters of the Chaos Territory.
• Lin Qin left the northwest unconquered for now and ordered the territory to consolidate its rule, train its army, and recruit skilled people.
• The War God, the High Priestess, and War Saint Tulilei ordered caution toward Lin Qin, while Saintess Lorisa watched his rise with curiosity.

After hearing that Linley had become a Saint Realm Dragonblood Warrior and Wharton was to marry Princess Nina, Lin Qin traveled from Dragon Rock Territory to Red Flame City to congratulate them. He arrived at the palace during the engagement celebration, where Wharton, Nina, and Linley came out to meet him.

• Soros told Lin Qin that Linley had reached the Saint Realm and that Wharton was engaged to Princess Nina.
• Lin Qin decided to visit the O'Brien Empire, leaving Dragon Rock Territory under Soros, Old Jack, Hosen, Bader, and Murphy's care while Pallas accompanied him.
• Lin Qin traveled to Red Flame City, gathered news about the Baruch brothers, and learned that Wharton's engagement ceremony would take place three days later.
• At the palace gates, Lin Qin identified himself as a guest from Chaos Territory, and the guards recognized him as the Earth Walker.
• Wharton, Nina, and Linley came out to greet Lin Qin, who congratulated Wharton on his engagement.

Lin Qin attended Wharton and Nina's engagement banquet, where his reputation and power drew the attention of the O'Brien Empire's nobles and the War God Sect. He kept his distance from political overtures while catching up with Linley and Wharton.

• Lin Qin arrived at the imperial palace, greeted Linley, Wharton, and Nina, and gave Wharton several valuable Space Rings as an engagement gift.
• Wharton led Lin Qin into the banquet hall, where Emperor Joanne welcomed him and the gathered guests watched him closely.
• Lin Qin spoke with Linley and Wharton about their lives and cultivation, then turned away Oliver and other nobles seeking to approach him.
• Lanke and Carlost arrived with members of the War God Sect, praised Lin Qin, and presented Wharton with an engagement gift on the War God's behalf.
• Linley explained the War God Sect's influence in the empire, and Lin Qin said he took no offense as the banquet continued.

At Wharton's celebration, the Plane Overseer Hodan revealed the Baruch Clan's history and invited Lin Qin and Linley to travel to the Higher Planes. Both refused, choosing to resolve their unfinished business on the Yulan Continent first.

• Hedereson brought Hodan, a powerful God-level expert, to the banquet, where Hodan told Linley and Wharton that dozens of Dragonblood Warriors had once served the Baruch Clan.
• Hodan identified himself as the Plane Overseer of the Yulan Continent and explained the Higher Planes, the Divine Planes, and the teleportation array.
• Hodan invited Lin Qin and Linley to travel to Hell, but Linley refused because of his family and other responsibilities on the continent.
• Lin Qin also refused, saying he needed to strengthen his power base and settle scores with the Radiant Church and the Dark Church before leaving.
• Hodan vanished after telling them they could find him in the Arctic Ice Plains when they were ready, and Lin Qin told Linley that handling their current responsibilities came first.

Lin Qin and Linley accepted the War God’s invitation to visit War God Mountain the next morning, while Linley wondered what the War God wanted. As they prepared for the meeting, Lin Qin sensed the War God’s power and remained unconcerned about spies watching the mansion.

• Lin Qin agreed to stay and watch Olivier duel Hedereson at Red Flame Peak with Linley.
• Lanke and Carlost invited Lin Qin and Linley to War God Mountain on the War God’s behalf, promising that Fain would receive them.
• Linley accepted the invitation, and he and Lin Qin agreed to meet the envoys outside the East Gate the next morning.
• At the Baruch Mansion, Linley voiced concern about the War God’s motives, while Lin Qin told him not to overthink it.
• Lin Qin sensed spies watching the mansion and studied the power emanating from War God Mountain; Linley prepared his clothes and weapons for the visit.

Lin Qin and Linley visited Fain at Azure Thunder Peak, where Fain tested Linley’s swordsmanship and then sparred with Lin Qin. Lin Qin overcame Fain’s lightning techniques, and the group returned to the pavilion after Fain acknowledged his mastery of Earth Laws.

• Lanke and Carlost brought Lin Qin and Linley to Azure Thunder Peak to meet Fain.
• Fain invited Linley to spar and exposed weaknesses in his swordsmanship and use of the Laws during their exchanges.
• Linley ended his Dragonblood Warrior transformation and thanked Fain for his guidance.
• Fain attacked Lin Qin with a lightning sword, but Lin Qin disrupted his attacks with the Pulsation Profound Mystery.
• Lin Qin neutralized Fain’s Thunder Punishment without moving, and Fain conceded the match.
• Fain invited Lin Qin and Linley back to the pavilion and praised their abilities.

The War God summoned Lin Qin and Linley and revealed that the Graveyard of the Gods would open in a little over ten years, offering Godheads and divine artifacts amid deadly dangers. He gave them War God Tokens and invited them to represent War God Mountain, leaving Lin Qin to decide later whether he would enter.

• Fain escorted Lin Qin and Linley to meet the War God, O'Brien, in War God Mountain's main hall.
• The War God praised Lin Qin's mastery of the Laws of the Earth and explained why powerful beings remained on Yulan Continent.
• The War God revealed that the Graveyard of the Gods connected many planes, opened every thousand years, and offered Godheads and divine artifacts despite its lethal dangers.
• The War God invited Lin Qin and Linley to enter the Graveyard in a little over ten years and gave each of them a War God Token.
• Linley accepted the invitation and resolved to train, while Lin Qin accepted his token but reserved his decision about entering.

Olivier fought Hederson before a massive crowd at Red Flame River, but Hederson defeated him despite suffering a slight injury. Hederson then challenged Linley to a battle at Tu Jiao Mountain three months later, and Linley accepted.

• Millions gathered at Red Flame River to watch Olivier and Hederson fight, while Lin Qin secretly observed from a nearby tree.
• Olivier opened with a soul attack, but Hederson broke his arm with a single punch and sent him crashing into the river.
• Olivier healed and attacked with both the Light Shadow Sword and Black Stone Sword, but Hederson parried his assaults and overcame his final technique with Earth Split.
• Hederson defeated Olivier, who fell into the river badly injured, and Blumer carried his unconscious brother to shore.
• Hederson challenged Linley to a battle at Tu Jiao Mountain in three months, and Linley accepted.

After learning from Hederson’s victory over Olivier, Linley prepared for their duel by entering seclusion in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, while Lin Qin worked on advancing his own cultivation in the Imperial Capital. Three months passed, and the anticipated battle at Tu Jiao Mountain was about to begin.

• Lin Qin advised Linley to combine the Wind Element’s nimbleness with the Earth Element’s stability and to temper his will.
• Linley decided to train in the Magic Beast Mountain Range and left the Imperial Capital at dawn, keeping his War God Token for the future.
• Lin Qin stayed in the Imperial Capital to cultivate, watch for threats around Linley, and explore the fusion of the two powers within him.
• Soros, Old Jack, and the others continued strengthening Dragon Rock Territory while Linley trained against Level Nine Magical Beasts and honed his skills.
• The three-month deadline passed, and Tu Jiao Mountain became the focus of attention as Linley and Hederson’s duel approached.

Linley fought Rock Sword Saint Hederson on Tu Jiao Mountain and used wind and earth powers together to break through Hederson’s defense and wound him slightly. Hederson drew his heavy sword, leaving Linley to face the more dangerous phase of the duel.

• Crowds gathered on Tu Jiao Mountain as Linley and Hederson arrived to begin their promised duel.
• Linley awakened his Dragonblood Warrior bloodline, but Hederson won their first direct clash and defended against Linley’s rapid attacks.
• Linley used a tremor through the earth to disrupt Hederson’s stance, then struck the opening with a compressed wind attack.
• Hederson staggered back with a minor wound, drawing cheers from the crowd and earning Linley his respect.
• Hederson drew his heavy sword, and Linley prepared to face the heightened threat.

Linley blocked Hedereson's sword strike but suffered serious injuries, and the strike's rhythm helped him reach enlightenment about the convergence of wind and earth. He conceded the duel, while Hedereson praised his talent and the spectators celebrated his breakthrough.

• Hedereson attacked Linley with a crushing Heavy Sword strike, and Linley blocked it with a barrier formed from wind and earth power, injuring both fighters and shattering the summit ground.
• Linley recognized a deeper rhythm in Hedereson's sword strike and became absorbed in understanding how wind and earth could resonate.
• Hedereson lowered his sword and silently watched over Linley as Lanke, Carlost, King Joanne, and Lin Qin recognized his enlightenment.
• Linley emerged from his insight, thanked Hedereson, and conceded that he could no longer fight.
• Hedereson ended the battle without declaring himself the victor and praised Linley's talent, prompting the spectators to cheer.

Lin Qin traveled to Azure Wave City and found Aileen, whose family was struggling, then invited her to join Dragon Rock Territory. After Aileen accepted, her cousin Lillian interrupted with a dispute over the family’s fishing grounds, and Lin Qin’s silent glare forced a guard captain to his knees.

• Lin Qin left Red Flame City and traveled to Azure Wave City to find Aileen at the declining Hawk Family estate.
• Lin Qin reunited with Aileen and asked her to come to Dragon Rock Territory, where she could cultivate and serve as an administrator and mage.
• Aileen accepted Lin Qin’s offer, hoping to leave the burdens of family affairs behind.
• Lillian barged into the courtyard and insulted Lin Qin while summoning Aileen to address Viscount Kallen’s attempt to redraw the fishing-ground boundaries.
• Lin Qin’s glance terrified the guard captain into kneeling, and he told Aileen to handle the dispute while he waited.