Ch. 361Besieging West Marsh, the Struggle of Supremes
Chapter Summary: “Besieging West Marsh, the Struggle of Supremes”
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Supremes learn that Bai Tianyun has been killed, apparently by Song Xiao and Zhou Kai. They fear this violates the century-old alliance among the martial bloodlines and threatens the larger Peach Blossom Calamity plan.
- Liu Zhengyi explains that Song Xiao was not the true danger: Zhou Kai, whom he calls a Heavenly Demon, possesses extraordinary physical strength. Zhou Kai shattered Bai Tianyun and broke through the defenses of the Yin-Wood Heavenly-Wind Azure-Brown Fan without relying on sorcery.
- The Supremes debate Zhou Kai’s origins and power. Yan Longhu dismisses physical strength as inferior to the power of heaven and earth, while the others remain cautious.
- Yan Longhu, Tao Zhu, Liu Zhengyi, and Wen Changxiu travel to West Marsh City to punish Song Xiao and eliminate Zhou Kai. Lei Kui disappears and does not openly join the attack.
- Song Family members prepare the Metal-Qi Sky Curtain to defend West Marsh City. Yan Longhu launches a massive fire attack, followed by Tao Zhu’s earth-based assault and Wen Changxiu’s poisonous miasma. The formation begins to collapse within minutes, and many Song Family experts are injured or poisoned.
- Song Xiao emerges from the Fungal Modification Chamber at the critical moment. Having obtained the Bai Family’s Heavenly Gold Bloodline and fully integrated the Song Family’s metal-related treasures, he appears to break through—or break through again—to the Supreme Grandmaster Realm.
- Song Xiao stabilizes the defensive formation and overwhelms the attacking elements with his sword qi. He then reveals Zhou Kai, who joins him in confronting the four Supremes.
- Yan Longhu recognizes Zhou Kai as the person who destroyed his Treasure Vase. Zhou Kai openly admits it and even asks to borrow the Great Dream Treasure Vase, provoking Yan Longhu.
- Yan Longhu orders Liu Zhengyi to support him with the power of Heavenly Wind. Song Xiao intends to face them first while Zhou Kai assists, but Zhou Kai suddenly disappears and engages Yan Longhu alone.
- The chapter ends with Song Xiao discovering that Zhou Kai is suppressing Yan Longhu, suggesting that Zhou Kai’s power may surpass even Song Xiao’s newly increased strength.
Character Developments
- Zhou Kai: His mysterious identity becomes more significant. His raw physical strength is powerful enough to challenge a blazing-sun Supreme directly, and his speed and combat ability exceed Song Xiao’s expectations. His casual attitude toward Yan Longhu’s treasures further displays his confidence.
- Song Xiao: He evolves from a powerful Supreme relying on the Song Family’s inherited treasures into an even stronger combatant after acquiring the Bai Family’s Heavenly Gold Bloodline. His breakthrough restores the Song Family’s defense and gives him the confidence to confront multiple Supremes.
- Yan Longhu: His arrogance and contempt for individual physical strength are emphasized. He believes the power of fire and heaven far exceeds fleshly strength, but Zhou Kai’s suppression of him begins to undermine that certainty.
- Liu Zhengyi: He acts as mediator among the hostile Supremes and remains strategically cautious about Zhou Kai. Despite his outward cooperation, Wen Changxiu’s hidden hostility suggests that his alliance may be unstable.
- Tao Zhu: Although mourning Bai Tianyun, he prioritizes the larger conflict and joins the assault. His interest in Song Xiao’s bloodline acquisition reveals his concern with power and martial inheritance.
- Wen Changxiu: She maintains a calm, seemingly detached demeanor while secretly harboring malice. Her poisonous attacks contribute heavily to the destruction of the Metal-Qi Sky Curtain.
- Song Yue and Song Tianya: They represent the Song Family’s anxiety and determination. Song Yue initially fears annihilation but organizes the defense, while Song Tianya’s outlook shifts from despair to hope when Song Xiao emerges.
Significant Themes
- Power versus arrogance: The Supremes rely on world-derived energy and underestimate Zhou Kai’s individual physical power, setting up a clash between established doctrine and an unprecedented form of strength.
- Fragile alliances and betrayal: The old alliance among bloodlines is already strained by mutual suspicion, concealed motives, and long-standing grudges.
- Inheritance and usurpation: Song Xiao’s acquisition of the Bai Family’s bloodline demonstrates how power can be seized and transferred, while the Supremes question whether such acts can ever remain unpunished.
- Civilization’s vulnerability: The attacks show how easily a Supreme can devastate cities, alter climates, or destroy entire martial civilizations.
- Anchors against madness: The discussion of sorcerers retaining identity, memory, and gender highlights the danger of losing one’s personal stability in the Abyss.
- Unexpected evolution: Song Xiao’s renewed breakthrough and Zhou Kai’s unexplained growth show that established limits and rankings may no longer apply.
Important Character Interactions
- Liu Zhengyi and the other Supremes: Liu repeatedly mediates conflicts, especially between Yan Longhu and the others, while trying to coordinate their attack against West Marsh City.
- Yan Longhu and Tao Zhu: Tao Zhu assists Yan Longhu in breaking the Metal-Qi Sky Curtain, combining fire and earth power.
- Wen Changxiu and Liu Zhengyi: She travels with Liu but quietly observes him with concealed hostility, hinting at future betrayal.
- Song Yue and Song Tianya: Their conversation reflects the Song Family’s fear, but Song Yue insists that Song Xiao must have had a reason for attacking the Bai Family.
- Song Xiao and Zhou Kai: Song Xiao views Zhou Kai as a powerful ally and even jokes with him about the Supremes. However, Zhou Kai’s sudden independent attack reveals that he may be far stronger than Song Xiao realized.
- Zhou Kai and Yan Longhu: Their confrontation becomes the chapter’s climax. Yan Longhu seeks revenge for the destruction of his Treasure Vase, while Zhou Kai treats him as a source of valuable treasures and unexpectedly gains the upper hand.