Chapter Summaries

Xia Ming received Anthony’s Demon-Pointing Needles and magic crystal cannons for Rhine City’s defenses, then learned that dark mages and the bloodkin had joined forces and were threatening Emerald City. The chapter left Xia Ming facing a crisis after the Human Alliance’s line at Twilight Moon City fell and Emerald City’s lord died in battle.

• Anthony showed Xia Ming the Demon-Pointing Needle, which detected dark mages’ magical fluctuations, and gave him the needles he had on hand.
• Xia Ming decided to report the Demon-Pointing Needle to the Grand Speaker so it could be promoted across the Human Alliance.
• Anthony gave Xia Ming several dozen magic crystal cannons and promised to guard Rhine City while Xia Ming pursued his plans.
• Lone Wolf invited Xia Ming to inspect Rhine City’s newly formed legion as it prepared to deal with bandits from the Lein Empire.
• Angel delivered a Purple Crystal-class intelligence document stating that dark mages and the bloodkin had allied and sent nearly one hundred thousand undead and bloodkin troops toward Emerald City after breaking through at Twilight Moon City; Emerald City’s lord had died in battle.

Xia Ming learned that a massive undead and vampire army had breached the Human Alliance’s defenses and threatened Emerald City, whose lord had died. He placed Rhine City on high alert and organized its military preparations while considering the vacant lordship of Emerald City.

• Xia Ming told Angel and Lone Wolf that a hundred thousand undead and vampires had attacked Emerald City and killed its lord.
• Lone Wolf suggested that Xia Ming might be considered for Emerald City’s vacant lordship, and Xia Ming recognized the opportunity despite Angel’s concern.
• Xia Ming gathered Rhine City’s leaders, explained the threat, and ordered the city to enter first-level alert.
• Xia Ming assigned Lone Wolf, Philip, and Tang Ge to prepare the legions, while Suomo'er, Xerxes, and Lin Qi expanded the mage legion.
• Xia Ming ordered Angel and Weiwei to gather funds, and Anthony volunteered to retrieve Rock Blast Stones from the Lein Empire.
• Xia Ming decided Rhine City would continue its bandit extermination operations and use them to train its troops.

Xia Ming received reports that Emerald City had repelled the undead and vampire assault for now, while the Human Alliance stabilized its defenses. With the crisis temporarily contained, he prepared Rhine City to fight the Storm Bandit Group, whose arrival was confirmed the next morning.

• Xia Ming read reports that Emerald City had held against the undead and vampires and that Fiery Hand and the Holy Temple's chief had stabilized the Human Alliance's defensive line.
• Xia Ming ordered Lone Wolf to prepare Rhine City's legion to fight the Storm Bandit Group, while the Flame King urged Xia Ming to gather the remaining Flowing Cloud Sky Maps.
• Xia Ming cultivated and waited for word from the Sacred Council as Rhine Territory entered a state of war readiness.
• Lone Wolf confirmed that the Storm Bandit Group had arrived, and told Xia Ming that Rhine City's preparations were complete.

Lone Wolf sent only a thousand Rhine City soldiers to face the nearly ten-thousand-strong Storm Bandit Group, confident that the legion could defeat them. After magic crystal cannons killed hundreds and threw the bandits into confusion, Black Centipede ordered his men to keep charging, and the two forces met in close combat.

• Lone Wolf told Xia Ming that a thousand soldiers would be enough to fight the Storm Bandit Group, and Xia Ming agreed to watch the battle.
• Black Centipede led nearly ten thousand bandits toward Rhine City, planning to break through its defenses and plunder the city.
• Lone Wolf and Philip positioned a thousand elite soldiers to defend Rhine City as Xia Ming, Angel, and Su Weiwei watched from the city walls.
• Lone Wolf ordered ten magic crystal cannons to fire, killing five or six hundred bandits and spreading panic through their ranks.
• Black Centipede refused to retreat and ordered the bandits to charge despite the cannon fire.
• Lone Wolf abandoned the cannons as the two forces closed in, and the Rhine City soldiers charged the bandits in coordinated formation.

Rhine City's thousand elite cavalry overwhelmed the Storm Bandit Group, and Lone Wolf's formation and Lei Ming's strength pushed the battle further in their favor. Black Centipede's attack on Lone Wolf failed, and he realized Xia Ming was present in Rhine City after all.

• Rhine City's black-armored cavalry charged the Storm Bandit Group and drove its ten-thousand-man force backward.
• Lone Wolf ordered the Ancient Eight Kings Formation into action, with Tang Ge and Philip supporting the flanks.
• As the bandits' morale collapsed, Black Centipede charged Lone Wolf in an attempt to kill the commander.
• Lei Ming intercepted Black Centipede and forced him back, then gained the upper hand in their fight.
• Xia Ming promised Lei Ming a grand feast for capturing Black Centipede, who recognized Xia Ming's name and panicked upon learning he was in Rhine City.

Xia Ming’s forces defeated the Storm Bandit Group, captured Black Centipede, and secured the surrender of the remaining bandits. After learning Rhine City had nearly ten thousand elite soldiers, Xia Ming received a letter from the Sacred Council, which he had been waiting for.

• Black Centipede saw Xia Ming and ordered the bandits to retreat, while Lone Wolf’s forces routed the Storm Bandit Group.
• Xia Ming ordered Lei Ming to capture Black Centipede, and Lei Ming defeated him with his golden battle aura.
• Xia Ming called on the Wandering Bandit Gang to surrender, invoking his candidacy for the Sacred Council, and the bandits laid down their weapons.
• Lone Wolf reported that Rhine City had close to ten thousand elite soldiers, and Xia Ming praised his work.
• Angel received a letter from the Sacred Council and told Xia Ming it had arrived.

After receiving the High Speaker’s letter, Xia Ming learned that he and Fiery Hand had been chosen to compete for the vacant position of Emerald City’s City Lord. He prepared to leave Rhine City with Roland, entrusting its leadership to his allies and sharing a quiet farewell with Su Weiwei.

• Angel delivered the High Speaker’s letter, which named Xia Ming and Fiery Hand as candidates for Emerald City’s vacant City Lord position.
• Xia Ming decided to travel to Emerald City soon and said that becoming its City Lord would give him a powerful foothold on the continent.
• Xia Ming entrusted Rhine City to Lone Wolf, Angel, and Su Weiwei, and announced that he would leave the next day.
• Roland agreed to accompany Xia Ming, hoping to avenge his friend Saladin by killing the dark mages.
• Xia Ming comforted Su Weiwei about the dangers ahead, and the two shared an intimate farewell before his departure.

Xia Ming and Roland left Rhine City for Emerald City, where Xia Ming planned to compete for the City Lord position. They arrived to find the city scarred by war and encountered a hostile mage from the Crystal Tower.

• Xia Ming and Su Weiwei rose early, then joined Rhine City's leaders as citizens gathered to see Xia Ming off.
• Xia Ming asked Angel, Lone Wolf, Tang Ge, Lei Ming, and the others to look after Rhine City while he was away.
• Xia Ming and Roland flew for several days before reaching Emerald City and seeing its ruined magic towers and weakened magical elements.
• Xia Ming and Roland entered the heavily guarded city, where residents were still repairing damage from the war.
• Xia Ming suggested finding Fiery Hand to learn about Emerald City's situation, but a Crystal Tower mage approached and taunted him.

Xia Ming arrived in Emerald City to compete for the position of City Lord and clashed with Moore of the Crystal Tower. He met the Sacred Council commanders, who explained the contest and warned him about more dangerous candidates.

• Moore mocked Xia Ming for seeking Emerald City's lordship, and Xia Ming answered that he had come to help the Human Alliance before trading further barbs with him.
• Moore intimidated the onlookers and left, while Xia Ming told Roland that the factions' hostility showed how important Emerald City was and that he had even more reason to win.
• Xia Ming and Roland found the Sacred Council encampment, where Fiery Hand, Blood Shadow, and Bluebeard greeted them.
• Fiery Hand told Xia Ming that Emerald City had lost three Legendary powerhouses in the invasion and that the Human Alliance and Mage's Eye would jointly organize the City Lord selection.
• Fiery Hand said Moore was not the greatest threat and warned Xia Ming that other factions had more formidable candidates.

Xia Ming learned that powerful rivals were gathering for the Emerald City city-lord contest while the undead legion and dark magicians threatened the Southern Continent. He introduced the Demon-Pointing Needle to help defend against assassinations and gave Blood Shadow the Dragon Bone Battle Armor.

• Fiery Hand and Bluebeard told Xia Ming that Holy Temple's Richards and Red Moon City's Hannibal would be formidable rivals in the city-lord contest, while Augustine was cultivating to break through to the legendary realm.
• Blood Shadow and Fiery Hand explained that tens of thousands of undead troops were attacking the Southern Continent and that dark magicians were harassing and assassinating defenders.
• Xia Ming showed them the Demon-Pointing Needle, which Teacher Anthony had invented to detect dark magicians, and Fiery Hand urged that it be distributed throughout the army.
• Xia Ming gave Blood Shadow the Dragon Bone Battle Armor, delighting him and leaving Bluebeard and Fiery Hand envious.

Xia Ming gave Bluebeard and Fiery Hand Dragon Bone Battle Armor before joining the forces gathering to repel an attack by the blood race and dark mages. He recognized Gaia among the enemy leaders and was shocked to find that Gaia had reached the peak of level twelve.

• Xia Ming gave Bluebeard and Fiery Hand each a set of Dragon Bone Battle Armor, which he had forged himself.
• Fiery Hand said he would support Xia Ming's bid to become Emerald City Lord and warned that powerful candidates such as Hannibal stood in their way.
• A soldier reported that the blood race and dark mages were approaching, so Fiery Hand mobilized the Divine Martial Knights and led Xia Ming and Bluebeard west.
• The Holy Temple, the Human Alliance, and the Crystal Tower gathered with Fiery Hand, who took command of their forces.
• The blood race, dark mages, and undead appeared in force, and Little Kitty warned Xia Ming to be wary of Gaia.
• Xia Ming recognized Gaia and realized that his strength had reached the peak of level twelve, surpassing Xia Ming's current realm.

Xia Ming learned that Gaia carried the Blood Emperor’s inheritance and had risen to peak Level Twelve before the Human Alliance’s battle against the blood race and black mages began. When Gaia confronted Xia Ming on the battlefield, their clash started with Gaia’s Blood Curse and Xia Ming’s Thunderfire Shield.

• Little Kitty sensed a terrifying power sealed inside Gaia, and Bluebeard explained that Gaia possessed the Blood Emperor bloodline and likely carried the Blood Emperor’s inheritance.
• Bluebeard revealed that Gaia had reached peak Level Twelve and killed Emerald City’s lord during the recent attacks.
• The Human Alliance and the blood race and black mage forces clashed, while Fiery Hand directed the allied forces and Roland joined the fighting.
• Xia Ming used Wind and Thunder Chain to block nearly a thousand blood race members, drawing Gaia’s attention.
• Gaia challenged Xia Ming and attacked with Blood Hex, Blood Curse, while Xia Ming countered with Thunderfire Shield.

Xia Ming fought Gaia, using Holy Sovereignty, his Profundities, and powerful magic to withstand Gaia’s blood spells and gain the upper hand. As Gaia’s inherited power faltered and Xia Ming prepared another attack, Gaia realized the danger and tried to retreat.

• Xia Ming blocked Gaia’s blood curse with his Thunderfire Shield, while onlookers credited the defense to his sacred artifact, Holy Sovereignty.
• Xia Ming summoned Wind Thunder Twin Dragons, and Gaia countered with Blood Dark Curse Seal; their spells collided, and Xia Ming’s Wind Profundity dragon shattered while his Thunder Profundity dragon held back the curse.
• Xia Ming cast Flame Fang with minor mastery of Fire Profundity, and the attack gained the upper hand against Gaia’s Blood Dark Curse Seal.
• Little Kitty told Xia Ming that Gaia had not adapted to the power he inherited from the Blood Emperor and sometimes suffered its backlash; Gaia sensed the danger and tried to retreat.

Xia Ming drove Gaia and the Blood Clan into retreat, earning praise from the Human Alliance. Durak then announced that the contest to choose Emerald City’s new lord would begin in three days at Rose Arena.

• Xia Ming wounded Gaia with Flame Fang, but held back from pursuing him when a powerful Blood Clan expert came to escort him away.
• The Blood Clan and undead legion withdrew, and Human Alliance leaders praised Xia Ming for raising their morale.
• Durak of Mage's Eye arrived and praised Xia Ming’s rapid growth and strength.
• Durak announced that the Human Alliance would select a new lord for Emerald City to replace Alex, who had died in battle.
• Durak declared that the contest would begin in three days at Rose Arena, with other Legendary experts required to pass a trial before participating.

After the city’s defense, Xia Ming treated the wounded soldiers with healing medicine and earned the respect of the Divine Martial Knights. As the City Lord contest at Rose Arena approached, he and Fiery Hand prepared for the event.

• Durak invited the contenders and renowned masters to gather at Rose Arena in three days to witness the City Lord contest.
• Fiery Hand reported that more than three thousand soldiers had died and over ten thousand had been wounded in the battle.
• Xia Ming offered to treat the wounded and prepared a medicinal decoction from healing potions for the soldiers.
• The medicine eased the wounded soldiers’ pain, and they came to respect Xia Ming for saving them.
• Xia Ming spent the following days with the Divine Martial Knights and prepared for the contest at Rose Arena.

Xia Ming spent three days cultivating to overcome his Level Twelve bottleneck, strengthening his state of mind and drawing closer to the peak. He arrived at Rose Arena for the Emerald City lordship contest, where he encountered the Holy Temple’s formidable candidate, Richards.

• Xia Ming consulted Flame King about improving his strength, and she advised that reaching the peak of Level Twelve or advancing Wind Profundity could improve his chances of becoming Emerald City Lord.
• Xia Ming spent three days cultivating with hundreds of magic gemstones, refining his state of mind and moving closer to the peak of Level Twelve.
• Xia Ming left for Rose Arena with Roland, Fiery Hand, Bluebeard, and Little Kitty, and Roland and Fiery Hand noticed the change in his aura.
• Xia Ming’s group arrived at Rose Arena, where spectators questioned whether the young mage could compete with the powerful Legendary contenders.
• Fiery Hand warned Xia Ming that the Holy Temple’s candidate had arrived, and Xia Ming recognized Richards as a powerhouse nearing Level Thirteen.

At Rose Arena, Xia Ming faced powerful rivals Richards and Hannibal as they gathered for Emerald City’s city-lord contest. Durak introduced a Titan Pillar test for unregistered challengers, while Xia Ming watched with interest despite already having a recommendation.

• Xia Ming recognized Richards as a powerhouse near level thirteen and saw that Holy Temple had brought another level-twelve peak contender.
• Richards greeted Xia Ming and said he hoped they could exchange pointers, while his companion showed disdain toward Xia Ming and Fiery Hand.
• Hannibal arrived to widespread respect, and Xia Ming learned from Little Kitty that both Hannibal and Richards were near level thirteen.
• Durak announced that contestants without Human Alliance recommendations had to pass a test at Rose Arena.
• Durak explained that challengers had to strike the Titan Pillar and produce at least a green display to qualify.

The Legendary-level powerhouses tested their attack strength on the Titan Pillar to qualify for the Rose Arena, and many struggled to meet the standard. Richards demonstrated near-violet power with a top-tier deep blue result, leaving Xia Ming and Fiery Hand as the next figures whose strength the crowd would want to see.

• Durak explained the Titan Pillar trial, and Hans barely passed after his second strike produced the lowest-grade cyan glow.
• Another Legendary-level powerhouse failed both attempts, showing only white light and being declared unqualified by Durak.
• Xia Ming and Fiery Hand agreed to try the pillar, but Richards stepped forward before Fiery Hand could act.
• Richards struck the Titan Pillar with his magic and produced top-tier deep blue light, nearly reaching violet.
• Richards glanced at Xia Ming and Fiery Hand after displaying his strength, while Bluebeard worried that the Sacred Council was at a disadvantage.

The gathered experts tested their attack power against the Titan Pillar, with Richards setting the benchmark and Moore provoking Xia Ming. Fiery Hand produced the lowest grade of blue, and Xia Ming prepared to take his turn.

• Durak explained that the Titan Pillar measured attack force, not simply cultivation level, after Richards produced top-tier blue.
• Moore challenged Xia Ming, struck the Titan Pillar, and earned top-tier green before mocking Xia Ming.
• More than a dozen experts tested the pillar, but none matched Richards's blue result.
• Fiery Hand struck the pillar and produced the lowest grade of blue, earning the crowd's respect.
• Moore insulted Xia Ming again, and Fiery Hand encouraged Xia Ming as he stepped forward to test himself.

Xia Ming tested himself against the Titan Pillar and briefly reached major completion in Thunder Profundity, producing a faint purple glow that surpassed the results of the other level-twelve cultivators. He passed the test and left the crowd, including Richards and Moore, reassessing his strength.

• Xia Ming stepped forward to test himself despite Moore's taunts and the crowd's doubts about his level-twelve cultivation.
• Xia Ming immersed himself in Thunder Profundity and unleashed a powerful strike against the Titan Pillar.
• The Titan Pillar glowed white, green, and deep blue before showing a faint purple light, stunning the onlookers.
• Durak declared that Xia Ming had passed and noted that he was the first level-twelve cultivator he had seen produce purple on the pillar.
• Fiery Hand reasoned that Xia Ming had briefly reached major completion through sudden enlightenment, while Moore dismissed the result as luck and Richards regarded Xia Ming with concern.
• Durak asked whether anyone else wanted to try the test.