Chapter Summaries

Zhu Xuanye failed to secure reinforcements for Great Yan as its enemies gathered, while Li Xuancang’s generals advanced in cultivation and Sweet Spring Commandery enjoyed a peaceful period. When the Du Family asked Li Xuancang to help save the critically wounded Du Tianhao, he offered the Mountain-Splitting Lord’s heart.

• Zhu Xuanye told the gathered forces that the Imperial Court could spare no reinforcements and pleaded with them to hold Cloud Prefecture.
• The Ouyang brothers broke through to the Late Astral Qi Realm, and Bai Meng advanced to the Astral Qi Realm.
• Li Xuancang spent a peaceful stretch with his family, trained his troops, and monitored events across Great Yan.
• Du Xiong told Li Xuancang that Du Tianhao had been critically wounded in Cloud Prefecture and needed a treasure rich in life force.
• Li Xuancang agreed to give the Du Family the Mountain-Splitting Lord’s heart, and Du Xiong knelt to thank him.

Li Xuancang sent the Ouyang brothers to escort the Mountain-Splitting Lord’s heart to the Du Family in the Imperial City, while the Du Family’s enemies prepared to strike as Du Tianhao neared death. To deter them, the Du Family publicly announced Li Xuancang’s betrothal to Du Ruomei, leaving their foes stunned and forcing them to reconsider their plans.

• Li Xuancang ordered Ouyang De and his brother to escort the Mountain-Splitting Lord’s heart to the Du Family in the Imperial City.
• Prince Ning and other aristocratic families plotted to ambush returning Du Family members and prevent them from obtaining help for Du Tianhao.
• The Du Family decided to announce Li Xuancang’s betrothal to Du Ruomei before Du Tianhao’s condition worsened.
• News of the betrothal spread across Great Yan, prompting officials and generals to halt plans against the Du Family.
• Huangfu Qi’s steward reported the marriage alliance, and Huangfu Qi snapped a plum branch in shock.

News that Li Xuancang would form a marriage alliance with the Du Family unsettled rival Lineages and stirred Wenxin Academy. Pei Qingyuan focused on strengthening herself, rejected Lin Jingtan, and left him plotting revenge.

• Huangfu Qi vowed that the Huangfu Family would destroy the Du Family despite its marriage alliance with Li Xuancang.
• Wang Zhiyuan suspended his plans and reconsidered his next move as secret envoys carried the marriage news across Great Yan.
• At Wenxin Academy, students mocked Pei Qingyuan over Li Xuancang's alliance with Du Ruomei, while Pei Qingyuan resolved to seek Icebound Profound Jade on her soul companion's advice.
• Lin Jingtan confronted Pei Qingyuan, but she rejected his attempt to reconcile and walked away.
• Lin Jingtan clenched his fists and devised a scheme to make Pei Qingyuan regret spurning him.

The Giant Whale Gang launched a surprise attack on Clear River Commandery, seized the city, and took control of Yang Prefecture. In the Imperial Court, officials argued over how to retake the province while the army was already locked in battle with Prince Fu’s rebels, leaving the Emperor without an easy response.

• Zhao Si spotted the Giant Whale Gang fleet emerging from the fog, but an arrow killed him before he could sound the alarm.
• Li Canglang directed the Gang’s forces as they stormed the dock, overwhelmed the guards, and captured Clear River Commandery.
• More than ten thousand Giant Whale Gang disciples seized the commandery city, and word of Yang Prefecture’s fall reached the Imperial City.
• The Emperor demanded that Yang Prefecture be retaken, but Zhou Zhanyun and Sun Wenhan warned that withdrawing troops from the front against Prince Fu’s rebels could expose the Imperial City.
• Gu Yanqing said suppressing the Giant Whale Gang would require a Profound Connection Realm powerhouse and one hundred thousand elite troops, while Zhao Chongwu’s offer to lead fifty thousand Imperial Guards south was rejected.
• The Emperor ended the court’s argument and sat in silence, still facing the dilemma of how to respond.

The court approved Qin Huaiyuan’s plan to send Li Xuancang south against the Yang Prefecture rebellion and arrange Princess Zhaoyang’s marriage to Huyan Lie to protect the northern border. Meanwhile, Ouyang De and his companions reached the Imperial City with the Du Family’s treasure, where six assassins attacked them.

• Qin Huaiyuan proposed sending Li Xuancang’s troops from Sweet Spring Commandery to suppress the rebellion and using a marriage alliance with the Grasslands to buy time.
• The emperor accepted the plan, appointed Li Xuancang General Who Pacifies the South, and ordered Princess Zhaoyang to marry Khan Huyan Lie after Li returned.
• An Imperial Court insider warned the Giant Whale Gang that Li Xuancang was being sent to Yang Prefecture.
• After traveling for more than twenty days, Ouyang De, Du Xiong, and Ouyang Meng reached the Imperial City, where Ouyang De saved Du Xiong from a blade attack.
• Six Astral Qi Realm assassins confronted the three men, and Ouyang Meng volunteered to fight them.

Ouyang Meng drove off six assassins while escorting Du Xiong and a treasure to the Du Family. Du Tianhao refined the heart of a Profound Connection Realm great demon, recovering from his injuries and increasing his cultivation.

• Ouyang Meng revealed his Late Astral Qi Realm strength and forced the six assassins to flee, while Ouyang De stopped him from chasing them.
• Du Xiong, Ouyang De, and Ouyang Meng reached the Du Family without further obstruction, and Du Tianyuan welcomed Li Xuancang’s envoys and their treasure.
• Ouyang De opened the box and revealed a still-beating heart, which Du Tianhao identified as belonging to a Profound Connection Realm great demon.
• Du Tianhao refined the heart, recovered completely, and increased his cultivation.

After Du Tianhao recovered, the Du Family prepared to support Li Xuancang as he obeyed the Imperial Court’s order to suppress the Giant Whale Gang’s rebellion in Yang Prefecture. Li Xuancang marched out of Cool Prefecture with his army, leaving its people anxious about a possible Grassland invasion, while Yang Prefecture’s defenders prepared for a desperate siege.

• Prince Ning’s forces learned that Du Tianhao had recovered, and other factions abandoned plans to attack the Du Family.
• Du Tianyuan decided to send the Du Family’s forces to support Li Xuancang, and Du Tianhao volunteered to go while concealing his recovery from the Imperial Court.
• After receiving the imperial edict, Li Xuancang criticized the marriage alliance with the Grassland People and decided to take his family with him to Yang Prefecture.
• Li Xuancang led five thousand Sweet Spring Camp soldiers, two thousand Tiger Braves Army soldiers, and more than three thousand Blacksteel Camp soldiers out of Sweet Spring Commandery.
• People in Cool Prefecture learned that Li Xuancang had been ordered to suppress the rebellion and feared the Grassland People would invade while he was away.
• As the Giant Whale Gang approached Yang Prefecture City, Shangguan Ding and the assembled officials resolved to defend the city until Li Xuancang arrived.

Yang Prefecture City braced for the Giant Whale Gang as Li Xuancang hurried there with cavalry. He arrived safely and was welcomed as the city’s hope, while the Gang Leader still underestimated his strength.

• Liu Qingyuan told the Liu Family that Yang Prefecture City could only hold out until Li Xuancang arrived, and Liu Wenyuan ordered the clan to prepare an escape if the city fell.
• Liu Ruihe urged Li Canglang to attack Yang Prefecture City before Li Xuancang arrived, but Li Canglang dismissed the warning and continued looting Clear River Commandery.
• Li Xuancang rode ahead with two thousand cavalrymen, joined forces with Du Tianhao’s family, and learned that the Giant Whale Gang had not yet attacked the city.
• Li Xuancang led his cavalry to Yang Prefecture City, where Ouyang De announced his arrival and the defenders opened the gates.
• Shangguan Ding, Liu Qingyuan, and the other officials greeted Li Xuancang with relief.

Li Xuancang led the Yang Prefecture army to Clear River Commandery and defeated Li Canglang with a single punch. He smashed open the city gates and ordered his troops to slaughter the Giant Whale Gang, leaving the battle for the city underway.

• Li Xuancang took command of the Yang Prefecture army and ordered it to march on Clear River Commandery once Blacksteel Camp and Sweet Spring Camp arrived.
• Li Xuancang led over ten thousand soldiers to Clear River Commandery, where the Giant Whale Gang waited behind the city walls.
• Li Canglang urged Li Xuancang to join the Giant Whale Gang, but Li Xuancang mocked him and attacked.
• Li Xuancang scattered Li Canglang's Sword Qi with a breath, broke his sword with a punch, and sent him crashing into the city wall.
• Li Xuancang smashed the city gates and ordered his army to enter and slaughter the Giant Whale Gang as Blacksteel Camp and Sweet Spring Camp charged into the city.

Li Xuancang pursued the wounded Li Canglang to the Canglan River, where Li Canglang summoned Xuan Crocodile Lord to cover his escape. Li Xuancang fought the giant crocodile and pressed his attack, while the battle remained unresolved.

• Li Xuancang chased Li Canglang away from the city as Li Canglang used a secret art to boost his speed.
• Li Canglang led Li Xuancang to the Canglan River and summoned Xuan Crocodile Lord before trying to escape.
• Xuan Crocodile Lord blocked Li Xuancang with a massive wave, but Li Xuancang shattered it with a punch.
• Xuan Crocodile Lord attacked with its tail, and Li Xuancang endured the blow without injury before charging at its head.
• Li Xuancang broke through the crocodile's waves and dodged its poisonous black-water attack.

Li Xuancang pursued the giant crocodile into the river and killed it after a brutal struggle. He left Du Tianhao to guard the corpse and sped off to deal with the Giant Whale Gang.

• Li Xuancang blinded the giant crocodile with a punch, then pursued it as it fled underwater.
• Li Xuancang caught the giant crocodile by its tail, slammed it into the riverbed, and tore its head from its body.
• Li Xuancang emerged with the giant crocodile’s corpse, and Du Tianhao arrived and was shocked by the kill.
• Li Xuancang entrusted the corpse to Du Tianhao and sped away to deal with the Giant Whale Gang.

Li Xuancang returned to the battlefield, routed the Giant Whale Gang, and seized its wealth in Clear River Commandery. After Yang Feiyu investigated the river and found no sign of Xuan Crocodile Lord, he decided to withdraw for now, while Li Xuancang prepared to return to Sweet Spring Commandery.

• Li Xuancang slaughtered the fleeing Giant Whale Gang fighters, helping the Imperial Court army win the battle and kill over ten thousand disciples.
• Li Xuancang took the Giant Whale Gang's seized silver, spirit stones, treasures, and cultivation resources, then ordered ships to search the Canglan River for the gang.
• Li Canglang returned to the Giant Whale Gang headquarters wounded and told Shui Xingyun and Yang Feiyu that Li Xuancang had overwhelmed him.
• Yang Feiyu searched for Xuan Crocodile Lord, found signs of battle but no trace of it, and concluded that Li Xuancang could match a mid-stage Profound Connection Realm cultivator.
• Yang Feiyu chose to withdraw the Giant Whale Gang's forces from Yang Prefecture, and three days later Li Xuancang prepared to return to Sweet Spring Commandery.

Li Xuancang returned to Cool Prefecture after suppressing the Giant Whale Gang’s rebellion in Yang Prefecture, then asked the Blackbird Merchant Association about finding an Earth-grade artifact refiner. Dong Linghui identified Ouyang Xuanlian as a possible master to forge Earth-grade treasure armor.

• Li Xuancang refused to remain in Yang Prefecture, accepted gifts from its factions, and led his army back toward Cool Prefecture.
• Du Tianhao parted ways with Li Xuancang after they left Clear River Commandery.
• Li Xuancang returned to Cool Prefecture, calming its frightened people, and wondered why the Grassland People had not invaded.
• Li Xuancang rewarded his soldiers with resources seized from the Giant Whale Gang.
• Li Xuancang summoned Dong Linghui and learned that the Blackbird Merchant Association knew Ouyang Xuanlian, an Earth-grade middle-rank artifact refiner who might forge treasure armor.

Li Xuancang arranged for Master Ouye to forge protective armor for his family, while news of his victory over the Giant Whale Gang reached the Imperial Court. The Emperor ordered Princess Zhaoyang to be sent to the grasslands for a marriage alliance, leaving Consort De to embrace her daughter in grief.

• Li Xuancang gave Dong Linghui a scale from Xuan Crocodile Lord and asked him to arrange for Master Ouye to forge treasure armor for his family's protection.
• News that Li Xuancang had pacified Yang Prefecture and slaughtered over ten thousand members of the Giant Whale Gang spread across Great Yan.
• At the grand court assembly, Gu Yanqing praised Li Xuancang's achievements, and the Emperor promised him a handsome reward.
• Officials urged the Emperor to honor the marriage alliance with the Golden Eagle Tribe, and he ordered the Ministry of Rites to make arrangements for a princess's marriage.
• Consort De visited Princess Zhaoyang as she painted, then held her tightly and wept without telling her why.

After learning she had been ordered to marry the Grassland Khan, fourteen-year-old Princess Zhaoyang wept with Consort De, while Consort De vowed to protect her. Prince Kang gathered his allies to plan Zhaoyang’s rescue, and the marriage procession departed seven days later under heavy guard.

• Consort De told Princess Zhaoyang that the Emperor had ordered her to marry the Grassland Khan, and Zhaoyang pleaded not to be sent away.
• Consort De promised she would not let Zhaoyang enter danger and resolved to protect her despite the Emperor refusing to see her.
• Prince Kang told his followers he would take Zhaoyang away and discussed intercepting the procession before it reached Sweet Spring Commandery.
• Prince Kang’s allies warned that escaping with Zhaoyang would be difficult, but he insisted they first focus on rescuing her.
• Seven days later, the marriage alliance procession left the Imperial City with a thousand Imperial Guards and elite palace experts, while people across Great Yan held conflicting hopes for its success.

Li Xuancang arranged for Ouye Xuanlian to forge five treasure armors from the giant crocodile’s scales and distributed its meat to his subordinates and Dong Linghui. When a Grassland envoy arrived to discuss Princess Zhaoyang’s marriage procession, Li Xuancang insisted that the Grassland army remain beyond the border.

• Li Xuancang showed Ouye Xuanlian the Profound Connection Realm giant crocodile and secured his agreement to forge five treasure armors using its scales.
• Dong Linghui provided Millennium Snow Velvet Herb, and Li Xuancang agreed to let Ouye keep the remaining scales and fifty jin of beast meat.
• Li Xuancang gave Dong Linghui a crocodile leg and ordered the beast meat distributed among his trusted subordinates.
• After ten days, Nangong Zhan reported that the Grassland army had reached the border and sent Hu Yan Tuo to meet Li Xuancang.
• Li Xuancang left the marriage arrangements to the Ministry of Rites and warned Hu Yan Tuo that the Grassland army must not enter Cool Prefecture.

Hu Yan Jue and the Grassland army plotted to kill Li Xuancang, while the marriage alliance procession crossed Cool Prefecture. An attempt to abduct Princess Zhaoyang failed, and Prince Kang and a black-robed woman planned to seize her in the grasslands instead.

• Hu Yan Jue and the tribal chiefs decided to ambush and kill Li Xuancang so the Grassland army could invade Great Yan.
• Princess Zhaoyang entered Cool Prefecture and took comfort in the thought that she would soon meet Li Xuancang.
• More than fifty attackers charged the princess's carriage, but the Imperial Guards repelled them with Astral-Breaking Crossbows.
• The attackers escaped after using Heaven-Shaking Thunders, and Wang Qi ordered the procession to hurry toward Sweet Spring Commandery.
• Prince Kang and a black-robed woman revealed that hidden experts had foiled the abduction and proposed taking Princess Zhaoyang in the grasslands.

Princess Zhaoyang’s marriage procession reached Sweet Spring Commandery, where she met General Li Xuancang and found him gentler than the legendary warrior in her picture book. After learning that the grasslands might be dangerous, she asked to stay longer, and Li Xuancang agreed to delay her departure.

• Chen Mingyuan escorted the marriage procession to Sweet Spring Commandery, where Li Xuancang welcomed them and prepared to see them to the pass.
• Princess Zhaoyang watched Li Xuancang from her carriage and compared the real general with the heroic figure in her picture book.
• At a banquet days later, Zhaoyang met Li Xuancang, questioned him about the stories in her book, and found him easy to talk to.
• Zhaoyang asked Li Xuancang whether the Grassland People were bad, and his silence made her fear that her new home would be dangerous.
• Zhaoyang pleaded to stay in Sweet Spring Commandery a few more days, and Li Xuancang overruled Chen Mingyuan and Wang Qi by granting her request.

Princess Zhaoyang left for the grasslands after spending seven happy days in the city, and Li Xuancang promised she would see Consort De again. The escort was ambushed after crossing into the grasslands, where Li Xuancang discovered the attack was a trap aimed at him.

• Princess Zhaoyang thanked Li Xuancang and gave him her golden lock, but he returned it and promised she would see Consort De again.
• Hu Yan Jue welcomed the marriage procession, and it traveled beyond Great Yan territory into the grasslands.
• After the procession had traveled three hundred li, Hu Yan Jue ordered the Grassland People to attack, and Chen Mingyuan was killed.
• Li Xuancang protected Princess Zhaoyang's carriage with Ouyang Meng and the Tiger Braves Army while fighting through the attackers.
• Three Profound Connection Realm experts surrounded Li Xuancang, and Hu Yan Jue revealed that the ambush was meant to kill him so the Grassland army could invade Cool Prefecture.

Li Xuancang faced Murong Chong, Agula, and Hu Yan Jue on the grasslands and overwhelmed their coordinated attacks with his strength. He left all three gravely wounded, declaring that they still were not enough to kill him.

• Li Xuancang told Ouyang Meng to protect Princess Zhaoyang before confronting the three cultivators.
• Li Xuancang evaded the trio’s opening attacks and shattered Murong Chong’s Blade Qi with a punch.
• Li Xuancang caught Murong Chong’s blade, knocked Agula’s Giant Axe from his hands, and endured Hu Yan Jue’s sword barrage without injury.
• Murong Chong, Agula, and Hu Yan Jue burned blood essence and launched a combined attack, but Li Xuancang waited for them to finish gathering power.
• Li Xuancang’s punch shattered their weapons and left Murong Chong, Agula, and Hu Yan Jue grievously wounded.