Chapter Summaries

The Six-Eyed Great Demon escaped the exploding Demon-Slaying Array, while Li Xuancang and the others returned from the battlefield and prepared for their next steps. Li Xuancang set out for the Imperial City with Blacksteel Camp, where factions and Du Ruomei awaited his arrival and the conclusion of their marriage.

• The Six-Eyed Great Demon vanished after the Demon-Slaying Array exploded, and the group concluded that he had escaped despite being badly wounded.
• After the Prison Tiger Bureau departed, Li Xuancang arranged for Master Ouye to come to the Imperial City, received the court's rewards, and learned Shen Chongyuan had returned to Cool Prefecture.
• Zhu Xuanye dismissed most of the soldiers from the defensive line, then left for the Imperial City without Li Xuancang.
• Li Xuancang offered Blacksteel Camp the choice to follow him to Yu Prefecture, stay in Sweet Spring Commandery, or leave; everyone chose to follow him.
• Li Xuancang sent Wang Xiaoniu and seven thousand men to arrange the relocation, then led the remaining troops toward the Imperial City.
• As news of Li Xuancang's arrival spread, factions prepared to court him, the Du Family arranged a welcome, and Du Ruomei waited for him to complete their marriage.

Li Xuancang returned to the Imperial City and visited his parents before attending a Du Family banquet arranged to welcome him and finalize his marriage to Du Ruomei. The Du Family received him with deference, and the marriage discussions began as he entered the hall.

• Li Xuancang arrived at the city gates, where the crowds cheered him and the Du Family's Uncle Zhong escorted him toward the residence.
• Li Xuancang returned home, reunited with Father Li and Mother Li, and agreed to settle his marriage before traveling to Yu Prefecture.
• Li Xuancang left Nangong Zhan to settle the soldiers and went to the Du Family with Bai Meng and several guards.
• Du Ruomei waited in the flower hall while Du Tianyuan and the Du Family elders prepared to welcome Li Xuancang.
• Du Tianyuan greeted Li Xuancang as his worthy son-in-law and led him into the hall, where the Du Family members welcomed him.

Li Xuancang and the Du Family agreed that he would marry Du Ruomei on the sixth day of the tenth month, and they discussed the wedding arrangements. After Li Xuancang left, Du Ruomei decided to send him her birth chart, spirit stones, and pills as a gesture of support.

• Du Tianchuan asked Li Xuancang about his purpose in returning to the capital, and Li Xuancang said he had come to marry Du Ruomei.
• Li Xuancang chose the sixth day of the tenth month as the wedding date, and Du Tianyuan confirmed it.
• Li Xuancang and the Du Family agreed to hold wedding banquets at both residences and let the Du Family decide the guest list.
• After Li Xuancang left, Du Ruomei asked Cuiping to send her birth chart and personal savings to the Marquis's residence.

Li Xuancang prepared for his wedding to the Du Family's legitimate daughter as allies and powerful families responded to the marriage. As the Northern Liang King's heir, Xu Zinian, prepared to arrive in the capital to seek a princess's hand, Consort De urged Zhaoyang to seek Li Xuancang's protection, and Xu Zinian's enemies began plotting an assassination.

• Li Xuancang's family began cleaning the Marquis's Residence and preparing betrothal gifts after he announced his wedding date.
• Dong Linghui, Liu Wenyuan, and former Peace Prefecture officials sent generous gifts or prepared to congratulate Li Xuancang, while Liu Wenyuan warned Liu Qingyuan not to interfere in Li Xuancang's conflict with the Pei Family.
• Li Xuancang welcomed Zhaoyang and spent half a day with her, and Consort De later urged the princess to grow closer to him.
• Consort De warned Zhaoyang that Xu Zinian was a cruel and lustful man whom the Emperor intended to marry to a princess, and told her that Li Xuancang might protect her.
• Zhaoyang visited Li Xuancang repeatedly as news spread that Xu Zinian was coming to the capital, and his enemies began plotting to assassinate him.

Xu Zinian entered the Imperial City with five thousand iron cavalry, killing civilians and terrorizing the city. After learning that Li Xuancang was due to marry Du Ruomei, he went to the Du Family, leaving its women in hiding and the family fearing what he would do.

• Xu Zinian’s iron cavalry stormed through the city gates, killing and injuring civilians, and Xu Zinian seized and killed a married woman from his carriage.
• Li Xuancang learned Xu Zinian had arrived and postponed confronting him until after his wedding.
• Wenxin Academy barred its female disciples from leaving, while the Imperial City’s factions feared Xu Zinian’s arrival.
• Xu Zinian learned that Li Xuancang would marry Du Ruomei on the sixth day of the tenth month and declared he would take Li Xuancang’s place as groom.
• Xu Zinian went to the Du Family with several powerful experts, prompting Du Tianyuan to hide the women and notify Li Xuancang.

Xu Zinian provoked the Du Family by demanding to see Du Ruomei and threatening its women, prompting the family to fight his guards. Li Xuancang arrived and overwhelmed Huang Jiuxuan, but an old man beside Xu Zinian intervened as Li Xuancang pursued him.

• Xu Zinian arrived at the Du Family and demanded to see Du Ruomei, who was about to marry Li Xuancang.
• Xu Zinian threatened to take every female member of the Du Family, and Du Tianyuan ordered the family to attack him.
• Xu Zinian's three Profound Connection Realm guards routed the Du Family, while Huang Jiuxuan stopped Du Tianhao from moving.
• Li Xuancang arrived and attacked Xu Zinian, but Huang Jiuxuan blocked the blow and carried Xu Zinian to safety.
• Li Xuancang defeated Huang Jiuxuan with a kick and moved to pursue him.
• An old man beside Xu Zinian fired Sword Qi at Li Xuancang, who destroyed it with a punch that devastated the area outside the Du Residence.

Li Xuancang attacked Xu Zinian and his Northern Liang Royal Residence protectors, killing one expert and gravely wounding Huang Jiuxuan and Old Sword. After Xu Zinian escaped behind a protective barrier, Li Xuancang turned his killing intent on Huang Jiuxuan.

• Li Xuancang crushed Xu Zishan's throat and threw his corpse at Xu Zinian, where it exploded into blood mist.
• Li Xuancang fought Huang Jiuxuan and Old Sword, severely injuring both while suffering wounds that quickly healed.
• Li Xuancang charged Xu Zinian, but a protective barrier shielded the Heir and recoiled against Li Xuancang.
• Old Sword seized Xu Zinian and fled as the barrier began to break, while Huang Jiuxuan stopped Li Xuancang from pursuing them.
• Li Xuancang vowed to kill Huang Jiuxuan before going after Xu Zinian, leaving Huang Jiuxuan terrified.

Li Xuancang overwhelmed Huang Jiuxuan and Sword Elder, but Xu Zinian unleashed a Divine Repository Realm strike that failed to kill him. Li Xuancang survived and resumed his attack, leaving Xu Zinian and Sword Elder battered on the ground as Huang Jiuxuan stayed behind to cover their escape.

• Li Xuancang defeated Huang Jiuxuan in their sword battle, then struck Sword Elder aside when he intervened.
• Xu Zinian unleashed a powerful attack left by the Northern Liang King, and the blast engulfed Li Xuancang.
• Li Xuancang emerged alive from the explosion, his wounds healing as he confronted Xu Zinian.
• Huang Jiuxuan stayed behind to cover Xu Zinian and Sword Elder while Sword Elder tried to carry the heir apparent away.
• Li Xuancang's punch knocked Sword Elder and Xu Zinian back to the ground, leaving Sword Elder near death and Xu Zinian terrified.

Li Xuancang tried to kill Xu Zinian, but Zhu Xuanye intervened and used the Imperial City Grand Formation to force Li Xuancang to withdraw. Li Xuancang left with the Du Family, then ordered them to watch for a chance to kill Xu Zinian after he left the city.

• Li Xuancang attacked Xu Zinian, but Zhu Xuanye arrived in time to block the fatal blow.
• Zhu Xuanye activated the Imperial City Grand Formation and used its power to restrain Li Xuancang.
• Li Xuancang withdrew, and Zhu Xuanye took Xu Zinian, Sword Elder, and Huang Jiuxuan to his royal residence for protection.
• At the Du Residence, Li Xuancang assured the Du Family that he was recovering and dismissed their fears of retaliation from the Northern Liang Royal Residence.
• Li Xuancang ordered the Du Family to monitor Xu Zinian and notify him if an opportunity to kill him arose.

Li Xuancang retaliated against Xu Zinian by massacring his five thousand cavalry and seizing their resources, while the Imperial Court let the attack pass. As his wedding approached, he asked Ouye Xuanlian to forge weapons from Extraterrestrial Divine Iron, then received a visit from Shen Qingshan.

• Li Xuancang and Du Tianhao led the Blacksteel Camp and the Du Family in slaughtering Xu Zinian’s five thousand cavalry, then sent their heads to the Night King's Residence.
• Xu Zinian learned of the massacre and swore vengeance, while Sword Elder and Huang Jiuxuan worried about their safety once they left the Imperial City.
• Li Xuancang’s attack spread across Great Yan, but the emperor and Imperial Court did not intervene because they resented Xu Zinian and the Northern Liang Royal Residence.
• Li Xuancang showed Ouye Xuanlian three chains of Extraterrestrial Divine Iron and asked him to forge a sword, saber, massive axe, and spear.
• Seven days later, Shen Qingshan arrived at the marquis's residence and greeted Li Xuancang.

Shen Qingshan arrived at Marquis Wu'an's Residence with the promised pill and weapon, then stayed for Li Xuancang's wedding. On the wedding day, Li Xuancang's grand procession reached the Du Residence, where he lifted Du Ruomei's veil.

• Shen Qingshan delivered the Barrier-Breaking Pill and Divine Radiance Saber and accepted Li Xuancang's invitation to stay for the wedding.
• Li Xuancang's lavish wedding procession departed for the Du Residence amid the capital's celebrations.
• Li Xuancang greeted Du Tianyuan and entered the residence to receive Du Ruomei.
• Li Xuancang lifted Du Ruomei's veil, and the two met each other's gaze.

Li Xuancang married Du Ruomei in a lavish ceremony before hosting a feast attended by officials and powerful families. As the court prepared for its final grand assembly of the year, the Northern Liang King's heir's request to marry an imperial princess loomed over the proceedings.

• Li Xuancang and Du Ruomei completed their wedding rites at Marquis Wu'an's Residence, with Li Xuancang's parents and sister among the witnesses.
• Li Xuancang hosted hundreds of tables of guests, and the Emperor sent a golden plaque celebrating the marriage.
• Li Xuancang joined Du Ruomei in the bridal chamber and promised to stand by her.
• Pei Hongwen reassured Pei Qingyuan that he had made arrangements before facing the dangers of Origin Forest Commandery.
• Officials returned to the capital for the final grand court assembly, where the Northern Liang King's heir's request to marry an imperial princess posed a major concern.

Li Xuancang observed factional infighting during the court’s review of returning officials and declined to take sides in the dispute over Pei Hongwen. The court then considered the Northern Liang King’s marriage proposal, and the Emperor agreed to it while leaving the choice of princess undecided.

• Zhou Zhengqing accused Zhao Boyong of secretly aiding the Southern Frontier Demon Race, and the two officials traded accusations as their factions joined the quarrel.
• Officials argued over Pei Hongwen’s record, but Li Xuancang declined to speak for or against him, and the Emperor ordered Pei to remain Governor of Origin Forest Commandery.
• The court debated the promotions, demotions, and misconduct of several officials amid further factional disputes.
• The Emperor had the Northern Liang King’s proposal for a marriage alliance read aloud and agreed to grant it, leaving the choice of princess for his ministers to discuss.

The court factions fought to keep their own princesses from being sent to Northern Liang, while Li Xuancang warned that Xu Zinian would not survive to marry Princess Zhaoyang. Back at his residence, Li Xuancang learned that the Prison Tiger Bureau was preparing to attack the Northern Liang Royal Residence and asked when it would move.

• Zhou Xian argued that frail Shuning Princess should not be sent to Northern Liang, and Zhao Mingyuan proposed Princess Yuping instead, provoking rival officials.
• Shuning Princess, Princess Yongjia, Ning'an Princess, and Princess Zhaoyang's mothers each feared their daughters would be chosen, while the Emperor gave the court three days to settle on a candidate.
• Li Xuancang said Princess Zhaoyang was too young to marry and implied that he would kill Xu Zinian before the marriage could happen.
• Zhou Xian proposed granting a distant imperial clan daughter the title of princess, but the officials resumed arguing over whether Northern Liang would accept the arrangement.
• Li Xuancang gave a Heaven-grade pill to Ouyang De and the giant crocodile's heart to Bai Meng, then asked Shen Qingshan when the Prison Tiger Bureau would attack the Northern Liang Royal Residence.
• Shen Qingshan explained that the Prison Tiger Bureau was already mobilizing to destroy the Northern Liang Royal Residence for colluding with the Demon Race and Blood Race and devastating the northern border.

Li Xuancang prepared to kill Xu Zinian after the Night King's Residence weakened and Xu Zinian finally left the Imperial City. Zhu Xuanye blocked Li Xuancang with the Imperial City Grand Formation, allowing Xu Zinian and his guards to flee.

• Shen Qingshan warned Li Xuancang that the Prison Tiger Bureau could not attack the Northern Liang Royal Residence without careful planning, so Li Xuancang decided to weaken it by killing Xu Zinian and his companions.
• The emperor set Xu Zinian’s wedding to Princess Yongjia for half a year later, while Xu Zinian stayed in the Night King’s Residence and Li Xuancang delayed going to Yu Prefecture.
• Bai Meng broke through to the Late Astral Qi Realm, Ouyang De reached the Profound Connection Realm and was sent to Yu Prefecture, and Ouye Xuanlian completed four earth-rank divine weapons before leaving the Imperial City.
• After more than a month of waiting, Xu Zinian left the Night King’s Residence with Old Sword and Huang Jiuxuan, and Li Xuancang pursued them as factions rushed to witness the confrontation.
• Zhu Xuanye appeared to stop Li Xuancang and invoked the Imperial City Grand Formation, covering the sky and earth with its power.

Li Xuancang broke through Zhu Xuanye’s formation and caught up with Huang Jiuxuan, Sword Elder, and Xu Zinian’s group. After defeating both swordsmen, he discovered that the person he captured was a masked substitute, not Xu Zinian.

• Li Xuancang shattered Zhu Xuanye’s formation, escaped, and pursued Xu Zinian’s group while Zhu Xuanye returned to the royal residence to escort someone away.
• Huang Jiuxuan and Sword Elder attacked Li Xuancang, but he overwhelmed their sword techniques and sent them both crashing to the ground.
• Li Xuancang broke Huang Jiuxuan’s bones, hurled his sword through him, then defeated Sword Elder as the gathered factions watched.
• Li Xuancang caught the fleeing Xu Zinian and seized him by the throat, but noticed the captive showed none of Xu Zinian’s usual fear or madness.
• Li Xuancang tore away the captive’s human-skin mask, revealing that he was Xu Zinian’s substitute.

After Xu Zinian escaped, Li Xuancang killed Huang Jiuxuan and Sword Elder, devastating the Northern Liang Royal Residence before leaving the Imperial City to take up his post in Yu Prefecture. He arrived in Yu Prefecture City and was welcomed by Governor Liu Yun'an and the local officials.

• Li Xuancang discovered that Xu Zinian had escaped, then crushed Sword Elder and Huang Jiuxuan, killing both Late Profound Connection Realm experts.
• News of the killings spread across the realm, delighting the Emperor and drawing cheers from commoners who hated the Northern Liang Royal Residence.
• After learning Xu Zinian had safely left the Imperial City, Li Xuancang prepared to take up his post in Yu Prefecture and departed with Du Ruomei and several thousand people.
• The procession traveled for more than a month, passing through Yu Prefecture as its people struggled with heavy taxes left by the war against Prince Fu.
• Li Xuancang arrived at Yu Prefecture City, where Liu Yun'an and the prefectural officials welcomed him.

Li Xuancang settled the Blacksteel Camp in Yu Prefecture, prepared to move against the Profound Heaven Sect, and dealt with local tensions over land. The opening of the Celestial Origin Secret Realm then drew powerful figures toward the Great Flame Dynasty.

• The Profound Heaven Sect feared Li Xuancang’s arrival and strengthened its patrols while urging Misty Rain Pavilion to carry out its assassination.
• Li Xuancang recruited cultivators for his army, but fewer than two thousand enlisted in a month, so he gave his land to the Blacksteel Camp families to cultivate and ordered intelligence gathering on the Profound Heaven Sect.
• Liu Yun'an ordered Zhang Lingshan to suppress commoners protesting the Blacksteel Camp’s settlement and the reallocation of farmland.
• Li Xuancang sent Zhang Tianlong and two thousand soldiers to protect commoners reclaiming land in the Huayang Mountains, and many agreed to go once they learned the troops would keep them safe.
• News spread that the Celestial Origin Secret Realm would open in the Great Flame Dynasty, prompting powerful figures to gather their disciples and head there.

The Celestial Origin Secret Realm was about to open, drawing powerful forces to Jingzhou and forcing the Great Flame Dynasty to prepare for the upheaval. Pei Qingyuan aimed to reach the Astral Qi Realm before entering, while Li Xuancang agreed to help the Imperial Court hold the situation in check.

• The remnant soul told Pei Qingyuan that the Celestial Origin Secret Realm offered a supreme opportunity and urged her to reach the Astral Qi Realm before it opened.
• Forces across the region began preparing to enter the secret realm, and an imperial decree summoned Li Xuancang to the Imperial City.
• At court, Gu Yanqing proposed allowing the forces to enter while evacuating Jingzhou residents and sending a powerful expert to maintain order.
• Li Xuancang agreed to go to Jingzhou, and Qin Huaiyuan proposed inviting Great Yan's forces to join the Imperial Court's expedition.

The Imperial Court and numerous factions prepared to enter the Celestial Origin Secret Realm, with Li Xuancang leading the Imperial Court’s forces to Jingzhou. As rival powers converged, Xu Zinian sent an expert to seize Li Xuancang’s family in Yu Prefecture, while the Profound Heart Sect departed with Li Ling’er and Zhang Cuier among its disciples.

• The Imperial Court appointed Li Xuancang to hold Jingzhou, summoned five fighters from Yu Prefecture, and gathered thousands of allies and aristocratic-family members in the Imperial City.
• Three Imperial Clan flying ships carried Li Xuancang and selected passengers toward Jingzhou, while the remaining Imperial Court forces traveled overland.
• Xu Zinian ordered Xu Yanbing to seize Li Xuancang’s family in Yu Prefecture while Northern Liang’s cavalry advanced toward Jingzhou.
• The Grassland People, Barbarians, Prince Fu’s Residence, Evil Cultivators, and Profound Heart Sect sent forces toward the Celestial Origin Secret Realm.
• Elder Qingxuan led the Profound Heart Sect’s expedition, including Li Ling’er, who hoped to find Li Xuancang, and anxious Zhang Cuier.