Chapter Summaries

After Luo Ning eliminated the pirate forces on Rapids Island, King Bruno rewarded him by making him Baron of Rapids Island. The new title gave Luo Ning a second allegiance to the Auduin Kingdom alongside his existing position in Wubei Territory.

• Mellen Fleming grew angry that Luo Ning had destroyed his plans on Rapids Island, but decided to leave dealing with Luo Ning to Jesus rather than risk an assassination himself.
• Luo Ning returned to Goldfish Palace, where Blanche welcomed him and escorted him to Auduin Great Hall.
• King Bruno praised Luo Ning for defeating Clifford and quelling the unrest on Rapids Island.
• Bruno formally granted Luo Ning the title of Baron of Rapids Island, and Luo Ning swore to defend the Screaming Sea and the kingdom.
• Luo Ning accepted his medal and appointment letter, becoming both Count of Wubei Territory and Baron of Rapids Island.

Mellen planned to hinder Luo Ning’s development on Rapids Island, but Luo Ning visited him to negotiate timber sales and secure protection for his shipping. They discussed a five-gold-coin price per cubic meter, and Luo Ning proposed buying ships from the Fleming Family.

• Mellen told Jos to have pirates target ships carrying the Wushan Family’s flag and prevent Rapids Island from shipping timber or receiving supplies.
• Luo Ning traveled to the Fleming Family estate in Golden Feather City to negotiate a timber trade and reduce the risk of a blockade or pirate attacks.
• Mellen greeted Luo Ning warmly, then said Screaming Island did not need Rapids Island’s timber and asked what he wanted.
• Luo Ning offered timber at six gold coins per cubic meter, and Mellen countered with five gold coins while hinting that the Fleming Family could protect his ships from pirates.
• Luo Ning said he would consider the five-gold-coin price if he could buy two cargo ships and one warship from the Fleming Family at a favorable price.

Luo Ning secured a timber deal and discounted ships from Mellen, then began strengthening Rapids Island by recruiting knights and appointing Kalada as its governor. Mellen secretly kept plans to harass Luo Ning’s shipping routes outside the protected Screaming Island trade.

• Luo Ning agreed to sell Rapids Island’s timber to Mellen for five gold coins per cubic meter and bought three ships at a discount, arranging delivery to Rapids Island.
• Mellen and Jos agreed to suspend their planned blockade of Rapids Island but continue attacking or harassing Luo Ning’s ships between Rapids Island and Wubei Territory.
• Kalada brought Luo Ning a list of fifteen professional knights, and Luo Ning accepted them all as followers.
• Luo Ning appointed Kalada Governor of Rapids Island and tasked him with public order, defense, transport, and overseeing island affairs.

Luo Ning reassured Blanche about her necromantic magic and left the Royal Capital, returning to Dennis Port. There, he secured Rhys’s service to train Wubei Territory’s navy and resumed negotiations with Vitorino for Pointed Horn City’s help.

• Blanche revealed that she was an Advanced Mage with undead magic and feared her curse would bring disaster to Luo Ning, but he reassured her and they kissed before he departed.
• Luo Ning split his forces, sending Kalada and the recruits toward Rapids Island with Missy while he traveled south with Tom and David aboard Dennis I.
• Four days later, Luo Ning returned to Dennis Port, where Vitorino welcomed him and exchanged greetings with Melonica.
• Rhys asked to join Luo Ning in Wubei Territory, and Vitorino agreed after Luo Ning proposed that Rhys train its navy once a simple dock was built.
• Luo Ning learned that Yusuf had joined Elrond to study potion-making and realized that three Wushan Territory viscounts supported him; he then asked Vitorino for Pointed Horn City’s help.

Luo Ning finalized a cooperation agreement with Vitorino to develop Wubei Territory’s port and Rapids Island’s shipyard, then returned to Wushan Castle and discussed the territory’s future with Rulans. He left for Wubei Territory, where he expected to find the results of his nearly two-month absence.

• Luo Ning and Vitorino agreed that Pointed Horn City would help build and manage Wubei Territory’s port and Rapids Island’s shipyard in exchange for thirty percent of port profits and ten percent of shipyard profits, while Luo Ning retained veto power.
• Vitorino sent surveyors to Wubei Territory, and Luo Ning prepared to arrange housing and dining facilities for the workers.
• Luo Ning told Rulans about the agreement, and Rulans approved of the cooperation while warning him not to let Pointed Horn City hollow out his resources.
• Rulans warned Luo Ning about the Fleming Family’s powerful magical foundations and advised him not to fight them without absolute confidence.
• Rulans offered to have Luo Ning’s father provide city-planning personnel to help develop a city near the port.
• Luo Ning rode Carlos back to Wubei Territory, leaving the Cloud Steed with Tom and David to bring back.

Luo Ning returned to Swamp Castle and learned that Elrond had successfully developed the Burst Potion, which could let a knight unleash fifty percent more strength at the cost of severe side effects. He gave Elrond four potions and funded his research, while arranging to meet the new people who had joined Wubei Territory.

• Luo Ning returned to Swamp Castle, where Gallon welcomed him and explained that the castle was undergoing major renovations.
• Elrond reported progress in Magic Potion and Herbology research and showed Luo Ning the newly developed Burst Potion.
• Elrond explained that Riggs Hodge had tested the potion, which required its user to be at least a Bronze Knight and could boost strength by fifty percent.
• Elrond told Luo Ning that Yusuf, Riggs Hodge, Damon, and other knights had joined Wubei Territory, and Luo Ning asked to meet them at a grand meeting.
• Luo Ning requested four of the five Burst Potions and allocated Elrond three thousand gold coins to support his research and establish potion sales.

Luo Ning reviewed Wubei Territory’s finances, population growth, and development plans with Chahar and Wilson. He gained achievement rewards that brought him close to Level 7 and prepared to hold a territory meeting in three days.

• Chahar reported that Wubei Territory’s rising expenses were straining its funds, so Luo Ning allocated three thousand gold coins and assigned him new sales and production orders.
• Wilson reported that Wubei Territory’s population had exceeded fifty-five thousand, with four towns each exceeding ten thousand residents, and Luo Ning received 1,900 Attribute Points and 3,800 Energy Essence from achievements.
• Luo Ning ordered Wilson to arrange temporary housing and prepare for harbor construction, while Wilson reported that he had already begun planning for the project with Pointed Horn City.
• Luo Ning instructed Wilson to prepare for planting potatoes in spring, and Wilson planned to use separate experimental fields to protect the seed stock.
• Luo Ning announced a Wubei Territory Meeting in Swamp Castle’s Fortress Hall three days later to meet newly joined transcendents and plan the territory’s next stage.

Luo Ning advanced to seventh rank as both a Meteor Knight and an Archmage, then tried to promote Elrond beyond the limit of his aptitude. He discovered he could raise Elrond’s aptitude for 4,500 Energy Essence, but lacked enough Essence for the upgrade, and Elrond revealed he had gained knowledge of a new Magic Potion.

• Luo Ning spent Attribute Points to become a seventh-rank Meteor Knight and Archmage, gaining stronger combat abilities and instant casting of low-level magic.
• Luo Ning summoned Elrond and attempted to promote him from an Archmage to an Archmage.
• Luo Ning found that Elrond had reached his aptitude limit but could improve it for 4,500 Energy Essence, leaving him 85 Essence short.
• Luo Ning reassured Elrond that he would be able to advance him again in a few days and asked what new gains he had received.
• Elrond told Luo Ning that becoming an Archmage had revealed a Magic Potion called Auxiliary Enhancement.

Luo Ning learned about Elrond’s Auxiliary Enhancement Potion and planned how to develop potion-making and strengthen Wubei Territory’s followers. Yusuf arrived with a friendly letter from Viscount Sandro, and Luo Ning welcomed him into Wubei Territory.

• Elrond explained that his Auxiliary Enhancement Potion could help knights improve their strength, though its effects depended on the user and its ingredients included rare Blaze Grass and Dream Dew Flower.
• Luo Ning asked Elrond to compile basic information about potion materials so others could search for them, and Elrond revealed that Blaze Canyon had appeared in his recovered memories.
• Elrond described his new Light Burst Spell, while Luo Ning decided to prioritize improving Rydal and eventually raise Macken to Meteor Rank.
• Yusuf visited Luo Ning after learning Elrond had returned and said that he had come to study magic potion techniques under Elrond.
• Yusuf gave Luo Ning a letter from Viscount Sandro, who praised Luo Ning, entrusted Yusuf to his guidance, and offered to supply food to Wubei Territory at a low price.
• Luo Ning thanked Sandro for his trust and welcomed Yusuf, wishing him success in gaining knowledge and strength in Wubei Territory.

Luo Ning inspected the growing disorder in Three-Way Town and learned that former gang leaders had continued intimidating workers despite Elrond’s mercy. After witnessing them start another fight at the kaolin mine, he ordered their execution, leaving Riggs to carry out the sentence.

• Wilson told Luo Ning that overcrowding had led to disputes, including a gang fight organized by criminals who had coerced residents and forcibly taken women.
• Luo Ning met Riggs Hodge and Sim in Gray Soil Village, inspected their guard training, and urged Riggs to keep improving his own combat abilities.
• Riggs and Sim led Luo Ning to the kaolin mine, where Jerome and Moore’s groups were shoving each other while workers watched.
• Riggs dispersed the groups, and Luo Ning declared that the gang leaders’ role in a fight causing deaths and injuries warranted the death penalty.
• Riggs drew his sword and approached Jerome and Moore as they begged for forgiveness.

After Jerome and Moore were executed, Luo Ning ordered Wilson to draft temporary legal regulations for the Wubei Territory and discussed recruiting legal professionals. He continued inspecting the growing territory, met Aileen and Black Tiger, and considered breeding direwolf mounts as its towns developed into a textile base.

• Jerome and Moore were beheaded in front of the miners, prompting Luo Ning to recognize that the Wubei Territory needed a clearer system of laws.
• Luo Ning assigned Wilson to draft temporary rules for common conflicts and told him to seek help from Elrond, Jenny, and other advisers while recruiting legal talent.
• Aileen met Luo Ning on her way to Swamp Castle, explained that she was studying magic, and left with Black Tiger after they exchanged greetings.
• Luo Ning asked Wilson to remind Elrond and Jenny to monitor Black Tiger's mating season, as he hoped to breed Storm Direwolf mounts for a future wolf cavalry.
• Luo Ning inspected Gray Soil Village and saw Lia weaving silk, Horn expanding the Mulberry Field, and Darn improving looms for silk, flax, and wool.
• Luo Ning visited the other towns and observed their growing population, new houses, busy workers, and improving living conditions.

Luo Ning gathered Wubei Territory’s followers to outline plans for its growth, then flew to Boulder City to inspect his newly acquired castle. He arrived while Macken was away handling trouble with a merchant caravan and asked to see him and Serin afterward.

• Luo Ning welcomed Wubei Territory’s assembled knights and officials, announced that he had become a baron, and described plans for construction, commerce, agriculture, a port, and a new city.
• Riggs and Damon discussed how Luo Ning’s plans had changed their view of noble lords and resolved to serve him actively.
• Luo Ning told Carlos that he had become a Meteor Knight and an Archmage, then asked him to search the Wushan Magical Beast Mountain Range for two male Storm Direwolves.
• Luo Ning flew with Carlos to Boulder Fortress, where the guards failed to recognize him until Dandy identified him as the Count of Wubei Territory and master of Boulder City.
• Dandy explained that Macken had recruited twelve Professional Knights and taken them to deal with a troublesome merchant caravan, so Luo Ning asked for Macken and Serin to be summoned.

Luo Ning arrived in Boulder City, reviewed its security, finances, and mineral resources, and planned its development with Macken and Serin. The city’s records completed an achievement for controlling five populous towns, while Luo Ning identified stone and potential pottery materials as future sources of income.

• Macken and Serin welcomed Luo Ning to Boulder City and reported that the city had stabilized under Macken’s Knight Squad.
• Luo Ning and Macken planned to recruit troops gradually and build up five Knight Squads in Boulder City and Red Mountain Town over two years.
• Serin gave Luo Ning the registries for Boulder City and Red Mountain Town, triggering the completion of the “Conquer Cities and Seize Territory” achievement and revealing its next population goal.
• Luo Ning reviewed Boulder City’s resources and noted that its stone deposits could become valuable, while grain would need to be bought from nearby towns.
• Luo Ning told Serin to have Jim inspect Boulder City’s minerals for materials suitable for making glaze.

Luo Ning inspected Red Mountain Town’s iron production and taught Fons and the blacksmiths about heat treatment to improve cast farming tools. He then arranged a future sale of low-cost tools to Philip and Solstan, who considered reselling them through their towns.

• Luo Ning completed his inspection of Boulder City and then traveled to Red Mountain Town, where Fons showed him the iron mine’s blast furnaces and cast hoes.
• Fons explained that cast hoes were cheap and quick to make but cracked easily, so Luo Ning demonstrated quenching and tempering and tasked the blacksmiths with refining the process.
• Luo Ning reviewed Red Mountain Town’s mining records and met Philip and Solstan in Cassil Town after they invited him to discuss buying production tools.
• Luo Ning offered the two Barons low-priced Iron Ore and finished farming tools, agreeing to deliver tools before spring after the blacksmiths had time to improve their strength.
• Philip and Solstan planned to buy and resell the tools if their quality proved satisfactory, and Luo Ning welcomed the arrangement as a way to expand sales and reduce transport costs.

Luo Ning visited Riverside City, strengthened Rydal and supported the formation of a Wubei Territory knight squad while assessing the city. After hearing of his arrival, Jesus ordered Ramsey to attempt an assassination, and Ramsey agreed to prepare for a discreet attack.

• Luo Ning met Rydal in Riverside City and learned about the Fifth Knight Order’s deployments, local unrest, and the city’s dependence on grain from Moonlight Valley.
• Luo Ning spent 2,050 Energy Essence to strengthen Rydal and approved Joffrey’s new knight squad for Wubei Territory.
• Luo Ning encouraged Joffrey, gave him the Wushan Battle Qi Secret Tome, and toured Riverside City with Administrator Sandor.
• Jesus learned that Luo Ning had arrived and summoned the Fifth Knight Order, then ordered Ramsey to assassinate him.
• Ramsey worried that an attack could expose his identity and bring scrutiny to Moonlight Valley, but he agreed to prepare a masked nighttime strike.

Ramsey infiltrated Riverside Fort to assassinate Luo Ning, but Luo Ning sensed him and fought back against the masked attacker. Their battle tore through the room and erupted into flames, leaving the guards to summon Rydal.

• Ramsey left his griffins outside Riverside City and secretly made his way to Luo Ning’s courtyard.
• Luo Ning practiced fusing wind and fire Battle Qi into a sphere while considering how to use it at close range.
• Luo Ning detected Ramsey entering his room and challenged the masked intruder.
• Ramsey revealed his intent to kill Luo Ning and attacked with Wind Instant Step, but Luo Ning blocked his sword strike.
• Ramsey unleashed his full Battle Qi, and their sword fight wrecked the room and sent a blaze through the building.
• The guards realized Luo Ning was fighting an intruder and hurried to inform Rydal.

Luo Ning fought the Meteor Knight assassin Ramsey, whose Wind Water Tornado overwhelmed Luo Ning’s strongest Battle Skill and nearly killed him. After Luo Ning used magic and the Knight Order’s interference to survive, Ramsey fled, and Luo Ning pursued him with Rydal.

• Luo Ning raised his knight rank with 1,159 Attribute Points and fought Ramsey, gradually gaining the advantage in strength.
• Ramsey unleashed Wind Water Tornado, which broke apart Luo Ning’s Fire Serpent Frenzy Dance and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Luo Ning used instant-cast spells and Level 3 Haste to keep fighting while Rydal and the Knight Order’s members intervened.
• Ramsey escaped toward the outskirts of Riverside Fort, and Luo Ning ordered the knights not to pursue him.
• Luo Ning told Joffrey to secure the castle, then left with Rydal to chase Ramsey.

Luo Ning pursued Ramsey after the failed assassination and confronted him in the wilderness with Rydal and Carlos. After empowering Rydal to Meteor Rank, Luo Ning helped him defeat and capture Ramsey, while Angus was killed and the griffins were taken.

• Luo Ning raised Rydal to Meteor Rank, summoned Carlos, and followed Ramsey and Angus out of the city to avoid fighting near civilians.
• Ramsey told Angus that Luo Ning was a Meteor Knight, but before they could escape, Luo Ning attacked them from the air with Carlos and killed Angus.
• Luo Ning took control of Angus's griffin while Carlos pursued Ramsey, who abandoned his mount and fled into the mountains.
• Rydal fought Ramsey and held his own after advancing to Meteor Rank, while Luo Ning restrained Ramsey with Wind Tentacles.
• Rydal struck Ramsey through his Battle Qi Armor and brought him down, then held a blade to his throat.

Luo Ning captured Ramsey after repelling the attack on Riverside Fort and demanded intelligence about Jesus and his allies. After Ramsey revealed several political plots, Luo Ning killed him to prevent him from exposing Luo Ning’s strength and dragon.

• Luo Ning questioned Ramsey about Jesus’s alliances, but Ramsey claimed he knew little and offered money and supplies for his release.
• Carlos returned with two griffins whose wings he had injured, and Ramsey realized Luo Ning had a dragon as a mount.
• Ramsey offered to betray Jesus and help Luo Ning, but Luo Ning decided that killing him was safer.
• Ramsey revealed that Jesus had arranged an agreement with Vitorino over the Freedom of Navigation Treaty and that Screaming Island wanted to annex Pointed Horn City and claim Wushan Territory’s land.
• Ramsey disclosed ties between the Vera Duchy, Ferensborg, and the Tricia Kingdom, and Luo Ning killed him by destroying his heart with Battle Qi.

After Luo Ning killed Ramsey and Angus, he strengthened Riverside City's defenses and arranged for Rydal and Macken to tame their griffins. Jesus learned that the assassins had likely died and, abandoning his plan to attack, fortified Moonlight Fort and summoned three people to meet with him.

• Luo Ning examined Ramsey's enchanted longsword, learned about Rydal's own enchanted weapon, and destroyed the bodies of Ramsey and Angus.
• Rydal reported that Moonlight Valley had four powerful Knight Orders, and Luo Ning decided to stay alert rather than risk an assassination attempt against Jesus.
• Luo Ning assigned Ramsey's griffin to Rydal and the other griffin to Macken, then returned to Riverside City with Carlos and Rydal.
• Carlos helped tame Ramsey's griffin over the following days while Jesus grew anxious that Ramsey and Angus had not returned.
• Idris told Jesus that Rydal had been seen riding a white griffin, and Jesus ordered Moonlight Fort's Golden Knights and defenses mobilized before summoning three people to speak with him.