Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ruan Long presents the three possible opening targets for Great Xia’s newly approved Demon-Sweeping Plan:
  1. Blackwind Valley, defended by remnants of the Northern Mad Demon Emperor and heavily armored demon cavalry, but vulnerable to artillery.
  2. Scarlet Blood Abyss, a mountainous region filled with demon plants and miasma, suited to specialized squads.
  3. Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones, a long-standing Demon-Human stronghold near the Jiangnan Defense Line, protected by two Emperor Rank creatures and millions of ferocious beasts.
• Most War Gods favor attacking Blackwind Valley first because its open terrain would allow Great Xia to use its warships and heavy cannons effectively, minimizing casualties and raising morale.
• Li Zhengyang abruptly chooses the Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones, driving his spear into its location on the map and declaring that attacking easy targets is uninteresting.
• Intelligence officers warn that the forest contains over 1.2 million Bloodthirsty Bone Beasts, while its ghost fog disables Psychic Power, radar, and communications. A previous campaign led by the old War God ended in disaster, costing three A-grade legions and a Half-Step Martial Sovereign.
• Instead of being intimidated, Li Zhengyang views the beasts as a massive source of Demonic Cores and wealth, calling the forest “a mountain of gold walking across the earth.”
• War God Nie Wushuang, who has long wanted to destroy the forest, volunteers to serve as Li Zhengyang’s deputy.
• The War God Hall grants Li Zhengyang the Nine-Star General Seal, making him supreme commander of the Demon-Sweeping Army with unrestricted authority over Great Xia’s military, logistics, and intelligence systems.
• Li Zhengyang promises to eliminate the Withered Forest within seven days.
• Great Xia announces the campaign nationwide. The news inspires citizens, retired Martial Warriors, and former soldiers, many of whom rush to enlist or offer their services.
• The International Martial Warriors Alliance mocks Li Zhengyang’s decision and hopes to turn the forest into the grave of Li Zhengyang and the Jiangnan forces.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang is established as fearless, aggressive, and unconventional. He treats an overwhelming enemy not as a threat but as an opportunity for both military victory and enormous financial gain. His confidence earns him supreme command of the entire campaign.
• Nie Wushuang reveals his deep personal resentment toward the Withered Forest after years of watching it remain an unresolved threat. His decision to serve under Li Zhengyang demonstrates renewed fighting spirit and trust in the younger Martial Sovereign.
• Chen Xiu shifts from caution to commitment, supporting the decision to fight decisively and contributing the Nine-Star General Seal.
• Ruan Long formally entrusts Li Zhengyang with Great Xia’s military authority, signaling institutional confidence in him.
• The ordinary citizens and retired Martial Warriors are emotionally reawakened by the campaign, showing that Li Zhengyang’s appointment restores national hope and pride.
• The unnamed blond leader of the International Martial Warriors Alliance emerges as an external antagonist determined to exploit the campaign’s danger.

Significant Themes

• Courage versus caution: The council favors the strategically safe target, while Li Zhengyang chooses the most dangerous battlefield, embodying boldness and calculated risk.
• Turning danger into opportunity: Li Zhengyang’s unique perspective transforms millions of monsters from a terrifying threat into valuable resources.
• National unity and morale: The announcement revives Great Xia’s population, especially veterans who previously suffered losses in the forest.
• Leadership and trust: Li Zhengyang receives unprecedented authority, showing that decisive leadership can overcome institutional hesitation.
• Revenge and unfinished history: Nie Wushuang and the retired soldiers view the campaign as a chance to settle old scores and honor those lost in previous failures.
• External hostility: The International Martial Warriors Alliance’s reaction introduces the possibility of sabotage or enemy exploitation.

Character Interactions

• Ruan Long explains the strategic options to the War Gods, while Chen Xiu and Zhong Shanli argue for the safer Blackwind Valley campaign.
• Li Zhengyang silences the debate by selecting the Withered Forest and dismissing the danger with his provocative “mountain of gold” remark.
• The intelligence officer desperately attempts to dissuade him by recounting the forest’s deadly conditions and past military losses.
• Nie Wushuang responds enthusiastically to Li Zhengyang’s decision and offers himself as deputy commander, creating a powerful partnership between two Martial Sovereigns.
• Chen Xiu and Ruan Long formally support Li Zhengyang by providing him with the Nine-Star General Seal and supreme command.
• The International Martial Warriors Alliance reacts with ridicule and threats, framing Li Zhengyang’s decision as reckless and planning to make the forest his grave.

Chapter Summary: “Troops at Jiangnan, Bones in the Withered Forest”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Army-Breaker Bureau’s vanguard regiment completes its re-equipment with heavy armor taken from the Northern Union’s Berserker Corps. Their commander, Nie Wushuang, publicly submits to Li Zhengyang, demonstrating the unification of Great Xia’s previously independent Martial Sovereigns.
• Li Zhengyang orders the regiment aboard the captured top-tier warship Judgment, now flying Great Xia’s red dragon flag. Its reactor is powered by siphoning the Blood Qi of the captured Northern Union Martial Sovereign Ivan and the Half-Step Martial Sovereign Andrew.
• The warship travels at full speed toward the Jiangnan Fortress, the main defensive barrier protecting Great Xia’s interior.
• At Jiangnan, Commander-in-Chief Lu Tianxing and hundreds of thousands of active and retired soldiers prepare nervously for the impending assault on the Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones, a region containing over a million Bone Beasts and two Emperor-level monsters.
• Judgment arrives dramatically above the fortress, inspiring the defenders. Li Zhengyang announces a seven-day campaign to destroy the Withered Forest, promising that Great Xia will rely on artillery and armored forces rather than sacrificing soldiers as cannon fodder.
• Within the forest, the Netherbone Emperor is approached by an envoy from the International Martial Warriors Alliance. The envoy offers strategic information about Great Xia and promises High-Energy Blood Crystals in exchange for an ambush and Li Zhengyang’s death.
• The Netherbone Emperor rejects the alliance, condemning the envoy’s betrayal of humanity. It kills him and destroys the information chip.
• The Bone Emperor then mobilizes all seventy-two Bone Beast legions, ordering a full-front advance against the three hundred thousand Great Xia soldiers.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang is established as a powerful, confident commander capable of uniting Great Xia’s military forces. His battle plan emphasizes overwhelming technology and equipment rather than needless human casualties.
• Nie Wushuang, once an independent peak Martial Sovereign, openly accepts Li Zhengyang’s authority, symbolizing the collapse of old divisions among Great Xia’s strongest warriors.
• Lu Tianxing begins uncertain about the wisdom of the assault but places his trust in Li Zhengyang’s reputation and judgment. His excitement upon seeing Judgment reflects renewed hope and confidence.
• The Netherbone Emperor is shown to possess a strict, almost warrior-like code despite being a monstrous enemy. It respects courageous resistance and despises betrayal, treachery, and collaboration with outsiders.
• The Alliance envoy is portrayed as morally corrupt and opportunistic, willing to sacrifice his own people for political revenge and personal advantage.

Significant Themes

• Unity and national consolidation: Great Xia’s powerful fighters and regional forces are finally operating under one command.
• Technological and strategic warfare: Li Zhengyang intends to defeat the Bone Beasts through artillery, armor, and superior logistics rather than overwhelming the enemy with human lives.
• Patriotism and sacrifice: The veterans’ response reveals decades of grief and resentment over comrades lost in the Withered Forest.
• Betrayal versus loyalty: The Alliance envoy’s treachery contrasts sharply with the Bone Emperor’s unexpected contempt for those who betray their own kind.
• Revenge and historical reckoning: The campaign represents Great Xia’s long-awaited counterattack against the forest that has consumed generations of soldiers.

Character Interactions

• Nie Wushuang formally salutes Li Zhengyang, confirming their new commander-subordinate relationship.
• Lu Tianxing reports to Li Zhengyang and welcomes him on behalf of the Jiangnan defenders and veterans.
• Li Zhengyang addresses the soldiers directly, promising a disciplined assault designed to minimize casualties.
• The Alliance envoy attempts to manipulate the Netherbone Emperor into attacking Li Zhengyang, but the Bone Emperor instead condemns and executes him.
• The chapter ends with the Bone Emperor ordering a massive offensive, setting up a direct confrontation between Great Xia’s unified army and the full Bone Beast horde.

Li Zhengyang ordered the Judgment to fire its main cannon through the Ghost Fog blocking the Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones, using Andrew and Ivan as living energy sources. The blast carved a passage through the forest’s outer defenses, and Li Zhengyang ordered the Jiangnan Defense Line to advance.

• Lu Tianxing recommended scouting the Ghost Fog cautiously, while Nie Wushuang agreed that a careful advance would limit casualties.
• Li Zhengyang rejected the scouting plan and ordered the Judgment’s main cannon charged to maximum power.
• A Battle Puppet drained Andrew and Ivan’s Blood Qi to power the cannon, leaving both men shriveled and incapacitated.
• Li Zhengyang fired the cannon, vaporizing the Ghost Fog, carving a passage through the forest, and killing tens of thousands of Bone Beasts.
• Li Zhengyang ordered all forces of the Jiangnan Defense Line to advance.

Li Zhengyang carved a path through the million-strong Bone Beast tide with his Blood Sea Domain, letting the army advance into the Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones. When the Netherbone Emperor appeared and attacked, Li Zhengyang stepped forward to face him alone.

• More than 1.2 million Bone Beasts surged from the forest, and Lu Tianxing ordered the vanguard and heavy armor to prepare for battle.
• Li Zhengyang entered the Beast Tide alone, opened his Blood Sea Domain, and slaughtered the Bone Beasts as he advanced.
• Li Zhengyang told Lu Tianxing to send troops to collect the dropped Demonic Cores, and Nie Wushuang then led the army along the path Li Zhengyang had cleared.
• The army advanced thirty kilometers with Li Zhengyang and Nie Wushuang leading the way before the Netherbone Emperor appeared and unleashed his Netherwind Domain.
• Li Zhengyang stepped in front of the army and declared that he would slay the Netherbone Emperor himself.

Chapter Summary: Blood Sea Battles Netherwind

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang launches into the air and confronts the Netherbone Emperor, causing their Blood Sea Domain and Netherwind Domain to collide. The impact divides the battlefield between a boiling ocean of blood and a freezing gray-white storm.
• Nie Wushuang realizes that Li Zhengyang’s Blood Sea Domain has grown dramatically since their previous encounter—from roughly one hundred meters to at least five hundred—and remains remarkably stable under pressure.
• The Netherbone Emperor unleashes nearly ten thousand wind blades, but Li Zhengyang’s Prison Dragon Asura Armor deflects them as he advances through the Blood Sea toward his opponent.
• When Li Zhengyang dismisses the Emperor’s threats, the Netherbone Emperor uses his Emperor Rank technique, Nine Nether Wind Burial. Nine tornadoes filled with wind blades and bone fragments surround Li Zhengyang.
• Rather than retreat, Li Zhengyang forcibly breaks through all nine tornadoes one by one. His armor is damaged but holds, and he emerges directly in front of the Netherbone Emperor.
• Li Zhengyang’s first spear strike cracks the Emperor’s chest armor and tears open his body, causing him to bleed for the first time in a century. The Emperor realizes that Li Zhengyang is far stronger than the intelligence reports suggested.
• Li Zhengyang declares that the first attack was only a test and prepares a second spear thrust intended to kill the Emperor.
• Before the duel can continue, the Emperor’s roar triggers a disturbance underground. Judgment detects a second Emperor Rank energy source rapidly approaching from within the Withered Forest of Ten Thousand Bones.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates major growth in both domain control and physical strength. His expanded Blood Sea Domain, powerful armor, and ability to endure an Emperor Rank killing technique reveal that he is considerably stronger than his reported status as an early Third-Rank Martial Sovereign.
• His confidence and combat mentality are emphasized: he ignores intimidation, treats the Emperor’s ultimate technique as an obstacle to overcome, and calmly announces his intention to kill him.
• The Netherbone Emperor, previously dominant for a century, experiences shock and uncertainty after Li Zhengyang survives his strongest attack and wounds him. His belief in his own invincibility is seriously challenged.
• Nie Wushuang recognizes Li Zhengyang’s unexpected advancement but hesitates to fire because the Emperor’s tornadoes could cause him to hit Li Zhengyang.
• Lu Tianxing and the rear forces remain observers during the duel, but Lu is preparing to advance when the second Emperor-level presence is detected.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimated power: Li Zhengyang’s actual abilities far exceed official intelligence, creating a dangerous mismatch between expectations and reality.
• Defiance against established dominance: The Netherbone Emperor’s century-long rule and undefeated reputation are challenged by a human who refuses to fear him.
• Physical resilience and willpower: Li Zhengyang survives overwhelming attacks through endurance, armor, and determination rather than retreating.
• Escalating danger: Just as Li Zhengyang gains the upper hand, the appearance of another Emperor Rank enemy transforms the duel into a larger battlefield crisis.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and the Netherbone Emperor engage in a direct battle of domains, with their powers continuously eroding and consuming each other.
• The Emperor attempts to intimidate Li Zhengyang, but Li Zhengyang responds with blunt dismissal and an open declaration that he will kill him.
• Their exchange becomes more personal after Li Zhengyang wounds the Emperor, exposing the gap between the Emperor’s expectations and Li Zhengyang’s true strength.
• Nie Wushuang supports Li Zhengyang indirectly by preparing to fire, but holds back to avoid accidentally striking him.
• Lu Tianxing and the army are positioned to support the fight, yet the newly detected second Emperor Rank entity forces them to confront an even greater threat.