Chapter Summaries

Lincon visited Ying and learned that she had created Nightglow Elves while pursuing her own evolution. Back in Longwind City, excitement over the Martial Tournament grew as contestants registered and the Inner City opened to spectators on June 25.

• Lincon met Ying’s Nightglow Elves and learned they could command Nightglow Plants to attack.
• Ying told Lincon that creating the Elves had helped her find a path toward a higher life tier, and he left advancement materials at the Lord’s Shrine.
• After Chen Siwei entered the Advanced Division, Night Owl, Hidden Bat, and Bai Ge decided to register, while Bluebird pointed out that Jiang Li was also on the roster.
• Longwind City opened Inner City registration for temporary and provisional subjects who wanted to watch the tournament, with increased supervision and guards ready.
• On June 25, the Inner City gates slowly opened as the morning bell rang and sunlight broke through the Dark Veil.

Longwind City opened its Inner City for the Martial Tournament as Lincon watched citizens gather beneath the light and banners. Golden Dragon and Xue Ningning watched from a tower, where Xue Ningning understood why Boss Jin had wanted to return.

• Wang Hainian stopped Wang Xiaoyu from entering before Zhang Rui announced the rules for the Martial Tournament.
• Zhang Rui read the competition and spectator guidelines, then announced that the crowd could enter the Inner City.
• Lincon appeared atop the city wall as the Fallen Sun Thorncrown cast beams of light, and citizens recognized the Longwind Lord.
• The crowd surged into the Inner City, and Lincon felt joy as the citizens' loyalty increased.
• Golden Dragon and Xue Ningning watched from a tower pavilion, where Xue Ningning told Boss Jin she understood why he had wanted to return.

Longwind City opened its Inner City to contestants and visitors as preparations began for the Martial Tournament. After the preliminary assessments, the tournament’s first day dawned, and Lincon’s extensive arena safeguards activated as the opening showdown began.

• Visitors entered the Inner City and followed Garrison Guards to the Combat Arena, where contestants were briefed on the tournament rules.
• Wang Xiaoyu passed the Intermediate Division’s strength and mental power assessment, and the screening results listed seventy-eight Beginner and forty-nine Intermediate qualifiers.
• Lincon reviewed the contestants, noted Shen Xi and members of the Gray Feather Squad, and ordered Zhang Rui to monitor specially marked Ability Users and record their abilities.
• Crowds and vendors gathered at the Combat Arena as the tournament’s opening day arrived.
• Lincon’s arena defenses activated, with Boundarylight Vines forming a barrier around the Martial Platform and the Crystal Ring Mother Tree providing an additional hidden safeguard.

Lincon considered appearing at Longwind City's Martial Tournament as the opening matches began, while Wei Xing traveled through Northern Province with Black Dog and reached a remote camp. After destroying a Phantom Weird and the dark creatures gathering around it, Wei Xing left the camp a message through his dog.

• Golden Dragon started the Martial Tournament, and Zhang Rui asked Lincon to attend the finals and appear before Longwind City's citizens; Lincon said he would consider it.
• Lincon viewed Longwind City from above and watched the citizens' gathered golden light flow into his palm.
• Wei Xing and Black Dog reached a guarded camp, where Wei Xing offered to repay the camp for its water and food by dealing with threats.
• Wei Xing found the Phantom Weird and its gathering dark creatures, then destroyed them with a shot from his heavy rifle-sniper rifle.
• Black Dog returned to the camp and wrote "Doesn't owe" in the dirt before leaving.

Wei Xing arrived in Peerless City after fighting dark creatures and asked to meet City Lord Zhao Xuan. Their first meeting ended with both recognizing the other as A-Rank, while Zhao Xuan sensed that Wei Xing was a battle-hardened soldier.

• Wei Xing traveled through the darkness with Big Black, killing dark creatures and collecting their Dark Matter Crystals.
• Wei Xing reached Peerless City and asked Guide Wang Jing to take him directly to Zhao Xuan.
• Wang Jing sought advice from Xu Lili, who explained how to bring Wei Xing to the Central District.
• Wang Jing led Wei Xing through the checkpoint, where city staff escorted him to the Lord's Manor.
• Zhao Xuan and Wei Xing assessed each other and recognized the other's A-Rank strength; Zhao Xuan sensed Wei Xing was a soldier.

Wei Xing delivered the authorities’ letter about the worsening Abyss Sea front and recruited Zhao Xuan into the Casting Cauldron Plan. After Zhao Xuan agreed, he pointed Wei Xing toward Longwind City as a possible candidate to investigate.

• Wei Xing introduced himself to Zhao Xuan as a member of the Xuanxiao Special Operations Corps and delivered a letter from Capital Province.
• Wei Xing explained that the authorities were concentrating their strength against the Abyss Sea, where several Epic Lords threatened the front line.
• Zhao Xuan questioned why the authorities were choosing twelve regional leaders for the Casting Cauldron Plan instead of uniting everyone to fight, and Wei Xing calmed him with three questions about the nature of the threats.
• Zhao Xuan agreed to join the plan rather than let an uncertain candidate receive the authorities’ resources.
• Zhao Xuan recommended that Wei Xing investigate Longwind City, which had reportedly survived a massive B-Rank Black Tide.
• Wei Xing left Peerless City and continued south toward his next assignment.

Wei Xing arrived at Longwind City and was overwhelmed by its thriving life and its history as a fortress that had resisted the Abyssal Black Tide. After taking in the city’s defenses, he sensed someone inside a book-filled room meeting his gaze.

• Wei Xing arrived outside Longwind City with his mutated Black Dog after riding the Azure Cloud Bus with Feng Yun and Wan Chaoqing.
• Wei Xing thanked the Azure Cloud Brothers, and they drove away to seek more work while he headed for the city-entry registration point.
• Wei Xing recalled General Guo Chongguang’s South Heaven Gate Plan and learned that Longwind City’s lord had once been a soldier who never abandoned Longwind Fortress.
• Wei Xing listened to the Martial Tournament crowd and used Eagle-Eye Vision to survey the Crystal Ring Mother Tree and Longwind City’s defenses.
• Someone in a book-filled room sensed Wei Xing’s gaze and looked back at him.

Wei Xing arrived in Longwind City as a government messenger and asked to meet its Lord, prompting the city’s Ability Users to confront him. He revealed the government’s Casting Cauldron Plan and said the Lord met its requirements, then was invited to answer the Lord’s questions.

• Longwind City’s Ability Users surrounded Wei Xing after he caused a disturbance, and Jiang Li stopped her attack when he apologized.
• Wei Xing introduced himself as a government representative from Capital Province and said he had come to meet the Lord.
• Golden Dragon explained the government’s Casting Cauldron Plan, which would select twelve people to help stabilize the Xia Kingdom and receive support.
• Wei Xing confirmed the plan and said the Lord met its requirements, though Longwind City had not been formally invited.
• The governor arrived and invited Wei Xing to answer the Lord’s questions.

Lincon met Wei Xing, learned about the official side’s struggle against the Abyss Sea, and agreed to join the Casting Cauldron Plan in exchange for rare materials. After Wei Xing lent him Dawn, Lincon took the weapon to the Forging Department for upgrades, leaving Gongshu Qi to finish by the next day.

• Wei Xing met Lincon in the Origin Hall and told him the official side was holding back the Abyss Sea while preparing the South Heaven Gate and Casting Cauldron plans.
• Wei Xing invited Lincon to become one of the twelve Cauldron Casters, and Lincon agreed on the condition that the official side provide rare materials such as Advanced Dark Crystals and unusual Spirit Plants.
• Wei Xing toured Longwind City and decided to return to Capital Province to report its condition to his superiors.
• Lincon examined Wei Xing’s weapon, Dawn, and persuaded him to lend it for one night so Lincon could improve it as a return gift.
• Lincon brought Dawn to Gongshu Qi and requested that it be enhanced with Spirit-Fusion Organism Cluster and Spirit Source Iron Tree materials, Dominion-School Runes, and Dominion Spirit Gear forging methods by the next day.

Lincon oversaw the reforging of Dawn with rare materials and Dominion-School Runes, then entrusted it to Zhang Rui for delivery to Wei Xing. He also arranged for Longwind City to share basic rune knowledge and Spirit Plant seeds with the official government, reflecting on the comrades he had lost after Longwind Fortress was abandoned.

• Gongshu Qi, Qin Hu, and Lu Weiguo reinforced Dawn with Spirit-Fusion Organism Cluster and Gengjin Tree Sap, while Lincon supplied Kindling Sunflower flames to forge its rare components.
• Lincon inscribed Dominion-School Runes on Dawn, whose new form showed a faint consciousness, and refused to rename it because it belonged to someone else.
• Lincon remembered how Longwind Fortress had been abandoned, how a steadfast soldier died fighting an Anomaly Calamity, and how Lincon had stayed behind waiting for comrades who never returned.
• Lincon gave Dawn to Zhang Rui to deliver to Wei Xing and approved sharing Junior Runes, Precision-School Rune principles, and basic Spirit Plant seeds with the official government.
• Shen Congzhi accepted Lincon’s decision, while Qingwei watched him with growing admiration.

Wei Xing prepared to leave Longwind City after receiving Dawn, strengthened into a Spirit Armament, and a collection of supplies and rune research for the front lines. He drove into the wilderness carrying hope that the gifts would strengthen the authorities’ efforts.

• Wei Xing woke after a restless night and was escorted to the Governing Hall, where Zhang Rui told him the Lord could not see him off.
• Zhang Rui presented Wei Xing with Dawn, which the Lord had strengthened with Runes and rare materials into a Spirit Armament capable of growing on its own.
• Zhang Rui escorted Wei Xing to the Outer City and explained that an off-road vehicle carried supplies for the authorities, along with a Rune Compendium of Longwind City’s research.
• Wei Xing thanked Zhang Rui, climbed into the vehicle with the Black Dog, and drove toward the front lines as the sun rose.

Liang Fengyi defeated Wang Xiaoyu in the Intermediate Division final, winning the championship through greater combat experience despite her hidden second demonic bear. After the arena emptied, Golden Dragon encountered Xue Ningning’s second personality, who complained that someone had trapped her in a competition and left her bound to Longwind City by debt.

• Liang Fengyi and Wang Xiaoyu fought fiercely in the Intermediate Division final, using his Corpse Yin powers and her spirit-infused demonic bear and Rune Weapons.
• Liang Fengyi feinted toward Wang Xiaoyu’s bear and attacked her, but she summoned a second bear that crushed him.
• Liang Fengyi appeared behind Wang Xiaoyu and conceded no defeat, so Golden Dragon declared him the champion and told both finalists they would receive the Lord’s awards after the Advanced Division.
• The arena crowd dispersed, and the damaged Martial Platform repaired itself as Golden Dragon left the venue.
• Golden Dragon met Xue Ningning’s second personality and warned her not to disrupt the Advanced Division competition.
• Xue Ningning complained that someone had forced her into competing and that even winning would not repay her debt to Longwind City.

The Advanced Division began, drawing a huge crowd eager to watch powerful fighters compete. Luo Qian overwhelmed Li Kai, and Chen Siwei defeated Night Owl, leaving Qingwei impressed by Chen Siwei’s B-Rank strength.

• Xue Ningning angrily left after realizing she feared the dark figure who could kill her for good.
• Bai Ge dressed carefully for the Advanced Division, while Bluebird teased him and Shen Xi shared a knowing smile with her.
• Giant plant platforms rose around the arena to accommodate the crowds, and Wang Xiaoyu greeted Qingwei from the stands.
• Luo Qian defeated Li Kai with his Soul-Devouring Hand, sending him flying off the Martial Platform.
• Chen Siwei countered Night Owl’s stealth attacks and defeated him after trapping him in a magnetic storm.
• Qingwei watched Chen Siwei fight and judged her strength comparable to the best B-Rank Ability Users in Peerless City.

The Advanced Tournament revealed Longwind City's strength as more B-Rank ability users and official fighters advanced. Bai Ge lost badly to Jiang Li after freezing up, leaving him too embarrassed to face her again.

• Jiang Li and Xue Ningning displayed B-Rank abilities, surprising spectators and highlighting Longwind City's strength.
• The three-day qualifiers ended with sixteen contestants advancing to the Duel Tournament, where official fighters made up most of the field.
• Bai Ge faced Jiang Li but froze instead of attacking, baffling his Gray Feather Squad companions.
• Jiang Li's Great Fireball Technique pursued and engulfed Bai Ge, and Golden Dragon declared her the winner.
• After recovering in the Medical Office's shelter, Bai Ge realized how badly he had embarrassed himself and feared he could never face Jiang Li again.

Luo Qian and Xia Xun fought a fierce quarterfinal duel, each revealing powerful techniques and pushing the Boundarylight barrier to its limit. They unleashed their strongest attacks at the same time, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Luo Qian and Xia Xun began their quarterfinal match, with Luo Qian transforming his arm into a Wraith Hand as Xia Xun called on his advanced Rune power.
• Luo Qian pressured Xia Xun at close range, but Xia Xun used Assault Perception and lightning to evade and counter his attacks.
• Luo Qian tried to drag Xia Xun in with Soul-Devouring Hand, but Xia Xun answered with Soul Shock and sent Luo Qian flying.
• Luo Qian combined his Wraith Hand with his Shadow Sword and unleashed Thousand-Hand Sword Tomb across the platform.
• Xia Xun summoned crimson lightning with Electric Execution as Luo Qian’s sword hands attacked, and their collision cracked the Boundarylight barrier.

Luo Qian defeated Xia Xun in a devastating match, and the Longwind Martial Tournament continued through its remaining bouts before Chen Siwei won the final. The tournament concluded with Chen Siwei as champion.

• Luo Qian survived Xia Xun's Dominion-School Rune, Electric Execution, and Golden Dragon declared him the winner before the Medical Office treated both fighters.
• Jiang Li defeated Liu Xifeng, while Xu Qing used Cooperative Symbiosis's Composite State to defeat Jian Xiujie.
• Chen Siwei defeated Xue Ningning after a fierce battle in which Chen Siwei sacrificed an arm.
• Chen Siwei narrowly defeated Jiang Li in the final, bringing the Longwind Martial Tournament to a close.

Lincon agreed that Longwind City should take control of Jiangzhou’s main transportation routes and use the effort to extend its influence. He left the story preparing to assign the operation to Guan Teng and send the Garrison Guard into action.

• Zhang Rui told Lincon that Mu Que, Liang Fengyi, and Chen Siwei had won the Junior, Intermediate, and Advanced Martial Tournaments.
• Zhang Rui reported that two villages had been built for new subjects and asked Lincon to name them when he visited.
• Zhang Rui proposed that Longwind City take over Jiangzhou’s safe transportation routes, and Lincon agreed that the city should control the main routes while leaving some paths to smaller factions.
• Lincon said he would assign the transportation operation to Guan Teng when he returned and use the Garrison Guard to extend Longwind City’s reach.

Lincon attended the Longwind Martial Tournament’s award ceremony, where citizens compared him to the statues in the Shrines and called him a god. After the ceremony, Guan Teng returned to the Sacred Court, having broken through to B-Plus Rank.

• Lincon learned that Guan Teng had successfully advanced to B-Plus Rank and was already on his way back from the wasteland.
• Lincon appeared before Longwind City’s citizens at the Martial Tournament awards ceremony, and people recognized his resemblance to the Shrine statues.
• Luo Qian and Xia Xun discussed how Rune formations connected the Shrines across the Longwind Territory.
• Lincon awarded Martial Medals to Mu Que, Liang Fengyi, and Chen Siwei, and promised Chen Siwei a dedicated training ground.
• Xue Ningning worried that she owed Longwind City 3,851 Gold Coins, while Golden Dragon tried to reassure her.
• Guan Teng returned to the Sacred Court and told Lincon, “My lord, I’m back!”

Wei Xing returned to Capital Province and reached the Great Wall Defense Line, where he learned that Wu Kai had died fighting the High-Rank Lord called Wind Demon. Wind Demon escaped, and Wei Xing angrily questioned whether Taiyi had done anything before a gray-haired old man rebuked him.

• Wei Xing and Black Dog fought off a group of Predators as they traveled north toward Capital Province.
• Wei Xing drove through Capital Province and entered the Great Wall Defense Line using a special passage.
• A young soldier told Wei Xing that the Abyss Sea had attacked twice and Wu Kai had died covering the Great Wall Seventh Company.
• The young soldier explained that Wind Demon killed Wu Kai on Defense Line Three and escaped despite the other officers' intervention.
• Wei Xing angrily asked whether Taiyi had stood by, and a gray-haired old man approached and told him he had gone too far.

Wei Xing confronted Zhou Kang over Wu Kai’s death and warned him to guard the important cargo he had brought back. At a military conference, General Guo Chongguang shut down Wei Xing’s questions about Wu Kai and asked him to report on Jiangzhou.

• Wei Xing accused Zhou Kang of abandoning Wu Kai during a retreat, then warned him that the tarpaulin-wrapped cargo needed strict protection.
• Zhou Kang’s guards took over the vehicle, and Black Dog carried Dawn’s case as Wei Xing went with Zhou Kang.
• At a conference, Wei Xing challenged the officials over Wu Kai’s death and accused some of them of opposing General Guo Chongguang’s Casting Cauldron Plan.
• Tang Lin accused Wei Xing of undermining his comrades, and a senior officer ordered both men to stop arguing.
• General Guo Chongguang declared that no one had manipulated events behind Wu Kai’s death, ended Wei Xing’s investigation, and asked him to recount the situation in Jiangzhou.