Chapter Summaries

Xing Yan turned the battle at Hidden Wave Isle by wielding seven radiant protections and using Xiao Mang’s ghost arts to command the dead from atop a skeletal whale. As the South Sea forces neared defeat, Wu Zhiqi appeared, and Xing Yan charged at his beloved companion’s killer.

• Seven moonlike lights surrounded Xing Yan, shielding him from enemy weapons and empowering his Yao Guang Ancient Sword.
• Bingyi led the Four Rivers troops into the fight as they rallied behind Xing Yan and broke through the South Sea formations.
• Xiao Mang animated fallen warriors and summoned a giant skeletal whale to carry Xing Yan across the battlefield.
• Xing Yan and the undead army overwhelmed the South Sea forces, shattered the Turtle-Shell Floating City, and brought the Hidden Wave Isle front close to victory.
• Wu Zhiqi appeared with an icy floating city, and Xing Yan recognized him as his beloved companion’s killer and charged at him.

Xing Yan confronted Wu Zhiqi in single combat, endured the giant god’s attacks, and used Refining Spirit into Void to drain his spirit power. The battle left Wu Zhiqi dead and the armies stunned as Xing Yan demanded their surrender.

• Meng Zhang learned that the Zhuyou Ghost Clan had intervened and ordered Wu Zhiqi to reinforce the Hidden Wave front.
• Wu Zhiqi’s assault scattered the Four Rivers forces, but Xing Yan challenged him to avenge Xueyi.
• Xing Yan survived Wu Zhiqi’s ice attacks by using Refining Spirit into Void to nullify an Ice-Soul Coiling Dragon.
• Wu Zhiqi seized Xing Yan, but Xing Yan clung to his hand and drained the god’s spirit power until Wu Zhiqi collapsed and died.
• Xing Yan stood atop Wu Zhiqi’s body, announced that the evil spirit had been slain, and called for the armies to surrender.

Xing Yan killed Wu Zhiqi and his victory broke the South Sea army’s resistance, though the Four Rivers Dragon Army suffered heavy casualties. After collapsing from his injuries, he awoke in Ling Yier’s care and fell asleep to her zither music, dreaming of home.

• Xing Yan stood atop Wu Zhiqi’s corpse, howled in triumph, and inspired the Four Rivers Dragon Army to charge and rout the South Sea forces.
• The South Sea troops fled after Wu Zhiqi’s death, while loyal generals were dragged away from attempting to avenge him.
• Xing Yan collapsed after Qiong Rong arrived and later awoke in Ling Yier’s tent as she told him the battle’s outcome.
• Ling Yier fed Xing Yan Jade Lotus Soup while Qiong Rong teased them, then Ling Yier played a soothing song until he fell asleep dreaming of home.

Lingyi cared for the recovering Xing Yan while Qiong Rong delivered Wu Zhiqi’s Ghost-Head Ice Sawblade to Yin Tieya, who began accepting Xing Yan as their Demon King. After watching the demon spirits’ chaotic sparring, Qiong Rong returned to find Xing Yan recovering, but his attempt to circulate the Great Splendor Flowing Water left him terrified.

• Lingyi woke during the fourth watch, moved Qiong Rong off Xing Yan, and went to help prepare his breakfast.
• Xing Yan gave Qiong Rong the Ghost-Head Ice Sawblade to deliver to Yin Tieya, who accepted the weapon and heard Kun Xiang argue that Xing Yan should lead the Demon Race.
• Yin Tieya and Kun Xiang argued over Xing Yan’s merits, then transformed and fought while the surrounding demon spirits watched and wagered.
• Qiong Rong watched the elders’ fight and the spirits’ gambling-debt punishments, then told a black bear spirit she enjoyed the spectacle and asked whether there would be an evening performance for Xing Yan.
• After Qiong Rong returned, Xing Yan sat up and tried to circulate the Great Splendor Flowing Water, but the sensation frightened him as if he had fallen into an ice cavern.

After discovering that Wu Zhiqi’s power had transformed his meridians into vast channels for primordial energy, Xing Yan joined the Four Rivers army’s victory celebration at Wave-Subduing Continent. The feast ended with lotus lamps sent out to honor the fallen, while the Four Rivers prepared to face the South Sea Dragon Domain.

• Xing Yan realized that his empty meridians could now hold immense primordial energy, and he offered wine in memory of Wu Zhiqi.
• Xing Yan tried to keep Qiong Rong from fighting in future battles, but relented when she began to cry.
• Lingyi brought Xing Yan to Wave-Subduing Continent in a Seven-Treasure Aloeswood Carriage, where the assembled forces cheered him for killing Wu Zhiqi.
• Lord of the Clouds praised Xing Yan and privately reflected that the Four Rivers would depend on the younger generation.
• The Four Rivers Dragon Army and demon forces held a lavish victory banquet to display their strength to the South Sea Dragon Domain.
• The Four Rivers Princess led Water Nymphs in placing lotus lamps on the sea to commemorate those who had died in battle.

After the Four Rivers Dragon Army’s declaration of war reached the South Sea’s leaders, they reflected on the region’s territories and Meng Zhang’s long, unresolved war against Zhuyou Ghostside. The chapter ended as a furious man burst into a study, frightening the young gentleman reading there.

• The narration described the South Sea’s islands, divine seas, and the peoples who lived among them.
• The narration recounted how Meng Zhang’s forces captured the Ghost Spirit Abyss and became locked in centuries of indecisive fighting against Zhuyou Ghostside.
• South Sea leaders wondered why Meng Zhang had failed to press the war against Ghostside, and they suspected the Four Rivers Dragon Army’s invasion might reveal the reason.
• The leaders studied the Four Rivers Dragon Lord’s declaration after realizing it had arrived only after three days of battle and their own crushing defeat.
• A livid man stormed into a study with guards, and the young gentleman inside turned deathly pale when he recognized him.

Meng Zhang confronted Boyu with Yang Fu’s declaration of war, which accused him of numerous crimes and proposed Boyu as South Sea ruler. After urging his timid brother to prepare for war, Meng Zhang headed toward the Cold Chill Grotto while Zhang Xingyan led the advancing army far away.

• Meng Zhang showed Boyu Yang Fu’s proclamation, which condemned Meng Zhang and called for Boyu to replace him as ruler of the South Sea.
• Boyu praised the proclamation’s writing but admitted he was unfit to rule, and Meng Zhang criticized him for neglecting military preparation.
• Meng Zhang offered Boyu a Kunwu Saber and its manual, then left the Jade-Gushing Studio.
• Meng Zhang dismissed a messenger seeking his presence at a military council and flew toward the Ice Crystal Cave, also called the Cold Chill Grotto.
• Zhang Xingyan led the army of monsters and deities across the sea, unaware of Meng Zhang’s approach to the cavern.

Meng Zhang visited Xueyi’s body in the Cold Chill Grotto and reflected on the setbacks that had turned the war against him. Long Ling persuaded him to protect her remains from being used to damage his reputation, and Meng Zhang sealed the grotto before leaving.

• Meng Zhang saw Xueyi lying on the Ice Stone Bed and blamed traitors, the Four Rivers deities, Yang Fu, and Zhang Xingyan for his military setbacks.
• Meng Zhang mistook Xueyi’s peaceful expression for evidence that she had loved Zhang Xingyan and reached toward her.
• Long Ling stopped Meng Zhang, warning that harming Xueyi’s body would give Zhang Xingyan grounds to condemn the South Sea.
• Long Ling reported that the Four Rivers had returned General Wu’s remains to the Huai River for an honorable burial, and Meng Zhang agreed that Xueyi’s body should be protected.
• Meng Zhang ordered the icy jade to seal the cavern, leaving Xueyi’s remains enclosed within the Cold Chill Grotto.

Meng Zhang prepared the South Sea for war while Xing Yan led Four Rivers forces toward Cloud Sun Isle, where he overcame mermaid demons and learned that Silverlight and Flowing Flower Isles were under attack. He redirected his army southeast, beginning a new campaign in the South Sea.

• Meng Zhang and Long Ling agreed not to move the Sea-Quelling Floating City or the forces guarding God's Field, and Meng Zhang decided to seek aid from Yujiang.
• Xing Yan led a large Four Rivers army west on Wind God to reinforce the Whirlwind Turtle troops besieging Cloud Sun Isle.
• Xing Yan stopped his army at suspicious reefs, then ordered the bat elder's warriors to kill the mermaid demons whose songs and dances had lured soldiers into deadly waters.
• A dying bee spirit told Xing Yan that the South Sea Water Marquis was burning the divine trees and forcing the islanders to retreat, while their children remained in danger.
• After Wangxiang judged the report mostly true, Xing Yan turned his army southeast toward Silverlight and Flowing Flower Isles.

Xing Yan led reinforcements to Divine Tree Island, defeated the attacking forces, and secured the archipelago for the Four Rivers Mystics. As he held the newly captured Cloud Pass after midnight, his spiritual perception warned him that an unusual event connected to his fate or someone dear to him might still come.

• Xing Yan rode ahead to Divine Tree Island and found the Butterfly Maidens and Bee Soldiers near defeat, then his relief army drove back the giants of Shocking Waves Isle and the fire beasts of Flame Isle.
• Ling Xu, Qingming, and the Shangqing Palace followers summoned rain with talismans to extinguish the fires threatening the Divine Tree Archipelago.
• Wu Hao challenged Xing Yan, but Xing Yan refused to duel until Wu Hao began smashing the floating islets with two mountains.
• Xing Yan drew Wu Hao out from behind his mountain shield with a bluff, then struck him with the Iceheart Knot and frightened him into fleeing.
• Silverlight Isle and Drifting Blossoms Isle submitted, Flame Isle surrendered, and most of Shocking Waves Isle's main force was captured as the Four Rivers Mystics took control of the Divine Tree Archipelago.
• Xing Yan held Cloud Pass after midnight and sensed that something unusual, tied to his fate or someone dear to him, might still happen.

Xing Yan’s forces faced a vast sea of fire led by the Phoenix Goddess Xuan, but Qiong Tong rushed into the flames and defeated her, returning with several radiant feathers. As dawn broke over Divine Tree Island, Qiong Tong recited a poem she did not remember learning, leaving her distracted despite Xing Yan’s reassurance.

• A scout warned Xing Yan that a swiftly spreading fire was approaching Divine Tree Island, and Wangxiang identified its lone source as the Phoenix Goddess Xuan of Blazing Phoenix City.
• Xuan charged Xing Yan’s formation with a towering tide of divine fire, and Xing Yan ordered his troops to scatter.
• Qiong Tong slipped away into the flames to fight Xuan while Xing Yan tried to rush after her.
• The fire suddenly withdrew, and Qiong Tong returned unharmed, claiming victory and showing Xing Yan the phoenix feathers she had taken.
• Xing Yan reassured Qiong Tong when she recited an unfamiliar poem about cooking Lingzhi Rice and trimming phoenix feathers, and the Four Rivers reinforcements arrived at dawn.

After the Four Rivers army secured Divine Tree Island, Xing Yan toured the emerald archipelago with Lingyi and Qiong Rong, while the South Sea Water Marquis faced a furious reckoning over the defeat. The chapter left the enemy court shifting its strategy toward Qiong Rong, whom it feared was even stronger than Xing Yan.

• The Cloud God Tree thanked its rescuers, restored its scorched branches, and blessed them with Jade Drizzle, lifting Qiong Rong’s spirits.
• Bingyi, Jian Xie, and Qixiang arrived with the Four Rivers army, took over the defense of Divine Tree Island, and conveyed the Dragon Lord’s praise and reward to Xing Yan.
• Lingyi led Xing Yan and Qiong Rong sightseeing, and she promised to make Qiong Rong a feather crown from the phoenix feathers to cover her singed hair.
• In the Sea-Quelling Hall, Water Marquis Meng Zhang berated General Xuan and blamed her for the loss of Divine Tree Island and the South Sea’s setbacks.
• An unnamed deity argued that Qiong Rong had defeated the phoenix in a single exchange and urged Meng Zhang to make her the focus of their next strategy.

Jun Tai told Meng Zhang that Qiong Rong was the key to Zhang’s fortune and proposed approaching her through her attachment to her sworn brother. Unaware of the plan, Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Lingyi left their treehouse to explore the island and headed toward a lotus lake.

• Jun Tai explained that Qiong Rong’s influence over Zhang made her crucial to the South Sea war, and Meng Zhang asked how to capture her.
• Jun Tai said he would go to Qiong Rong himself and make himself her sworn elder brother.
• Xing Yan and Lingyi found Qiong Rong riding a waterwheel and warned her not to risk damaging it.
• Lingyi rode the waterwheel too, and Xing Yan teased her about being light enough for the wind to carry away.
• Qiong Rong followed Xing Yan and Lingyi toward a lotus lake where Lingyi had arranged food and bathing.

Xing Yan rested with Lingyi and Qiong Rong at an emerald lake, where he recited poems for both girls and witnessed their playful moments. That night, Qiong Rong secretly resisted sleep, staring at the stars with tears in her eyes.

• Xing Yan, Lingyi, and Qiong Rong ate and relaxed together in the lake after their recent battles.
• Xing Yan composed flattering poems for Lingyi and Qiong Rong, making Lingyi blush and delighting Qiong Rong.
• Qiong Rong swam toward a lotus to imitate a dragonfly, then fell asleep floating with one perched on her nose.
• Lingyi retrieved her lost earring with help from a carp, and Xing Yan was reminded of her Dragon Palace powers.
• Lingyi arranged a separate canopy for Qiong Rong that night, but Qiong Rong secretly stayed awake and wept beneath the stars.

Qiong Rong feared that her increasingly vivid dreams revealed a past that might separate her from Zhang Xing Yan, while the war in the South Sea widened as more territories defected from Meng Zhang. The East Sea backed Four Rivers, the South Sea pursued an alliance with Ghostside, and North Sea Dragon God Yujiang prepared to intervene despite the risks.

• Qiong Rong cried beneath the stars, troubled by dreams of a fiery mountain and Strange River and by the strange verse she had spoken that morning.
• Flame Isle's flamebeast tribe surrendered to the Four Rivers coalition and joined the factions rejecting Meng Zhang in favor of Boyu.
• The East Sea Dragon King condemned both sides in a formal decree but sent Cangbi and a hundred thousand Yaksha soldiers to the northern frontier, deterring the North Sea from aiding Meng Zhang.
• Reports spread that Meng Zhang's South Sea planned to ally with Zhuyou Ghostside and return Ghost Spirit Abyss, while Ghostside considered the possibility that Four Rivers sought the abyss's hidden power.
• Yujiang decided to send troops after the East Sea's deployment, though he weighed the dangers posed by its army and the Devil Race.

Yujiang led fifty thousand North Sea Changcheng troops through Thunderstorm Marsh to aid Meng Zhang, but the clouds suddenly cleared and exposed his army to Cang Bi’s East Sea forces. After the two armies raced back toward the Bering Strait, a girl called out to Auntie Gaoyao, pleased with her role in the sudden change.

• Yujiang marched fifty thousand Changcheng troops through the Bering Strait and toward Thunderstorm Marsh to reach the South Sea.
• The thunderclouds over Thunderstorm Marsh abruptly dispersed, exposing Yujiang’s army to the East Sea Divine Harriers.
• Cang Bi arrived with the Yaksha Navy and blocked Yujiang’s route south, so Yujiang ordered his troops to retreat northwest.
• Cang Bi and Yujiang raced their armies toward the Bering Strait while using opposing walls of light to keep their troops apart.
• After the armies separated, a girl in the southeastern waters asked Auntie Gaoyao if she had done well.

Yinghuo and Gaoyao secretly helped the Four Rivers by clearing the clouds over Thunderstorm Marsh, while the South Sea war settled into a defensive stalemate. The Lord of the Clouds sent Xing Yan and Qiong Rong to Ghostside to verify rumors that Zhuyou had broken with the South Sea.

• Yinghuo praised her plan to help Xing Yan, and Gaoyao advised her to support him from the shadows; embarrassed, Yinghuo denied having romantic feelings for him.
• The Four Rivers alliance withdrew to its holdings around the Divine Tree Archipelago as South Sea forces regained confidence after several victories.
• The Lord of the Clouds told Xing Yan that Meng Zhang and Ghostside had reportedly fallen out, but withheld his explanation of the dispute.
• The Lord of the Clouds asked Xing Yan to travel to the Ghost Spirit Abyss and confirm whether Zhuyou had resumed attacking Ghostside.
• Xing Yan reassured the reluctant Dragon Maiden, packed with Qiong Rong, and departed for Ghostside as the Dragon Maiden watched them leave.

Xing Yan and Qiong Rong traveled across the South Sea toward the war between dragons and ghosts, pausing on a sandbar where Xing Yan reflected on his ambitions before finding peace in the moonlit night. The chapter ended with Qiong Rong falling asleep in his arms as he told her a ghost story.

• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong left Lingyi, crossed deep into the South Sea, and rested on a reef after feeding their provisions to a flock of gulls so the birds would not reveal their route.
• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong reached a sandbar, where they played on the beach while Xing Yan checked the area with his spiritual perception.
• Xing Yan reflected on how powerful figures such as the Lord of the Clouds had shaped events, then dismissed his doubts and chose to let things follow their natural course.
• Xing Yan drank wine on the waves while Qiong Rong played a leaf flute, and he sang a Daoist song along with her tune.
• Xing Yan carried the sleepy Qiong Rong into a parasol tree and told her a story about Ghost Mother until she fell asleep.

Xing Yan and Qiong Rong reached the waters near the Ghost Spirit Abyss and investigated the war between the Youzhu Ghostside and the South Sea Dragon Clan. After testing both sides with Xiao Mang’s attacks and finding no sign of a secret alliance, Xing Yan prepared to return, but Xiao Mang pleaded to join the retreating ghosts in one last assault.

• Xing Yan cultivated on a sandbar, confirmed their route to the Ghost Spirit Abyss with Xiao Mang, and chose to keep Qiong Rong with him.
• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong traveled south, found Wave-Mother Mountain, and followed the continent’s western coast toward the Ghost Spirit Abyss.
• They observed the Dragon Clan and Ghost Clan fighting, and Xing Yan saw the ghosts sacrifice themselves to break through the dragons’ fiery defenses.
• Xing Yan ordered Xiao Mang to attack South Sea troops on successive nights to test whether the battles were genuine; neither side reacted unusually, so he concluded the feud was real.
• Xing Yan decided to return after watching another battle, but Xiao Mang grew frustrated at the ghosts’ retreat and begged to help them break through the Dragon Clan’s fire barrier.

Xiao Mang broke through the South Sea army’s fiery barrier and led the Zhuyou Ghost Army to victory, then returned to Xing Yan. As the ghost soldiers formed ranks before them, a white-clad woman revealed her face, wept, and accused Xiao Mang of abandoning her.

• Xiao Mang walked through the wall of fire and forced open a passage for the Zhuyou Ghost Army.
• The ghost army surged through the opening and defeated the South Sea divine troops with help from Xing Yan’s ghost servant.
• Xiao Mang returned to Xing Yan, who declined to announce the Shangqing Order’s name and praised him for his courage.
• The victorious ghosts formed silent ranks facing Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Xiao Mang, and a white-clad woman emerged from their formation.
• The woman’s jade-like mask cracked away, revealing her face as she embraced Xiao Mang, wept, and accused him of abandoning her.