Chapter Summaries

Zhu Yanfeng used Stone Breathing and his soul skills to overpower He Tiancheng’s attempts to escape the fight. He trapped He Tiancheng with Petrification Eye, leaving him struggling to break free.

• Zhu Yanfeng taunted He Tiancheng and attacked with Stone Breathing’s Sky-Splitting Shatter.
• He Tiancheng unleashed his eighth soul skill, Interspatial Storm Wings, to strike back and escape the prolonged fight.
• Zhu Yanfeng activated Moon Wolf Guard and charged through He Tiancheng’s storm wings.
• Zhu Yanfeng used Petrification Eye, petrifying the storm wings and beginning to immobilize He Tiancheng.
• He Tiancheng resisted Petrification Eye’s restraints but could not break free.

Zhu Yanfeng defeated the badly wounded He Tiancheng, forcing the Crimson Church’s assassination force to retreat. He Tiancheng’s whistle sent the Black-Clothed Men fleeing, and the Ji and Liu Families began pursuing them.

• Zhu Yanfeng struck He Tiancheng with Petrification Eye and three stone shields, knocking him to the ground.
• He Tiancheng assessed the battle, realized the assassination had failed, and decided he had to order a retreat while Yan Shenglong remained trapped in the Sword Formation.
• He Tiancheng gave the agreed retreat whistle, beat his Black Feather Crane wings, and shouted for the Crimson Church forces to withdraw.
• The Black-Clothed Men broke contact and fled in organized groups as members of the Ji and Liu Families pursued them.
• A middle-aged commander ordered some pursuers to circle around and cut off the retreat while the others advanced in groups.

Zhu Yanfeng relentlessly attacked the wounded He Tiancheng as the Black-Clothed Men tried to escape. He Tiancheng blocked Zhu Yanfeng’s Fang Spike but was left facing his Bright Wave Stone Fist, ready to fight back with all his strength.

• Zhu Yanfeng struck at He Tiancheng with his shield, but He Tiancheng used Phantom Tracelessness to evade and create illusory copies.
• Zhu Yanfeng split his shields into nine and launched them at He Tiancheng, who dodged among the phantoms.
• Zhu Yanfeng used Fang Spike to lock onto He Tiancheng, whose Black Feather Crane soul power shield and wings blocked the attack despite his injuries.
• Zhu Yanfeng rushed up and unleashed Bright Wave Stone Fist at He Tiancheng’s chest.
• He Tiancheng released all the soul power he had left and prepared to meet Zhu Yanfeng’s blow.

He Tiancheng was defeated by Zhu Yanfeng and refused to reveal what the Black-Clothed Men wanted. Before Zhu Yanfeng could disable him and pursue the others, a powerful assassin from the Crimson Church ambushed Zhu Yanfeng, leaving him badly injured and facing a Titled Douluo.

• He Tiancheng used Black Feather Shield, but Zhu Yanfeng's Bright Wave Stone Fist shattered his defense and worsened his injuries.
• Zhu Yanfeng pinned He Tiancheng down and demanded to know what he was after, but He Tiancheng refused to talk.
• As Zhu Yanfeng prepared to cripple He Tiancheng and pursue the fleeing Black-Clothed Men, an illusory figure appeared and attacked him with Void Instantaneous Kill.
• Zhu Yanfeng activated Moon Wolf Guard and Golden Bell Shield, but the assassin's strike broke through and left him injured.
• Zhu Yanfeng recognized the attacker as a Titled Douluo from the Crimson Church, and the figure challenged him to survive another move.

A Titled Douluo from the Crimson Church appeared and trapped Zhu Yanfeng in a Shadow Cage, leaving him struggling against dark energy and poison. As the spectators prepared to risk their lives to help him, an unexpected miracle appeared.

• A Crimson Church Titled Douluo arrived, alarming Chen Xiaojun, Ji Chenglie, Zhu Yanfeng, and the watching families.
• Chen Xiaojun reassured the anxious Ji Boda and urged him to trust him.
• The Titled Douluo used his Sixth Soul Skill, Shadow Cage, to trap Zhu Yanfeng and block his perception.
• Zhu Yanfeng tried to break free as dark poison spread through his body, while the spectators prepared to rush in and help.
• An unexpected miracle appeared just as the spectators faced the danger.

Sea Dragon Douluo Long Ma arrived in time to destroy the Shadow Cage, rescue Zhu Yanfeng, and knock Pang Yanfeng back onto the battlefield. He confronted the Crimson Church’s Titled Douluo, identified as the Nine Hells Douluo with the Void Dark Snake Martial Soul, and prepared to fight him.

• Long Ma fired his High-Pressure Sea Dragon Cannon and shattered the Shadow Cage, freeing Zhu Yanfeng.
• Long Ma struck Pang Yanfeng out of the air and sent him crashing down before the Crimson Church’s Titled Douluo.
• Chen Xiaojun identified Long Ma to Liu Ruyan as Xixi’s Dao Protector and a Sea God Island Sacred Pillar, and Liu Ruyan thanked Xixi for the families’ aid.
• Long Ma recognized the enemy’s Void Dark Snake Martial Soul, and the spectral Douluo introduced himself as the Nine Hells Douluo.
• Long Ma challenged the Nine Hells Douluo to show his finest moves.

Long Ma fought Nine Hells Douluo, who used his Holy King tier soul bone skill to drain Zhu Yanfeng’s soul power and force Long Ma to defend him. The attack wave vanished after Nine Hells Douluo used it as a feint to wear down Long Ma and distract him.

• Long Ma’s Sea Dragon Spirit-Breaker missed Void Dark Snake Douluo, who vanished with Shadow Stealth, and Long Ma’s water dragon destroyed an artificial hill.
• Long Ma spread waves of water to search for Void Dark Snake Douluo, but Nine Hells Douluo remained hidden and announced his counterattack.
• Nine Hells Douluo appeared beside Zhu Yanfeng and used his eighty-thousand-year Left Arm Bone soul skill, Dark Snake Soul-Eater, to trap him and drain his soul power.
• Long Ma used Divine Dragon Scale Shake to shield Zhu Yanfeng, but the snake-shaped attack wave wore down his golden scales and defense.
• Nine Hells Douluo’s attack wave suddenly vanished, revealing that he had used it to exhaust Long Ma’s soul skill and divert his attention.

Nine Hells Douluo used his concealment and a powerful Soul Skill to attack the Heaven and Earth Big Dipper Formation and try to free Yan Shenglong. Inside the formation, Chen Cong and the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon unleashed their ultimate attacks as the barrier neared collapse.

• Nine Hells Douluo used Shadow Stealth to approach the Heaven and Earth Big Dipper Formation without Long Ma detecting him.
• Nine Hells Douluo unleashed Eighth Soul Skill-Void Shadow Burst, shaking the formation’s barrier and bringing it close to breaking.
• Long Ma realized Nine Hells Douluo had used earlier attacks as diversions so he could reach the formation and rescue Yan Shenglong.
• Chen Cong formed a colossal Seven Kill Sword with Big Dipper Unity Sword Topples the World.
• The Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon transformed into a six-headed dragon and unleashed Demon Dragon Annihilation Across Heaven and Earth.

Chen Cong defeated the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon, forcing Nine Hells Douluo and the other Black-Clothed Men to retreat. The Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon escaped into the shadow world, vowing that it would meet Chen Cong, the Chen Clan, and the Ji and Liu Families again.

• Chen Cong and the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon survived their devastating clash, but the dragon was gravely wounded and Chen Cong declared victory.
• Nine Hells Douluo decided to retreat, used Shadow Gale Step to carry He Tiancheng and Pang Yanfeng away, and the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon blocked Chen Cong’s lethal strike against him.
• The Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon activated Nethernight Dragon Movement · Shadow Evasion and vanished into the shadow world as Chen Cong chose not to pursue.
• The Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon blamed the Chen Clan’s interference for the mission’s failure and vowed to meet Chen Cong, the Chen Clan, and the Ji and Liu Families again.

Chen Cong destroyed the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon, but Yan Shenglong and his allies escaped through the Shadow World. He identified their leader as Youguang Zhou, fourth of the Seven Demon Generals, and warned Long Ma that Sea God Island could soon clash with the Crimson Church.

• Chen Cong used Sword Rend Heaven and Earth and Moon Breathing to tear apart the Netherworld Dark Night Demon Dragon.
• The Shadow World entrance vanished, and Chen Cong explained that Yan Shenglong had escaped and would need months or longer to recover.
• Long Ma recognized the strength of the Nine Hells Douluo, and Chen Cong identified him as Youguang Zhou, fourth among the Seven Demon Generals and head of the You Family.
• Long Ma realized the Chen Clan had tracked the Crimson Church’s movements, while Chen Cong warned him that Sea God Island might soon encounter the Crimson Church.

After the Ji and Liu Families defeated the Crimson Church’s attackers, Chen Cong declined their offer of hospitality and left with Chen Xiaojun and the others. Ji Boda explained his alliance with Chen Xiaojun’s group, and the families considered how to repay their debt and handle the alliance.

• Ji Sijian and the Ji and Liu forces pursued the Black-Clothed Men, killing roughly a third of them before the rest escaped.
• Ji Chenglie and Liu Yirong thanked Chen Cong and Zhu Yanfeng for saving their families and invited them to rest at the residence.
• Chen Cong declined, explaining that his group would return to the Chen Clan’s residence so the Ji and Liu Families could tend to their own people and guests.
• Ji Boda stopped Ji Chenglie from pressing the invitation and later told him how he had formed an alliance with Chen Xiaojun, Xixi, and the others.
• Liu Yirong and Ji Chenglie agreed that Chen Cong’s group had granted them a great favor, and they began considering how to repay it and manage the situation.

After the Crimson Church’s attack, the Ji and Liu Families organized relief, investigations, and tighter security while agreeing to seek closer ties with Chen Cong and his companions. Back at the Chen Clan’s Chang'an residence, Chen Cong warned that the conflict was only beginning and ordered preparations for possible retaliation.

• Liu Ruyan described Chen Xiaojun and Xixi as easygoing, and Ji Chenglie and Liu Yirong agreed to pursue an alliance with Chen Cong’s group.
• Ji Chenglie and Liu Yirong assigned their families to treat the wounded, comfort the bereaved, investigate how the Crimson Church entered Chang'an City, strengthen security, and assist the banquet guests.
• The Ji and Liu Families later tracked down the covert agents involved in the attack and gradually restored order.
• Chen Cong’s group returned to the Chen Clan’s secondary residence, where Zhu Hefeng welcomed them and said he had begun arranging its defenses.
• Chen Cong ordered Zhu Yanfeng to send the village a detailed report of the attack and warned Zhu Hefeng to prepare the residence for possible retaliation.

After the battle, Chen Cong reprimanded Chen Xiaojun for repeatedly overexerting himself and Zhu Hefeng warned Zhu Wuneng to protect him better. Chen Cong then explained how the Crimson Church had created diversions across Chang'an and poisoned the City Guard Battalion, before confirming that Chen Xiaojun’s grandfather supported their plans.

• Zhu Shiqing arrived to examine Chen Xiaojun’s injuries, and Chen Cong warned him against repeatedly risking his life in battle.
• Zhu Hefeng reprimanded Zhu Wuneng for failing to keep Chen Xiaojun out of danger, and Zhu Wuneng accepted the warning.
• Chen Cong learned that fires and unrest across Chang'an had kept the city’s forces occupied while the Ji Family received no support.
• Zhu Hefeng reported that more than half of the City Guard Battalion had collapsed before deploying, and Chen Cong suspected the Crimson Church had poisoned them.
• Chen Xiaojun asked about his grandfather’s response, and Chen Cong confirmed that he largely supported their requests and plan.

Chen Xiaojun assessed the fallout from the Crimson Church’s attack and outlined how his family should strengthen its position in Chang'an City. He proposed using the authorities’ coming crackdown to take control of an underground faction, though Zhu Hefeng questioned whether that would change their usual approach.

• Chen Xiaojun told Chen Cong that the authorities would face pressure from powerful local families, public unrest, economic disruption, and military scrutiny after the attack.
• Chen Xiaojun recommended staying in close contact with the authorities, strengthening security, and monitoring the market.
• Chen Xiaojun identified underground forces and bulk trading as priorities for expanding the family’s influence in Chang'an City.
• Chen Xiaojun learned that Cheng Hao led a ten-person Sword Shadow Hall squad and argued that the team needed greater strength for the risks ahead.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed taking control of an underground faction during the authorities’ crackdown, and Zhu Hefeng asked whether direct intervention would change their usual methods.

Chen Xiaojun proposed building a specialized medicinal herbs trade market in Chang'an City, alongside strengthening Sword Shadow Hall to expand the clan’s influence. Chen Cong and Zhu Hefeng agreed to develop the idea, and the chapter ended with them planning to study major trading firms and negotiate partnerships while protecting their interests.

• Chen Xiaojun urged Chen Cong and Zhu Hefeng to intervene more directly in Chang'an City's Underworld, and Chen Cong agreed to send more people to support Sword Shadow Hall.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed bringing Mo Yuqi and a Sword Shadow Hall team to Chang'an City, and Zhu Hefeng agreed to contact the village and Cheng Hao.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed a specialized medicinal herbs trade market to handle the growing surplus from the clan’s Secret Realms and use Chang'an City’s location near the Xieluo Mountains.
• Chen Xiaojun explained how the market could integrate the herb industry, create jobs, promote economic growth, and align the interests of local authorities and factions.
• Zhu Hefeng described the local herb trade and emphasized cooperation with major trading firms, while Chen Xiaojun and Chen Cong agreed to study the firms and protect the clan’s position in future partnerships.

Chen Xiaojun laid out a strategy for building a medicinal herb trade in Chang'an City through steady supply, expert appraisal, trustworthy business practices, and cooperation with trading firms and local families. The discussion ended with plans to draw in the Medical Alliance and potentially create a medical academy, forming a broader medicinal-herb ecosystem.

• Chen Xiaojun identified reliable herb supplies, professional appraisal, and business credibility as the foundations for cooperation.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed direct supply, joint development, and technical cooperation with major trading firms, while naming families and groups that could provide herbs or expertise.
• Chen Xiaojun argued that the Chen Clan could use its secret realms, alliances, and proximity to Chang'an City to establish a medicinal herb trade market and attract the Medical Alliance.
• Zhu Hefeng and Zhu Yanfeng supported Chen Xiaojun's plan to make the Medical Alliance a central partner.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed bringing in the Medical Alliance's herbs, physicians, and research capabilities, and later establishing a medical academy to train physicians and healing soul masters.

Chen Xiaojun outlined personnel for the Chen Clan's medicinal herbs market, proposing experienced leaders from the Garrison Team alongside Chen Chen. Chen Cong approved the plan, which would also create openings for promising members of the middle generation.

• Chen Cong asked Chen Xiaojun who would manage the medicinal herbs market, and Chen Xiaojun nominated Chen Chen to gain experience as its main-lineage representative.
• Chen Cong and Zhu Yanfeng agreed that Chen Chen was capable but lacked the experience to oversee the operation alone.
• Chen Xiaojun proposed Ling Yunxiao as the market's overseer and Chen Chen as his assistant, with Zhao Lin serving as deputy.
• Chen Xiaojun argued that transferring Ling Yunxiao, Zhao Lin, and Chen Chen from the Garrison Team would use their experience with the village's factions and make room for new personnel.
• Chen Cong approved the arrangement and remarked that Chen Xiaojun had understood the clan's generational transition plans despite receiving only fragments of information.

Chen Xiaojun proposed building a medicinal herbs market with the Chen Clan and affiliated families, then negotiated Sea God Island’s role in the venture. Xixi and Chen Xiaojun agreed that Sea God Island would receive fifteen percent of the shares, leaving both sides poised to jointly lead the market.

• Chen Xiaojun proposed bringing Ye Xiuxin and Chen Surong into the market project and recruiting skilled assistants and promising young people from the clan and village families.
• Chen Cong urged the Chen Clan’s branches and affiliated forces to join, and Chen Xiaojun proposed giving the clan the largest share of the market’s profits.
• Chen Xiaojun suggested guaranteeing the Medical Alliance at least twenty percent and giving the Chen Clan thirty to forty percent; Chen Cong approved the plan.
• Xixi and Long Ma offered Sea God Island’s medicinal herbs, medical knowledge, and strength to the project, and Chen Xiaojun welcomed their participation and suggested opening branch markets.
• Xixi asked for twenty percent, Chen Xiaojun countered with ten percent, and they settled on fifteen percent for Sea God Island.

Chen Xiaojun and the Chen Clan finalized a partnership with Sea God Island to establish a medicinal herbs market in Chang'an City. As the meeting ended, Chen Cong ordered a report to be taken back to the Village, including plans for the market and a new economic intelligence organization.

• Chen Xiaojun and Chen Cong agreed to cooperate with Xixi and Long Ma on opening a medicinal herbs market in Chang'an City.
• Xixi and Long Ma left, and Chen Cong praised Chen Xiaojun's planning while emphasizing that the Chen Clan needed to prepare quickly for the approaching Calamity.
• Chen Cong asked Zhu Yanfeng to return to the Village and report the market plan to his elder brother in person.
• Chen Xiaojun gave Zhu Yanfeng the market charter and two proposals on the Chen Clan's economic strategy and an economic intelligence organization.
• Chen Cong instructed Zhu Yanfeng to coordinate Xiuxin and Xun'er's trip to the Ye Family and discuss the intelligence organization with his elder brother.
• Chen Xiaojun, Chen Cong, and Zhu Yanfeng continued discussing the plans late into the night.

Liu Ruyan and Ji Boda discussed why Ito Makoto’s attempt to disrupt their engagement seemed strangely flawed and suspected it concealed a larger purpose linked to the Crimson Church. They resolved to investigate the mystery with help from the Chen Clan, ending with Liu Ruyan expressing her trust and affection for Ji Boda.

• Liu Ruyan told Ji Boda that Ito Makoto’s actions at the engagement banquet did not fit his cautious, calculating nature.
• Liu Ruyan pointed out that Ito Makoto’s group lacked intelligence about the Chen Clan and had little chance of taking her, while Yan Shenglong had said the attempt was useless.
• Ji Boda suggested Ito Makoto might have been pursuing an unknown objective or sending them a message.
• Liu Ruyan wondered whether Ito Makoto had discovered the Crimson Church’s role in his grandfather’s death, and Ji Boda promised to help investigate.
• Ji Boda said the Chen Clan’s intelligence network could help uncover the connection between Ito Makoto and the Crimson Church.
• Liu Ruyan reassured Ji Boda that she trusted him, and the two embraced.