Chapter Summaries

Chen Xiaojun explained the Chen Clan’s commercial plans and proposed expanding into Soul Tools, including military technology. The clan learned that the Mechanized Puppet “Like a Flower” had passed preliminary testing, and Yang Jingxue was invited to see it.

• Chen Xiaojun described how the Chains Market’s shares and benefits strengthened ties with elder families and supported the Branch Lines.
• Chen Zixiu instructed Chen Xiaojun to develop his proposal into a detailed plan for the Family Meeting.
• Chen Xiaojun urged the clan to pursue Soul Tools and explained that the Chen Clan had developed new ranged weapons and Mechanized Puppets.
• Chen Cong confirmed that “Like a Flower” had completed preliminary testing and was undergoing detailed evaluation.
• Chen Xiaojun invited Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng to visit the Village to see “Like a Flower.”

Chen Cong agreed to trade Like a Flower puppets for materials from the Yang and Ximen families, while Ximen Rongcheng warned that the Plant Association’s position between Soul Fighting City and Chang'an City posed risks. Chen Zixiu then revealed that the Chen Clan suspected human interference behind the calamity, leaving Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng demanding to know who was responsible.

• Chen Cong explained that Like a Flower puppets could be mass-produced and agreed to provide some in exchange for the Yang Family’s poplar wood and Rong Cheng’s fire-attribute ore.
• Ximen Rongcheng pointed out that the Silas Kingdom and the Plant Association’s location between Soul Fighting City and Chang'an City could threaten Chen Xiaojun’s plans.
• Yang Jingxue described the Plant Association’s power structure and the influence of its Three Inner Families and Outer Seven Families, including the Yang and Chen families.
• Ximen Rongcheng raised concerns about the Plant Association’s vulnerability, but Chen Xiaojun and the Chen Clan members fell silent.
• Chen Zixiu told Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng that the Chen Clan had found signs of human intervention behind the beast tide and the leak of the clan’s movements.
• Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng reacted with fury as Chen Zixiu’s revelation reopened memories of the devastating defense of Soul Fighting City.

Chen Zixiu explained that the beast tide that devastated Soul Fighting City had likely been exploited by a rival power seeking to weaken the great families. The group concluded that the Three Inner Families were the probable masterminds, and Chen Xiaojun explained that they had feared the Chen and Yang families might overthrow them and claim the Central Corridor.

• Chen Zixiu recounted how the beast tide and a Crimson Church ambush had weakened the Chen Clan and other families, and described Zhang Xiaofan and Bu Zheng defeating a powerful Beast Emperor in Soul Fighting City.
• Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng asked whether Spirit Hall or another faction had orchestrated the attack, and Chen Zixiu ruled out Qian Zhongling and the Two Great Empires.
• Yang Jingxue recalled that the Three Inner Families had obstructed reinforcements to Soul Fighting City, while Xiao Yi comforted her.
• Chen Cong and Chen Xiaojun explained that the Three Inner Families had resented the Outer Seven Families' strength and feared that the Chen and Yang families could help overthrow them and bring the Central Corridor under Soul Fighting City's influence.

Chen Xiaojun’s group concluded that the Plant Association was a likely target in their investigation into the beast tide, while suspecting several powerful factions might be involved. Yang Jingxue agreed to investigate the Silver-Blooded Demon Tree Family, and the group began weighing their next moves.

• Ximen Rongcheng identified the Plant Association as Chen Xiaojun’s next target, and Chen Xiaojun said they needed more evidence before acting.
• Yang Jingxue agreed to investigate the Plant Association, beginning with the Silver-Blooded Demon Tree Family, whose martial soul could provoke soul beasts and help cause a beast tide.
• Chen Zixiu warned that the Heartless Tower, Xuan Ye Pavilion, Heaven Dou Empire, and other forces might be entangled in the affair, and the group agreed to pursue the mastermind while judging others by their involvement.
• Ximen Rongcheng reported that Situ Taiyuan still had not revealed anything, and Chen Cong and the others suspected multiple superpowers were involved behind the scenes.
• Yang Jingxue said the retired Wei Ning had reached level 96, and Chen Zixiu discussed Taoism before agreeing to exchange insights with her about Space Folding.

Chen Xiaojun showed the elders four Sword God Pearls representing the daos of might, imperial rule, benevolence, and sagehood. The pearls had strengthened after resonating with His dao, and Bo Xian'er sensed an emperor’s aura in Xuanyuan that resonated with her own emperor conception.

• Chen Zixiu and Yang Jingxue agreed that she would discuss Wei Ning’s breakthrough and the matter they had been concealing with him soon.
• Yang Jingxue and Ximen Rongcheng finished negotiating cooperation and resources with the Chen Clan, then left with Xiao Yi.
• Chen Xiaojun summoned four Sword God Pearls and identified them as Tai'a, Crimson Sky, Zhanlu, and Xuanyuan.
• The elders felt the pearls’ spiritual influence, and Chen Xiaojun explained that all four had improved by absorbing aspects of His dao resonance.
• Bo Xian'er sensed an emperor’s aura from Xuanyuan and felt it resonate with her emperor conception.

Chen Xiaojun understood how the four Divine Swords represented might, imperial rule, benevolence, and sagehood, forming a system of sovereign power. The Tai'a Pearl revealed spatial runes that Chen Zixiu identified as a potential barrier-breaking ability, though its final form remained uncertain.

• Chen Xiaojun and Bo Xian'er connected the Xuanyuan Pearl's Emperor aura to strength joined with benevolence, while Chen Xiaojun concluded that Zhanlu represented benevolent rule.
• Chen Xiaojun recognized that the four swords formed a coherent system rooted in moral principles and related to the Soul Beasts he had selected.
• Chen Zixiu examined the Tai'a Pearl and discovered that its runes were connected to spatial power.
• Chen Xiaojun infused the Tai'a Pearl with Soul Power, causing a semicircular array of spatial runes to appear and surge with energy.
• Chen Zixiu explained that the spatial runes could be applied to break barriers, potentially countering domains, seals, and formations, depending on the cultivators' strength.
• Chen Xiaojun said the barrier-breaking technique might be an innate ability of the Divine Sword, but its final application remained to be seen.

Chen Xiaojun asked his family to help him find an eighty-thousand-year soul beast for his sixth soul ring, arguing that he could withstand the risk. The family discussed possible white tiger habitats, and Chen Cong identified the Great Abyss Heavenly Stem Tiger as Chen Xiaojun’s likely first choice, though finding an eighty-thousand-year specimen could be extremely difficult.

• Chen Xiaojun explained that his previous high-year soul rings had been manageable and said he was confident he could absorb an eighty-thousand-year soul ring.
• Chen Cong, Chen Qiujun, Chen Xun, and Bo Xian'er accepted Chen Xiaojun’s decision and asked what soul beast he wanted.
• Chen Xiaojun chose a white tiger to match the Tai'a Sword’s attributes.
• Chen Menglin and Chen Qiujun discussed possible white tiger habitats in the Xieluo Mountains, the Star Luo Empire, and the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
• Chen Cong named the Holy Light White Tiger and the Great Abyss Heavenly Stem Tiger as possible candidates, recognizing the latter as Chen Xiaojun’s preferred choice.
• Chen Xiaojun considered the Great Abyss Heavenly Stem Tiger’s excellent compatibility with the Tai'a Sword and the danger of finding an eighty-thousand-year specimen powerful enough to rival a hundred-thousand-year Beast Emperor.

Chen Xiaojun explained his plan to hunt a Taiyuan Heavenly Stem Tiger for his sixth soul ring and revealed that the Crimson Sky Sword needed a powerful snake soul beast. He believed the Purple-Gold Emperor Python might be a descendant of Teng Snake and the ideal match, though its possible water attribute remained uncertain.

• Chen Xiaojun insisted that he would choose the Taiyuan Heavenly Stem Tiger and said his Sword God Pearls could help him withstand its soul assault.
• Bo Xian'er pointed out that an eighty-thousand-year sixth ring would mean Chen Xiaojun would need hundred-thousand-year soul rings for his next three rings, and he agreed.
• Chen Xiaojun said the Crimson Sky Sword needed a snake soul beast with lightning, fire, and devouring attributes, then named the Purple-Gold Emperor Python.
• Chen Cong explained that the Purple-Gold Emperor Python was a rare, powerful snake soul beast, and Chen Xiaojun revealed that it had six attributes: lightning, fire, devouring, mental, earth, and water.
• Chen Xiaojun recalled how he had studied family and academy texts and concluded that the Purple-Gold Emperor Python might be a descendant of Teng Snake and the Crimson Sky Sword's best soul-ring match.

Chen Xiaojun’s family discussed the formidable Snake Emperor and the possibility that it had mutated from a Purple-Gold Emperor Python. The chapter ended with Chen Xiaojun declaring that he would seek a Phoenix for his eighth Soul Ring and a True Dragon for his ninth.

• Chen Zixiu revealed that the Snake Emperor roamed the Barak region and described its power, wings, and two heads.
• Chen Cong and Chen Zixiu speculated that the Snake Emperor’s white head had grown after it mutated from a Purple-Gold Emperor Python.
• Chen Xiaojun connected the Snake Emperor’s two heads to legends of Teng Snake and White Xi, then recalled the Crimson Sky Sword’s tale of a white snake slain by a founding emperor.
• Chen Cong asked which Beast Emperors Chen Xiaojun planned to hunt for his remaining Soul Rings.
• Chen Xiaojun announced that he intended to hunt a Phoenix for his eighth Soul Ring and a True Dragon for his ninth.

Chen Xiaojun discussed the Five Virtues Phoenix and saint dragon as ideal soul beasts, prompting Chen Cong to explain the history and influence of the Divine Bird Sect and the dragon lineages. The chapter ended with Chen Cong describing how the Yu Family and Long Family had developed many dragon-type martial souls after the great war.

• Chen Xiaojun demonstrated a Five Virtues Phoenix using tea and soul power, and Chen Cong promised to search for one.
• Chen Cong explained that the Nine Heavens Hundred Feathers Palace descended from the Heavenly Beast Sect and later became part of the Divine Bird Sect’s history.
• Chen Xiaojun identified the phoenix families among the five phoenixes, while Chen Cong named other divine-bird lineages and described their influence across the Northern Continent.
• Chen Cong recounted how the Xue Family rose with the Divine Bird Sect’s support and how the sect later became the Flight Alliance.
• Chen Cong explained that the great war devastated the dragon martial soul lineage and the Ma Family, but dragon-type martial souls later proliferated in the Yu Family and Long Family.

Chen Xiaojun explained that his Immortal Robe and its attached soul bones could evolve by consuming soul bones from the same body locations, prompting the clan to discuss investing its reserves in him. Chen Zixiu revealed that Chen Jin, who had infiltrated the Crimson Church, carried the clan’s Mirage Dragon Torso Bone and explained the plan behind the recent incident, while keeping Chen Jin’s full identity secret.

• Chen Cong explained the Saskol Grand Duchy’s origins, and Chen Xiaojun discussed which powerful soul beasts might suit his later soul rings.
• Chen Menglin asked about the Immortal Robe’s evolution, so Chen Xiaojun explained how it and its attached soul bones could evolve by devouring matching soul bones.
• Chen Qiujun urged immediate action, and Chen Zixiu vowed to raise the clan members’ soul bones to a hundred thousand years; Chen Xiaojun cautioned him to wait until they had hunted the soul beasts.
• Chen Zixiu said the clan’s Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones remained in its reserves and revealed that another was with Chen Jin, the son of his younger brother Chen Zi'ang.
• Chen Zixiu explained that Chen Jin went undercover in the Crimson Church to seek revenge and received a Mirage Dragon Torso Bone whose transformation skill could conceal his true identity.
• Chen Menglin reported that the Crimson Main Altar had summoned regional leaders to review their progress, and Chen Xiaojun’s group’s arrival gave them an opportunity to launch their long-prepared plan.

Chen Zixiu and the Chen Clan discussed the Crimson Church’s secretive operations and learned that its Grand Elder had entered seclusion. They left resolved to prepare for the possibility that he would reach level 99 and to avenge the Chen Clan.

• Chen Menglin reported that the Crimson Church’s legions operated independently and shared little intelligence, while Yan Wufeng and Youguang Zhou remained closely connected.
• Chen Menglin revealed that the Crimson Church’s Grand Elder had entered seclusion, prompting Chen Zixiu to identify him as the old enemy who had attacked the Chen Clan.
• Chen Zixiu explained that the Grand Elder had reached level 98, and the group considered whether his seclusion might lead to a breakthrough to level 99.
• Chen Menglin urged the Chen Clan to prepare for the Crimson Church’s strongest possible forces, regardless of whether the Grand Elder advanced.
• Chen Zixiu declared that the Chen Clan had been secretly building its strength so it could eventually kill the Grand Elder themselves.

Chen Cong explained that plant soul beast ancestors evolved through cycles of withering and renewal, and Chen Xiaojun sought a vine ancestor soul beast for Xiao Yi. Chen Zixiu revealed that a Ninefold Sky Vine lived deep in the Xieluo Mountains, possibly with spatial abilities.

• Chen Xiaojun urged the Chen Clan to stay calm despite the Crimson Church’s hostility.
• Chen Cong explained the status and evolution of plant soul beast ancestors, including their cycles of quiescent extinction and regrowth.
• Chen Xiaojun said Xiao Yi needed a vine soul beast because her abilities and Sacred Body of Life could support extraordinary cultivation.
• Chen Menglin warned that vine ancestors were rare and difficult to kill, but Chen Xiaojun insisted they had to find one.
• Chen Zixiu revealed that a Ninefold Sky Vine lived in the innermost Xieluo Mountains and might have spatial abilities.
• Chen Xiaojun asked whether other vine ancestors were known, noting that the Ninefold Sky Vine’s spatial traits might suit Xiao Yi’s second martial soul.

Chen Xiaojun learned that the Vine Ancestor in Sunset Forest had searched for the Five-Colored Deer whose soul ring he took, and he discussed how his divine swords and soul rings might form the Four Symbols Sword Formation. Chen Cong supported the idea and proposed that the Chen Clan explore several sword formation approaches.

• Chen Qiujun said that a Vine Ancestor might live in Sunset Forest and revealed it had ordered soul beasts to search for the Five-Colored Deer Chen Xiaojun had killed.
• Chen Cong suggested exploring Sunset Forest’s core region to find the Vine Ancestor.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that he believed his final four divine swords and soul rings could connect as the Four Symbols, possibly uniting all ten divine swords.
• Chen Xiaojun admitted he had chosen soul rings with the Xuanwu combination in mind and hoped the Four Symbols Sword Formation could strengthen his and Xiao Yi’s yin-yang techniques.
• Chen Cong praised Chen Xiaojun’s plan and proposed that the clan study the Four Symbols along with other sword formation approaches.

Chen Xiaojun and the elders discussed developing a Yin-Yang sword formation and traced the origins of techniques in the Seven Stars Sword Formation. Chen Xiaojun left with several technique booklets after Chen Cong suspected he was gathering information to use against Sword Rain Academy.

• Chen Xiaojun proposed using nine yin and nine yang, combined with the Sun and Moon Breathing Techniques, as the basis for a new sword formation, and Chen Cong agreed to refine the idea.
• Chen Cong explained that Xiao Yi already knew swordsmanship and had advanced Sword Finger skills.
• Chen Cong revealed how the Seven Stars Sword Formation's techniques came from the elders and their ancestor, including Chen Jianzun's Heavenly Pivot Enlightenment and Chen Mu's Jade Balance Cloud-Piercer.
• Chen Menglin gave Chen Xiaojun a booklet of Seven Stars Moon-Slasher, Nine Extremes Heavenly Sword, and Heavenly Sword Slashes the Moon, while Chen Qiujun, Chen Xun, and Chen Cong gave him their own technique booklets.
• Chen Cong questioned Chen Xiaojun's motives and asked whether he was scouting military intelligence to deal with Sword Rain Academy.

Chen Xiaojun and Chen Cong discussed why the Xue Family used the name Swan rather than Swan Goose, and traced the dispute to the Qian Family’s claim on the name and its associated fortune. They suspected the Qian Family sought God King-level fortune to strengthen the Angel God, leaving the Chen Clan wary of being caught in the conflict.

• Chen Xiaojun admitted that although he knew the Seven Stars Sword Formation, he had not mastered it.
• Chen Cong explained that family names were tied to fortune and that the Xue Family competed with the Qian Family over the Swan Goose name.
• Chen Cong said the Qian Family claimed the name because the Angel God was said to have originated from the Xue Family.
• Chen Xiaojun connected Swan Goose’s fortune to the Phoenix God King and suggested the Qian Family wanted it to strengthen the Angel God.
• Chen Xiaojun and Chen Cong agreed that the Chen Clan should prepare defenses, watch the struggle in secret, and look for opportunities.

Chen Cong revealed that Chen Yu had a daughter and granddaughter, prompting Chen Zixiu to erupt in anger over the concealed family. Chen Xiaojun explained what he knew about the granddaughter, Ji Tiantian, and outlined a plan to approach her family discreetly.

• Chen Cong explained that Mu Juechen and members of the Xu Family had joined Spirit Hall because of their families’ political histories.
• Chen Xiaojun suggested waiting until after the provincial preliminaries before deciding whether Ma Wencai should use dragon-phoenix grass and spirit light grass.
• Chen Cong revealed that Chen Yu had a daughter with Xue Chuxin and now had a granddaughter, leaving the family stunned.
• Chen Zixiu shattered his teacup with his surging power and called Chen Yu an unfilial son.
• Chen Xiaojun explained Ji Tiantian’s circumstances, and Chen Cong proposed keeping her identity secret while Xiaojun approached her family.
• Chen Zixiu demanded to hear Xiaojun’s plan, and Xiaojun began explaining how he and Sixth Uncle would approach the family at a gathering that night.

The author recapped Volume Four, describing the battle of Zhongnan Mountain, Chen Xiaojun’s rise as young clan chief, and the growing strength of the Chen Clan and its allies. The recap ended by announcing the next volume, “The Dragon Raises Its Head!”

• The author described Chen Xiaojun’s command of the battle of Zhongnan Mountain and his role in disrupting the Crimson Church’s plans.
• The author recounted Chen Xun becoming clan chief and Chen Xiaojun ascending to young clan chief as the Chen Clan began transforming its leadership and expanding its influence.
• The author summarized the growth of Chen Xiaojun’s team, including Xiao Yi, Dugu Fu, and Gao Cuilan, and highlighted the rise of other young prodigies.
• The author described the Crimson Church’s attacks and ambushes as major displays of its power.
• The author announced the next volume, “The Dragon Raises Its Head!”

The Winding Stream Banquet and Wenhua Pavilion competed in a nine-round contest, with the Winding Stream Banquet taking the lead after winning the tea, calculation, and dance rounds. Chen Hua watched with Jixiang and the children as the contest continued, with the score at 3–1.

• The Wenhua Pavilion won the essay-writing round, and the Winding Stream Banquet won the tea round, leaving the contest tied.
• A twenty-year-old girl from the Winding Stream Banquet’s side won the calculation round, putting her team ahead.
• Chen Hua joined Jixiang in a VIP room, praised the local contestants, and revealed that he had once used the literary alias Chen Wenhua.
• Jixiang predicted that the singing round might decide the contest, while Chen Hua declared that he was betting on the Wenhua Pavilion.
• The Winding Stream Banquet won the dance round, bringing the score to 3–1.

The Winding Stream Banquet and Wenhua Pavilion traded victories in qin playing, calligraphy, painting, and board-game mastery, leaving their contest tied before the final singing round. The singers also drew, so the chapter ended with the overall contest unresolved.

• The Winding Stream Banquet won the qin round, then Wenhua Pavilion won the calligraphy round to make the score 4-2.
• Wenhua Pavilion won the painting round and the board-game round, leveling the contest at 4-4.
• Ji Tiantian, Yan Xiaolai, and Chen Xiaojun watched the competition with their companions and discussed the performances.
• Chen Xiaojun recognized the blue-robed qin player as Tan Hongyun, a Soul Saint who admired Chen Yanwu and had sought her guidance.
• The blue-robed man and the white-robed woman performed the final singing round, and the judges declared a draw.