Chapter Summaries

The Three Intelligence Bureaus and City Guard Army swept through the underground network beneath the Imperial Capital, where they uncovered signs of Sword Lord Azure Bamboo’s battle and clashed with criminal gangs. The assault reached a deadly standoff at the Mithril Brotherhood’s stronghold, while Sauron Academy hid with a list of incriminating names and transactions.

• Shadow Fang found cursed bloodstains in the tunnels as Ye Xiao followed their trail, and the City Guard Army captured Grey Rat Gang suspects.
• The searchers discovered evidence of a fierce battle involving Sword Lord Azure Bamboo, whose whereabouts and fate remained unknown.
• The Imperial Family’s inner guards raided Grey Rat Gang black-market hubs, where outlaws ambushed them with poisoned bolts and soul-master attacks.
• Ge Laizheng’s City Guard Army broke into the Mithril Brotherhood’s stronghold, where Sauron Academy ordered his members to prevent anyone from being captured alive.
• The Brotherhood’s traps and ambushes killed and incapacitated soldiers as Sauron Academy hid in a secret chamber with a list implicating officials and powerful families.

Chen Zhang and Chen Xiaojun decided the Chen Clan should enter the escalating battle in the Heaven Dou Underground Network and seek allies to strengthen its position. They sent clan members to gather intelligence and approach other powers, then went to consult Aunt Xue about the turmoil.

• Mo Yu Zheng reported that numerous Court factions and underground powers were fighting across the network, with at least five thousand outside forces involved.
• Chen Zhang learned that Soul Fighting City and several major organizations had not received official summons to join the purge.
• Chen Xiaojun argued that the Chen Clan should seize the chance to establish a foothold underground, and proposed bringing in the Yang, Ximen, and Flying Dagger Li Families.
• Chen Zhang ordered Mo Yu Zheng and Qin Lüguang to investigate the northeastern district and sent Zhu Yanfeng and Xia Yun to approach allied families and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Chen Zhang asked Ding Bingming to accompany him to the backyard so they could inform Aunt Xue and hear her views.

Lin Yu traced the ambush on Lin Wuyou to the Bone Arena and led the Azure Sword Guard there to confront Marcus. Amid the ensuing battle, Lin Feng found Lin Wuyou’s broken jade pendant snagged on a dark gold chain, linking the arena to the old patriarch’s capture.

• The Lin Family discovered restraints and signs of struggle at Lin Wuyou’s hidden sword-training ground, and Lin Yu ordered an investigation.
• The family connected the chains to the vanished gladiator Kalano, known as the Shadow Binder, and Lin Yu led the Azure Sword Guard to the Bone Arena.
• Lin Yu demanded that Marcus surrender Kalano and explain himself, but Marcus claimed Kalano was dead and denied knowing anything.
• Lin Yu attacked a structural node, bringing down the arena’s dome, and the Azure Sword Guard fought through the chaos to search the ruins.
• Lin Feng found a dark gold chain beneath the rubble with Lin Wuyou’s broken jade pendant caught on it, then shouted to the others that they had found it.

Lin Yu defeated the Bone Arena’s forces and forced Marcus to reveal clues about Kalano’s disappearance and the attack on Lin Yu’s family. The trail led to Pi Kaiding of the Grey Rat Gang and Black Tongue, an information broker hiding in Rust Alley.

• Lin Yu questioned the wounded Marcus about Kalano, the attacker, and the captives.
• Marcus said Pi Kaiding had secretly met with Kalano before Kalano vanished with chains, grappling hooks, and glowing stones.
• Marcus directed Lin Yu to Black Tongue, who hid in the sewer pipes in the deepest part of Rust Alley and might know who was behind the plot.
• Marcus said Kalano had taken a fist-sized object wrapped in black cloth that smelled sinister, sweet, and bloody.
• Lin Yu ordered an Azure Sword Guard to cripple Marcus’s remaining leg, then focused on the jade pendant in Lin Feng’s hand and the trail to Pi Kaiding and Black Tongue.

Lin Yu learned from Pi Kaiding’s dying words that his father had been dragged toward the Ruin Abyss and prepared to pursue Black Tongue there. Meanwhile, Chen Zhang’s joint operation against the underground dark city gained support, and the alliance planned a decisive strike against the Bone-Digging Corps and Iron Jaw Barton.

• Lin Feng showed Lin Yu the bloodstained Lin Family jade pendant and pointed out that Marcus’s account of Kalano’s disappearance did not add up.
• Lin Yu confronted the dying Pi Kaiding at the Grey Rat Gang’s ruined headquarters, and Pi Kaiding muttered that someone in blue had been dragged toward the Old Pit and the Ruin Abyss before he died.
• Lin Yu decided to enter Rust Alley’s depths to find Black Tongue and ordered Lin Feng to prepare for the journey into the Ruin Abyss.
• Chen Zhang’s joint-operation proposal won the support of Yang Jingxue, Ximen Wenlan, and Ximen Wenming, while Zhu Yanfeng and Xia Yun rallied allies among the Elder families and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s branch.
• The alliance assigned the Three Great Families, the Ma Family, and the Li Family to Canopy District and chose to strike the Bone-Digging Corps first, targeting its leader, Iron Jaw Barton.

Chen Zhang led an allied force into the Canopy District’s underground tunnels to attack the Bone-Digging Corps. After overcoming deadly traps, the fighters reached Iron Jaw Fortress, where Chen Zhang and Barton exchanged threats as the allies waited for reinforcements.

• Five hundred elite Soul Masters entered the abandoned mine tunnels and triggered poisoned crossbow traps.
• The allied fighters pushed through interlocking ambushes, suffering casualties from spikes, poison fog, and self-destructing Soul Tool puppets.
• Chen Zhang’s force emerged into a vast underground cavern and found the Bone-Digging Corps’ heavily fortified Iron Jaw Fortress.
• Ding Bingming spotted Bone-Digging Corps fighters on the fortress walls, while Xia Yun urged the allied force to wait for the Ximen Family and Yang Family.
• Barton taunted the attackers from the fortress, and Chen Zhang declared that the Bone-Digging Corps would be destroyed.

Chen Zhang’s allied forces launched a coordinated assault on Iron Jaw Fortress, using the Yang Family’s arrows and airborne attacks to devastate its defenses. Ximen Wenye’s final strike shattered the fortress gate and opened a breach for the ground army.

• Ximen Wenye, Yang Zhicheng, and Ma Zhibin arrived with their forces, and Chen Zhang ordered the allied army to attack.
• Yang Zhicheng led the Yang Family in a barrage that destroyed the fortress’s outer defenses and devastated the Bone-Digging Corps on the walls.
• Ma Zhibin led the Flying Soul Masters above the fortress, where they attacked defenders rushing to reinforce the breach and fought off airborne counterattacks.
• Zhu Yanfeng advanced behind his Martial Soul Avatar’s shield as Qin Lüguang and Yang Guisan struck the defenders at the gate.
• Ximen Wenye unleashed Karmaflame Hong Lian Slash, destroying the gate and part of the wall and opening a breach into Iron Jaw Fortress.

The Chen Clan's allied army broke into Iron Jaw Fortress and fought its way through fierce street battles against the Bone-Digging Corps. As the battle reached the fortress's center, Barton confronted Zhu Yanfeng, and their powerful attacks collided.

• The allied army broke through the fortress defenses and spread through its interior as the Bone-Digging Corps launched deadly ambushes.
• Jian Hezhi used his Martial Soul Avatar to restrain enemies and support allies, while Xia Yun's illusions confused the bandits and left them vulnerable to her attack.
• The allied army advanced five or six hundred meters into the fortress, where its elite fighters became separated and faced the Bone-Digging Corps's strongest members.
• Barton intercepted Zhu Yanfeng and unleashed his Sixth Soul Skill, Iron Crocodile Crushing Bite.
• Zhu Yanfeng countered with Secret Art: Unmoving as a Mountain, and their attacks collided in a shock wave.

The Chen Clan's Allied Army pressed its assault on the Bone-Digging Corps while Chen Zhang directed the battle from the rear. Tang Hengyu and the Rusty Brotherhood arrived to reinforce the defenders, striking the Allied Army's flank and forcing it to contract its formation.

• Ximen Wenye clashed with Bone-Digging Corps deputy commander Dou Jing, countering his frost-white steel forks with karmic-fire saber strikes.
• Bone-Digging Corps Soul Saints combined their strength to stabilize their formation and hold off Qin Lüguang as Chen Zhang issued coordinated orders to the Allied Army.
• Tang Hengyu attacked Yang Guisan with his Sixth Soul Skill, and the two fighters' techniques collided in a powerful blast.
• Hundreds of Rusty Brotherhood soldiers emerged from the tunnel shadows and charged the Allied Army in disciplined formations.
• The Rusty Brotherhood tore open a bloody breach in the Allied Army's flank, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing the army to pull back into a tighter formation.

Ma Zhibin fought Tan Yashuang while Chen Zhang responded to the Allied Army’s collapsing left flank with a risky shift of forces. The battle became a bloody stalemate, and Chen Zhang considered committing his last reserves.

• Ma Zhibin recognized Tan Yashuang, leader of the Phantom Shadow Sisterhood, and tried to persuade her to surrender before she attacked him with Bone-Eroding Cold Feathers.
• Ma Zhibin countered Tan Yashuang’s assault with Rainbow Flame Skyfall, beginning their battle above the battlefield.
• The Rusty Brotherhood broke through the Allied Army’s left flank while the Phantom Shadow Sisterhood pinned down Chen Clan fighters elsewhere.
• Chen Zhang sent Xia Yun and Yang Zhicheng to stabilize the left and ordered the Ximen Family and center-right troops to attack on the right.
• Xia Yun’s illusion technique and the reinforced defense slowed the Brotherhood, but the battle on the right became a bloody stalemate.
• Chen Zhang watched the fighting and weighed whether to commit his final fifty reserves.

Chen Xiaojun underwent a chilling transformation as his revulsion toward the Bone-Digging Corps awakened a powerful judgment-like force. He entered the battlefield with the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword, and the power began strengthening nearby Chen Clan Soul Masters.

• Watching the Bone-Digging Corps fight, Chen Xiaojun turned cold and remote as scarlet light appeared in his eyes.
• Chen Xiaojun told Chen Zhang he would take the salient, then leapt from the command platform as Zhu Wuneng and several youths followed.
• Chen Xiaojun walked into the battlefield with the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword, radiating an icy pressure that spread across the fighting.
• Ding Bingyuan felt a surge of strength and tore apart his opponent's bone blade and arm with his Nine-Toothed Rake.
• Gu Yuanchao gained clarity and precision under the influence of the power, then broke an enemy's ribs with his Bull Horn Soul-Splitting Strike.

Chen Xiaojun’s judgment will strengthened the Chen Clan Soul Masters and unnerved the Bone-Digging Corps, making him the focus of a renewed assault. Zhu Wuneng, Lian Shouzhong, and Gao Cuilan held the formation around him as he continued walking in a strange, seemingly unconscious state.

• Chen Xiaojun’s aura sharpened the Chen Clan’s coordination while suppressing the Bone-Digging Corps’ center-right line with terror and guilt.
• The Bone-Digging Corps Soul Saint ordered his fighters to attack, and they regained their nerve and charged Chen Xiaojun.
• Zhu Wuneng struck down an attacker and organized the guards to protect Chen Xiaojun and cover the battle formation.
• Lian Shouzhong clashed with a Bone-Digging Corps Soul King and forced him back, creating an opening for Zhu Wuneng.
• Gao Cuilan used Unfixed Flying Rings to stop an ambush on Zhu Wuneng and intercept bolts aimed at Chen Xiaojun.

Chen Xiaojun remained vacant and mindless as his companions fought to protect him from the Bone-Digging Corps. They held the enemy back on every flank, but the battle continued to drain them as Chen Xiaojun slowly advanced.

• Dugu Fu and Ma Wencai devastated the Bone-Digging Corps on the left flank with poison, feathers, and blazing flames.
• Chen Bin and Chen Shurui combined their light and dark soul skills to defend the right flank behind a fused shield wall.
• Ma Liang suppressed the enemy’s Bloodthirsty Iron-Winged Bats from the air with Phoenix attacks.
• Yuan Run trapped enemies in a spreading mire and raised a stone wall to block their flanking route.
• An Mingyuan and Qiu Qingquan struck down attackers trying to reach Chen Xiaojun through the ruins.
• The Bone-Digging Corps continued charging toward the seemingly defenseless Chen Xiaojun, forcing his companions to maintain their exhausting defense.

Xiao Yi made a clearer Orchid Finger gesture in Moonshadow Residence, prompting Tao Ruyin to summon Ye Xiuxin. At the Bone-Digging Corps' castle, Chen Xiaojun's defensive circle pressed forward under heavy attack, and Chen Mu raced to intercept enemies threatening him.

• Xiao Yi's fingers formed and held the Orchid Finger gesture as Su Ningxia watched.
• Tao Ruyin hurried to report the movement to the Matriarch, and Ye Xiuxin arrived to see the gesture still held.
• The fighting around Chen Xiaojun's group intensified as enemies surrounded their narrow advance and allied forces were blocked by Soul Saints and a sea of fire.
• Chen Mu killed a Soul Ancestor who attacked Chen Xiaojun from behind.
• Chen Mu used his swift sword techniques to kill three Soul Elders and defend his companions at several points along the battlefield.
• Chen Mu continued intercepting threats across the defensive circle despite the exhausting pace of the fighting.

Chen Xiaojun’s battered defensive ring gained crucial support when Jian Xinyue joined the battle, while Chen Zhang recognized that the young master’s loyal fighters could form the foundation of his personal guard. After the defenders defeated several enemy Soul Kings, a sinister voice appeared on the left wing, setting up a new threat.

• Chen Zhang observed Zhu Wuneng’s battle formations and considered forming Chen Xiaojun’s personal guard from capable, loyal members of the younger generation.
• Jian Xinyue used her Ink Crystal Dust Fog and Ink Crystal Flow to trap a Bone-Digging Corps Soul King, whose throat Chen Mu pierced with a sword.
• Jian Xinyue entered the defensive ring and used Ink Crystal Body Guard to strengthen Chen Xiaojun and the other fighters.
• Dugu Fu killed a centipede Soul King with Golden Centipede Foot Stab, and Ma Wencai checked on him.
• An unidentified enemy spoke from beyond the poison haze, taunting Dugu Fu over the death of his disciple.

Dugu Fu and his allies faced a sudden assault by three Soul Saints, each of whom intercepted a key fighter. The chapter left Dugu Fu battling the Poison Saint, Zhu Wuneng and Gao Cuilan using their fusion skill against the Shadow Fang Leopard Soul Saint, and Chen Mu pinned down by the Ghost Bat Soul Saint.

• Dugu Fu unleashed Jade-Scaled Poison Eruption and formed the Five Poison Formation, drawing nearby poisons and corpses into its power.
• Dugu Fu used his blood essence to create three poisonous beast phantoms, which attacked the purple-blotched Soul Saint as he countered with centipede phantoms.
• The Shadow Fang Leopard Soul Saint ambushed Zhu Wuneng and blasted him backward, prompting Gao Cuilan to join him in manifesting their Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng fusion skill.
• The Ghost Bat Soul Saint intercepted Chen Mu and pinned him down in a fast exchange of claws and sword strikes.
• The three Soul Saints' attacks left Dugu Fu, Zhu Wuneng and Gao Cuilan, and Chen Mu engaged in separate battles.

As the battle pressed Chen Xun's forces, An Mingyuan summoned seven starlit stone dogs to reinforce the defenders. The dogs tore through the Bone-Digging Corps while the white village spitz healed them.

• Chen Zhang held Zuo Jinhua back, betting that Chen Xiaojun and the other young fighters could withstand the Soul Saints.
• Qiu Qingquan replaced Chen Mu in the mobile defenses but struggled against the charging Bone-Digging Corps, while Yuan Run also neared exhaustion maintaining his barriers.
• At Qiu Qingquan's and Yuan Run's urging, An Mingyuan used his Star Extremity skull skill and Earth-Guarding Hound Command secret art to summon seven powerful dogs.
• Six dogs charged the Bone-Digging Corps and attacked in coordinated formations, while the four-eyed dog and five-black dog hunted enemies striking from ambush.
• The white village spitz stayed beside An Mingyuan and healed the summoned dogs' wounds with its stellar and earth-element power.

Chen Xiaojun stopped his advance into the Ancient Castle and began gathering the dangerous power within him while his companions fought to protect him. As the Bone-Digging Corps broke through Yuan Run’s wall, the defense line faced collapse.

• An Mingyuan summoned starlight war dogs, and stray dogs answered his secret art, disrupting the Bone-Digging Corps and easing pressure on the defenders.
• Chen Xiaojun stopped advancing and drew the violent fluctuations inside him back into his body as Chen Zhang and the others waited for him to transform.
• Dugu Fu, Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng, and Chen Mu struggled to hold off the three Soul Saints while the Bone-Digging Corps continued attacking the defense line.
• The Bone-Digging Corps destroyed Yuan Run’s stone wall, leaving him exhausted and injured, and Qiu Qingquan dragged him away from the rubble.
• An Mingyuan sent his remaining dogs to help Qiu Qingquan plug the breach as Bone-Digging Corps members poured into the defensive circle.

Chen Xiaojun emerged from the black-red sword cocoon as his allies’ defensive line neared collapse, but his interrupted enlightenment left him with an incomplete, savage power. The fighting continued around him, and Chen Mu fell wounded nearby.

• Jian Xinyue used her Ink Crystal Bottle’s control and support skills to steady the defenders as their defensive circle shrank and their strength ran low.
• Chen Xiaojun’s sword cocoon cracked and shattered, and he opened his eyes with an overwhelming, indifferent majesty.
• Inside Chen Xiaojun’s upper soul nest, the phantom Nethersea Seven Kill Sword drew in the battlefield’s negative energy to hasten the Black-Red Cocoon’s emergence, interrupting his enlightenment.
• Qiu Qingquan was wounded while attacking a restrained Soul King, Chen Shurui and Chen Bin’s shield wall weakened, Ma Liang ran out of strength, and the defenders’ line remained under pressure.
• The Ghost Bat Soul Saint wounded Chen Mu with Blood Bat Sonic Burst and claw strikes, and Chen Mu staggered down near Chen Xiaojun.

Chen Xiaojun awakened a chilling judgment domain that weakened the Ghost Bat Soul Saint and his attack on Chen Mu. Chen Mu seized the opening and killed the Soul Saint, while the Bone-Digging Corps remained frozen in terror.

• The Ghost Bat Soul Saint attacked Chen Mu with Blood Prison Soul-Shattering Wave as the Bone-Digging Corps charged Chen Xiaojun.
• Chen Xiaojun released the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword’s judgment domain, slowing the Bone-Digging Corps and weakening the sonic attack.
• Chen Xiaojun struck the Ghost Bat Soul Saint’s sinful karma with Sword of Judgment: Sinful Karma Judgment, wounding him and breaking his focus.
• Chen Mu used Lightning Flash to reach the Ghost Bat Soul Saint and shattered his Phantom Bat Barrier with Raging Wave Rending Blade.
• Chen Mu followed with Seven Kill Annihilation and beheaded the Ghost Bat Soul Saint.