Arc 40Recovery and Clan Countermeasures

Chen Xiaojun recovered under Xiao Yi’s care, learned about her new powers, and helped organize her cultivation after their reunion. The Chen Clan assessed the Crimson Church’s attacks, prepared stronger defenses and a search for its enemy’s base, and arranged support for the academy’s casualties.

  • Ma Zhibin proposed that Ma Wencai become Chen Xiaojun’s follower after Chen Xiaojun gave him rare arm soul bones and predicted a possible martial soul evolution.
  • Xiao Yi nursed Chen Xiaojun through his recovery, while Su Ningxia resolved to restrain her affection for him because of his bond with Xiao Yi.
  • Xiao Yi revealed her level 57 cultivation and second martial soul, and Chen Xiaojun named it the Void Willow God Vine and helped reorganize her cultivation methods.
  • Yan Wufeng reviewed the failed attacks against the Chen Clan, ordered restrained reconnaissance, and demanded an investigation into its younger generation.
  • Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi discovered that their immortal robes resonated and strengthened their Soul Bones, then joined a feast where Chen Xiaojun ordered secrecy around Xiao Yi’s ranking and announced the tournament preliminary team.
  • Chen Cong and Chen Menglin assessed the clan’s injuries and overstretched forces, and Chen Cong called for accelerating the Sunset Glow Plan to prepare veteran experts for Titled Douluo breakthroughs.
  • Chen Xiaojun identified Marseille Commandery as the likely enemy base, proposed a Brightlight Mirror communication system, and suggested temporary arrangements for the clan’s leadership.
  • Zhuang Mocheng reported the academy’s dead, injured, and missing, and Chen Cong ordered compensation and medical support while Chen Xiaojun insisted that searches continue.
Chapters 994–1019 Vol. 10 Read

Ch. 994A trap laid by retreating to advance!

Chen Xiaojun told Ma Zhibin he had a sixty percent chance of helping Ma Wencai’s martial soul evolve further, prompting Ma Zhibin to ask that his son become Chen Xiaojun’s follower. Chen Xiaojun rejected the idea, while Ma Zhibin pressed his case, hoping to secure a better future for Ma Wencai.

  • Ma Zhibin thanked Chen Xiaojun for giving Ma Wencai a pair of rare thirty-thousand-year Blazing-Wing Spirit Luan arm soul bones.
  • Ma Zhibin asked how likely Ma Wencai’s martial soul was to evolve, and Chen Xiaojun said he was sixty percent confident it could reach at least seventh grade and raise Ma Wencai’s innate soul power to level seven.
  • Ma Zhibin offered his life to Chen Xiaojun if Ma Wencai succeeded, but Chen Xiaojun refused to accept the offer.
  • Ma Zhibin proposed that Ma Wencai become Chen Xiaojun’s follower, arguing that this would let him receive the cultivation arts and special methods needed to advance.
  • Chen Xiaojun objected that Ma Wencai was still a member of the Ma Family, while Ma Zhibin revealed how much he had sacrificed to support his son and how urgently he wanted a better path for him.

Ch. 995Collapsed again

After the battle, the survivors recovered while Chen Xiaojun remained in a deep coma from his injuries and exhaustion. Xiao Yi continued tending to the wounded and came to check on the group as Zhu Wuneng and Dugu Fu grew wary at approaching footsteps.

  • Zhu Wuneng lamented that his meridian for cursing was ruined, and Gao Cuilan scolded him for joking around.
  • Dugu Fu complained of mental exhaustion, while Chen Mu praised Xiao Yi and told Ma Liang that a future head of the Ma Family would need a capable partner.
  • Chen Xiaojun slept for nearly twenty hours as his body struggled with internal injuries and the pressure of commanding the battle.
  • Zhu Wuneng regaled Dugu Fu with stories until footsteps outside the cave made them tense and wary.
  • Xiao Yi entered the cave with Su Ningxia after spending the day treating the wounded and checking on Chen Xiaojun.

Ch. 996No Other Girl Had Come Near the Young Master in These Three Years

Xiao Yi tended to the unconscious Chen Xiaojun and reassured the group that he would recover after resting, while the others ate and discussed their injuries. She later confronted Su Ningxia about whether she had feelings for Chen Xiaojun, but left before Su Ningxia answered.

  • Xiao Yi stayed beside Chen Xiaojun, soothing him with soul power while his body repaired itself.
  • Xiao Yi told the group Chen Xiaojun had collapsed from overexertion and needed rest, and Chen Mu said medical supplies were being gathered for their return to the Academy.
  • Su Ningxia reflected on the danger they had faced and praised Xiao Yi for saving the injured.
  • Xiao Yi drew Su Ningxia aside and asked whether she had something to tell her.
  • Su Ningxia said she had kept other girls away from Chen Xiaojun for three years, except for Miss Xixi, and Xiao Yi asked what about her.
  • Su Ningxia said nothing, and Xiao Yi left her alone with her conflicting feelings.

Ch. 997A Maiden's Feelings and Glory

Su Ningxia reflected on her gratitude to Xiao Yi and the affection she secretly held for Chen Xiaojun, which Xiao Yi had already noticed. Chen Xiaojun woke the next morning, learned Xiao Yi was safe and tending to the wounded, and drank the medicinal broth she had prepared.

  • Su Ningxia recalled how Xiao Yi had rescued her and how Xiao Yi and Chen Xiaojun had helped her rise to become a Heavenly Stem Star.
  • Su Ningxia acknowledged her affection for Chen Xiaojun but resolved to keep it restrained because of his bond with Xiao Yi.
  • Xiao Yi had noticed Su Ningxia's feelings through her glances and behavior.
  • Chen Xiaojun woke after sleeping through the night, and Zhu Wuneng told him everyone had been worried.
  • Dugu Fu gave Chen Xiaojun the medicinal broth Xiao Yi had prepared, and Chen Xiaojun asked where she was.
  • Zhu Wuneng assured Chen Xiaojun that Xiao Yi was safe and tending to the wounded, and Chen Xiaojun drank the broth.

Ch. 998Tender intimacy

Chen Xiaojun recovered and reunited with Xiao Yi, then teased her and lifted her veil as they shared a tender, awkward moment. He ended by asking about her cultivation after her breakthrough to Soul King.

  • Xiao Yi explained that Chen Xiaojun survived because his resilient body and the Yin-Yang Twin Lives Flower’s remaining effects aided his recovery.
  • Chen Xiaojun pulled Xiao Yi into an embrace, and she blushed before asking him to let her go.
  • Chen Xiaojun told Xiao Yi he had thought about her during their three years apart and gently lifted her veil to see her face.
  • Chen Xiaojun reflected that Xiao Yi’s past-life knowledge and maturity might have merged with her present life.
  • Chen Xiaojun stopped short of kissing Xiao Yi, teased her for being nervous, and asked what level she had reached after breaking through to Soul King.

Ch. 1000Void Willow God Vine

Chen Xiaojun learned about Xiao Yi’s powerful fifth Soul Ring and helped name her new soul skill and second martial soul. Xiao Yi accepted the name Void Willow God Vine after hearing about its origins.

  • Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that she had reached level 57 after absorbing a fifty-three-thousand-year-old Thunderclap Hell Prison Vine Soul Ring and a Soul Bone.
  • Xiao Yi said Black Elder had asked her to visit him when she reached level 60, but Elder Qing had advised her to ignore him.
  • Chen Xiaojun named Xiao Yi’s fifth soul skill Ninefold Purple, with the incantation “Sky-soaring ranks of fragrance pierce Chang'an; When I Bloom, All Flowers Die.”
  • Xiao Yi revealed her second martial soul, and Chen Xiaojun named it the Void Willow God Vine after explaining its connection to the Willow God.

Ch. 1001A super martial soul with heaven-defying attributes

Chen Xiaojun learned how Xiao Yi had hurried to find him and questioned her about the Void Willow God Vine, whose powers and soul ring revealed it to be a restricted super martial soul. The chapter ended with Chen Xiaojun concluding that the Yin-Yang Great Dao had concealed the Vine’s emergence from the world.

  • Xiao Yi explained that she had awakened ten days earlier, obtained the Thunderclap Hell Prison Vine’s soul ring, and rushed into the mountains after hearing Chen Xiaojun was missing.
  • Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that the Void Divine Vine had become her second martial soul and provided a first soul ring with the Time-Space Prison skill, which had originally possessed only spatial power.
  • Xiao Yi revealed that the soul ring was seventy-eight thousand years old, and Chen Xiaojun realized the skill had imprisoned the Silver Wolf True King’s soul form.
  • Xiao Yi described the Void Willow God Vine’s space, time, wood, life, mental, and unusual attribute, which Chen Xiaojun identified as a likely origin attribute.
  • Xiao Yi said the origin attribute had restored and greatly strengthened the Vine, and Chen Xiaojun concluded that it was a restricted super martial soul whose birth the Yin-Yang Great Dao had concealed.

Ch. 1002Fortune, two soul bones

Chen Xiaojun learned about Xiao Yi’s two arm soul bones and their powerful skills, then assessed the gaps in her combat abilities. The chapter left him concluding that her control-focused skill set lacked the single-target power needed against stronger opponents.

  • Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that the Thunderclap Hell Prison Vine gave her a left arm bone and the Void Divine Vine’s legacy produced a space-attributed right arm bone.
  • Xiao Yi explained that her experience during Chen Xiaojun’s system-assisted transformation had helped her life and devouring attributes advance.
  • Xiao Yi described the soul bones’ skills: Lightning Magic Domain amplified her fifth soul skill, while Space Compression imposed physical and mental pressure on targets.
  • Chen Xiaojun reflected that he had forgotten to use key soul skills during his battle with Dashi Rahman Khan.
  • Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi agreed that her support and area-attack skills left her without a powerful single-target attack, especially against Soul Emperor-level opponents.

Ch. 1003Reshaping the Combat Power System (Part One)

Chen Xiaojun advised Xiao Yi on developing her combat skills after she gained a destruction attribute from absorbing the Thunderclap Hell Prison Vine soul ring. He outlined ways to expand her Five Elements abilities and martial arts, leaving her with several new areas to train.

  • Chen Xiaojun explained that Chrysanthemum Douluo’s skills made him better suited to control and area attacks than single-target combat.
  • Chen Xiaojun advised Xiao Yi to focus on strengthening her control for now and consider powerful single-target attacks with later soul rings or her second martial soul.
  • Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that her Immortal Evergreen Vine’s destruction true meaning had advanced into a destruction attribute, giving her an eighth attribute.
  • Xiao Yi said she would keep the name Changqing Heart Method for her merged cultivation method and reserve Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flower Flow for its offensive moves.
  • Chen Xiaojun encouraged Xiao Yi to develop her unused water and fire attributes, Five Elements techniques, and martial arts including the Nine Yin Divine Sword Finger, Jiang Mo Great Hand Seal, Big Dipper Art, and Golden Bell Shield.

Ch. 1004Reshaping the combat system (Part two)

Chen Xiaojun gave Xiao Yi the Eight Extraordinary Skills and helped her plan a combat system that combined her existing inheritances with new techniques. Xiao Yi thanked him with their first embrace, and the chapter ended with Chen Xiaojun confident that her cultivation path could carry her to the highest realms.

  • Chen Xiaojun gave Xiao Yi the Eight Extraordinary Skills and recommended Heavenly Talisman, Commanding Spirits, Twin Full Hands, and Six Treasury Immortal Thief for her to study.
  • Xiao Yi recognized Heavenly Talisman’s connection to Ten Thousand Leaves Flying Flower Flow, and Chen Xiaojun suggested combining it with her five elements attributes.
  • Xiao Yi explained the Great Azure Jade Heavenly Mandate Finger inherited from Lesser Siming, while Chen Xiaojun revealed that he had also acquired a divine ability he could use after his Upper Soul Nest healed.
  • Chen Xiaojun proposed combining Xiao Yi’s cultivation methods and organizing her techniques into four branches focused on finger techniques, life, soul, and supplementary martial skills.
  • Xiao Yi embraced Chen Xiaojun and thanked him for understanding her and helping improve her cultivation methods.
  • Chen Xiaojun reflected that his plan could expand Xiao Yi’s potential toward the Super Douluo, Peerless Douluo, and deity realms.

Ch. 1005Heavenly Stem and Earthly Sha

Chen Xiaojun gave Xiao Yi her jade-inlaid token and explained the Chen Clan’s Heavenly Stem and Earthly Sha training programs and long-term plans. He offered her three nomination places, and she approved giving one to Su Ningxia, leaving her with two.

  • Chen Xiaojun gave Xiao Yi her token and described Heavenly Stem and Earthly Sha as central programs for training the clan’s future Titled Douluos and Soul Douluos.
  • Xiao Yi recognized the programs’ political importance, while Chen Xiaojun used the conversation to reassure her that she remained vital to him and the clan after her long absence.
  • Chen Xiaojun explained that the clan assigned Heavenly Stem places to promising candidates and reserved Earthly Sha places for training powerful Soul Douluos, with families and retainers receiving nominations.
  • Chen Xiaojun told Xiao Yi that she had three nomination places and teased her about being the future Matriarch; Xiao Yi denied that she would marry him.
  • Chen Xiaojun asked whether Su Ningxia could keep the place he had assigned under Xiao Yi’s name, and Xiao Yi agreed, leaving her with two places to assign.

Ch. 1006Demon Dragon General Yan Wufeng (Part One)

Yan Wufeng discussed his plans to pressure the Chen Clan with Yan Qi and revealed that an attempt to kill Chen Yu had failed after hidden Chen Clan experts fought back. He identified Shen Tianjun as the man who injured him, leaving Yan Qi stunned that Shen Lang’s father was still alive.

  • Yan Qi reported that he had passed information about the Heavenly Wolf Forging Market incident to the Ming Family and that Li Lingfeng cautiously supported the plan.
  • Yan Wufeng explained that Li Lingfeng and the Li Clan’s long history of influence and hostility toward the Chen Clan made his support valuable.
  • Yan Wufeng told Yan Qi that he, Guang Zhou, and Luo Ping had pursued Chen Yu but had been injured and driven back by powerful Chen Clan experts in Chen Clan Village.
  • Yan Qi was shocked to learn that the village had concealed eight or nine Soul Douluos, including peak experts, and Yan Wufeng ordered him to receive thirty lashes for his failure.
  • Yan Wufeng identified Shen Tianjun as the domain-wielding expert who had injured him, and Yan Qi reacted in disbelief that Shen Lang’s father was alive.

Ch. 1007Demon Dragon General Yan Wufeng (Part Two)

Yan Wufeng reviewed the failed operation against Chen Yu and Chen Cong, blamed intelligence failures and unexpected reinforcements, and ordered the Yan Family to lie low while investigating the Chen Clan. He suspected a hidden strategist was guiding the clan and vowed to settle his score with the wounded Chen Yu.

  • Yan Wufeng learned from Yan Qi that Chen Cong’s domain suppressed Yue Shen’s Realm and let him hold out until Xue Chuxin arrived.
  • Yan Wufeng listed the operation’s failures, including the brothers’ caution, their domain mastery, Xue Chuxin’s intervention, and the hidden High-Rank Soul Masters in Chen Clan Village.
  • Yan Qi recounted the battle on Zhongnan Mountain, prompting Yan Wufeng to worry about the Chen Clan’s younger generation and order an investigation.
  • Yan Wufeng ordered the Yan Family to avoid rash moves and conduct only essential reconnaissance for a while.
  • Yan Wufeng suspected a hidden master had anticipated the Crimson Church’s attack and used Xue Chuxin to break the deadlock.
  • Yan Wufeng coughed from his injuries, then vowed that he and his allies would eventually settle the score with Chen Yu.

Ch. 1008Yin-Yang Five Elements, linked immortal robes

Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi reunited and talked about their experiences, Dayu and Xiaoyu, and the sacrifice of their mother, Ling Xuange. They activated their Yin-Yang and Five Elements Immortal Robes, discovered that the robes resonated and strengthened each other, and found that their Soul Bones had become more compatible with them.

  • Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that Dayu and Xiaoyu had grown too large for the Spring of Life pool, but refused to leave it.
  • Chen Xiaojun explained that Ling Xuange had sacrificed herself for her children and described the agony and rarity of a Soul Beast’s sacrifice.
  • Chen Xiaojun revealed that his Yin-Yang Immortal Robe could link with his Soul Bones and might be connected to Xiao Yi’s Five Elements Immortal Robe.
  • Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi activated their immortal robes, which linked with their respective Soul Bones and answered each other through the air.
  • Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi sensed that their robes’ resonance strengthened their abilities and made their Soul Bones and robes more compatible.

Ch. 1009A Full Set of Red Gear Was No Dream!

Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi discovered that their upgraded Immortal Robes had given their Soul Bones a faint sentience and a hunger that might signal their ability to evolve. Before returning to Chang'an, Chen Xiaojun teased Xiao Yi with a promise of a surprise tied to his unused Fifth Ring system reward, which they would use after his internal injuries healed.

  • Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi sensed that their Soul Bones had developed a faint sentience and recognized their growing hunger.
  • Chen Xiaojun reasoned that the Soul Bones' hunger might be an instinct to evolve, and he and Xiao Yi discussed how the Immortal Robes could help their ages increase.
  • Chen Xiaojun told Xiao Yi that his Immortal Robe shared the Five Elements Immortal Robe's effects and suggested they study the robes' abilities.
  • Chen Xiaojun promised Xiao Yi a surprise for the two of them from his unused Fifth Ring system reward, but said they would wait until his internal injuries healed.
  • Xiao Yi pressed Chen Xiaojun for details, then turned away when he kept the surprise secret.

Ch. 1010Hello, Sister-in-Law!

Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi emerged from the cave and joined their companions for a feast celebrating Xiao Yi’s return, Chen Xiaojun’s recovery, and the group’s survival. The chapter ended with everyone eating and drinking together while Xiao Yi explained that Chen Xiaojun’s injuries were healing quickly and that his exhaustion was mostly mental.

  • Chen Mu interrupted Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi, and they left the cave together.
  • Chen Bin, Chen Shurui, Zhu Wuneng, Dugu Fu, and Ma Liang welcomed Xiao Yi back by greeting her as their sister-in-law.
  • Chen Mu seated everyone for a feast celebrating Xiao Yi’s return, Chen Xiaojun’s recovery, and their survival.
  • Chen Xiaojun produced jars of wine from his Void Ring, and Chen Mu poured drinks for the group.
  • Xiao Yi explained that Chen Xiaojun’s internal injuries were healing quickly and that he was mainly suffering from mental exhaustion.

Ch. 1011I drained them dry

Chen Shurui served bamboo-shoot soup as the group enjoyed a lively meal, and Xiao Yi revealed that she had drained the Howling Moon Silver Wolves of their Soul Power and vitality before sharing the power with everyone. Chen Xiaojun concealed what he and Xiao Yi had been doing, leaving Xiao Yi quietly pleased by his trust.

  • Chen Shurui served his bamboo-shoot and fish soup, and the group praised the food while sharing a warm meal.
  • The group admired the Ma brothers’ honey-glazed wolf ribs and wondered why the Howling Moon Silver Wolf corpses had shriveled.
  • Xiao Yi explained that she had drained the wolves of their Soul Power and vitality, then passed the converted Life Soul Power to the others through the Life Force Field.
  • Zhu Wuneng began preparing his own dishes after the others cut off his familiar war stories.
  • Chen Mu asked about the powerful Soul Power fluctuations, and Chen Xiaojun claimed Xiao Yi had only tended his wounds.
  • Xiao Yi realized Chen Xiaojun was keeping the Yin-Yang Immortal Robe secret between them and felt happy that he trusted her.

Ch. 1012Heavenly Prodigy Ranking's Top Rank

During a meal, Ma Liang realized Xiao Yi was the long-hidden top-ranked prodigy on the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking, and the others confirmed it. Chen Xiaojun recognized that her identity could put her at risk and sent Chen Mu to arrange secrecy until the Advanced Soul Master Tournament.

  • Zhu Wuneng served freshly caught blanched river shrimp, and Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi peeled shrimp for each other while the others teased them.
  • Ma Liang inferred that Xiao Yi was the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking's Top Rank from her abilities, the group's reactions, and clues about the rank's description.
  • Chen Xiaojun explained the ranking to Xiao Yi, who said she would rather not hold first place because of the incident that earned it.
  • Chen Xiaojun said he ranked third and Xixi ranked ninth, then turned serious and told Chen Mu to keep Xiao Yi's identity confidential.
  • Chen Mu agreed to warn Teacher Chu and the others to keep Xiao Yi's identity secret until the Advanced Soul Master Tournament.

Ch. 1013Claiming the championship

Chen Xiaojun announced that the Middle Division would compete in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament’s provincial preliminaries and set the goal of winning the championship. The gathering ended with Xiao Yi revealing her full name and title.

  • Dugu Fu praised Gao Cuilan’s spicy crab, and the group discussed Xiao Yi settling at the academy and strengthening its championship chances.
  • Gao Cuilan worried that she would not make the tournament roster, but Chen Xiaojun announced that the Middle Division would compete in the provincial preliminaries and that everyone present, including Ma Wencai, would join.
  • Chen Xiaojun said he expected the team to win the preliminary championship and urged them to prepare through training, coordination, and strategy.
  • Gao Cuilan and Chen Mu asked about Xiao Yi’s name, and Xiao Yi revealed that she was Donghuang Xiuyi, titled Lesser Siming.

Ch. 1014Chen Cong Awakens

Chen Cong awakened and began a slow recovery under Mu Lingyun and Xiao Yi’s care. He learned that Chen Taro remained near death after Yan Wufeng and the others ambushed him, and the family discussed how to guard against the Crimson Church without relying on their elders.

  • Mu Lingyun and Xiao Yi treated Chen Cong’s injuries, and Mu Lingyun estimated that he could recover fully in six months to a year if his condition stabilized over the next two months.
  • Chen Cong thanked Mu Lingyun and Xiao Yi, then joked warmly with Xiao Yi about teaching her once he regained his strength.
  • Chen Menglin told Chen Cong that Chen Taro was still unconscious and in danger after Yan Wufeng, Youguang Zhou, and Luo Ping ambushed him.
  • Chen Menglin explained that Chen Taro and the clan’s elders wounded their attackers, forcing them to retreat, though Chen Taro and Yan Wufeng were badly injured.
  • Chen Cong and Chen Menglin discussed keeping the elders’ identities hidden and staying vigilant against Yan Wufeng.
  • Chen Cong blamed his own carelessness for the ambush and insisted that his generation should face the Crimson Church without depending on his parents.

Ch. 1015Chen Xun's ambition to become a Peerless Douluo

Chen Xun pursued a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Soul Ring overseas to strengthen his chances of becoming a Peerless Douluo, while his absence left the Chen Clan vulnerable to Yan Wufeng’s ambush. In response, Chen Cong and Chen Menglin resolved to accelerate the Sunset Glow Plan and prepare veteran Branch Lineage experts for breakthroughs to Titled Douluo.

  • Chen Xun chose to hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast overseas with Bo Xian'er and Chen Zixiu, seeking greater power for himself, his children, and the Chen Clan.
  • While Chen Xun and his companions were away, Yan Wufeng ambushed Chen Yu and Chen Cong.
  • Chen Cong and Chen Menglin discussed how the Chen Clan’s rapid expansion had spread its forces too thin and left it vulnerable.
  • Chen Cong called for the Sunset Glow Plan to be accelerated so the clan could strengthen itself and answer its enemies.
  • The Main Lineage had selected six veteran experts from the Branch Lines, including Shen Tianjun, and prepared them for breakthroughs to Titled Douluo.

Ch. 1016The Yan Family Was in Marseille Commandery!

Chen Xiaojun used Crimson Church activity patterns to identify Marseille Commandery as the likely location of a Yan Family base, and Chen Menglin prepared to investigate and destroy it. The chapter ended with background on Marseille Commandery and the geography of Fasinuo Province.

  • Chen Xiaojun argued that the Chen Clan should stop defending passively and find the Crimson Church’s base, while Chen Menglin explained that the Yan Family concealed its headquarters even from its allies.
  • Chen Xiaojun reasoned that the Yan Family likely had a base in Fasinuo Province and presented Chen Cong and Chen Menglin with a map of attacks and known Crimson Church movements.
  • Chen Xiaojun identified Marseille Commandery as the most likely base location, and Chen Cong ordered Chen Menglin to search it and the other Central Four Commanderies carefully.
  • Chen Xiaojun warned that Yan Wufeng might have prepared traps, and Chen Menglin vowed to destroy the Yan Family’s base in Marseille Commandery.

Ch. 1017Long-distance communication

Chen Xiaojun identified the Chen Clan’s primitive communications as a major weakness and proposed working with the Xue Family to develop a new long-distance system using its Brightlight Mirror martial soul. The chapter left him preparing to approach Xue Tianyu with his ideas.

  • Chen Xiaojun explained that slow message delivery had left the Chen Clan vulnerable and could delay its response to attacks.
  • Chen Cong described the scarcity of ancient communication soul tools, and Chen Xiaojun suggested adapting the Xue Family’s Brightlight Mirror martial soul with the Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements.
  • Chen Menglin recognized the system’s potential to connect the clan’s scattered holdings, while Chen Xiaojun cautioned that even covering the Southern Five Commanderies would be an achievement.
  • Chen Cong encouraged Chen Xiaojun to approach Xue Tianyu, whom he believed might cooperate if the proposal was convincing.
  • Chen Xiaojun considered his plans for Xue Tianyu as representatives from several families gathered in Chang'an City to follow the Chen Clan’s lead.

Ch. 1018Concerns over a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring

Chen Cong, Chen Menglin, and Chen Xiaojun discussed who would lead the Chen Clan while Chen Xun hunted a hundred-thousand-year soul beast and Chen Taro recovered from grave injuries. They planned for Chen Qiujun to guard the village discreetly, while Chen Xiaojun began to report an important event from the mountains.

  • Chen Cong said that he and Chen Taro were badly injured, leaving the clan and Duke's Mansion without clear leadership.
  • Chen Menglin proposed that Chen Xun act as Clan Chief, but Chen Cong warned that his rapid progress and possible Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring could expose the clan to danger.
  • Chen Xiaojun worried about Chen Xun's soul-beast hunt and recalled the preparations his father had made to withstand the soul assault.
  • Chen Xiaojun suggested that Chen Qiujun quietly guard the village, Chen Xun or his mother manage daily affairs, and Chen Menglin handle outside matters.
  • Chen Cong warned that discovery of Chen Xun's soul ring could bring suspicion and attacks from rival forces and the Crimson Church.
  • Chen Xiaojun began reporting a serious event from the mountains to Chen Cong and Chen Menglin.

Ch. 1019Chang'an's Sorrow, the Chen Clan's Duty

After Chang'an Academy's battle with the Wolf Bandits left 131 people dead, severely injured, or missing, Chen Cong and the Chen Clan promised compensation and continued searches. Zhuang Mocheng praised Chen Xiaojun's leadership, while the chapter noted that rumors had exaggerated his role in the Heavenly Wolf Sect's destruction.

  • Zhuang Mocheng reported that the academy's forces suffered 46 deaths, 39 severe injuries, and 46 missing people across the attacks.
  • Chen Cong ordered the Chen Clan to match death benefits and compensation, support disabled survivors, and cover the medical expenses of those who could recover.
  • Chen Xiaojun insisted that search parties keep looking for the missing, and Chen Cong said they would be declared fallen if they were not found within seven days.
  • Zhuang Mocheng thanked Chen Xiaojun, Chen Menglin, and the Chen Clan, praising Chen Xiaojun for leading victories that killed nearly two thousand Wolf Bandits and over a hundred Howling Moon Silver Wolves.
  • The chapter noted that Chen Xiaojun had assisted Ling Yunxiao in planning the destruction of the Heavenly Wolf Sect, but stories had exaggerated his role.
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