Chapter Summaries

After Zeng Mu’s elemental mark became dormant, his classmates mocked him and he withdrew in despair. His adoptive grandfather Yuan Su promised to take him somewhere that could restore his mark, but at the academy’s annual evening ball, Zeng Mu saw Zhou Shiyu and her friends urged her to abandon him.

• Zeng Mu’s classmates insulted and kicked him, and instructor Yue Yuxin tried to encourage him after they left.
• Zeng Mu brooded over his dormant elemental mark, then fell asleep on the classroom building’s rooftop lawn.
• Yuan Su found Zeng Mu and said he knew somewhere that could restore his elemental mark, prompting Zeng Mu to follow him.
• Students mocked Zeng Mu as he and Yuan Su crossed the academy, but Yuan Su reassured him that they would soon lose their chance to insult him.
• Zeng Mu saw Zhou Shiyu, while her friends urged her to forget him and attend the academy’s annual evening ball.

After learning from Yuan Su that a black stone necklace could take him into the world in a painting and might restore his dormant elemental mark, Zeng Mu agreed to venture there but asked to see Zhou Shiyu first. At the academy ball, Zhou Shiyu sat alone, and Fu Yuanyuan put a hand on her shoulder before an unseen person ordered him to remove it.

• Yuan Su brought Zeng Mu to his studio and revealed that the painting showed a real world connected to the loss of elemental marks.
• Yuan Su gave Zeng Mu a black stone necklace that could carry him into the painted world, where his elemental mark might recover and grow stronger.
• Zeng Mu agreed to enter the other world but said he wanted to speak to Zhou Shiyu once more first.
• At the academy ball, Zhou Shiyu's friends urged her to forget Zeng Mu and meet eligible men, but she stayed alone with her grape juice.
• Fu Yuanyuan approached Zhou Shiyu, flirted with her, and touched her shoulder before an icy voice told him to take his hand off her.

At the Night Dance, Fu Yuanyuan challenged Zeng Mu to a fight and used elemental power to strike him down, then argued that academy rules did not protect someone without an elemental mark. Zhou Shiyu turned on Fu Yuanyuan and prepared to kill him.

• Zeng Mu arrived to say farewell to Zhou Shiyu, and Fu Yuanyuan challenged him to a fair fight without elemental power.
• Fu Yuanyuan and Zeng Mu exchanged blows, with Fu Yuanyuan exploiting Zeng Mu's weakening body to gain the advantage.
• Fu Yuanyuan secretly gathered elemental power and struck Zeng Mu in the heart, sending him crashing into a wall.
• Zhou Shiyu confronted Fu Yuanyuan for violating the academy's rules, but he claimed Zeng Mu no longer counted as a student.
• Zhou Shiyu summoned her wind element and prepared to kill Fu Yuanyuan.

After Fu Yuanyuan gravely wounded Zeng Mu, Yuan Su used the black stone necklace and a painting to send him to another world. Zeng Mu awakened on a vast battlefield without his elemental mark, met the knight Kanni, and rode west with him after learning that elemental power existed in this world.

• Zhou Shiyu slapped Fu Yuanyuan and tended to Zeng Mu while the principal halted the confrontation and brought them to Yuan Su’s villa.
• Yuan Su placed a black helmet on Zeng Mu, then used his necklace and a moonlit painting to make Zeng Mu vanish.
• Zeng Mu awoke wounded on a battlefield littered with tens of thousands of dead and discovered that he could no longer sense his elemental mark.
• Kanni found Zeng Mu, gave him water, identified him as a Second Legion vanguard knight, and called him Nameless after he could not recall his identity.
• Kanni explained the continent’s three warring powers and fed elemental meat to his exhausted horse, while Zeng Mu learned that eating such meat could awaken elemental abilities.

Zeng Mu and Kanni struggled across the desert to catch the retreating main force, learning more about elemental power as thirst and exhaustion slowed them. After finding moisture-rich Water Demon Scorpion eggs in a gorge, they prepared to rest, but the horse sensed danger and Kanni warned Zeng Mu to watch behind him.

• During the journey, Kanni explained elemental beasts and elementalists, and Zeng Mu recalled his dean's teaching about the limits of elemental power and the possibility of becoming one with the world.
• As the heat and dehydration worsened, Kanni and Zeng Mu removed their armor and continued riding, hoping to catch the main force because Sand City was hundreds of kilometers away.
• Zeng Mu slept for nearly seven hours while Kanni kept watch, and they continued toward a rocky gorge where Kanni hoped to find something to sustain them.
• Kanni dug into the gorge's damp soil and found Water Demon Scorpion eggs, which he and Zeng Mu ate for moisture.
• As they rested in the gorge, the warhorse neighed restlessly and Kanni shouted for Zeng Mu to watch behind him.

Zeng Mu and Kanni killed a Water Demon Scorpion, learned about Elemental Beasts and elemental power, and discovered signs that Qi soldiers were pursuing the Vikings. After eating the scorpion meat, they prepared to follow the tracks.

• Zeng Mu dodged a Water Demon Scorpion’s ambush, and he and Kanni killed it together.
• Kanni explained the Elemental Beast grades and the unusual weakness of water beasts, then packed the scorpion meat as provisions.
• Zeng Mu and Kanni found a dead Viking squad and concluded that Qi soldiers had killed them while tracking the Vikings.
• Kanni said the Vikings seemed to be following the coalition’s main force and reassured Zeng Mu that an Elementalist commanded its vanguard.
• Zeng Mu and Kanni ate the scorpion meat, recovered their strength, and set off to follow the hoofprints.

Zeng Mu and Kanni tracked the Qi soldiers and Vikings into a dead forest, where they discovered a Qi force preparing to ambush the Vikings. They decided to follow the attack and try to aid the knight commander, hoping to claim a major reward.

• Zeng Mu and Kanni entered the dead forest, sent Kanni’s horse toward Sand City, and found chariots hidden among the trees.
• The two discovered a concealed camp of Qi soldiers and reasoned that both armies were pursuing a small squad, likely led by the knight commander.
• A silver-mark general told his soldiers that they had found the Vikings and planned a dawn attack to kill their purple-mark leader, Yetos.
• After the Qi force moved out, Kanni urged Zeng Mu to act as an oriole and help the knight commander in hopes of earning a noble title.
• Zeng Mu and Kanni set off after the soldiers.

Qi Kingdom soldiers ambushed the Viking camp, and the silver-marked general fought the Vikings’ leader in a fierce duel. After both men shed their heavy armor, the battle continued with their strength and speed unleashed.

• Qi Kingdom soldiers opened fire on the Viking sentries, and one sentry died after warning the camp of the attack.
• The silver-marked general ordered the Qi Kingdom soldiers to charge, and the awakened Vikings met them in combat.
• Kanni and Zeng Mu watched the general fight, and Kanni acknowledged his speed and skill.
• The Viking leader charged the general with a massive axe, and the two exchanged more than twenty blows.
• The general removed his heavy armor and gained speed and strength, so the Viking leader shed his armor and continued the duel in light armor.

Idiveer pursued the wounded knight commander Yetos, but turned back when he sensed fighting at the Viking camp. Meanwhile, the Qi Kingdom general killed the Viking leader and surrounded the remaining warriors, just as Yetos and his men approached the battlefield and a dangerous unknown voice called out.

• Idiveer tracked Yetos through the woods, then led his squad back toward camp after hearing sounds of battle.
• Yetos and three knights emerged from hiding and chose to watch the fighting rather than return to their main force.
• The Qi Kingdom general defeated and beheaded the Viking leader, but the Vikings fought on to avenge him.
• The Qi Kingdom soldiers broke the Vikings' formation and encircled the survivors, who refused to surrender.
• A voice from afar praised the Viking warriors, and the Qi Kingdom general realized a dangerous figure had appeared.

Idiveer used his Earth Element to defeat the Qi Kingdom soldiers and kill their general, but Yetos ambushed the Viking warriors after Idiveer exhausted himself. The chapter ended with Idiveer and Yetos facing off as their auras rose for a fight.

• Idiveer arrived, honored Waldaren, and challenged the Qi Kingdom general, Ling Zhengjian.
• Idiveer overpowered Ling Zhengjian and killed him, then used a massive Earth Element attack to slaughter the remaining Qi Kingdom soldiers.
• After learning that the attack had cost the Vikings most of their warriors, Idiveer planned to continue tracking the wounded Knight Commander Yetos.
• Yetos sprang an ambush with green vines that restrained the Viking warriors, leaving only Idiveer standing.
• Yetos confronted Idiveer and taunted him for exhausting his elemental power, and the two prepared to fight.

Yetos and Idiveer fought to a stalemate while their leaders battled nearby, until Kanni and Zeng Mu arrived to aid the knights. Zeng Mu faced a Viking Leader head-on, ready to test himself in real combat.

• Idiveer used earth power to free his Viking warriors from Yetos's poisonous vines, then charged Yetos while the Viking Leaders and Knight Commanders fought around them.
• Yetos and Idiveer traded blows, and a burst of energy strengthened the strongest Knight Commander enough to wound a Viking Leader.
• Idiveer unleashed a storm of elemental power to stop Yetos from supporting the other battlefield, but two newcomers appeared and drew the fighters' attention.
• Kanni and Zeng Mu joined the battle, and Kanni forced back a Silver-Pattern Leader with a single sword clash.
• A Viking Leader charged Zeng Mu, who relied on the body's battle-honed instincts and struck at the incoming great axe.

Zeng Mu and Kanni fought the Viking leaders as the battle reached its climax. Zeng Mu brought Liduo down and threw his broken sword at Idiveer, giving Yetos an opening to unleash a decisive elemental blast.

• Zeng Mu evaded Liduo’s powerful axe strikes while Kanni wounded Weido and cut him in two.
• Idiveer hurled a boulder at Kanni, but Yetos stopped it with a rapidly grown tree, and a Knight Commander deflected a throwing axe aimed at Kanni.
• Kanni joined Zeng Mu against Liduo, but Liduo focused his attacks on the injured Zeng Mu and forced him to abandon their coordinated assault.
• Zeng Mu let Liduo’s axe strike his shoulder, and Kanni severed the axe handle before stabbing Liduo and knocking him down.
• As he fell, Zeng Mu switched his broken sword to his left hand and threw it at Idiveer, whose momentary panic let Yetos strike and trigger a massive blast.

Yetos and Idiveer ended their battle in a temporary truce, and Yetos's group reunited with the retreating main force after rescuing the unconscious Zeng Mu. They continued toward Sand City, whose military importance and bustling commerce were described as they approached.

• Idiveer agreed to withdraw with his men and keep out of the territory for ten days, while Yetos accepted the truce to protect the wounded Zeng Mu.
• After Idiveer retreated, Yetos revealed that Idiveer's elemental power had worsened his injuries, then treated Zeng Mu's shoulder and awarded him the Bronze Sword.
• Kanni carried Zeng Mu through the Withered Forest with Yetos and the three Knight Commanders, and they emerged after dark to find the main force nearby.
• Yetos used elemental power to propel wooden boats so the five could catch up with the main force, whose knights cheered their return and resumed the march toward Sand City.
• The narration described Sand City as a fortified military capital where merchants, healers, blacksmiths, and other traders served the legions.

After reaching Sand City, Ma Linya treated Zeng Mu’s severe injuries with Elemental Medicine while Kanni waited nearby. Zeng Mu woke that night, and Ma Linya began caring for him and offered to help recover his memories.

• Yetos sent William to inspect supplies, Aijimu to check the defenses, and Xibizete to organize enemy intelligence.
• Ma Linya assured Kanni that Zeng Mu’s injuries were stable and arranged for ingredients to prepare medicine for him.
• Ma Linya treated Zeng Mu with Elemental Medicine and massage until she expected him to wake that night.
• Zeng Mu woke in the stone house, met Ma Linya, and learned he was recuperating in Sand City.
• Ma Linya fed Zeng Mu porridge, helped him dress, and offered to help him recover his memories.

Zeng Mu failed to recover his name through Ma Linya’s dangerous memory-awakening attempt, then spent two uneasy days in Sand City resting as his wounds healed. With his injuries finally closed, Ma Linya took him outside to move around.

• Zeng Mu agreed to let Ma Linya try to awaken his memories, and she treated his wound with elemental herbs before using burning charcoal and a scarf to guide him into a trance.
• Zeng Mu saw a peaceful village surrounded by fields in his subconscious, but the vision collapsed and he awoke coughing without remembering his name or where the village was.
• Ma Linya apologized for nearly causing Zeng Mu harm, and he joked with her before she left to fetch him a soft grass blanket.
• For two days, Yetos kept Sand City’s defenses strengthened while the knights continued their drills, and Zeng Mu rested under Ma Linya’s care.
• Ma Linya removed Zeng Mu’s bandages after his injuries healed rapidly and invited him outside to move around.

After recovering, Zeng Mu received armor, a sword, and a Third-Rank Knight promotion alongside Kanni. He learned the enemy forces remained nearby and planned to resume training, hoping to become an Elementalist by consuming Elemental Beast Chunks.

• Kanni took the recovered Zeng Mu to try on his specially commissioned black armor and gave him the Silver-Pattern General’s sword.
• Yetos and the other Knight Commanders praised Zeng Mu’s sword skills and awarded him and Kanni Hero Medals, promoting them to Third-Rank Knights with monthly allowances of one hundred Livre.
• Yetos told them Idiveer’s roughly two thousand troops were camped to the southeast and the Qi Kingdom allied forces led by Qin Zihui’s roughly three thousand troops were northeast, with neither force showing signs of movement.
• Kanni celebrated his promotion and offered to take Zeng Mu into town, but Zeng Mu said he wanted to spend his allowance on Elemental Beast Chunks.
• Zeng Mu told Kanni to take him to the training area so he could stretch his limbs and continue training.

Zeng Mu trained with Kanni at the Holy Temple grounds, where Kanni taught him to relax his mind and let his swordsmanship adapt like water. As the knights took inspiration from their words, a vast flock of Black-Feathered Sparrows arrived over Sand City.

• Aikimu welcomed the recently recovered Zeng Mu and Kanni to the training grounds, then left to inspect the city walls.
• Kanni sparred with Zeng Mu and explained that Zeng Mu’s tense desire to win kept his mind from keeping pace with his sword.
• Zeng Mu recited a teaching about becoming like water, and Kanni praised the wisdom while several nearby knights gained new insight into their swordsmanship.
• Zeng Mu noticed a fast-moving black mass approaching from the mountains, and Kanni identified it as a flock of Black-Feathered Sparrows.

A flock of more than twenty thousand Black-Feathered Sparrows attacked Sand City, overwhelming the knights and forcing Kanni and Zeng Mu to seek shelter with Ma Linya. As injured knights died outside the stone house, Ma Linya proposed using a medicinal solution to drive the birds away.

• Black-Feathered Sparrows descended on Sand City and attacked the knights, piercing damaged armor and killing many of them.
• Kanni and Zeng Mu fought their way toward a stone house, where Ma Linya let them inside.
• Several wounded knights tried to reach the house but died before they could get through the door.
• Ma Linya tried to go outside to save the fallen knights, but Kanni and Zeng Mu stopped her.
• Ma Linya said she knew of a medicinal solution that could drive away Black-Feathered Sparrows.

Zeng Mu and Kanni crossed Sand City to obtain fragrant herb from Cobert’s shop, hoping Ma Linya could prepare a potion to drive off the Black-Feathered Sparrows. They secured the herbs, but still needed to return and make the potion before their protective powder wore off.

• Ma Linya explained that fragrant herb and Elemental Rainbow Butterflies could make a potion that disrupted the Black-Feathered Sparrows, then applied Iron-Armored Beast Powder to Zeng Mu and Kanni for temporary protection.
• Zeng Mu and Kanni crossed the exposed square, and the powder’s scent made the circling Black-Feathered Sparrows hesitate to attack.
• At the herbal shop, Kanni threatened the owner until Cobert opened the door, and Zeng Mu assured him they had protection from the birds.
• Cobert told the men that his fragrant herb was stored in a high cabinet and led them upstairs to retrieve it.
• Cobert awkwardly climbed onto the human tower and unlocked the cabinet, then scattered down the fragrant herb while telling the men about his family and how he had sold Ma Linya a book on Elemental Medicine.

Kanni, Zeng Mu, and Cobert escaped the Black-Feathered Sparrows with Cobert’s medicinal sachets and returned to the stone house carrying the fragrant herbs. There, they found Yetos controlling a Wind Elemental Artifact while Ma Linya prepared medicinal liquid, and the chapter ended with Cobert’s sneeze interrupting the tense moment.

• Kanni, Zeng Mu, and Cobert gathered the fragrant herbs and used Cobert’s medicinal sachets to pass safely through the Black-Feathered Sparrows.
• Kanni and Cobert recognized the green currents as a Wind Elemental Artifact that Yetos was using to keep the birds at bay.
• The three reached the stone house, where Yetos invited them inside and William checked whether Kanni and Zeng Mu were hurt.
• Kanni handed the herbs to Ma Linya, who began preparing medicinal liquid while Yetos continued controlling the artifact.
• Zeng Mu watched Yetos strain as he worked, but Cobert sneezed and drew everyone’s disapproving stares.