Chapter Summaries

Chen Tang was killed by Wang Xiaoma in the second bout, and the Central Plains King struggled to face the sight of blood. Ximen Marshal recounted why the King’s father chose the battlefield over the dangers of court politics, leaving the King to consider his father’s legacy.

• Chen Tang rejected the thought of surrendering and faced Wang Xiaoma on the arena platform.
• Wang Xiaoma defeated Chen Tang in two saber strikes, killing him and giving Team Two another victory over Hidden Dragon High Martial.
• The Central Plains King tried to leave, but Ximen Marshal, Marshal Dongfang, and Marshal Beigong Hao insisted that he remain and learn to endure the sight of blood.
• The Central Plains King regained his composure and asked Ximen Marshal what his father had said before his final battle.
• Ximen Marshal explained that the King’s father went to war to avoid being drawn into a succession struggle and to preserve a path to survival for his descendants.

Ximen Marshal confronted the Central Plains King and ordered him to remain seated while the matches continued. When Xiao Junyi was called to fight Lan Xiaotu, she hesitated before entering the arena and shocked the venue by calling out to her godfather.

• Ximen Marshal told the Central Plains King that he was watching him and ordered him not to move.
• Vice Principal Liu announced that Xiao Junyi would fight Team Two's Lan Xiaotu, whose cultivation matched hers.
• Xiao Junyi walked toward the arena while the students worried over the famed beauty being called into a duel to the death.
• Xiao Junyi hesitated at the arena's edge as Ximen Marshal ordered her to enter and fight.
• Xiao Junyi cried that she did not want to die and called out to her godfather, silencing the venue.

Xiao Junyi revealed that the Central Plains King was her godfather and entered the arena despite his urging her to concede. Lan Xiaotu killed her with one sword stroke, leaving the Central Plains King stunned and Xiao Junyi’s grieving admirers demanding revenge.

• The Central Plains King declared that he was only a spectator and that Xiao Junyi was no longer his goddaughter at Hidden Dragon High Martial.
• The Central Plains King asked Ximen Marshal to spare Xiao Junyi because the Crown Prince was considering her as a consort, but Ximen Marshal refused.
• The Central Plains King told Xiao Junyi she could concede, but an unseen force sent her into the arena, where she drew her sword to face Lan Xiaotu.
• Lan Xiaotu beheaded Xiao Junyi with a single strike, shocking the Central Plains King and the students watching.
• A group of male students who had loved Xiao Junyi drew their swords and called for Lan Xiaotu’s life, while Lan Xiaotu stood ready to fight them.

After Lan Xiaotu killed Xiao Junyi, Li Chenglong explained that the Central Plains King’s plan to secure Xiao Junyi as Crown Prince Consort had been thwarted, while Zuo Xiaoduo sensed how the gathered leaders’ Fortune Qi had crushed her promising destiny. The chapter ended with Lan Xiaotu ignoring the students’ threats and Zuo Xiaoduo judging that those who persisted in seeking revenge had doomed their own futures.

• Ye Changqing stopped the students from rushing forward after Xiao Junyi’s death, while the teams watched in silence.
• Li Chenglong deduced that the Central Plains King had planned to make Xiao Junyi Crown Prince Consort and that the three Marshals had come to restrain him.
• Zuo Xiaoduo recalled seeing a half-formed crown above Xiao Junyi and realized that the great figures’ Fortune Qi had scattered her fate.
• Several young men wept and shouted threats of revenge at Lan Xiaotu, but she walked away without acknowledging them.
• Zuo Xiaoduo concluded that those who kept pursuing revenge after being warned had chosen a dead end.

Ye Changqing pleaded with Marshal Dongfang to spare the students implicated in the Central Plains King's scheme, and learned that His Majesty had personally requested the purge. The ten students killed included nine of the Central Plains King’s illegitimate sons, destroying a carefully built plan to expand his influence through Hidden Dragon High Martial and Xiao Junyi.

• Ye Changqing asked Marshal Dongfang to give the students another chance, while Dongfang warned that their futures could threaten the realm if they became the Central Plains King's allies.
• Marshal Dongfang told Ye Changqing that His Majesty had personally requested the operation.
• Minister Ding called seven more names, bringing the total to ten Hidden Dragon geniuses killed in successive battles.
• The Central Plains King realized that nine of the dead students were his illegitimate sons.
• The Central Plains King's plan to build a network of powerful lineages through his sons and Xiao Junyi was shattered.

The Central Plains King watched his ten planted students die and realized his hidden network had been exposed and destroyed. Ximen Marshal then revealed that officers planted in the armies had also been eliminated, with their deaths disguised as various accidents and military incidents.

• The Central Plains King realized that all ten of his people at Hidden Dragon High Martial had been killed and that his broader plan had been exposed.
• Ye Changqing struggled to manage the furious students, while some students questioned why the military’s senior officials had come to the school.
• Ximen Marshal asked the Central Plains King for his thoughts and presented a list of thirty-seven West Army junior officers killed in battle.
• Ximen Marshal revealed that seventeen East Army officers had died fighting in camp, and the Southern Army’s Deputy Marshal reported fourteen deaths attributed to drinking.
• The Southern Army’s Deputy Marshal said five North Army officers had frozen to death after refusing to wear winter clothes.

The Central Plains King learned that his allies and agents had been wiped out in a series of supposed accidents, then accused the three Marshals of killing the future Crown Prince Consort. Marshal Dongfang revealed that they had come to spare the King and preserve his manor because of his father’s legacy, though the chapter ended with Ximen Marshal recalling pleas from old comrades to show the King some dignity.

• Minister Ding and the Marshals reported mass drownings and the destruction of several Lineages, including the Central Plains King's allies.
• The Central Plains King realized that all the people he had cultivated and all the Lineages supporting him were dead, and he collapsed in grief.
• The Central Plains King accused the three Marshals of killing the future Crown Prince Consort, and Marshal Dongfang called the events repayment for past wrongs.
• Marshal Dongfang explained that the Emperor had asked them to spare the Central Plains King and his manor out of respect for his father, the Invincible War God of the Continent.
• Marshal Dongfang revealed that Nan Zhengqian had prepared two hundred thousand troops to destroy the manor, while Ximen Marshal said old West Army comrades had begged him to leave the King some dignity.

Ximen Marshal and Marshal Dongfang severed the West Army’s ties with the Central Plains King while shielding him from legal pursuit, then returned his father’s Hundred Battles Saber to the West Army. The Central Plains King left without taking it, and Ye Changqing stopped Cheng Guying from challenging the marshals, leaving Jianghu grievances as the remaining path to vengeance.

• Ximen Marshal told Jun Taifeng that his father’s legacy and the West Army’s loyalty no longer protected him, then presented him with the Hundred Battles Saber.
• Jun Taifeng refused to take the saber, insisted he alone bore responsibility for his actions, and left after bowing to it.
• Ximen Marshal reclaimed the saber, while Marshal Dongfang declared that the Central Plains King’s crimes could no longer be pursued under national law.
• Cheng Guying nearly protested, but Ye Changqing pulled him back and explained that Jianghu grievances could still be pursued.
• Marshal Dongfang and Ximen Marshal stood by their decision to protect the Central Plains King after stripping away his support.

After Team Five’s planted spies withdrew from Hidden Dragon High Martial, the school prepared for the second stage of the inspection, a friendly match with three additional challenge bouts. The new rules eased the threat of death matches, but the opposing teams would still choose Hidden Dragon’s students.

• Team Two’s captain told Red Hair that Team Five could withdraw its eight exposed spies, and Red Hair chose to take them away rather than accept challenges.
• You Xiaoyu warned Red Hair that the eight would be wanted across the continent, while Red Hair agreed to protect them as best he could.
• The eight students withdrew, and Ye Changqing recognized them as spies and marked them as future Graduate Trial targets.
• Minister Ding announced the second stage: nine friendly bouts across three cultivation realms, followed by three challenges in which the opposing teams chose their targets.
• Ye Changqing learned that the opposing teams would select Hidden Dragon High Martial’s students, while Team One’s disciples remained unaware of the inspection’s hidden schemes.

After the Central Plains King left, the teams prepared for the second stage while Zuo Xiaoduo sensed that the other contestants were eager to target him. Li Chenglong explained why the Star Soul Continent had let the Witch Alliance and Dao Alliance witness the internal upheaval, just as Zhongzhong approached their conversation.

• Team Two and Team Five’s leaders competed for the chance to face Zuo Xiaoduo, while Zuo Xiaoduo felt uneasy under their attention.
• Li Chenglong concluded that the three Marshals had achieved their main objective by driving the Central Plains King away, though Gao Qiao’er suspected they were anticipating something else.
• Gao Qiao’er questioned why the Witch Alliance and Dao Alliance had been allowed to witness the Star Soul Continent’s internal conflict.
• Li Chenglong explained that the display warned the two alliances that the Central Plains King’s schemes and forces had been exposed, discouraging them from cooperating with him.
• Zhongzhong approached Zuo Xiaoduo and the others, inviting himself into their discussion.

Xiang Bing grew jealous as Gao Qiao'er praised Li Chenglong and hinted at her interest in him, while Zuo Xiaoduo teased the group. Xiang Bing's bottled-up anger erupted into a heated argument with Li Chenglong, ending with his question about whether he had mistreated her.

• Xiang Bing squeezed between Li Chenglong and Gao Qiao'er, forcing Li Chenglong to move to another seat.
• Zuo Xiaoduo teased Xiang Bing about Gao Qiao'er and Li Chenglong getting along, and Gao Qiao'er said she might invite Li Chenglong to meet her mother.
• Xiang Bing criticized Li Chenglong and tried to redirect Gao Qiao'er's interest toward Zuo Xiaoduo, but Gao Qiao'er defended her admiration for Li Chenglong.
• Xiang Bing complained about the leaders' delays, then snapped at Li Chenglong when he urged her to keep her voice down.
• Li Chenglong finally argued back, and Xiang Bing repeatedly called him a scumbag.
• Li Chenglong asked Xiang Bing whether he had mistreated her, setting off her fury.

Xiang Bing attacked Li Chenglong after growing jealous of his conversation with Gao Qiao'er, and the class watched as Wen Xingtian ordered Zuo Xiaoduo to break up the fight. The chapter left Li Chenglong bewildered about Xiang Bing’s feelings while Wen Xingtian lamented that the class kept encouraging the trouble.

• Xiang Bing knocked Li Chenglong down, beat him, and bit his shoulder while crying.
• Li Chenglong turned the tables and pinned Xiang Bing, but stopped when he saw her tears before she bit his cheek.
• Wen Xingtian ordered Zuo Xiaoduo to separate them, and Zuo Xiaoduo and Xiang Chong pulled them apart.
• Wen Xingtian told Li Chenglong to comfort Xiang Bing, but Li Chenglong protested that he was the one who had been beaten.
• Wen Xingtian reflected that Zuo Xiaoduo and the other students repeatedly provoked Xiang Bing’s jealousy for their amusement.

Li Chenglong awkwardly soothed Xiang Bing while Marshal Dongfang noticed the extraordinary Fortune Qi surrounding the students and asked about them. The marshals learned that Li Chenglong was the freshman acclaimed as A Generation's Military Strategist, just as the Dan Origin Realm matches were about to begin.

• Wen Xingtian ordered Li Chenglong to comfort Xiang Bing, and Li Chenglong stopped her crying by threatening to beat her.
• Marshal Dongfang spotted the immense Fortune Qi around the group and asked Ye Changqing who they were.
• Ye Changqing identified Xiang Bing as Vice Principal Xiang's great-granddaughter, then reluctantly named Li Chenglong.
• Beigong Hao and Ximen Lie recognized Li Chenglong as the freshman acclaimed as A Generation's Military Strategist, while Marshal Dongfang regretted revealing his interest.
• Minister Ding announced that the next round would feature sparring between Dan Origin Realm students.

Minister Ding presided over the dan origin realm matches, but You Xiaoyu and Bing Xiao Bing secretly fought over the draw and destroyed the lots. Their rivalry exposed that the Witch Alliance knew a dangerous secret, leaving the Left Route Heavenly King alarmed and demanding an investigation.

• Minister Ding announced the three Hidden Dragon High Martial students and the opponents drawn from the three teams, including Bu Yunxiao, You Xiaoyu, and Bing Xiao Bing.
• You Xiaoyu and Bing Xiao Bing secretly unleashed their power while trying to draw a particular opponent, destroying all six lots and nearly injuring Minister Ding.
• You Xiaoyu and Bing Xiao Bing accused each other of cheating and warned each other to show restraint in the match.
• The Left Route Heavenly King questioned You Xiaoyu about how the Witch Alliance learned the secret, and You Xiaoyu blamed Nan Zhengqian, Wu Tiejiang, or the Heavenly King himself.
• The Left Route Heavenly King ordered You Xiaoyu to investigate, and Minister Ding nervously prepared to draw six replacement lots.

Minister Ding completed the draw, pairing Li Chenglong with Bu Yunxiao for the first match. Li Chenglong entered the arena with a refined manner and introduced his Dragon-Sealing Sword, while the bewildered Bu Yunxiao responded in kind with a grand introduction to his own sword.

• Minister Ding completed the drawing and announced Li Chenglong versus Bu Yunxiao as the first match.
• Li Chenglong reassured Xiang Bing that he would not lose, then entered the arena and greeted the officials and Bu Yunxiao with elaborate courtesy.
• Li Chenglong asked Bu Yunxiao to rest before their fight, but Bu Yunxiao insisted they settle the match at once.
• Li Chenglong drew the Dragon-Sealing Sword and described its craftsmanship, length, weight, and sharpness.
• Bu Yunxiao drew Starlight and imitated Li Chenglong by praising his own sword, leaving the students and team leaders bewildered.

Li Chenglong and Bu Yunxiao fought an evenly matched sword battle after Li Chenglong’s calculated opening unsettled his opponent. As the fight intensified, Li Chenglong held firm against Bu Yunxiao’s relentless offense, while Xiang Bing watched anxiously and Zuo Xiaoduo teased her about Li Chenglong.

• Li Chenglong and Bu Yunxiao saluted and launched into a fierce sword fight.
• Xiang Bing worried that her earlier quarrel with Li Chenglong might affect his performance, and Zuo Xiaoduo assured her he would win.
• Zuo Xiaoduo teased Xiang Bing by claiming Li Chenglong had called out for her in his sleep, and Wen Xingtian seized him by the ear.
• Li Chenglong recognized Bu Yunxiao’s exceptional foundations and combat experience and gave the battle his full attention.
• Bu Yunxiao pressed a powerful, continuous offense while Li Chenglong defended steadily, leaving both sides astonished by their abilities.

Li Chenglong fought Bu Yunxiao in a prolonged sword duel that astonished the Dao Alliance and impressed the assembled marshals. As both combatants neared their limits, their Sword Qi approached Cloud Transformation power, and the battle remained unresolved.

• The Dao Alliance team leader grew worried as Li Chenglong matched Bu Yunxiao through nearly a hundred exchanges despite expecting Bu Yunxiao to win easily.
• Li Chenglong and Bu Yunxiao depleted their stamina and cultivation power, and their sword strikes began releasing Sword Qi that could split space.
• Red Hair, You Xiaoyu, and the marshals watched the two young fighters with growing respect, while Ximen Marshal and Marshal Beigong Hao each claimed Li Chenglong for their army.
• Marshal Dongfang quietly believed the other marshals had no chance of winning Li Chenglong over.
• The sword clashes quickened as both fighters' control reached its limit, while Zuo Xiaoduo calmly cracked sunflower seeds, confident in Li Chenglong.

Li Chenglong weathered Bu Yunxiao’s increasingly fierce sword attacks, waiting for his opponent to exhaust himself and reveal an opening. Bu Yunxiao unleashed his life-saving true essence in a final assault, and the chapter ended with his sword crashing down on Li Chenglong’s defenses.

• Li Chenglong adapted to Bu Yunxiao’s swordsmanship and patiently defended while waiting for his offensive to weaken.
• Bu Yunxiao grew impatient after more than a thousand exchanges and intensified his attacks with Starlight.
• Li Chenglong shifted almost entirely to defense as Bu Yunxiao’s sword qi and star radiance engulfed him.
• Zuo Xiaoduo told the alarmed Xiang Bing that Li Chenglong was conserving his strength while Bu Yunxiao wore himself out.
• Bu Yunxiao spent all his life-saving true essence on a three-hundred-strike burst and plunged down with a thunderbolt-like blow against Li Chenglong’s protective sword light.

Li Chenglong defeated Bu Yunxiao in the first match, surviving his relentless assault before driving him off the platform with a counterattack. After claiming victory, Li Chenglong revealed he was a former student of Phoenix City Second High School, while Bu Yunxiao struggled to accept the loss.

• Bu Yunxiao exhausted his qi in a final assault, but Li Chenglong endured it and counterattacked as Bu Yunxiao retreated.
• Li Chenglong struck Bu Yunxiao with seven consecutive sword slashes, sending him off the platform and sealing his defeat.
• Minister Ding announced Li Chenglong as the winner, and Li Chenglong saluted Bu Yunxiao and named his former school, Phoenix City Second High School.
• Bu Yunxiao asked whether Li Chenglong was Hidden Dragon High Martial's top freshman, but Li Chenglong denied it and Team One's captain urged Bu Yunxiao to accept the loss.
• Hidden Dragon High Martial's students erupted in cheers after Li Chenglong's victory ended their streak of ten crushing defeats.

Li Chenglong’s victory was followed by You Xiaoyu’s bafflingly quick win over Xiang Chong. Zuo Xiaoduo could not understand You Xiaoyu’s hidden strength, and the next match was announced.

• Li Chenglong celebrated his win and returned to Class One as Xiang Bing laughed at the bite mark on his face.
• You Xiaoyu reluctantly entered the arena to face Xiang Chong, who challenged him with his Sky-Piercing Halberd.
• You Xiaoyu sent Xiang Chong flying out of the arena without visibly injuring him, winning before the spectators could understand what had happened.
• You Xiaoyu returned to cheers from Team Two and Team Five, while Xiang Chong and Wen Xingtian struggled to make sense of the defeat.
• Zuo Xiaoduo could not detect You Xiaoyu’s Qi Aspect or fate and wondered how someone at the Dan Origin Realm could conceal his abilities.
• The announcer called the third match between Zuo Xiaoduo and Bing Xiao Bing.