Chapter Summaries

Han Shuo investigated the Lizardmen’s magic crystal mine at Upside-Down Gourd Mountain, but a powerful creature inside detected his scout and forced him to retreat. While waiting for Selt and the Violet Thorn Knights to return, Han Shuo conceived a way to refine undead creatures so they could resist holy light, then spotted the approaching knights and Dark Elves.

• Han Shuo learned from Emily that Selt knew he had saved the Dark Curtain members and that the Violet Thorn Knights had a fire Archmage named Masor with them, then told her Masor was dead.
• Han Shuo visited the mine at Upside-Down Gourd Mountain and sent the Earth Armor Zombie underground, but a powerful creature sensed him and made him retreat as Lizardmen emerged from the mountain.
• Han Shuo decided to wait for Selt’s forces rather than risk entering the mine, and he considered ways to advance his Demonic Cultivation Art more quickly.
• Han Shuo realized he could use his Demonic Cultivation Art to refine high-level undead creatures so they could withstand holy light, and he planned to experiment at the Death Cemetery.
• Han Shuo’s Yin Demon spotted the Violet Thorn Knights approaching with the Dark Elves and Matriarch Dana, and he prepared to watch them confront the creature inside the mountain.

Han Shuo watched Selt’s Violet Thorn Knights and the Dark Elves attack the Lizardmen at Gourd Mountain, using the chaos to send the Earth Armor Zombie underground. The zombie revealed that an ancient Magic Array was imprisoning the enormous creature beneath the mountain, leaving Han Shuo worried that the attackers’ explosives might destroy the array.

• Selt joined forces with Yalin and Dana’s Dark Elves, hoping to seize the Magic Crystal Ore deposit and kill the fire-fearing creature beneath Gourd Mountain.
• Yalin demanded that the Lizardmen abandon Paparia, but their leader refused and declared that their true god would defend their land.
• Selt sent Cassel and the Violet Thorn Knights into Gourd Mountain, while Dana led her Dark Elves in an attack on the Lizardmen.
• As the invaders advanced with Goblins Bombs, Han Shuo sent the Earth Armor Zombie deeper underground while the creature roared in fury.
• The Earth Armor Zombie reached the creature and saw it trapped within an enormous ancient octagonal Magic Array, prompting Han Shuo to fear that the explosives could destroy its prison.

Han Shuo learned that the Lizard Progenitor King Daxiaxi had manipulated the Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves into destroying the mountain that imprisoned him, then agreed to rescue the Lizardmen in exchange for the Magic Crystal Ore. After hiding the Lizardmen underground, Han Shuo trapped the invaders inside Gourd Mountain and set the Goblin explosives alight.

• The Earth Armor Zombie resisted Daxiaxi’s strange attacks by making the earth tremble, while Daxiaxi struck the invading Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves as they planted explosives and slaughtered Lizardmen.
• Han Shuo discovered that Daxiaxi did not fear fire or explosives and had deceived the invaders into freeing him, then promised to save the Lizardmen in exchange for the Magic Crystal Ore.
• Han Shuo used the Demon-Slaying Edge to cut through the Magic Crystals and reach Daxiaxi, then led the surviving Lizardmen into an underground passage.
• Han Shuo summoned undead creatures to block the caves and throw the Goblin explosives back at the Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves, trapping them inside Gourd Mountain.
• Han Shuo ignited the explosives and fled toward the passage as the trapped invaders panicked.

Han Shuo escaped as Gourd Mountain collapsed, destroying the magic array and freeing the immensely powerful Lizard Progenitor King Daxiaxi. Daxiaxi devastated the invading forces and pursued Selt and Yalin, while Han Shuo joined the chase; the chapter ended with Selt redirecting toward Cecilia and the others.

• Explosions brought down Gourd Mountain, killing many of Selt's and Yalin's soldiers and breaking the array that imprisoned Daxiaxi.
• Daxiaxi emerged from the ruins with his sealed power restored, while Han Shuo escaped and recognized Cassel in the form of a goshawk.
• Cassel identified Han Shuo as the one who helped free Daxiaxi, and Daxiaxi attacked the invaders, killing hundreds as Selt ordered a retreat and Yalin fled.
• Han Shuo urged Daxiaxi to pursue Selt and Yalin, while the arriving Dark Curtain members spotted Han Shuo riding on the Lizard Progenitor King.
• Selt redirected his fleeing forces toward Cecilia and the others after hearing them, bringing the rampaging Daxiaxi toward their position.

Han Shuo and Daxiaxi fought off Selt’s forces as they threatened Cecilia and Emily. After Cassel and Yalin were killed and Selt retreated, Han Shuo went with Emily to pursue him while sending the Earth Armor Zombie to search Yalin’s underground remains.

• Daxiaxi assumed human form, then attacked Cassel after Han Shuo struck the Earth Bear with the Demon-Slaying Edge and Emily restrained him with Hands of Death.
• Daxiaxi crushed Cassel, while Han Shuo saved Emily and let Cecilia and the others flee without intervening for them.
• Han Shuo used the Demon-Slaying Edge to swallow Yalin’s dark-element python and two archers, and Daxiaxi killed Yalin underground as he tried to escape.
• Han Shuo mocked Selt into abandoning his pursuit of Cecilia, then learned from Emily that Cecilia’s grandfather was a Saint Archmage and one of Dark Curtain’s oldest Elders.
• Daxiaxi charged after Selt, and Han Shuo took Emily with him to go after Selt and his divine artifact Starry Sky.
• Han Shuo commanded the Earth Armor Zombie to search for Yalin’s valuables while leaving Cassel’s body alone.

Han Shuo obtained Starry Sky and Selt’s wealth from Daxiaxi in exchange for protecting the Lizardmen and agreeing to a future condition. Daxiaxi then recognized Han Shuo’s Skeleton Magic Staff as his former master’s and warned that the Qio Continent held powers greater than his own, while Cecilia and the others cautiously approached.

• Daxiaxi killed Selt and his Violet Thorn Knights, then offered Han Shuo Starry Sky, Selt’s Spatial Ring, and Gourd Mountain’s magic crystal ore in return for protecting the Lizardmen and accepting a condition for their next meeting.
• Han Shuo agreed, took Starry Sky and Selt’s Spatial Ring, and summoned Skeleton Warriors to collect valuables from the battlefield, leaving usable weapons for the Lizardmen.
• Daxiaxi recognized Han Shuo’s Skeleton Magic Staff as belonging to his former master and said its secrets could be uncovered by mastering it.
• Daxiaxi revealed that he was a fifth-stage super-tier magical beast, had been sealed for nearly five thousand years, and believed stronger beings might remain on the Qio Continent.
• Emily asked Han Shuo whether she should accompany him as Cecilia and the others cautiously approached Daxiaxi.

Han Shuo persuaded Daxiaxi to spare Cecilia and the Dark Curtain members, then collected valuable spoils, including Masor’s spatial tent. After Daxiaxi reunited with the Lizardmen, he learned that Han Shuo’s Earth Armor Zombie had developed independent thoughts, and the Lizardmen pledged to follow Han Shuo.

• Daxiaxi offered to kill Cecilia’s group, but Han Shuo insisted they were colleagues and let them leave.
• Cecilia thanked Han Shuo for saving her, then teased Emily about her feelings for him; Emily admitted she cared for him, and Cecilia promised to help them.
• Han Shuo gathered the battlefield’s weapons and valuables and claimed Masor’s spacious magical tent for himself.
• Han Shuo and Daxiaxi returned to Gourd Mountain, where the Lizardmen recognized Daxiaxi as their true god and bowed before him.
• The Earth Armor Zombie expressed a wish to return to the Undead Dimension, surprising Daxiaxi, and Han Shuo explained that his Martial Technique could make undead creatures intelligent and able to evolve.
• Daxiaxi told the Lizardman chief that the Lizardmen would follow Han Shuo from then on.

After returning from the underground world with a fortune in ore and spoils, Han Shuo learned that the Dark Curtain had promoted him to Second Sun Envoy. He directed Brettel City’s preparations for future conflict and handed Jack valuable supplies and funds, leaving the city better equipped for its next battles.

• Han Shuo left the underground world after promising Daxiaxi that he would look after the Lizardmen and returned to the City Lord’s Mansion in Brettel City.
• Dick reported that Candida praised Han Shuo’s actions and that the king had approved his promotion to Second Sun Envoy.
• Dokes reported that twenty thousand Mountain People had settled in Brettel City and that the Seven Grand Duchies were unlikely to attack for at least a month.
• Han Shuo ordered Dokes and Valklan to train their troops by targeting bandit groups that had raided Brettel City.
• Dick revealed that rumors about Han Shuo and Helen Tina had damaged relations between the Nathan and Xilun Duchies.
• Han Shuo gave Jack Spatial Rings containing Violet Thorn Knights’ armor, magic crystal ore, jewels, and nearly a million gold coins for Brettel City’s use.

Han Shuo received supplies and a divine artifact from Fubin'en, then returned to the Death Cemetery to use the Twelve Demon-Nurturing Soul-Shattering Formation on three Evil Knights and their mounts. He began suppressing their resistance as the formation’s twelve demons returned to their banners.

• Fubin'en and the merchants brought a large shipment of supplies to Brettel City, where Jack paid them and heard that more merchants planned to open shops there.
• Jack told Fubin'en that Brian had entrusted him with wealth worth more than three million gold coins, and that he planned to use it to strengthen Brettel City.
• Fubin'en gave Han Shuo a Spatial Ring from Phoebe, and Han Shuo entrusted him with Starry Sky and another list of requested items.
• Han Shuo returned to the Death Cemetery, prepared the Twelve Demon-Nurturing Soul-Shattering Formation, and summoned three Evil Knights into its pit.
• Han Shuo activated the formation, causing the twelve demons to emerge from his body and settle on the banners while the Evil Knights and their mounts struggled against their contracts.
• Han Shuo sat before the pit and used all his mental power to suppress the three Evil Knights as their bone spikes swept over him.

Han Shuo completed the costly reforging of three Evil Knights and began cultivating twelve Xuan Demons before the Skeleton Magic Staff transported his consciousness to the Otherworld. There he witnessed Little Skeleton conquer Mummy Lord Faluri, then returned to the Death Cemetery with a new understanding of Little Skeleton’s power and the staff’s ability to connect worlds.

• Han Shuo finished reforging three Evil Knights, concluded that tempering large numbers of undead was too costly, and began refining twelve Xuan Demons.
• While studying the Skeleton Magic Staff, Han Shuo’s consciousness crossed into the Otherworld, where he saw Little Skeleton and the other undead commanding a vast army.
• Little Skeleton defeated Mummy Lord Faluri, forced him to submit through a soul contract, and prepared to claim his territory.
• Han Shuo tried to contact Little Skeleton, but his consciousness dispersed; Little Skeleton sensed that his father had been nearby.
• Han Shuo returned to the Death Cemetery and realized the Skeleton Magic Staff had carried his consciousness to the Otherworld, where Little Skeleton had become extraordinarily powerful.

Han Shuo mastered Soul Tremor and began studying advanced Necromancy before meeting Gilbert and learning how the Soul Annihilation Mercenary Group had risen in Sun Radiance Valley. He gave Gilbert a Green Dragon’s Magic Beast Core, then visited the Dwarves to arrange custom weapons for the Lizardmen and Brettel City.

• Han Shuo mastered Soul Tremor and began researching the spells for summoning Bone Demons, Old Ghouls, and Mummy Lords.
• Gilbert visited Han Shuo and reported that Trunks had developed the Soul Annihilation Mercenary Group into Sun Radiance Valley’s fifth-largest power.
• Han Shuo gave Gilbert the Green Dragon’s Magic Beast Core, and Gilbert left to swallow it and evolve.
• Han Shuo visited the Dwarves, where Bennett and Calvin welcomed him.
• Han Shuo asked the Dwarves to forge weapons for the Lizardmen and Brettel City, and Calvin agreed to arrange the work.

Han Shuo strengthened three Evil Knights and sent them to serve Little Skeleton, who called him “Father” and revealed that he had gained his own consciousness and powers. Back in Brettel City, Han Shuo found it thriving and considered expanding its army by recruiting the Mountain People, subject to strict conditions.

• The three Evil Knights absorbed Han Shuo’s Natal Blood Essence, and he subdued them, marked them with Darkness Seals, and summoned Little Skeleton to take them.
• Little Skeleton called Han Shuo “Father,” explained that Han Shuo had created him and that he had developed a complete consciousness, then subdued the Evil Knights and took them to his territory in the Otherworld.
• Han Shuo returned to Brettel City and learned that its growing trade, population, and City Guard had helped it prosper while Dokes and Valklan defeated nearby bandit groups.
• Dick told Han Shuo that four Mountain People chiefs wanted to bring their followers into the army, and Han Shuo agreed if their units were broken up, their chiefs began as squad leaders, and the Mountain People served under his commanders.

Han Shuo strengthened Brettel City’s defenses and military forces before learning that Stone Men had attacked miners inside Lingluo Mountain. He went to investigate with Ademan and Delia, and entered the mine after sending a Yin Demon ahead to scout.

• Ademan and the four younger Mountain People chiefs agreed to Han Shuo’s demands, and more than eight thousand Mountain People joined Brettel City’s forces.
• Dokes organized and trained the Mountain People, while Valklan taught them to operate siege equipment; Han Shuo also approved Dokes’s plan to deepen the city’s moats.
• Ademan told Han Shuo that Stone Men had appeared in Lingluo Mountain’s mines and killed more than a dozen miners, so Han Shuo agreed to investigate with Ademan and Delia.
• Delia asked to accompany Han Shuo because her former subordinates still worked at Lingluo Mountain, and he gave her permission.
• At the mine entrance, Han Shuo sent a Yin Demon ahead to scout and told Ademan to wait outside before leading Delia and the others into the tunnel.

Han Shuo discovered that the Stone Men were the souls of dead miners using rocks to form bodies, then captured and subdued them. Following their directions, he found the Metal-Extreme Land, where rich Metal Essence filled a vast chamber.

• Han Shuo led Delia and the miners to the chamber where the Stone Men had appeared and summoned undead warriors to protect the group.
• Eight Stone Men formed from the surrounding rocks and attacked Han Shuo, who smashed their bodies apart with his fists.
• Han Shuo captured the Stone Men’s escaping souls and learned they had been miners who gained power in a strange place filled with a peculiar force.
• Han Shuo arranged for the Stone Men to mine ore for Delia’s group in exchange for living beyond the three caves, and Delia led the miners out.
• Han Shuo followed the Stone Men’s directions through a narrow cave and found the Metal-Extreme Land, filled with Metal Essence and rare ores.

Han Shuo discovered a Metal Element Treasure in the Metal-Extreme Land and arranged for the Stone Men to protect it while he gathered materials for the Golden Armored Corpse. Back in Brettel City, he learned from Dick that the Seven Grand Duchies had united and were preparing to move against the city, and he said he would prevent their armies from joining forces.

• Han Shuo found a golden pillar that he recognized as a Metal Element Treasure, left it untouched, and stationed eight souls to guard the Metal-Extreme Land.
• Han Shuo sealed the caves, told Delia and Ademan that the Stone Men would mine ore for them, and warned them not to enter the Stone Men's territory.
• Delia confessed that she wanted to become Han Shuo's woman, but Han Shuo put off answering and flew back to Brettel City.
• Han Shuo gave Jack a list of materials needed to refine the Golden Armored Corpse, then went to meet Dick at the Dark Curtain base.
• Dick told Han Shuo that the Seven Grand Duchies had ended their hostilities and were likely planning to attack Brettel City.
• Han Shuo told Dick that he had already planned how to keep the Seven Grand Duchies' allied army from uniting.

The Seven Grand Duchies gathered in Sagamil Valley to plan an attack on Brettel City, while Helen Tina struggled with the rumors and her doubts about their chances. Han Shuo infiltrated the meeting grounds and attacked Alec Ambridge, leaving him wounded and convinced Benedict Sackville was behind the attempt.

• The seven dukes argued over command, battle plans, and Brettel City's spoils, while Helen Tina felt isolated and doubted their ability to defeat Han Shuo.
• Helen Tina confided in Fire Phoenix that the rumors about her capture had ruined her standing, and admitted she sometimes wished Han Shuo had truly cared for her.
• Han Shuo overheard Helen Tina's conversation through a yin demon, then hid underground near the central tent and waited for the dukes to leave.
• After nightfall, Han Shuo traveled to Alec Ambridge's camp and attacked him from underground, but Alec used a female knight as a shield and survived with a wounded foot.
• Alec blamed Benedict Sackville for the attack, while Han Shuo withdrew after hearing the accusation and deciding his objective had been achieved.

Han Shuo discovered that the Seven Grand Duchies’ leaders were tied to rival churches and secretly killed officers to inflame their existing rivalries. Their alliance collapsed into mutual suspicion and nighttime assassinations, leaving Han Shuo unable to strike amid the chaos.

• Han Shuo found Zhankesi meeting with Nahum Betch and abandoned his plan to attack the Beasley grand duke.
• Bert Zili met Helen Tina to ask about Brian, then spoke with Woaofu, who urged him to support Brian because of the Skeleton Magic Staff.
• Han Shuo learned that Bert Zili served the Calamity Church and Nahum Betch likely served the Church of Light, then left both unharmed.
• Han Shuo killed six senior officers under Algie Kirans, four under Landy Alard, and three under Alec Ambridge, while Benedict Sackville's tent was burned in a separate attack.
• The attacked duchies blamed one another, and the grand dukes sent assassins through the camps as killings continued for three days.
• Han Shuo found the camps too chaotic to act and called the seven grand dukes a pack of mad dogs.

Han Shuo pursued Helen Tina to collect the 600,000 gold coins she owed him, but their confrontation was interrupted by a rebellion against her. The chapter ended with Helen Tina and the Fire Phoenix trapped by traitors, as Han Shuo stepped in to face them.

• The seven grand dukes' old grudges erupted into open fighting, and Helen Tina left Sagamil Valley to return to the Xilun Duchy.
• Han Shuo confronted Helen Tina at a hot spring and demanded repayment of her 600,000 gold coin debt; she eventually offered to pay to protect the Fire Phoenix.
• Han Shuo sensed people approaching and warned Helen Tina that her duchy was in danger.
• Feluodia arrived with soldiers and demanded Helen Tina surrender, while Aunt Tili trapped Helen Tina and the Fire Phoenix in a magic-sealing net.
• Feluodia revealed he planned to hand Helen Tina over to Grand Duke Benedict Sackville, and Han Shuo announced that he was there.

Han Shuo rescued Helen Tina and the Fire Phoenix from Feluodia and his traitorous forces, then defeated them with his undead army. After demanding repayment of her debt, Han Shuo heard Helen Tina propose marriage with the Xilun Duchy as her dowry.

• Feluodia ordered an Advanced Knight to attack Han Shuo, while his forces restrained Helen Tina and the Fire Phoenix and poisoned the Fire Phoenix with a Demon-Breaking Arrow.
• Han Shuo froze the knight and his horse with Purple Flame, then killed several guards and traitors with Earth Spikes.
• Han Shuo pretended to leave when Helen Tina rejected his offer, but she panicked and agreed to his help; he then summoned an undead legion against Feluodia and his men.
• Han Shuo revealed that he was Brian, the new city lord of Brettel City, and his undead creatures killed Feluodia and the rest of his forces.
• After freeing Helen Tina and demanding repayment, Han Shuo heard her offer to marry him and bring the Xilun Duchy as her dowry.

Han Shuo and Helen Tina negotiated a secret alliance and marriage that would help her secure the Xilun Duchy while advancing his ambitions. After defeating the rebels and healing the Fire Phoenix, Han Shuo agreed to help Helen Tina remove the threats to her rule, and she named Marquis Kekalu as the likely mastermind.

• Helen Tina proposed marrying Han Shuo to restore her standing and offered the Xilun Duchy as her dowry, while Han Shuo set conditions for keeping their relationship secret and preserving her rule.
• Han Shuo demanded Helen Tina's body as a condition, and she agreed only after he eliminated every hidden threat in the duchy.
• Han Shuo's undead army killed Feluodia and the other rebels, then he dismissed the undead and prepared to leave with Helen Tina.
• Han Shuo pulled the poisoned Demon-Breaking Arrow from the Fire Phoenix and drew the poison from her body, restoring her strength.
• Helen Tina identified Marquis Kekalu as the likely force behind Feluodia's rebellion, and Han Shuo offered to go to the Xilun Duchy and destroy the rebels.