Chapter Summaries

After the Wang Clan defeated its enemies, Wang Shouzhe divided the spoils, forced Liang Haofeng to pay a crushing ransom, and proposed closer cooperation among allied clans. The Wang Clan continued its Autumn-Winter Hunt, while Liu Ruolei and others waited anxiously at Zhouxuan Pass, where the returning Liu-Zhao convoy appeared to display a huge python head.

• Wang Shouzhe distributed the demon cultivator’s spoils among the allied Ancestors and Zhong Xingwang, insisting that each accept a fair share.
• Wang Shouzhe compelled Liang Haofeng to surrender clan properties and pay forty thousand Qian Gold to spare his life and protect the Liang Clan.
• Wang Shouzhe proposed deeper cooperation among the allied clans, and the Ancestors agreed to discuss the idea after the hunt.
• The Wang Clan spent a day clearing the battlefield, then resumed its Autumn-Winter Hunt as more than half a month passed.
• Liu Ruolei and Liu Yuanrui waited at Zhouxuan Pass with young members of the Liu and Zhao Clans, worrying about the returning elders.
• A large convoy approached Zhouxuan Pass carrying a giant Mountain-Swallowing Python head, and Liu Yonghao claimed the Liu Clan had hunted it.

The Wang Clan returned to Zhouxuan Pass with a huge convoy of captured beasts and supplies, while Liu Yonghao mistakenly claimed it belonged to the Liu-Zhao Clans. The convoy revealed its true identity and impressive haul, leaving the Wang Clan celebrated and Liu Yonghao disgraced.

• Liu Yonghao convinced the crowd that the approaching convoy belonged to the Liu-Zhao Clans because its carriages bore Liu Clan features, and merchants bribed him for introductions to his father.
• Gongsun Hui, Wang Luoyi, and Wang Luomiao arrived as snowfall grew heavier, and the crowd waited anxiously for the convoy.
• Wang Dingzu identified himself and announced that the convoy belonged to the Ping'an Wang Clan, then denied that the Liu-Zhao Clans had joined them.
• Wang Shouzhe rode forward and led the convoy into the pass, while Liu Yonghao insisted the Wang Clan had stolen Liu Clan carriages and prey.
• Merchants demanded their bribes back from Liu Yonghao and showered gifts on the Wang Clan women, though Gongsun Hui made Wang Luomiao return hers.
• The crowd saw the Wang Clan's White-Browed Golden Tiger, Iron-Back Savage Pigs, piglets, and living Water-Origin Spirit Turtle, while Liu Yonghao was left stripped of everything.

The Wang Clan returned to Ping'an Town in triumph, displayed its strength, and held a Qingyu Banquet that won the crowd’s admiration. Wang Shouzhe then negotiated the Liu-Zhao Clans’ exile and forced labor, leaving the Wang Clan dominant in Ping'an Town and recording its new prestige as “One Hand Covers the Sky.”

• The Wang Clan entered Wengcheng with its captured beasts, and Wang Shouzhe reunited with Wang Luomiao before leading the procession home.
• Wang Shouzhe ordered the Wang Clan to hold a lavish Qingyu Banquet, distributing porridge and meat to commoners and selling Green-Hoofed Savage Bull meat cheaply to unranked families.
• Wang Shouzhe thanked Ancestor Zhisheng for guarding the Wang Clan Main Residence, then rested after the conflict with the Liu-Zhao Clans.
• Lei Yangqiu brought two elders of the Liu-Zhao Clans to negotiate their survivors’ fate with Wang Shouzhe.
• Wang Shouzhe agreed to let the Liu and Zhao Clans relocate to Lingbei Prefecture and Monan Prefecture, respectively, while requiring their able-bodied men to perform five years of hard labor for the Wang Clan.
• Wang Shouzhe had the Liu-Zhao Clans’ Ninth-Rank Aristocratic Clan seals taken and recorded the Wang Clan’s prestige as “One Hand Covers the Sky.”

Wang Shouzhe reviewed the Wang Clan’s new rice variety and prepared to return for his wedding to Liu Ruolan, whom he had never met. The wedding procession reached Shanyin, where onlookers marveled at Wang Shouzhe’s lavish attire and Fire-Treading White Cloud.

• Wang Shouzhe and Wang Xiaozhi inspected Fenggu Farm’s promising harvest of Wang Clan Rice Seed No. 9, and Wang Shouzhe agreed to test it for another season before expanding its use.
• Wang Shouzhe left the fields to return to the Wang Clan Main Residence as his wedding preparations neared completion.
• Shanyin residents gathered to watch Liu Ruolan’s wedding procession and debated whether Wang Shouzhe and his remote town were worthy of her.
• Wang Shouzhe arrived in elaborate clan-leader wedding attire, impressing the crowd with his appearance and costly Spirit Silk robe.
• The onlookers recognized Wang Shouzhe’s steed as the Spirit Beast Fire-Treading White Cloud.

Wang Shouzhe’s wedding procession arrived in Shanyin, where he won over the townsfolk with generous gifts before the Liu Clan escorted him toward their residence. His maternal uncles Gongsun Qiang and Lu Zhengjie competed to make the procession more spectacular, and the chapter ended as Gongsun Qiang announced the Gongsun Clan’s grand finale.

• Wang Shouzhe arrived in Shanyin on Fire-Treading White Cloud with his relatives, and Wang Shounuo and Chen Fangjie traded barbs as they rode.
• Wang Shouzhe scattered Jiao coins and malt candy for the townsfolk, then gave extra candy to a crying little girl whose blessings delighted him.
• Liu Gaoyun welcomed Wang Shouzhe, and the Liu Clan led the wedding procession toward its main residence.
• Lu Zhengjie and Gongsun Qiang competed to enliven the procession, with Gongsun Qiang’s acrobats drawing a crowd and Lu Zhengjie using the Li-Fire Fan to conjure Fire Phoenix and Fire Huang phantoms.
• After Lu Zhengjie boasted that the Lu Clan cared more for Wang Shouzhe, Gongsun Qiang announced that the Gongsun Clan had prepared a grand finale.

Wang Shouzhe arrived at the Liu Clan residence for his wedding to Liu Ruolan after Gongsun Qiang led the procession with two Inkstone Puppets drumming. After completing the formal greetings, Wang Shouzhe entered the central courtyard to fetch the bride and faced a trial arranged by the Liu Clan’s younger generation.

• Gongsun Qiang controlled two Inkstone Puppets to play wedding drums, thrilling the crowds while damaging the road outside the Liu residence.
• Wang Shouzhe paid his respects to Liu Gaowang and Madam Xu, who welcomed him and sent him to the rear courtyard to fetch Liu Ruolan.
• Liu Yuanrui and the Liu Clan youngsters blocked Wang Shouzhe in the central courtyard and announced a test of his strength.
• Liu Yuanrui summoned Liu Yuanqiang, an enormous eighteen-year-old who had been presented as a younger brother, and challenged Wang Shouzhe to lift a heavy stone sphere over his head.

On Liu Ruolan’s wedding day, Wang Shouzhe passed Liu Yuanrui’s strength test with ease and impressed the Liu family by lifting Liu Yuanqiang overhead. Liu Yuanrui then challenged him to an archery contest with Liu Yuanshan, while the distant copper coins set up the next test.

• Liu Ruolan prepared for her wedding as Qiao'er hurried in to warn that Liu Yuanrui was testing the new son-in-law with a two-thousand-pound stone ball.
• Wang Shouzhe lifted the stone ball overhead, then tossed it to Liu Yuanqiang and lifted him above his head, convincing Liu Yuanrui and the gathered relatives of his strength.
• Qiao'er reported Wang Shouzhe’s feat to Liu Ruolan, who remained puzzled by the women’s teasing praise of her good fortune.
• Liu Yuanrui refused to let Wang Shouzhe proceed to receive Liu Ruolan and proposed an archery test, introducing the unmarried forty-year-old Liu Yuanshan as his opponent.
• Liu Yuanrui pointed out Big Copper coins hanging in a tree more than ten zhang away, and Chen Fangjie privately approved of the difficult challenge.

During the wedding trials, Wang Shouzhe outshot Liu Yuanshan by severing the threads holding three copper coins, then faced Liu Yuanrui’s final challenge: composing a poem for Liu Ruolan. Liu Yuanrui’s polished poem impressed the crowd, and Liu Ruolan secretly wrote a poem to help Wang Shouzhe as he prepared his reply.

• Liu Ruolei persuaded Liu Yuanrui to ease the archery challenge, but Wang Shouzhe insisted on shooting from the full distance.
• Wang Shouzhe shot three arrows that severed the threads suspending the copper coins, leaving Liu Yuanshan astonished and conceding defeat.
• Qiao'er reported Wang Shouzhe’s success to Liu Ruolan and the women in the rear courtyard, making Liu Ruolan pleased and bashful.
• Liu Yuanrui challenged Wang Shouzhe to compose a poem praising Liu Ruolan, and Wang Shouzhe accepted.
• Liu Yuanrui recited a poem that praised Liu Ruolan and the Wang Clan, drawing cheers from the onlookers.
• Liu Ruolan copied her own poem and sent Qiao'er to deliver it secretly to Wang Shouzhe.

Wang Shouzhe passed the Liu Clan’s wedding trials with a poem that won over Liu Ruolan, then entered the bridal chamber to receive her. After the wedding procession set out for Ping'an, he looked forward to beginning married life.

• Qiao'er secretly delivered Liu Ruolan’s poem to Wang Shouzhe, but he composed and recited his own four-couplet poem instead.
• Liu Yuanrui and the others praised Wang Shouzhe’s shamelessly affectionate poem, and the Liu Clan let him proceed to the bride.
• Wang Shouzhe entered the bridal chamber, gave Liu Ruolan the Myriad Treasure Golden Pouch, and asked Liu Yuanrui to carry her out.
• Liu Yuanrui carried Liu Ruolan to the sedan chair after teasing her and receiving a sharp reprimand.
• Wang Shouzhe led the large wedding procession, with Liu Ruolan’s dowry, out of Shanyin toward Ping'an.

Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan completed their wedding ceremonies and began their first night together, while the Wang Clan’s younger generation repeatedly interrupted them. After Wang Shouzhe drove the children from the courtyard with his vine talent, he and Liu Ruolan shared bridal wine and prepared for their married life.

• Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan arrived at the Ping'an Wang Clan, where Gongsun Hui presided over the wedding rites and Wang Shouzhe entertained their guests.
• Wang Shouzhe returned to the bridal chamber, lifted Liu Ruolan’s veil, and helped her remove her makeup before offering her food.
• Wang Lici and the younger generation barged in with hotpot, ate with the newlyweds, and later lingered in the courtyard to sing and make noise.
• Wang Shouzhe used his bloodline talent and carefully cultivated vines to bind Wang Lici, Wang Luoqiu, and Wang Luojing and drive them from the courtyard.
• Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan shared bridal wine, and Liu Ruolan gave him an erotic picture booklet before they settled behind a vine-and-flower curtain.

Eight years after Wang Shouzhe transmigrated, Ping'an Town had grown prosperous and tightly controlled, and the Wang Clan had become an Eighth-Rank Aristocratic Clan. When a rogue cultivator attacked soldiers and tried to flee by ferry, Wang Luoqiu stopped him with one punch, and Wang Shouyong went to report his mistake to Wang Shouzhe.

• Traveling merchants learned that Ping'an Town residents carried identity cards and that the Wang Clan's tenant farmers had grown wealthy and influential.
• Wang Shouyong pursued a rogue cultivator who had injured someone, but the man tricked him with ordinary crimson grit and tried to escape aboard a ferry.
• Wang Luoqiu blocked the rogue cultivator and defeated him with one punch after he attacked her.
• Wang Luoqiu scolded Wang Shouyong for falling for the trick and ordered him to plead guilty to Wang Shouzhe.
• Wang Shouyong imprisoned the rogue cultivator, then hurried to Wang Shouzhe's courtyard, where Wang Shouzhe called him inside.

Wang Shouyong visited Wang Shouzhe after nearly mishandling a matter at Dingpu Ferry, and Wang Shouzhe gave him a chance to redeem himself by investigating spies. Later, Wang Shouzhe weighed whether to pursue another bloodline awakening before advancing to the Spirit Platform Realm, while Liu Ruolan’s hidden strength remained a mystery even to him.

• Wang Shouyong apologized to Wang Shouzhe for his carelessness at Dingpu Ferry, and Wang Shouzhe assigned him two spy reports to investigate as a chance to earn merit.
• Wang Shouyong worried that he was less talented than Wang Luoqiu and Wang Luojing, so Wang Shouzhe encouraged him to help protect the family as its younger members pursued their futures.
• Wang Shouzhe reflected on his eight years of progress and wondered whether to consume a Heaven Spirit Pill or seek another bloodline awakening before breaking through to the Spirit Platform Realm.
• Liu Ruolan told Wang Shouzhe that Ancestor Xuanfu had arranged their engagement and had said she would visit soon, leaving the reason for the marriage unclear.
• Wang Shouzhe recalled discovering Liu Ruolan’s hidden strength after a marital disagreement nearly ended in disaster, and the couple continued their life of mutual respect.

Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan arranged tests at the Wang Clan’s new Spirit Testing Platform to assess their children’s aptitude and search for promising recruits. Wang Liyao’s dazzling result revealed a powerful Water Element Lineage, leaving Wang Shouzhe convinced his daughter was destined for greatness.

• Liu Ruolan told Wang Shouzhe that the Spirit Testing Platform was complete, and he decided to inspect it the next day and retest the younger clan members.
• Wang Shouzhe and Liu Ruolan went to their private Moon-Water Pavilion, leaving Wang Liyao and Wang Zongan to wonder where their parents had gone.
• The Wang Clan tested children from its branches and the surrounding community, finding that most had little or no cultivation aptitude.
• Wang Luojing and Wang Luoqiu displayed mid-grade first-class aptitude, Wang Shouzhe tested above-average mid-grade third-class, and Wang Lici reached high-grade fourth-class.
• Wang Liyao’s test produced brilliant red light filled with blue water-element power, and Wang Shouzhe laughed with delight at her exceptional Water Element Lineage.

Wang Liyao’s extraordinary Water Origin bloodline delighted Wang Shouzhe, while Liu Ruolan’s Spirit Testing Platform result left him regretting his suggestion. Ancestor Longyan broke through to the late Spirit Platform Realm, and Liu Xuanfu’s return brought the clan’s hidden history to the verge of being revealed.

• Wang Liyao displayed upper-grade, second-class aptitude with a dense Water Origin Bloodline, and Wang Shouzhe tested the other children, selecting one promising child as a retainer candidate.
• Wang Shouzhe persuaded Liu Ruolan to use the remaining Spirit Testing Platform energy, then left in regret after seeing her result.
• Ancestor Longyan broke through to the late Spirit Platform Realm after years of recovery and cultivation, and Wang Shouzhe congratulated her.
• Wang Shouzhe told Ancestor Longyan that Liu Xuanfu had returned from the Academy, and she asked him to bring Xuanfu and Liu Ruolan to Longyan Residence.
• Ancestor Longyan and Ancestor Xuanfu met, and Longyan began revealing the Ping’an Wang Clan’s greatest secret by asking why Ancestor Zhouxuan had settled in Ping’an Town.

Ancestor Longyan revealed that the Wang Clan’s nearby Divine Martial Dynasty ruin offered trials and powerful rewards, including bloodline-improving pills. Wang Shouzhe delayed the proposed expedition until he could prepare thoroughly, and by the third month he had gone shopping for ways to kill a fifth-tier Fierce Beast, Marrow Cleansing Pills, and a Storage Ring for Liu Ruolan.

• Ancestor Longyan explained that Ancestor Zhouxuan had founded the Ping'an Wang Clan near a Divine Martial Dynasty ruin, where he and Ancestor Xuanfu had once gained rewards.
• Ancestor Longyan recounted how Wang Dingyue died while accompanying her to seek an opportunity in the ruin, and described its three increasingly difficult trials and their rewards.
• Ancestor Xuanfu urged Wang Shouzhe, Liu Ruolan, and Liu Yuanhui to set out soon, but Wang Shouzhe insisted on preparing for dangerous Fierce Beasts and improving his chances in the trials.
• Liu Ruolan agreed to follow Wang Shouzhe’s decision, and Ancestor Longyan gave him the map so he could plan the route.
• After two months of delays, Wang Shouzhe went shopping in the third month for a fifth-tier Fierce Beast-killing item, Marrow Cleansing Pills, and a Storage Ring for Liu Ruolan.

Wang Shouzhe traveled to Donghai Guard, where he won a Marrow Cleansing Pill at auction after outbidding two Celestial Aristocratic Clan rivals. Three months later, he and Liu Ruolan began a lavishly prepared journey to the Outer Domain, much to Ancestor Xuanfu’s dismay.

• Wang Shouzhe discussed the Cement trade with Chen Fangjie aboard a ship carrying goods to Donghai Guard and arranged for his allies to prepare reserve funds for the auction.
• Tantai Heyu welcomed Wang Shouzhe and his party in Donghai Guard before the group attended the Hundred Treasures Pavilion auction.
• Liu Kangping and Lady Bilian competed for the Marrow Cleansing Pill, but Wang Shouzhe raised the price to two hundred and fifty thousand Qian Gold and won it.
• Wang Shouzhe prepared for six months before setting out for the Outer Domain with Liu Ruolan and Ancestor Xuanfu.
• Liu Ruolan relaxed in a cushioned mobile house atop the Primordial Water Spirit Turtle while she and Wang Shouzhe exchanged affectionate remarks, frustrating Ancestor Xuanfu.

Wang Shouzhe brought a large party of relatives and allies to the hidden Divine Martial Army recruitment ruin, where the Artifact Spirit revealed the challenge was a trial against Demon Puppets. After several participants failed or struggled, Wang Luoqiu stepped forward and requested that the second stage open directly.

• Ancestor Xuanfu objected to the enlarged party, but Wang Shouzhe insisted the ruin's rewards should be shared with family and allies.
• Wang Shouzhe led the group safely through the Outer Domain to the concealed ruin, where the Artifact Spirit identified it as Divine Martial Army recruitment point No. 37.
• The Artifact Spirit called Ancestor Longyan an elite militiawoman, and she explained that participants could begin the trial or surrender if they could not win.
• Chen Fangjie fought a Demon Puppet for twenty exchanges before surrendering, and Wang Shounuo and several others also failed to defeat it.
• Lu Xiaoxiao lasted twenty or thirty moves, while Liu Ruolei fought for about an incense stick before a surprise attack defeated her.
• Wang Luoqiu entered the grounds and requested that the second stage open directly.

Wang Luoqiu passed the first two trial stages and earned a Heaven Spirit Pill and a bloodline improvement fluid, but Wang Shouzhe stopped her from continuing after she suffered serious injuries. Liu Yuanhui also passed the first stage, and Wang Luojing stepped onto the platform to begin her trial.

• Wang Luoqiu defeated one Demon Puppet in the first stage and received a Heaven Spirit Pill and a Militia token.
• Wang Luoqiu fought two Demon Puppets in the second stage, defeated them despite severe injuries, and received a bloodline improvement fluid and an Elite Militia token.
• Wang Shouzhe treated Wang Luoqiu's wounds, and she offered him her bloodline improvement fluid so he could strengthen himself before a later trial.
• Liu Yuanhui defeated one Demon Puppet after a difficult fight, accepted his reward, and declined to attempt the second stage.
• Wang Luojing refused Wang Shouzhe's offer to use the bloodline improvement fluid and began the trial.

Wang Luojing defeated two Demon Puppets by unleashing her Red Bull Fire Toad, but the strain left her unable to continue the trial. Wang Lici then began her own trial, only to have Huahua expelled from the platform and face a Demon Puppet alone.

• Wang Luojing passed the first trial stage with her Amethyst Spirit Bees and received a Heaven Spirit Pill and a Militia Token.
• Wang Luojing was wounded by two Demon Puppets, then used blood essence to unleash her Red Bull Fire Toad and burn both enemies to ashes.
• Wang Shouzhe caught Wang Luojing when she collapsed, treated her, and warned her not to use the Red Bull Fire Toad again until she was strong enough to control it.
• Wang Luojing received a Primary Bloodline Improvement Fluid and an Elite Militia Token, then gave her bottle to Wang Shouzhe instead of letting him use Wang Luoqiu's.
• Wang Lici entered the trial with her armor, hammer, shield, and tiger Huahua, but the Artifact Spirit threw Huahua off the platform and started her trial against a Demon Puppet.

Wang Lici passed the first three trial stages through overwhelming strength and received a High-Grade Spirit Artifact hammer that she could barely lift. The fourth stage began with a towering Spirit Platform Realm Demon Puppet, leaving Wang Lici staring at it in dismay.

• Wang Lici defeated the first Demon Puppet barehanded, earned the Militiaman title, and ate roasted meat with Huahua.
• Wang Lici defeated two Demon Puppets, became an Elite Militiaman, and then beat three more to pass the third stage.
• The Artifact Spirit promoted Wang Lici to Battle Soldier and awarded her a High-Grade Spirit Artifact war hammer, which Liu Ruolan stored for her because it was too heavy to wield.
• Wang Lici began the fourth stage and faced a towering Spirit Platform Realm Demon Puppet, while Wang Shouzhe wondered how a Qi Refining Realm cultivator could defeat it.