Chapter Summaries

Linley rescued Sessler, a Grand Necromancer captured by the Radiant Church, and helped him defeat the six ninth-rank experts escorting him. Sessler joined Linley as an ally against the Church, and they left the city together.

• Linley overheard Radiant Church experts discussing their capture of Sessler and followed them to the courtyard where they held him.
• Linley killed a guard and broke Sessler’s magic-sealing manacles, restoring Sessler’s magical power.
• The returning guard raised the alarm, and Linley, Sessler, Bebe, and Haeru killed the six Radiant Church experts.
• Sessler agreed to join forces with Linley against the Radiant Church without becoming his subordinate or owing him a debt.
• Linley and Sessler left the city with Bebe and Haeru, and Linley said he planned to make trouble for the Radiant Church very soon.

Linley and Sessler rescued Lina and Rebecca from the Radiant Church, and Sessler began teaching the sisters Necromancy. After learning that Earl Perry of Basil led the Church in the Northwest Province and knew about an important convoy, Linley set out with Sessler, Bebe, and Haeru to confront him and obtain information.

• Linley, Sessler, Bebe, and Haeru attacked a Radiant Church escort and freed Lina and Rebecca from a sealed carriage.
• Lina and Rebecca told Linley that the Church had killed their parents and planned to take them to Holy Island as a sacrifice, then chose to travel with him.
• Sessler began teaching the sisters Necromancy when the group returned to Linley's valley cabin.
• Sessler revealed that Earl Perry of Basil secretly led the Radiant Church in the Northwest Province and might know the route of an important convoy bound for Deke County City.
• Linley decided to go to Basil for information and left the valley with Sessler, Bebe, and Haeru, while Lina and Rebecca stayed behind.

Linley and Sessler raided Earl Perry’s estate in Basil Provincial Capital, killed Perry’s guards, and used Soul Search to uncover the Radiant Church’s Northwest Province network. They learned that an important escort party would enter the province in about a month, and Linley planned to intercept it near Deke County City after Lina and Rebecca completed their undead inheritance.

• Linley learned the location and layout of Earl Perry’s estate from a tavern waiter.
• Linley, Sessler, and Bebe entered Perry’s estate at night, where Sessler’s gray mist knocked out the weaker residents.
• Two gold-furred zombies and Bebe helped Linley kill Perry’s five seventh-level guards and subdue Perry.
• Sessler used Soul Search on Perry, killing him and learning that he managed the Radiant Church’s undercover network in the Northwest Province.
• Sessler revealed that an important escort party would travel to Deke County City in about a month, and Linley decided they would leave in half a month after Lina and Rebecca completed their inheritance.

Linley trained to synchronize three waves of force in his sword strikes while Lina and Rebecca learned to control undead. After learning that the Radiant Church would escort important prisoners near Deke County City, Linley and the others set out to observe the escort and decide whether to intervene.

• Sessler taught Lina and Rebecca to sense buried remains, while Linley practiced matching his power to the earth's rhythm and repeatedly failed to send the second vibration outward.
• Lina summoned and controlled a skeletal beast, and Rebecca began her own training as Linley continued practicing.
• Sessler revealed that the Radiant Church would escort important prisoners near Deke County City in a month, and Linley decided to observe the escort before choosing whether to act.
• Over fifteen days of practice, Linley learned to produce three consecutive sword vibrations, though he could not yet do so consistently.
• Lina and Rebecca asked to join the mission, and Linley agreed after they promised to follow his orders; Sessler said he would keep the conspicuous golden-haired zombie out of sight.
• Linley led Bebe, Haeru, Sessler, Lina, and Rebecca out of the valley toward Deke County City.

Linley’s group watched the Radiant Church’s convoy arrive at the rendezvous residence in Deke County City. They discovered that the convoy carried five weakened captives in a heavy, barred carriage and was led by a silver-haired man whose strength Doehring identified as far beyond an ordinary Saint-level combatant.

• Linley’s group rented the residence beside the Church’s empty rendezvous point, and Linley discovered that a gray-robed lookout was monitoring the street for the Radiant Church.
• Over three days, Bebe and Haeru gathered reports about incoming convoys while Lina and Rebecca practiced concealing their undead summons.
• Haeru spotted a heavily guarded convoy approaching from the north, and Bebe confirmed it carried a wide, barred carriage with something powerful inside.
• Linley’s group hid as the convoy entered Huating Street, where a prisoner inside the carriage roared and the escort bowed to a silver-haired man.
• Linley sensed five weakened life auras in the carriage, and Doehring warned him that the silver-haired man was a formidable Saint-level combatant.

Linley and Sessler launched a nighttime rescue and freed Barker and his four brothers from the west wing. As the group escaped, Linley killed the escort captain, but Steller confronted him at the courtyard wall.

• Linley, Sessler, Bebe, and Haeru planned the rescue while Lina and Rebecca guarded their retreat.
• Sessler's gray mist incapacitated guards as Linley entered the west wing and cut the bindings on Barker, Ankh, Hazer, Boone, and Gates.
• The rescued brothers fled toward the rear wall while Bebe and Haeru killed pursuing Eighth-level Warriors.
• Sikaluo attacked Barker, but Linley blocked him and killed him with one sword strike.
• Steller emerged from the rear courtyard, identified Linley and Sessler, and blocked their escape at the shattered wall.

Linley and his allies tried to escape Steller, the peak Saint Realm warrior, while Linley fought to hold him back. Just as Steller was about to kill Linley, time stopped and a mysterious man appeared, sending Steller crashing away.

• Linley used the Eightfold Gravity Spell and ordered Barker, Sessler, and the others to escape while his allies attacked Steller.
• Linley wounded Steller with his Triple Tremor, but Steller quickly defeated Sessler’s two Gold-furred Zombies and the summoned undead knight.
• Steller dispelled Linley’s Eightfold Gravity Spell, then froze the courtyard with Frozen World and disarmed Linley.
• As Steller’s sword reached Linley’s brow, Doehring prepared to intervene, but the world suddenly stopped.
• A long-haired man appeared, hurled Steller through several houses, and steadied Linley as Frozen World shattered.

After Cesar rescued Barker and his four brothers from the Radiant Church, he identified them as Undying Warriors and revealed the Church had intended to use their bodies as vessels for angels. Cesar promised to retrieve the Undying Codex, while Linley led the brothers away from Deke County City.

• Cesar examined Barker, Ankh, Hazer, Boone, and Gates and identified them as Undying Warriors descended from Amanda's bloodline.
• Sessler explained that the Radiant Church planned to erase the brothers' souls and use their bodies to host angels.
• Cesar promised to retrieve the Undying Codex from Warblade headquarters so the brothers could cultivate their inherited power.
• Steller yielded to Cesar's demand to leave the brothers alone, and Cesar warned Heidens that he would fight his way to Holy Island if the Church pursued them again.
• Cesar vanished to retrieve the Undying Codex, and Linley led Barker and his brothers out of Deke County City.

Linley settled in Yunfeng Town, where he trained for three years and mastered the Hundredfold Waves while Barker and his brothers cultivated the Undying Codex. After Barker reached the Saint Realm and a letter revealed Wharton’s situation in the imperial capital, Linley left for Chier County City to keep his promise to Jenny before traveling to see Wharton.

• Linley bought land in Yunfeng Town and built a secluded estate, where Cesar delivered the Undying Codex to Barker and his brothers.
• Cesar recognized Doehring as a Deity Level expert, and they agreed to keep Doehring’s return and strength hidden from the Church.
• Linley trained with the Black Jade Heavy Sword for three years and used Hundredfold Waves to kill an Azure Wind Eagle from a thousand meters away.
• Barker reached the Saint Realm, performed Undying Transformation, and flew over the estate while his four brothers neared the ninth level.
• Linley read Yale’s letter about Wharton losing the War God Sect’s honorary disciple place to Blumer and learned that Wharton’s relationship with Nina had become public.
• Linley left Yunfeng Town with Bebe and Haeru to visit Jenny in Chier County City before going to the imperial capital.

Linley returned to Chier County City and reunited with Keane and Jenny, who chose to follow him after he honored their five-year agreement. He left that night for Basil Provincial Capital to avoid drawing the Radiant Church’s pursuers to the city, while Jenny stayed to attend the Jax Clan gathering and settle her duties.

• Linley arrived in Chier County City, where the gate captain recognized him and reported his return to Keane.
• Linley reunited with Keane, Jenny, and Lambert, then heard how Keane had improved the city over the past five years.
• Jenny returned Linley’s deposit and told him she still wanted to leave Chier County City and follow him; Linley agreed to keep his promise.
• Keane asked Linley and Jenny to attend the Jax Clan gathering in Basil Provincial Capital, and Linley told Jenny to join him later at the Naier Hotel.
• Linley left the city that night with Haeru and Bebe after spotting a suspected Church spy, and the spy reported his appearance to Lady Landan.

Linley left Basil Provincial Capital with Jenny after Danlan, a disciple of Haydson, tried to assassinate him and joined forces with Albert to pursue them. Outside the city, Danlan and five companions surrounded Linley and began forming the Six-Pointed Angel Battle Formation.

• Linley waited at the Naier Hotel for Jenny while Danlan, posing as Haydson’s disciple seeking sculpting lessons, repeatedly approached him.
• On the day Jenny was due to leave, Danlan attacked Linley with a dagger, but he dodged and wounded her before she escaped with five companions.
• Jenny and Keane met Linley, and Jenny chose to leave with him after Keane explained that Albert had been pestering her and had tried to force his way into her quarters.
• Albert teamed up with Landan, Danlan’s disguised identity, and her five companions to pursue Linley and Jenny out of Basil Provincial Capital.
• Albert ordered his cavalry to surround Linley, then Landan and the five others took positions around him and began forming the Six-Pointed Angel Battle Formation.

Linley fought the six angels inside their battle formation while Haeru carried Jenny to safety. After defeating Landan and the other angels, Linley collapsed from his injuries, and his battle-qi began surging abnormally as he tried to recover.

• Silan and Albert fled as the Six-pointed Battle Formation enclosed Linley, Bebe, and Jenny.
• Linley sent Jenny away with Haeru, then used Supreme Force and Hundredfold Waves to kill one angel and break the formation.
• The four Two-Winged Angels entered the Saint Realm and attacked Linley and Bebe, but Linley and Bebe killed all four.
• Landan reached the Saint Realm middle stage and struck Linley down, but the lingering vibrations from his earlier attack shattered her organs.
• Bebe distracted Landan, allowing Linley to kill her with Hundredfold Waves; Landan's soul was drawn into the Laws of the Universe.
• Linley began repairing his injuries with Dragonblood Battle Qi, which then surged abnormally within his dantian.

After surviving the Radiant Church’s attack, Linley broke through to the ninth level and confirmed that his Dragonform gave him Saint Realm combat power. He returned to Yunfeng Town with Jenny and the injured Bebe, where Doehring learned of the attack and Linley’s breakthrough, while Jenny entered her new home.

• While recovering from the battle, Linley transformed the last of his eighth-level Dragonblood Battle Qi and reached the ninth level, then briefly flew in Dragonform.
• Mackenzie arrived, learned that Albert had brought the angels with Silan, promised to investigate, and invited Linley to spar after he healed.
• Jenny returned with Haeru, and Linley explained that Landan would have attacked whether or not Jenny had traveled with him.
• Jenny bandaged Linley’s chest, and she, Linley, Bebe, and Haeru traveled to Yunfeng Town instead of Basil Provincial Capital.
• Doehring and the others welcomed Linley home, discovered his breakthrough, and took him inside to recover.
• Jenny stepped into the residence and joined Linley’s new household.

After recovering from his injuries, Linley sparred with Mackenzie and continued south to Chiyan City. He reunited with Hiri, Hillman, and his younger brother Wharton at Wharton's residence.

• Sixteen days after his injuries healed, Linley gathered his companions and traveled to the Jax Family castle to spar with Mackenzie.
• Linley fought Mackenzie on a barren mountain, using the wind to locate him in his Flame Pseudo-Domain before stopping a sword at his throat and winning by half a move.
• The next morning, Mackenzie provided a ship for Linley's journey to the imperial capital, and Doehring urged Linley to remember how he had sensed Mackenzie's movements through the airflow.
• Linley and his party arrived in Chiyan City and found Wharton's residence in the eastern noble district.
• Hiri and Hillman welcomed Linley, then Wharton arrived and embraced his older brother after their long separation.

Linley and Wharton asked Emperor Joanne to let Wharton marry Princess Nina, but Joanne delayed her decision for a month while weighing the Baruch Clan against the War God Sect. Blumer challenged Wharton to a duel, and Joanne decided to announce Nina’s marriage after the fight.

• Linley and Wharton went to the imperial palace and asked Joanne to approve Wharton’s marriage to Nina.
• Lancy tested Linley’s strength, and Linley stopped the ninth-level warrior’s sword with Supreme Force and disarmed him.
• Linley told Joanne that the Baruch Clan had two Saint Realm experts, and Joanne gave herself a month to consider Nina’s marriage.
• Outside the palace, Blumer challenged Wharton to fight him in the imperial capital’s arena in one month, and Wharton accepted.
• Joanne learned of the challenge, announced that she would attend the duel, and said she would decide Nina’s marriage afterward.

Wharton lost his duel with Blumer after Blumer used a forbidden technique, but Linley stopped Blumer from killing him and Joanne ruled the fight over. Joanne then honored Nina’s choice and announced her betrothal to Wharton, leaving the injured couple together as Linley carried Carnage from the arena.

• Wharton and Blumer began their duel, and Wharton used his Dragonblood Warrior transformation to overpower Blumer’s attacks.
• Blumer used a forbidden technique to pierce Wharton’s palm and chest, then tried to strike him again after Wharton could no longer fight.
• Linley stopped Blumer, and Joanne declared the duel over with Blumer the narrow victor.
• Nina chose Wharton, and Joanne announced Nina’s betrothal to him despite his loss.
• Barker and his brothers carried Wharton from the platform as Linley retrieved Carnage, stained with Wharton’s blood.

After Wharton lost his duel with Blumer and suffered serious injuries, the imperial family confirmed his betrothal to Nina. Olivier acknowledged that Linley had acted rightly and challenged him to fight once Wharton recovered, while the Baruch family began preparing for the betrothal and wedding.

• Light-element magi treated Wharton's wounds, and Joanne allowed Nina to visit him at the Earl's estate and confirmed that the imperial family would honor the marriage announcement.
• Olivier arrived, criticized Blumer for continuing to attack Wharton after the duel was decided, and accepted that Linley had been right to intervene.
• Olivier challenged Linley to a fight after Wharton recovered, and Linley agreed.
• Doehring examined Wharton and, with Linley's explanation, revealed to Wharton and Nina that he had once lived as a soul inside the Coiling Dragon Ring; they promised to keep the secret.
• A palace official announced Wharton and Nina's betrothal for the twelfth of next month and their wedding for September fifteenth, and Doehring and Hiri began planning the Baruch family's rites.
• Nina returned to the palace after promising to visit Wharton the next day, and Wharton reflected that he had lost the duel but still had Nina and a home with family around him.

Wharton and Nina married after the Baruch Clan held a family ceremony honoring its ancestors and welcoming Nina into the clan. At the imperial wedding, the Planar Overseer Hodan told Linley and Doehring about the higher planes, but both refused to leave the Yulan Continent for now.

• Doehring led a Baruch Clan ceremony in which Wharton and Nina honored their ancestors, and Nina received the clan's stone plaque.
• Wharton and Nina married in the imperial palace, with Linley and their companions attending.
• Hodan arrived at the wedding and revealed to Linley and Doehring that Saint Realm and Deity Level beings could leave the Yulan Continent for higher planes.
• Hodan told Linley that many Baruch ancestors had gone to the Infernal Realm and explained that returning to a Material Plane was extremely difficult.
• Linley refused to leave because his family, companions, and unfinished obligations remained on the continent; Doehring also refused, choosing to stay for his own reasons.
• Hodan gave them the location of eleven teleportation arrays in the Arctic Icefield, and Linley said he might go someday after everything at home was settled.

After hearing that Reynolds had died outside Nier City, Linley questioned the vague military report and Reynolds’s father, who refused to explain what happened. As Linley prepared to investigate in Nier City, Yale arrived with evidence that Prince Yulin had ordered the gates kept shut despite Reynolds’s men being pursued by only three hundred soldiers.

• Joanne told Linley that Reynolds had been killed outside Nier City and that the enemy had taken his body.
• Linley questioned Joanne about the battle report, then went to the Dunstan Clan, where Nien Dunstan insisted Reynolds had died honorably and denied any injustice.
• Linley grieved alone for two days, then told Doehring he would go to Nier City to investigate.
• Yale arrived at Wharton's estate with a confidential report and told Linley that Prince Yulin had ordered Nier City's gates kept shut while Reynolds and his men faced only three hundred pursuers.

Linley learned that Prince Yulin had knowingly left Reynolds and his soldiers outside Nier City’s gates, so he killed Yulin after securing the War God’s protection for the Dunstan Clan and the witnesses. Linley then found Reynolds alive aboard a slave ship, freed him and the other captives, and agreed to return with Reynolds to Nier City to expose the truth.

• Yale told Linley that Prince Yulin had ordered Nier City’s gates kept shut while Reynolds and his soldiers were killed outside, and Doehring urged Linley to seek the War God’s protection before acting.
• The War God gave Linley a token and promised that Joanne would not obstruct him, the Dunstan Clan would not face retaliation, and the witnesses in Nier City would remain safe.
• Linley went to Yulin’s castle in the Southeast Province and killed him after Yulin admitted he had feared the danger outside Nier City’s gates.
• Linley questioned Hook and learned that Reynolds had survived and been sold to a slave trader, then found Reynolds aboard a slave ship on the Bonai River.
• Linley freed Reynolds and hundreds of other slaves; after learning that Yulin was dead, Reynolds insisted on returning to Nier City to make the witnesses speak.