Black Ox

Story context

Get ready, fellow Daoists—the War God Hall’s third level is no joke. After a breathtaking half-month of Dao comprehension inside the Stellar Hall, Ji Ning demonstrates a terrifying leap in his sword art by executing the third stance of the Three-Foot Sword, *Sword Light Flashes*, leaving both Yellow Bear and Black Ox genuinely impressed. But when he asks about his odds against the third level, he gets a sobering “thirty percent.” That’s it. Thirty percent. And yet, Ji Ning doesn’t flinch. Why? Because his Crimsonbright Diagram is about to pop into the Wanxiang stage, and he refuses to let a perfectly good attempt go to waste. So he marches in—and what does he find? A golden-armored general who speaks of “a sliver of my divine power” and smiles like Ji Ning is a warm-up snack. The chapter ends with Ji Ning realizing the Water Mansion holds a secret far bigger than he ever imagined. Cue the ominous music.

Why it matters

This chapter is a masterclass in pacing: it starts with a serene, almost meditative training montage, builds to a boast-and-bicker comedy section between two artifact spirits, then pivots to an ominous cliffhanger. Pay close attention to the golden-armored general’s words: “a sliver of my divine power.” That’s the smoking gun. Any cultivator who can project an independent clone from a fragment of power is operating on an entirely different scale—think continental destroyer vs. city wrecker. For readers new to Xianxia, this is your first hint that the Water Mansion’s trials are not merely tests of strength but gateways to a legacy that predates the current order of the Three Realms.

Quick facts

Appears in chapters

Jump back into the novel from the exact chapter references used to build this glossary page.

Related terms

Explore connected lore, concepts, and glossary entries from the same novel.

Source novel

Desolate Era