Recaps

Gao Yunyi completed his mission by making a spectacular descent into the Capital and meeting the Liang Emperor, Xiao Chengqian. After Gao Yunyi ordered him to kneel, the emperor obeyed and asked for another Immortal Elixir.

• Gao Yunyi descended onto the Welcome Immortals Tower amid immortal music and moonlight, causing the people of the Capital to kneel.
• Xiao Chengchen watched the Immortal’s arrival with envy and renewed his desire to become emperor.
• Gao Yunyi turned off his game effects, entered the tower room, and sat on the dragon throne before the Liang Emperor.
• The Liang Emperor introduced himself and welcomed Gao Yunyi, but Gao Yunyi ordered him to kneel.
• The Liang Emperor knelt and asked Gao Yunyi for another Immortal Elixir.

The Liang Emperor begged Gao Yunyi for another Spirit-Gathering Pill and offered treasures, worship, and even his throne in exchange. After completing a quest and receiving purple equipment, Gao Yunyi had the emperor repeat his request, accepted a new quest, and gave him a pill.

• The Liang Emperor admitted that he had already taken a Spirit-Gathering Pill and pleaded with Gao Yunyi for another to restore his failing vitality.
• The Liang Emperor offered Gao Yunyi mortal treasures and worship, then agreed to abdicate if Gao Yunyi wanted the throne.
• Gao Yunyi completed a quest, gained two levels, and received the purple Moon Lotus Spirit Pendant.
• Gao Yunyi asked the Liang Emperor to repeat his request, and the emperor set aside his dignity and did so.
• A quest appeared for Gao Yunyi to give the Liang Emperor a Spirit-Gathering Pill, and Gao Yunyi accepted it and tossed the pill to him.

Gao Yunyi accepted the Liang Emperor’s arrangements for his vacation after the emperor secured an Immortal Elixir and offered him the throne. The emperor left to prepare lodging, while Gao Yunyi warned himself not to let the old ruler provoke him into killing.

• The Liang Emperor accepted the Spirit-Gathering Pill from Gao Yunyi and promised to abdicate the next day.
• Gao Yunyi dismissed the offer of the throne and said he had only come to relax and enjoy himself.
• The Liang Emperor praised Gao Yunyi, promised to provide everything he needed, and left to arrange his lodging.
• Gao Yunyi decided the Liang Emperor was interesting but warned that he had come on vacation, not to kill.

Gao Yunyi accepted the Liang Emperor’s arrangements for a vacation, gave himself the title Qingxuan, and rode in the emperor’s luxurious carriage to a mountain palace prepared as his immortal residence. The chapter ended as Gao Yunyi looked upon the guarded retreat in the night.

• Gao Yunyi declined to give the Liang Emperor his name and told him to call him Qingxuan.
• The Liang Emperor, Xiao Chengqian, was overwhelmed by the meaning of Qingxuan and bowed to pay his respects.
• Gao Yunyi descended Welcome Immortals Tower while its attendants and Yulin Guards knelt before him.
• Gao Yunyi boarded the Liang Emperor’s dragon carriage and relaxed as it carried him from the tower.
• The carriage arrived at a guarded palace complex in the green mountains, which the Liang Emperor had prepared as Gao Yunyi’s immortal residence.

Gao Yunyi grew bored with the palace entertainment and ordered his attendant to bring him Zhang Qingyan, the Capital’s most notorious pleasure-seeker. Zhang Qingyan slipped out of his family’s estate but was ambushed by two beggars and knocked unconscious.

• Gao Yunyi stopped the court musicians and dancers, then asked his attendant to find the Capital’s most debauched pleasure-seeker.
• The attendant named Zhang Qingyan, the minister of war’s son, and Gao Yunyi ordered him brought to the palace.
• Zhang Qingyan sneaked out through the back gate of his family’s residence after his father left for the palace.
• Two beggars confronted Zhang Qingyan at the alley’s mouth and confirmed his identity.
• The beggars struck Zhang Qingyan’s neck, leaving him unconscious.

Xiao Chengchen defied the emperor’s decree to seek the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable’s favor, bringing what he believed were refined gifts. He was admitted, knelt at the Immortal’s command, and prepared to reveal his collection of writings, leaving Gao Yunyi curious about what he had brought.

• Xiao Chengchen arrived at the temporary palace’s detached residence with gifts, hoping to win the Immortal’s favor and improve his chances of ascending the throne.
• The guards initially barred Xiao Chengchen from entering under the emperor’s decree, but Gao Yunyi agreed to receive him.
• Xiao Chengchen entered the hall, saw the extravagant singing and dancing, and blamed the mortal world for the Immortal’s apparent indulgence.
• Xiao Chengchen introduced himself respectfully, but Gao Yunyi told him to kneel, and he obeyed.
• Xiao Chengchen offered gifts and said they were not commonplace, making Gao Yunyi wonder whether they included heavenly materials or earthly treasures.

Imperial eldest grandson Xiao Chengchen offered Gao Yunyi three chests of books, but Gao Yunyi ordered him to scram. Xiao Zhaohuang raced back to the Capital, determined to secure the Immortal’s favor as well as the throne.

• Xiao Chengchen presented Gao Yunyi with classical texts, annotated Confucian works, and his own poetry and essays, expecting praise.
• Gao Yunyi, reminded of his schooldays by the books, told Xiao Chengchen to scram.
• Wang Zitao learned from a dazed Xiao Chengchen that the Immortal had rejected him, while the three chests of books were thrown outside the retreat.
• Xiao Zhaohuang hurried toward the Capital with several hundred Phoenix Plume Guards after quelling the rebellion in Ji Province.
• Xiao Zhaohuang worried that Xiao Chengchen might win the Immortal’s favor and ordered her guards to ride faster.

Zhang Qingyan was kidnapped by palace eunuchs and brought before someone who had summoned him by name. He was led into a magnificent hall, where he saw a peerlessly beautiful figure he believed was an immortal.

• Zhang Qingyan threatened his kidnappers by invoking his father, Minister of War Zhang Erhai, until they removed the cloth covering his head.
• A cultured eunuch recited Zhang Qingyan’s background and criticized his idle, dissolute life, while Zhang defended himself as a harmless good-for-nothing.
• Zhang Qingyan recognized that his captors were palace eunuchs and learned that a person known as the Immortal had asked to see him.
• An expert eunuch cut Zhang Qingyan’s bonds and escorted him through the palace as Zhang tried to question and befriend him.
• The eunuchs led Zhang Qingyan into a grand hall, where he saw a peerlessly beautiful figure he would never forget.

Zhang Qingyan mistook Gao Yunyi for an Immortal and tried to reform himself, but Gao Yunyi wanted his talents as a profligate. Gao Yunyi ordered Zhang Qingyan to take him to the Capital’s brothels and gambling dens, and Zhang Qingyan reluctantly agreed.

• Zhang Qingyan was overwhelmed by Gao Yunyi’s appearance and knelt, believing he was an Immortal.
• Zhang Qingyan swore to abandon his debauchery and become a worthy son and official, prompting Gao Yunyi to order him beaten and thrown out.
• Zhang Qingyan declared himself the Capital’s most famous profligate and listed his knowledge of brothels, gambling dens, and other amusements.
• Gao Yunyi told Zhang Qingyan to take him along on his usual rounds, alarming Zhang Qingyan and the chief eunuch.
• Zhang Qingyan tried to refuse but agreed after seeing Gao Yunyi’s cold expression.

Gao Yunyi went with Zhang Qingyan to Qinlan Tower to experience the capital’s pleasure quarter, disguising his face to avoid attracting attention. When passersby mocked Zhang, Gao reassured him and let him lead the way inside, while the crowd continued to condemn them.

• Gao Yunyi decided to visit a brothel and asked Zhang Qingyan to show him around the capital’s pleasure quarter.
• Gao Yunyi and Zhang Qingyan rode from the palace residence toward Qinlan Tower, with Zhang terrified at the thought of accompanying an Immortal to a brothel.
• Gao Yunyi wore a silver-white mask and took in the bustling streets of the capital after the carriage arrived.
• Passersby mocked Zhang Qingyan for visiting Qinlan Tower in broad daylight, and Zhang feared Gao Yunyi would think less of him.
• Gao Yunyi put a hand on Zhang’s shoulder, told him to lead the way, and warned him not to reveal his identity.
• Zhang Qingyan swaggered into Qinlan Tower with Gao Yunyi following, as the onlookers continued to berate him.

Gao Yunyi visited Qinlan Tower with Zhang Qingyan, where Red Mama was inexplicably captivated by him and hurried away. Zhang Qingyan led Gao Yunyi and their companions to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion to eat and await the courtesans.

• Zhang Qingyan explained the fame of Qinlan Tower and brought Gao Yunyi there shortly after noon.
• Zhang Qingyan called for the staff, and Red Mama came downstairs to greet him and complain that business had suffered since the Immortal arrived in the Capital.
• Zhang Qingyan panicked when Red Mama spoke carelessly in front of Gao Yunyi and noticed the chief attendant glaring at him.
• Red Mama studied Gao Yunyi, became flustered and weak-kneed, then left and ordered Wangcai to serve the visitors at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.
• Zhang Qingyan dismissed Red Mama's strange behavior and led Gao Yunyi and their companions upstairs for food and drink.

Gao Yunyi enjoyed the attention of Qinlan Tower’s Four Golden Flowers while Zhang Qingyan watched jealously. When Zhang Qingyan asked for Yuan'er, Madam Hong revealed that Yuan'er's virginity had been taken the previous night.

• Zhang Qingyan hosted Gao Yunyi in the Warm Fragrance Pavilion and ordered a more beautiful batch of women to attend them.
• Gao Yunyi accepted the Four Golden Flowers’ attentive service, leaving Zhang Qingyan stunned and envious.
• Madam Hong entered, teased Zhang Qingyan, and tried to rein in the Four Golden Flowers’ infatuation with Gao Yunyi.
• Zhang Qingyan asked why Yuan'er had not come to see him, and Madam Hong told him Yuan'er's virginity had been taken last night.

Zhang Qingyan learned that Yuan'er had given herself to Lu Xiuyan, then confronted him at her chamber and heard Yuan'er reject him. Lu Xiuyan revealed that he had seduced Yuan'er deliberately to hurt Zhang Qingyan, and Zhang ended the confrontation with a furious insult.

• Mama Hong told Zhang Qingyan that Yuan'er had spent her first night with Lu Xiuyan, and Zhang collapsed in grief.
• Zhang Qingyan rushed to Yuan'er's chamber while Gao Yunyi and the others followed to watch.
• Lu Xiuyan opened the door, and Zhang accused him of deliberately taking Yuan'er's first night.
• Lu Xiuyan mocked Zhang Qingyan, and Yuan'er said she loved Lu Xiuyan and told Zhang not to return.
• Lu Xiuyan revealed that he had seduced Yuan'er to take revenge on Zhang Qingyan and had no intention of keeping his promise to make her his concubine.
• Lu Xiuyan taunted Zhang about Yuan'er, and Zhang cursed him.

At Qinlan Tower, Gao Yunyi watched Zhang Qingyan and Lu Xiuyan fight until the Pacification Investigation Office arrived, but an imperial palace attendant ordered the officials released. Zhang Qingyan hid his heartbreak behind bravado and followed Gao Yunyi to a gambling house, while the attendant paid Red Mama for the damage.

• Gao Yunyi refused to intervene as Zhang Qingyan and Lu Xiuyan fought, and he entertained the four beauties of Qinlan Tower.
• Lu Jianxing and his men arrived to arrest the fighters, but the chief palace attendant revealed an imperial token and ordered them released.
• Shen Lian said he thought he had seen an Immortal, while Lu Xiuyan left furious and threatened Zhang Qingyan.
• Zhang Qingyan concealed his sorrow and invited Gao Yunyi to another brothel, but Gao Yunyi suggested they go gambling instead.
• The chief palace attendant gave Red Mama a stack of banknotes to cover the damage to Qinlan Tower.

Gao Yunyi accompanied Zhang Qingyan to a secret Gambling Den, where Zhang Qingyan’s reputation as the Capital’s God of Gamblers proved to be a reputation for losing. After losing all his money, Zhang Qingyan was left humiliated before Gao Yunyi.

• Gao Yunyi teased Zhang Qingyan about being a virgin as they walked toward the Gambling Den.
• Zhang Qingyan led Gao Yunyi and their companion to a hidden Gambling Den and got them into a private room.
• The gamblers welcomed Zhang Qingyan as the Wealth-Scattering Boy, eager to profit from his losses.
• Zhang Qingyan regained his confidence with Gao Yunyi beside him and challenged the gamblers.
• Zhang Qingyan lost more than ten rounds in a row and returned having lost all the money he carried.

Gao Yunyi faced down the gamblers mocking Zhang Qingyan by wagering increasingly extravagant sums on small and losing each time. After he placed five enormous gold bricks on the table, the dealer froze, and the gambling house proprietor arrived to address the extraordinary wager.

• Zhang Qingyan asked Gao Yunyi to lend him money, but Gao Yunyi dismissed him and stopped him from confronting the gamblers who mocked them.
• Gao Yunyi bet ten taels of silver on small and lost, then wagered a ten-tael gold ingot on small and lost again.
• Gao Yunyi threw a massive gold brick onto small, but the dice landed on big, and the gamblers continued betting against him.
• Gao Yunyi placed five more gold bricks on small, stunning the room and prompting everyone to urge the frightened dealer to shake the dice.
• The dealer trembled and refused to proceed, so the proprietor entered with guards and respectfully bowed to Gao Yunyi.

After a triumphant outing with Gao Yunyi, Zhang Qingyan sneaked home expecting to avoid notice, but his parents caught him and prepared to punish him. He revealed an Immortal Elixir bestowed by the Immortal, leaving his family and the household staff kneeling before him.

• Gao Yunyi dismissed Zhang Qingyan from the carriage after Zhang kept staring at him and asking about the missing gold bricks.
• Zhang Qingyan slipped into the Zhang residence through the back gate, hoping his parents were asleep.
• Zhang Erhai and Madam Zhang confronted Zhang Qingyan in his room, and Zhang Erhai ordered him to kneel and fetched a military rod.
• Zhang Qingyan stopped his father from striking him by showing him a small red pill and declaring that the Immortal had bestowed it on him.
• Zhang Erhai, Madam Zhang, and the maids and guards all knelt before Zhang Qingyan.

Zhang Qingyan told his parents that an Immortal had bestowed an Immortal Elixir on him, then decided to give it to his grandmother. His father pressed him for details about his connection to the Immortal, but Zhang Qingyan put off answering until the next day.

• Zhang Erhai and Madam Zhang questioned Zhang Qingyan about the Immortal Elixir, and he claimed the Immortal had given it to him because he was wise and kind.
• Zhang Erhai asked Zhang Qingyan to give him the elixir, but Zhang Qingyan refused and revealed that his parents were considering having another child.
• Zhang Qingyan said he would give the elixir to his grandmother, and Zhang Erhai approved of his filial choice.
• Zhang Erhai pressed Zhang Qingyan to explain how he had met the Immortal, but Zhang Qingyan claimed he had to meet the Immortal early to discuss poetry and prose.
• Madam Zhang persuaded Zhang Erhai to let Zhang Qingyan answer the next day, and Zhang Qingyan left with the elixir.

Xiao Zhaohuang returned to her residence and learned that the Immortal had rejected her nephew’s literary offerings but had visited a brothel and gambling den with Zhang Qingyan. She ordered Zhang Qingyan punished, then learned the Immortal favored him and had behaved properly at the brothel.

• Xiao Zhaohuang hurried to her study and asked the Black-Clad Mysterious Person to report everything that had happened since the Immortal arrived in the Capital.
• The Black-Clad Mysterious Person told Xiao Zhaohuang that Xiao Chengchen had brought the Immortal chests of poetry and classical writings, but the Immortal had thrown him and the chests out.
• Xiao Zhaohuang learned that the Jade Spring Mountain palace guards had an unknown origin and suspected her father was behind them.
• The Black-Clad Mysterious Person reported that Zhang Qingyan had taken the Immortal to Qinlan Tower and then a gambling den, prompting Xiao Zhaohuang to order Zhang Qingyan’s legs broken.
• The Black-Clad Mysterious Person warned that the Immortal favored Zhang Qingyan and had rewarded him with an Immortal Elixir, so Xiao Zhaohuang called off the punishment.
• The Black-Clad Mysterious Person assured Xiao Zhaohuang that the Immortal had only drunk wine and eaten grapes at Qinlan Tower, and Xiao Zhaohuang was relieved.

Zhang Qingyan visited Gao Yunyi at the immortal residence on Jade Spring Mountain, where he reported the palace’s unusually heavy guard presence. Gao Yunyi dismissed the warning, and Zhang Qingyan’s curiosity about his strange couch ended when it revealed itself to be a giant snake.

• Zhang Erhai sent Zhang Qingyan to Jade Spring Mountain in a grand procession, publicly presenting his family as supporters of the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable.
• Zhang Qingyan entered the summer palace by claiming to be the Immortal’s younger brother, then toured the heavily guarded grounds.
• Zhang Qingyan paid his respects to Gao Yunyi, dropped his formal act, and eagerly asked about Ximen Daguanren.
• Zhang Qingyan told Gao Yunyi that the summer palace had unusually dense security, but Gao Yunyi remained unconcerned and chose to enjoy his stay.
• Zhang Qingyan asked to touch Gao Yunyi’s strange white couch, and a massive snake’s head rose behind Gao Yunyi and stared at him.

An imperial envoy brought Gao Yunyi a decree granting him exalted titles and lavish rewards, but Gao rejected it and ordered the envoy away. Zhang Qingyan briefly dreamed of becoming a cultivator like Gao, then learned he had no Spirit Root and turned back to planning their amusements.

• An old eunuch delivered the emperor’s decree naming Gao Yunyi Azure Profound Immortal Venerable and granting him honors, treasures, and a residence.
• Gao Yunyi refused to accept the decree, told the emperor he was unqualified to confer titles, and sent the envoy away.
• Zhang Qingyan admired Gao’s defiance and asked to cultivate, but Gao told him he had no Spirit Root and could not cultivate.
• Zhang Qingyan mourned the loss of his dream, then eagerly listed the pleasure boat, roast duck, and cockfights he had arranged for Gao.

Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang sought a way to approach the Immortal and decided to invite Zhang Qingyan to her residence. Meanwhile, Zhang Qingyan returned to the Capital to find scholars accusing him of corrupting the Immortal, and he sneaked home through the back gate only to face his father.

• Xiao Zhaohuang worried that the Immortal was being led astray and ordered her subordinate to invite Zhang Qingyan over.
• Zhang Qingyan rode home believing his bond with the Immortal had grown closer and resolved to use the front gate.
• A crowd of scholars surrounded the Zhang Residence, condemning Zhang Qingyan for taking the Immortal to brothels and gambling dens.
• Zhang Qingyan stayed inside his carriage, realizing the crowd would blame him regardless of the truth, and told his servant to use the back gate.
• Zhang Qingyan slipped into the alley and found his father, Zhang Erhai, waiting with a thick military cudgel.

The Eldest Princess Xiao Zhaohuang summoned Zhang Qingyan to ask how she could invite the Immortal to her residence, and he advised her to approach him as her genuine self. Zhang Qingyan promised to arrange the meeting for the next day, while Xiao Zhaohuang resolved to try despite the uncertainty.

• Xiao Zhaohuang summoned Zhang Qingyan and warned him not to act presumptuously, then asked how she could invite the Immortal to her residence.
• Zhang Qingyan admitted the invitation would be difficult, but avoided having his legs broken by explaining that his big brother was a detached Immortal tempering himself in the mortal world.
• Xiao Zhaohuang grew furious when Zhang Qingyan claimed to understand the Immortal, but the Black-Clad Mysterious Person reminded her to focus on the matter at hand.
• Zhang Qingyan advised Xiao Zhaohuang to set aside her royal status and behave as her true, everyday self when meeting the Immortal.
• Zhang Qingyan said he would find a way to bring his big brother to the Eldest Princess's residence the next day, then Xiao Zhaohuang had guards beat him and throw him out.
• Xiao Zhaohuang told the Black-Clad Mysterious Person she had to try, even if she might fail.

Gao Yunyi gave Zhang Qingyan a powerful pill that transformed his body, then had Bai Suzhen knock him down when he bragged about his new strength. Zhang Qingyan delivered an invitation from the Eldest Princess, but Gao Yunyi claimed he did not know who she was.

• Zhang Qingyan visited Gao Yunyi battered from beatings by the Eldest Princess and his family, and admitted he had given his first pill to his grandmother.
• Gao Yunyi gave Zhang Qingyan another pill, which turned out to be a Level Two Spirit-Stabilizing Pill and caused him intense pain as his body transformed.
• Zhang Qingyan recovered with a muscular physique and abundant Qi and Blood, then celebrated by showing off bodybuilding poses.
• Gao Yunyi said he did not believe Zhang Qingyan could kill an ox, and Bai Suzhen's tail sent him flying.
• Zhang Qingyan told Gao Yunyi that the Eldest Princess wanted to invite him, and Gao Yunyi asked who she was.

Xiao Zhaohuang prepared an elaborate welcome for the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable, hoping he would like her fiery red gown and anxious to meet him. When Gao Yunyi emerged from the carriage, he recognized her as the woman general who had once stabbed her own thigh with a dagger.

• Xiao Zhaohuang dressed in a red palace gown and assembled her residence to welcome the Immortal with the highest ceremony.
• Xiao Zhaohuang worried that the Emperor had placed a powerful hidden expert beside the Immortal and hoped he would not provoke him.
• Zhang Qingyan arrived with a bruised, swollen face, posed to show off his muscles, and asked to join Xiao Zhaohuang's Phoenix Plume Guard.
• Xiao Zhaohuang ordered Zhang Qingyan to scram, then eagerly watched as the carriage curtain opened again.
• Gao Yunyi emerged, and Xiao Zhaohuang was overwhelmed by his appearance.
• Gao Yunyi recognized Xiao Zhaohuang as the strange woman general who had stabbed her own thigh with a dagger.