Chapter Summaries

After Elder Bai refused to provide Ringing Grass, Liu Xiaolou sought advice and supplies from Zang Qianli, who gave him the Bellflower Grass Powder he had left. Liu Xiaolou left with enough powder for about a month and continued searching for more.

• Steward Liu warned Liu Xiaolou that taking Ringing Grass from Zhanglong Sect would be dangerous and urged him not to blame the sect for refusing.
• Liu Xiaolou took heart from Steward Liu's frankness and went to Goose-Goat Mountain to ask Zang Qianli for help with his qi sea.
• Zang Qianli recognized Liu Xiaolou's problem and had Zang Baili bring out the remaining Bellflower Grass Powder.
• Zang Qianli refused Liu Xiaolou's spirit stones and explained that the sect had to send half its grass powder to Gengsang Cave.
• Liu Xiaolou accepted about one tael and five qian of powder, learned it would last only a little over a month, and set out for Dongyang Mountain in Xiangnan.

Liu Xiaolou visited Dongyang Mountain hoping to meet Han Wuwang, Su Zhenjiu, or Lou Zhenwu about Ringing Grass, but learned they were away. After failing to find Jing Zhao at Junshan, he pretended to leave until Dongfang Yuying revealed he could help him.

• Liu Xiaolou entered Dongyang Mountain and asked Qi Wuxin to announce his visit to Han Wuwang, but Qi said Han, Su Zhenjiu, and Lou Zhenwu were away.
• Qi Wuxin warned Liu Xiaolou not to pry into others' whereabouts and explained that Dongyang Sect's cautionary rules had been established after his cousin died.
• Liu Xiaolou left Dongyang Mountain and decided to seek help from the Qingyu Sect, since he would not go to Tianmu Mountain and knew little of the Eight Formations Gate of Pingdu.
• Liu Xiaolou learned Jing Zhao was not at Wu Chao Town, traveled to Junshan, and found Jing Zhao absent there too.
• Liu Xiaolou pretended to leave Dongfang Yuying without asking for help, but Dongfang called after him and asked whether he thought Dongfang could not help him.

Liu Xiaolou received a small supply of Ringing Grass Powder from Dongfang Yuying but decided to continue south to gather more before beginning cultivation. In Yueyang, he visited Sister Qing and offered to help her move to Wu Chao Town, then their conversation was interrupted by a commotion next door.

• Dongfang Yuying gave Liu Xiaolou the Ringing Grass Powder he had found and promised to look for more.
• Liu Xiaolou chose to travel south to seek additional powder, then detoured to Yueyang Market Town.
• At Green Yi Garden, Sister Qing confronted Liu Xiaolou for visiting without telling her, and he agreed to help open her eighth Meridian.
• Liu Xiaolou offered to speak to the Wu Chao Town market's Officers about Sister Qing moving there, but she said she needed to consider the move.
• Liu Xiaolou and Sister Qing discussed Mama Zhang, Old Hudu, and Liu Xiaolou's teacher before a woman next door shouted angrily about taking pulses and dual cultivation.

Liu Xiaolou reunited with Han Gao at Green Yi Garden and enlisted him to seek Ringing Grass from the Yin and Su families in exchange for access to Great Seal Mountain’s July Fragrant Orchid Grass. After making Han Gao a full guest elder of the Three Xuan Sect, Liu Xiaolou prepared to negotiate with the Yin family when its representatives arrived.

• Gui Niang embarrassed Han Gao in Green Yi Garden, and Sister Qing recognized him as the elder brother of Jiu Qian, who had married Green Pearl.
• Liu Xiaolou learned that Han Gao’s illness had been cured and that he was negotiating with the Shenwu Su Family over July Fragrant Orchid Seeds.
• Liu Xiaolou asked Han Gao to find out whether the Yin or Su family had Ringing Grass, and Han Gao offered that family the chance to buy Great Seal Mountain’s entire July Fragrant Orchid harvest.
• Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao stayed at Green Yi Garden, held banquets, and discussed cultivation techniques while waiting for news.
• Liu Xiaolou carved a plaque making Han Gao a full guest elder with a stipend, then urged him to negotiate with the newly arrived Yin family representatives.

Liu Xiaolou met with old acquaintances from the Shenwu Su Family while negotiating for July Fragrant Orchid Grass and Bellflower Grass Powder. The Su family agreed to supply the grass and offer additional goods, and Liu Xiaolou was invited to choose a Ringing Grass plant on Shenwu Mountain.

• Han Gao told Liu Xiaolou that the Yin family lacked Bellflower Grass Powder, while Liu Xiaolou revealed he had already obtained the Qingyu Sect's supply.
• Su Dalang and Su San visited Han Gao to discuss business, then recognized Liu Xiaolou as the Three Xuan Sect's sect leader and learned he had achieved Foundation Establishment.
• Han Gao explained that the Su family cultivated Ringing Grass and predicted they would continue the deal despite their past unpleasantness with Liu Xiaolou.
• Steward Song returned on the Su family's behalf and offered to supply all of this year's July Fragrant Orchid Grass, two jin of Bellflower Grass Powder, and a Ringing Grass plant.
• Steward Song invited Liu Xiaolou to choose and dig up a Ringing Grass plant on Shenwu Mountain, joking that his Foundation Establishment made him no outsider.

Liu Xiaolou returned to Shenwu Mountain with Han Gao and met with Su Zhi in Gua Lu Hall, where they discussed his cultivation and the Three Xuan Sect. Su Zhi acknowledged the Su family’s past wrongs and agreed to give Liu Ringing Grass, leaving him free to dig up a plant in the back mountain.

• Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao traveled to Shenwu Mountain, where Steward Song escorted them to Gua Lu Hall.
• Su Zhi welcomed Han Gao and Liu Xiaolou, and Liu hesitantly accepted Su Zhi’s invitation to call him Uncle.
• At a small banquet, Su Zhi asked Liu about his Foundation Establishment and his role managing the marketplace for the six sects.
• Steward Song recalled visiting Qianzhu Ridge on a fireworks night, and Liu said he had watched the same fireworks from the mountain summit.
• Su Zhi apologized for the Su family’s treatment of Liu and offered him Ringing Grass; he agreed that Liu could dig up a plant in the back mountain.

Liu Xiaolou visited White Dragon Pool and chose a forty-two-year-old Ringing Grass to cultivate. He learned that Fifth Lady and Susu were both in Danxia Cave-Heaven, and that the Su family would not stop him from trying to persuade Susu to leave with him.

• Liu Xiaolou watched a water snake shoot an icicle-like water arrow at him before following Steward Song to the Ringing Grass growing in a cliff crack.
• Liu Xiaolou randomly chose a stalk of Ringing Grass, and Su Changchun identified it as forty-two years old and explained how to cultivate it.
• Su Changchun advised Liu Xiaolou that his second-generation Golden Ring Peak bees could nourish two or three stalks of Ringing Grass.
• Steward Song told Liu Xiaolou that Fifth Lady was cultivating in Danxia Cave-Heaven ahead of the Void Rift opening and had not deliberately avoided him.
• Steward Song revealed that Susu had established her foundation and become Fifth Lady's cultivation companion, and said the Su family would support Liu Xiaolou if he persuaded her to leave.

Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao settled into Misty Rain Tower on Shenwu Mountain, where they examined its treasured furnishings and discussed the Su family’s renewed interest in Liu Xiaolou. Susu returned from the grotto-heaven, and Liu Xiaolou asked whether she would go with him to Wulong Mountain, leaving her to consider his question.

• Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao stayed at Misty Rain Tower, which the Su family had prepared as Liu Xiaolou’s personal residence.
• Han Gao showed Liu Xiaolou the tower’s finely carved Jiliu Wood screen and tested its strength with a sword strike that left it unmarked.
• Liu Xiaolou doubted the Su family’s intentions, while Han Gao argued that their efforts to draw him in might offer him another opportunity.
• Susu arrived from the grotto-heaven and greeted Liu Xiaolou, who urged her to stop calling herself a maidservant and him her son-in-law.
• Liu Xiaolou asked Susu to come with him to Wulong Mountain, and she looked at him with bewilderment.

Liu Xiaolou visited Qixin Villa with Steward Song, who discussed the Song clan’s growth and Susu’s future as a cultivator. Steward Song proposed a marriage alliance between the Su Family and Wulong Mountain, but Liu Xiaolou refused and reaffirmed his loyalty to the Su Family.

• Steward Song showed Liu Xiaolou around Qixin Villa and explained how he had built it over decades as the Song clan’s home.
• Steward Song described Susu’s rapid rise to Foundation Establishment and explained why she was unlikely to leave the Su Family and Fifth Lady.
• Liu Xiaolou reflected on his attachment to the Su Family and listened as Steward Song compared Susu’s ties to his own loyalty to Shenwu Mountain.
• Steward Song suggested that the Su Family marry a young woman into Wulong Mountain, naming Seventeen and Yun Ao’s younger sister as possible candidates.
• Liu Xiaolou rejected the marriage proposals and promised to help the Su Family whenever Steward Song or Uncle Su asked.

Liu Xiaolou left Shenwu Mountain and returned to Wulong Mountain, where he began experiments to strengthen his sect’s foundation. After refining Ringing Grass Powder for the first time, he received a visitor requesting an audience.

• Liu Xiaolou declined Steward Song’s invitation to tour Qingyu Furong Garden and later enjoyed spicy dishes and potent wine with Steward Song and Yun Ao.
• Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao discussed the wine, their completed business over July Fragrant Orchid Grass, and Yin Gong before leaving Shenwu Mountain and parting ways.
• Liu Xiaolou visited Xingde Temple, then returned to Wulong Mountain and planted forty-two-year-old Ringing Grass beneath a cliff.
• Liu Xiaolou used Jade Marrow Elixir Fluid on the Ringing Grass, causing its leaves to unfurl and Golden Ring Bees to swarm around it.
• Liu Xiaolou refined Ringing Grass Powder with Thunderfire Primordial Essence and completed his first Ringing Grass exercise.
• Zhou Tong called from outside Liu Xiaolou’s courtyard and requested an audience with Sect Master Liu.

Zhou Tong pleaded for a place in the Three Xuan Sect, and Liu Xiaolou assigned him to guard the mountain gate without formally accepting him as a disciple. After settling at Qianzhu Ridge, Zhou Tong received a meal from a mysterious black cat and resolved to leave his old life behind and earn a place in the sect.

• Zhou Tong told Liu Xiaolou about his hardship as a Rogue Cultivator and asked to join the Three Xuan Sect, offering to serve as a gate guard.
• Liu Xiaolou told Zhou Tong to guard the mountain gate but clarified that he had not formally accepted him.
• Zhou Tong built a bamboo hut by the mountain stele and began cultivating with his family's fist techniques, sensing faint spiritual power at Qianzhu Ridge.
• A black cat delivered rice and fish soup to Zhou Tong, whose reaction showed how long he had gone without anyone bringing him food.
• Zhou Tong rejected the thought of conducting a business deal at the sect's grounds and vowed to become a man of the Three Xuan Sect and cultivate halfway up the mountain.

Zhou Tong settled into guarding the Three Xuan Sect’s mountain gate, welcomed village offerings, and received a visiting cultivator named Sun Yangong. After Liu Xiaolou went to Wu Chao Town to buy materials for a formation disc, he spotted an exceedingly familiar figure and hurried after them.

• Zhou Tong received Sect Master Liu’s decree to guard the mountain gate and guided Uncle Tian and villagers from New Xuan Village up the mountain with their offerings.
• Villagers from nearby villages brought more offerings and gave Zhou Tong new clothes and shoes.
• Sun Yangong of Hongshan arrived for his monthly appointment, and Zhou Tong led him to meet Liu Xiaolou.
• Sun Yangong gave Zhou Tong ten taels of silver, which Liu Xiaolou told him to keep.
• Liu Xiaolou went to Wu Chao Town to buy materials for a formation disc, then spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and hurried after them.

Liu Xiaolou reunited with Lord Xingde, who explained how he and Seventh Mistress had raised Zhou Tong and watched over him from afar. After asking Liu Xiaolou to put Zhou Tong through hardships, Lord Xingde returned to hiding with Seventh Mistress, while Liu Xiaolou went back to refining materials on Qianzhu Ridge.

• Liu Xiaolou met Lord Xingde by the river outside Wu Chao Town and learned he had returned to Wulong Mountain with Seventh Mistress.
• Lord Xingde explained that he and Seventh Mistress had rescued Zhou Tong as a child, taught him cultivation, and followed him secretly after sending him out to make his own way.
• Liu Xiaolou recognized Lingling Guest from Lord Xingde's account and learned that his divination had prompted Zhou Tong's parents to let him leave home.
• Lord Xingde told Liu Xiaolou that he and Seventh Mistress were hiding on Wulong Mountain and asked him to give Zhou Tong difficult trials in the Three Xuan Sect.
• Liu Xiaolou returned to Qianzhu Ridge, sorted his spiritual materials, and finished refining an illusion formation in seven days.

Liu Xiaolou took stock of the Three Xuan Sect’s resources, secured a hidden cache, and settled into a daily cultivation routine. Zhang Xiaojin then revealed that the group they had attacked on North Tiger Mountain belonged to Northern Sect, and that Old Qian was dead.

• Liu Xiaolou inventoried his assets and sect resources, then stored part of his wealth and supplies in a hidden cavern with a new guarded exit.
• Liu Xiaolou established a routine of cultivation, preparing materials for formation disks, tending plants, and receiving visitors at Qianzhu Ridge.
• Zhang Xiaojin visited Liu Xiaolou and told him that the people they had attacked with Old Qian were from Northern Sect.
• Zhang Xiaojin explained that only two people on North Tiger Mountain had practiced ghost and soul arts, and that Elder Tu had interrupted one of their spells.
• Liu Xiaolou realized Old Qian had mistaken the group for bandits, and Zhang Xiaojin told him that Old Qian was dead.

Liu Xiaolou learned that Northern Mountain had forgiven the sects involved in the North Tiger Mountain battle, but a Shouyang Mountain woman still wanted a missing storage bracelet returned. He denied having it and prepared for the siblings to come looking for it.

• Zhang Xiaojin told Liu Xiaolou that the sect leaders had secured Northern Mountain's forgiveness and that the Sihai Sect would pay the compensation.
• Zhang Xiaojin said all seized goods had to be returned and explained that a woman was offering a reward for her missing Stone Fat Jade storage bracelet.
• Liu Xiaolou denied knowing anything about the bracelet and claimed he had seen only the woman's silver-ring magic artifact during their fight.
• Liu Xiaolou gave Zhang Xiaojin twenty spirit stones for him and Daming, then saw him down the mountain.
• Zhang Xiaojin warned Liu Xiaolou that the siblings might come knocking, and Liu Xiaolou agreed to prepare.

Liu Xiaolou left Qianzhu Ridge and returned to North Tiger Mountain to search for the female ghost’s lost Jade Ring of Stone Fat. When she appeared, she explained that the ring contained eighteen yin souls and had only seven days left before its sealing curse expired.

• Liu Xiaolou activated Qianzhu Ridge’s mountain-protecting formation, told Zhou Tong to guard the mountain gate, and hurried away from the ridge.
• Liu Xiaolou traveled to North Tiger Mountain, built a conspicuous bamboo hut near the cliff, and prepared paths and vine ropes while searching for the lost ring.
• The female ghost silently appeared above Liu Xiaolou as he worked on a vine rope and asked whether he had found the ring.
• Liu Xiaolou denied knowing about the Stone Fat Jade and said he had searched the area for two days.
• The female ghost explained that her Jade Ring of Stone Fat sealed eighteen yin souls and warned that its curse would release in seven days.

Liu Xiaolou spoke with Wen Wuniang by the bonfire and learned that she and her brother had come to North Tiger Mountain to capture Yin souls as Soul Servants. Frightened by her ghost stories, he waited outside her room and secretly hid the orange Jade Ring of Stone Fat beneath the cliff.

• Liu Xiaolou and Wen Wuniang argued about the damage to her new home, and he learned that her companion was her elder brother by blood.
• Liu Xiaolou compared Wen Wuniang's brother to the Four Prodigies of Jingxiang and tried to flatter her appearance.
• Wen Wuniang told Liu Xiaolou that her master had taught her to drink fresh blood and explained that she and her brother sought Yin souls to use as Soul Servants.
• Wen Wuniang returned to her room, and Liu Xiaolou pleaded to stay with her before settling outside her closed door.
• Liu Xiaolou used the Obscuring Jade Slip to secretly bury the orange Jade Ring of Stone Fat beneath the cliff, then returned to meditate outside Wen Wuniang's room.

Liu Xiaolou and Wen Wuniang searched North Tiger Mountain for the Jade Ring of Stone Fat, while arguing over their old fight and the best way to search. They made a wager: if Liu Xiaolou failed to find the ring, he would owe Wen Wuniang three favors.

• Liu Xiaolou offered Wen Wuniang his leftovers, then gave her fresh food when she rejected them.
• Liu Xiaolou proposed dividing the mountaintop stockade into four sections and searching the southwest cliff and the route back to Gengsang Cave.
• Wen Wuniang argued with Liu Xiaolou about their damaged magical artifacts, including her spider-silk garment, before agreeing to search.
• Wen Wuniang watched as Liu Xiaolou searched the front-left section so slowly that he turned over much of the soil and spent the whole day on it.
• Wen Wuniang wagered sixty-six spirit stones against Liu Xiaolou finding the ring, but instead required him to promise three favors if he failed.
• Liu Xiaolou offered to do three hundred things for Northern Mountain, and Wen Wuniang clarified that the wager was for only three.

Liu Xiaolou and Wen Wuniang made a wager over her missing bracelet, and he agreed to perform three tasks for her after failing to find it. After leaving North Tiger Mountain, Liu Xiaolou secretly celebrated over the written agreement, while Wen Wuniang and her brother revealed that the bracelet had already been found.

• Liu Xiaolou insisted that he and Wen Wuniang write and sign copies of their wager agreements before searching for her bracelet again.
• Liu Xiaolou and Wen Wuniang searched beneath the cliff, but Liu Xiaolou pretended to feel dizzy and stayed there overnight.
• The next morning, Liu Xiaolou admitted defeat, and Wen Wuniang told him she would call on him to fulfill three tasks later.
• Liu Xiaolou descended North Tiger Mountain while Wen Wuniang and her elder brother watched and discussed him.
• Liu Xiaolou hid behind the Mountain Hollow, reread Wen Wuniang's agreement, laughed delightedly, and fled.
• Wen Wuniang's elder brother said they had found the bracelet the previous night, and Wen Wuniang said Liu Xiaolou's face amused her.

Liu Xiaolou returned to Qianzhu Ridge with a debt to the Northern Sect and a summons from the Eight Formations Gate of Pingdu. After helping Zhou Tong obtain treatment for his injury, he set out for Bazhong to answer the summons.

• At Longjiabao Manor, Zhang Xiaojin read Liu Xiaolou’s IOU and learned he had promised to do three things for the Northern Sect after losing a wager to Wen Wuniang.
• Zhang Xiaojin explained the Northern Sect’s branches and warned Liu Xiaolou that outsiders were forbidden near Northern Mountain, making his plan to gather ginseng there dangerous.
• Liu Xiaolou returned to Qianzhu Ridge, found Lady Luo’s letter summoning him to serve the Eight Formations Gate of Pingdu, and decided to wait for her rather than summon her directly.
• Liu Xiaolou gave Zhou Tong silver to seek treatment for his recurring meridian injury, and Zhou Tong returned after an alchemist at Qianling Pill Workshop refined a pill for him.
• After waiting several days without visitors, Liu Xiaolou left Qianzhu Ridge for Bazhong to answer the Eight Formations Gate’s summons.