Chapter Summaries

Jing Zhao showed Liu Xiaolou an ancient formation rune he had found at Wushan, and Liu Xiaolou identified it as the Wulong Talisman and explained its power. Their discussion suggested the rune marked an ancient formation eye guarding a cave dwelling, and Jing Zhao hurried off to investigate; Liu Xiaolou then discovered Big White and Little Black had eaten many bee pupae.

• Jing Zhao dismissed the attempted killing of Liu Xiaolou and asked him to examine an ancient rune.
• Big White and Little Black fled when Liu Xiaolou returned to Qianzhu Ridge, while Jing Zhao waited in the pavilion.
• Liu Xiaolou recognized Jing Zhao's rune as the Wulong Talisman and explained how it could channel Five Elements power into dragon power.
• Jing Zhao revealed he had found the rune carved on a stele beneath Chini Water, and Liu Xiaolou concluded it was likely an eye of an ancient formation guarding a cave dwelling.
• Jing Zhao gave Liu Xiaolou honey candy for the two beasts and left to investigate another place.
• Liu Xiaolou discovered that Big White and Little Black had eaten half the immature pupae in the Golden Ring Beehive.

Liu Xiaolou promoted Zhou Tong to a disciple and sent him to supervise Dongyang Sect’s Spirit Wine brewing, freeing himself to strengthen Three Xuan Sect. After more than a month of work, he completed six new Yin formations to upgrade the sect’s Mountain Protecting Twelve Yin Yang Grand Formation.

• Liu Xiaolou questioned Zhou Tong about recent visitors, learned that Dongyang Sect had requested workers for Spirit Wine brewing, and ordered Zhou Tong to represent Three Xuan Sect at Jinping Mountain.
• Liu Xiaolou formally admitted Zhou Tong into the sect, set his salary, and told him to report to Elder Fang Buai before departing.
• Liu Xiaolou reviewed the sect’s growing spirit-stone reserves and concluded that he could afford to recruit and pay elders and disciples.
• Liu Xiaolou planned to expand the Mountain Protecting Twelve Yin Yang Grand Formation by adding six Yin formation disks based on ancient talismans and Qianzhu Ridge’s terrain.
• Liu Xiaolou forged and laid down the six new Yin formations with the aid of the Heavenly Lightning Fire, completing the upgrade as spring arrived.

Liu Xiaolou spent a quiet day tending his sect, advising Fang Buai, and caring for their spiritual plants. He ended the day trying to reconstruct Fatty’s shattered array disks, which he suspected might help him break through in cultivation.

• Liu Xiaolou shared a meal with Big White, Little Black, and Fang Buai, then learned Fang Buai had expanded his Fire Element Barrier to three zhang.
• Liu Xiaolou advised Fang Buai to temper his meridians and promised to seek a Foundation Establishment Pill for him.
• Liu Xiaolou gave Fang Buai Bellflower Grass Powder before Fang Buai went to meditate.
• Liu Xiaolou tended the medicinal garden, Ringing Grass, and ghost banyans with Jade Marrow Elixir Fluid, noting the banyans’ growing strength.
• Liu Xiaolou examined the broken jade fragments from Fatty’s eight array disks and began trying to piece them together.

Liu Xiaolou continued repairing a shattered formation plate and welcomed Zhou Tong back from an assignment, then received an invitation to his former father-in-law’s seventieth-birthday celebration. He settled on making an inexpensive illusion formation to accompany a bottle of Spirit Clam Essence Oil as his gift, with fifteen days to finish it.

• Liu Xiaolou praised Zhou Tong for supervising snake captures, accepted one spirit stone from his reward, and let him use three snake tendons to refine a rope.
• Manager Song delivered an invitation to the Su family patriarch’s seventieth-birthday celebration and told Liu Xiaolou that Su Jiu and Young Master Han hoped to see him at Shenwu Mountain.
• Big White recognized Manager Song, who had once caught it stealing fish, and fled by leaping off the cliff.
• Liu Xiaolou drafted an extravagant gift list, then crossed out the spirit stones, spiritual materials, gold, and silver, leaving only Spirit Clam Essence Oil.
• Liu Xiaolou decided to make an inexpensive illusion formation as the main birthday gift and planned to complete it within fifteen days.

Liu Xiaolou left Qianzhu Ridge and traveled to Shenwu Mountain for his father-in-law Su Zhi’s grand birthday. After reaching the Su estate, he met Su Wan, whose plum soup greatly strengthened his true essence and awakened the Yellow Dragon Sword.

• Liu Xiaolou instructed Fang Buai to prepare for the Liu Family Manor’s move and to hand over the mountain’s affairs when his sister-in-law arrived.
• Liu Xiaolou traveled by bamboo raft and then overland, arriving at Shenwu Mountain the day before Su Zhi’s birthday.
• Su Changchun welcomed Liu Xiaolou and escorted him to Zhongyu Hall, where he chatted with Su Zhi.
• Liu Xiaolou stayed at Misty Rain Tower, where Su Wan surprised him by bringing him chilled plum soup.
• Liu Xiaolou drank the plum soup, and its spiritual power nourished his sea of qi and Yellow Dragon Sword, adding what felt like a year of cultivation.

Liu Xiaolou shared Dragon Saliva Plum Soup and watched the rain with Su Jiuniang at Misty Rain Tower, where she told him she had changed her cultivation path and that Su Wuniang had returned. After Su Jiuniang left to attend her father's birthday, the Tiger-Head Flood Dragon reunited with Liu Xiaolou and revealed he had reserved a Foundation Establishment Pill for him.

• Liu Xiaolou drank three cups of Dragon Saliva Plum Soup before Su Jiuniang warned him that more would harm his qi sea.
• Su Jiuniang explained the soup's origins and showed Liu Xiaolou her Mysterious Mountain Pearls as they discussed Weiyu Mountain's divine turtles and immortal cranes.
• Su Jiuniang told Liu Xiaolou she had switched from sword cultivation to the Ice Soul Profound Nether Hand, and he learned that Su Wuniang had returned with Susu.
• Su Jiuniang watched the rain with Liu Xiaolou, then asked him to stay after her father's birthday celebration because a troublesome person had arrived.
• The Tiger-Head Flood Dragon reunited with Liu Xiaolou and said he had reserved a Foundation Establishment Pill from the Danxia Sect for him.

Liu Xiaolou celebrated the prospect of obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill with Tiger-Head Flood Dragon, then welcomed visitors who congratulated him and arranged to buy his formation disks. After everyone left through the window, Steward Song discussed Fifth Lady’s distance from Liu Xiaolou, leaving him asking whether she knew he had come.

• Liu Xiaolou and Tiger-Head Flood Dragon drank Spirit Wines together until Tiger-Head Flood Dragon left through the window for Su Zhi’s birthday banquet.
• Sect Master Guan, Sect Master Jin, and Sect Master Liang congratulated Liu Xiaolou on achieving Foundation Establishment and gave him gifts.
• Xiong Xi and Daoist Master Leiming arranged to buy two Lin Yuan Xuan Shi Formations and told Liu Xiaolou that Yun Ao was preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment.
• When footsteps approached, Xiong Xi and Daoist Master Leiming escaped through the window, and Liu Xiaolou welcomed Steward Song.
• Steward Song said Fifth Lady did not reject Liu Xiaolou but admitted he could not understand her thoughts, prompting Liu Xiaolou to ask whether she knew he had come.

Liu Xiaolou attended the Su Family’s birthday banquet and greeted its many guests, including old acquaintances and rivals. When he saw his former wife, Fifth Lady Su Xi, her faint smile caused his long-held resentment to disappear.

• Steward Song led Liu Xiaolou through the crowded banquet hall, where guests from allied sects and families noticed him and greeted him.
• Liu Xiaolou greeted Su Zhenjiu and Han Wuwang, then met Gongsun Hong and learned that Yin Centipede was attending as the Young Manor Lord of Yin family manor.
• Liu Xiaolou spoke with Mi Tao and learned that Qingzhu was in secluded cultivation at home.
• Liu Xiaolou took his assigned seat beside Su Jiuniang, who told him Yin Centipede was obedient because the Su Family controlled the ingredients his manor needed.
• Elder Cai, Su Zhi, and other senior guests took the central seats, followed by Su Xun and Fifth Lady Su Xi.
• Fifth Lady Su Xi looked across the hall and exchanged a faint smile with Liu Xiaolou, and his years of resentment toward her vanished.

At Su Zhi’s birthday banquet, guests and family presented precious gifts, including Vermillion Fruit from Su Wuniang that could help him advance and a Wind Thunder Horse from Su Jiuniang. Liu Xiaolou presented an illusion array and Spirit Clam Essence Oil, which caught Elder Cai’s interest as the gift announcements continued.

• Elder Cai presented Su Zhi with a Fragrant Dawn Rosy Clouds Talisman Treasure, while Mao Chong offered flame essence suited to Su Wuniang’s cultivation and Wang Ping gave twelve bottles of high-grade spirit pills.
• Outside guests presented Su Zhi with a defensive robe, Primordial Essence Dragon Immortal Brew, and Guishan Jade, and he inspected the gifts with delight.
• Su Wuniang presented twelve Vermillion Fruits from the Danxia Cave-Heaven’s spring Void Rift, which Su Jiuniang explained could restore the fire essence Su Zhi needed to pursue further Golden Core advancement.
• Su Jiuniang gave Su Zhi a Wind Thunder Horse from Weiyu Mountain, and he happily admired its lightning-wreathed hooves.
• Liu Xiaolou presented an illusion array and a bottle of Spirit Clam Essence Oil, prompting Elder Cai to ask for a portion while Steward Song continued announcing the Su family’s gifts.

At the Su family celebration, Liu Xiaolou complained that his father-in-law had passed along the gift he had carefully made, then drank with Susu and exchanged toasts with Fifth Lady. As the guests crowded around him, Mi Tao challenged him to another round, and Ninth Mistress stepped in to drink in his place.

• Su Zhi followed Steward Song's advice and gave Elder Cai the illusion array and Spirit Clam Essence Oil, prompting Liu Xiaolou to complain that his father-in-law had given away his carefully prepared gift.
• Susu toasted Liu Xiaolou on Fifth Lady's behalf, then explained that she had chosen to help Fifth Lady revive the Su family; Liu Xiaolou wished Fifth Lady success from afar.
• Ninth Mistress escaped a crowd of admirers after the Tiger-Head Flood Dragon intercepted their toasts, then warned Liu Xiaolou not to lead Susu astray.
• Su Jiu and Han Wuwang toasted Liu Xiaolou, while guests from several sects and families crowded around him and urged him to drink.
• Mi Tao poured Liu Xiaolou a third cup after he had already drunk more than ten, and Ninth Mistress intervened, offering to experience Mi Tao's two unusual cups herself.

At the Su Family’s birthday banquet, Jia Po and Tiger-Head Flood Dragon competed with Mi Tao in drinking while Liu Xiaolou slipped away carrying the drunken Ninth Mistress. The next morning, Ninth Mistress found Liu Xiaolou at Misty Rain Tower and asked him to go to sea with her.

• Jia Po questioned the Su Family brothers about Liu Xiaolou and considered how to pursue his proposal to the Mi clan despite Liu’s presence.
• Jia Po and Tiger-Head Flood Dragon joined Mi Tao’s drinking contest, giving Liu Xiaolou a chance to carry the drunken Ninth Mistress away.
• When someone sought Sect Master Liu on Elder Cai’s orders, Liu Xiaolou hurried out of Gua Lu Hall and asked Xiao Qin to cover for him.
• Ninth Mistress woke with a painful hangover, found Xiao Qin asleep drunk, and went to Misty Rain Tower in the rain.
• Ninth Mistress woke Liu Xiaolou and asked him to come out to sea with her, leaving him surprised.

Liu Xiaolou and Su Jiuniang sailed to Floating Mountain Market, with Su Jiuniang using her family’s beast-taming art to have three sea serpents pull their skiff. They reached the island and entered its cliffside market, where Su revealed that she planned to beat up Qiu Si, the nephew of the powerful Qiu Zhongzi.

• Su Jiuniang summoned three sea serpents and used them to pull the skiff toward the open sea.
• Su Jiuniang explained that she could tame sea serpents because she had grown up alongside them and learned her family’s inherited beast-taming method.
• Liu Xiaolou and Su Jiuniang sailed through the night and arrived at Floating Mountain Island at daybreak.
• Su Jiuniang led Liu Xiaolou through the island’s forest and into a sinkhole valley lined with shops and buildings beneath Qiu Zhongzi’s Floating Hill Palace.
• Su Jiuniang told Liu Xiaolou that she intended to beat up Qiu Si, Qiu Zhongzi’s Foundation Establishment nephew, and they hoped Qiu Zhongzi was away.

Liu Xiaolou and Su Jiuniang surveyed Floating Mountain Island to find a concealed spot where they could ambush Qiu Si. After learning that Island Master Qiu was away and Qiu Si was still on the island, Liu Xiaolou paid a tavern keeper to arrange a chance encounter.

• Su Jiuniang showed Liu Xiaolou her Rice Fragrance Residence and explained why she had opened the shop on Floating Mountain Island.
• Liu Xiaolou and Su Jiuniang tested the island’s routes and sightlines, settling on the locked Old Shrimp Shop as a place to ambush Qiu Si.
• Liu Xiaolou searched the taverns for news but learned nothing, while he and Su Jiuniang spent the night by their boat and saw a distant flash over the sea.
• Liu Xiaolou asked a one-eyed tavern keeper about Island Master Qiu and learned that Qiu Si remained on the island while his uncle was away.
• Liu Xiaolou offered the tavern keeper two spirit stones to help arrange a chance encounter with Qiu Si.

Liu Xiaolou demonstrated his portable illusion formation to Qiu Si and traded it for a rare piece of Sea Mirage Jade. The deal ended with both men pleased with their new treasures and Liu Xiaolou eager to refine a stronger formation disk.

• Liu Xiaolou activated his Lin Yuan Xuan Shi Formation disk, drawing Qiu Si into its illusion while Uncle Dong remained outside it.
• Liu Xiaolou noticed Uncle Dong watching him, and Qiu Si eventually broke free of the formation and asked what Liu Xiaolou wanted in exchange.
• Qiu Si offered Liu Xiaolou a piece of Sea Mirage Jade, and Uncle Dong assured Liu Xiaolou that Floating Mountain would guarantee his safety.
• Liu Xiaolou accepted the Sea Mirage Jade in exchange for his formation disk, and both men examined their new possessions with satisfaction.

Liu Xiaolou stopped Xiao Ma from attacking Qiu Si, then learned that Qiu Si and Su Jiuniang were arguing over a Pai Gow wager involving Xiao Qin and Rice Fragrance Residence. The chapter ended with Su Jiuniang accusing Qiu Si of cheating by drawing Heaven tiles nine rounds in a row.

• Liu Xiaolou tried to leave the tavern, but Xiao Ma arrived to challenge Qiu Si and demanded eight hundred spirit stones.
• Xiao Ma attacked Qiu Si with his bronze drum, and Liu Xiaolou bound him with the Xuanzhen Rope.
• Su Jiuniang arrived and sealed Xiao Ma's sea of qi before joining Liu Xiaolou and Qiu Si to discuss their dispute.
• Qiu Si asked whether Su Jiuniang had accepted his proposal, while Su Jiuniang demanded the return of Rice Fragrance Residence.
• Liu Xiaolou misunderstood the dispute as Qiu Si forcing Su Jiuniang to marry him, but Su Jiuniang explained that Qiu Si wanted to marry her maidservant Xiao Qin.
• Qiu Si said Su Jiuniang had wagered Rice Fragrance Residence against Xiao Qin in Pai Gow and lost, and Su Jiuniang accused him of cheating by drawing Heaven tiles nine times in a row.

Liu Xiaolou returned from Floating Mountain Island after helping Qiu Si pursue marriage with Xiao Qin, and Su Jiuniang learned that Xiao Qin was willing to leave with him. Liu Xiaolou later supported the match to Su Zhi and Susu, while Qiu Si was expected to come propose.

• Little Brother Ma sailed away on his crude raft after predicting the coming weather and challenging Qiu Si to a wager.
• Liu Xiaolou left Floating Mountain Island with Su Jiuniang, who questioned whether he truly intended to help Qiu Si marry Xiao Qin.
• Su Jiuniang returned to Cloud Sea Pavilion and spoke with Xiao Qin, then came out with reddened eyes as Xiao Qin admitted she could not bear to part with her.
• Liu Xiaolou told Su Zhi that Qiu Si seemed worth knowing and that Xiao Qin appeared willing to marry him, and Su Zhi agreed to investigate the match.
• Susu visited Liu Xiaolou to ask about Xiao Qin's marriage, and he told her he approved of Xiao Qin's choice.

Liu Xiaolou helped arrange Qiu Si and Xiao Qin’s marriage at Shenwu Mountain, where Ninth Mistress’s generous dowry settled the match. After seeing Qiu Si’s party off, Liu Xiaolou was asked to help mediate a conflict between Floating Mountain and the Changjing Gang.

• Liu Xiaolou welcomed Qiu Si’s marriage-proposal entourage and accepted twelve Night Pearls from him.
• Liu Xiaolou sought Su Wuniang’s support for the evening banquet, and she agreed to attend.
• Qiu Si formally proposed to Su Zhi, and Ninth Mistress returned with a generous dowry for Xiao Qin.
• The marriage was settled for an auspicious date half a year later, and Liu Xiaolou saw Qiu Si’s party off.
• One-eyed Uncle Dong asked Liu Xiaolou to seek mediation with the Immortal Granny Sect over Floating Mountain’s conflict with the Changjing Gang, and Liu Xiaolou mentioned Guan Li.

Liu Xiaolou gave Uncle Dong Guan Li’s overdue IOU, hoping it could help Qiu Si’s family deal with the Changjing Gang. After Xiao Qin left for home and Liu Xiaolou said farewell to the Shenwu Su Family, he headed back to Wulong Mountain, pleased with the treasures and opportunities he had gained.

• Liu Xiaolou told Uncle Dong that Guan Li owed him for injuring him, and handed over the three-year-old IOU as a possible way to gain Guan Li’s help.
• Uncle Dong explained to Qiu Si that the IOU could pressure Guan Li and that the Shenwu Su Family would take responsibility if trouble arose; Qiu Si reflected that his marriage had been worth it.
• Liu Xiaolou teased Xiao Qin after returning to Cloud Sea Pavilion, and Su Jiuniang gave her seven days of leave to visit Dongjiang Village.
• Liu Xiaolou asked Su Jiuniang how much Xiao Qin’s dowry had cost, prompting her to angrily drive him away with an ice blade.
• Su Wuniang sent Liu Xiaolou off with Golden Whisker Dragon Carp and Ao Shrimp, and he departed Shenwu Mountain carrying his gifts and reflecting on his gains.

Liu Xiaolou returned to Wulong Mountain and learned that a northern cultivator named Xin was investigating the fat dead man and the Three Xuan Sect. As he prepared for a possible confrontation, Old Hudu arrived and declared he would help defend the mountain.

• Liu Xiaolou released spirit fish and shrimp into the pond, but Big White and Little Black swallowed them before he could stop them.
• Zhou Tong reported that a strange man had questioned people around Wulong Mountain about the fat dead man and had shown interest in Liu Xiaolou’s illusion formation.
• Fang Buai concluded that the stranger was connected to the fat dead man, and Liu Xiaolou sent Zhou Tong to ask Alchemist Hu about the man’s cultivation.
• A Martial Master reported that a northern man surnamed Xin had questioned Steward Liu about the mountains and the Three Xuan Sect, so Liu Xiaolou advised Steward Liu to avoid provoking him and lure him toward the mountain if possible.
• Liu Xiaolou considered relying on the Twelve Yin Yang Grand Formation if the newcomer proved dangerous, and Old Hudu arrived ready to fight for Wulong Mountain.

Liu Xiaolou gathered his allies and beasts on Qianzhu Ridge after learning that the northern Formation Master was nearby, then devised a plan to lure him over. The chapter ended with Liu Xiaolou sending Big White and Little Black to bait the enemy with a promise of keeping any treasure they stole.

• Liu Xiaolou and Old Hudu discussed the northern Formation Master and considered how to draw him into an ambush.
• Zhou Tong reunited tearfully with Seventh Mistress Zhou and Lord Xingde, who warned Liu Xiaolou that a powerful stranger was watching Qianzhu Ridge from Ghost Dream Cliff.
• Old Hudu and Lord Xingde traded stories about escaping their pursuers as Big White and Little Black returned to the mountain.
• Big White tried to steal Seventh Mistress Zhou’s five-colored pearl chain, and Liu Xiaolou realized the beasts could help lure the enemy.
• Liu Xiaolou ordered Big White and Little Black to lure the stranger from Ghost Dream Cliff to Qianzhu Ridge, promising them any treasure they stole.