Chapter Summaries

Li Wuxian decided that her new goal as Emperor was to make the realm prosperous and peaceful, while Qin Yi shared his own ideals with her. Elsewhere, Qing Xuanzi warned Li Qingjun that Li Wuxian’s position as a cultivator and Human Emperor could draw dangerous attention, but Li Qingjun vowed to protect her niece.

• Qin Yi asked Li Wuxian what she wanted for herself, and she said she wanted to become a good Emperor and bring peace and prosperity to her realm.
• Li Wuxian asked Qin Yi about his ideal, and he said he wanted to care for his family, teach her well, and keep them safe.
• Li Wuxian had Qin Yi’s drawing of her childhood self mounted in the Imperial Study before leaving to attend court.
• Qing Xuanzi told Li Qingjun that the Taiyi Sect had backed other forces because it believed a cultivator could not become Human Emperor without inviting calamity.
• Qing Xuanzi warned that cultivators might target Li Wuxian as a disciple or a Cauldron, and Li Qingjun promised to defend her niece from outsiders.

Qin Yi and Liusu learned that Taotao knew how to find Jian Mu, one of the materials needed to rebuild Liusu’s body, though it could not sense the tree while its soul power was weak. Qin Yi told Li Wuxian he would have to leave once Taotao recovered to Huiyang, leaving her to prepare for the dangers of ruling as an emperor-cultivator.

• Qin Yi and Li Qingjun discussed Qing Xuanzi’s warning and suspected Taiyi Sect might be scheming to take over Wu Xian’s realm.
• Liusu confirmed the Blood-Chilling Nether Marrow was complete, and Taotao identified the remaining body-reconstruction materials and claimed it knew where Jian Mu was.
• Taotao admitted it could not sense Jian Mu until its soul power recovered, and Liusu threatened it with the Wolf Tooth Club.
• Li Wuxian found Qin Yi and Li Qingjun feeding Taotao, sensed a dangerous presence from it, and reconciled with Li Qingjun.
• Li Qingjun warned Li Wuxian that Qing Xuanzi thought her rule as a cultivator emperor could face setbacks, while Qin Yi explained he could not stay long.
• Li Wuxian fed Taotao fruit and a plate, then considered poisoning it so it would not recover to Huiyang and prompt Qin Yi to leave.

Qin Yi took Li Wuxian flying over snowy landscapes and a bustling city so she could see the mortal realm beyond palace life. As Li Wuxian reflected on how a ruler should view the people, Qin Yi sensed a stirring within himself, while she laughed at a would-be disciple’s failed attempt to enter Cloudy Mountain.

• Qin Yi considered the danger of remaining in the Imperial Palace after killing Feng Bulie and decided his reason for staying was to accompany Li Wuxian.
• Qin Yi took Li Wuxian on an airship ride over snowy mountains, rivers, travelers, and a lone fisherman, telling her that the sights were her realm.
• Qin Yi and Li Wuxian watched a city’s evening life, and he told her that the ordinary people and their homes were also her responsibility.
• Li Wuxian asked whether Minghe True Person had seen the same things in Southern Li, and Qin Yi encouraged her to see more and follow what she believed was right.
• Qin Yi felt a faint inner stirring after speaking with Li Wuxian, while Liusu and Taotie discussed his apparent intent of Formless.
• Li Wuxian watched a ragged seeker offer incense money to gain entry at Cloudy Mountain, then laughed.

Qin Yi demonstrated Taotao’s extraordinary nature and the wonders of the Creation Golden Chapter to Li Wuxian, who reflected on the limits of cultivation and her role as Emperor. Back in Dragon Abyss City, Li Wuxian took Taotao with her and confronted the hidden voice that wanted to make her a disciple.

• Qin Yi summoned Taotao to swallow the sunset, then explained its unusual qualities and discussed why cultivators sought immortality, power, and knowledge.
• Qin Yi turned a stone into gold and made a bud grow on a withered tree, while Li Wuxian wondered whether such powers explained why cultivators could not interfere too deeply in mortal affairs.
• Qin Yi lent Taotao to Li Wuxian, warning her to keep it from harming anyone, and the two returned to Dragon Abyss City.
• Li Wuxian told Taotao that Qin Yi was the best master in the world, then recognized Taotao from ancient books and revealed that she understood its identity.
• Li Wuxian ordered her attendants to gather poisonous plants and substances, prompting Taotao to struggle until an unseen voice warned that the request harmed Heaven’s harmony.
• Li Wuxian entered her hall and challenged the hidden voice to prove its abilities before trying to discipline her or take her as a disciple.

Miao Di, a monk from Heavenly Thunder Temple, tried to recruit Li Wuxian as his disciple and spread Buddhism through Da Li, but Taotie exposed his greed and devoured him. Li Wuxian asked Taotie whether Qin Yi was the best master in the world, and Taotie did not disagree.

• Miao Di used shrinking and enlarging techniques to impress Li Wuxian, who mocked his displays and asked about his background.
• Miao Di disparaged Qin Yi and Li Wuxian’s aunt, then claimed Heavenly Thunder Temple could teach her methods their sects lacked.
• Miao Di tried to purify Black Fur Ball, but his magic produced the image of a roasted chicken drumstick.
• Miao Di revealed that he wanted Li Wuxian to spread Heavenly Thunder Temple throughout Da Li and make the people revere Buddha.
• Taotie revealed herself, filled the hall with black mist, and devoured Miao Di.
• Li Wuxian asked Taotie if Qin Yi was the best master in the world, and Taotie did not refute her.

Li Wuxian dealt with the aftermath of Miao Di’s death and affirmed that she would put her realm before pursuing immortality. After General Xie Yuan died, Qin Yi caught a Daoist who tried to lure her toward the Dao, leaving him to punish the intruder.

• Li Wuxian explained to Taotie why Heavenly Thunder Temple could not easily demand Miao Di from her and why foreign powers might target her as a Human Emperor.
• Li Wuxian fed Taotie arsenic to keep it from growing too quickly, despite its protests that it could not be poisoned to death.
• Li Wuxian went to pay respects to Qin Yi, but Li Qingjun told her he was cultivating; then they learned that General Xie Yuan had died and hurried to his bedside.
• At Xie Yuan’s funeral, a lame Daoist urged Li Wuxian to seek immortality, but she declared that she would rather unite all nations under her banners.
• The Daoist transformed into an immortal crane and tried to escape, but Qin Yi trapped him in a great net and began beating him.

Qin Yi punished a Daoist who targeted Li Wuxian for her Human Emperor fortune, then agreed with Li Wuxian and Li Qingjun to intimidate their enemies before they left. At Xie Yuan’s state funeral, Mount Mang and Ba Dan plotted to exploit Li Wuxian after Qin Yi departed, unaware that a Black Fur Ball watched them.

• Qin Yi had Taotie devour a Daoist who confessed he wanted to use Li Wuxian as a Cauldron, and Li Wuxian suggested that they make a show of force to deter others.
• Li Qingjun and Li Wuxian agreed to give Xie Yuan a grand state funeral, with Li Wuxian declaring it would be a state funeral.
• Qin Yi discovered Taotie had reached Shining Sun after eating two Shining Sun cultivators, and resolved to make those who threatened the Divine Land fear him.
• During Xie Yuan’s funeral, Ba Dan admired Li Wuxian as a supreme Cauldron and said he would wait until Qin Yi left before making her willing to cooperate.
• Mount Mang refused to act as Ba Dan’s thug and left, while a Black Fur Ball beside Li Wuxian watched the two men from the funeral.

After Qin Yi left Dragon Abyss City with Li Qingjun, Ba Dan tried to lure Li Wuxian away from the throne and awaken her longing for romance. His illusion failed to sway her, and Qin Yi confronted him in fury.

• Qin Yi left Dragon Abyss City with Li Qingjun after Xie Yuan's funeral, while Ba Dan waited for his chance to approach Li Wuxian.
• Li Wuxian reflected on her ambitions and her bond with Qin Yi and her aunt while standing on the palace's Star Gazing Platform.
• Ba Dan urged Li Wuxian to abandon the cage of imperial rule, but she rejected his assumptions and declined his offer of other schools' wondrous methods.
• Ba Dan conjured a romantic illusion of Li Wuxian and an unnamed young man, then added a scene of the youth risking his life to find a Snow Lotus for her.
• Qin Yi appeared before Li Wuxian and, enraged by Ba Dan's treatment of her, shouted that he would kill him.

Qin Yi and Li Qingjun defeated the lamas who attacked them, and Gluttony devoured the surviving enemies. Qin Yi threatened to destroy Saga Temple, driving away the hidden observers and leaving Mang Mountain wary of his family.

• Ba Dan trapped Qin Yi in the Star Gazing Platform and used a soul technique to try to send him back to his former world, but Qin Yi resisted and the technique backfired.
• Qin Yi smashed Ba Dan’s head with his Wolf Tooth Club, and Gluttony devoured Ba Dan’s fleeing soul before it could reach Li Wuxian.
• Li Qingjun killed two lamas with her spear, and Gluttony ate them, growing stronger.
• Qin Yi announced that he would wipe out Saga Temple for threatening his disciple and warned hidden observers to leave.
• The observers fled, while Mang Mountain withdrew after realizing Qin Yi’s threat was serious.

Mangshan followed Qin Yi toward Sakya Monastery after the Witch God Sect ordered him to focus on Li Wuxian’s past life. On reaching the monastery, Qin Yi and Li Qingjun attacked its defenses, and Qin Yi discovered signs of the same abuses he had come to punish.

• Mangshan received Zuo Qingtian’s order not to interfere with Qin Yi and to keep investigating Li Wuxian’s past life, then pursued Qin Yi’s flying vessel to obtain Sakya Monastery’s arts.
• On the vessel, Taotie revealed it had acquired some of Ba Dan’s abilities, including Dream Entry and rudimentary time arts, and spat out golden characters for Qin Yi to study.
• Qin Yi, Li Qingjun, and Taotie traveled for seven days before reaching Sakya Monastery in the great grasslands.
• Qin Yi and Li Qingjun struck Sakya Monastery’s Mountain Protection Array with the Wolf Tooth Club and silver spear.
• Qin Yi saw lamas rushing out and women hidden behind the gates, recognized Sakya Monastery’s resemblance to Great Joy Temple, and questioned why he kept opposing such sects.

Qin Yi and Li Qingjun broke into Sakya Monastery, destroyed its defenses, and wiped out its elite monks while sparing the civilians. Qin Yi’s display of power drove Heavenly Thunder Temple and the other Western Regions factions to withdraw, leaving the grasslands to witness the monastery’s destruction.

• Taotie began devouring the monastery’s barrier as Qin Yi and Li Qingjun tested the formation’s temporal weak point.
• Qin Yi used the Wolf Tooth Club to shatter the barrier, and Li Qingjun attacked the lama leading the defenders.
• Qin Yi enlarged himself to intimidate Heavenly Thunder Temple’s Qian Yuan reinforcements, while Li Qingjun charged into the monastery to protect the civilian women.
• Qin Yi used his enormous form and Time Secret Technique to crush the defending lamas, then let the civilians leave safely.
• Taotie devoured the monastery as Qin Yi warned the grasslands against oppressing the people of Divine Land.
• Heavenly Thunder Temple’s Qian Yuan Abbot and the other Western Regions powers withdrew rather than challenge Qin Yi.

Qin Yi’s family returned to Dragon Abyss City, where Qin Yi began preparing a Qianyuan-level Mountain Protection Array for Li Wuxian’s Imperial Palace. Li Qingjun decided to stay nearby to protect Li Wuxian from an unknown Qianyuan observer while Qin Yi prepared for a distant journey.

• Qin Yi returned to his airship naked below the waist after his transformation, while Taotie explained that eating Sakya Monastery’s buildings and treasure vault had greatly strengthened it.
• Li Qingjun revealed that Taotie had eaten the monastery’s inheritance, frustrating Mangshan, and the family left with only the Mountain Protection Array Flag.
• Qin Yi’s family returned to Dragon Abyss City, and Qin Yi began surveying the Imperial Palace’s earth veins to build Li Wuxian a Qianyuan-level Mountain Protection Array.
• Li Wuxian told Li Qingjun that she dreaded their departure, and Li Qingjun said she might stay because a hidden Qianyuan great power was watching the girl.
• Qin Yi said the array would take three days to set up, then teased Li Qingjun and followed her toward the sleeping quarters while Li Wuxian watched curiously.

After Qin Yi and Li Qingjun's victory completed an important stage in their cultivation, they sensed that a breakthrough was near. Curious about their relationship and troubled by the prospect of choosing an Imperial Husband and securing an heir, Li Wuxian decided to read romance stories and asked for a book written by Qin Yi.

• Qin Yi and Li Qingjun celebrated their victory together and sensed that their cultivation was nearing a breakthrough.
• Li Wuxian sneaked up to their bedchamber, where Taotie told her that Qin Yi and Li Qingjun were fighting.
• Li Wuxian realized she would eventually need to choose an Imperial Husband and provide an heir for the empire.
• Li Wuxian returned to her palace and asked her attendants to recommend folk stories.
• An attendant recommended The Return of the Condor Heroes, which he said Qin Yi had written ten years earlier.

Li Wuxian, newly stirred by romantic thoughts after reading Qin Yi’s book, tried to grow closer to her master while he focused on setting up an array and teaching her martial arts. The chapter ended with her realizing that Qin Yi seemed to regard her only as his disciple and feeling that she had grown up.

• Qin Yi and Li Qingjun began setting up an array, and Li Wuxian arrived later after suspending Morning Court.
• Li Wuxian watched Qin Yi work and imagined herself as the heroine of his book, with Qin Yi as her devoted male lead.
• Li Wuxian massaged Qin Yi’s shoulders, but he treated the moment as a chance to discuss her martial training.
• Qin Yi examined Li Wuxian’s physique and began preparing a list of ingredients for Body Tempering Fluid.
• Li Wuxian pretended to stumble into Qin Yi’s arms, but he simply steadied her and then meditated.
• Li Wuxian left with Qin Yi’s ingredient list, realizing he seemed to see her only as a disciple.

Li Wuxian wrestled with her growing attraction to Qin Yi and frustration that he still treated her as a child. Before Qin Yi prepared to leave, she asked him to paint a portrait of her as she was now and asked whether she had grown up.

• Li Wuxian considered her feelings for Qin Yi and worried that her ministers would soon press her to arrange a marriage.
• Li Wuxian visited Qin Yi early the next morning, and Li Qingjun told her that Qin Yi had reached the third layer of Huiyang.
• Qin Yi offered to teach Li Wuxian basic martial skills before leaving the following day, while Li Qingjun returned to cultivate.
• Li Wuxian asked Qin Yi to paint her current appearance rather than her childhood likeness.
• Li Wuxian posed with her silver spear and asked Qin Yi if she had grown up, while he silently began painting.

Qin Yi taught Li Wuxian basic martial arts, while she tried to draw closer to him and concealed her feelings. As Qin Yi prepared to leave for the Distant Sea in search of the World Tree, Li Wuxian injured her ankle to secure his attention and asked him to massage it.

• Qin Yi corrected Li Wuxian's Arch Stance and supported her as she struggled to hold it, while she enjoyed being close to him.
• Li Wuxian feigned exhaustion and persuaded Qin Yi to support her as they walked; Liusu observed that she had fallen for her master after reading his love letter to Senior Sister.
• Qin Yi and Liusu planned to detour through the Land of Chaos to reach the far side of the ocean before approaching the Distant Sea and searching for Senior Sister and Qing Ying.
• Qin Yi noticed that Li Wuxian's Qi and Blood seemed unobstructed, so she secretly twisted a tendon in her ankle to explain her earlier weakness.
• Qin Yi offered to heal Li Wuxian's sprained ankle and arrange for a palace maid to massage it, but she asked him to do it himself.

Qin Yi healed Li Wuxian’s foot and realized she was teasing him, then prepared to leave Dragon Abyss City after Li Qingjun found no trace of the Witch God Sect. He and Li Qingjun parted tenderly in the snow, while Li Wuxian watched their embrace and kiss with new curiosity.

• Qin Yi healed Li Wuxian’s injured foot and quietly recognized her attempt to seduce him as a young girl’s teasing.
• Li Qingjun searched Dragon Abyss City for the Witch God Sect with Taotie but found no trace of them.
• Qin Yi and Li Qingjun left the city together in the snow, while Li Wuxian followed with guards to see off her master.
• Qin Yi urged Li Qingjun to explain personal hygiene and matters of growing up to Li Wuxian, and Li Qingjun suggested they have a child of their own.
• At the riverbank, Qin Yi and Li Qingjun embraced and kissed as Li Wuxian watched, fascinated by their intimacy.

After Qin Yi left, Li Qingjun and Li Wuxian discussed his departure and Li Wuxian’s future marriage, while Li Qingjun settled into the palace as the Zhaoyang Empress. Qin Yi returned to the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace, where he learned the Taiyi Sect’s mountain gate had been destroyed but its people had survived.

• Li Wuxian asked Li Qingjun about kissing and how children were born, and Li Qingjun warned her not to let anyone touch her.
• Li Qingjun suggested Li Wuxian might choose a Dao Companion, and Li Wuxian insisted they wait for Qin Yi to return before discussing it.
• Li Wuxian arranged for palace maids to attend Li Qingjun, then invoked her aunt’s authority to postpone a matter under debate in court.
• Qin Yi flew east to the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace to visit the sect and ask about upgrading his flying vessel.
• The immortal crane and white deer told Qin Yi that the Witch God Sect had destroyed the Taiyi Sect’s mountain gate, while Qing Xuanzi, Qing Weizi, and many disciples had survived.

Qin Yi returned to the Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting Sect and found Jing Ze carrying the sect’s responsibilities while its young disciples flourished. After leaving, Qin Yi met Yin Yizhong, who gave him a gourd of new wine called Drunken Moon.

• Qin Yi visited Jing Ze, who complained that he had been left to run the sect and raise its disciples while the others pursued their own paths.
• A group of grown disciples recognized Qin Yi as their Martial Uncle, crowded around him, and received Top Grade Spirit Stones as gifts.
• Qin Yi gave Jing Ze a jade slip containing Ju Yunxiu’s insights from attaining Qianyuan, and Jing Ze asked him to convey his greetings to their Master.
• Qin Yi left the Painting Sect and reflected on how its disciples and inheritance had grown into a thriving sect.
• Qin Yi encountered Yin Yizhong, who complained that craftsmen had used his new wine as machine lubricant, then gave Qin Yi a gourd of Drunken Moon.

Qin Yi prepared for a dangerous journey to the distant seas by gathering techniques, artifacts, and support from fellow disciples in the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace. He left with a powerful new airship, a World-Breaking Bomb, and the Palace Master still to meet.

• Yin Yizhong gave Qin Yi a jade slip containing Wine Sect techniques and directed him toward Du Pingsheng for a Gambling Contract.
• Du Pingsheng explained the principles behind the compulsory Gambling Contract and gave Qin Yi a balance-scale treasure and a single-use wagering die.
• Mo Wuzi replaced Qin Yi's old airship with a Shining Sun Realm airship that could transform into a fortress, and gave him a World-Breaking Bomb.
• Mo Wuzi guessed that Qin Yi was heading to the distant seas and advised him to meet the Palace Master.
• Qin Yi appreciated the Immortal Palace's support as he left the Artisan Sect to continue preparing for his dangerous journey.