Chapter Summaries

Zhao Xing and Xu Laoba explored the South Lake District, where Zhao Xing learned Lin Sanniang had returned to river scavenging to help her niece Lin Baiwei gather lake silk for the Weaving Bureau. After finding two East Lake Pearls, Zhao Xing heard wandering souls speak of a dazzling light and a cold turtle nearby.

• Zhao Xing left the fat ghost to enter the Soul Guiding Lamp and returned to Xu Laoba.
• Xu Laoba pointed out Lin Sanniang and Lin Baiwei, and Zhao Xing deduced they were harvesting lake silk for Lin Baiwei's Weaving Bureau assessment.
• Zhao Xing rented a small boat and observed wandering souls drifting among the river lanterns.
• Xu Laoba retrieved two First Order high-grade East Lake Pearls from the lakebed, and Zhao Xing took them.
• Zhao Xing heard fragmented voices describing a huge, dazzling light and a freezing turtle.

Zhao Xing found a rare Fourth Level Ice Pearl in East Lake and collected several lesser pearls with Xu Laoba’s help. As they headed back, they came across Lin Baiwei and her aunt after a water accident, and Zhao Xing concealed them from view.

• Zhao Xing followed the wind and used Bright Eyes to locate a blue pearl held in a dead turtle’s mouth beneath a submerged reef.
• Xu Laoba retrieved the pearl, and Zhao Xing identified it as a rare Fourth Level Ice Pearl and promised him a reward.
• Zhao Xing found more than a dozen First Level East Lake Pearls before his Ghost Wealth luck faded.
• Zhao Xing decided to return after finding only a green-gem earring, then heard that someone had fallen into the water.
• Zhao Xing and Xu Laoba encountered Lin Baiwei in a grassy inlet while Lin Sanniang was still in the water, and Zhao Xing used Cloudcalling to conceal them.

Zhao Xing returned from the River Scavengers with a valuable fourth-rank bead and prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture’s White Dew theory examination. He aimed to become a ranked official for the blessings and longevity, then entered the examination hall determined not to write anything too unconventional.

• Zhao Xing returned Xu Laoba’s deposit and rewarded him, then went home and locked away the valuable bead rather than selling it in haste.
• Zhao Xing studied at the Ministry of Agriculture as Old Sima Nong announced that the coming solar-term examination would test theory.
• Zhao Xing recalled detailed information about crops and resources in Guangling Province, impressing Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong.
• Zhao Xing calculated that reaching Gathering Yuan Ninth Level by next spring would let the benefits of official rank go toward extending his lifespan.
• On White Dew, Zhao Xing prepared to sit the two-day theory examination and reminded himself to avoid ideas that might seem heretical or excessively ahead of their time.

Zhao Xing took a two-day theoretical examination on agriculture, seasonal phenomena, and the Five Elements, answering the scenario questions with detailed methods and classical references. By nightfall he had reached the final ideological question matching the Five Elements, heavenly stems, and earthly branches with the four seasons.

• Zhao Xing reviewed the exam papers and quickly completed the rote memorization questions.
• Zhao Xing identified that the city’s droughts and floods called for earthly advantage measures, then proposed nurturing earth veins, building canals and a lake, and using a waterwheel.
• Zhao Xing answered the linked question about cold spring conditions and summer locusts by adjusting earth-vein fire and restoring the seasonal timing.
• Zhao Xing continued writing and repeatedly checked his answers as night fell.
• Zhao Xing reached the final question, which asked him to match the Five Elements, heavenly stems, and earthly branches with the four seasons and explain the ideology.

Zhao Xing finished the difficult final question by adding a modest refinement to the mainstream Five Elements theory, then turned in his papers at dawn. The proctors were surprised by how early he finished and prepared to scrutinize his answers while Chen Shijie voiced confidence in him.

• Zhao Xing rejected the obscure True Self theory and wrote the mainstream Earth Reigns in Late Summer theory for the final question.
• Zhao Xing added two lines proposing that earth control the center and four directions, then stopped short of revealing a more advanced theory.
• After finishing at dawn, Zhao Xing organized his answer sheets and carried them to the proctors' hall.
• Xue Wenzhong and the other proctors were surprised Zhao Xing had finished so early and resolved to review his work carefully.
• Zhao Xing handed in his papers, and Chen Shijie told him to wait while the proctors reviewed his results.

Zhao Xing’s answers impressed the examiners, who unanimously awarded him Grade A on the theoretical examination. When the results were released, he was one of only three candidates to receive Grade A, leaving his rivals disappointed and Huang Tao rebuked by Zhao Xing’s supporters.

• Xue Wenzhong reviewed Zhao Xing’s answers and concluded that his understanding of the Five Elements and Four Seasons was profound.
• Chen Shijie praised Zhao Xing’s final answer, and the other examiners agreed it deserved a high score despite Gao Linong’s reluctance.
• The examiners unanimously gave Zhao Xing Grade A, and he left the examination hall.
• The next day, the results showed Zhao Xing, Ding Shan, and Liang Bai had received Grade A, while Zong Shichang received Grade B.
• Wen Nanxing and Xiao Ze were disappointed by Zhao Xing’s result, and Huang Tao accused Old Sima Nong of favoritism.
• Other candidates defended Zhao Xing and rebuked Huang Tao, who withdrew in disgrace.

Li Chengfeng struggled with Zhao Xing’s growing reputation after Zhao Xing earned another Grade A, while County Magistrate Li Wenzheng learned about several promising examinees. The Falcon Protector added Zhao Xing to a covert watch list, and Zhao Xing received the six-year-old Heaven Yuan Pear Tree Chen Shijie had promised him.

• Chen Ziyu celebrated earning Grade B and encouraged Qian Dong to keep improving, while Li Chengfeng grew irritated by Zhao Xing’s praise and left Zong Shichang.
• Pang Fei reported the White Dew assessment results to Li Wenzheng, who ordered aid for Lin Baiwei and Han Bi after learning they were poor.
• The Falcon Protector ordered Lin Baiwei and Han Bi added to the capture list and raised Zhao Xing to fifth place, instructing the hall masters to gather information without acting openly.
• Chen Shijie gave Zhao Xing a six-year-old Heaven Yuan Pear Tree, and Zhao Xing carried it home with Rising Wind.

Zhao Xing transplanted the Heaven Yuan Pear Tree into his family’s vegetable garden, then received an Evil Aversion Almanac warning that the Profound Heaven Sect was surveilling him. He recalled the sect’s long-term plan and its ultimate target, Yuanling Grotto-Heaven in Guangling Province.

• Madam Cai initially resisted giving up the vegetable garden, but agreed after Zhao Xing offered to pay double for vegetables, and Zhao Ruide scolded her for undervaluing the pear tree.
• Zhao Xing used Rising Wind to clear the garden, planted the Heaven Yuan Pear Tree, and cast Flourishing Growth to help its roots take hold.
• Zhao Xing told Zhao Zheng not to speak badly about Madam Cai and reflected that her selfishness mainly came from wanting to protect her son.
• The master of Three Bays Hall instructed a fishmonger to casually approach Zhao Xing and act as the Profound Heaven Sect’s eyes and ears.
• The Evil Aversion Almanac warned Zhao Xing that the Profound Heaven Sect was surveilling him after his three consecutive Grade A ratings.
• Zhao Xing recalled that the Profound Heaven Sect planned to abduct Agriculture Officials and eventually target Yuanling Grotto-Heaven in Guangling Province.

Zhao Xing kept his distance from the Profound Heaven Sect and arranged to buy houses outside the city for protection. As he grew stronger, he sought tougher opponents to help digest his cultivation treasures, and Chen Shijie brought him someone he recognized.

• Zhao Xing decided not to report his limited information about the Profound Heaven Sect and resolved to avoid provoking them.
• The Three Bays Hall Master and his wife found no opening to abduct Zhao Xing, so they shifted their attention toward the outskirts before the Autumn Equinox ceremony.
• Zhao Xing asked Zhao Ruide to buy him several houses outside the city and ensure his name appeared in the Official Almanac and Yellow Register.
• Zhao Xing reached the Gathering Yuan Third Stage and neared the Fourth Level by consuming Heaven Yuan Pears and Gathering Yuan Pills.
• After Zhao Xing found that his colleagues offered too little pressure in sparring, Chen Shijie borrowed a martial artist from Wang Long.
• Zhao Xing recognized the martial artist as Brother Shen.

Zhao Xing sparred with Shen Zhui, the Military Office constable assigned to protect him, using spells and straw puppets to evade Shen Zhui’s pursuit. Shen Zhui adapted to Zhao Xing’s tricks, and the chase continued after a snapped branch revealed Zhao Xing’s position.

• Chen Shijie introduced Shen Zhui as Zhao Xing’s sparring partner and explained that Shen Zhui had been assigned to protect him amid unrest linked to the Profound Heaven Sect and East Lake Mountain’s opening.
• Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui agreed to spar twice daily at the Chen Residence, with Shen Zhui starting his pursuit ten breaths after Zhao Xing cast a spell.
• Zhao Xing cast Cloudcalling, Rising Wind, and Rainmaking to obscure his position, but Shen Zhui used his martial senses and Iron Rulers to begin tracking him when the countdown ended.
• Zhao Xing used a Swift Steps Straw Puppet to mislead Shen Zhui, who realized the deception and began moving seriously through the rain.
• Zhao Xing created more straw puppets while Shen Zhui blended his footsteps into the rainfall, but a puppet snapped dry branches and exposed Zhao Xing’s location.
• Shen Zhui lunged toward the sound, so Zhao Xing abandoned the puppet and ran in another direction.

Zhao Xing used spells, straw puppets, and his superior luck to keep Shen Zhui chasing the wrong path before finally being caught. After they made peace and shared pears from Chen Shijie's orchard, Zhao Xing announced that he would break through to the Gathering Yuan Fourth Level.

• Zhao Xing sent a straw puppet running beneath rain-free clouds and used its trail to draw Shen Zhui away from him.
• Shen Zhui fell for Zhao Xing's decoys three times but stayed composed and continued the pursuit.
• Zhao Xing recognized Shen Zhui's skill, but stopped resisting when his luck advantage had reached its limit; Shen Zhui caught him after Zhao Xing delayed him for a cup of tea.
• Shen Zhui and Zhao Xing praised each other's abilities and shared Heaven Yuan Pears from Chen Shijie's orchard.
• Chen Shijie appeared and found Shen Zhui willing to take responsibility for the pear; Zhao Xing then announced he would break through to the Gathering Yuan Fourth Level.

Zhao Xing broke through to the Gathering Yuan Fourth Level and obtained approval to learn new spells. With East Lake Mountain’s Autumn Equinox opening drawing crowds to the County Office and temple, he went to the Hall of All Sages instead of waiting at True Lord Cao Xi Hall.

• Zhao Xing completed his breakthrough beneath the Heaven Yuan Pear Tree, and Chen Shijie recognized his exceptional innate physique.
• Zhao Xing teased Chen Shijie, picked more Heaven Yuan Pears with Shen Zhui, and arranged to meet Shen again the next day.
• Zhao Xing told Shen Zhui he had reached the Gathering Yuan Fourth Level and planned to visit the temple for new spells.
• Xue Wenzhong approved Zhao Xing’s application, and Pang Fei explained that the County Office was crowded because East Lake Mountain would open at the Autumn Equinox.
• Zhao Xing found a long queue at True Lord Cao Xi Hall and went to the Hall of All Sages to receive elementary spells.

Zhao Xing received teachings from True Lord Zheng Lun in the Hall of All Sages and learned three offensive spells: Guiding Thunder, Yin Wind, and Icy Rain. After telling Xue Wenzhong about his gains, Zhao Xing learned that he would need to seek out Chen Shijie to study the two spells Xue could not teach.

• Zhao Xing prayed in the Hall of All Sages and was drawn into a battlefield scene where Zheng Lun defended a grain convoy from an ambush.
• Zheng Lun used thunder, yin wind, and rain to rout the attackers, and Zhao Xing observed his spellcasting.
• Zhao Xing comprehended the mid-tier spells Guiding Thunder, Yin Wind, and Icy Rain, then bowed to the memorial tablets and left the hall.
• Zhao Xing told Xue Wenzhong about his new spells, and Xue said he could teach Guiding Thunder but Zhao Xing would need to seek out Chen Shijie for Yin Wind and Icy Rain.

Chen Shijie taught Zhao Xing how to raise Yin Wind from underground, and Zhao Xing practiced until he succeeded despite the unfavorable conditions. His Yin Wind disturbed Chen Shijie’s sleep and triggered a violent reflex, after which Chen Shijie warned him not to approach a sleeping Military Sima Nong.

• Chen Shijie explained that Zhao Xing’s beginner spells could help him comprehend Yin Wind and demonstrated the spell’s effects and principles.
• Zhao Xing repeatedly tried to draw yin power from Gucheng’s earth veins, but the strong midday yang and stable veins made it difficult.
• Chen Shijie went to nap while Zhao Xing continued practicing and eventually raised Yin Wind from underground.
• Zhao Xing blew Yin Wind at the sleeping Chen Shijie, whose nightmare prompted him to attack before he recognized Zhao Xing.
• Chen Shijie warned Zhao Xing not to approach a sleeping Military Sima Nong and privately acknowledged how quickly he had learned.

Zhao Xing trained Guiding Thunder under Xue Wenzhong and advanced the spell by destroying every straw puppet in the courtyard. During his third spar with Shen Zhui, Zhao Xing used Icy Rain to sap Shen Zhui’s mobility and prepared to counterattack.

• Zhao Xing shifted his Yin Wind practice to nighttime and tended the Heavenly Pear saplings in the morning.
• Xue Wenzhong taught Zhao Xing that Guiding Thunder depended on controlling Cloudcalling’s lightning, then set fast-moving straw puppets as targets.
• Zhao Xing improved his aim through the morning and destroyed all the straw puppets, advancing Guiding Thunder to an intermediate spell.
• Zhao Xing met Shen Zhui for their third pursuit-and-escape spar and began with his familiar combination of spells.
• Zhao Xing cast Icy Rain, making the rain cold enough to drain Shen Zhui’s vital energy and slow his movements.

Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui sparred, then discussed the dangers and rewards of the upcoming Autumn Equinox Mountain Opening at East Lake Mountain. Both decided to climb the mountain for Spiritual Elegance when the assessment began.

• Shen Zhui defeated Zhao Xing in their third spar after using the Qian Yuan Blood Burning secret technique, and explained how Zhao Xing’s spells had challenged him.
• Chen Shijie told Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui to rest and prepare because the Autumn Equinox Mountain Opening was two days away.
• Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui discussed the assessment, which ranked clerks by the grade of Spiritual Elegance they gathered from East Lake Mountain.
• Shen Zhui warned that climbing the newly opened spirit mountain was dangerous, but said he had to compete before the field grew stronger.
• Zhao Xing and Shen Zhui both chose to climb East Lake Mountain and agreed to meet there on the day of the opening.

Zhao Xing prepared for the Autumn Equinox mountain opening while his teacher, Xue Wenzhong, loaded him with supplies and warned him to stay safe. After county officials arrived in Gucheng, the annual sacrifice began, and Chen Shijie and the other Ministers of Agriculture cast the Mountain Opening Spell.

• Qian Dong decided to join the mountain ascent despite Zhao Xing and Chen Ziyu warning him about the dangers.
• Xue Wenzhong gave Zhao Xing a bamboo case filled with seeds, talismans, pills, and fruit, and urged him to prioritize safety.
• Sixth-rank officials Ji Ming and Fan Dongping arrived in Gucheng, and Fan Dongping inspected the Ministry of Agriculture and spoke warmly with Chen Shijie.
• Zhao Xing attended the Autumn Equinox sacrifice at Earth Altar Plaza as officials and townspeople gathered to witness the mountain opening.
• Chen Shijie and the other seven Ministers of Agriculture ascended the altar and cast the Mountain Opening Spell.

Zhao Xing watched Chen Shijie open East Lake Mountain and recognized several visions of spiritual treasures. As the crowd rushed inside, Zhao Xing took his time and encountered Zong Shichang, who persuaded him to climb together.

• Chen Shijie chanted the Mountain Opening Spell, and Golden Light from his official seal lifted the restrictions on East Lake Mountain.
• Zhao Xing used the Bright Eyes Art to glimpse a strange purple flower, a great tree bearing vermilion fruit, and a pale golden Glass Lamp.
• Li Wenzheng announced that officials would send an initial group up the mountain, and eager Martial Men rushed ahead to seek treasures.
• Zhao Xing walked slowly with his Wen Bamboo Box while other climbers dismissed him as too weak to compete.
• Zhao Xing met Zong Shichang resting at a pavilion and shared a bowl of noodles with him.
• Zong Shichang offered to accompany Zhao Xing up the mountain, citing his father's influence in Nanyang County.

Zhao Xing planted and rapidly grew Adamantine Bamboo and Green Vine at the foot of East Lake Mountain while Zong Shichang lounged nearby. Their cultivation left the surrounding area looking like late autumn, and the chapter ended when a bloodied person fell from the cliff above.

• Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang crossed the Forget Sorrow Stele, and Zong Shichang hid the luxury features of his Wen Bamboo Box after Zhao Xing warned him to keep a low profile.
• Zong Shichang explained that he had hired four men to seek Mountain's Spiritual Elegance for him while he stayed at the foot of the mountain.
• Zhao Xing planted three Adamantine Bamboo saplings and three Green Vine saplings beside a stream, then used spells to water and nurture them.
• Zhao Xing cast Savage Growth, rapidly growing the plants as nearby grass withered, trees shed leaves, and fish floated belly-up in the stream.
• Zong Shichang woke to find the area transformed into an autumn-like scene, and Zhao Xing noticed a black shadow falling from the cliff.
• The falling person struck the rocky ground ahead of Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang, splashing blood everywhere.

Zhao Xing and Zong Shichang discovered Wang Dong dying at the foot of a cliff, and Zhao Xing warned Zong that Wang may have been attacked over the Engineer School treasure, the Unicorn Bamboo Horse. Zong left to find the other guards, while Zhao Xing stayed behind as his Adamantine Bamboo and Green Vine neared ripeness.

• Zong Shichang recognized the dying man as Wang Dong, one of the four people his family had entrusted with the task, but Wang died after uttering the words “pig” and “horse.”
• East Lake Mountain’s Yin God swallowed Wang Dong’s remains into the earth, and Zong Shichang explained Wang’s connection to his family.
• After another cry sounded from the forest, Zong Shichang decided to climb the mountain and gave Zhao Xing a box of Gathering Yuan Pills.
• Zhao Xing told Zong Shichang that Wang had suffered a blunt-force injury and may have been referring to the Unicorn Bamboo Horse, warning that someone might be targeting Zong.
• Zong Shichang thanked Zhao Xing and left, while Zhao Xing stayed behind near his ripening Adamantine Bamboo and Green Vine.