Chapter Summaries

Shen Hao led the restoration and reproduction of Hongmeng Dao Academy’s ancient books, using Longevity Dao Rhyme to repair damaged texts and preserve their knowledge. The Library Pavilion filled with carefully reproduced classics, and Shen Hao and Zi Xuan studied the Hongmeng Star Chart as the work continued.

• Shen Hao used Longevity Dao Rhyme to restore the damaged Hongmeng Agricultural Classic before copying it and asked Elder Mu Chen to oversee annotations.
• Academy disciples cleaned, copied, and made rubbings of ancient books throughout the Library Pavilion.
• A disciple presented a copy of Explanation of Longevity Dao Rhyme, and Shen Hao and Elder Mu Chen approved its quality for the new shelves.
• Shen Hao surveyed the restored books displayed on sturdy ironwood shelves and reflected on preserving Hongmeng’s inherited knowledge.
• Zi Xuan showed Shen Hao the Hongmeng Star Chart, and he explained how its records of the stars could help foresee changes in the world.

Shen Hao observed an ominous red glow around Mars from the Star Gazing Tower and feared that turmoil might threaten the Hongmeng Great Land. He resolved to consult the Dao Academy’s ancient records, while the stable Emperor Star and Big Dipper offered some reassurance.

• Shen Hao noticed Mars glowing red and suspected that war or slaughter might be approaching.
• Zi Xuan joined Shen Hao on the Star Gazing Platform, and he told her he would search the Dao Academy’s ancient books for records about Mars’s disturbance.
• Shen Hao observed that the Emperor Star and Big Dipper remained stable, suggesting the Hongmeng Great Land’s foundations were not yet in danger.
• Shen Hao realized that the Longevity Dao Rhyme meant protecting people by anticipating future crises, and he vowed with Zi Xuan to safeguard the land and its people.

Shen Hao refined top-grade Heart Nurturing Pills from herbs grown in the southern outskirts' spirit herb fields. He gave Elder Mu Chen the pills to distribute to academy disciples and people across the Hongmeng Great Land.

• Shen Hao used Longevity Dao Rhyme to guide the pill fire as Zi Xuan prepared and sorted the spiritual herbs.
• Shen Hao told Zi Xuan to add the Dew Condensing Grass after the Heart Nurturing Flowers had melted.
• Shen Hao completed the refinement, producing dozens of purple Heart Nurturing Pills.
• Elder Mu Chen praised the pills, and Shen Hao handed him the jade bottle to distribute among the academy disciples and the people of the Hongmeng Great Land.
• Zi Xuan gave Shen Hao Spiritual Tea, and he rested as the sun set over the alchemy chamber.

Shen Hao taught the Longevity Dao Rhyme to villagers and animals in Longevity Forest, explaining that kindness and protecting life allowed even ordinary mortals to practice it. He left with Zi Xuan as the gathered beings saw them off, confident the Dao Rhyme’s blessings would continue to spread.

• Shen Hao arrived in Longevity Forest with Zi Xuan to teach the gathered villagers and animals about the Longevity Dao Rhyme.
• Shen Hao explained that the Dao Rhyme meant protection, tolerance, and renewal, and showed visions of a peaceful Hongmeng Great Land.
• Shen Hao told a white-haired elder that ordinary people could practice the Dao Rhyme through kindness, helping others, and protecting the land.
• A squirrel offered Shen Hao a pinecone, a rabbit brought Zi Xuan a wildflower, and a tiger roared in reverence as Shen Hao continued teaching.
• Shen Hao ended the discourse at sunset and left the forest with Zi Xuan while the villagers and animals saw them off.

Shen Hao led Zi Xuan and ten disciples into Listen-to-Waves Valley to find its Spirit Spring and counter the effects of the anomaly in Mars. After stabilizing the spring’s branch vein with Longevity Dao Rhyme, he headed back with ten bottles of spring water to nourish the main vein of the Hongmeng Great Land.

• Shen Hao used Longevity Dao Rhyme to clear a path through the valley’s miasma and warned the group to stay together.
• Shen Hao purified a Miasma Black Bear with Dao Rhyme, freeing it from the miasma’s control.
• Zi Xuan spotted the Spirit Spring, and the group reached it and sampled its water.
• Shen Hao filled ten jade bottles, limiting how much water he took to avoid damaging the spring’s spirit vein.
• Shen Hao and the ten disciples channeled Dao Rhyme into the spring, stabilizing its branch vein despite Shen Hao’s exhaustion.
• Shen Hao set out with Zi Xuan and the disciples to pour the spring water into the Hongmeng Great Land’s main vein.

Shen Hao held a grand sacrificial ceremony at the Origin Altar, using Spirit Spring water and his Longevity Dao Rhyme to stabilize the Hongmeng Great Land’s main vein amid Mars’s unrest. The crisis was temporarily resolved, but Shen Hao knew the danger and the road ahead remained.

• Shen Hao gathered the people at the Hongmeng Sacred Hall and explained that Spirit Spring water could steady the shaken spirit veins.
• Elder Mu Chen led the sacrificial prayer as the Dao Academy disciples arranged offerings around the Origin Altar.
• Zi Xuan handed Shen Hao the ten bottles of Spirit Spring water, and Shen Hao poured them into the Hongmeng Seal.
• Shen Hao channeled his Longevity Dao Rhyme into the seal, awakening the main vein and stabilizing it.
• Shen Hao announced that the crisis had been temporarily resolved, and Zi Xuan supported him as the people cheered.

Shen Hao held a public gathering at the Hongmeng Dao Academy to answer questions about cultivation and daily life through the Longevity Dao Rhyme. The gathering ended with a child vowing to protect the people of the Hongmeng Great Land, leaving Shen Hao hopeful for its future.

• Shen Hao welcomed townsfolk and cultivators to ask questions while Zi Xuan recorded his answers.
• Shen Hao explained that a damaged spirit vein near Green Grain Mountain had muddied the river and harmed Green Grain Village’s rice fields, then prescribed a water channel, lotus-pond silt, and repairs to the Azure Water Black Snake’s dwelling.
• Shen Hao advised a Foundation Establishment cultivator to calm his mind beside the Longevity Lotus Pond to overcome his bottleneck and approach the Golden Core Stage.
• Shen Hao patiently answered further questions about illnesses, livelihoods, and teaching children as Zi Xuan recorded his guidance.
• Shen Hao explained to a child that the Longevity Dao Rhyme meant protection, tolerance, and renewal, and the child declared he wanted to protect the people of the Hongmeng Great Land.
• The gathering ended at sunset, and Shen Hao watched the satisfied crowd depart, believing the Longevity Dao Rhyme had taken root in their hearts.

Shen Hao and Zi Xuan led the people of many races in rebuilding Luoxia Village, giving its displaced residents homes and a chance to settle again. After the village was completed, Shen Hao planted Longevity Lotus seeds to nourish and protect it, and he and Zi Xuan left hopeful that other villages would prosper too.

• Shen Hao decided to rebuild abandoned Luoxia Village, and people from across the Hongmeng Great Land volunteered to help.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan worked alongside the Stone, Wood, and Feather Race disciples and the villagers as houses rose from the ruins.
• A returning elder thanked Shen Hao, who promised the villagers fertile fields, a well, and a safe place to settle.
• After half a month, the villagers gathered to celebrate the completed homes, schoolhouse, square, fields, and well.
• Shen Hao announced that Longevity Lotus seeds had been planted around the village to nourish the land and protect its homes.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan watched the villagers return to their homes and vowed that other villages would flourish as well.

Shen Hao studied the stars and discovered a violet star connected to the Hongmeng Seal, gaining a deeper understanding of the Longevity Dao Rhyme. He and Zi Xuan resolved to protect the Hongmeng Great Land by following heaven’s will.

• Shen Hao observed the stars and noticed a previously dim star beside the Big Dipper glowing violet as Mars’s disturbance weakened.
• Shen Hao connected the violet star to the legendary Ziwei Star and sensed its runes resonating with the Hongmeng Seal.
• Shen Hao absorbed the star’s power through his divine soul, and the Longevity Lotus gathered a streak of violet light as knowledge flooded his mind.
• Shen Hao realized that the highest realm of the Longevity Dao Rhyme was following heaven’s will and explained this insight to Zi Xuan.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan promised to stand together in protecting the people and the Hongmeng Great Land.

Shen Hao and Zi Xuan brought Longevity Lotus seeds to Qinghe Town, explaining how they could nourish crops and benefit people’s health. After helping the villagers use the seeds and improve their fields, Shen Hao left determined to spread the Longevity Dao Rhyme throughout the Hongmeng Great Land.

• Shen Hao told Zi Xuan that Longevity Lotus seeds could strengthen crops and gradually enrich the soil.
• Shen Hao and his disciples arrived in Qinghe Town, where the townspeople welcomed them beneath the great locust tree.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan distributed lotus seeds and explained how to use them for planting and cooking.
• Shen Hao inspected Qinghe Town’s fields, advised the villagers on farming, and demonstrated mixing lotus-seed powder with rice seeds.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan departed at sunset, and Shen Hao vowed to bring the Longevity Dao Rhyme to every corner of the Hongmeng Great Land.

Shen Hao led the disciples in clearing the silt from Siyuan Well, uncovering ancient runes that responded to his Longevity Dao Rhyme and restored the well with clear, powerful spring water. The townsfolk celebrated the well’s renewal as Shen Hao and Zi Xuan watched over them.

• Shen Hao reassured the townsfolk and descended into Siyuan Well to clear its thick layer of foul silt.
• Shen Hao removed the mud and debris, then wiped moss from the well walls and uncovered ancient runes.
• Shen Hao activated his Longevity Dao Rhyme and touched the runes, causing clear spring water rich in Origin Power to flow into the well.
• The disciples hauled Shen Hao out, and the townsfolk tasted the renewed water and praised its sweetness.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan stood beside Siyuan Well as the townsfolk celebrated its restored vitality.

Shen Hao restored the missing latter half of the Hongmeng Dao Canon using newly discovered fragments and his understanding of the Longevity Dao Rhyme. The completed canon became a treasured foundation for the Hongmeng Dao Academy, while Shen Hao recognized that preserving its inheritance was only the beginning.

• Shen Hao began completing the Hongmeng Dao Canon after fragments from its missing latter half were found in an ancient ruin.
• Zi Xuan searched ancient texts and helped Shen Hao verify passages about the Origin Dao Rhyme.
• Elder Mu Chen watched Shen Hao restore the damaged writing and praised his comprehension.
• Shen Hao finished the canon, whose text shone with golden light and radiated Dao Rhyme.
• Shen Hao gave the completed canon to Zi Xuan and declared it would guide the Hongmeng Dao Academy and the Hongmeng Great Land.

Shen Hao taught the Hongmeng Dao Canon to academy disciples and people of every race, explaining how the Dao could be found in nature, kindness, and daily life. The lesson ended with the crowd ready to put his teachings into practice and carry the Longevity Dao Rhyme forward.

• Shen Hao opened a new canon instruction class at the Hongmeng Dao Academy's Training Ground with Zi Xuan beside him.
• Shen Hao explained that the Dao encompassed the Longevity Dao Rhyme, the laws of heaven and earth, and the goodness within people's hearts.
• Shen Hao used Dao Rhyme to make images from the canon appear above the platform and taught that the Dao was present in nature and people's lives.
• Shen Hao told the crowd that stabilizing the spirit veins had followed heaven's will and resolved the crisis signaled by Mars's disturbance.
• Shen Hao explained to an old farmer that tending the land, feeding family, and helping neighbors were ways of walking the Dao.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan concluded the lesson, and the crowd bowed and cheered as they urged everyone to practice and pass down the canon's teachings.

Shen Hao traveled to the Mysterious Ice Pond and used the Longevity Dao Rhyme with his disciples’ Ice Melting Array to thaw the pond and revive its dying Ice Soul Lotus. The surrounding creatures and plants returned to life, leaving Shen Hao and Zi Xuan watching the thriving pond at sunset.

• Shen Hao set out for the Mysterious Ice Pond with Zi Xuan and ten water-element disciples to save the Ice Soul Lotus.
• On the journey north, Shen Hao used the Longevity Dao Rhyme to revive frozen birds and beasts.
• At the pond, Shen Hao ordered the disciples to form the Ice Melting Array and joined its power with his Dao Rhyme to melt the ice.
• The Ice Soul Lotus unfurled its petals as the pond water warmed, and Shen Hao withdrew his power in relief.
• Waterbirds, fish, rabbits, and new growth returned to the pond’s surroundings, and Shen Hao stood with Zi Xuan beside the thriving water at sunset.

Shen Hao led the people of all races in restoring the ruined Thoroughfare Dao, rebuilding its road, bridges, pavilions, and post stations. After months of work, the road was completed, and the gathered people celebrated its rebirth.

• Shen Hao resolved to repair the Thoroughfare Dao, and people of all races volunteered to help.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan worked alongside the people as Stone Race, Wood Race, and Feather Race disciples repaired and surveyed the road.
• Shen Hao reviewed the Feather Race survey map and directed them to reinforce the badly damaged eastern bridges.
• Shen Hao spoke with children who came to see the newly paved road, and Zi Xuan discussed how its restoration would ease travel and strengthen exchanges among the races.
• After months of work, Shen Hao and the people of all races celebrated the completed Thoroughfare Dao.

Shen Hao visited the villages along the newly repaired Thoroughfare Dao with Zi Xuan and two disciples, hearing how the road improved travel and trade. After advising Apricot Blossom Village to build a marketplace, he left with Zi Xuan reflecting on how the road connected people.

• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan walked Thoroughfare Dao and spoke with travelers who praised how the smoother road shortened journeys and helped them work.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan shared water and food with travelers and children resting at a roadside pavilion.
• Shen Hao visited Apricot Blossom Village, where the elder explained that the road let villagers transport apricots and other goods before they spoiled.
• Shen Hao advised the village elder to build a marketplace for merchants and travelers and gave instructions for its construction and upkeep.
• Shen Hao left the village with Zi Xuan, who said the road had connected many hearts, and he agreed that it would help the Hongmeng Great Land prosper.

Shen Hao organized the Stone Race disciples and villagers to replace the dangerous wooden bridge at Black Stone Ravine with a sturdy stone bridge. The villagers celebrated their new crossing as Shen Hao and Zi Xuan looked toward the road ahead.

• Shen Hao learned the bridge had been unusable for more than half a year and sent two disciples to Qingshi Town for help.
• Shen Hao used the Longevity Dao Rhyme to repair cracks in the bridge piers and planned a stone replacement.
• The Stone Race disciples and villagers gathered materials, dismantled the old bridge, and worked alongside Shen Hao and Zi Xuan.
• By sunset, the group completed a broad stone bridge, and villagers tested it and thanked Shen Hao.
• Shen Hao called the bridge a road of hope as Zi Xuan admired its beauty.

Shen Hao visited Qingfeng Posthouse and arranged for Dao Academy cooks and craft-skilled disciples to teach the attendants cooking and carriage repairs. After the attendants learned useful skills, Shen Hao and Zi Xuan left the posthouse as its people expressed their gratitude.

• Shen Hao inspected Qingfeng Posthouse with Zi Xuan, and Wang Laoshi told him the cooks and attendants lacked skills to serve merchants well.
• Shen Hao summoned Dao Academy cooks and disciples skilled in carpentry and blacksmithing to teach the posthouse attendants.
• The cooks taught food preparation while the disciples taught carriage repairs, and Shen Hao demonstrated how to fit a mortise and tenon joint.
• Zi Xuan learned to make osmanthus cakes and shared one with Shen Hao, while Wang Laoshi praised the newly improved food.
• The attendants thanked Shen Hao after learning the crafts, and Shen Hao left Qingfeng Posthouse with Zi Xuan.

Shen Hao led Zi Xuan and ten disciples into Secluded Forest Valley, where they discovered an ancient altar that revealed the origin of the Longevity Dao Rhyme. After absorbing its Origin Power, Shen Hao understood that the Dao Rhyme meant renewal without end and resolved to protect the Hongmeng Great Land and its living beings.

• Shen Hao brought Zi Xuan and ten disciples into Secluded Forest Valley to search for the ruin said to hold the origin of the Longevity Dao Rhyme.
• Shen Hao purified the violent aura of an attacking Ink Scale Leopard with his Dao Rhyme, and the leopard left peacefully.
• Zi Xuan spotted a golden light, and Shen Hao's group found an ancient altar and studied its runes and stone steles.
• Shen Hao learned that the Creation God had built the Origin Altar to gather the Longevity Dao Rhyme's Origin Power, and that disturbances on Mars had brought it back to the surface.
• Shen Hao absorbed Origin Power from the altar, deepening his understanding of the Longevity Dao Rhyme as renewal without end, and vowed to protect the Hongmeng Great Land.

Shen Hao and Zi Xuan established a spirit herb nursery in Secluded Forest Valley, using Origin Power and the Longevity Dao Rhyme to enrich the soil and revive ancient root remnants. By sunset, the nursery had begun to thrive, leaving Shen Hao hopeful that its herbs would help the Hongmeng Great Land.

• Shen Hao began tilling the nursery soil with his Hongmeng Peach Wood hoe as the Origin Altar sent Origin Power into the earth.
• Zi Xuan planted seeds and seedlings, and Shen Hao showed her how to plant Longevity Grass and protect it with crushed leaves.
• Ten disciples prepared Spirit Soil, built trellises, weeded the furrows, and transplanted Spirit-Calming Grass under Shen Hao’s direction.
• Zi Xuan spotted a Longevity Grass seedling growing greener as it absorbed Origin Power.
• A withered Longevity Grass root remnant sprouted, and Shen Hao and the disciples celebrated the nursery’s initial success.
• Shen Hao and Zi Xuan continued planting through the day, and Shen Hao looked over the thriving nursery at sunset.