Chapter Summaries

Liang Qu discovered the Subduing Tiger Karma Fire Ming King Art and sought a way to help his fish demons develop humanoid forms and come ashore. White Tiger King pointed him to eight volumes of Maha Karma Sea Observation in the Hanging Temple’s Scripture Repository Pavilion as a better resource.

• Liang Qu questioned Golden Haired Tiger and learned that his Tiger Ghosts were living Spirit Monsters transformed through blood-drinking, while his humanoid cultivation came from the Subduing Tiger Karma Fire Ming King Art.
• Golden Haired Tiger led Liang Qu and Long E Ying to his cave, where they found the art inscribed on the wall and Liang Qu memorized it.
• White Tiger King emerged from seclusion, learned what had happened, and scolded Golden Haired Tiger for giving away the art.
• Liang Qu explained that he wanted cultivation texts for his fish demons, and White Tiger King directed him to eight volumes of Maha Karma Sea Observation in the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
• Liang Qu thanked White Tiger King and left the cave with Long E Ying, Long Yao, Long Li, and Little Mirage Dragon.

Liang Qu realized White Tiger King had manipulated him into owing her a favor, then went to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to study the Maha Karma Sea Observation. The book’s questions rejected every answer he tried, and he left to ask the abbot how to solve them.

• Liang Qu explained to Long E Ying that White Tiger King had used three tactics to make him owe her a favor, then said they would study the Scripture Repository Pavilion’s books for his ministers.
• At Might Tiger Mountain, Golden Haired Tiger noticed his Demon Subduing Pestle was missing while Star Ape taught Scarface to swing it as a Dog-Beating Stick.
• After waking, Ta Ta Kai decided he wanted a weapon, and Great Beaver offered three nuggets of dog-head gold while Lu Gang pointed out they had no furnace.
• Liang Qu entered the Scripture Repository Pavilion’s third floor and found the Maha Karma Sea Observation’s Big Fish Chapter guarded by three questions about fish, dragons, and karmic debts.
• Liang Qu repeatedly tried to answer the questions, but the book called his responses demonic or gave no reply, so he left and asked the master how to solve them.

Liang Qu used the Old Monk’s guidance to answer the three questions in Maha Karma Sea Observation in his own unconventional way, earning the scripture repository’s recognition as a Demon Buddha. He then began studying the cultivation methods suited to Fat Catfish and Cannot Move as a faint golden light carrying a tattered map emerged beyond Shou Mountain.

• The Old Monk gave Liang Qu profound answers to the scripture’s three questions and explained how to escape their limiting assumptions.
• Liang Qu entered his own answers into Maha Karma Sea Observation, and the scripture recognized him as a Demon Buddha.
• The scripture repository filled with golden inscriptions displaying Liang Qu’s answers, drawing monks and onlookers to study them.
• Liang Qu found cultivation chapters suited to Fat Catfish and Cannot Move and began memorizing them through the Mental Link.
• A faint golden light carrying a tattered cowhide map staggered out through the river beyond Shou Mountain.

At Hanging Temple, monks debated Liang Qu’s answers to the Cloud Scale Three Questions, which had led twelve people to sudden enlightenment. Cha Qing, Fan Zixuan, and Kou Zhuang arrived and received sealed instructions from Liang Qu, who prepared to meet the Dragon Elephant Martial Saint the next day.

• On Shou Mountain, General Yuan mistook a golden mosquito for a vicious pest while Cannot Move practiced his cultivation method and Fat Catfish urged him to get ashore.
• Cha Qing, Fan Zixuan, and Kou Zhuang reached Hanging Temple after a long journey and learned that Liang Qu had arranged for them to be led directly to him.
• A monk told the three that Liang Qu’s answers to the Cloud Scale Three Questions had inspired eleven people to attain sudden enlightenment, and then announced that Junior Brother Yuan Tong made the total twelve.
• Liang Qu gave Cha Qing, Fan Zixuan, and Kou Zhuang prepared letters containing their instructions and told them to read them privately and destroy them afterward.
• After the three withdrew, Liang Qu meditated with Fubo across his knees, preparing to exchange courtesies with the Dragon Elephant Martial Saint the next day.

Liang Qu prepared to meet Zhang Longxiang, while Cha Qing, Kou Zhuang, and Fan Zixuan learned their mission involved investigating a possible rebellion by the Snow Region Lotus Sect. At the back mountain of Subduing Dragon Temple, Zhang Longxiang revealed his formidable defenses and invited Liang Qu to wound him.

• Cha Qing read a letter ordering the three agents to investigate the Snow Region Lotus Sect’s secret dealings with the Northern Court, and they burned the letter after realizing the plot involved treason.
• The monks searched for Liang Qu at the scripture lecture assembly, then remembered his appointment with Zhang Longxiang was set for the eighteenth day.
• Little Mirage Dragon led Zhang Longxiang to a lake in the back mountain, where Ta Ta Kai passed by carrying a large nine-ringed staff.
• Liang Qu arrived riding an azure dragon and descended toward Zhang Longxiang as onlookers gathered to watch their meeting.
• Zhang Longxiang described his Martial Bone, Fate Standard, martial techniques, and Gang Wind, then suppressed them and asked Liang Qu to carve a bloody gash in him.

Liang Qu exchanged a spear strike with Zhang Longxiang, the Dragon Elephant Martial Saint, and wounded him despite the overwhelming power of Zhang Longxiang’s defense. The crowd saw the devastation around them and learned that Liang Qu’s strike had cut Zhang Longxiang’s flesh by half a finger.

• Liang Qu leapt from the Azure Dragon and gathered the storm clouds into a spear strike as the crowd watched his exchange with Zhang Longxiang.
• Liang Qu’s Golden Eye revealed a bloodline in Zhang Longxiang’s otherwise impregnable body, and he struck through it with his spear.
• The strike left the waterfall suspended and carved a long gorge through the landscape, while Zhang Longxiang remained standing.
• Zhang Longxiang confirmed that Liang Qu had wounded him, and a half-finger-deep cut appeared on the Martial Saint’s body.

Liang Qu’s spear wounded Zhang Longxiang, the Dragon Elephant Martial Saint, and word of the feat swept through Datong Prefecture and the martial lineages. After resting, Liang Qu examined Zhang Longxiang’s notes on Heartfire and the construction of a True Image Qi Sea.

• Liang Qu’s attack on Zhang Longxiang became a sensation, and eyewitnesses debated how a True Image martial artist had wounded a sage.
• Disciples of the Five Great True Lineages discussed Liang Qu’s spear, his combat strength, and the possibility that he could become a Southeast King.
• Huai Kong told the gathered cultivators the Tiger Soul Zither legend: when its strings were plucked, all the tigers arrived.
• Lu Gang revealed that he had forged Ta Ta Kai a tin staff, and Xu Zishuai gathered the group for a meal while Liang Qu slept.
• Liang Qu woke beside Long E Ying and read Zhang Longxiang’s booklet, finding a Heartfire-sealing method and a diagram for constructing a True Image Qi Sea.

Liang Qu realized his heart fire could greatly expand his Qi Sea and planned to bring the Old Monk to Pingyang Prefecture under the pretext of examining dream white fire. He also arranged cultivation resources for A Fei and the others, then discovered he could transfer the Ze Cauldron’s river’s favor to Long Binglin.

• Liang Qu studied the Dragon Elephant Martial Saint’s method for sealing heart fire and wondered why the Ze Cauldron’s readout seemed unchanged.
• Long E Ying proposed inviting the Old Monk to Pingyang to examine dream white fire, then keeping him there before the Hanging Temple could bring him back.
• Liang Qu and Long E Ying pooled their Silver Notes to buy formation materials for A Fei and the others, while Liang Qu asked Lu Gang to make their weapons and armor.
• Liang Qu noticed the Ze Cauldron’s river’s favor fell by 0.0001 after he touched Long Binglin, revealing that he had transferred the favor to him.

Liang Qu proposed giving away Jianghuai’s Favor to enlist the Frog King and Sea Market Master in a plan to steal the Dragon Pearl and disrupt the Flood Dragon’s transformation. He insisted he was not the Dragon Lord Reincarnation, and Ze Cauldron revealed a new River Rule Degree of 0.1.

• Liang Qu confirmed that sharing Favor with Long Binglin had not reduced his River’s Favor, though Long Binglin and Long E Ying warned him against giving it away.
• During the scripture lecture, Liang Qu sketched a plan to give the Favor to the Frog King or Sea Market Master and recruit Western Tortoise to hold back Northern Fish.
• Liang Qu explained that the allies would create an opening for him to seize the Dragon Pearl, then use its power to strengthen the Frog King and Turtle King against the Flood Dragon.
• Liang Qu told Long Binglin that he was not the Dragon Lord Reincarnation and would not seek to rule Jianghuai as the Dragon Lord had.
• Ze Cauldron shone, and Liang Qu’s Favorability changed to River Rule Degree: 0.1.

Liang Qu planned how to recruit allies for a future battle against the Flood Dragon and discovered that his Favorability had transformed into River Rule Degree. He secured Old Monk’s help and learned that Hanging Temple already expected Old Monk to return to Pingyang Prefecture.

• Liang Qu and Long Binglin planned to enlist Sea Market Master, Frog King, Western Tortoise, and possibly General Yuan for the coming fight over the Dragon Pearl.
• Liang Qu examined the Ze Cauldron and found that his Favorability had become River Rule Degree while its effects remained.
• Liang Qu reconciled with Long E Ying before attending the afternoon scripture lecture, where Zhang Longxiang was still absent and a bodhi leaf fell from Liang Qu’s brow.
• Liang Qu asked Old Monk to help save the common people, and Old Monk agreed.
• Liang Qu approached Di Xian about the matter, but Huai Kong said their Patriarch had already planned to return to Pingyang Prefecture after completing the scriptures.

Liang Qu learned that the Hanging Temple had agreed to invite the Old Monk, then shared Master Shi Feng’s final vegetarian meal with the others before hearing that the elderly monk had passed into nirvana. After the scripture lecture assembly ended, Liang Qu prepared to return to Pingyang with Huai Kong, and the White Tiger King asked him to take her son along.

• Liang Qu let the young monks eat Master Shi Feng’s vegetarian meal, then learned that Master Shi Feng had passed into nirvana.
• Liang Qu reflected on how seven years had changed him and the people he had known in Yi Xing Town.
• The Old Monk ended the scripture lecture assembly after thirty-two days, and the gathered sects and schools departed.
• Liang Qu told Huai Kong to pack so they could return to Pingyang before the journey to Great Snow Mountain.
• The White Tiger King appeared and asked Liang Qu to take her son along on the journey.

The Golden Haired Tiger left Might Tiger Mountain with three reluctant companions to serve Liang Qu, while Liang Qu and his party prepared to depart Subduing Dragon Temple for Pingyang Prefecture. As the Treasure Ship set sail, Ta Ta Kai watched the shore, waiting for Yang Dongxiong and the Old Monk to appear.

• The White Tiger ordered A Fu, A Zhu, and A Ci to accompany the Golden Haired Tiger, then urged her son to learn from Liang Qu and become a true king.
• Liang Qu said farewell to Yuan, Qu Zhaoxue, Feng Ying, and Ji Zuibo before leaving Subduing Dragon Temple with Huai Kong and Long E Ying.
• At the dock, the Golden Haired Tiger and his three companions joined Liang Qu’s group, and the tiger changed back into his enormous four-legged form to fit on the Treasure Ship.
• The wild boar, hedgehog, bat, and little River Otters boarded the ship as Ta Ta Kai waited and watched the distance.
• Yang Dongxiong and the Old Monk came out of the temple, and the bat warned that killing intent was present.

After the Treasure Ship left Hanging Temple, Liang Qu and his companions traveled toward Pingyang, picking up Xu Shi along the way. Liang Qu then caught a wisp of Xin Metal Howler Qi for Little Mirage Dragon, while the Time Insect remained sealed in a cocoon on Shou Mountain.

• Long Yao and Long Li stopped Ta Ta Kai and Scarface's duel and sent them back to steering the ship and cleaning the rooms.
• The Treasure Ship departed, and Liang Qu and Long E Ying said goodbye to Little Star Ape before traveling toward Huang Province.
• Liang Qu recalled that the Time Insect had not appeared for two years, while General Yuan waited anxiously beside its cocoon on Shou Mountain.
• Liang Qu asked Little Mirage Dragon about the remaining qi and caught a wisp of Xin Metal Howler Qi for it to consume.

Liang Qu returned to Pingyang Prefecture, demonstrated his strength by clearing the rain clouds, and helped his companions settle in. Yang Xu chose to stay with them for a while before returning to the army, while Liang Qu went home to begin cultivation with Long E Ying.

• Cha Qing warned Kou Zhuang not to answer strangers who approached them on the road west.
• Liang Qu arrived at Shang Rao Wharf and used a powerful strike to disperse the storm over Pingyang.
• Liang Qu arranged registrations and places to live for his companions, sending Golden Haired Tiger and A Zhu to settle on Pingyang Mountain.
• Yang Xu decided to stay longer in Pingyang, and Liang Qu offered to arrange him and his personal guards positions in the region.
• Yang Xu agreed to leave in the seventh month on Red Mountain, and Xu Zishuai arranged a celebratory evening.
• Liang Qu returned home with Long E Ying and planned to summon A Fei and the others to begin cultivation.

Liang Qu sought Frog King's approval for a Great Huai Army base in Heavenly Water Morning Dew Grand Canyon and tried to persuade it with gifts and a revelation about Long Binglin. Meanwhile, Huai Kong completed the formation at Liang Residence.

• Huai Kong introduced himself to Fat Catfish, then adjusted his formation while Long E Ying placed Mystic Crystal Pillars.
• Fat Catfish proposed turning Heavenly Water Morning Dew Grand Canyon into a Great Huai Army base so the army could develop the terrain and uncover Heaven and Earth Long Qi.
• Liang Qu took Fat Catfish and the Ship Model to Toad Cave, apologized to Frog King, and offered to turn a future ship into a grand residence.
• Frog King rejected the proposed base location, but Liang Qu asked it to reconsider and presented Long Binglin for its inspection.
• Huai Kong completed the formation at Liang Residence, and Liang Qu carried two giant emerald Lotus Seeds to Shang An.

Liang Qu and Huai Kong used a golden formation and karmic fire to help the Fat Catfish take humanoid form. After becoming the towering Catfish General, he set off with Liang Qu to find Senior Brother Lu for armor and a weapon.

• Liang Qu told Huai Kong that the Frog King was considering their proposal and waiting for Old Toad’s Heaven-Questioning Divination.
• Huai Kong, Liang Qu, and Long E Ying activated the golden formation and burned the Fat Catfish with karmic fire until the transformation was complete.
• The Fat Catfish emerged as a twenty-foot-tall Catfish General, and Liang Qu praised his imposing appearance.
• The Fat Catfish celebrated his new form by punching, somersaulting, and playfully sending River Otters into the air.
• Liang Qu climbed onto the Fat Catfish’s shoulder and headed with him to find Senior Brother Lu for armor and a weapon.

Liang Qu arranged weapons and armor for his water beasts, then returned to Yi Xing Town and began preparing for the River God Sacrifice. As he surveyed the canyon where Heavenly Water Morning Dew had been found, he sensed rising qi and descending clouds that reminded him of Immortal Island Above the Clouds.

• Liang Qu and Lu Gang agreed to have Fat Catfish’s chosen Whirlpool Tide Hammers forged using materials pooled by Liang Qu’s Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters.
• Liang Qu reunited with Long E Ying, and the two spent the night together.
• Chen Zhaoan told Liang Qu he planned to retire from organizing the River God Sacrifice, and recommended Lin Songbao to succeed him.
• Liang Qu agreed to attend Chen Zhaoan’s birthday celebration and settled plans for Lin Songbao to learn the festival’s arrangements.
• Liang Qu inspected the canyon with Golden Eye and Heavenly Gate Earth Axis, noticed qi rapidly accumulating and clouds streaming downward, and wondered if Immortal Island Above the Clouds had appeared again.

Liang Qu explored Morning Dew Canyon and suspected it held ruins from the Mirage Dragon Old Ancestor’s shattered Immortal Island, while learning that A Fei’s forces were surveying the area. After the river sacrifice, Liang Qu prepared to use dream white fire and welcomed Su Guishan and Xu Yuelong’s return, expecting the Alchemy Branch matter to bring him great merits.

• Liang Qu mapped the canyon, considered blocking its aura outlets and puncturing its water orb, and wondered whether fragments of the Immortal Island lay buried there.
• Liang Qu overheard spirit monsters say they were surveying a bridgehead site for easier reinforcements, then summoned Fat Catfish and left with Awei.
• Xiang Fangsu, Chen Jiechang, and Li LiBo conducted the Huai River sacrifice, while villagers celebrated and received meat.
• Huai Kong watched the villagers and wondered how circumstances shaped the different desires he had seen during disasters and the festival.
• Liang Qu discussed arranging the dream white fire with Xiang Fangsu and learned that Su Guishan and Xu Yuelong would return from Lan Province.
• Liang Qu went to the Prefectural Office and asked Su Guishan and Xu Yuelong how their journey had gone.

Liang Qu told Su Guishan and Xu Yuelong how he had comprehended heartfire during his trials at Hanging Temple, then learned he had earned enough Great Merit to obtain a Divine Power Token. Su Guishan showed him a Universe Bag and offered a booklet of rare Divine Power items, leaving Liang Qu eager to choose one.

• Su Guishan and Xu Yuelong recounted their clashes with the Ghost Mother Sect and the defenses they had prepared in Lan Province.
• Liang Qu revealed that he could use heartfire and explained how his thirteen years in Hanging Temple’s Six Desire Heavens and Zhang Longxiang’s punch had led him to comprehend it.
• Su Guishan gave Liang Qu a booklet listing fifty-eight Great Merit and twenty White Ape, bringing his total to sixty-eight Great Merit and twenty White Ape.
• Su Guishan showed Liang Qu a Universe Bag made from a Great Grandmaster’s Divine Power and explained the court’s method for creating them.
• Su Guishan gave Liang Qu a booklet of Divine Power items, and Liang Qu spotted a Crimson Sky Thunder Strike priced at one hundred Great Merit.

Liang Qu learned that the Flourishing Dynasty made reusable Divine Power Tokens from dead Grandmasters and bought two Golden Patterned Bags with Great Merits. He tested the bags and gave one to Long E Ying, while hinting that he might seek a space-powered Grandmaster or Great Demon to make more.

• Su Guishan explained the Divine Power Tokens, and Xu Yuelong warned that their manufacture was a major secret and that the last three tokens were limited one-offs.
• Liang Qu exchanged thirty Great Merits for two one-shi Golden Patterned Bags, one charged to his account and one to White Ape's.
• Liang Qu tested his bag, found that it could hold long weapons and armor without reducing their weight, and used Ta Ta Kai to carry the bag into the Vortex Palace.
• Liang Qu gave a Golden Patterned Bag to Long E Ying and explained why he had not bought bags for his other allies.
• Liang Qu suggested that a Great Demon might provide material for another bag, while Lin Jie in the Central Court sneezed and wondered whether a demon was talking about him.