Chapter Summaries

Wei Qi and Meng Zhao entered Mishui Immortal Palace to meet its Palace Master and offer three treasures on behalf of the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child in exchange for an item. After the Palace Master appraised their offerings, the chapter left the value and identity of the requested treasure unknown.

• Wei Qi and Meng Zhao followed the Immortal Palace Senior Disciple into a pressure-filled building, where Meng Zhao and the disciple endured the Worldly Power while Wei Qi needed to resist it with true qi.
• The pair reached a screen concealing the Palace Master, and Wei Qi and Meng Zhao performed a formal salute before him.
• The Palace Master praised the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child and asked whether he had made progress in seclusion.
• Wei Qi explained that the Dao Child had sent him to exchange three treasures for one item, then presented Ice God Amber, a Demon Blood Stone, and a Mind Connecting Stone for appraisal.

Wei Qi delivered the three treasures to the Palace Master of the Mishui Immortal Palace and received a mysterious porcelain bottle for the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child. The Palace Master kept Meng Zhao behind, exposed his false identity as Bi Yanye, and asked where he had revealed a flaw.

• The Palace Master explained the weaknesses of the three treasures Wei Qi had brought and accepted them despite their modest value.
• The Palace Master had A Ping take the treasures and gave Wei Qi a porcelain bottle to return to the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child.
• The Palace Master told Wei Qi to leave and ordered Meng Zhao to stay, leaving Wei Qi to depart without him.
• Meng Zhao introduced himself as Bi Yanye from the Demon Venerable Hall and claimed he had broken away because of Ye Huan.
• The Palace Master called Bi Yanye a false name, rejected Meng Zhao's story, and asked where he had made a mistake.

Meng Zhao was exposed as a counterfeit Demon Venerable Hall member, so he invented a new identity and admitted he had planned to steal treasures from the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child. He argued that his scheme did not wrong the Mishui Palace Master, and she stopped her disciple Feng'er from matching wits with him.

• The Mishui Palace Master identified flaws in Meng Zhao’s story and demanded to know who he really was and why he had come.
• Meng Zhao admitted his name was Meng Tao, claimed to be a rogue Demonic Path cultivator, and explained that he had used a false identity to gain entry and hide his plan with Wei Qi.
• The Mishui Palace Master’s attendants were astonished when Meng Zhao openly confessed that he and Wei Qi had planned to take the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child’s treasure.
• Feng'er accused Meng Zhao of deceiving his master and demanded that he kneel and beg forgiveness.
• Meng Zhao argued that the transaction with the Mishui Palace Master had concluded and that only the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child had been swindled.
• The Mishui Palace Master told Feng'er that Meng Zhao was too glib and skilled in sophistry for him to win a battle of words.

Meng Zhao negotiated with the Palace Master of Mishui Immortal Palace, who agreed to judge him in a match against his eldest disciple and potentially support him. The Immortal Palace Senior Disciple prepared to use the mountain formation’s power to crush Meng Zhao in a decisive fight.

• The Palace Master of Mishui Immortal Palace increased the pressure on Meng Zhao and challenged his justification for taking Heaven Swallowing’s treasure.
• Meng Zhao argued that the Palace Master should let the younger generation compete without intervening, and the Palace Master admitted his reasoning had merit.
• The Palace Master proposed that Meng Zhao fight his eldest disciple to demonstrate his strength, explaining that Meng Zhao’s indistinct innate foundation suggested he was extraordinary.
• Meng Zhao accepted and asked whether the Palace Master would favor him if he was impressed; the Palace Master agreed and said he might secretly support Meng Zhao against Heaven Swallowing.
• Mishui Immortal Palace's senior disciple gathered the mountain formation’s Worldly Power and prepared to defeat Meng Zhao in one stroke.

Meng Zhao used his newly created martial art to disrupt the Immortal Palace Senior Disciple’s control of the Worldly Power and gain the upper hand. The Palace Master acknowledged Meng Zhao’s potential, let him withdraw, and invited him to attend the Inner Demon Gathering.

• Meng Zhao assessed the Immortal Palace Senior Disciple’s swordsmanship and Worldly Power before subtly shifting his position.
• Meng Zhao’s movements disrupted the local qi flow and turned the gathered Worldly Power against the Immortal Palace Senior Disciple, forcing him to break free with a sword technique.
• Meng Zhao explained that he had created the martial art through a recent epiphany, and the Palace Master praised its principles while noting its limitations.
• The Palace Master suppressed his jealousy-driven killing intent and decided to overlook Meng Zhao’s actions because of his potential.
• The Palace Master allowed Meng Zhao to withdraw and invited him to listen at the upcoming Inner Demon Gathering.

Meng Zhao left the Immortal Palace after impressing its Palace Master with his self-created martial art and physical strength. The Palace Master speculated that Meng Zhao possessed a rare Special Physique and ordered Feng'er to treat him well because the Palace might need him in the future.

• Meng Zhao thanked the Palace Master for showing mercy and departed without struggling against the area's Worldly Power.
• Feng'er knelt before the Palace Master and begged for punishment after being overwhelmed by Meng Zhao's martial art.
• The Palace Master comforted Feng'er and said Meng Zhao's talent and possible Special Physique made the setback understandable.
• The Palace Master and his attendants discussed whether Meng Zhao had the Ziwei Treasure Body, Purple Blood Tyrant Body, or another rare physique.
• Feng'er suggested Meng Zhao's blood could benefit the Palace Master's Blood Soul Stone, but the Palace Master warned that his bloodline might disrupt the balance.
• The Palace Master ordered Feng'er to treat Meng Zhao well and keep watch on him because the Palace might need him later.

Meng Zhao returned from meeting the Palace Master, having gained insight into Worldly Power and decided Demonic Path martial artists could help strengthen his forces. He confronted Wei Qi about hoping he would not return, then revealed that the Palace Master knew their scheme but had agreed to ignore it.

• Meng Zhao reflected on Worldly Power’s dangers and considered recruiting Demonic Path martial artists to build his strength.
• Meng Zhao returned to the settlement and accused Wei Qi of being disappointed that he had survived.
• Wei Qi denied the accusation, slapped himself, and claimed he had waited out of concern for Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao accepted Wei Qi’s explanation and told him the Palace Master had discovered their fabricated identities and plot to take the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child’s treasure.
• Meng Zhao said the Palace Master had promised not to pursue the matter and asked Wei Qi whether he was surprised and happy.

Meng Zhao and Wei Qi opened the porcelain bottle obtained from the Palace Master of Mishui Immortal Palace and found an ordinary-looking white worm inside. Unable to identify its value, Wei Qi suggested that it might have a hidden use and urged Meng Zhao to investigate it.

• Wei Qi flattered Meng Zhao and reasoned that the Palace Master had spared him because he admired Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao and Wei Qi returned to their stone house, where Wei Qi gave Meng Zhao the porcelain bottle and said Heaven Swallowing had never revealed what it contained.
• Meng Zhao opened the bottle and found a small, snow-white worm with no apparent poison, strength, or unusual aura.
• Meng Zhao suspected Wei Qi had replaced the treasure, but Wei Qi denied tampering with it and proposed that the worm might have an extraordinary origin or that the Palace Master had interfered.
• Wei Qi urged Meng Zhao to keep the worm and investigate its origins, hoping to discover its use.

Meng Zhao exchanged three treasures for the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child’s fat white worm but could not identify it or determine what it ate. He brought it to Gu Sinan and Yun Fei for help, and Gu Sinan suggested it might be a rare Human-Form Worm.

• Meng Zhao sent the fat white worm flying, then put it back in its porcelain bottle and told Wei Qi to help investigate its origins and purpose.
• Meng Zhao visited Gu Sinan and Yun Fei, who were playing chess, and told them that the Palace Master had recognized him but the exchange had gone smoothly.
• Meng Zhao showed them the worm and asked them to identify it, explaining that the Heaven Swallowing Dao Child had traded it for three treasures.
• Yun Fei said he could find no special traits or power in the worm, while Gu Sinan guessed that it was a rare Human-Form Worm.
• Meng Zhao asked Gu Sinan to explain what a Human-Form Worm was.

Gu Sinan explained that Human-Form Worms were mysterious insects that lived in human bodies and could grant their hosts unusual abilities. He told how a Wine Worm gave a gifted youth exceptional martial talent, and how a swindling Daoist stole it, leaving the youth ordinary.

• Gu Sinan described Human-Form Worms and their mysterious origins and beneficial powers to Meng Zhao and Yun Fei.
• Gu Sinan began telling the story of a gifted youth who could not stop drinking wine, prompting Yun Fei to dismiss him as wasteful.
• Gu Sinan explained that a wandering Daoist drew a jade-green Wine Worm from the youth and took it away.
• Gu Sinan revealed that the youth lost his exceptional talent after the Daoist stole the Wine Worm, and that the worm’s wine-fed growth had benefited his martial cultivation.

Meng Zhao learned that his white worm was a Human-Form Worm, while Gu Sinan secretly identified it as a potentially priceless Eclosion Worm. Gu Sinan explained its connection to the Heavenly Silkworm arts, then admitted he wanted to take it from Meng Zhao but doubted it would be easy.

• Meng Zhao asked Gu Sinan about Human-Form Worms, and Gu Sinan described several known kinds without identifying the white worm.
• After Meng Zhao left, Gu Sinan told Yun Fei that he believed the worm was an Eclosion Worm.
• Gu Sinan explained that an Eclosion Worm could transform its host repeatedly and might eventually lead to the realm of Gods and Devils.
• Yun Fei compared the worm's transformations to the Heavenly Silkworm Demonic Art, and Gu Sinan explained how the Heavenly Silkworm arts originated from the Eclosion Worm.
• Gu Sinan admitted he wanted to obtain the worm from Meng Zhao but said doing so would not be easy.

Gu Sinan and Yun Fei discussed how to obtain Meng Zhao’s Eclosion Worm and agreed to wait for an opportunity rather than risk arousing his suspicion. After hearing Gu Sinan’s suggestions, Meng Zhao considered the Demon Venerable Hall’s motives and decided he might also contact Niu Dali.

• Yun Fei questioned why Gu Sinan had told Meng Zhao about the Human-Form Worm, and Gu Sinan explained that he wanted to prevent Meng Zhao from destroying the Eclosion Worm and give him a lead to investigate.
• Gu Sinan and Yun Fei speculated about why the Palace Master had given away the Eclosion Worm, including ignorance of its origins, inability to use it, or a hidden bargain with Heaven Swallowing Dao Child.
• Gu Sinan told Yun Fei to wait for an opportunity to take the Eclosion Worm and to conceal any unusual interest from Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao lingered outside the Stone House and wondered whether Gu Sinan had been truthful or was disguising his intentions toward the Eclosion Worm.
• Meng Zhao concluded that he and the Demon Venerable Hall were only using each other and considered making contact with Niu Dali and his connections.

Meng Zhao met Niu Dali’s friends Su Can and Zheng Que and established himself as the group’s leading figure. After sampling Zheng Que’s rare Sapphire wine, Meng Zhao asked him to arrange a long-term supply, leaving Zheng Que to consider the lucrative request.

• Meng Zhao ran into Niu Dali, who introduced his friends Su Can and Zheng Que.
• Meng Zhao released a trace of his aura, impressing Su Can and Zheng Que and setting the tone for their dealings.
• Zheng Que invited Meng Zhao and the others to drink Sapphire, a rare wine that invigorated Meng Zhao’s true qi.
• Meng Zhao asked Zheng Que to procure as much Sapphire as possible and provide a stable long-term supply, declaring that price was no issue.

Meng Zhao explained that his connections and influence could turn Sapphire Wine into a profitable business, convincing Zheng Que and Niu Dali that he had buyers ordinary sellers could not reach. He planned to build Sapphire’s reputation among wealthy families and young martial artists, then expand its sales across several prefectures.

• Niu Dali and Zheng Que questioned whether Meng Zhao could afford a long-term supply of expensive Sapphire Wine and advised him against overspending.
• Meng Zhao said he intended to buy Sapphire cheaply and resell it at a substantial markup.
• Zheng Que doubted there were enough customers who could afford the wine, so Meng Zhao revealed that Bi Yanye was an alias and that his real identity gave him extensive connections.
• Meng Zhao drew on the Meng Family’s influence and his standing in Lingwu City to identify aristocratic families and Houtian Realm martial artists as likely customers.
• Meng Zhao planned to promote Sapphire through a gathering and use his fleet to sell it across Ji, Liang, and Yan Prefectures.

Meng Zhao revealed that Bi Yanye was an assumed name, then won back Niu Dali, Su Can, and Zheng Que’s goodwill by explaining he had concealed his identity for safety. The three accepted his apology without asking who he really was, though each formed a different theory about his identity.

• Niu Dali pretended to be furious about Meng Zhao using a false name, then apologized to Su Can and Zheng Que for introducing him.
• Meng Zhao explained that revealing his identity could put his life in danger and said he had confessed because he valued their friendship.
• Niu Dali accepted Meng Zhao’s explanation, and Su Can and Zheng Que agreed to keep calling him Brother Bi.
• Niu Dali became more convinced that Meng Zhao was a successor of the Heavenly Demon Palace, while Su Can and Zheng Que suspected he belonged to the righteous Jianghu or a Great Yong aristocratic clan.
• Su Can and Zheng Que admired Meng Zhao’s courage and became more eager to befriend him.

Meng Zhao proposed a major Sapphire wine business and offered Zheng Que, Su Can, and Niu Dali thirty percent of the profits. After Niu Dali accepted, Meng Zhao revealed that he had a request for Zheng Que and Su Can, leaving them poised to hear his conditions.

• Zheng Que asked whether Meng Zhao could sustain Sapphire sales, and Meng Zhao assured him he had the resources and connections to distribute it across Ji, Liang, and Yan Prefectures.
• Zheng Que agreed to introduce Meng Zhao to Madam Cang after the Demon Gathering and warned him about her difficult temper.
• Meng Zhao offered Zheng Que, Niu Dali, and Su Can thirty percent of the wine profits in exchange for their help.
• Zheng Que and Su Can weighed the offer and probed Meng Zhao's intentions, while Niu Dali accepted and promised to help him in the future.
• Meng Zhao said the profits came with an unwelcome request, and Zheng Que and Su Can relaxed when they heard that he wanted something in return.

Meng Zhao arranged for Su Can and Zheng Que to help protect his wine business and built connections as more people arrived for the Demon Gathering. After a deadly camp-wide fight, a disciple used the Immortal Palace’s grand formation to suppress the combatants, establishing order and prompting Meng Zhao to seek information and opportunities at the gathering.

• Meng Zhao asked Su Can and Zheng Que to secretly protect his wine business, and they agreed to help safeguard their share of it.
• As the Demon Gathering drew near, Meng Zhao made connections with orthodox demonic sect members and Rogue Cultivators arriving on the mountain.
• A verbal dispute escalated into a large melee between demonic sect experts and a group of Rogue Cultivators, while Meng Zhao and the others watched from the sidelines.
• The Mishui Immortal Palace Master sent a young disciple to activate the grand formation, which suppressed the Innate fighters; the combatants were punished with lashes and hard labor.
• After the fight deterred further unrest, Meng Zhao resolved to pursue information about the Human-Form Worm and strengthen his power at the gathering.
• Meng Zhao traded a martial art technique to Su Can for Spirit Awakening Incense, which could temporarily enhance Mental Power during cultivation.

After refining his martial arts with Spirit Awakening Incense, Meng Zhao joined Niu Dali, Zheng Que, and Su Can on their way to a small gathering organized by He Liu. He wondered what He Liu was planning as they headed toward the immortal palace side hall.

• Meng Zhao used Spirit Awakening Incense to sharpen his comprehension and refine his self-created martial art, then extinguished it and assessed his progress.
• Niu Dali, Zheng Que, and Su Can invited Meng Zhao to an informal gathering at a side hall of the Mishui Immortal Palace, and he agreed to go.
• As the group crossed the moonlit mountain, Niu Dali gave Meng Zhao a paper fan needed to enter the gathering.
• Zheng Que explained that He Liu had organized the gathering after the recent battle and that Niu Dali had vouched for Meng Zhao to obtain a fan.
• Meng Zhao thanked Niu Dali and wondered what He Liu hoped to accomplish by holding the gathering.

Meng Zhao and Niu Dali entered He Liu’s gathering, where Innate Masters and Houtian martial artists were seated in separate sections. Meng Zhao recognized Xue Ying, an inheritor of the Netherworld Demonic Art, and planned to reconnect with him after the gathering.

• Meng Zhao and Niu Dali questioned why Houtian martial artists were being admitted, then entered after seeing He Liu’s people persuade a departing Innate Master to return.
• The group received numbered iron tags and took seats in the eastern section, which was reserved for thirty Innate Masters.
• Meng Zhao spotted Xue Ying, but Xue Ying noticed him and pretended not to recognize him.
• Su Can mistook Xue Ying for Meng Zhao’s enemy and offered to help eliminate him, while Niu Dali recognized that they might be acquaintances.
• Meng Zhao explained that Xue Ying was an old contact and said he hoped to share wine with him after the gathering; Niu Dali voiced his interest in Xue Ying’s Netherworld Demonic Art.

At a gathering of Demonic Path Rogue Cultivators, He Liu announced a forum for exchanging knowledge and displayed treasures to win their trust. Meng Zhao suggested that He Liu meant to organize the Rogue Cultivators into a power, possibly using a recent battle to build support, leaving those nearby wary of He Liu’s ambitions.

• He Liu addressed the gathered cultivators and presented ten treasured items as proof of his sincerity.
• Su Can praised He Liu’s bearing, but Niu Dali suspected that He Liu had ambitions beyond hosting the forum.
• Meng Zhao agreed and inferred that He Liu might use the gathering to form a power of Rogue Cultivators.
• Niu Dali warned Meng Zhao that voicing the suspicion could provoke He Liu, and Meng Zhao connected it to the recent conflict with the Devil Dao Sect.
• A neighboring cultivator explained that He Liu might have provoked the battle to unite Rogue Cultivators and establish his prestige.