Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi retrieved Meng Fan’s file and submitted his treasure declaration at Auspicious Chimes Immortal Mansion, hoping to prepare his revenge and maintain his standing in the Night Army. The city’s identification array then exposed him as a wanted criminal, and he found himself surrounded with the city sealed against escape.

• Xu Yi emerged from the Green-Mouthed Golden-Scaled Water Lion after hiding in the Purple Domain Space, then changed his appearance and headed to Auspicious Chimes Immortal Mansion to target Meng Fan.
• Xu Yi entered the Emei Mountain shop, retrieved Meng Fan’s file from the Night Army archives, and submitted his declaration of items to turn in.
• The city’s identification array recognized Xu Yi’s vital energy and alerted authorities to the Ancestral Court’s wanted notice.
• Xu Yi threw a cloak over himself and tossed a simple explosive device out the window as powerful auras surrounded the shop.
• A man outside ordered everyone to leave within ten breaths, while Xu Yi discovered that the city had sealed its entire field and blocked his rare talisman.

Xu Yi was trapped in a city search by Imperial Guard demons and Corpse Refining Guards, while Ming Erde identified him and urged his arrest. Xu Yi dodged the guards and secretly recited a line from the Ancestral Temple couplet to the officials, leaving them startled.

• Xu Yi assessed the encirclement and realized that the Imperial Guard’s Great Demons and Corpse Refining Guards made a quick escape unlikely.
• Ming Erde recognized Xu Yi beneath his cloak and persuaded the search party to inspect him so he could gain merit and eliminate his own threat.
• Two Corpse Refining Guards reached for Xu Yi’s cloak, but he dodged them and moved toward Yin Tao and the other Imperial Guard officials.
• Xu Yi stayed calm and challenged the officials’ demand to submit, making Yin Tao doubt Ming Erde’s identification.
• Xu Yi transmitted the Ancestral Temple couplet’s opening line to Yin Tao and the other officials, and all three jolted in surprise.

Xu Yi used the Demon Ancestor Seal to convince Yin Tao and the other Imperial Guard officers that he was a Divine Official, while Ming Erde tried to expose him. Yin Tao grew suspicious and demanded to inspect Xu Yi’s cloak, and Xu Yi led the group into a side room.

• Xu Yi presented the Demon Ancestor Seal, and Yin Tao and the other two officers greeted him as a Divine Official.
• The high-foreheaded youth attacked Ming Erde for shouting at Xu Yi, while Yin Tao asked Xu Yi to prove the seal was genuine.
• Ming Erde pointed out that the tracking jade disc had lost its target and argued that Xu Yi’s cloak concealed his qi and blood.
• Yin Tao knelt and insisted that Xu Yi remove his cloak, with the high-foreheaded and burly youths backing him.
• Xu Yi agreed to go with them into a side room, and Ming Erde followed in hopes of exposing him.

Xu Yi escaped exposure by taking the Water-Flowing Monkey form, then carefully evaded pursuit and completed his Night Army mission in Auspicious Chimes Immortal Mansion. After Shi Erli warned him not to trust anyone, Xu Yi left his next move hanging as he headed to the Staff Department.

• Xu Yi concealed his identity from Yin Tao and the officers, while Ming Erde was torn apart by the high-foreheaded youth and the burly youth, and Yin Tao swallowed his divine embryo.
• Xu Yi left Auspicious Chimes Immortal Mansion, hid in a river beast to check for tracking restrictions, and then received a warning from Shi Erli not to trust anyone or seek shelter with him.
• After studying Meng Fan's information, Xu Yi returned to the city and deposited the required treasures in a locker, completing his Night Army order and collecting his merit points.
• Xu Yi stayed in Auspicious Chimes Immortal Mansion and headed for the Staff Department.

Meng Fan heard Xi Mengfan’s information linking Xu Yi to the Night Walkers and decided to pursue it for political merit. Meanwhile, Xu Yi attended a meeting at a mountain god temple, where Master Sun reprimanded the late-arriving Wu Jiu.

• Jia Zixu persuaded Meng Fan to hear Xi Mengfan’s plea, and Xi admitted he had backed Xu Yi for profit before offering information about the Night Walkers.
• Xi Mengfan recalled that a nephew had once reported Xu Yi as a Night Walker, and Jia Zixu explained how that accusation could raise Xu Yi’s wanted status and earn Meng Fan merit.
• Meng Fan ordered Xi Mengfan to report everything he knew, hoping the case would help him secure a lecturer recommendation from Biyou Academy.
• Xu Yi arrived at the mountain god temple and observed Master Sun feeding wriggling embryonic infants to a Desolate Charm.
• Wu Jiu, chief of the Netherfire Bureau, arrived late, and Master Sun asked whether he knew he was late.

Master Sun established his authority over the Night Army, assigned Xu Yi to investigate Fortune Dragons in Jizhou Territory, and faced an attack during his meeting. Xu Yi recognized the attackers as Jizhou Territory's Elder Council and Meng Fan's forces while Master Sun began driving them back.

• Master Sun crushed Wu Jiu with a Great Hand Seal, and the wild charm devoured Wu Jiu's Divine Embryo.
• Master Sun announced that the Night Army should search for and capture Fortune Dragons, then promised Xu Yi a bureau chief's position if he found information about them in Jizhou Territory.
• Spirit Cannons struck the temple during Master Sun's meeting, and Master Sun caught the shots before rushing out with the wild charm.
• Xu Yi and the bureau chiefs concealed their identities as they entered the battle, and Xu Yi recognized Zuo Li, Yin Tao, and the other attackers as members of Jizhou Territory's forces.
• Master Sun sent Zuo Li flying, shattered the Elder Council's formation, and knocked back Yin Tao and the other two great demons.

Master Sun fought Zuo Li, Yin Tao, and two other demons while Xu Yi watched, then unleashed the Desolate Charm to drain the demons’ blood. After the demons fell, Xu Yi knocked the Desolate Charm unconscious and revealed himself to his captives.

• Xu Yi hid in a pit as Master Sun held off Zuo Li, Yin Tao, and the other demons while the other leaders pursued the Night Walkers.
• Yin Tao revealed his scorpion form, and the other two demons transformed as Zuo Li prepared his Netherworld Billion Ghost Hand.
• Master Sun created a second version of himself, wounded the three demons, and summoned the Desolate Charm to drain their vital blood.
• The Desolate Charm pursued the demons until they collapsed, but a small sword’s shockwave knocked it unconscious.
• Xu Yi moved the three demons to another mountain peak and revealed that he was the man they had sought.

Xu Yi saved three Imperial Guard demons from Huang Mei and claimed he was gathering evidence to clear his name, prompting them to consider helping him. Meanwhile, Master Sun questioned the Night Army bureau chiefs about the ambush and Huang Mei’s disappearance, and Xu Yi redirected his suspicion toward Huang Mei.

• Xu Yi rescued Yin Tao and the two other demons from Huang Mei, then said he was tracking the Night Walkers to earn a chance to appeal his case.
• The three demons questioned Xu Yi’s guilt and agreed they could give him more room while he searched for hard evidence.
• Master Sun berated the bureau chiefs over the ambush and Huang Mei’s failure to return.
• Xu Yi arrived bloodied and claimed Zuo Li, Jizhou Territory officials, and hired Demon Race Great Masters had attacked them.
• Xu Yi suggested the attackers might have come for Huang Mei, and Master Sun began to find the explanation plausible.

Xu Yi’s scheme left Meng Fan weakened after the failed attack on the Night Walkers, while Xi Mengfan secretly remained loyal to Xu Yi. As Meng Fan confronted Xi Mengfan, Master Sun and a cloaked figure forced their way into Little Buddha Mountain, and Xi Mengfan identified the intruder as Xu Yi.

• Master Sun blamed Xu Yi for Huang Mei’s disappearance and gave him three hours to find Meng Fan or lose his post.
• Meng Fan berated Xi Mengfan over the failed expedition, Priest Zuo’s injuries, and the losses they had suffered.
• Xi Mengfan recalled that Xu Yi had recruited him as an inside man and arranged the operation that lured Meng Fan into attacking the Night Walkers.
• Little Buddha Mountain’s restriction token exploded, and Meng Fan activated a defensive barrier around himself and Xi Mengfan.
• Master Sun and a cloaked figure broke into the hall, and Xi Mengfan identified the cloaked intruder as Xu Yi and urged Meng Fan to contact Gong Yushang.

Xi Mengfan warned Meng Fan that Gong Yushang might be using him as bait, prompting Meng Fan to summon Gong Yushang as Master Sun and a cloaked Sect expert attacked. Gong Yushang arrived to find Xu Yi absent and accused Meng Fan of deceiving him, while Meng Fan blamed Gong for leaving him in danger.

• Xi Mengfan warned Meng Fan that Gong Yushang might be waiting to exploit the attack, so Meng Fan demanded that Gong Yushang come to his aid or face exposure to the Ancestral Court.
• Master Sun and the cloaked man attacked the Jizhou Territory Commandery Office, shattered Meng Fan's protective barrier, and demanded that he hand over Huang Mei.
• Xi Mengfan escaped while Master Sun ordered him to retrieve Huang Mei, revealing that Xu Yi had told Master Sun Xi Mengfan could lead him to her.
• As Master Sun and the cloaked man pressed Meng Fan, Gong Yushang arrived with Gong Liu, Gong Qi, and Gong Jiu and accused Meng Fan of tricking him because the cloaked attacker was not Xu Yi.
• Meng Fan angrily accused Gong Yushang of standing by as he faced death, while Gong Yushang apologized and called the situation a misunderstanding.

Xi Mengfan used Xu Yi’s Ruyi Pearl to lure Master Sun away from Gong Yushang, but the battle at Little Buddha Mountain escalated into a devastating clash between the Gong family, Master Sun, and Liu Zongdao. The mountain collapsed, and Master Sun later sat exhausted beside the unconscious Meng Fan.

• Xi Mengfan hid in the woods and used Xu Yi’s Ruyi Pearl to create an illusion of the Wraith’s cry, drawing Master Sun out of the hall.
• Master Sun returned and attacked Meng Fan while Liu Zongdao held off Gong Yushang and his three brothers.
• Gong Yushang used the Mysterious Hidden Sound against Master Sun, while Liu Zongdao summoned his corpse and sent a powerful formation against the Gong brothers.
• Gong Yushang and his brothers unleashed the dark bone flute’s power, causing a shock wave that swept away the guards and brought down Little Buddha Mountain.
• Master Sun spat black blood, sat down exhausted, and left the unconscious Meng Fan beside him.

Master Sun recovered from his battle with House Gong and tortured Meng Fan to learn Huang Mei’s whereabouts. When Meng Fan blamed Xu Yi, Xu Yi arrived and revealed his identity, leaving Master Sun to turn his attention to him.

• Liu Zongdao persuaded Master Sun to spare Plum Blossom Seven and cultivate his talent, and Master Sun agreed while deciding to keep him close.
• Master Sun questioned Meng Fan about Huang Mei and tortured him with Yin Punishment Nails when Meng Fan claimed not to know where Huang Mei was.
• Meng Fan said Huang Mei was with Xu Yi, and Master Sun asked who Xu Yi was.
• Xu Yi emerged from the forest and identified himself as Plum Blossom Seven, prompting Master Sun to shoot more Yin Punishment Nails into Meng Fan.

Xu Yi delivered Huang Mei to Master Sun, then used the creature and the Chiwu Worm to kill Master Sun and take control of Huang Mei. He left with Huang Mei in his Spirit Beast Bag, having secured the advantage he needed.

• Xu Yi told Master Sun that his sleeper agent had found Huang Mei at Meng Fan's hideout and handed over the creature.
• Master Sun ordered Huang Mei to absorb half of Meng Fan's corpse aura and offered Xu Yi a place at his side, but Xu Yi asked to keep Meng Fan under his own control.
• Master Sun gave Xu Yi a handful of white Wish Pearls, and Xu Yi attacked him with the Bixiu Sword.
• Huang Mei bit off and swallowed Master Sun's head while the Chiwu Worm consumed his corpse aura.
• The Chiwu Worm entered Huang Mei, and Xu Yi called the creature obediently into his Spirit Beast Bag.

Xu Yi killed Master Sun and persuaded Meng Fan to help turn the tables on the Gong family. At the Gong family ancestral hall, Gong Yushang realized Xu Yi had framed them for Sun Fuling’s death, making them enemies of the Church.

• Xu Yi killed Master Sun, gathered his resources, and removed the Yin Punishment Nails from Meng Fan.
• After Meng Fan recovered from his shock, Xu Yi offered him a chance to live by helping devise a way to disgust the Gong family, and Meng Fan eagerly agreed.
• Gong Yushang mourned the three elders killed by Liu Zongdao and regretted being drawn into Xu Yi’s trap.
• A messenger reported that Meng Fan had petitioned the ancestral court to clear Xu Yi, claiming a Night Walker had framed him and that Gong family members had killed Sun Fuling.
• Gong Yushang realized Xu Yi had arranged for the Gong family to take the blame for Sun Fuling’s death, provoking the Church.

The Gong family realized Xu Yi had maneuvered them into conflict with the Pope’s faction, while Meng Fan’s petition cleared Xu Yi’s name and helped secure him a powerful new title. The chapter ended with Xu Yi enjoying rewards from both rival sides as Meng Fan marveled at his success.

• Gong Yushang told the Gong elders that they could not plausibly deny rescuing Meng Fan or explain their presence at Little Buddha Mountain, and he blamed Xu Yi for orchestrating the events.
• The Gong family learned that the Imperial Guard had withdrawn Meng Fan’s arrest warrant and officially restored Xu Yi’s good name, while their leader ordered them to stop interfering in Xu Yi’s affairs.
• Meng Fan praised Xu Yi after the Imperial Guard approved his petition, which had enabled him to return to Little Buddha Mountain.
• Xu Yi received a message confirming that the Pope’s faction had credited him with merit for recovering Master Sun’s remains and made him an Embroidered Uniform Envoy.
• Meng Fan explained that the title gave Xu Yi authority to mobilize the Night Army, then remarked that Xu Yi had earned benefits from both the Ancestral Court and the Pope’s faction.

Xu Yi negotiated peace with the Gong family’s Old Ancestor, received the Bixiu Sword’s Refinement Method, and prepared to leave for Biyou Academy. Five days later, he departed with Meng Fan and an elderly servant surnamed Jiang.

• Xu Yi reminded Meng Fan that he needed to hurry with his appointment at Biyou Academy and its attendant positions.
• On Cangyou Peak, Xu Yi played three drawn games of Go with a woodcutter who was the Gong family’s Old Ancestor.
• Xu Yi challenged the Old Ancestor’s attempt to make peace and demanded compensation, and the Old Ancestor gave him a jade token containing the Bixiu Sword’s Refinement Method before leaving.
• Xu Yi refined the Bixiu Sword with his blood essence in Purple Domain Space, and Meng Fan’s appointment at Biyou Academy was settled.
• Five days later, Xu Yi and Meng Fan left from Little Buddha Mountain with Meng Fan’s elderly household servant surnamed Jiang.

Xu Yi and Meng Fan arrived at Biyou Academy, where Meng Fan learned that his lecturer service required him to build a lecture hall and earn White Vow Pearls. Xu Yi explored the academy’s Great World and began considering settling there to break through his cultivation barrier.

• Meng Fan explained that serving as a lecturer at Biyou Academy was necessary for a lord to advance further.
• Meng Fan, Xu Yi, and Old Jiang entered Biyou Academy’s Great World and received jade tokens allowing them to stay for seven days.
• Xu Yi read that Meng Fan would need to build a lecture hall, attract visitors seeking enlightenment, earn ten thousand White Vow Pearls, and give half to the Biyou Palace Great World Council.
• Xu Yi parted ways with Meng Fan to explore while Meng Fan worried about his lecturer duties.
• Xu Yi spent three days exploring Kunlun Ruins and Deep Love Sea, learning about the Thirty-six Great Dojos and the academy’s lectures.
• Xu Yi decided he might settle in the Great World because the will of Heaven there was clearer and could help him break through his cultivation barrier.

Xu Yi settled outside the Dao Entrance, supporting himself by growing spirit rice while attending lectures and cultivating. After three years of steady work, he gained council affiliation, helped Yan Zi reach the Divine Embryo Realm, and continued strengthening his foundations.

• Xu Yi rented ten mu of wasteland west of the Dao Entrance, built a home, and began cultivating spirit rice to cover his expenses and improve himself.
• Xu Yi settled into a routine of tending his fields, attending lectures, and cultivating over the next three years, producing two bountiful harvests.
• The council made Xu Yi a steady spirit rice supplier, taking half of each harvest in exchange for waiving his rent and granting him permanent affiliation.
• Xu Yi brought Yan Zi to Biyou Academy through Meng Fan's arrangements, helped her stabilize her cultivation, and used Purple Firmament Lightning Strike Bamboo to help her cross the First Tribulation of Lightning.
• Xu Yi refined the Azure Green Banner's mark enough to move the banner into his Starry Sky Ring, while continuing to temper his body and spirit through study of the Adamant Aspect.

Meng Fan gave up on lecturing at Biyou Academy and offered Xu Yi his lecture plaque, which could qualify its holder for the Trial Grand Competition. After learning the competition was less than two years away, Xu Yi refused to take the plaque for free and urged Meng Fan to sell it instead.

• Yan Zi invited Xu Yi to see the begonias on South Mountain, but Meng Fan arrived and announced he was leaving.
• Meng Fan explained that his lecture hall had drawn few students and that after three years he had earned only 341 merit points.
• Meng Fan told Xu Yi that lecturers sought ten thousand merit points to enter a Trial Daochang, and that the lecture plaque granted the right to compete in the Trial Grand Competition.
• Meng Fan revealed the next competition would take place on the Mid-Autumn Festival of Bingchen Year, less than two years away.
• Xu Yi said he would not take advantage of Meng Fan and urged him to sell the plaque to recover some of his expenses.

Xu Yi acquired Meng Fan’s token after returning his corpse aura with a hidden mark, and Meng Fan revealed Xu Yi’s name to Silver Eyebrows and his companion from Kongming Island. Old Jiang predicted that the Five Rats of Kongming Island and Xu Yi would inevitably come to blows, and Meng Fan asked him to explain why.

• Xu Yi returned Meng Fan’s corpse pill and persuaded him to hand over the token after Meng Fan explained how to use it.
• Xu Yi verified the token’s value, then Desolate Charm restored Meng Fan’s corpse aura and secretly marked it at Xu Yi’s request.
• Meng Fan noticed the mark, confronted Xu Yi, and left after Xu Yi refused to remove it.
• Silver Eyebrows and a long-haired middle-aged man demanded to know who had taken Kongming Island’s token, and Meng Fan named Xu Yi at Bamboo Manor.
• Old Jiang predicted that Xu Yi and the Five Rats of Kongming Island would fight, and Meng Fan asked him to explain.