Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi and Black Wind Venerable staged a plot at Ten-Mile Fort, but an unexpected raid forced them to flee. Black Wind was captured, and the pursuers praised the commissioner for solving the case.

• Xu Yi dismissed Yuwen Tuo's pleas to prove his innocence, while Xuan Ye Wang received a warning from Xuan Tianhua and arranged to bring Xu Yi down.
• Black Wind Venerable finished copying the formation at Ten-Mile Fort and waited for Gong Chu's signal to begin the staged crime.
• Xu Yi arrived disguised as Gong Chu, but a sudden raid interrupted their plan and drove him and Black Wind Venerable into flight.
• Xu Yi and Black Wind Venerable blamed Xuan Ye Wang for exposing them as they tried to escape their pursuers.
• Xu Yi urged Black Wind Venerable to flee alone, but Black Wind was struck by magnetic lightning and captured.
• Black Wind regained consciousness bound by ropes and heard someone praise the commissioner for cracking the case.

Black Wind Venerable realized Xuan Ye Wang had arranged the plot against him, but Xu Yi delivered him to the Ji Si Office before Xuan Ye Wang could act. Xuan Ye Wang’s scheme collapsed as the Xuan Family blamed him for the Xiang Family’s retaliation and ordered him brought back.

• Black Wind Venerable uncovered Xuan Ye Wang’s role in the plot and resolved to expose him.
• Xuan Ye Wang learned Xu Yi had taken Black Wind Venerable to the Ji Si Office and rushed there, but discovered the prisoner had been transferred to Zhong Shu Province.
• Xuan Tianhua struck Xuan Ye Wang and accused him of endangering the Xuan Family, while Xuan Ye Wang blamed Xu Yi and claimed Seventh Uncle knew about Gong Chu.
• Xuan Huang Tian told Xuan Tianhua that the Xiang Family had destroyed the Xuan Family’s Wu Dong base and taken Black Wind Venerable.
• Xuan Huang Tian ordered Xuan Tianhua to bring Xuan Ye Wang back, while Xuan Ye Wang continued to deny responsibility.

Xu Yi received a promotion and valuable rewards for solving the Corpse Tide Major Case, while Xuan Ye Wang escaped after attacking Xuan Tianhua. Xu Yi collected his rewards and began refining Dao Source in seclusion to advance his Dao Fruit.

• Xuan Ye Wang admitted his failure to Xuan Tianhua, then broke his uncle’s protective barrier and vanished, declaring he would return to the Xuan Family with his head held high.
• A decree from Zhong Shu Province promoted Xu Yi to Principal Eighth Rank and confirmed him as the Fifth Supervision’s full Supervisor, awarding him one hundred Profound Yellow Essence and a bottle of Dao Source.
• Xu Yi gave Officer Lu five pieces of Profound Yellow Essence, then accepted more than one hundred and twenty pieces from his subordinates.
• Xu Yi collected his official rewards at Merit Hall and went into seclusion at his Supervisor’s Yamen to refine the Dao Source.

Xu Yi used Dao Source to strengthen his Dao Fruits, then attended a banquet where Xiang Yingxin and Xuan Ye Wang confronted him over the Corpse Tide Major Case. The confrontation ended with Xiang Yingxin furious and Xu Yi denying their accusations while turning them back on his visitors.

• Xu Yi manifested the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Aspect, whose Divine Tree branches gathered Dao Source and helped his two life wheels absorb it efficiently.
• Liu Guancen invited Xu Yi to a small banquet by the Xiang River, then warned him that someone else had arranged the meeting before leaving.
• Xiang Yingxin appeared and questioned Xu Yi about the Corpse Tide Major Case, and Xu Yi inferred that an old acquaintance was influencing him.
• Xuan Ye Wang revealed himself behind a golden barrier and admitted that he had underestimated Xu Yi and lost to him fairly.
• Xiang Yingxin accused Xu Yi of trapping Black Wind Venerable and sabotaging Xuan Ye Wang, but Xu Yi denied wrongdoing and suggested Xiang might be connected to the demon.

Xu Yi defended himself against Xuan Ye Wang’s accusations and escaped the Xiang Family’s Sixth Uncle by threatening to expose evidence tied to Gong Chu. The Sixth Uncle refused to help clear Xuan Ye Wang’s name without proof and said the Xiang Family could not openly move against Xu Yi.

• Xu Yi laid out his theory that Xuan Ye Wang had arranged Black Wind Venerable’s capture, then blamed Xuan Ye Wang when the plan went awry.
• The Xiang Family’s Sixth Uncle appeared, praised Xu Yi’s account, and blocked him when he tried to leave.
• Xu Yi invoked his Celestial Court office, broke the Sixth Uncle’s barrier, and threatened to give Gong Chu’s silver dagger to the Ji Division.
• The Sixth Uncle let Xu Yi depart because killing a serving celestial official would trigger a major investigation.
• Xuan Ye Wang asked the Sixth Uncle to testify for him, but the Sixth Uncle said he lacked evidence and suggested capturing Xu Yi for soul-washing.
• The Sixth Uncle agreed the Xiang Family could not let Xu Yi manipulate them, but said it could not act against him without solid evidence.

Xu Yi challenged the Xiang Family by ordering Xiang Yingxin summoned, but his subordinates refused and officials arrived to warn him against provoking powerful interests. He welcomed Sima Wei and Xuan Wuyi, then offered to go to Foolish Old Man Mountain with Xuan Wuyi, who privately warned him of the danger.

• Xu Yi told Old Desolate that the Xiang Family had forced him to act and decided to change his image.
• Xu Yi ordered Chen Fang to summon Xiang Yingxin to court that day, but Chen Fang and the other inspectors refused to carry out the assignment.
• Xu Yi declared he would uphold the Fifth Supervision's authority himself, while Zuo Jihuan and several officials urged him to reconsider.
• Xu Yi told Old Desolate that summoning Xiang Yingxin was meant to spread the news and hinted that his real plan was still to come.
• Xu Yi greeted Deputy Division Envoy Sima Wei and Commissioner Xuan Wuyi when they arrived at the yamen.
• Xu Yi thanked Xuan Wuyi for offering guidance and proposed visiting Foolish Old Man Mountain with him, prompting Xuan Wuyi to privately warn him about the dangers.

Xu Yi defied Xuan Wuyi and insisted on investigating the Corpse Tide Major Case, then summoned Xiang Yingxin at Yugong Mountain. As Xiang Yingxin and Xiang Tianwen prepared to confront him, Xu Yi arrived with two hundred troops, betting that his challenge could force Heaven’s Court’s powerful factions to act.

• Xu Yi rejected Xuan Wuyi’s attempt to stop him, saying only Xuan Ye Wang was his superior and that he would investigate the case regardless of pressure.
• Xiang Yingxin learned that Xu Yi had summoned him and dismissed Xuan Ye Wang’s warning to lie low.
• Xiang Tianwen urged Xiang Yingxin to confront Xu Yi, even if it came to blows, to protect the Xiang Family’s standing.
• Xu Yi’s summons rang out at Yugong Mountain, ordering Xiang Yingxin to cooperate with the investigation into the Corpse Tide Major Case.
• Xiang Tianwen concluded that Xu Yi was using the Xiang Family as a target to provoke a broader shift within Heaven’s Court.
• Xu Yi arrived outside Yugong Mountain with two hundred Gongs, Ding Shen, and Jia Shen, and told Huang Mei he was willing to take the risk.

Xu Yi publicly challenged the Xiang Family’s claims and defeated Xiang Yingxin with a sudden lightning attack, leaving Xiang Tianwen to charge at him. The clash ended with Xiang Yingxin bound and the confrontation escalating.

• Xiang Yingxin accused Xu Yi of insulting the Xiang Family, while Xiang Tianwen urged him to frame the summons as a personal vendetta.
• Xu Yi challenged Xiang Yingxin to a fight, and Xiang Tianwen encouraged him to accept, confident the family could handle Xu Yi.
• Xiang Yingxin agreed to fight, but Xu Yi struck first with two lightning spears and overwhelmed him.
• Xu Yi seized Xiang Yingxin, bound him with the Dragon Binding Rope, and stunned the gathered onlookers with his strength.
• Xiang Tianwen charged at Xu Yi after realizing the Xiang Family’s reputation was at stake.

Xu Yi confronted the Xiang Family over its obstruction of his investigation, using a public display of righteous spirit to expose his resolve. Afterward, the Heavenly Court issued him a promotion, which he accepted while recognizing the Xiang Family’s threat had forced him to change his persona.

• Xu Yi rejected Xiang Tianwen’s appeal to the Xiang Family’s ancestral prestige and accused the family of defying Heavenly Court law.
• Xiang Tianwen threatened Xu Yi, but Xu Yi answered with a recitation of righteous principles that left the onlookers silent and made Xiang Tianwen spit blood.
• At Sunny Rain Pavilion, Xiao Tao reported Xu Yi’s confrontation to Director Yu, who criticized his calculated methods but asked Xiao Tao to bring her the rest of his poem.
• A proclamation from the Heavenly Emperor praised Xu Yi’s service and announced his career advancement, and Xu Yi rewarded Lord Lu with a Sumeru Ring containing five pieces of Profound Yellow Essence.
• Xu Yi concluded that Xiang Tianwen’s belief in Xuan Ye Wang and the Xiang Family’s power had forced him to change his persona to protect himself.

Xu Yi used his confrontation with the Xiang Family to build a reputation as an unyielding official, earning a promotion, a thousand Profound Yellow Essence, and admission to the Dao Palace. After leaving his post, he accepted a northern mountains cave residence and focused on advancing his cultivation.

• Xu Yi exploited the Heavenly Court’s support for examination-appointed officials to pressure the Xiang Family and establish his reputation as an unyielding official.
• The Xiang Family ended its dispute with Xu Yi, and the Heavenly Court promoted him to Principal Seventh Rank, awarded him a thousand Profound Yellow Essence, and scheduled his Dao Palace training.
• Lord Lu and Liu Dongsheng warmly congratulated Xu Yi, while Chen Fang and the other officials marveled at his rapid rise.
• Xu Yi received his official credential, command token, and reward from the Personnel Office, then accepted a cave residence arranged by the Discipline Office.
• Xu Yi reviewed the stages of the Divine Diagram and set his immediate goal on reaching the Second Realm.

Xu Yi summoned Xiang Tianwen to Taibai Tower and asked the Xiang Family for help securing Profound Yellow Essence for his cultivation. He revealed that he had killed Gong Chu and held Gong Chu’s Acquired Spiritual Treasure, leaving Xiang Tianwen ready to hear his terms.

• Xu Yi decided to seek sponsors to gather the Profound Yellow Essence he needed to advance his cultivation.
• Xu Yi contacted Xiang Yingxin, who panicked and passed Xu Yi’s summons to Xiang Tianwen.
• Xiang Tianwen met Xu Yi at Taibai Tower and accused him of continuing to target the Xiang Family.
• Xu Yi asked the Xiang Family to help him and reminded Xiang Tianwen of their supposed friendship.
• Xu Yi revealed that he had killed Gong Chu and kept Gong Chu’s Acquired Spiritual Treasure instead of turning it in.
• Xiang Tianwen concealed his alarm and asked Xu Yi how he wanted the Xiang Family to help.

Xu Yi bargained with Xiang Tianwen over Gong Chu's Acquired Spiritual Treasure and secured a thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence in exchange for it. After Xiang Tianwen rushed away to aid an attacked Xiang Family base, Xu Yi summoned Wu Si and Long Jin Si.

• Xu Yi demanded two thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence from Xiang Tianwen for Gong Chu's Acquired Spiritual Treasure and a pledge not to use Gong Chu against the Xiang Family.
• Xiang Tianwen consulted the clan elders, and he and Xu Yi settled on a payment of one thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence and signed a Seven-Inch Nail-Head Book.
• Xiang Tianwen gave Xu Yi the Profound Yellow Essence, and Xu Yi handed him the silver dagger that was Gong Chu's Acquired Spiritual Treasure.
• Xiang Tianwen received news that a Xiang Family base was under attack and hurried off to reinforce it, while Xu Yi made a Xiang Family member pay the restaurant bill.
• Xu Yi contacted Wu Si and Long Jin Si, who soon arrived.

Xu Yi gathered his creditors and friends, explained that he planned to save his Heavenly Court reward for a breakthrough, and asked for help borrowing more Profound Yellow Essence to fund his Dao Palace studies and future appointment. His creditors eased or extended his debts, and he left the gathering seeking new loans backed by his future salary.

• Xu Yi welcomed Wu Si, Long Jin Si, Liu Guancen, and Hall Master Shao, then accepted Liu Guancen’s apology for arranging his meeting with Xiang Yingxin.
• Dongming Neng thanked Xu Yi for dealing with Xiang Yingxin, and Xu Yi hosted the guests at Xiang Tianwen’s banquet.
• Xu Yi told Long Jin Si and Hall Master Shao that he planned to use his Heavenly Court reward to break through rather than repay his debts immediately.
• Long Jin Si let Xu Yi repay whenever convenient, Wu Si promised to take responsibility as guarantor, and Hall Master Shao waived interest and allowed repayment within ten years.
• Xu Yi declined Liu Guancen’s offer of fifty Profound Yellow Essences and asked the guests to help him find lenders for his Dao Palace expenses and future appointment, offering to repay from his salary.

Xu Yi secured pledges of Profound Yellow Essence from his companions while Long Jin Si and Hall Master Shao hesitated over lending more. After Xu Yi drove off the Xiang Family’s Kirin Guard, the two hall leaders agreed to lend, and Xu Yanzhi appeared at the banquet’s end, gravely exhausted.

• Wu Si, Liu Guancen, Dongming Neng, and Tang Heng offered to lend Xu Yi Profound Yellow Essence or stand surety for him.
• A wounded cultivator fell outside the city, and the Xiang Family’s Kirin Guard arrived to search the area.
• Xu Yi confronted Zhong Qing and the Kirin Guard, identified himself, and sent them fleeing in fear.
• Long Jin Si and Hall Master Shao agreed to lend Xu Yi Profound Yellow Essence after witnessing the Xiang Family’s fear of him.
• After the banquet ended, Xu Yanzhi arrived cloaked, collapsed onto the table, and Xu Yi helped reveal her gaunt face.

Xu Yi rescued Xu Yanzhi from a sinister force and shared a meal with her, where they traded advice and flirtatious poetry. As Xu Yanzhi left Chang'an, four attackers ambushed her, and she prepared to fight back.

• Xu Yi carried the poisoned Xu Yanzhi to a mountain cave and used the Four-Colored Seal Space to remove the poison and the sinister thing she had refined.
• Xu Yanzhi asked for a blue robe like one made by Yan Zi, then joined Xu Yi for a meal at the Taibai Restaurant.
• Xu Yi learned that witches, rather than the Xiang Family, had injured Xu Yanzhi, and she received a summons through her Ruyi Pearl.
• Xu Yi and Xu Yanzhi exchanged moonlit verses before she left, playful and impressed by his poetry.
• Four attackers surrounded Xu Yanzhi with fire dragons, and she shattered their attack with a ghost-headed blade aura.

Xu Yanzhi and Xu Yi fought a powerful Sui clan member after she defeated his four companions. Xu Yanzhi sealed the dead man’s mysterious green wisp in a Forbidden Bottle, which Huangmei believed could contain useful memories.

• Xu Yanzhi overwhelmed the four attackers with her Asura Cold Flame Blade, but a Sui clan member appeared and stopped her strike.
• Xu Yanzhi battled the Sui clan member, who transformed into a human-headed serpent-bodied monster and endured her nine fused blades.
• Xu Yi struck the Sui clan member and his companions with lightning, but the Sui clan member unleashed the Sui clan’s Origin Fire.
• Xu Yi restrained the Sui clan member with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, allowing Xu Yanzhi to behead him with her silver blade.
• Huangmei urged Xu Yi to preserve the green wisp from the corpse, and Xu Yanzhi sealed it inside a Forbidden Bottle.

After Xu Yanzhi departed, Xu Yi learned from Huangmei about the Witch Clan, the Evil Court, and the Sui clan's Origin Token he had taken from Suijie. Though Huangmei warned that the token was meant for the Zhu clan, Xu Yi decided to test it with his Four-Colored Seal Space.

• Xu Yanzhi gave Xu Yi the spoils from Suijie's death and left after explaining that she was doing well in the Evil Court.
• Xu Yi released Suijie's Witch Spirit, and Huangmei swallowed it before waking with information about Suijie's identity and the Xiong clan's assassination contract.
• Huangmei explained the Evil Court's alliance and the Witch Clan's ranks, including the distinction between Primordial Witches and Great Witches.
• Huangmei revealed that Suijie had carried the Sui clan's Origin Token, which could be valuable to the Sui clan and was tied to the clan's Origin Fire.
• Xu Yi rejected Huangmei's warning that he could not use the token and decided to try it with his Four-Colored Seal Space.

Xu Yi discovered that by superimposing his human and demon life wheels, he could refine the Sui clan's Origin Token and draw out its fire essence. He left off after sustaining the fire essence in a sea of flames for an hour, exhausting his spiritual power before it returned to the token.

• Xu Yi stripped Zhu Suijie's mark from the Sui clan's Origin Token, but his first attempts to refine it with blood failed.
• Xu Yi questioned whether he had become a Wu and forced his human and demon life wheels to occupy the same central position, then collapsed as impurities poured from his body.
• After waking and washing himself, Xu Yi tried again, and his blood seeped into the token as his two life wheels became perfectly superimposed.
• The token recognized Xu Yi and released its fire essence, which Huang Mei urged him to refine immediately.
• Xu Yi surrounded the fire essence with a vast sea of fire and the Nine Heavens Fire for an hour, until exhaustion forced him to stop and the essence returned to the token.

Xu Yi concealed Zhu Suijie's identity from his four retainers and went with them to the Jade Pool Gathering, where he used Zhu Suijie's family crest to gain the respect of the gathered clans. The gathering had just begun, leaving Xu Yi among people who recognized the Sui clan's status.

• Xu Yi sealed the enormous Nether-blue fire dragon inside the Origin Token and transformed into Zhu Suijie when four retainers approached.
• The retainers doubted Xu Yi's identity until he showed them the Origin Token, then Zhu Asan contacted Xiong Wan to report that the job had failed.
• At Huangmei's urging, Xu Yi went with the retainers to the Jade Pool Gathering, arriving at the lakeshore near sunset.
• When the gathering began, Xu Yi lit his Witch Pendant with Witch Power and displayed Zhu Suijie's family crest.
• People saluted Xu Yi in recognition of Ancestor Witch Zhurong and the ancient family, and Xu Yi handed out Profound Yellow Pills.

At the Jade Pool Gathering, Xu Yi, posing as Zhu Suijie, challenged Dongye Ming after the president tried to replace him as the person who would light the Bright Flame. Dongye Ming still refused to reveal his accusation, leaving the confrontation unresolved as Xu Yi’s retainers mistook his new behavior for an awakening of his Bloodline Inheritance.

• Xu Yi arrived to light the Bright Flame, but Dongye Ming told him that a young man from the Lie family would take his place.
• Nu Jiang defended Zhu Suijie’s right to light the flame as a representative of the Sui clan, while Dongye Ming insisted that recent events made the change necessary.
• Xu Yi demanded that Dongye Ming state his accusation openly and said he would not let his actions disgrace the Sui clan.
• Xu Yi’s four retainers praised his defiance and concluded that he had awakened his Bloodline Inheritance.
• Xu Yi realized his retainers’ explanation could account for his changed behavior, while Dongye Ming found himself forced to continue the public confrontation.