Chapter Summaries

Lin Taichu reunited the Lingxiao Sect Master's divine soul, exposing Second Elder's treachery and saving the Sect Master. He stayed at the Lingxiao Sect to oversee the Sect Master's recovery and investigate the Variant Sect and its possible ties to the Snake Shadow Cult.

• Lin Taichu suppressed the Soul-Explosion Curse with Purple Flame Grass and fused the Sect Master's two halves of divine soul.
• The Sect Master awoke and ordered the Law Enforcement Elder to arrest Second Elder and four disciples for colluding with the Variant Sect.
• Lin Taichu declined a reward and gave the Sect Master a recovery plan, while the Law Enforcement Elder warned that the Variant Sect might attack.
• Bai Chen proposed that Lin Taichu remain at the Lingxiao Sect, and Lin Taichu agreed on the condition that he be told of any news about the Snake Shadow Cult.
• Lin Taichu treated the Sect Master as the Lingxiao Sect strengthened its defenses, and he learned that the Variant Sect secretly used Gu Art and soul arts.

Lin Taichu discovered that the Variant Sect’s Third Elder was testing the Sect Master’s recovery and had brought herbs tainted with a Gu. After the visitors left, Lin Taichu urged the Lingxiao Sect to conceal its suspicions, strengthen defenses, and send Qingxuan and Mochen to investigate.

• The Sect Master agreed to receive the Variant Sect’s visitors while the Law Enforcement Elder prepared an ambush around the main hall.
• The Variant Sect’s Third Elder questioned the Sect Master’s health and the arrest of the Second Elder, while Lin Taichu noticed him watching the Sect Master’s wrist.
• The Third Elder offered medicinal herbs, and Lin Taichu detected a Gu Worm’s scent on one of them but accepted the box without revealing his discovery.
• After the Variant Sect’s people left, Lin Taichu advised the Sect Master to pretend they had not uncovered the plot, strengthen defenses, and investigate the Variant Sect.
• Lin Taichu stopped Bai Chen from sending ordinary Disciples and asked him to bring Qingxuan and Mochen, who were skilled at tracking and concealment.

Lin Taichu discovered that the Variant Sect used Black Obsidian Scorpion venom in its Gu Worms and led Qingxuan and Mochen to investigate Storm Valley. They found a hidden cave where the Variant Sect was raising Gu Worms and entered it to uncover more of the sect’s operations.

• Qingxuan and Mochen reported that the Variant Sect’s main sect was hidden behind cliffs and difficult to attack.
• Lin Taichu found Gu Worm eggs and Black Obsidian Scorpion venom on the herbs sent by the Variant Sect, and identified Storm Valley as their likely stronghold.
• Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen disguised themselves and traveled to Storm Valley.
• The three spotted Variant Sect disciples collecting Black Obsidian Scorpions and carrying them in cages deeper into the valley.
• Lin Taichu and Qingxuan followed the disciples to a concealed cave, and Mochen entered first with his bow ready.

Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen destroyed the Variant Sect’s Gu Worm cultivation site in Storm Valley and returned to the Lingxiao Sect with Black Obsidian Scorpions and poisonous herbs. Lin Taichu developed an antidote to the scorpions’ venom, while Qingxuan and Mochen reported that the Variant Sect had returned to rebuild the site and that two Disciples were secretly following them.

• Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen found the Variant Sect’s cultivation site, freed the Black Obsidian Scorpions, took some scorpions and herbs, and carved a vague mark into the wall.
• When three Variant Sect Disciples entered the cave, Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen attacked them and escaped through a side path.
• The three returned to the Lingxiao Sect and reported their discovery to the Sect Master and the Law Enforcement Elder, who assigned Qingxuan and Mochen to watch Storm Valley.
• Lin Taichu studied the scorpions and poisonous grasses and made a powder using Purple Flame Grass to counter the scorpions’ venom.
• Qingxuan and Mochen reported that five Variant Sect members had returned to rebuild the site, and that two Disciples were secretly following them.

Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen discovered Variant Sect’s main Gu Worm breeding stronghold in Storm Valley and set it ablaze. More than twenty Variant Sect disciples rushed in as the fire spread.

• Lin Taichu gave the Sect Master medicinal powder to distribute among Lingxiao Sect’s disciples, then learned Variant Sect had rebuilt its breeding site in Storm Valley.
• Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen went deeper into the valley and overheard Variant Sect disciples discussing their Gu Worms and Snake Shadow Cult’s captured Cult Master.
• The three followed the disciples to a guarded cave and used sleeping smoke to incapacitate the four guards at its entrance.
• Inside the cave, Lin Taichu set the cages and jars of Gu Worms on fire while Qingxuan and Mochen fought the Variant Sect disciples.
• More than twenty Variant Sect disciples rushed into the burning cave.

Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen escaped the Variant Sect’s breeding site and defeated their pursuers before returning to the Lingxiao Sect. When the Variant Sect’s Great Elder demanded an explanation, the Sect Master denied responsibility and agreed to a three-day investigation.

• Lin Taichu, Qingxuan, and Mochen blocked the cave entrance with a boulder, escaped the pursuing Disciples, and ambushed them in a narrow passage, killing more than twenty before the survivors fled.
• Lin Taichu and the others returned to the Lingxiao Sect, where Lin Taichu reported what had happened and warned that the Variant Sect would seek an explanation.
• The Variant Sect’s Great Elder arrived with Disciples and accused the Lingxiao Sect of destroying the breeding site in Storm Valley, but the Sect Master denied the charge.
• Lin Taichu introduced himself as Physician Lin, and the Great Elder grew suspicious but could not prove he had been involved.
• The Sect Master agreed to cooperate with the investigation and gave the Variant Sect three days to investigate, then told Lin Taichu the Great Elder might suspect him.

Lin Taichu helped the Lingxiao Sect locate a Variant Sect stronghold in an abandoned mine and proposed cutting off its supplies instead of attacking its Gu Worm defenses. Bai Chen led an ambush on a gathering party, leaving the battle underway.

• The Sect Master and Lin Taichu learned that the Variant Sect had returned to Storm Valley and sent Bai Chen to investigate the Snake Shadow Cult’s former stronghold.
• Bai Chen discovered that the abandoned mine on the southern side of the Black Rock Mountain Range had become a Variant Sect stronghold guarded by Gu Worms and at least thirty members.
• Lin Taichu advised the Lingxiao Sect to ambush supply-gathering parties, and the Sect Master assigned Bai Chen to lead twenty disciples near the mine.
• Bai Chen and his disciples disguised themselves as hunters and hid in a forest cave near the stronghold.
• Bai Chen’s group surrounded five Variant Sect disciples as they gathered medicinal herbs.

Bai Chen’s raids weakened the Variant Sect, but its disciples stopped leaving their mine stronghold, prompting Lin Taichu to investigate how they were sustaining themselves. He found evidence of a hidden cliff passage protected by poisonous netting, though the people using it remained unseen.

• Bai Chen captured five Variant Sect disciples and seized medicinal herbs and Gu Worm powders, while Lin Taichu interrogated three captives who refused to talk.
• Bai Chen ambushed two more Variant Sect gathering parties, but the Variant Sect stopped emerging from the mine after the seventh day.
• Lin Taichu and Bai Chen inspected the stronghold and found a concealed opening high on a cliff that might be used to transport supplies.
• Lingxiao Sect disciples watched the mine entrance and cliff opening for ten days, but saw no one move supplies, and food left at the entrance remained untouched.
• Lin Taichu was lowered near the cliff opening and discovered a poisonous net with fresh wear marks, suggesting someone had recently passed through it.

Lin Taichu and the Lingxiao Sect traced the Variant Sect’s supply route to a village and caught a small woman collecting medicinal herbs. She escaped using a smoke device, but Lin Taichu had prepared a tracker to follow her.

• Lin Taichu reported the hidden cliff passage to the Sect Master, who sent Bai Chen to watch it and Qingxuan and Mochen to search nearby villages.
• Qingxuan found Rotten Heart Grass and Variant Sect jars at a villager’s home, then learned that a veiled woman had arranged to collect herbs at the Mountain God Temple.
• Qingxuan and the Disciples ambushed the woman at the temple, but her speed and poison-coated daggers put them at a disadvantage.
• Lin Taichu arrived with Bai Chen and ordered the Disciples to stop fighting so they could follow the woman instead of alerting the Variant Sect.
• The woman dropped her daggers to release smoke and vanished, while Bai Chen led the pursuit and Lin Taichu relied on Mochen to track her.

Lin Taichu’s group traced a supply runner to the Variant Sect’s mine and learned she was only delivering goods for money. After enormous venomous Gu Worms emerged and injured Lingxiao Sect Disciples, Lin Taichu and the Sect Master launched an assault, and both sides gathered at the mine entrance.

• Lin Taichu’s group followed the woman to an inn, where the innkeeper confirmed she regularly collected goods and left without speaking much.
• Lin Taichu decided to let the woman go, then reported their findings to the Sect Master and warned that the Variant Sect was preparing something dangerous in the mine.
• Over the following days, Lingxiao Sect Disciples observed louder Gu Worm cries, strange roars, and growing numbers of Poisonous Centipedes around the mine.
• On the tenth day, enormous scorpion-like Gu Worms emerged and injured two watchful Disciples, prompting Lin Taichu to treat their wounds with antidotes.
• Lin Taichu and the Sect Master agreed to attack, and the Sect Master divided more than one hundred and twenty Disciples into three teams while Lin Taichu prepared to treat the wounded.
• The Lingxiao Sect advanced on the mine as the Variant Sect’s Second Elder led more than thirty Disciples and several enormous Gu Worms out to meet them.

Lin Taichu and the Lingxiao Sect faced a Gu Beast whose Soul-Capturing Sound turned their Disciples against one another. After refining an antidote from Purple Flame Grass, Lin Taichu destroyed the beast's tumor, allowing the Sect to defeat the Variant Sect and capture Second Elder.

• Second Elder released the Gu Beast, whose roar controlled the Lingxiao Sect Disciples and made them attack their companions.
• Lin Taichu used sleeping potion to help the Sect retreat, then proposed using Purple Flame Grass to resist the beast's sound and destroy its tumor.
• Lin Taichu refined the antidote overnight and went alone to confront the Gu Beast while the Sect prepared to attack the mine.
• Lin Taichu blinded the Gu Beast with Sulfur Powder and stabbed its tumor with a Short Blade, then signaled the Lingxiao Sect to advance.
• Qingxuan stopped Second Elder as he fled, wounded him, and helped the Disciples capture him.

Lin Taichu helped Lingxiao Sect destroy the Variant Sect, rescued the Snake Shadow Cult Master, and learned that the Netherworld Cult had supplied the Gu Beast method. After helping settle the aftermath, he returned to the Healing Immortal Medical Hall, where the elders welcomed him home.

• Lin Taichu burned the Gu Worms in the mine, freed the imprisoned villagers, and helped capture the Variant Sect's Great Elder and his armed disciples.
• Lin Taichu refined tracking powder to find Variant Sect remnants, while Bai Chen discovered that the Snake Shadow Cult Master was held in Storm Valley.
• Lin Taichu and Qingxuan rescued the Snake Shadow Cult Master, who revealed the Variant Sect's connection to the Netherworld Cult.
• Lin Taichu and the Sect Master chose to monitor the Netherworld Cult rather than attack it, and Lin Taichu burned the Variant Sect's Gu-raising manuals.
• Lin Taichu bid farewell to Lingxiao Sect and returned to the Healing Immortal Medical Hall, where Elder Li and the other elders welcomed him after more than half a year away.

Lin Taichu joined Healing Immortal Medical Hall’s delegation to Hundred Herbs Hall’s medical skills exchange conference, where he learned that the final award would be a lost medical text. At the conference, he recognized a flaw in a Golden Needle Sect acupuncture technique and asked its practitioner how he had avoided harming patients’ meridians.

• Lin Taichu treated patients at Healing Immortal Medical Hall and helped ease the medical hall’s workload.
• Elder Li invited Lin Taichu to attend Hundred Herbs Hall’s medical skills exchange conference with Elder Zhang, Elder Wang, and Chen Xiaoman.
• Lin Taichu arranged his patients’ care, selected rare herbs to trade for medical records, and set out with the delegation.
• After seven days of travel, the group arrived in Qinghe Town, where Lin Taichu reunited with Zhao Ming and learned the conference schedule included a lost medical text as its final prize.
• Old Man Zhou opened the conference, and Lin Taichu watched a physician demonstrate Golden Needle Sect acupuncture before questioning him about a flaw in the technique.

Lin Taichu impressed the physicians at the exchange conference with his medical knowledge and treatments, then accepted a challenge from an arrogant rogue cultivator to treat a patient. The chapter ended as Lin Taichu examined the injured peddler and asked how he had fallen.

• Lin Taichu discussed acupuncture with a middle-aged physician and later exchanged knowledge about Gu poison with Old Man Zhou.
• Lin Taichu treated a physician's chronic headache with Silver Needles, earning the respect of the other physicians at Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Over the next two days, Lin Taichu became the conference's main attraction, and sect representatives approached Elder Li to build ties with the Healing Immortal Medical Hall.
• A young rogue cultivator interrupted Lin Taichu's demonstration and challenged him to compete in treating a patient; Lin Taichu accepted and set an apology as the price of victory.
• The rogue cultivator gave his Stasis-Clearing Pill to a peddler with stomach pain, while Lin Taichu examined the man and asked whether he had struck his left waist when he fell.

Lin Taichu cured a peddler with acupuncture, then discovered that the young man who had challenged him belonged to the Netherworld Cult and planned to damage his reputation with a fabricated illness. The next morning, the young man presented a darkened, feverish youth as a poisoning case for Lin Taichu to diagnose.

• Lin Taichu used acupuncture to relieve the peddler’s abdominal pain and explained that obstructed meridians, not superficial blood stasis, had caused it.
• The young man refused to apologize after losing, and Lin Taichu asked Zhao Ming to investigate him and his companions.
• After learning that the young men were staying at an inn, Lin Taichu secretly overheard them plotting to use a fake illness to undermine him at the case discussion.
• Lin Taichu told Elder Li and Old Man Zhou about the Netherworld Cult’s plan, and Old Man Zhou agreed to watch for cheating at the conference.
• At the next morning’s case discussion, the young man brought a darkened, feverish youth before the gathering and asked Lin Taichu to diagnose the apparent poisoning.

Lin Taichu exposed the Netherworld Cult’s staged poisoning attempt at the exchange conference and let its members go after they promised to stop working with evil forces. After the conference, he received a medical text and set out for home determined to investigate the cult’s hidden motives.

• Lin Taichu revealed that the boy’s apparent poisoning was faked with herbs and soapy water, then identified the accuser as a member of the Netherworld Cult.
• Old Man Zhou captured the other two Netherworld Cult members as they tried to flee, and evidence of their scheme was found among their belongings.
• Lin Taichu released the three cult members after the young man promised they would not trouble the Lingxiao Sect or Healing Immortal Medical Hall and would avoid evil alliances.
• Lin Taichu and Old Man Zhou suspected the Netherworld Cult had powerful backing and a deeper reason for cooperating with the Variant Sect, and Lin Taichu resolved to investigate it.
• Physicians and sect representatives praised Lin Taichu, and he was unanimously selected as the conference’s most outstanding physician and received a medical text from Old Man Zhou.
• Elder Li led the group home, while Lin Taichu told Chen Xiaoman that investigating the Netherworld Cult mattered more than the attention he had received.

Lin Taichu investigated the Netherworld Cult and learned its forbidden arts might involve human test subjects. He set out alone to persuade the Cult Master to stop the research and reached the foot of Heavenly Demon Mountain.

• Lin Taichu reported on the exchange conference, agreed to pursue cooperation with reputable medical halls, and gathered rare treasures from his herb garden.
• Zhao Ming told Lin Taichu that the Netherworld Cult lived in seclusion and was rumored to research forbidden arts using poisonous herbs.
• A herb merchant told Lin Taichu that the Netherworld Cult bought strange herbs in secret and had mentioned needing more test subjects for a nearly completed forbidden art.
• Lin Taichu told the elders what he had learned and decided to visit the Netherworld Cult alone, bringing treasures as gifts.
• Lin Taichu traveled for three days to Heavenly Demon Mountain and continued into the mountains despite the villagers' warnings.

Lin Taichu visited the Netherworld Cult Master and offered cooperation to persuade the cult to abandon its dangerous forbidden arts, but the Cult Master rejected him and revealed his corpse-reanimation secret art. Lin Taichu tried to flee, only to be confronted by the reanimated Xuanjizi, who attacked on the Cult Master's command.

• Lin Taichu reached the Netherworld Cult's hidden valley and was granted an audience with its Cult Master.
• Lin Taichu offered Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and proposed sharing medical skills and herbs in exchange for the cult abandoning its forbidden arts.
• The Cult Master mocked Lin Taichu's offer and revealed a black token connected to his nearly completed corpse-reanimation secret art.
• The Cult Master summoned the reanimated Xuanjizi, a missing Kunlun Sect elder, and explained that the corpse retained much of its former strength and obeyed commands.
• Lin Taichu tried to escape, but Xuanjizi struck at him on the Cult Master's command.

Lin Taichu escaped the Netherworld Cult after fighting the puppet Xuanjizi, then recovered from his injuries at the Healing Immortal Medical Hall. With the Netherworld Cult active nearby, Lin Taichu and Elder Li planned to gather proof and allies, but ruled out a direct assault on the heavily guarded valley.

• Lin Taichu used smoke from burning Rotten Heart Grass to evade Xuanjizi and flee the valley as the Netherworld Cult Disciples pursued him.
• Elder Li and the Healing Immortal Medical Hall Disciples arrived to support Lin Taichu, and Elder Li struck Xuanjizi's chest wound, freezing the puppet.
• The Cult Master ordered the Netherworld Cult to retreat as more Healing Immortal Medical Hall Disciples arrived, and Elder Li had Lin Taichu carried away for treatment.
• Lin Taichu treated his broken arm and internal injuries with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, recovering enough to move his arm in less than half a month.
• Elder Li told Lin Taichu that the Netherworld Cult had sent Disciples into nearby towns, and Lin Taichu proposed gathering evidence and joining forces with other sects rather than attacking headlong.

Lin Taichu failed to find an antidote for Xuanjizi’s altered blood, so he studied forbidden arts for a way to counter the Netherworld Cult’s puppets. By modifying a formula called Rage Powder, he created a medicine that safely boosted the strength and speed of volunteers, though its long-term potential remained to be explored.

• Lin Taichu tested Xuanjizi’s blood and found that it stayed liquid, then admitted to Zhao Ming that his attempts to formulate an antidote had failed.
• Lin Taichu decided to study the principles of forbidden arts and gathered medical records, ancient books, and incomplete manuscripts.
• Lin Taichu found the Rage Powder formula and replaced its harmful ingredients, first testing his revised medicine on an injured wolf.
• Wang Xiaohu volunteered to test Lin Taichu’s medicine and showed increased strength and speed while remaining clear-headed.
• Lin Taichu monitored Wang Xiaohu and other disciples, finding that the medicine boosted combat ability by about thirty percent for two hours without apparent side effects.