Chapter Summaries

Wang Ping and Yulian traveled north toward a port, where a dreamlike encounter with the Star Demoness warned him that two chaotic Star Gods had targeted him. He woke in the ruined temple knowing his journey carried a countdown to death, but the Star Demoness could not interfere and left him to face the danger himself.

• Wang Ping and Yulian secretly left Thousand Wood Mountain and traveled north, avoiding a military unit that tried to press Wang Ping into service.
• Wang Ping and Yulian spent the night in a ruined temple, where Yulian teased him about ghost stories and reminded him to sleep with his saber.
• Wang Ping fell asleep while meditating and dreamed that the soldiers captured and executed him after his spiritual energy vanished.
• The Nine-tailed Fox appeared and taught Wang Ping to respect every life, then identified herself in his thoughts as the Star Demoness.
• The Star Demoness warned Wang Ping that two chaotic Star Gods had targeted him and that his fate was nearing its end, but said he would have to resolve the danger himself.

After the Star Demoness warned Wang Ping that two mad Star Gods would kill him, he investigated who might be plotting against him. He traced suspicious activity to a Young Disciple at Thousand Wood Temple and watched him closely, waiting for him to act again.

• Yulian urged Wang Ping to turn back after he recounted the Star Demoness’s warning, but Wang Ping stayed to investigate who had set the trap.
• Wang Ping suspected that someone might have learned of his journey through the Young Disciples guarding Thousand Wood Temple’s gate.
• Wang Ping and Yulian hid near the Mountain Top Dojo and saw a Young Disciple secretly scatter something into the garden twice.
• Wang Ping and Yulian followed the Young Disciple on his day off and watched him care for an old man he called Father, though they sensed they were not blood relatives.
• Wang Ping waited among the clouds with portraits of the people the Young Disciple had met, planning to act when the Young Disciple got up at night.

Wang Ping uncovered Wu San’s role in spreading a mysterious powder and ordered Yang Hou to investigate six people connected to the cockfighting arena. After six days of preparation and contacting allies, Wang Ping received a letter from Daoist Dan Chen revealing that he had killed Liu Zixiu.

• Wang Ping searched Wu San’s memories, learned that Wu San had scattered an Outer Realm Object powder around the Mountain Top Garden for three years, and killed him.
• Wang Ping showed Yang Hou portraits of six cockfighting-arena regulars and tasked him with tracing their connections within six days, emphasizing the garrison commander and a gambler.
• Wang Ping and Yulian suspected the powder helped two Star Gods track them, then agreed to have Daoist Scripture Hall specialists investigate it later.
• Wang Ping sent letters to Zuo Xuan and Old Daoist Wu, summoned a Spirit Talisman, and monitored the region through Wood Spirit plants.
• Six days later, Wang Ping received a letter from Daoist Dan Chen stating that Dan Chen might already be dead and had assassinated Liu Zixiu.

Wang Ping learned from Dan Chen that a Saint’s followers had arranged Second Senior Brother’s assassination and that Li Yan was hiding under the name Jiao Hu in the Commandant of the Guards’ underground prison. Before dawn, Daoist Yucheng brought Tian Shan to help Wang Ping remove Star Iron, and they prepared to act without alerting their enemy.

• Wang Ping read Dan Chen’s letter, which revealed that the Saint’s followers had arranged Second Senior Brother’s assassination and warned that they acted without regard for life or reason.
• Dan Chen told Wang Ping that Li Yan had changed his name to Jiao Hu and was hiding in the Commandant of the Guards’ underground prison.
• Wang Ping told Yulian to keep the letter’s revelations secret and decided they would investigate Second Senior Brother’s death while handling the immediate danger.
• Daoist Yucheng returned before dawn with Tian Shan, who used his jade-green gourd to draw Star Iron from Wang Ping’s body.
• Tian Shan agreed to help Wang Ping, but Daoist Yucheng warned against alerting their enemy, and Wang Ping summoned the Water Moon Bell into Yang Hou’s side room.

Wang Ping and his allies ambushed four Star Iron smugglers in a riverside village, hoping to capture them and read their memories. After Tian Shan neutralized their metal dust and Iron-eating Worms, the group launched their attack on the exposed enemies.

• Wang Ping and his allies emerged from concealment and trapped the four fugitives inside Tian Shan's barrier.
• Wang Ping recognized two mad Star Gods and warned the group to prioritize taking their memories, while Yun Shan identified the Iron-eating Worms surrounding them.
• The Star Gods released black dust that altered the area's magnetic field, but Old Daoist Wu used an Earth Cave Sect pagoda to suppress its effects.
• Tian Shan drew the Star Iron and Iron-eating Worms into his emerald-green gourd and urged the others to attack.
• Yun Shan shielded the village as Wang Ping and his Master attacked two enemies, while Zuo Xuan and Old Daoist Wu attacked the other two.

Wang Ping and his allies defeated the crazed Star Gods and investigated who had sent the puppets to kill him, while the recovered memories remained too dangerous to decipher. After discussing possible motives and Saints with Daoist Zi Luan, Wang Ping received an urgent coded message from Daoist Yucheng ordering him to return to Thousand Wood Temple immediately.

• Zuo Xuan and Wang Ping defeated the Star God and its puppet attendants, but found that the puppets’ memories had been erased.
• Daoist Tianshan absorbed the village barrier, while Yun Shan stayed with the Thousand Wood Temple Disciples to investigate the aftermath.
• Wang Ping and Zuo Xuan went to Jinhuai Prefecture to report to Daoist Zi Luan, as Yucheng, Tian Shan, and Old Daoist Wu returned to Thousand Wood Temple.
• Zi Luan and Zuo Xuan reasoned that Wang Ping’s assassination could have thrown Nanlin Road and Mozhou Road into disorder, while the two Star Gods’ memories would take at least two months to decipher.
• Wang Ping asked Zi Luan whether Saints existed and where Dan Chen was, but left without learning more about either matter.
• A coded letter from Daoist Yucheng reached Wang Ping outside the Daoist Scripture Hall, ordering him to return to Thousand Wood Temple immediately.

After learning that Wang Wenyi had been assassinated by mysterious attackers, Wang Ping discussed the threat of the Saints and his plans with Daoist Yucheng. The chapter ended with Yang Hou reporting that a Jimin Association steward had arrived with a message from Daoist Dan Chen.

• Xingshan told Wang Ping that Wang Wenyi had been assassinated and that a pillar of white light had erased the attackers and all evidence.
• Daoist Yucheng and Wang Ping discussed the Wang Family’s independence, the Saints, and the dangers of the schemes unfolding beneath the great tide.
• Wang Ping told Daoist Yucheng about Dan Chen’s letter and confirmed that he still intended to travel to Linshui Prefecture.
• Daoist Yucheng said he would keep waiting for news of Li Yan rather than act hastily.
• After meditating at the Mountain Top Dojo, Wang Ping received Yang Hou, who announced that a Steward Liu from the Jimin Association had brought a message from Daoist Dan Chen.

Wang Ping expelled Steward Liu after their tense meeting, then received Guan Xi, who claimed a Saint had bestowed his strange power upon him. Guan Xi began discussing the two mad Star Gods troubling Wang Ping, but the chapter ended before he revealed any clues.

• Wang Ping recognized Steward Liu as a military officer, rejected his veiled remarks, and sent him out of the garden.
• Steward Liu met a gray-eyed young man in a teahouse and praised Wang Ping's prospects, while the young man insisted Wang Ping was not tracking them.
• The young man went to Thousand Wood Mountain and waited three hours before Wang Ping agreed to receive him.
• Wang Ping recognized Guan Xi from the Daoist Scripture Hall in Jinhuai Prefecture, and Yulian questioned him about his unusual power.
• Guan Xi said a Saint had bestowed his power upon him and brought up the two mad Star Gods troubling Wang Ping.

Guan Xi demonstrated his unusual power to Wang Ping and explained how the Jimin Association had split into three factions. He said he had come to befriend Wang Ping and help him solve a small problem.

• Guan Xi cleared the clouds without releasing any detectable spiritual energy, and Yulian identified his power as control over spirit entities in Inspiration World.
• Wang Ping illuminated the courtyard, and Guan Xi praised his technique before joining him and Yulian for tea.
• Guan Xi explained that the Jimin Association had divided into the Paranoid Faction, the Moderate Faction, and the Balance Faction.
• Guan Xi described the Paranoid Faction's plan to destroy the decayed world, the Moderate Faction's focus on observation and cultivation, and the Balance Faction's effort to manage conflicts between powers.
• Guan Xi said he belonged to the Balance Faction, admitted that invoking the Saint's intentions helped justify action, and told Wang Ping he had come to befriend him and solve a small problem.

Guan Xi told Wang Ping that Si Ran was linked to the extremist Jimin Association and Xiao Lingzi, then asked him to help surround and kill Si Ran. Wang Ping gained Yucheng and Zi Luan’s support, but he suspected Zi Luan had arranged the matter; five days later, Xiao Lingzi came to settle old scores.

• Guan Xi warned Wang Ping about rival Taiyan cultivators and revealed that Si Ran had passed two mad Star Gods to Xiao Lingzi, Bai Zhuo’s Dao companion and an Outer Star Alliance leader.
• Guan Xi asked Wang Ping to use his connections to help surround and kill Si Ran, and Wang Ping agreed to answer within three days.
• Wang Ping consulted Yucheng, who confirmed Si Ran had once attacked Xiuyu during a contest for the Third Seat and approved cooperating with the Jimin Association cautiously.
• Wang Ping kept the Saint’s existence from Zi Luan, who pledged to remove Xiao Lingzi’s protection and personally join the mission against Si Ran.
• Wang Ping and Yulian suspected Zi Luan had arranged the affair, and five days later Xiao Lingzi arrived at Wang Ping’s door to settle old scores.

Wang Ping confronted Xiao Lingzi, who sought to settle their conflict, but Xiao Lingzi sacrificed himself to unleash a devastating spatial attack and vanished. After confirming Xiao Lingzi’s death, Wang Ping left Thousand Wood Mountain in disguise to resolve the matter of his Second Senior Brother, Liu Zixiu.

• Wang Ping met Xiao Lingzi at the sect gate, and Xiao Lingzi asked to settle their conflict in a place of Wang Ping’s choosing.
• A Star God verified Xiao Lingzi’s identity, and Wang Ping, Yulian, and Zuo Xuan accompanied him to a deserted island.
• Xiao Lingzi collapsed space around himself, but Wang Ping replenished its spiritual energy and countered the attack with his Iron Bamboo Swords.
• Xiao Lingzi feigned defeat, then stabbed himself with a black sword and shattered space across a hundred-zhang radius; Wang Ping survived by using an illusion created with the Water Moon Bell, and Xiao Lingzi vanished.
• After resting and casting a divination, Wang Ping left Thousand Wood Mountain disguised as a scholar and boarded a merchant ship bound for the Southeast Islands to resolve Liu Zixiu’s matter.

Wang Ping reunited with Xia Yao on Dongxu Mountain and met her husband, Jiang Cun, at the Dragon Palace. After they played Go, Wang Ping asked how the imperial family would handle his Second Senior Brother’s funeral, and Xia Yao explained the political risks involved.

• Xia Yao changed into Daoist robes to meet Wang Ping, while Jiang Cun urged her to dress that way more often.
• Wang Ping arrived at the palace gates with Yulian and entered after presenting a calling card.
• Wang Ping greeted Xia Yao and Jiang Cun, then joined them for three games of Go.
• Wang Ping asked how the imperial family planned to handle his Second Senior Brother’s funeral.
• Xia Yao said the matter could resolve conflicts in the Upper Capital region or shake the foundations of incense and faith, depending on how it was handled.

Wang Ping and Xia Yao formalized a cooperation over her bid to wield Central Province’s divine artifact, while setting limits around his ties to Lord Xiaoshan. After settling in Dongxu City, Wang Ping tested a Bing Talisman on Zi Hong.

• Xia Yao explained that the imperial family’s century-old plans had shifted, with the True Sun Sect now supporting them and powerful factions divided over Lord Xiaoshan’s rise.
• Wang Ping agreed to help Xia Yao build confidence in the northern campaign, but said their cooperation would end if she confronted Lord Xiaoshan while Thousand Wood Temple remained under his protection.
• Wang Ping and Xia Yao finalized their cooperation, then discussed Si Ran and agreed to wait until his Second Senior Brother’s matter became public near year’s end.
• Wang Ping chose to stay in a small courtyard in Dongxu City, where he spent ten days enjoying the city and its garden.
• Zi Hong visited Wang Ping, and Daoist Tongyu assessed that Zi Hong’s internal formation worked but that he lacked the humanity needed to enter a realm.
• Wang Ping used a Bing Talisman on Zi Hong rather than merging with him, while Yulian concealed the courtyard’s aura with Water Spirit Qi.

Wang Ping joined Zi Luan, Jiang Cun, Guan Xi, and Ming Xin in a rapid assault on Si Ran’s island, where they killed the Third Realm cultivator. After the Daoist Scripture Hall arrived to question the operation, Zi Luan claimed he had only helped at Jiang Cun’s invitation.

• Wang Ping gathered with Jiang Cun, Guan Xi, Zi Luan, and Ming Xin to plan the attack on Si Ran.
• Zi Luan obtained authorization from the Daoist Scripture Hall, and Jiang Cun secured permission to act on Central Island.
• The group traveled to Rainbow Bay and then approached Si Ran’s supply island aboard Jiang Cun’s merchant ship.
• Ming Xin attacked Si Ran while Zi Luan and Jiang Cun contained the battlefield, and Si Ran was killed in less than thirty breaths.
• Bo Yi arrived with two Daoist cultivators and questioned Zi Luan, who said he had joined the operation at Jiang Cun’s invitation.

Wang Ping learned that Daoist Zi Luan faced an ambush, then heard Guan Xi explain that the threat was part of an old struggle between Lord Xiaoshan and Daoist Wuma. Guan Xi’s schemes had brought both sides’ hidden chess pieces into view, though he expected neither side to start an all-out fight.

• Jiang Cun told Wang Ping that Dragon Palace rules restrained dragons and worried that anti-dragon storybooks would shape people’s view of them in Central Province.
• Three days later, Zi Luan and Ming Xin left Central Island by merchant ship, and Zi Luan told Wang Ping to visit him upon returning to Nanlin Road.
• After Wang Ping returned to Dongxu City, Daoist Yucheng sent him intelligence from Daoist Wen Yang that someone planned to ambush Daoist Zi Luan.
• Guan Xi arrived and warned Wang Ping of the planned attack, adding that Zi Luan and Lord Xiaoshan might already know about it.
• Guan Xi explained that Daoist Wuma’s disciples were involved in the long-running struggle with Lord Xiaoshan over southern Central Province’s Dao Lineage.
• Guan Xi said he had used his backing from a Saint to draw both sides’ chess pieces into the open, while hoping to avoid a costly battle.

Wang Ping heeded Guan Xi’s warning and postponed his trip to Capital City as Liu Zixiu’s assassination plunged the realm into turmoil. After returning to Thousand Wood Mountain, he met with Daoist Yucheng and later visited Zi Luan, who offered him a share of the spoils from the siege of Si Ran.

• Guan Xi warned Wang Ping not to go to Capital City for now, and Wang Ping’s repeated divinations produced Yang Trigrams, so he decided to postpone the journey.
• Wang Ping warned Zi Luan by letter, and three days later Zi Luan replied without saying whether preparations had already been made.
• News spread that Liu Zixiu had been assassinated, prompting the Emperor to order an investigation and grant Liu the posthumous title Lord Zhonghui.
• Wang Ping returned to Thousand Wood Mountain, where Daoist Yucheng said he still intended to visit Capital City to pay respects to his former master.
• Emperor Jianwu ordered nationwide mourning, Zhonghui Academy and Zhonghui City received their new names, and the Prefectural Army marched north.
• Wang Ping visited Zi Luan, who thanked him for the warning about the earlier ambush, discussed Dan Chen’s disappearance, and offered him a share of the spoils from the siege of Si Ran.

Wang Ping received resources for advancing to the Third Realm from Zi Luan and continued his cultivation while war loomed in Central Province. After early reports of victories from the northern front, he learned that the expedition had ended in a crushing defeat.

• Zi Luan gave Wang Ping talismans containing a Primordial Spirit seed and Si Ran's Primordial Spirit, which could provide a Third Realm quota, and shared what the Star Gods' memories had revealed.
• Zi Luan suspected Wang Ping had withheld information about Dan Chen, while Wang Ping left the Daoist Scripture Hall and began secluded cultivation.
• Daoist Yucheng reported that Zi Yu had learned Jiao Hu was a low-ranking Deputy Commander who spent his time interrogating prisoners.
• Wang Ping received Su Hai's letter announcing that war was about to begin, then spent months divining about the northern war without receiving a Sacred Divination.
• Xia Yao informed Wang Ping that the northern expedition had suffered a crushing defeat, General Wang Wenyi had died, and the remaining troops had been killed or captured.

Wang Ping kept to his cultivation after learning of Xia Yao’s ambitions, while the northern campaign’s defeat plunged the realm into turmoil. When Zhang Huaixing warned that Xia Yao would soon lead the northern army and Immortal Realm cultivators might join the war, Wang Ping asked about Senior Brother Su.

• Wang Ping took Yulian to Baishui Lake to fish, then resumed his cultivation without changing his plans because of Xia Yao’s letter.
• Yang Hou reported that a ten-thousand-year Spirit Wood could be shipped from the Far East Continent within half a year, and Wang Ping gave him three million taels for it.
• News spread that the northern campaign had ended in defeat, and Emperor Jianwu blamed himself while the realm accepted reports that Great Demons had caused the failure.
• Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng chose to wait for the situation or Lord Xiaoshan’s instructions as unrest made cultivation increasingly difficult.
• Wang Ping repeatedly cast Yin Hexagrams before Zhang Huaixing arrived with Liu Huai and told him that Xia Yao had been restored as a princess and would soon command the northern army.
• Zhang Huaixing warned that Immortal Realm cultivators might enter the conflict, and Wang Ping asked about Senior Brother Su.

Wang Ping learned that Xia Yao’s northern campaign was part of a larger struggle over the Northern Continent, while Zhang Xinghuai revealed his ambition to remake a divine artifact. After Xia Yao’s victories and Shen Xiaozhu’s Spiritual Root was improved, Wang Ping prepared to formally accept her as his disciple.

• Zhang Xinghuai told Wang Ping that the northern campaign would provoke chaos and allow Central Province’s cultivators to establish Dao Lineages in the Northern Kingdom.
• Zhang Xinghuai said he planned to forge a divine artifact anew, and Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng tacitly approved of his ambition.
• Emperor Jianwu ordered Xia Yao to lead Imperial Guard and Demon Race armies north, and she later reclaimed the Cloud Sea Grassland.
• Wang Ping received Daoist Yuanzheng’s agreement to improve Shen Xiaozhu’s Spiritual Root in exchange for an Art of Borrowing Luck that would cost thirty to fifty years of lifespan.
• Shen Xiaozhu returned with a superior-grade Spiritual Root, and Wang Ping ordered Yang Hou to arrange a ceremony to formally take her as his disciple.

Thousand Wood Temple held a grand ceremony where Wang Ping officially accepted Shen Xiaozhu as his disciple and gave her the Daoist name Yuxi. Afterward, Wang Ping expanded his alchemy enterprise, hiring Wu An and reaching a cooperation arrangement with Daoist Yuanzheng’s branch.

• Daoist Yucheng and Wang Ping led Thousand Wood Temple’s disciple-acceptance ceremony as guests and officials gathered to witness it.
• Shen Xiaozhu performed the rites before the memorial tablets and Wang Ping, offered him tea, and received the Daoist name Yuxi.
• Wang Ping began constructing an alchemy room while Yulian oversaw the building of Shen Xiaozhu’s new Daoist temple.
• Xia Yao ordered two million Power Pills from Wang Ping at three taels of silver each.
• Wu An came to collect payment for raising Shen Xiaozhu’s Spiritual Root, then joined Wang Ping’s alchemy-room project.
• Daoist Yuanzheng sent twelve disciples to work at the nearly completed alchemy room, and Daoist Yucheng arranged a fixed cooperation with his branch.