Chapter Summaries

Wang Ping attended the ceremony where Zi Luan handed over the Pacification Commissioner’s post and introduced him as the new authority responsible for Nanlin Road’s cultivation world. After the ceremony, Zi Luan, Gan Xing, and Wu Quan explained that the Daoist Scripture Hall’s work included regulating spirituality and preventing dangerous disruptions.

• Taishan told Wang Ping, Zi Luan, and Yulian about a Demon Race formation that ripened Spirit Wood, and promised to send Yulian some spiritual creatures to eat.
• Zi Luan led Wang Ping into the main hall, introduced him to the gathered cultivators, and announced that Wang Ping would succeed him as Pacification Commissioner.
• Wang Ping accepted the appointment document and returned the cultivators’ congratulations as the hall’s ancient bell rang nine times.
• Zi Luan introduced Wang Ping to the senior cultivators, while the other guests gathered with Liu Shuang, Hu Qianqian, Zuo Xuan, and Hong Yuan.
• On the second floor, Zi Luan, Gan Xing, and Wu Quan explained that the Daoist Scripture Hall maintained the laws and stability of spirituality, warning that uncontrolled spiritual energy could draw Outer Realm Objects from the cosmos.

Wang Ping learned that the Daoist Scripture Hall managed conflicts and spirit energy to preserve the Inspiration World’s balance, then inspected its archives and defenses with Zi Luan. While studying the underground arrays, he briefly sensed strange golden lights in his head, and the chapter ended as Zi Luan showed him the Hall’s powerful pavilion defenses and communication device.

• Zi Luan, Wu Quan, and Gan Xing explained that the Daoist Scripture Hall maintained spirit-energy stability while purging cultivators who pursued advancement through dangerous chaos, and Gan Xing left after voicing his opposition to the existing order.
• Wu Quan told Wang Ping that he would vote for him when he competed for the Third Seat in September, and Zi Luan advised him to cooperate with Wu Quan and Gan Xing while keeping watch on them.
• Zi Luan took Wang Ping to the central archives, gave him the token for its barrier, and explained the arrays and the underground seclusion sites of aging Immortal Realm cultivators.
• As Wang Ping inspected the arrays, he briefly sensed countless golden streams of light gather near his eyes, then found that they had vanished; the Light Screen Panel revealed details about the Hall’s spirit-gathering arrays.
• Zi Luan showed Wang Ping the concealed array formed by nearby courtyards, the Puppet-activated killing array inside the pavilion, and a communication device that could reach other Daoist Scripture Halls ten thousand li away.

Wang Ping officially took charge of the Nanlin Road Daoist Scripture Hall, reorganized its finances and personnel, and then returned to Thousand Wood Temple to study the abilities he gained after advancing to the Third Realm.

• Zi Luan showed Wang Ping the spiritual network linking the Daoist Scripture Halls and gave him a communication token for urgent official messages.
• Wang Ping centralized the Daoist Scripture Hall's budgets and ordered the Supervision and Inspection Departments to investigate wealthy households that donated money.
• Wang Ping assigned He Jiu to work under Zuo Xuan, instructed Liu Shuang to return to the temple, and gave Li Lin responsibility for Wen Hai's duties.
• Half a month later, Wang Ping left Zuo Xuan in charge and returned to Thousand Wood Temple to examine his Third Realm abilities, talismans, and communication artifacts.

Wang Ping explored the chaotic Inspiration World above the clouds and discovered that he could not reach the moon before being pulled back. He returned to find that four Third Realm cultivators were battling in the northwest, where their fight devastated the land before officials forced them to stop.

• Wang Ping used the Ten Thousand Communication Talisman to enhance the garden’s plants and considered the limits of his power.
• Wang Ping rose above the clouds, encountered Psionic Creatures, and was pulled back when he tried to approach the moon.
• Wang Ping returned to Yulian and reflected on the mysteries above the clouds and the world’s lost history.
• Four Third Realm cultivators fought near Shangning Lake, scorching the land and destroying a town as their battle spread across the region.
• The Pacification Commissioners from Shangning Road, Linchuan Road, and Zhushan Road held back from intervening, and the four cultivators eventually stopped fighting.
• Zhang Xinghuai regretted that no one had died in the battle, while Wang Lian warned that more deaths could have devastated the northwest’s people.

As Shangning Road’s sect conflict left the region around Changning Lake devastated, Wang Lian and Zhang Xinghuai arrived with troops to establish a foothold and oversee its recovery. Zhang struck a bargain with Guan Xi, who promised him entry into a higher realm, while Guan Xi decided to stay after meeting Zhang.

• Zhang Xinghuai told Wang Lian that the Imperial Court would send him to garrison Changning Lake, and Wang agreed to lead his troops there.
• Wang Lian and Zhang Xinghuai surveyed the scorched land, where Daoist Scripture Hall cultivators were restoring vegetation and protecting the lake.
• Zhang Xinghuai described plans to build up their forces and expand their influence, while Wang cautioned that mortals were vulnerable to great cultivators.
• Guan Xi visited Zhang in his tent and said the northwestern Chess Pieces were likely doomed, but promised to guarantee Zhang’s entry into the realm in return for his work.
• Zhang said he wanted to cultivate the world rather than merely himself, and Guan Xi laughed before departing and deciding to remain nearby.

Hu Qianqian learned that Daoist Wulang had been found and brought the news to Zuo Xuan while Changqing was away. Zuo Xuan began planning a careful operation to capture Wulang and present the result as a gift when Changqing was elected Third Seat.

• Two Pig Yaos arranged a search for a sheep demon in a mountain county, while their rat Yao scout was escorted out of the city and a county runner secretly contacted more Yaos in the forest.
• Hu Qianqian entertained Niu Qi and Wang Ben, who asked to follow Changqing and revealed that they had found the hiding place of Daoist Wulang.
• Hu Qianqian went to Jinhuai Prefecture City and told Zuo Xuan that she had found Wulang while Changqing and his grand-disciple were visiting Daoist Tianshan.
• Zuo Xuan said they should capture Wulang themselves and finish before Changqing's election as Third Seat, but first asked Hu Qianqian to investigate the target's circumstances for two days.

Wang Ping prepared for the Daoist Scripture Hall assembly, completed his dealings with Wu An, and learned that Zuo Xuan was arranging a move against Wulang. As the assembly began at Linshui Prefecture, Feng Miao reunited with Liu Shuang and was confronted by a fellow True Sun Sect cultivator.

• Wang Ping gave Wu An a Blessing Talisman containing his consciousness and Luck Borrowing Talisman protection in exchange for Spirit Yuan Pills.
• Daoist Tongyu said the Spirit Yuan Pill gave him a sense of smell, while Yulian suspected someone had taken his former spirit-body.
• Wang Ping spoke with Daoist Yucheng about attending the assembly and promised to resolve Li Yan's matter before traveling to Capital City.
• Wang Ping received intelligence that Zuo Xuan had sent Second Realm cultivators to Ningzhou Road, and he and Zi Luan discussed leaving the planned encirclement of Wulang alone.
• At the Daoist Scripture Hall assembly, Feng Miao greeted Liu Shuang and her Nanlin Road acquaintances before a True Sun Sect cultivator challenged her presence.

Liu Shuang, Feng Miao, and Liu Chang entered the Dharma Assembly venue amid tensions with Liang Xi, while Liu Chang urged Feng Miao to leave after the assembly. Yang Shu opened the meeting, announcing a joint trial of four northwestern cultivators and a selection to add two Third Seat members to the Daoist Scripture Hall.

• Feng Miao rebuffed Liang Xi, and Liu Chang warned him that his status would not protect him in Linshui Prefecture.
• Liu Shuang, Feng Miao, and Liu Chang entered the palace and agreed that Feng Miao should find an excuse to return to Central Province after the assembly.
• Fourth Seats and their juniors arrived, followed by Yang Shu, who activated a formation that projected distant participants into the venue.
• Yang Shu announced that the assembly would hold a temporary joint trial for four Third Realm cultivators accused of fighting over a demonic weapon.
• Yang Shu stated that seven candidates would compete over three or more days for two new Third Seat positions, then began with the northwestern case.

Yang Shu oversaw a vote that stripped four cultivators of their Daoist Scripture Hall Third Seat titles, while tensions over the northwest’s devastation continued to rise. When Monk Ming Hui proposed only thirty years of repentance, a northwest Fourth Seat erupted in anger at the lack of justice for the suffering common people.

• Yang Shu proposed stripping four Third Seats of their titles, and Monk Ming Hui questioned whether the proper voting rules were being followed.
• Wang Ping spoke with Zi Luan about the political effort to weaken the northwest, then recognized Ruan Chunzi from their encounter at Yongming Port.
• After prolonged arguments and delays, the Third Seats voted anonymously and removed all four from their titles; Ruan Chunzi supported the motion, while Wen Yang opposed it.
• Monk Ming Hui proposed that the four face the wall for thirty years, but an aged northwest Fourth Seat angrily condemned the proposal and the cultivators’ disregard for the people harmed by the conflict.

Wang Ping observed the judgment of four Third Realm criminals and learned that Daoist Scripture Hall would add two Third Seat positions. The new voting round began under revised rules that favored him, but the chapter ended before the results were known.

• Yang Shu oversaw a debate that produced a three-hundred-year confinement proposal, which passed in an anonymous vote on the fourth day.
• Yang Shu announced a three-day recess, and Zi Luan told Wang Ping that the Third Seat positions would expand while warning him to watch his opponents.
• Lord Xiaoshan's letter confirmed that two Third Seats would be added, and Yang Shu announced that seven alternate candidates would compete together under revised voting rules.
• Ruan Chunzi told Wang Ping that he would vote for him, and Yang Shu began the first round of voting.

Wang Ping was elected Third Seat and received his appointment, but celebrations were interrupted by a sudden Fire Spirit eruption at Thousand Wood Temple. He reached the burning temple, learned that Wulang’s death had triggered the attack, and began healing the damaged city and its people.

• After three rounds of voting, Wang Ping and Hefeng were elected Third Seat, and Lord Xiaoshan and Lord Rongyang formally appointed them.
• Zi Luan congratulated Wang Ping and warned him to keep anything from future Third Seat conferences secret; Zuo Xuan arrived with Wulang’s head and memories.
• A massive eruption of Fire Spirit energy struck in the direction of Thousand Wood Temple, so Wang Ping rushed there with Yulian while Zi Luan and others followed.
• Wang Ping found Daoist Yucheng safe with Shen Xiaozhu and learned that a dying Second Realm cultivator had triggered the blaze after Wulang’s death.
• Yulian extinguished the fire, and Wang Ping used the Green Wood Art to heal injured people and restore life across the ruins before inviting the arriving cultivators to talk.

After Thousand Wood Temple was devastated, Wang Ping ordered reprisals, planned reforms to strengthen the sect, and prepared to investigate Wulang’s secrets. At the Third Seat Meeting, Wu Quan and Gan Xing publicly raised the destruction of his dojo and asked who was responsible.

• Daoist Yucheng watched the disaster relief as Wang Ping and Zi Luan discussed blaming Wulang’s followers on 'First Day' and punishing them.
• Wang Ping ordered memory-severing treatment for cultivators at the Immortal Realm and above, exile for Qi practitioners, and harsh penalties for implicated Mortals.
• Zi Luan warned Wang Ping to separate Thousand Wood Temple from nearby Mortals and discussed the political consequences of sheltering Wulang’s followers.
• Wang Ping ordered Zhao Wan to comfort the bereaved families, separate the temple from Zhonghui City, and establish courtyard competitions to award Immortal Realm opportunities.
• Wang Ping considered Wulang’s stored memories and decided to watch Daoist Xiuyu’s reaction at the Third Seat Meeting.
• At the meeting, Wu Quan congratulated Wang Ping before asking who had destroyed Thousand Wood Temple, and Gan Xing remarked that a Fire Spirit had detonated its spirit veins.

Wang Ping attended the gathering to select candidates for the Third Seat and witnessed disputes over First Day’s attack and the source of its intelligence. Nanlin Road’s group then discussed selling a nomination for five spiritual veins, leaving Zi Luan to seek a buyer.

• Zi Luan, Gan Xing, Ren Kong, and Wang Ping argued over rumors about First Day’s attack and whether Mozhou Road had leaked intelligence.
• Yun Que arrived with Ying Fu, Huo De, Zhi Yuan, and Ming Jing, and led the assembled cultivators through the formal rites.
• Yun Que announced that seven candidates would be selected for the Third Seat contest at the Dharma assembly three days later.
• Zi Luan brought Wang Ping into Nanlin Road’s group, where Wu Quan asked the price for a nomination.
• Zi Luan proposed five spiritual veins for a nomination and volunteered to find a buyer while the others sought another candidate.

Wang Ping witnessed the aftermath of the disaster at the mountain’s foot and reflected on how the people viewed Thousand Wood Temple. The next morning, he received word that Commander Leng had come on behalf of the royal family to request an audience.

• Zi Luan arranged a Third Seat nomination for Wang Ping’s group, and Jiang Cun became a candidate after Yun Que submitted his joint recommendation.
• Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng discussed strengthening Thousand Wood Temple’s defenses and giving its idle Inner Sect disciples more duties.
• Wang Ping visited the ruins, heard a young man blame the immortals for the disaster, and saw mourners and survivors praying amid the destruction.
• Wang Ping returned to his dojo, drank wine through the night, and contemplated the disaster until morning.
• A Young Disciple told Wang Ping that a Wanhu from the Imperial Court’s Commandant of the Guards had arrived on behalf of the royal family; Wang Ping recognized him as Commander Leng.

Leng Kezhen visited Wang Ping to congratulate him on reaching the Third Realm and discuss Capital City's unrest. He revealed that he had killed Commander Jiao and brought his head and the Cave Heaven Mirror as an imperial gift.

• Leng Kezhen arrived at the Mountain Top Dojo and explained that he had changed his name and way of life to survive.
• Leng Kezhen described Capital City's growing resentment and criticized its stagnant customs and Zhonghui Academy's influence.
• Leng Kezhen said he had come to congratulate Wang Ping on his advancement and appointment to the Daoist Scripture Hall's third seat.
• Leng Kezhen revealed that he had asked the emperor for Commander Jiao's head and the Cave Heaven Mirror from Thousand Wood Temple.
• Leng Kezhen recounted telling Commander Jiao the old history behind the order, then killing him after his spirit veins went out of control.
• Leng Kezhen placed a sealed Wooden Box containing Commander Jiao's head on the table.

Wang Ping accepted the Cave Heaven Mirror and agreed to take Prince Weny as Daoist Yucheng’s disciple in exchange for the emperor’s political support. After learning from Li Yan’s memories that Daoist Wuma had ordered the attack on Thousand Wood Temple, Wang Ping offered to help his master advance to the Third Realm.

• Leng Kezhen delivered Li Yan’s head and the Cave Heaven Mirror to Wang Ping, and Daoist Yucheng took the head to read its memories.
• Leng Kezhen offered to make Wang Lian Governor-General of Shangning Road and send Prince Weny to study under Daoist Yucheng, and Wang Ping accepted the terms.
• Prince Weny bowed to Wang Ping and became his Registered Disciple, while Shen Xiaozhu was assigned to show him around the Daoist temple.
• Daoist Yucheng told Wang Ping that Li Yan’s memories implicated Daoist Wuma in the plot against Thousand Wood Temple and revealed that the target had been his master’s memories.
• Wang Ping asked Daoist Yucheng whether he wanted to advance to the Third Realm, and Yucheng declined before giving him Li Yan’s method for advancing the Wood Gathering Art to the Second Realm.

Wang Ping reviewed the dangerous second volume of the Wood Gathering Art and planned safeguards for Thousand Wood Temple, then noticed an urgent signal from the Daoist Scripture Hall. Hu Qianqian learned that the pursuit of Wulang had sparked a deadly clash near Mozhou Road and hurried to escort him.

• A Daoist Scripture Hall force attacked a caravan suspected of harboring remnants of the 'First Day,' killing guards and fleeing travelers until an Artifact Cultivator intervened and slew the archers and their Foundation Establishment leader.
• A giant pagoda descended toward the Artifact Cultivator as another attacker arrived.
• Wang Ping studied the Wood Gathering Art's second volume, which required awakening a spiritual meridian, subduing a Wood Spirit entity creature, and risking dangerous soul assimilation.
• Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng discussed the Soul Devouring Art, and Wang Ping planned a sealed chamber and forest formation to make cultivation safer for the sect's disciples.
• Hu Qianqian received word that the Daoist Scripture Hall's pursuit of Wulang had caused a clash near the Mozhou Road border, where several Immortal Realm cultivators reportedly died.
• Hu Qianqian sped into Nanlin Road and sent Niu Qi and Wang Ben to escort the old sheep demon from the room containing the sealing formation.

Hu Qianqian arrived in Jinhuai Prefecture as Zuo Xuan managed the growing crisis, while Lord Xiaoshan briefed Xiu Yu, Zi Luan, and Wang Ping on Daoist Wuma’s influence and urged them to put aside internal disputes. Xiu Yu proposed framing Ren Kong’s disciple to resolve the conflict with Mozhou Road and demanded Wulang’s head in return, leaving Wang Ping to consider the scheme.

• Hu Qianqian reached Jinhuai Prefecture and learned from Zuo Xuan that her Master had been summoned by the Prefect.
• Lord Xiaoshan told Xiu Yu, Zi Luan, and Wang Ping that Daoist Wuma’s followers had stirred trouble on Mozhou Road and warned them to suspend their internal conflicts.
• Lord Xiaoshan discussed White Crane Mountain’s influence with his disciples and dismissed them after Zi Luan and Xiu Yu began to quarrel.
• Xiu Yu told Wang Ping and Zi Luan that Yu An’s sworn brother Zi Xun could be used to pressure Ren Kong and Mozhou Road.
• Xiu Yu proposed killing Zi Xun and framing Ren Kong’s disciple, and demanded Wulang’s head as payment before leaving.
• Zi Luan invited Wang Ping to have tea, and Wang Ping agreed.

Wang Ping reflected on the fragile peace of the cultivation world and Yun Shan warned him to witness the suffering behind its order. After the border conflict ended, Wang Ping resumed cultivating and looked toward the bustling market, whose lively spirituality eased his detachment.

• Wang Ping considered Yulian’s suggestion that living beings could be sacrificed to stabilize spirituality, but rejected the imagined bloody order as incompatible with his Dao.
• Yun Shan warned Wang Ping that peace had come at a cost and urged him to inspect the sacred land in Capital City when he went to register.
• Wang Ping ordered Zuo Xuan to investigate Daoist Wuma’s disciples on Nanlin Road and to follow the rules in all their actions.
• The border chaos between Nanlin Road and Mozhou Road ended, leaving scorched earth untouched.
• Wang Ping fused the Heaven Connecting Talisman, then watched the crowded morning market as its lively spirituality eased his cold detachment.

Wang Ping bought a Five Elements mineral depicting Shangyang Mountain, attended a contentious assembly that delayed the election, and began examining the Cave Heaven Mirror. After learning that Xiao Zhu was nearing Foundation Establishment, he received Hu Qianqian and two Demons, who had tracked down Wulang and brought the old sheep Shan Jing to him.

• Wang Ping bought a thumb-sized Five Elements mineral showing the ruins of Wufeng Temple and Shangyang Mountain’s collapse.
• At the assembly, Jiang Cun won every vote, but the Third Seats voted to restore the original election rules and postpone the formal vote for three days.
• Wang Ping reviewed the Cave Heaven Mirror’s refinement instructions and asked the document hall supervisor to bring him books on skilled craftsmen.
• A Puppet bird delivered Xiao Zhu’s message that he was close to Foundation Establishment, prompting Yulian to urge Wang Ping to return and see him.
• Hu Qianqian, Niu Qi, and Wang Ben met Wang Ping and explained how they had tracked Wulang to a First Day stronghold near Sunny River County.
• Wang Ping told Hu Qianqian to make her Followers more discreet, then ordered Shan Jing awakened.