Chapter Summaries

After True Lord Yuanwu stopped Bai Zhuo’s rampaging Water Spirit, Wang Ping reported his investigation and the assassination attempt to Daoist Wen Yang and Daoist Xuanhe. He followed Wen Yang’s order to continue the case, then searched the assassin Chen Jushu’s memories and found a lead to First Day’s contacts.

• True Lord Yuanwu absorbed the rioting Water Spirit with his jade-green gourd, ending the flood that had devastated Changwen Prefecture.
• Wang Ping told Daoist Wen Yang and Daoist Xuanhe what he had learned about Daoist Wen Hai and the assassination attempt, and Wen Yang ordered Xuanhe to arrest Zhang Jinglong.
• Wen Yang told Wang Ping to set aside Bai Zhuo’s matter and continue investigating the case, which he called interesting.
• Wang Ping sent Ajiu to investigate Zhang Jinglong’s recent whereabouts, then used his abilities to inspect the assassin’s memories.
• Wang Ping learned that the assassin, Chen Jushu, came from Xiabian Village and had a secret contact procedure involving a brothel on Jiudong Street and Qingjiang Teahouse.
• Wang Ping examined Chen Jushu’s possessions and found First Day’s book Origin, a Spirit Circulation Technique manual, medicinal herbs, and two refined golden swords.

Wang Ping and Commander Leng traced the assassin’s memories to Xiabian Village and waited to uncover its strange nighttime ritual. When the Villagers began a sacrifice that revealed their monstrous forms, Leng Feng charged down to attack while Wang Ping held back to observe.

• Commander Leng brought Wang Ping a case file identifying Xiabian Village, and Ajiu reported that Zhang Jinglong’s trail led there.
• Wang Ping and Commander Leng flew to Xiabian Village, where Yulian sensed blood-red malice and Leng Feng discovered a corrupted spiritual landscape.
• They hid in the Clouds and watched the Villagers invite three travelers into the village, then gather at night to prepare a bonfire and altar.
• The Villagers placed an unconscious girl on the altar, prayed, and dragged the three travelers toward the fire as the First Day’s sacrifice began.
• The Villagers’ skin split and the girl’s face cracked with lava-like matter, so Leng Feng charged down with his demon-blood longswords while Wang Ping summoned seven Sword Talismans and watched.

Wang Ping and Commander Leng uncovered a False Spirit beneath Xiabian Village, where a giant flame wolf emerged from the ground. They restrained it as it tried to leap away, but the newly awakened monster still had to be killed.

• Commander Leng killed the mutated villagers while Daoist Tongyu identified their village as a First Day spirit vein and warned that a False Spirit might be buried beneath it.
• Wang Ping used a Spirit Talisman to grow a forest around the village and fired a signal flare to alert the Daoist Scripture Hall.
• Commander Leng bound the girl's divided body, and Wang Ping used tree roots to overturn the village and expose Corpse Soldiers buried underground.
• Wang Ping turned the Corpse Soldiers into plant growth as Yulian sensed malice underground and warned them of the approaching danger.
• A towering flame wolf emerged from the earth and spread magma toward the forest, so Wang Ping and Yulian wrapped it in roots and water droplets to stop its leap.

Wang Ping and his allies contained an artificial Fire Spirit at Xiabian Village, then recovered a valuable fire-spirit demonic weapon from the bound girl's corpse. While writing his report on the disaster in Changwen Prefecture, Wang Ping received a warning from Feng Miao and reconsidered how he would describe the case.

• Commander Leng decapitated the giant wolf, but it regenerated as a tiger-headed monster and split into many Flame Monsters that Yulian and Wang Ping drove back into the village.
• Commander Leng identified the creature as an artificial Fire Spirit like First Day's False Spirits, and Wang Ping held it until Daoist Xuanhe and Yang Jingwu arrived.
• Daoist Xuanhe used the Mountain Suppressing Art to bury the lava and Flame Monsters, and the group kept the pit sealed until the fire faded after dawn.
• Wang Ping recovered a blood-red pearl from the girl's corpse, and Daoist Xuanhe said it was a fire-spirit demonic weapon worth as much as a Fire Spirit Vein.
• While writing his case report in Changwen Prefecture, Wang Ping received a letter from Feng Miao warning him not to draw conclusions, so he destroyed his draft and reconsidered the events.

Wang Ping exposed the political implications behind the Xiabian Village investigation and submitted his findings to the Daoist Scripture Hall, earning rewards and arranging a trade with Daoist Wen Yang. With the case concluded, he sent letters to Cheng Ji and Feng Miao before setting out for Thousand Wood Temple.

• Wang Ping met Leng Feng at Qingjiang Teahouse and suggested that the First Day plot in Xiabian Village served the Rebels and their backers, while Leng Feng's contact signals had appeared in a Gold cultivator's memories.
• Wang Ping left Leng Feng to bear the consequences of the investigation, and Yulian realized that the Commandant of the Guards would lose its influence in Mozhou Road.
• Daoist Xuanhe rewarded Wang Ping with five thousand exchange points and promised to help him claim Five Dao Prefecture as territory for spreading the Dao.
• Wang Ping traded his pearl-like demonic weapon to Daoist Wen Yang in exchange for the demonic weapon recovered from Xiabian Village and Wen Yang's favor.
• Wang Ping wrote letters to Cheng Ji and Feng Miao, asked Ajiu to deliver them, and departed Changwen Prefecture City for Thousand Wood Temple.

Wang Ping secured Baishui Lake as Thousand Wood Temple’s Daoist grounds and learned that Wen Hai had claimed neighboring Shangyang Mountain. After returning to the Daoist Scripture Hall to look for a Spirit Gathering Array, he heard someone familiar call him “Senior brother.”

• Wang Ping visited the Jinhuai Prefecture City Daoist Scripture Hall and met Zi Luan, who agreed to assign Baishui Lake to him.
• Zi Luan told Wang Ping that Wen Hai had exchanged his reward points for Shangyang Mountain, though Wang Ping privately questioned how Wen Hai had qualified to choose Daoist grounds.
• Hong Chen told Zi Luan he would abandon the Taiyan Talisman for the Wood Spirit Art and support his Master's rise to Prefect; Zi Luan warned him not to provoke Changqing.
• Wang Ping reviewed the Daoist Scripture Hall’s Spirit Gathering Arrays and formations but found none suitable, so he planned to ask about them at the next gathering at Sanhe Temple.
• As Wang Ping left the Daoist Scripture Hall, someone familiar called out to him as “Senior brother.”

Wang Ping reunited with Su Dun in Jinhuai, where his former fellow disciple described his family and worldly ambitions. Wang Ping returned to Thousand Wood Temple, and ten days later Baishui Lake became his private property as Daoist Wen Yang delivered the promised demonic weapon.

• Wang Ping met Su Dun in Jinhuai and warned him that his health had deteriorated, but Su Dun declined to resume cultivation.
• Su Dun took Wang Ping to his residence, introduced his family, and discussed his children, his political prospects, and his wish for Wang Ping to support Little Hai.
• Yulian offered Su Dun a chance to live much longer if he gave up his worldly comforts, but he stayed silent and later asked Wang Ping about Little Hai's cultivation prospects.
• Wang Ping left Jinhuai after Su Dun became drunk and returned to Thousand Wood Temple, where he reported his journey to Daoist Yucheng.
• Ten days later, the Daoist Scripture Hall gave Wang Ping contracts making Baishui Lake his private property, and Daoist Wen Yang arrived with the promised demonic weapon.

Wang Ping heard how the Corpse Soldiers case had been resolved and received the Water Moon Bell and a Wood Spirit Spirit Gathering Array from Daoist Wen Yang. After Wen Yang warned of future unrest and left Thousand Wood Temple, Wang Ping examined the array’s instructions and learned that mastering it would take extensive practice.

• Wang Ping asked Daoist Wen Yang about the aftermath of the Corpse Soldiers case, and Wen Yang explained that Commander Leng was imprisoned, Deputy Commander Yu Er was sentenced to execution pending review, and Wen Yang himself had left his post.
• Wen Yang gave Wang Ping the Water Moon Bell and a jade slip containing a Wood Spirit Spirit Gathering Array, while offering information and a chance to compete for a Fire Spirit Vein in the future.
• Wen Yang warned Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng that peace might last only a century or two and that the world could descend into turmoil if one of the four Imperial Guards fell.
• Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng escorted Wen Yang to the sect gate before he departed.
• Wang Ping examined the jade slip at the Mountain Top Dojo and learned that the Two Elements Wood Spirit Array required careful setup and roughly 300 practice attempts.

Wang Ping completed the Spirit Gathering Array, which reduced the time needed to merge the Spirit Talisman by five years, then tested the Water Moon Bell with Yulian. The bell drew them into Wang Ping’s childhood memories, but Yulian helped him steady his mind so he could return to the dojo and begin refining it.

• Wang Ping spent ten days linking the array’s runes and another half month refining its eight spirit objects into a self-circulating Heavenly Cycle.
• After completing the Spirit Gathering Array, Wang Ping learned that using it in an area rich in spiritual energy slightly reduced the Spirit Talisman’s merging time, currently by five years.
• Wang Ping put the Spirit Gathering Array around his wrist, then joined Yulian in using their divine souls and true essence to activate the Water Moon Bell.
• Yulian demonstrated that she had already refined the two golden swords and could use their spiritual awareness to make them fly at great speed.
• The Water Moon Bell transported Wang Ping and Yulian into Wang Ping’s remembered childhood courtyard, where Yulian warned him to calm his mind.
• Wang Ping followed Yulian’s guidance, returned to the Mountain Top Dojo, and began refining the Water Moon Bell.

Wang Ping tested his new illusion abilities with Yulian and considered ways to improve his defenses. Later, he discussed Imperial Court developments with Zhao Qing and Liu Zixiu, who had resigned from office and planned to establish an academy near the mountain.

• Wang Ping used the Water Moon Bell to create illusions during a spar with Yulian, then decided to reserve illusions for the daoist sanctuary and future ambushes.
• Daoist Tongyu warned Wang Ping that frequent use of illusions could make him lose himself in them, and Wang Ping resolved to seek deployable sealing arrays.
• Zhao Qing reported that Power Pill sales had slowed and that Emperor Wanfeng was reconsidering a campaign against Liu Yue after Liu Yue married the Northern Emperor's younger sister.
• Zhao Qing said the Imperial Court was considering restoring the Central Secretariat, but Liu Zixiu later resigned as Minister of Rites and returned to Yongshan County.
• Liu Zixiu told Wang Ping that Daoist Yucheng had advised him to step down, and he planned to establish an academy at the foot of the mountain.

Emperor Wanfeng prepared his successor to inherit Divine Art and take charge of the Summer Dynasty as he faced rebellion in the north and the risk of southern independence. He planned to pass on Divine Art in one month and appointed Yang Gaojie as a deliberating minister of the Central Secretariat.

• At court, Zhang Zhiyong urged an offensive against Bandit Liu, while Zhong Guanyu and Yang Guangyuan warned that the northern war could become a conflict with the Northern Kingdom; Yang Gaojie called for a troop rotation, provoking Zhang's opposition.
• Emperor Wanfeng ended the quarrel and went to the Divine Seat Tower, where his young successor was cultivating a nascent divine kingdom.
• Emperor Wanfeng asked the young man to quell the northern rebellion and warned him to stabilize the south, balance competing powers, and act according to the Imperial Court's interests.
• Emperor Wanfeng told the young man that his teacher's faction could be encouraged when it served the balance of power, and said Mozhou Road would return to peace while the court claimed half its fortune.
• Emperor Wanfeng announced that he would pass Divine Art to the young man in one month and named Yang Gaojie a deliberating minister of the Central Secretariat.

Wang Ping and Yulian surveyed the slow construction of the Nine Extremes Great Array as Zhao Qing reported political changes and announced his intention to leave the Inner Sect and pursue cultivation. Wang Ping agreed to attend the upcoming competition, then worked on a sealing array while Yulian studied Water Spirit spells and asked him to find her a water-control artifact.

• Wang Ping and Yulian inspected the array construction and concluded that completing the project would take at least another decade.
• Zhao Qing told Wang Ping that Emperor Wanfeng had abdicated, Baofeng had become the new emperor, and Wang Kang had returned to the Upper Capital as Minister of War without military authority.
• Zhao Qing said he planned to step down as head of the Inner Sect during next month's competition and devote himself to cultivation, and Wang Ping agreed to attend.
• Wang Ping nourished the Huai Tree and began setting up a Spirit Gathering Array for a sealing formation.
• Yulian practiced the Water Binding Technique and asked Wang Ping to buy her a suitable water-control magical artifact or demonic weapon.

Wang Ping attended the Inner Sect tournament, where his disciples and grand-disciples competed in swordsmanship and spells. After Liu Shuang took first place, Zhao Qing gathered the noble family heads to announce a major change to the Imperial Court’s appointments in Shang’an Prefecture.

• Wang Ping encouraged Liu Ling, Zhao Yu'er, and Su Hai before they joined the Inner Sect tournament.
• Liu Zixiu and Wang Ping arrived at the tournament and received greetings from the disciples and guests.
• Liu Ling, Zhao Yu'er, and Su Hai all placed in the top ten in the morning matches.
• Yang Hou used two short swords to win first place in the afternoon marrow-cleansing matches.
• Zhao Qing lost his qi-gathering match, while Liu Shuang won first place in hers.
• Zhao Qing told the noble family heads that local authorities would jointly recommend most officials, while the Imperial Court would send only a prefectural governor to each prefecture.

Wang Ping oversaw the division of Shang'an Prefecture’s taxes and benefits, then spent three years developing his dojo and alchemy work. A white fox Yao named Hu Qianqian arrived seeking a place to settle, and Wang Ping asked where she had taken a liking to.

• Zhao Qing warned the gathered families that land taxes would be surveyed properly and divided among local expenses, the Imperial Court, and civil administration.
• Wang Ping left the negotiations to Wang Ping and Liu Zixiu, while the prominent families reached an agreement in under an hour.
• Three years later, Wang Ping prepared a Puppet to refine Power Pills and learned that Hu Qianqian, a registered white fox Yao, wanted to see him.
• Yulian sensed an earth-vein-like aura on Hu Qianqian, who explained that turmoil in the Snow Region had driven her tribe to migrate south.
• Wang Ping asked Hu Qianqian about the Snow Region Buddhist dispute, then asked which place she wanted to settle in.

Hu Qianqian asked to join Wang Ping’s sect so she could cultivate at the center of Baishui Lake, where she had found a source of immense cold energy. Wang Ping investigated the lakebed with Yulian and discovered the source was an enormous ancient beast’s skeleton, leaving its origins unknown.

• Hu Qianqian offered to join Wang Ping’s sect and help guard his Baishui Lake Daoist ground, and Wang Ping agreed to let her enter temporarily under strict conditions.
• Hu Qianqian revealed that the lakebed’s cold energy felt like the Snow Region and could help her condense a False Core.
• Wang Ping took Yulian and Hu Qianqian to the island at the center of Baishui Lake, while ordering Yang Hou to investigate Hu Qianqian’s background.
• Yulian descended into the lake and discovered a gigantic skeleton buried deep in the lakebed, whose cold energy had transformed the surrounding environment.
• Wang Ping and Yulian descended to the lakebed, where Wang Ping’s soul sensed the skeleton’s immense size and an instinctive fear before he severed the connection.

Wang Ping researched the ancient skeleton beneath Baishui Lake and learned about a water-controlling artifact for sale before Daoist Yucheng summoned him with news from Sanhe Temple. The chapter left Wang Ping preparing to attend a Dharma assembly for Guangxuan, who had entered the Immortal Realm at the cost of Gu Heng’s remaining lifespan.

• Wang Ping found records identifying the ancient creature whose skeleton lay beneath Baishui Lake as Lord Pingshan and learned that absorbing its energy bound a person’s soul to it.
• A Daoist Scripture Hall attendant told Wang Ping about a Water Control Bead refined from the bloodline energy of an aquatic being who had failed in Dragon Manifestation, and Wang Ping paid a fee to inspect it.
• Wang Ping arranged an ID Badge for Hu Qianqian under Thousand Wood Temple and told her to return there before visiting Baishui Lake with the inner-courtyard disciples.
• Daoist Yucheng told Wang Ping that Gu Heng had used his spirit veins to help Guangxuan enter the Immortal Realm and would likely pass away in meditation within a month or two.
• Daoist Yucheng said Sanhe Temple had invited nearby sects to a Dharma assembly for Guangxuan, and Wang Ping would attend.

Wang Ping attended Sanhe Temple’s ritual assembly, where rival Daoists Yuan Qing and Li Xingwen arranged a contest and he reunited with several acquaintances. As guests gathered, Wen Hai arrived unexpectedly, and Hong Chen remarked that an outsider had taken a treasured plot on Shangyang Mountain.

• Wang Ping encountered Martian Daoist, Yuan Qing, and Li Xingwen at Sanhe Temple, where Yuan Qing and Li Xingwen agreed to settle their rivalry with a contest after the ritual assembly.
• Wang Ping greeted Martian Daoist and Li Lin, then saw that Gu Heng’s spiritual veins were failing and learned he might have less than two months to live.
• Gu Heng welcomed Hong Chen of Six Hearts Sect, who sat beside Wang Ping and chatted with him as an old friend.
• Wen Hai arrived uninvited with his party, and Gu Heng ordered seats prepared for them.
• Hong Chen told Wang Ping that an outsider had taken a treasured plot on Shangyang Mountain where he had considered building a manor.

Wang Ping hosted Yuan Qing and Li Xingwen, discussed Thousand Wood Temple’s formation and future prospects, and learned that Wen Hai and Li Xingwen posed potential threats. After Liu Shuang injured a Single Saber Sect Disciple during a provoked sparring match, Wang Ping chose to wait and see what the sect intended as Guangxuan arrived at the courtyard.

• Wen Hai received a warm welcome from the Single Saber Sect, while Wang Ping and Hong Chen discussed the sect’s Second Realm Artifact Cultivator.
• Yuan Qing and Li Xingwen visited Wang Ping and Daoist Yucheng, asking about the formation that could improve Spiritual Roots and learning that Yuan Qing’s advancement had been deemed too risky.
• Daoist Yucheng told Wang Ping that Thousand Wood Temple’s future would depend on him, and Yulian warned that Wen Hai and Li Xingwen were formidable.
• Liu Shuang and Liang Tao went to visit friends at Sanhe Temple, and Liu Shuang later reported that she had injured a Single Saber Sect Disciple during a sparring conflict.
• Wang Ping dismissed Liu Shuang without punishment and decided not to retaliate until he understood the Single Saber Sect’s intentions.
• Guangxuan arrived at the courtyard gate and politely addressed the guards.

Wang Ping decided to answer the Single Saber Sect’s provocations during the Sanhe Temple exchange gathering. After the Dharma assembly ended and the succession was announced, a spar escalated into a deadly confrontation, leaving Liang Tao and the Single Saber Sect’s young fighter facing off with Liu Shuang intervening.

• Wang Ping discussed Wufeng Temple’s influence with Guangxuan and proposed taking the initiative at the exchange gathering.
• Guangxuan led Sanhe Temple’s three-day Dharma assembly, and Daoist Gu Heng announced that the temple’s leadership would pass to the next generation.
• Hong Chen warned Wang Ping that the Single Saber Sect planned to use the exchange gathering for something, while Guangxuan explained the sparring rules.
• Li Lin defeated Huoxing, but Qing He overcame Li Lin after several consecutive matches.
• Liang Tao countered Qing He with the Entanglement Technique, then attacked him with the Sword Control Art even after Qing He surrendered.
• A young Single Saber Sect fighter attacked Liang Tao, Liu Shuang blocked the spear, and Liang Tao’s counterattack turned the gathering into a fight to the death.

Liu Shuang and her allies defeated their opponents in the arena, prompting Wen Hai to intervene and Wang Ping to challenge him. Wang Ping forced Wen Hai to concede but spared him, and the exchange gathering continued peacefully for two days.

• A Sanhe Temple disciple joined Liu Shuang and Liang Tao, helping them bind Qing He and a Wufeng Temple disciple with Thorn Vine.
• Wen Hai attacked to stop Liu Shuang from striking the restrained Wufeng Temple disciple, but Wang Ping confronted him in the air.
• Liu Shuang struck the Wufeng Temple disciple, then withdrew from the arena with her allies as Wang Ping faced Wen Hai's Mountain Suppressing Art.
• Wang Ping broke through Wen Hai's defenses with his seven Iron Bamboo Swords, and Wen Hai conceded defeat before the swords could kill him.
• Wang Ping spared Wen Hai, and the exchange gathering continued for two days without further provocation.