Chapter Summaries

Harry and Ron watched Grindelwald deliver a persuasive speech, while Adam explained how the films exposed the truths behind his movement. As the film showed the Ministry’s Aurors arriving and revealed Muggle warfare, wizards began confronting how outdated their understanding of Muggles had become.

• Ron told Harry that Grindelwald’s speech felt familiar, and Harry said its arguments made sense even though Grindelwald concealed his true beliefs.
• Queenie listened to Grindelwald with agreement, while Dumbledore worried that the speech might help Grindelwald regain influence.
• Adam explained that his efforts to change the Wizarding World and the films were meant to undermine the conditions and falsehoods that sustained supremacist groups.
• The film showed Theseus and the Aurors arriving at Père Lachaise Cemetery, where they could not arrest people merely for listening to Grindelwald.
• Grindelwald revealed a prophecy of World War II, and the sight of Muggle tanks and aircraft shocked wizards watching the film.
• Dumbledore recognized that wizards underestimated Muggle technology and concluded that development, not war, was the better path.

Grindelwald rallied supporters in Paris, then used a Fire Shield Charm to escape the Aurors and force others to choose whether to follow him. Credence and Queenie joined him, while Nagini and Jacob stayed behind.

• Grindelwald’s speech turned the crowd against the Aurors, and he stopped the ensuing conflict after an Auror killed a listener.
• The Niffler crept toward Grindelwald and stole his Blood Pact while he mourned the dead listener.
• After the crowd Apparated away, Grindelwald surrounded himself and the Aurors with a ring of azure flames and offered his followers a choice: pass through or burn.
• Credence crossed the fire shield to seek Grindelwald’s help discovering his origins, despite Nagini begging him to stay.
• Queenie left Jacob and passed through the fire shield, convinced Grindelwald would create a future where she could openly be with a Muggle.

Newt watched Leta die while saving him and Theseus, then recovered Grindelwald’s stolen Blood Pact from the Niffler and delivered it to Dumbledore. The film ended by revealing that Credence’s real name was Aurelius Dumbledore, leaving the audience to wonder how he could be related to Dumbledore.

• Leta distracted Grindelwald and was killed by his flames, while Newt Apparated away with the grief-stricken Theseus.
• Nicolas Flamel arrived and led the surviving wizards in using Protego Diabolica to contain the rampaging fire beasts.
• After Leta’s death, Newt decided to join the fight against Grindelwald to protect those close to him.
• The injured Niffler returned with Grindelwald’s Blood Pact in its pouch, and Newt recovered it.
• Dumbledore offered to make another Blood Pact with Grindelwald, and Newt later brought the stolen pact to Dumbledore at Hogwarts.
• The film revealed that Credence’s real name was Aurelius Dumbledore, shocking the audience.

After the films left audiences speculating about Credence, Adam met with Professor Scamander and his wife, explaining that Flamel’s crystal ball let him divine events from the past. Professor Scamander asked about a third film, and Adam revealed its subjects while leaving the story awaiting further work on the script.

• Adam left the screening room and prepared a private meal at Storm Restaurant for Professor Scamander and his wife.
• Professor Scamander asked how Adam had learned about the private and classified events shown in the films.
• Adam claimed that Flamel’s crystal ball enhanced his divination and had allowed him to see the past.
• Mrs. Tina questioned the idea of divining past events, but Adam argued that divination could not be ruled out.
• Professor Scamander asked whether there would be a third film, and Adam said it would involve breaking the Blood Pact, the International Confederation of Wizards, and a qilin.
• Professor Scamander realized the announced plot centered on Dumbledore and Grindelwald rather than himself, and Adam admitted the film needed changes.

Adam arrived in China for the cultivators' championship and learned that this year's competition would feature many sects' core disciples and independent cultivators. The Yun Brothers explained the Daoist lineages and began telling him why Shaolin Temple's cultivators had been dispersed after The Office was established.

• Adam noticed that cultivators' and ordinary people's competitions shared a venue, then agreed to stay near the grounds with the competing sects.
• Yun Jinshu said many sects' younger core disciples and independent cultivators were expected to compete, while Yun Yanhu pointed out how crowded the field would be.
• Adam asked about Shu Mountain's flying swords, and Yun Yanhu explained the sect's place among the Daoist lineages.
• Yun Jinshu described the Zhengyi, Quanzhen, and independent divisions, and Yun Yanhu said Shu Mountain was classed among the independents.
• Adam asked why Shaolin Temple had not been mentioned, and Yun Yanhu began explaining that its prestige had made it difficult to manage before the chapter ended.

Adam learned how Celestial Master Mansion preserved its ancestral site by splitting over the Celestial Master's position and using multiple genuine ritual treasures, while Shaolin Temple lacked comparable symbols. After arriving at the championship accommodations, he asked Yun Jinshu about nearby food.

• Yun Jinshu explained that Chongyang Palace escaped trouble because the Quanzhen tradition was smaller, while Celestial Master Mansion faced a dramatic dispute that sent more than a dozen Zhang Tianshis down the mountain with Celestial Master treasures.
• Adam asked whether the Three-Five Demon-Slaying Swords and Yangping Governorship Seals involved in the split were fake, and Yun Yanhu said the treasures and split had all been genuine.
• Yun Yanhu explained that Celestial Master Mansion had made new sets of the ritual treasures across different dynasties, allowing it to use several as symbols during the dispute and preserve its lineage and ancestral site.
• Adam realized that Shaolin Temple could not copy Celestial Master Mansion's tactic because it lacked comparable symbolic treasures, and that the robes and bowls associated with the Sixth Patriarch would not make a convincing split.
• Adam and Yun Jinshu arrived at their modern championship hotel, where Adam asked what there was to eat and Yun Jinshu suggested the local specialty, Ginger Duck.

Adam learned from Yun Yanhu and Yun Jinshu how China educated children with cultivation talent and why the Office did not encourage most of them to pursue cultivation. Their conversation turned to why cultivators had not prevented China’s past national crises, leaving Adam confused about the history.

• Adam asked Yun Yanhu whether students would compete in the tournament and how Chinese cultivation schools worked.
• Yun Yanhu explained that the Office established local primary schools where children learned to control their power alongside ordinary subjects, then could choose cultivation or non-cultivation middle schools.
• Yun Yanhu and Yun Jinshu explained that advanced cultivation required professional schools or apprenticeship, and that the Office focused on training exceptionally talented students.
• Yun Jinshu said people with ordinary cultivation talent were generally encouraged to study and contribute to the country rather than pursue cultivation.
• Yun Yanhu noted that many gifted people had given up cultivation to help build the nation, prompting Adam to ask why cultivators had not protected China from invasion.

Adam explored Xia Province with Yun Jinshu and Yun Yanhu while waiting for the tournament, then visited Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou Province. The tour ended without showing him any cultivation, and Yun Yanhu could not confirm whether the protective talisman Adam received was genuine.

• Yun Yanhu explained that cultivators avoided using cultivation methods in ordinary wars to prevent exposing themselves and attracting the International Confederation of Wizards.
• Adam toured Xia Province with the Yun Brothers, sampled local food, and learned that most tournament participants would arrive only two days before it began.
• In Quanzhou Province, Yun Jinshu teased Yun Yanhu with Tusun Jelly until Yun Yanhu slapped the dish onto his face.
• Adam asked to visit a nearby cultivation sect, so the Yun Brothers took him to Tianhou Palace, where a female Daoist welcomed them.
• Adam toured Tianhou Palace and received a protective talisman, but Yun Yanhu said the real thing probably would not be given out so casually.

Adam visited Kaiyuan Temple, Tianhou Palace, and Wen Temple to observe the Sanglian Dharma Realm and the three teachings’ practices before traveling with Yun Jinshu to Xia Province for the tournament. The next morning, the first arriving Daoist group sparked an awkward exchange over White Cloud Temple’s Golden Light Escape Technique.

• Adam toured Kaiyuan Temple’s Sanglian Dharma Realm and considered how its spatial magic might help him create a two-dimensional pure land.
• Adam watched Daoist disciples draw talismans at Tianhou Palace and Ru School disciples practice charioteering at Wen Temple.
• Adam and Yun Jinshu arrived in Xia Province, where Yun Jinshu explained that the tournament would begin in three days and that contestants arrived early to adjust to the local conditions.
• The Office workers set up a beacon formation, and White Cloud Temple’s Daoists arrived using the Golden Light Escape Technique.
• A leading White Cloud Temple Daoist confronted Yun Jinshu after overhearing him compare their technique unfavorably with Shu Mountain’s sword escape.
• Yun Jinshu explained White Cloud Temple’s history to Adam, who wondered whether the sect’s past leniency had contributed to its later disciples’ shortcomings.

Adam watched sects arrive for the tournament using different Five Elements Escape Techniques and learned that the Spirit Beast Sect sold magical creatures. He arranged to visit after the tournament and asked Senior Shi to sell him a Shan Pi.

• Adam conjured fruit for Yun Jinshu, then turned an orange peel into a table for Yun Yanhu's breakfast.
• Adam and Yun Jinshu watched sects arrive using various escape techniques, including an elegant tea-based water escape.
• Three Zouwu carried members of the Spirit Beast Sect to the tournament, prompting Adam to ask about buying magical creatures.
• Yun Yanhu introduced Adam to Senior Shi, who invited him to visit the Spirit Beast Sect and offered to sell him spirit beasts.
• Adam confirmed the Spirit Beast Sect had Shan Pi and said he wanted one, while Yun Jinshu and Yun Yanhu discussed whether pandas were cute.

Adam and Yun Jinshu met the Gongshu Family, whose members had arrived at the competition in a qi-powered car. Gongshu Chi took them to the nearby parking lot to see it, and Adam’s attention settled on the unusual vehicle.

• Adam watched sects emerge from the beacon formation and learned that contestants would continue arriving until the following night.
• An elderly man and three young men from the Gongshu Family arrived in a strangely shaped car, and Yun Jinshu recognized it as their handiwork.
• Gongshu Chi argued with Yun Jinshu about the car’s value before Adam asked to inspect its qi-powered design.
• Old Master Gongshu recognized Adam as the wizard who had returned artifacts for restoration and agreed to let him see the car.
• Gongshu Chi led Adam and Yun Jinshu to the parking lot, where Adam turned his attention to the Gongshu Family’s car.

Adam examined the Gongshu family's homemade car, realized he needed other people to research its technology, and considered a future partnership with the family. After two days of sightseeing and eating in Huaxia, he returned to find the championship participants gathered and noticed how few young people the sects had brought.

• Adam admitted he could not understand the car's construction and decided Arthur Weasley could handle ordinary automotive research through a new Magical Technology Department.
• Adam told Gongshu Chi that the Ministry of Magic might cooperate with the Gongshu family, then returned to his lodging with him.
• Adam spent two days sightseeing and sampling local food with Yun Jinshu and Yun Yanhu.
• Adam returned to the first floor, saw the participants had gathered, and observed that most sects had brought more elders than juniors.
• Adam reflected on how few young people entered the sects and noticed a group of bald men excitedly surrounding a young man with an unshaved head.

Adam noticed Liao Kong, a disciple of Xilin Temple who had studied abroad, and learned that he had attended Oxford University to study business management. Yun Jinshu then showed Adam the tournament schedule and explained its harsh five-person elimination format, leaving Adam eager for the matches to begin.

• Adam recognized Liao Kong as a disciple of Zen Master Wuse and wondered why he had studied abroad.
• Liao Kong noticed Adam and thought he might have seen him in Britain's The Daily Prophet.
• Yun Jinshu asked his martial uncle about Liao Kong and learned that he had studied business management at Oxford University.
• Yun Jinshu explained that Liao Kong had helped renovate Xilin Temple and attract more worshippers than Donglin Temple.
• Yun Jinshu showed Adam the tournament's first-round match list and explained that competitors faced five-person elimination matches, while top-ten sects from the previous tournament were exempt.

Adam watched the tournament’s first match at Guangqian Gymnasium and studied the techniques used by the contestants. The fight continued with Han Hui of the East Tower Sect pressing his opponents, while a swordsman from Hidden Cave Valley countered his attacks.

• Yun Jinshu explained the judges’ duties as Adam and the others watched the contestants and Senior Qin assemble.
• Yun Yanhu explained that Hidden Cave Valley had moved its sect because a dam project forced it to leave its remote home.
• Han Hui of the East Tower Sect opened the five-person match with repeated Void Severing Palms, suppressing three contestants.
• Adam noticed Han Hui could reclaim some energy from broken palms, while a swordsman’s rippling sword light absorbed the attacks and denied Han Hui that energy.
• Yun Yanhu identified the swordsman’s technique as Hidden Cave Valley’s Perfect Clarity Swordplay.

Adam watched Han Hui defeat Li Fuman in the championship elimination round, then learned how the tournament arranged matchups for strong contestants. After the morning bouts ended, Senior Qin directed everyone to collect their boxed lunches from blue crates.

• Yun Yanhu explained the principles of Perfect Clarity Swordplay, and Adam said he understood how it countered the Void Severing Palm.
• Han Hui eliminated three opponents with his Void Severing Palm, then defeated Li Fuman after Li's sword pierced his shoulder.
• Yun Yanhu remarked that Li Fuman had lacked combat experience despite his strength and suitable swordplay.
• Three subsequent matches ended in easy advances for the favored contestants, and Yun Yanhu explained the tournament's five-to-one matchup practice.
• Senior Qin ended the morning matches and directed the contestants to collect boxed lunches from the blue crates.

Adam stayed to eat The Office’s boxed lunch before watching Liao Kong fight in the afternoon matches. Liao Kong repeatedly anticipated his opponents’ moves, leaving Adam and Yun Jinshu wondering whether he possessed the Buddhist power of mind-reading.

• Adam ate The Office’s boxed lunch with Yun Yanhu and Yun Jinshu, and considered adding physical training to Hogwarts’s basic education.
• Adam watched Liao Kong enter the arena and evade a spear thrust before his opponent began raising the weapon.
• Adam noticed energy gathering around Liao Kong’s eyes and suspected that he could see energy in motion.
• Yun Jinshu explained that Buddhist records described the Six Divine Powers, including the rare power of mind-reading.
• Liao Kong baited a saber-wielder into attacking and caused him to be struck by the spearman, leaving Yun Jinshu increasingly convinced Liao Kong could read minds.

Adam watched Liao Kong win his match using an ability that seemed like telepathy, then spoke with him about a potential business partnership. After Adam questioned Fang Zheng’s company’s advantages, Fang Zheng warned him against exploiting China’s market, and Adam assured him that China was his home too.

• Liao Kong used his ability to foresee his opponent’s moves and won his match.
• Liao Kong approached Adam, introduced himself by his secular name, Fang Zheng, and presented his business card.
• Fang Zheng explained that he wanted to connect China’s cultivation world with British wizards through a business deal.
• Adam asked what competitive advantages Fang Zheng’s company offered over potential partners such as The Office.
• Fang Zheng withdrew from the discussion and warned Adam not to undercut prices to capture China’s market before raising them.
• Adam assured Fang Zheng that he would not exploit China because it was his home as well.

Fang Zheng and Adam agreed on a framework for cooperation, then discussed Fang Zheng’s business studies and his theory that Buddhism’s modern image had become an idol sustained by promises of future rewards. Fang Zheng defended that image as a means of drawing people toward Buddhist teachings, and Adam realized few people had heard him explain his views.

• Fang Zheng and Adam agreed on a framework for commercial cooperation, with further details to follow after Adam negotiated with The Office.
• Adam asked Fang Zheng how he balanced business studies with Buddhist cultivation, prompting Fang Zheng to ask what Adam believed a Buddha was.
• Fang Zheng argued that modern Buddhism used promises of the Pure Land, future lives, and blessings to attract followers, and that these promises would lose influence as people valued money and science more.
• Fang Zheng explained that Buddhism’s popular appeal could still guide people toward genuine teachings and make them hesitate before doing evil.
• Adam observed that Fang Zheng likely shared these views with few people, and Fang Zheng said his master did not let him raise the subject unless someone asked.

Adam studied the cultivation techniques and consecrated censer he had encountered, while considering how magical knowledge and ordinary society might coexist. After the elimination matches ended, the next tournament bracket was posted, and the sixty-four-to-thirty-two round was about to begin.

• Adam received a consecrated Suanni censer from Fang Zheng and examined its energy structure.
• Fang Zheng explained that the censer and Xilin Temple incense could improve mental clarity, prompting Adam to consider their commercial potential.
• Adam reflected on how abolishing the Statute of Secrecy might let wizards and ordinary people coexist and share advances.
• After several days of studying matches and energy structures, Adam joined Yun Jinshu and Yun Yanhu to check the new bracket.
• The posted match list showed Shennong Sect facing Natural Sect and Wudang facing Xuanjian Sect, while Yun Jinshu and the others discussed their own upcoming matches.

Adam watched the opening match of the competition’s first round, as Liu Qi of the ancient Shennong Sect faced Shen Guifang of the modern Natural Sect. Liu Qi bound Shen Guifang with growing Shennong Vines, but Yun Yanhu believed Shen Guifang could withstand them and that Liu Qi would need another way to win.

• Adam learned that the top thirty-two contestants had detailed introductions and that the formal matches were expected to be more spectacular than the elimination rounds.
• Liu Qi entered wearing Shennong Vines as armor, while Shen Guifang wore reinforced leather bracers.
• When the match began, Shen Guifang charged and broke Liu Qi’s vine ambush without losing his footing.
• Liu Qi lengthened his vines into whips and wrapped them around Shen Guifang, who repeatedly tore them apart.
• Yun Yanhu said Shen Guifang’s strong fundamentals and body-tempering could let him endure the vines, but Liu Qi could not keep growing them indefinitely.