Chapter Summaries

On the ride back to the academy, Yu Sui and Mei Chengyu openly discussed their roles in investigating Xuan Kui and the secrets they had kept from each other. The chapter ended with Mei Chengyu sharing memories of his family in the Yan Kingdom, while Yu Sui hinted that she had an older sister too.

• Yu Sui told Mei Chengyu she had made a deal with Dean Zou: she would master the Nine Profound Methods within a year and help him break the Bead Heart Incantation, or die.
• Mei Chengyu warned Yu Sui about the danger of her bargain, and Yu Sui teased him about how much he feared losing her.
• Yu Sui confessed that the Nangong Family had worked with Xuan Kui and that she had concealed her assigned role in its Taiyi business because she feared Mei Chengyu would judge her.
• Yu Sui explained how she learned about Nian Qiuyan, Zhang Xiangyun, and the people she met in the Mirage Realm; she and Mei Chengyu apologized for keeping secrets and discussed what had happened between them.
• Mei Chengyu told Yu Sui he had remembered living in the Yan Kingdom with his loving parents and an older brother and sister, and Yu Sui replied that she had an older sister too.

Mei Chengyu shared more of his recovered memories with Yu Sui as they discussed their families and the possibility of leaving Taiyi. After the Lan Poison crisis was contained, Nangong Ming learned that Xuan Kui had been exposed and decided to leave Yu Sui at the academy to grow further.

• Mei Chengyu told Yu Sui about his family, his visit to Mechanism Island, and his intention to return to Yan, while Yu Sui promised to support him if he left Taiyi.
• Yu Sui revealed that her elder sister had become one of Xuan Kui's Hundred Bandits and said she did not want her sister to harm Mei Chengyu.
• Yu Sui and the academy teams helped clear Lan Shi from Taiyi over seven days, then Yu Sui was questioned by Zou Qian and Wu Huaiwei and assigned a month of observation.
• News reached Nangong Ming that Ou Rushuang's Xuan Kui operation in Taiyi had been exposed and that Zhang Xiangyun, Luo Fu, and Qin Chongxue were dead.
• Nangong Ming considered whether Mei Chengyu was the missing child of Yan's Eldest Princess and decided Yu Sui should remain in Taiyi to continue learning.

Yu Sui devised a Mountain Spirit Secret Text to awaken Number Mountains and asked Zhongli Que to help install it in Qingyang’s Communication Number Mountain. Zhongli Que arranged a chance to get her great-uncle out of the guarded Five Elements Academy, but the plan’s next step was left unresolved when Sage Changsun accompanied him to the General’s Mansion.

• Yu Sui told Zhongli Que she had written the Mountain Spirit Secret Text and wanted to place it inside a Number Mountain so it could learn to control qi and observe people across the countries.
• Zhongli Que proposed using her great-uncle Zhongli Qi, a Communication Institute supervisor inside the Five Elements Academy, to carry the Mountain Spirit into a Number Mountain.
• Yu Sui sent a box of gifts to the General’s Mansion through Zhongli Shan, and two days later Madam Sun fell into the water during a storm and became critically ill.
• The Zhongli Family persuaded Dean Zhou to release Zhongli Qi from the Five Elements Academy so he could treat Madam Sun.
• Chang Sunzi accompanied Zhongli Qi to the General’s Mansion, where Zhongli Que met the Sage and asked after Madam Sun.

Zhongli Que secretly used the Listening Wind Ruler to help Lady Su hear Chu Jin’s words, while Chu Jin confronted the fallout from Wenren Xu’s betrayal and rejected Mister Zhou’s attempt to hide her. Chang Sunzi’s divination revealed a dangerous future for Zhongli Que, and she urged the girl to go inside.

• Zhongli Que concealed the stolen Listening Wind Ruler in a box and stalled Zhongli Qi while he examined Madam Sun.
• Zhongli Que refused Chu Jin entry to the General’s Mansion, so Chu Jin returned to her clinic and confronted the injured Geng Hanfu about Wenren Xu’s betrayal and Qin Chongxue’s death.
• Chu Jin forced Geng Hanfu to drink scalding tea as punishment, then dismissed everyone and rejected Mister Zhou’s advice to leave Qingyang.
• Chu Jin accused Lady Su of hindering her ambitions, and Mister Zhou’s Listening Wind Ruler transmitted her words to Lady Su, who ended the transmission in grief.
• Chang Sunzi reassured Zhongli Que about Madam Sun, then saw a vision of the Qingyang Emperor discovering Zhongli Que’s secret sword training and ordering the General’s Mansion surrounded.
• Chang Sunzi told Zhongli Que to go inside as the rain and time resumed, and she wondered whether the storm had changed something in the world.

Zhongli Que and Yu Sui tried to avert the danger revealed by Zhongli Que’s divination, which linked a sword and a maid to Chang Sunzi’s visit. Yu Sui suspected Qingkui might be involved and began redirecting Chang Sunzi’s attention while sending messages to influential figures.

• Zhongli Que returned the Mountain Spirit-infected Listening Wind Ruler and helped conceal Madam Sun’s condition from Chang Sunzi and Zhongli Qi.
• Zhongli Que told Yu Sui that Chu Jin had come by, then described her divination in which Chang Sunzi’s words, a maid, and a sword threatened the Zhongli Family and Su Feng.
• Yu Sui advised Zhongli Que to avoid Chang Sunzi, search the mansion for the unknown maid, and watch who entered and left; Zhongli Que dismissed the maids and found no trace of her.
• Yu Sui suspected Qingkui might be behind the plot and questioned Nian Qiuyan about Chang Sunzi, then ordered him to use the Anti-Divination Technique on himself.
• Yu Sui arranged for Chang Sunzi to investigate Nian Qiuyan instead and sent separate messages to Nangong Grandmother and the Sixth Highness of Qingyang.

Yu Sui’s schemes continued as Duan Fengning sent Gu Jun to investigate Xuan Kui hideouts, while Zhongli Que traveled to Shuiyang Temple and was ambushed on the mountain road. The chapter ended with Zhongli Que and her maid falling from a cliff after attackers pierced Zhongli Que’s hand and cut her last hold.

• Duan Fengning gave Gu Jun information about Xuan Kui hideouts in the capital and ordered him to investigate.
• Zhongli Que told Madam Sun she was going to Shuiyang Temple and asked her not to receive visitors while she was away.
• Yu Sui contaminated the Number Mountains and Listening Wind Rulers as Zhongli Qi repeated a test at the Five Elements Academy.
• Old Man Yan stopped Shan Rong from interfering with the hexagram concerning Zhongli Que’s journey, accepting that she might be injured.
• Masked White Robe Sorcerers and other attackers ambushed Zhongli Que’s party on the mountain road, overcoming Guard Li and destroying the carriage.
• A green arrow pierced Zhongli Que’s palm and severed the pine branch she was clinging to, sending her and her maid falling from the cliff.

Zhongli Que and Gu Jun fell from a cliff after Chu Jin attacked them, prompting the Zhongli family and the Qinglong Army to launch a search. As Zhongli Que regained consciousness, she encountered a golden sword and the Divine Wood Sign in a mysterious vision.

• The Skeleton Sword Spirit rescued Zhongli Que, but Chu Jin poisoned it and shot Gu Jun, sending both of them over the cliff.
• Guard Li was forced to withdraw when the Golden Long Snake unleashed Wuxiang Snakes, while Chu Jin left with the Listening Wind Ruler.
• After learning Zhongli Que had fallen, Zhongli Wei took three thousand Qinglong Army soldiers to search Shuiyang Mountain and ordered the mansion to keep the news from Madam Sun.
• Su Feng blocked Chu Jin from entering General Zhongli's Mansion, then rode toward Shuiyang Temple after hearing that Zhongli Que and Gu Jun had fallen.
• In the darkness, Zhongli Que saw her family, Yu Sui, and her reflection in a golden sword before the Divine Wood Sign appeared and she woke in pain.

After Zhongli Que was badly injured in an attack on Shuiyang Mountain, Gu Jun sheltered her in a cave while the capital’s factions moved against Chu Jin. Yu Sui and Su Feng prepared to retrieve Zhongli Que’s Listening Wind Ruler and expose Chu Jin, while Yu Sui concealed her anger from Mei Chengyu.

• Gu Jun told the feverish Zhongli Que that her hand injury could leave lasting damage as they waited for the floodwaters to recede.
• Yu Sui learned Zhongli Que had been attacked, and Old Man Yan planned to turn over the Luosha Practitioners and have Chu Jin imprisoned.
• Yu Sui discovered Zhongli Que’s Listening Wind Ruler was at Chu Jin’s clinic and told Su Feng, who waited until rebels were found before returning to the capital.
• After Su Feng set out for Chu Jin’s clinic, Yu Sui smashed her own Listening Wind Ruler, then told Mei Chengyu that nothing was wrong.

Chu Jin ordered Chi Yan to search Zhongli Que’s Listening Wind Ruler for hidden messages, but Su Feng raided the medical hall before they could uncover anything. After fighting Chu Jin, Su Feng helped the Qinglong Army capture her on charges of colluding with rebels and plotting against the General’s Mansion Young Miss.

• At the medical hall, Chu Jin told Chi Yan to keep searching Zhongli Que’s Listening Wind Ruler for concealed messages in the Earthly Branch Star Sea.
• In Taiyi, Yu Sui told Mei Chengyu that Qingkui had upset her by targeting Zhongli Que, and said the matter would soon be over.
• A message told Chu Jin to leave, but Chiyun burst through the screen, pierced Chi Yan, and Su Feng seized the Listening Wind Ruler.
• Su Feng attacked Chu Jin with his Qingyun Sword while Chiyun struck from behind, and Chu Jin escaped through the window after being wounded.
• The Qinglong Army and Military School Sword Spirits surrounded Chu Jin and knocked her from the sky with Red Tassel spears.
• The Left Deputy General announced that Chu Jin was accused of colluding with Canhai Prefecture Rebels and plotting to assassinate the General’s Mansion Young Miss, and ordered her taken to the Chongtai Three Prisons.

Su Feng’s forces captured Chu Jin and imprisoned her at Chongtai Three Prisons, while Madam Hui learned of the arrest and hurried to the Nangong Old Residence. At Shuiyang Mountain, Qinglong Army soldiers rescued Zhongli Que, and Su Feng carried her away for treatment just as Zhongli Wei received word that Zhongli Ci had returned with the captured rebels.

• Su Feng and the Qinglong Army captured Chu Jin through their pursuit of the Canhai Prefecture Rebels, and Chu Jin was taken to Chongtai Three Prisons.
• Chained and sealed in her cell, Chu Jin recalled her failed plans, her hatred of Wenren Xu, and her hope that the Nangong Family would rescue her.
• Madam Hui returned to King Nangong’s Mansion, learned Chu Jin had been arrested, and went to the Nangong Old Residence after ordering someone to watch for Su Feng’s return.
• Qinglong Army soldiers surfaced in the Underground River and rescued Zhongli Que, whom Gu Jun carried safely out of the water.
• Su Feng arrived, took the unconscious Zhongli Que from Gu Jun, and carried her to a carriage for treatment.
• Zhongli Wei received an urgent report that Zhongli Ci had brought the main Canhai Prefecture Rebels to the Imperial Capital, and he led most of his troops back to the city.

After Zhongli Que was found injured, Zhongli Ci returned to the capital and faced the Qingyang Emperor’s summons while his family feared for her recovery. At the Nangong Old Residence, Lady Su failed to persuade Nangong Grandmother to save Chu Jin, leaving her determined to act on her own.

• Chang Sunzi learned that Zhongli Que had been attacked and that the women of the Zhongli Clan were forbidden to cultivate, while Yu Sheng warned her not to interfere in Qingyang’s affairs.
• The Qingyang Emperor ordered Zhongli Ci to the palace after he returned from suppressing the Canhai Prefecture rebellion, but Zhongli Ci went first to see his critically ill wife and injured daughter.
• Su Feng learned that Lady Su had gone to the Nangong Old Residence and hurried there after realizing she was seeking help for Chu Jin.
• Yu Sui told Mei Chengyu that Nangong Grandmother was a Ghost Dao School Sage who needed the Breath Soil, and explained that she expected Nangong Ming to bring Qingkui home himself.
• Nangong Grandmother refused Lady Su’s plea to rescue Chu Jin before Nangong Ming returned and acknowledged her, so Lady Su left determined to save her daughter herself.

Lady Su exposed Chu Jin as Nangong Ming’s lost daughter to protect her from interrogation, and the court ordered her release after Chi Yan’s testimony cleared her. When Chu Jin came out of Chongtai Three Prisons, Zhongli Ci used his Tai'a Sword Qi to sever her right arm, leaving Lady Su rushing to her while Nangong Ming ordered them taken back.

• Lady Su told the generals at Military School Chongtai that Chu Jin was her child and the Prince’s biological daughter, then demanded her release.
• At court, Zhongli Ci reported Zhongli Que’s injuries, and Qingyang Emperor ordered captured rebels mutilated before learning Chu Jin might be Nangong Ming’s daughter.
• Su Feng explained that evidence had led him to arrest Chu Jin, but Chi Yan’s testimony and other evidence cleared her of the assassination.
• Nangong Ming’s Character Spirit Bird confirmed Chu Jin’s identity, and Qingyang Emperor ordered Chongtai Three Prisons to release her.
• Nangong Ming confronted Lady Su outside Chongtai and warned her not to control Chu Jin’s choices, while Chu Jin emerged from prison wounded and disheveled.
• Zhongli Ci confirmed Chu Jin was Nangong Ming’s daughter, then struck her with Tai'a Sword Qi and severed her right arm before leaving; Lady Su rushed to Chu Jin as Nangong Ming ordered them taken back.

After Zhongli Ci severed Chu Jin’s arm, Qingyang Emperor considered using Nangong Sui to strengthen ties with Nangong Ming, while Nangong Ming confronted Su Feng over his ties to the Zhongli Family. The chapter ended with Su Feng learning that Han Bing had long known about Chu Jin and her actions, but had kept silent.

• Qingyang Emperor told the Crown Prince that Nangong Sui’s status and connection to the Ghost Dao Sage made her a possible marriage choice, but the Crown Prince rejected the idea and was ordered to leave.
• Nangong Ming brought the unconscious, injured Chu Jin back to King Nangong's Mansion, where the Physician began treating her.
• Nangong Ming learned that Su Feng had known Chu Jin’s identity and why Zhongli Ci had questioned him, then told him to choose between the Zhongli Family and the Nangong Family.
• Madam Hui threatened to leave with Su Feng, but Nangong Ming ordered her to spend the rest of the year with the Old Madam and stay inside the imperial capital.
• In the rain, Su Feng asked Han Bing whether he had known about Chu Jin and her actions; Han Bing admitted that he had known since going to Taiyi, while saying Sheng Zui had known nothing.

Su Feng challenged Nangong Ming over Qingkui’s identity and actions, while Han Bing warned him to be careful. After Qingkui was badly injured, Nangong Ming reprimanded Lady Su and ordered her to investigate the Yan Remnants; the chapter ended as Nangong Ming approached Su Feng with his hand on his sword.

• Su Feng asked Han Bing whether he would protect Qingkui as he protected Suisui, and Han Bing said both were their father’s children.
• Han Ziyang left the Han mansion in the rain, using his bloodline’s power to keep the rain from falling around him.
• Doctor Chen told Lady Su that Qingkui’s soul injury had prevented him from reattaching her severed arm, and Nangong Ming ordered him to do his best.
• Nangong Ming rebuked Lady Su, told her to support Qingkui, and ordered her to find the Yan Remnants hiding in Qingyang.
• Su Feng told Nangong Ming that he had never yearned for the Zhongli Family and questioned whether Nangong Ming had approved Qingkui’s actions.
• Nangong Ming walked toward Su Feng with his hand on his sword as Han Ziyang returned and watched.

Nangong Ming defeated Su Feng with a copied Tai'a Sword Technique, and Han Ziyang realized the demonstration was meant for him. In Taiyi, Yu Sui learned that Nangong Ming planned to have Chu Jin acknowledged as a royal-mansion daughter and remained unconcerned about the effect on her own position.

• Nangong Ming used Lin Ying Zhao Hua to reproduce Zhongli Ci's Tai'a Sword Technique, overwhelmed Su Feng, and left him unconscious after saying he would fare better against Zhongli Ci.
• Han Ziyang concluded that Nangong Ming's ability to reproduce Zhongli Ci's technique suggested his strength might surpass Zhongli Ci's, and suspected Nangong Ming had staged the fight for him to witness.
• Nangong Ming invited Han Ziyang to accompany him to see His Majesty, while Han Bing ordered the steward to bring Su Feng inside for treatment.
• Yu Sui asked Old Man Yan why Nangong Ming was taking Han Ziyang to the palace, and Old Man Yan suggested the matter concerned the Non-War Covenant.
• Old Man Yan told Yu Sui that Nangong Ming had petitioned for Chu Jin to return as a young lady of the royal mansion, and Yu Sui said she was not afraid of her position being threatened.

After Qingkui lost an arm in the confrontation, Nangong Ming ordered her to recover and control her anger, while Mister Zhou left the capital. Zhongli Que used Yu Sui’s Divine Wood Sign to investigate Madam Sun and saw her shadow merge with another.

• Shan Rong told Old Man Yan that Xuan Kui’s people had withdrawn from the capital, and Old Man Yan ordered Wind Hall to cover up the people involved.
• Mister Zhou offered to take Lady Su and Qingkui away, but Lady Su refused, and he left Qingyang Imperial Capital.
• Nangong Ming learned Mister Zhou had departed and asked about the missing Medical School Saint Ming Yueqing.
• Nangong Ming confronted Qingkui over her failed attempt to target Zhongli Que, then ordered her to recover, stay inside, and reconcile with Lady Su.
• Zhongli Ci suspected Chu Jin had bewitched Madam Sun, but found no pupil technique when he examined her.
• Zhongli Que used the Divine Wood Sign to watch Madam Sun meet Chu Jin and saw Madam Sun’s shadow flicker and merge with another.

Zhongli Que told Zhongli Ci about her divinations and her suspicion that something was affecting Madam Sun, and he promised to protect and teach her. While the families stayed quiet and Yu Sui kept working from Taiyi, Sage Chang Gen returned to the Fog Sea Mirage and learned that the Agricultural School Academy needed its absent deans to come back.

• Zhongli Que tried to divine again, became dizzy, and told Zhongli Ci that her visions had warned her about Madam Sun and revealed a disturbing connection between Madam Sun and Chu Jin.
• Zhongli Ci comforted Zhongli Que, explained the shamanism, Gu, and poison arts, and ordered physicians to keep monitoring Madam Sun after they found no clear cause for her condition.
• Madam Sun agreed to remain inside the General's Mansion, while the Zhongli and Nangong Families kept a low profile; Yu Sui continued tainting other kingdoms' Listening Wind Rulers with the Mountain Spirit.
• Yu Sui told Mei Chengyu she planned to visit the Taoist Saint Hall when her master returned, while Sheng Zui remained unaware of the news from Qingyang and stayed busy with Ancient Stele Inscriptions.
• Sage Chang Gen visited the Fog Sea Mirage, where Liang Zhen told him about Ou Rushuang and Xuan Kui and explained that instructors were managing the Agricultural School Academy.
• Zou Qian's persistent Listening Wind Ruler messages reached Shen Tianxue and Pei Daiqing, and Shen Tianxue finally picked one up and answered.

Pei Daiqing and Shen Tianxue discussed the vacant leadership of the Agricultural Courtyard with Zou Qian, then took Wei Ren fishing and revealed they had examined him after his original Five Elements Light Core was torn out. Pei Daiqing urged Wei Ren to stay away from Taiyi and let his past go, leaving Wei Ren considering a carefree life.

• Zou Qian tried to persuade Shen Tianxue and Pei Daiqing to return to Taiyi and manage the Agricultural Courtyard, but they refused and suggested disbanding it.
• Shen Tianxue demanded duck and carp for dinner, so Pei Daiqing took Wei Ren to catch fish in a stream.
• Wei Ren recalled surviving Ji Shuyan’s deadly forest trial and asked why Shen Tianxue would not let him use the Nine Schools Techniques.
• Pei Daiqing revealed that he and Shen Tianxue had cut open Wei Ren’s chest while he was unconscious and discovered a flawless new Five Elements Light Core inside him.
• Pei Daiqing advised Wei Ren to stay away from the academy, where someone wanted him dead, and to live freely; Wei Ren considered leaving his past behind.

Wei Ren agreed to learn Shen Tianxue’s real Phantom Beast technique despite its dangers, while preparing to return to the academy and settle old scores. Elsewhere, Liang Zhen realized Ou Rushuang had escaped his apparent death, and Ou began seeking a new mirage to pursue those who betrayed him.

• Wei Ren asked Pei Daiqing to teach him, then Shen Tianxue offered to teach him the real Phantom Beast technique if he gave up using other Agricultural School Nine Schools Techniques.
• Shen Tianxue explained that Phantom Beast could replace the qi controlling a person’s Marrow Sea and let a shadow take over someone’s body, and Wei Ren agreed to learn despite the risk of backlash.
• Shen Tianxue decided to take Wei Ren to the snowy mountains to practice, while Wei Ren resolved to return to the academy and kill Zhang Xiangyun.
• Zou Qian returned to the Red Island Mirage and left Liang Zhen behind to watch Ou Rushuang, who remained enclosed in a giant tree of green vines.
• Liang Zhen realized that Ou Rushuang had used the Protecting God Cicada to escape, and Ou resurfaced in the Fog Sea before seeking a new mirage and plotting against his betrayers.

Sage Chang Gen returned to the Taoist Saint Hall and learned about Yu Sui’s investigation into Lan Poison, while Mei Chengyu developed a Purple Void Jade teleportation device with her help. Their test of its range was interrupted when Gu Gan entered the Dragon Ladder and heard Yu Sui speaking through Mei Chengyu’s Listening Wind Ruler.

• Sage Chang Gen told Mei Chengyu that the Four Great Mechanical Clans had improved the Eight Winds Cage, but he had worked out how to break through it.
• Yu Sui told Sage Chang Gen about the Lan Poison incident, and he said Ou Rushuang and Xuan Kui deserved to die.
• Mei Chengyu showed Yu Sui a pair of Purple Void Jade rings that could teleport a person over short distances and taught her how to use them.
• Yu Sui and Mei Chengyu worked to improve the device’s range, with Mei Chengyu testing it by climbing the Dragon Ladder one floor at a time.
• Gu Gan stopped the Dragon Ladder and entered, then turned in surprise when he heard Yu Sui’s voice coming from Mei Chengyu’s Listening Wind Ruler.