Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaofan and the Big Bamboo Peak disciples caused a brawl with Incense Valley that ended when Big Yellow distracted Luo Yunji. Days later, Bi Yao arranged a meeting with the Ghost King, who offered a volume of the Heavenly Book in exchange for the Kui Ox’s soul, while Luo Yunji eagerly accepted his food.

• Zhang Xiaofan kicked Li Xun after Li Xun cursed Luo Yunji, while the Big Bamboo Peak disciples faced down Incense Valley.
• Big Yellow breathed fire at Luo Yunji, then fled, and Luo Yunji and Zhang Xiaofan chased after him, ending the fight.
• A few days later, Bi Yao asked Zhang Xiaofan to meet her father, but Zhang Xiaofan refused until Aunt You offered Luo Yunji a basket of food.
• The Ghost King offered a volume of the Heavenly Book for the Kui Ox’s soul, while Luo Yunji ate the food and agreed to the deal.

Luo Yunji and the Azure Cloud disciples left Liubo Mountain after a trade with the Ghost King, but Luo Yunji’s poor sense of direction sent them far off course. Dahei eventually stopped carrying them, leaving the group stranded near the Imperial City.

• The Ghost King traded the larger portion of the Kui Ox's soul for an incomplete version of the Heavenly Book, while He Dazhi and the others handed over about a quarter of the soul.
• Tian Buyi disapproved of the deal, and the righteous cultivators departed Liubo Mountain after confirming the Demon Sect had left.
• Luo Yunji gathered fruit before leaving, and his rain clouds disrupted the other cultivators’ flight; He Dazhi secretly helped send Li Xun plunging into the sea after Li Xun insulted Azure Cloud Sect.
• Daoist Cangsong discovered that Tian Buyi’s group was flying in the wrong direction, and Tian Buyi admitted he had forgotten Luo Yunji got lost easily.
• Luo Yunji pointed out they were heading the wrong way, so Dahei crashed to the ground and retreated into the Treasure Pearl; He Dazhi said they were near the Imperial City's territory, and Sixth Senior Brother guessed Dahei missed Dabai.

The Azure Cloud Sect party visited the Imperial City and reunited Luo Yunji with his twin brother, Liao Xing. After the disciples spent a rowdy day at Lixiang Pavilion, Tian Buyi confined the drunken disciples, while Luo Yunji and Zhang Xiaofan escaped punishment.

• Su Ru, Shuiyue, Cangsong, and Shang Zhengliang joined Tian Buyi on a visit to the Imperial City with their disciples.
• Luo Yunji reunited with Liao Xing, and the Emperor hosted Cangsong and Shang Zhengliang at the palace while the other disciples stayed at the Prince's Mansion.
• He Dazhi gave Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and Perfected Shuiyue spirit stones that restored their spiritual power in the Forbidden Spirit Land.
• Luo Yunji and the other disciples went to Lixiang Pavilion, where they stayed drinking and making music until late at night as crowds gathered outside.
• Tian Buyi sent the drunken disciples to rest and confined Song Daren and the others the next day, but Luo Yunji and Zhang Xiaofan escaped punishment.

Luo Yunji and Zhang Xiaofan returned to the Imperial City with gifts, and Tian Buyi agreed to accept the Emperor and Prince’s help debating Tianyin Temple over the cultivation technique. After the group returned to Azure Cloud Mountain, Daoist Cangsong tried to search for the person he believed was on Heaven-Reaching Peak, but Tian Buyi stopped him and dragged him into his study.

• Luo Yunji, Zhang Xiaofan, and Liao Xing returned late with gifts for Tian Buyi and Su Ru, easing Tian Buyi’s anger at their absence.
• The Emperor and Prince offered elder ministers to argue on behalf of Big Bamboo Peak, and Tian Buyi accepted after Su Ru and Perfected Shuiyue urged him.
• The Azure Cloud group left the Imperial City aboard the Giant Chi and Black Water Mystic Snake and returned to Azure Cloud Mountain, alarming the sect’s leaders.
• The Black Water Mystic Snake entered Luo Yunji’s Yin Orb, while Daoist Cangsong tried to rush to Heaven-Reaching Peak to find the person he suspected was there.
• Tian Buyi warned Cangsong not to act recklessly, then stopped him again after Daoxuan left and pulled him into his study.

Tian Buyi learned from Zhang Xiaofan that the one-armed old man from the Wildlands matched the figure in the portrait, then left to seek him. Meanwhile, Cangsong confronted Daoxuan at the Forbidden Ground to confirm a long-buried secret, and the chapter ended with a soft thud.

• Zhang Xiaofan told Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and Shuiyue that he had met a one-armed old man who resembled the person in the portrait.
• Tian Buyi recalled the group’s journey into the Wildlands, then left alone on Scarlet Flame to find the old man.
• Cangsong went to the Ancestral Hall’s Forbidden Ground, where Daoxuan blocked his way.
• Cangsong insisted on entering to confirm something and said Daoxuan could kill or punish him afterward.
• Daoxuan realized Cangsong might know his long-hidden secret and confronted him with anger and force.
• Cangsong lowered his head, and a soft thud sounded just as Daoxuan was about to relax.

Cangsong begged Daoxuan to let him enter the Forbidden Ground and see whether the person he revered was alive, but Daoxuan refused and drove him away. Tian Buyi secretly witnessed their confrontation, knew the hidden truth about the person in the Ancestral Hall, and left without entering the Forbidden Ground.

• Cangsong repeatedly bowed until his forehead bled, pleading with Daoxuan to let him investigate the Forbidden Ground.
• Daoxuan warned Cangsong to return to Dragon Head Peak and threatened him with killing intent when he refused to stop.
• Cangsong cursed Daoxuan, then left after glancing toward the Ancestral Hall, while Daoxuan watched him go.
• After Daoxuan departed, Tian Buyi emerged from hiding and considered entering the Forbidden Ground to confirm the person was alive, but chose to leave without crossing the boundary.
• Tian Buyi reflected that Daoxuan was concealing the person because the accusation of patricide could not be cleared without endangering the Azure Cloud Sect.

Bi Yao and Youji came to Big Bamboo Peak to warn Zhang Xiaofan that the righteous sects’ arrival had put him in grave danger and urged him to leave Azure Clouds. Zhang Xiaofan refused to abandon Big Bamboo Peak, while Bi Yao and Tian Linger argued over what he should do before Luo Yunji turned their dispute into a farcical contest.

• Tian Buyi learned that Daoxuan had summoned him to bring Zhang Xiaofan to the Jade Purity Hall the next day, and resolved to stand firm for his family and disciples.
• Luo Yunji and Zhang Xiaofan searched the bamboo grove for Big Yellow and Little Gray until Bi Yao and Youji arrived.
• Tian Linger warned Bi Yao and Youji to leave, but Bi Yao explained that the righteous sects’ arrival had put Zhang Xiaofan in grave danger.
• Tian Linger told Zhang Xiaofan that Tian Buyi would take him to the Jade Purity Hall, while Bi Yao urged him to come with her and he refused to leave Big Bamboo Peak.
• Bi Yao and Tian Linger argued over Zhang Xiaofan’s safety, then Luo Yunji embarrassed them by comparing their figures and reaching toward Youji.

Zhang Xiaofan refused Bi Yao’s plea to leave, explaining that Big Bamboo Peak had become his home after years of loneliness and hard cultivation. The next morning, as the sect prepared for the likely consequences of his Buddhist cultivation, he arranged food for Luo Yunji and formally bowed to his master, mistress, and senior brothers.

• Zhang Xiaofan pulled Luo Yunji away from the angry women, then thanked Bi Yao for coming but refused to leave.
• Zhang Xiaofan told Bi Yao that he had once felt unwanted and inferior, but Luo Yunji’s arrival and his family’s acceptance had made Big Bamboo Peak his home.
• Bi Yao left with Youji, while Tian Linger reflected on how much effort Zhang Xiaofan had put into cultivation.
• At dawn, Zhang Xiaofan prepared a table full of food for the sleeping Luo Yunji as Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and his six senior brothers watched.
• Zhang Xiaofan finished his preparations, then bowed formally to Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and each of his six senior brothers.

Zhang Xiaofan left Big Bamboo Peak with Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and Tian Linger to face the matter awaiting him at Jade Purity Hall. His senior brothers worried about the consequences if he were forced out of the Azure Cloud Sect, while Zhang Xiaofan arrived at Heaven-Reaching Peak calm and resolved to defend his family and Big Bamboo Peak.

• Tian Linger insisted on accompanying Zhang Xiaofan, and Tian Buyi agreed to take her along.
• Song Daren encouraged Zhang Xiaofan as he departed with Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and Tian Linger.
• He Dazhi told his fellow disciples he would leave with Zhang Xiaofan if he were forced out of the sect, fearing Luo Yunji would follow him.
• The senior brothers worried that the Azure Cloud Sect might mistreat Zhang Xiaofan, though Wu Dayi hoped the situation would be less serious than they feared.
• Tian Buyi and the others flew to Heaven-Reaching Peak, where Zhang Xiaofan and Tian Linger joined Song Daren above the Sea of Clouds.
• Zhang Xiaofan ignored the other branches' whispers and resolved to protect his master, mistress, senior brothers, and Big Bamboo Peak if anyone attacked them.

Zhang Xiaofan and the Big Bamboo Peak disciples were escorted to Jade Purity Hall, where Zhang Xiaofan anticipated how the righteous sects would judge him. Before entering, he encountered Uncle Wang Er, the other surviving villager, and then reached the hall’s entrance as Chang Jian called out to him.

• Zhang Xiaofan’s fierce resolve unsettled the Azure Cloud disciples watching him, and Chang Jian escorted him, Song Daren, and Tian Linger toward Jade Purity Hall.
• Zhang Xiaofan climbed the steps, wondering how the righteous sects would respond to the Azure Cloud Sect’s presence on the night Grass Temple Village was destroyed.
• Zhang Xiaofan spotted Uncle Wang Er sitting silently by the steps and watched him before continuing toward the hall.
• Uncle Wang Er followed Zhang Xiaofan with his gaze as Zhang Xiaofan reached Jade Purity Hall’s entrance.
• Chang Jian called out to Zhang Xiaofan just before he entered, and the three Big Bamboo Peak disciples turned to him.

Zhang Xiaofan entered Jade Purity Hall, where Azure Cloud Sect leaders and representatives from Tianyin Temple and Incense Valley had gathered to question him. As Daoxuan prepared to hear from him, Zhang stood calmly before the assembled cultivators.

• Chang Jian told Zhang Xiaofan that elders from Azure Cloud and visitors from Tianyin Temple and Incense Valley were waiting to ask about his situation.
• Zhang Xiaofan entered Jade Purity Hall, followed by Song Daren, Tian Linger, and Uncle Wang Er.
• Zhang Xiaofan spotted Faxiang, Fashan, and an old Tianyin Temple monk, and felt hostility toward the monk as he recalled the Buddhist cultivation method controversy.
• Chang Jian announced Zhang Xiaofan's arrival, and Daoxuan and the assembled cultivators turned their attention to him.
• Tian Linger tried to bring Zhang Xiaofan over to Su Ru, but Tian Buyi told him to remain in the center of the hall for questioning.
• Tian Buyi proudly watched Zhang Xiaofan stand calmly before Daoxuan while the other branch chiefs reacted to Tian Buyi's smugness.

Zhang Xiaofan faced accusations in Jade Purity Hall that he had used Tianyin Temple’s secret Great Brahma Prajna, and demanded evidence before he would answer. His challenge left the gathered sect leaders stunned as the confrontation continued.

• Daoxuan True Person called Zhang Xiaofan forward and introduced the senior figures gathered in Jade Purity Hall.
• Daoxuan asked Zhang whether he had used Tianyin Temple’s Great Brahma Prajna during the trip to Liubo Mountain.
• Zhang Xiaofan asked what evidence proved that the technique he used was Great Brahma Prajna, provoking Pukong’s angry rebuke.
• Daoxuan asked what evidence Zhang wanted, and Zhang demanded proof before Azure Cloud Sect should accept the accusation.
• Zhang Xiaofan declared that no Azure Cloud disciple should confess to a baseless charge merely because a divine monk made it, astonishing the hall.

Zhang Xiaofan challenged Tianyin Temple’s claim about Buddhist teachings just as court officials arrived at Jade Purity Hall. The Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials joined the gathered sect leaders, and Daoxuan asked why they had come.

• Zhang Xiaofan questioned whether all Buddhist teachings came from Tianyin Temple after Pukong accused him of using its Buddhist seal.
• An Azure Cloud disciple announced that several dozen civil and military officials were waiting outside Jade Purity Hall.
• He Dazhi explained that he had sent Luo Yunji to Heaven-Reaching Peak with the officials because his involvement might help Zhang Xiaofan.
• Daoxuan welcomed the officials, and the sect leaders recognized that the group included the Prime Minister, a Grand Secretary, and a General.
• After seating the officials, Daoxuan asked the Prime Minister the purpose of their visit.

Imperial officials arrived at Jade Purity Hall to protect Zhang Xiaofan, turning the gathering of righteous sects into a distraction from Luo Yunji’s antics. Tian Buyi went to the Back Mountain Ancestral Hall and brought Luo Yunji away after the One-Armed Elder reminded him that Luo Yunji was supposed to be dead.

• The Old Prime Minister told Jade Purity Hall that the emperor had sent officials to investigate Zhang Xiaofan’s danger and take him to the capital if needed.
• Zhang Xiaofan learned that Luo Yunji had flown to the Back Mountain, and he warned Tian Buyi that the little fatty might cause trouble near the Ancestral Hall.
• Tian Buyi told Daoxuan what was happening, and Daoxuan sent him to retrieve Luo Yunji while Zhang Xiaofan stayed behind.
• At the Ancestral Hall, Tian Buyi found Luo Yunji eating peaches with the One-Armed Elder, who told Tian Buyi to remember that Luo Yunji was dead.
• Tian Buyi carried Luo Yunji away, and the One-Armed Elder asked him to bring wine next time.

Luo Yunji’s peaches disrupted the gathering at Jade Purity Hall while Daoist Cangsong’s scheme stalled and the Demon Sect waited below Azure Cloud Mountain. After the banquet, the disciples gathered at the kitchen, where Song Daren shared a peach with Wen Min and Luo Yunji claimed credit for picking it.

• Luo Yunji brought peaches into Jade Purity Hall and gave them to Zhang Xiaofan, while Tian Linger secretly ate one with him.
• Military officials gathered around Luo Yunji, and Daoist Cangsong grew frustrated as the banquet went ahead without his plan succeeding.
• The Demon Sect disciples waited in a hidden valley for an attack signal that never came.
• Zeng Shushu led Luo Yunji, Zhang Xiaofan, and a growing group of disciples to the Heaven-Reaching Peak kitchen, but they found it too busy to cook for them.
• Song Daren gave Wen Min a peach from Luo Yunji’s haul, and Luo Yunji told her that he had picked the peaches.

Zhang Xiaofan brought food to the One-Armed Elder in the Ancestral Hall and revealed that he knew the elder was Wan Jianyi. Meanwhile, Luo Yunji’s fire-starting caused a commotion on Heaven-Reaching Peak, and Daoxuan True Person sent the disciples away.

• Wen Min praised Luo Yunji’s peaches, while Zhang Xiaofan stopped him from revealing they came from the forbidden rear mountain.
• The disciples gathered in the woods to cook, and Zhang Xiaofan packed a meal for the One-Armed Elder.
• The One-Armed Elder questioned Zhang Xiaofan about what he knew, and Zhang Xiaofan named him Wan Jianyi before leaving.
• Zhang Xiaofan returned to find Daoxuan True Person confronting the disciples over the scorched woods and Tian Buyi holding Luo Yunji.
• Lin Jingyu blamed Luo Yunji for starting the fire, and Tian Buyi realized his disciple had caused it.
• Daoxuan True Person dismissed the disciples, while Luo Yunji kept eating and asked why everyone was leaving before the meal was finished.

Zhang Xiaofan demonstrated Buddhist magic before the righteous sect leaders to show that it was not Tianyin Temple’s Great Brahma Prajna. Pukong demanded to know where Zhang Xiaofan learned it, but Luo Yunji attacked him with his own rice bowl, leaving the assembly stunned.

• Tian Buyi took Little Fatty away from the commotion while Shuiyue True Person told her disciples to keep their junior brothers away from Li Luo.
• Daoxuan True Person questioned Zhang Xiaofan in Jade Purity Hall, and Zhang offered to demonstrate his Buddhist teachings.
• Zhang Xiaofan chanted and made a golden Buddhist symbol appear, prompting the sect leaders to marvel at the magic and the Tianyin Temple monks to deny it was Great Brahma Prajna.
• Pukong the Divine Monk demanded to know where Zhang Xiaofan learned the teachings, and Luo Yunji threw his alms bowl at him to protect his senior brother.
• Su Ru restrained and scolded Luo Yunji while Pukong picked up the bowl, which Luo Yunji insisted was his rice bowl.

At the Azure Cloud Sect gathering, Zhang Xiaofan defended his junior Luo Yunji’s rice bowl after Tianyin Temple recognized it as their lost Vajra Bowl, then submitted his Fire Poker for inspection. The sect leaders found no evidence that it contained the Bloodthirsty Bead, and Zhang Xiaofan challenged Shangguan Ce to explain what the object was.

• Pukong and Puhong recognized Luo Yunji’s rice bowl as Tianyin Temple’s lost Vajra Bowl, but Zhang Xiaofan asked them to return it.
• Shangguan Ce argued that the bowl should go back to its rightful owner, and Zhang Xiaofan retorted that the same rule applied to everyone’s magical treasures.
• Puhong returned the bowl, and Luo Yunji took it back before leaving the hall with Su Ru and Tian Linger.
• Daoxuan True Person examined Zhang Xiaofan’s Fire Poker and passed it among the sect leaders, who found nothing unusual about it.
• Shangguan Ce suggested the Fire Poker was a blood-refined object, and Zhang Xiaofan explained how he had obtained it.
• When Shangguan Ce demanded proof of Zhang Xiaofan’s account, Zhang admitted he had none and asked Shangguan Ce to identify the object if he knew what it was.

At the Jade Purity Hall, Zhang Xiaofan defended himself, Tian Buyi, and the Azure Cloud Sect against Shangguan Ce’s accusations over the Fire Poker and its bead. When Shangguan Ce struck at him, Zhang Xiaofan got past Tian Buyi and slapped him in front of the assembled leaders, leaving the hall stunned.

• Shangguan Ce challenged Zhang Xiaofan over the bead on the Fire Poker, while Daoxuan True Person asked whether anyone could prove it was the Bloodthirsty Bead.
• Zhang Xiaofan said he did not know the bead’s origin and argued that a weapon’s righteousness depended on how its wielder used it.
• Shangguan Ce accused Zhang Xiaofan of practicing the Blood Refining Method and insulted Tian Buyi, prompting Zhang Xiaofan to defend his master and criticize Incense Valley’s role at Liubo Mountain.
• Shangguan Ce sprang up and attacked Zhang Xiaofan, ignoring the other leaders’ attempts to stop him.
• Zhang Xiaofan evaded Tian Buyi and slapped Shangguan Ce across the face, silencing the Jade Purity Hall.

Zhang Xiaofan’s confrontation with Daoxuan and the leaders erupted into chaos when Shuiyue attacked the apparent Shangguan Ce, exposing him as a disguised assassin. The chapter ended with a Seven-tailed Centipede emerging from Zhang Xiaofan’s fire poker and drawing his stunned attention.

• Zhang Xiaofan threatened to make Daoxuan apologize and summoned a cold blue-red light into his hand, prompting the leaders to separate them.
• Lin Jingyu cheered Zhang Xiaofan, while Lu Xueqi noticed that the apparent Shangguan Ce’s face had been damaged by Zhang Xiaofan’s slap.
• Shuiyue charged at the apparent Shangguan Ce, and Tian Buyi intervened to deflect Daoxuan’s palm wind as Daoxuan tried to stop her.
• Shuiyue’s sword caught a human-skin mask, revealing that the apparent Shangguan Ce was an impostor; Daoxuan identified him as Zhou Yin, an assassin from the Demon Sect’s Longevity Hall.
• A Seven-tailed Centipede emerged from Zhang Xiaofan’s fire poker, bit him, and left him staring at it in shock.