Here is a concise summary of the chapter:

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Chenxiang performs the "Song of the Yue People," a piece tied to Great Qi's origins, at the Gathering of Beauties Banquet. Her performance is praised for its wit and cultural resonance.
• Hu Yunniang, after hearing Xie Guan's opening poem, becomes distracted and makes a mistake in her performance of "Yan King's Formation-Breaking Music."
• Hu Yunniang is in turmoil over which of her three prepared opening poems to use. A maid brings her a new lyric poem written by Xie Guan, which has been sent to the judges.
• Yun Wan reveals that she has also received poems from Xie Guan and plans to use only one.
• To stop Yun Wan from leaving, Hu Yunniang asks for help evaluating Xie Guan's poem versus her three original poems.
• Yun Wan reads Xie Guan's poem, is deeply moved, and declares his work so superior that the other poems are "not even fit to carry Young Master Guan's shoes." She scatters the three poems on the ground, leaving Hu Yunniang and Chenxiang shocked.

2. Character Developments

• Hu Yunniang: Shows vulnerability and anxiety, admitting she underestimated Xie Guan. Her confidence is shaken by the competitive atmosphere and her performance slip.
• Chenxiang: Remains supportive and observant, acting as Hu Yunniang's confidante. Her earlier rejection by Xie Guan lingers, but she stays composed.
• Yun Wan: Initially cold and distant, she becomes visibly moved by Xie Guan's literary skill, revealing her deep appreciation for poetry and shifting her stance dramatically.

3. Significant Themes

• Recognition of hidden talent: Xie Guan, dismissed as an "illegitimate son," emerges as a figure of extraordinary literary ability.
• Pride and humility: Hu Yunniang's earlier arrogance toward Xie Guan leads to regret and a humbling experience.
• The value of art: Poetry and music are depicted as both lofty arts and competitive tools in the social arena of Bianjing.

4. Character Interactions

• Chenxiang & Hu Yunniang: A bond of mutual support under pressure; Chenxiang comforts Hu Yunniang after her mistake.
• Hu Yunniang & Yun Wan: Strained due to Yun Wan's friendship with Li Xiangjun (a rival). Hu Yunniang pleads for help, and Yun Wan reluctantly assists—only to shock them with her harsh judgment.
• Yun Wan's transformation: Her coldness melts as she reads Xie Guan's poem, leading to her blunt, decisive dismissal of the other verses.

Summary: Chapter – Who Exactly Was Xie Guan? One Dance Ended!

Key Plot Points/Events

• At the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, Hu Yunniang takes the stage with only one opening poem by Xie Guan, defying Su Yun’s plan to use three prepared poems.
• Su Yun initially rages, but upon reading the single poem—a Water Dragon Chant (“A thousand miles of Chu sky…”)—he is deeply impressed and bestows 18,000 flower hairpins, with court officials following suit.
• The two most praised opening poems of the banquet both turn out to be Xie Guan’s work, sparking widespread curiosity about his identity.
• Hu Yunniang, elevated by the poem’s success, leaves the stage and goes to find Xie Guan personally. Other courtesan queens from various pavilions also seek him for poems; Chenxiang, after a mediocre performance, follows them.

Character Developments

• Hu Yunniang: Shifts from fear and self-blame to relief and gratitude; her bold gamble succeeds, and she becomes keen to meet her benefactor.
• Su Yun: Loses temper upon hearing of Hu Yunniang’s change, then finds his goal fulfilled when his Thatched Cottage Poetry Society gains fame through Xie Guan’s work.
• Xie Xuan: Grows increasingly respectful of Xie Guan’s talent, noting that even one poem surpasses the prepared ones.
• Chenxiang: Feels dejected after her performance and her failed search for Xie Guan among the submitted poems; her curiosity drives her to follow the others.

Significant Themes

• The transformative power of artistic brilliance in a competitive social arena.
• Reputation and social standing as fragile, unstable constructs—both for courtesans and poets.
• The rising prominence of an unrecognized talent (Xie Guan) overturning established expectations.

Character Interactions

• Su Yun confronts his middle-aged retainer over the mistake, threatening consequences if Xie Guan is slighted.
• Su Yun, Xie Xuan, and Chen Jiuyan read Xie Guan’s poem together, all reacting with admiration.
• Hu Yunniang’s maid informs Chenxiang of Hu Yunniang’s departure and the courtesans’ search for Xie Guan, prompting Chenxiang to follow.

This is an author’s month-end status update rather than a story chapter. It summarizes progress and plans for the web novel.

Key Plot Points/Events

• Marks the seventh full month since premium release; New Year has passed.
• Average subscriptions have not improved much, which the author laments.
• Story has progressed to the second life arc: “Studying to Become a Sage in the Small Courtyard.”
• The “Gathering of Beauties Banquet” arc is nearly finished; afterward, the story will prepare for ascension.
• In the main world, Yu Ke is preparing to begin Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment; the main world will focus on lying low.
• Author plans to finish the second life this month, then begin the third life.
• The Kun Void Cauldron will upgrade again in the third life, which will be “invincible from the start” and focused on pursuing ascension.
• After the third life, the author plans to push the main world plot and link the four worlds’ lives together.

Character Developments

• Yu Ke (main world): advancing toward Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
• The second-life protagonist is currently in a sage-training phase, near the end of the banquet arc.

Significant Themes

• Author gratitude toward patrons.
• Emphasis on health and well-being.
• Long-term story planning and multi-life structure.
• The upcoming third life is designed as a power-fantasy/invincible arc.

Character Interactions

• No in-story character interactions; this is the author directly addressing patrons.
• The author thanks supporters, wishes them good health, and asks for monthly votes.

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• At Immortal-Inviting Tower, Princess Linxi and Second Prince Chen Feng discuss Xie Guan after witnessing his poetic talent.
• Linxi dismisses Xie Guan as an unremarkable, unfavored illegitimate son of the Xie family, saying he is "not worth it."
• Chen Feng recalls meeting Xie Guan and notes his calm, composed demeanor despite his low status.
• During the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, the courtesan Yun Wan announces the only retained scene-setting poem: “Magpie Bridge Immortal,” written by Xie Guan.
• The poem shocks the audience; nobles and scholars shower praise and flower pins.
• Prince of Yan, Zhuge Ziqing, Sima Chunfeng, Great Confucian Luo Jing, and critic Jin Zitan all leave to personally find Xie Guan.
• Linxi and Chen Feng are skeptical—until Chancellor Su’s verbal decree arrives, specifically ordering Xie Guan to compose a poem, stunning everyone.

2. Character Developments

• Princess Linxi : Arrogant and dismissive of Xie Guan at first, she is visibly shaken when Chancellor Su—who never favors anyone—singles Xie Guan out.
• Second Prince Chen Feng : Moderately interested in Xie Guan but still considers his status irrelevant; the Chancellor’s decree forces him to reassess.
• Xie Guan : Though not directly present, his reputation rises sharply; he is portrayed as talented, calm, and unshackled by family ties.

3. Significant Themes

• Class and birth vs. talent: an illegitimate son’s skill earns attention despite the Xie family’s disdain.
• Political intrigue: noble figures and even the Chancellor take notice of Xie Guan, signaling his potential usefulness.
• Irony: those who dismiss Xie Guan as “not worth it” are proven wrong by high-level recognition.

4. Character Interactions

• Princess Linxi & Chen Feng : Sibling-like banter; they discuss Xie Guan’s background, Linxi mentioning Xie Mu (Xie Guan’s legitimate brother) and her past with him.
• Chen Feng & Xie Guan : Their earlier meeting is recalled; Chen Feng had asked Xie Guan for a painting.
• Linxi & others : She mocks Xie Guan’s many admirers, but Chancellor Su’s decree silences her.
• Nobles and scholars : Their collective movement to seek Xie Guan contrasts sharply with the Xie family’s dismissal of him.

Chapter Summary: “Chen Mu, the Thirteenth Prince, Presses a Noble”

Key Plot Points

• At the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, Xie Guan (the protagonist, inhabited by Yu Ke) presents three unexpected poems that immediately overturn the established rankings of the courtesan queens, making his name famous throughout Bianjing overnight.
• The celebratory atmosphere is shattered when Chen Mu, the Thirteenth Prince of Great Qi, arrives with his entourage and directly confronts Xie Guan.
• Chen Mu accuses Xie Guan of ruining his pleasure by causing Madam Gongsun to discard the poetry society’s carefully prepared poems, and he demands compensation.
• Chen Mu gives Xie Guan an ultimatum: write a poem to satisfy him today, or he will not leave the banquet unharmed. A burly swordsman behind Chen Mu exerts intimidating pressure, revealing himself to be a Martial Upper Three Realms expert.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan / Yu Ke: Remains outwardly calm, leveraging his memories of Xie Guan and using his Resonance ability to assess the threat level. He is becoming more accustomed to navigating the dangers of the simulated world.
• Chen Mu (Thirteenth Prince): Portrayed as arrogant, reckless, and abusive of noble power; he is infamous in Bianjing for bullying others, particularly with backing from the Prince of Yan and the Yuan Family.
• Chen Yong (Eleventh Prince): Appears at the banquet with a teasing demeanor and attempts to soften his brother’s behavior, but his persuasion is weak and mocking rather than truly protective.
• Li Xiangjun & Feng Yaya: Act as guides and protectors of Xie Guan, explaining the political landscape and warning him of Prince Mu’s ruthless reputation.
• Zhou Yun'er: Shows fierce loyalty and indignation at the injustice done to Xie Guan.

Themes

• Abuse of power: Chen Mu twists facts to punish a talented commoner, showing how nobles can override fairness and rules.
• Art vs. authority: Xie Guan’s genuine poetic brilliance is treated as a crime because it disrupts the noble’s plans.
• Class conflict: Poetry is valued, but only when it serves the elite’s entertainment; otherwise it becomes a source of persecution.
• Fame as a double-edged sword: Xie Guan gains renown but immediately attracts dangerous attention.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mu confronts Xie Guan directly, ignoring formalities toward the courtesans, and threatens him with force.
• Chen Yong (Eleventh Prince) interjects, trying to mediate by pointing out the absurdity of Chen Mu’s logic, but is brushed aside.
• Yuan Yue, a woman of the Yuan Family, ignores Xie Guan completely, treating him as beneath her notice.
• Li Xiangjun and Feng Yaya bow to the princes and quietly brief Xie Guan on their dangerous identities and reputation.
• Zhang Yuanlai is angered by Chen Mu’s twisting of right and wrong, but dares not openly oppose a prince.
• Zhou Yun'er is visibly furious at the bullying, whereas He Xiao and Jia Yu & company are left with complicated expressions of shame from earlier mocking Xie Guan.

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• At the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, Xie Guan’s three poems/cí verses have made him the center of attention.
• The Thirteenth Prince, Chen Mu, arrives and tries to force Xie Guan to compose poetry for him, threatening humiliation if he refuses. He openly mocks Xie Guan as a low-ranking, concubine-born son of the Xie Clan.
• The Eleventh Prince, Chen Yong, intervenes. To defuse the conflict, he offers Chen Mu his prized racetrack on Fish-Dragon Street — along with grooms and expenses — in exchange for leaving Xie Guan alone.
• Chen Mu hesitates but ultimately agrees, on condition that Xie Guan admits fault and apologizes.
• Xie Guan refuses, insisting he committed no wrongdoing and will not apologize.
• Chen Yong then sweetens the deal by offering to cover the racetrack’s expenses for ten years, and Chen Mu begrudgingly lets the matter go.
• Xie Guan asks the racetrack’s total value: roughly 2.2 million taels for the land plus 100,000 taels per year in costs, equaling four million taels.
• Instead of accepting the favor, Xie Guan declares he will repay Chen Yong by painting a picture and composing a cí poem — and daringly prices that single painting and poem at four million taels.
• The chapter ends with everyone shocked, and Zhou Yun'er preparing to grind ink for Xie Guan.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Demonstrates unshakable composure and pride. He refuses to bow to princely pressure, maintains his scholarly integrity, and turns a humiliating situation into a bold assertion of the value of his art. He is measured, confident, and willing to stake his reputation on a single work.
• Chen Mu (Thirteenth Prince): Arrogant, coercive, and power-conscious. He uses his status to crush a talented commoner but is also pragmatic — willing to compromise when offered something valuable.
• Chen Yong (Eleventh Prince): Though physically frail and politically low-key, he is shrewd and generous. He sees value in befriending Xie Guan and pays a huge price to protect him, suggesting deeper political ambitions.
• Zhang Yuanlai / Jia Yu / Li Xiangjun / Zhou Yun'er: Serve as witnesses and foils. Their reactions highlight the social stakes and their genuine concern for Xie Guan, with Zhou Yun'er re-emerging as a supportive presence.

3. Significant Themes

• Power vs. Talent: The Nine Great Surnames and imperial princes hold overwhelming social power, but Xie Guan’s talent becomes his counterweight — he values his art enough to place it on equal footing with vast wealth.
• Scholarly Integrity: Xie Guan refuses to apologize for following the rules of the banquet, embodying the “scholar’s spine” even under royal pressure.
• Class and Social Hierarchy: Concubine-born and common-born scholars are treated as disposable, but Xie Guan challenges this by asserting that his work has real, immense worth.
• Favor and Obligation: Chen Yong’s gift is both kindness and a political investment; Xie Guan refuses to owe favors, choosing instead to repay with something he believes is of equal value.

4. Character Interactions

• Chen Mu ↔ Xie Guan: Openly hostile and contemptuous. Chen Mu tries to humiliate Xie Guan; Xie Guan remains calm and defiant.
• Chen Yong ↔ Chen Mu: A negotiation between half-brothers — Chen Yong buys peace with a valuable gift, showing both diplomatic skill and subtle manipulation.
• Chen Yong ↔ Xie Guan: Chen Yong protects Xie Guan and tries to befriend him; Xie Guan respects the gesture but insists on repayment, preserving his dignity.
• Li Xiangjun ↔ Xie Guan: She tries to persuade Xie Guan to yield, showing her awareness of political danger and her protective concern.
• Zhang Yuanlai ↔ Xie Guan: Though worried, Zhang Yuanlai trusts Xie Guan’s judgment, reinforcing their bond.
• Zhou Yun'er ↔ Xie Guan: She grinds ink for him without hesitation, signaling emotional support and growing closeness.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• Yu Ke (acting as Xie Guan) showcases his Divine Penmanship by painting a turbulent sea scene. As he paints, a colossal whale emerges from the waves, then gradually transforms into the legendary Kunpeng—a giant fish that grows wings and becomes a divine bird.
• He finishes with an inscription: "People of the age know not the tree that pierces the clouds, waiting until it reaches the clouds to call it tall."
• Chen Yong, the scholarly prince, recognizes the Kunpeng myth and praises both the painting and calligraphy.
• Chen Mu, another prince, dismisses the painting and challenges its asking price of four million taels.
• Su Yun arrives and announces he will buy the painting, defending Xie Guan as a member of the Thatched Cottage Poetry Society.
• Princess Linxi and her companion appear, and Linxi offers double the price if Su Yun is willing to part with it.
• A final voice asks Chen Mu to yield the painting to his “little brother,” hinting at court rivalry.

Character Developments

• Yu Ke/Xie Guan: Proves his extraordinary artistic power, remaining calm and confident under pressure.
• Chen Yong: Shows deep classical knowledge and genuine appreciation for art.
• Chen Mu: Acts skeptical and confrontational, belittling the painting’s worth.
• Su Yun: Demonstrates loyalty and boldness, using his family’s influence to protect Xie Guan.
• Princess Linxi: Emerges as a refined but competitive figure, willing to pay exorbitantly for the masterpiece.

Significant Themes

• Transformation and ambition, symbolized by the Kunpeng.
• The tension between intrinsic artistic value and reputation/price.
• Art as spiritual resonance and divine inspiration.
• Political intrigue and rivalry among nobles.
• Brotherhood and protection within factions like the Thatched Cottage Poetry Society.

Character Interactions

• The crowd watches in awe as the painting comes alive.
• Chen Yong identifies and interprets the Kunpeng for others.
• Chen Mu openly belittles the price, prompting Su Yun’s defense.
• Su Yun confronts Chen Mu directly, invoking his powerful grandfather.
• Princess Linxi and her companion enter, offering to double the bid, creating a new layer of aristocratic competition.

Summary: "Plagiarized Poetry, a Princess of the Fallen Dynasty!"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The chapter takes place during the "Gathering of Beauties Banquet" at West Wing Tower in Bianjing, where two powerful princes—Second Prince Chen Feng and Sixth Prince Chen Ting (Prince of Yan)—have arrived to inspect a painting made by Xie Guan, a young man of humble (bastard-born) origins from the Xie Clan.
• The painting includes three stunning poems that have shocked the assembled aristocratic families (the Nine Great Surnames).
• Thirteenth Prince Chen Mu (Chen Ting's loyal brother) publicly accuses Xie Guan of plagiarizing the poems, arguing that a person of such low birth could not have produced such masterpieces.
• The two princes engage in a political power play over the painting, each refusing to take it or validate it, effectively deciding that Xie Guan and the painting are worthless.
• A eunuch whispers information to Second Prince Chen Feng, shifting his stance.
• Su Yun (grandson of Chancellor Su) tries to buy the painting for four million taels but lacks the funds.
• Su Shishi (a legendary courtesan of Silken Lane Spring House) appears, ignores both princes, and offers Xie Guan four million taels for the painting plus one requested poem. Xie Guan accepts.
• A revelation at the end: Su Shishi is secretly a princess of the fallen Sui dynasty, hidden by Chancellor Su, and has a portion of Great Sui's national fortune. She had been offered as a bride to become Great Qi's Empress but instead disguised herself as a courtesan to avoid it.
• The title's "plagiarized poetry" refers to Chen Mu's false accusation against Xie Guan.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Remains silent, calm, and composed throughout the accusations, accustomed to injustice from years of mistreatment within the Xie Clan. He accepts Su Shishi's offer with quiet dignity.
• Su Yun: Acts as Xie Guan's passionate defender, verbally lashing out at Chen Mu. His inability to buy the painting (having spent his money on hairpins) shows his impulsiveness and devotion over pragmatism.
• Chen Mu: Reveals his cruelty and classism, attacking Xie Guan's birth rather than his work, and skillfully sowing doubt about plagiarism.
• Chen Feng (Second Prince): Cold, calculating, and politically shrewd; uses the moment to observe Prince Yan's moves.
• Chen Ting (Prince of Yan): Supremely confident and strategic; backs off gracefully after receiving a note, aware of Su Shishi's true identity.
• Su Shishi: Reveals herself as extraordinarily bold and transcendent—she refuses to bow to princes, openly defies them, and commands awe. Her true identity as a fallen dynasty's princess explains her fearlessness.
• Zhang Yuanlai: Feels guilt for having invited Xie Guan into this "whirlpool"; his companion Feng Yaya warns him not to intervene, showing the powerlessness of common scholars.

3. Significant Themes

• Birth vs. Merit: The central conflict—Chen Mu and the aristocratic families judge Xie Guan solely by his lowly origin, reflected in the common rhyme "A dragon gives birth to a dragon, a phoenix gives birth to a phoenix, and rats are born knowing how to dig holes." The chapter challenges this notion through Xie Guan's undeniable talent.
• Political maneuvering: The painting becomes a chess piece in the rivalry between the Second Prince and Prince of Yan for the throne (the Eastern Palace being vacant). The two princes suppress Xie Guan not out of honest judgment, but to test each other and demonstrate their authority.
• Power and silence of the common people: Zhang Yuanlai, Jia Yu, and other scholars dare not speak against princes, illustrating how the powerful crush the weak with impunity.
• Hidden identities: Su Shishi's secret as a fallen dynasty princess adds a layer of intrigue, showing that true power often lies beneath disguises.
• Censorship of talent: The aristocracy uses accusations of plagiarism to suppress and ruin an "unknown" genius, a timeless trope about gatekeeping.

4. Character Interactions

• Chen Mu vs. Xie Guan: The prince repeatedly insults Xie Guan and demands proof he didn't plagiarize; Xie Guan says nothing.
• Su Yun vs. Chen Mu: Heated confrontation—Su Yun tells Chen Mu to mind his own business and later mocks him when Su Shishi buys the painting.
• Second Prince vs. Prince of Yan: A subtle duel of words and gestures; Chen Feng offers Chen Ting the painting, Chen Ting refuses and "returns" it, each testing the other's intentions.
• Su Shishi vs. the two princes: She arrogantly ignores both Chen Feng (who greets her warmly) and Chen Ting, walking directly between them to Xie Guan—an open demonstration of her immunity to their authority.
• Zhang Yuanlai & Feng Yaya: Her protective grip signals her fear; his guilt and suppressed urge to speak highlight their vulnerable social status.
• Su Shishi & Xie Guan: She examines his painting, praises it, requests a poem, and offers four million taels—an alliance of mutual recognition between two individuals outside the aristocratic power structure.

Note: The chapter ends with the narrator revealing Su Shishi's backstory (a Sui princess who escaped execution, carries a fragment of the Sui dynasty's fortune, and was hidden by Chancellor Su after refusing to become the Great Qi Empress), linking her fate to the "falling dynasty" mentioned in the chapter title. The "plagiarism" accusation was a piece of political and class-driven slander, dispelled by Su Shishi's faith in Xie Guan's work.

Summary of Chapter: "The Academy's Third Master, 'Yu Beauty!'"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Su Shishi, a celebrated courtesan of West Wing Tower and secret former princess of Great Sui, attends the Gathering of Beauties Banquet. Chancellor Su has promised her greater freedom if she ranks in the top three.
• Xie Guan (Yu Ke) is under suspicion of treason due to his connections with Great Sui's Three Truths Lineage. The Divine Hidden Office and Demon-Slaying Office were ordered to arrest him, but an Academy figure known as the Third Master intervened on the fourth floor of Immortal-Inviting Tower, vouching for Xie Guan's innocence and halting the arrest.
• The two princes—Second Prince Chen Feng and Prince of Yan Chen Ting—had initially snubbed Xie Guan publicly to avoid being implicated, but receive word of the Third Master's guarantee.
• Su Shishi decides to support Xie Guan, offering four million taels for one of his poems/paintings.
• She requests a ci in the tune title "Yu Beauty," citing homesickness for her native Great Sui.
• Yu Ke writes the famous ci: "When will spring flowers and autumn moon end? How many past events can one know? ... Just like a river of spring water flowing east."
• The poem deeply moves Su Shishi to tears and earns widespread praise. Su Shishi remarks that four million taels is too low for such a work.

2. Character Developments

• Su Shishi: Shown to be strategic, perceptive, and emotionally layered—homesick, trapped by her status, and seeking allies. Her tearful reaction reveals vulnerability beneath her composed facade.
• Yu Ke / Xie Guan: Demonstrates extraordinary poetic talent and composure under political pressure; his writing resonates emotionally and impresses powerful figures.
• Chen Feng and Chen Ting: Pragmatic princes who initially distance themselves from Xie Guan for political safety, then reassess after the Third Master's intervention.
• The Third Master (off-screen): Emerges as a powerful, mysterious protector of Xie Guan, able to overrule arrest orders.

3. Significant Themes

• Political danger and patronage: Talent is entangled with suspicion; alliances can shift based on hidden power.
• Identity and exile: Su Shishi's "homesickness" reflects displacement; the poem's theme of lost homeland strikes a personal chord.
• Art as emotional force: The poem transcends mere skill—it moves listeners, creates bonds, and elevates the poet's reputation.
• Status and freedom: Even celebrated courtesans remain trapped; poetry becomes a path to influence and possible liberation.

4. Character Interactions

• Su Shishi and Yu Ke: She deliberately aids him, and he reciprocates by composing a poem tailored to her feelings—creating a meaningful alliance.
• Princes vs. Xie Guan: They initially snub him but later react with renewed interest after learning of the Third Master's protection.
• Su Yun and others: Su Yun arrives late and praises the poem; Zhang Yuanlai, Jia Yu, and others admire and recite it.
• Off-screen influence: The Third Master's intervention quietly reshapes the political landscape around Xie Guan.

Chapter Summary: Can Great Qi's National Fortune Grant Immortality?

1. Key Plot Points

• The chapter opens with a secret meeting between Chancellor Su Jing ("Su Wuxin") and Third Master of the Academy in the Immortal-Inviting Tower's fourth floor during the Gathering of Beauties Banquet.
• Su Jing reveals his true identity and methods: he has used the Corpse Liberation Method to disguise his youthful appearance as an elderly man, and has stolen Great Qi's dragon vein and national fortune. The young eunuch in the palace is revealed to be his external corpse-liberated body.
• Su Jing admits he conspired with the Nine Great Surnames, claiming to divide the national fortune among them, but actually gave them only "corpse qi" — a deception.
• Philosophical confrontation: Third Master condemns Su Jing's selfish path; Su Jing declares he only seeks immortality and views mortals as mayflies, unworthy of concern.
• At the banquet, Su Jing reviews the courtesans' poems, takes notice of Xie Guan's talent, and orders him to compose a poem in person.
• Two commanders (Divine Hidden Bureau and Demon-Slaying Office) report that Xie Guan has secretly associated with the Three Truths Sect. Su Jing orders Xie Guan's arrest and full investigation of the Xie Clan. Third Master interrupts with "Wait!" — suggesting he will protect Xie Guan.
• Meanwhile, Su Shishi (the famous courtesan) pays Xie Guan four million taels in banknotes ("Treasure Notes") for his Kunpeng Painting. Xie Guan immediately hands the money to Prince Chen Yong in gratitude.
• Linxi warns Xie Guan that his elder half-brother Xie Mu is returning home after the banquet and holds deep animosity toward him (flashback shows Xie Mu once telling young Xie Guan he was "not worthy of the surname Xie").
• Second Prince Chen Feng shows continued romantic interest in Su Shishi, but she remains cold and distant due to her background as a princess of a fallen enemy dynasty.

2. Character Developments

• Su Jing: Fully revealed as an ambitious, ruthless cultivator — deceptive, self-serving, and disdainful of mortal life. His goal is singular: transcendence and immortality.
• Third Master: Still idealistic, cares for the common people, and appears willing to intervene (the "Wait!") — possibly to protect Xie Guan or check Su Jing's cruelty.
• Xie Guan (Yu Ke): Demonstrates political shrewdness — returns the four million taels to Chen Yong immediately, cementing his value to the prince while avoiding the taint of taking money directly from a courtesan.
• Su Shishi: Shows sincerity in friendship, business integrity, and firm emotional boundaries with Prince Chen Feng.
• Chen Yong (Prince of Yan): Admires Xie Guan's poem (especially the lines about the piercing-cloud tree and Peng wings), but hesitates to offend rival princes over him — a man balancing admiration against politics.

3. Significant Themes

• The pursuit of immortality vs. mortal ethics: Su Jing embodies the "mayfly" worldview — that all humans are insignificant, so self-interest is the only law. Third Master represents the Confucian/societal counterargument.
• Deception and layered identity: Corpse Liberation, cultivation disguises (youth as aged, eunuch as secret avatar), and Su Jing's long-running trick on the Nine Great Surnames.
• Political legitimacy and bastardry: Xie Guan's outsider status in the Xie Clan, his brother's rejection, and the factions (Yuan Family, Xie Clan, princes) all maneuvering around him.
• Power and class: Banknotes, courtesans, princes, and chancellors — wealth and status are transactional tools.

4. Character Interactions

• Su Jing & Third Master: Tense, intimate confrontation — old brothers/sect-mates now on divergent moral paths. Third Master can see through Su Jing completely.
• Su Jing & the commanders: Cold, efficient command to arrest and investigate; shows Su Jing's absolute authority.
• Third Master's "Wait!": Directly opposing Su Jing's order — the first counter-move, creating the chapter's cliffhanger tension.
• Su Shishi & Xie Guan: Mutually respectful; she settles payment preemptively, showing trust; he accepts without counting.
• Xie Guan & Chen Yong: Gratitude and mutual admiration, but guarded; Xie Guan's gift of money is a deliberate political gesture.
• Chen Feng & Su Shishi: One-sided affection; she politely refuses his overtures; hints of old dynastic enmity between them.
• Linxi & Xie Guan: Teasing but meaningful warning about the returning Xie Mu.
• Madam Yuan & Xie Guan: Hostility implied — her plot to humiliate him via Su Shishi has failed.

Summary of Chapter: Jin Zitan, Critic of Reputation; Many Courtesan Queens!

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yong (Eleventh Brother) reflects on his choice to remain silent before the Second Prince and Prince of Yan; Xie Guan gives him four hundred taels to repay his favor, making them even.
• The racetrack on Fish-Dragon Street is handed over to Chen Mu (Thirteenth Brother). Chen Mu mocks Xie Guan's paintings, claiming his horses are worth more, but Xie Guan ignores him.
• The famed critic Jin Zitan suddenly appears—a disheveled, wine-nosed old scholar from West Wing Tower who is also a man of the Academy. He rebukes Chen Mu's claim, insisting Xie Guan's paintings are immensely valuable.
• Jin Zitan (who famously appraised Xie Guan's father, Xie Ling, and the former courtesan queen Hu Yunniang) asks Xie Guan for a painting—freely, since he is poor. Xie Guan agrees without hesitation.
• Su Shishi notes that her four-million-tael purchase is naturally different from Jin Zitan's request. Chen Mu, fearing Jin Zitan's influence over his reputation, no longer dares mock Xie Guan.
• Jin Zitan announces he will visit Xie Manor in a few days.
• The chapter closes as several courtesan queens approach through the parting crowd: Madam Gongsun (in red silk), Yun Wan (courtesan queen of Moonlight Pavilion), Hu Yunniang, and Chenxiang.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan / Yu Ke: Demonstrates utter indifference to vast sums of money, reinforcing his mysterious, unshakable demeanor. Gains a powerful and influential ally in Jin Zitan by showing him respect and generosity.
• Chen Yong (Eleventh Brother): Feels an inexplicable sense of loss and regret after accepting the money, realizing his cautious nature may have cost him a meaningful connection with Xie Guan.
• Jin Zitan: Introduced as an uncompromising, fearless critic of reputation who neither craves wealth nor fears the powerful (having once been jailed by Chancellor Su for refusing to alter an appraisal). He is ethically generous toward fallen women and values scholarly talent above money.
• Chen Mu (Thirteenth Brother): Gains the racetrack but is humiliated and rendered silent by Jin Zitan's presence, revealing his dependence on public reputation.

3. Significant Themes

• The Power of Reputation and Public Appraisal: Jin Zitan's words can launch or destroy careers; even princes tread carefully around him. This contrasts with Xie Guan, who seems indifferent to public opinion.
• Money vs. Talent: Chen Mu argues the material value of horses outweighs paintings; Jin Zitan counters that true worth is beyond gold. Xie Guan's casual disposal of 4 million taels underscores his superiority over material concerns.
• Cautious Pragmatism vs. Fearless Integrity: Chen Yong's cautious silence weighed against Jin Zitan's fearless criticism and Xie Guan's unbothered largesse.
• Strategic Relationships and Favor-Building: Xie Guan's easy agreement to give Jin Zitan a painting is a calculated act of alliance-building dressed as generosity.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Guan ↔ Chen Yong: A transaction that formally settles all debts; Chen Yong feels loss while Xie Guan remains aloof and unreachable.
• Xie Guan ↔ Chen Mu: Chen Mu repeatedly insults Xie Guan's art and standing; Xie Guan ignores him entirely, further enraging Chen Mu.
• Jin Zitan ↔ All: He arrives noisily, ignores the princes' greetings, rebukes Chen Mu publicly, shows deep respect to Xie Guan, and classifies Su Shishi as "first-rate among the flowers."
• Jin Zitan ↔ Su Shishi: He playfully acknowledges her four-million-tael purchase as different from his own free request; she graciously deflects with praise.
• Li Xiangjun, Feng Yaya, Zhou Yun'er ↔ Jin Zitan: They recognize and warmly introduce him, reinforcing his established rapport with the courtesans of West Wing Tower.
• Chen Ting (Prince of Yan) ↔ Jin Zitan: Chen Ting greets Jin Zitan respectfully but is utterly ignored, illustrating Jin Zitan's indifference to power.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• At the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, numerous famous courtesans suddenly appear—Su Shishi, Madam Gongsun (Gongsun Meiyu), Yun Wan, Hu Yunniang, and Chenxiang—and all specifically greet Xie Guan, drawing everyone’s attention.
• Madam Gongsun, wanting to repay Xie Guan for his poem that helped her rank among the top three, asks him for a painting for 4 million taels. She also offers 5 million taels to Su Shishi for the Kunpeng Painting, but Su Shishi refuses, declaring she will never sell it. This publicly restores Xie Guan’s dignity and humiliates Chen Mu, who had earlier mocked the painting as worthless.
• Yun Wan and Hu Yunniang also commission paintings from Xie Guan at the same price. Xie Guan (internally called Yu Ke) accepts, building valuable connections.
• A palace eunuch arrives with a joint order from Chancellor Su and the Academy’s Third Gentleman, summoning Xie Guan to Immortal-Inviting Tower to compose poetry. The princes are puzzled because Xie Guan had previously been suspected of colluding with Great Sui’s Three Truths Lineage.
• Xie Guan receives a system prompt and chooses Option 2: Agree, judging it beneficial to his future.
• Meanwhile, Xie Renfeng panics, thinking Xie Guan will doom the Xie Clan, and secretly resolves to have him expelled from the clan genealogy after the banquet.
• Crowds flock to see Xie Guan. **

Summary of the Chapter

Key Plot Points

• Lu Hua, a Heavenly Master of the Three Truths Sect, is resting in a private room above Silken Lane Spring House, watching the Gathering of Beauties Banquet on the Zhi River. She feels indifferent about the proceedings, though she notes that Xie Guan has written three of the opening poems, sparking mixed feelings: admiration for his cultivation talent, regret that he is not a disciple of her sect.
• She plans to leave Bianjing after tonight, but her subordinate Long Yi (a Flood Dragon with a half-dragon body) has been gone too long. She briefly worries, but reassures herself that he possesses a Water Escape skill, allowing him to flee through any nearby water source if threatened.
• Suddenly, two experts appear silently outside her door: the infamous Demon Master Xu Jiangxian, and a kind elderly monk, Master Lotus Pond. They have followed Long Yi to her location, revealing they know her identity.
• Master Lotus Pond recalls a past meeting at Mount Zhongnan five years earlier, easing Lu Hua's caution. However, she remains wary of Xu Jiangxian, who is known for being ruthless and cunning.
• Xu Jiangxian reveals their purpose: they have come for the same reason as Lu Hua—to deal with Second Mister and seek the Academy's Fifth Floor secret of ascension.
• He correctly deduces the original plan: after the banquet, Lu Hua and her allies (Divine Hidden Office, Demon-Slaying Office, Chancellor Su) would feign an encirclement of Third Mister (An Shi), only to lure Second Mister out and kill him. Lu Hua neither confirms nor denies.
• Xu Jiangxian admits he is close friends with Third Mister, but is willing to abandon that friendship in exchange for glimpsing the Academy's secret.
• He warns that Third Mister likely anticipated this plan and is setting a trap. Moreover, Su Jing (Fourth Mister) is so cunning that he may have foreseen the Demon Master's arrival, leaving Lu Hua, the Demon Master, and the monk to act as his "chess pieces."
• The Demon Master proposes a countermeasure: break into the Academy directly, confront Second Mister's sword, and “smash the chessboard” instead of following Su Jing's expected script.

Character Developments

• Lu Hua: Displays caution, competence, and a strong sense of duty toward her sect. Though she is calculating, she is outmaneuvered by more experienced schemers. She wrestles with her complicated feelings toward Xie Guan and remains cool-headed when confronted by two powerful strangers.
• Xu Jiangxian: Shown as a strategic, manipulative figure who can betray personal friendships (Third Mister) for the sake of a higher objective—revealing his pragmatic, ruthless nature. He is also well-informed and sees through others' schemes.
• Master Lotus Pond: A righteous, gravely solemn Buddhist monk who acts as a stabilizing presence. Although he aligns with the Demon Master, his motivation appears spiritual or noble rather than purely self-interested.
• Third Mister (An Shi) and Fourth Mister (Su Jing): Mentioned only off-screen. Third Mister is suspected of setting a counter-ambush; Su Jing is portrayed as a master strategist who treats others as chess pieces.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hua initially avoids meeting the visitors, but Master Lotus Pond appeals to their past acquaintance, convincing her to stay.
• She is wary of Xu Jiangxian but recognizes the power imbalance, so she remains guarded.
• The three form an uneasy alliance over their shared interest in Second Mister and the Academy's secret.
• Xu Jiangxian takes the lead in laying out the larger political/strategic puzzle, treating Lu Hua as an equal but also as someone being used by Su Jing.

Significant Themes

• Schemes and Chess Metaphors: The chapter emphasizes elaborate plans within plans. Su Jing is portrayed as a puppeteer controlling others from afar; Xu Jiangxian suggests “smashing the chessboard” to escape being used.
• Friendship vs. Ambition: Xu Jiangxian’s willingness to betray Third Mister highlights the theme that personal relationships are secondary to greater ambitions like immortality or knowledge.
• Secrecy and Revelation: Hidden identities, silent arrivals, and exposed plots drive the narrative. Lu Hua’s secrets are quickly uncovered by the Demon Master.
• Power Dynamics and Mistrust: The alliance between Lu Hua, the Demon Master, and the monk is uneasy and situational; each character guards their own motives.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points

• Yu Ke, inheriting Xie Guan's memories, is led by Chancellor Su's old eunuch to Immortal-Inviting Tower for the Gathering of Beauties Banquet.
• The eunuch warns him: stay on the third floor, do not go to the fourth, and avoid looking/asking/speaking too much.
• Yu Ke ascends through the tower: first floor (minor officials), second floor (Nine Great Surnames' younger generation), third floor (clan heads, consorts, high ministers).
• On the second floor, he draws mockery for his illegitimate background and lack of scholarly titles, but Chen Jiuyan fiercely defends him.
• Spotting Zhao Yang (a past enemy) glaring at him, Yu Ke ignores him and proceeds.
• On the third floor, he uses Lu Hua's secret art and the Kun Void Cauldron to fully conceal his cultivation, appearing as an ordinary mortal.
• He is placed in a prepared study and ordered to compose a poem/lyric themed on immortals and the Gathering of Beauties Banquet before the banquet ends.
• Meanwhile, Zhao Yang rages that Xie Guan still lives despite Xie Renfeng hiring Dark Moon Hall assassins.

2. Character Developments

• Yu Ke (Xie Guan): Remains cautious, disciplined, and emotionally controlled; draws on inherited memories to navigate courtly etiquette. Demonstrates strategic concealment of his true cultivation level.
• Chen Jiuyan: Shows confidence in Xie Guan's talent, based on their chess matches; reveals a protective, sharp-tongued nature.
• Zhao Yang: Displays intense hatred and vindictiveness; confirms ongoing assassination plot against Xie Guan.

3. Significant Themes

• Social hierarchy and legitimacy: Illegitimate birth and lack of titles are used to belittle Xie Guan, yet talent (chess, poetry) earns recognition.
• Appearance vs. hidden depth: Yu Ke's aura suppression reflects the gap between perceived mortal and true cultivator.
• Court intrigue and danger: Enemies lurk even in prestigious settings; every move is scrutinized.

4. Character Interactions

• The old eunuch offers a rare, benevolent warning—showing a contrast to his sinister appearance.
• Chen Jiuyan publicly silences critics by referencing the Prince of Yan and Confucius as examples of uncredentialed greatness.
• Yu Ke's non-reaction to Zhao Yang's hostility displays his self-restraint and long-term strategy.
• The third floor's powerholders observe him, but he successfully blends in with the environment.
  (Brief reference for recall: Chapter title: "Ascending Immortal-Inviting Tower, with immortals as the theme!" — Yu Ke enters the tower, faces scrutiny, and is tasked with composing poetry while enemies plot outside.)

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Yang’s cruelty: At the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, Zhao Yang viciously injures a maid’s hand with shattered porcelain for crying out, then dismisses other young masters.
• Scheming against Xie Guan: Xie Renfeng tells Zhao Yang that Xie Guan must compose poetry to Chancellor Su’s satisfaction, or he will be imprisoned. The Xie Clan will also convene an assembly tomorrow to expel Xie Guan from Xie Manor, leaving him unprotected. Zhao Yang vows to make Xie Guan’s life miserable. Zhao Yang notes his retainer Shen Kuan has not returned from an ambush, but dismisses it.
• Harassment of Gan Zhi: While Xie Renfeng kindly bandages another maid’s wound, Zhao Yang openly gropes Gan Zhi (Xie Renfeng’s maid). She silently begs Xie Renfeng for help, but he pretends not to notice, leaving her in tears.
• Xie Guan’s tragic backstory: Zhang Yuanlai recounts how Xie Guan lost his mother at eight, went blind at nine, defeated a Go rival to win study partners, and endured harsh treatment in the Xie Clan.
• Luo Jing’s arrival: Luo Jing, a famed scholar and head of Lofty Mountain Academy, interrupts the conversation. He reveals that Third Sir has personally recommended Zhang Yuanlai to study at the Academy. He also praises Zhou Yun’er’s dragon painting and tells her never to sell it.
• Zhang Yuanlai’s realization: After Luo Jing leaves, Feng Yaya hints that the opportunity came through Xie Guan’s influence, leaving Zhang Yuanlai grateful. He Xiao becomes bitterly envious.
• Final threat: The lame old man from Chancellor Su’s manor confronts Yu Ke (Xie Guan) in a quiet room. He warns that if Xie Guan cannot produce satisfying poetry, he will never leave the room alive—there will be “no more Xie Guan in this world.”

2. Character Developments

• Xie Renfeng: Reveals his two-faced nature—outwardly courteous and gentle, but complicit in Zhao Yang’s harassment of Gan Zhi and calmly plotting against his own cousin.
• Zhao Yang: Displayed as cruel, arrogant, and vindictive; openly mistreats servants and desires revenge against Xie Guan.
• Zhang Yuanlai: Receives an unexpected chance to enter the Academy, seeing his future secured; realizes the quiet kindness of Xie Guan.
• He Xiao: Becomes consumed by jealousy as his friend advances far beyond him.
• Xie Guan / Yu Ke: Though not directly active in this chapter, his past suffering and resilience are highlighted, and he is placed under deadly political pressure.
• Luo Jing: Emerges as a wise, benevolent mentor figure, recognizing hidden talent and rewarding worthiness.

3. Significant Themes

• Hypocrisy and cruelty of aristocratic society: Nobles like Zhao Yang abuse servants with impunity; Xie Renfeng hides his ruthlessness behind a gentlemanly facade.
• Power, political intrigue, and survival: Xie Guan is trapped by Chancellor Su’s ultimatum and the Xie Clan’s rejection; life and death hinge on poetry and factions.
• Resilience against adversity: Xie Guan’s blind childhood, hard work, and kindness toward friends contrast sharply with the nobles’ corruption.
• Friendship vs. jealousy: Zhang Yuanlai’s gratitude and He Xiao’s envy show how fortune tests relationships.
• Appearances vs. reality: Xie Renfeng’s courteous acts mask betrayal; the banquet’s splendor hides deadly maneuvering.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhao Yang and Xie Renfeng: Alliance built on shared hatred of Xie Guan; Zhao Yang dominates, Xie Renfeng manipulates.
• Zhao Yang and Gan Zhi: Harassment and power-based sexual aggression; Gan Zhi looks to Xie Renfeng for rescue but is ignored.
• Xie Renfeng and injured maid: Displays superficial kindness to reinforce his public image.
• Zhang Yuanlai, He Xiao, and courtesans: Bond over Xie Guan’s story; Luo Jing’s entrance changes the dynamic, elevating Zhang Yuanlai and alienating He Xiao.
• Luo Jing and Zhou Yun’er: Mentorship and genuine appreciation of art.
• Lame old man and Xie Guan: Ominous confrontation, ending with a death threat and tightening suspense.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points & Events

• Xie Guan has ascended to the third floor of Immortal-Inviting Tower, where Chancellor Su and the Third Gentleman have tasked him with composing a poem on the theme of immortals and Immortal-Inviting Tower — a test that will determine his fate.
• On the second floor, Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, Li Shuwan, Xie Qiyue, and Xue Hong scramble to find ways to help him. They plan to appeal to their respective elders (Xie Yuan's uncle Master Mirror Lake, Li Shuwan's Old Madam, Xie Qiyue's father Xie Hong, and Xue Hong's great-grandfather).
• Zhao Yang and Xie Renfeng arrive, revealing that Xie Guan has been accused of colluding with the Three Truths Sect (a mortal enemy of Great Qi) and having ties to a Three Truths Celestial Master — a potentially treasonous charge. They claim the Third Gentleman intervened to give Xie Guan a chance: if his poetry fails today, he will be escorted to prison.
• Madam Xu (Xu Yuexi) of the Sima Clan arrives and counsels patience. She argues that rushing to his aid would only confirm the accusation, and that Chancellor Su would not have staged a public spectacle unless he had room to back down. She insists Xie Guan will turn danger into safety.
• On the tower's upper level, Second Prince Chen Feng, Prince of Yan Chen Ting, Eleventh Prince Chen Yong, and Thirteenth Prince Chen Mu discuss the matter. Chen Feng ultimately decides that saving Xie Guan "isn't worth it" — the political cost (impeachments, suspicion of secret dealings with the enemy sect) is too high. Chen Mu gloats, wanting to see Xie Guan's downfall, while Chen Yong remains silent but intrigued.

Character Developments

• Xie Yuan — Shows fierce loyalty, verbally attacking Zhao Yang ("cheap bastard who likes men") and refusing to abandon Xie Guan despite the danger.
• Zhang Yunzhi — Deeply anxious for Xie Guan; her composure cracks, revealing genuine emotional attachment. She recalls his consistent calmness in past crises, which steadies her.
• Li Shuwan — The pragmatic organizer; quickly devises a division of tasks and trusts Madam Xu's judgment, showing political awareness.
• Xie Qiyue — Defies her brother Xie Renfeng's warning, asserting that "Father will make his own judgment." Loyal to Zhang Yunzhi and willing to act on principle.
• Xie Renfeng — Antagonistic; wants Xie Guan removed, warns his family not to get involved, and is baffled and resentful that an illegitimate son has so many powerful allies.
• Xu Yuexi (Madam Xu) — Wise, strategic, and clearly protective of Xie Guan. Her presence hints at hidden connections and larger conspiracies surrounding him.
• Princes — All coldly self-interested. Chen Feng weighs the cost-benefit and declines to help; Chen Ting uses the situation to threaten his brother politically; Chen Mu displays petty malice.

Significant Themes

• Political peril of association — Merely being linked to the Three Truths Sect is enough to imperil an entire clan; public perception and rumor ("smoke does not rise without fire") matter more than truth.
• The worth of a life vs. political calculation — Chen Feng's "isn't worth it" starkly contrasts with the friends' selfless loyalty, highlighting how the powerful treat people as disposable assets.
• Class and legitimacy — Xie Guan's status as an illegitimate son makes him vulnerable; his survival depends entirely on the protection and risk-taking of others.
• Patience as strategy — Madam Xu's advice embodies the theme that rash action can destroy what it intends to save.
• Friendship and found family — A diverse circle of young nobles risks their standing for someone outside their rank.

Character Interactions

• Xie Yuan vs. Zhao Yang — Open hostility; Xie Yuan insults Zhao Yang's sexuality, Zhao Yang nearly attacks until Xie Renfeng stops him.
• Xie Qiyue vs. Xie Renfeng — Sibling conflict; she refuses his order to avoid involving their father, asserting her own moral compass.
• Madam Xu with the juniors — She corrects Li Shuwan's plan, earns their respect, and provides the pragmatic lens that cools their panic.
• Li Shuwan & Zhang Yunzhi — Close friendship; Li Shuwan comforts and steadies the distraught Zhang Yunzhi.
• Sima Muqing & Xue Hong — A subtle subplot: Muqing's gaze toward Xue Hong is unusually warm, suggesting a shift in her hidden feelings, noticed by Li Shuwan.
• Princes' council — Chen Feng and Chen Ting trade veiled threats about the Censorate; Chen Yong silently observes, his thoughts unrevealed (only an interest in the quality of Xie Guan's poetry).

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• Yu Ke faces a choice from the Great Cauldron in his Heart Sea: whether to write a poem about immortals. He selects Option 3—to write it before the Gathering of Beauties Banquet—which is marked as beneficial to the future.
• Yu Ke demands the lame old man (Elder Chang of the Su Family) grind his ink and warm wine, deliberately stalling to maintain an air of composure.
• Despite Elder Chang's threats, Yu Ke writes the poem "White Jade Capital in the heavens, twelve towers and five cities" — a piece so impressive it astounds both Elder Chang and the old eunuch bearing the imperial seal.
• The old eunuch declares the poem could have been written by the Poet Immortal himself, elevating Yu Ke's standing. The poem also contains cryptic lines about leaving Bianjing ("with five sighs, I left Bianjing"), hinting at fate and departure.

Character Developments

• Yu Ke (Xie Guan): Remains calm, calculated, and confident throughout. His deliberate inflation of the moment's tension shows strategic intelligence; his calligraphy and poetry prove his talents are genuinely extraordinary. He treats a dangerous Ninth-Rank warrior with deliberate, casual authority.
• Elder Chang (Su Family): Initially contemptuous and threatening, he grudgingly serves Yu Ke. The quality of the poem visibly shifts his demeanor, marking the beginnings of respect/accommodation.
• Old Eunuch: Deeply reverent toward Yu Ke's work; he instinctively protects the ink marks, showing he recognizes true literary gold. Serves as the audience stand-in for the poem's power.

Significant Themes

• Poetry as power: Literary talent functions as a form of social warfare and legacy — Yu Ke's verse can elevate him where martial force could not.
• Immortality and transcendence: The poem's subject matter (Immortal Capital, longevity, sage lords) mirrors Yu Ke's own trajectory — a mortal navigating larger forces through wits rather than brute strength.
• Fate and choice: The Cauldron's options frame destiny as a branching path; Yu Ke's selection of the "beneficial" route demonstrates destiny guided by deliberate action.

Character Interactions

• Yu Ke vs. Elder Chang: A tense power play. Elder Chang threatens violence ("I'll break all four of your limbs"); Yu Ke responds with icy composure, turning the servitude dynamic around by commanding the old man as if he were a servant.
• Old Eunuch's reaction: His astonishment at seeing a Ninth-Rank Martial Warrior grinding ink for a youth underscores Yu Ke's boldness and foreshadows his rising reputation.
• All three characters: United by the poem's unveiling — the ideological clash between martial might and literary genius resolves momentarily in favor of Yu Ke's talent.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points & Events

• In a quiet room at Immortal-Inviting Tower, Elder Chang (the lame old man, a martial arts expert guarding Chancellor Su) confronts Xie Guan, threatening to kill him on the spot for his insolence.
• The chief eunuch tries to mediate, urging Xie Guan to soften his attitude.
• Xie Guan remains unyielding, declaring: “My life is heavier than the heavens… priceless beyond measure.”
• Elder Chang unleashes his Eighth Grade martial coercion, but Xie Guan—using the Buddhist technique “Buddha Hand Surging Wave”—calmly withstands the pressure.
• Elder Chang, unable to suppress him, is forced to back down. Xie Guan even makes him pour wine into his cup, a shocking breach of protocol.
• Elder Chang takes the poem and leaves, warning that if Chancellor Su dislikes it, Xie Guan will taste “true good wine” (i.e., suffer severe consequences).
• Yu Ke (the one reincarnated as Xie Guan) reflects on his experience: the immersive “personal participation” deepens his cultivation insights and breaks bottlenecks. He notes that all gains vanish after each simulation, like a “veil of ignorance,” but insists: “Yu Ke will still be Yu Ke.”
• Downstairs, Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, Li Shuwan, and others anxiously await news. Zhao Yang and Xie Renfeng sneer, predicting Xie Guan’s ruin.
• Xie Qiyue returns with news: Xie Guan presented his poem on the fourth floor, and even made Elder Chang grind ink and pour wine.
• The chapter ends with a thunderous announcement from the fourth floor: Chancellor Su and the Third Gentleman invite Young Master Guan directly to the fourth floor! — stunning his enemies.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan / Yu Ke: Displays unshakable confidence, wit, and martial skill. His self-worth is absolute; he refuses to bow to threats. His experience sharpens his primordial spirit and martial dao cultivation.
• Elder Chang: A fearsome old master humbled by Xie Guan’s resistance. He grudgingly pours wine but leaves a veiled death threat, showing both respect and resentment.
• Zhang Yunzhi: Deeply anxious for Xie Guan; her backstory hints at her father’s unjust punishment, reinforcing her sympathy for the wronged.
• Zhao Yang & Xie Renfeng: Antagonists who mock Xie Guan, but are left speechless when the invitation arrives.
• Xie Qiyue: Warm, loyal, and playful; she brings crucial news and reassures the worried group.
• Xie Yuan: Protective of his cousin, impatient with Zhao Yang’s taunts.

Significant Themes

• Self-Worth vs. Social Status: Xie Guan, a despised concubine-born son, asserts that his life is invaluable—challenging the hierarchy of the Nine Great Surnames.
• Poetry as Life-or-Death Stakes: A single poem can save or destroy a man; reputation hangs by a thread.
• Power and Resistance: Martial pressure, social rank, and political power all fail to break Xie Guan’s spirit.
• Identity and Reincarnation: Yu Ke reflects on the boundaries between playing a role and being oneself—“Rather be myself.”

Character Interactions

• Elder Chang ↔ Xie Guan: Hostile confrontation → grudging concession.
• Chief Eunuch ↔ Both: Tries to keep peace, shows fear of Elder Chang, astonishment at Xie Guan’s Buddhist martial arts.
• Xie Qiyue ↔ Others: Delivers news, teases Xie Yuan, comforts Zhang Yunzhi.
• Zhao Yang ↔ Xie Yuan: Verbal sparring; Zhao Yang’s mockery vs. Xie Yuan’s loyalty.
• Zhang Yunzhi ↔ Li Shuwan: Sisterly comfort; Zhang’s worry is palpable.
  End result: Xie Guan is summoned to the fourth floor—a major victory for him and a shock to his enemies.

Chapter Summary: “Xie Guan, Have You Seen the White Jade Capital in the Heavens?”

1. Key Plot Points

• Yu Ke, reincarnated as Xie Guan, effortlessly comprehends the Yang Talisman Scripture left by Lu Hua, aided by the rare “observing the Dao” state.
• He reflects on his previous life as Lu Chen, recalling Lu Yu’s likely shattered-void ascension and the rule that each reincarnation grants only a fixed “talent destiny,” not cumulative gains.
• A chief eunuch summons Xie Guan directly to the fourth floor of the Immortal-Inviting Tower by order of Third Master and Chancellor Su.
• On the third floor, many nobles watch him; Xie family members react with suspicion, coldness, or curiosity.
• Sima Pan, the military governor of Jiannan Circuit, has mysteriously vanished after being called downstairs by a woman, unsettling Tang Zi’ang.
• On the fourth floor, Third Master and Chancellor Su question Xie Guan from behind a beaded curtain: has he seen the “White Jade Capital in the heavens” or the immortal realm?
• Yu Ke’s Great Cauldron trembles, nearly exposing his Celestial Reincarnation secret, but he calmly answers, “Xie Guan has been fortunate enough to see it.”

2. Character Developments

• Yu Ke/Xie Guan: Displays exceptional comprehension, composure, and quick thinking under pressure; narrowly avoids revealing his reincarnation secret.
• Third Master: Mysterious and profound, uses poetic allusion and direct questioning to probe Xie Guan’s true origins.
• Chancellor Su: Aged and shrewd, joins the interrogation with a direct question about the immortal realm.
• Tang Zi’ang: Grows increasingly uneasy about Sima Pan’s disappearance, sensing that something major is unfolding.

3. Significant Themes

• Reincarnation and Destiny: Gains from past lives cannot be stacked; each life only extracts one fixed talent, framing Xie Guan’s unique genius as a choice rather than accumulated merit.
• Dao and Understanding: The “observing the Dao” state allows near-effortless comprehension of esoteric scriptures.
• Secrecy and Exposure: The danger of hidden identities, especially Celestial Reincarnation, and the constant threat of being seen through.
• Mortal vs. Immortal: The symbolic “White Jade Capital” represents the immortal realm, and the question of whether a mortal can truly know it.

4. Character Interactions

• The old eunuch treats Xie Guan with deep respect, indicating his elevated standing.
• On the third floor, the Xie family members display mixed emotions, while Zhuge Jian appears gratified, having recommended Xie Guan based on his earlier philosophical interpretations.
• Tang Zi’ang watches warily, more focused on the missing Sima Pan than on the banquet.
• Third Master and Chancellor Su interrogate Xie Guan through the curtain, their voices and aura pressing him toward a possibly fatal revelation; Xie Guan answers with deliberate calm, leaving the night’s true purpose still shrouded.

Chapter Summary: "All Under Heaven as One, the Secret of the Master's Death!"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Ke (posing as Xie Guan) describes his vision of the "Immortal Realm" to the Third Master and Chancellor Su Jing on the Academy's fourth floor. Rather than depicting legendary immortals, he describes a mortal utopia: "all under heaven belonged to all, and every person was like a dragon" — a society where the elderly are cared for, the young are raised, the capable are employed, and there are no schemes or theft.
• The Third Master is deeply moved by this answer, approving of Xie Guan and offering the Academy's guarantee for him regarding the Three Truths Lineage matter.
• The Academy formally invites Xie Guan to join. The Third Master assures him the Great Qi court will not trouble him further.
• Major Revelation: After Xie Guan leaves, it is revealed the Academy's four masters joined forces 200 years ago to kill their own Master. He did not go to the East Sea seeking immortals—his own disciples murdered him.
• The Master was a Corpse-Liberation Immortal who shed his shell five times over a thousand years. He cannot truly die: his corpse regenerates every Mid-Autumn Festival and may grow sentience. He is expected to attempt ascension one final time, and may return.
• Su Jing uncovered the Master's scheme: the Master believed his four disciples were "people of the Heavenly Mandate" and planned to seize their fortune and luck to achieve his own ascension.
• After the killing, the "spoils" were divided: First Senior Brother gained freedom (now in Great Sui), Second Senior Brother gained a sword, Su Jing gained the Master's Corpse Liberation Method—but the Third Master's gain remains unknown, a source of Su Jing's suspicion.

2. Character Developments

• Yu Ke / Xie Guan: Demonstrates wit and political instinct by reframing a question about immortals into a moral statement about human society. He earns the Academy's protection and an invitation to join, an unexpected boon.
• The Third Master: Revealed as a protector—he views Xie Guan as a "clean and innocent person" whom he wants to shelter from the Academy's sordid karma. He carries guilt over killing his Master and accepts his fate with resignation ("dying where I ought to die... I have no regrets").
• Su Jing (Wuxin): His full philosophy is exposed. He is a ruthless practitioner of Statecraft Learning—"I would rather betray all under heaven than let all under heaven betray me." His background (son of a charcoal seller) explains his survivalist mentality. He wants the Master's corpse destroyed to prevent a return, and is willing to kill his Master a second time if needed.
• The Academy Masters: The four-way schism is rooted in that original murder and in ideological divides (moral instruction vs. ruthless pragmatism).

3. Significant Themes

• "All Under Heaven as One" (天下大同): Yu Ke's "Immortal Realm" is not a fantasy of divine beings but a vision of a just, equitable human society—the ideal of datong. This purity is contrasted with the moral corruption of the Academy and court.
• The Price of Immortality: The Master's thousand-year existence is framed as a curse—"so-called immortality is nothing more than a prison." His corpse liberation spreads poisonous corpse qi into descendants and loved ones; nothing is gained without a price.
• Betrayal and Karma: The disciples killed their Master to escape being used by him, yet they remain bound to him forever—guarding his corpse, fearing his return. "All karmic ties in the world bring retribution, without the slightest error."
• Moral Idealism vs. Utilitarian Ruthlessness: The Third Master believes in teaching virtue to change hearts; Su Jing treats all people as pieces on a chessboard. They are irreconcilable.
• Every Person a Dragon: Subverting the dragon as a symbol of emperors—true transcendence means every person mastering their own fate.

4. Character Interactions

• Yu Ke ↔ Third Master: Respectful exchange. Yu Ke's answer about the Immortal Realm wins the Third Master's genuine admiration ("You are quite good"). The Third Master acts as a protector and patron.
• Yu Ke ↔ Su Jing: Su Jing remains distant but ultimately dismissive of Yu Ke as a threat—he correctly infers Yu Ke is not the "immortal" he seeks, but merely steeped in the Master's teachings.
• Third Master ↔ Su Jing: A tense, emotionally raw dialogue between once-brothers. The Third Master grieves how Su Jing has changed; Su Jing responds with bitterness and self-justification. Their philosophical divide (moral instruction vs. statecraft pragmatism) has split the Academy and separated them.
• Su Jing's perception of the Master: Views the dead Master not with guilt but with cold calculation—he believes the Master will return and will destroy them all, and sees no point in dying nobly for a world that would not repay him.