Recaps

Fang Shu met Ling Bai Lang aboard the transport vessel, where Ling proposed they become brothers and conspire against Old Man Ling after reaching Scorched-Tail Hall. As the travelers settled into life on the river, Er Daiyuan pointed out river mermaids, drawing the passengers onto the deck to watch them.

• Ling Bai Lang revealed that he wanted Fang Shu to join him in overthrowing Old Man Ling and taking control of Scorched-Tail Hall.
• Fang Shu agreed to discuss the plan later, and Ling Bai Lang introduced himself before settling into cultivation.
• Fang Shu, Er Daiyuan, and the other cabin-mates introduced themselves and grew more comfortable together during the voyage.
• Er Daiyuan explained that the vessel was traveling through the heart of nine converging rivers, where the sunken Nine-River Immortal City was said to lie.
• Er Daiyuan spotted river mermaids, and Qi Refinement immortal cultivators described them as humanlike fish that people raised for companionship.
• The transport vessel slowed and stopped as passengers gathered on deck to watch the river mermaids approach.

Fang Shu watched as Wu Dan and several other immortal seeds were lured into the river to catch River Merfolk, only to be mutilated while the Qi Refinement immortals used them as bait. The immortals rescued the survivors, captured several River Merfolk, and ate their flesh alive as sashimi.

• The Qi Refinement immortals explained that River Merfolk lured passing ships and drained people’s vital essence, but claimed their flesh could improve one’s chances of reaching Qi Refinement.
• After the immortals promised to intervene if anyone’s life was endangered, Wu Dan and several immortal seeds entered the river to catch River Merfolk, while Fang Shu stayed aboard.
• The River Merfolk attacked the swimmers, and the three Qi Refinement immortals watched until blood surfaced before stepping in to rescue the immortal seeds and capture the River Merfolk.
• Fang Shu and the others discovered that Wu Dan and the other survivors had suffered severe injuries, including the loss of their genitals.
• The Qi Refinement immortals ignored the crowd and carved flesh from the still-living River Merfolk, eating it as sashimi.

After the voyage’s immortal seeds witnessed their peers devouring River Merfolk bones and flesh, the vessel reached the fog-covered Toad Mudflats. A hooded figure welcomed Fang Shu and the others to the Five Viscera Temple, where their sect cultivation was about to begin.

• Ling Bai Lang begged for River Merfolk tail bones and crunched them while the Qi Refining immortals mocked him.
• Immortal seeds scrambled for the tail bones and then the remaining River Merfolk bodies; Rat Lord fed the flesh to his rats, while Fang Shu and his companions refused it.
• The vessel sailed on without further incidents, and the injured immortal seeds recovered, but Wu Dan grew silent and gloomy.
• After entering a mist-shrouded region, the vessel shuddered ashore at Toad Mudflats, and the Qi Refining immortals ordered everyone off without their belongings.
• A hooded figure carrying a painted lantern welcomed Fang Shu and the other immortal seeds to the Five Viscera Temple.

After several dozen days cultivating at Toad Mudflats, Fang Shu completed the Three Tribulations and prepared to plant a spiritual root and refine qi. He visited Imperial Quiet Chambers to seek information and Steward Sun’s guidance, and began reading about spiritual roots.

• Fang Shu completed Essence Refinement and reached the Three Tribulations Complete realm after cultivating in Toad Mudflats’ abundant spiritual energy.
• Fang Shu decided to prepare for planting a spiritual root and refining qi.
• Fang Shu disguised himself and went to the Toad Mudflats apothecary and nearby shops before arriving at Imperial Quiet Chambers.
• Fang Shu gained permission to read the books at Imperial Quiet Chambers and began studying texts about spiritual roots.

Fang Shu learned that planting spirit-root methods were tightly controlled at Five Viscera Temple and found that the available recruitment offers and street sellers were risky or unreliable. After failing to find a safe way to obtain a method, he tried his luck at a fortune-lot toad pool and left empty-handed.

• Fang Shu read about the seven spirit-root veins, false spirit roots, and competing explanations for the origins of spirit roots.
• Fang Shu asked Steward Sun for a planting method and learned he could accept risky recruitment offers or earn Dao Merits as a laborer to exchange for a method.
• Fang Shu reviewed recruitment notices but rejected them because their conditions and risks were unacceptable.
• Fang Shu searched the streets and learned that unverified cultivation methods could be dangerous and that Five Viscera Temple strictly controlled genuine methods.
• Fang Shu spent two hundred blood coins at a fortune-lot toad pool, but a toad bit his straw root and gave him no reward.

Fang Shu and the other occupants of the stone house faced eviction after Steward Sun investigated a report about ghosts and people staying out all night. Ling Bai Lang revealed that he had reached Qi Refinement, persuaded Steward Sun to leave, and offered to help the others plant spiritual roots.

• Hua Xiaqing mocked Wu Dan over his injury, and Wu Dan angrily left the stone house after a quarrel about access to the cultivation chambers.
• Wu Dan did not return for several days, and Fang Shu and the others suspected that he had died outside.
• Steward Sun arrived with Servants Hall attendants and announced that the stone house would be sealed because of a report about ghosts and nighttime absences.
• Ling Bai Lang confronted Steward Sun, whose attendants challenged him, then revealed his Qi Refinement cultivation and was recognized as a new disciple of Five Viscera Temple.
• Steward Sun withdrew without sealing the house, and Ling Bai Lang offered to help the others plant spiritual roots.

Ling Bai Lang shared cultivation advice before leaving the mountain room, while Er Daiyuan departed to seek a quiet chamber. As Fang Shu struggled with the pressure to refine qi within a hundred days, he prepared a red cosmetic and went to visit his senior sister Fang Lu, ending at her door.

• Ling Bai Lang offered to plant spirit roots for Mai Shenger and Hua Xiaqing, but they declined, so he shared cultivation advice with the roommates instead.
• Er Daiyuan announced she would rent a quiet chamber to attempt cultivation, leaving the stone room with Ling Bai Lang and Wu Dan gone.
• Fang Shu brooded over the risk of becoming a menial and resolved to refine qi within a hundred days, while continuing his cultivation and making a red cosmetic.
• Hua Xiaqing offered to help Mai Shenger make connections, but Fang Shu hinted at his secret technique and left, prompting Mai Shenger to retreat and Hua Xiaqing to try the leftover cosmetic.
• Fang Shu traveled to Fang Lu’s residence seeking advice and support, where she jokingly offered old friends a twenty-percent discount.

Fang Shu encountered Senior Sister Fang Lu while she was working in a pleasure retreat and learned that she sold her company to afford cultivation. When he asked whether she had considered leaving the mountain, Fang Lu said she would rather die there.

• Fang Shu entered the retreat and discovered that the alluring woman who had mistaken him for a customer was Senior Sister Fang Lu.
• Fang Lu changed into her Daoist robes, explained that she practiced the Bedchamber Form-Refining Discipline, and admitted she ran the retreat for spirit stones and talisman money.
• Fang Shu learned that even Qi Refining immortals in the Five Viscera Temple struggled to pay for pills and cultivation techniques.
• Fang Shu asked Fang Lu whether she had considered going down the mountain, and she replied that she would die on the mountain.

Fang Lu agreed to help Fang Shu obtain a spirit root method and materials, then brought him to the Jin Family Treasure Hall to arrange sponsorship. She offered herself as his guarantor, leaving her exposed to a wide range of obligations if he died or failed to repay.

• Fang Lu urged Fang Shu not to give up on cultivation and explained the hardships faced by servants and qi refiners.
• Fang Shu described his skill in refining three-tribulation gu and his understanding of four-tribulation formulas, and Fang Lu teased him while agreeing to help.
• Fang Lu rode with Fang Shu on her spirit deer to the Jin Family Treasure Hall and requested a spirit root method, tribulation-crossing materials, and sponsorship options.
• The attendant explained the Jin Family's sponsorship terms, including obligations involving service, repayment, and bodily collateral.
• Fang Lu offered to stand guarantor for Fang Shu, and the contract made her liable for his debts with a broad range of possible services.

Fang Shu secured the spirit root method, materials, and a spiritual chamber through Treasure Hall, with Fang Lu acting as his guarantor. After returning to Toad Shoal, he prepared to enter seclusion at dawn and attempt the Qi Refinement tribulation.

• Fang Shu accepted Fang Lu's advice and arranged with the Treasure Hall attendant to obtain a spirit root method, supplementary materials, and a spiritual chamber for up to three months.
• Fang Shu and Fang Lu signed the contract, and they agreed he would return the next day to choose his items and enter seclusion.
• Fang Lu offered Fang Shu time to temper his cultivation at her retreat, but he declined and said he was ready to undergo tribulation soon.
• Fang Lu revealed that she had supported Fang Shu because he reminded her of Eldest Senior Brother and might offer her a chance to alter her fate.
• Fang Shu returned discreetly to Toad Shoal, prepared his stone house, and waited for dawn before crawling out to begin his seclusion.

Fang Shu selected the Cordyceps Parasitism Technique at the Jin Family's Treasure Hall and entered a spirit chamber to attempt its spirit-root implantation. He ended the chapter sealed in seclusion, determined not to emerge until he made a breakthrough.

• Fang Shu left Toad Shoal after telling Mai Shenger and Black Mouse that he had found a way forward, leaving them surprised and uneasy.
• Fang Shu and Senior Sister Fang Lu visited the Jin Family's Treasure Hall, where Fang Shu examined twenty-four spirit-root methods.
• Fang Shu chose the Cordyceps Parasitism Technique because he already possessed a spirit insect and the flesh ganoderma, and he declined the Jin Family's supplied pairing materials.
• Senior Sister Fang Lu inspected the method and helped Fang Shu secure a C-grade spirit chamber with spiritual qi concentration three and a half times that of Toad Shoal.
• Fang Shu entered the sealed spirit chamber with the technique and resolved not to emerge without a breakthrough.

Fang Shu mastered the Cordyceps Parasitism Technique, repaired its flaws into his own perfected spirit root art, and began planting a spirit root. After eighteen days in a dried, corpse-like state, a golden shoot emerged from his forehead.

• Fang Shu mastered the Cordyceps Parasitism Technique but found that the method still carried unresolved risks.
• Fang Shu used the medicinal ginseng secret characters he had observed in Xiao Lili to deduce repairs to the cordyceps method.
• Fang Shu perfected and renamed the method the Fang Clan Cordyceps Gu-Seeding Art, then rested and prepared for the planting ritual.
• Fang Shu activated the ritual, cut his forehead, and let the Dragon-Seeking Gold-Finding Insect burrow toward his brain as mycelium spread across his body.
• After eighteen days, a tender golden shoot emerged from Fang Shu's forehead and began drawing in spiritual qi.

Fang Shu fought to plant the newly born Worm-Grass Gu, which tried to consume him and resisted his attempts to control it. After adapting the Gu with Metal-Stone Poison and refining it into himself, Fang Shu successfully entered the Qi Refinement realm.

• The Worm-Grass Gu spread fungal threads through Fang Shu's body, draining his vitality and threatening to consume him.
• Fang Shu used a fire art and an incantation to burn away the fungal threads, then used the Lead-Essence Treasure Pearl's Metal-Stone Poison to weaken the Gu.
• The Worm-Grass Gu escaped through Fang Shu's body and adapted to the poison while trying to devour the treasure pearl.
• Fang Shu cut the Gu with his tongue, subdued it with the poison, and pressed it into his forehead before refining it with his blood and qi.
• Fang Shu crushed the Gu's spiritual intelligence and fused with it, gaining divine sense and the ability to perceive spiritual energy.
• Fang Shu's body and soul recovered as spiritual energy gathered around him, and he successfully entered the Qi Refinement realm as a Qi-Refining Spirit Immortal.

Fang Shu completed his breakthrough to Qi Refinement, recovered from the tribulation, and discovered the powerful abilities of his spirit-root Divine Silk. After secretly testing its reach and uses, he turned his attention to the Dao Register and considered invading it with Divine Silk.

• Fang Shu tested his new divine consciousness and true qi, confirming that his breakthrough had greatly strengthened his spells and sword strikes.
• Fang Shu ate the supplies in his storage pouch, restoring his withered body and regrowing his hair.
• Fang Shu activated his cordyceps spirit root and discovered that its Divine Silk could extend his divine consciousness to a hundred zhang.
• Fang Shu found that Divine Silk could transmit true qi and spiritual qi, parasitize gu insects, and help him control and repair his body.
• Fang Shu named the fungal threads Divine Silk and decided to try using them to invade and control the Dao Register.

Fang Shu merged his spiritual-root divine threads with the Dao Register, which transformed into an extension of himself and gained the ability to analyze the world around him. After seven days, he emerged from seclusion having broken through to Qi Refining and gained new insight into objects and their properties.

• Fang Shu inspected the Dao Register with divine sense and discovered that its yellow spark was its core, then took control of it as the spark was replaced by his consciousness.
• Fang Shu inserted his spiritual-root divine threads into the Dao Register, which began a seven-day transformation as his natal gu, spiritual root, and Dao Register formed a trinity.
• After seven days, the transformed Dao Register gave Fang Shu detailed information about objects in his cultivation chamber, including a Lead-Essence Treasure Pearl, a Clean-Clothes Talisman, and an unknown medicinal pill.
• Fang Shu celebrated his successful cultivation, gathered the chamber's items, and left seclusion after eighty-four days.

After reaching Qi Refinement, Fang Shu renegotiated his debt with the Jin Family and learned that Fang Lu was competing for a furnace cauldron position. He headed to Toad Shoal to arrange his cultivation path and unexpectedly encountered Hua Xiaqing working at a quiet-room rental shop.

• Tong Cou congratulated Fang Shu on reaching Qi Refinement and offered him new terms with the Jin Family.
• Fang Shu replaced the contract, becoming solely responsible for the debt while lowering the annual interest to fifty percent and capping repayment at one thousand two hundred jin of inferior spirit stones.
• Tong Cou gave Fang Shu a letter from Fang Lu, who explained that she was competing for a furnace cauldron position and told him how to enter their residence.
• Fang Shu learned that the Jin Family had improved the contract terms because of Five Viscera Temple rules, then went to Toad Shoal to settle matters related to his cultivation.
• Fang Shu arrived at a quiet-room rental shop and recognized his former roommate Hua Xiaqing behind the counter.

Fang Shu confronted Hua Xiaqing at the Servants Hall, learned more about Mountainbreaker Hall, and met Steward Sun after reaching Qi Refining. He left for Senior Sister Fang Lu’s dwelling after Steward Sun killed Hua Xiaqing, while Sun watched him depart with suspicion.

• Fang Shu slapped Hua Xiaqing twice for her insolence, and the servants backed down when they sensed his Qi Refining cultivation.
• Fang Shu questioned Hua Xiaqing about Lead Mountain Mine, and she blamed Deng Lixing of Mountainbreaker Hall and linked the hall to the Seven Fragrance Tower incident.
• Steward Sun arrived, congratulated Fang Shu on reaching Qi Refining, and offered to help him formally enter the sect after making inquiries.
• Fang Shu declined Steward Sun’s invitations to celebrate, stay at the shop, or take Hua Xiaqing as a maidservant, and said he was staying at Senior Sister Fang Lu’s dwelling.
• Steward Sun killed Hua Xiaqing and claimed he had acted to spare Fang Shu future trouble; Fang Shu thanked him and left, while Sun watched him suspiciously.

Fang Shu left Senior Sister Fang Lu’s cottage with Steward Sun and completed the formalities to register as a Qi Refinement disciple of Five Viscera Temple. He joined the other newly advanced disciples at Household Hall, where they awaited the assignment of masters.

• Fang Shu returned to Fang Lu’s cottage and spent the night cultivating in its rich spiritual qi.
• A gray-robed servant told Fang Shu that Hua Xiaqing’s corpse had been sent to Puppet Hall and explained how her death used up Steward Sun’s servant-loss quota.
• Steward Sun escorted Fang Shu toward Household Hall and described Five Viscera Temple’s hierarchy of Three Metropolises, Five Masters, and Eighteen Heads.
• Fang Shu completed his deed-of-servitude and background registration at Household Hall.
• Fang Shu joined the other newly advanced Qi Refinement disciples and waited for Household Hall’s Second Master to assign them masters.

Fang Shu was assigned to the Venom Hall after claiming support from the Old Mountain Lord and presenting the Mountain Lord's Whisker Hairpin as proof. The bald whisk gave him a golden talisman to take to his new teacher, while the others waited outside and watched him leave.

• Fang Shu met Lu Renjia, Bao Fengtao, and Si Jiazi as they waited to be assigned to a hall.
• Si Jiazi entered the Elixir Hall, while Lu Renjia was sent to work on secondment in the Talisman Hall and Bao Fengtao failed to enter any of the Eighteen Halls.
• Fang Shu told the bald whisk that he could refine Four-Tribulation venom creatures and had planted a spiritual root with his natal venom creature.
• Fang Shu claimed that the Old Mountain Lord had supported his journey to the immortal sect and showed the bald whisk the Mountain Lord's Whisker Hairpin.
• The bald whisk assigned Fang Shu to the Venom Hall and gave him a golden talisman as proof of the appointment.

Fang Shu secured a post in the Venom Hall and became Lady Long Gu’s registered disciple, then learned about his new school from Steward Sun. Meanwhile, Fang Lu was expelled from Chu Yang’s furnace selection, but Mai Shenger passed and saw the trial as her path to the Dao.

• Fang Shu received congratulations from Si Jiazi, Lu Renjia, and Bao Fengtao after taking a post in the Venom Hall and gaining a Hall Master as his teacher.
• Steward Sun escorted Fang Shu toward the Venom Hall and explained that his new master was Lady Long Gu, whose registered disciple he would become first.
• In Chu Yang’s hall, Luan Tong’er whipped the women being considered as furnace materials while Chu Yang presented them with medicinal food.
• Fang Lu befriended Mai Shenger, shared food with her, and encouraged her by saying that passing the trial could lead to refining Qi.
• Luan Tong’er recognized Fang Lu and drove her from the hall, but he let Mai Shenger remain and declared that she had passed the selection.

Fang Lu left Passion Hall after failing to become a cultivation vessel, while Fang Shu arrived at Venom Hall to study under Hall Master Long Gu. After enduring a day’s wait and Long Gu’s intimidating scrutiny, Fang Shu learned that she was displeased by his false spirit root.

• Fang Lu ignored her acquaintances’ insults, consoled herself over her failure, and rode her white deer home while wondering whether Fang Shu had left seclusion.
• Steward Sun escorted Fang Shu to Venom Hall but refused to enter, so Fang Shu went inside alone and presented his golden talisman to a Mangy Snake.
• The Mangy Snake made Fang Shu wait outside overnight, and a young immortal finally arrived at dawn to lead him into the hall.
• Fang Shu met Long Gu, addressed her as Hall Master, and remained composed when she tested him with her pressure.
• Long Gu examined Fang Shu’s golden talisman and complained that he had only a false spirit root.

Fang Shu passed Long Gu’s inspection and became a registered disciple of the Venom Hall, where he learned the principles of Qi Refinement and the three kinds of Qi needed for Foundation Establishment. He left still weighing which True Qi to cultivate and returned to the quiet residence, where Fang Lu had come back.

• Long Gu questioned Fang Shu about his Gu-refining ability and his connection to Old Mountain Lord Guling, then examined his Cordyceps spiritual root and accepted his explanation.
• Long Gu gave Fang Shu the Venom Hall’s cultivation-method catalogue and explained the stages of Qi Refinement, the three tribulations, and how True Qi, Killing Intent, and Astral Qi could support Foundation Establishment.
• Long Gu examined Fang Shu’s spiritual root more closely and offered to guide him on choosing suitable True Qi.
• Fang Shu left the hall with a dark-gold waist token and a booklet, while Gou Yandi greeted him warmly before privately dismissing his spiritual root as false.
• Fang Shu returned to the quiet residence, saw that Fang Lu had come back, and called out to repay her kindness.

Fang Shu told Fang Lu that he had entered Venom Hall and become a registered disciple of Immortal Long Gu, then learned about her Peach Blossom Baleful Qi. After Fang Shu offered to repay her kindness by giving her his primordial yang, Fang Lu reacted with genuine nervousness, leaving him confused.

• Fang Shu told Fang Lu that he had successfully refined qi, changed his contract, and enrolled in Venom Hall.
• Fang Lu celebrated Fang Shu's prospects, but he revealed that Immortal Long Gu had taken him as a registered disciple.
• Fang Shu explained how he met Bald Whisk and Immortal Long Gu while cautioning Fang Lu not to rely on the Old Mountain Lord's favor.
• Fang Lu explained that her Lust Deer Clover spiritual root had helped her refine erotic qi into Peach Blossom Baleful Qi, which could influence reproduction in living things.
• Fang Shu offered to repay Fang Lu's help by giving her his primordial yang, and she asked whether he truly did not mind the loss.
• Fang Shu took Fang Lu's hand, then realized she seemed genuinely nervous and asked her why.

Fang Shu and Fang Lu spent the night together after Fang Lu refused to take his primordial yang, and he left the next morning to find a place for his cave abode. Fang Lu remembered how she had once tried to repay Eldest Senior Brother in the same way, then began stripping and rebuilding her quiet abode before Fang Shu could return.

• Fang Lu warned Fang Shu that losing his primordial yang might cost him opportunities, but he insisted that repaying her kindness was worth it.
• Fang Lu proposed another way for them to be together, and Fang Shu spent the night with her in her quiet abode.
• Fang Shu dressed the next morning and left to find a place for his cave abode, while Fang Lu stayed behind and reflected on Eldest Senior Brother’s past kindness.
• Fang Lu revealed the Daoist ancient treasure she had obtained and recalled that it could collect yang energy without detection by late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
• Fang Lu tore apart her quiet abode and removed its furnishings, foundation, and formations so she could rebuild it before Fang Shu returned.

Fang Shu hired a pangolin from the Beast Hall and used his Divine Silk to survey the mountains around the Venom Hall for a cave dwelling site. As he pushed his underground search farther, he sensed a wisp of spiritual energy deep beneath the ground.

• Fang Shu told the Beast Hall clerk he planned to settle near the Venom Hall and requested a construction spirit beast instead of a treasure-seeking rat.
• Fang Shu took a pangolin and rode it away from the Beast Hall, while Black Mouse watched from the gate and continued protecting his hidden rat from the menial servants.
• Fang Shu used the Dragon-Seeking Gold-Finding Insect and the Dao Register to survey the outskirts of the Venom Hall and record the spiritual energy there.
• Fang Shu extended his Divine Silk underground, replenishing his qi with pills and spirit stones as he tested its range across two mountain peaks.
• Fang Shu continued spreading his Divine Silk and sensed a wisp of spiritual energy deep beneath the ground.