Chapter Summaries

Gu Sheng led Stone Village through the Contention Stage and into South Mountain, where they recovered with pills taken from the Black Fiend Sect and set out toward the summit. The chapter ended with a Four-Eyed Divine Beast charging them at a narrow ledge with nowhere to retreat.

• Zhang Ping joined forces with Luan Yun to hunt Gu Sheng, while Gu Sheng hid Stone Village and overheard their alliance.
• Gu Sheng led Stone Village onto the Contention Stage, and they used their combined power and his small cauldron to break through the purple light and enter South Mountain.
• Gu Sheng led the group into a forest and shared a pill from the Black Fiend Sect's red bottle, restoring everyone's strength.
• Gu Sheng followed Huang Shan's chosen route up the mountain as the group hurried past signs of a wild beast.
• A Four-Eyed Divine Beast appeared from a crack in the rocks and charged Stone Village at the edge of a ledge, leaving Gu Sheng to order them to fight.

Gu Sheng and his companions fought their way past a Four-Eyed Divine Beast on South Mountain, then discovered a clam containing pearls that greatly increased Spiritual Power. After sharing some pearls with the group, Gu Sheng led everyone away when he spotted members of Purple Cloud Peak and the Black Fiend Sect nearby.

• The Four-Eyed Divine Beast wounded Shi Lou and the others, so Gu Sheng ordered them to recover while he fought it alone.
• Gu Sheng killed the Four-Eyed Divine Beast with his Fire Spirit Dagger and collected its four luminous eyes.
• At a stream, Gu Sheng sensed Spiritual Power underwater and found a clam that opened only when he withdrew his divine power.
• Gu Sheng collected more than ten pearls from the clam, absorbed the stream's remaining spiritual energy, and gave one pearl to each companion.
• Huang Shan spotted people approaching, so Gu Sheng led the group along a secluded route and later identified them as members of Purple Cloud Peak and the Black Fiend Sect.

Gu Sheng’s group climbed South Mountain, found Purple Spirit Grass guarded by a black python, and negotiated to trade two luminous pearls for it. The python moved aside after Gu Sheng threw the pearls, leaving the exchange’s outcome unresolved.

• Er Gou stumbled over bones and a severed arm, and Gu Sheng identified it as belonging to a poisoned member of the sect ahead.
• Gu Sheng and his companions swallowed their spirit pearls, then released their divine power as the cold intensified near the summit.
• Luan Yun and Zhang Ping planned to push loose boulders onto Gu Sheng’s group, then climbed ahead to prepare their ambush.
• Gu Sheng stopped the group for the night and discovered a cave containing Purple Spirit Grass guarded by a black python.
• Gu Sheng offered the python his luminous pearls in exchange for the herb, and it exposed the Purple Spirit Grass after he threw it two pearls.

Gu Sheng led his companions safely through South Mountain, found a hidden route to the mountaintop, and tracked the Spirit Pearl to a black bird perched in a giant tree. The bird held the Spirit Pearl in its beak and watched Gu Sheng as he tried to approach without provoking it.

• Gu Sheng traded Night Pearls for the black python’s permission to harvest mature Purple Spirit Grass, then shared the grass with his companions.
• Gu Sheng spotted signs that someone had tried to crush them with falling rocks, while Luan Yun and Zhang Ping wrongly concluded they had died and planned to attack Stone Village.
• Gu Sheng led everyone through a cave where his Purple Spirit Grass drove away ant beasts, bringing them to the mountaintop ahead of the other groups.
• Gu Sheng used the small cauldron to locate dense spiritual energy beneath a giant tree and discovered a black bird carrying the Spirit Pearl.
• Gu Sheng approached the bird and calmly told it he wanted the Spirit Pearl, while it studied him warily.

Gu Sheng survived the great bird’s trial, obtained the Spirit Pearl and a treasure chest, and led his companions safely off South Mountain. At an inn, he learned from Lan Yao that Zhang Ping and Luan Yun had claimed Gu Sheng and the Stone Village group were killed by falling rocks, revealing who had attacked them.

• The great bird’s spiritual energy forced Gu Sheng to cut away the strands invading his body, while Huang Shan and the others poured their divine power into healing him.
• Gu Sheng awakened a powerful energy within himself, removed all the spiritual energy, and received the Spirit Pearl after the bird drew away his scorching energy.
• The great bird flew away, leaving a Qing Mu wooden box beneath the tree, and Gu Sheng took its treasures before guiding everyone off South Mountain.
• The group returned to Stone Village by a secluded route as people on the mountain began suspecting they had taken the Spirit Pearl and questioned Zhang Ping and Luan Yun about the falling rocks.
• At an inn, Gu Sheng divided the treasure among his companions, and Lan Yao arrived and told him that Zhang Ping and Luan Yun had claimed the Stone Village group died beneath falling rocks.

Gu Sheng reunited with Lan Yao, shared the treasure from South Mountain with his companions, and agreed to become Lan Yao’s friend at their third meeting. They returned to Stone Village, where the villagers welcomed the Elf guests and Gu Sheng showed them the Spirit Pearl and gave the Third Elder Purple Spirit Grass; Lan Yao then noticed a plant in Gu Sheng’s courtyard.

• Gu Sheng told Lan Yao he had obtained the Spirit Pearl and planned to kill both the Black Fiend Sect Master and the master of Purple Cloud Peak, while Lan Yao said he had come for the hundred-year tree roots rather than the pearl.
• Gu Sheng divided the treasure found beneath the Spirit Pearl equally among Shi Lou, Er Gou, Huang Shan, and the others, but refused to take a share because he already had the Spirit Pearl.
• Gu Sheng delayed the group’s return from the wilderness with an excuse about the harsh sun, and Lan Yao arrived to return an empty box; Gu Sheng invited him to Stone Village and agreed to be friends.
• Lan Yao told Gu Sheng that the people at South Mountain had suspected him of taking the Spirit Pearl, but the Black Fiend Sect and Purple Cloud Peak had claimed he was dead.
• Gu Sheng and the others returned to Stone Village with Lan Yao and the Elves, showed the villagers the Spirit Pearl, and gave the Third Elder Purple Spirit Grass and treasure for the village.
• Lan Yao examined a plant in a corner of Gu Sheng’s courtyard and reacted with excitement.

Gu Sheng began refining the Spirit Pearl while Lan Yao stayed in Stone Village to study the valuable Hundred Poisons Grass. As Gu Sheng’s elders guarded him, Lan Yao confronted Zhang Ping and the Black Fiend Sect when they tried to attack the village and seize the Spirit Pearl.

• Lan Yao discovered that Hundred Poisons Grass had grown naturally in Gu Sheng’s courtyard, and Gu Sheng let him study the plants.
• After a welcome banquet, Gu Sheng agreed to refine the Spirit Pearl, and Lan Yao encouraged him to proceed while he remained in the village.
• Gu Sheng began refining the Spirit Pearl, absorbing its spiritual energy as Stone Village’s residents drew in the faint energy that escaped.
• A subordinate warned Lan Yao that attackers were scouting Stone Village while its experts guarded Gu Sheng, so Lan Yao led the Elf race to defend the perimeter.
• Lan Yao recognized Zhang Ping of the Black Fiend Sect and refused to let him reach Gu Sheng or take the Spirit Pearl.

Gu Sheng finished absorbing the Spirit Pearl’s power and returned to defend Stone Village, killing Luan Yun and the people of Purple Cloud Peak after they poisoned and injured Shi Lou and Lan Yao. He left their heads hanging outside the village as a warning, then went to check on Shi Lou.

• Lan Yao and the Elf race repelled repeated attacks on Stone Village while Gu Sheng continued cultivating, and Shi Lou and Er Gou emerged from seclusion stronger.
• Luan Yun arrived with Purple Cloud Peak’s forces, poisoned Lan Yao and Shi Lou, and lashed Shi Lou until he was badly wounded while Shi Lou shielded Lan Yao.
• Gu Sheng emerged from seclusion, rescued Lan Yao and Shi Lou, and defeated Luan Yun, killing him and the rest of Purple Cloud Peak’s forces.
• Gu Sheng suspended the severed heads outside Stone Village as a warning, then learned that Purple Spirit Grass had cured the poison but Shi Lou still had wounds.

Gu Sheng healed Shi Lou and learned Luan Yun had poisoned him with two complementary toxins. After the attackers withdrew from Stone Village, Gu Sheng became interested in seeking a spirit herb at dangerous Crimson Wood Peak to help absorb the Spirit Pearl's stored Spiritual Power, but Third Elder had not agreed to reveal the route.

• Gu Sheng healed Shi Lou, explained that Luan Yun had poisoned him twice, and Shi Lou reconciled with Lan Yao after their teasing argument.
• Lan Yao told Gu Sheng that Zhang Ping had attacked Stone Village and agreed to accompany him to the Black Fiend Sect when the time came.
• Gu Sheng's group stayed inside Stone Village as attackers approached, and the heads outside frightened them into withdrawing.
• Third Elder gave Lan Yao a spiritual root, and Lan Yao explained that a spirit grass at Crimson Wood Peak could help it grow.
• Gu Sheng asked Third Elder about Crimson Wood Peak and said he needed the spirit grass to absorb the Spiritual Power stored in his body.
• Third Elder warned Gu Sheng that Crimson Wood Peak was too dangerous and said he would consider whether another way existed.

Gu Sheng received Third Elder’s map to Crimson Wood Peak and set out with Lan Yao and the others, first deciding to eliminate the Black Fiend Sect before seeking the spirit herbs. They infiltrated the sect at night and confronted Zhang Ping, who woke to find Gu Sheng standing over him.

• Lan Yao explained how Hundred Spirits Grass grew and confirmed that Crimson Wood Peak’s spirit herbs were far more potent.
• Third Elder gave Gu Sheng a detailed map to the foot of Crimson Wood Peak and trusted him to return alive; Lan Yao and the others agreed to accompany him.
• Gu Sheng revealed that the group would attack the Black Fiend Sect before continuing to Crimson Wood Peak, and the people of Stone Village saw them off the next morning.
• Gu Sheng and the others reached the Black Fiend Sect, where Lan Yao’s Elf race subordinates scouted Zhang Ping’s location and reported that two protectors were with him.
• After waiting until night, Gu Sheng’s group entered by a secluded route, subdued the guards outside Zhang Ping’s room, and confronted him as he woke.
• Zhang Ping shoved the women beside him in front of Gu Sheng’s group, and Gu Sheng swung his sword as they screamed.

Gu Sheng killed Zhang Ping and wiped out the Black Fiend Sect, discovering that its members had ties to evil sects, then arranged for the scandal to spread while his group traveled to Crimson Wood Peak. There, multiple powerful spirit beasts surrounded them, and Lan Yao began summoning the peak’s elves for help.

• Gu Sheng defeated Zhang Ping with a spirit orb, then found evil auras on the Black Fiend Sect members and an evil weapon in Zhang Ping’s possession.
• Gu Sheng ordered Lan Yao to preserve the corpses as evidence, seal the sect, and spread news of its collusion with evil sects before the group left for Crimson Wood Peak.
• Gu Sheng and his companions discussed whether the scandal would draw the White Cloud Sect into investigating the Black Fiend Sect.
• At the foot of Crimson Wood Peak, spirit beasts attacked from multiple directions, and Gu Sheng used the small cauldron to shield the group from the wind and flying debris.
• Gu Sheng spotted about a dozen spirit beasts, and Lan Yao asked the others to protect him while he gathered the elves of Crimson Wood Peak.

Gu Sheng and his companions defeated the horned beasts on Crimson Wood Peak, collected their horns and hides, and rested before attempting the ascent. Elves who answered Lan Yao’s summons warned them away from two deadly routes and revealed that spirit herbs roamed the mountain, leaving the group to prepare for the only passable path.

• Gu Sheng discovered that the horned beasts’ abdomens were vulnerable, and the group killed them and collected their horns and hides.
• Gu Sheng realized the hides could conceal their presence from other beasts, so the group wore them and traveled through all the locations on Third Elder’s map without finding spirit herbs.
• After two days without sleep, Gu Sheng had the group rest overnight beneath the protection of his small cauldron before they continued up the mountain.
• At dawn, Gu Sheng found three routes up the mountain and met elves who had come in response to Lan Yao’s summons.
• The elves explained that the left route held deadly tiger beasts, the middle route carried fatal demonic aura, and only the right route could lead upward.
• The elves told Gu Sheng and Lan Yao that spirit herbs moved from place to place and could only be seen by those destined to find them.

Gu Sheng discovered how to kill two exotic beasts on Crimson Wood Peak and earned the Elf race's respect, then followed friendly Spiritual Power to a patch of spirit herbs. After the Spiritual Power isolated him from his companions for an afternoon, he broke free and reappeared beside them with the herbs gathered.

• Gu Sheng found that the exotic beasts' heads were their weakness, killed both beasts, and gave their hides to Huang Shan to make meteor hammers.
• The group continued climbing for two days without finding spirit herbs, while Gu Sheng dealt with obstacles and gathered treasures.
• Friendly Spiritual Power, drawn to the spirit pearl's aura in Gu Sheng's storage ring, revealed pure white spirit herbs and isolated him from Lan Yao and the others.
• Gu Sheng gathered the herbs and dispersed the barrier with the spirit pearl's Spiritual Power, then reappeared before his bewildered companions.

Gu Sheng and his companions left Crimson Wood Peak with spiritual grass, then refined new weapons while Gu Sheng upgraded his Fire Spirit Dagger. In An City, Lan Yao noticed something strange about a jade token, and his whispered explanation startled Gu Sheng.

• Gu Sheng shared the spiritual grass among Lan Yao, the native Elf race members, and his companions before the group left Crimson Wood Peak.
• After resting, Gu Sheng divided materials among the group so they could refine weapons, and he helped Lan Yao while the others made their own.
• Gu Sheng attached two snake eyes to his Fire Spirit Dagger and let the small cauldron devour two exotic beast Dantians before upgrading the weapon.
• Lan Yao guarded Gu Sheng while he upgraded the dagger, then the two practiced with their new weapons alongside the others.
• The group traveled to An City to gather information about the Black Fiend Sect and bought new clothes and supplies.
• Lan Yao examined a jade token at a stall and whispered something to Gu Sheng, whose expression changed in surprise.

Gu Sheng and his companions were pursued by a strange man who repeatedly demanded to see their jade token, while they gathered rumors about the Black Fiend Sect and the White Cloud Sect. At a tavern, the man suddenly addressed Gu Sheng as “young master” and urged him to leave, so Gu Sheng led the bewildered group away.

• Gu Sheng refused the strange man's repeated requests to inspect the jade token and moved his companions to a remote inn, but the man found them there.
• Gu Sheng and Lan Yao discussed the man's interest in the token and prepared to confront him rather than keep fleeing.
• Gu Sheng's group heard rumors that Bai Feng, the White Cloud Sect's Eldest Young Master, had come to investigate the Black Fiend Sect's destruction.
• The strange man followed Gu Sheng's group through the market and into a tavern, where Gu Sheng rejected the women who tried to keep him company.
• The man knocked the wine from Gu Sheng's hand, called him “young master,” and insisted that his master was demanding his return, so Gu Sheng left with Er Gou and the others.

Gu Sheng uncovered that the man seeking his jade token was Young Master Bai of the White Cloud Sect, who was investigating the Black Fiend Sect and the fate of a former elder. Gu Sheng decided to follow him discreetly and use the jade token to win his favor, while Young Master Bai prepared to leave for several days.

• The man showed Gu Sheng a red cord whose aura matched the jade token, and Gu Sheng let him inspect the token but refused to sell or trade it.
• Gu Sheng followed the man to a river, where he learned the man was Young Master Bai of the White Cloud Sect and was investigating who stood behind the Black Fiend Sect.
• Young Master Bai insisted that Elder Bai was not dead and said he had found the elder’s jade pendant, which Gu Sheng possessed.
• Gu Sheng discovered that the woman’s poisoned wine had contaminated his outer robe when Young Master Bai spilled it to protect him.
• Gu Sheng and his companions concluded that Young Master Bai was their potential ally and decided to follow his investigation before revealing what they knew.
• Young Master Bai chatted with Gu Sheng the next morning, sought his friendship, and said he would leave for a few days before returning.

Gu Sheng and Lan Yao followed Young Master Bai’s White Cloud Sect as it decided to confront the Demonic Sect and seek its pill formula and an antidote. They went to the Elf race to gather medicinal herbs, where Lan Yao presented Lan Yue with spirit herbs and Hundred Spirits Grass for the effort.

• Gu Sheng and Lan Yao overheard the White Cloud Sect discuss the Demonic Sect’s pills and decide to find a formula and make an antidote.
• Gu Sheng chose to return with Lan Yao to the Elf race for medicinal herbs rather than follow the White Cloud Sect unprepared.
• Lan Yao led Gu Sheng and the others to the Elf race, where they met its clan leader, Lan Yue.
• Lan Yao told Lan Yue about the White Cloud Sect’s plans, then produced spirit herbs and Hundred Spirits Grass for him.

Gu Sheng and his companions visited the Elf race, gathered herbs, and hurried to the Demonic Sect, where they joined the White Cloud Sect’s operation. During the fight with Demon, Gu Sheng saved Young Master Bai from a barrage of hidden weapons, but Young Master Bai was struck in the ankle and nearly fell.

• Lan Yue welcomed Gu Sheng and his companions into the herb storehouse, gave them herbs, and treated them as brothers before they left for the Demonic Sect.
• Gu Sheng’s group found the White Cloud Sect camped outside the Demonic Sect and learned that Young Master Bai was waiting for scouts to return with information.
• Young Master Bai led the White Cloud Sect through a hidden passage toward the Demonic Sect’s leader, and Gu Sheng followed with his companions.
• Young Master Bai confronted Demon, who boasted that he controlled countless sects and planned to plunge the martial world into chaos.
• Demon launched black beads at Young Master Bai’s vital points; Gu Sheng blocked most of them, but a concealed bead struck Young Master Bai’s ankle, and Gu Sheng caught him as he nearly fell.

Gu Sheng and his allies killed Demon, recovered the Demonic Sect’s pill formula, and agreed to work with Young Master Bai to develop an antidote. At the White Cloud Sect, they learned that Bai’s poisoned leg would be crippled within ten days unless they found a cure.

• Gu Sheng used the spirit pearl’s Spiritual Power and the Fire Spirit Dagger to weaken Demon, then joined Lan Yao, Young Master Bai, and their allies in killing him.
• Young Master Bai gave Gu Sheng the pill formula, and they agreed to study it together while the White Cloud Sect pursued three sects Demon had controlled.
• Gu Sheng carried the injured Young Master Bai out through a hidden passage, and the martial artists outside later learned of Demon’s death and stormed the Demonic Sect.
• A physician diagnosed Young Master Bai with severe poison and warned that his leg would be crippled within ten days without treatment.
• Gu Sheng and Lan Yao promised to seek a cure, and the physician offered to take Gu Sheng as his master if he saved Young Master Bai.

Gu Sheng treated Young Master Bai’s injured leg with acupuncture and medicine, using precious spirit herbs to give him a chance at recovery. After three days of treatment, Gu Sheng brought the spirit-herb medicine to Young Master Bai and said his leg’s condition would now begin to improve, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Gu Sheng told Young Master Bai that his leg could be saved, then explained to his companions that treating it would require precious spirit herbs and could help build ties with the White Cloud Sect.
• Gu Sheng secured the First Elder’s courtyard for refining medicine, and the First Elder supplied him with medicinal herbs.
• Shi Lou and the others gathered the prescribed herbs, while Lan Yao brewed the medicine with the earth energy of the Elf race.
• Gu Sheng used silver needles and spirit pearl energy to treat Young Master Bai, who agreed to trust him and take the medicine.
• Gu Sheng repeated the treatment for two days, then added spirit herbs to the medicine on the third day, turning the broth golden with spiritual energy.
• Gu Sheng and the others brought the medicine to Young Master Bai, and Gu Sheng said his leg might fully recover within three days or be left with a limp.