Chapter Summaries

Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu treated patients while questioning a captured dark-type spirit master, Bai Yan, about the growing conflict with the spirit exorcists. Bai Yan revealed Cheng Feng had joined forces with the Death Corps, and Qian Wanyu offered to help the scattered dark-type spirit masters grow stronger if they united under her.

• Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu watched Potion Master Mo Jun treat a patient in Compassion Town, then returned to the Longevity Cauldron, where Dongfang Minghui treated a critically injured Azure Mist Sect disciple.
• Dongfang Minghui guessed that the captured death spirit master had been trying to draw spirit exorcists to her, and Qian Wanyu confirmed his connection to the dark-type spirit masters and forced him to explain himself.
• Qian Wanyu demonstrated her overwhelming five-element spiritual power and asked the man about Cheng Feng and Mo Ce, prompting him to reveal that Cheng Feng had allied with the Death Corps.
• Bai Yan explained that spirit exorcists had been hunting dark-type spirit masters for half a year and that some had escaped Cheng Feng after a potion master freed them from her control.
• Bai Yan admitted that the scattered dark-type spirit masters had gathered together, and Qian Wanyu promised to raise their spiritual power by at least one stage if he could unite them; Bai Yan agreed to follow her.

Dongfang Minghui treated Lance and helped an injured Azure Mist Sect disciple while Qian Wanyu worked on the Nine-Ring Chain. Outside, a mysterious Death Spirit Master slaughtered Spirit Exorcists, and Ming Hui ended up surrounded by puppets after Ding Ding tossed her out of the cauldron.

• Dongfang Minghui gave gifts to Qian Yiling and the others, then treated Lance with medicine made from her blood and her eldest uncle's diluted blood.
• Dongfang Minghui helped an Azure Mist Sect disciple expel fragments of his damaged organs, and Huashu Rong's group asked to leave after learning he needed months to recover.
• The fat man returned to the village, while three Spirit Exorcist groups pursued Death Spirit Masters into the No Return Mountain Range.
• A silent Death Spirit Master devoured a Dark-Type Spirit Master and two Spirit Exorcists before moving toward the mountain range's exit.
• Dongfang Minghui tested the Light-Soul Bell with Little Light, who swallowed it and fainted after she tried to make the little one vomit it up.
• Dongfang Minghui asked Ding Ding to take her outside and landed in a room full of puppets, which all turned to stare at her.

Dongfang Minghui was trapped in Spring Breeze Hall after Ding Ding led her into a courtyard full of puppets and dark-type spirit masters, but she escaped and met Lord Mo Jun, the potion master controlling them. She learned Mo Jun knew Priest Larkin, but Mo Jun refused her offer to help silence the spirit exorcists’ bells and demanded something else.

• Ding Ding drew Spring Breeze Hall’s puppets away from Dongfang Minghui, and dark-type spirit masters caught her after she encountered them in the courtyard.
• Dongfang Minghui claimed she knew Bai Yan, was bound and locked in a room, then had Ding Ding knock out her guards so she could explore the rear courtyard.
• Dongfang Minghui found ingredients for Cold Condensation Incense and overheard that Lord Mo Jun controlled the puppets and dark-type spirit masters.
• Lord Mo Jun exposed Dongfang Minghui’s hiding place, admitted he controlled the courtyard, and agreed to speak with her privately.
• Dongfang Minghui recognized that Mo Jun knew Priest Larkin and offered to help suppress the spirit exorcists’ bells in exchange for Larkin’s whereabouts, but Mo Jun refused and made another demand.

Dongfang Minghui accidentally knocked Xuanzhu unconscious, then reunited her with Qian Wanyu and learned that Xuanzhu had sent Dark-Type Spirit Masters to die as bait while pursuing control of the living dead. Qian Wanyu and Xuanzhu agreed to cooperate against spies, and Dongfang Minghui set out to uncover the bell’s secret, unaware that someone in black was following her.

• Ding Ding knocked out the hooded figure Dongfang Minghui had mistaken for a man, and Dongfang Minghui discovered it was Xuanzhu.
• Qian Wanyu freed Lance from the Nine-Ring Chain, and Xuanzhu awoke in the Longevity Cauldron after Qian Wanyu healed her.
• Xuanzhu admitted that the Dark-Type Spirit Masters killed by the Spirit Exorcists had been her death warriors, sent as bait while she pursued control of the living dead.
• Qian Wanyu offered to expose spies in Xuanzhu’s circle in exchange for information, and Xuanzhu agreed to cooperate if they proved each suspect’s betrayal.
• Qian Wanyu assigned Dongfang Minghui to investigate the bell so their allies could move openly, and Dongfang Minghui searched Mercyheart Town for clues.
• Dongfang Minghui heard rumors that a Death Spirit Master had defeated the Spirit Exorcists, then left a teahouse without noticing a black-robed figure following her.

Dongfang Minghui treated the injured Azure Mist Sect disciples and learned that Lance’s condition was worse than she had hoped, while a powerful Death Corps member pursued her into Mercyheart Town. Chu Lingge intervened to protect her, and she tried to help him fight back using spirit liquid and Little Light.

• Dongfang Minghui avoided a black-robed pursuer by hiding in Ding Ding’s Cauldron, then examined an Azure Mist Sect disciple and confirmed he was recovering.
• Dongfang Minghui advised Huashu Rong and the Azure Mist Sect disciples to join the Spirit Exorcists against the Death Corps, and Huashu Rong told her that the forbidden Resurrection Art was among their books.
• Dongfang Minghui learned that Lance suffered severe pain as his depleted body reacted to her potions, and she told Qian Yiling that his condition was worse than Eldest Uncle’s.
• Chu Lingge fought Meng Ruo Yu, who had followed Dongfang Minghui, and blocked a dark-energy attack aimed at her.
• Dongfang Minghui recognized the Radiant Sword and urged Chu Lingge to use it, then gave him spirit liquid and placed Little Light on his head to help strengthen his light energy.

Dongfang Minghui and Chu Lingge used Little Light’s power to unleash the Radiant Sword, which defeated Big Black but left Chu Lingge unconscious. After Qian Wanyu confronted the awakened Chu Lingge and he recognized her as a Death Spirit Master, Dongfang Minghui secured his Light-Soul Bell and arranged to seek his help with Little Sprout in Cloud Capital City.

• Little Light restored Chu Lingge’s strength, and he swung the Radiant Sword through Meng Ruo Yu’s black mist, striking Big Black away before collapsing from exhaustion.
• Dongfang Minghui confirmed that the sword was the Radiant Sword and brought the unconscious Chu Lingge and his weapon to an inn.
• Qian Wanyu returned to Mercyheart Town, where the Radiant Sword attacked her; she led it away, and Chu Lingge awoke and followed them.
• Chu Lingge identified Qian Wanyu as a Death Spirit Master, but backed down after seeing her six-element spiritual power and warned that stronger Spirit Exorcists might hunt her.
• Dongfang Minghui asked for Chu Lingge’s Light-Soul Bell and requested his help using the Radiant Sword to remove Little Sprout’s baleful energy.
• Chu Lingge told Dongfang Minghui to find him in Cloud Capital City for the Spirit Exorcist ranking competition, and she promised to meet him there in six months.

Dongfang Minghui treated victims of living dead magic beasts in Mercyheart Town while Qian Wanyu trained a group of Dark-Type Spirit Masters. After they left town with Xuanzhu, Dongfang Minghui asked Qian Wanyu to hear a confession and go easy on her.

• Dongfang Minghui opened a makeshift clinic outside Spring Breeze Hall, treated a wounded woman and four mercenaries, and warned them about living dead magic beasts.
• Dongfang Minghui's clinic grew busy, and she collected payment promises in spirit plants while Mu Sheng and others helped her care for the patients.
• Qian Wanyu returned with trained Dark-Type Spirit Masters, and she and Dongfang Minghui prepared to leave Mercyheart Town after the bell remained unsolved.
• Xuanzhu handed Spring Breeze Hall over to Xin Yu and joined Qian Wanyu and Dongfang Minghui on their journey.
• Ding Ding reluctantly let the Dark-Type Spirit Masters hide inside the Longevity Cauldron after Qian Wanyu promised to suppress their death aura.
• Dongfang Minghui asked Qian Wanyu whether she would forgive her before confessing something she had kept secret.

Dongfang Minghui told Qian Wanyu that Lance had less than a year to live, and Qian Wanyu resolved to tell Qian Yiling. The group reached a city, where the Azure Mist Sect disciples parted ways with them; Qian Wanyu then worried they would not get far.

• Dongfang Minghui confessed that Lance's body was failing and that he had less than a year to live, and Qian Wanyu said she would tell Qian Yiling.
• Huashu Rong told Qian Wanyu that the Azure Mist Sect disciples planned to leave the group and do more for their sect.
• Xuanzhu revealed that Priest Larkin had died at the hands of the Death Corps, then left when Qian Wanyu asked what he had told her.
• Qian Wanyu threatened a gate guard with her Water-Thunder Whip, and the group entered the city after paying the toll.
• Dongfang Minghui gave Huashu Rong medicine for the injured disciple, while Qian Wanyu and Dongfang Minghui spent the night together and Ding Ding was kept outside their room.
• Huashu Rong and the other Azure Mist Sect disciples set out the next morning, and Qian Wanyu worried they would not get far.

Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu traveled toward the Snow Capital, where they split from their family and disguised themselves to avoid Spirit Exorcists. After Dongfang Minghui secretly silenced the town’s Light-Soul Bells, Qian Wanyu discovered a death seed outside town and prepared to remove it with Xuanzhu, leaving Dongfang Minghui at the inn.

• Qing Mo opened Huashu Rong’s restricted books and began searching for the forbidden resurrection book while the group rested in town.
• The group traveled toward the Purple Jade Empire on a Crawling Beast, and Little Light vomited up fragments of the bell it had swallowed.
• Dongfang Minghui tested Pig Immortal Grass’s method for silencing bells with a flying needle as the group entered the Purple Jade Empire.
• Qian Wanyu split from Qian Yiling, Lance, and the others, then disguised herself, Dongfang Minghui, and Xuanzhu before they entered a city.
• Dongfang Minghui used flying needles to silence the Light-Soul Bells of Spirit Exorcists throughout the town, temporarily preventing them from detecting Dark-Type Spirit Masters.
• Qian Wanyu told Dongfang Minghui and Xuanzhu that she had found a death seed outside town and planned to remove it, while Dongfang Minghui stayed at the inn.

Dongfang Minghui was left alone at the inn, where she chased off a masked intruder and used the encounter to befriend Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie, two young Light-Type Spirit Masters. She agreed to travel with them toward the Spirit Exorcist Guild, leaving before she could reunite with Qian Wanyu and the others, while a red-haired head appeared from her Heaven-Piercing Stalk.

• Dongfang Minghui chased a black-robed intruder from the inn but lost them, then let Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie escort her back.
• Dongfang Minghui learned that Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie were separated from their companions and used Chu Lingge’s name to gain their trust and ask about the Spirit Exorcist Guild.
• Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie explained that replacing a Light-Soul Bell required killing ten Death Spirit Masters, and Dongfang Minghui encouraged them by praising Little Light’s bravery.
• Dongfang Minghui waited at the outskirts for Qian Wanyu and the others, but they did not appear, so she left marks for them and returned to the inn.
• Dongfang Minghui set out with Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie toward Snow Capital, then noticed a red-haired head poking out of her Heaven-Piercing Stalk.

Dongfang Minghui traveled toward Snow Capital with Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie, then reunited with Duan Yichen and his companions after her disguise failed. As they neared the city, the Heaven-Piercing Stalk sensed the Ghost-Face Tree Spirit and the Light-Soul Bells began ringing, signaling nearby Death Spirit Masters and Spirit Exorcists.

• Dongfang Minghui learned that Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie knew of light-type Sacred Fruit, and they fed Little Light spirit liquid before she hurried after the Ghost-Face Tree Spirit's scent.
• Tao Shuang and Zhi Jie stopped to watch Duan Yichen, Yiyang, and Haoran confront robbers, so Dongfang Minghui turned back to find them.
• Duan Yichen recognized Dongfang Minghui when her disguise came off, and she explained that she was traveling to Snow Capital to join the Spirit Exorcist Guild.
• Duan Yichen gave Little Light a light-type Sacred Fruit and offered to take Dongfang Minghui to the Spirit Exorcist Guild when they reached Snow Capital.
• Dongfang Minghui told Yiyang she had gone to Mercyheart Town and met Chu Lingge, easing Yiyang's hostility over his dead junior martial sister.
• Near Snow Capital, the Heaven-Piercing Stalk pointed out the Ghost-Face Tree Spirit as several Light-Soul Bells rang, alerting the group to nearby Death Spirit Masters and Spirit Exorcists.

Dongfang Minghui reunited with Little Fatty and Little Sprout amid a battle against the death spirit master Meng Ruo Yu, who targeted her before fleeing. She and Situ Hao joined Duan Yichen’s group on the way to Snow Capital, where they feared Meng Ruo Yu would attack Mother Qian and Wooden Uncle.

• The Heaven-Piercing Stalk led Dongfang Minghui toward the Ghost-Face Tree Spirit as Duan Yichen, Situ Hao, Yiyang, and Haoran fought a powerful death spirit master.
• Dongfang Minghui found Little Fatty and Little Sprout inside the battle’s encirclement, and Little Sprout used a sonic attack while Little Fatty hurled fireballs at the enemy.
• The death spirit master broke through the Light-Type Energy Barrier and pursued Dongfang Minghui, but Little Light shielded her while Little Lecher and Pig Immortal Grass’s vines intercepted the death aura.
• Dongfang Minghui recognized the fleeing enemy as Meng Ruo Yu, and Little Lecher recalled that she had seen him in the Three-Life Mirror.
• Dongfang Minghui and Situ Hao agreed to travel with Duan Yichen’s group toward Snow Capital, then worried that Meng Ruo Yu might target Mother Qian and Wooden Uncle.

Dongfang Minghui reached the Snow Capital with Situ Hao and Little Fatty, who joined the Spirit Exorcist Guild after revealing her Spirit Emperor-level fire power. As Dongfang Minghui investigated the guild and learned more about Little Fatty and Little Sprout, Little Fatty claimed that her ordinary face was her own, leaving Dongfang Minghui confused about what she really was.

• Dongfang Minghui asked about joining the Spirit Exorcist Guild, but Situ Hao repeatedly warned her that the guild was unsuitable for her and could cause trouble with the Academy and Potion Masters' Guild.
• Little Light frightened Situ Hao's Twin-Winged Flying Fox, then ate the spirit fruit and spirit liquid the Light-Type Spirit Masters offered it.
• Little Fatty demanded to join the Spirit Exorcist Guild, passed its test with Spirit Emperor-level fire power, and burned several Identity Devices when they were placed on her hand.
• Dongfang Minghui entered the guild with Situ Hao, learned that its Snow Capital elder was a Royal Academy Light Element Hall instructor, and suspected the guild's ties ran deeper than Situ Hao admitted.
• Dongfang Minghui learned that Little Fatty had joined the guild to obtain the Radiant Sword and remove Little Sprout's baleful aura, and Little Fatty explained that the aura had originally been hers.
• Little Fatty said her ordinary face was her own, prompting Dongfang Minghui to question whether she belonged to the Ghost-Face Tree Spirit Clan.

• Key events: Dongfang Minghui asks Little Chubby whether it is the weapon spirit of the Heavenly Sound Helmet or a Gold-Devouring Rat. Little Chubby gives no answer and simply watches her.
• Character development: Minghui’s speculation gives way to unease as Little Chubby’s silent gaze triggers a foreboding feeling.
• Themes: Mystery and uncertainty surrounding Little Chubby’s identity; intuition and impending danger.
• Character interactions: Minghui questions Little Chubby, but its silence leaves her unsettled.

Dongfang Minghui learned that Little Fatty was Bian Lingyun, the awakened remnant soul of the Heavenly Sound Helmet’s master, and returned to the Thousand Family, where her family began preparing for her marriage to Qian Wanyu. As Qian Ziyan took her toward the Spirit Exorcist Guild, he confirmed that its members were killing innocent Dark-Type Spirit Masters, leaving Dongfang Minghui more suspicious of the guild.

• Little Fatty wrote that she was Bian Lingyun, a remnant soul of the Heavenly Sound Helmet’s master, and explained that Dongfang Minghui’s care had restored her awareness and that they had lost memory fragments in Dragon-Trapping Valley.
• Situ Hao warned Dongfang Minghui that Death Spirit Masters had slaughtered several households in Snow Capital City, while she argued that innocent Dark-Type Spirit Masters still deserved to live.
• Bian Lingyun left for the Spirit Exorcist Guild after Dongfang Minghui asked her to promise never to harm Qian Wanyu, and Dongfang Minghui returned to the Thousand Family to meet Qian Yiling and Lien.
• Qian Yiling told Dongfang Minghui that Potion Masters had found Lance’s condition grave and that the family planned to arrange her wedding to Qian Wanyu when she returned.
• Dongfang Minghui told Qian Yiling that Meng Ruo Yu had reappeared and learned that Qian Ziyan had gone to the Spirit Exorcist Guild; she then asked to accompany him.
• Qian Ziyan admitted that the Spirit Exorcist Guild ignored Dark-Type Spirit Masters’ pleas for mercy and sent its members to kill them, including those who had harmed no one.

Qian Ziyan warned Dongfang Minghui to stay by his side and put the bigger picture first during the ritual. His words left her suspecting that he knew something she did not.

• Qian Ziyan told Dongfang Minghui to stay close to him throughout the ritual.
• Qian Ziyan warned her not to act rashly and said she should not go if she could not follow his instructions.
• Dongfang Minghui felt uneasy and suspected her eldest uncle knew something.

Dongfang Minghui accompanied Qian Ziyan’s team as Little Light tracked a Death Spirit Master into the Mo Residence, where a formation and Mo Lu prevented them from investigating. Little Light continued leading the team back toward the Mo Residence, leaving them in pursuit of its new trail.

• Qian Ziyan introduced Dongfang Minghui as Ninth Lady at the Spirit Exorcist Guild, where Light-Type Spirit Masters gathered around Little Light.
• Dongfang Minghui joined Qian Ziyan, Guang Zhen, and Hou Yuqi to search for Death Spirit Masters after learning that five households had been wiped out.
• Little Light tracked a Death Spirit Master into the Mo Residence, where its energy barrier revealed a formation hiding someone inside.
• Mo Lu confronted the group and threatened to keep Little Light, but Qian Ziyan persuaded him to let them go by mentioning Ling Ling.
• Dongfang Minghui, Qian Yiling, and Qian Ziyan suspected Meng Ruo Yu might be hidden in the Mo Residence, but they could not break the formation without help from Qian Wanyu.
• Little Light repeatedly led the search team toward the Mo Residence, then caught the scent of a Death Spirit Master again and ran ahead with a spirit fruit on its head.

Dongfang Minghui returned to the Thousand Family estate with Little Light, where Little One was reinforcing a Light-Type Energy Barrier. The Light-Soul Bell at her waist suddenly rang, leaving the reason unclear.

• Dongfang Minghui and Little Light returned directly to the Thousand Family estate.
• The guards let Little Light pass because they recognized it and often saw it with Dongfang Minghui.
• Little One howled as it diligently added bricks and mortar to its Light-Type Energy Barrier.
• The Light-Soul Bell at Dongfang Minghui's waist rang.

Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu reunited at the Thousand Family estate, where the family accepted Qian Wanyu’s secret Dark-Type identity after she confronted the Old Madam. They entered Lance’s consciousness to witness his painful memories, then sought a way to restore his sight; after arranging a mission for Merfolk royal tears, they began preparing for their wedding.

• Dongfang Minghui silenced Little Light’s Light-Soul Bell before Guang Zhen and Hou Yuqi entered the Thousand Family estate, then reunited with Qian Wanyu and concealed their auras by holding hands.
• Qian Wanyu met Guang Zhen and Hou Yuqi with the family, and the Old Madam later confronted her for hiding her Dark-Type identity; Qian Wanyu stood her ground before Lance collapsed.
• Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu entered Lance’s mental projection and witnessed his memories of losing his eye, Qian Wanyu’s abduction, and Qian Yiling’s disappearance.
• After leaving Lance’s consciousness, Dongfang Minghui learned that royal Merfolk tears might restore his sight, so she and Qian Wanyu posted a high-paying mission and asked the Cloud Pavilion to obtain them.
• Dongfang Minghui proposed wedding preparations, and she led Qian Wanyu and Qian Ziyan toward a fabric shop to look for wedding robes.

Qian Ziyan saw two people holding hands closely in the fabric shop, then left after asking Seventh Sister what style she liked.

• Qian Ziyan asked Seventh Sister what kind of style she liked.
• Qian Ziyan watched the pair holding hands and sharing an intimate moment.
• Qian Ziyan backed out of the fabric shop.