Chapter Summaries

Xing Yan entered Emerald Li Village to search for the Water Spirit, but Elder Su Li asked him to marry Xueyi and Qiong Rong to avert a heavenly tribulation. After the wedding, Xing Yan lifted Xueyi’s veil and recognized the depth of her feelings as the night drew to a close.

• Xing Yan searched Jadewater Pool and the village for the Water Spirit, while a pale-green glow struggled toward Snow-Suitable Hall and then vanished.
• Elder Su Li told Xing Yan that Fire Li Village had once been barren and cursed, and that a heavenly tribulation threatened the village after its curse was broken.
• Elder Su Li begged Xing Yan to marry Xueyi and Qiong Rong the next day, and Xing Yan agreed to perform the ceremony.
• Qiong Rong accepted the wedding, and Xueyi quietly agreed to follow Xing Yan’s wishes.
• Elder Su Li officiated as Xing Yan married Xueyi and Qiong Rong in Snow-Suitable Hall, and the villagers held a wedding feast.
• After the guests left, Xing Yan entered the bridal chamber and lifted Xueyi’s veil as Qiong Rong reminded him not to forget her.

The chapter describes Water Dragon's Chant, a divine melody of the Four Seas Dragon Clan that requires a divine artifact, exceptional musical skill, and immense magical power to perform. It records that Zhang Xingyan later played the complete melody using Great Splendor Dao Power and a strange horseshoe-shaped stone.

• Water Dragon's Chant was described as a divine art played on the Jade Flute "Divine Snow," combining the five tones with the Five Phases.
• The melody was said to summon the elements, subdue spirits, and command beasts, while demanding rare musical and magical abilities from its performer.
• Across countless millennia, no one had practiced the melody, and each performance was without precedent or successor.
• In Chapter 25 of Volume Two, Zhang Xingyan performed the full melody with Great Splendor Dao Power and help from a strange horseshoe-shaped stone.

The epilogue poem said a thousand years passed in an instant and described a sword honed for ten years through devoted effort. It ended by declaring that this was no match for sitting idle on a mountain ridge.

• A thousand years passed in a snap of the fingers.
• A single sword was honed for ten years.
• Devoted effort forged a spirit that soared to the heavens.
• The poem declared that sitting idle on a mountain ridge surpassed that effort.

The chapter presented a short lyric about moonlight, water, and an intimate embrace. It ended with the attribution “Guan Pingchao.round.”

• Moonlight and water filled a little tower.
• Fingertips brushed an ice-cold bowl as a few words formed a graceful silhouette.
• Sorrow melted away, and a backward glance brought moonlight to frost-white silk and still water in someone’s eyes.
• Two people turned and embraced, smiling together as lotus fragrance gathered around them.

allstar wrote lyrics dedicated to seven women from Dust Along the Immortal Road, recalling their appearances, relationships, losses, and struggles. The lyrics left their stories in images of separation, grief, and perilous journeys.

• allstar wrote lyrics about Qiong Rong’s beauty, powers, and journey with her brother to seek the Heavenly Way.
• allstar described Ju Ying’s transformed beauty and Xueyi’s playful command of the wind and snow.
• allstar depicted Lingyi reuniting with an old companion before their promised meeting was interrupted by danger.
• allstar recalled Lady Rui’s orphaned childhood and devoted love, then mourned her lonely death and regrets.
• allstar described Li Xiaomei searching for the immortal road after grieving a beauty that would not return.
• allstar portrayed Peng Runlan pleading for her beloved’s innocence before learning to travel the surging waves.

The chapter consisted of a verse about seeking spring, a jade-like child, a rising sword, and time passing in an instant. It was attributed to Guan Pingchao.

• Guan Pingchao's verse described seeking spring and writing of mystic spirits.
• Guan Pingchao's verse pictured a fair child and a dream like smoke.
• Guan Pingchao's verse described a sword rising amid falling leaves and flying blossoms.
• Guan Pingchao's verse said a thousand years passed in a single instant.

The chapter presented Short Methods' review of Immortal Road and Guan Pingchao's response to its praise and criticism. Guan Pingchao defended the story's gradual focus on Zhang Xingyan's growth, promised to clarify its larger direction, and explained why he kept the Wei-Jin setting while using regulated verse.

• Short Methods praised the novel's prose and distinct characters, but criticized its unclear main thread and historical inconsistencies.
• Short Methods suggested making Zhang Xingyan's growth in understanding the Dao the central thread and included a poem comparing the work to a small boat.
• Wanru Hongyue replied that great ships could grow from little boats and rejected calling the novel a little boat.
• Guan Pingchao thanked Short Methods, agreed the main thread needed to emerge more clearly, and said later chapters would show the protagonist's growth more distinctly.
• Guan Pingchao said the novel would keep its Wei-Jin setting and explained that its regulated-style poems were chosen for modern readers, though he would use them less often in characters' dialogue.

Tu Yixiao described how he first rejected Dust Along the Immortal Road, then returned to it and came to appreciate its calm, classical style and unhurried story. He praised its distinctive atmosphere while noting that its slow pace could also make it feel inconsequential.

• Tu Yixiao recounted how he began reading online novels and developed a habit of abandoning books that failed to catch his interest quickly.
• Tu Yixiao explained that he first opened Dust Along the Immortal Road during winter break but stopped reading after three minutes because its pace felt uneventful.
• Tu Yixiao later returned to the novel after reading other stories on Two Sides to Every Story and finished its first two volumes.
• Tu Yixiao observed that Zhang Xingyan had no earth-shaking encounter and that the novel favored gentle language, everyday events, and a tranquil pace over grand conflicts.
• Tu Yixiao praised the novel’s peaceful, classical feel but cautioned that its slow pace could be both a lasting strength and a weakness.

Crab Slippers posted a long review praising Dust Along the Immortal Road for its prose, allusions, atmosphere, plot, and characters, while comparing it with other immortal-hero novels. The post ended with Guan Pingchao thanking the reviewer and promising to guard against pride and keep writing.

• Crab Slippers explained how he rediscovered Dust Along the Immortal Road and praised it as a work worthy of the title of novel.
• Crab Slippers praised Guan Pingchao's literary craft, use of allusions, gentle atmosphere, and distinctive approach to plot and characterization.
• Crab Slippers ranked characters from the first four volumes into seven tiers and discussed their traits and roles.
• Crab Slippers scored Dust Along the Immortal Road and three other popular immortal-hero novels across categories including plot, talent, theme, and literary merit.
• Guan Pingchao thanked Crab Slippers for the review and said he would remain humble and continue writing.

The author shared an announcement inviting Dust Along the Immortal Road to a reader-voted Oscars competition and presented nominations for Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, and Best Entrance. The chapter ended with the scene of Zhang Xingyan awakening to see Princess Qingcheng after the divine rain.

• The Chinese Website invited Guan Pingchao to submit character nominations for its Oscars competition by October 7.
• The author thanked readers for helping the work qualify and nominated Zhang Xingyan for Best Male Lead, describing his journey and character.
• The author nominated Qiong Rong for Best Female Lead and hinted at the mystery surrounding her origins.
• The author nominated Princess Qingcheng's first appearance after the divine rain for Best Entrance, recounting Zhang Xingyan's awestruck reaction as he awakened.

Shui Bing'er interviewed Guan Pingchao about his novel Dust Along the Immortal Road, his writing style, and his views on web literature. Guan Pingchao described his plans for Zhang Xingyan’s journey beyond Mount Luofu and encouraged Fresh Chinese Web readers to try the novel.

• Shui Bing'er asked Guan Pingchao about Dust Along the Immortal Road, and he described its style as lighthearted, graceful, and classical.
• Guan Pingchao explained how he used restrained prose and detailed scenery to create a traditional immortal-hero atmosphere.
• Guan Pingchao said Zhang Xingyan would leave Mount Luofu in a future volume and travel through the heavens, ocean depths, and underworld.
• Guan Pingchao discussed web literature, wish fulfillment, and the importance of refining prose alongside plot.
• Guan Pingchao predicted that later volumes would feature broader conflicts involving humans, gods, ghosts, demons, and immortals, then invited readers to support the novel and Fresh Chinese Web.

The chapter recapped Zhang Xingyan’s adventures and peaceful life at Shangqing Palace, where his cultivation advanced and old companions gathered around him. It ended with Xingyan and Lingyi celebrating the Mid-Autumn moon together before the sect master arrived to investigate.

• Zhang Xingyan used the Four Rivers Divine Spell to defeat Li Yangya’s sorcery, save the troops, and capture Li Yangya, while Qiong Tong wounded Mo Chian and took his Vermilion Bird Divine Sabers.
• Zhang Xingyan returned to Highest Clarity, drove Zhao Wuchen away from Xueyi, and reunited with Ju Ying, who had come to cultivate and live at Four Seas Hall.
• Zhang Xingyan learned his Strange Sword was named Yao Guang, taught Xueyi and Qiong Tong, and received an imperial appointment as Central Court Grand Master.
• A wandering ghost tried to possess Zhang Xingyan, but he devoured it and greatly increased his Dao Power.
• Zhang Xingyan opened Lingyi’s Jade Lotus on Mid-Autumn night and found her manifestation there; they shared music and wine until the Shangqing Sect Master came to investigate.

The author reviewed “Dust Along the Immortal Road,” “Jade Dynasty,” “Dragon Ascension Path,” and “Song of the Evil Wind,” praising their prose, characters, and rebellious ideas. The essay ended by contrasting banned writing with political flattery and wondering which path contemporary writers would follow.

• Lihuo praised “Dust Along the Immortal Road” for its classical style, humor, scenery, and tender relationships, while noting that its prose sometimes ran on too freely.
• Lihuo discussed “Jade Dynasty,” focusing on Xiao Fan’s suffering, the blurred boundary between righteous and evil factions, and the tragic entanglements among its characters.
• Lihuo examined the irreverent humor and heterodox ideas in Blood Red’s “Dragon Ascension Path” and “Song of the Evil Wind,” including Li Feng’s exchange with Xiao Longzi.
• Lihuo connected the novels’ defiance of orthodoxy to Yang Pan’s banned writing and criticized Guo Moruo’s political praise of Mao Zedong and Jiang Qing.
• Lihuo wondered whether Blood Red, Jiutu, Lao Zhu, Xiao Ding, Jin Hezai, and Misty Rain Jiangnan would follow Yang Pan’s path or Guo Moruo’s.

Ten Years Lurking reflected on how Immortal Road blended Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist ideas, portraying the pursuit of immortality as cultivation of the heart. The piece ended with the author apologizing for the rambling, muddled essay.

• Ten Years Lurking praised Immortal Road's concise, polished prose and its accessible classical style.
• Ten Years Lurking contrasted the novel's shared, attainable world of spirits and humans with cultivation stories built around rigid stages of advancement.
• Ten Years Lurking described how Xing Yan's studies and adventures reflected Daoist ideals of tranquility and naturalness.
• Ten Years Lurking connected Xing Yan's compassion, loyalty, and chivalry to Confucian and Buddhist principles.
• Ten Years Lurking concluded that Immortal Road presented cultivating the heart as the path to immortality, then apologized for the essay's rambling style.

The author reflected on Immortal Road, praising Zhang Xingyan’s gradual growth, gentle romantic relationships, and memorable scenes of music and dance. The story’s ending and the mystery of little Qiong Tong remained unresolved, while the author looked forward to reading on.

• The author recalled how Zhang Xingyan’s ordinary beginnings and calmly unfolding encounters had gradually revealed his strength and character.
• The author described Xingyan’s warm, restrained affection for Qiong Rong, the Dragon Lady, Xueyi, and Yingju.
• Ling Yier played a zither melody using the mountain and waterfall, and Xingyan joined her with Divine Snow on the flute.
• Kou Xueyi rose into the moonlight and danced as the music continued.
• The author wondered whether Xingyan would become an immortal and what little Qiong Tong’s origins were.

Guan Pingchao answered readers’ questions in a Three Rivers chat about Dust Along the Immortal Road, its characters, his writing, and his plans for the story. He ended the session by thanking the participants and promising to continue updating the novel unless circumstances beyond his control prevented it.

• Guan Pingchao said Dust Along the Immortal Road might run for sixteen to eighteen volumes and that he had considered possible happy endings.
• Guan Pingchao explained his writing methods, including keeping notes and reference materials, planning plots in his head, and avoiding chapter-by-chapter outlines.
• Guan Pingchao discussed the novel’s heroines and future plot, saying Qiong Rong had extraordinary origins and the girl from the Devil Race might become a main character in volume fourteen.
• Guan Pingchao answered questions about the story’s tone and relationships, saying the protagonist would have a first sexual experience but keeping the partner and circumstances secret.
• Guan Pingchao promised not to abandon Immortal Road unless an uncontrollable event interrupted his access to the internet.
• Guan Pingchao and host Imperial Flying Blade Koko thanked the participants and closed the chat for the night.

Feng Zhong Jiezi reviewed Dust Along the Immortal Road, praising its style, everyday life, emotional subtlety, and Xing Yan’s story while offering suggestions for its development. Ping Chao thanked the reviewer, promised to consider several points, and affirmed his intention to finish the novel.

• Feng Zhong Jiezi praised Dust Along the Immortal Road for its distinctive prose, lived-in cultivation world, humane perspective, gradual emotions, and landscape descriptions.
• Feng Zhong Jiezi urged Ping Chao to explore Xing Yan’s understanding of the Dao, his spiritual cultivation, and the balance between withdrawing from and entering the world.
• Feng Zhong Jiezi discussed Xing Yan’s relationships with Qiong Rong, Xueyi, and the princesses, and asked that romance suit the novel’s atmosphere.
• Feng Zhong Jiezi encouraged Xing Yan’s growth while cautioning against excessive wish fulfillment and asking Ping Chao to give him more friends.
• Ping Chao thanked Feng Zhong Jiezi, said he would seek a natural way to revisit the Heavenly Way, and explained that later passion scenes would serve the plot.
• Ping Chao said he would persevere and finish the novel to the best of his ability, while asking readers to be patient with his first work.

The author recounted the USTC Student Chinese Orchestra’s history, from Song Zhiwei’s first proposal in 2001 through its founding in March 2003 and rapid growth. The account ended in December 2003 with Guan Pingchao reflecting on a recording that captured the members’ youthful camaraderie.

• Song Zhiwei proposed forming a Chinese traditional music ensemble on the university BBS, and early supporters including Gong Fangfei and Jiang Chen began meeting and performing under its name.
• After the founding effort stalled, Guan Pingchao appealed through the President’s Mailbox, and university officials helped the group begin formal preparations in September 2002.
• Guan Pingchao, Yu Shihua, and Liu Guilin led the orchestra as it gained official status, recruited members, acquired instruments, and began rehearsing in March 2003.
• The orchestra performed its first independent Mid-Autumn concert in September 2003, then appeared at a university presidents’ banquet and the new-student welcome gala.
• The orchestra held an outdoor rehearsal at the Hefei Botanical Garden after rain delayed it, and its members continued performing and welcoming new players through the end of the year.
• After Xiao Kewei accidentally recorded the members’ conversation on the way home from rehearsal, Guan Pingchao wrote about preserving the imprint of their youth.

Cat's Words reviewed Dust Along the Immortal Road, describing how Guan Pingchao's writing matured and praising Zhang Xingyan's chance encounter with immortality while criticizing the story's slow pace and restrained romance. Guan Pingchao thanked him for the encouragement and said he would keep writing and updating despite his research work.

• Cat's Words admitted that he initially found Dust Along the Immortal Road slow and frustrating, but later recognized how its prose matured over time.
• Cat's Words praised Zhang Xingyan as a carefree young man who had stumbled upon an immortal affinity and admired the story's lingering, evocative style.
• Cat's Words compared the novel's characters and romantic atmosphere with works such as Flowers in the Mirror and The Gallant Maidens, while lamenting Zhang Xingyan's indecision and the book's faint central theme.
• Guan Pingchao thanked Cat's Words for his praise and said the review encouraged him to keep writing according to his original intentions.
• Guan Pingchao said he would continue trying to maintain updates while doing demanding research work.

A forum poster described the Immortal Road world's races and reflected on how Zhang Xingyan's goodness shaped his journey and understanding of the Way. The post ended by wondering what kind of Heavenly Way Xingyan would pursue and what he would choose if saving all living beings demanded a sacrifice.

• The poster outlined the Devil Race, Dragon Clan, humans, spirits, Ghost Clan, Wandering Immortals, and ancient gods, noting their varied beliefs, powers, and reputations.
• z0406 explained that reading Immortal Road had prompted questions about Xueyi, goodness, and Zhang Xingyan's life, but led them to write about the world's living beings instead.
• z0406 proposed that the Highest Clarity Sect's Way combined the pursuit of longevity with human notions of good, and suggested that rulers valued the sect for this reason.
• z0406 argued that the Devil Race's freedom from human ideas of good and evil challenged Xingyan, while his good nature and intelligence helped him survive and earn allies.
• z0406 observed that years of travel changed Xingyan, then wondered whether he would sacrifice himself or his friends to avert a calamity and what kind of Heavenly Way he would seek.