Chapter Summaries

A lone rider bearing the banner “Four Seas Punish the Rebels” arrived at the Tiger Guard Army’s drill ground and asked to speak with Bai Shijun as an old acquaintance from Watercloud Manor. Alarmed but emboldened when he learned the visitor was alone, Bai Shijun went out to meet him with his Eighteen-Foot Spear.

• The Tiger Guard Army trained on the royal Military Drill Ground outside Luoyang as Marquis Changyi prepared for unrest following Princess Yongchang’s escape.
• Officer Chen Lin spotted a white-robed rider on a white horse approaching from the east beneath blood-red clouds.
• The soldiers saw the rider’s blue banner, marked with a golden Vermilion Bird and the words “Four Seas Punish the Rebels.”
• The rider politely asked the soldiers to summon Bai Shijun, introducing himself as an old acquaintance from Watercloud Manor.
• Bai Shijun grew suspicious at the mention of Watercloud Manor, then learned the visitor was alone and went out carrying his Eighteen-Foot Spear.

Zhang Xingyan confronted Bai Shijun at the eastern drill ground and declared that he had come under Princess Yongchang’s decree to punish Marquis Changyi and his accomplices. He routed the Tiger Guard Army’s cavalry and archers with his sword and dao power, leaving Bai Shijun terrified as someone called for his life.

• Bai Shijun rode to meet Zhang Xingyan and nearly fled when he recognized him.
• Zhang Xingyan told Bai Shijun that he had destroyed the Flying Leopard troops and denounced him before the Tiger Guard Army as a traitor.
• Bai Shijun ordered two thousand light cavalry to charge, but Zhang Xingyan split the ground with a sword strike and sent them plunging into a chasm.
• Bai Shijun ordered the army’s archers to fire, but Zhang Xingyan burned their arrows to ash.
• The Tiger-Leopard Cavalry tried to flank Zhang Xingyan, but Susuang’s neigh caused their horses to collapse together.
• Bai Shijun panicked as a voice called, “Bai Shijun, surrender your life!”

Zhang Xingyan forced his way through the Tiger Guard Army to confront the Pure World Sect’s Nameless, who summoned a heavenly god to stop him. When the god turned out to be Xing Yan’s ally, Lord Lai, Xing Yan killed Bai Shijun and left the imperial capital’s path clear.

• Zhang Xingyan advanced through the soldiers with his sword formation, then met Nameless, who challenged him to wait while he summoned a heavenly god.
• Nameless performed the Heavenly Thunder Summoning ritual, and a divine general appeared above the Military Drill Ground.
• Lord Lai recognized Zhang Xingyan as his young divine lord and apologized for arriving late, revealing he was Xing Yan’s ally.
• Lord Lai beheaded Nameless with the Cloud-Rising Divine Sword, and Zhang Xingyan sent him back.
• Zhang Xingyan seized Bai Shijun from his horse and killed him after Bai continued to curse and insult him.

Zhang Xingyan and Princess Qingcheng rallied the Tiger Guard Army, took Luoyang’s eastern gate, and advanced to the palace, where Changyi’s forces resisted. To avoid damaging the imperial palace, Xing Yan unleashed a supernatural snowfall that silenced the defenders, then stopped it at Ju Ying’s request, leaving the palace blanketed in snow.

• Zhang Xingyan presented Princess Qingcheng to the Tiger Guard Army, healed its wounded, and persuaded its soldiers and commanders to join the righteous army.
• Zhang Xingyan accepted a decree naming him Grand Marshal of All Armies, then used his new title to demand that Luoyang’s eastern gate be opened.
• Zhang Jincheng killed the palace clerk who delivered the decree, surrendered the eastern gate, and let the allied army enter Luoyang.
• Zhang Xingyan and Ju Ying led the army toward the palace, where Changyi’s sworn soldiers and cultivators defended the Azure Dragon Gate with crossbows and flying swords.
• Zhang Xingyan summoned a deadly snowstorm that fell into the palace and silenced its defenders; he stopped the snowfall at Ju Ying’s request, and sunlight returned over the snow-covered halls.

Xing Yan and Ju Ying crushed the Changyi Rebellion, and Ju Ying restored order before arranging for the young Prince Langya to take the throne. As Xing Yan prepared to leave the Capital and return to Thousand Birds Cliff, he struggled with what would become of his relationship with Ju Ying, then made up his mind when he heard her approaching.

• Xing Yan discovered that Zhao Wuchen had died in the snowfall and arranged for his remains to receive priority burial.
• Xing Yan and Ju Ying entered the Supreme Ultimate Hall and learned that Marquis Changyi had died while attempting to crown himself emperor.
• Ju Ying took charge of the court, restored order, and oversaw the state sacrifices and an elaborate imperial banquet with Xing Yan at her side.
• Prince Langya arrived from Linhuai and ascended the throne, officially ending the Changyi Rebellion.
• Xing Yan reflected on Ju Ying's strength and considered leaving for Thousand Birds Cliff, where the Plum Spirit remained near death.
• Xing Yan heard Ju Ying approaching and suddenly made up his mind.

Xing Yan began writing a book about his cultivation insights in Jingyang Palace’s peach grove while Ju Ying kept him company. As she played and sang for him, a spring breeze stirred fallen blossoms and dandelion fluff, and Ju Ying broke down in tears.

• Ju Ying visited Xing Yan at the Nourishing Truth Pavilion and learned that he planned to write a book about his years of cultivation and discussions of the Way.
• Ju Ying brought Xing Yan to Jingyang Palace, where they toured its Golden Sea, Stone Lake, poppy fields, Mirror Lake, and peach grove.
• Xing Yan and Ju Ying fetched writing supplies and a zither, then made a study beside the brook in the peach grove.
• Xing Yan wrote for hours as Ju Ying watched over him, brought him food and wine, and massaged his shoulders when he grew tired.
• Ju Ying played the zither and sang poems about reclusion and spring, then began sobbing as peach blossoms fell and dandelion fluff rose on the wind.

Zhang Xingyan comforted Ju Ying’s fears about their different paths, then completed his book and prepared to leave Luoyang. At their farewell, he gave her Dust Along the Immortal Road and promised to return in three years to teach her in person, leaving Ju Ying tearfully watching him depart.

• Ju Ying wept beneath the peach blossoms, and Zhang Xingyan drew her into his arms and comforted her with a poem about reaching for the real flower beside the water.
• Zhang Xingyan and Ju Ying spent the evening together and several nights in the study while he finished writing his book.
• On the fifth day, Zhang Xingyan completed the book, and Ju Ying led officials in a grand procession to see him off.
• At the Farewell Pavilion, Zhang Xingyan gave Ju Ying Dust Along the Immortal Road and told her to study it and practice diligently.
• Zhang Xingyan promised to return to Luoyang in three years and take Ju Ying to Mount Luofu to instruct her himself.
• Ju Ying leaned against Zhang Xingyan as the officials knelt, and he departed while her song followed him.

After parting from Ju Ying, Xing Yan wandered through the mortal world and attained a new understanding of the Great Way while resting beside the East Sea. He returned to Thousand Birds Cliff to care for Plum Soul, where a fragrant cup of tea made him realize something extraordinary had appeared beside his window.

• Xing Yan left Ju Ying and, overwhelmed by loneliness, flew through the clouds before landing near Tongzhou.
• Xing Yan rested beside the East Sea, understood a cultivation insight through the sight of floating gull feathers, and sang in celebration.
• Xing Yan sailed to Yangzhou, revisited memories of Xueyi and Qiong Tong, then abandoned his visit to Slender West Lake and returned to Thousand Birds Cliff.
• Xing Yan devoted himself to tending Plum Soul as her blossoms grew more fragrant and splendid.
• Xing Yan mistakenly called out to Xueyi while reading, then drank unexpectedly fragrant tea and realized something was beside the window.

Xing Yan reunited with Xueyi after restoring her to life, and they began a peaceful life together on Mount Luofu. Several days later, Xueyi received a letter from Ling Yier that left her blushing and unable to move, while Xing Yan wondered what it said.

• Xing Yan woke the morning after embracing Xueyi and discovered she had returned for real.
• Xing Yan found Xueyi weeding the terrace, took the hoe from her, and flew with her above Mount Luofu.
• Xing Yan told the elders and disciples about Xueyi's return and recounted how he had brought her back to life.
• Xueyi learned of Xing Yan's efforts to save her and secretly wept with gratitude and distress.
• Xing Yan gave Xueyi a letter from Ling Yier, and Xueyi turned bright red after reading it.

After reading Ling Yier’s letter, Xing Yan asked Xueyi to marry him, and she joyfully agreed. He arranged a formal wedding with the Dragon Lords’ approval, and the chapter ended as his red-adorned wedding procession entered Raocheng at dusk to fetch the bride.

• Xing Yan read Ling Yier’s letter, proposed to Xueyi, and heard her eagerly accept.
• Xing Yan informed the Highest Clarity Sect and visited the Dragon Palace, where the Dragon Lord and lake lord approved the marriage and gave Xueyi eight chests of treasures as her dowry.
• News of Xing Yan’s wedding spread through Raozhou, while Gui Qing and other demon spirits prepared a congratulatory ceremony.
• Xing Yan arranged an elaborate, traditional wedding for Xueyi and completed the rites before the couple met again.
• At dusk on the Fifth Month, Fifteenth Day, Xing Yan’s wedding procession entered Raocheng and followed a candlelit route toward Xueyi’s bridal residence.

Zhang Xingyan brought Xueyi from the Ji Residence to Horseshoe Mountain in a lavish wedding procession, receiving blessings from the mountain spirits and Poyang Lake’s water folk along the way. After the wedding rites and feast, Xing Yan lifted Xueyi’s veil and they began their married life together.

• Xing Yan arrived at the Ji Residence, where the bride was carried out amid songs, dancing, and showers of flower petals.
• Master Ji tearfully held the bridal sedan before letting it go, and the procession set out for the Zhang Residence.
• At Eastern City Gate, Xing Yan thanked the soldiers who opened the gates and congratulated him.
• Mountain spirits formed a glowing character for joy on a hillside, while Poyang’s water folk made wedding blessings from golden-lit algae.
• The wedding procession returned to Horseshoe Mountain, where fireworks welcomed the newlyweds and guests celebrated through the night.
• Xing Yan lifted Xueyi’s veil, embraced her, and gently prompted her to call him husband.

Xing Yan and Xueyi enjoyed married life in seclusion on Horseshoe Mountain before visiting Raozhou City, where they unexpectedly reunited with Qiong Tong. The chapter ended with Qiong Tong clinging to Xing Yan after escaping the circus master who had been keeping her with his troupe.

• Xing Yan and Xueyi settled into a happy life together on Horseshoe Mountain, while local legends grew around the young immortal Zhang and his adventures.
• After a little over two months in seclusion, Xing Yan suggested that he and Xueyi visit Raozhou City, and they rode a cloud there together.
• Xing Yan and Xueyi explored the lively market, where Xing Yan bought Xueyi clothes, jewelry, and a paper pinwheel.
• Hearing children call out about a circus, Xing Yan led Xueyi to the Military Drill Ground, where they found Qiong Tong fleeing from a circus master.
• Qiong Tong recognized Xing Yan and Xueyi, bit the circus master when he tried to stop her, then released him and leapt into Xing Yan's arms.

Xing Yan reunited with Qiong Tong, and the three companions resumed their peaceful life together until they learned that Lingyi’s condition had worsened. A Dragon Palace official revealed a possible cure: Firmament Mulberry fruit at the Source of the Silver River, though reaching it required a rare celestial alignment on Mid-Autumn night.

• Xing Yan paid the circus troupe master compensation and reunited with Qiong Tong, who explained that she had left Kunlun and traveled with the troupe to find him.
• Xueyi comforted Qiong Tong after she began crying at the news of Xing Yan and Xueyi’s marriage, and Qiong Tong vowed to work hard.
• Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Tong spent more than a month living happily together before visiting Poyang Lake to ask about Lingyi.
• The group saw through the Round Spirit Water Mirror that Lingyi had grown pale and weak, and the Dragon Lord said her damaged spiritual root had no known remedy.
• Chou Yu reported that Firmament Mulberry fruit could cure every ailment, including injuries caused by confounding evil forces.
• Chou Yu explained that three pure immortals could open a Numinous Crossing on Mid-Autumn night and travel to the Silver River to retrieve the fruit.

Xing Yan found the sole surviving Firmament Mulberry Divine Fruit, but a Swirling Starlight Vortex sent him and his companions twelve years into the future. While he remained away, Xi Ying and her twins settled with his family, and Yingju waited for him; the chapter ended with Xing Yan appearing before Yingju in the palace garden.

• Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Tong reached the Firmament Mulberry and found its one surviving divine fruit, which Xing Yan secured for Lingyi.
• A Swirling Starlight Vortex swept the travelers ashore, and Yaoji warned Xing Yan that twelve years had passed in the mortal realm.
• Xing Yan's mother found Xi Ying and her son and daughter near her home; Yinghuo brought them to the Zhang family, where Xi Ying decided to wait for Xing Yan.
• Yingju continued ruling the country and waited for Xing Yan, more than twelve years after their promised reunion.
• Xing Yan appeared in the rain-soaked peach grove at Jingyang Palace, and Yingju asked him to take her away.