Chapter Summaries

Xu Taiping watched Liu Zijin and her companions hunt a Demon Tiger in Red Maple Forest while Bai Yu teased him about his feelings for her. As Lu Chen lured the Demon Tiger and two Tiger Wraiths into an ambush, he wounded the wraiths with Sword Qi, and the Demon Tiger launched a fierce attack.

• Xu Taiping asked Bai Yu to watch Liu Zijin, and Bai Yu teased him about liking her and asked him to report back after their first kiss.
• Bai Yu explained that he could not interfere in conflicts in the mountains without permission, but agreed to keep track of the hunt.
• Liu Zijin and Lin Buyu hid in a maple tree and watched Lu Chen draw the Demon Tiger and two Tiger Wraiths toward the agreed spot.
• Lu Chen wounded both Tiger Wraiths with Sword Qi, injuring their bodies and yin souls.
• The Demon Tiger sprang through the trees and struck at Lu Chen with Claw-Shadow Gang Wind.

Lu Chen, Mo Jun, and Fairy Ziyan attacked the Tiger Demon in the maple forest, but the demon revealed a pearl that trapped Mo Jun and Ziyan in a tornado. As Lin Buyu and Liu Zijin prepared to seek reinforcements, the wounded Lu Chen led the pursuing Tiger Demon toward them.

• Lu Chen drew the Tiger Demon's attention while Mo Jun pinned its tail with No Edge and rushed to attack.
• Fairy Ziyan emerged from hiding and struck the Tiger Demon with her Burning Gold Finger, setting its body ablaze.
• Mo Jun attacked the burning Tiger Demon, but it revealed a crystal demonic pearl that shattered his sword strike and wounded him.
• The pearl unleashed a tornado that trapped Mo Jun and Fairy Ziyan, who told Lin Buyu and Liu Zijin to return to the sect for reinforcements.
• Lin Buyu started to take Liu Zijin away, but Lu Chen arrived wounded with the Tiger Demon pursuing him.

Lu Chen abandoned Liu Zijin to flee, leaving her and Lin Buyu to face the Tiger Demon in the maple grove. After Lin Buyu’s talismans wounded the beast, it trapped both women inside a barrier of raging wind and advanced on them.

• Liu Zijin saved Lu Chen from the Tiger Demon, but Lu Chen shoved her aside and escaped alone.
• Liu Zijin used a Golden Bell Talisman to withstand the Tiger Demon’s attack, while Lin Buyu struck it with a Five Thunder Talisman and helped her flee.
• The Tiger Demon caught up with Liu Zijin and Lin Buyu, revealed it was near the King-Tier realm, and threatened to eat them.
• Liu Zijin attacked the Tiger Demon, and Lin Buyu severed its tail with a golden Flying Sword formed from a talisman.
• The Tiger Demon used its Northwind Pearl to shatter Lin Buyu’s Flying Sword and enclose both women with itself inside a barrier of raging wind.

Xu Taiping descended into the maple grove and attacked the Tiger Demon, joining Liu Zijin and Lin Buyu in the fight. As the Tiger Demon cornered him and tried to swallow him, Xu Taiping began releasing a bone-chilling cold from his body.

• The Tiger Demon trapped Liu Zijin and Lin Buyu inside a wind barrier and knocked them down when they fought back.
• Xu Taiping descended from the sky and hammered the Tiger Demon's head with the Green Ox Fist, Charging Ox Breaks the Formation.
• Lin Buyu struck the Tiger Demon with Palms Like Rushing Thunder, giving Xu Taiping time to attack with his short sword and another fist technique.
• The Tiger Demon used the Northwind Pearl to trap Xu Taiping's flying sword, then cornered him inside the cramped wind barrier.
• As the Tiger Demon lunged to swallow Xu Taiping, he sensed deadly cold spreading from the boy's body.

Xu Taiping froze the Demon Tiger and nearly killed it, but the wounded beast escaped after burning its vital blood essence. He left Liu Zijin with a warning about Lu Chen and pursued the tiger, while the others chose to return to the sect rather than follow.

• Xu Taiping froze the Demon Tiger and slashed its neck, but the beast broke free by burning its vital blood essence and fled without the Northwind Pearl.
• Xu Taiping warned Liu Zijin to watch out for Lu Chen, then raced after the Demon Tiger; Lin Buyu recognized him as Xu Taiping.
• Lu Chen arrived with Raging Wind Hall disciples, and Liu Zijin and Lin Buyu confronted him over abandoning them during the danger.
• Fairy Ziyan and Mo Jun arrived, and Liu Zijin told them that Xu Taiping had saved her and Lin Buyu.
• Mo Jun decided not to pursue the wounded Demon Tiger, while Lin Buyu privately judged that neither Mo Jun nor Lu Chen could compare to Xu Taiping.

Xu Taiping pursued the Demon Tiger for seven days and killed it in a final brutal fight, then arranged for Bai Yu to carry him back to the Green Bamboo Abode. Several days later, he showed the Tiger Demon’s head to Fairy Lingyue and eagerly recounted the battle.

• Xu Taiping cornered the wounded Demon Tiger in a valley after pursuing it for seven days and nights.
• Xu Taiping evaded the Tiger Demon’s counterattack, mounted its back, and battered it with the Green Ox Fist.
• Xu Taiping used a final headbutt to break the Tiger Demon’s neck, then decapitated it with his Fine Steel Saber.
• Bai Yu arrived, agreed that Xu Taiping could keep the Tiger Demon’s head and its stolen treasures, and carried him back to the Green Bamboo Abode.
• Several days later, Xu Taiping showed the Tiger Demon’s head to Fairy Lingyue and excitedly described how he had killed it.

Xu Taiping told Fairy Lingyue how he had pursued and slain the Demon Tiger, then sorted through the treasures it had hidden. They discovered a map to a three-hundred-year-old Fire Spirit Mushroom, which could nourish the Earth Fruit but was likely guarded by a dangerous Fire Python.

• Xu Taiping recounted chasing the Demon Tiger for seven days and nights before killing it, astonishing Fairy Lingyue.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that the Northwind Pearl was too baleful for Xu Taiping to use, but could nourish the Earth Fruit after its second transformation.
• Xu Taiping poured out the Tiger Demon's hidden treasures, and he and Fairy Lingyue planned to use the Merit Coins to buy a True Fire Talisman for Seed Burning.
• Fairy Lingyue and Xu Taiping inventoried the treasure and found a map marking a three-hundred-year-old Fire Spirit Mushroom.
• Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping that the Fire Spirit Mushroom could nourish the Earth Fruit but was likely guarded by a dangerous Fire Python.

Xu Taiping used a True Fire Talisman to burn the Earth Treasury Fruit’s stalks and complete its second transformation. The pill furnace broke, but he found the transformed Gourd Fruit seed and remained determined to advance.

• Xu Taiping bought a True Fire Talisman from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and received it from Bai Yu at the Green Bamboo Abode.
• Fairy Lingyue confirmed the talisman could barely provide enough firstfold true fire for the first Seed Burning and guided Xu Taiping through preparations.
• Xu Taiping activated the True Fire Talisman in the pill furnace, burning the Earth Treasury Fruit’s stalks as Fairy Lingyue explained the power of true fire.
• The flames turned blue-green and then died out, signaling the Earth Treasury Fruit’s transformation, but the low-grade pill furnace cracked apart.
• Xu Taiping found a seed among the ashes, and Fairy Lingyue told him the Earth Treasury Fruit’s second transformation was the Gourd Fruit.

Xu Taiping learned that the Earth Treasury Fruit could nurture treasures based on the nourishment it absorbed, and decided to risk gathering a fire spirit mushroom to improve his cultivation. After waiting five days for the Fire-Patterned Python to leave Bamboo Creek Valley, he prepared to seize the mushroom.

• Fairy Lingyue explained that the Earth Treasury Fruit would produce three Gourd Fruits and that their treasures depended on their nourishment; Xu Taiping agreed to reserve one for her.
• Xu Taiping chose the three-hundred-year-old fire spirit mushroom as nourishment for a cultivation-boosting treasure, despite the risk of encountering the Fire-Patterned Python.
• Fairy Lingyue said the mushroom’s treasure could help Xu Taiping reach the peak of the Qi Refining stage before the Seven Peaks Selection, and he agreed to risk gathering it.
• Xu Taiping waited hidden near Bamboo Creek Valley for five days while the Fire-Patterned Python guarded the mushroom.
• The Fire-Patterned Python left the valley to hunt, and Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping to move in and take the mushroom.

Xu Taiping stole the fire spirit mushroom from Bamboo Creek Valley, then hid underwater when the Fire-Patterned Python arrived fighting a Mountain-Lifting Ape. After the python discovered the mushroom was gone, the burning ape attacked it again, and their battle continued.

• Xu Taiping used the Demon Tiger's hide to take the fire spirit mushroom and cut it free with his saber.
• Fairy Lingyue sensed two powerful beasts approaching, so Xu Taiping hid in a deep pool and concealed his aura.
• The Fire-Patterned Python swallowed a Mountain-Lifting Ape, driving its mate into a berserk attack that forced the python into the valley.
• The Fire-Patterned Python engulfed the Mountain-Lifting Ape in flames and fled toward the fire spirit mushroom to strengthen itself.
• The Fire-Patterned Python discovered the mushroom was missing and roared, prompting the burning Mountain-Lifting Ape to attack again.

Xu Taiping used the Ice Breath Art to freeze the Fire-Patterned Python in the pool, allowing the dying Mountain-Lifting Ape to kill it. Before leaving Bamboo Creek Valley with the Fire Spirit Mushroom, Xu Taiping agreed to find the ape’s child and returned carrying a Little Snow Monkey.

• The Fire-Patterned Python dragged the Mountain-Lifting Ape toward the pool, and Xu Taiping planned to lure it away from the ape.
• Fairy Lingyue lifted the concealment over Xu Taiping, prompting the Fire-Patterned Python to attack him.
• Xu Taiping froze the python’s lower body and the pool with the Ice Breath Art.
• The Mountain-Lifting Ape used its remaining strength to smash the frozen Fire-Patterned Python’s head, then collapsed.
• The Mountain-Lifting Ape asked Xu Taiping to find its child in the western mountain forest, and Xu Taiping went to look.
• Xu Taiping returned to Bamboo Creek Valley carrying a docile Little Snow Monkey.

Xu Taiping took in the little monkey Ping'an after the Mountain-Lifting Ape died, and received a rare Ice Soul Moon Spirit Stone from the dying ape. With Fairy Lingyue's guidance, he planted the Earth Treasury Fruit and prepared for its third transformation, while planning how to earn more Merit Coins.

• Xu Taiping brought the little monkey to the dying Mountain-Lifting Ape, who asked him to care for his child and offered a soul contract for one jiazi of service.
• The little monkey agreed to stay with Xu Taiping, who forged the soul contract and received an Ice Soul Moon Spirit Stone from the Mountain-Lifting Ape before burying him.
• Xu Taiping named the little monkey Ping'an and brought him home to Green Bamboo Abode, where Ping'an ate and fell asleep.
• Fairy Lingyue guided Xu Taiping in placing items in three directional holes in the medicine garden, then he planted the Earth Treasury Fruit in the main hole to ripen over three months.
• Xu Taiping counted his remaining Merit Coins and decided to plant more valuable medicinal herbs to cover his cultivation expenses.

Three months after planting the transformed Earth Treasury Fruit, Xu Taiping tended his Medicine Garden and waited for Fairy Lingyue to awaken. As he visited the three gourds with Ping'an, the Azure Gourd spoke in Lingyue’s voice, leaving Xu Taiping delighted that she had finally woken.

• Xu Taiping spent three months practicing, cultivating his Medicine Garden, and teaching Little Monkey Ping'an while his qi sea remained unformed.
• Xu Taiping calculated that his snow-root he shouwu harvest could earn him around fourteen hundred Merit Coins and planned to refine Qi-Gathering Pills from his other herbs.
• Little Monkey Ping'an told Xu Taiping that a Cloud Tower Society recruiter had returned, and Xu Taiping told Ping'an to refuse the group and stay inside the courtyard.
• Xu Taiping took Ping'an to the Back Courtyard to check the three gourds, expecting Fairy Lingyue to awaken that night.
• The Azure Gourd spoke in Fairy Lingyue's voice, and Xu Taiping greeted her happily.

Xu Taiping learned that the Cloud Tower Society had kidnapped Little Monkey Ping'an and demanded he come to Peach Garden Ridge, likely to seize the valuable herbs in his medicine garden. He waited for Fairy Lingyue's gourds to ripen so he could take their treasures before confronting them, and Fairy Lingyue emerged from the Azure Gourd that night.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping she needed another day or two for the gourds to ripen, and Xu Taiping returned to cultivation while Little Monkey Ping'an played in the courtyard.
• A middle-aged man from the Cloud Tower Society lured Little Monkey Ping'an with a spirit peach, knocked him unconscious, and left a letter demanding Xu Taiping come to Peach Garden Ridge within three days.
• Xu Taiping found the letter and told Fairy Lingyue about the kidnapping and the Cloud Tower Society's repeated invitations.
• Fairy Lingyue suspected the Cloud Tower Society wanted the medicinal herbs in Xu Taiping's garden and advised him to collect the gourd treasures before going to Peach Garden Ridge.
• At midnight, the Azure Gourd dropped from the vine, and Fairy Lingyue emerged from it in a translucent form.

Fairy Lingyue explained the Azure Gourd’s growing storage space and revealed that Xu Taiping’s newly fallen Fire Gourd contained a dragon gall stone. The discovery suggested a true dragon had once lived beneath the mountains, and Fairy Lingyue marveled at finding such a rare treasure in a spiritually barren land.

• Xu Taiping learned that the Azure Gourd’s inner space could expand as Fairy Lingyue recovered and could eventually hold living creatures.
• A red, flame-patterned Fire Gourd fell from the vine and drifted into Xu Taiping’s arms.
• Xu Taiping opened the Fire Gourd, releasing scorching spiritual qi and a roar like a dragon’s cry.
• Fairy Lingyue concluded that a true dragon had once appeared in the mountains and explained that dragons had mostly left the Lower Realm for the Upper Realm.
• Xu Taiping poured out an egg-sized bead, and Fairy Lingyue identified it as a rare dragon gall stone that could be steeped in wine to boost cultivation and nourish the divine soul.

Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue learned that Dragon Gall Wine could accelerate cultivation and nourish medicinal herbs, though it was dangerous and scarce. The third treasure from the Earth Fruit was the Azure Luan Ring, whose defensive power Xu Taiping demonstrated before preparing to test its three offensive techniques.

• Fairy Lingyue explained Dragon Gall Wine's limited supply, its benefits, and the danger of drinking too much, while Xu Taiping planned to start with half a cup.
• Fairy Lingyue and Xu Taiping watched the third gourd fall, and Xu Taiping opened it to release a silver light that became a ring on his finger.
• Xu Taiping identified the ring as the Azure Luan Ring, an upper-grade Spirit Artifact with the divine essence of the ancient Azure Luan as its ring spirit.
• Xu Taiping activated the ring's defensive power, forming a wind wall that stayed around him as he moved and practiced Green Ox Fist.
• Xu Taiping described the ring's three offensive techniques, and Fairy Lingyue urged him to try them.

Xu Taiping tested the Azure Luan Ring’s powerful attack and learned about the three gourds before visiting Peach Garden Ridge to confront Mr. Yashan over his stolen monkey. Mr. Yashan claimed the monkey had come willingly to enjoy his Spirit Fruit, and Xu Taiping demanded it back.

• Xu Taiping used the Azure Luan Ring to pierce a cloud with a Wind Blade, but exhausted his True Qi before he could test its two-finger attack.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that the Iron Gourd could nurture weapons and that Xu Taiping would need to strengthen it before it could hold more than one.
• Xu Taiping told Fairy Lingyue he planned to visit Peach Garden Ridge, and she readily agreed.
• The next day, Xu Taiping entered the Guest-Retaining Abode and kept a Golden Bell Talisman ready as he met Mr. Yashan.
• Xu Taiping asked why Mr. Yashan had taken his monkey, and Mr. Yashan claimed he had only brought it to enjoy the garden’s Spirit Fruit.
• Xu Taiping held out his hand and demanded that Mr. Yashan return the monkey.

Xu Taiping confronted Mr. Yashan and recovered Little Monkey Ping'an, but Yashan and two maids ambushed him as he tried to leave. Xu Taiping broke through their attacks, and Yashan called in more hidden attackers at Peach Blossom Ridge.

• Xu Taiping refused to join the Cloud Tower Society and demanded that Mr. Yashan return Little Monkey Ping'an.
• Mr. Yashan returned the monkey, but Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping of an attack as he approached the courtyard gate.
• Mr. Yashan and the two maids attacked Xu Taiping, who used Golden Bell Talismans to block their strikes.
• Xu Taiping realized Yashan was using an invisibility artifact and used his Azure Luan Ring's Wind Wall to break Yashan's sword before counterattacking.
• Yashan escaped Xu Taiping's saber strike with a jade pendant and summoned four or five hidden attackers into the courtyard.

Xu Taiping defeated Master Yashan and the Cloud Tower Society cultivators who ambushed him, then learned they had targeted him for his medicinal herbs. After disposing of the evidence and taking their belongings, he returned to the Green Bamboo Abode and prepared to test the Dragon Gall Wine.

• Xu Taiping used Mountain Shatter to kill four attackers, beat Master Yashan, and forced him to explain that a West Wind Pavilion disciple had revealed Xu Taiping’s valuable medicinal herbs.
• Master Yashan admitted the attack had been his own idea and surrendered the Concealment Grass, which could hide its holder three times a day for ten breaths each time.
• Xu Taiping asked about joining the Cloud Tower Society, then killed Master Yashan rather than leave a potential threat alive.
• With Fairy Lingyue’s guidance, Xu Taiping cleaned the courtyard, hid the bodies in the gourd, and collected talismans and six hundred Merit Coins.
• Two days after returning to the Green Bamboo Abode, Xu Taiping poured a cup of Dragon Gall Wine and asked Fairy Lingyue whether he should drink it.

Xu Taiping used Dragon Gall Wine to improve his cultivation and spent two years mastering his arts, while Fairy Lingyue taught Ping'an the Ape Demon Art. On the eve of Xu Taiping’s planned breakthrough to the Nether Gazing Realm, the wounded Bai Yu crashed outside his courtyard and warned him not to approach.

• Xu Taiping drank Dragon Gall Wine, settled his surging Qi and Blood with the Setting Sun Glow Art, and found that he could absorb far more Heavens Spiritual Energy.
• Ping'an licked the wine cup, passed out, and was taken by Fairy Lingyue into her gourd to learn the Ape Demon Art.
• Over two years, Xu Taiping reached Great Completion in the Gate Opening Realm and mastered several martial arts, while Ping'an nearly reached Minor Completion in the Ape Demon Art.
• Xu Taiping prepared to break through to the Nether Gazing Realm before the selection, and Fairy Lingyue promised to protect him from an Otherworldly Heavenly Demon.
• On a stormy night before the breakthrough, Bai Yu crashed into the mud outside Xu Taiping’s courtyard, badly wounded, and warned Xu Taiping not to approach.