Chapter Summaries

Xu Changshou joined Green Ink Peak as a menial disciple and began learning talisman drawing under Yang Bailao. After seeing how much spiritual energy the work consumed, he feared he had landed in a punishing place.

• Li Dao Path tested Xu Changshou’s spiritual root, discovered he had a ten-element mixed spiritual root, and assigned him to learn talisman drawing under Yang Bailao.
• Li Dao Path gave Xu Changshou a red identity token and a spiritual brush, and told him he would train for six months before beginning talisman-drawing assignments.
• Yang Bailao showed Xu Changshou the vacant courtyards, and Xu chose a secluded one, cleared its weeds, and cleaned the house.
• Xu Changshou saw Green Ink Peak disciples looking exhausted at the spiritual dining hall and worried about the peak’s harsh conditions.
• Yang Bailao demonstrated drawing a Fireball Talisman and became pale from the effort, leading Xu Changshou to realize that talisman drawing drained spiritual energy.

Yang Bailao taught Xu Changshou to draw a Windwalking Talisman and explained the harsh workload and meager pay imposed on Green Ink Peak’s Servant Disciples. Xu Changshou realized that the talismans from his Bloodline Jade Talisman were far more powerful than the sect’s versions and considered selling them.

• Yang Bailao showed Xu Changshou how to draw a Windwalking Talisman and said Xu would likely be assigned to make them because of his wind-attributed spiritual root.
• Yang Bailao told Xu Changshou that he earned two spirit stones a month for drawing ten talismans a day, but spent much of his pay on Qi-Replenishing Pills after exhausting his spiritual energy twice daily.
• Yang Bailao described how talisman work had stalled his cultivation and ended his hopes of Foundation Establishment, while Xu Changshou learned that he would need to submit five talismans a day.
• Yang Bailao drew a Windwalking Talisman, and Xu Changshou noticed it was simpler and weaker than the one in his Bloodline Jade Talisman.
• Xu Changshou realized his Windwalking Talismans could cover three thousand li a day instead of the sect version’s thousand and considered selling them for profit.

Xu Changshou learned how scarce Green Ink Peak’s talisman designs were and watched Yang Bailao exhaust himself meeting his quota. After Yang Bailao gave him six months to master talisman drawing, Xu Changshou began practicing, but his first attempts caused the paper to explode.

• Yang Bailao showed Xu Changshou the Sword Qi Talisman and explained that Green Ink Peak commonly used only four talisman types and had no lightning attribute talismans.
• Xu Changshou recognized the value of the powerful lightning talismans in his Bloodline Jade Talisman and resolved to keep them secret.
• Yang Bailao drew ten talismans that day, leaving himself depleted, while Xu Changshou grew troubled by the sect’s harsh demands on menial disciples.
• After Xu Changshou observed Yang Bailao for fifteen days, Yang gave him a thousand sheets of yellow hemp paper and warned him to learn talisman drawing within six months or face severe punishment.
• Xu Changshou began practicing the Fireball Talisman, but his first two attempts exploded when he struggled to control the spiritual qi in his Spirit Brush.

Xu Changshou studied the Great Dao Talisman Scripture and learned to draw several first-grade talismans, but his limited spiritual energy seemed to leave him no room to earn extra income. The ancient "talisman" character began absorbing ambient spiritual energy and helped him draw up to fifteen talismans a day, lifting the burden of the sect's quota.

• After studying the Great Dao Talisman Scripture for ten days, Xu Changshou drew part of a Windwalking Talisman before it burst, then gradually improved through repeated practice.
• A month later, Xu Changshou successfully drew and tested a Windwalking Talisman, then completed a Fireball Talisman and a Sword Qi talisman before exhausting his spiritual energy.
• As Xu Changshou meditated to recover, the ancient "talisman" character absorbed surrounding spiritual energy and replenished him faster than a Qi-Replenishing Pill.
• Xu Changshou discovered that the "talisman" character could supply some of the energy needed to draw talismans, allowing him to make three while using only a third of his own spiritual energy.
• After testing his limits, Xu Changshou settled on drawing fifteen talismans a day, including ten beyond the sect's quota, and celebrated his newfound freedom from that burden.

Xu Changshou secretly stockpiled powerful talismans, including Spirit-Gathering Talismans, before telling Yang Bailao he had learned to draw them. Yang Bailao tested him and prepared to take him to meet Martial Uncle Li, but Xu Changshou exhausted his spiritual energy drawing three talismans.

• Xu Changshou spent a month drawing 450 sect-style Windwalking Talismans and secretly began making stronger talismans from the Bloodline Jade Talisman.
• He stockpiled Flight, defensive, offensive, and utility talismans, storing them in the stone house, but could not draw a Thunderstorm Talisman without rare materials and a better Spirit Brush.
• Xu Changshou discovered Spirit-Gathering Talismans, drew ten, and found that one gathered enough spiritual energy to rival Great Unity Peak's cultivation environment.
• After two more months, Xu Changshou told Yang Bailao he had learned talisman drawing; Yang said he would test him the next morning and, if he passed, take him to see Martial Uncle Li.
• Xu Changshou drew a Windwalking Talisman, a Sword Qi Talisman, and a Fireball Talisman for Yang Bailao, exhausting his spiritual energy.

Xu Changshou received his first talisman assignment from Li Dao Path: draw and submit 140 Windwalking Talismans each month for a stipend of one spirit stone, with a harsh penalty for falling short. Yang Bailao took him to collect yellow hemp paper, where they secretly took extra, and Xu Changshou learned that Zhong Xiuping would retire in three months.

• Li Dao Path assigned Xu Changshou to draw five Windwalking Talismans a day, submit 140 each month, and accept a two-stone fine if he failed; he also gave him two bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills.
• Yang Bailao warned Xu Changshou that his first month would be the hardest, then agreed to take him to the Paper Room for yellow hemp paper.
• Yang Bailao explained that the sect did not limit paper use, and he and Xu Changshou secretly took several thousand extra sheets while reporting only a thousand each.
• Yang Bailao introduced Xu Changshou to Zhong Xiuping, who confirmed that he would Lay Down Arms and Return to Secular Life in three months.

Xu Changshou renewed his resolve to pursue Foundation Establishment, completed his talisman quota, and received his first spirit stone. He disguised himself to visit Cinnabar Glow Market, where he planned to sell talismans, buy Qi Gathering Pills, and search for Thunderstorm Talisman materials.

• After hearing Zhong Xiuping and Yang Bailao talk about retiring to secular life, Xu Changshou doubted his ambitions before resolving to pursue Foundation Establishment with the Bloodline Jade Talisman.
• Xu Changshou drew 450 ordinary Windwalking Talismans over the month, bringing his stock to 900.
• Xu Changshou turned in his assignment to Yang Bailao and received his first spirit stone as his monthly stipend.
• Xu Changshou traveled to Cinnabar Glow Market disguised with a Thousand Faces Talisman to sell talismans, buy Qi Gathering Pills, and look for Thunderstorm Talisman materials.
• Xu Changshou admired a Red-Scaled Horse at the market but left after learning it cost ten spirit stones.

Xu Changshou traded Earth-Escape Talismans for Qi Gathering Pills and began selling talismans at the market. After advertising Windwalking Talismans, he attracted eager buyers and started receiving orders.

• Xu Changshou failed to find the rare materials he needed to draw Thunderstorm Talismans and visited Huang Xiangui's pill stall in disguise.
• Xu Changshou traded an Earth-Escape Talisman and a spirit stone for thirteen Qi Gathering Pills, then exchanged four more Earth-Escape Talismans for four pills.
• Xu Changshou decided he could trade unusual talismans for pills and save his spirit stones for other purchases.
• Xu Changshou set up a stall selling Fireball, Windwalking, and Sword Qi Talismans, keeping the Bloodline Jade Talisman's talismans off the table.
• Xu Changshou advertised his Windwalking Talismans, drawing a crowd; a handsome young man bought five, and several other cultivators placed orders.

Xu Changshou sold Windwalking Talismans and spent two months cultivating, then agreed to attend Zhong Xiuping’s Retirement Ceremony after Yang Bailao reminded him of the importance of social courtesies. At the banquet, Zhong Xiuping reflected on failing to achieve foundation establishment, while Xu Changshou watched the guests celebrate his departure.

• Xu Changshou sold five hundred Windwalking Talismans and planned to cultivate in seclusion with the seven hundred he had left.
• After two months of cultivation, Xu Changshou estimated that reaching the eighth Qi Refining layer would take about a year and worried about his limited time and resources.
• Yang Bailao persuaded Xu Changshou to attend Zhong Xiuping’s Retirement Ceremony, explaining that all the Servant Disciples were expected to go.
• Xu Changshou spent the day cultivating, then attended the ceremony with Yang Bailao and gave Zhong Xiuping two bottles of Qi-Replenishing Pills.
• Li Dao Path arrived and gave Zhong Xiuping ten Spirit-Gathering Pills, and Zhong Xiuping thanked the guests before the banquet began.

Xu Changshou broke through to the qi refining eighth layer after a year of secluded cultivation, and his talisman quota and stipend increased. Ye Shanhua visited him, shared news about their former companions, and asked him for a favor.

• Xu Changshou reached the qi refining eighth layer after cultivating in seclusion for a year.
• Yang Bailao accompanied Xu Changshou to turn in their assignments, and Li Dao Path raised Xu Changshou's monthly quota to 180 Windwalking Talismans while increasing his stipend by twenty Fragmented Spirit Stones.
• Ye Shanhua visited Xu Changshou and was surprised to learn he had reached the eighth layer of qi refining.
• Ye Shanhua told Xu Changshou that Lin Xian'er had reached the eighth layer, Zhang Feixian was preparing to break through, and Jiang Xiaochuan also planned to advance.
• Ye Shanhua told Xu Changshou she had come to ask him for a favor.

Xu Changshou agreed to trade Windwalking Talismans with Ye Shanhua under a Confidentiality Contract. He revealed a powerful Three-Thousand-Li-a-Day Windwalking Talisman, and Ye Shanhua took it to ask her family what they would pay.

• Ye Shanhua asked Xu Changshou to find Green Ink Peak disciples willing to sell Windwalking Talismans to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, and Xu agreed after she promised secrecy.
• Xu Changshou and Ye Shanhua signed a Confidentiality Contract, swearing heart-demon oaths to protect their dealings.
• Ye Shanhua discussed her pill-refining studies and promised Xu Changshou access to high-quality pills in the future.
• Xu Changshou gave Ye Shanhua a Three-Thousand-Li-a-Day Windwalking Talisman and told her to ask her family elders to set a price.
• Ye Shanhua accepted the talisman and understood that Xu Changshou's senior brother needed cultivation resources, while Xu began to ask her for a favor.

Xu Changshou bought a hundred-year yellow weasel pelt from Ye Shanhua to help his senior brother make a Spirit Brush and gather materials for Thunderstorm Talismans. After Ye Shanhua delivered the pelt, she told him that Myriad Treasures Pavilion wanted to offer a high price for his unusually fast Windwalking Talismans.

• Xu Changshou asked Ye Shanhua to find yellow weasel bristles, black antelope thunder ox hide, and moon-gazing rhino horn, and she agreed to sell him a yellow weasel pelt and search for the other materials.
• Ye Shanhua visited Xu Changshou after testing his Windwalking Talisman, and he continued drawing talismans while she waited.
• Ye Shanhua cooked a spirit meal for Xu Changshou, and they talked about the hardships faced by disciples from great lineages.
• Ye Shanhua gave Xu Changshou the dried yellow weasel pelt, and he paid her four spirit stones.
• Ye Shanhua praised the Windwalking Talisman's speed and offered to have Myriad Treasures Pavilion buy it for a high price, and Xu Changshou asked how many spirit stones she would pay per talisman.

Xu Changshou negotiated with Ye Shanhua to sell his Windwalking Talismans to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion for one spirit stone each, with a limit of ten per month and exclusive rights for the pavilion. After handing over twenty talismans, he received twenty-one spirit stones and a free bottle of high-quality Qi Gathering Pills.

• Ye Shanhua offered Xu Changshou one spirit stone per Windwalking Talisman, and he said he would consult the senior brother who drew them.
• Xu Changshou evaded Ye Shanhua that night and later told her his senior brother had agreed to supply ten talismans a month.
• Ye Shanhua secured exclusive rights for the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, and Xu Changshou agreed to the arrangement.
• Xu Changshou gave Ye Shanhua twenty Windwalking Talismans and received twenty-one spirit stones, including payment for the test talisman.
• Ye Shanhua gave Xu Changshou a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills as a gift, and he asked her to bring two bottles the next month.

Xu Changshou turned a weasel pelt into powerful Earth Gang Talismans, amassed Windwalking Talismans and spirit stones, and continued cultivating until he reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining. When Jiang Xiaochuan visited, he was shocked to find Xu Changshou had matched his cultivation level, and their reunion revealed how much they had both changed.

• Xu Changshou made twelve Earth Gang Talismans from the weasel pelt and stored them, the weasel's tail, and his spirit stones in the jade talisman's space.
• Xu Changshou spent over nine months drawing five thousand Windwalking Talismans while continuing to cultivate, and his wealth grew to one hundred and eight spirit stones.
• Jiang Xiaochuan visited Xu Changshou after breaking through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining, expecting to outrank him, but discovered Xu Changshou had reached the same level.
• Jiang Xiaochuan asked how Xu Changshou had advanced so quickly, and Xu Changshou dismissed the question by claiming he had encountered a small fortuitous opportunity.
• Jiang Xiaochuan boasted about Great Unity Peak's conditions, while Xu Changshou recognized that their childhood friendship had changed as they grew older.

Jiang Xiaochuan told Xu Changshou that Li Linhao had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and invited their former companions to a meal. Before attending, Xu Changshou traded in his old Storage Bag and bought a high-grade one.

• Jiang Xiaochuan told Xu Changshou that Li Linhao had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and invited everyone from Gengzi Courtyard to eat at Great Unity Tower.
• Jiang Xiaochuan revealed that Li Linhao was an Immortal Second-Generation whose father was Li Yinglong and whose great-grandfather was Elder Li Tong.
• Xu Changshou agreed to attend the banquet and decided to replace his cramped Storage Bag before going.
• Xu Changshou traded in his low-grade Storage Bag and bought a high-grade Storage Bag for eleven spirit stones and ninety-four Fragmented Spirit Stones.

Xu Changshou bought a one-horned azure wolf hide and went to a reunion banquet at Great Unity Tower, where he saw how his former companions had changed. He gave Su Mo ten Qi Gathering Pills to help him break through, and Su Mo renewed his resolve to reach Foundation Establishment.

• Xu Changshou bought a one-horned azure wolf hide for eight spirit stones, planning to use it for wind-aspected talismans.
• Xu Changshou traveled to Great Unity Tower and found eight members of Gengzi Courtyard waiting for the banquet, with Lin Haoran and Su Mo absent.
• Jiang Xiaochuan and the others complained that Su Mo was late, while Xu Changshou noticed their changed, self-interested attitudes.
• Su Mo arrived in a shabby robe, and Xu Changshou noted that he had fallen behind the others at the seventh level of Qi Refining because his family could no longer provide resources.
• Xu Changshou gave Su Mo ten Qi Gathering Pills, and Su Mo accepted them and vowed again to reach Foundation Establishment.

Xu Changshou saw Liu Ru Is arrive at the Great Unity Tower with Foundation Establishment cultivator Zhang Zongchang and grew more determined to reach Foundation Establishment himself. He reunited with Li Linhao, whose Inner Sect status changed how their former companions treated him, and left the gathering considering Li Linhao worth befriending for now.

• Xu Changshou recognized Liu Ru Is nestled beside Zhang Zongchang and learned that Zhang was an accomplished alchemist from Cinnabar Clouds Peak.
• Li Linhao arrived in purple robes, and the gathered disciples learned he was an Inner Sect Disciple whose identity had been kept secret until he turned eighteen.
• Li Linhao listened as the disciples complained about their difficult work and pointed out that Xu Changshou’s high-grade Storage Bag suggested he was doing relatively well.
• Li Linhao hosted the group for a meal at the Great Unity Tower and paid the five-spirit-stone bill.
• Xu Changshou decided Li Linhao was worth befriending for the time being, while remaining unsure how their relationship would fare if their interests conflicted.

Xu Changshou spent a year and a half cultivating and drawing talismans, then broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining. After Ye Shanhua visited and bought more Windwalking Talismans, he counted his remaining supplies and planned to draw more as he prepared to pursue the tenth level.

• Xu Changshou used one-horned azure wolf hide to make twelve Flight Talismans and twenty-four Windwalking Talismans, then stored them with his other talismans.
• Xu Changshou entered a long period of seclusion, consuming Qi Gathering Pills as he cultivated toward the ninth level.
• A year and a half later, Xu Changshou broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining and reflected on the strength he had gained.
• Ye Shanhua visited Xu Changshou, congratulated him, and told him that she and Senior Brother Li had reached the tenth level while he was the only other disciple to reach the ninth.
• Xu Changshou gave Ye Shanhua ten Windwalking Talismans in exchange for ten spirit stones, then counted his assets and decided to draw more talismans for his pursuit of the tenth level.

After reaching the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, Xu Changshou hit a bottleneck and paused his cultivation. Ye Shanhua brought news of a Black Antelope Thunder Ox in Fire Mulberry Country and agreed to guide him there, leaving them to prepare for the dangerous hunt.

• Xu Changshou drew enough Windwalking Talismans to cover more than two years of quotas, then cultivated in seclusion until he reached the ninth-level bottleneck.
• At twenty-one, Xu Changshou worried that he would not reach the twelfth layer of Qi Refining before turning thirty, so he rested for several days.
• Ye Shanhua told Xu Changshou she had found a Black Antelope Thunder Ox in Thunder Marsh, in Fire Mulberry Country, and insisted on joining his trip.
• Xu Changshou agreed to take Ye Shanhua and said he could counter the beast's innate lightning with Lightning-Attracting Talismans.
• After Ye Shanhua warned him about the danger and asked when they would leave, Xu Changshou set their departure for three days later.

Xu Changshou accepted Li Dao Path’s assignment to retrieve a girl with a variant spiritual root from the Fire Mulberry Country, though he suspected the task concealed a plot against him. Before leaving, he bought a collection of basic spells and searched for a stronger offensive technique.

• After Xu Changshou turned in his assignments, Li Dao Path ordered him to retrieve a girl with a variant spiritual root from the Fire Mulberry Country and gave him a jade disc containing three spells.
• Xu Changshou questioned why Li Dao Path had chosen a weak qi refining cultivator for such an important mission and feared that his uncle-master intended to harm him.
• Xu Changshou went to the Trading Hall to prepare for the journey and bought the Complete Collection of Spells for one spirit stone.
• After finding the collection’s basic spells too weak, Xu Changshou asked the elderly attendant for stronger offensive techniques.
• The attendant let Xu Changshou inspect techniques suited to different spiritual roots, including the Thirteen Forms of the Golden Spear and Returning Blade.