Chapter Summaries

Fu Zhiwen recounted how he discovered Youtan imprisoned in a Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal and devoted himself to helping her, while Xiao Hua and Fairy Jing debated her identity and their future. Fairy Jing then took Xiao Hua to Shattered Heart Mountain, where she explained that its perilous path led to Forgetfulness Water for people seeking to forget their beloved.

• Fu Zhiwen described finding the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal and how Youtan emerged for one hour each year before the inscriptions and lightning imprisoned her again.
• Fu Zhiwen explained that he had left home and sought the Lightning Derivation Wood to help Youtan endure the heavenly lightning.
• Xiao Hua and Fairy Jing speculated that someone had loosened the Law-Binding Chains and that Youtan might be connected to the Immortal Palace's inner court.
• Fu Zhiwen invited Xiao Hua and Fairy Jing to meet Youtan, but Fairy Jing refused and urged Xiao Hua to leave with her.
• Fairy Jing criticized Xiao Hua's soft heart and warned him about the Immortal Palace, then continued toward her destination with him.
• At Shattered Heart Mountain, Fairy Jing watched two lovers abandon their climb and reconcile, then told Xiao Hua that the mountain's summit held Forgetfulness Water.

Fairy Jing drank the Forgetfulness Water on Shattered Heart Mountain and forgot Xiao Hua, who realized he had been the person she loved. As Xiao Hua flew back toward Fu Zhiwen's wooden house, green-robed Xiao Hua sensed True Lord Huode nearby and explained that the fire gourd still contained a thread of his Primordial Spirit.

• Fairy Jing led Xiao Hua to the summit of Shattered Heart Mountain and asked him to keep her story secret after she drank the Forgetfulness Water.
• Fairy Jing drank the water, forgot Xiao Hua, and departed after introducing herself as Li Jing, a ruler of a coastal nation.
• Xiao Hua realized Fairy Jing had loved him but chose not to reveal his identity, then left the dried spring behind.
• Xiao Hua's Primordial Spirits discussed his feelings about Fairy Jing as he headed toward Fu Zhiwen's wooden house.
• Green-robed Xiao Hua sensed True Lord Huode nearby through the Primordial Spirit thread in the stolen fire gourd and asked whether Xiao Hua was planning to refine a natal magic treasure.

Xiao Hua and his divided selves discussed the foundations of cultivation and the secrets of natal magic treasures before discovering that Chen Yuming’s storage bag held the last Kunlun Mirror fragment. The discovery sparked an unexpected insight into the limits of their control over their space, and the chapter ended with Fire Virtue arriving as they prepared to confront him.

• Confucian cultivator Xiao Hua reflected on the essence of Confucian cultivation, and Jade Slip Xiao Hua and Green-robed Xiao Hua agreed that each cultivation path depended on grasping its foundation.
• Jade Slip Xiao Hua explained how natal magic treasures could preserve a cultivator’s Primordial Spirit and revealed that he wanted to understand the art of Primordial Spirit Entrustment.
• Green-robed Xiao Hua warned Jade Slip Xiao Hua against using Yin Yang dual-opened magic treasures to block disasters, and Jade Slip Xiao Hua realized that a storage bag held the missing Kunlun Mirror fragment.
• Green-robed Xiao Hua identified the storage bag as Chen Yuming’s and recalled that it had belonged to Qiang Yuefeng; Jade Slip Xiao Hua concluded that even they could not know or control everything within their space.
• The starry space trembled and expanded after Jade Slip Xiao Hua’s insight, and he gave the Kunlun Mirror fragment to Green-robed Xiao Hua to examine.
• Green-robed Xiao Hua sensed that Fire Virtue had arrived and proposed that he and Jade Slip Xiao Hua kill him together.

Jade Slip Xiao Hua observed Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran searching for Shattered Heart Mountain with True Lord Huode and five cultivators. When Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran fell from the sky, they discovered Huode had poisoned them and was accusing them of conspiring with the Star Lord Palace.

• Jade Slip Xiao Hua hid nearby as Zhai Xingzi, Gusu Qiuran, True Lord Huode, and five mid-Nascent Soul cultivators searched for Shattered Heart Mountain.
• Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran failed to find the mountain, but their exchange revealed that they felt bound by a mysterious connection from a past life.
• Gusu Qiuran suddenly lost the ability to fly, and Zhai Xingzi fell while trying to protect her; both crashed onto the mountain rocks.
• True Lord Huode had the five cultivators surround Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran, then accused them of colluding with the Confucian cultivators and plotting to return a strange treasure to the Star Lord Palace.
• Gusu Qiuran exposed Huode as a Star General under Kong Hongwu and revealed that she had also been working for the Star Lord Palace, before realizing he had used the palace's secret poison, Corrosive Heart Bone Rot.

True Lord Huode accused Gusu Qiuran and Zhai Xingzi of betraying the Daoist sects and tried to kill them while hiding his own crimes. Xiao Hua appeared just as Huode attacked and fled, trapping the area with a powerful restriction.

• True Lord Huode accused Gusu Qiuran of colluding with Zhai Xingzi and convinced five Nascent Soul cultivators to witness his claims.
• Zhai Xingzi revealed that Gusu Qiuran had created the rainbow bridge that saved the Daoist cultivators at the Yaotai Gathering, but True Lord Huode used this knowledge to accuse him of being a Star Lord Palace spy.
• True Person Mingchen questioned Huode’s evidence, but Huode declared that he would decide Zhai Xingzi’s fate himself.
• Gusu Qiuran stood between Huode and Zhai Xingzi, while Huode mocked her threats and prepared to attack.
• An unseen speaker exposed Huode’s poisonings and secret dealings with the Star Lord Palace, prompting Huode to attack and flee as he sent a giant fist toward Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran.
• Xiao Hua appeared, revealed that Huode’s natal magic treasure had been taken, and trapped the area around the mountain peak with a powerful restriction.

Xiao Hua killed True Lord Huode after destroying the Primordial Spirit inside his Fire Gourd, then rescued Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran. The five cultivators swore not to reveal the incident, and Zhai Xingzi offered Xiao Hua the Pure Yang Ancestor in thanks.

• Xiao Hua blocked Zhai Xingzi’s secret technique and trapped True Lord Huode, who broke free and tried to flee.
• Xiao Hua destroyed True Lord Huode’s Primordial Spirit through the Fire Gourd, cut apart his physical body with the Soaring Flood Dragon Scissors, and captured his fleeing Nascent Soul with the Kunlun Mirror.
• The five mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivators pleaded for mercy, and Xiao Hua had them swear blood oaths to keep Fairy Qiu’s matter from Star Lord Palace.
• Xiao Hua spoke with Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran, while Zhai Xingzi apologized for his earlier harsh words.
• Zhai Xingzi thanked Xiao Hua for saving him and offered him the Pure Yang Ancestor.

Xiao Hua brought the poisoned Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran to Shattered Heart Mountain, where they recovered their love despite having drunk Forgetfulness Water. Rather than spend their final days there, the reunited pair agreed to help Fu Zhiwen and Youtan with the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal.

• Zhai Xingzi offered Xiao Hua his belongings and inheritance, while Gusu Qiuran said she could not provide an antidote for Corrosive Heart Bone Rot.
• Gusu Qiuran planned to return to Star Lord Palace for an antidote, but Zhai Xingzi warned that it would be dangerous and chose to stay with her.
• Xiao Hua took the pair to Shattered Heart Mountain, where they recognized it as the place where they had drunk Forgetfulness Water and reunited with their love.
• Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran offered Xiao Hua their possessions and asked to spend their remaining days together.
• Xiao Hua told them about Fu Zhiwen and Youtan and asked for their help with the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal.
• Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran agreed to help, though Gusu Qiuran cautioned that she could only offer suggestions because opening the crystal required the Immortal Palace's Jade Seal Inscription.

Xiao Hua brought Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran to Fu Zhiwen’s house, where he revealed that he had found the antidote to Corrosive Heart Bone Rot in Jin Yude’s Cosmic Bag. After they took it, Zhai Xingzi gave Xiao Hua a Small Qiankun Bag containing the Pure Yang Ancestor and a jade slip with the method to unlock its inscription seal, while Xiao Hua learned that Zhai Xingzi sought a treasure infused with stellar and moonlight power.

• Xiao Hua brought Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran to Fu Zhiwen’s wooden house and told them he could not detoxify them with his own arts.
• Xiao Hua revealed that he had found the antidote in Jin Yude’s Cosmic Bag and gave a drop to Zhai Xingzi to test.
• Zhai Xingzi passed the antidote to Gusu Qiuran, and she confirmed it cured Corrosive Heart Bone Rot.
• Zhai Xingzi gave Xiao Hua a Small Qiankun Bag containing the Pure Yang Ancestor and a jade slip with the inscription-seal unlocking method.
• Xiao Hua asked about the secret manuals in Zhai Xingzi’s bag, and Zhai Xingzi explained that he wanted a stellar- and moonlight-powered treasure for his stalled secret art.

Xiao Hua invited Zhai Xingzi to join a treasure expedition and learned about Fu Zhiwen’s unusual cultivation, then accepted him as a disciple. The chapter ended with Gusu Qiuran offering Fu Zhiwen a chance to become her disciple instead.

• Xiao Hua told Zhai Xingzi about an ancient ruin in Jing Province and invited him to join the expedition after he and Gusu Qiuran finished expelling the poison.
• Xiao Hua asked Fu Zhiwen about his cultivation, and Fu Zhiwen explained how he had formed a Heavenly Book from Vast Righteous Qi and developed inscription-based arrays.
• Fu Zhiwen demonstrated an inscription-formed flying sword, and Xiao Hua praised its power and agreed to accept him as a disciple.
• Gusu Qiuran emerged from the hut and told Fu Zhiwen she had wanted to take him as a disciple, offering him orthodox Confucian methods and a path to the immortal palace.
• Fu Zhiwen respectfully declined Gusu Qiuran’s offer, saying she already knew his answer.

Xiao Hua and his companions opened the jade box containing the Pure Yang Ancestor and discovered it was the Innate Fire Mother, while Fu Zhiwen demonstrated his skill with Confucian inscriptions. Zhai Xingzi and Gusu Qiuran decided to join Xiao Hua on his journey to the ancient ruins, and Gusu Qiuran examined Fu Zhiwen’s Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal but could not identify its origins.

• Zhai Xingzi gave Fu Zhiwen a Water Qi Ascending to the Origin cultivation method, and Gusu Qiuran gave him a method for refining imperial artifacts.
• Xiao Hua read the jade slip explaining how to unlock the box’s inscription chains, then had Fu Zhiwen break the chains with his Confucian inscriptions.
• Xiao Hua broke the restriction and revealed the Innate Fire Mother, while its Taihe Azure Light joined the other azure lights in his middle dantian.
• Zhai Xingzi agreed to accompany Xiao Hua to the ancient ruins after his cultivation recovered, and Gusu Qiuran chose to go with him.
• Gusu Qiuran examined Fu Zhiwen’s Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal but could only confirm that it came from the Immortal Palace.

Xiao Hua experienced the order of the Law-Binding Chains as they freed Qiongqiong from the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal. Qiongqiong reunited with Fu Zhiwen and revealed her past ties to Gusu Qiuran and Zhai Xingzi, while Xiao Hua withdrew to comprehend what he had sensed.

• Gusu Qiuran explained that the Law-Binding Chains could not be undone without the Jade Seal Inscription, and Fu Zhiwen accepted the crystal, determined to stay with his wife.
• As the Lightning Derivation Wood activated the crystal, Xiao Hua sensed the Confucian order within the chains and began comprehending it.
• The chains broke, releasing Qiongqiong, who flew into Fu Zhiwen's arms before recognizing Gusu Qiuran and Zhai Xingzi as people from her past.
• Qiongqiong revealed that she had been punished for helping Gusu Qiuran meet Luokong, and Gusu Qiuran explained how she and Zhai Xingzi had rediscovered each other after drinking Forgetfulness Water.
• Qiongqiong urged Gusu Qiuran to seek help from someone in Ziwei Palace rather than risk further trouble, while Xiao Hua told the others to leave so he could comprehend.

Xiao Hua studied the Immortal Palace’s Law-Engraved Chain Locks and discovered that a tiny rule-pattern opened onto the starry sky within his own space. The chapter ended with him recognizing a profound connection between rules and his space that he could not yet explain.

• Fu Zhiwen took Qiongqiong out of the hut, and Qiongqiong urged him to follow Xiao Hua because she believed his master was extraordinarily powerful.
• Gu Suqiudi and Zhai Xingzi left the hut after sensing Xiao Hua’s overwhelming aura, and Gu Suqiudi urged Zhai Xingzi to befriend him because of his possible importance to the Immortal Palace.
• Gu Suqiudi considered recommending Xiao Hua to the Immortal Palace, but Zhai Xingzi warned her that doing so could put Xiao Hua in danger.
• Xiao Hua restrained his aura and immersed himself in comprehending the Law-Engraved Chain Locks, noticing fine patterns hidden within the larger rules.
• Xiao Hua’s mind struck a newborn fine pattern, scattering into countless fragments that reunited beneath a starry sky and revealed Jade Slip Xiao Hua in his expanded space.
• Jade Slip Xiao Hua realized that the starry sky within his space was connected to a fine rule-pattern, but he could not yet understand the connection.

Xiao Hua triggered the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal’s defenses while examining it, drawing a Punishment Envoy who warned him to restore it. After learning more about Qiongqiong’s imprisonment, Xiao Hua heard that she could be freed either when her sentence ended or when a power of Heaven broke the Immortal Palace’s laws.

• Xiao Hua emerged from seclusion and began examining Fu Zhiwen’s Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal, but his sword threads activated its laws and summoned a powerful apparition.
• Xiao Hua used the Kunlun Mirror to hide Gu Suqiudi, and the Punishment Envoy ordered him to restore the crystal before vanishing.
• Gu Suqiudi recognized Xiao Hua’s nearly complete Kunlun Mirror and asked to use it as a refuge, while Xiao Hua asked her to keep its identity secret.
• Fu Zhiwen explained that his wife, Qiongqiong, had concealed her origins under the name Youtan, and Gu Suqiudi revealed her true name and connection to Qiongqiong’s punishment.
• Gu Suqiudi explained that Qiongqiong could escape when her sentence ended or if a power stronger than the Immortal Palace’s laws broke the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal.

Xiao Hua attempted the Karma Incantation after comprehending order, but his cultivation proved insufficient to execute it. He agreed to bring Fu Zhiwen to the ancient restriction array, and the group arrived in Jing Province, where Xue Ping and the other cultivators were waiting.

• Gu Suqiudi and Zhai Xingzi discussed the dangers of the Heavenly Punishment Prisoner Crystal and encouraged Xiao Hua to seek a way to free Qiongqiong in the ancient restriction array.
• Xiao Hua initially refused to take Fu Zhiwen, but Zhai Xingzi and Gu Suqiudi persuaded him that Fu Zhiwen could help carry the crystal and benefit from the trial.
• Xiao Hua attempted the Karma Incantation, unleashing a storm that forced Zhai Xingzi, Gu Suqiudi, and Fu Zhiwen to flee; the storm collapsed, and Xiao Hua emerged unharmed.
• Xiao Hua sensed that Fu Zhiwen and the others would face danger without disaster, then agreed that Fu Zhiwen should join the expedition after his wooden house was destroyed.
• Zhai Xingzi took the group toward Jing Province in his flying boat, where Xue Ping and the other cultivators welcomed their arrival.

Xiao Hua and Zhai Xingzi weighed whether to lead Xue Ping and the others into the ancient Yunshan Illusion Array, and eight cultivators chose to join them. After learning the ruin was the famed array, Xiao Hua revealed that Xunkong Shangren and Zhang Daoran had not yet arrived.

• Xiao Hua and Zhai Xingzi offered the cultivators safer alternatives and magic treasures, but let them decide whether to enter the forbidden array.
• After three days of discussion, Xue Ping and seven others chose to enter, while five cultivators withdrew with magic treasures and jade slips.
• Zhai Xingzi and Xiao Hua warned the eight cultivators about the dangers and told them to leave promptly if they found opportunities.
• Xue Ping presented jade slips identifying the ruin as the Yunshan Illusion Array, surprising Zhai Xingzi, who had searched for it at Yunshan in Yongzhou.
• Xiao Hua said they would wait for Xunkong Shangren and Zhang Daoran before discussing the array, startling Xue Ping and the others.

Xue Ping explained that the Yunshan Illusion Array was Canglangzi’s ancient cave residence, filled with treasures and protected by formidable restrictions. Xiao Hua grew wary of exploring a place tied to a Tribulation Crossing cultivator, but Zhai Xingzi and Gu Suqiudi remained eager to proceed.

• Zhai Xingzi arranged for Xunkong Shangren and Zhang Daoran to join the expedition, and Xue Ping gratefully thanked Xiao Hua for bringing in powerful allies.
• At Xiao Hua’s prompting, Fu Zhiwen asked Xue Ping to explain the Yunshan Illusion Array while the gathered cultivators shared spirit fruits and wine.
• Xue Ping recounted Canglangzi’s battle with a Demon Ancestor, his later tribulation and disappearance, and the array’s history of withstanding powerful assaults.
• Xiao Hua realized the array guarded the cave residence of a near-Tribulation Crossing cultivator and questioned whether their Nascent Soul-level group could enter safely.
• Zhai Xingzi dismissed Xiao Hua’s concern and argued that their strength was sufficient to challenge the ancient illusion array.

Xiao Hua and Zhai Xingzi prepared to enter the Yunshan Illusion Array, with Zhai Xingzi revealing that he hoped to uncover why the Daoist sect had been destroyed. While Zhai Xingzi and Gu Suqiudi left to make further preparations, Xiao Hua stayed behind and instructed Fu Zhiwen and Xue Ping’s companions.

• Zhai Xingzi argued that the ancient Yunshan Illusion Array had weakened over time and said he wanted to investigate the mystery of the Daoist sect’s destruction.
• Gu Suqiudi supported Zhai Xingzi, and Xiao Hua agreed that finding Canglangzi’s lineage would make their journey worthwhile even if they found no answers about the Daoist sect.
• Xue Ping recounted how he had discovered the Yunshan Illusion Array and showed that he and his companions had recorded their preparations in jade slips.
• Zhai Xingzi said he and Gu Suqiudi needed to make another preparation, then left Xiao Hua to await Xunkong Shangren and Zhang Daoran.
• Xiao Hua examined Fu Zhiwen’s cultivation and gave him tailored methods, then gathered Xue Ping’s companions to answer their cultivation questions.

Xiao Hua received Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren, who suspected he was connected to Ancestor Hongmeng and questioned him about the upheaval at Star Lord Palace. They left uncertain about what had happened there, while Xunkong urged Xiao Hua to proceed with his plans and use his National Teacher’s token rather than attract suspicion by lying low.

• Xiao Hua wondered why Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren had not answered his summons, fearing news of his killing Kong Hongwu had spread.
• Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren arrived with their disciples and privately asked Xiao Hua whether Ancestor Hongmeng had appeared at the Yaotai Gathering.
• Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren said they suspected Xiao Hua was Ancestor Hongmeng’s disciple and believed Ancestor Hongmeng might have caused Star Lord Palace’s upheaval.
• Xiao Hua explained that True Lord Qingxu had asked him to pledge allegiance to Ancestor Hongmeng, but denied being his disciple or knowing whether he had infiltrated Yaotai Mountain.
• Zhang Daoran said he had postponed the Bidding Convention by ten years, while Xunkong Shangren argued they should carry on as usual.
• Xunkong Shangren told Xiao Hua to use his National Teacher’s token to establish a country or enter a Confucian cultivator country, so the lack of a record at Star Lord Palace would not attract attention.

Xiao Hua, Zhang Daoran, and Xunkong Shangren prepared to explore the Yunshan Illusion Array, though their efforts to borrow magic treasures in Jing Province met resistance. Zhai Xingzi returned with Gu Suqiudi and an unfamiliar, proud Confucian woman, whose scornful interruption shattered the cultivators’ newly restored harmony.

• Xiao Hua shared jade pupils revealing that the Yunshan Illusion Array lay in Jing Province, and Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren agreed to explore it with him.
• Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren spent three days planning, then traveled with their disciples to gather magic treasures while Xiao Hua stayed behind.
• Zhang Daoran and Xunkong Shangren returned after failing to borrow some treasures because cultivators feared the political fallout from the Yaotai Gathering, and Xiao Hua offered to provide what they needed.
• After more than twenty days of preparations, Zhai Xingzi returned with Gu Suqiudi and an unfamiliar Confucian woman.
• Zhang Daoran apologized to Zhai Xingzi for their conflict at the Yaotai Gathering, and Zhai Xingzi apologized in turn before Xunkong Shangren joined their reconciliation.
• The unfamiliar woman coldly mocked the three cultivators for acting harmonious after their life-and-death conflict.

Gongshu Yixin arrived and disparaged Xiao Hua, while Zhai Xingzi explained her exceptional formation skill and rapid cultivation. Xiao Hua and his companions then flew to inspect the Yunshan Illusion Array, where the chapter left them facing the strange mountain and river surrounding it.

• Gongshu Yixin introduced herself, criticized Xiao Hua, and argued that people could not overcome selfishness when their interests conflicted.
• Xiao Hua replied that the Daoist cultivators’ willingness to admit their mistakes had brought them closer, and Gongshu Yixin left with Gu Suqiudi to inspect the Yunshan Illusion Array.
• Zhai Xingzi explained that Gongshu Yixin was a renowned formation grandmaster who had protected a thousand-li lineage with an array and was only a little over six hundred years old.
• Xiao Hua reasoned that Gongshu Yixin’s rapid cultivation and formation mastery showed her unusual talent, and his companions discussed the advantages and drawbacks of her single-minded focus.
• Zhang Daoran, Zhai Xingzi, Xunkong Shangren, and Xiao Hua flew to the Yunshan Illusion Array and saw a vast, strange mountain encircled by a winding river.