Arc 42A Sect and a Homecoming

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Zhang Ping'er, reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, and returned to protect his family before helping the Misty Sect defeat the Righteous Path Alliance. He accepted Ji Xiaohua and Zhang Bairen as disciples, while the Zhang family considered leaving Guo Village and Zhang Xiaohu faced difficult choices at Misty Manor.

  • Zhang Xiaohua rescued Zhang Ping'er from Garuda and drove off the Heavenly Dragon Sect party with the Wind Pearl.
  • Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen, learned of Abbess Jingyi's betrayal, and gave Zhang Xiaohu a jade talisman before going home.
  • Zhang Xiaohua reunited with his family, learned of Madam Zhang's death, and watched the bandits attack the Zhang family courtyard while he was hidden away.
  • Zhang Xiaohua freed his family, killed the bandits, destroyed West Cui Mountain, and uncovered the Azure Flame Token's connection to Ban Fugui and the Righteous Path Alliance.
  • Zhang Xiaohua killed Ban Fugui and the four retainers at Misty Peak, allowing Zhang Xiaohu and the Misty Sect to defeat the attacking alliance forces.
  • Zhang Xiaohua investigated Five Claw Peak, encountered the River of Cause and Effect, and returned to Guo Village to accept Ji Xiaohua and Zhang Bairen as disciples.
  • Zhang Xiaohua showed his family the recovered treasure, and they agreed to consider moving with Mr. Liu after Zhang Xiaohu returned.
  • Zhang Xiaohu and Ming Qing argued over guarding and dealing with captured alliance members, while Changge urged Zhang Xiaohu to wait for Martial Ancestor Hu's disciples.
Chapters 1026–1050 Vol. 11 Read

Ch. 1026Sharing the Same Lot, Never Forgetting Each Other

Zhang Xiaohua parted from Meng and the Incense-Passing Cult after Di Shitian left with her, while Qin Shiyue recognized his resemblance to Ren Xiaoyao. After leaving Huaiyu Peak, Zhang Xiaohua secretly flew toward Yi Xiang Peak, where two fast-moving shadows converged on him.

  • Meng asked Zhang Xiaohua to join her at the Heavenly Dragon Sect, and they promised to remember each other and meet again.
  • Di Shitian took Meng away, and the Heavenly Dragon Sect party departed after Qin Shiyue told Zhang Xiaohua about meeting someone named Ren Xiaoyao near Pingyang City five years earlier.
  • Zhang Xiaohua thanked Abbess Jingyi for her care and offered to help the Incense-Passing Cult, but Abbess Jingyi dismissed him and urged him not to join the Demonic Cult.
  • Zhang Xiaohua said farewell to Kong Que and Chen Chen, then rode down Huaiyu Peak on Four Unlike.
  • Zhang Xiaohua left the mountain path, concealed himself, and flew toward Yi Xiang Peak before stopping in midair as two black shadows raced toward him.

Ch. 1027Xiaohei and Little Yellow

Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Little Yellow and Xiaohei, then left the Incense-Passing Cult and learned that the Misty Sect had departed for home. Realizing he needed to travel faster to reach Second Brother before the coming battle, he prepared to leave Huanhuan behind and use the Flying Technique.

  • Little Yellow and Xiaohei reunited with Zhang Xiaohua, then bickered over whether he was their mother or father while they cultivated and ate Qi Stones.
  • Zhang Xiaohua abandoned his plan to collect the Xiubei Stele and returned toward Huaiyu Peak with Little Yellow and Xiaohei flying above him.
  • Zhang Xiaohua rode Huanhuan to Jinghai Lake, questioned a Ruijin Hall disciple about the Misty Sect, and learned they had left more than a month earlier.
  • After leaving the Incense-Passing Cult, Zhang Xiaohua realized riding Huanhuan would take too long to reach Pingyang City before the battle between the Misty Sect and the Righteous Path Alliance.
  • Zhang Xiaohua decided to leave Huanhuan hidden in the forest so he could use the Flying Technique to catch up with the Misty Sect.

Ch. 1028Zhang Xiaohua Saves Zhang Ping'er for the Fourth Time

Zhang Xiaohua found Zhang Ping'er being coerced by Garuda and rescued her when she jumped from a cliff. He then faced Garuda's attack as Xiaohuang and Xiaohei absorbed the black mist and sword lights appeared around Garuda.

  • Zhang Xiaohua spotted Zhang Ping'er with Garuda's party and learned that Garuda had pressured the Incense-Passing Cult to hand her over.
  • Garuda threatened Zhang Ping'er, but she refused him and jumped from the cliff rather than submit.
  • Zhang Xiaohua caught Zhang Ping'er in midair and revealed himself as an immortal cultivator.
  • Garuda launched black mist at Zhang Xiaohua, but Xiaohuang and Xiaohei absorbed it.
  • Eight streams of sword light appeared near Garuda as he tried to retrieve the black mist.

Ch. 1029Battle Against Garuda

Zhang Xiaohua intervened when Garuda tried to take Zhang Ping'er, and learned she had been unwillingly given to the Heavenly Dragon Sect’s Garuda as a concubine. After Zhang Ping'er confirmed she would rather die than go with Garuda, Zhang Xiaohua challenged him, but Garuda’s crimson mist blocked Zhang Xiaohua’s attacks and left him searching for another weapon.

  • Garuda dodged Zhang Xiaohua’s eight flying swords, which struck his black bottle without breaking it, while Xiaohei and Xiaohuang destroyed part of the black mist.
  • Garuda brought out a bone-shaped magical artifact, and Zhang Xiaohua sent the Dragon Binding Ring toward it as the two argued over why Garuda had taken Zhang Ping'er.
  • Garuda claimed Zhang Ping'er was his concubine, but Zhang Xiaohua asked her what she wanted, and she said she would rather die than go with Garuda.
  • Zhang Xiaohua decided to defend Zhang Ping'er, and Garuda challenged him while invoking the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
  • Garuda surrounded himself with crimson mist that trapped Zhang Xiaohua’s divine sense and resisted his Dragon Binding Ring and fire talisman.
  • Zhang Xiaohua realized he had forgotten another weapon and prepared to use it.

Ch. 1030Blood-Droplet Master Recognition Method

Zhang Xiaohua used the Wind Pearl to scatter Garuda’s crimson mist and drive off the Heavenly Dragon Sect members, then agreed to take Zhang Ping'er into the Big Dipper Sect and sent her toward Hui Chun Valley on Huanhuan. After recovering his true qi, he tested the seven-section bamboo with his blood and discovered it had formed a blood connection with him.

  • Zhang Xiaohua recalled how the Wind Pearl had become docile after his blood touched it, then used its sinister wind to disperse Garuda’s mist and crack the white bones above him.
  • Garuda fled with the damaged white bones, and the other Heavenly Dragon Sect members withdrew while Zhang Xiaohua was too drained to pursue them.
  • Zhang Ping'er asked Zhang Xiaohua to accept her as a disciple, and he agreed to test her aptitude later and sent her with a communication jade talisman toward Hui Chun Valley.
  • Zhang Xiaohua persuaded Zhang Ping'er to ride Huanhuan to Hui Chun Valley, then flew north, retrieved the Prajna Heavy Sword, and stopped at a hunter's hut to recover his true qi.
  • After examining the Wind Pearl, Zhang Xiaohua dripped his blood onto the seven-section bamboo and saw it glow with Buddhist radiance as he felt a blood connection form.

Ch. 1031Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, Nine-Ranked Lotus Platform

Zhang Xiaohua examined newly claimed Buddhist artifacts and cultivation manuals, learning how they might help him establish the Big Dipper Sect. After claiming the Haotian Mirror, he discovered it could pierce space and travel through time and space, leaving him stunned by its power.

  • Zhang Xiaohua claimed the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and Nine-Ranked Lotus Platform with his blood, but found their names and remaining information of little use.
  • Zhang Xiaohua studied Fire Dragon True Person's inheritance and realized its lower-dantian techniques could train meridians he knew, though he planned to focus on the Carefree Heart Sutra first.
  • Zhang Xiaohua read Breaking Saber Force and Flowing Water Softness, judged their methods of entering the Dao through martial arts valuable, and decided the Big Dipper Sect should preserve copies.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that the Qi Nurturing Pill helped cultivators sense Primordial Qi and saw the resources for establishing the Big Dipper Sect coming together.
  • Zhang Xiaohua claimed the Haotian Mirror and learned it could reflect attacks, reveal hidden things, and pierce space to travel through time and space.

Ch. 1032Lu Yueming's Thoughts

Zhang Xiaohua searched north for Zhang Xiaohu while learning that the Haotian Mirror was too demanding for his cultivation. He overheard Wen Wenhai explain that Zhang Xiaohu had healed every Misty Manor disciple, leaving Lu Yueming astonished and the group’s leadership unsettled.

  • Zhang Xiaohua memorized the Haotian Mirror’s first refinement incantation but found that its attacks would exhaust his true qi.
  • Zhang Xiaohua practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist and Heaven-Piercing Staff Techniques before flying north and asking for directions along the way.
  • Zhang Xiaohua spotted Zhou Mufeng traveling with a Misty Sect caravan and then searched for Zhang Xiaohu among other groups of disciples.
  • Zhang Xiaohua overheard Lu Yueming and Wen Wenhai discuss Abbess Jingyi’s reasons for releasing the Misty Sect disciples and appointing Zhang Xiaohu as their leader.
  • Wen Wenhai told Lu Yueming that Zhang Xiaohu had healed every disciple at Misty Manor, and Lu Yueming wondered whether Zhang Xiaohu had encountered an immortal.

Ch. 1033Two Trials of Becoming Sect Leader

Zhang Xiaohua overheard Wen Wenhai and Lu Yueming discuss the trials facing Zhang Xiaohu as Misty Sect leader, then hurried to Pingyang City and intercepted a Righteous Path Alliance messenger. He reached Zhang Xiaohu’s camp and reunited with his brother, Changge, and Chen Chen.

  • Zhang Xiaohua overheard Wen Wenhai explain that Zhang Xiaohu’s martial arts could grow powerful through the combination of the Misty Divine Art and Su Huan Cultivation Method, while Lu Yueming warned that Martial Uncle Hu and Xiaohu’s weak martial arts posed challenges to his leadership.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that the Righteous Path Alliance had sent a messenger ahead to Misty Peak and flew north toward Pingyang City.
  • Zhang Xiaohua saw Xu Jie obtain a horse from Zhou Chengxian by identifying himself as a Righteous Path Alliance disciple, then immobilized Xu Jie and killed the horse before continuing on.
  • Zhang Xiaohua arrived at a village camp and found Du Feng on guard, then used his divine sense to locate Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen in a nearby courtyard.
  • Zhang Xiaohua startled Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen by appearing in their room, and Zhang Xiaohu calmly welcomed him.

Ch. 1034Old Beggar Woman Jingyi

Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen in Pingyang City and learned that Abbess Jingyi had poisoned his second brother. He cured Zhang Xiaohu with a detoxification pill and revealed that he had left the Incense-Passing Cult, leaving the others curious about where he would go next.

  • Zhang Xiaohua arrived secretly and reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen, who explained the Misty Sect's plans and their anger at Abbess Jingyi.
  • Zhang Xiaohua raged when Chen Chen said Abbess Jingyi had poisoned Zhang Xiaohu, smashed the table, and vanished to avoid the disciples who came to investigate.
  • Zhang Xiaohua examined Zhang Xiaohu and gave him a detoxification pill, which purged the poison in an embarrassing way; he then gave Zhang Xiaohu three more pills to take.
  • Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen that he had left the Incense-Passing Cult, and he declined Chen Chen's suggestion that he join it again.

Ch. 1035Arrangements

Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen, revealed his plans to found the Big Dipper Sect and his connection to the Immortal Path, and learned more about Abbess Jingyi’s scheme involving the Misty Sect. He planned to return to Guo Village before helping Zhang Xiaohu take Misty Manor, while his reunion with Meng remained uncertain.

  • Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu that he intended to establish the Big Dipper Sect, then explained that he had flown to catch up with them and might be an Immortal Path practitioner.
  • Zhang Xiaohua asked Changge and Chen Chen about the Misty Sect’s split from the Incense-Passing Cult, and Chen Chen recounted how Abbess Jingyi had manipulated Zhang Xiaohu and the sect through Mocu Palace.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that Zhang Xiaohu and Changge planned to return to Guo Village after settling the Misty Sect’s affairs, and he said he would go home first to reassure their parents.
  • Zhang Xiaohua told them that Meng had returned to the Heavenly Dragon Sect with Di Shitian, leaving him unsure how they could be together.
  • Zhang Xiaohua handed Zhang Xiaohu a jade talisman and told him to crush it near Misty Manor so he could come help.

Ch. 1036Seeing Two Xiaohuas Again

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Guo Village and reunited with his family, where he discovered that Ji Xiaohua had become part of their household. Ji Xiaohua revealed that his mother had died after bringing the message Zhang Xiaohua had requested, leaving him to realize he had forgotten to check for news about Zhang Xiaohu.

  • Zhang Xiaohua considered combining the Puppet Pill and Soul-Scattering Powder into a new drug before flying toward Guo Village.
  • Zhang Xiaohua noticed a beggar leave Guo Village and ride north with a waiting accomplice, but turned his attention to his family’s courtyard.
  • Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Guo Sufi, Zhang Cai, Zhang Xiaolong, Liu Qian, and his young nephew Zhang Bairen.
  • Zhang Xiaohua failed to recognize Ji Xiaohua, whose bald head had been cured and who now lived with the family.
  • Ji Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohua that his mother had died after delivering the requested message, and Zhang Xiaohua remembered asking Chu Yunfei to send news of Zhang Xiaohu to Songning Town.

Ch. 1037Ji Xiaohua, Loyal and Righteous to the Core

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Guo Village, learned that Madam Zhang had died after carrying news to his family, and welcomed Ji Xiaohua into the Zhang household. As the family settled in for the night, Zhang Bairen joined Zhang Xiaohua on the heated bed, while a band of riders approached the village.

  • Ji Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohua that Zhang Xiaohu was safe in the south and would return with his second sister-in-law soon.
  • Zhang Xiaohua and Ji Xiaohua paid their respects at Madam Zhang's grave, and Zhang Xiaohua promised to care for Ji Xiaohua and help him become a great man.
  • Ji Xiaohua explained how Madam Zhang had traveled to deliver Chu Yunfei's message, fallen ill, and died after reaching Guo Village; the Zhang family had taken Ji Xiaohua in.
  • Zhang Xiaohua joked with his family about having two Xiaohuas and revealed that Zhang Xiaohu had found two wives.
  • Zhang Bairen cried until Liu Qian placed him beside Zhang Xiaohua, where he settled down and seemed to draw in starlight.
  • Ji Xiaohua fell asleep while keeping watch as about twenty riders galloped toward Guo Village.

Ch. 1038Bandits of West Cui Mountain

Bandits from West Cui Mountain raided Guo Village, convinced the Zhang family possessed Misty Sect wealth, and broke into their home. Zhang Xiaolong, Liu Qian, Zhang Cai, Guo Sufi, and Ji Xiaohua activated protective jade talismans, but the bandits surrounded them and advanced.

  • The youngest persuaded the boss that Zhang Xiaohu had hidden Misty Sect wealth with the Zhang family and led the bandits toward Guo Village.
  • The bandits split up to raid the clan chief’s home and the Zhang family’s home, then threatened the village into silence.
  • Zhang Xiaolong, Liu Qian, Ji Xiaohua, Zhang Cai, and Guo Sufi gathered inside and crushed jade talismans to protect themselves.
  • The bandits forced open the Zhang family’s gate and surrounded the family, while the boss leered at Liu Qian and ordered his men to seize everyone.

Ch. 1039Delay

Bandits raided Zhang Cai’s home, but Zhang Xiaolong, Ji Xiaohua, Liu Qian, Guo Sufi, and Zhang Cai were protected by jade talismans while fire talismans killed five attackers. As the bandits tried to capture the family, Zhang Xiaolong stalled them by revealing hidden savings, but the leader finally ordered the house set on fire.

  • Zhang Xiaolong and Ji Xiaohua threw jade talismans that ignited five bandits, whose flames grew stronger when the others poured water on them and consumed them completely.
  • The bandits who returned from the village chief’s home attacked the family, but invisible defensive barriers stopped their hands and weapons from reaching them.
  • The leader ordered the bandits to bind the protected family with ropes, so Zhang Xiaolong offered the family’s hidden valuables to buy time.
  • Zhang Xiaolong directed the bandits to money in his room and woodshed, while Liu Qian pretended to expose his secret savings and revealed that the woodshed box was empty.
  • Zhang Cai directed the bandits to more banknotes, but the leader rejected the amount and ordered the family driven into the main hall so the bandits could set it on fire.

Ch. 1040Windfall

West Cui Mountain bandits forced the Zhang family to reveal five chests of gold and jewels, then buried the treasure and set the house on fire to kill the family and conceal their tracks. Zhang Xiaolong had hidden Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Bairen, Xiaohei, and Xiaohuang in the small room, leaving their fate uncertain as the flames spread.

  • The bandit leader threatened the Zhang family and ordered Zhang Xiaolong to dig up their hidden valuables.
  • Zhang Xiaolong hid Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Bairen, Xiaohei, and Xiaohuang in the small room while he and Ji Xiaohua pretended to dig.
  • The bandits uncovered five chests of gold and jewels, but they could not carry the immense haul away.
  • The leader ordered three bandits to bury the chests again and decided to burn the Zhang family alive to hide the digging.
  • The bandits drove the family into the main hall and threw torches onto the wheat straw, setting the house ablaze.

Ch. 1041This West Cui Mountain Was No Longer That West Cui Mountain

Zhang Xiaohua rescued his family from the West Cui Mountain bandits and flew to their stronghold to retaliate. There he discovered that the mountain had been taken over by a larger criminal group, and the chapter ended with him uncovering their extortion and murder operation.

  • Zhang Xiaohua extinguished the fire at his family’s home, freed his parents and relatives, and killed the bandits who had attacked them.
  • Zhang Xiaohua gathered the bandits’ stolen goods, burned their bodies, and gave his family jade talismans for protection before setting out for West Cui Mountain.
  • Zhang Xiaohua found over a hundred murdered victims displayed outside the West Cui Mountain stronghold and placed jade talismans around its walls.
  • Zhang Xiaohua entered the stronghold’s main hall, subdued its leaders, and learned that West Cui Mountain had been taken over by a criminal group that extorted and killed wealthy households.

Ch. 1042Evil Tiger Mountain Villa

Zhang Xiaohua destroyed West Cui Mountain after learning its bandits had nearly ruined his family, then set out to confront the organization behind them. At Evil Tiger Mountain Villa, he overheard its leaders discussing their plans and announced that he had already taken West Cui Mountain’s wealth.

  • Zhang Xiaohua sealed West Cui Mountain’s stronghold and burned it down, then gained new insight into the Heavenly Dao as the bandits died.
  • Zhang Xiaohua returned to Guo Village after a day and a night away and told his family he had destroyed West Cui Mountain.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that West Cui Mountain’s Flag Master was tied to Evil Tiger Mountain Villa and flew there to investigate.
  • Zhang Xiaohua saw a bronze-masked old man meet a man in blue outside Evil Tiger Mountain Villa, then overheard the old man and Flag Master Ma discuss missing reports and a demand for wealth and goods.
  • Zhang Xiaohua entered the main hall and told the bronze-masked old man and Flag Master Ma that he had destroyed West Cui Mountain and taken its wealth.

Ch. 1043Azure Flame Token

Zhang Xiaohua killed the Azure Flame Token’s leaders and learned that the secret group served the Righteous Path Alliance by eliminating anyone who threatened its interests. He headed to Misty Peak to aid Zhang Xiaohu’s forces, finding the Misty Sect’s assault underway and facing a formidable defense.

  • Zhang Xiaohua used Zhuimeng to kill Jiang Yan, the Azure Flame Token’s lord and the Righteous Path Alliance’s seventh Deputy Alliance Leader, and killed Flag Master Ma.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that the Azure Flame Token carried out secret orders for the Righteous Path Alliance, then slaughtered the Fierce Tiger Gang, took its hidden treasure, and burned Evil Tiger Mountain Villa.
  • Zhang Xiaohua learned that Misty Manor’s Ban Fugui had issued the orders behind the Azure Flame Token’s actions and flew toward Pingyang City to help Zhang Xiaohu.
  • Zhang Xiaohua reached Misty Peak and found Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen protected by Misty Sect disciples while the battle raged across the mountain.
  • Zhang Xiaohua saw Ming Qing and the Incense-Passing Cult disciples advancing up the mountain, Aunt Qin clearing enemies near Misty Manor, and Ban Fugui directing a defense supported by four venerables.

Ch. 1044Execution of Ban Fugui

Zhang Xiaohua arrived at Misty Peak disguised as Pan An and intervened when the Misty Sect’s leaders were about to lose their battles against Ban Fugui and the Righteous Path Alliance. He killed Ban Fugui and four retainers, then left Zhang Xiaohu to lead the Misty Sect’s advance.

  • Ban Fugui challenged Zhang Xiaohu, but Ming Qing stepped in to fight him while the other leaders engaged four Righteous Path Alliance retainers.
  • Ming Qing, Gao Kunheng, Aunt Qin, Du Feng, Ding Chao, Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen fell into increasingly difficult fights.
  • Zhang Xiaohua appeared above the battlefield and identified Ban Fugui as his target after learning Azure Flame Token was under Ban Fugui’s command.
  • Zhang Xiaohua killed Ban Fugui with Dream Chaser, then pursued and killed the four fleeing retainers.
  • Zhang Xiaohua departed, and Zhang Xiaohu ordered the Misty Sect disciples to advance, sparing enemies who surrendered and showing no mercy to those who refused.

Ch. 1045A Sudden Upheaval in Primordial Qi

Zhang Xiaohu led the Misty Sect and Incense-Passing Cult disciples to seize Misty Manor after the Righteous Path Alliance leaders fell. On his way to Guo Village, Zhang Xiaohua discovered that Primordial Qi had surged and recognized Five Claw Peak from the sheepskin scroll, leaving to investigate the suspected treasure site.

  • Zhang Xiaohu ordered the Misty Sect to charge, and Ming Qing, Gao Kunheng, Aunt Qin, and their disciples joined the attack as the Righteous Path Alliance disciples surrendered.
  • Zhang Xiaohua flew toward Guo Village and was struck by a sudden wave of Primordial Qi, then noticed his divine abilities had grown stronger.
  • Zhang Xiaohua searched for the source of the flash and Primordial Qi surge, briefly spotted a mysterious man carrying a wooden bucket, and failed to find him again.
  • Zhang Xiaohua returned toward Guo Village, silently stopped Xiaohei and Xiaohuang from flying toward him, and saw them settle back beside Zhang Bairen.
  • Zhang Xiaohua recognized Five Claw Peak as resembling the drawing on Ou Yan's sheepskin scroll and spread his divine sense over the mountain to search it.

Ch. 1046First Encounter with the Secret Realm

Zhang Xiaohua found a silent sour jujube grove on Five Claw Peak that matched a mark on the treasure map, but its array nearly trapped him. After escaping, he connected the Misty Sect's destruction to earlier events around Lu Town and gained a deeper insight into the Way of Cause and Effect.

  • Zhang Xiaohua examined the two sheepskin scrolls and spotted a mark corresponding to a sour jujube grove on Five Claw Peak.
  • Zhang Xiaohua realized the silent grove might be an array and approached it to investigate.
  • Zhang Xiaohua stepped into the grove, felt a terrible warning, and escaped its suction with Wood Escape.
  • Zhang Xiaohua concluded that Wen Wenhai, Xue Qing, and Lu Yueming might have visited the grove before the Misty Sect was destroyed.
  • Zhang Xiaohua contemplated the chain of cause and effect, and the Way of Cause and Effect stirred within him.

Ch. 1047River of Cause and Effect

Zhang Xiaohua briefly glimpsed the River of Cause and Effect, then returned to Guo Village exhausted but apparently only a day after leaving. He reached home after learning that bandits had raided the Zhang family courtyard, and he accepted Ji Xiaohua as his disciple.

  • Zhang Xiaohua saw Meng’s face in a droplet of the River of Cause and Effect and tried to freeze it, but the effort exhausted him and he returned to the place where he had been meditating.
  • Unable to use his usual travel techniques, Zhang Xiaohua bought a poor horse and rode from Lu Town to Guo Village.
  • Ji Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohua that he had left that morning and that the Old Madam had been worrying about him; Zhang Xiaohua offered to teach Ji Xiaohua how to fly.
  • Ji Xiaohua asked to become Zhang Xiaohua’s disciple, and Zhang Xiaohua accepted him and promised to teach him martial arts.
  • Villagers told Zhang Xiaohua that bandits had plundered the Zhang family courtyard, burned houses, and killed several members of the clan chief’s family.
  • Zhang Xiaohua left the villagers’ questions behind and reached his home at dusk, where his mother came out to greet him.

Ch. 1048The Fine Points of Taking a Master

Zhang Xiaohua returned home exhausted, reassured his family, and explained the dangers surrounding their growing prosperity. Mr. Liu suggested that Zhang Bairen might be Zhang Xiaohua’s first disciple, leaving the family puzzled.

  • Zhang Xiaohua returned to the village, where Guo Sufi worried over his pale appearance and Zhang Cai welcomed him home.
  • Zhang Xiaohua reassured his family that Zhang Xiaolong would soon return from Pingyang City and warned them that their spring water and Cloud Mist Tea might attract attention.
  • Zhang Xiaohua recounted his recent fights, and Mr. Liu defended his actions when Guo Sufi feared the spiritual consequences of his killings.
  • Zhang Xiaohua explained that Ji Xiaohua had become his disciple, prompting Guo Sufi to joke about being a grandmaster.
  • Mr. Liu suggested that Zhang Bairen might be the first person Zhang Xiaohua helped up and thus his first disciple, surprising Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaolong, and Liu Qian.

Ch. 1049Founding Disciple of the Big Dipper Sect

Mr. Liu persuaded Zhang Xiaohua to make Zhang Bairen the Big Dipper Sect’s founding disciple, and Zhang Xiaohua considered where to establish the sect while explaining why it would remain separate from the Misty Sect. He reassured Zhang Xiaolong that his own role mattered too, while Mr. Liu urged everyone to live actively for themselves and others.

  • Mr. Liu argued that Zhang Xiaohua should follow sect rules and make Zhang Bairen, rather than Ji Xiaohua, the Big Dipper Sect’s first disciple.
  • Zhang Xiaohua accepted Bairen as his senior disciple and said he had a future location in mind for the sect, though he would wait before establishing it.
  • Zhang Xiaohua told his family that his martial inheritance did not belong under the Misty Sect, even though he would still help Zhang Xiaolong when needed.
  • Zhang Xiaohua credited the Misty Sect’s elders and Fire Dragon True Person for the brothers’ accomplishments, then told Zhang Xiaolong he would become renowned as Zhang Bairen’s father.
  • Mr. Liu agreed that people could support one another but urged them to live actively, bravely, and optimistically for themselves as well as others.

Ch. 1050The Beginning of Divergence

Zhang Xiaohua revealed the Zhang family's wealth and persuaded his family to consider leaving Guo Village, with Mr. Liu agreeing to go with them. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohu struggled to manage the Misty Sect under the Incense-Passing Cult's influence and doubted his ability to challenge Abbess Jingyi.

  • Zhang Xiaohua showed Mr. Liu and the Zhang family four chests of jewels, explaining that the family was no longer poor and might not be able to remain in Guo Village.
  • Mr. Liu agreed that the Zhang family should consider moving and accepted their invitation to go with them.
  • Zhang Xiaohua warned that Zhang Xiaohu's position as Misty Sect Master made it dangerous for the family to stay in Guo Village, and they decided to discuss their future after Zhang Xiaohu returned.
  • At Misty Manor, Zhang Xiaohu and Ming Qing disagreed over who should guard the captured Righteous Path Alliance members and what should be done with them.
  • Changge urged Zhang Xiaohu to use his hidden allies and wait for Martial Ancestor Hu's disciples to return, but Zhang Xiaohu doubted they could match Abbess Jingyi's strength.
Arc 42 of 217