Chapter Summaries

Bai Huan summoned Zhang Xiaohua from his cave to welcome a mysterious honored guest, and Zhang Xiaohua briefly hoped the visitor might be his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu. He recognized from the welcome banners that the guest was the Pill-Refining Hall’s former medicine boy who had entered Wuming Hall, and the chapter ended as the returning “pride of Pill-Refining Hall” approached.

• Bai Huan told Zhang Xiaohua that Chen Fengxiao had called him down the mountain to meet someone he most wanted to see.
• Zhang Xiaohua checked on the herbs in the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace, then accompanied Bai Huan down Tianmu Peak.
• Zhang Xiaohua saw banners and shivering medicine boys gathered to welcome an elite outer disciple from Wuming Hall and recognized the guest’s background.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu came out to greet Zhang Xiaohua, then ordered firecrackers and music when the guest arrived.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed the approaching visitors with his divine sense and reacted with helpless amusement.

Zhang Xiaohua recognized Lu Lihong as the Wuming Hall disciple who had once taken his Dragon Scale Fruit, despite the crowd’s admiration of him as a martial arts genius. As Lu Lihong arrived at Tianmu Peak for a celebratory gathering, Zhang Xiaohua hid nearby to watch.

• Zhang Xiaohua recognized Lu Lihong as the mountain-patrolling disciple who had taken his Dragon Scale Fruit years earlier.
• Bai Huan praised Lu Lihong and hurried away to welcome him, while Zhang Xiaohua entered the courtyard and discovered it had been prepared for a report on Lu Lihong’s deeds.
• Zhang Xiaohua tried to use the Riding the Wind Technique, stumbled, then hid on a wall to watch the gathering.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu warmly welcomed Lu Lihong, while Chen Fengxiao and Yang Yao exchanged polite remarks about Yang Yao’s retirement.
• Lu Lihong entered the courtyard amid cheers, applause, and flower garlands as the disciples crowded around to greet him.

Zhang Xiaohua ignored Lu Lihong’s report meeting and returned to the pill room to check his Bone Condensing Pills and practice the Riding the Wind Technique. When he came back, Chen Fengxiao’s men found him and ordered him to join the gathering, though he still had not changed clothes.

• Chen Fengxiao introduced Lu Lihong, who praised the Pill-Refining Hall disciples before giving a speech about his experiences and advice.
• Zhang Xiaohua privately dismissed Lu Lihong’s speech and resented the praise Lu received, remembering how Lu had tricked him out of the Dragon Scale Fruit.
• Zhang Xiaohua left the courtyard by earth escape to check the Bone Condensing Pills in his furnace, then practiced the Riding the Wind Technique in the pill room.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to find that the report meeting had ended and the disciples were eating at a feast; he decided to leave without approaching Yang Yao.
• A disciple and then Bai Huan found Zhang Xiaohua and told him Great Leader Chen had ordered him inside, while Bai Huan noticed he had not changed clothes.

Zhang Xiaohua attended a banquet at Tianmu Peak, where he reunited with Yang Yao and met Lu Lihong, who revealed that Zhang Xiaohua was Hui Chun Valley’s future son-in-law. The chapter ended with Lu Lihong offering to handle Zhang Xiaohua’s excess herbs as an apology.

• Bai Huan tried to get Zhang Xiaohua to change clothes for the banquet, but Zhang Xiaohua refused and went in as he was.
• Zhang Xiaohua greeted Yang Yao before Chen Fengxiao could introduce him to Lu Lihong, then exchanged formal courtesies with Lu Lihong.
• Lu Lihong mentioned Zhang Xiaohua’s connection to Hui Chun Valley, prompting the gathered disciples to agree to keep the matter private.
• Zhang Xiaohua accepted one cup of wine from Lu Lihong and then sat beside Yang Yao to talk.
• Yang Yao praised Zhang Xiaohua’s recent victories and asked why he had traded medicinal pills for herbs; Zhang Xiaohua said he regretted the exchange.
• Lu Lihong apologized for his remark and offered to handle Zhang Xiaohua’s herbs.

Lu Lihong proposed a betting match with Zhang Xiaohua, offering a Jade Return Pill against Zhang Xiaohua’s herbs. Zhang Xiaohua secured clear terms for the wager, which was set for the following afternoon.

• Lu Lihong offered to make amends for Zhang Xiaohua’s losses, then proposed using Zhang Xiaohua’s herbs as the stake in a match.
• Zhang Xiaohua pressed Lu Lihong about the value of the wager, and Lu Lihong offered a Jade Return Pill.
• Chen Fengxiao praised Lu Lihong’s offer and encouraged the match, while Lu Lihong agreed to fight using only one hand and one foot.
• Zhang Xiaohua confirmed that the winner would take the other’s stake, and Lu Lihong agreed to those terms after Zhang Xiaohua clarified them.
• Zhang Xiaohua suggested holding the match the next afternoon, and Lu Lihong accepted.

Zhang Xiaohua declined Yang Yao’s suggestion that he transfer to Baiyue Peak and prepared for his wagered duel with Lu Lihong. He then completed the liquid-merging stage in the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace, where a hair-thin wisp of Samadhi True Fire began nurturing the merged medicinal liquid.

• Zhang Xiaohua reassured Yang Yao that he wanted to remain on Tianmu Peak, then left the banquet to return to his pill room.
• Bai Huan asked Zhang Xiaohua how to bet on the duel with Lu Lihong, and Zhang Xiaohua told him to bet on Lu Lihong.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to the pill room and spent the night refining medicinal liquid in the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace.
• Zhang Xiaohua opened the Dui Furnace and discovered faint starlight inside the Iron Bone Grass medicinal liquid.
• Zhang Xiaohua merged the medicinal liquids from the other furnaces according to the Five Elements, then produced a thin wisp of Samadhi True Fire to nurture the resulting mass.

Zhang Xiaohua rushed to the wager arena after spending the morning refining a pill, then traded banter with Lu Lihong, who praised his supposed Mighty Ox Strength cultivation. The match finally began with Lu Lihong limiting himself to one hand and one foot, and Zhang Xiaohua struck first.

• Zhang Xiaohua realized the pill-making process had taken all morning and that his wager match with Lu Lihong was about to begin.
• Bai Huan hurried Zhang Xiaohua down the mountain to the wager arena, where Chen Fengxiao scolded him for arriving late.
• Lu Lihong mistook Mighty Ox Strength for a profound martial art and encouraged Zhang Xiaohua, while Zhang Xiaohua joked that Lu could simply give him the Jade Return Pill instead of fighting.
• Lu Lihong refused to surrender the pill and declared that he would attack using only his right hand and left foot.
• Zhang Xiaohua took his stance and opened the match by striking Lu Lihong's left shoulder with the Big Dipper Divine Fist.

Zhang Xiaohua sparred with Lu Lihong, testing whether Lu truly intended to trade a Jade Return Pill for his herbs. After Lu used internal force to defeat him, Zhang Xiaohua pretended to yield, convinced the offer was a scam, while Lu urged him to train harder.

• Lu Lihong and Zhang Xiaohua exchanged feints and attacks while each probed the other's martial arts.
• Zhang Xiaohua struck at Lu Lihong's shoulder, but Lu channeled internal force through his shoulder and knocked him back.
• Lu called their exchange a draw and proposed another bout, while Zhang Xiaohua concealed his suspicions and agreed to continue.
• Lu used stronger attacks, and Zhang Xiaohua pretended to be overwhelmed before declaring that he yielded.
• Lu accepted the victory, encouraged Zhang Xiaohua to improve, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

After losing his wagered duel to Lu Lihong, Zhang Xiaohua heard about You Lan Mu Lian, a dangerous trial in You Lan Grand Canyon that could lead to becoming an inner disciple. The chapter ended with Chen Fengxiao explaining that Wuming Hall outer disciples escorted other disciples through the canyon because of its ferocious beasts.

• Venerable Lei declared Lu Lihong the winner of his wagered duel against Zhang Xiaohua, and the watching disciples celebrated or lamented their bets.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu encouraged Zhang Xiaohua after the loss, while Lu Lihong hinted that joining Wuming Hall could offer him a path to advancement.
• Venerable Lei asked Lu Lihong about You Lan Mu Lian, and Lu Lihong admitted he wanted to enter the inner sect but lacked a place in the trial.
• Chen Fengxiao told Zhang Xiaohua that You Lan Mu Lian took place every five years in You Lan Grand Canyon, where disciples from several halls searched for treasures and herbs.
• Chen Fengxiao explained that ferocious wild beasts made the canyon dangerous and that Wuming Hall outer disciples escorted ordinary disciples inside.

Chen Fengxiao described the dangers of You Lan Grand Canyon, and Lu Lihong explained how a rare ginseng he found there led to a complete Internal Energy Cultivation Method and a place in Wuming Hall. Lu Lihong began outlining the outer sect trial, leaving Zhang Xiaohua curious about the legendary Yellow Wind and Black Lightning.

• Chen Fengxiao told Zhang Xiaohua that savage beasts had killed disciples during past You Lan Mu Lian expeditions, including outer sect disciples.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Lu Lihong about outer sect trials, and Wu Zhouxu explained that Lu Lihong had once found a three-hundred-year-old ginseng in the canyon.
• Lu Lihong said the ginseng had earned him a complete Internal Energy Cultivation Method from the inner sect and helped him qualify for Wuming Hall.
• Lu Lihong explained that outer sect disciples hunted beasts for points, though the detailed scoring rules were treated as a hall secret.
• Lu Lihong listed common and dangerous beasts in the canyon, then mentioned the legendary Yellow Wind and Black Lightning, prompting Zhang Xiaohua to ask what they were.

At a banquet on Tianmu Peak, Zhang Xiaohua asked Lu Lihong about Yellow Wind and Black Lightning, learning they were mysterious beasts in You Lan Grand Canyon that had killed many disciples. He also learned how the outer sect trials awarded points and was shocked that disciples needed two thousand points to qualify for selection.

• Lu Lihong agreed to attend the Pill Department’s farewell banquet despite needing to return to Xuanmu Peak that night, and Zhang Xiaohua followed the others.
• Zhang Xiaohua pressed Lu Lihong to explain Yellow Wind and Black Lightning, and Venerable Lei described them as swift, deadly beasts that had once escaped a hunt by the Cult Master and elders.
• Lu Lihong explained that outer sect disciples earned trial points by hunting beasts of different tiers and presenting proof to Wuming Hall.
• Venerable Lei revealed that disciples needed two thousand points to take part in the outer sect selection, and Zhang Xiaohua was astonished by the requirement.

Zhang Xiaohua learned how disciples could qualify for the outer and inner sect tests during You Lan Mu Lian, then discussed his prospects with Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu. He remained unconvinced that advancing through the sect was worth striving for, though Chen Fengxiao reminded him of his engagement to Valley Master Nie’s daughter.

• Lu Lihong explained that two thousand points qualified a disciple for the outer sect test, while five thousand points, hunting a rare beast, or presenting a valued treasure could qualify one directly for the inner sect test.
• Chen Fengxiao toasted Lu Lihong and wished him success in qualifying for You Lan Mu Lian, and Lu Lihong and Yang Yao later left to return to their halls.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu encouraged Zhang Xiaohua to cultivate his Mighty Ox Strength and pursue the outer sect, telling him how Lu Lihong had gained a complete Internal Energy Cultivation Method after finding centuries-old ginseng.
• Zhang Xiaohua questioned what benefits came from advancement and said he would rather live carefree on Tianmu Peak, prompting Wu Zhouxu to struggle for an answer.
• Chen Fengxiao reminded Wu Zhouxu that Zhang Xiaohua was Hui Chun Valley’s prospective son-in-law, and the two resumed drinking with him.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Tianmu Peak to cultivate while Lu Lihong reported his assessment of Ren Xiaoyao to Deputy Hall Master Xu. Xu offered to help Lu Lihong enter the You Lan Grand Canyon in exchange for a secret task, leaving Lu Lihong shocked and uneasy about what Xu requested.

• Zhang Xiaohua declined Wu Zhouxu's invitation and went to Tianmu Peak, where he checked the pill furnace and resumed cultivating.
• Lu Lihong told Deputy Hall Master Xu that Ren Xiaoyao was strong but could be defeated in a gambling bout, and returned the Jade Return Pill he had used as bait.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu told Lu Lihong to keep the pill as payment, then confirmed that Lu believed he could defeat Ren Xiaoyao.
• Lu Lihong explained that he wanted a chance to enter the You Lan Grand Canyon, and Deputy Hall Master Xu offered to arrange it if Lu followed his instructions.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu whispered his request to Lu Lihong, who reacted with surprise and then questioned whether it was proper.

Deputy Hall Master Xu pressured Lu Lihong to work for him, revealing that he had arranged Lu’s entry into the outer sect and supported his training. Lu accepted a Jade Return Pill and agreed to carry out Xu’s task, then left to prepare for the trial.

• Deputy Hall Master Xu dismissed Lu Lihong’s objections about the Incense-Passing Cult’s rules and explained how he had helped Lu pass the outer sect examination.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu said he had chosen Lu for his gratitude and loyalty, while criticizing Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu as unsuitable for his purposes.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu warned that Lu’s favorable treatment could end if he refused to cooperate and offered him a Jade Return Pill as payment.
• Lu Lihong weighed the reward against his dependence on Xu, then agreed to work for him and accepted the pill.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu told Lu Lihong to prepare for the trial, and Lu left with joy on his face.

Zhang Xiaohua’s observations of the Bone Condensing Pill’s yin-yang formation led to a Heavenly Dao breakthrough, advancing him into the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation. He returned his full attention to the nearly mature pill and began the final stage of pill gestation.

• Zhang Xiaohua practiced controlling his small sword and Dragon Binding Rings, then checked the Bone Condensing Pill in the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace.
• Zhang Xiaohua observed the medicinal liquid form two fish-shaped masses and contemplated how yin and yang generated and restrained one another.
• Zhang Xiaohua entered seclusion with a yuan stone and emerged three days later at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation.
• Zhang Xiaohua inspected the pill, familiarized himself with his new meridians, and focused on the furnace as the medicinal liquid approached pill formation.
• Zhang Xiaohua sent the final pill-gestation incantation into the medicinal liquid and directed Samadhi True Fire toward its edges.

Zhang Xiaohua completed refining Bone Condensing Pills and practiced the Riding the Wind Technique on Tianmu Peak, where he stumbled upon two men secretly discussing newcomers at the Pill-Refining Hall. The chapter leaves him eavesdropping as they report that none of the newcomers at Tianmu Peak belong to their group.

• Zhang Xiaohua completed the pill gestation, replenished his true qi, and drew eighteen Bone Condensing Pills plus several Lesser Bone Condensing Pills from the furnace.
• Zhang Xiaohua stored the pills and reflected that drawing them had consumed more than half his true qi, then replenished himself with a yuanstone.
• Zhang Xiaohua tunneled out of his cave at night and practiced the Riding the Wind Technique over the eastern side of Tianmu Peak.
• Zhang Xiaohua spotted two unfamiliar men beside a grove, hid nearby, and eavesdropped on their conversation.
• Junior Brother Qian told Senior Brother Hu that he had checked the newcomers at Tianmu Peak and found none were members of their group.

Zhang Xiaohua overheard two infiltrators discussing their search for recruits inside the Incense-Passing Cult, then continued his cultivation and pill-making on Tianmu Peak. Meanwhile, Peacock spoke with Chen Chen about Ren Xiaoyao and Chen Chen's upcoming training in You Lan Grand Canyon.

• Zhang Xiaohua overheard Senior Brother Hu and Junior Brother Qian discuss their hidden allegiance, their inability to send information out of the Incense-Passing Cult, and their plan to search the Herb Department for recruits.
• Zhang Xiaohua considered whether Qiangshi was an infiltrator, then decided to wait until he found news of his Second Brother before questioning him.
• Zhang Xiaohua cultivated and refined pills for more than a month, improved his Riding the Wind Technique, and won two matches at Tianmu Peak's gambling match.
• Peacock met Chen Chen beside the lotus pond, and Chen Chen mentioned Ren Xiaoyao and wondered how he was doing on Baiyue Peak.
• Peacock changed the subject to Chen Chen's upcoming entry into You Lan Grand Canyon, and Chen Chen said the training might begin in a few days.

Chen Chen prepared to enter You Lan Grand Canyon with You Lan Mu Lian, while Peacock warned her about the valley’s dangers and shared what she knew. Elsewhere, the Pill-Refining Hall organized its disciples for the upcoming expedition, and Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu discussed Ren Xiaoyao’s success and their hopes of uncovering something on Tianmu Peak.

• Chen Chen told Peacock she would take You Lan Mu Lian into You Lan Grand Canyon and complained that the sect leader had assigned her to protect the inexperienced disciple.
• Peacock shared the locations of hidden resources she had found in the canyon and warned Chen Chen that the legendary beasts Yellow Wind and Black Lightning might still be alive.
• Elder Purple Ginseng told Deputy Hall Master Xu that the canyon’s restrictions had loosened and reviewed the prepared list of Herb Division disciples for the expedition.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu left the Herb Hall to arrange preparations, and disciples rode out toward the Pill-Refining Hall’s subordinate peaks.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu discussed Ren Xiaoyao’s winning streak and joked about whether Zou Shuming and Bai Huan had discovered anything on Tianmu Peak.

Chen Fengxiao received the You Lan Mu Lian selection list and discovered that Ren Xiaoyao had been chosen for the dangerous trip to You Lan Grand Canyon. After the list was delivered, Zhang Xiaohua learned he was going and was stunned.

• Junior Brother He delivered Baiyue Peak's list and said the You Lan Mu Lian had been moved forward, requiring the selected disciples to return the next morning.
• Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu were surprised to see Ren Xiaoyao on the list, but accepted that the Hall Master had selected him.
• Junior Brother He explained that the canyon's restrictions had loosened early and its dangers might intensify, prompting the selection of stronger disciples.
• Wu Zhouxu learned that Deputy Hall Master Xu wanted him to keep a close eye on the thing and promised to follow the Hall Master's instructions.
• Bai Huan told Zhang Xiaohua that he would go to You Lan Grand Canyon, and Zhang Xiaohua questioned whether he had heard correctly.

Zhang Xiaohua learned more about the dangers awaiting herb gatherers in You Lan Grand Canyon and entrusted Bai Huan with caring for Huanhuan while he was away. He returned to his cave to prepare for the next morning’s departure and began shutting down his pill furnace.

• Bai Huan warned Zhang Xiaohua that fierce beasts could attack Herb Department disciples even at the herb-gathering grounds.
• Zhang Xiaohua offered Bai Huan Blood Coagulating Pills, but Bai Huan refused them until Zhang Xiaohua returned safely.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Bai Huan to look after Huanhuan, whose wary reaction made Bai Huan realize the task might be difficult.
• Zhang Xiaohua declined Bai Huan’s offer to explain more about the canyon and went back to his cave to pack.
• Zhang Xiaohua extinguished the earth fire beneath the Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Furnace and tidied the pill-refining room.