Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaohua left the cold pool with the Black and White Fruit and got lost while trying to return to camp. At a waterfall, he found Zhang Ping'er poisoned by a snake and realized that the bite was in a difficult place to treat.

• Zhang Xiaohua spared the Oddity Snake after taking the Black and White Fruit and subdued it with the Dragon Binding Ring.
• Zhang Xiaohua tried to fly west toward Qi Hua Forest but became lost and found the waterfall Senior Brother Liao had described.
• Zhang Xiaohua found the waterfall pool bare of Ice Soul Grass and noticed freshly turned soil, suggesting someone had already harvested it.
• Zhang Xiaohua discovered a dead White Bear and an unconscious female disciple nearby, then recognized her as Zhang Ping'er.
• Zhang Xiaohua gave Zhang Ping'er an antidote pill and used his true qi to locate her snakebite, which left him uncertain how to treat it.

Zhang Xiaohua saved Zhang Ping'er from Crimson Stork Snake venom, and she explained that she had entered the You Lan Grand Canyon to search for Guiyuan Grass to help her master recover. After giving her another antidote pill, Zhang Xiaohua began to make an unusual request.

• Zhang Xiaohua used his true qi to force the remaining snake venom from Zhang Ping'er's wound, and she woke and recognized him as the masked disciple who had saved her before.
• Zhang Ping'er asked Zhang Xiaohua not to look while she changed clothes, and he brought her water in a trumpet flower.
• Zhang Ping'er explained that she had come to the canyon seeking Guiyuan Grass for a Guiyuan Pill to treat her master's Qi Deviation.
• Zhang Ping'er recounted how she killed a White Bear before a Crimson Stork Snake bit her, and Zhang Xiaohua's antidote pill saved her.
• Zhang Xiaohua gave Zhang Ping'er another pill, then told her he had an unreasonable request to make.

Zhang Xiaohua accepted spirit herbs and a White Bear's tail from Zhang Ping'er, then set out toward Qi Hua Forest. Hearing roars nearby, he went to investigate and found a veiled woman in palace robes fighting a Fire Lion.

• Zhang Ping'er gave Zhang Xiaohua several spirit herbs, including Ice Soul Grass, and offered him the White Bear's tail; they agreed to address each other as senior brother and junior sister.
• Zhang Ping'er explained that she was still searching for Guiyuan Grass to save her master, and Zhang Xiaohua asked her for directions to the Trial Stone Forest and Qi Hua Forest before departing.
• Zhang Xiaohua realized he had been traveling in the wrong direction and flew toward Qi Hua Forest, but changed course after hearing beast roars nearby.
• Zhang Xiaohua used Earth Escape to approach the roars and saw a veiled woman in palace robes fighting a bloodied Fire Lion.
• The woman in palace robes evaded the Fire Lion's attacks and struck its vital points seven times while Zhang Xiaohua watched.

Zhang Xiaohua watched an Incense-Passing Cult disciple kill a Fire Lion and take the Fire Seed Golden Lotus, then found and harvested the fire-growing seed she had overlooked. He returned to Qi Hua Forest at night and overheard Lu Chaoxian mourning him as dead.

• Zhang Xiaohua followed the masked Incense-Passing Cult disciple to a magma-filled mountaintop, where she killed the Fire Lion and harvested the golden lotus.
• Zhang Xiaohua resisted the urge to kill the disciple for the treasure and experienced a brief vision in which the Heavenly Dao seemed to recognize him.
• After the disciple left, Zhang Xiaohua entered the magma and collected the Fire Seed Golden Lotus seed with surrounding magma, storing it in a sealed jade case.
• Zhang Xiaohua searched the magma for Luminous Pearls but found none, then cut off the Fire Lion's tail before leaving.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to Qi Hua Forest at night and heard Lu Chaoxian lamenting that Junior Brother Ren had died.

Zhang Xiaohua returned safely to the tent, reassured the disciples, and prepared to resume searching for Ice Soul Grass. That night, mysterious roars stirred every beast in You Lan Grand Canyon into a violent rush, while Zhang Xiaohua remained undisturbed in his cave.

• Zhang Xiaohua returned to the tent and told Lu Chaoxian, Senior Brother Wang, and the other disciples that he had found traces of Ice Soul Grass but still needed to deal with its formidable guardian.
• Senior Brother Wang explained that Junior Brother Fan had left to join another group after arguing that Zhang Xiaohua had failed to protect them.
• Zhang Xiaohua told the disciples he would not take their herbs, and they reaffirmed their trust in him; he said he had found rare herbs across the river but warned them about the dangerous beasts there.
• Zhang Xiaohua set restrictions around the tent, went to his cave, and cultivated the Carefree Heart Sutra as his absorption of starlight and vital energy increased.
• Roars from the far east awakened the beasts and trial participants, and successive cries sent the beasts racing east before another sound drove them into a violent surge through You Lan Grand Canyon.
• Zhang Xiaohua remained calm and undisturbed in his cave as the canyon descended into turmoil.

A massive beast tide swept across You Lan Grand Canyon and the surrounding grounds, slaughtering disciples from several halls and trapping others as they tried to survive. The chapter ended with Senior Brother Fan killed outside a strange protected tent where Junior Brother Ren and eight others remained inside.

• Vajra Crows and charging beasts attacked Shu Yu Hall's camp, killing its disciples in the darkness.
• Venomous snakes and Blood Wolves surrounded Wuming Hall's disciples in the Trial Stone Forest, while Mad Elephants and other huge beasts toppled their stone pillars.
• Outer disciples across You Lan Great Grassland suffered heavy casualties as the beast tide grew and made escape difficult.
• A palace-robed inner disciple was killed by a swift shadow she identified as Yellow Wind.
• Beasts slaughtered Pill-Refining Hall's disciples, but an invisible barrier kept them from entering the tent where Junior Brother Ren and eight others hid.
• Senior Brother Fan begged Junior Brother Ren to save him, but a Thunder Tiger killed him outside the tent.

Chen Chen and Zixia escaped a massive beast gathering and joined another disciple fleeing through You Lan Grand Canyon. Zhang Xiaohua found Pill-Refining Hall’s campsite slaughtered, but discovered that the eight people sheltered in his tent had survived behind his restrictions.

• A group of disciples hid in mountain caves after hearing a beast roar, while Chen Chen and Zixia left their canyon shelter at dawn.
• Chen Chen and Zixia found nearly every kind of fierce beast gathered at the valley entrance and fled as the beasts gave chase.
• Chen Chen and Zixia rescued a red-robed inner sect disciple from Thunder Tigers and Giant Apes, then led her toward You Lan Great Grassland.
• Zhang Xiaohua noticed the morning was unnaturally silent and returned to find Pill-Refining Hall’s campsite covered in blood, with its people and horses gone.
• Zhang Xiaohua killed the Blood Wolves that attacked him and discovered that eight people in his tent had survived behind his restrictions.
• A Thunder Tiger spotted Zhang Xiaohua and drew nearby beasts toward him as the survivors watched from inside the tent.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Lu Chaoxian and seven other disciples from the beasts that attacked their camp, but found no other survivors. He moved the exhausted group to nearby caves and followed the blood trail toward Hancui Ridge, where an enormous eagle suddenly swooped at him.

• Zhang Xiaohua killed the savage beasts attacking the tent and told Lu Chaoxian and the others that the camp was safe.
• Zhang Xiaohua searched the devastated tents, collected the abandoned herb boxes, and found no other survivors.
• Zhang Xiaohua concluded the disaster might have spread beyond Qi Hua Forest and advised the group to shelter in nearby caves rather than leave at once.
• Zhang Xiaohua settled Lu Chaoxian and the others in caves, then searched the camp again before following the trail of blood.
• Zhang Xiaohua rode the wind toward Hancui Ridge, saw signs of more slaughter along the way, and was charged by an enormous eagle.

Zhang Xiaohua killed a charging eagle and more than a hundred beasts, gaining insight into the cycle of life and death before returning to shelter the Pill-Refining Hall disciples. Elsewhere, Chen Chen and Zixia discussed how to gather scattered Incense-Passing Cult disciples amid the beast attacks, but had not yet settled on a plan.

• Zhang Xiaohua killed an eagle and then slaughtered more than a hundred beasts that charged toward him.
• Zhang Xiaohua reflected on the cycle of life and death and decided to collect the beasts' tails as a trial-points test.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to the Qi Hua Forest cave and cultivated quietly while Lu Chaoxian and the others slept.
• Chen Chen, Zixia, and several inner sect disciples rested behind a waterfall after fighting beasts and considered how to survive the widespread attacks.
• Zixia proposed gathering the scattered disciples, while Chen Chen and the others worried that a signal could attract more beasts or draw disciples away from the exit.

Zixia persuaded Chen Chen and the other inner sect disciples to send a signal asking others to gather at the Valley Entrance, while Zhang Xiaohua and his companions decided to leave the canyon at dawn. The signal drew the attention of scattered disciples, and the group prepared to make their way south rather than retrace their longer route.

• Zixia argued that the inner sect disciples should use their signal to guide and help other Incense-Passing Cult disciples, and Chen Chen agreed to send one that night.
• Chen Chen’s group released a bright signal bearing the words “Valley Entrance,” which Senior Sister Xia and Junior Brother Zhao saw from their cave.
• Zhang Xiaohua spotted the signal, woke Lu Chaoxian and the others, and discussed whether it meant the inner sect disciples were in danger.
• Lu Chaoxian proposed returning along their original route, but Zhang Xiaohua advised heading directly back to avoid the longer way through the You Lan Great Grassland.
• Zhang Xiaohua told the group to prepare to leave at dawn, explaining that he still needed to sleep.

Zhang Xiaohua led Lu Chaoxian and the other disciples toward Hancui Ridge, while Chen Chen gathered reinforcements and prepared to face a huge flock of birds and pack of beasts. Elsewhere, Junior Brother Zhao refused Senior Sister Xia’s suggestion to pursue the inner sect disciples, choosing instead to act while the beasts were drawn away.

• Zhang Xiaohua set out with Lu Chaoxian and the other disciples after they spotted a new signal in the distance, and he confirmed that the Qi Hua Forest camp had been completely emptied.
• Zhang Xiaohua guarded the carriages on the way to Hancui Ridge, driving off several beasts and blinding a great crocodile beast with the Azure Water Sword.
• Chen Chen welcomed additional inner sect disciples as a flock of birds and a pack of ferocious beasts charged toward her group, then ordered the disciples to take their positions.
• Chen Chen wounded a White-headed Vulture and nearly killed a Golden Eagle, while another inner sect disciple killed a White-headed Vulture with her sword and rope.
• A tiny yellow figure flew eastward while listening anxiously, and Senior Sister Xia urged Junior Brother Zhao to pursue the departing inner sect disciples.
• Junior Brother Zhao rejected Senior Sister Xia’s proposal and insisted that the group act while the beasts were lured away.

Zhang Xiaohua protected the Pill-Refining Hall convoy through the night and secured the survivors’ promise to conceal how he had kept them safe. Elsewhere, Chen Chen’s group regrouped, Junior Brother Zhao led his companions east, and a yellow figure took a spiritual fruit before Zhang Xiaohua’s convoy resumed its journey.

• Senior Sister Xia agreed to wait for Junior Brother Zhao’s signal before leading their group down the mountain to search for treasure.
• Zhang Xiaohua brought Lu Chaoxian and the other survivors to a ridge, guarded their tents, and warned them to hide the secret of their protection from the Hall Master.
• Chen Chen and the other disciples defeated the attacking beasts, and four inner sect disciples and ten outer sect disciples arrived by midnight.
• Junior Brother Zhao changed his mind and told Senior Sister Xia to lead their group east in search of heavenly treasures.
• A yellow figure took a vermilion spiritual fruit while its guardian beast stood watch.
• At dawn, the survivors swore not to reveal Zhang Xiaohua’s secret and agreed to claim they had stayed in a cave gathering hundred-year-old Ice Soul Grass before setting out.

Zhang Xiaohua’s group raced through the rainy You Lan Rainforest while Inner Sect disciples signaled their route toward the valley entrance. When a troop of Human-Faced Monkeys and Giant Apes approached, Zhang Xiaohua stood ready atop the carriage.

• Chen Chen sent another signal reading “Valley Entrance,” and the yellow figure spotted it before flying east despite pain in its swollen belly.
• Senior Sister Xia and Junior Brother Zhao led their disciples to gather herbs, believing the beasts had been drawn away by the Inner Sect signal.
• Zhang Xiaohua urged Lu Chaoxian to hurry through the rainforest, where he detected Carnivorous Beasts underground and killed several attacking Five-Colored Snakes.
• The horses refused to advance as Human-Faced Monkeys and Giant Apes approached, and Zhang Xiaohua calmly stood atop the carriage as the monkeys prepared to charge.

Zhang Xiaohua scared off a pack of Human-Faced Monkeys and Giant Apes, found and collected a blooming Guiyuan Grass, then continued toward the canyon exit with Lu Chaoxian and the others. When a woman in white was chased by jackals, he left the group to rescue her.

• Zhang Xiaohua startled the Human-Faced Monkeys and Giant Apes into fleeing by splashing them with mud.
• Zhang Xiaohua found a nine-shoot Guiyuan Grass and stopped its guardian Crimson Stork Snake before storing the herb in a jade case.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Lu Chaoxian’s group left the rainforest, passed the pool without stopping, and traveled toward the southwest after resting at a campsite.
• Zhang Xiaohua spotted a woman in white fleeing from a pack of jackals and told Lu Chaoxian’s group to continue without him.
• Zhang Xiaohua rushed toward the jackals to rescue the woman, while Lu Chaoxian called after him that he wanted to go along.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Zhang Ping'er from a pack of jackals and gave her the Guiyuan Grass she had been searching for. When an inner sect signal announced the valley entrance, he realized the group was in danger of being caught by the beast horde and urged them to hurry.

• Zhang Ping'er, exhausted and surrounded by jackals, saw Zhang Xiaohua approaching and regained enough strength to fight back.
• Zhang Xiaohua killed the jackals, caught Zhang Ping'er when she fainted, and carried her to Lu Chaoxian's carriage.
• Zhang Ping'er woke and recognized Zhang Xiaohua as the Senior Brother Zhang who had saved her before, but he introduced himself as Ren Xiaoyao.
• Zhang Xiaohua gave Zhang Ping'er nine shoots of Guiyuan Grass that he had picked, and she tearfully thanked him.
• Lu Chaoxian spotted a signal reading "Valley Entrance," and Zhang Xiaohua urged everyone to ride faster before the beast horde surrounded them.
• A piercing roar sounded from the east as sunlight broke through the dark clouds.

Zhang Xiaohua and the others fled toward the valley entrance after a terrifying beast roar, while Chen Chen led another group of disciples through the canyon. The Yellow Wind raced after them, and Wuming Hall reinforcements arrived as another roar sounded behind the fleeing groups.

• A beast roar shook You Lan Grand Canyon, and Zhang Xiaohua rescued Zhang Ping'er and Lu Chaoxian from the overturned carriage before urging the group to flee on horseback.
• Zhang Ping'er learned from Lu Chaoxian that earlier roars had preceded a beast tide that devastated the Pill-Refining Hall disciples, and she realized how dangerous the canyon had become.
• Chen Chen and the surviving inner and outer sect disciples recovered from the roar and continued toward the valley entrance, exhausted after two days of attacks.
• A group of disciples saw a yellow shadow race south through the sky, and Junior Brother Chen identified it as Yellow Wind before they hid in a cave.
• Martial Uncle Zhang and other Wuming Hall disciples met Chen Chen's group and learned that Yellow Wind or Black Lightning was still loose in the canyon.
• Another roar sounded behind the fleeing groups, though it was weaker than before.

Chen Chen and Zixia fled You Lan Grand Canyon as the Yellow Wind slaughtered the outer sect disciples, while Zhang Xiaohua arrived too late to help them escape. As he tried to lead his carriages through the entrance, the little beast attacked him, and he struggled to evade its claws.

• The Yellow Wind caught up with the fleeing disciples and killed or grievously wounded many outer sect disciples as Chen Chen pulled Zixia toward the canyon entrance.
• Zhang Xiaohua arrived with his group, saw Chen Chen escaping, and ordered the carriages to charge through the entrance.
• Zixia glanced toward Zhang Xiaohua’s carriage but failed to recognize him before she and Chen Chen left the canyon.
• Zhang Xiaohua found the little beast guarding the entrance and noticed that the Primordial Qi around it was unusually chaotic.
• The little beast attacked Lu Chaoxian, but Zhang Xiaohua blocked its claws with a flash of sword light.
• The enraged little beast lunged at Zhang Xiaohua; he dropped toward the ground and raised the Azure Water Sword, but its claws continued toward his throat.

Zhang Xiaohua lured “Yellow Wind” away from the canyon entrance so the carriages could escape, but discovered he could not use Earth Escape there and was forced to flee deeper into the You Lan Great Grassland. He tried to evade his pursuer with the Dragon Binding Ring, but “Yellow Wind” dodged it and continued attacking.

• Zhang Xiaohua held “Yellow Wind” off while the carriages passed through the canyon entrance, then led the beast away from them.
• Zhang Xiaohua tried to escape by Earth Escape but found that the chaotic Primordial Qi had activated a restriction near the entrance.
• Unable to reach the entrance or defeat “Yellow Wind,” Zhang Xiaohua flew into the You Lan Great Grassland with the beast pursuing him.
• Zhang Xiaohua used the Dragon Binding Ring to frighten “Yellow Wind” and gain distance, but the beast recognized the trick and attacked again.
• Zhang Xiaohua sent the Dragon Binding Ring after “Yellow Wind,” but it dodged the ring as their chase continued.

Zhang Xiaohua struggled to escape Yellow Wind across the You Lan Great Grassland, surviving each night by cultivating underground while the beast watched and absorbed starlight. After three days of pursuit drove him to a mountain, he finally turned to fight Yellow Wind with the Dragon Binding Ring.

• Yellow Wind used its silver eye to break Zhang Xiaohua’s Earth Escape and force him back aboveground, sending him fleeing deeper into the You Lan Great Grassland.
• As midnight approached, Zhang Xiaohua hid underground, fell asleep while cultivating the Carefree Heart Sutra, and absorbed starlight; Yellow Wind watched him and also absorbed the starlight.
• At dawn, Yellow Wind drove Zhang Xiaohua out of the earth, then pursued him for three days while steering him toward the far eastern reaches of the You Lan Great Canyon.
• Zhang Xiaohua noticed Yellow Wind occasionally rolling in apparent pain and guessed its strength was failing, then headed for a mountain hoping to use Fire Escape but found only a pool at its summit.
• When Yellow Wind lunged for his throat again, Zhang Xiaohua stopped fleeing and launched the Dragon Binding Ring at it.

After Yellow Wind suffered a sudden attack of pain, Zhang Xiaohua trapped her with the Dragon Binding Ring and prepared to kill her, but realized she was giving birth and spared her. When Yellow Wind struggled after the birth, Zhang Xiaohua approached to help with the newborn and its umbilical cord.

• Yellow Wind evaded Zhang Xiaohua's attacks, then froze and writhed in pain, allowing him to trap her with the Dragon Binding Ring.
• Zhang Xiaohua tried to stab Yellow Wind, but she began bleeding and a newborn emerged from her abdomen.
• Zhang Xiaohua recognized that Yellow Wind was giving birth, withdrew his sword, and loosened the Dragon Binding Ring while keeping her restrained.
• Yellow Wind moved into the grass to give birth, and Zhang Xiaohua waited nearby until he heard continued growling and approached.
• Zhang Xiaohua found Yellow Wind exhausted beside her newborn, realized she needed help, and took out his small sword to cut the umbilical cord.