Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaohua prepared Changge and Chen Chen to take Meridian Nourishing Pills and guided the medicine through their meridians. After leaving them to refine the remaining medicinal power, he urged Zhang Xiaohu to master his new cultivation before they left You Lan Grand Canyon.

• Zhang Xiaohua agreed with Zhang Xiaohu that Changge and Chen Chen should take their pills in the cave while there was still time before You Lan Mu Lian ended.
• The Blood Wolf King arrived with several dozen blood wolves, showed a faint golden change in its fur, and stayed outside the cave to guard Xiaohei.
• Zhang Xiaohua helped Changge use the Meridian Nourishing Pill to repair and temper her meridians, then left her to refine the remaining medicinal power herself.
• Zhang Xiaohua carefully guided Chen Chen through three cycles of the pill's effects and waited until she began refining the remaining power safely.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu to adjust his breathing and master his new cultivation so they could gain several dozen more years before leaving the valley.

Zhang Xiaohua and his companions traveled across the You Lan Great Grassland with four carriages of spiritual herbs, while he kept the rest hidden in his belt. After the Blood Wolf King returned from investigating a flock of crows, Zhang Xiaohua wondered whether trouble lay ahead.

• Changge proposed bringing back spiritual herbs from the forest, so the group loaded the most precious herbs onto four elk-drawn carriages.
• Zhang Xiaohua secretly returned to the forest and stored the herbs left behind inside his belt.
• Zhang Xiaohu adapted to his new strength while Changge and Chen Chen continued refining the Meridian Nourishing Pill’s medicinal power.
• Zhang Xiaohu teased Zhang Xiaohua about Little Fish and tried to learn the secret of his sword, but Zhang Xiaohua refused.
• The Blood Wolf King returned with a low howl, and Zhang Xiaohua asked Zhang Xiaohu whether something had happened ahead.

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu found a gravely injured Incense-Passing Cult woman who had survived the Cold Crows and began treating her with pills. Afterward, Zhang Xiaohua planned how to conceal his martial abilities when the survivors left You Lan Grand Canyon.

• The Blood Wolf King led Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu to a woman who was still alive despite severe injuries from the Cold Crows.
• Changge and Chen Chen joined them, covered the woman with clothes, and urged Zhang Xiaohua to treat her.
• Zhang Xiaohua stopped the woman's bleeding, set her broken bones, and gave Changge and Chen Chen pills to treat her wounds.
• Changge and Chen Chen washed and dressed the woman, while Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu that he would pretend to be badly injured when they left so others would not suspect his martial skills.

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu discussed how to explain their rescue of an injured female disciple, then escorted her and their companions safely out of You Lan Grand Canyon. The survivors left the canyon behind, and Zhang Xiaohua mourned the hundreds of disciples who had died during You Lan Mu Lian.

• Zhang Xiaohua treated the injured woman, set her bones, and gave her two Lesser Bone Condensing Pills so her sect would not question the origin of a Bone Condensing Pill.
• Zhang Xiaohua carried the unconscious woman onto the second carriage, and Chen Chen learned that she would need ten days to half a month to wake.
• After five safe days of travel, Zhang Xiaohua sent the Blood Wolf King, the blood wolves, and the other fierce beasts back into the canyon.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned the little black dog to his robes after it settled down in his hands, and the group reached the canyon entrance.
• Zhang Xiaohu guided the carriages toward the exit while Zhang Xiaohua pretended to be a rescued Pill-Refining Hall disciple.
• As You Lan Grand Canyon receded behind them, Zhang Xiaohua remembered that only nine of nearly five hundred disciples had survived.

Zhang Xiaohua and the others found the forest exit shrouded in mist, then waited until a fading path of light appeared and began guiding their four carriages across. As Zhang Xiaohua’s defenses and strength ran low, Zhang Xiaohu spotted light ahead, leaving their escape nearly complete.

• Zhang Xiaohua joked with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen, then told them about the letter he had saved for Qiutong.
• Zhang Xiaohua worried that the You Lan Mu Lian restriction might close early, but the mist began to recede as the sun sank.
• Zhang Xiaohua used jade talismans to calm the elk and protect the carriages, then blindfolded the animals so they could cross the forest path.
• Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, Chen Chen, and Zhang Xiaohua drove the four carriages along the dimming path while unseen attacks wore down Zhang Xiaohua’s defenses and strength.
• Zhang Xiaohu spotted the light ahead and encouraged Changge, while Zhang Xiaohua complained inwardly that his brother had not offered him any comfort.

Zhang Xiaohua and the others escaped the You Lan Grand Canyon as its light path collapsed, while a beast tide frightened the Incense-Passing Cult guards waiting outside. Zhang Xiaohua was injured protecting a carriage of spirit herbs, and Zhang Xiaohu tried to make him take a Jade Return Pill.

• Senior Brother Ma and the other guards decided the You Lan Mu Lian restriction was closing and began riding away from the forest.
• A guard spotted a beast tide, and the fleeing group saw an elk pulling a carriage emerge from the forest.
• Three carriages charged out, followed by Zhang Xiaohua's carriage, which flew over the others before landing hard in the open space.
• Zhang Xiaohua spat blood after landing, and the elk pulling his carriage collapsed and appeared to be dying.
• Zhang Xiaohu rushed to Zhang Xiaohua and offered him a Jade Return Pill, but Zhang Xiaohua refused and claimed he had better healing pills.

Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Wuming Hall disciples after escaping You Lan Gorge, but the group’s orders and separate destinations forced the brothers to part again. Zhang Xiaohua rode toward Baiyue Peak while Zhang Xiaohu continued toward Shixin Peak with the carriages and rescued inner sect disciple.

• Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu to keep calling him Ren Xiaoyao, and Zhang Xiaohu introduced himself and the others to Ma Qi of Wuming Hall.
• Zhang Xiaohua claimed to be a Pill-Refining Hall medicine boy, and Ma Qi said a Chen-surnamed Misty Hall disciple had escaped earlier.
• Zhang Xiaohu insisted that the Wuming Hall disciples provide horses for all four carriages so he could bring the spiritual herbs back to Shixin Peak.
• Zhang Xiaohu revealed that a gravely injured female inner sect disciple was in one carriage, prompting an emergency signal and plans to escort her to Yi Xiang Peak.
• The older Wuming Hall disciple assigned Zhang Xiaohua to ride with Junior Brother Quan toward Baiyue Peak, and the brothers reluctantly said goodbye.

Ren Xiaoyao traveled injured to Baiyue Peak, where Pill-Refining Hall disciples recognized him as the hero who had lured a vicious beast away during the You Lan Mu Lian. Li Chengxiu took him toward Herb Hall, while Ren Xiaoyao concealed the mysterious power healing his injuries and gave a modest account of his escape.

• Senior Brother Quan pushed Ren Xiaoyao to hurry along a rugged mountain road despite his injuries, while Ren Xiaoyao's meridians continued healing on their own.
• At Baiyue Peak, Quan Buli questioned whether Ren Xiaoyao was really a Pill-Refining Hall medicine boy, but a disciple recognized him and Quan Buli rode away.
• Li Chengxiu welcomed Ren Xiaoyao, offered him Blood Coagulating Pills, and arranged to take him toward Herb Hall by carriage.
• Li Chengxiu explained that the halls had set up guards after more than five hundred Pill-Refining Hall members died in the You Lan Mu Lian.
• Ren Xiaoyao told Li Chengxiu that he had drawn the invisible vicious beast away with his lightness skill and later been rescued by Misty Hall disciples.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Pill-Refining Hall, where Elder Purple Ginseng praised his actions, gave him healing pills, and promised him a position as a reward. As Zhang Xiaohua left for Tianmu Peak, Deputy Hall Master Xu learned that he had survived and returned.

• Zhang Xiaohua and Li Chengxiu reached Baiyue Peak, and Li Chengxiu reported Zhang Xiaohua's arrival to Elder Purple Ginseng.
• Elder Purple Ginseng recognized Zhang Xiaohua as the disciple who had helped the survivors and invited him in for questioning.
• Zhang Xiaohua concealed the truth about his mission and the events in the valley, while Elder Purple Ginseng excused his failure and gave him healing pills.
• Elder Purple Ginseng credited Zhang Xiaohua with saving disciples and bringing back four cartloads of herbs, then promised to arrange him a position.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu learned that Zhang Xiaohua had returned alive and had already gone back to Tianmu Peak.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Tianmu Peak, where Chen Fengxiao and Wu Dalang welcomed him with surprise and praise. Lu Chaoxian and the other rescued disciples thanked him for saving their lives as he was taken to recover from his injuries.

• Deputy Hall Master Xu suspected Zhang Xiaohua had hidden abilities and decided to watch him carefully rather than act against him for now.
• Li Chengxiu escorted Zhang Xiaohua back to Tianmu Peak and called for Great Leader Chen to receive him.
• Chen Fengxiao was stunned to see Zhang Xiaohua alive, then praised him at length for inspiring Tianmu Peak.
• Wu Dalang and other Pill Department members congratulated Zhang Xiaohua, and Li Chengxiu relayed the Hall Master's order for him to recuperate.
• Lu Chaoxian and the other eight disciples thanked Zhang Xiaohua for leading the beasts away so they could escape.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to Tianmu Peak, pretended his injuries were severe, and asked Lu Chaoxian to investigate the unease he sensed among the leaders. Lu Chaoxian discovered that Huanhuan had allegedly eaten herbs and that Baiyue Peak had sent people to seize it.

• Lu Chaoxian and the other disciples insisted on escorting Zhang Xiaohua to a secluded room so they could care for him while he recovered.
• Zhang Xiaohua privately asked Lu Chaoxian to find out why Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu had seemed unusual, and Lu Chaoxian agreed to investigate discreetly.
• Zhang Xiaohua cultivated through the night and found that his meridians had mostly healed, though he continued pretending to be badly injured.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke Senior Brother Wang and walked around Tianmu Peak with him, where Lu Chaoxian arrived with news from his inquiry.
• Lu Chaoxian told Zhang Xiaohua that Huanhuan had allegedly eaten herbs on Tianmu Peak and that Baiyue Peak had sent people to take the mount away; Zhang Xiaohua asked what had happened to Bai Huan.

Zhang Xiaohua learned that Bai Huan had been arrested after Four Unlike was caught eating herbs, then secretly searched Baiyue Peak’s dungeon for him. He found Bai Huan tortured to death in a private cell and was left stunned by the discovery.

• Lu Chaoxian told Zhang Xiaohua that Four Unlike had escaped while being taken to Baiyue Peak, after Deputy Hall Master Xu ordered Bai Huan punished for letting it eat herbs.
• Zhang Xiaohua pretended to remain injured in his room, then secretly tunneled out and flew to Baiyue Peak.
• Zhang Xiaohua searched the dungeon and overheard disciplinary disciples say Junior Brother Meng had been torturing someone who kept saying, “Beat me to death and I still won’t talk!”
• Zhang Xiaohua recognized the words as his own joking remark to Bai Huan and entered the private cell Junior Brother Meng had just left.
• Zhang Xiaohua found Bai Huan hanging dead on a torture rack, his body covered in wounds.

Zhang Xiaohua found Bai Huan dying in the dungeon and learned that Meng Fei had tortured him to death on Deputy Hall Master Xu's orders. After overhearing Xu and Meng Fei discuss the missing bundle and their suspicions about him, Zhang Xiaohua confronted them, and Meng Fei moved to seize him.

• Zhang Xiaohua used a Blood Replenishing Pill and his true qi to briefly revive Bai Huan, who died after recognizing him and insisting he knew nothing about the missing bundle.
• Zhang Xiaohua marked Bai Huan's corpse and vowed to avenge him before following Meng Fei to Deputy Hall Master Xu's secluded courtyard.
• Meng Fei reported that he had killed Bai Huan, and Deputy Hall Master Xu approved, saying the dead could not testify against Ren Xiaoyao.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu and Qiangshi discussed their suspicions that Ren Xiaoyao was a Heavenly Dragon Sect agent and that his missing bundle might prove it.
• Zhang Xiaohua threw the bundle into the courtyard and revealed himself; Meng Fei recognized him and reached to grab him.

Zhang Xiaohua avenged Bai Huan by killing Meng Fei, then confronted Deputy Hall Master Xu, who tried to negotiate despite his past attempts on Zhang Xiaohua’s life. The chapter ended as Deputy Hall Master Xu launched a concealed weapon at Zhang Xiaohua’s throat.

• Deputy Hall Master Xu watched as Meng Fei attacked Zhang Xiaohua, while Qiangshi expected Meng Fei to win.
• Zhang Xiaohua seized Meng Fei’s wrist, shattered his bones, and crushed his neck, avenging Bai Huan.
• Qiangshi turned pale, while Deputy Hall Master Xu praised Zhang Xiaohua and tried to identify him as a member of the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
• Zhang Xiaohua denied belonging to the Heavenly Dragon Sect and challenged Deputy Hall Master Xu’s calm confidence.
• Deputy Hall Master Xu spoke of cooperation, then concealed a weapon in his laughter and fired it toward Zhang Xiaohua’s throat.

Zhang Xiaohua fought Deputy Hall Master Xu after surviving his poisoned needle and surprise kick, then used Chasing Dreams and the Dragon Binding Ring as Xu unleashed increasingly dangerous techniques. The ring struck a protective shield created by Xu’s crushed jade pendant, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Deputy Hall Master Xu shot a poison-tipped arrow that burst into needles, then kicked Zhang Xiaohua through the doorway.
• Zhang Xiaohua rebounded from an unseen barrier and struck Xu with a fist, then drew Chasing Dreams and fought him at close range.
• Xu drew his sword and attacked with sword aura, while Zhang Xiaohua controlled Chasing Dreams as a flying sword.
• Zhang Xiaohua used the Dream Weaving Sword Technique to break Xu’s long sword, but Xu countered with the Blood Corrosion Technique.
• Zhang Xiaohua summoned the Dragon Binding Ring to capture Xu, who crushed a jade pendant and raised a protective shield that stopped the ring.

Zhang Xiaohua broke Deputy Hall Master Xu’s defensive barrier with a series of jade talismans and captured him with the Dragon Binding Ring. After Xu killed Qiangshi with a poisoned projectile, Zhang Xiaohua began preparing to use the same method against him.

• Deputy Hall Master Xu protected himself with a jade pendant’s barrier, while Zhang Xiaohua questioned him about his sect and its Immortal Path methods.
• Zhang Xiaohua burned through Xu’s barrier with several jade talismans, then used the Dragon Binding Ring to restrain him when the barrier shattered.
• Xu threw a short sword and a poisoned projectile at Zhang Xiaohua, but the projectile struck Qiangshi, killing him.
• Zhang Xiaohua tightened the ring around Xu and considered how to conceal his own abilities from the Incense-Passing Cult.
• Zhang Xiaohua dropped poisoned needles and flesh from Qiangshi’s face into a teacup beside Xu, then sealed Xu’s upper-body acupoints with a Finger Technique.

Zhang Xiaohua killed Deputy Hall Master Xu with his own poisoned blood, then hurried back to Tianmu Peak despite worsening his injuries. Meanwhile, Deputy Hall Master Zhong encouraged Zhao Jian to exploit Misty Hall’s losses and secure influence, and the chapter ended as someone familiar arrived to visit Zhang Xiaohua.

• Zhang Xiaohua fed Deputy Hall Master Xu the poisoned blood, unsealed his acupoints, and watched him die from his own poison.
• Zhang Xiaohua disposed of Qiangshi and Meng Fei’s corpses, then rushed toward Tianmu Peak while his injuries worsened.
• Deputy Hall Master Zhong reassured Zhao Jian that he would support him in taking advantage of Misty Hall’s weakened position.
• Zhao Jian pledged his loyalty to Deputy Hall Master Zhong, and the two poured out wine in remembrance of the disciples lost in You Lan Grand Canyon.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to his room, secretly damaged his recovering meridians, and told Lu Chaoxian that his condition had worsened.
• A familiar visitor arrived at the courtyard and asked whether Zhang Xiaohua’s injuries had improved.

Zhang Xiaohua concealed his role in Deputy Hall Master Xu’s death while Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu visited him on Tianmu Peak. As the Pill-Refining Hall quietly reported Xu’s death, Zhao Jian faced accusations at the Misty Hall over the disciples who had vanished with him.

• Zhang Xiaohua pretended his injuries had worsened and said he could not tend Tianmu Peak’s medicinal fields, while Chen Fengxiao explained that Bai Huan had been taken to Baiyue Peak for questioning over the mount’s damage to herbs.
• Zhang Xiaohua declined to make trouble over Huanhuan’s disappearance, and Chen Fengxiao and Wu Zhouxu left after advising him to recover gradually.
• After the visitors departed, Zhang Xiaohua studied the talismans in his Niwan Palace instead of cultivating, keeping up the appearance that he was injured.
• A disciple found Deputy Hall Master Xu dead and reported it to Elder Purple Ginseng, who ordered the news kept quiet and sent a trusted messenger to Yi Xiang Peak.
• At Misty Hall, Yang Ruying told Zhao Jian to rest, while a woman accused him of returning alone after more than fifty Misty Sect disciples and nearly twenty female disciples from Mingcui Hall had gone missing.

Misty Hall learned that three disciples from the You Lan Mu Lian had survived and returned with four carts of spirit herbs, reviving the hall’s hopes after the beast tide. Zhao Jian suspected their escape was impossible and followed Deputy Hall Master Zhong to investigate as the carts approached Shixin Peak.

• Aunt Qin and Deputy Hall Master Zhong argued over Zhao Jian’s responsibility for the missing disciples until Yang Ruying urged them to stop blaming one another.
• Yang Ruying turned the meeting to Misty Hall’s shortage of herbs and supplies, but a female disciple rushed in with news that three participants had returned with four carts of spirit herbs.
• Zhao Jian turned pale at the report, then told Deputy Hall Master Zhong that the survivors’ escape with so many herbs seemed suspicious.
• Deputy Hall Master Zhong agreed that the report raised questions and left with Zhao Jian to see who had returned.
• Misty Hall’s disciples gathered along the mountain path as the sound of the returning carts drew near.

Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen returned to Shixin Peak with four carts of precious spiritual herbs, earning the Misty Hall disciples’ admiration. After the herbs were inspected and Zhao Jian left, Zhang Xiaohu went to visit his master, whom he found hoeing a garden in a way that resembled martial practice.

• Senior Brother Quan escorted Zhang Xiaohu’s group to Shixin Peak, where Yang Ruying and the disciples welcomed them.
• Zhang Xiaohu presented four carts of spiritual herbs, and Medicine Hall disciples began inspecting and registering the haul.
• Zhao Jian resented that Zhang Xiaohu received the credit and attention for the herbs, but Yang Ruying sent the injured disciples to rest.
• Yang Ruying told Zhang Xiaohu that his master had been deeply shaken by the report of his death, so Zhang Xiaohu went to see him.
• Zhang Xiaohu entered his master’s courtyard and found the middle-aged man hoeing the earth with movements that resembled martial arts practice.