Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaohua fought Yue Zhuoqun after Yue threatened to kill him over Zhang Ping'er. Zhang Xiaohua defeated him with flying swords and jade talismans, but Yue’s dying words revealed that his master was Jinggang.

• Yue Zhuoqun threatened Zhang Xiaohua and attacked him with his sword, but Zhang Xiaohua knocked the weapon aside with his heavy sword.
• Zhang Xiaohua summoned Chasing Dreams and pursued Yue Zhuoqun as he tried to flee.
• Yue Zhuoqun threw an offensive jade talisman that unleashed golden swords, while Zhang Xiaohua protected himself with defensive talismans.
• Zhang Xiaohua chased down Yue Zhuoqun, broke through his earthen-yellow barrier with red jade talismans, and pierced his throat with Chasing Dreams.
• As he died, Yue Zhuoqun told Zhang Xiaohua that his master was Jinggang and would not spare him.

Zhang Xiaohua killed Yue Zhuoqun and found a mysterious golden phoenix hairpin, while Peacock struggled through the Heart Refining Cave’s illusions. Peacock broke free of a false life and rejected an illusion of the Heavenly Dao, but the cave then confronted her with Ren Xiaoyao, whom she could not defeat.

• Zhang Xiaohua killed Yue Zhuoqun, burned his body with a jade talisman, and discovered a golden phoenix hairpin that resisted his divine sense.
• Peacock escaped an illusion of a happy family life after staring at the stars and shattering the false scene with a howl.
• Peacock used the Fantian Cultivation Method to resist another illusion, then fought and killed three attackers before the cave reset the scene and healed her injuries.
• Peacock rejected an apparition claiming to be both Ren Xiaoyao and the Heavenly Dao by stabbing it with her flexible sword.
• A new Ren Xiaoyao appeared on a grassland and taunted Peacock, who attacked him but could neither wound him nor prevent him from evading her.

Peacock mistook Zhang Xiaohua’s manifestation of the Heavenly Dao for her fated nemesis and repeatedly fell into Ren Xiaoyao’s illusion in the Heart Refining Cave. After killing Yue Zhuoqun, Zhang Xiaohua questioned the morality of taking treasures by force, swore to uphold his original heart, and felt a mysterious change within himself.

• Peacock’s heart demon took the form of Ren Xiaoyao, but she struck him and tried to sever the illusion by circulating the Fantian Cultivation Method.
• The narration revealed that Peacock’s fixation came from Zhang Xiaohua’s unhidden comprehension of the Heavenly Dao, which made him appear to her as its incarnation.
• After killing Yue Zhuoqun and taking his golden hairpin, Zhang Xiaohua considered whether he should kill Jinggang as well, then questioned the morality of killing for treasure.
• Zhang Xiaohua reflected on how greed and unchecked violence had corrupted the martial world and recognized that he was at risk of falling into the same trap.
• Zhang Xiaohua swore never to betray his original heart or damage morality, and divine thunder sounded as a mysterious change occurred within him.
• Puzzled by the change, Zhang Xiaohua resolved to act without harming morality and rode down the slope.

Zhang Xiaohua discovered that Xiao Huang could absorb the corrosive ghost mist, so he continued deeper into Ghost Valley instead of turning back. Xiao Huang awakened, bonded with Zhang Xiaohua, and called him “Mommy” as it urged him onward.

• Zhang Xiaohua noticed the ghost mist corroding his clothes and decided to retreat from Ghost Valley.
• Xiao Huang awakened and inhaled the ghost mist, prompting Zhang Xiaohua to continue down the valley in search of more.
• As Xiao Huang consumed the mist, Zhang Xiaohua gathered herbs and sensed that something was watching him.
• Xiao Huang opened its eyes, showed affection toward Zhang Xiaohua, and communicated with him telepathically.
• Xiao Huang climbed onto Zhang Xiaohua’s head and pointed deeper into the valley, so Zhang Xiaohua continued forward with it there.

Zhang Xiaohua and Little Yellow cleared Licu Valley of black mist and discovered a hidden passage inside the stone wall. Deep underground, they encountered a white, mist-like creature that could evade Little Yellow and smash through Zhang Xiaohua’s defensive barriers, leaving them under attack.

• Little Yellow absorbed the black mist throughout Licu Valley while Zhang Xiaohua collected ancient plants and Ghost-Faced Mushrooms from the valley’s end.
• Little Yellow uncovered black mist seeping from the stone wall, and Zhang Xiaohua used a Jade Incantation to enter the passage hidden inside it.
• Guided by Little Yellow, Zhang Xiaohua reached a mountain cave and followed the mist-filled descending passage, replenishing his defensive barrier as it corroded.
• A white, mist-like creature attacked Zhang Xiaohua, and his sword and Zhuimeng passed through it without effect.
• Little Yellow tried to draw in the creature but could not hold it; after it shattered Zhang Xiaohua’s barrier, he formed another, and the creature charged again.

Zhang Xiaohua and Little Yellow defeated a white creature with fire talismans and Little Yellow’s radiance, then reached a cave where black mist poured from a hidden source. Zhang Xiaohua found a black bead and used the Eye of Delusion Breaking to discover that the mist came from a jet of black qi running underground.

• Zhang Xiaohua weakened the white creature with repeated fire talismans until Little Yellow sucked it into its belly.
• Little Yellow led Zhang Xiaohua through the cleared passage to a blood-red stone door and squeezed into the cave beyond.
• Zhang Xiaohua opened the door, entered the cave, and found Little Yellow consuming black mist beside a platform holding strange objects.
• Zhang Xiaohua found a black bead beneath a small furnace and stored it in his money pouch after it failed to suppress the rising mist.
• Zhang Xiaohua used the Eye of Delusion Breaking and saw a thin line of black qi running down from above and continuing underground.

Zhang Xiaohua found the Ghost-Faced Mushroom and other rare plants in the cavern, while Xiaohei chose to stay behind and feed on the mysterious black qi. Zhang Xiaohua explored another passage and discovered a vast hall carved entirely from a single block of white jade.

• Xiaohei used the Eye of Delusion Breaking to find and absorb the black qi emerging from the platform.
• Zhang Xiaohua harvested the Ghost-Faced Mushroom and the other strange plants in the cavern.
• Xiaohei insisted on staying behind to feed on the black qi, and Zhang Xiaohua left the stone door open before departing.
• At a fork in the passage, Zhang Xiaohua chose the other route, hoping to find a chance for Xiaohei.
• Zhang Xiaohua opened a doorway carved from white jade and found a hall whose walls, furnishings, ceiling, and floor appeared to be carved from one enormous piece of jade.

Zhang Xiaohua explored the jade hall and discovered strange primordial energy around it, which led him into an illusion array. The illusion tested his feelings for Meng and Nie Qianyu before he rejected its demand to kill Nie Qianyu, shattering the scene and revealing another sight.

• Zhang Xiaohua examined the three portraits and the jade doorway but found no treasures in the hall.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed primordial energy outside the jade hall and followed it through the mountain stone until he entered a dark space.
• Zhang Xiaohua found himself in an illusion of the riverside, appearing as his twelve-year-old self with Meng and Nie Qianyu before him.
• Meng accused Zhang Xiaohua of deceiving her about Nie Qianyu and demanded that he make Nie Qianyu disappear.
• Zhang Xiaohua refused to kill Nie Qianyu, and the illusion shattered like a Bronze Mirror, revealing a different scene.

In Heart Refining Cave, Peacock encountered the real Zhang Xiaohua after her illusion of Ren Xiaoyao vanished, and he showed her a reflection of the Heavenly Dao. Peacock gained a major breakthrough in the Fantian Cultivation Method and broke the formation, while Zhang Xiaohua remained in the starry illusion searching for Meng.

• Ren Xiaoyao vanished, and Peacock found Zhang Xiaohua in the starry illusion and embraced him as her husband.
• Zhang Xiaohua resisted Peacock’s advances at first, then decided to show her the Heavenly Dao rather than harm the illusion.
• Zhang Xiaohua reflected his realization across the starry sky, and Peacock studied it while circulating the Fantian Cultivation Method.
• Peacock reached the pinnacle of the Fantian Cultivation Method, declared that she understood, and broke the formation.
• Peacock kissed and bit Zhang Xiaohua before vanishing, and he heard someone call out, “Ren Xiaoyao, stop right there!!!”

Zhang Xiaohua guided Chen Chen through an illusion of the Heavenly Dao, and she emerged from Heart Refining Cave after improving her Fantian Cultivation Method. Abbess Jingfan congratulated Chen Chen and Peacock for passing, then revealed that successful candidates could receive the Incense-Passing Cult’s inheritance, surprising them both.

• In the illusion, Chen Chen accused Zhang Xiaohua of betraying her, then reconciled with him as he promised to show her the Heavenly Dao.
• Zhang Xiaohua connected with the illusion array, and Chen Chen contemplated the changing stars while circulating the Fantian Cultivation Method.
• Chen Chen emerged from the illusion after gaining insight, kissed Zhang Xiaohua, and disappeared from his vision, leaving a golden-threaded trace of blood on her finger.
• Chen Chen found Peacock outside Heart Refining Cave, and they learned that only they had emerged before the cave closed at dawn.
• Abbess Jingfan arrived and celebrated the two disciples’ success, then explained that passing the trial could earn them a chance to receive the Incense-Passing Cult’s inheritance.
• Chen Chen and Peacock reacted in disbelief to Abbess Jingfan’s revelation.

Zhang Xiaohua escaped Licu Valley after overcoming its illusion array and found Zhang Ping'er waiting anxiously outside. He gave her the Ghost-Faced Mushroom he had picked, leaving its fate to her decision.

• Zhang Xiaohua dismissed the illusionary Chen Chen and Peacock, searched the array for Meng and Nie Qianyu, then opened a passage and flew out.
• Zhang Ping'er waited outside Licu Valley with Shui Linglong, convinced that Ren Xiaoyao would survive despite Shui Linglong's warnings.
• Zhang Xiaohua emerged after more than six hours, and Zhang Ping'er rushed into his arms in relief.
• Shui Linglong reminded Zhang Ping'er to mind her conduct, and Zhang Xiaohua reassured both women that he had survived the dangers inside.
• Zhang Xiaohua presented Zhang Ping'er and Shui Linglong with a Ghost-Faced Mushroom, and Zhang Ping'er said that finding one was enough despite Mei Suhua's demand.

Abbess Jingfan discovered that Chen Chen and Peacock had made extraordinary breakthroughs in the Fantian Cultivation Method after leaving the Heart Refining Cave. As Zhang Xiaohua examined his strange finds, Abbess Jingfan rushed to report the news to the Cult Master, who learned that both disciples had greatly advanced.

• Abbess Jingfan examined Chen Chen and confirmed that she had reached major completion in the Fantian Cultivation Method after escaping the Heart Refining Cave.
• Peacock revealed that her Fantian Cultivation Method had reached great perfection, astonishing Abbess Jingfan and Chen Chen.
• Abbess Jingfan hurried to report the two disciples' breakthroughs to the Cult Master, while Chen Chen privately remembered her romantic illusion involving Zhang Xiaohua.
• Zhang Xiaohua sealed away the mysterious black bead and stored the strange herbs, suspecting that the black vapor they encountered was a form of Primordial Qi.
• The Cult Master asked Abbess Jingfan whether Peacock and Chen Chen had emerged from the array with greatly advanced cultivation methods.

The Incense-Passing Cult’s leaders discussed the dwindling resources sustaining their Immortal Path inheritance and their fears about Huanxu, then completed the direct selection and named three successful disciples. As the new inheritors prepared for the ceremony, Vice Hall Master Yin learned that Mei Suhua had used Licu Valley and hurried to investigate.

• The Cult Master and elders celebrated the successful selection but worried about the cult’s declining Primordial Qi, its weakening protections, infiltrators, and strange activity in Huanxu.
• At dawn, Zhang Xiaohua woke as the Heart Refining Cave released its disciples and the Cult Master recovered a black shadow from the cave entrance.
• Abbess Jingyi learned that Yuyan had also passed the selection and instructed her, Peacock, and Chen Chen to prepare for the inheritance ceremony.
• Hall Master Huo told Vice Hall Master Yin that Mei Suhua had used Licu Valley, prompting Yin to return and investigate.

Mei Suhua’s Licu Valley test nearly led everyone to believe Ren Xiaoyao had died, but Zhang Ping’er revealed that he had survived and gathered a five-hundred-year-old Ghost-Faced Mushroom. Ren Xiaoyao became an official pill-refining disciple of Lihuo Hall, and his report that the ghost mist had vanished prompted Vice Hall Master Yin to order an investigation.

• Vice Hall Master Yin questioned Mei Suhua about sending Ren Xiaoyao into Licu Valley, and Han Zhuoqi realized Mei Suhua had used her testing instructions to send him there.
• Zhang Ping’er complained that Mei Suhua had set an impossible thousand-year-old Ghost-Faced Mushroom requirement, then revealed that Ren Xiaoyao had survived and found a five-hundred-year-old one.
• Vice Hall Master Yin ruled that Ren Xiaoyao had passed the test and announced that he was now an official pill-refining disciple of Lihuo Hall.
• Ren Xiaoyao described gathering herbs in Licu Valley and reported that its black ghost mist had dispersed, so Vice Hall Master Yin sent Han Zhuoqi to confirm the change and report it to Mocu Palace.
• Vice Hall Master Yin told Ren Xiaoyao to follow the Cult’s rules and begin by guarding the herb gardens.

Zhang Xiaohua settled into his new Medicinal Garden while Zhang Ping'er grew increasingly affectionate toward him, provoking jealousy among the disciples who expected Yue Zhuoqun to return and challenge him. The chapter ended with a disciple reporting that Third Brother had been gone for days, startling a man reading in a grand hall.

• Zhang Ping'er and Zhang Xiaohua joked together on their way to his Medicinal Garden, while passing disciples gossiped jealously about their closeness and Yue Zhuoqun.
• Zhang Ping'er urged Zhang Xiaohua to study herb cultivation and invited him to eat with her at noon, leaving him unsure how to handle her growing affection.
• Zhang Xiaohua studied a booklet of martial methods for using Essence Stones to nourish medicinal herbs and recognized their similarity to his own methods.
• Several disciples insulted Zhang Xiaohua as they passed his garden, and he silently wondered who understood his feelings.
• A disciple told a middle-aged man in a grand hall that Third Brother had not returned for days, and the man reacted with surprise.

Xi Mujun learned that Yue Zhuoqun had been missing for several days and sought reassurance from Abbess Jinggang, who also promised to pursue his request with the Cult Master. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua practiced nourishing spiritual herbs with a yuanstone and headed to a hidden hot spring, where he froze upon emerging.

• A disciple told Xi Mujun that Yue Zhuoqun had not returned for days, but Xi Mujun first dismissed the concern before going to see Abbess Jinggang.
• Abbess Jinggang discussed the direct selection and the Cult Master's power, then told Xi Mujun she would keep pursuing his request with the Cult Master.
• Xi Mujun left pleased and promised to send people to find Yue Zhuoqun for Abbess Jinggang.
• Zhang Xiaohua used a yuanstone to irrigate the medicinal field and noticed that much of its qi was wasted.
• Zhang Xiaohua used Earth Escape to reach a hidden hot spring he had found beneath the mountain, then froze as he emerged beside it.

Zhang Xiaohua unexpectedly reunited with Meng while she bathed in a hidden hot spring, and the encounter brought his newly forming Way of Cause and Effect into focus. After they spoke of their reunion and Master Jingxuan’s murder, Zhang Xiaohua vowed to find her killer, though Meng urged him not to shoulder the task alone.

• Zhang Xiaohua emerged into a hidden hot spring and recognized Meng by her voice before she turned to face him.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Meng joyfully reunited after five years apart, and Zhang Xiaohua realized that fate had guided him to her as his Way of Cause and Effect formed into a gigantic palm.
• After Meng dressed, Zhang Xiaohua asked about Master Jingxuan and learned she had been murdered by an unknown person close to her.
• Zhang Xiaohua reconsidered his hostility toward the Incense-Passing Cult because Master Jingxuan had once saved his life.
• Zhang Xiaohua swore to find and kill Master Jingxuan’s murderer, and Meng covered his mouth and urged him not to take on the burden alone.

Zhang Xiaohua and Meng reunited on Yi Xiang Peak and exchanged stories about the years they had been apart. Meng accepted Zhang Xiaohua’s ring and promised to visit him the next day, while he learned that Zhong Pei had been killed by divine lightning.

• Meng explained that Master Jingxuan’s grave was on the back mountain and that she had not yet been formally accepted as a Mocu Palace disciple.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Meng realized they had both been at You Lan Grand Canyon during the same dangerous escape with Chen Chen.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Meng what had happened since they parted, leaving out his involvement with Nie Qianyu.
• Meng told Zhang Xiaohua that Zhong Pei had been struck dead by lightning inside Mocu Palace a few days earlier.
• Zhang Xiaohua gave Meng the ring he had found, and she accepted it on her Nameless Finger.
• Meng said she would visit Zhang Xiaohua at the Medicinal Garden the next day, then leaped back toward the mountaintop.

Abbess Jingyi brought Peacock, Chen Chen, and Rain Swallow into the Incense-Passing Cult’s inheritance Secret Chamber and explained the trials for receiving its Immortal Path inheritance. The three disciples entered the outer chamber to choose cultivation techniques, with eighteen days to reach the introductory stage before they could proceed.

• Abbess Jingyi opened the hidden courtyard and revealed the inheritance Secret Chamber beneath a mound.
• Abbess Jingyi explained that the first disciple to receive the inheritance would become a candidate for the next Cult Master, while the others could become elder or Hall Master candidates.
• Abbess Jingyi warned that Immortal Path cultivation differed from martial cultivation and estimated Chen Chen and Peacock had a thirty percent chance, while Rain Swallow had less than ten percent.
• Abbess Jingyi gave the disciples eighteen days to find suitable techniques, memorize their introductions, and practice inside the Secret Chamber.
• Peacock, Chen Chen, and Rain Swallow entered the cave and found a small study with a bookshelf of thin booklets and a glowing round wall.

Peacock, Chen Chen, and Yuyan chose cultivation manuals in the hilltop study while Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Ping'er encountered Senior Brother Xi on the mountain path. Senior Brother Xi questioned Zhang Xiaohua about Yue Zhuoqun's disappearance and left with a warning, while Zhang Ping'er worried about what Zhang Xiaohua had concealed.

• Peacock invited Chen Chen and Yuyan to choose cultivation manuals alongside her, and the three selected different booklets and began studying them.
• Zhang Xiaohua teased Zhang Ping'er on the path, caught her when she ran into him, and Senior Brother Xi appeared as they stood close together.
• Senior Brother Xi mocked Zhang Ping'er and asked what Yue Zhuoqun would think of her closeness with Zhang Xiaohua.
• Zhang Ping'er explained that Yue Zhuoqun had once comforted her but that she had not seen him since Zhang Xiaohua arrived at Lihuo Hall.
• Senior Brother Xi asked Zhang Xiaohua whether he had seen Yue Zhuoqun at Yi Xiang Peak, Licu Valley, or the Medicinal Garden, and Zhang Xiaohua denied it.
• Senior Brother Xi warned them not to be involved if anything had happened to Yue Zhuoqun, then floated up the mountain.