Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaohua learned about Xi Mujun and Yue Zhuoqun from Zhang Ping'er, then reunited with Meng at the Medicinal Garden. Meng reassured Zhang Ping'er about her relationship with Zhang Xiaohua, while their conversation revealed Xi Mujun was investigating Yue Zhuoqun’s disappearance; the day ended with Zhang Xiaohua puzzled by Meng’s attitude toward Zhang Ping'er.

• Zhang Ping'er explained that Xi Mujun was Great Elder Jing Gang’s chief disciple and described Yue Zhuoqun’s influence, then warned Zhang Xiaohua that Yue might retaliate over the Four Unlike.
• Zhang Xiaohua met Meng at the Medicinal Garden, and Zhang Ping'er realized they had known each other for years and tearfully prepared to leave.
• Meng told Zhang Ping'er that she and Zhang Xiaohua were only old acquaintances and suggested Zhang Ping'er suited him, leaving Zhang Ping'er with renewed hope.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Meng that Xi Mujun had questioned and threatened him about Yue Zhuoqun’s disappearance, and Meng explained that powerful disciples could evade the cult’s rules.
• Meng warned Zhang Xiaohua that he was too weak to challenge people like Yue Zhuoqun, and the two spent the rest of the day together while Zhang Ping'er stayed away.

After learning that Zixia had rejected him and might marry Senior Brother Xi, Zhang Xiaohua rushed toward Yi Xiang Peak to see her. Zhang Ping'er enlisted Han Zhuoqi to stop him, and they spotted him approaching the mountain path with an unfinished sword.

• Zhang Xiaohua waited anxiously for Meng, then learned from a Mocu Palace disciple that Zixia had sent word ending their relationship and that Senior Brother Xi had proposed marriage to her.
• Zhang Xiaohua decided to fight his way onto Yi Xiang Peak, recalling his promise to Meng, while Zhang Ping'er tried to restrain him.
• Zhang Ping'er chased after Zhang Xiaohua and recruited Han Zhuoqi to help stop him before he reached Yi Xiang Peak.
• Zhang Ping'er and Han Zhuoqi spotted Zhang Xiaohua walking toward the main mountain path with an unfinished long sword.

Zhang Xiaohua pressed on toward Yi Xiang Peak to find Meng, while Zhang Ping'er and Han Zhuoqi tried to stop him. After defeating Han Zhuoqi’s attacks without hurting her, he continued onward, leaving her stunned by his martial arts.

• Zhang Ping'er persuaded Han Zhuoqi to help stop Zhang Xiaohua, explaining that she wanted to prevent him from committing a capital offense and hoped to reunite him with Meng.
• Han Zhuoqi called for Zhang Xiaohua to stop, but he refused and said he had to reach Yi Xiang Peak to clear up his misunderstanding with Meng.
• Han Zhuoqi attacked Zhang Xiaohua with her bell-bearing red ribbon, but he resisted its disorienting chimes and knocked the bells away with the Prajna Heavy Sword.
• Han Zhuoqi blocked Zhang Xiaohua's path and attacked with her ribbon, but he bound the weapon around his sword, took it from her, and dropped it beside the path.
• When Han Zhuoqi struck at Zhang Xiaohua with a fist charged with Internal Energy, he redirected her force and floated past her, convincing her that she was no match for him.

Zhang Xiaohua openly advanced onto Yi Xiang Peak to reach Meng, while Han Zhuoqi and Zhang Ping'er followed after arranging to notify Lihuo Hall’s leaders. The chapter ended with Zhang Xiaohua striking the peak’s guarding formation as the disciples rushed to confront him.

• Han Zhuoqi admitted that Zhang Xiaohua’s martial arts were beyond her ability to stop, and Zhang Ping'er feared the Ruijin Hall guards and Yue Zhuoqun would endanger him.
• Han Zhuoqi sent disciples to alert the Lihuo Hall leaders and went after Zhang Xiaohua with Zhang Ping'er.
• Zhang Xiaohua chose to storm Yi Xiang Peak openly, intending to show he was worthy of Meng while concealing his deeper abilities.
• Senior Brother Wei recognized Zhang Xiaohua and realized he was heading uphill, then encountered Han Zhuoqi and Zhang Ping'er pursuing him.
• A thunderous rumble alerted the disciples that someone was attacking the guarding formation, and they rushed uphill to find Zhang Xiaohua striking it with his sword.

Zhang Xiaohua forced his way through the formations guarding Yi Xiang Peak and fought off Senior Brother Wei and the disciples sent to stop him. After defeating Senior Brother Wei again, he left him immobilized and continued his charge up the mountain.

• Zhang Xiaohua tore open the formation at the boundary of Lihuo Hall and crossed into the territory beyond it.
• Senior Brother Wei pursued Zhang Xiaohua and attacked him with a sword, but Zhang Xiaohua struck him in the chest and sent him flying without killing him.
• Senior Brother Wei ordered the disciples to surround Zhang Xiaohua, sent someone to report the breach, and launched a signal flare.
• Zhang Xiaohua broke one disciple's sword, kicked two others aside, and continued up the mountain as Han Zhuoqi and Zhang Ping'er watched.
• Senior Brother Wei caught up with Zhang Xiaohua, who dodged his sword attack and tapped a major acupoint on his chest, defeating him again.

Ren Xiaoyao smashed his way up Yi Xiang Peak, breaking the swords of Ruijin Hall’s guards as he sought to reach Mocu Palace and speak to Zixia. After Martial Uncle Ming learned that Ren Xiaoyao was challenging the mountain for her, he refused to let him pass, and Ren Xiaoyao attacked.

• Ren Xiaoyao took Senior Brother Wei’s waist token, broke his sword, and continued up the mountain.
• Senior Brother Huo and another peak guard tried to stop Ren Xiaoyao, but he broke their swords and sent Huo flying.
• Martial Uncle Ming rebuked his disciples for underestimating Ren Xiaoyao and tried to persuade him to explain why he was breaking through the mountain.
• Ren Xiaoyao said he wanted to see Zixia and deliver a message to her, then learned that Senior Brother Xi was heading to Mocu Palace.
• Martial Uncle Ming refused to let Ren Xiaoyao pass because he would not interfere with Senior Brother Xi’s affair, so Ren Xiaoyao attacked and knocked Ming’s soft sword back toward him.

Zhang Xiaohua defeated Martial Uncle Ming in their duel but agreed to pass through the remaining halls by winning at three checkpoints. Martial Uncle Ming’s arrangement gave Ruijin Hall time to prepare its strongest fighters before Zhang Xiaohua continued toward Mocu Palace.

• Zhang Xiaohua countered Martial Uncle Ming’s soft-sword techniques and endured his attacks with the protection of his long robe.
• Zhang Xiaohua seized Martial Uncle Ming’s soft sword between two fingers, forcing him to concede the round and ask for its release.
• Zhang Xiaohua demanded that Martial Uncle Ming let him proceed, and Martial Uncle Ming offered passage through Qingmu Hall in exchange for three fights at the restrictions of Rou Shui Hall, Ruijin Hall, and Mocu Palace.
• Martial Uncle Ming asked Zhang Xiaohua to wait while the halls prepared, and Zhang Xiaohua agreed without realizing the delay would give Ruijin Hall time to summon its strongest opponents.

Kong Que realized that the Inheritance Secret Chamber’s Five Elements Spirit Gathering Formation required each disciple to sit beneath Origin Stones matching her cultivation method, and she repositioned Chen Chen and Yu Yan. As the three resumed cultivation, Abbess Jingyi worried that the inheritance would fail, while Great Elder Jinggang arrived to ask about a matter she had raised earlier.

• Kong Que spent thirteen days unable to sense Primordial Qi and concluded that the Origin Stones embedded in the chamber walls formed a Five Elements Spirit Gathering Formation.
• Kong Que recognized that she, Chen Chen, and Yu Yan were seated beneath Origin Stones mismatched with their cultivation methods, so she exchanged places with Chen Chen and directed Yu Yan beneath a golden Origin Stone.
• Chen Chen and Yu Yan followed Kong Que’s directions, and the three began cultivating again from their new positions.
• Abbess Jingyi worried that the disciples would fail the inheritance if they did not emerge by the next day.
• Great Elder Jinggang arrived at Mocu Palace and asked Abbess Jingyi what she had decided about a matter raised earlier.

Abbess Jinggang pressed Abbess Jingyi about Xi Mujun’s courtship of Meng, while Xi Mujun met Meng and offered her the Purple Phoenix Hairpin. Meng revealed that she loved someone from her past, leaving Xi Mujun jealous but still intent on winning her over.

• Abbess Jinggang asked Abbess Jingyi about Xi Mujun and Meng, and Abbess Jingyi said Meng had seemed uninterested but agreed to let them meet and discuss it.
• Abbess Jingyi warned Abbess Jinggang to control Yue Zhuoqun, who had disappeared, then decided to visit Meng with her.
• Xi Mujun declared his feelings to Meng and offered her the Purple Phoenix Hairpin as a token of faith.
• Meng accused Xi Mujun of involving Abbess Jinggang and Abbess Jingyi to pressure her, and he insisted he would honor any conditions she set.
• Meng told Xi Mujun that someone else had long been in her heart, describing him as an ordinary person and an old acquaintance.
• Xi Mujun concealed his jealousy and urged Meng to leave her memories behind and look toward the future.

Meng tried to persuade Xi Mujun to help uncover the truth about Master Jingxuan’s murder, while Peacock discovered a way to draw in Primordial Qi in the Inheritance Secret Chamber. The chapter ended with Chen Chen and Yuyan thanking Peacock after they also succeeded in cultivating.

• Meng told Xi Mujun that she wanted his help investigating Master Jingxuan’s murder and suggested the Cult Master had neglected the case.
• Xi Mujun offered Meng the Purple Phoenix Hairpin, but just as she struggled to accept it, someone outside shouted, “You audacious girl!!!”
• Peacock recalled the Fantian Cultivation Method and connected her thoughts about Zhang Xiaohua’s manifested Heavenly Dao to the starry sky in the Inheritance Secret Chamber.
• Peacock formed a formless state containing a thread of the Heavenly Dao and drew Primordial Qi into herself.
• Chen Chen and Yuyan sensed the Primordial Qi drawn by Peacock and began cultivating with it, while the primordial stones dimmed.
• Peacock, Chen Chen, and Yuyan opened their eyes, and Chen Chen and Yuyan thanked Peacock for helping them succeed.

Peacock, Chen Chen, and Yan emerged from the Inheritance Palace after receiving the Incense-Passing Cult’s inheritance and went to notify their elders. Meanwhile, Abbess Jingyi confronted Zixia over her accusations and urged her to choose Xi Mujun, leaving Zixia’s decision unresolved.

• Peacock, Chen Chen, and Yan thanked Peacock for helping them understand Primordial Qi and discussed their shared inheritance.
• Peacock led Chen Chen and Yan out of the Inheritance Palace, and the three headed toward Zixia after sending word to their masters.
• Abbess Jingyi arrived as Zixia and Xi Mujun discussed the Cult Master, then accused Zixia of speaking against the cult.
• Zixia defended her wish to avenge her master, and Abbess Jingyi challenged her for disregarding the feelings of the man she had left behind and doubting the cult’s efforts.
• Abbess Jingyi said Xi Mujun was a better match for Zixia and urged her to choose her own path without regret, while Xi Mujun waited eagerly for her answer.

Meng accepted the Purple Phoenix Hairpin, but Ren Xiaoyao stormed Yi Xiang Peak to find her and was badly injured. As Meng begged for his life, Abbess Jingyi told her to put down the hairpin, then heard Peacock, Chen Chen, and Rain Swallow arrive after receiving the inheritance.

• Meng reached for the Purple Phoenix Hairpin after thanking Abbess Jingyi for respecting her choice.
• A disciple reported that Ren Xiaoyao had fought his way up Yi Xiang Peak and was facing Uncle Hu near Ruijin Hall.
• The disciple relayed Ren Xiaoyao's message to Meng, who learned that Ren was badly injured and begged Abbess Jingyi and Xi Mujun to stop the fighting.
• Abbess Jingyi told Meng to put down the Purple Phoenix Hairpin and wait until she had calmed down before taking it again.
• Abbess Jingyi heard footsteps outside and called out to Peacock, Chen Chen, and Rain Swallow, asking whether they had received the inheritance.

Abbess Jingyi learned that Ren Xiaoyao had forced his way onto Yi Xiang Peak to see Meng and stop her from accepting Xi Mujun’s betrothal token. As Peacock and Chen Chen recognized Ren Xiaoyao as Zhang Xiaohua, the Cult Master ordered his records and went to meet him, while Ren faced Huben on the mountain path.

• Chen Chen arrived with Peacock and Rain Swallow, and Abbess Jingyi welcomed them after realizing Peacock had obtained an inheritance.
• Abbess Jingyi revealed that Ren Xiaoyao had stormed Yi Xiang Peak to stop Meng from accepting Xi Mujun’s betrothal token.
• Peacock and Chen Chen recognized Ren Xiaoyao as the medicine boy they knew, and Meng denied that he had ever told her of a betrothal.
• Abbess Jingyi ordered a disciple to fetch Ren Xiaoyao’s records and headed to meet him after learning he had reached Ruijin Hall.
• Ren Xiaoyao faced Huben on the main mountain path, refused to surrender, and prepared to fight.

Zhang Xiaohua fought Huben at Yi Xiang Peak while concealing his Immortal cultivation, and Meng watched anxiously from above. As Zhang Xiaohua began to fall behind, Meng declared that she understood why he had come and would not live if he died.

• Huben attacked Zhang Xiaohua with his Blunt Copper Rod, and their first clash worsened Zhang Xiaohua’s earlier injuries.
• Zhang Xiaohua used the Nameless Sword Technique to fight Huben, who countered his moves with powerful strikes.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed Abbess Jingyi’s divine sense and spotted Meng among the masked women watching the battle.
• Huben and Zhang Xiaohua traded blows, revealing that Huben had a body-tempering art and was holding back with the Magic Wave Staff Technique.
• Peacock observed that Huben was yielding to Zhang Xiaohua, while Meng grew pale as Zhang Xiaohua began to lose ground.
• Meng told Zhang Xiaohua that she understood his intentions and would never live alone if he died.

Zhang Xiaohua defeated Huben with three brutal blows, but Abbess Jingyi ordered Meng to go to the Cliff of Mutual Devotion and then sent Xi Mujun to stop Zhang Xiaohua. As Xi Mujun’s deadly sword thrust closed in, Zhang Xiaohua suspected Abbess Jingyi was testing him and chose to keep his hidden powers concealed.

• Zhang Xiaohua struck Huben three times with the Prajna Heavy Sword, destroying Huben’s weapon and winning the match despite suffering severe injuries.
• Huben praised Zhang Xiaohua and Meng, declared Zhang Xiaohua the winner, and limped away.
• Abbess Jingyi ordered Meng to go to the Cliff of Mutual Devotion, promising to spare Zhang Xiaohua if Meng died; Meng accepted and left.
• Abbess Jingyi sent Xi Mujun to take the final pass, and Xi Mujun confronted Zhang Xiaohua with a sword strike that seemed impossible to evade.
• Zhang Xiaohua considered using his divine sense or the Dragon Binding Ring, but Abbess Jingyi’s attention shifted toward him, so he suspected she was testing him and braced for Xi Mujun’s strike without revealing his powers.

Zhang Xiaohua survived Xi Mujun’s attack when Abbess Jingyi stopped the sword with her divine sense, then was brought before the Cult Master in Mocu Palace. He learned that Meng had jumped from the Cliff of Mutual Devotion to protect him, leaving her fate uncertain.

• Abbess Jingyi used her divine sense to halt Xi Mujun’s sword and ordered him to spare Zhang Xiaohua.
• Abbess Jingyi summoned Zhang Xiaohua and the others to Mocu Palace and ordered disciples to check whether Zixia had survived her leap.
• Abbess Jingyi questioned Zhang Xiaohua about his identity and why he had entered the Incense-Passing Cult under false pretenses.
• Zhang Xiaohua offered to explain himself but asked to see Zixia first, insisting he had stormed Yi Xiang Peak to clear up her misunderstanding.
• Abbess Jingyi revealed that Zixia had jumped from the Cliff of Mutual Devotion to prevent the cult from punishing Zhang Xiaohua, and he realized why his life had been spared.

Zhang Xiaohua believed Meng had died and nearly attacked Abbess Jingyi, but Meng appeared alive and reunited with him. After he explained his search for her and their mutual feelings, Abbess Jingyi accepted their story and hinted that she had understood what Meng’s jump from the Cliff of Mutual Devotion meant.

• Zhang Xiaohua, despairing over Meng’s supposed death, struck himself and advanced toward Abbess Jingyi to challenge her.
• Meng appeared at the hall doors, and Zhang Xiaohua ran to her and clasped her hand despite Abbess Jingyi’s disapproval.
• Zhang Xiaohua explained that he had fought his way onto Yi Xiang Peak to clear up the misunderstanding about Nie Qianyu, and Meng said she had never doubted his feelings.
• Abbess Jingyi asked about Zhang Xiaohua’s journey, prompting him to recount how he had searched for Meng and eventually entered the Incense-Passing Cult.
• Meng confirmed that she had missed Zhang Xiaohua, and Abbess Jingyi believed their story despite Abbess Jinggang’s doubts.

Zhang Xiaohua learned that he and Meng had passed the first two Trials of Affection, but he still had to survive a deadly test in the Trial Forest to marry her. Despite his injuries and the danger, he agreed to enter immediately, leaving Meng anxiously behind.

• Abbess Jingyi accepted Zhang Xiaohua without investigating his background, but Peacock explained that he had to pass three trials to marry Meng.
• Peacock revealed that Zhang Xiaohua had passed the first trial by storming Yi Xiang Peak, while Meng had passed the second by leaping from the Cliff of Mutual Devotion.
• Chen Chen explained that the third trial required Zhang Xiaohua to kill one hundred Blood Wolves in the Trial Forest within three incense sticks, though the beasts there had recently been hunted nearly to extinction.
• Abbess Jingyi insisted that Zhang Xiaohua take the trial at once, and Meng urged him not to risk his life; he reassured her and was led away to the Trial Forest.
• After Zhang Xiaohua left, Chen Chen teased Meng about whether he had held or kissed her before.

Abbess Jingyi explained why kindness had to stay within the Incense-Passing Cult’s rules, while Meng anxiously awaited Zhang Xiaohua’s return. Zhang Xiaohua passed the final Trial of Affection, and Abbess Jingyi permitted him and Zixia to be together, though his next steps remained uncertain.

• Abbess Jingyi warned Abbess Xuezhen that granting exceptions to the Three Trials of Affection would undermine the cult’s rules and threaten the Incense-Passing Cult.
• Abbess Jingyi told the disciples to keep the secret of the inheritance Secret Chamber, lest others disrupt the cultivation opportunities there.
• Meng waited anxiously until Ruijin Hall disciples arrived with blood wolf tails, and Zhang Xiaohua entered Mocu Palace shortly afterward.
• Zhang Xiaohua reported that he had killed exactly one hundred blood wolves, completing the final trial ahead of time.
• Abbess Jingyi permitted Zhang Xiaohua and Zixia to be together, and Zhang Xiaohua prepared to leave for Lihuo Hall to recover.

Ren Xiaoyao became an honorary Protector disciple of Mocu Palace, and Peacock persuaded Abbess Jingyi to reduce Hui Chun Valley’s punishment for helping him enter the Incense-Passing Cult. The chapter ended with Xi Mujun telling Abbess Jinggang that he had seen Ren Xiaoyao acting intimately with Zhang Ping'er.

• Abbess Jingyi appointed Ren Xiaoyao a Protector disciple of Mocu Palace, with no authority over the other halls.
• Ren Xiaoyao admitted that he had misled Valley Master Nie, and Abbess Jingyi said Hui Chun Valley would be punished for breaking the rules.
• Peacock argued that Hui Chun Valley’s actions had led to Ren Xiaoyao and Zixia meeting, and Abbess Jingyi agreed to reduce the punishment while making Ren Xiaoyao bear part of it.
• Disciples arranged a secluded courtyard for Ren Xiaoyao near Meng’s residence as he recovered from his injuries.
• Abbess Jinggang urged Xi Mujun to accept that Zixia would be with Ren Xiaoyao, and Xi Mujun warned that Zhuo Qun might have caused trouble.
• Xi Mujun told Abbess Jinggang that he had seen Ren Xiaoyao walking intimately with Zhang Ping'er.