Chapter Summaries

Little White endured a fourth, green heavenly thunderbolt as its tribulation intensified, while Xiao Hua absorbed part of the lightning. Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo arrived at Huanghua Ridge to seize Little White’s inner core, but the final strike and Little White’s dragon roar left them reeling.

• Little White sent a dark gold radiance into Xiao Hua, then used its inner core to block the third heavenly thunderbolt and completed its transformation into a dragon.
• Xiao Yuehong sensed the tribulation at Xihua Peak but could neither investigate nor use his magical power beneath the clouds.
• Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo reached Huanghua Ridge and discussed taking Little White’s inner core to refine a Python Dragon Pill.
• When half of each thunderbolt had been absorbed by Xiao Hua, the tribulation produced a fourth, green heavenly thunderbolt, and the three cultivators took positions around Huanghua Ridge.
• The final thunderbolt struck as Little White roared, breaking the Innate Divine Restriction and knocking Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo out of the sky until their treasures steadied them.

After Little White Dragon survived the heavenly tribulation and began rebuilding its body from Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo tried to seize its inner core. Their attacks instead fed its transformation, so True Person Liukong brought out the Dragon Slaying Sword and demanded a larger share of the spoils.

• Little White Dragon endured four bolts of heavenly lightning, emerged with an intact incorporeal dragon body, and swallowed its shattered inner core.
• Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo flew to Xihua Peak and discovered Little White Dragon solidifying as it absorbed Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
• Xunyunzi attacked with the Soul-Snatching Chain Bells, but Little White Dragon appeared unaffected by their sound.
• Fairy Yingzhuo used Jian Si Tian Lei to cast a thread-net over Little White Dragon, but the net vanished and strengthened its body instead.
• Xunyunzi realized their spiritual attacks were helping Little White Dragon, while True Person Liukong drew his Dragon Slaying Sword and demanded fifty percent of the inner core.

True Person Liukong and Xunyunzi attacked Little White Dragon, while Xunyunzi killed the Shang Hua Ming sect master Xiao Yuehong when he appeared. As Liukong trapped Little White Dragon in a sword formation, Xunyunzi activated four jade talismans that ensnared them and began pulling the dragon’s inner core away.

• True Person Liukong used the Dragon Slaying Sword to wound Little White Dragon, while Xunyunzi’s four stones held the dragon in place.
• Xiao Yuehong emerged from the pill chamber and fled after spotting the three Nascent Soul cultivators attacking Little White Dragon.
• Xunyunzi attacked Xiao Yuehong with the Soul-Snatching Chain Bells, and he and Fairy Yingzhuo killed Xiao Yuehong with a net of spiritual energy.
• True Person Liukong shattered Little White Dragon’s damaged inner core and turned the sword fragments into a sword formation around him.
• Xunyunzi activated four jade talismans with his seals and natal True Essence, enclosing Little White Dragon and the sword formation in a spiritual net.
• Xunyunzi drew the dragon’s scattered inner core away from him with the net’s suction.

Little White Dragon exploded its gathered body to break the Dragon Slaying Sword formation and escaped as an essence soul, leaving Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo fighting to capture it. Xunyunzi lost the chase near Xihua Peak and attacked Gong Mingwei and Zhang Qingxiao after they spotted his Nascent Soul.

• Little White Dragon gathered Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, enlarged its body, and exploded, destroying many Dragon Slaying Swords and making True Person Liukong lose control of the formation.
• Little White Dragon’s essence soul fled north, absorbed Fairy Yingzhuo’s spiritual-qi net, and used its speed to pierce the jade talisman’s net despite Xunyunzi’s Soul Capturing Ring.
• Xunyunzi sent his Nascent Soul after Little White Dragon’s essence soul but lost its trail after pursuing it for a dozen or so li.
• Gong Mingwei and Zhang Qingxiao saw Xunyunzi’s Nascent Soul near Xihua Peak and mistook it for a baby or a Nascent Soul senior.
• Xunyunzi’s Nascent Soul struck Gong Mingwei and Zhang Qingxiao with Palm Thunders.

After killing two Shang Hua Ming disciples, Xunyunzi negotiated with True Person Liukong and Fairy Yingzhuo over Little White Dragon’s inner core and remains. He later searched for the Dragon Transformation Art without success, then destroyed Xihua Peak, burying Xiao Hua’s corpse beneath the rubble.

• Xunyunzi killed the two men who had fallen from Xiao Yuehong’s flying boat, while his Nascent Soul returned to his body.
• Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo argued over the inner core and agreed to divide Little White Dragon’s flesh and blood, with Xunyunzi refining Python Dragon Pills for them.
• Xunyunzi collected Little White Dragon’s remains in the Primordial Cauldron and distributed portions to True Person Liukong and Fairy Yingzhuo.
• After the others left, Xunyunzi revealed he had stayed behind under a spirit talisman and searched Xihua Peak and the surrounding area for the Dragon Transformation Art.
• Unable to find the art, Xunyunzi unleashed Palm Thunders that collapsed Xihua Peak and buried Xiao Hua’s charred corpse.

While Xiao Hua lay buried beneath Xihua Peak, Suo Guang revealed secrets about Light Escape and the Dragon Transformation Art. He eventually emerged alive, worried about Little White, and flew toward Minsi Peak to seek answers.

• Xunyunzi, True Person Liukong, and Fairy Yingzhuo searched the ruined Xihua Peak but found nothing and left.
• Inside Xiao Hua’s mental space, the Heavenly Dao Starry Sky appeared, and Suo Guang revealed that he must cultivate the Five Elements Evasion Techniques and temper his bones before learning Light Escape.
• Xiao Hua discovered that the snake-shaped ring had become a dragon tail and transmitted the Dragon Transformation Art to him, which he studied as Suo Guang’s golden shadow repeated its movements.
• After many days, Xiao Hua burst from the rubble, shed his charred skin, put on a Taoist robe, and found bloodstains on the ruined peak.
• Xiao Hua wondered whether Little White had survived its lightning tribulation and decided to ask the sect master about the disaster and his mental space.
• Xiao Hua flew toward Minsi Peak, where an unseen voice demanded to know who he was.

Xiao Hua returned to Huanghua Ridge and learned that the Hundred Herbs Sect had occupied Shang Hua Ming after its Sect Master and two senior brothers were reported dead. He found Xiao Xianrui alive at Minsi Peak, where the two reunited in grief.

• Two Hundred Herbs Sect disciples challenged Xiao Hua on Huanghua Ridge and claimed the territory belonged to their sect.
• Xiao Hua learned that the Sect Master and his two senior brothers had reportedly fallen, while Xiao Xianrui was alive and had returned more than a month earlier.
• Martial Uncle Xing ordered a disciple to take Xiao Hua to the Young Sect Master, who was with Xiao Xianrui at Minsi Peak.
• The Hundred Herbs Sect disciple led Xiao Hua to Shang Hua Ming's open Secret Chamber, where Xiao Xianrui recognized him and rushed into his arms, sobbing.

Xiao Hua returned to Huanghua Ridge and learned the full extent of the deaths that had befallen Shang Hua Ming. As Jiang Fan urged Xiao Xianrui and Xiao Hua to rebuild the sect together, Xiao Xianrui rejected the idea, pointing out that Xiao Hua had never officially been accepted into Shang Hua Ming.

• Xiao Hua found Xiao Xianrui grieving in his arms, and Jiang Fan comforted her and encouraged her to let out her sorrow.
• Jiang Fan questioned Xiao Hua about his absence and bald head, and Xiao Hua lied that he had searched for Zhe Wu Grass and lost his hair in a pill-refining accident.
• Xiao Hua entered the secret chamber, mourned before Xiao Yuehong and Gong Mingwei’s coffins, and found Zhang Qingxiao’s coffin empty.
• Jiang Fan explained that Zhang Qingxiao’s remains were never found and that Xiao Yuehong’s scattered remains had been gathered and placed in his coffin.
• Jiang Fan said Xiao Hua and Xiao Xianrui could support each other and rebuild Shang Hua Ming, but Xiao Xianrui refused, saying Xiao Hua had never been accepted into the sect.

Xiao Hua refused Jiang Fan’s offer to remain as a medicinal herb planting boy in the Hundred Herbs Sect and chose to leave Huanghua Ridge to seek his origins. Xiao Xianrui gave him talismans, Wutuodan, and the Peacock Illusion before Jiang Fan escorted him down the mountain.

• Xiao Xianrui explained that Xiao Hua had never formally joined Shang Hua Ming and asked Jiang Fan to take him into the Hundred Herbs Sect, but Jiang Fan could offer only a temporary position planting medicinal herbs.
• Xiao Xianrui warned Xiao Hua that staying meant relying on Jiang Fan’s protection, while leaving would end his ties to Shang Hua Ming; Xiao Hua chose to leave and seek his origins.
• Xiao Xianrui offered Xiao Hua her storage pouch, but he declined it and accepted talismans and Wutuodan passed to him by Jiang Fan.
• Xiao Xianrui gave Xiao Hua the Peacock Illusion as a birthday gift, recalling that the day marked three years since Xiao Yuehong had brought him to Huanghua Ridge.
• Xiao Hua left the secret chamber, and Jiang Fan ordered a disciple to open the grand formation so he could escort Xiao Hua down the mountain.

Xiao Hua left Huanghua Ridge after being expelled from Shang Hua Ming, enduring Jiang Fan’s test of his abilities and accepting Xiao Xianrui’s suggestion to seek entry into the Huanhua Sect. After evading the divine sense following him, he returned to the mountains and hid in a cave, where memories of Zhang Qingxiao and the others overwhelmed him.

• Jiang Fan flew ahead with Xiao Xianrui while Xiao Hua followed slowly, then a formation trapped him among deadly wind blades.
• Xiao Hua feigned helplessness until the disciple who had gone ahead opened a gap in the barrier and let him escape.
• Xiao Xianrui told Xiao Hua that the Huanhua Sect was recruiting disciples and pointed him toward it after reminding him that Shang Hua Ming was gone.
• Xiao Hua flew toward the Huanhua Sect until the divine sense tracking him disappeared, then turned back toward Huanghua Ridge at full speed.
• Xiao Hua found a concealed cave Zhang Qingxiao had once mentioned, blocked its entrance, and wept as memories of his former companions returned.

Xiao Hua suspected the Hundred Herbs Sect had destroyed Shang Hua Ming and resolved to grow stronger and seek new cultivation techniques. After leaving Huanghua Ridge, he found and stored Shang Hua Ming’s discarded deity statue as he flew toward the Huanhua Sect.

• Xiao Hua blamed the Hundred Herbs Sect for Xiao Yuehong’s death and planned to avenge Shang Hua Ming, while deciding to travel and cultivate rather than rely on Suo Guang for answers.
• Xiao Xianrui watched Xiao Hua depart, and Jiang Fan sent disciples to pursue him; they returned at night without finding him.
• Xiao Hua decided to seek spirit herbs, pills, and a complete cultivation technique, then chose to visit Hundred Zhang Peak for the Hundred Zhang Old Man’s Golden Core techniques.
• Xiao Hua left his cave, bowed nine times toward Huanghua Ridge, and flew toward the Huanhua Sect.
• Xiao Hua found the deity statue from Shang Hua Ming’s Inheritance Palace and stored it in the space in his mind.

Xiao Hua escaped the Hundred Herbs Sect’s search and traveled far from Huanghua Ridge, where he reflected on the dangers of cultivation and resolved to grow stronger. Examining Dragon Yu, he discovered that its meridians reacted to his touch and wondered whether his own unusual meridians were connected to his stalled cultivation, ending on a startling new idea.

• Jiang Fan realized Xiao Hua might have hidden near Huanghua Ridge and sent disciples to search there, while Xiao Hua decided not to risk bringing Xiao Xianrui with him.
• Xiao Hua flew toward the Huanhua Sect at great speed, evaded the Hundred Herbs Sect’s searches, and stopped beside a mountain stream to recover.
• Xiao Hua pondered the deaths of Xiao Yuehong and Little White, concluded that strength was necessary for freedom, and resolved to improve his cultivation steadily.
• Xiao Hua examined Dragon Yu, recognized it as a dragon-shaped ring missing its head, and recalled the incomplete Dragon Transformation Art it had transmitted to him.
• Xiao Hua found that Dragon Yu’s meridians twitched when he held it and wondered whether his own living, unusual meridians explained his difficulty advancing in cultivation.

Xiao Hua considered whether his meridians could cultivate the Dragon Transformation Art, then set the idea aside and weighed the obstacles to cultivating Light Evasion and preparing for a journey to Hundred Zhang Peak. When he heard fighting nearby, he hid and watched Jiang Huanchi attack Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue, demanding that they hand over an item.

• Xiao Hua wondered whether his meridians could cultivate the Dragon Transformation Art, but dismissed the idea as impractical.
• Xiao Hua realized that cultivating Light Evasion required unfamiliar evasion techniques and bone-tempering methods he did not possess.
• Xiao Hua planned to prepare for the journey to Hundred Zhang Peak and considered trading his century-old spirit herbs for more yellow talismans.
• Xiao Hua hid after hearing weapons clash and saw Jiang Huanchi fighting Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue in midair.
• Jiang Huanchi used Sword Manifesting Twin Splendors to corner Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue, then demanded that they hand over the item.

Xiao Hua watched Jiang Huanchi corner Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue before Qing Fengmin and Tianqi intervened to negotiate their survival. Jiang Huanchi agreed to consider sparing them in exchange for compensation, and the two began listing what they owned.

• Jiang Huanchi attacked Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue, but Qing Fengmin arrived with Tianqi cultivators and protected the pair with Water Condensation Talismans.
• Qing Fengmin learned that Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue had ambushed Jiang Huanchi by mistake, then fled and later fell into his hands again.
• Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue begged Qing Fengmin to save them and offered to join Tianqi, while he explained that its members were equal.
• A Tianqi cultivator proposed that Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue compensate Jiang Huanchi for their lives, and Qing Fengmin persuaded Jiang to consider the offer.
• Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue listed their spirit stones, herbs, and pills, but Jiang Huanchi dismissed the value of their possessions.

Qing Fengmin used a mysterious emerald-green object and the promise of Linglong Grass to persuade Jiang Huanchi to spare Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue. After the pair agreed to join Heavenforsaken, Qing Fengmin invited Xiao Hua to join as well, and began explaining how the group helped Rogue Cultivators.

• Qiao Fengyue and Han Fei offered Jiang Huanchi news of several-hundred-year-old Linglong Grass in exchange for their lives.
• Jiang Huanchi inspected their spirit herbs, while Qing Fengmin offered him a mysterious emerald-green object to strengthen the bargain.
• Jiang Huanchi accepted the object, heard the pair's information in private, and left after agreeing to spare them.
• Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue thanked Qing Fengmin and agreed to join Heavenforsaken.
• Qing Fengmin called Xiao Hua out from behind a tree and invited him to join Heavenforsaken too.
• Xiao Hua asked how members joined and supported one another, and Qing Fengmin began to explain what Rogue Cultivators lacked most.

Qing Fengmin explained that Heaven's Forsaken let Rogue Cultivators exchange cultivation techniques, and Xiao Hua weighed the benefits against the risks of revealing Shang Hua Ming's technique. Xiao Hua declined to join for now but agreed to travel with the group to Jingbo City, where Ma Dengsheng offered to help him.

• Qing Fengmin explained that Heaven's Forsaken required members to contribute their full cultivation techniques in exchange for access to the alliance's collection, with cultivators who hid part of their techniques punished by having their cultivation abolished.
• Han Fei and Qiao Fengyue agreed to join after learning that the alliance had techniques suitable for different bodily attributes, including techniques reaching Foundation Establishment and possibly Golden Core.
• Xiao Hua hesitated to reveal Shang Hua Ming's technique because of his attachment to it and fear that doing so could expose him to the Hundred Herbs Sect, so he asked for time to consider joining.
• Qing Fengmin invited Xiao Hua to travel with the group to Jingbo City, and Xiao Hua accepted.
• Ma Dengsheng introduced himself and offered to answer Xiao Hua's questions and help him find a suitable cultivation technique.

Xiao Hua traveled toward Jingbo City with Qing Fengmin and other cultivators, using Ma Dengsheng’s Twin Flight Talisman. As the group grew excited over a chance to receive guidance from Elder Fan, Xiao Hua worried about joining Heaven Abandoned and asked Ma Dengsheng how the alliance handled members’ grudges.

• Qiao Fengyue offered Qing Fengmin his cultivation method, but Qing Fengmin told him to wait until they reached Jingbo City.
• Ma Dengsheng activated a Twin Flight Talisman that let Xiao Hua fly beside him with little effort as the group headed toward the city.
• The group paused for Elder Fan of Qingmaling to pass, and Qing Fengmin greeted him and said he might visit Huayun Courtyard to guide their cultivation.
• Han Fei, Qiao Fengyue, and the others became excited at the prospect of Elder Fan’s guidance, while Xiao Hua remained subdued.
• Xiao Hua asked Ma Dengsheng how Heaven Abandoned handled the grudges and enmities its members might have.

Ma Dengsheng tried to persuade Xiao Hua to join Heaven's Forsaken by explaining its loose rules, martial contests, and dangerous group ventures. Xiao Hua remained unwilling to contribute Shang Hua Ming's cultivation technique, but accepted Ma Dengsheng's communication talisman as they approached Jingbo City.

• Ma Dengsheng disparaged Jiang Huanchi and argued that sect-backed cultivators held an advantage over Rogue Cultivators, while Xiao Hua listened and agreed.
• Ma Dengsheng explained that Qing Fengmin had persuaded him and an old enemy to postpone their duel until one could decisively surpass the other.
• Ma Dengsheng described Heaven's Forsaken's martial contests and group ventures, including an expedition to the Mo Ran Black Forest where only ten of a hundred Rogue Cultivators returned.
• Xiao Hua considered joining Heaven's Forsaken but remembered Xiao Yuehong and felt uncomfortable giving away two levels of Shang Hua Ming's cultivation technique.
• Ma Dengsheng accepted Xiao Hua's hesitation, gave him a communication talisman, and asked whether Xiao Hua would give him one in return.

While flying with Ma Dengsheng, Xiao Hua refined his first communication talisman and unexpectedly succeeded on the first attempt, drawing attention to his unusual talent. Ma Dengsheng explained that Heaven Abandoned needed talisman crafters, but Xiao Hua would have to prove his abilities before receiving access to its cultivation techniques.

• Xiao Hua told Ma Dengsheng that he had never owned or refined a communication talisman, so Ma Dengsheng gave him blank talisman paper and taught him the incantation.
• Xiao Hua suppressed most of his spiritual power and successfully refined a communication talisman on his first attempt while flying.
• Ma Dengsheng marveled at Xiao Hua's skill and said Fellow Daoist Qing had recognized his extraordinary gifts; Xiao Hua claimed he had practiced similar hand seals from incomplete book pages.
• Ma Dengsheng urged Xiao Hua to join Heaven Abandoned and improve his cultivation, then explained that talisman crafters were valuable to the group.
• Ma Dengsheng said Xiao Hua would need Fellow Daoist Qing to assess his talisman-crafting ability and that access to cultivation techniques would depend on his progress or contributions to Heaven Abandoned.

Xiao Hua arrived at Jingbo City with Ma Dengsheng and marveled at the vast lake-city and its powerful protective formations. After Ma Dengsheng spoke privately with Qing Fengmin about Xiao Hua, the group entered the city in silence, leaving Xiao Hua to wonder how he should handle Heaven Abandoned.

• Ma Dengsheng assured Xiao Hua that Heaven Abandoned protected talisman masters and urged him to wait until they reached Huayun Courtyard for a fuller explanation.
• Xiao Hua saw Jingbo City, discovered that it consisted of countless lakes, waterways, streets, and buildings, and learned from Qing Fengmin and Ma Dengsheng about its formations and ban on flight for cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage.
• Ma Dengsheng pulled Qing Fengmin aside and whispered about Xiao Hua, prompting Qing Fengmin to question him before agreeing to discuss the matter at Huayun Courtyard.
• Qing Fengmin led the group into Jingbo City, and Xiao Hua followed behind Ma Dengsheng while considering how to deal with Heaven Abandoned and noticing young cultivators and their wary elders.