Chapter Summaries

Cheng Yunqi left Camphor Fragrance Town to seek admission to Three Pure Ones Mountain, where he met the requirements for its rare disciple examination. After entering the Rainfall Temple with the other candidates, he saw a wall transform into a sea of clouds.

• Cheng Yunqi finished carving seventeen protective plaques and left them as farewell gifts before departing town at night.
• Cheng Yunqi visited the joint grave of Cheng Tingxian and Zhu Mingjun, then continued toward Graceful Splendor Mountain.
• Cheng Yunqi arrived at the Rainfall Temple on Grain Rain and joined the young candidates with clear spiritual qi who were under sixteen.
• Cheng Yunqi saw the people of Camphor Fragrance Town gathered to wish him farewell, then followed a young Daoist into the Hall of Immortal Ge.
• The Daoist guide opened a passage through the hall's rear wall, revealing a vast sea of milky-white clouds.

Cheng Yunqi traveled with Daoist Ji Hu into Three Pure Ones Mountain and reached Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat, where Master Su Kong announced a perilous entrance trial. The chapter ended as Yunqi volunteered first and Su Kong used her ruyi to draw out his earth soul.

• Cheng Yunqi stepped onto an azure cloud and joined the other youths as Daoist Ji Hu led them through the sea of clouds.
• Daoist Ji Hu showed the newcomers Three Pure Ones Mountain, including Lord Kui Mountain, Eastern Heaven Road, and the sect's flying sword immortals.
• Cheng Yunqi and the others followed Ji Hu through a bamboo grove to Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat, where Master Su Kong received them.
• Master Su Kong explained that candidates had to find their way back after their earth souls were scattered, warning that they had only two hours.
• Cheng Yunqi stepped forward to take the trial, and Su Kong pointed her ruyi at him, causing his head to slump as his earth soul left his body.

Cheng Yunqi’s Earth Soul journeyed through Bamboo Depths Unknown and returned to his body after choosing to inhabit a bamboo staff rather than another person or a living spirit. Daoistess Sukong recognized his success and sent Ji Hu to escort the others away before taking Yunqi to Ten Thousand Tablets Peak.

• Cheng Yunqi followed his soul’s pull northwest through the bamboo grove, resisting the temptations of fragrant plants and playful spiritual creatures.
• As his soul weakened, Cheng Yunqi rode a northwest wind to Zhan Biyun’s Bamboo Retreat and found several soulless people and unusual objects in the pavilion.
• With the incense nearly spent, Cheng Yunqi rejected the human bodies and paper figure, discovered that the fleeceflower root already had a frightened consciousness, and entered the bamboo staff.
• Cheng Yunqi woke in his own body behind Daoistess Sukong, while the incense still had more than half remaining, and stood watch as it burned out.
• Daoistess Sukong used a white banner to summon the wandering souls back, and the people on the bamboo mats awakened.
• Ji Hu arrived, and Daoistess Sukong asked him to escort the young lay practitioners outside the mountain before taking Cheng Yunqi to Ten Thousand Tablets Peak.

Cheng Yunqi became Daoistess Sukong’s registered disciple and learned the rules and lineage of Three Pure Ones Mountain. Daoist Ji Hu brought him to Ten Thousand Tablets Peak, where Yunqi received an identity pendant, clothing, and a place to live.

• Daoistess Sukong explained Yunqi’s registered-disciple status, the sect’s lineage and schedule, and the books he needed to study.
• Daoist Ji Hu collected Yunqi and explained cultivation terms, travel options, and the costs of renting cloud conveyances and mounts.
• Ji Hu brought Yunqi to Ten Thousand Tablets Peak, where Yunqi met Deng Wanchun and was directed to the General Affairs Office.
• Daoist Lord Yao assigned Yunqi a room in Bingkun’s courtyard and registered his name on a jade identity pendant.
• Yunqi used the pendant to collect standard disciple clothing and chose two additional outfits.

Cheng Yunqi settled into Bingchen Courtyard with Feng Ji Hu and He Bingkun, who introduced him to the school’s traditions and cultivation stages. As the three drank beneath the evening sky, Yunqi answered Feng Ji Hu’s doubts about immortality with confidence in the world’s unknown wonders.

• Feng Ji Hu brought Cheng Yunqi to Bingchen Courtyard and showed him the books he had collected for the juniors.
• He Bingkun returned to the courtyard, met Cheng Yunqi, and prepared smoked meat and wine to welcome him.
• Feng Ji Hu said he planned to leave the mountains after settling Master Su Kong’s recruitment matter and seek an opportunity to open his water palace.
• Feng Ji Hu and He Bingkun explained the Lotus Blessed Land’s lineages, the school’s traditions, and the stages and difficulties of internal alchemy.
• Feng Ji Hu questioned whether cultivators could truly transcend life and death, and Cheng Yunqi replied that the world held wonders beyond what ordinary beings could know.

Yunqi collected his class schedule and provisions, then became absorbed in a history book that revealed how cultivators and sects shaped the rise and fall of dynasties. He resolved to avoid worldly struggles, and He Bingkun gave him a crane-shaped lamp after finding him lost in the book for three days.

• He Bingkun and Feng Ji Hu left the mountain, and Yunqi collected a class schedule and three flatbreads on credit.
• Yunqi read a history of the dynasties, learning about immortal calamities, religious conflicts, and the influence of Daoist powers on mortal rulers.
• Yunqi resolved to avoid the imperial court and worldly struggles, though he worried that his mother's surname was Zhu.
• He Bingkun found Yunqi after he had read for three days and warned that excessive reading could damage his mind and spirit.
• He Bingkun gave Yunqi the crane-shaped lamp and its refining instructions as a welcoming gift.

He Bingkun gave Yunqi a Snowflake Coin and explained how disciples earned money and what currencies circulated on the mountain. He also described Bright Governance Mountain’s rules for accepting disciples and warned Yunqi to open his Heart Mansion within ten years or remain a registered disciple for life.

• He Bingkun gave Yunqi a Snowflake Coin to settle his food debts and buy nourishing meals.
• He Bingkun explained the General Affairs Office’s jobs and exchanges, as well as rewards from the All-Teachings Institute for cultivation breakthroughs and discoveries.
• He Bingkun described the mountain’s copper, silver, and gold currencies and the coins and artifacts associated with other mountains.
• He Bingkun explained that Bright Governance Mountain accepted only two disciples per generation and usually waited about three hundred years before taking another generation.
• He Bingkun told Yunqi that he was the first disciple of his generation, might need to accept a junior disciple on Su Kong’s behalf, and had ten years to open his Heart Mansion.

Yunqi reported to Bright Governance Mountain and met with Master Su Kong, who began teaching him about qi ingestion and the mountain’s cultivation traditions. The chapter ended with Su Kong telling Yunqi that he would have to learn every method of qi ingestion.

• He Bingkun took Yunqi by Thunderbird to the Lotus Blessed Land and pointed out Bright Governance Mountain among its eight peaks.
• Yunqi found Master Su Kong at Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat, and she told him he could return home to visit his parents when he was ready.
• Su Kong explained Bright Governance Mountain’s internal alchemy tradition, Yunqi’s physical attributes, and the types of spiritual qi its disciples could cultivate.
• Su Kong described methods of qi ingestion, including bodily formations, external alchemy, and visualization.
• When Yunqi asked which method suited him, Su Kong replied that he had to learn them all.

Sukong taught Yunqi the Five-Character Mantra, and he successfully consumed qi of all five elements. She then instructed him to build a detailed Dao Palace in his mind and consider which five-element qi and Inner Landscape Deity to cultivate with.

• Sukong taught Yunqi the Five-Character Mantra and guided him through its breathing and movements.
• Yunqi consumed qi after six breaths and earned a place on the Southern Dipper Ranking.
• Yunqi practiced the remaining mantras, drawing the five elements into his organs.
• Sukong told Yunqi to practice the mantra until he reached nine levels or could no longer consume qi.
• Sukong instructed Yunqi to construct a detailed mental Dao Palace and explained how to choose an Inner Landscape Deity.

Yunqi learned to consume qi and discovered he could do so just six breaths after receiving the method, prompting He Bingkun and the residents of Lantern Street to escort him to claim a reward. Their journey turned into a confrontation with Ancient Vine Street, whose residents trapped the crowd with vines and attacked; the chapter ended as their leader cast a binding spell at Yunqi.

• Yunqi consumed qi beneath the midday sun and considered which divine hall to build in his mind.
• He Bingkun returned from his lesson, and Yunqi showed him Wen Sukong’s slip confirming he had consumed qi six breaths after learning the method.
• He Bingkun took Yunqi to the All-Teachings Institute to claim his reward, drawing Lantern Street residents who celebrated Yunqi’s feat and joined them.
• The crowd reached Ancient Vine Street, where Tian Lingzhi’s people ensnared many of them with hidden vines and rushed to attack.
• He Bingkun used Golden Lightning Flash to reveal the attackers, and Tian Lingzhi cast Myriad Things Thrive-bind toward Yunqi.

Yunqi was caught up in a playful clash between Lantern Street and Ancient Vine Street, then celebrated his place on the Southern Dipper Ranking at a feast. As the gathering ended, news of Emei’s exceptionally gifted twins darkened the group’s mood, but Yunqi encouraged everyone to pursue the Dao.

• Nie Qunyu used a capture spell to lift Yunqi, and Ancient Vine Street’s people carried him to the All-Teachings Institute to claim the reward.
• He Bingkun and the Lantern Street crowd caught up with Yunqi, and both groups gathered in Qilin Hall for a feast paid for by Ancient Vine Street.
• He Bingkun explained that Yunqi had reached fifth place on the Southern Dipper Ranking’s Qi Consumption list, alongside the other ranked cultivators.
• Yang Youxin told the group that True Person Miaoyi and his wife had Dao-twin children whose cultivation had already advanced unusually far.
• He Bingkun described the rivalry between the Western and Eastern Daoist traditions, and Yunqi urged everyone not to lose heart by recalling Zhang Sanfeng’s path to immortality.

Yunqi traveled with Luo Wanhua to Yin-Gathering Mountain to buy a cloud, seeing the sect’s mountains, cloud layers, and protective formation along the way. They reached the Milk Sea, where Luo Wanhua showed him the sacred peaks and told him that still more cloud layers lay above.

• Yunqi waited for Luo Wanhua, then accepted a ride on his cloud carriage, Rain Lake, toward Yin-Gathering Mountain.
• Luo Wanhua introduced Yunqi to landmarks including Cuckoo Valley, the Longevity Garden, the Pill Workshop, and the Ten Thousand Immortals Welcoming Guests Peaks.
• Luo Wanhua explained that the clouds around Western Screen Ridge were controlled by the Six Dragons Turning Back the Sun, Nine Heavens Cloud Ward Formation.
• Luo Wanhua and Yunqi rose above Western Screen Mountain into the Rainbow Sea, where disciples practiced spells and escape arts.
• Luo Wanhua brought Yunqi through the upper clouds to the Milk Sea and pointed out Sword-Casting Mountain, Turtle-Crane Peak, the Flying Immortal Terrace, and the three Jade mountains.
• Luo Wanhua told Yunqi that at least two more cloud layers lay above them, with spirit gang said to form in the highest one.

Cheng Yunqi went with Luo Wanhua to find a cloud mount and considered Pu Jixuan’s fire-aligned cloud, Cinnabar. After Luo Wanhua invoked Senior Brother Ji Hu, Pu Jixuan agreed to sell it for one tael of Fangzhu gold.

• Luo Wanhua took Cheng Yunqi to Yin-Gathering Mountain and suggested he buy Pu Jixuan’s cloud, which suited his wish for a fire-aligned mount that could fly high.
• Luo Wanhua introduced Cheng Yunqi to Pu Jixuan, who recognized him as the disciple who had ingested qi in six breaths and placed fifth on the Southern Dipper Ranking.
• Pu Jixuan showed Cheng Yunqi Cinnabar, a crimson sunset cloud that could carry him aloft and become an embroidered dragon on his robe, warming his Heart Mansion.
• Cheng Yunqi offered one tael of Fangzhu gold, but Pu Jixuan rejected the price and described the years of work and costly materials that had gone into Cinnabar.
• Luo Wanhua reminded Pu Jixuan that Senior Brother Ji Hu had personally brought Cheng Yunqi into the sect and asked them to care for him.
• Pu Jixuan changed her mind and agreed to sell Cinnabar for one tael, offering to help Cheng Yunqi learn to ride it.

Yunqi visited the Square Pond Library to research temple architecture and choose a deity for the mental temple he planned to build. He borrowed construction books and bought a fragmentary rubbing of Haotian's White Tiger Seven Lodges, spending much of his remaining money.

• Yunqi flew from Yin-Gathering Mountain to Little Ten Thousand Mountain on a cloud-controlling talisman and named the cloud Dragon Chariot.
• Yunqi went to the All-Teachings Institute's Square Pond Library to research Master Su Kong's instructions about building a temple in his mind.
• Yunqi borrowed books on Daoist temple architecture and craftsmanship after searching the library's index.
• Yunqi examined illustrated scrolls of gods and spirits, but found that most were expensive fragments or copies imbued with divine intent.
• Yunqi chose and bought a Warring States rubbing of Haotian's White Tiger Seven Lodges, then realized his five gold grant was dwindling quickly.

Yunqi studied the White Tiger Seven Lodges Scroll and chose the Star Lord of Hairy Head Sun as the principal deity for his Heart Mansion. Months later, he practiced at Pine Green Lake, where a young green chi-dragon brought him a guqin and listened as he played Fisher Girl.

• Yunqi unrolled the White Tiger Seven Lodges Scroll and saw a white tiger leap from the painting into a river of stars.
• Yunqi examined the seven star lords and chose the Star Lord of Hairy Head Sun to serve as the Heart Mansion's Inner Landscape Deity.
• Yunqi resealed the scroll and studied the Daoist Temple Construction Manual for guidance on building temples for celestial and fire deities.
• At Pine Green Lake, Yunqi practiced his movements and breathing on a fiery cloud while a green chi-dragon guarded him beneath the water.
• The green chi-dragon brought Yunqi its guqin, and Yunqi played Fisher Girl as he remembered his parents.

Li Yingqiong and four fellow Emei disciples met with Qi Shuming, who accepted them as his true disciples and gave them the Seven Xiu flying swords alongside his infant twins. The seven swords found their owners, and Qi Shuming sent Li Yingqiong to descend the mountain and travel after refining her sword.

• Li Yingqiong attended morning lessons with Yu Yingnan, Yan Renying, Zhou Qingyun, and Zhuge Jingrui, and the teaching elder brought them to meet Qi Shuming and Xun Lanyin.
• Qi Shuming asked each young disciple whether they had been mistreated at Emei, then offered to accept all five as true disciples.
• Li Yingqiong and the others accepted, and Qi Shuming set their seniority within the Seven Xiu of Mount Shu, including Qi Lingyun and Qi Jinchan.
• Qi Shuming revealed seven ancient flying swords; Li Yingqiong struggled to seize Peach Capital and burned her hand, while Qi Jinchan caught Golden Alligator.
• Yan Renying received Dark Baleful, Zhou Qingyun took Moon Soul, Yu Yingnan obtained Azure Mouth, Zhuge Jingrui received Red Perilla, and Qi Lingyun obtained Water Mother.
• Qi Shuming told Li Yingqiong to refine her sword and travel beyond the mountains, while he and Xun Lanyin reflected that all seven children named in a prophecy had been found.

After Yunqi filled his five organs with spiritual qi, Wen Sukong taught him to form a Dao Palace in his mind and explained how to cultivate the Hairy Head Sun Star Lord as his Heart Mansion deity. The palace remained unnamed until Wen Sukong suggested calling it Bright Palace.

• Yunqi thanked the Green Chi-Dragon for helping him absorb water-element qi and returned to Bright Governance Mountain to seek Wen Sukong.
• Wen Sukong guided Yunqi in expanding a mental landscape and constructing a palace within it.
• Yunqi placed a statue of the Star Lord of Hairy Head Sun inside his palace and explained why he had chosen the deity.
• Wen Sukong explained that Yunqi should follow his own path, then described Hairy Head Sun's origins, powers, and suitability as a Heart Mansion deity.
• Wen Sukong warned Yunqi that Hairy Head Sun's high standing and Buddhist connections could complicate his cultivation, especially when choosing a deity for his kidney water.
• Wen Sukong suggested naming Yunqi's palace Bright Palace after Hairy Head Sun's celestial residence.

Daoistess Sukong taught Yunqi how to perceive his inner landscape and circulate qi, helping him form his first strand of magical power. Back at his dwelling, Yunqi tested a mantra from a jade slip and successfully set a log ablaze with the Burn spell.

• Daoistess Sukong illuminated Yunqi’s inner landscape and explained how its apertures and meridians corresponded to his body.
• Daoistess Sukong guided Yunqi through the fire-aspect single-phase lesser celestial circuit, refining fire qi into magical power.
• Daoistess Sukong gave Yunqi three jade slips, taught him the Guangcheng Edict of Emptiness Wish-Following Mantra, and urged him to open his palaces and eventually leave the mountain to gain experience.
• Yunqi returned to his dwelling and used the qi circulation route to enter the jade slip’s mantra world, where he encountered the Burn character’s fiery vision and hand seal.
• Yunqi tried the Burn mantra on a piece of wood and set it ablaze with his magical power.

Yunqi practiced spells with the green chi dragon at Pine Green Lake and told her he planned to leave the sect soon to travel, visit home, and pursue swordsmanship. Back at his dwelling, he witnessed He Bingkun open his water palace through heavenly lightning and celebrated his long-awaited breakthrough.

• Yunqi practiced the [Drown] and [Suppress] incantations with the green chi, then gave her a musical shell and a recording shell.
• Yunqi told the green chi he intended to leave the sect, and she gave him a chi scale before he departed.
• Yunqi returned to his dwelling and packed the chi scale, planning to wait up to two days for He Bingkun before leaving the sect.
• Heavenly lightning tore through He Bingkun's roof, and Yunqi rushed inside to find He Bingkun had opened his water palace.
• He Bingkun explained that he had completed the heavenly will's four aspects and three abodes, while Yunqi warned him not to proclaim his Dao Path aloud.

Yunqi prepared to leave Bright Governance Mountain and travel to the Southern Wastes, where he planned to train along the border with the Miao Borderlands and look for Feng Ji Hu. After receiving advice and protective items from his teacher and the External Affairs Courtyard, he set out alone and passed through a hidden mirror portal.

• Master Su Kong warned Yunqi about the dangers of the Southern Wastes, gave him a jade slip on the Corpse Nourishing Art, and entrusted him with a dead One-Horned Rhinoceros Golden Beetle.
• Yunqi registered his route through Three Xiang toward Heavenly Cry Mountain and other border locations, and learned about the local conflict and places where he could seek help.
• The External Affairs Courtyard's registrar gave Yunqi a Worry-Free Plaque and a jade bell, and reminded him of the rules for traveling beyond the sect.
• Yunqi packed his belongings and declined He Bingkun's offer to travel with him, then departed on his red cloud conveyance.
• Yunqi entered the mist near Gathered Spirit Mountain, opened a water mirror with a hand seal, and stepped through it.