Chapter Summaries

Cheng Xinzhan and Shi Yiniang learned from the wood spirit Bai Yongliang that a Ginseng Fruit Core had traveled to Changbai Mountain, and Cheng found it sprouted in an earth vein. After Bai Yongliang revealed the five elemental barriers surrounding it, Cheng began considering how to reach the core.

• Shi Yiniang and Cheng Xinzhan learned that Bai Yongliang had tracked a Ginseng Fruit Core through earth veins to the foot of Changbai Mountain.
• Cheng Xinzhan swore to free Bai Yongliang and traveled underground with him while Shi Yiniang and Dengge'er waited above.
• Cheng and Bai Yongliang found the core inside an earth vein and saw that a green shoot had sprouted from it.
• Bai Yongliang explained that the sprout had left the core temporarily unable to flee, then swore not to tell anyone else about it.
• Cheng approached the core but found its five-colored domains dangerous; Bai Yongliang described the water and metal barriers and shared an ancient verse about the core's ties to the five elements.

Cheng Xinzhan crossed the five elemental dharma domains and obtained the Ginseng Fruit Core. He then invited White Mouse to return with him to Three Pure Ones Mountain, leaving White Mouse’s answer unknown.

• Cheng Xinzhan used taiyin netherwater to cross the black water domain and discovered that his Taiyin Emperor deity could refine its power.
• He tested the white metal domain, where losing-soul golden light attacked his corporeal souls, but Swallowing Thief and Peach Capital resisted it; Golden Qilin then redirected the light into the Metal Palace.
• Cheng Xinzhan used Crown Prince Bingling’s Turn Marsh into Stone technique to escape the yellow earth domain, then crossed the red fire domain with yang fire and collected its possible six-ding divine fire.
• Cheng Xinzhan sent his Bamboo Body through the blue-green wood domain, seized the Ginseng Fruit Core, and used its vitality to recover the Bamboo Body.
• Cheng Xinzhan stored the fruit core and invited White Mouse to return with him to Three Pure Ones Mountain.

Cheng Xinzhan returned to Three Pure Ones Mountain with a sprouted Ginseng Fruit pit, prompting the sect to reorganize its landscape and earth veins to create a suitable place for it. The pit took root on Five Palaces Mountain, where Shi Tongxuan stayed to guard it.

• Cheng Xinzhan returned with the white rat and asked Fu Shouzhen to escort them to Three Pure Ones Mountain.
• Cheng Xinzhan presented the sprouted Ginseng Fruit pit to the sect leaders, who agreed to shelter the white rat and mobilized the sect to prepare a place for the seedling.
• Shi Tongxuan resigned as deputy sect leader to volunteer as the fruit tree’s guardian.
• Three Pure Ones Mountain completed Five Palaces Mountain and gathered its earth qi there for the Ginseng Fruit pit.
• Cheng Xinzhan planted the pit on Five Palaces Mountain, and after an hour its first rootlets emerged into the soil.

Cheng Xinzhan secured the Donghua Wood Duke teachings he needed for his fifth palace, then learned Bright Governance Mountain’s pure yang methods from Wen Sukong. The chapter ended with Wen Sukong having taught him the mountain’s foundational methods and leaving his future progress to his own fortune.

• Cheng Xinzhan asked Ji Hehe for help choosing a wood palace deity, and Ji Hehe agreed to recommend him to Purple Mist Mountain for Wood Duke’s teachings.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked about the Green Chi-Dragon, and Ji Hehe explained how Jingsong had rescued Gu Yi’s daughter during Shudao’s campaign against the flood dragons in Shu.
• Cheng Xinzhan obtained Wood Duke’s visualization diagram and a volume of wood methods from Purple Mist Mountain.
• Wen Sukong told Cheng Xinzhan the Dragon-Tiger Dharma Assembly would take place at Qingming next year and began teaching him Bright Governance Mountain’s pure yang methods.
• Wen Sukong explained the limits and purpose of pure yang cultivation, gave Cheng Xinzhan two texts, and said she had taught him all of Bright Governance Mountain’s foundational methods.

Cheng Xinzhan opened his Wood Palace, completed all five palaces, and broke through to the Second Realm by opening the Crimson Palace. The breakthrough revealed his remaining lifespan and caused a powerful heavenly manifestation, which the others concealed with the Cloud Restriction Great Formation.

• Cheng Xinzhan's Wood Palace opened, and the five palaces cycled their powers until they formed a five-colored auspicious cloud.
• The auspicious cloud shattered the barrier in Cheng Xinzhan's Inner Landscape and entered the Crimson Palace, completing all five palaces and advancing him to the Second Realm.
• Cheng Xinzhan examined his life wheel and determined that he had 233 years of lifespan remaining.
• Five divine manifestations appeared above Three Pure Ones Mountain, and Ji Hehe, Dong Shouren, Lu Duxing, You Weixu, and the others activated the Cloud Restriction Great Formation to hide them.
• Shi Tongxuan laughed and teased Cheng Xinzhan for breaking through without warning anyone.

Cheng Xinzhan traveled with Three Pure Ones Mountain’s delegation to the Dragon-Tiger Dharma Assembly, where his original talisman insights impressed Cliffside Mountain’s disciples and earned him an invitation to lecture. Ren Wushi also arranged for him to study alchemy at Cinnabar Glow Mountain, and the delegation arrived at Dragon-Tiger Mountain as Ren began teaching him.

• The elders discussed Cheng Xinzhan’s recent breakthrough and his chances in the Second Realm demonstrations before he arrived using his self-created Fourfold Misfit Steps.
• Gan Jingquan asked Cheng Xinzhan about his talisman studies, and Cheng explained how he combined scripts, visualization, and observations of nature to develop his methods.
• Xiao Miaoyu and five other disciples bowed to Cheng Xinzhan as their teacher, and Gan Jingquan invited him to lecture at Cliffside Mountain.
• Ren Wushi offered to arrange alchemy lessons for Cheng Xinzhan, who revealed that he possessed both Bing fire and Ding fire.
• Ren Wushi taught Cheng Xinzhan alchemical theory aboard the raft as the delegation approached Dragon-Tiger Mountain and its famed Immortal Cauldron Mountain, Azure Dragon Ridge, and White Tiger Peak.

Cheng Xinzhan arrived at Dragon-Tiger Mountain for the Dharma Assembly and reunited with fellow disciples, Daoist scions, and old acquaintances while considering how to pursue cultivation in the Second Realm. The gathering ended at a wine tower, where another familiar man recognized him as a benefactor.

• Lu Duxing and his disciples arrived at Immortal Cauldron Mountain and settled into Purple Magpie Tower before the ceremony.
• Zhu Jianrong introduced Cheng Xinzhan to Fang Weimin and Zheng MiaojI, and the young cultivators discussed their paths in the Second Realm.
• Cheng Xinzhan considered whether he could use Gang and Baleful Intent to strengthen both his weapons and divine abilities.
• Du Quanxian and Lan Yuqing greeted Cheng Xinzhan, and Lan Yuqing proposed that they fight again.
• Meng Xuqí and Meng Xuyi reunited with Cheng Xinzhan and told him their master, Daoist Master Yi Bi, had passed away.
• Cheng Xinzhan and his companions entered a wine tower, where a man in cobalt-blue robes called him “Benefactor!”

Cheng Xinzhan attended Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s fortieth Dharma Assembly, where he learned how its registers empowered disciples and how the Zhang family secretly preserved its lineage. The assembly’s register-conferral rites began, leaving him troubled as the newly admitted children swore their oaths.

• Cheng Xinzhan avoided the crowd that recognized him, then traveled with his fellow disciples to Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s Dharma Assembly.
• Cheng Xinzhan and the other guests took their places as Celestial Master Zhang arrived, and the assembly began amid auspicious signs.
• Cheng Xinzhan learned that registers could be reclaimed and reassigned, and connected the practice to the corpses beneath Bright Governance Mountain.
• Zhu Jianrong used his Heart-Connecting Heartflame divine ability to speak with Cheng Xinzhan and explained that Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s Zhang family could receive registers without the public trials.
• Forty-nine boys entered Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s lineage through elaborate initiation rites, then began swearing their precepts under Gongchang Gongzi’s guidance.
• Cheng Xinzhan nearly laughed at the oath’s opening words, then felt sorrow as he watched the devout children.

The Dragon-Tiger Dharma Assembly held its alchemy contest, where Fang Weimin placed third and earned a chance to study the Yangping Zhidu Merit Seal. The Praying for Clear Skies and Rain contest began, and after the Divine Empyrean School set a strong benchmark, the remaining schools debated who would go next.

• The Little Celestial Master awarded Dharma Registers to forty-nine new disciples, then opened the assembly's alchemy contest with a newly devised Tiger Bone Dragon Tendon Pill formula.
• Fang Weimin worried that the pills might harm the monkeys, then placed third after the monkeys tested their effects; he and the first- and second-place alchemists were invited to study the Yangping Zhidu Merit Seal.
• Cheng Xinzhan entered the Praying for Clear Skies and Rain contest, where Dragon-Tiger Mountain's participants took turns summoning rain with mixed success.
• The Divine Empyrean School's first contestant used Thunder Talismans to bring rain and stop it near the required amount, prompting Zhao Wuji to reflect on Three Pure Ones Mountain's neglect of rain-praying arts.
• Gezao Mountain and the Pure Brightness School declined to compete for the next turn, leaving Three Pure Ones Mountain to go first.

Cheng Xinzhan performed an ancient Altar Rite at the Clear-Sky and Rain-Praying Rite Demonstration, summoning wind, clouds, thunder, and exactly measured rain before clearing the sky. After winning first place and securing access to the Seal-Enshrining Hall, he declined to enter the martial combat, leaving the contest open to others.

• Cheng Xinzhan set up a ritual altar with stellar diagrams, Thunder God portraits, and ritual implements, then invoked the White Tiger Divine Lord to summon a gale and the Azure Dragon Divine Lord to raise clouds.
• Cheng Xinzhan invoked the Thunder Department and Dragon King, producing lightning, thunder, and torrential rain, then called on the Hairy Head Sun Star Officer to stop the rain at three inches and forty-eight points.
• Cheng Xinzhan dismissed the summoned gods and cleared the sky, prompting applause; Hao Jiansi declined to perform after witnessing the display.
• The Little Celestial Master awarded Cheng Xinzhan first place, with Swordpoint Mountain second and Dragon-Tiger Mountain third, and granted all three access to the Seal-Enshrining Hall.
• As the martial combat began, Cheng Xinzhan told the elders he would not compete because he had already earned access to the Seal-Enshrining Hall and wanted to leave the opportunity to others.

Cheng Xinzhan entered the Celestial Master’s Seal-Enshrining Hall and endured repeated visions of the Yangping Zhidu Merit Seal, gaining insight into the [Suppress] and [Annihilation] incantations. After his consciousness was nearly lost in darkness, he fought his way back to his Purple Tower, where he found an illusory seal descending on his Youjing soul and bearing the inscription “Dao Heart Seal of the Heavenly Edict.”

• The martial contests ended with Dragon-Tiger Mountain disciples Liang Zhenjing and another Daoist winning the First and Second Realm divisions, while Lan Yuqing placed third in the Second Realm.
• Cheng Xinzhan declined Lan Yuqing’s challenge at the banquet and instead discussed swordsmanship with him and other cultivators.
• The Little Celestial Master escorted the previous day’s top performers to the Celestial Master Residence so they could take turns viewing its treasured seal.
• Cheng Xinzhan entered the Seal-Enshrining Hall and repeatedly experienced the seal crushing, burning, tearing apart, and annihilating his consciousness, deepening his understanding of the [Suppress] and [Annihilation] incantations.
• Cheng Xinzhan used stillness of intent and Pure Yang Divine Fire to restore his consciousness and return to his Purple Tower.
• Cheng Xinzhan saw Swallowing Thief hold back an illusory seal descending toward his Youjing soul and discovered that its inscription read “Dao Heart Seal of the Heavenly Edict.”

Cheng Xinzhan escaped a hidden attempt by the Celestial Master Seal to alter his emotions and learned that Dragon-Tiger Mountain intended to bind those who viewed it to the Celestial Master and his mountain. He reported the scheme to Ji Hehe and Tongxuan, who began a secret investigation and ordered him to remain within the sect.

• Cheng Xinzhan used his Inner Landscape Deities and Yin-Yang Five-Phases Binding Hoop to shatter the seal’s phantom, then had Swallowing Thief consume it and discovered its purpose.
• After leaving the Seal Veneration Hall, Cheng Xinzhan departed the assembly with the other guests and returned to Wen Sukong and Tongxuan, asking whether they had attended earlier assemblies.
• Tongxuan summoned Ji Hehe, and Cheng Xinzhan recounted how the seal had tried to stamp Youjing and how he had resisted it.
• Cheng Xinzhan explained that the seal instilled reverence and belonging toward Dragon-Tiger Mountain and Celestial Master Zhang, while a paired bell could make those feelings subject people to commands.
• Ji Hehe and Tongxuan ordered a secret investigation into when the seal-viewing practice began and who had been exposed to it.
• Ji Hehe told Cheng Xinzhan to act as though he knew nothing, remain in the sect, and study alchemy with Wushi of Cinnabar Glow Mountain.

After deciding to enter seclusion, Cheng Xinzhan visited Feng Ji Hu, whose advice made him realize he had let cultivation crowd out the rest of his life. He abandoned his seclusion plan and asked Feng Ji Hu to teach him how to prepare medicines.

• Cheng Xinzhan visited the mountain lords to explain that he planned to pause and reflect on his First Realm gains.
• Cheng Xinzhan went to Feng Ji Hu’s courtyard and told him he intended to enter seclusion.
• Feng Ji Hu urged Cheng Xinzhan to make room for things beyond cultivation and reminded him that meaningful life was not limited to cultivating.
• Cheng Xinzhan remembered the people and pursuits he had neglected, including the Green Chi-Dragon, Third Younger Sister, Dengge'er, and his craftwork.
• Cheng Xinzhan abandoned his plan to enter seclusion and asked Feng Ji Hu to teach him to prepare medicines.

Cheng Xinzhan explored the depths of the pool beneath Carefree Cave with Old Bai and discovered an immense crystal palace. An inscription revealed that Wei Baoping, a third-generation disciple of Bright Governance Mountain, had built it in jest to seek an audience with worthy people of later ages.

• Cheng Xinzhan arranged for Feng Ji Hu to examine Third Younger Sister’s congenital eyesight condition, and Feng Ji Hu prescribed formulas for her to try.
• Old Bai became a nonhuman Attendant of Three Pure Ones Mountain, settled at Carefree Cave, and helped Cheng Xinzhan clear eight mu of land into medicinal fields.
• Cheng Xinzhan and Old Bai descended into the pool beneath Carefree Cave to explore its depths, while Third Younger Sister stayed on the bank and Dengge'er did not join them.
• Cheng Xinzhan and Old Bai discovered a brightly lit crystal palace far below the pool, and Old Bai refused to descend farther at first.
• Cheng Xinzhan explored the palace and found empty halls built in styles from different eras, then read an inscription identifying Wei Baoping as its builder.

Cheng Xinzhan discovered that generations of Bright Governance Mountain disciples had built a Crystal Palace beneath his pool, then invited the Green Chi-Dragon to live there so he could treat her throat. A year later, her condition had improved, and Cheng Xinzhan had opened his Cloud Abode and mastered the life-nourishing Divine Ability Jade Saliva Chain Form.

• Cheng Xinzhan read the inscriptions in the Crystal Palace and decided to invite the Green Chi-Dragon to live in the pool beside his cave.
• Cheng Xinzhan brought the Green Chi-Dragon to Carefree Cave, where Dengge'er and Third Younger Sister welcomed her while Old White fainted at the sight of her.
• The Green Chi-Dragon moved into the Crystal Palace, and Cheng Xinzhan began treating her throat obstruction with daily medicine.
• After studying the Throat Aperture and visualizing the Teng Snake Riding the Clouds Painting, Cheng Xinzhan opened his Twelve-Storied Tower and established his Cloud Abode.
• Cheng Xinzhan comprehended Jade Saliva Chain Form and used it to nourish his body, while the Green Chi-Dragon's throat gradually healed over thirteen months.

Sect Master Ji Hehe told Cheng Xinzhan about Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s influence within Three Pure Ones Mountain and explained the choices involved in pursuing immortality. He introduced Cheng Xinzhan to Patriarch Qu, who granted him an eye technique and appointed him White Tiger Envoy, leaving Cheng Xinzhan alarmed by the demanding post.

• Ji Hehe told Cheng Xinzhan that Dragon-Tiger Mountain had branded members of Three Pure Ones Mountain and that the sect was secretly addressing the threat while weighing its response.
• Ji Hehe explained the four kinds of immortals and advised Cheng Xinzhan to plan each stage of cultivation with his lifespan and Fate Wheel in mind.
• Ji Hehe brought Cheng Xinzhan to Five Palaces Mountain, where he met Patriarch Qu, a Heavenly Immortal from the Three Pure Ones Heaven Secret Realm.
• Patriarch Qu gave Cheng Xinzhan the Judge’s Eye technique and appointed him White Tiger Envoy of the Discipline Investigation Bureau, and Ji Hehe approved the appointment.
• After learning the White Tiger Envoy’s extensive authority and strict performance assessments, Cheng Xinzhan asked Ji Hehe to rescind the appointment, but Ji Hehe refused and went to announce the decree.

Cheng Xinzhan began studying the Dao of Alchemy under Cinnabar Glow Mountain’s Mountain Lord, Ren Wushi, after preparing through years of cultivation and study. He learned the principles of alchemy and, after a grueling first day of practice, produced a batch of good pills, leaving Ren Wushi impressed by his talent.

• Cheng Xinzhan visited Cinnabar Glow Mountain and accepted Ren Wushi as his teacher in the Dao of Alchemy.
• Ren Wushi explained the distinctions between alchemy and medicine, alchemy’s principles, and the role of fire techniques and ingredients.
• Cheng Xinzhan activated the Earthfire and practiced controlling its heat as Ren Wushi taught him alchemical techniques.
• Ren Wushi guided Cheng Xinzhan through repeated attempts to refine an Eight-Treasure Flesh-Regenerating Pill, correcting his mistakes throughout the day.
• Cheng Xinzhan produced five good pills, and Ren Wushi tested one, praised the batch, and privately wondered whether he might live to see Cheng Xinzhan refine a Corpse-Liberation Pill.

Cheng Xinzhan received his appointment as White Tiger Envoy and learned how his disciplinary authority worked. On his first day at the Discipline Investigation Bureau, he questioned Ma Jingyi about violating sect rules and began questioning Gong Weijian about whether he knew of the misconduct.

• Cheng Xinzhan wrote to Shi Yiniang about his first alchemy results, and she replied that she would come collect the pills and find metallic ingredients for him.
• Ren Wushi reviewed Cheng Xinzhan’s alchemy mistakes, praised his careful reasoning, and told him the mountain council had appointed him White Tiger Envoy.
• Cheng Xinzhan visited the Discipline Investigation Bureau, received his White Tiger Daoist Robe, disciplinary brush, and ledger, and learned the authority of his office.
• Cheng Xinzhan questioned Ma Jingyi about ordering bureau members to arrive before official hours, and Ma admitted to violating rules and looking down on the young envoy.
• Cheng Xinzhan began questioning Gong Weijian about whether he knew Ma Jingyi had altered the bureau’s official hours.

Cheng Xinzhan challenged abuses in the Discipline Investigation Bureau, prompting sect leaders to discipline its officials and endorse his inspections. He then collected his newly forged Fire Sword, which could transform into a furnace, and named it Fire-Forged Crimson Firmament.

• Cheng Xinzhan questioned Gong Weijian and Ma Jingyi over abuses of authority, and both admitted their mistakes.
• Dong Shouren suspended Ma Jingyi, while Shi Tongxuan reported his own dereliction of duty and offices across the sect prepared for inspection.
• The sect removed Ma Jingyi as bureau chief, demoted Gong Weijian, appointed Chu Jinghe as chief, and prohibited offices from extending working hours.
• Cheng Xinzhan visited Jiang Weishan at the Weaponry Academy and learned his Fire Sword had finished its second forging.
• Cheng Xinzhan used the Yin-Yang Five-Phases Binding Hoop to capture the sword after it transformed from its furnace form and tried to flee.
• Jiang Weishan explained the sword's rare materials and its sword-and-furnace forms, and Cheng Xinzhan named it Fire-Forged Crimson Firmament.

Cheng Xinzhan proposed an Office-Worker Governance to represent part-time office workers, and Ji Hehe approved the plan. He then escorted Shi Yiniang and Xiao Yuan to meet Huo Jingyan, where Shi Yiniang proposed that the Xiao Household buy Three Pure Ones Mountain disciples’ practice pieces; Huo Jingyan agreed to consult the relevant offices and mountains before deciding.

• At the External Affairs Court, Cheng Xinzhan discussed office workers’ grievances with Wen Qingzhang and proposed forming an Office-Worker Governance to represent them.
• Cheng Xinzhan presented the idea to Ji Hehe, who approved it and told him to begin preparations for the sect’s regular meeting.
• Cheng Xinzhan informed Wen Qingzhang that the sect leader had agreed, asked him to organize the governance, and advised him on contacting workers and creating branch groups.
• Cheng Xinzhan welcomed Shi Yiniang and Xiao Yuan to Three Pure Ones Mountain and escorted them to meet Huo Jingyan at the External Affairs Court.
• Shi Yiniang proposed that the Xiao Household buy disciples’ practice pieces in exchange for money or raw materials, and Huo Jingyan said he would consult the relevant offices and mountains before arranging a detailed discussion.