Chapter Summaries

Fang Du reunited Qingfeng, Qingyun, and Qinghe with their Poison God Valley senior brother and shared Huang Xiao’s letter with them. Qingfeng chose to remain at Green Ox Temple while Qingyun and Qinghe prepared to leave for Poison God Valley with Fang Du, and Jiang Ying departed after offering continued help.

• Fang Du gave Qingfeng, Qingyun, and Qinghe Huang Xiao’s letter and dagger, confirming that they were junior brothers from Poison God Valley.
• Qingfeng, Qingyun, and Qinghe accepted Fang Du as their senior brother after reading Huang Xiao’s letter.
• Qingfeng asked to stay at Green Ox Temple while Qingyun and Qinghe went with Fang Du to Poison God Valley.
• Qingfeng explained that Qingyun wanted to pursue alchemy, Qinghe needed better cultivation methods, and he wished to cultivate in peace at the temple where he had grown up.
• Qingyun and Qinghe went to pack, while Fang Du thanked Jiang Ying for protecting Green Ox Gate and Jiang Ying offered Qingfeng help through the Heavenly Qilin Pawnshop.
• Jiang Ying left Green Ox Temple after asking to meet Huang Xiao if he returned.

Jiang Ying reported that Qingxiao was in Poison God Valley, and the Dragon-Seeking Envoy confirmed that Qingxiao was the young master they sought. The Dragon-Seeking Envoy said Qingxiao was safe for now and tasked Jiang Ying with protecting him after he left the valley, then revealed that Six Gates had announced a clue to the Scripture of Great Peace.

• Jiang Ying wondered why Green Ox Gate's disciples were recognized as third-generation disciples of Poison God Valley, then hurried to report Qingxiao's whereabouts to the Dragon-Seeking Envoy.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy confirmed through the cult's intelligence network that Jiang Ying's report was true and praised him for his service.
• Jiang Ying guessed that Qingxiao was the young master, and the Dragon-Seeking Envoy confirmed it without saying so outright.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy said Qingxiao was safe in Poison God Valley and entrusted Jiang Ying with protecting him after he left.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy said Six Gates had announced a clue to the Scripture of Great Peace.

The Dragon-Seeking Envoy told Jiang Ying that the Six Gates had revealed a clue to the Scripture of Great Peace: “Heaven and Earth's Destiny.” Neither man knew what it meant, but they agreed their sect could benefit from the turmoil surrounding the search, and they ended the discussion by drinking together.

• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy explained that the Six Gates had revealed its clue to the martial world after the Heterodox and Demonic Factions learned of it.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy told Jiang Ying that the clue consisted of the words “Heaven and Earth's Destiny,” though no one knew how to interpret them.
• Jiang Ying urged their sect to seek the Scripture of Great Peace, and the Dragon-Seeking Envoy said their Sect Master could use the resulting chaos to advance the sect's interests.
• Jiang Ying considered the possibility of claiming the Scripture for himself but abandoned the thought out of fear of the Dragon-Seeking Envoy, the Elders, and the Sect Master.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy told Jiang Ying not to pressure himself over the clue, then invited him to drink, and Jiang Ying joined him.

Huang Xiao read the Power-Devouring Poison Force manual on the Hidden Arts Chamber’s second floor and used its principles to experiment with assimilating his master’s internal power. His experiment wasted much of the power before Hu Wei angrily demanded to know what he was practicing.

• Huang Xiao went up to the second floor of the Hidden Arts Chamber and found the Power-Devouring Poison Force among its ten most precious cultivation methods.
• Huang Xiao read the manual and realized its poison force could dissolve an opponent’s internal power and absorb some of it.
• Huang Xiao compared the art with his own ability to absorb and assimilate internal power, then decided to try forcibly dissolving power in his dantian.
• Huang Xiao retained only thirty percent of the internal power he tested, and Hu Wei suddenly roared at him, asking what he was practicing.

Huang Xiao reassured Hu Wei that he had only been reading the Power-Devouring Poison Force manual out of curiosity, not practicing it. Hu Wei then explained that he was troubled by the Six Gates’ newly revealed clue to the Scripture of Great Peace, “Heaven, earth, fortune, Dao,” while Huang Xiao kept secret that he had already encountered those words.

• Hu Wei found Huang Xiao meditating beside the Power-Devouring Poison Force manual and angrily accused him of practicing it.
• Huang Xiao explained that he had only been curious and had reflected on an insight in the Hidden Arts Chamber, and Hu Wei accepted his explanation.
• Huang Xiao noticed Hu Wei’s troubled expression and asked what was weighing on him.
• Hu Wei told Huang Xiao that the Six Gates had announced the four-word clue “Heaven, earth, fortune, Dao” in connection with the Scripture of Great Peace.
• Huang Xiao recognized the words from Hu Yang’s dying message but chose not to reveal this, while Hu Wei said the clue was probably too vague to lead anywhere.

Huang Xiao explored Poison God Valley’s cultivation manuals but found Eight Trigrams Footwork too difficult to understand and Blazing Yang Palm beyond his internal power, so he decided to seek techniques suited to his current abilities. He hurried to meet Fang Du after learning his master had returned, but nearly collided with Sun Bang, who was carrying a smoking Poison King Cauldron.

• Hu Wei warned Huang Xiao not to practice Power-Devouring Poison Force, and Huang Xiao returned the manual to its place.
• Huang Xiao tried to study Eight Trigrams Footwork but could not understand its hexagrams and formations, then resolved to learn those subjects first.
• Huang Xiao determined that his internal power was too weak to practice Blazing Yang Palm and decided to look for suitable basic techniques on the first floor.
• Li Yuncong and Xu Yan told Huang Xiao that Fang Du had returned with two people, and Huang Xiao hurried to meet him.
• Huang Xiao nearly collided with Sun Bang, who rebuked him for almost knocking over the Poison King Cauldron; Xu Yan reprimanded Sun Bang for his insolence.

Huang Xiao dismissed Sun Bang’s near collision and continued to Fang Du’s residence, while Sun Bang resented his inferior standing and expected his cultivation to soon let him challenge it. The Poison God Valley Master spoke with a powerful white-haired Martial Uncle, who revealed concern about Sun Bang’s dangerous technique and warned the Valley Master to care for Xu Yan.

• Sun Bang apologized to Huang Xiao, but Huang Xiao waved away the incident and left with Li Yuncong and Xu Yan.
• Xu Yan taunted Sun Bang as she passed, and Sun Bang privately vowed that his progress with the Power-Devouring Poison Force would soon make him Huang Xiao’s equal.
• The Valley Master and his white-haired Martial Uncle discussed Huang Xiao’s weak martial power and Xu Yan’s talent, while the Martial Uncle refused to explain Xu Yan’s connection to the Valley Master’s master.
• The Martial Uncle warned that Sun Bang’s vicious nature and the Power-Devouring Poison Force could lead to trouble, and the Valley Master said Sun Bang was suited to the technique.
• The Martial Uncle departed after cautioning the Valley Master against a repeat of the trouble caused by his junior martial brother.

Huang Xiao reunited with Qingyun and Qinghe at Fang Du's residence and explained Poison God Valley's pills and Hidden Arts Chamber to them. Meanwhile, Fang Du reported his suspicions about Green Ox Gate and the Heavenly Qilin Pawnshop to the Valley Master, who ordered an investigation into whether Green Ox Gate's former sect leaders were still alive.

• Huang Xiao reunited with Qingyun and Qinghe and learned that Qingfeng had remained at Green Ox Gate, which was no longer in danger.
• Huang Xiao described Poison God Valley's pills and Hidden Arts Chamber, exciting Qinghe and Qingyun with the prospect of studying its medicines and manuals.
• Fang Du reported that Green Ox Gate's protector was a powerful member of the Heavenly Qilin Pawnshop and wondered whether Green Ox Gate's elders had befriended him.
• Fang Du voiced concern that Huang Xiao and the others might be spies, but the Valley Master told him not to worry.
• The Valley Master ordered someone to investigate whether Green Ox Gate's former sect leaders who had gone wandering were still alive.

Huang Xiao explored the Hidden Arts Chamber with Qinghe and Qingyun, then studied a book on Jianghu history and the major sects. Shaolin’s extensive roster of experts led him to suspect that its abbreviated names might explain what “Heaven and Earth’s Destiny” meant.

• Huang Xiao brought Qinghe and Qingyun to the Hidden Arts Chamber, where Qingyun searched for alchemy books and Qinghe sought cultivation manuals.
• Huang Xiao found the Latest Revised Compilation of Jianghu Anecdotes and began reading about the sects of the Jianghu.
• Huang Xiao learned about the major righteous, demonic, and evil sects, including the Celestial Master Sect and its Orthodox Unity Scripture.
• Huang Xiao compared Poison God Valley’s strength with Shaolin’s and read the names of Shaolin’s generations of disciples.
• Huang Xiao noticed that Shaolin’s many names were abbreviated and wondered if they revealed the meaning of “Heaven and Earth’s Destiny.”

Huang Xiao suspected that “Heaven and Earth's Destiny” referred to three works listed in Zhuangzi and resolved to keep studying Free and Easy Wandering while advancing his Everlasting Spring Art. He and Qinghe then agreed to focus on building internal strength and read the predecessors’ notes on the art.

• Huang Xiao connected “Heaven and Earth's Destiny” to “Heaven and Earth,” “The Revolution of Heaven,” and “The Way of Heaven” after recalling how Shaolin Temple abbreviated names.
• Huang Xiao searched the Hidden Arts Chamber for Zhuangzi but discovered that it was not part of the collection.
• Huang Xiao decided to keep studying Free and Easy Wandering and practice the Everlasting Spring Art until he reached the first-class realm, since he could not leave the valley yet.
• Qinghe showed Huang Xiao three manuals of techniques, but Huang Xiao advised him to prioritize the Everlasting Spring Art and its missing middle and final parts.
• Huang Xiao and Qinghe chose to study the predecessors’ insights into the Everlasting Spring Art together.

After two years in Poison God Valley, Huang Xiao had advanced to the first-class lower grade and surpassed Qinghe in martial power, while questioning whether he could reach the peerless realm. He had also mastered the Northern Darkness Absorption Method, leaving him with a technique he believed might help him overcome his limits.

• Huang Xiao sparred with Qinghe beneath the waterfall and defeated him with only part of his strength.
• Qinghe praised Huang Xiao's rapid progress, and Huang Xiao concealed how much strength he had actually used and that he had not yet reached first-rate middle grade.
• Huang Xiao asked whether they could reach the peerless realm, and Qinghe said their late start and weak foundations made it unrealistic.
• Huang Xiao recalled learning the Blazing Yang Palm and Air-Piercing Finger, while making little progress with formations or the Eight Trigrams Footwork.
• Huang Xiao explained that studying Free and Easy Wandering had let him control his ability to absorb opponents' internal power, which he named the Northern Darkness Absorption Method.

Huang Xiao planned to leave Poison God Valley to use the Six Gates’ resources to search for Bai Tianqi and visit Green Ox Gate. When he and Qinghe investigated a commotion, they entered Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake and found several people gathered there.

• Huang Xiao told Qinghe that he intended to search for Bai Tianqi through the Six Gates and return Green Ox Gate’s leadership to their eldest senior brother.
• Qinghe agreed not to accompany Huang Xiao and reminded him that they remained disciples of Green Ox Gate.
• Huang Xiao and Qinghe followed a commotion to the entrance of Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake, despite Qinghe’s warning about its dangers.
• Huang Xiao led Qinghe through the narrow passage into the vast valley and reached the lake, whose poisonous waters and cold vapor impressed them.
• Qinghe pointed out several people gathered nearby, and Huang Xiao and Qinghe hurried toward them.

Huang Xiao, Qinghe, and Li Yuncong watched Sun Bang attempt a dangerous training breakthrough with his Poison King Cauldron, hoping to surpass Xu Yan. As venomous creatures swarmed over Sun Bang, unexplained waves began spreading across the Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake.

• Huang Xiao and Qinghe joined Li Yuncong and Xu Yan, and Huang Xiao recognized Xu Yan as the foremost fourth-generation disciple nearing the peak realm.
• Li Yuncong explained that Sun Bang had been training intensely after Xu Yan surpassed him, and that the smoke from his Poison King Cauldron was toxic.
• Xu Yan said Sun Bang's Power-Devouring Poison Force might let him surpass her if his training succeeded, though Li Yuncong doubted him.
• Countless rare poisonous creatures emerged and swarmed over Sun Bang as the gathered disciples watched from higher ground.
• While everyone focused on Sun Bang, ripples spread across the Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake and grew into increasingly large waves.

Huang Xiao and the disciples noticed the sudden cold and the venomous creatures fleeing Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake as Sun Bang completed his practice. A gigantic translucent white silkworm emerged from the lake and crawled toward Sun Bang, whose fear made Huang Xiao suspect it was dangerous.

• Li Yuncong and the disciples assumed Sun Bang's Power-Devouring Poison Force had frightened the venomous creatures, while Xu Yan and Huang Xiao sensed something was wrong.
• Sun Bang rose and warned everyone to flee Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake, but Li Yuncong and the other disciples dismissed his warning.
• The mist thickened, the cold stiffened Huang Xiao's body, and the venomous creatures vanished from sight.
• A huge translucent white silkworm crawled out of the lake and moved toward Sun Bang.
• The disciples called the creature harmless, but Huang Xiao noticed Sun Bang's fear and became wary.

Xu Yan recognized the creature Sun Bang had awakened as the Heavenly Yin Silkworm and warned the disciples that it could drain their internal power and kill nearly everyone present. The disciples fled, but Sun Bang refused to abandon his attempt to gain power as the silkworm approached him.

• Xu Yan suddenly identified Sun Bang’s creature as the Heavenly Yin Silkworm and ordered everyone to flee.
• Xu Yan explained that Grandmaster Liao had used the silkworm to cultivate the Power-Devouring Poison Force, and that only Mid Peerless experts or stronger could confidently defeat it.
• Huang Xiao ordered the disciples to leave, and they hurried toward the entrance.
• Huang Xiao urged Sun Bang to flee, but Sun Bang refused because he had spent great effort awakening the silkworm and believed success was near.
• Sun Bang revealed that he had pursued the Heavenly Yin Silkworm to surpass Xu Yan, despite understanding the danger to his life.

Sun Bang tried to subdue the Heavenly Yin Silkworm by feeding it his poisonous blood while Xu Yan and Huang Xiao watched anxiously. The silkworm accepted the blood and let Sun Bang touch it, leaving him convinced that his plan was working.

• Xu Yan stayed with Huang Xiao while Qinghe and Li Yuncong hurried to summon the sect's elders.
• Xu Yan warned Huang Xiao that the newly awakened Heavenly Yin Silkworm was distracted by the Poison King Cauldron's smoke and might become dangerous once fully alert.
• Sun Bang approached the silkworm despite Xu Yan and Huang Xiao's gestures, intending to tame it and strengthen his cultivation.
• Sun Bang cut his wrist and fed his dark blood to the silkworm, which showed interest in it and turned toward him.
• Sun Bang touched and gently stroked the silkworm as it drank his blood, while Huang Xiao and Xu Yan watched and hoped he would succeed.

Sun Bang’s blood feeding kept the Heavenly Yin Silkworm docile, but it threatened to drain him dry. When he stopped, the creature went berserk, blocked the exit, and knocked Sun Bang, Huang Xiao, and Xu Yan down, leaving them unable to fight back.

• Huang Xiao and Xu Yan realized the Heavenly Yin Silkworm’s blood feeding was draining Sun Bang and urged him to stop.
• Sun Bang warned that stopping the feeding would make the creature go berserk, but Huang Xiao, Xu Yan, and Sun Bang agreed to flee together when he withdrew his hand.
• The Heavenly Yin Silkworm turned frosty and aggressive, raced ahead of them, and blocked the exit.
• Huang Xiao, Xu Yan, and Sun Bang attacked together, but the creature’s body resisted their blows and left them injured.
• The Heavenly Yin Silkworm moved too quickly for the three to follow and knocked them several yards away.

Huang Xiao, Xu Yan, and Sun Bang fought the Heavenly Yin Silkworm, which attacked Sun Bang for his poisonous blood and then tried to drain Huang Xiao’s internal power. Huang Xiao used the Northern Darkness Absorption Method to counter it, but also absorbed the creature’s intense cold.

• Sun Bang rose to hold off the Heavenly Yin Silkworm, but it pounced on him and began drinking his poisonous blood.
• Huang Xiao stabbed the silkworm with Godslayer, causing it to roll in pain before it attacked him in a rage.
• Xu Yan shielded Huang Xiao from the silkworm’s blow and was flung away, while Sun Bang weakened from blood loss.
• The Heavenly Yin Silkworm knocked Huang Xiao down and began devouring his internal power as it tried to force Godslayer from its body.
• Huang Xiao used the Northern Darkness Absorption Method to draw his internal power back, but also absorbed the silkworm’s icy chill.

The Heavenly Yin Silkworm poisoned Huang Xiao’s meridians and dantian, but Xu Yan suddenly forced the beast to flee into Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake before collapsing unconscious. Huang Xiao’s injuries proved beyond the reach of his martial uncles and Wang Yuantu, and the Valley Master arrived as they faced his imminent death.

• The Heavenly Yin Silkworm refined its cold energy into a corrosive poison and forced it into Huang Xiao, ruining his meridians and dantian.
• Xu Yan rose despite her injuries, shouted at the Heavenly Yin Silkworm, and frightened it back into Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake before fainting.
• Hua Yuan, Mei Jingfeng, and Zhu Xiao arrived, sealed off Ten-Thousand Poisons Lake, and carried Huang Xiao, Xu Yan, and Sun Bang back for treatment.
• Wang Yuantu tried to heal Huang Xiao but found his meridians too damaged to repair, while Mei Jingfeng treated Xu Yan.
• Wang Yuantu concluded that Huang Xiao could not be saved and prepared to report his condition to the Valley Master.
• The Valley Master appeared beside Huang Xiao’s bed before Wang Yuantu could leave.

The Valley Master treated Huang Xiao but could only suppress the poisonous cold energy in his dantian and repair his meridians, leaving him with at most six months to live. Wang Yuantu and the others learned the Soul-Returning Scripture could not save him, then discussed Xiao Yan and Sun Bang as they considered what would happen next.

• The Valley Master gathered the poisonous cold energy in Huang Xiao's dantian, delaying its eruption while warning that Huang Xiao could live for six months at most.
• The Valley Master explained that Medicine God Valley's Soul-Returning Scripture could not repair Huang Xiao's damaged dantian or save him.
• Wang Yuantu, Hua Yuan, and Zhu Xiao left the room, and Hua Yuan said Huang Xiao had been fortunate to survive the Heavenly Yin Silkworm's attack.
• Mei Jingfeng learned Huang Xiao's condition was hopeless and reported that Xiao Yan's injuries had stabilized, though she remained unconscious.
• Wang Yuantu said Sun Bang would be severely punished after he recovered from his injuries.