Chapter Summaries

Uncle Niao used the Earth Spirit Pearl to kill a Ruthless Dao cultivator who tried to seize the little Winged Person. The factions overhead realized the pearl’s power was beyond their expectations, while the fight over it remained unresolved.

• Five Daoists led by Teng Chongzhi arrived, and one of them descended to seize the little Winged Person while the others blocked interference.
• Luo Yewang’s Flying Sword was deflected by Teng Chongzhi’s silver Cross-shaped Clasp as Jia Lan challenged the Ruthless Dao’s claim to the treasure.
• The descending Daoist sealed his Law Power with a talisman, but when he touched the little Winged Person and restarted its circulation, the Earth Spirit Pearl retaliated and destroyed his Dantian and Purple Mansion.
• The little Winged Person realized Uncle Niao had killed the Daoist from underground, and he reassured her that she was safe.
• Teng Chongzhi and the other cultivators wondered how the Earth Spirit Pearl had killed Junior Brother Wang, while Jia Lan warned Jia Luo that the pearl might be far more powerful than they had imagined.

Xinghuan’s pursuers mistook a hidden ambush for the Earth Spirit Pearl’s power, while the cultivators in the sky gathered around her. Uncle Niao told Xinghuan to stay put as he prepared to return.

• Daoist Ying noticed Xinghuan was climbing faster and recovering her strength, while Luo Yewang wondered whether the Earth Spirit Pearl was helping her.
• Daoist Liu approached Xinghuan cautiously, sealed his Law Power, and tried to draw her out with promises and threats.
• Daoist Liu sank into the ground and was dragged underground when he tried to use his Law Power, revealing that someone below had ambushed him.
• Monk Jia Ye’s Fragrant Flower Buddha World ended, and he and his Daoist opponent emerged without either defeating the other.
• Nine cultivators watched Xinghuan and searched the ground around her, while Uncle Niao told her to stay by the rock wall because he would be back soon.

The factions clashed over the precious pearl after a newly arrived Sword Cultivator disrupted their negotiations and attacked the Buddhist Sect. The Sword Cultivators and Daoist Ying defeated the Ruthless Dao cultivators, while the Buddhist monks remained locked in battle over the prize.

• Senior Brother Tan, Teng Chongzhi, and Jia Ye each tried to form an alliance, but their competing plans were interrupted by a newly arrived Sword Cultivator.
• The newcomer attacked Jia Lan, and Senior Brother Tan struck at Teng Chongzhi as Luo Yewang and Daoist Ying joined the fight.
• The newcomer killed one Ruthless Dao cultivator, while the Sword Cultivators evaded the Buddhist monks’ techniques and fought in coordination.
• Daoist Ying struggled against the last Ruthless Dao cultivator’s Ruthless Ring and was driven back.
• The newcomer charged into the Ruthless Ring and destroyed the cultivator, leaving the Sword Cultivators facing the Buddhist monks.

Hou Niao and Tan Xiao helped Zhaoneng Temple defeat the Ruthless Dao, but let Teng Chongzhi escape so the temple would share the coming trouble. The chapter ended with Hou Niao proposing that they discuss how to divide the spoils.

• Tan Xiao told Teng Chongzhi he was avenging the Winged People slaughtered in Shanyin Town, while Hou Niao killed the other Ruthless Dao cultivators.
• Jia Ye realized the fighting had been a ruse and joined Tan Xiao and Hou Niao in trying to stop Teng Chongzhi from escaping.
• Teng Chongzhi used a Dragon-Escaping Stake to evade Tan Xiao's Taiji circle, then escaped after Jia Ye's Hinayana Arhat failed to contain his Ruthless Water.
• Tan Xiao and Hou Niao admitted they had each held back rather than kill Teng Chongzhi, intending to make Zhaoneng Temple share the Ruthless Dao's retaliation.
• Hou Niao and Tan Xiao greeted Jia Ye and offered to discuss dividing the spoils.

Hou Niao persuaded Jia Ye and Tan Xiao to return the Earth Spirit Pearl to the Winged People and protect them, while presenting their factions as defenders of justice. The cultivators set out with Luo Yewang cleared of blame and the Winged People under guard.

• Hou Niao argued that the cultivators should return the Earth Spirit Pearl to its original owners rather than fight over it or risk losing it to outsiders.
• Jia Ye and Tan Xiao agreed that returning the pearl would uphold justice for the Winged People and help their factions avoid blame for the Ruthless Dao’s killings.
• Hou Niao, Tan Xiao, and Jia Ye each claimed their faction had defended the Winged People, and Jia Ye forced Jia Lan to accept the label of a secret ally.
• Hou Niao felt relieved that Luo Yewang’s defiance would now reflect well on the Quanzhen Sect and protect him from punishment.
• The cultivators tested who could carry the Winged People’s weakened leader, and Hou Niao proved the most capable.
• The group set off toward the Winged People’s tribe, with Tan Xiao and Jia Ye guarding directly overhead and four others watching the surrounding area.

Hou Niao returned the young Winged girl and Earth Spirit Pearl to her tribe, then traveled with Tan Xiao to the Chu Sect. After seeing the sect’s grand seat at Danyang Mountain, he declared that he wanted to build Shanmen a similarly imposing home.

• Hou Niao carried the young Winged girl to the Winged People Tribe’s camp, where she and the Earth Spirit Pearl were safe.
• Xinghuan said farewell to Hou Niao, who declined to enter the camp and asked her to keep their secret.
• Tan Xiao intercepted Hou Niao and reminded him to keep his promise by visiting the Chu Sect’s master.
• Hou Niao and Tan Xiao traveled to the southeastern states, where Hou Niao warned Tan Xiao to avoid Qi State and Jianye.
• Tan Xiao brought Hou Niao to Danyang Mountain, and Hou Niao admired the Chu Sect’s seat and vowed to build Shanmen a grand one of its own.

Tan Xiao brought Hou Niao through the Danyang Mountain Gate and went to find his master, who was attending the wedding of an elderly relative. The two arrived at the wedding gathering and exchanged barbs while watching the newlyweds receive their guests.

• Tan Xiao showed Hou Niao around Danyang Mountain Gate, praising the Chu Sect's bold construction while Hou Niao joked that Shanmen would bring back an immortal mountain.
• Tan Xiao learned from attendant Qingmu that his master was away at Sixth Granduncle's wedding and decided to go there with Hou Niao.
• Tan Xiao explained that Sixth Granduncle was a nearly ninety-year-old formation expert whose cultivation had stopped at Bridge Guiding.
• Tan Xiao and Hou Niao watched Sixth Granduncle and Sixth Grandaunt receive blessings at their wedding among the sect's visiting cultivators.
• Tan Xiao teased Hou Niao about Shanmen Quanzhen's lack of wedding ceremonies, and Hou Niao told him not to attend his wedding or funeral.

Hou Niao visited Yuan True Person and recounted the story of Bamboo Madam, then discovered that Xiao True Person of Anhe knew he had once been planted as an undercover agent in Shanmen. Xiao True Person declared Hou Niao’s obligation void, while asking him to help Anhe when circumstances allowed and Shanmen’s interests were not harmed.

• Hou Niao met Yuan True Person and told him what he had learned about Bamboo Madam on Bamboo Island.
• Yuan True Person said Bamboo Madam had ultimately revered her own heart demon, then left Hou Niao alone with the other old man.
• The old man identified Hou Niao as an Anhe undercover agent, and Hou Niao recognized him as Xiao True Person.
• Xiao True Person explained that Hou Niao’s cover had lost its purpose because Anhe’s main conflict was with the Wu Sect, not Shanmen.
• Xiao True Person voided Hou Niao’s obligation to Anhe but asked him to help the sect when doing so would not harm Shanmen.

Hou Niao learned why Xiao True Person had revealed his undercover identity: he wanted to recruit him to support Anhe’s independence faction and contend for one of the sect’s True Disciple positions. Xiao saw Hou Niao’s loyalty to Anhe and his proven ability as reasons to make him a candidate, leaving Hou Niao facing a difficult choice.

• Hou Niao insisted that he had done more than any other Anhe Daoist within his abilities, and Xiao True Person acknowledged his achievements against the Wu Sect.
• Xiao True Person explained that he had kept Hou Niao’s identity secret to spare him anxiety and said that friendship and affection would bind him to Anhe better than coercion.
• Xiao True Person revealed that he had come to the Chu Sect to find allies for Anhe’s independence faction ahead of the contest for five True Disciple positions.
• Xiao True Person described Anhe’s decline, the Wu Sect’s interference, and his difficulty finding a suitable candidate to challenge the Wu Sect’s influence.
• Xiao True Person concluded that Hou Niao’s record against the Wu Sect made him a promising candidate for an Anhe True Disciple position.

Hou Niao learned from Yao He how Yinling’s Quanzhen forces had divided into a sheltered Town Office faction and a dangerous Patrol faction, and why the locals distrusted them. He also learned that Qian Chong’s abuse of women had damaged relations with Fang Family Fort, while Yao He praised Hou Niao for slapping him.

• Yao He explained that Yinling had little Quanzhen presence and that the sect’s plan to use it as a training ground had failed because it could not control the region.
• Yao He described how the Town Office and Patrol factions had stopped supporting each other, and said the wounded Town Office group had forced the Patrols to return to Fang Family Fort.
• Hou Niao learned that Yao He belonged to the Patrol faction and had returned after Commissioner Guo asked Patrol Envoy Xiang for reinforcements.
• Yao He told Hou Niao that Qian Chong had preyed on young women in Fang Family Fort, provoking public outrage and harming the locals’ opinion of Quanzhen.
• Yao He thanked Hou Niao for slapping Qian Chong and said the Patrols would soon return under Senior Brother Xiang’s direction.

After returning from the Yaoguang Mountains, Hou Niao received a great merit and was promoted to sword-bearing Accompanying Rong. He reunited with Zong Qian, who told him that Wang Mian had also joined the prefectural service.

• Judge Cheng awarded Hou Niao a great merit for resolving the Yaoguang Mountains affair without antagonizing the other prefectures and sects.
• Judge Cheng praised Hou Niao's record and said he might represent the Minister of Justice Prefecture at the Quanzhen annual assembly.
• The Minister of Justice Prefecture promoted Hou Niao to sword-bearing Accompanying Rong after one of the current holders failed several assignments.
• Hou Niao returned to the prefecture and found that Li Chuping was avoiding him.
• Hou Niao reunited with Zong Qian, who had returned from serving in other provinces and had been transferred to the Minister of Justice Prefecture.
• Zong Qian told Hou Niao that Wang Mian had joined the Minister of Works Prefecture, and the two set off to find him.

Hou Niao and Zong Qian visited the Minister of Works Prefecture in Jade Capital to see their old friend Wang Mian. They found Wang Mian being battered in a sword-dueling initiation and surrounded by wrecked Personal Puppets.

• Hou Niao and Zong Qian recalled how only three members of their old Jincheng Yamen Constable Squad had survived to reunite in Jade Capital.
• Hou Niao and Zong Qian entered the Minister of Works Prefecture, where Zong Qian complained that Wang Mian had become a Sword Marshal ahead of him.
• Hou Niao and Zong Qian learned about the differing ranks and duties across the three prefectures as they searched for the Sword-Dueling Arena.
• Hou Niao and Zong Qian spotted Wang Mian in the arena, enduring his senior brothers’ customary beatings of a new Sword Marshal.
• Hou Niao saw Wang Mian surrounded by the wreckage of more than a dozen Personal Puppets, having lost both face and money.

Zong Qian and Hou Niao found Wang Mian being worn down by repeated sword challenges at the Minister of Works Prefecture and learned he was struggling to afford replacement puppets. When Senior Brother Shan tried to force an inflated puppet sale, Zong Qian challenged him, and Shan proposed settling the dispute with swords.

• Zong Qian and Hou Niao saw Wang Mian recovering after another personal puppet had been shattered in a bout with a veteran Sword Marshal.
• Wang Mian admitted that he had been challenged repeatedly and was short of funds after buying dozens of puppets and spending heavily to reach the Upper Realm.
• Zong Qian lent Wang Mian a Treasure Gourd of spirit stones and questioned why Wang Mian had already spent his resources.
• Senior Brother Shan offered Wang Mian a replacement puppet for a hundred high-grade spirit stones, and Zong Qian objected that it was worth far less.
• Senior Brother Shan accused Zong Qian of trying to defend Wang Mian and challenged him to a sword match, promising to waive and refund the puppet charges if Zong Qian won, but demanding a thousand high-grade spirit stones if he lost.

Hou Niao traveled into the Northwest, where humans fought the Binxu Desert’s undead creatures along a vast and dangerous border. He headed for the Ancient Loulan sector, maintained by Shanmen Quanzhen and several smaller Demonic Sect traditions.

• Hou Niao reflected on the Northwest’s harsh climate, weak cultivation forces, and frequent conflicts with desert undead creatures.
• He considered Yu Zhengxing’s long service in the region and thought that people like him and Luo Yewang were the true backbone of Shanmen Quanzhen.
• Hou Niao crossed the increasingly barren, windblown landscape and used a map to keep his direction.
• He learned that cultivators from across the continent were scattered along the tens of thousands of li bordering the Binxu Desert.
• Hou Niao identified the eight border sectors and continued toward Ancient Loulan, where Shanmen Quanzhen helped maintain the line.

Hou Niao traveled across the Binxu Desert toward Loulan City, choosing to experience the harsh journey and local customs firsthand. He encountered a cautious merchant caravan, whose members mistook him for a possible danger before recognizing him as a human traveler.

• Hou Niao learned about Ancient Loulan and the desert region Shanmen Quanzhen guarded as he crossed the dunes.
• Hou Niao descended near a caravan and walked ahead of it to experience the desert journey, discovering that his earth escape worked especially well in the sand.
• The caravan's leader spotted Hou Niao and warned the others to prepare bows and arrows, while the boy Xiao Li argued that he was a Qi Ingestion practitioner.
• After seeing Hou Niao was human, Xiao Li cheerfully offered him a camel's hump and sweet milk wine.

Hou Niao traveled toward Loulan City with Sha Jia’s caravan and learned how the locals survived and defended their home in the Binxu Desert. He arrived determined to understand the region before facing the undead that threatened it.

• Sha Jia offered Hou Niao a sand camel and a place in his caravan, and Hou Niao accepted.
• Hou Niao introduced himself as a Qi Ingestion practitioner from the south and said he had come to hunt undead monsters.
• Sha Shi explained that desert residents refused to retreat because each generation’s withdrawal would eventually surrender human territory to the undead.
• Sha Jia and Sha Shi described Loulan’s oasis, livelihoods, resources, population, and the cultivators who patrolled against undead incursions.
• Hou Niao learned that powerful undead could rival Golden Core cultivators and resolved to study the region carefully before fighting them.

Hou Niao used the Hanging Thunder Talisman to suppress the Luan Bird long enough for Hai Xixi to calm and tame it, while discovering Hai Xixi’s secret. The two agreed to conceal Wu Weijiang’s betrayal and leave the truth buried for now.

• Hou Niao and Hai Xixi realized Wu Weijiang had used a method that trapped them in Tuling Grotto-Heaven with the Luan Bird.
• Hai Xixi proposed taming the Luan Bird, and Hou Niao agreed to restrain it while she performed her inherited ritual.
• Hou Niao’s Hanging Thunder Talisman subdued the Luan Bird, allowing Hai Xixi to approach and calm it.
• Hai Xixi succeeded in taming the Luan Bird but questioned whether it had truly submitted willingly and asked how Hou Niao had restrained it.
• Hou Niao realized Hai Xixi was secretly a man and connected the discovery to Wu Weijiang’s apparent contempt for him.
• Hou Niao and Hai Xixi decided to describe Wu Weijiang as having sacrificed himself to help them and keep the truth to themselves.

Hou Niao traveled with Sha Jia’s caravan to a seasonal pool in the Binxu Desert and learned how undead creatures preyed on people near water sources. When three skeletal creatures attacked the men at the pool, Hou Niao stopped Sha Shi from rushing in and prepared to intervene.

• Hou Niao considered the unresolved problem of his flying sword’s Sword Spirit and continued traveling with Sha Jia’s caravan.
• Sha Jia explained that seasonal pools drew dangerous creatures, including undead creatures that ambushed people near water sources.
• Sha Shi told Hou Niao that Loulan’s cultivators mainly patrolled for large groups of undead, leaving caravans to face smaller threats themselves.
• As Sha Jia and four men took sand camels to drink, a camel panicked and the herd stampeded, warning them that undead creatures were emerging.
• Three skeletal creatures attacked Sha Jia’s group, and their arrows failed to harm them as the men retreated.
• Hou Niao restrained Sha Shi and told him to guard their position while he dealt with the attackers.

Hou Niao reached Loulan after protecting a caravan from undead and encouraging Sha Shi to study and cultivate. In the oasis, he reunited with Yu Zhengxing, who had summoned him to the northwest, and they prepared to celebrate their reunion with wine.

• Hou Niao destroyed three undead with his Flying Sword, then studied their remains while Sha Jia and the others gathered sand camels.
• Hou Niao urged Sha Shi to learn to read and study the Dao, warning him that ordinary weapons could not defeat even the weakest undead.
• After a month of travel, Hou Niao arrived at Loulan Oasis and left the caravan, telling Sha Shi to change before he departed in a few years.
• Hou Niao met Nan Xiangye, who led him to Yu Zhengxing, and learned that the senior had been waiting for him.
• Hou Niao and Yu Zhengxing traded teasing remarks about their lives and reunion, then Hou Niao brought out fine wine from his Treasure Gourd.

Hou Niao learned from Yu Zhengxing how Quanzhen Sect’s understaffed forces guarded the vast frontier against the undead. Yu Zhengxing assigned him to lead Gui Team, and Hou Niao left to prepare for his first deployment.

• Yu Zhengxing explained that roughly a hundred human cultivators patrolled over three thousand li of frontier while Zhongshan Kingdom dealt with undead that slipped through.
• Yu Zhengxing described the teams, rotations, and mutual deterrence that kept higher-level undead from openly attacking the interior.
• Yu Zhengxing ordered Hou Niao to begin work immediately and lead a team, reminding him to protect the cultivators under his command.
• Yu Zhengxing gave Hou Niao a Jade Slip about the desert and the undead, then assigned him to Gui Team after its leader had been lost in an accident.
• Hou Niao joked about taking Yu Zhengxing’s position someday and left to prepare, while Yu Zhengxing smiled at the prospect of having a capable ally.