Recaps

Jiang Yan sought Dragonflame Daoist’s advice on choosing a form for his Fire Spirit, then entered the technique hall to select Dao Arts suited to his cultivation. He began choosing techniques for his future path, with several selected cylinders laid out before him.

• Dragonflame Daoist brought Jiang Yan to the technique hall and suggested possible Fire Spirit forms, including dragons, phoenixes, qilins, tigers, turtles, and snakes.
• Jiang Yan ruled out several forms and found inspiration in the idea of giving a tiger wings, telling Dragonflame Daoist he had an idea.
• Dragonflame Daoist explained that the hall’s three floors held techniques for Ninth, Eighth, and Seventh Grade cultivators, and advised Jiang Yan to choose a complete set before reaching Seventh Grade.
• After Dragonflame Daoist left, Jiang Yan examined the reusable jade cylinders and searched for offensive, defensive, and movement techniques.
• Jiang Yan selected the Palm-Released Parting Flame Technique and rejected the Fire-Consuming Qi-Transformation Technique because its effects overlapped with the Fushi Technique and were weaker.

Jiang Yan selected four Dao Arts and returned to his Daoist Arena, where he planned to begin with Fire-Walking Cloud. After bathing and considering Jinbao’s bloodline and his own plans, he studied the jade tubes for the night.

• Jiang Yan chose Sword Talisman Beheads, Palm-Fired Departing Flame, Yellowstone Mystic Fire Shield, and Fire-Walking Cloud, and the Spell Hall’s snake warned him not to cultivate too many arts at the Ninth-Rank Lower Realm.
• Jiang Yan returned to his Daoist Arena and learned Muling Daoist Boy had directed Niu Da and the other Lishi to carve steps and begin digging a pool.
• Jiang Yan bathed with Jinbao and wondered whether he could purify Jinbao’s bloodline, deciding to ask Dragonflame Daoist and inquire about visiting his cousin in East River Town.
• Jiang Yan asked Rabbit Tail about her Beastfolk origins and sent her and Fox Tail back to the second floor after they helped him dry off.
• Jiang Yan took out the four jade tubes and began studying them.

Jiang Yan prepared to cultivate the Fire-Walking Cloud, learned which volcanic materials it required, and had Muling Daoist Boy obtain them from the storehouse. After setting up a Ritual Altar, Jiang Yan opened an unexpected box containing a wisp of Metal Qi.

• Jiang Yan placed the fire spirit in a mound of yellow mud, then used the Stone Book to study the Fire-Walking Cloud and learned it required volcanic smoke and volcanic ash marrow.
• Jiang Yan discovered the fire spirit had filled his room with Fire-Element Spiritual Qi, cultivated through the night, and sensed a fifth strand of Law Power beginning to form.
• Jiang Yan asked Muling Daoist Boy about finding the materials, and Muling suggested requesting them from the storehouse; Jiang Yan sent him with his waist token.
• Jiang Yan prepared a circular Ritual Altar and inscribed register script to restrain the volcanic smoke.
• Muling returned with five portions each of volcanic ash marrow and pure volcanic smoke, plus a small box supplied by the Prefecture Academy.
• Jiang Yan wrapped the small box in Law Power and opened it, finding a wisp of Metal Qi inside.

Jiang Yan refined a Fire-Walking Cloud with Muling Daoist Boy’s help and tested its flight and mist-form abilities. Satisfied with the result, he attached it to his robe and offered to refine one for Muling as well.

• Jiang Yan recognized that the golden Qi could give the Fire-Walking Cloud a reddish-gold color and began refining it with Muling Daoist Boy’s help.
• Jiang Yan combined volcanic ash marrow, fire silkworm silk, volcanic smoke, golden Qi, and white mother cloud sand, then washed the finished cloud with his Law Power.
• Jiang Yan tested the Fire-Walking Cloud as a flying platform and dispersed it into mist that disoriented Niu Da, Ma Yi, and the other workers.
• Jiang Yan recalled the workers, gave them pills, and told them to rest for two days after accidentally catching them in the mist.
• Jiang Yan called Muling Daoist Boy back and offered to refine a Fire-Walking Cloud for him.

Jiang Yan and Muling Daoist Boy finished refining their Fire-Walking Clouds, and Jiang Yan flew to visit Dragonflame Daoist. Dragonflame arranged for Jiang Yan to travel back to East River Town with a Dao Army unit and assured him that the Prefecture Academy would provide a chance to strengthen Jinbao’s bloodline.

• Jiang Yan and Muling Daoist Boy completed their Fire-Walking Clouds, with Muling’s cloud turning black after he added too much volcanic smoke.
• Jiang Yan flew to Dragonflame Daoist’s volcano on his new cloud and visited his senior brother.
• Dragonflame Daoist told Jiang Yan he could request more Lishi, while Jiang Yan said he wanted help returning to East River Town for the annual examination without confronting Desire Corpse Daoist alone.
• Dragonflame Daoist arranged for Jiang Yan to travel with a Dao Army unit that would pass through East River Town at the end of the month.
• Dragonflame Daoist assured Jiang Yan that the Prefecture Academy would give him an opportunity to strengthen Jinbao’s thin Three-Legged Golden Toad bloodline.

Jiang Yan watched a fire spirit emerge from its shell and take the Qiongqi form he had designed, then named it Yanbao and established a master-servant contract. He left the courtyard with Yanbao and Jinbao and had Yanbao grow to nearly ten feet tall to inspect its full form.

• Jiang Yan spent half a month cultivating while Muling Daoist Boy brought back four Lishi to fill the courtyard's vacancies.
• Jiang Yan nourished the fire spirit with law power until its shell burst and it began taking the Qiongqi form he had drawn.
• The newly formed fire spirit became a palm-sized winged beast, and Jiang Yan named it Yanbao.
• Jiang Yan used the Ritual Altar and a thread of the Immortal Dynasty's fortune to make Yanbao acknowledge him as its master.
• Jiang Yan took Yanbao and Jinbao outside, then had Yanbao grow into a nearly ten-foot-tall beast.

Jiang Yan tested Yanbao’s speed and strength after his Fire Spirit took the form of a winged tiger, then brought it to Flame Carp for advice. Flame Carp admired Yanbao and explained that its deep-yellow, black-tinged fire was a combat-oriented Divergent Flame, leaving Jiang Yan to name it.

• Jiang Yan rode Yanbao away from the Small Courtyard and found that it flew faster than his Fire-Walking Cloud.
• Jiang Yan tested Yanbao’s flames and physical strength on a deserted volcano, where it destroyed the rocks.
• Jiang Yan brought Yanbao to Flame Carp, who admired its imposing form and approved of its name.
• Jiang Yan had Yanbao display its deep-yellow, black-tinged fire, and Flame Carp analyzed its properties.
• Flame Carp explained that Yanbao’s flame was a combat-suited Divergent Flame and told Jiang Yan he could name it.

Jiang Yan named his new flame Ash Calamity Fire and received a valuable scale from Flame Carp, which he used to improve his cultivation before departing to join the Dao Army. As he left, his seniors gave him protective talismans and a jade pendant, and he learned that his tenth senior brother was serving in the army unit.

• Jiang Yan named the flame Ash Calamity Fire, and Flame Carp tossed one of his large reddish-gold scales onto the shore before disappearing.
• Jiang Yan brought the scale home and decided to save it as an altar for his eighth-grade breakthrough, using it as a meditation cushion to cultivate for several days.
• Muling Daoist Boy took the Lishi behind the mountain to build a ring-shaped lake around the volcano.
• Ying Leng gave Jiang Yan three Cold Flame Talismans, and Jiang Yan departed with Long Yan to join the Dao Army.
• Long Yan gave Jiang Yan his protective jade pendant and told him to return it after facing the Desire Corpse Daoist.
• Jiang Yan learned that his tenth senior brother was part of the Dao Army unit stationed at the Blowing Fire Daoist Arena.

Jiang Yan met his tenth senior brother, Spitting Fire Daoist, and joined his Dao Army squad on the way to East River Town. Spitting Fire and his soldiers helped Jiang Yan prepare to face the grade-seven Desire Corpse Daoist, and the town came into view as they arrived.

• Long Yan brought Jiang Yan to a hidden crater, where Spitting Fire Daoist revealed himself as Jiang Yan’s tenth senior brother.
• Spitting Fire gave Jiang Yan a Scale Feather Clan weapon called Divine Thunder and led his Dao Army squad out toward East River Town.
• Spitting Fire learned that Jiang Yan was being targeted by Desire Corpse Daoist and gave him two more Divine Thunder weapons.
• Spitting Fire’s soldiers shared what they knew about Desire Corpse Daoist and discussed ways Jiang Yan could fight him.
• Jiang Yan traveled with the squad and saw East River Town’s entrance on the horizon.

Jiang Yan returned to the Prefecture Academy with the Dao Army’s protection, drawing the attention of Xiao Li and Li Yunshu. He then rode to Spring Breeze Tower to visit his cousin Jiang Yunyao and consider bringing members of the Jiang Household to his Daoist Arena.

• Spitting Fire Daoist and the Dao Army escorted Jiang Yan to the town streets, where Xiao Li and Li Yunshu recognized him and marveled at his status and appearance.
• Xiao Li and Li Yunshu speculated that Jiang Yan had gained powerful backing, while Xiao Li wondered whether Jiang Yan had cursed Xiao Sheng and Li Shun.
• Jiang Yan noticed Xiao Li and Li Yunshu but chose not to speak with them, putting them out of his mind as he rode away on Yanbao.
• Jiang Yan decided to visit Jiang Yunyao at Spring Breeze Tower, remembering her help and considering how he might shelter members of the Jiang Household at his Daoist Arena.
• Jiang Yan entered Spring Breeze Tower, recognized the young servant who had mistaken him for a guest, and asked to see Jiang Yunyao.

Jiang Yan visited Jiang Yunyao at Spring Breeze Tower and learned that she was secretly carrying out a Prefecture Academy assignment, not working as a singing girl. After explaining the higher and lower methods of the Furnace-Refining and Cauldron-Commanding Dao, Jiang Yunyao worried about Jiang Yan’s return to face the Desire Corpse and Jiang Chi, but he remained determined to settle matters with Jiang Chi.

• Jiang Yan arrived at Jiang Yunyao’s room, and she assumed he had come to rescue her from Spring Breeze Tower.
• Jiang Yunyao used a Sound-Isolating Talisman and revealed that she was refining Lustful Desire Qi for a Prefecture Academy assignment.
• Jiang Yunyao explained that she cultivated the Furnace-Refining and Cauldron-Commanding Dao, describing its Lower Vehicle’s carnal methods and its Higher Vehicle’s manipulation of affections.
• Jiang Yunyao warned Jiang Yan to beware practitioners of the Higher Vehicle, who could exploit others’ feelings and possessions for cultivation.
• Jiang Yunyao worried that the Desire Corpse might attack Jiang Yan, but Jiang Yan said he intended to settle matters with Jiang Chi.

Jiang Yan visited Jiang Yunyao, then went to the Market to obtain the Five-Element Golden Elixir Method and encountered his former neighbor Skin Player. The chapter left Jiang Yan at Skin Player’s stall, where Gu-Eating was absent.

• Jiang Yunyao gave Jiang Yan a small bottle of Lustful Desire Qi and declined to leave the Spring Breeze Tower, saying she still wanted to pursue cultivation.
• Jiang Yan went to the Market intending to draw out Jiang Chi and bought the complete Five-Element Golden Elixir Method for free from the Many Treasures Tower.
• Jiang Yan reached the Market’s outer stalls and found Skin Player selling beast hides beside the vat Gu-Eating had used to refine gu.
• Jiang Yan greeted Skin Player, who had not yet noticed him.

Jiang Yan reunited with Xipi Daoist Child, who asked him to help Gu-Eating Daoist Child after a disastrous expedition left Gu-Eating grievously injured. Jiang Yan saw that Gu-Eating had transformed into a huge centipede-like creature, but his condition remained unexplained.

• Jiang Yan met Xipi Daoist Child at the Market and agreed to hear what had happened to Gu-Eating Daoist Child.
• Xipi Daoist Child explained that an expedition with a fellow Daoist had left his Body-Wrapping Skin Robe breached and Gu-Eating battered into two pieces while saving him.
• Xipi Daoist Child led Jiang Yan to their rooms and warned him that Gu-Eating's condition was not good.
• Gu-Eating Daoist Child emerged from beneath a quilt, revealing a centipede body more than two meters long and countless insect legs.

Jiang Yan learned how Jade Bottle Daoist’s unfinished technique had transformed the Gu-Eating Daoist Child after a fatal injury, leaving him tormented by light sensitivity and a compulsion to eat himself. He agreed to examine him and began investigating where the compulsion started.

• Jiang Yan asked why the Gu-Eating Daoist Child had become a centipede-like creature, and Xipi explained that Jade Bottle Daoist had used an experimental technique to save him from fatal injuries.
• Xipi revealed that the transformation made Gu-Eating unable to tolerate light and caused him to eat his own flesh, leaving him likely to live only another month or two.
• Jiang Yan initially refused to restore Gu-Eating’s body or confront Jade Bottle Daoist, but agreed to examine him after Xipi offered their remaining possessions.
• Jiang Yan cautiously inspected Gu-Eating’s body and found that the grafted insect body appeared seamlessly joined to him.
• Jiang Yan asked where the urge to eat himself began, and Gu-Eating pointed to a spot one meter and seven chi below his head.

Jiang Yan restrained Gu-Eating Daoist Child and used his flame to purge the demonic nature causing the Daoist Child to bite himself. Afterward, he asked Skin Player and Gu-Eating to find him at Jiang Street the next day to discuss a favor.

• Jiang Yan bound Gu-Eating Daoist Child with his horsetail whisk so the Daoist Child could release his suppression and reveal the affliction.
• Jiang Yan recognized that demonic nature in Gu-Eating’s centipede body was driving the self-devouring attacks.
• Jiang Yan used Palm-Fired Departing Flame to burn away the demonic nature while Skin Player watched.
• After about an hour, Jiang Yan finished cleansing the body, and Gu-Eating regained control of himself.
• Jiang Yan told Skin Player and Gu-Eating to meet him at the third small building on Jiang Street the next day, then left with the Storage Bag.

Jiang Yan returned to his old courtyard, where Zhang Yunhong told him Jiang Chi was responsible for her ruined condition and had gone to Desire Corpse Daoist's estate. After considering how to investigate Jiang Chi, Jiang Yan returned to Muling's building, sorted through Xipi Daoist's Storage Bag, and took out the Fire-Resisting Pill he had saved.

• Jiang Yan visited his former room and saw that Zhang Yunhong had grown pale, thin, and prematurely gray.
• Zhang Yunhong told Jiang Yan that Jiang Chi was at Desire Corpse Daoist's estate east of East River Town and said Jiang Chi was the reason she looked as she did.
• Jiang Yan decided not to trust Zhang Yunhong's information without checking it, and considered asking An Ling to help him gather information.
• Jiang Yan went to Muling's building and searched the Storage Bag Xipi Daoist had given him, keeping the beast hides, beast sinews, Gu-raising jar, and Spirit Stones.
• Jiang Yan planned to return the remaining odds and ends and the Storage Bag to Skin Player, then took out his Fire-Resisting Pill.

Jiang Yan cultivated overnight before welcoming Skin Player, who offered himself and Gu-Eating as Jiang Yan’s followers. Jiang Yan accepted and revealed that he was Blowing Fire High Person’s Twelfth Disciple and had returned to settle matters with Desire Corpse Daoist.

• Jiang Yan resumed cultivating on Uncle Flame Carp’s scale, while Jinbao and Yanbao absorbed Spiritual Qi beside him.
• The next morning, Jiang Yan spotted Skin Player waiting outside and invited him in.
• Skin Player reported that Gu-Eating’s self-devouring urge had stopped and that he could control his Demon Body.
• Skin Player explained their backgrounds and offered for himself and Gu-Eating to serve Jiang Yan; Jiang Yan accepted.
• Jiang Yan returned Skin Player’s Storage Bag and told him that Blowing Fire High Person was his master and that he had come back to deal with Desire Corpse Daoist.

Jiang Yan sent Xipi Daoist Child to watch the eastern entrance for Jiang Chi, then went to the Prefecture Academy Law Hall to meet An Ling. After studying the life plaques and learning his master’s name, he waited while the disciple on duty contacted An Ling.

• Jiang Yan asked Xipi Daoist Child to watch the eastern entrance each day and report if Jiang Chi arrived.
• Jiang Yan rode Yanbao to the Law Hall and examined the Prefecture Academy’s life plaques.
• Jiang Yan saw his Senior Brother Long Yan’s plaque and learned that his master’s name was Yan Qiudao.
• Jiang Yan asked the disciple on duty to tell An Ling that a fellow Daoist surnamed Jiang wished to discuss the Dao.
• An Ling confirmed Jiang Yan was her fellow Daoist and said she would come, while Jiang Yan waited with the disciple on duty.

Jiang Yan asked An Ling to investigate Desire Corpse Daoist and Jiang Chi, but Mingling Daoist proposed that An Ling join Jiang Yan in facing Desire Corpse as part of her own tempering. An Ling accepted, and they agreed to plan together after she completed her investigation.

• A disciple on duty explained to Jiang Yan why names were recorded for removal from the academy rolls.
• An Ling arrived with Senior Sister Mingling and brought Jiang Yan to a side hall to discuss his request.
• Jiang Yan apologized to An Ling for their past misunderstanding and asked her to investigate Desire Corpse Daoist and Jiang Chi.
• Mingling told An Ling to investigate Desire Corpse and join Jiang Yan in dealing with him, then left them to discuss the details.
• Jiang Yan and An Ling agreed that she would investigate both targets and that they would meet to plan afterward.
• Mingling explained that she wanted An Ling and Jiang Yan to join forces, and An Ling resolved to uncover Desire Corpse's background quickly.

Jiang Yan and An Ling waited east of town for Jiang Chi, who returned early with a young boy. Jiang Chi recognized Jiang Yan’s new strength and possessions, then regretted having spent years currying favor with Desire Corpse Daoist.

• An Ling reported that Jiang Chi was returning a day early, and Jiang Yan rode Yanbao east to meet him.
• Skin Player explained that Gu-Eating had spotted Jiang Chi while keeping watch near the road.
• An Ling joined Jiang Yan, and they waited near the town entrance instead of attempting an ambush.
• Jiang Chi arrived on a Pink-Furred Rabbit with a young boy beside him and saw Jiang Yan mounted on a Red-Flame Winged Tiger.
• Jiang Chi recalled Desire Corpse Daoist’s warning and wondered whether he had made a mistake by not following Jiang Yunyao’s advice to cultivate diligently.

Jiang Yan attacked Jiang Chi’s companion with a sword talisman, killing him and wounding Jiang Chi before withdrawing into town with An Ling and Skin Player. Jiang Chi restrained himself from breaking the town’s rules, leaving Jiang Yan to plan to watch for a chance to confront him later.

• Jiang Yan killed the youth beside Jiang Chi with his sword talisman, then struck Jiang Chi’s hand when he redirected the attack.
• Jiang Chi killed the pink rabbit carrying the youth and raged at Jiang Yan, blaming him for his own troubles.
• Jiang Yan and An Ling retreated into town with Skin Player, while Jiang Yan prepared a talisman in case Jiang Chi attacked under the town’s rules.
• Jiang Chi stopped outside the town and entered alone rather than attack, and Jiang Yan told An Ling they would watch for a chance to deal with him later.

Jiang Yan’s victory over Pink Ear and his humiliation of Jiang Chi freed him from the pressure that had weighed on him, allowing him to perfect his Ninth-Rank Lower Realm cultivation. He planned to seek the ingredients for the Silver Mercury and Black Tin Pill as Jiang Chi remained in town.

• Jiang Yan asked An Ling to watch Jiang Chi and alert him to any unusual moves, while privately questioning whether she was a trustworthy partner.
• Jiang Yan returned to Muling Daoist Boy’s building, activated the Spirit Gathering Formations, and cultivated with the Flame Carp scale and Spirit Stones.
• Jiang Yan’s Law Power circulated freely as his pent-up pressure eased, and his sixth strand of Law Power grew complete during two days of uninterrupted cultivation.
• Jinbao told Jiang Yan that no one had come looking for him, and Jiang Yan concluded that Jiang Chi had not yet left town.
• Jiang Yan celebrated with Jinbao and Yanbao after realizing he had perfected Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, then noted the ingredients for the Silver Mercury and Black Tin Pill and planned to ask at the Many Treasures Tower.
• Jiang Yan went to sleep while Jinbao and Yanbao watched over him.

Jiang Yan sought the materials needed to build an altar for a cultivation method, but the Many Treasures Tower could not provide enough black tin quickly. An Ling arranged a barter for the tin and negotiated to buy Jiang Yan’s Fire-Resisting Pills, while Jiang Yan prepared to refine them.

• Jiang Yan learned that the Many Treasures Tower could supply most of his requested materials but would need months to gather half a cauldron of black tin.
• Jiang Yan asked An Ling to find black tin urgently, and she offered to contact a disciple connected to a treasury master.
• Jiang Yan agreed to trade five Fire-Resisting Pills for half a cauldron of black tin, with the exchange set for the next day.
• An Ling offered twenty Spirit Stones per additional Fire-Resisting Pill, and Jiang Yan agreed to sell her the pills he had left after reserving some for himself and Senior Brother Long Yan.
• Jiang Yan returned home, set out his Pill Furnace, and called Yanbao to help him refine pills.

Jiang Yan refined Fire-Resisting Pills using Yanbao’s Ash Calamity Fire and Flame Carp’s scale, then discovered the pills eased burning pain better than ordinary ones. He began preparing ingredients to test whether Ash Calamity Fire would also affect Bear-Tiger Pills.

• Jiang Yan cut flakes from Flame Carp’s scale with two damaged Sword Talismans and prepared them as an ingredient for Fire-Resisting Pills.
• Jiang Yan had Yanbao heat the Pill Furnace with Ash Calamity Fire and refined more than twenty Fire Fruits into pulp.
• Jiang Yan fed some Fire Fruit pulp to Jinbao and Yanbao, then immersed the scale flakes in the remaining pulp to form pills.
• Jiang Yan completed the pill-making process and bottled twenty-three Fire-Resisting Pills, setting ten aside for Senior Brother Long Yan.
• Jiang Yan tested a pill’s powder against flame and found that Ash Calamity Fire gave it a stronger pain-resisting effect than ordinary Fire-Resisting Pills.
• Jiang Yan took out ingredients for Bear-Tiger Pills to test Ash Calamity Fire on another pill formula.

Jiang Yan traded Fire-Resisting Pills for black tin, then learned from An Ling that Jiang Chi planned to leave town the following night. Jiang Yan decided to prepare an ambush and kill him.

• Jiang Yan refined Bear-Tiger Pills with Yanbao’s Ash Calamity Fire and discovered that the fire helped him digest their medicinal effects faster.
• Jiang Yan met An Ling and Qiu Fan, inspected a cauldron of black tin, and completed the trade for his Fire-Resisting Pills.
• Jiang Yan sold five Fire-Resisting Pills to An Ling for one hundred Spirit Stones.
• An Ling told Jiang Yan that Jiang Chi had contacted Daoists connected to Desire Corpse and was expected to leave through the west side of town at nightfall the next day.
• Jiang Yan agreed to prepare an ambush and kill Jiang Chi, then rode home on Yanbao.