Chapter Summaries

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.

Jiang Yan prepared to ambush Jiang Chi, assessed his defenses, and suspected Desire Corpse would try to kill him during the Yearly Examination. As Jiang Chi slipped out of town near curfew, Jiang Yan and An Ling pursued him while Gu-Eating hid along his route to intercept him.

• Jiang Yan reviewed his talismans, techniques, and other defenses, then spent the night planning how to kill Jiang Chi.
• An Ling confirmed that Desire Corpse had not approached town, and Jiang Yan predicted that he would attack during the Yearly Examination.
• Near curfew, An Ling spotted Jiang Chi using a concealment art, so Jiang Yan and An Ling set off after him while Xipi Daoist Child stayed behind to alert Gu-Eating.
• Gu-Eating concealed himself as a centipede beside the route and activated his concealment talisman and beastly talent.
• When Jiang Chi's faint pink shadow approached, Gu-Eating summoned the Fire-Walking Cloud to fill the area with mist.

Jiang Yan and An Ling ambushed Jiang Chi after Gu-Eating trapped him in Fire-Walking Cloud fog. They blasted through Jiang Chi’s defenses with Divine Thunder, leaving him barely alive in a crater.

• Gu-Eating used three Fire-Walking Clouds to shroud Jiang Chi’s escape route in dark-red fog, hoping to delay him until Jiang Yan and An Ling arrived.
• Jiang Yan and An Ling waited above the fog, then blinded Jiang Chi’s Spirit Rabbit and killed it as it burst out; Jiang Chi’s Body-Protection Incantation blocked Jiang Yan’s strike.
• Jiang Chi pleaded with Jiang Yan and claimed he had planned to break with the Desire Corpse, while An Ling’s Spirit Butterfly powder corroded his Spiritual Qi shield.
• Jiang Yan hurled a Sword Talisman carrying the Scale Feather Clan’s Divine Thunder, and the explosion destroyed Jiang Chi’s shield and left him barely alive in a crater.

Jiang Yan killed Jiang Chi after foiling his attempted sneak attack, then avoided Jiang Chi’s posthumous curse with a prepared Straw Figure. The night-patrol Dao Army escorted Jiang Yan and An Ling back to town, where Jiang Yan searched Jiang Chi’s belongings and found a damaged Desire Corpse Technique.

• Jiang Chi begged Jiang Yan not to blame the Jiang Household patriarch, then sprang up to attack him with a Short Club Law Artifact.
• Jiang Yan’s prepared Sword Talisman severed Jiang Chi’s head, killing him.
• A black wisp of Qi flew from Jiang Chi’s corpse, but it marked the Straw Figure Jiang Yan had prepared instead of Jiang Yan himself.
• An Ling warned that the night-patrol Dao Army was approaching, and Jiang Yan and An Ling waited rather than flee.
• The Dao Army verified their identities and accepted three bags of Spirit Stones for their curfew violation before escorting them back to town.
• Jiang Yan searched Jiang Chi’s Storage Law Artifact and found a damaged Jade Slip containing the opening lines of the Desire Corpse Technique.

After killing Jiang Chi, Jiang Yan sent his corpse to Jiang Yunyao and prepared for the Yearly Examination while crafting Sword Talismans. When the materials for the Silver Mercury and Black Tin Pill arrived, he began refining it in seclusion and plunged into the boiling mixture.

• Jiang Yan tidied Jiang Chi’s corpse, hid the straw figure marked by Desire Corpse’s black thread, and wrote a letter to his Second Uncle.
• Jiang Yan sent Jiang Chi’s corpse and belt to Jiang Yunyao through Skin Player, and rewarded Gu-Eating with the belt to exchange for a Storage Law Artifact.
• Jiang Yunyao was shocked to learn Jiang Yan had killed Jiang Chi, while Jiang Yan continued making Sword Talismans and studying the Metal-Element Golden Elixir Method.
• Jiang Yan collected the Silver Mercury and Black Tin Pill materials from the Many Treasures Tower and sealed his building before entering seclusion.
• Jiang Yan heated the silver mercury and black tin with Yanbao’s flames, added soft silver ore, and leaped into the boiling cauldron.

Jiang Yan sealed himself inside a Silver Mercury and Black Tin Pill and endured three days of intense heat to refine its essence. He emerged at the upper ninth-rank realm with mercury blood and lead marrow, then learned from An Ling that the Desire Corpse's movements were unclear.

• Jiang Yan entered the cauldron and used the Fetal Nurture Stone to form a pill around himself as Yanbao heated it with Ash Calamity Fire.
• Jiang Yan absorbed Silver Mercury and Black Tin through his pores, enduring severe pain as the substances moved toward his heart and bones.
• After three days, Jiang Yan broke through the pill's shell and attained the upper ninth-rank realm with mercury blood and lead marrow.
• Jiang Yan tested his increased toughness and recovery, then counted eleven strands of Law Power in his Dantian.
• Jiang Yan checked his Message Jade Slip and heard An Ling urge him to come quickly because the Desire Corpse's movements were unclear.