Chapter Summaries

Strategist Ji searched the garrison camp and questioned Chen An and Li Yin after failing to find Li Yan. In Li Yan’s room, he discovered how Li Yan had forged his handwriting and ruled out Chen An and Li Yin as accomplices, then turned to investigate the remaining clues.

• Strategist Ji searched the garrison camp through the night but found no sign of Li Yan, and the fire poison spreading through his body left him increasingly frenzied.
• Strategist Ji returned to the Strategist's residence and demanded that Chen An and Li Yin recount everything they had done with Li Yan; they told him all they remembered.
• Strategist Ji considered possible hiding places and helpers, including Liu Chengyong, Li Yan’s fellow villagers, the tavern, the ironworks, the military camp, and private homes in the city.
• Strategist Ji examined the ink, brush, and discarded papers in Li Yan’s room, then compared Li Yan’s writing with annotations in books he had previously marked.
• Strategist Ji realized Li Yan had studied and imitated his handwriting to forge the note, and concluded Chen An and Li Yin had not helped Li Yan escape.

Strategist Ji abducted and interrogated two soldiers to confirm that Li Yan had left Green Mountain Pass through the north gate, then began investigating the flowers Li Yan had planted. He found a piece of black silk hidden beneath an unusually sparse flower, while Hong Linying ordered the city sealed and searched.

• Strategist Ji took Feng Chuang and another soldier from the military camp and tortured them until he confirmed Li Yan had not left through the camp gate.
• Strategist Ji deduced that Li Yan had escaped through the north gate and decided the flower planting might reveal his route, while ruling out an immediate search of Li Family Village.
• Liu Chengyong suspected Strategist Ji was behind the soldiers’ disappearance, and Hong Linying ordered the south gate sealed, the north gate inspected, and the city searched for supposed enemy spies.
• Hong Linying recognized that Strategist Ji had made his move and decided to comply with Li Yan’s wishes.
• Strategist Ji released Chen An and Li Yin, searched the flowers and grasses in the valley, and found a folded piece of black silk beneath an unusually tall, malnourished flower.

Strategist Ji found a hidden map on Li Yan’s robe and followed its marked route through Great Green Mountain, where he eventually spotted Li Yan near a cliff. As Li Yan spilled water beside his rock, Strategist Ji noticed the rock changing color and realized something was amiss.

• Strategist Ji uncovered a map hidden in Li Yan’s black robe and used its scratched route to infer where Li Yan might be hiding.
• Strategist Ji sent Chen An and Li Yin to investigate Li Family Village, then checked the Natural Wine House and Ironware Pavilion before entering the mountains.
• Strategist Ji followed the map through the thorny woods, repeatedly correcting his course around Li Yan’s camouflage and misleading trails.
• Strategist Ji found Li Yan eating on a rocky ledge near a cliff and stayed concealed while he considered how to capture him.
• Li Yan startled at a sound, knocked over his waterskin, and spilled water beside the rock; Strategist Ji noticed the rock change color and felt alarmed.

Strategist Ji found Li Yan’s hidden crossbow and waited for him to fall asleep before attacking. Li Yan sprang his trap and escaped down the mountain, but Strategist Ji caught up and wounded his thigh with a wind blade.

• Strategist Ji spotted the crossbow concealed beside Li Yan and realized that Hong Linying had supplied it.
• Strategist Ji waited until Li Yan appeared to be asleep, then crept toward him to launch an attack.
• Li Yan reached for the crossbow as Strategist Ji lunged, but Strategist Ji seized the bowstring first and Li Yan rolled away.
• A trap yanked Strategist Ji over the cliff, but he slowed his fall with an immortal art and climbed back to the top.
• Li Yan fled downhill through thorny shrubs, and Strategist Ji pursued him and slashed his thigh with a blue wind blade.

Li Yan’s successive traps wounded Strategist Ji, but Strategist Ji survived, immobilized him, and recovered with a spirit stone. Strategist Ji revealed that he still planned to use Li Yan to counter his fire poison, while Li Yan realized his master had not noticed another problem.

• Li Yan triggered a spiked wooden rack, injuring Strategist Ji’s left arm, but Strategist Ji survived the trap.
• Strategist Ji immobilized Li Yan, searched the earlier ambush site, and used a spirit stone to recover from his injuries and suppress his fire poison.
• Strategist Ji returned to Li Yan, forced wooden spikes from his arm, and confronted him about his schemes and how he had learned of the plan.
• Li Yan accused Strategist Ji of trading his life for his own, and Strategist Ji admitted he had planned to use Li Yan to counter his deadly poison.
• Strategist Ji deduced that Li Yan had repeatedly kicked over the waterskins, while Li Yan realized Strategist Ji had missed another problem.

Li Yan prepared a lethal boulder trap, but Strategist Ji caught him and began absorbing his spiritual power. Hong Linying and his junior martial brother interrupted the process and attacked Strategist Ji for the jade book, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Li Yan explained how he had rigged a boulder and rope loop to drag anyone reaching beneath it over the cliff.
• Strategist Ji released Li Yan’s restraints and began absorbing the spiritual power from his dantian.
• Li Yan prepared to transform his water-attributed spiritual power into fire-attributed power to trigger Strategist Ji’s suppressed fire poison.
• Hong Linying and his burly junior martial brother arrived, having secretly followed Strategist Ji, and interrupted the absorption.
• Li Yan pointed out the jade book at Strategist Ji’s waist, and Hong Linying and his junior attacked while Strategist Ji questioned how they had tracked him.

Strategist Ji killed Hong Linying with hidden techniques, but Li Yan’s abundant fire-attributed spiritual power destabilized his cultivation and ruined his breakthrough. Li Yan wounded Strategist Ji with concealed blades, but Strategist Ji dodged the strike to his heart and broke Li Yan’s leg.

• Strategist Ji’s Wood Spike Art killed Hong Linying’s burly junior brother, and Hong Linying realized Li Yan had secretly marked Strategist Ji with Kindred Sound Bug pellets.
• Hong Linying attacked Strategist Ji while he was healing, but Strategist Ji endured a heavy blow and killed him with Fireball Art.
• The Spirit-Absorbing Great Art drew Li Yan’s abundant fire-attributed spiritual power into Strategist Ji, causing his fire poison to erupt and disrupting his breakthrough.
• Strategist Ji pulled Li Yan toward him, and Li Yan stabbed him in the abdomen with a concealed flexible blade, but Strategist Ji trapped the blade with spiritual power.
• Li Yan’s shoe blade missed Strategist Ji’s heart when Strategist Ji twisted aside, and Strategist Ji broke Li Yan’s leg with a counterattack.

Li Yan killed Strategist Ji after revealing how he had prepared to escape, but collapsed from the fire poison and his injuries. Sect cultivators found him and recognized his Fragmented Poison Body, while back in the village his family believed he was prospering and prepared to build new rooms.

• Li Yan drew Strategist Ji into his embrace and cut his throat with a concealed blade, then absorbed the spiritual power and poison flooding into him.
• As Strategist Ji died, Li Yan explained how he had used annotated books, Sound-Knowing Insects, purchases, and hidden weapons to evade Strategist Ji’s Divine Sense and plan his attack.
• Li Yan’s fire poison overwhelmed him, and he lost consciousness beside Strategist Ji’s corpse and the remains of Marshal Hong and the burly man.
• Senior Brother Wu and two other cultivators found Strategist Ji, recovered the stolen cultivation technique and a paper book, and identified Li Yan as the strategist’s disciple.
• The cultivators discovered that Li Yan had a Fragmented Poison Body and stopped themselves from killing him.
• In the village, Uncle Chang planned to repair the family house and build rooms for Li Wei’s autumn wedding, while Li Yan’s mother scolded Li Xiaozhu about her delayed marriage.

Phantom Sect elders discussed the sect’s five-year competition and criticized Junior Brother Wei for neglecting Small Bamboo Peak. The Sect Master then questioned Senior Brother Feng about the Fragmented Poison Body, and Feng explained how the stolen cultivation manual had reached a mortal strategist.

• The Sect Master settled the rewards for the five-year competition, and Senior Brother Feng remarked that Junior Brother Wei’s Small Bamboo Peak had placed two contestants despite sending only four.
• Several elders criticized Junior Brother Wei for neglecting Small Bamboo Peak, but he said he was unwilling to manage its disciples and had left its affairs to his chief disciple.
• Junior Brother Wei asked whether the Law Enforcement Hall had truly brought back someone with the Fragmented Poison Body, prompting the Sect Master to question Senior Brother Feng.
• Senior Brother Feng explained that Lianshan had stolen the sect’s original cultivation manual, died after fleeing a Gold Core cultivator’s cave, and left no trace of the manual among his scattered belongings.
• Senior Brother Feng said the Law Enforcement Hall traced the manual to an Immortal-Seeking Lineage strategist in a distant mortal dynasty, who had cultivated it and found two wood-attribute mortals with spirit roots.

Scholar Feng reported that Li Yan had developed a Fragmented Poison Body despite having mixed spirit roots, and the sect leaders debated whether to kill or cultivate him before Junior Brother Wei claimed him for Small Bamboo Peak. Li Yan awoke in a strange, beautiful room with his wounds healed, and a voice spoke to him after he pinched his face.

• Scholar Feng told the sect leaders that Li Yan had killed Strategist Ji and displayed signs of a Fragmented Poison Body, though he had mixed spirit roots.
• The sect master argued that Li Yan's poison body could make him powerful despite his limited cultivation prospects, while several cultivators considered taking or killing him.
• Junior Brother Wei offered to accept Li Yan as a registered disciple at Small Bamboo Peak, and the sect master approved the arrangement.
• The sect master agreed to ease Small Bamboo Peak's resource deductions, prompting the gathered cultivators to discuss the sect's future secret-realm expedition.
• Li Yan woke in a room overlooking a pond, found his broken and wounded legs completely healed, and wondered whether he was dreaming.
• After Li Yan pinched his face, a nearby voice told him he was awake.

Li Yan learned that he had been brought to the Phantom Sect after his body recovered and was examined for a possible Fragmented Poison Body. Li Wuyi assigned him to Small Bamboo Peak, but Li Yan remained wary and wanted to return home to protect his family from a possible Meng Kingdom invasion.

• Cultivator Yu questioned Li Yan about his cultivation and Strategist Ji's final strike, then a scholar and several elders examined him.
• Li Wuyi arrived, dismissed Cultivator Yu, and explained the Phantom Sect's five peaks and Li Yan's placement as a registered disciple of Small Bamboo Peak.
• Li Yan asked to leave the sect and go home, explaining that his family lived near the threatened frontier.
• Li Wuyi told Li Yan that the sect had alerted its subordinate sect to stop the invasion and protect his immediate family, but Li Yan doubted his assurances.

Li Wuyi explained why Li Yan could not leave the Wangliang Sect and taught him about the dangerous disjointed poison body. Li Yan accepted that he could not return home for now and bowed to Li Wuyi as his Eldest Senior Brother.

• Li Wuyi told Li Yan that he was a million li from home, could not leave the sect, and would not survive the journey back alone.
• Li Yan asked whether he could disperse his disjointed poison body and have the sect send him somewhere mortals lived.
• Li Wuyi warned that dispersing his cultivation could kill him and explained the poison constitution’s origins, dangers, and abilities.
• Li Yan realized that returning home was impossible for now and decided to pursue cultivation despite his fears.
• Li Yan stood and greeted Li Wuyi as his Eldest Senior Brother.

Li Wuyi took Li Yan on a flight around several Wangliang Sect peaks, showing him their dangerous specialties and explaining the sect's customs. They reached Laojun Peak, where Li Yan was to collect his initiation supplies, while a red-robed woman at Buli Peak took an interest in Li Wuyi.

• Li Wuyi flew Li Yan around Spirit Insect Peak and explained that its cultivators raised spirit insects and beasts; Li Yan learned that Li Wuyi was seventy-four and had entered foundation establishment at nineteen.
• Li Wuyi showed Li Yan Four Symbols Peak, describing its shifting poisonous formation, then circled Buli Peak and warned him about the deadly gu insects bred there.
• A red-robed woman at Buli Peak recognized Li Wuyi's magical implement and decided to seek him out later, while Li Wuyi abruptly sped away with Li Yan.
• Li Wuyi explained Laojun Peak's role as the sect's center for affairs, instruction, competitions, and alchemy as they flew there.
• Li Yan arrived at Laojun Peak's Affairs Hall to collect his initiation supplies and felt reassured by the busy, more ordinary-looking surroundings.

Li Wuyi brought Li Yan to the Affairs Hall to collect his initiation items, where Senior Brother Lin mistook Li Yan’s unusual admission and low cultivation for a sign of exceptional spiritual roots. Li Wuyi stored the items in a Storage Pouch for Li Yan and took him back toward their master.

• Li Wuyi led Li Yan into the Affairs Hall and asked Senior Brother Lin for Li Yan’s initiation items.
• Senior Brother Lin learned Li Yan was Martial Elder Uncle Wei’s newly accepted honorary disciple and assumed he had exceptional spiritual roots.
• Senior Brother Lin presented Li Yan with sect clothing, an identity badge, a sword, a flying artifact, spirit stones, medicine, talismans, a Storage Pouch, and an Initiation Jade Slip.
• Li Wuyi explained that Li Yan could not yet use the Storage Pouch or read the jade slip, so he would handle them for him.
• Li Wuyi put the items into the Storage Pouch and handed it to Li Yan, who was startled by its weightlessness.
• Li Wuyi told Li Yan they were returning because their master was waiting.

Li Yan arrived at Small Bamboo Peak with Li Wuyi, learned a little about the sect’s spirit artifacts, and was brought to meet his master and mistress. After his master’s voice reminded him of Strategist Ji, Li Yan stumbled through his greeting, prompting his mistress to tease that he did not think much of her.

• Li Wuyi explained that the black bamboo was a spirit plant and led Li Yan up Small Bamboo Peak.
• Li Wuyi had a servant disciple named Xiaoyi help Li Yan wash and change into simple spirit artifacts.
• Li Wuyi brought Li Yan to the bamboo house, where Li Yan met his master, mistress, and fellow disciples.
• Li Yan recognized a resemblance between his master’s voice and Strategist Ji, then awkwardly paid respects to both masters.
• Li Yan’s mistress remarked that he seemed not to think much of her.

Li Yan recounted a fabricated version of his past to Wei Zhongran and the other disciples, concealing his ties to Dong Fuyi and the Gui Water Immortal Sect. Wei Zhongran explained that the gathering was to study Li Yan’s Fragmented Poison Body cultivation, then called him forward.

• Wei Zhongran questioned Li Yan about his past while the other Small Bamboo Peak disciples listened.
• Li Yan told them how he had joined the army, discovered Strategist Ji’s treachery, and escaped with Marshal Hong’s help, while hiding his connection to the Gui Water Immortal Sect.
• The martial aunt and Fourth Senior Sister reacted with concern to Li Yan’s account, and the group admired Marshal Hong’s courage.
• Wei Zhongran asked Li Yan about his cultivation and explained that the sect wanted to record the process of cultivating the rare Fragmented Poison Body.
• Li Yan affirmed that his account of his cultivation was true, and Wei Zhongran told him to come forward.

Wei Zhongran tested Li Yan’s aptitude and arranged for him to receive a water-element cultivation method and immortal arts at the Phantom Sect. Lin Daqiao took Li Yan to settle in and explained how the great sects recruited disciples from subordinate sects.

• Wei Zhongran confirmed that Li Yan had mixed spiritual roots, found water to be his strongest element, and told him to choose a suitable cultivation method and immortal arts.
• Lin Daqiao volunteered to help Li Yan, and Wei Zhongran assigned him to arrange Li Yan’s lodging and explain the sect’s rules and basic matters.
• The senior disciples teased one another as Li Yan struggled to understand their banter, while Li Wuyi agreed to help him choose his cultivation methods the next morning.
• Lin Daqiao led Li Yan up the mountain and told him about his own background, cultivation progress, and former sect.
• Lin Daqiao explained that the four great sects rewarded subordinate sects for sending talented disciples and retained authority over those who later returned to serve as elders.

Li Yan chose a secluded bamboo courtyard on Small Bamboo Peak, where Lin Daqiao explained its protective formation and the peak’s varied cultivation arts. Meanwhile, Wei Zhongran and his wife discussed Li Yan’s concealed role in the ambush and why they had taken him in, leaving his new masters willing to wait for him to trust them.

• Lin Daqiao led Li Yan through Small Bamboo Peak’s residences and explained why most of its former houses had been demolished.
• Li Yan chose a remote courtyard, and Lin Daqiao gave him its waist badge and demonstrated the protective formation.
• Lin Daqiao described the courtyard rooms, the sect’s grand formation, and Sixth Senior Sister’s skill in formations and combat.
• Lin Daqiao used an immortal art to clean the courtyard and showed Li Yan its reception hall.
• Wei Zhongran’s wife said Li Yan had been cautious and dishonest about the ambush, and Wei Zhongran confirmed that Li Yan had delivered the killing blow.
• Wei Zhongran explained that he had taken Li Yan in out of pity and hoped Li Yan would share the truth once he trusted the sect.

Lin Daqiao taught Li Yan the cultivation world's customs and explained spirit stones, artifacts, and talismans, helping him understand the resources and protection he had received from the Phantom Sect. The lesson left Li Yan more aware of how unusually generous Li Wuyi had been toward him, though he remained uneasy about his master's motives.

• Lin Daqiao explained cultivation ranks, forms of address, and the rules for using Divine Sense, and Li Yan realized he had acted rashly in the main hall.
• Lin Daqiao described spirit veins and spirit stones, including how they supported cultivation and served as currency.
• Lin Daqiao demonstrated a spirit sword and flying boat, then explained that Li Yan's sword, robe, and boots were spirit artifacts.
• Lin Daqiao explained the uses and grades of talisman papers and said Li Yan's three defensive talismans included a Blaze Iron Wall Talisman capable of resisting an early Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator's full-force strike.

Lin Daqiao explained the Wangliang Sect’s rules, ranks, competitions, missions, and resources to Li Yan, including how Lian Shan’s betrayal led to Li Yan’s admission. Li Yan learned how costly cultivation could be and ended the chapter realizing how poor he was.

• Lin Daqiao described the sect’s laws, its servant, outer, and inner ranks, and the assessments and competitions disciples faced.
• Lin Daqiao explained that Lian Shan had reached foundation establishment but fled after stealing Spirit Insect Peak’s books and jade slips, and that the items from his Storage Pouch reached Strategist Ji.
• Lin Daqiao told Li Yan that disciples earned spirit stones through missions and explained Small Bamboo Peak’s unusual cooking and creature-tending assignments, leaving Li Yan uneasy about what they involved.
• Lin Daqiao described the peaks’ treasure repositories and clarified that basic immortal arts could be practiced by cultivators with different spirit roots.
• Li Yan learned that pills and spirit implements could cost hundreds or thousands of spirit stones and realized his three-stone allowance left him extremely poor.