Chapter Summaries

Su Yao met True Lord Xicheng of Heavenly Rosy Light and explained Qixia Temple’s Jade Purity teachings during the True Lord’s test. The True Lord challenged Su Yao’s account of how the Three Powers balanced the world, leaving his answer unjudged.

• Su Yao recognized the Daoist as True Lord Xicheng of Heavenly Rosy Light and bowed to him.
• The True Lord asked whether Senior Qizhenzi resented him, and Su Yao explained that Daozheng resented his secrecy and failure, not his attempt to attain the Dao.
• The True Lord told Su Yao to bring out meditation cushions, then invited him, Liu Yunhe, and Li Siyi to take their places.
• The True Lord tested Su Yao by asking what Rainbow Clouds were, where their Dao came from, and how Jade Purity viewed heaven and earth.
• Su Yao explained that the Three Powers established governing principles so all beings could remain in their proper places, but the True Lord shook his head.

Su Yao debated the Three Powers and the path to immortality with the True Lord, who warned that the Immortal Dao was nearing decline and taught him a Jade Void technique. The True Lord sent Su Yao and his companions down Mount Zhongnan, while the Jade Void Palace leaders discussed Su Yao’s devil seed and their plan to test the sovereigns.

• Su Yao explained that the Three Powers intervened only to restore order during calamities, and the True Lord questioned him about the Immortal Dao’s decline and the way to become immortal.
• The True Lord spoke of the Immortal Dao’s twilight and told Su Yao that he needed lightning from Biyou Palace to destroy the devil seed in his body.
• The True Lord taught Su Yao a secret Jade Void technique using two white lotuses and warned him to cultivate it for another year before using it normally.
• The True Lord sent Su Yao, Liu Yunhe, Li Siyi, Little Red, and Little Orange to the foot of Zhongnan, then challenged the heavens before returning to his cottage.
• At Jade Void Palace, Qizhenzi asked the sect master to seek heavenly lightning for Su Yao, and they discussed testing the sovereigns, training juniors, and the succession of earth virtue.

Su Yao found and collected a rare Gui Water spirit object, but a group from the Cang Water Sect attacked him and his companions. After they defeated the attackers, the brown-robed elder sacrificed himself to evade capture, and Su Yao called out to the hidden Purple Mansion expert controlling the group.

• Su Yao sensed a disturbance in the pool and recognized the forming spirit object as Submerging Ford Rinsing Mysterious Essence.
• Su Yao retrieved the spirit object and sealed it in a special Law Artifact box.
• A brown-robed elder demanded that Su Yao surrender the spirit object, and Su Yao ordered Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi to kill the attackers.
• Su Yao used the prism to discover that the attackers were controlled by a Purple Mansion expert using a Fate Divine Ability.
• Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi defeated the four disciples, while the brown-robed elder turned into fine rain and vanished to avoid capture.
• Su Yao recognized that the hidden expert had used the elder to kill him indirectly and asked the senior to reveal himself.

Su Yao and his companions discovered a secret realm and were ordered by a True Lord to enter it and retrieve its treasure. As two Great True Persons fought in the Great Void, Su Yao waited for the realm to open, while the gray protector struggled against his opponent without using Qixia Temple’s spiritual treasures.

• Su Yao, Liu Yunhe, and Li Siyi found themselves trapped by a barrier as the waterfall pool drained into a newly opening secret realm.
• A cyan Gui Water True Person demanded the spiritual object and Su Yao’s sword, then attacked the group.
• A gray Fu Water figure rescued Su Yao and his companions and told Su Yao to enter the secret realm for the treasure while he faced the cyan True Person.
• Su Yao identified the two combatants’ paths and Divine Abilities, then settled with Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi to wait for the secret realm to open.
• The gray figure struggled against the cyan cultivator in the Great Void and hesitated to use a Qixia Temple spiritual treasure, which the True Lord had forbidden.

Nuoli delivered the True Lord’s decree to Changlu, allowing him to claim the Cang Water Sect’s secret-realm treasures only after completing a task in Nanzhao. The Prince of Qin grew suspicious of a political plot but was reassured that he was there by chance.

• The Prince of Qin arrived and learned that Nuoli served Qixia Temple’s True Lord, while Changlu realized he had attacked the Qixia Daozi.
• Changlu explained that he had come to Guanzhong to investigate the opened secret realm, and the Prince of Qin described the realm’s history and ties to Qixia Temple.
• Nuoli announced that Changlu could receive the Gui Water Heaven-Overturning Old-Remaking Scripture and Heaven-Tilting Profound Dew Marrow for True Lord Luyuan’s sake, but could not enter the realm without permission.
• Nuoli explained that the True Lord had opened the secret realm using the Daozi’s fate and ordered Changlu to go to Nanzhao and complete a task before claiming the treasures.
• The Prince of Qin feared Jiankang was plotting against his branch of the Zhu Household, but Nuoli reassured him that his presence was coincidental and asked Changlu for his decision.

Nuoli delivered the True Lord’s instructions to Su Yao, directing him to use a secret realm as a base for his mission in Nanzhao. After the True Lord rebuked Su Yao for lingering, Su Yao set off for the realm, while Nuoli returned to Changlu in the Great Void.

• Changlu questioned Nuoli about his assignment to Nanzhao, and Nuoli said he would accompany him but knew no details beyond the True Lord’s decree.
• Nuoli warned the Prince of Qin not to involve Prince Mu’s Manor, then sent the prince back to Chang’an.
• Nuoli showed Su Yao a Zhongnan token and explained that the secret realm offered supplies and a route to Nanzhao, while warning him not to take certain Spirit Artifacts or spirit medicines.
• Nuoli relayed the True Lord’s order for Su Yao to leave the mountain, and a peachwood sword struck Su Yao after he criticized the True Lord in his thoughts.
• Su Yao gathered Liu Yunhe, Li Siyi, Little Red, Little Orange, and the others, then entered the secret realm as Nuoli headed back toward the Great Void.

Su Yao and his companions explored a Gui Water secret realm and discovered how its formations harmonized Gui Water, Jia Wood, and Radiant Fire. The prism in Su Yao’s Qi sea guided him toward the mountain’s Alchemy Chamber, where a mysterious fire was being used to refine pills.

• Su Yao explained how the secret realm’s formations kept Gui Water clear and allowed it to nourish the forest and its spiritual resources.
• Su Yao sensed that the prism in his Qi sea was guiding him toward a suitable variant being, then used the Zhongnan token to open the mountain barrier.
• Su Yao, Liu Yunhe, and Li Siyi entered the Azure Water hall and followed the prism’s guidance to the Alchemy Chamber.
• The group found a bronze Pill Furnace burning with Radiant Fire, which Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi recognized as unusually powerful for pill refining.
• Su Yao explained that Gui Water subdued Radiant Fire while Jia Wood revived its warmth, allowing the three elements to work together to refine spiritual pills.

Su Yao discovered a giant egg in a hidden room of the Alchemy Chamber and identified it as a damaged Shengyu, a Fu Water variant. He decided to move it somewhere safer so it could recover, hoping to use it to form his third talisman.

• Su Yao identified the secret realm's fire as the Azure Mysterious Already Crossing Flame and explained how the surrounding Jia Wood helped suppress it.
• Su Yao opened a small room beside the Alchemy Chamber and found a giant, gray-patterned egg in a feather nest.
• Su Yao examined the egg and identified it as a Shengyu, a Fu Water variant whose spiritual essence had been damaged by the fire.
• Su Yao explained that a boy attendant had likely hidden the egg in the Alchemy Chamber and said it might have been ruined if they had arrived later.
• Su Yao sent Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi to fetch tables and chairs, then lifted the egg to move it somewhere safer.

Su Yao entered the Scripture Repository to copy the Gui Water cultivation scripture he wanted, then returned to the Azure Water Hall and shared crimson tea with Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi. He considered the people and resources he would need to establish his future celestial ranks as the others began to comprehend the tea’s effects.

• Su Yao left Little Red and Little Orange guarding the egg and went to the Scripture Repository.
• Su Yao inspected the five Purple Mansion methods and copied the Scripture of Gui Water Overturning Heaven and Renewing the Old.
• Su Yao returned to the Azure Water Hall, where Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi had been spending time with the two birds.
• Su Yao considered the demands of recruiting Dharma Protectors and Divine Generals and the lack of an inherited ritual altar at Qixia Temple.
• Su Yao shared crimson tea with Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi, who praised it and began to comprehend its effects.

Su Yao retrieved the heaven-tilting profound dew marrow and led Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi to the treasure pavilion to equip themselves with Law Artifacts for the dangerous journey to Nanzhao. After distributing artifacts to his companions, he selected several for himself and planned to search for the exit once he had refined them.

• Su Yao collected the heaven-tilting profound dew marrow and put it away with the submerging ford rinsing mysterious essence.
• Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi woke after savoring the crimson clouds cinnabar bud, then competed to take the tea leaves they had used as mementos.
• Su Yao interrupted their quarrel and brought them to the treasure pavilion.
• Su Yao gave Liu Yunhe the Wind-Riding Cloak and Righteous Thunder Sword, and gave Li Siyi the Punishing Thunder Bracelet and Gold-Breaking Hairpin.
• Su Yao selected the Wind-Chasing Boat, Sha-Stabilizing Mirror, and Abyss-Plunging Spear for himself, intending to find the exit to Nanzhao after refining his artifacts.

Su Yao and his companions found the Cang Water Secret Realm enveloped in azure Gui Water mist, which blocked their senses and left them unable to discover a way out. After reassuring Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi, Su Yao reflected on his purpose and resolved to face the dangers ahead, leaving Liu and Li more determined to follow him.

• After refining their Law Artifacts, Su Yao, Liu Yunhe, and Li Siyi emerged to find the secret realm filled with azure mist and Gui Water essence.
• Su Yao led the group through the realm for three days, but their searches and his examination with the prism revealed nothing unusual.
• Back at Cang Water Hall, Su Yao reassured the frightened Li Siyi and sent her, Liu Yunhe, Little Red, and Little Orange to rest.
• As he watched the Shengyu egg, Su Yao recalled the dangers he had faced since descending the mountain and questioned what he sought through cultivation.
• Su Yao resolved to meet the situation calmly and declared that he would press forward even against overwhelming odds.
• Hearing Su Yao's words, Li Siyi felt ashamed of her fear, while Liu Yunhe became more certain that following the Daozi had been the right choice.

Nuoli and Changlu fought the black flood dragon at Golden Ao Mountain, broke his formation, and captured him. Afterward, Nuoli took control of the formation while Changlu pressed him about the promised Cultivation Method and spirit item, and the common people mistook Nuoli for a lake god.

• Nuoli refused Changlu’s suggestion to use the Formation-Rending, Mystery-Startling Chain, but the black flood dragon’s taunts drove Nuoli to reveal his chi form and attack the formation.
• Nuoli’s cold rain and water veins weakened the Abyss-Encompassing Great Marsh Formation, and Changlu used the chain to break it open.
• Changlu used Submerge the Old Ford and a scarlet ring to bind and capture the black flood dragon.
• Nuoli used a black talisman to take control of the formation and told Changlu that the Dao Child would receive the promised Cultivation Method and spirit item after the place was put in order.
• The people by Cibi Lake mistook Nuoli for a lake god, and Nuoli criticized Changlu for claiming ignorance of worldly matters before descending to Golden Ao Mountain.

Su Yao emerged from the Azure Water Hall after mastering the Southern Emperor Profound Light and found that the azure mist in the Cang Water Secret Realm was beginning to dissipate. He tested Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi’s Azure and Yellow Interwoven in Harmony, identified how their rivalry disrupted the technique, and sent them to reflect before their coming journey to Nanzhao.

• Su Yao mastered the seventh-grade Southern Emperor Profound Light as the azure mist began to thin outside the Azure Water Hall.
• Liu Yunhe told Su Yao that the mist had started dissipating that morning, and Su Yao warned him and Li Siyi to prepare for Nanzhao.
• Li Siyi asked Su Yao for guidance on the Azure and Yellow Interwoven in Harmony that he had taught them.
• Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi demonstrated their combined technique, but Su Yao’s Southern Emperor Profound Light broke their domain and injured them.
• Su Yao explained that Liu Yunhe needed to practice harmony and Li Siyi acceptance, then sent them to reflect in separate side halls.

Nuoli and Changlu used the Clear Rain Healing and Life Urn and an azure flag to restore Golden Ao Mountain and the surrounding land. In Langqiong Zhao, officials debated the conflict between the court and the immortal sects, while Li Changyuan hoped to secure a transfer before the situation worsened.

• Nuoli explained that he had borrowed the Clear Rain Healing and Life Urn from the Mystic Rain Palace and asked Changlu to use it to restore the land.
• Changlu summoned clear Gui Water rain that healed the earth veins and brought scorched ground and withered plants back to life.
• Nuoli used an azure flag to send a warm spring breeze across the mountains, helping the rain revive the surrounding area.
• In Langqiong Zhao, townspeople celebrated the restored landscape while officials and local faction leaders left the county yamen after discussing the white chi dragon and the court's response.
• Li Changyuan told the remaining officials he would write to the commandery governor and the ruler, then worried that he might not leave Nanzhao before conflict erupted.

Su Yao tested Li Siyi and Liu Yunhe’s Azure and Yellow Interwoven in Harmony, then discovered that the Cang Water Secret Realm’s Gui Water was gathering to open a route to Nanzhao. He and his companions entered the Subterranean Water passage after True Lord Xicheng instructed them to avoid mortal disputes, and the passage began carrying them away.

• Su Yao broke Li Siyi and Liu Yunhe’s Law Technique with Li Fire, Sword Qi, and Law Techniques, then praised their progress and advised Li Siyi to gain more combat experience.
• As Gui Water gathered in the sky, Su Yao told everyone to retreat to the Azure Water Hall and read a message from True Lord Xicheng explaining that the water would flow underground through the earth’s veins.
• After three days of azure rain, Su Yao led the group to the beam of light where the pool had been, and they entered it with the Shengyu egg.
• True Lord Xicheng opened a road to Nanzhao and ordered Su Yao and the others to quietly await the proper time and avoid mortal disputes unless necessary.
• The beam turned gray-black and spun rapidly, carrying Su Yao and his companions away like water in a current.

Nuoli and Changlu faced Nanzhao officials and spiritual leaders over the slaying of the black flood dragon, until an imperial edict granted Qixia Temple land on Golden Ao Mountain. A day later, Su Yao and his companions emerged on the mountain after traveling through the earth veins, astonishing Su Yao with how quickly they had crossed the distance.

• Liu Zhiyuan accused Nuoli and Changlu of interfering in mortal affairs, while Nuoli defended their slaying of the flood dragon and Yang Xuanye avoided taking action against them.
• Duan Mingnan used a report of a border attack as an excuse to leave, and Yang Xuanye refused to hold the pair accountable for removing the flood dragon.
• An imperial edict granted Qixia Temple a hundred li of land around Golden Ao Mountain, while ordering the temple not to meddle in state affairs or gather outlaws.
• After the officials and leaders departed, Changlu questioned Nuoli about the grant, and Nuoli revealed it had been jointly decided by the emperor and several sect masters.
• The next day, Su Yao and his companions emerged from the pool atop Golden Ao Mountain, and Su Yao marveled at their rapid journey through the earth veins.

Nuoli delivered the True Lord’s message that Su Yao and Qizhenzi could never return to Mount Zhongnan, leaving Su Yao devastated over his hopes of restoring Qixia Temple. Su Yao resolved to keep going for the sake of Qixia Mountain’s people, while Changlu learned that Daozheng was a Heavenly Immortal and received the Heaven-Tilting Profound Dew Marrow.

• Nuoli collected the Gui Water Heaven-Overturning Old-Remaking Scripture and Heaven-Tilting Profound Dew Marrow from Su Yao, then conveyed the True Lord’s order barring Su Yao and Qizhenzi from Mount Zhongnan.
• Su Yao questioned the order and tried to stop Nuoli with spells, but Nuoli dispersed them and explained that the grotto-heaven’s remaining treasures and secret realms had been moved or merged.
• Nuoli left Su Yao in tears, then urged him to honor the True Lord’s efforts and wait for the right time rather than descend into the mortal world.
• Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi encouraged Su Yao by reminding him that Daozheng might support his return; Su Yao decided to carry on for the people of Qixia Mountain.
• Nuoli told Changlu that Daozheng was a Heavenly Immortal and warned that the unbalanced myriad Daos made the Heavenly Immortal path impossible without an immortal to guard it.
• Nuoli gave Changlu the Heaven-Tilting Profound Dew Marrow and promised to arrange delivery of the scripture after the immortal descendants and the crane arrived.

Li Siyi brought the gravely wounded Liu Yunhe back to Golden Ao Mountain after the White Sand Lu Household attacked them. Su Yao treated Liu Yunhe and learned who was responsible, then vowed to take action against the Lu Household.

• Li Siyi arrived at Golden Ao Mountain carrying Liu Yunhe, who was badly injured, and brought him toward Su Yao’s cave.
• Red Feather and Orange Feather helped them reach the cave, where Li Siyi treated Liu Yunhe and took a fire-attribute pill for her own injuries.
• The two birds fed Liu Yunhe a Jade Heart Pill just as Su Yao emerged from the cave and questioned them.
• Su Yao checked both injured cultivators, and Li Siyi explained that the White Sand Lu Household had attacked them with a Spirit Artifact after they crossed the boundary.
• Su Yao told Li Siyi to tend to her injuries, assured her Liu Yunhe would recover, and declared that he would deal with the White Sand Lu Household.

Su Yao confronted the White Sand Lu Household over its attack on Liu Yunhe, demanding that it hand over the culprit. After deflecting the household’s attacks, he taunted its cultivators, leaving the standoff poised to escalate.

• Su Yao arrived at White Sand Town carrying the heads of five Lu Household cultivators and demanded justice from the household on White Sand Mountain.
• The Lu Household elders discussed how to face Su Yao, ordered their cultivators to fight without killing him, and warned Lu Shang to stay inside.
• Su Yao struck the mountain’s formation with Li Fire and rosy light, prompting about twenty Lu Household cultivators to attack him.
• Su Yao’s rosy light deflected their Law Techniques, though falling cold Qi killed or injured around a hundred people in White Sand Town.
• Su Yao dispersed the middle-aged man’s Li Fire attack with Clear Breeze, showed a recording of the culprit, and demanded that the Lu Household hand him over.
• After the Lu Household remained silent, Su Yao mocked its cultivators and considered provoking them to justify killing them all.

Su Yao slaughtered Lu Household fighters and broke through their strongest attacks, taking their Spirit Artifact as the survivors fled to White Sand Mountain. As he prepared to assault the mountain’s closed formation, an aged voice called on him to spare them.

• Su Yao destroyed the middle-aged man’s Spears of the Yellow Springs and killed him with the Clear Wind Sword after breaking through the Lu Household disciples’ defenses.
• Su Yao seized the Lu Household elder’s blazing chain, killed him with Glow Ashes, and sealed and took the Spirit Artifact.
• Su Yao pursued the woman carrying a lantern, but a young man named Brother Shang attacked him with a witch talisman.
• Su Yao’s Golden Palace Morning Clouds technique destroyed the talisman, and the woman sacrificed herself to shield Brother Shang before the rosy light killed her.
• An elder dragged Brother Shang toward White Sand Mountain while Su Yao flew to the closed formation and raised the ancient sword Zhengji to attack.
• An aged voice called out, “Spare them!” as Su Yao prepared to unleash his attack.