Arc 25Souls and Pursuit
After Ren Yisheng's body died, Zhang Xuezhou discovered his soul had entered a jade pendant and sought a way to bring it back. In the other world, Zhang learned the Return to the Aperture Technique, drew the attention of Ning Cheng, and left Fuping County as mounted forces approached.
- Ren Yisheng died, and Zhang Xuezhou determined that his three souls and seven spirits had left his body.
- Ren Yisheng's Yang Corporeal Soul entered Tuer Kalanduo's Soul Jade, where he told Zhang Xuezhou and the Rens that he could not return to his body or escape the jade.
- Zhang Xuezhou negotiated with Tuer Kalanduo over Ren Yisheng's belongings and Mental Strengthening notes, then crossed into the other world.
- Zhang Xuezhou reunited with Rong Tianding and Rong Li, learned that his parents had been missing for over three years, and returned to Fuping County to seek Dong Zhongshu's help.
- Bodang had Dong Zhongshu, Zhao Liang, and their companions arrested, and Wang Yanchong later imprisoned them after refusing their request to see Li Guang.
- Dong Zhongshu taught Zhang Xuezhou the Return to the Aperture Technique and the Southern Brightness Fire Technique, then sent him to challenge Li Jiao near Shanggu Commandery City.
- Zhang Xuezhou provoked the people of Shanggu Commandery with carved insults, but Ning Cheng marked him with a tracking technique and pursued him.
- Unable to remove Ning Cheng's mark, Zhang Xuezhou decided to leave the Northern Border, while mounted soldiers pursued him and riders with a great crimson banner approached Fuping County.