Recaps

Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun investigated a black suppression stele that released a deadly old man when touched. After Li Shaojun revived, the two argued over who should risk touching it next, and he ended up taking another turn.

• Li Shaojun discovered an inscription on the black boulder identifying it as a suppression stele that drained Spiritual Qi and Yellow Springs Water.
• Li Shaojun touched the stele, and an old man emerged, killed him with a finger, then vanished back into the boulder.
• Li Shaojun revived using the Life and Death Technique and urged Zhang Xuezhou to touch the stele in turn.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun haggled over their turn-taking rule and agreed to decide who went first with a finger-guessing game.
• Li Shaojun lost three rounds and reluctantly stood before the black boulder to touch it again.

Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun repeatedly drew the figure of Gaozu out of the black boulder and absorbed him with Marquis of Sui's Pearl. After the forty-eighth capture changed the figure's words, Li Shaojun asked Zhang Xuezhou to stop using the pearl so he could test what happened next.

• Li Shaojun touched the black boulder while Zhang Xuezhou used Marquis of Sui's Pearl to absorb the attacking figure.
• Li Shaojun continued probing the boulder as Zhang Xuezhou repeatedly captured the figure, which they recognized as His Majesty Gaozu.
• The two debated whether the boulder suppressed Bai and continued absorbing Gaozu while avoiding a decision about the consequences.
• After the forty-eighth capture, Gaozu said he had waited bitterly for a hundred years and that they had finally come.
• Li Shaojun noticed the change and asked Zhang Xuezhou to stop using the pearl so he could see what happened next.

The old man revealed that the black boulder was the Reincarnation Stone and urged Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun to kill the White Demon repeatedly to reclaim stolen Fortune. After the old man vanished, Zhang Xuezhou touched the stone and was transported to another secret land, where the Marquis of Sui’s Pearl killed a horde of yin creatures.

• The old man explained that he had used stolen Fortune to stabilize the Great Han Dynasty and warned that the White Demon could escape the Yellow Springs and take new bodies.
• The old man fired a golden light at Zhang Xuezhou, but the Marquis of Sui’s Pearl suppressed it, while Li Shaojun was struck and fell.
• Zhang Xuezhou touched the Reincarnation Stone and was swept along the Yellow Springs to a different place.
• Seventy or eighty blue-faced, fanged creatures attacked Zhang Xuezhou, but the Marquis of Sui’s Pearl destroyed them as they reached him.
• Zhang Xuezhou realized that he had entered another secret land through the Reincarnation Stone.

Zhang Xuezhou used the Reincarnation Stone to travel from Fengxi Marsh to a secret land beneath Mount Tai, where he discovered the limits of the journey and an abandoned temple. He returned to his body to find Li Shaojun trying to strip him of his robe.

• Zhang Xuezhou subdued the Yin creatures with the Marquis of Sui's Pearl and learned from a big-headed ghost that the secret land lay beneath Mount Tai Temple.
• Zhang Xuezhou discovered that the secret land's exit would not connect to the mortal world until its appointed time, limiting his ability to use it for travel.
• Zhang Xuezhou inspected a ruined temple dedicated to the Orthodox God, Heavenly Capital Lord of Mount Tai, and found an ancient inscription but nothing else.
• Zhang Xuezhou used the Reincarnation Stone to return to his body and caught Li Shaojun searching him for valuables and preparing to take his Law Treasure robe.

Zhang Xuezhou learned that the Reincarnation Stone had transported only his Yang Corporeal Soul, while the Marquis of Sui’s Pearl had helped protect his connection to his body. After Gaozu conceded defeat, Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun prepared to leave the secret land, and Zhang Xuezhou resolved to ask the Divine Lord about the stones’ origins.

• Zhang Xuezhou subdued Li Shaojun, recovered his belongings, and learned that the Reincarnation Stone had sent his Yang Corporeal Soul to Mount Tai without his body.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun discussed whether other Underworld Secret Lands had Reincarnation Stones, and Li Shaojun recalled that God Houtu may have left them during the era of the Human Emperors.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided to leave the secret land and ask the Divine Lord about the stones when he had the chance.
• Gaozu appeared again, said that one had escaped, and conceded defeat after Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun had repeatedly cowed him with the Marquis of Sui’s Pearl.
• Zhang Xuezhou worried that the pearl might stop working after so much use and decided not to keep testing it.

Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun escaped the secret realm, and Zhang Xuezhou rode away with his treasured feather and white horse. Li Shaojun reported to Bai that he had killed Gaozu fifty times, earning praise and advice to seek a way into the Immortal Court for powerful treasures.

• Li Shaojun pulled Zhang Xuezhou out of the marsh, where Zhang used the Peacock Great Wisdom King's feather to clean and dry himself.
• Zhang Xuezhou mounted a summoned white horse and left Li Shaojun behind.
• Li Shaojun reached Bai at the Dragon-Slaying Stele and promised to remove the Soul-Suppressing Nail once he reached the Sole Self Realm.
• Li Shaojun told Bai he and his friends had killed Gaozu fifty times, and Bai believed him after Li swore an oath.
• Bai praised Li Shaojun and offered to teach him how to mark Gaozu, but said he would need to enter the Immortal Court to find a worthwhile treasure.

The new emperor praised Sima Xiangru’s rhapsodies as a way to express his ambitions to the grand empress dowager. Sima Tan reported that Dongfang Shuo had returned with a possible treatment for his illness, and the emperor became interested in recruiting the mysterious Li Shaojun.

• Yang Deyi recommended Sima Xiangru to the new emperor, who summoned him to Chang'an City after enjoying his rhapsodies.
• Sima Xiangru explained how “Rhapsody of the Shanglin Park” could help the new emperor convey his intentions to the grand empress dowager.
• Sima Tan reported that Dongfang Shuo had sought treatment from Li Shaojun and obtained a prescription for a Life-Creating Fortune Pill.
• The new emperor welcomed the possibility that Dongfang Shuo could recover and offered to help Zhang Xuezhou find the pill if needed.
• Sima Xiangru described Li Shaojun as a supposed descendant of the Dao Ancestor, prompting the new emperor to consider recruiting him.

Zhang Xuezhou persuaded the new emperor that Li Shaojun might be able to make the rare Life-Creating Fortune Pill, and the emperor ordered him to find Li Shaojun. Zhang Xuezhou left Luoyang with horses, travel money, and official assistance, while the emperor viewed the search as a worthwhile investment.

• The new emperor offered to restore Zhang Xuezhou's salary and reward him if he recommended Li Shaojun for court service.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that the Life-Creating Fortune Pill was a rare, precious medicine, and the new emperor promised to provide ingredients if Li Shaojun could refine it.
• Sima Xiangru described Li Shaojun as difficult to track and asked the new emperor to give Zhang Xuezhou more time and a good horse.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked for two horses because his illness meant his older male cousin had to accompany him.
• The new emperor granted Zhang Xuezhou two fine mounts, travel money, and documents ordering local officials to assist him in finding Li Shaojun.
• Sima Tan privately dismissed the plan as nonsense, while the new emperor decided that even a six-month search could be worthwhile.

Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding traveled toward Shouchun City and encountered Daoist Randeng while camping beside a river. Randeng mistook Zhang Xuezhou for a medicinal treasure spirit, then learned that Zhang recognized him and was an official of the Great Han Dynasty.

• Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding rode toward Shouchun City, discussing their mounts and the cultivation realms that could let them travel faster.
• After traveling for a day, Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding camped beside a river, where Zhang caught fish and they roasted them over a fire.
• Daoist Randeng, battered by Sha Qi and recent misfortunes, searched the area for spirit medicines and relief for his injuries.
• Daoist Randeng approached the camp, detected a faint medicinal scent on Zhang Xuezhou, and mistook him for a medicinal treasure spirit.
• Zhang Xuezhou addressed Daoist Randeng by name and challenged his accusation, revealing that he recognized the great cultivator and held an official badge.

Zhang Xuezhou questioned Daoist Randeng about the lingering medicinal trace from a pill he had taken, and Randeng explained the illness it had treated before sharing stories of dangerous spirit-root creatures. The conversation ended with Randeng describing Rulai’s extraordinary acupoints, while Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding continued trying to draw out information.

• Zhang Xuezhou met Daoist Randeng, who had been searching for potent medicinal herbs and following a trace to find Rulai.
• Daoist Randeng recognized the medicinal trace left by Zhang Xuezhou’s pill and said its effects had cleared dangerous poisons from his body.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Daoist Randeng that a vicious Incantation had caused his illness, and Randeng revised his guess about its source.
• Daoist Randeng described the Heaven-Shaking Arrow, a poisonous grass spirit fashioned into a weapon, and the venomous snake staff owned by Brahma.
• Daoist Randeng said Rulai’s One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints could protect him from poison and help him subdue Brahma.

Zhang Xuezhou used the Life-Creating Fortune Pill and his poison-prevention knowledge to hold Daoist Randeng’s interest through the night. Daoist Randeng became eager to learn more, especially about a poison-avoidance method tied to the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique.

• Daoist Randeng tried to end the conversation, but Zhang Xuezhou brought up the Life-Creating Fortune Pill as a possible cure for his injuries.
• Zhang Xuezhou said he had seen Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds use the pill, prompting Daoist Randeng to wonder about its connection to the Great Han Dynasty, the Immortal Court, and the Grand Empress Dowager.
• Daoist Randeng urged Zhang Xuezhou to exchange knowledge about poison prevention, arguing that it could help them oppose the wicked monk with the serpent staff.
• Zhang Xuezhou said one poison-prevention secret concerned a great cultivator skilled at detoxification, whose identity he could not reveal.
• Zhang Xuezhou described another secret as a poison-avoidance method of the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints, making Daoist Randeng eager to obtain it for Rulai.

Zhang Xuezhou and Daoist Randeng exchanged knowledge about using One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints to resist poison. Their discussion turned to medicine gourds, leaving Zhang Xuezhou wondering whether Yi Shuo’s gourd was connected to Laojun’s legendary treasure.

• Daoist Randeng explained that Rulai practiced One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints and described how the art could spread poison across the body to lessen its harm.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Daoist Randeng discussed the art through the night, sharing information and memorizing each other’s explanations.
• Zhang Xuezhou brought up a medicine gourd that could strengthen pills, and Daoist Randeng identified Laojun’s Purple-Gold Medicine Gourd as a renowned example.
• Daoist Randeng said Laojun’s gourd was a Chaos Spirit Root whose medicinal heart enhanced pills, and Zhang Xuezhou wondered whether Yi Shuo’s gourd was the same kind of treasure.

Zhang Xuezhou and Daoist Randeng exchanged teachings on the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints while Rong Tianding handled their camp chores. After the exchange, Daoist Randeng invited Zhang Xuezhou to seek cultivation in the Western Sect, impressed by the talent he saw in the Great Han imperial court.

• Zhang Xuezhou and Daoist Randeng took turns reciting their knowledge of the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints as Rong Tianding listened.
• Daoist Randeng urged Zhang Xuezhou to continue until they had fully explained their teachings, and Zhang agreed to listen while resting.
• Rong Tianding prepared and grilled fish, confident that Zhang Xuezhou would benefit from the exchange.
• After they finished their explanations, Zhang Xuezhou said his mind was muddled, while Daoist Randeng expressed satisfaction with the exchange.
• Daoist Randeng asked about Zhang Xuezhou's sect and invited him to visit West Ox Hezhou for a supreme cultivation method.

Daoist Randeng considered how the Poison Avoidance Art and a Life-Creating Fortune Pill could help Rulai defeat Brahma and claim leadership of the Western Sect. Carrying Rulai’s blood-marked Coffin Lamp, he searched for him and found him roasting a wild boar.

• Daoist Randeng reflected that Rulai could use the Poison Avoidance Art involving the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints to counter Brahma and strengthen his claim to the Western Sect’s leadership.
• Daoist Randeng decided to seek a Life-Creating Fortune Pill from Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds and considered offering the Immortal Court support in exchange for pills.
• Daoist Randeng set out with the Coffin Lamp, calling for Rulai while searching for medicinal herbs and monitoring the vitality of Rulai’s blood mark.
• Daoist Randeng spotted Rulai roasting a whole wild boar about a hundred meters away, though Rulai had not noticed him.

After escaping Daoist Randeng, Zhang Xuezhou recalled the Western Sect’s One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique and considered how difficult it would be to cultivate. He and Rong Tianding reached Shouchun City, where Zhang sought Dong Zhongshu to learn more about the Fortune Technique.

• Rong Tianding asked Zhang Xuezhou whether the Fortune Technique could bring good luck, and Zhang explained how it had helped his exchange with Daoist Randeng.
• Zhang Xuezhou reviewed Daoist Randeng’s teachings on the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique and recognized that mastering it would require extensive cultivation and abundant Spiritual Qi.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Rong Tianding reached Shouchun City just before its gates closed, and Rong Tianding took their timely arrival as a sign of good luck.
• Zhang Xuezhou reflected on the Fortune Technique’s ties to imperial fortune and favored places, then decided to seek answers from Dong Zhongshu.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered Shouchun City and searched for the inn where Dong Zhongshu had stayed more than a year earlier.

Zhang Xuezhou returned to the villa in Western Capital City and joined Song Fengying’s livestream, where his family discussed public interest in giant creatures and Song’s wish to report on them. The conversation turned to Sequence advancement and Ning Que’s lingering illness, which Zhang Xuezhou realized was unusual.

• Zhang Xuezhou woke in the Western Capital City villa and appeared on Song Fengying’s livestream as the actor who played Hou Renying.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that Hou Renying’s defeat by Linghu Chong reflected Linghu Chong’s exceptional ability, then compared it to his own exam ranking against Zuo Teng.
• Zhang Manqian told Zhang Xuezhou that Song Fengying wanted to livestream the giant moths in the Thousand Islands Alliance, but Zhang Xuezhou refused because the creatures were dangerous.
• Zhang Xuezhou learned that Song Fengying had already reached the Third Sequence and heard Ning Que explain that blood serum resources were the main obstacle to Sequence advancement.
• Zhang Xuezhou noticed Ning Que looked ill and realized something was strange when Ning Que asked why the Nine Swords of Dugu could not heal his wounds.

Ning Que sought Zhang Xuezhou’s help for a hand wound and persistent weakness that modern medicine could not explain. Zhang Xuezhou suspected either Professor Luo Hui’s solution or Luo Zhong’s lingering mental power was responsible, and left the question unresolved as he headed to his North Rehe laboratory.

• Ning Que told Zhang Xuezhou that his hand wound had not healed and that he had suffered a fever and lasting weakness after cutting his palm on glass.
• Zhang Xuezhou examined Ning Que’s hand, found no injury through the Supreme Purity True Technique, and contacted Professor Luo Hui about the solution that might have caused the problem.
• Zhang Xuezhou drove to the North Rehe laboratory to work on the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique and prepare to contact Tuer Kelanduo about a Fortune Pill.
• Zhang Manqian suggested Ning Que’s strong mental power might be affecting his body, and Zhang Xuezhou said Luo Zhong’s lingering mental power could be involved.
• Zhang Xuezhou realized Ning Que’s possible struggle with Luo Zhong might resemble his own uncertain connection to the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, and decided to observe what happened.

Zhang Xuezhou reconstructed the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique and began practicing it, discovering that his Law Power made it far less effective than martial artists’ Qi and Blood. He left the chapter laying groundwork for future cultivation as Zhou Yueyan urged him to prepare the vomiting medicine.

• Zhang Xuezhou used a data model to reconstruct and save the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique, identifying weaknesses in Buddha Son Rulai’s cultivation along the way.
• Zhang Xuezhou began practicing the technique at dawn and found that using Law Power produced less than half the results of ordinary cultivation with Qi and Blood.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided to keep laying the groundwork and seek more Spirit Jade in Qinmeng, since the technique could still offer useful bodily protection.
• Zhou Yueyan spotted Zhang Xuezhou sitting with his eyes closed and urged him to hurry up and make the vomiting medicine from the medicinal herbs.

Zhou Yueyan rushed to support Zhang Xuezhou’s efforts to develop a stronger emetic, hoping the work could help the Zhou Household survive its transition after Zhou Xin left. She agreed to fund his experiments with twenty million, despite learning that his estimated success rate was only five percent.

• The Twilight Years Rules forced Zhou Xin to leave for Qinmeng, while Zhou Na left with him, leaving the Zhou Household with ten years to find a powerful successor.
• Zhou Yueyan hurried to Zhang Xuezhou after hearing that the Zhang Household was buying medicinal ingredients in bulk.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that he was trying to compound a more powerful emetic and that each attempt cost about two million.
• Zhou Yueyan offered to back him with twenty million, and Zhang Xuezhou immediately asked her to buy that much in medicinal ingredients.
• Zhang Xuezhou estimated a five percent chance of success, leaving Zhou Yueyan worried that the investment could become a bottomless pit.

Professor Luo Hui tried to conceal Luo Zhong’s death from Luo Tianming while using delays and communications interference to protect himself. He enlisted Luo Gaogao’s help, but Luo Tianming’s potential to extend his life left Luo Hui uncertain about his future.

• Professor Luo Hui treated Ning Que with saline while claiming the toxin was harmless, then lied to Zhang Xuezhou about its nature.
• Luo Hui considered turning to Luo Gaogao for support, since Gaogao had earned resources and no longer depended entirely on Luo Tianming.
• When Luo Tianming called, Luo Hui faked a communications failure and asked Luo Gaogao to disrupt signals around Twilight Years Mansion.
• Luo Hui planned to keep Luo Tianming isolated until Zhou Rihui and the others could grow stronger, but worried Luo Tianming might gain a longer life or reach the seventh sequence.

Zhang Xuezhou spent eight days and Zhou Yueyan’s funds developing potent Spirit-Forging Pills, but failed to create a Fortune Pill. He learned where Zhou Xin might be found in Qinmeng and prepared to pursue further testing and materials.

• Zhang Xuezhou used the strange insects’ Demon Cores to make potent Spirit-Forging Pills that restored most of his Law Power but did not qualify as Fortune Pills.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Zhou Yueyan that the ingredients had cost twenty-two million and that he had exhausted his supply of Demon Cores without achieving the desired formula.
• Zhou Yueyan refused to test the pills on Changkong Luo but told Zhang Xuezhou that Zhou Xin might appear at Huli Port on the eighth of each month.
• Zhang Xuezhou planned to contact Tuer Kelanduo and travel to Qinmeng for further testing, while acknowledging that the pills could not support Divine Ability Realm cultivators.
• Zhou Yueyan questioned Zhang Xuezhou’s real purpose for spending so much on the vomiting medicine and seeking Zhou Xin in Qinmeng.

Zhou Yueyan realized that Zhang Xuezhou had taught Ning Que fictional ancient cultivation methods that were improving his combat ability and healing. She concluded that the emetics Zhang Xuezhou had been making served a deeper purpose, though she had not yet uncovered what it was.

• Zhou Yueyan left Zhang Xuezhou’s laboratory after learning that he expected to recover in about two months.
• On her way back to Western Capital City, Zhou Yueyan read Ning Que’s messages asking about Zhang Xuezhou, his reward, the cultivation methods, and more medicinal paste.
• Zhou Yueyan looked up The Smiling, Proud Wanderer and recognized the Sunflower Manual and Nine Swords of Dugu as methods from the novel.
• Ning Que told Zhou Yueyan that he had reached the second level of both methods and believed the next level might help heal internal injuries.
• Zhou Yueyan reconsidered Ning Que’s success in the Sequence Contest and recalled Zhou Xin’s warnings about ancient martial arts.
• Zhou Yueyan recognized the methods’ potential and finally understood the true purpose behind Zhang Xuezhou’s emetics.

Zhou Yueyan recognized that Ning Que’s healing ability came from the Divine Striking Technique and suspected Zhang Xuezhou could use it to treat Zhou Rihui’s internal injuries. She sent Zhou Rihui to seek Zhang Xuezhou’s help and considered how dependent the Zhou Household had become on him.

• Ning Que used the Divine Striking Technique to heal a wound, and Zhou Yueyan identified the ancient technique.
• Zhou Yueyan offered to tell Zhou Rihui about a possible treatment for his internal injuries if he paid her twenty million.
• Zhou Yueyan reasoned that Zhang Xuezhou might be able to treat Zhou Rihui and urged him to go see Zhang before he left for Qinmeng.
• Zhou Rihui agreed to seek treatment, and Zhou Yueyan told him to take four hundred portions of blood serum culture medium as payment.
• Ning Que asked to go with Zhou Rihui to the institute, and Zhou Yueyan agreed to help him get a permit.
• After Zhou Rihui left, Zhou Yueyan wondered about Zhang Xuezhou’s abilities and concluded that he was irreplaceable to the Zhou Household.

Zhang Xuezhou practiced the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique while waiting for Ren Anran to persuade Tuer Kelanduo. Zhou Rihui arrived seeking treatment after sparring with Zhang Manqian, and Ning Que watched to see how effective Zhang Xuezhou’s healing method was.

• Zhang Xuezhou continued practicing the One Hundred and Eight Thousand Acupoints Technique and waited for Ren Anran to persuade Tuer Kelanduo before his trip to Qinmeng.
• Zhou Rihui arrived at the B13 Research Institute seeking treatment, while Zhang Manqian stood beside him with bruises from their sparring match.
• Zhang Xuezhou recognized that Zhou Rihui wanted to see the treatment work on Zhang Manqian before trusting it for himself.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the institute and found Ning Que waiting for him while still recovering from physical weakness.
• Ning Que watched Zhang Xuezhou closely, hoping to judge whether his healing method could help him.

At the B13 Research Institute, Zhang Xuezhou used the Supreme Purity True Technique to heal Zhang Manqian and disguised the method as a blessing from the Tuer God. Zhou Rihui then offered four hundred portions of culture medium for treatment, while Zhang Manqian studied his formidable physique and resolved to improve her own fighting techniques.

• Zhang Xuezhou healed Zhang Manqian with the Supreme Purity True Technique, and Ning Que grew wary of the technique’s concealed nature and the rarity of his own cultivation knowledge.
• Zhou Rihui questioned Zhang Xuezhou about his prayers, and Zhang Xuezhou claimed his healing powers came from blessings bestowed by the Tuer God in the Thousand Islands Alliance.
• Zhou Rihui offered Zhang Xuezhou four hundred portions of culture medium for treatment, and Zhang Xuezhou accepted the reagent before asking him to lie down.
• Zhang Manqian observed Zhou Rihui’s exceptional physique and recognized how far his genes and fighting techniques surpassed her own.
• Zhang Manqian made Zhou Rihui a goal to pursue and considered adapting her Gene Fighting Techniques to better suit her strengths.