Chapter Summaries

Hongku studied the Shizi he had obtained from Rong Tianding but could not cultivate Southern Brightness Fire, so he burned the text and abandoned his plan to kill Rong Tianding. Zhang Xuezhou told him that Liu Ling may have used a charm technique on him, and Hongku agreed to help while asking Zhang Xuezhou to lend him Rong Tianding when needed.

• Hongku discovered he could not safely cultivate Southern Brightness Fire and burned the Shizi, then restrained his killing intent toward Rong Tianding because killing him would endanger Zhang Xuezhou.
• Zhang Xuezhou visited Hongku and explained that he had lost consciousness after drinking at the King of Huainan's banquet and now needed a woman with a purely yin body to help his illness.
• Hongku suspected Liu Ling had used a charm technique on Zhang Xuezhou, and Zhang Xuezhou suggested she might have been probing him for the Shizi.
• Hongku realized Zhang Xuezhou was trying to redirect his suspicions but considered that the King of Huainan's Household might have targeted him for secret cultivation texts.
• Hongku said he could act against Liu Ling if Zhang Xuezhou would later help him by lending him Rong Tianding.

After Hongku left Chang'an, Zhang Xuezhou considered the danger he still posed and attended to his own cultivation and court obligations. At Weiyang Palace, Zhang joined the new emperor and empress dowager as they discussed recruiting officials, and he supported their plan to recommend worthy candidates from across Great Han.

• Rong Tianding complained that Hongku had wanted to kill him, and Zhang Xuezhou explained that Hongku feared his cultivation might eventually counter him.
• Zhang Xuezhou considered Hongku's potential revenge, then prepared to pay his respects after missing the grand empress dowager's funeral procession and check on his other affairs.
• Zhang Xuezhou found that A Qiao had released about one-sixth of the Law Power sealed by Cynomorium, underwent tests, and cultivated until he had opened eighteen acupoints.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered Weiyang Palace and met the new emperor, the empress dowager, and several newly appointed officials and generals.
• The empress dowager proposed recommending worthy scholar-officials from the kingdoms, commanderies, and counties, and Zhang Xuezhou praised the plan despite the new emperor's reservations.

Zhang Xuezhou attended a court meeting where the empress dowager advanced reforms that the new emperor reluctantly accepted. Later, the new emperor sought Zhang Xuezhou’s help securing allies and bringing Dong Zhongshu back to Chang’an, hoping he could help break the political deadlock.

• Zhang Xuezhou arrived at Weiyang Palace during a meeting and, after praising the empress dowager’s proposals, helped persuade the new emperor to accept them.
• The new emperor scolded Zhang Xuezhou afterward, then asked whom he could send to gain experience as neighboring states threatened to exploit the disorder.
• Zhang Xuezhou said Li Guang was strong but advised that Li Shaojun was unlikely to enter court because of his age, illness, and lack of court knowledge.
• The new emperor asked Zhang Xuezhou to obtain the Jing River Water God Dragon King’s Essence Blood, but Zhang Xuezhou said he lacked the ability to do so.
• The new emperor considered the Red Empyrean Sword unusable without the right blood and viewed Dong Zhongshu’s return as his remaining chance to break the deadlock.
• The new emperor asked Zhang Xuezhou how he could bring genuinely talented people to Chang’an City after the recommendation system had been corrupted by factional favoritism.

During his night at the imperial palace, Zhang Xuezhou cultivated the Fortune Technique, discovered a Dragon Pearl within his Fortune Body, and learned that it might be an Immortality Gem. After taking on Ying Fusu’s Fortune Technique form, he activated the pearl and drew Emperor Qin’s attention, who mistook him for Fusu.

• Zhang Xuezhou told the new emperor that examinations could help select young talent and curb factionalism, then wondered why the emperor was so intent on bringing Dong Zhongshu back.
• Zhang Xuezhou cultivated the Fortune Technique in the imperial palace and saw a Dragon Pearl appear in his dragon-fish Fortune Body.
• Zhang Xuezhou recognized the pearl as the Dragon Pearl, now reduced to ordinary stone, and suspected it was an Immortality Gem connected to the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon.
• Zhang Xuezhou transformed into Ying Fusu’s Fortune Technique form and found it was durable but lacked Ying Fusu’s Tai'e Sword.
• Zhang Xuezhou spat out the Dragon Pearl, which glimmered and revealed Emperor Qin asking whether Fusu had investigated the Qingzhou Cauldron.

While posing as Ying Fusu, Zhang Xuezhou spoke with Emperor Qin about Zhu Jiuyin, the Nine Dragons Cauldron, and Great Qin’s return. Emperor Qin recognized that Zhang’s Fortune Form was weakened, learned about the Dragon Pearl, and ordered him to find the Marquis of Sui’s Treasure Pearl before returning to Great Qin.

• Zhang Xuezhou reported that Zhu Jiuyin had escaped after the Qingzhou Cauldron incident, and Emperor Qin warned him to remain wary.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked about rumors concerning the Nine Dragons Cauldron and Great Qin’s return; Emperor Qin said Great Qin would return when the Nine Cauldrons sounded and ordered him to strengthen his body.
• Emperor Qin noticed that Zhang Xuezhou’s Fortune Form was depleted, so Zhang claimed he had killed a demon king and taken the Dragon Pearl as a Fortune Artifact.
• Emperor Qin drew a wisp of Qi from the Dragon Pearl and consulted Xu Fu, who identified it as a lost pearl of the Dragon Clan’s Karmic Fortune.
• Emperor Qin told Zhang Xuezhou to find the Marquis of Sui’s Treasure Pearl, recite a phrase to retrieve it, and fuse it with the Dragon Pearl before returning early.

Zhang Xuezhou struggled through an early morning audience with the new emperor, who invited him to practice and learned more about his role in rescuing Tian Fen. The empress dowager rewarded Zhang Xuezhou and pressed the emperor to remove the Palace of Peace and Happiness officials and appoint Tian Fen as chancellor.

• The new emperor asked Zhang Xuezhou why he looked tired, and Zhang explained that minor ailments and recent strain had left him exhausted.
• The new emperor invited Zhang Xuezhou to join his morning practice, and Zhang demonstrated his ability to ride the wind with Wind Technique.
• The empress dowager praised Zhang Xuezhou’s Wind Technique and offered him a chance to study the Liezi at the Palace of Eternal Faith.
• The empress dowager told Zhang Xuezhou that Tian Fen had secured him a reward for helping fight his way out of an Incantation Technique ambush.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained to the new emperor how he had encountered Tian Fen while investigating the flood and had helped him at his command.
• The empress dowager urged the new emperor to remove the Palace of Peace and Happiness officials and appoint Tian Fen as chancellor.

At court, Zhuang Qingdi and Xu Chang tried to surrender their offices and admit fault before the new emperor and empress dowager could investigate them. After the ministers debated their failures, the new emperor weighed whether to punish them harshly or show leniency.

• Zhuang Qingdi signaled his allies to impeach him and Xu Chang, then removed his official crown and surrendered his seal.
• Cheng Bushi defended Zhuang Qingdi, prompting a heated debate over whether the court could have stopped the technique masters without relying on martial force.
• The new emperor waited for the ministers to finish arguing and asked what Xu Chang had to say.
• Xu Anru reported that Xu Chang was gravely ill, ashamed of his conduct, and willing to accept the new emperor's punishment, while surrendering his father's crown and seal.
• The new emperor considered whether to punish Zhuang Qingdi and Xu Chang severely to establish authority or set an example of leniency for the Palace of Eternal Faith officials.

The new emperor spared Zhuang Qingdi and Xu Chang from harsher punishment, then oversaw a court reshuffle as Tian Fen and his allies took power. Zhang Xuezhou was appointed a regular attendant, leaving him surprised by a role he had never sought.

• The new emperor demoted Zhuang Qingdi and let the ill Xu Chang retire, despite the empress dowager's objection.
• The new emperor warned the empress dowager that keeping Zhuang Qingdi as a counterweight could help if the missing incantation masters returned, and she accepted his decision.
• Tian Fen, Han Anguo, Tian Sheng, Wang Chong'er and other officials were summoned and assigned positions as the court's leadership changed.
• Tian Fen filled powerful posts with his own candidates, while the new emperor tried to secure appointments for several newcomers.
• Zhang Xuezhou was appointed regular attendant and realized Tian Fen expected him to announce decrees, although he was not a eunuch and had only come to fill in temporarily.

After being denied a court appointment, Dou Ying opened Emperor Jing’s secret edict and discovered that the empress dowager was suspected of being an emperor’s daughter. He resolved to investigate her using the Yang Corporeal Soul Incarnation Technique.

• Dou Ying left Weiyang Palace after realizing no important post was being reserved for him, and Guan Fu concluded that the court was in trouble.
• At his residence, Dou Ying opened Emperor Jing’s sealed secret edict and found the empress dowager listed as a suspected emperor’s daughter who needed watching.
• Dou Ying regretted failing to secure power and feared the empress dowager might make Great Han a puppet of another power.
• Dou Ying used the Technique of the Yang Corporeal Soul Incarnation to create an incarnation and decided to investigate the empress dowager’s origins and connections.

After Tian Fen filled the court with his appointees, Zhang Xuezhou secured the new emperor’s approval to live near Grand Princess Dou’s residence. He then learned of an ownerless secret land near Chang'an City that might help cultivators advance, and was surprised to discover it was not the land he already knew.

• Tian Fen appointed many of his people to minor offices, and the empress dowager and new emperor accepted the smooth handover of the Palace of Peace and Happiness's officials.
• The empress dowager encouraged Zhang Xuezhou to stay close to the new emperor and visit the Palace of Eternal Faith.
• Zhang Xuezhou told the new emperor he had borrowed money to pursue the Marquis of Wuqiang’s residence near Grand Princess Dou’s home.
• When Zhang Xuezhou asked about ways to improve cultivation, the new emperor revealed that the late emperor had known of a secret land near Chang'an City.
• The new emperor said the secret land had been ownerless for a century and could help Han Yan and others reach the Divine Ability realm, leaving Zhang Xuezhou stunned.

Zhang Xuezhou discussed cultivation with the new emperor, who had failed to locate the secret land in Shanglin Park. After Zhang mentioned Li Shaojun’s Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill, the emperor took him out of the palace to visit Li Shaojun at Cloud Wing Daoist Temple.

• The new emperor told Zhang Xuezhou that years of searching Shanglin Park had failed to uncover its secret land, which could provide a major boost to cultivation.
• The new emperor asked how Zhang Xuezhou had reached the Divine Ability Realm, and Zhang explained that pills from the Nine Heavens Sect had helped him.
• Zhang Xuezhou mentioned that Li Shaojun could refine the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill, which might improve their chances of reaching the Sole Self Realm.
• The new emperor decided he should visit Li Shaojun at Cloud Wing Daoist Temple and changed clothes with Zhang Xuezhou before leaving the palace.

The new emperor left the palace in disguise with Zhang Xuezhou to visit Li Shaojun and ask about the dangerous Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill. Li Shaojun showed them a pill, and the emperor asked whether Dongfang Shuo was fit to take one.

• The new emperor used Han Yan's identification token to leave the palace with Zhang Xuezhou, who complained that palace security was lax.
• Zhang Xuezhou and the new emperor reached the Cloud Wing Daoist Temple and called Li Shaojun to open its gates.
• Li Shaojun recognized the new emperor and invited both visitors inside, concealing his concern about their purpose.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Li Shaojun for two Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills, and Li Shaojun warned that the medicine could be deadly before showing them one.
• The new emperor asked whether Li Shaojun had taken the pill and whether Dongfang Shuo was qualified to use it.

Divine Lord Zhenyuan waited as his obligations to the grand empress dowager neared their end, while Li Shaojun and the new emperor discussed the dangerous Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills. The new emperor pressed Li Shaojun to try refining a fresh batch, seeing the pills as a promising route to greater cultivation.

• Divine Lord Zhenyuan reflected on his injured arm, his nearly completed duties, and his plans for the Law Treasure Cloth.
• Li Shaojun explained that Nine Spirits Primal Sage's demonic blood had tainted the existing Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills, making them unsafe for most people.
• Zhang Xuezhou and the others discussed their chances of taking the old pills, and Li Shaojun said Dongfang Shuo would need a fresh pill from the furnace.
• Li Shaojun described the rare materials and top-grade Pill Furnace needed to refine the pills, and revealed that taking one had helped him break through from the Sole Self Realm to the True Self Realm.
• The new emperor asked to buy Li Shaojun's old pill and then urged him to refine a fresh batch, promising to supply whatever he needed.
• Zhang Xuezhou and the new emperor assured Li Shaojun they would accept the costs and risks of his attempts.

At the Cloud Wing Daoist Temple, Zhang Xuezhou helped the new emperor persuade Li Shaojun to refine the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill, though Li warned that success and safety were uncertain. Li agreed to stay briefly before leaving for the mountains, while Divine Lord Zhenyuan departed to prepare his own cultivation site.

• Zhang Xuezhou worried that the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill might harm the new emperor, but decided the attempt was worth making.
• The new emperor offered Li Shaojun the ingredients and facilities to refine the pill, and Li agreed while warning that he could promise neither success nor safety.
• Li Shaojun told the new emperor he planned to leave Chang'an City because his injuries remained unhealed and trouble might follow him.
• The new emperor and Li Shaojun concluded their negotiations, and Zhang Xuezhou said he would visit Li after moving nearby.
• Divine Lord Zhenyuan invited Li Shaojun to Soul-Severing Ridge, explained that he needed to prepare a formation there, and then left the temple.

After the new emperor promised to help Zhang Xuezhou buy a residence and treat his illness, Zhang Xuezhou returned home and healed Divine Lord Zhenyuan’s injured arm. Divine Lord Zhenyuan warned him that Nine Spirits Primal Sage’s Essence Blood had contaminated the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill, leaving Zhang Xuezhou cautious about testing it.

• The new emperor promised to cover any shortfall in Zhang Xuezhou’s purchase of Zhuang Qingdi’s residence and help treat his illness.
• Divine Lord Zhenyuan told Zhang Xuezhou that a former teacher had lingered near his residence, and Zhang Xuezhou explained that the man had brought him ginseng.
• Divine Lord Zhenyuan showed Zhang Xuezhou eighteen infected bite wounds from Nine Spirits Primal Sage, and Zhang Xuezhou used his healing technique and Poison Avoidance Instruction to treat them.
• Divine Lord Zhenyuan said he had forced Nine Spirits Primal Sage to spit Essence Blood onto the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill and warned Zhang Xuezhou not to give the possibly dangerous pill to the new emperor.
• Zhang Xuezhou agreed to be cautious if he had to test the pill and promised not to share it with the new emperor.

Dong Zhongshu returned to Chang'an City with a mineral that let people turn stored beans into nourishing white meat, a discovery that could feed the poor and strengthen Huainan's wartime resources. He urged Zhang Xuezhou to alert the emperor, leaving Zhang to consider how to counter the King of Huainan's growing threat.

• After Divine Lord Zhenyuan left, Zhang Xuezhou reassured A Qiao that he would help change her lowborn status and said they would move to the Imperial City District.
• Dong Zhongshu arrived in Chang'an City and showed Zhang Xuezhou a translucent white stone he had found in Huainan.
• Dong Zhongshu explained that water infused with the stone made bean milk curdle into edible white meat that was nourishing and free of harmful side effects.
• Dong Zhongshu warned that the King of Huainan's Household could use the discovery to improve its supplies and prepare to challenge the court.
• Dong Zhongshu told Zhang Xuezhou that only the emperor could address the danger and urged him to find a way to inform His Majesty.

Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu discussed the King of Huainan's Household’s white flesh before Li Shaojun arrived with failed Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills. After Zhang tested a trace of the powder, Dong Zhongshu realized the pills might help him pursue his cultivation.

• Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu reasoned that white flesh combined food ingredients with minerals, like salt, and might become an important food source.
• Li Shaojun visited Zhang Xuezhou after Daoist Master Zhenyuan left, then met Dong Zhongshu and explained his worries about attracting trouble without gaining the Immortal Court’s attention.
• Li Shaojun gave Zhang half of his failed Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills and asked him to help keep things steady while he tried to refine more.
• Zhang stored the eight reddish-brown pills and tasted a little of their powder, which made his body flush despite his Poison Avoidance Instruction and Fleshly Body Technique.
• Dong Zhongshu saw the pills’ effects on Zhang’s Qi and Blood and Law Power and suspected the failed pills could suit his own needs.

Zhang Xuezhou warned Dong Zhongshu that the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill was dangerously poisonous, but Dong Zhongshu tested it with Fortune Pills and felt it strengthen his Heaven and Earth Bridges. He concluded that the pill poison, possibly altered by the Nine Spirits Primal Sage's Essence Blood, had brought him closer to the True Self Realm.

• Zhang Xuezhou warned Dong Zhongshu that the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill could be fatal to ordinary people and urged him to test only a little.
• Dong Zhongshu swallowed a small amount of the pill powder and suffered a nosebleed, revealing its corrosive effects.
• Dong Zhongshu took two Fortune Pills and a fragment of the Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pill to test their combined effects.
• Dong Zhongshu suffered severe bleeding and briefly lost consciousness, but sensed that his Heaven Bridge had grown more solid.
• Dong Zhongshu suspected the pill poison had strengthened his Heaven and Earth Bridges and brought him closer to the True Self Realm.

Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu tested ruined Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills, which gave Dong Zhongshu hope of reaching the True Self Realm but did not affect Zhang Xuezhou in the same way. Zhang Xuezhou warned Dong Zhongshu that Emperor Qin was preparing a comeback, and they agreed to face that threat together once Dong Zhongshu advanced.

• Dong Zhongshu discovered that the ruined Eight-Step Immortal Ascension Pills could help him pursue the True Self Realm, while Zhang Xuezhou’s own test produced no similar effects.
• Zhang Xuezhou offered Dong Zhongshu more pills, and Dong Zhongshu took four while promising to help Zhang Xuezhou after reaching the True Self Realm.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Dong Zhongshu about Emperor Qin’s plan and explained that he wanted to sever their connection through the Fortune Technique.
• Dong Zhongshu warned Zhang Xuezhou that Emperor Qin was far beyond their strength and advised him not to confront that power directly.
• Dong Zhongshu promised to accompany Zhang Xuezhou in seeking Emperor Qin after advancing, and said he wanted to learn why the State of Qin expected to return.

Zhang Xuezhou told Dong Zhongshu that Emperor Qin and Yang Duanhe had become human figurines and might be preparing for Great Qin’s return, prompting them to consider involving the Han emperor. After Dong Zhongshu left, both men reflected on each other’s abilities as Zhang Xuezhou continued cultivating.

• Dong Zhongshu explained that Great Qin’s harsh laws had forced even Yang Duanhe to become a human figurine, and he and Zhang Xuezhou concluded that Emperor Qin might be preparing for his return.
• Dong Zhongshu urged Zhang Xuezhou to bring the Han emperor into the danger, citing his position and the Red Empyrean Sword as advantages in the Fortune Technique.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Dong Zhongshu discussed the threat, then joined A Qiao for a meal and talked about her pregnancy and Zhang Xuezhou’s coming child.
• Dong Zhongshu left late at night by riding the wind, and Zhang Xuezhou admired how quickly he had mastered the Flying Leap Technique.
• Zhang Xuezhou cultivated through the night while Dong Zhongshu reflected that Zhang Xuezhou’s ability to survive the trouble he stirred up made him formidable.