Chapter Summaries

After the flood destroyed the hidden realm and scattered their treasures, Zhang Xuezhou and Gongsun Hong searched for Li Shaojun and the cause of the disaster. Li Shaojun survived and found the damaged gourd, and the group suspected a Chaos Spirit Object might be beneath the water as he plunged in to investigate.

• Zhang Xuezhou rescued Gongsun Hong from the flood, and they realized the gourd’s water had overwhelmed the tree demons and turned the hidden realm into a vast lake.
• Gongsun Hong discovered a rotting vine in his throat and feared the flood had left him injured, while Zhang Xuezhou worried about their lost treasures and the diluted spirit spring.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Gongsun Hong waited until daylight, then headed across the water to search for Li Shaojun.
• Zhang Xuezhou found Li Shaojun alive beside the damaged gourd, which floated like a boat, and asked him about the vine and roots.
• Li Shaojun agreed to investigate the suspected Chaos Spirit Object in exchange for half of any treasure, then plunged into the water.

After the tree demon attack, Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun searched the flooded area for possible treasures while Gongsun Hong recovered on shore. Li Shaojun suspected a Chaos Spirit Root lay beneath the water, leaving them waiting to see what Zhang Xuezhou would find.

• Zhang Xuezhou inspected the damaged gourd boat and reflected on how its power had saved their lives.
• Gongsun Hong joined Zhang Xuezhou on the water and asked about the gourd and the tree demon.
• Li Shaojun emerged from the water and questioned Gongsun Hong about his condition, but neither man got a clear answer from the other.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the water to continue searching while Gongsun Hong stayed ashore because he was still unwell.
• Li Shaojun told Gongsun Hong that he could not claim a share of any treasure Zhang Xuezhou found, and Gongsun Hong agreed.
• Li Shaojun watched the water, hoping Zhang Xuezhou would discover what he believed was a Chaos Spirit Root.

Zhang Xuezhou searched the flooded tree demon cave and subdued the weakened demon hidden inside a root, recovering a piece of its Chaos Spirit Root. He emerged to find his hand poisoned but recovering, while Li Shaojun eyed the other half Zhang Xuezhou had left underwater.

• Zhang Xuezhou found the destroyed spirit spring and searched the flooded cave for the gourd vine and the hidden tree demon.
• Zhang Xuezhou followed the gourd vine to a root, resisted its green light with the Eye of the Ba Snake and his intimidation technique, and subdued the demon.
• Zhang Xuezhou pried the marked piece of wood from the root, then surfaced with the white-jade-looking Chaos Spirit Root.
• Li Shaojun questioned Zhang Xuezhou about the demon and the treasure, while Gongsun Hong noticed Zhang Xuezhou's left hand was swollen and green.
• Zhang Xuezhou said the poison was receding and warned that Li Shaojun would have died if he had gone down; Li Shaojun remained eager to retrieve the other half.

Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun examined the poisonous spirit object and learned how to refine treasures with the Treasure Refining Formula. As hunger became a pressing concern in the secret realm, the group began considering finding the exit rather than searching for more treasures.

• Gongsun Hong identified the dead tree demon as a spirit object, and Li Shaojun pulled its gourd vine from the water.
• Zhang Xuezhou cut into the spirit object and exposed poisonous sap that left him and Li Shaojun dizzy and sick.
• Li Shaojun taught Zhang Xuezhou the Treasure Refining Formula for marking and controlling treasures with spirituality.
• Gongsun Hong urged the group to find the secret realm's exit because he was hungry, and Li Shaojun agreed food was more urgent than treasure hunting.

Trapped in the secret land without food, Zhang Xuezhou, Li Shaojun, and Gongsun Hong struggled to endure as Zhang refined his spiritual object and guarded against the others. Gongsun Hong blamed their misfortune on a fate curse, and all three began to suspect their own destinies were bringing disaster.

• On the sixth day without an exit, Gongsun Hong and Li Shaojun survived on tender leaves and grass roots while Zhang Xuezhou continued refining his spiritual object.
• Gongsun Hong noticed Zhang Xuezhou was rationing their food, and Li Shaojun asked him to gather enough roots and leaves for twelve days.
• Zhang Xuezhou refused and warned Li Shaojun that he might restrain him before falling unconscious to prevent him from becoming a threat.
• Gongsun Hong feared the Grand Duke of Jupiter had brought them misfortune and proposed using the Yellow Emperor's Yin Talisman Scripture to dispel it.
• After Li Shaojun explained that the scripture belonged to the Huang-Lao Way, Gongsun Hong concluded one of them had a disastrous fate, and all three privately suspected themselves.

Zhang Xuezhou, Li Shaojun, and Gongsun Hong discussed whether their destinies were causing their misfortunes and shared teachings that might help them change fate. After a day and a half of study and waiting, the secret land began to reconnect with the human world.

• Gongsun Hong, Li Shaojun, and Zhang Xuezhou each wondered whether their own destiny had brought misfortune to those around them.
• Zhang Xuezhou suggested they pool their knowledge and try anything that might temporarily change their destinies so they could survive the crisis.
• Li Shaojun, Gongsun Hong, and Zhang Xuezhou recounted and discussed teachings from their respective schools, but none learned a clear method for changing fate.
• The three spent a day and a half discussing the classics, practicing, and eating grass roots and leaves while waiting for the secret land to open.
• An unnatural hint of dawn appeared, and the secret land began to come into contact with the human world.

Zhang Xuezhou, Li Shaojun, and Gongsun Hong escaped the secret land by sea, only to be seized by cultivators searching for the missing Water-Dividing General. Zhang Xuezhou recognized the Third Prince among the search party.

• Zhang Xuezhou and the others emerged from the secret land on a gourd boat and caught fish while recovering.
• Gongsun Hong urged the group to paddle away, and they eventually spotted lights and people near the reefs.
• The group learned they had been paddling east instead of west and were surrounded by armed cultivators.
• The cultivators suspected the Water-Dividing General had possessed someone and ordered Zhang Xuezhou and his companions seized for inspection.
• The captors bound the three and hauled their gourd boat toward the reefs, where Zhang Xuezhou recognized the Third Prince.

Zhang Xuezhou and his companions faced an Immortal Court inspection for signs of Shen Gongbao, but Nezha’s intervention only protected Zhang Xuezhou while Li Shaojun was killed. Afterward, Zhang Xuezhou discovered that Nezha had forgotten much of the recent past, and Nezha asked him to tell Yao Yuanguang to bring back oranges from Huainan.

• Zhang Xuezhou invoked his connection to Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds to gain Nezha’s goodwill, and Nezha pressured the Immortal Court inspectors to examine his guests quickly.
• Gongsun Hong passed the mirror inspection despite his poisoned organs, and Zhang Xuezhou passed despite an injury to his head and Heaven Bridge.
• The mirror revealed suspicious shadows inside Li Shaojun, so the inspectors struck him with the Yin-Yang Mirror and killed him.
• Nezha condemned the inspectors for killing Li Shaojun and told Zhang Xuezhou they would not dare inspect him further.
• Nezha asked Zhang Xuezhou whether Yao Yuanguang had gone to Huainan to pick oranges, and Zhang Xuezhou realized Nezha had forgotten many recent events.

Zhang Xuezhou and Nezha left the Northern Sea ruins by gourd boat, taking Li Shaojun’s body to the Primordial Lord for examination. The Immortal Court’s search continued, while the red-robed general reflected on Shen Gongbao’s escape and how long life had worn away his ties to others.

• Gongsun Hong listened as Zhang Xuezhou and Nezha discussed the escaped fiend and realized they had returned to the scattered reefs near the Mohists' Mechanism City.
• Zhang Xuezhou offered the gourd boat to the Primordial Lord, and Nezha agreed to guide them to the Eastern Heavenly Gate after enjoying a ride in it.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked to take Li Shaojun’s body for examination, and Nezha promised that the Primordial Lord would inspect it.
• The red-robed general let Nezha and the others depart, then ordered the Immortal Court cultivators to continue searching the reefs.
• The red-robed general wondered how Shen Gongbao had caused the explosion and reflected that a thousand years of life had left the long-lived with few remaining attachments.

Zhang Xuezhou and the others returned to the Eastern Heavenly Gate Secret Land with Nezha’s help, hoping to exchange their gourd boat for safe passage toward Mount Tai. Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds recognized Zhang Xuezhou as Nezha eagerly prepared to present the boat.

• Earl of Wind propelled the gourd boat across the sea while Nezha reminisced and Gongsun Hong reconsidered his loyalties after witnessing the Immortal Court’s cruelty.
• Earl of Wind announced that they had reached the Eastern Heavenly Gate, where Nezha said the damaged formation would no longer obstruct them.
• Earl of Wind left to report back to the Heavenly King, while Nezha led the others toward the Supreme One Palace with the gourd boat.
• Zhang Xuezhou greeted Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds and offered the boat, hoping to secure a safe route out of the Immortal Court’s reach.
• Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds recognized Zhang Xuezhou, and Nezha excitedly waited for him to present the gourd.

Zhang Xuezhou secured permission from Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds to travel through the Heavenly Gate, then led the group back to Mount Tai. There, Li Shaojun woke after surviving the Immortal Court’s pursuit, while Gongsun Hong reflected on the status of Jin Ding, a once-famous Great Han scholar.

• Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds welcomed Zhang Xuezhou and the others, while Nezha persistently demanded the gourd Zhang Xuezhou had presented.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked to return to Great Han through the Heavenly Gate, and Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds agreed and sent Jin Ding to guide them.
• Jin Ding escorted the group through the Eastern and Southern Heavenly Gate formations as Gongsun Hong recognized him as a scholar who had once been famous in Great Han.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Gongsun Hong discussed Jin Ding’s past and his position in the Immortal Court.
• At Jade Emperor Peak on Mount Tai, Zhang Xuezhou kicked Li Shaojun awake, and Li Shaojun complained about the Immortal Court after recovering from his ordeal.

After leaving Mount Tai, Zhang Xuezhou and Li Shaojun planned how to approach the court’s pill-refining request with Gongsun Hong’s advice. Zhang flew off to find a safe place to rest, while Li and Gongsun discussed Zhang’s mysterious ties to the Immortal Court and Li’s troubled fate.

• Gongsun Hong advised Li Shaojun to ask the court for the Nine Dragons Cauldron, giving them an excuse if the court failed to provide suitable tools.
• Li Shaojun promised to share any benefits he gained at court with Gongsun Hong, then carried him off Mount Tai to find a carriage.
• Zhang Xuezhou flew toward Hibiscus City to find a safe place to rest before returning to Chang'an City.
• Li Shaojun asked Gongsun Hong how Dongfang Shuo had formed connections with the Immortal Court, and they discussed Zhang’s unusual ties.
• Li Shaojun revealed that his ancestor’s departed soul had taught him Daoist skills before being killed by the immortal with the Yin-Yang Mirror.
• Gongsun Hong suggested that Li Shaojun’s ancestor might have contributed to his bad fate, leaving Li uneasy about whether his luck could improve.

Zhang Xuezhou returned to Hibiscus City and reunited with Rong Li, Jia Zhiyuan, and Rong Tianding at their retirement feast. After learning Rong Tianding had been selling the family’s property to support more than a hundred people from Zhang Household Village near Chang'an, Zhang Xuezhou agreed to help the family move there and make a living.

• Zhang Xuezhou arrived in Hibiscus City and found Rong Li, Jia Zhiyuan, and Rong Tianding celebrating their retirement feast.
• Rong Li mistook Zhang Xuezhou’s plain clothes for evidence that Rong Tianding had lied about his success, while Zhang Xuezhou recognized that Rong Tianding had learned cultivation from Xu Ji.
• Rong Li worried that Rong Tianding had sold the temple and family property and closed the pork stall while preparing to move the household to Chang'an City.
• Rong Tianding told Zhang Xuezhou that he had returned to Hibiscus City to raise money for more than a hundred people from Zhang Household Village, including Zhang Zhong.
• Zhang Xuezhou agreed that the family should move to Chang'an City and said he and Rong Tianding could support themselves there.

Zhang Xuezhou agreed to help Rong Tianding move the Rong family and the people of Zhang Household Village to Chang'an City, using his reward to ease their resettlement. After arranging to travel with them, Zhang Xuezhou fell into his usual prolonged sleep, leaving Rong Tianding hopeful about their future.

• Rong Tianding explained his plan to move his family and the villagers to Chang'an City, and Zhang Xuezhou revealed he had sent them one hundred thousand gold.
• Rong Tianding described the greater opportunities in Chang'an City and his reasons for bringing his parents and the villagers there.
• Rong Li and Jia Zhiyuan watched Zhang Xuezhou eat an extraordinary amount and began to believe he was a powerful cultivator.
• Rong Tianding arranged to fetch an official horse and travel south before turning west, while Zhang Xuezhou planned to sleep through much of the journey.
• Zhang Xuezhou refined his cane-like spiritual object, offered Rong Tianding advice, and soon fell unconscious; Rong Tianding resolved to improve his cultivation and help their people prosper.

After waking from twelve days away, Zhang Xuezhou prepared to travel to Pan'an for a livestream and recruited Wang Haoran to help. He then learned that Zuo Teng had found an anomaly at the Eastern Mountain Imperial Mausoleums, a place Zhang Xuezhou needed for his Fortune Technique.

• Zhang Xuezhou reviewed the techniques and texts he had obtained, then remembered his pending trip to Pan'an after Song Fengying called.
• Zhang Xuezhou agreed to make a livestream with Song Fengying and asked Wang Haoran to accompany him.
• Zhou Tianhao, Zuo Teng, and Zuo Denggao came to see Zhang Xuezhou after he woke.
• Zuo Teng told Zhang Xuezhou that he had recorded Zuo Quan mentioning Ba'er Bo, Ba'er Po, the Master, and Luo Zhong at the Eastern Mountain Imperial Mausoleums.
• Zhang Xuezhou took the report seriously because he planned to use the Eastern Mountain Imperial Mausoleums to advance his Fortune Technique.

Zhang Xuezhou invited Zuo Teng to accompany him to Pan'an, ostensibly to livestream an adventure and consult old records, and arranged to transport two exotic beasts. As Zhang Xuezhou recounted regional history, Zuo Teng began to suspect that his trip was connected to the purple gladiolus grass and a meteor.

• Zhang Xuezhou warned Zuo Teng not to mutter secrets aloud and invited him and Zuo Denggao to travel to Pan'an.
• Zuo Teng agreed to accompany Zhang Xuezhou, while Zuo Denggao stayed behind to keep watch.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Zuo Teng to arrange shipping for a viper and a hyena to take on the trip.
• Zuo Teng questioned Zhang Xuezhou about the rumor that he would become an honorary professor, but Zhang Xuezhou answered by telling a long story about Pan'an's history.
• Zuo Teng joked that purple gladiolus grass might have arrived on a meteor, then grew suspicious when Zhang Xuezhou chuckled.

Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Teng traveled to Luo'an Province, where Wang Haoran welcomed them and explained that the Sequence Committee was trying to win over Changqing City's younger generation rather than crush its resistance. The group prepared to challenge the local juniors while Zhang Xuezhou gained time to arrange an investigation of the sinkhole in Pan'an.

• Zuo Teng arranged Zhang Xuezhou's flight and cargo transport, and they discussed their respective strengths and Zhang Xuezhou's stalled sequence advancement during the trip.
• After they landed in Luo'an Province, Wang Haoran greeted Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Teng with four special operations officers.
• Wang Haoran told Zuo Teng that Changqing City's younger generation needed to be won over, and he wanted them put in their place without turning the dispute into a fight to the death.
• Wang Haoran said he had spoken with Zhang Xuezhou's mother and planned to give Zhang Xuezhou time to prepare for investigating the sinkhole in Pan'an.
• Wang Haoran planned to use a Gene Fighting Technique livestream on Flying Entertainment Livestream to show goodwill and bring the younger generation closer to the Sequence Committee.

Zhang Xuezhou learned how the new Sequence Committee planned to stabilize Western Capital City by cultivating ordinary talent and offering outsiders access to research and resources. The committee’s effort to bring young Sequence Holders into line continued as Song Fengying’s livestream team arrived at the stadium.

• Wang Haoran explained to Zhang Xuezhou that Ren Yisheng had proposed using ordinary talent and psychological insight to balance the major Lineages and broaden support for the Sequence Committee.
• Wang Haoran described the committee’s plan to control dissatisfied Sequence Holders in the stadium while offering expanded trade in gene drugs and Ferocious Beast preparations as an incentive.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked how the committee would handle Zhao Tianhua and Pei Jing, and Wang Haoran said it would accept cooperation and limited influence from new Lineages rather than repeat past conflicts.
• Task force members escorted Song Fengying and her ten-person team into the stadium, and the young people recognized her as a prominent streamer and began smiling for the cameras.

Zuo Teng realized the Changqing City Youth Challenge was being livestreamed, while Song Fengying took over as host and read out its rules and rewards. The promise of immunity for contestants reaching the top sixteen galvanized the detained Luo'an Province Lineages, and the livestream’s audience and tips began to surge.

• Zuo Teng regretted preparing provocative lines after learning that Song Fengying would livestream the event.
• Song Fengying arrived at the stadium and agreed to host the challenge for Wang Haoran.
• Song Fengying read the rules, including immunity from penalties for contestants and their families who reached the top sixteen.
• The Luo'an Province Lineages urged their young people to compete, offering rewards and promising future support.
• Song Fengying directed the camera crew toward the contestants and their families as her livestream viewers and tips increased.

Song Fengying livestreamed the opening of a challenge tournament in Western Capital City, where young contestants competed for places that could protect their lineages from punishment. Wang Haoran and Zhang Xuezhou watched as the tournament began to divide the allied lineages, setting an example for other regions.

• Song Fengying interviewed contestants and spectators while taking livestream questions, and Lü Ruizhi said he aimed to reach the top sixteen.
• Song Fengying explained that the top eight would face a defending champion and that defeating the champion would earn further rewards.
• Zhu Liangping started the top-hundred challenge with random pairings, and the contestants fought barehanded under the tournament rules.
• Wang Haoran asked Zhang Xuezhou about the contestants, and Zhang said they seemed spirited but lacked unarmed combat skill.
• Wang Haoran explained that the tournament and its rewards would fracture the lineages and help Western Capital City weaken their alliances without wiping them out.