Recaps

Kang Dabao and the Chongming Sect struggled with Jiang Qing’s missing arm and mourned Han Yundao, while the wounded sect members began to recover. Jiang Qing awakened and the chapter ended with the sect finding renewed resolve, as Daoist Black Shoes watched from the clouds and addressed Sect Leader He’s statue.

• Kang Dabao learned that an Azure Firmament Spirit Root might restore Jiang Qing’s arm and suggested seeking leads through the Myriad Treasures Trading Company.
• Kang Dabao assigned the sect to investigate returning disciples, care for the wounded, and reorganize its Spirit Veins and resources before sleeping for three days.
• Huo Ying cooked for Kang Dabao, who thanked her despite disliking the meal, then visited Pei Yi and learned Jiang Qing was close to waking.
• Jiang Qing awakened, but learned that Han Yundao had died and mourned him with Kang Dabao and Pei Yi until dawn.
• The younger disciples trained with renewed determination, while Wei Gu studied formations to carry on Han Yundao’s wishes.
• Ye Zhengwen and Kang Dabao joked about Jiang Wanjun, and their laughter eased the sect’s gloom as Daoist Black Shoes watched from the clouds.

Duan Anle emerged from seclusion and resumed teaching, prompting his fellow disciples to gather and discuss cultivation, sect affairs, and their late senior brother Han Yundao. After Ye Pingshui called for revenge against the Lin Household, Kang Rongquan proposed a Dao gathering, and Duan Anle resolved to carry on Han Yundao’s share as well as his own.

• Kang Rongquan and Mo Ku met in the spirit fields, where Kang Rongquan reflected on missing Han Yundao and their former gatherings.
• Duan Anle came out of seclusion and taught scripture in a stern manner that reminded the disciples of Han Yundao.
• Pei Que, Jin Shilun, and Little Wu Meng invited Duan Anle to share snacks, and Kang Rongquan, He Yuanbing, and Ye Pingshui joined them.
• The disciples discussed Ye Pingshui’s artifact-refining duties and learned that Niu Kuang would take the Chongming City garrison post instead of Mo Ku.
• Ye Pingshui vowed to avenge Han Yundao by fighting the Lin Household, and Kang Rongquan proposed holding a Dao gathering in Han Yundao’s memory.
• Ye Pingshui gave a talk on nurturing Law Artifacts, while Duan Anle resolved to pull himself together and do his share of Han Yundao’s work.

Deng Baichuan visited Kang Dabao to discuss county affairs and offered him a spirit mine in Tanggu County instead of the one in Pingrong County. After Jiang Qing thanked Kang Dabao for a rare healing decoction, Kang Dabao questioned whether they should keep pursuing Foundation Establishment, and Jiang Qing firmly refused.

• Deng Baichuan told Kang Dabao that the prefectural court was strengthening its control over Cloud Horn Prefecture and bringing in households and sects from the capital region.
• Deng Baichuan explained that Acting Sima Gun had pledged Pingrong County’s yellow stone amber vein elsewhere and offered Kang Dabao a first-tier supreme-grade verdant stone vein in Tanggu County instead.
• Kang Dabao accepted the replacement vein and understood Deng Baichuan’s hint that the Chongming Sect should reopen its market shop.
• Kang Dabao returned to his courtyard and found Jiang Qing waiting to thank him for the Limb Restoration and Spirit Renewal Decoction sent by Sister-in-Law.
• Kang Dabao asked Jiang Qing whether they should stop pursuing Foundation Establishment, and Jiang Qing firmly answered, “No!”

After Daoist Black Shoes scolded Sect Leader Kang Da for discouraging Jiang Qing, Kang Da resolved to support Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment and focus on the sect’s affairs rather than seek more gains. He received Kuai En’s report about the division of the Tanggu Huo Household’s assets, then was surprised to see a message from Second Master Ming.

• Daoist Black Shoes rebuked Sect Leader Kang Da for undermining Jiang Qing’s confidence and urged him to gather more Foundation Establishment resources for his junior brother.
• Kang Dabao discussed Fangshi Mountain’s tangled Spirit Veins with Zhou Yixiu and approved plans to develop spirit fields and cultivate Plain Snow Stamen for spirit bees.
• Zhou Yixiu warned Kang Dabao that Niu Kuang was seeking a different post, while Kang Dabao considered the growing division between the Shandu Ridge cultivators and the Chongming Sect’s original disciples.
• Kuai En sent Kang Dabao details about how powers in Tanggu County had divided the Tanggu Huo Household’s assets, but Kang Dabao decided not to pursue a share.
• Kang Dabao replied to Kuai En and then recognized the signature on a second message talisman as Second Master Ming’s.

Kang Dabao learned that the Ming Household faced a purge because of its ties to the Huo Household, and he tried to secure help from Tanggu magistrate Tie Xishan. After Tie Xishan said only Commander Tie Liuyun could decide the matter, Kang Dabao promised to visit him again, though he doubted he had the power to save the Ming Household.

• Yuan Jin reported rumors that the Tanggu County yamen had demanded assets from households once allied with the Huo Household, and Kang Dabao suspected the Ming Household was in danger.
• Kang Dabao visited Tie Xishan, who said Tie Liuyun had ordered action against the Ming Household and refused to intervene.
• Kang Dabao rode to the Ming Household’s ancestral lands and told Second Master Ming that Tie Xishan could not decide the matter and that they needed another plan.
• Second Master Ming asked Kang Dabao to speak with Tie Liuyun, and Kang Dabao agreed to do his utmost while warning that the Ming Household might not be spared.
• Alone in his guest room, Kang Dabao regretted that Second Master Ming seemed to view him as a hired blade and worried that his lack of Foundation Establishment strength would limit what he could accomplish.

Kang Dabao failed to persuade Tie Liuyun to spare the Ming Household, but he received an invitation to an auction that might hold a treasure to help Jiang Qing. As the Ming Household’s crisis deepened, Second Master Ming entrusted a promising youth and the family’s remaining resources to Kang Dabao, who resolved to focus on helping Little Sanzi reach Foundation Establishment.

• Tie Liuyun refused to help the Ming Household unless Kang Dabao sold him the green stone vein, but he gave Kang Dabao an invitation to a Han City auction that might offer a foundation-restoring treasure.
• Tie Liuyun rejected He Dezong’s attempt to visit with a letter from Lang Yi, and Kang Dabao left with him after learning the Ming Household faced fabricated charges from the Demon Correction Office.
• Second Master Ming asked Kang Dabao to take his grandnephew into the Chongming Sect and protect the Ming Household’s descendants if possible, and Kang Dabao agreed.
• Second Master Ming gave Kang Dabao a sword classic, deeds to two shops, and an estate as the youth’s tuition gift.
• Kang Dabao accepted the items and resolved to return to Little Sanzi and stay with him until he reached Foundation Establishment.

Kang Dabao brought Ming Zhe to the Chongming Sect after Second Master Ming entrusted the boy to Jiang Qing. Daoist Black Shoes taught Jiang Qing the stages and dangers of Foundation Establishment, and Kang Dabao decided to travel to Han City to seek a spiritual object that could compensate for Jiang Qing’s incomplete Dao body.

• Second Master Ming bade farewell to Ming Zhe and sent him with Kang Dabao and He Dezong to the Chongming Sect, where Jiang Qing would take him as a disciple.
• He Dezong told Kang Dabao he planned to attempt Foundation Establishment, and the two brothers parted warmly at a road fork.
• Daoist Black Shoes praised Jiang Qing’s Guo Mountain Qi Circulation Method and explained the stages of Foundation Establishment, including the risks posed by Jiang Qing’s blocked meridians and incomplete Dao body.
• Kang Dabao told Daoist Black Shoes about the Han City auction, and Daoist Black Shoes urged him to prioritize Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment over the Ming Household’s affairs.
• Kang Dabao decided to go to Han City to seek a spiritual object that could make up for the deficiencies in Jiang Qing’s foundation.

Jin Shilun returned to the Chongming Sect and learned that its elders were away, while the reason for their gathering emerged as Jiang Qing prepared for Foundation Establishment. After three months of anxious waiting, Jiang Qing emerged successful, making him the sect’s first Foundation Establishment cultivator in 206 years.

• Jin Shilun returned from the Double Brightness Trade Market, gave Wu Meng round-leaf grapes, and went to the scripture hall to seek cultivation advice.
• Kang Rongquan invited Jin Shilun to a Dao conference after learning that all the elders were away.
• Daoist Black Shoes guarded Jiang Qing as he entered seclusion to attempt Foundation Establishment, while the gathered sect brothers offered their farewells.
• Kang Dabao and Yuan Jin learned that He Dezong had died attempting Foundation Establishment, but they kept the news from Jiang Qing.
• Kang Dabao stayed beside Jiang Qing’s chamber for three months as Daoist Black Shoes worried that the attempt had taken too long.
• Jiang Qing opened the chamber and announced that he had succeeded, becoming the Chongming Sect’s first Foundation Establishment cultivator in 206 years.

Jiang Qing emerged from seclusion after achieving Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment, lifting the Chongming Sect’s spirits and drawing back its estranged former disciples. As Zhou Yixiu and Kang Rongquan retrieved Xiu Yuanshan’s elm, Xiu Yuanshan recognized the sect’s revival and asked Zhou to carry a letter back.

• Jiang Qing explained that he had established an Ice Leaf Dao Foundation without a pill, and Sect Leader Kang Da and Yuan Jin celebrated by beating him in relief.
• The Chongming Sect rejoiced at Jiang Qing’s achievement, and Kang Da ordered Yuan Jin to write to former martial uncles and began preparing a foundation establishment ceremony.
• Xiu Anshan agreed to return the elm tree to the Chongming Sect, while other former martial uncles also sought to come back after hearing of Jiang Qing’s success.
• Zhou Yixiu and Kang Rongquan traveled to Ink Cloud Manor to retrieve the elm, and Kang Rongquan diagnosed and treated its disease.
• After learning that Martial Uncle Li had died during foundation establishment, Xiu Yuanshan asked Zhou Yixiu to carry a letter to the sect leader.

The Chongming Sect celebrated Jiang Qing’s Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment while the Mi Household chief struggled with the consequences of abducting Duan Anle’s caravan. The chief released the caravan after executing eleven trusted subordinates, and Duan Anle left believing the sect would settle the debt later.

• Kang Da arranged an elm-seed dumpling meal and began organizing Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment ceremony as Chongming City prepared to celebrate.
• Chu Huer returned after Jiang Qing’s breakthrough had frightened a debtor into repaying his loan with interest and an apology gift.
• The Mi Household chief learned Jiang Qing had achieved Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment and debated how to handle the captured Double Brightness Caravan.
• After the plain-robed scholar proposed blaming the abduction on subordinates and releasing the caravan, the chief killed the burly man who had led the capture and ordered the scholar to carry out the plan.
• The next morning, the chief presented Duan Anle with eleven executed subordinates, apologized, and released the caravan with its people and goods unharmed.
• After leaving the stockade, Duan Anle told Du Qing that Jiang Qing’s breakthrough had forced the chief to back down and that the Chongming Sect might eventually destroy the Mi Household Stockade.

After Duan Anle reported the Mi Household chief’s attack, Sect Leader Kang Da postponed retaliation and focused on Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment ceremony. As prominent guests filled the hall, Yue Lan of the Two Instruments Sect arrived uninvited, leaving Kang Da uneasy about the ceremony’s direction.

• Jiang Qing urged Duan Anle to lead him to the Mi Household Stockade, but Sect Leader Kang Da and Pei Yi argued for caution, and Kang Da postponed a decision until after the ceremony.
• Sect Leader Kang Da told Duan Anle to rest and the caravan to delay its departure while the sect discussed future trade arrangements.
• Representatives from allied households and three Foundation Establishment leaders arrived for Jiang Qing’s ceremony, while He Degong mourned his brother He Dezong with Kang Da.
• Fei Nanying and several other senior prefecture court officials arrived, and Kang Da noticed that the officials divided between Sima Fei’s and Tie Liuyun’s groups.
• Yue Feng of the Han City Yue Household arrived without an invitation and joined Tie Liuyun’s circle of officials.
• Yue Lan, Battle Hall elder of the Two Instruments Sect, entered without an invitation, shocking the hall and troubling Sect Leader Kang Da.

Yue Lan arrived at Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment celebration, where Lord Yin Shan’s presence eased the tension and Jiang Qing delivered a well-received lecture. As guests began to leave, Yue Lan finally revealed that he had come on behalf of Li Yun to ask Jiang Qing to become a Golden Core cultivator’s disciple.

• Yue Lan entered the Chongming Sect with a congratulatory gift, but Lord Yin Shan’s arrival interrupted the tense standoff between him and the prefectural court’s guests.
• Jiang Qing emerged with one arm missing, greeted Lord Yin Shan, and lectured on the foundations of cultivation for nearly two shichen.
• Commander Tie praised Jiang Qing and agreed to spare the Ming Household from its ties to the Huo Household’s remnants.
• Lord Yin Shan urged Jiang Qing to remain humble and warned Kang Da that the earl’s ambitions would bring more deaths to Cloud Horn Prefecture.
• Yue Lan tried to leave after Sima Fei and Daoist Black Shoes warned him not to disturb the celebration, but a quarrel among the local factions gave him an opening.
• Yue Lan announced that he represented Li Yun and asked Jiang Qing whether he would become a Golden Core cultivator’s disciple.

Jiang Qing refused Li Yun’s offer to become a Golden Core disciple, choosing to remain with the Chongming Sect despite the riches and cultivation resources promised. Yue Lan left to report the refusal, while the Prefecture Court officials stayed at the sect and Shan Sheng tried to arrange a marriage alliance with Kang Da.

• Yue Lan offered Jiang Qing a third-tier Spirit Vein, a Foundation Establishment sword servant, a supreme-grade Spirit Artifact, and a Zhou Grade Cultivation Method on Li Yun’s behalf.
• Kuang Liuting and Li Yun watched the gathering through a phantom-light mirror, and Kuang Liuting revealed that Jiang Qing’s refusal had spoiled Li Yun’s plan to provoke a fight.
• Jiang Qing thanked Yue Lan but twice refused to leave his master, lineage, and sect to become Li Yun’s disciple.
• Yue Lan departed on a spirit goose, while Sima Fei, Acting Sima Gun, and Tie Liuyun’s group stayed at the Chongming Sect.
• Shan Sheng urged Kang Da to discuss a marriage alliance, and Kang Da began suggesting his junior brothers as possible matches for Shan Sheng’s household.

Zhou Yixiu agreed to marry into the Shan Household, while Kang Dabao assigned Jiang Qing as Chongming Sect’s law enforcement elder and set terms for repaying the sect’s Foundation Establishment Pill. Later, Sima Fei warned Kang Dabao about the prefecture’s political factions and urged him to guide Jiang Qing and Daoist Black Shoes toward the earl’s side, then offered him a chance to study wood cultivation in Hong County.

• Zhou Yixiu accepted the marriage proposal from the Jade Moon Shan Household, and Kang Dabao told the brothers to prepare a generous gift list and wedding.
• Kang Dabao appointed Jiang Qing as Chongming Sect’s law enforcement elder and ordered Pei Yi to warn the disciples against arrogance.
• Kang Dabao declared that Jiang Qing had to repay the sect’s Foundation Establishment Pill by returning his Merit Points and earning another fifty thousand within two sixty-year cycles.
• Sima Fei told Kang Dabao that the earl’s proposed marriage to a Yue Household woman faced opposition and urged him to steer Jiang Qing and Daoist Black Shoes toward the earl’s faction.
• Sima Fei promised Kang Dabao a Foundation Establishment Pill if he served the Fei Household faithfully and sent him to Hong County to seek a wood-cultivation method.

Kang Dabao met Yue Feng, then traveled with Jiang Qing and the Double Brightness Caravan to the He Household, where Jiang Qing helped He Degong face his grieving relatives. He Degong guided Kang Dabao toward Lang Yi on Crane Spirit Mountain to seek cultivation advice, but warned him that Lang Yi might have caused He Dezong’s failed attempt at Foundation Establishment.

• Yue Feng invited Kang Dabao to meet him, praised his military service, and said they should support one another in the same court.
• Kang Dabao, Jiang Qing, He Degong, and He Yuanbing traveled with the Double Brightness Caravan toward the He Household, where Jiang Qing’s Foundation Establishment status earned the caravan a courteous reception along the road.
• At the He Household, Auntie of the He Household embraced Jiang Qing and wept over He Dezong’s death, while Jiang Qing’s presence cowed the gathered family members.
• Kang Dabao left Jiang Qing to help He Degong manage the He Household and set out with He Degong to visit Lang Yi on Crane Spirit Mountain.
• He Degong warned Kang Dabao that he suspected Lang Yi had harmed He Dezong and caused his failure to reach Foundation Establishment.

Kang Dabao met Lang Yi at Crane Spirit Mountain with a letter from Sima Fei, hoping to learn Wood techniques and pursue Foundation Establishment. Lang Yi welcomed him and offered a Second Tier Spirit Vein chamber and a collection of 166 annotated texts, leaving Kang Dabao to begin a demanding five-year course of study.

• Mr. Wen scolded He Degong, but changed his manner after Kang Dabao introduced himself as the Chongming Sect leader and mentioned Sima Fei’s letter.
• Lang Yi welcomed Kang Dabao after reading Sima Fei’s letter and sent Wen Liu to reward He Degong with a Law Artifact for bringing him there.
• Lang Yi showed Kang Dabao his expansive cave abode and explained that he hoped Sima Fei’s favor might help him secure a chance to extend his life.
• Lang Yi gave Kang Dabao a token for a quiet chamber with a Second Tier Spirit Vein and offered to teach him Wood techniques.
• Lang Yi presented 166 annotated Wood technique texts and estimated that Kang Dabao would need five years to study them; Kang Dabao accepted the opportunity and hoped his jade jue would help.

Kang Dabao reached Qi Refinement Ninth Layer after two years studying Lang Yi’s wood art texts, while Jiang Qing’s actions helped secure the He Household. Having completed his stay on Crane Spirit Mountain, Kang Dabao left to return home.

• Kang Dabao received Jiang Qing’s letter and a poorly prepared pig knuckle, and learned that Jiang Qing had secured allies for the He Household before setting out with Duan Anle.
• Kang Dabao studied the wood art texts, used the jade jue to gain insights, and raised his cultivation to Qi Refinement Ninth Layer over two years.
• Lang Yi examined Kang Dabao’s progress and accepted that their exchange had benefited both of them, though he had not obtained the resources he wanted from Sima Fei.
• Kang Dabao asked to leave Crane Spirit Mountain, and Lang Yi sent Wen Liu to escort him down the mountain.
• Kang Dabao parted from Wen Liu and looked back at Crane Spirit Mountain, saying that he could finally return and see home.

Chongming Small Pavilion prospered while the Illusory Sword Alliance struggled to compete, and Deacon Zhang had to pay the market’s customary fees. Duan Anle returned to the market and reunited with his fellow disciples, who learned that Kang Da had likely arrived back at the sect.

• Deacon Zhang paid the patrolmen their customary fees, then lost a potential sale when they chose to buy from Chongming Small Pavilion instead.
• Duan Anle entered the market with his caravan, gave the gate patrolmen their entrance fee and a tip, and met Pei Que at the Ming Household warehouse.
• Pei Que told Duan Anle that he and Junior Brothers He and Ming had helped the Kuai Household defeat the bandit cultivator Hong Qin, and that Kang and Mo were recruiting harvesters for the Tea-Colored Grain at Heng Mountain.
• Duan Anle and Pei Que joined Zhou Xinran, Ye Pingshui, and Huo Ying at Chongming Small Pavilion, where they exchanged news about the sect and its recent affairs.
• Kang Rongquan reported that recruitment for the harvest had gone smoothly, and Mo Ku announced that Lu Kang had seen Kang Da heading toward the sect’s mountain gate.

Yuan Jin managed Chongming Sect affairs while Kang Dabao returned early from Crane Spirit Mountain and resumed cultivating. In seclusion, Kang Dabao drank the Primordial Gourd’s spirit dew and discovered its latest effect after ten days of recovery.

• Yuan Jin reviewed Pingrong County’s tribute lists with Ye Zhengwen and instructed him to sort the gifts with Pei and Anle.
• Yuan Jin ordered action against Widow Ma’s market gossip and told Zhou Yixiu to pressure the Fellow Cultivators Association over the Green Bamboo Gang’s estate.
• Kang Dabao returned after two years away, said he had gained a little from seeking instruction, and went to cultivate in his cloud chamber.
• Kang Dabao carefully opened the Primordial Gourd and drank the spirit dew it had produced during its latest cycle.
• After ten days of regulating his breathing, Kang Dabao opened his eyes and lamented that the result was not what he had expected.

After emerging from seclusion, Kang Dabao reviewed the Chongming Sect’s finances and affairs, then entered seclusion to attempt Foundation Establishment. He succeeded in forming a Dao foundation that could change its color, endured an unexpected vision of his mother, and returned as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

• Kang Dabao emerged from seclusion with a jade-colored Dantian and spirit spring, then summoned the sect’s disciples to report on its affairs.
• Pei Yi, Zhou Yixiu, Duan Anle, Zhou Xinran, Chu Huer, and Yuan Jin reported on the sect’s disciples, income, operations, and expenses; Kang Dabao promoted Zhou Yixiu and fined Niu Kuang and Chu Huer over Chongming City’s failures.
• Kang Dabao told his elders and Yuan Jin that he would attempt Foundation Establishment, then received guidance from Daoist Black Shoes and entered a stone chamber.
• Kang Dabao set aside his Foundation Establishment Pills and spirit items, formed a Dao lotus, and watched it change from green to purple and then jade; he discovered that he could alter its color and chose to display ice-colored leaves.
• Kang Dabao experienced a vision of his mother during a tribulation and called out to her before coming to himself.
• Daoist Black Shoes saw Kang Dabao emerge, and the Chongming Sect announced that Kang Dabao had achieved Foundation Establishment on the twenty-fifth day of the third month of Qianfeng year 432.

Shan Sheng brought Shan Xuerong to the Chongming Sect, where he discovered that Kang Dabao’s recent Foundation Establishment had drawn a crowd of powerful congratulatory guests. After Kang Dabao teased him about a supposed divorce agreement, a message arrived that someone from Mi Household Stockade had come to beg forgiveness.

• Shan Sheng scolded Shan Xuerong for returning to her maiden family and brought her aboard a flying boat to the Chongming Sect.
• At Little Ring Mountain, Shan Sheng learned that the Chongming Sect was recruiting young children and saw the many families waiting to apply.
• Pei Que welcomed Shan Sheng and led him up the mountain, where he met the Four Friends of Cold Mountain playing chess.
• Kang Dabao welcomed Shan Sheng into a reception hall filled with leaders of Foundation Establishment forces, and Shan Sheng realized he had arrived late.
• Kang Dabao asked whether Shan Sheng had come to deliver a divorce agreement for Shan Xuerong, then revealed he had been joking.
• Kang Rongquan sent Kang Dabao a message that someone from Mi Household Stockade had arrived to beg forgiveness.

Fei Shuhe wrestled with her pride and jealousy after Sect Leader Kang Da left her room quickly, while Kang Dabao rejected Mi Household Stockade’s insincere apology and saw off the Foundation Establishment guests. After the guests departed, he returned to the council hall and began reviewing Pei Yi’s list of cultivation seedlings.

• Fei Shuhe brooded over Sect Leader Kang Da’s brief visit, and Nanny Sun comforted her and advised her about returning to the Fei Household with him.
• Nanny Sun inspected the Green Lotus Courtyard’s defenses and heard from the beast handler about a spectacle the Golden-Feathered Owl had spotted outside the Chongming Sect.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing confronted Mi Household Stockade’s messengers, and Kang Dabao ordered them to take their injured leader back and tell him to come apologize in person.
• Jiang Qing shaved the tattoo-faced messenger’s head with his flying sword, and the Four Friends of Cold Mountain lightened the mood before joining Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing for drinks.
• Kang Dabao hosted a farewell banquet for the Foundation Establishment guests, then returned to the council hall and examined Pei Yi’s list of cultivation seedlings.

Kang Dabao reviewed the Chongming Sect’s new disciples and approved Pei Yi’s plan to recruit skilled Rogue Cultivators as guest instructors. He then removed Niu Kuang as guardian of Chongming City, appointed He Yuanbing in his place, and ordered reforms to the city’s leadership and mortal administration before turning to discuss the Double Brightness Caravan.

• Kang Dabao reviewed the admission list, which included two disciples with Triple Spirit Roots and seven with Four Spirit Roots, and Pei Yi proposed hiring skilled Rogue Cultivators as guest instructors.
• Kang Dabao approved Pei Yi’s proposal but instructed him to examine candidates’ skill, character, and judgment before hiring them.
• Chu Huer revealed that Niu Kuang had missed the meeting after taking too many areca flower slices, and Pei Yi asked Kang Dabao to remove him as guardian of Chongming City.
• Kang Dabao agreed to remove Niu Kuang and appointed He Yuanbing to serve as Chongming City’s guardian for two years.
• Kang Dabao ordered He Yuanbing to assess the new city lord and enforce rules on concubinage, household registration, slavery, and population growth.
• Kang Dabao began discussing the Double Brightness Caravan with his junior brothers.

Kang Dabao chose a prestigious wood Cultivation Method for his path beyond Foundation Establishment, then arranged to deal with Mi Household Stockade. Ma Wenhan agreed to support the Chongming Sect, leaving the Mi chief facing an attack by four Foundation Establishment cultivators.

• Kang Dabao selected the Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture, a method that would take years to switch to, and prepared to settle the matter with Mi Household Stockade.
• The Mi chief learned Old Ghost Feng demanded three thousand Spirit Stones and killed a trusted underling in a fit of rage.
• The Mi chief decided to resist the Chongming Sect long enough to negotiate, relying on three invited Rogue Cultivators and the stockade’s shamanic soldiers.
• Kang Dabao, Jiang Qing, and Shan Sheng pressed Ma Wenhan to choose a side, and Ma Wenhan agreed to help pacify Mi Household Stockade.
• Ma Wenhan accepted the Chongming Sect’s intervention in hopes of reclaiming the stockade’s spiritual land while avoiding a costly fight for his own household.

Duan Anle learned that Madam Huo was pregnant and feared the news might threaten the sect’s principal line, but Pei Yi reassured him that the sect leader and his wife welcomed the pregnancy. After Duan Anle and Pei Que left, Pei Yi’s brief joy at seeing his disciple reunite with his brothers gave way to a surge of buried resentment.

• Duan Anle received a letter from home, then told He Yuanbing that he and Ming Zhe would leave for Changyun County with the sect’s party under Martial Uncle Chu.
• Pei Que announced that Madam Huo was pregnant, and Duan Anle ordered the others to keep the news secret before taking Pei Que to Pei Yi.
• Pei Yi made Duan Anle help clean the Alchemy Chamber, then explained that the sect leader’s wife had welcomed Madam Huo’s pregnancy and that the spirit pill was meant to protect her.
• Pei Yi let Yuan Changsheng skip his Core Thesis recitation so he could catch up with Duan Anle and Pei Que.
• After the younger disciples left, Pei Yi’s smile faded, resentment overwhelmed him, and he withdrew to the meditation room.