Chapter Summaries

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing joined forces with Fire Dragon Daoist to fight the red-faced True Spirit Gate cultivator, but Fire Dragon Daoist was killed by the cultivator’s giant bear. Jiang Qing defeated the cultivator, who detonated Geng Metal Divine Thunder; Kang Dabao then found Jiang Qing buried in the scorched earth and called out to him in despair.

• Fire Dragon Daoist proposed that he and Kang Dabao cooperate against the red-faced cultivator, and Kang Dabao eventually turned back with Jiang Qing to help him.
• The red-faced cultivator sent his giant bear against Fire Dragon Daoist, while Jiang Qing fought the cultivator and Kang Dabao attacked the bear.
• The giant bear bit through Fire Dragon Daoist’s head, and Kang Dabao killed the bear with his Spirit-Striking Chain.
• Jiang Qing used the White Dew Sword to wound the red-faced cultivator, who answered with a Geng Metal Divine Thunder pellet.
• The explosion blew the red-faced cultivator apart and buried Jiang Qing in scorched earth; Kang Dabao dug him out and cried out to him.

Li Yun negotiated Xie Yi’s release with Kuang Liuting, agreeing that the Two Instruments Sect would stop interfering in Cloud Horn Prefecture and accept restrictions on the Hongyi Sect. Sima Fei then captured Little Wu Mountain, while Kang Dabao mourned Han Yundao and faced the dangers Jiang Qing’s injuries posed to his Foundation Establishment.

• Li Yun asked Kuang Liuting to release Xie Yi, and Kuang Liuting demanded that the Hongyi Sect accept several conditions in exchange.
• Li Yun agreed that the Two Instruments Sect would withdraw from Cloud Horn Prefecture, and Xie Yi returned to the Hongyi Sect the next day.
• Sima Fei escaped his captor, wounded the False Core cultivator, and captured the Jiazi Xu-numbered mountain peak with the surviving cultivators.
• Sima Fei led the prefecture court’s slave army into Little Wu Mountain after infighting weakened the Auspicious Brocade Gate’s formation, then captured its main formation.
• An Alchemist told Daoist Black Shoes that Jiang Qing’s severed arm could not be restored and that Foundation Establishment would be unlikely.
• Kang Dabao grieved over Han Yundao’s extinguished soul lamp and admitted he feared for his disciples, while Daoist Black Shoes urged him to carry on as sect leader.

Kang Dabao was summoned to the prefectural court alongside Gun Qiushou and Luo Heng after their defeat, but Nanny Sun intervened to protect him and the Fei Household offered support. At the criminal office, Luo Heng confessed and died, while Gun Qiushou was unexpectedly beheaded in court, leaving Kang Dabao facing an uncertain fate.

• Xie Liusheng announced Kang Dabao’s suspension and escorted him toward the Double Brightness Trade Market, but Nanny Sun removed his spirit cangue and warned Xie to treat him well.
• Nanny Sun told Kang Dabao that Fei Shuhe would seek her family’s help, and Daoist Black Shoes declared that he accepted her as his daughter-in-law.
• Deng Baichuan welcomed Kang Dabao and Gun Qiushou at the trade market, where Gun Qiushou said his family connections would likely shield him from serious punishment.
• Kang Dabao, Gun Qiushou, and Luo Heng traveled to Xuanwei City; Luo Heng was questioned, confessed responsibility for the defeat at Mount Jia-Xu, and died from his injuries.
• The criminal officer invited Gun Qiushou to appear before the court first, but a clerk soon reported that Gun Qiushou had been beheaded.

The Earl of Nan'an took over Kang Dabao’s case, punished officials who had manipulated the earlier trial, and heard Kang Dabao’s account of the battle and retreat. He recognized the Chongming Sect’s sacrifices as merit, ordered medical aid sent to the sect, and kept Kang Dabao in Xuanwei City until he could decide on a reward.

• Acting Sima Gun told Judicial Officer Meng Xuan and Kang Dabao that the earl had executed Gun Qiushou and exiled Judge Wen, then escorted them into court.
• Kuang Liuting questioned Meng Xuan about his corrupt handling of cases, but Sima Fei cited Meng Xuan’s military service, and Kuang Liuting stripped him of his offices while keeping him temporarily in charge of criminal affairs.
• A medical officer examined Kang Dabao and found serious injuries, prompting Kuang Liuting to ask him to recount the battle and retreat from Little Wu Mountain.
• Kang Dabao described the Chongming Sect’s losses and its role in killing two Clear Cloud Alliance Foundation Establishment cultivators, and Kuang Liuting rebuked officials for sending children into battle and failing to support Jia-Xu.
• Kuang Liuting judged that Kang Dabao’s merit outweighed his fault, ordered medical officers and supplies sent to the Chongming Sect, and told Kang Dabao to remain in Xuanwei City pending a reward.

Kang Dabao received Kuang Liuting's rewards and his appointment as magistrate of Pingrong County, then selected treasures from the prefecture court treasury. After collecting his rewards and an escort, he set off for the Chongming Sect.

• Sima Fei delivered Kuang Liuting's decree, which awarded Kang Dabao cultivation treasures, artifacts, methods, spirit stones, a spirit mine, and the magistrate post in Pingrong County.
• Tie Xishui brought Kang Dabao to the prefecture court treasury, where Kang Dabao selected Law Artifacts and discovered another jade jue he could not claim.
• Kang Dabao chose the Ink Abyss Flag as his Spirit Artifact and took all ten cultivation methods Kuang Liuting had selected for him.
• Kang Dabao greeted Xu Yingshi at the treasury, and Tie Xishui warned him that Xu might soon return to the prefecture court with a Foundation Establishment spirit item.
• A prefecture court guard squad escorted Kang Dabao and his rewards aboard a spirit boat toward the Chongming Sect.

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.