Chapter Summaries

Kang Dabao and his brothers met He Degong at the Wondrous Cloud Pavilion to arrange caravan work, but Wang Daoqiong insulted Jiang Qing and provoked a confrontation. Kang Dabao threatened Wang and then sent Yuan Jin to warn He Degong, while pretending to reconcile Jiang Qing and Wang.

• Kang Dabao, Yuan Jin, and Jiang Qing met He Degong, who explained that Jiang Qing would guard his caravans through Cold Crow Mountain.
• Wang Daoqiong arrived drunk, behaved rudely, and mocked Jiang Qing for being inexperienced.
• Jiang Qing drew his Three-Turn Azure Edge Sword on Wang Daoqiong, and Kang Dabao threatened Wang by invoking the Chongming Sect.
• Wang Daoqiong apologized to Jiang Qing, and He Degong arranged a reconciliation feast.
• Kang Dabao told Yuan Jin to warn He Degong not to use them as blades, then acted as though he were helping Jiang Qing and Wang make peace.

After seeing off He Degong’s caravan, Kang Dabao bought supplies and a training puppet for the Chongming Sect, spending nearly all its remaining Spirit Stones. He left Xuanwei City with Duan Anle and Han Yundao, then realized he had forgotten to visit two shops.

• He Degong and his caravan departed after Kang Dabao and Yuan Jin said their farewells to Jiang Qing.
• Kang Dabao bought the Red Light Cloud Dipper Formation and medicinal materials for Han Yundao, Duan Anle, and his own ocular cultivation.
• Kang Dabao visited spirit beast shops but chose not to buy another beast.
• Kang Dabao bought an affordable training puppet from the Ingenious Craftsman Fort after admiring the Lu Craftsman Sect’s unaffordable Armored Sword Puppets.
• Kang Dabao spent nearly all the Chongming Sect’s remaining Spirit Stones, wrote a letter to Yuan Jin, and left the city with Duan Anle and Han Yundao.
• Kang Dabao suddenly remembered that he had not visited the Huang Household Old Shop or the Wondrous Cloud Pavilion.

Fifth Master Liu led a bandit raid on Niuli Village, killing its defenders and letting Mr. Zhang take the women. When Mr. Zhang screamed from inside a house, Fifth Master Liu feared for the chief’s favorite.

• Fifth Master Liu tested his Heaven-Splitting Bow by killing three woodcutters on the road.
• Fifth Master Liu demanded that Niuli Village open its gate, but the village head offered tribute and refused to surrender the villagers.
• Fifth Master Liu shot defenders from the wall and led his bandits in storming the stockade.
• Fifth Master Liu killed a bandit who disobeyed his order, then told the others to round up the women for Mr. Zhang.
• Mr. Zhang dragged a village woman into a house, and Fifth Master Liu reacted to her scream with alarm.

Young Hero Jin drove Gust of Wind from Niuli Village and swore to destroy the bandits when he was strong enough. Mr. Zhang then revealed that he had poisoned the villagers, leaving the young swordsman helpless as Fifth Master Liu led the attack back into the village.

• Young Hero Jin killed two bandits, threatened Mr. Zhang, and forced Fifth Master Liu to withdraw from Niuli Village.
• Fifth Master Liu used Lame Tang’s baby to pressure Young Hero Jin, who swore to remember the bandits and avenge every injury they inflicted.
• Fifth Master Liu agreed to retreat thirty li while Young Hero Jin kept Mr. Zhang as a hostage.
• Mr. Zhang stabbed Young Hero Jin’s sword hand, escaped, and revealed that he had poisoned the villagers with Spirit-Intoxicating Powder.
• Fifth Master Liu led Gust of Wind back toward the wall as Young Hero Jin collapsed, unable to stop them.

Kang Dabao and his two disciples arrived at a village occupied by bandits, where they killed the bandits after rescuing a badly beaten woman and sharing a meal. Kang Dabao then warned his disciples that their ability to help others depended on their strength, and went to check on the unconscious boy in the inner room.

• Fifth Master Liu and the bandits took control of the village, while Mr. Zhang demanded the boy he had chosen earlier.
• An honest-looking youth arrived in a donkey cart with Kang Dabao and another disciple, killing two bandits when they threatened him.
• Lame Tang led the group to Mancang's wife, whom Mr. Zhang was beating, and Yundao killed Mr. Zhang with his cane.
• Kang Dabao healed Mancang's wife and ate her pork hock, then had Fifth Master Liu pay for the meal with his life while the two disciples killed the remaining bandits.
• Kang Dabao told his disciples that greater strength would let them save more people and warned them to act wisely, then went into the inner room to check on the unconscious boy.

Kang Dabao rescued Jin Shilun, accepted him as his third disciple, and offered protection to the survivors of Niuli Stockade. The chapter ended with Kang Dabao and his disciples setting off for Gongxing Stockade while Kou Yunsheng prepared to lead the villagers toward the Chongming Sect.

• Kang Dabao woke Jin Shilun and learned that the young man was grateful for being saved from the bandits.
• Kang Dabao invited Jin Shilun to cultivate, tested him, and accepted him as his third disciple despite his Four Spirit Roots.
• Jin Shilun told Kang Dabao and his senior brothers about his prominent family in Gongxing Stockade, and Kang Dabao agreed to visit with them.
• Kou Yunsheng explained that the survivors of Niuli Stockade had nowhere safe to go, so Kang Dabao offered to let them settle near the Chongming Sect.
• Kang Dabao gave Kou Yunsheng three Talisman Artifacts for protection, then took his disciples toward Gongxing Stockade in the donkey cart.

You Er delivered vegetables to Gongxing Stockade and learned that ten village girls would be chosen to work there, while the village elder’s grandson privately planned to exploit the opportunity. Inside the stockade, Jin Huohua prepared to invite Immortal Master Zhang for protection and awaited news of Shilun, but an urgent report arrived before the chapter revealed what had happened.

• You Er carried vegetables to Gongxing Stockade and watched its servants take the loads while the village head deferred to a gray-clad elder.
• The village elder’s grandson announced that the stockade would take ten girls from the village, then privately resolved to favor his own family and keep the villagers’ rent high.
• The gray-clad elder tried to approach a slender-browed man in the inner stockade, but the man’s disciple blocked him before the slender-browed man entered Jin Huohua’s courtyard.
• The slender-browed man told Jin Huohua that arrangements with Immortal Master Zhang were complete, and Jin Huohua discussed seeking the cultivator’s protection and Shilun’s progress.
• A servant rushed into Jin Huohua’s courtyard, fell at the threshold, and cried that something terrible had happened.

Immortal Master Zhang attacked the Jin Household after Jin Qi refused to let him abuse his wife, and his talismans overwhelmed the household despite the Ten-Ox Crossbow wounding him. Jin Qi died and the Jin Household faced destruction until a silver hammer shattered Immortal Master Zhang’s Golden Armor Talismans and knocked him unconscious.

• Immortal Master Zhang attacked Jin Qi and his family with talismans after Jin Qi defended his wife, killing several fighters.
• Jin Qi and Jin Huohua rallied the household and used the Ten-Ox Crossbow to tear apart Immortal Master Zhang’s arm.
• Immortal Master Zhang destroyed the crossbow and unleashed more talismans, scattering the fighters and killing Jin Qi with a water arrow.
• Jin Huohua tried to flee, but Immortal Master Zhang targeted him and killed two younger members of the Jin Household.
• A silver hammer struck Immortal Master Zhang, shattered his Golden Armor Talismans, and knocked him unconscious.

Kang Dabao killed Zhang Gouneng after learning he had been released from Chen Yu’s service, then used the killing to teach his disciples caution and decisiveness. Han Yundao challenged Kang Dabao’s lesson by pointing out that he would protect those close to him, while Jin Shilun reconsidered his family’s pride and vulnerability.

• Kang Dabao spoke with Zhang Gouneng at Gongxing Stockade, and Jin Huohua killed Zhang Gouneng before he could finish speaking.
• Jin Huohua and Jin Shilun thanked Kang Dabao for avenging the Jin Household, and Kang Dabao agreed to take Gongxing Stockade’s people back to the sect.
• Kang Dabao told his three disciples about Zhang Gouneng’s years as Chen Yu’s pill slave and explained why he had decided Zhang could be killed.
• Kang Dabao questioned Jin Shilun’s admiration for Jin Qi and warned that Zhang Gouneng could have turned the stockade against the Jin Household with an offer of Immortal Methods.
• Han Yundao asked whether Kang Dabao would abandon his disciples and family if they were threatened, and Kang Dabao retreated into the inner room.
• Han Yundao and Duan Anle declared ambitions to become powerful cultivators, while Kang Dabao shouted at them to enter the Dao before boasting.

The Chongming Sect procession reached Chongming City after Han Yundao and Duan Anle drove off warriors from the Lu Household. Kang Dabao reunited with Kang Dahou, reviewed the city’s population and clan affairs, and urged him to treat newcomers fairly as he considered the sect’s need for more children and cultivators.

• Jin Huohua’s procession encountered Lu Household warriors riding Flower-Limbed Black Armor beetles, but Han Yundao and Duan Anle ordered them off Chongming Sect territory.
• Han Yundao told Jin Shilun that Third Martial Uncle had once defeated four of the Lu Household’s seven Qi Refinement cultivators, while Kang Dabao wondered why Lu Household servants had entered the sect’s territory.
• Kang Dahou and the city officials welcomed Kang Dabao at Chongming City, where Kang Dabao set aside formalities to speak privately with his clan brother.
• Kang Dahou reported the city’s births and upcoming Spirit Testing Ceremony, and Kang Dabao urged him to send some maids home and told him that the clan’s senior and junior branches were one family.
• Kang Dabao instructed Kang Dahou to settle Kou Yunsheng and Jin Huohua’s people fairly, then reflected on the shortage of cultivators and the need for more descendants.

The He Household caravan was ambushed by the Black Mountain Bandits, who sought revenge against the He Household. Jiang Qing killed several bandits and faced a summoned creature as the caravan's battle continued.

• He Degong stopped the caravan to rest, and Jiang Qing declined the betel slices he offered.
• The Black Mountain Bandits launched a surprise attack, killing guards and forcing the caravan to defend itself.
• A bandit chief attacked He Degong, while Wang Daoqiong organized a defensive array and warned the others to focus on survival.
• Jiang Qing assessed the attackers, killed the green-faced old man, and then cut down several more bandits who surrounded him.
• The horse-faced cultivator summoned a sinister creature, which roared and shot spikes at Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing fought off the Black Mountain Bandits while protecting He Degong, suffering serious injuries and losing several of his treasured artifacts. After killing the bandit chief with the Seven Luminaries Heart-Slaying Sword, he drove the survivors away and began gathering the spoils to take back to his sect.

• Jiang Qing killed the witch beast and several attackers, but the horse-faced cultivator’s exploding Law Artifact damaged his White Cloud Robe and Treasure Light Mirror, while the beast’s blood tainted his Three-Turn Azure Edge Sword.
• Jiang Qing killed the remaining bandits near him as Wang Daoqiong withdrew with his companions, leaving He Degong and Jiang Qing to face the bandit chief’s group.
• Jiang Qing used a sword net to kill five more bandits, then killed two others while his Treasure Light Mirror shattered and the pockmarked woman’s mystic needle was stopped by his Fire Spirit Pendant.
• The bandit chief, the pockmarked woman, and the horse-faced cultivator attacked together, shattering Jiang Qing’s Three-Turn Azure Edge Sword and leaving him badly injured.
• Jiang Qing unleashed the Seven Luminaries Heart-Slaying Sword and killed the bandit chief, forcing the horse-faced cultivator and the pockmarked woman to flee.
• Jiang Qing recovered enough to collect the scattered Law Artifacts and Storage Bags, intending to take them back to his sect leader senior brother.

Kang Dabao returned to the sect, prepared Spirit Awakening Powder, and guided Han Yundao and Duan Anle through drawing spirit into their bodies. Both succeeded, leaving Kang Dabao delighted that his disciples could carry on the sect’s legacy.

• Kang Dabao returned to the sect compound, restored the Lesser Cloud and Mist Formation, and told his disciples to cultivate there.
• Kang Dabao gave Jin Shilun a Daoist scripture and promised to prepare Spirit Awakening Powder for Han Yundao and Duan Anle.
• Kang Dabao studied the sect’s notes on the powder formula and made a batch using the inherited instructions.
• Han Yundao and Duan Anle took the powder with Black Snake Seed and began drawing spirit into their bodies.
• Han Yundao succeeded first, and Duan Anle followed; Kang Dabao sent them to bathe and told them to teach Jin Shilun how to braise pork knuckles.

Kang Dabao taught Han Yundao and Duan Anle cultivation methods and assigned them demanding lessons, then received an invitation to the Fish Mountain Treasure Fair. With twelve days until the fair, he began making plans while his disciples remained kneeling after punishment.

• Kang Dabao tested Han Yundao and Duan Anle's spiritual power and explained the Chongming Sect's inherited cultivation methods.
• Han Yundao chose the Three Yang Scripture, while Duan Anle chose the Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide.
• Kang Dabao gave the youngsters the Original Law Scripture and assigned them technique practice and books to memorize, with regular tests and punishments for poor progress.
• Three months later, Kang Dabao scolded and caned Han Yundao and Duan Anle for errors in their lessons.
• Xie Liusheng delivered Master Fish Mountain's invitation to the Fish Mountain Treasure Fair, and Kang Dabao noted that it would begin in twelve days.

Kang Dabao’s Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes reached minor mastery, and he took his three disciples to Fish Mountain Island to visit its market. He sent the disciples to explore with Wu Meng while he stayed behind, planning to give them a task later.

• Han Yundao, Jin Shilun, and Duan Anle discussed their surprise at Kang Dabao’s sudden decision to take them out.
• Kang Dabao mastered the basics of the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes and realized the technique made him far more capable in combat and at seeing through illusions.
• Kang Dabao nurtured his Army-Breaking Hammer and Golden Armor Round Shield, then took his disciples by donkey cart to Fish Mountain Island.
• Kang Dabao hired Wu Meng to guide the disciples through the market and gave him a spirit shard for his help.
• Kang Dabao told Han Yundao and Duan Anle to explore with Wu Meng, gave Jin Shilun a yellow talisman for emergencies, and told them to return by the you hour.

Han Yundao, Duan Anle, and Jin Shilun learned about the hardships Rogue Cultivators faced in the market and helped Wu Meng buy medicine for an injured cultivator. They left after delivering the Fire-Dispelling Pills, while Wu Meng and Pei Que hoped the wounded man would recover.

• Wu Meng explained that many Rogue Cultivators struggled to earn Spirit Stones and described the dangers and costs of living in the market.
• Han Yundao, Duan Anle, and Jin Shilun accompanied Wu Meng to Abundant Elixir Hall to buy medicine for his friend’s injured elder.
• The three pooled their Spirit Stones with Wu Meng’s to buy two Fire-Dispelling Pills and gave them to him.
• On the way to the injured cultivator’s home, the group witnessed Immortal Master Lang die after testing medicine for a pharmacy.
• Wu Meng introduced Han Yundao, Duan Anle, and Jin Shilun to Pei Que, whose uncle lay gravely injured with a rotting burn.
• After the three disciples left, Pei Que questioned Wu Meng, who said he had helped them because Pei Que and his uncle had once aided the market’s errand runners.

Kang Dabao met Qin Sufu, who offered him a role in uniting Pingrong County's Rogue Cultivators in service to the court in exchange for a chance at a Foundation Establishment Pill. Kang Dabao challenged the plan's risks and the court's lack of resources, leaving Qin Sufu to reconsider.

• Kang Dabao arrived with his three disciples at the Fellow Cultivators Association and met Qin Sufu, who gave each disciple a high-quality Law Artifact.
• Qin Sufu asked Kang Dabao to help him unite the Rogue Cultivators of Pingrong County and explained that the court might reward him with a Foundation Establishment Pill and a deputy commander's post.
• Kang Dabao considered the low odds and dangers of Foundation Establishment, the court's decline, and the risk of antagonizing powerful sects by serving the court.
• Kang Dabao told Qin Sufu that Pingrong County had remitted no taxes for fifteen years and that even the county magistrate had gone unpaid.
• Qin Sufu admitted that the Fellow Cultivators Association lacked spare funds and agreed that he needed to consider the plan more carefully.

Kang Dabao attended the Fish Mountain Treasure Fair and sold a rare, damaged purple caltrop for 2,550 Spirit Stones. Flush with his earnings, he considered spending them at Mandarin Duck Hall or buying cultivation cauldrons.

• Kang Dabao watched the Fish Mountain Treasure Fair begin as Gui Xiang introduced the lots and the Spirit-Striking Chain sold to Carefree Grotto for 1,800 Spirit Stones.
• Mandarin Duck Hall bought a Mirror-Breaking Pill for 500 Spirit Stones, and Kang Dabao decided not to bid on it for his Second Brother.
• Gui Xiang presented a damaged second-tier purple caltrop, and Kang Dabao revealed that he had salvaged it from Second Sister Song's Venomous Bee Stinger.
• Kang Dabao's purple caltrop sold for 2,550 Spirit Stones after a heated bidding contest.
• Kang Dabao celebrated his earnings and considered visiting Mandarin Duck Hall or buying cultivation cauldrons.

Kang Dabao collected his auction proceeds and tried to keep his disciples away from Wu Meng, but they insisted on checking on him and Pei Que. When Kang Dabao brought them to the injured Pei, he offered medicine and recognized the man on the bed just as the chapter ended.

• Kang Dabao collected 2,430 Spirit Stones from Gui Xiang and left the Fish Mountain Treasure Fair.
• Kang Dabao scolded Han Yundao for wanting to visit Wu Meng, but Han Yundao and the other disciples remained concerned about him.
• Pei Que told his injured uncle that four days remained before their shelter-house stay expired, and his uncle warned him to remain with Wu Meng afterward.
• Kang Dabao and his disciples arrived at Pei's shelter after Wu Meng was thrown inside, and Kang Dabao accused the boys of tricking his disciple.
• Kang Dabao gave Pei's uncle a flask of Cold Cicada Wine, and the man identified its weakness before Kang Dabao recognized him.

Pei Yi reunited with Kang Dabao, who treated his wounds and learned that Pei Yi was pursuing Lü Wen to avenge Pei Que’s parents. When Lü Wen ambushed Pei Yi in the woods, an unseen attacker struck Lü Wen down, leaving Pei Yi alive but still intent on his revenge.

• Kang Dabao recognized Pei Yi, treated his injuries, and urged him to return to Double Brightness.
• Pei Yi told Kang Dabao that his master had died after failing to reach Foundation Establishment and that he had been stuck at the sixth layer of Qi refining for ten years.
• Pei Yi refused to return, explaining that he had to kill the man responsible for Pei Que’s parents’ deaths.
• Lü Wen ambushed Pei Yi near the docks and attacked him with Law Artifacts and talismans.
• Pei Yi used his Spirit-Animating Technique to seize Lü Wen’s weapons, but an unknown attacker broke through Lü Wen’s defenses with two golden beams.
• A distant Law Artifact killed the wounded Lü Wen as he begged Pei Yi for help.