Chapter Summaries

You Xiaobao and Cai Qingyun received their spiritual land on Phoenix Forest Mountain after the Chongming Sect finished investigating the applicants and issuing new rules for Cold Crow Mountain. Zhu Yunsheng completed his assignment and learned that the sect was returning property to the Cold Mountain Sect, while Senior Brother Wei had become a True Disciple and eligible disciples could collect pills from Elder Pei.

• The Chongming Sect investigated the spiritual-land applicants, punished households with serious hidden crimes, and approved the remaining settlers.
• Zhu Yunsheng showed You Xiaobao and Cai Qingyun their land, explained the Cold Crow New Regulations of the Double Brightness Alliance, and gave You Xiaobao a portrait, a map, and a token for transporting relatives.
• You Xiaobao learned his service rating allowed the Double Brightness Caravan to bring up to one thousand of his blood relatives free of charge, while Cai Qingyun asked when a crop master would arrive.
• Zhu Yunsheng reported to Han Xundao at the Merit Points Hall and brought his total to one hundred and fifty Merit Points.
• Mo Ku told Zhu Yunsheng that the Chongming Sect would return the Cold Mountain Sect's Second Tier spiritual fields and other properties, and that Elder Zhou planned to develop fields at Wild Fox Mountain.
• Mo Ku revealed that Senior Brother Wei had become a True Disciple and that disciples with more than two twelve-year cycles in the sect could collect a suitable bottle of pills from Elder Pei, so Zhu Yunsheng hurried with him toward the council hall.

Kang Dabao’s council planned how Chongming Sect would govern and defend its newly settled lands while managing its finances and strained relations with the Zheng Household. The meeting ended with Kang Dabao reaffirming rules for treating the new households, then going to find Fei Shuhe.

• Ye Zhengwen reported the spiritual sites recruited, the deposits collected, and the expected tax revenue from the new households.
• Kang Dabao divided the deposits among the sect and its allies, then ordered changes to recruitment rules to increase the sect’s supply of disciples.
• Kang Dabao assigned Azure Jue Guards and allied troops to defend Jia-Chou Military Stronghold and Wild Fox Mountain.
• Ye Zhengwen described how the Zheng Household had taken most of the Tanggu County Spirit Stone vein, and Kang Dabao ordered him to seek a buyer for the sect’s share.
• Kang Dabao assigned Zhou Yixiu to oversee work at Wild Fox Mountain and Jia-Chou Military Stronghold, and ordered the Chongming Sect to support the new households through its services and lectures.
• Kang Dabao warned the sect against abusing the new households, then went to Green Lotus Courtyard to find Fei Shuhe.

Kang Dabao secured support for Chongming Sect and bought supplies for his spiritual insects in Xuanwei City, where Shi Qin offered a gift tied to the sect’s upcoming Immortal Ascension Assembly. Meanwhile, Daoist Peng learned that the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion intended to reveal the demon-land barrier’s formation positions, potentially unleashing an invasion across Shannan Circuit.

• Kang Dabao visited Han Ningyue in Xuanwei City, and she accepted the Spirit Stones that would exempt Chongming Sect’s new spiritual-land households from taxes and levies.
• Kang Dabao visited Master Qi, then bought Rotten Apricot Coral and moon-reflecting stone slabs from Shi Qin, who added extra goods and Spirit Stones as a gift connected to the coming Immortal Ascension Assembly.
• Kang Dabao left the shop intending to change the assembly rules after three years so fewer lineage children could enter Chongming Sect.
• The grand elder of the Two Instruments Sect inspected Daoist Peng’s nearly completed Ten Thousand Souls Banner and discussed the upper sect’s response to the growing political crisis.
• The grand elder told Daoist Peng to contact demons near Cold Crow Mountain and pass word that the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion might reveal the barrier formations, risking a demon-land invasion of Shannan Circuit.
• The grand elder warned Daoist Peng to restrain his blood gathering, but told him to collect what remained around Rosy Lake Mountain to finish the Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill.

After thirty-six years, Kang Dabao drank spirit dew from the Primordial Gourd again, healed his injuries, and brought his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes to perfection. At Wild Fox Mountain, Zhou Yixiu oversaw Moon Fern planting, met Ming Zhe, and learned that the temple-protecting khenpo of the Original Response Temple was returning.

• Kang Dabao used the spirit dew to heal his hidden injuries and strengthen the jade-colored lotus pedestal in his Dantian.
• Kang Dabao endured severe pain in his eyes and discovered that his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes had reached perfection.
• Zhou Yixiu pushed Mo Ku and the disciples to plant Moon Fern Grass before Kang Rongquan returned from the Nurturing Qilin Hall lecture.
• Ming Zhe arrived with a python gallbladder and Blue Flower Wine for Zhou Yixiu, and reported that Duan Ping'an would become his disciple.
• Zhou Yixiu read a message talisman announcing that the temple-protecting khenpo of the Original Response Temple was coming back.

Fei Nanying refused Han Ningyue’s request to let Kang compete in the five clans’ martial meet, while worrying about trouble from the Snow Mountain Circuit. At Original Response Temple, Zen Master Gelie announced his breakthrough and sent the temple-protecting khenpo Funeng to Shannan Circuit to choose a consort, warning him to avoid the Kuang Household.

• Han Ningyue told Fei Nanying that Shuhe had returned to repay the debt for the Spirit Offspring Radiant Color Pill and asked him to let Kang enter the next five clans’ martial meet.
• Fei Nanying refused, fearing Kang would be drawn into a contest for the Golden Core Formation Pill and might face the Snow Mountain Circuit’s temple-protecting khenpo.
• Zen Master Gelie emerged from seclusion at Original Response Temple and announced that he had attained the Three Bodies United in Illumination Aspect, allowing the temple to spread its Dharma east of Snow Mountain.
• Zen Master Gelie learned that Funeng, the current temple-protecting khenpo, had attained the Pure Lotus First Ground Aspect, then erased Funeng’s karma and sent him to Shannan Circuit to choose a consort.
• Zen Master Gelie named Funeng the next Buddha’s son, gave him the Bliss and Emptiness Nondual Vidyadhara Incantation, and warned him to avoid the Kuang Household and exercise restraint.

Dou Gou'er and Dou Jugen worked as laborers under the Hu Household while Chongming Sect disciple Shan Yong punished Hu Mingsheng for mistreating mortals. As Kang Dabao faced the coming visit of an Original Response Temple khenpo, Yuan Xiyue told him that Ancestor Buwen would arrive in two days and expected him to meet with his halberd in hand.

• Dou Gou'er and Dou Jugen ate well before working the Hu Household’s fields, and they praised the household’s immortals for protecting and educating the mortals.
• Shan Yong reprimanded Hu Mingsheng for the Hu Household’s poor treatment of its laborers and raised its taxes, levies, and tribute by half.
• He Chang told Shan Yong that Jiang Qing had reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and would hold a teaching near Wild Fox Mountain.
• Fei Nanying agreed to help Fei Shuhe address the coming visit of an Original Response Temple khenpo seeking consorts, while Kang Dabao remained in the sect and prepared for the situation.
• Kang Dabao learned that Duan Anle had become a First-Tier Supreme-Grade beast master and selected spirit items to support his disciples’ cultivation.
• Yuan Xiyue told Kang Dabao that Ancestor Buwen would visit in two days and wanted to meet him with his halberd in hand.

Yuan Buwen gave Kang Dabao the Jade Slip containing his household’s halberd art and began teaching him, while Funeng went to the Star-Picking Pavilion to claim the consorts he had selected years earlier. The chapter ended with Xiang Tianxing receiving a message from the Original Response Temple ordering that Funeng must be stopped.

• Yuan Buwen met Kang Dabao at the Chongming Sect and handed him the Jade Slip after explaining that Fei Nanying had forced the Yuan Household to provide the art.
• Yuan Buwen warned Kang Dabao that Funeng was coming to collect the consort candidates and asked whether he would surrender Yuan Xiyue; Kang Dabao took her hand and said he would still try to protect her.
• Yuan Buwen explained the origins and techniques of the halberd art, then began instructing Kang Dabao in its practice.
• Funeng visited Xiang Tianxing at the Star-Picking Pavilion and received permission to pursue the consort candidates he had selected in Shannan Circuit.
• Xiang Tianxing received a talisman letter from the Original Response Temple and declared that Funeng must not be allowed to carry out his plan.

After teaching Kang Dabao the Yuan Household’s halberd art, Yuan Buwen returned to Jingnan Prefecture while Kang Dabao continued studying and attempting to deduce the art. Kang Dabao then learned that the Prefecture Court planned a rotating contest against Funeng in Xuanwei City, and that he, Jiang, and Yuan had been summoned for consideration.

• Yuan Buwen left Little Ring Mountain after more than a month of teaching Kang Dabao and returned to Jingnan Prefecture, where he considered moving the Yuan Household to another prefecture.
• Kang Dabao studied the Yuan Household’s annotations and used three jade discs to try to deduce the halberd art, but found the process would take centuries at his current pace.
• Ye Zhengwen delivered Sima Fei’s letter telling Kang Dabao to prepare and wait, and reported that Funeng was still outside the Bo Prefecture Xianyu Household’s sealed mountain gate.
• Buse told Kang Dabao and the Chongming Sect elders that the Prefecture Court and the Original Response Temple had agreed to hold a Dharma assembly in Xuanwei City, where nine cultivators would fight Funeng in rotation.
• Buse said thirty candidates would be reviewed before the final nine were chosen, and that Kang Dabao, Jiang, and Yuan were to attend.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing traveled to Xuanwei City for a selection of cultivators to face Funeng, while Fei Shuhe worried that Yuan Xiyue would be taken away. Juntian Bird chose nine fighters, including Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing, then ordered Kang Dabao to fight Fei Enxing after Fei Enxing challenged him.

• Fei Shuhe urged Kang Dabao to send Yuan Xiyue to Bo Prefecture, but he said the prefecture court and Fei Nanying would not allow it.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing arrived in Xuanwei City, where Fei Nanying confirmed Kang Dabao would have a place in the contest and warned his clan not to provoke him.
• Kang Dabao reviewed a list of the candidates and noted the accomplishments of Cao Xianlu, Yang Wuwei, Fei Enxing, and Qin Sufu.
• Juntian Bird selected nine cultivators by placing feathers on their shoulders, including Kang Dabao, Jiang Qing, and Fei Wen, but not Fei Enxing.
• Fei Enxing objected to the selection and challenged Kang Dabao, so Juntian Bird gave Kang Dabao time to teach him a lesson.

Kang Dabao defeated Fei Enxing in the Fei Household’s selection battle, prompting Juntian Bird to rebuke the family’s pampered descendants and order Fei Enxing to the border army. With Funeng already on his way, Juntian Bird announced rewards for the nine chosen fighters and rallied them for the coming rotation battle.

• Juntian Bird urged Kang Dabao to fight seriously and explained to Fei Granny Liu and Fei Nanying that he had arranged Fei Enxing’s challenge to temper the Fei Household’s younger generation.
• Fei Enxing attacked Kang Dabao with his saber, but Kang Dabao’s insects, black flames, and halberd techniques steadily gained the advantage.
• Fei Enxing tried to impale himself on Kang Dabao’s halberd after losing, but Juntian Bird knocked him aside and condemned his fragile temperament.
• Fei Nanying ordered Fei Enxing to serve in the Liangxi border army until he formed a Golden Core, while Fei Granny Liu accepted that she had harmed the household’s descendants.
• Fei Nanying reported that Funeng had left Bo Prefecture after defeating challengers from the Xianyu Household, and Juntian Bird announced a public assembly and rewards for the nine selected fighters.

Fei Nanying and Juntian Bird prepared nine cultivators to face Funeng, who had been defeating opponents across Shannan Circuit while seeking a woman from the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court. Funeng arrived at the drill ground in a grand display, but Juntian Bird tore off his robes and mocked him before the battle began.

• Fei Bofeng reported that Funeng had defeated the Jiebu Clan and taken Lady Liu, while Juntian Bird declared he would not hand over the Yuan woman.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing discussed Funeng’s Spirit Artifacts with Yang Wuwei, who warned them about the strength Funeng had shown in Bo Prefecture.
• Yang Wuwei identified Cao Xianlu as a likely challenger to Kang Dabao, and the selected cultivators gathered at the drill ground.
• Juntian Bird assigned Zhou Yun, Fei Wen, Yang Wuxin, Qin Sufu, Jiang Qing, Yang Wudi, Yang Wuwei, Cao Xianlu, and Kang Dabao to the successive bouts in that order.
• Funeng arrived on a blood-colored lotus platform with eight women and greeted the assembled seniors.
• Juntian Bird ripped Funeng’s robes away and taunted him, ordering him to begin the bouts without delay.

Juntian Bird disrupted Funeng’s imposing entrance, but Funeng regained his composure and began the successive bouts against the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court’s fighters. He defeated Zhou Yun, Fei Wen, and Yang Wuxin, and the chapter left Qin Sufu entering the wrecked training ground for the next fight.

• Juntian Bird exposed Funeng in front of the gathered cultivators, then withdrew as Fei Nanying took charge of the contest.
• Funeng warned that he might kill his opponents, and Fei Nanying answered that he would not interfere if Funeng killed one before he could act.
• Zhou Yun attacked Funeng with his spear and saber, but Funeng froze the weapons and defeated him in thirty breaths, taking his talisman treasure.
• Fei Wen attacked with four Spirit Artifacts, but Funeng used the Karmic Fire All Evils Bead to defeat him in twenty-six breaths.
• Yang Wuxin challenged Funeng and was also defeated, after which Qin Sufu walked onto the damaged training ground.

Funeng defeated Qin Sufu after using his Buddhist chant to expose Qin Sufu’s buried guilt, but Kang Dabao rescued him before the decisive blow. Jiang Qing then revealed the Sword Essence stored in his Sword-Sharpening Stone, wounded Funeng, and conceded; after Funeng quickly defeated Yang Wudi, Yang Wuwei entered the seventh bout.

• Funeng’s Pure Lotus First Ground Aspect and Buddhist chant overwhelmed Qin Sufu, whose guilt disrupted his control of the jade battle-axe.
• Kang Dabao blocked Funeng’s blow with a chessboard and carried Qin Sufu out, and Fei Nanying declared Funeng the winner.
• Jiang Qing entered the arena and unleashed Sword Essence from the Sword-Sharpening Stone, destroying Funeng’s vajra phantom and wounding him.
• When Funeng resumed his disturbing chant, Jiang Qing sheathed his sword and conceded, leaving Funeng unable to press his attack.
• Funeng swiftly defeated Yang Wudi in the sixth bout, and Yang Wuwei entered the arena for the seventh.

Funeng continued his arena challenge, defeating Yang Wuwei with his Buddhist techniques and then overcoming Cao Xianlu’s ghost arts and powerful physique. As Kang Dabao entered for the next fight, Juntian Bird urged him to make the most of the chance.

• Yang Wuwei used the Red Scale Wave-Chasing Spear to defend against Funeng’s attacks, but Funeng’s Bone-Corroding Blood Rain and chanting disrupted his techniques and left him badly wounded.
• Yang Wuwei surrendered after Funeng struck him with a golden palm, and Fei Nanying entered to stop the attack.
• Cao Xianlu challenged Funeng with his Ghost Tiger Suppressing Prison Art, Netherworld Tiger Eye, and ghost soldiers, but Funeng’s Pure Land White Lotus overwhelmed them.
• Cao Xianlu surrendered when Funeng’s Buddha light threatened to destroy his body, and Fei Nanying declared Funeng the winner.
• Fei Nanying summoned Kang Dabao to fight Funeng, and Juntian Bird told Kang Dabao that winning could save him a hundred years of effort.
• Kang Dabao greeted Funeng as the sect leader of the Chongming Sect.

Kang Dabao defeated Funeng in the final round after breaking through the monk’s powerful Buddhist defenses, while Buse’s scheme to keep Funeng from returning west remained in the background. Fei Nanying declared Kang the victor, and Juntian Bird ordered proclamations spread throughout the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty to publicize the Fei Household’s strength.

• Buse and a middle-aged woman discussed their plan to trap Funeng under the Star-Picking Pavilion’s jurisdictions if he survived the battle.
• Kang Dabao’s perfected Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes shattered Funeng’s Pure Lotus First Ground Aspect, and Kang pressed his advantage with his halberd, artifacts, and Little Qi.
• Funeng used Buddhist invocations and karmic fire to hinder Kang, but Little Qi blocked the flames and Kang reached Funeng with a powerful attack.
• Kang’s Golden Light pierced Funeng’s glazed lotus and Sanskrit defenses, leaving the monk badly wounded before Fei Nanying intervened and declared Kang the winner.
• Juntian Bird ordered Fei Nanying to post proclamations across the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty announcing that the Fei Household’s son-in-law had defeated the Original Response Temple’s temple-protecting khenpo.

The Wei emperor reviewed three urgent reports with Gui Xuantong and Grand Eunuch Wei, ordering responses to military defeats and learning of Gelie's possible advance toward Spirit Transformation. Kang Dabao's victory over Funeng drew imperial interest and rewards for the Fei Household, while a letter left the Palace of Imperial Repose for Cloud Horn Prefecture.

• Gui Xuantong obtained the Wei emperor's permission to remain while Grand Eunuch Wei presented three Purple Imperial Golden Palace Talismans.
• The Wei emperor ordered Shu Zhengde to reinforce Mountain North Circuit after Yao Gu's defeat by Wang Beixing and arranged medical aid and rewards for his rescuers.
• The Wei emperor ordered Kuang Furen to secure Liangxi after devastating Purification Army losses, removed Feng Dan pending investigation, and commanded recruitment of replacement troops.
• Grand Eunuch Wei reported Fei Tianqin's warning about Gelie's possible path to Spirit Transformation and Kang Dabao's defeat and imprisonment of Funeng after major sects withheld assistance.
• The Wei emperor learned of Kang Dabao's humble origins, rewarded the Fei Household for promoting talent, and invited future introductions of promising frontier cultivators.
• Grand Eunuch Wei and Gui Xuantong departed, and a handwritten letter was sent from the Palace of Imperial Repose to Cloud Horn Prefecture.

After the Chongming Sect’s victory drew visitors and gifts, Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen disagreed over how much special treatment He Chang should receive. In Xuanwei City, the Juntian Bird summoned Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing and began rewarding them, leaving Kang stunned by an Azure Firmament Spirit Root.

• Fei Shuhe received noble visitors at Green Lotus Courtyard while the Chongming Sect handled a steady stream of guests and gifts.
• He Chang delivered a letter from the Great Abyss Capital bearing a Mystic Firmament Palace talisman tag, and Duan Anle told him to place it in Kang Dabao’s courtyard for safekeeping.
• Yuan Jin argued that He Chang should not receive preferential access to public sect resources, while Ye Zhengwen said the sect should show care for the late sect leader’s descendant.
• In Xuanwei City, Kang Dabao recovered from his injuries and built friendships with the other rotational battle participants, including Cao Xianlu.
• Fei Nanfeng summoned Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing to the Juntian Bird, who lectured Kang about neglecting cultivation and seated them on rare meditation cushions.
• Fei Nanying opened a jade box for the Juntian Bird’s rewards, and Kang Dabao recognized the treasure inside as an Azure Firmament Spirit Root.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing received an Azure Firmament Spirit Root from Juntian Bird, who promised Kang Dabao a beast core and invited him to choose another reward. Meanwhile, Yue Lin sought Yuan Buwen’s help to reconcile their households, but their negotiations were interrupted when Funeng unleashed Buddhist power in the prison and demanded that Fei Tianqin come before him.

• Fei Nanying gave Jiang Qing the Azure Firmament Spirit Root, and Juntian Bird directed him to seek Elder Nanxi in Ying Prefecture to refine it.
• Juntian Bird promised Kang Dabao a beast core within ten years and offered him another reward, so Kang Dabao asked about another junior brother.
• Yue Lin urged Yuan Buwen to build ties with Kang Dabao and asked him to help smooth relations between their households, but Yuan Buwen made no promise.
• Funeng erupted with Buddhist light and karmic fire, broke through the prison’s restrictions, and demanded that Fei Tianqin come to him.
• Funeng’s voice overwhelmed Fei Granny Liu, who spat blood and ordered Yue Lin and Yuan Buwen to fetch Ancestor Tianqin.

Zhou Yixiu rejected Yang Xun’s attempt to curry favor and reached Wild Fox Mountain, while Yang resolved to find another way into the Chongming Sect’s good graces. In Xuanwei City, Bai Canhong forced Gelie to swear not to spread his teachings in Shannan Circuit before Gelie departed with Funeng’s body, leaving Bai to claim the prefecture court owed him a favor.

• Zhou Yixiu accepted gifts from Cold Crow Mountain households without promising them assistance, then traveled toward Wild Fox Mountain escorted by Yang Xun and the Crimson Zhang Guard.
• Ma Yansong joined Zhou Yixiu and explained that he was helping other households bring recruits to Cold Crow Mountain, earning Zhou’s approval and Yang Xun’s resentment.
• Zhou Yixiu dismissed Yang Xun from his escort at Wild Fox Mountain, and Yang resolved to seek another path into the Chongming Sect before learning that the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion had arrived in Xuanwei City.
• Bai Canhong confronted Gelie in the Cloud Horn Prefecture prison and demanded that he swear not to spread his teachings in Shannan Circuit.
• Gelie pledged his bodhi heart and swore a great heart-demon oath, then left with Funeng’s body as the Buddhist light affecting Xuanwei City’s residents faded.
• Bai Canhong departed after telling Fei Tianqin that the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court owed him a great favor, and Fei Tianqin worried about the coming troubles and his family’s prospects.

A Myriad Treasures Trading Company flying boat arrived in Xuanwei City and carried Fei Enxing, Jiang Qing, and other cultivators away as Kang Dabao arranged for Senior Luan to examine Pei Yi’s lingering injury. During meditation, Pei Yi suffered a violent demonic deviation, and Kang Dabao and Senior Luan discovered him in the cultivation chamber.

• Dou Tong arrived in Xuanwei City aboard a Myriad Treasures Trading Company flying boat, and Fei Tianqin arranged for several cultivators to travel with him.
• Jiang Qing boarded the boat for the journey, while Kang Dabao stayed behind and later thanked Chu Yanran for teaching Kang Changyi.
• Kang Dabao visited the Fei residence and invited Senior Luan, a Third Tier alchemist, to examine Pei Yi’s injury.
• Pei Yi refined Sun-Longing Pills, then suffered worsening pain and entered a violent demonic deviation in his cultivation chamber.
• Kang Dabao brought Senior Luan to Pei Yi’s home, where Senior Luan recognized the demonic deviation and Kang Dabao shielded Lady Kuai.