Chapter Summaries

Attendant Luan treated Pei Yi’s demonic cultivation and restored him enough to attempt Foundation Establishment. Meanwhile, Daoist Peng completed a Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill for Pu Honggu, and the two discussed the Two Instruments Sect’s uncertain political future and a newly presented Daoist scripture.

• Attendant Luan’s treatment failed to stabilize Pei Yi, but Sect Leader Kang Da persuaded him to continue by revealing a connection to the Prince of the South’s disciple’s aunt.
• Pei Yi recovered overnight, and Attendant Luan said he could attempt Foundation Establishment if Kang Dabao provided sufficient resources.
• Daoist Peng completed the Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill and gave it to Pu Honggu, who intended to examine it before taking it.
• Pu Honggu and Daoist Peng discussed the Star-Picking Pavilion’s possible alignment with the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty and the Two Instruments Sect’s need to prepare.
• Daoist Peng presented Pu Honggu with a Daoist scripture titled “Change Yin,” and Pu Honggu decided the matter required careful planning.

At the Double Brightness Alliance’s tenth-anniversary celebration, He Yuanhe reunited with old friends while guests witnessed the alliance’s growing strength and influence. After the martial display, Kang Da secured Bian Hu’s agreement to become deputy alliance leader, and Bian Hu sealed the alliance scroll.

• He Yuanhe attended the anniversary banquet with Bian Hu and Huang Ming, where he learned that Kang Changyi had reached Foundation Establishment and spoke with Fei Enhua about his kinsman He Yuanyi.
• Fei Enhua recognized Xiu Ming as his nephew by marriage and gave him a supreme-grade Law Artifact, prompting others to envy Xiu Ming’s prospects.
• Yang Wuwei discussed Zhou Yun’s battle in Ding Prefecture and revealed that Cao had entered seclusion to form his core with support from the Fei Household and Savage Ghost Sect.
• Pei Yi announced that the ceremony was ready, and Xu Liuxian unrolled the alliance’s iron scroll as scenes from its past decade appeared before the guests.
• Yuan Jin led the Azure Jue Guard and Crimson Zhang Guard in a martial display, while the alliance’s member forces and county militias demonstrated the strength of thousands of cultivators.
• Kang Da offered Bian Hu the vacant deputy alliance leader position, and Bian Hu accepted and placed his seal on the iron scroll.

After the Double Brightness Alliance celebration, Ye Zhengwen and Kang Dabao discussed Jiang Qing’s continued detention in Ying Prefecture and found a possible way to challenge Qiu River Hall’s claim on him. Meanwhile, Fei Tianqin returned from searching for a demon core and encountered a black-robed cultivator whose blood scent marked him as an Evil Cultivator.

• Ye Zhengwen escorted He Chang to Kang Dabao’s courtyard, where they met Zhang Le and Kang Changxi before discussing sect affairs.
• Kang Dabao told Ye Zhengwen that Jiang Qing had been prevented from returning to the Chongming Sect for the third time and might be kept as Elder Nanxi’s son-in-law or sent to the Ying Mountain Army.
• Ye Zhengwen suggested that Sima Fei might object to Qiu River Hall claiming Jiang Qing, since She Mountain Hall had paid for the Azure Firmament Spirit Root and sent Jiang Qing to Ying Prefecture to repay a favor.
• Kang Dabao decided to consult Boyue about getting Jiang Qing recalled, even if She Mountain Hall might then seek to make him a son-in-law.
• Fei Tianqin returned to its cave after failing to find a suitable demon core and detected a black-robed Evil Cultivator nearby.

He Chang visited Yuan Xiyue with Kang Changxi, while He Wanying arranged a water-demon assignment for him in Chongming City. At Cold Crow Mountain, Fei Tianqin defeated a mysterious blood-path Golden Core cultivator, but the badly wounded opponent fell from the sky as Fei Tianqin returned toward Xuanwei City.

• He Chang and Kang Changxi visited Yuan Xiyue and He Wanying, who were caring for Yuan Xiyue’s twin sons.
• The chapter described how the Jingnan Yuan Household resettled in Le County and how Yuan Jin declined Yuan Buwen’s offer to unite their clans.
• Han Xundao brought red jade paste for Yuan Xiyue and He Wanying, then told them about an assignment to deal with water demons near Chongming City.
• He Wanying sent He Chang to Chongming City after he reported what he had seen on Cold Crow Mountain, and Kang Changxi asked to accompany him.
• Fei Tianqin recalled his fierce battle with a blood-path Golden Core cultivator and regretted failing to kill him.
• As Fei Tianqin descended toward Xuanwei City, the wounded cultivator fell from the sky after his Divine Sense faltered.

Duan Anle trained Duan Yunzhou at the Beast Garden while Kang Changxi took the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger as a mount and set out with He Chang. At the Two Instruments Sect, Pu Honggu worried about Daoist Peng’s disappearance and then flew toward Cold Crow Mountain.

• Duan Yunzhou subdued a Golden-Eyed Leopard, and Duan Anle encouraged him while pointing out his shortcomings.
• He Chang received a beast token to extend his use of Senior Old Donkey, and Kang Changxi asked to rent the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger.
• Kang Changxi overpowered the tiger with his fists, took it as his mount, and urged He Chang to depart with him.
• Pu Honggu learned that Daoist Peng had been missing for a month, ordered Li Yun to search for him, and discussed Song Xueqiao’s possible succession at Black Sand Peak.
• After leaving Heavy Lead Peak, Pu Honggu’s black-bird rune lit up, and he flew toward Cold Crow Mountain.

After emerging from seclusion, Kang Dabao reflected on his progress, changed cultivation methods, and mounting expenses before turning to the sect’s affairs and his disciple Jin Shilun. He agreed to let Jin borrow Merit Points for a Foundation Establishment resource and headed off to eat, asking for news about two disciples in Chongming City.

• Kang Dabao reviewed his gains over five years, including progress in Divine Sense and body refinement, and recalled refusing Yan Qingwei’s advances.
• Kang Dabao changed to the Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual with support and instruction from the Fei Household, then advanced his cultivation while raising three children.
• Kang Dabao emerged from seclusion and considered how to fund his cultivation and other expenses without continuing to rely on his wife’s family.
• Kang Dabao surveyed the prosperous beast garden and learned that Duan Anle had taken disciples to deliver Cloud-Treading Colts to the Double Brightness Trade Market.
• Jin Shilun asked Kang Dabao for help obtaining Heavenly Net Wood Heart, and Kang Dabao agreed to let him borrow the Merit Points he needed.
• Kang Dabao accepted Jin Shilun’s offer of a pork hock and asked what two junior disciples had done after reaching Chongming City.

He Chang and Kang Changxi killed a water ghost and rescued a boatload of refugees, including a badly injured old man whose hidden condition escaped their notice. More than a month later, a battle between Two Instruments Sect and prefectural court Golden Core cultivators prompted Chongming City to close its gates and search for an unknown target.

• He Chang and Kang Changxi rescued Shang Baijiang's family from a water ghost, then gave them a talisman and a letter to help them settle in Chongming City.
• He Chang judged the rescued old man to be a mortal who might once have been a Blood Refining martial artist, while Fei Enhua ordered the disciples to leave; the old man subtly relaxed after they departed.
• Shang Baijiang insisted that his family keep caring for the old man, and the family reached Chongming City safely under the Wave-Calming Talisman's protection.
• Tang Jiu reviewed Chongming City's population and cultivator registers with Kang Rongguang and ordered tighter checks on cultivators entering the city.
• After a distant battle injured Daoist Ning, Tang Jiu calmed the city's residents, and Jin Shilun ordered the gates closed and the city searched for an unknown target linked to a Two Instruments Sect Golden Core cultivator.

Kang Dabao, Ming Zhe, and the Chongming Sect forces arrived at Old Ox Mountain as tensions between the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court and the Two Instruments Sect erupted into battle. Fei Nanying’s side won the Golden Core clash, and Fei Nanying ordered the pursuit of the retreating Two Instruments Sect cultivators as a search began in Chongming City.

• Kang Dabao brought Ming Zhe to Old Ox Mountain, where Gun Shilu welcomed Ming Zhe because he was Jiang Qing’s disciple and gave him pills.
• Fei Nanying and Li Yun’s dispute suddenly sparked fighting, and the Ying Mountain Army charged into the battle on the summit.
• Kang Dabao fought alongside Fei Granny Liu against a shorn-headed Core master while Fei Nanying and the other Golden Cores battled overhead.
• The Ying Mountain Army overwhelmed Huang Siniang and Mo Hegu, while Li Yun escaped with a Thousand-Li Instant Talisman and Wei Guze withdrew.
• Fei Nanying declared the Two Instruments Sect had broken its agreement and ordered a pursuit, while Duan Anle began a search in Chongming City.

Ye Zhengwen and Ming Zhe survived the battle as Kang Dabao helped turn the rout into victory, killed Ge Qinglan, and returned with them to Chongming City to investigate what Mo Hegu sought. There, Song Cheng inspected the supposedly helpless old man in Shang Baijiang’s home and left believing him dead, but the old man emerged from the ashes unharmed.

• Ye Zhengwen killed a fleeing cultivator, then rested with Ming Zhe rather than pursue the enemy farther.
• Ye Zhengwen and Ming Zhe learned that the Two Instruments Sect had trapped their forces, but the Fei Household’s Ying Mountain Army broke the formation and Kang Da slew Ge Qinglan and three other opponents.
• Kang Dabao returned to Old Ox Mountain with the victorious force, then received orders to go home without securing Jiang Qing’s release.
• Kang Dabao gave Ge Qinglan’s head to Ye Zhengwen for Junior Brother Chu’s grave and ordered Ye Zhengwen to accompany him to Chongming City to investigate Mo Hegu’s purpose.
• Song Cheng inspected the black-robed old man at Shang Baijiang’s residence, ordered Shang Baijiang to stab and burn him, then left after confirming the body was charring.
• After Song Cheng departed, the charred old man rose from the kang and shed the burned flesh, revealing that he had survived.

Daoist Peng failed to restore his cultivation with the Shang family’s blood and remained hidden in Chongming City, sending corpse puppets out to gather news. Meanwhile, Pu Honggu learned Peng might be near Pingrong County and offered Fearless Tower a Golden Core Formation Pill for proof of his whereabouts, prompting She Fu Yi to summon Kang Da.

• Daoist Peng’s attempt to recover with a blood pill failed, so he returned life force to Shang Baijiang and the military officer and sent their corpse puppets out to investigate.
• Jin Shilun and Song Cheng reported their search of Chongming City to Kang Da, who ordered Elder Ye and the disciples to guard the city and sent orders to investigate other locations.
• At Rosy Lake Mountain, Li Yun told Pu Honggu that She Fu Yi had heard Fei Tianqin pursued a blood-shadow Evil Cultivator near Pingrong County.
• Pu Honggu concluded the pursued cultivator was probably Daoist Peng and offered Fearless Tower a Golden Core Formation Pill if it verified Peng’s whereabouts.
• She Fu Yi read Pu Honggu’s message and ordered someone to invite Kang Da to meet her.

Kang Dabao visited the Fearless Tower’s master, who revealed that a gravely injured Blood Dao Golden Core cultivator was likely hiding in Pingrong County. She asked Kang Dabao to organize a countywide search and ensure the cultivator did not die unattended.

• Yan Qingwei persuaded Kang Dabao to accompany her to meet the Fearless Tower master, and they traveled secretly to Cold Crow Mountain.
• Kang Dabao entered the hidden stronghold, passed two False Core combat puppets, and met the Fearless Tower master alongside Jiang Hongdao and Yang Jue.
• The Fearless Tower master used the Jade Pivot Dark Pact Mirror to trace the fate of Daoist Peng, a gravely injured Golden Core cultivator.
• Kang Dabao and Yan Qingwei interpreted the mirror’s hexagram as pointing to Pingrong County.
• The Fearless Tower master asked Kang Dabao to mobilize his people to search Pingrong County and keep Daoist Peng alive, and Kang Dabao asked whether he could inform the Fei Household.

Kang Dabao left the Fearless Tower with news of a wounded blood-path Golden Core hiding in Pingrong County and brought it to the Fei Household in Xuanwei City. After learning the Golden Core might be tied to the Two Instruments Sect, Fei Tianqin ordered a full search to find him before the sect could retrieve him.

• She Fu Yi gave Kang Dabao a Pine Creek Pill and told her elders that the Fearless Tower could cultivate ties with him while letting its plans against the Two Instruments Sect unfold naturally.
• Kang Dabao visited the Fei Household, where Cao Xianlu celebrated his upcoming marriage to Fei Nanfeng's daughter after failing to form a core.
• Fei Nanying introduced Kang Dabao to Shu Zhengde, who said the Wei Emperor had praised Kang Dabao and instructed him to visit.
• Kang Dabao told Fei Nanying that a gravely wounded Golden Core was hiding in Pingrong County and that Two Instruments Sect cultivators were searching for him.
• Fei Tianqin heard Kang Dabao's report, suspected the Golden Core came from the Two Instruments Sect, and ordered a full search before the sect could take him back.

Fei Tianqin oversaw the search for Daoist Peng while secretly allowing him to escape Chongming City as bait for the Two Instruments Sect. Daoist Peng's flight led to a battle with Fei Enhua, and a Third Tier flying vessel arrived as Fei Tianqin prepared to confront the newcomers.

• Fei Tianqin stationed forces in Chongming City, and the Chongming Sect crushed Guo County troops who had slaughtered several small lineages before Fei Tianqin punished those stirring up unrest.
• Kang Dabao detected corpse Qi on Daoist Ning while Daoist Peng escaped Chongming City after turning the Shang Household into corpse puppets.
• Kang Changxi noticed Daoist Peng's disguise, and Fei Enhua forced him to reveal himself by threatening to crush him.
• Daoist Peng damaged Fei Enhua's sabers with Core Fire, but Kang Changxi summoned Little Qi to help Fei Enhua keep fighting.
• Fei Tianqin stopped Kang Dabao from joining the battle and revealed that he had deliberately released Daoist Peng to lure out the Two Instruments Sect.
• A Third Tier flying vessel appeared above the battle, and Fei Tianqin told Fei Nanying and Senior Cultivator Wufeng to welcome the guests.

Fei Tianqin overwhelmed Pu Honggu and the Two Instruments Sect cultivators while Sect Leader Kang Da carried the rescued Daoist Peng away. Xiang Tianxing arrived and tried to stop the escape, but Fei Tianqin blocked him and Pu Honggu, leaving the two sides poised to continue fighting.

• Fei Tianqin shattered Pu Honggu’s Taiyi Xuanji Barrier, badly wounded Li Yun, and drove Wei Guze to flee while Huang Siniang remained occupied by Senior Cultivator Wufeng and Kang Dabao.
• Xiang Tianxing arrived and attacked Fei Tianqin, while Kang Dabao accidentally struck Huang Siniang with his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes.
• Fei Tianqin ordered Senior Cultivator Wufeng to hand Daoist Peng to Kang Dabao, who escaped aboard the Kui Star Shuttle after Fei Tianqin blocked Xiang Tianxing’s spear.
• Fei Tianqin stopped Xiang Tianxing and Pu Honggu from pursuing Kang Dabao, and Xiang Tianxing prepared to face him while Pu Honggu stayed behind.

Kang Dabao escorted the wounded Daoist Peng toward Xuanwei City, where Chu Yanran took custody of him and accepted a map to one of his hidden abodes. Meanwhile, Fei Tianqin overwhelmed the Two Instruments Sect and Star-Picking Pavilion cultivators, killing Huang Siniang and taking her Golden Core before heading back to settle the debt.

• Kang Dabao resisted Daoist Peng's offer of treasure until Peng gave him a map to an abode, then Chu Yanran arrived and ordered him to keep the map and bring her husband if he investigated it.
• Chu Yanran checked Daoist Peng's spiritual restrictions, questioned Kang Dabao about the battle, and took the prisoner toward Xuanwei City.
• Li Yun fled Fei Nanying and urged Huang Siniang to run as Fei Tianqin suppressed Xiang Tianxing and Pu Honggu.
• Fei Tianqin shattered Pu Honggu's Law Treasure, forcing Xiang Tianxing and Pu Honggu to retreat without rescuing Huang Siniang.
• Fei Tianqin and his allies killed Huang Siniang, took her Golden Core, and learned that Kang Dabao had delivered Daoist Peng to Xuanwei City.

Fei Tianqin gave Kang Dabao Huang Siniang’s Golden Core and met with She Fu Yi, who pledged the Fearless Tower’s allegiance and was offered a role in the Demon Correction Office. At the prison, Daoist Peng asked to speak with Fei Tianqin and offered to serve the Immortal Dynasty in exchange for his life.

• Fei Tianqin handed Kang Dabao Huang Siniang’s Golden Core and warned him not to keep it for long.
• She Fu Yi pledged the Fearless Tower’s loyalty to Fei Tianqin, and Fei Nanying offered her a place in the Demon Correction Office.
• Fei Tianqin set out for the prison with Kang Dabao to learn what Daoist Peng had hidden and why Xiang Tianxing wanted it.
• Qi Buxiu brought Kang Changyi to the prison, where Chu Yanran answered her disciple’s cultivation questions as Yang Baoshan listened.
• Daoist Peng asked Yang Baoshan to tell Fei Tianqin that he would serve the Immortal Dynasty in any way if his life were spared.

Pu Honggu and Xiang Tianxing prepared for Daoist Peng to expose their dealings with the Li Mountain Lineage, while Pu Honggu explored ways to strengthen the Two Instruments Sect. Under interrogation, Daoist Peng revealed extensive human trafficking and negotiations that pointed to the Star-Picking Pavilion's plan to unleash demons if the Immortal Dynasty pressed it too hard.

• Xiang Tianxing agreed to report Daoist Peng's capture to his master, while Pu Honggu promised to investigate his contacts in Cold Crow Mountain.
• Pu Honggu retrieved the Change Yin Jade Slip and asked Li Yun whether they could build Dao soldiers capable of opposing a True Person, leaving Li Yun to examine it alongside the Blood Foundation Pill formula.
• Kang Dabao returned to Little Ring Mountain and entered seclusion to improve his cultivation with two Pine Creek Pills.
• Fei Tianqin threatened Daoist Peng into admitting that Pu Honggu had sent him to contact Demon Officer Iron Bristle and Demon Officer Golden Bone, and that their dealings had taken nearly a hundred thousand people.
• Fei Tianqin identified the Shannan Circuit barrier layout as the bargaining asset and explained that the Star-Picking Pavilion could open the barrier to a demonic invasion if pressured by the Immortal Dynasty.
• Fei Tianqin rebuked Fei Nanying for confronting Daoist Peng over human trafficking and persuaded him to accept such abuses as an entrenched part of the cultivation world.

After emerging from seclusion at Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Kang Dabao prepared the Chongming Sect for possible conflict and reorganized its resources. He then visited Pei Yi, whose failed alchemy breakthrough revealed that old grief over Que'er had returned, and Pei Yi resolved to seek answers himself if he could reach Foundation Establishment.

• Daoist Peng remained imprisoned and unable to recover, while Kang Dabao advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage after two months of seclusion.
• Duan Anle reported that the sect had acquired a hundred high-grade flying swords at a favorable price and that the Glazed Treasure Tree had yielded eleven sariras; Kang Dabao set rules for distributing future harvests.
• Kang Dabao ordered Yuan Jin and Zhou Yixiu to drill the guards and reassigned sect duties after learning that Ye's failed Foundation Establishment attempt left her unable to oversee the Nurturing Qilin Hall.
• Pei Yi's attempt to become a Second Tier Alchemist failed, destroying his Pill Furnace and worsening his injuries as Kang Dabao arrived to see him.
• Pei Yi admitted that news of Que'er had revived his desire to confront his enemy, but refused Kang Dabao's offer to intervene and said he would seek answers himself if he reached Foundation Establishment.

Fei Shuhe emerged from seclusion and discussed Kang Changxi’s cultivation, his upcoming lessons with the Yukun Han Household, and a planned outing. On a trade voyage along the Great Ling River, Yang Xun courted He Degong’s favor and discovered a Storage Bag inside a spirit fish.

• Fei Shuhe welcomed Kang Changxi, learned he had faced a dangerous impostor, and urged him to cultivate and prepare to study with the Yukun Han Household.
• Kang Changxi planned a farewell banquet for Fei Enhua and an outing on Cold Crow Mountain; Fei Shuhe insisted Nanny Sun accompany him.
• Yang Xun brought a night heron and wine to He Degong, hoping to win his support for the Rainbow Mountain Yang Household’s entry into the Double Brightness Alliance.
• Yang Xun found a black Storage Bag inside the spirit fish he had caught and hid it in his robes.

Zhu Tong observed the Immortal Dynasty’s growing influence in Shannan Circuit and discussed the Chongming Sect’s recent military successes with Qi Buxiu. At the Fei residence, Fei Nanying praised Kang Dabao’s development work, refused to recall Jiang Qing from Ying Prefecture for now, and assigned Kang Dabao new tasks.

• Zhu Tong met Qi Buxiu outside the government office and heard about Sima Fei’s Dao discussion assembly and Yuan Jin’s victories in its entertainment bouts.
• Zhu Tong and Qi Buxiu watched the Azure Jue Guard enter the city and discussed its campaign against the Hongyi Sect, the Xiezhi Iron Guard’s performance, and Qin Sufu’s accomplishments.
• Qi Buxiu encountered Kang Changyi leaving the Mandarin Duck Pavilion and sent him to answer Sima Fei’s summons from his great-grandfather.
• Fei Nanying reviewed Kang Dabao’s register and praised the Chongming Sect for settling rogue cultivators in the Cold Crow Mountain Range.
• Kang Dabao asked Fei Nanying to bring Jiang Qing back, but Fei Nanying said he would ask Elder Nanxi to explain the advantages and disadvantages of staying in Ying Prefecture.
• Fei Nanying told Kang Dabao to plan development of the barren land near Cold Crow Mountain and arrange a post for Kang Changyi in the Sima Office.