Chapter Summaries

After being injured by True Person Cloud Trust, Kang Dabao was dragged into a hidden grotto-heaven, where True Person Tiger Spring asked him to break a sealing talisman. Tiger Spring’s attempt to possess Kang Dabao failed against his Upper-Upper-Grade Golden Core, which trapped Tiger Spring’s remnant soul as Kang Dabao fled with his belongings.

• Kang Dabao’s injured Spirit Vein faltered as he traveled toward Joyful Sight Mountain, and he discovered a concealed passage leading beneath an old pine.
• A strand of Mystic Origin True Qi pulled Kang Dabao into the grotto-heaven, where he found True Person Tiger Spring bound by black iron chains and weakened by Sha Qi.
• True Person Tiger Spring asked Kang Dabao to break the Blood-Dipped Xingtian Treasure Talisman, offering Centaur Ganoderma and promises of an alliance and treasures.
• Kang Dabao helped crack the talisman’s Sha Heart Pattern, but Mother-and-Child Body-Eroding Sha destroyed True Person Tiger Spring’s flesh.
• Tiger Spring’s Nascent Soul tried to possess Kang Dabao, but Kang Dabao’s Upper-Upper-Grade Golden Core purified and trapped Tiger Spring’s remnant soul.
• Kang Dabao took Tiger Spring’s storage ring and an incomplete seal script, then concealed himself and fled to a secluded place.

You Longzi and his companions found no body or Nascent Soul trace of True Person Tiger Spring and concluded that Cloud Trust had killed him. Far away, Kang Dabao recovered with Tiger Spring’s spirit herbs and discovered that Tiger Spring’s Nascent Soul essence remained within his Golden Core before setting out for Joyful Sight Mountain.

• You Longzi found Tiger Spring’s soul lamp broken and sent Junior Sister Qin to seek Fei Household support for guarding Joyful Sight Mountain’s treasury.
• You Longzi, Zen Master Huiming, and Fei Tianqin searched Broken Stone Hollow, where Huiming found faint traces of Tiger Spring’s Mystic Origin but no body or Nascent Soul.
• You Longzi vowed to avenge Tiger Spring and left the grotto-heaven carrying earth stained with his master’s Essence Blood.
• Kang Dabao used one Centaur Ganoderma to heal his damaged meridians and stored the other two for later.
• Kang Dabao examined his Golden Core and found a speck of Tiger Spring’s abundant Nascent Soul essence within it.
• Kang Dabao prepared to return to Joyful Sight Mountain, keeping his remaining Azure Smoke of Creation in reserve.

Kang Dabao returned to Joyful Sight Mountain and concealed his encounter with True Person Tiger Spring by claiming he had been injured while escaping Cloud Trust. Fei Tianqin and Zen Master Huiming divided Joyful Sight Mountain’s treasury with You Longzi, while Kang Dabao gained time to recover and inspect the treasures he had secretly taken.

• Kang Dabao returned to Joyful Sight Mountain in mourning white, spat out blood, and staged a convincing account of his injuries for the gathered cultivators.
• Kang Dabao blamed his disappearance on recovering from Cloud Trust’s attack, while Fei Tianqin and Zen Master Huiming confirmed that Cloud Trust had escaped their pursuit.
• Fei Tianqin and Zen Master Huiming led You Longzi and the others into the Treasury of Truth to divide Joyful Sight Mountain’s treasures.
• You Longzi offered supplies for the troops, Zen Master Huiming took a bodhi seedling, and Fei Tianqin selected pills, a feather, and other treasures for his group.
• Kang Dabao chose the Brilliant Suppression defensive Law Treasure, and the division of Joyful Sight Mountain’s treasury concluded without further conflict.
• News arrived of upheaval in Mountain North Circuit and the Star-Picking Pavilion’s decline, while Kang Dabao was allowed to recover and examine the treasures from True Person Tiger Spring’s ring.

Kang Dabao examined True Person Tiger Spring’s treasures in seclusion and discovered wealth that could greatly strengthen the Chongming Sect. After nearly injuring himself with the Nine Lieutenants Bone Umbrella, he recovered and learned that the battle at the Mountain North field camp had been decided within a month.

• Kang Dabao sealed his cave abode and carefully sorted through True Person Tiger Spring’s storage ring, finding 862 high-grade Spirit Stones and a supreme-grade Spirit Stone.
• Kang Dabao found two middle-grade Golden Core Formation Pills but failed to locate the Mystic Celestial Infant-Nurturing Pill.
• Kang Dabao opened the Nine Lieutenants Bone Umbrella, drained his spiritual power, and suffered a backlash before calming and storing the treasure.
• Kang Dabao discovered black scales, Kui Star Spirit Soil, and many other treasures, then spent several days recovering in seclusion.
• The outcome at the Mountain North field camp was decided within a month.

Kuang Liuting’s forces defeated Bai Canhong and Demon Lieutenant Fengwen, then halted their advance as threats elsewhere in the dynasty made a prolonged war too dangerous. The chapter ended with the injured Sect Leader Kang Da emerging from seclusion and learning that the fighting had stopped.

• Demon Lieutenant Fengwen and Bai Canhong rallied their forces after the barrier sealed, while both sides arranged their formations and prepared to fight.
• Kuang Zefu, Kuang Liuting, Shen Lingfeng, Jiangxue, and Jiuzhen led the Office of the Duke of Qin’s forces against Bai Canhong and Demon Lieutenant Fengwen’s army.
• Kuang Liuting’s forces broke through the beast horde, and news that Chan Master Huiming, Fei Tianqin, and Tiger Spring’s faction had attacked Mountain South further shook Bai Canhong’s resolve.
• Bai Canhong ordered a retreat, but Demon Lieutenant Fengwen’s beast horde collapsed, and Kuang Liuting pursued the defeated forces and reclaimed two prefectures and seventeen counties.
• After learning that True Person Tiger Spring had been framed and killed by True Person Cloud Trust, Kuang Liuting ordered a search for Cloud Trust and reported the dynasty’s allies’ service to the throne.
• Kuang Liuting and the four True Persons agreed to stop the war before unrest spread elsewhere, and a half month later Sect Leader Kang Da heard that the fighting had stopped.

Grand Eunuch Wei proclaimed Emperor of Wei’s amnesty for Bai Canhong and the Star-Picking Pavilion, appointing Bai Duke of Ji and distributing official posts to his followers. After the ceremony, Kang Dabao reunited with Kang Changyi, accepted Kuai En’s invitation to a meal, and learned Kuai En would serve as administrator-general of Shannan Circuit; he then thanked Chu Yanran, brought his son home, and agreed to take her son as a disciple.

• Grand Eunuch Wei read the imperial edict granting Bai Canhong the title Duke of Ji and appointing him deputy commissioner, while the Star-Picking Pavilion’s disciples received posts and rewards.
• Kang Dabao considered how Bai Canhong’s amnesty could encourage other wavering factions to submit to the Kuang imperial clan.
• Kuai En invited Kang Dabao, Jiang Qing, Kang Changyi, Chu Yanran, and Attendant Luan to a feast, then revealed that he had been appointed administrator-general of Shannan Circuit for a hundred years.
• Kang Dabao examined Kang Changyi, thanked Chu Yanran for her help, and gave her a bottle of Three Treasures Wondrous Gathering Pills.
• Chu Yanran granted Kang Changyi leave to return home and asked Kang Dabao to accept her son into the Chongming Sect; Kang Dabao agreed.

Kang Dabao received the appointment of Huangpi Circuit Pacification Commissioner and learned that Kuang Liuting expected him to retain Cloud Horn Prefecture while helping oversee Shannan Circuit. After Su Chen delivered the imperial rewards and news of the Ninth Prince’s succession dispute, Kang Dabao resolved to leave the Kuang Household’s struggles to them and focus on cultivating.

• Bai Canhong accepted the imperial amnesty and traveled with the Star-Picking Pavilion’s disciples and accumulated possessions to pay respects to the Emperor of Wei.
• Kang Dabao maintained Chongming Sect’s position in Huangpi Circuit, accepted gifts from local powers and Joyful Sight Mountain, and refrained from expanding his territory without orders.
• Su Chen brought Kang Dabao the Emperor’s praise, the title of Huangpi Circuit Pacification Commissioner, and an appointment to a cave abode in Great Abyss Capital.
• Su Chen explained that Kang Dabao would retain Cloud Horn Prefecture and be expected to advise and keep watch over Kuai En in Shannan Circuit.
• Su Chen revealed that the former Right Director of the Imperial Clan had been stripped of his titles and sent to Liangxi after urging the Emperor to name the Ninth Prince heir.
• After Su Chen departed, Jiang Qing criticized the Kuang Household’s succession disputes, and Duan Anle reminded Kang Dabao that Kuai En’s appointment might have been arranged by the Ninth Prince.

Lian Xuepu’s 250th birthday drew an enormous procession of gifts and powerful guests to Azure Rosy Cloud Mountain, while Nong Daokui and Bo Guming earned favor with the Jade Moon Shan Household by helping gather its offerings. The banquet began with Chongming Sect figures in attendance, and Sect Leader Kang Dabao’s arrival left the assembled guests watching for what would happen next.

• Nong Daokui warned Bo Guming to keep quiet about their past meeting with Lian Xuepu, then introduced him to Shan Shijie’s legitimate son, who asked them to obtain missing birthday gifts.
• Nong Daokui and Bo Guming gathered the requested treasures, delivered them to a Shan Household attendant, and joined the household’s procession to Azure Rosy Cloud Mountain.
• The procession reached the crowded mountain, where Nong Daokui and Bo Guming submitted a birthday card and entered a grotto-heaven reception, gaining valuable advice, gifts, and a chance to approach Market Warden Qiu.
• At the summit, Lian Xuepu received congratulations from powerful sects, households, and officials, while Yuan Jin and Jiang Qing discussed the Chongming Sect’s influence and Lian Xuepu’s seclusion.
• Kang Dabao arrived at the banquet after breaking through to late-stage Golden Core and offered Lian Xuepu his congratulations, drawing the guests’ attention.

Kang Dabao emerged from thirty years of seclusion as a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator and attended Lian Xuepu’s birthday feast, where they discussed the Chongming Sect’s prospects and the Hehuan Sect’s hidden reach. After returning to Yangming Mountain, Kang Dabao faced his wife Fei Shuhe’s anger and made amends at home.

• Kang Dabao arrived at Lian Xuepu’s birthday feast, where the guests recognized his advancement and the Hehuan Sect envoys paid him their respects.
• Lian Xuepu gave Kang Dabao pills and advice, warned him that the Hehuan Sect might be a branch of a greater power, and urged Ye Zhengwen to focus on cultivation.
• Kang Dabao and his junior brothers left Azure Rosy Cloud Mountain and returned to Yangming Mountain, where Fei Shuhe confronted him for neglecting his household after seclusion.
• Kang Dabao blamed Kang Changxi’s reluctance to accept an arranged marriage for the delay, then Fei Shuhe pulled him into the inner quarters to reconcile.

Sect Leader Kang Da convened the Chongming Sect’s leaders and heard Duan Anle report on the growth of its six Beast Gardens. An urgent talisman edict brought news of trouble for the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, whose leaders began planning how to protect their family.

• Kang Dabao gathered the Chongming Sect’s senior disciples and invited them to report on the sect’s affairs.
• Duan Anle credited his junior brothers with managing the work and reported that the six Beast Gardens held thousands of spirit beasts and had secured mounts for the Sky-Treading Cavalry.
• Kang Dabao received a talisman edict, frowned, and announced that disaster had struck.
• Fei Ye Shui told Fei Tianqin that the Fei Household’s recent service had earned it some protection, but the Kuang Household and neighboring powers threatened its future.
• Fei Ye Shui urged Fei Tianqin to support Nanying and strengthen the household’s son-in-law as they prepared to move resources and descendants elsewhere.

At Ink Cloud Marsh, Kang Rongquan guided Zhu Yunsheng toward practical service and gave him Spirit-Nourishing Grain seeds to test in Cloud Horn Prefecture. At Yangming Mountain, Ye Zhengwen failed to find suitable Rogue Cultivators for the sect’s Attendant posts, while the Ying Prefecture Fei Household’s fleet approached Mountain North Circuit.

• Kang Rongquan explained the Spirit-Nourishing Grain’s potential to expand the population and cultivable lands across the Chongming Sect’s domain, and Zhu Yunsheng embraced the idea.
• Kang Rongquan gave Zhu Yunsheng seeds to deliver to Tanglu for trials among crop cultivators and mortals in Cloud Horn Prefecture, and asked him to send help against Demon Beasts near Ink Cloud Marsh.
• Ye Zhengwen paid Guhongzi for his lecture and asked him to recruit independent Rogue Persons, but Guhongzi said the sect’s strict rules made suitable candidates difficult to find.
• Guhongzi warned Ye Zhengwen that his chosen path was perilous, then Ye Zhengwen reported the failed recruitment to Kang Dabao, who said the Attendant search could wait and assigned him preparations for the next sect-wide competition.
• A large fleet of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household neared the skies over Mountain North Circuit.

Fei Wanqing returned to Yangming Mountain with Kang Lingyi, Kang Changzhao, and Kang Changyan, then arranged for thirty-six talented children from the Fei Household to enter the Chongming Sect. The next day, she privately told Kang Dabao that she had another assignment involving Gada, the Buddha Child of the Original Response Temple.

• Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan returned to Yangming Mountain with Fei Wanqing after more than fifty years away.
• He Chang welcomed Fei Wanqing and the returning Kang siblings, while Yuan Buwen rejoiced at the brothers’ cultivation progress.
• Fei Wanqing met Kang Dabao and presented a list of thirty-six Fei Household children with Dual Spirit Root aptitude, asking that they enter the Chongming Sect.
• Kang Dabao agreed to accept the children and their tuition gifts, and the sect hosted a banquet for the visiting cultivators.
• Fei Wanqing visited Kang Dabao alone the next day and began explaining an assignment from Patriarch Tianqin concerning Gada, the Buddha Child of the Original Response Temple.

Fei Wanqing asked Kang Dabao to approach Gada about obtaining Mani Treasure Leaves for Fei Ye Shui, and Kang Dabao agreed while privately suspecting the request concealed a more serious purpose. At Fei Shuhe’s family gathering, Kang Changxi fed spirit dew to Little Qi and wondered how it would strengthen the turtle’s bloodline while making future advancement harder.

• Fei Wanqing asked Kang Dabao to seek Mani Treasure Leaves from Gada, and he agreed to visit the Buddha’s son in Phoenix Cry Prefecture.
• Kang Dabao grew suspicious of the Fei Household’s reason for seeking the leaves, then set off alone for Phoenix Cry Prefecture after checking his affairs and giving Duan Anle instructions.
• Fei Wanqing visited Fei Shuhe, who offered her gifts in gratitude for her help and for the Golden Core Formation Pill Kang Dabao had provided.
• Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan asked Kang Changxi about Little Qi’s rapid cultivation, and Kang Changxi said even Kang Dabao could not explain it.
• Kang Changxi fed Little Qi another bowl of spirit dew and considered its benefits to the turtle’s bloodline and the extra effort its future advancement would require.

Kang Dabao visited Gada in Phoenix Cry Prefecture to ask for a Mani Treasure Leaf that could help his junior brother Yuan Jin overcome a heart demon. Gada agreed to give him one if he captured the hidden Mystic Mist Hidden Scale Beast demon officer Yongli alive.

• Kang Dabao entered Phoenix Cry Prefecture City and noticed how prosperous it had become under the Duke of Qin's administration.
• Kang Dabao went to the White Pagoda Temple and met Gada, who welcomed him with butter tea and dismissed his attendants.
• Kang Dabao asked Gada for a Mani Treasure Leaf to help Yuan Jin overcome the monkey demon rooted in his heart.
• Gada explained that he could not give up a Mani Treasure Leaf without compensation and asked Kang Dabao to capture Yongli alive.
• Kang Dabao agreed to capture Yongli, and Gada promised the Mani Treasure Leaf upon his return.

Kang Dabao visited Gada and the Fei Household as he prepared to capture the Mystic Mist Hidden Scale Beast, also known as Demon Officer Yongli, alive in exchange for the Mani Treasure Leaf. After discussing the Dao with Fei Nanying and the Fei elders, he paid respects to Fei Granny Liu and left the residence, where he was surprised to meet Qin.

• Kang Dabao left the White Pagoda Temple after agreeing to pursue the Mystic Mist Hidden Scale Beast for Gada’s Mani Treasure Leaf.
• Fei Nanxi and other Fei cultivators welcomed Kang Dabao at the Fei residence, where Fei Nanying questioned him about his visit to Gada.
• Fei Donggu warned Kang Dabao that Demon Officer Yongli was dangerous and gave him a Jade Slip with information about the beast; Fei Dongwen offered help from the younger Fei cultivators.
• Kang Dabao discussed the Dao with Fei Nanying, Fei Dongwen, and Fei Donggu for ten days, and the four gained insights from one another.
• After Fei Nanying hosted a banquet, Kang Dabao visited Fei Granny Liu’s spirit tablet to pay his respects before leaving the Fei ancestral shrine.
• Kang Dabao saw an old acquaintance in a crimson official robe outside the Fei residence and exclaimed, “Brother Qin?!”

The Chongming Sect received a vast shipment of treasures sent by Lian Xuepu, and its leaders argued over how to distribute the most valuable items. The chapter ended with Duan Anle reflecting on the prospect of the sect soon having five Golden Cores.

• Shangguan Fengshan delivered Lian Xuepu’s manifest and treasures to the Chongming Sect, where Han Xundao, He Chang, and Liu Ya supervised their inspection and transfer into storage.
• Duan Anle and Zhou Kun examined the manifest and recognized the value of the Foundation Establishment Pills, Moonlight Rice seed, cloud-patterned iron essence, and Soft Jade Soul-Warming Paste.
• At the council meeting, Kang Rongquan secured the Moonlight Rice seed for cultivation and Jin Shilun requested that the three guards receive a share of the valuable pills and paste.
• Shan Yong, Tang Jiu, Zhu Yunsheng, and Duan Yunzhou argued over whose disciples had worked and sacrificed most for the sect, until Duan Anle silenced them and fined Duan Yunzhou for damaging an heirloom furnishing.
• Duan Anle ruled that all the Foundation Establishment Pills and Soft Jade Soul-Warming Paste would serve as prizes in the coming sect competition, then urged Kang Rongquan to form his Golden Core.
• Kang Rongquan departed after revealing that his Core Thesis was complete, while Duan Anle declined to leave sect affairs and wondered whether five Golden Cores would soon make the Chongming Sect prosperous.

Kang Dabao reunited with Qin Sufu in Phoenix Cry Prefecture City, where Qin revealed he would transfer to Shannan Circuit to oppose Kuai En’s abuses. After settling his errands and buying Core Formation treasures for the younger generation, Kang Dabao encountered his old acquaintance Senior Cultivator Wufeng under attack on the road home.

• Kang Dabao met Qin Sufu, and the two discussed the prosperity of Chongming Sect’s territory and the worsening oppression in Shannan Circuit.
• Qin Sufu told Kang Dabao that he had petitioned Prince Consort Shen to transfer him to the Shannan governor-general’s office and work against Kuai En.
• Kang Dabao sent gifts and inquiries, then bought Core Formation spirit treasures for Kang Rongquan, Duan Anle, and Kang Changyi.
• Kang Dabao left Phoenix Cry Prefecture City and spotted Senior Cultivator Wufeng being attacked by three members of the Tiger Mountain Thirty-Six Sha.
• Kang Dabao killed the three bandit cultivators and collected their Storage Bags, while Senior Cultivator Wufeng remembered that he still had an unsettled account with him.

At Yuan Buwen’s funeral in Han City, the Chongming Sect honored his service by granting the Xuanlin Yuan Household major rewards, while Kang Changxi warned local leaders about rising demonic threats. An urgent report then revealed a Golden Core demon and its horde attacking Tanggu County, and Changxi rushed ahead to investigate whether it was the sought-after Mystic Mist Hidden Scale Beast.

• Xiu An and other regional leaders attended Yuan Buwen’s funeral, where He Chang read a eulogy on behalf of Sect Leader Kang Da.
• He Chang awarded the Xuanlin Yuan Household a Double Brightness Token, sixty years of tax exemption, a hereditary Crimson Zhang Guard centurion post, and a Foundation Establishment Pill every hundred years.
• Kang Changxi warned the assembled household leaders to report dangerous demons and evils, and told Yuan Ze'en that a junior could study under Yuan Jin the following year.
• The Wind Stone Fang Household sent an urgent report that a Golden Core demon surrounded by black mist and ten thousand demons had devastated its lands in Tanggu County.
• Kang Changxi set off alone for Tanggu County to investigate whether the demon was the Mystic Mist Hidden Scale Beast, leaving He Chang, Kang Changzhao, and Kang Changyan behind.

Kang Changxi joined the battle against Demon Officer Yongli at Tanggu County, but the beast escaped his attack and fled. Sha Shan arrived with a powerful coffin Law Treasure and captured Yongli, leaving Kang Changxi demanding to know why Sha Shan had entered Chongming Sect territory.

• Kang Changxi arrived at Tanggu County as Yongli's black mist and beasts overwhelmed the defenders and destroyed the Xuan-class puppet.
• Kang Changxi used his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes and Primordial Ancient Body to fight Yongli and rally the defenders.
• Yongli found an opening, used its black beasts to block Kang Changxi's attacks, and fled toward the other circuits.
• Kang Changxi pursued Yongli, but his spear's flames could not slow the beast's escape.
• Sha Shan arrived in a rune-covered coffin that sent nine inky chains around Yongli and restrained it.
• Kang Changxi recognized Sha Shan and sternly questioned why he had entered Chongming Sect territory.

Kang Changxi fought Sha Shan over the black coffin holding Demon Officer Yongli, but Jiang Qing and Kang Dabao intervened before Sha Shan could defeat him. Kang Dabao took the coffin and sent Sha Shan away, then warned Kang Changxi to stop taking needless risks.

• Kang Changxi attacked Sha Shan to keep him from harming Demon Officer Yongli, and the two fought while their troops held back.
• Sha Shan intensified the fight with his Mysterious Sha Coffin Staff, injuring Kang Changxi and binding him with Sha blades.
• Kang Changxi released a cloud of Lion Insects and used hidden Soul-Splitting Sword Qi to make Sha Shan think Jiang Qing was nearby.
• Jiang Qing arrived and defeated Sha Shan, while Senior Cultivator Wufeng stopped Sha Shan's household troops from intervening.
• Kang Dabao forced back Sha Shan and two senior cultivators, shrank the black coffin to an inch, and took it into his pouch.
• Sha Shan left with his injured companions, and Kang Dabao warned Kang Changxi before going to speak with Gada.