First book of the author's trilogy, the second of which is Seven bamboo tablets of the cloudy satchel, and the third, Gateway to a vast world.
pt. I. Childhood. The Taishan Festival -- A chance encounter -- The Guan Family Mansion -- The mischievous student -- Journey with two acolytes -- Entering another world -- pt. II. Early years on Huashan. The Grand Mountains -- Learning from the natural world -- The wisdom of cycles -- Immortals -- The grand master of Huashan -- Turning point at twelve -- Luohans, herbs, and qigong -- pt. III. Martial wanderings and meditation. Wudangshan -- Yang Chengfu and Taijiquan -- The grand master challenges Saihung -- The second and third pillars -- pt. IV. Renunciation. A decision made alone -- Initiation -- Internal alchemy -- Learning herbalism -- Awakening the body centers -- A chance at immortality -- War -- Homecoming -- pt. V. Discovering the true self. The labyrinth -- Temptation and knowledge -- Internal gazing.