The chapter opens with a description of the herb garden. The narrator explains that the garden is full of dream-like flowers, and that the only thing worth a lot is a patch of "brown soil" in the middle of the garden. He explains that this patch of soil is the "Soil of Breath" and that it will come in handy in the future. He then explains that there are nine entrances to the garden and that they are all connected by a barrier. The seven sons of the Xuling sect are present, and the narrator is glad to see them all.