Chapter Summaries

Xiao Xun'er confronted Flowing Cloud at the Mittel Auction House, demanding the method he claimed could restore Xiao Yan's talent. After they fought to a standstill, she called on the hidden Shadow Emperor for help.

• Xiao Xun'er arrived at the auction house and demanded that Flowing Cloud reveal how to restore Xiao Yan's talent.
• Flowing Cloud refused to give in, and Xiao Xun'er attacked him with golden palm strikes.
• Flowing Cloud used Demonic Shadow Tracing to evade Xiao Xun'er's attacks and countered her Guardian Trigram Palm.
• Flowing Cloud teased Xiao Xun'er during their fight, and she questioned his identity and his Mittel Family origins.
• Unable to defeat Flowing Cloud, Xiao Xun'er called on the Shadow Emperor to kill him.

Xiao Xun'er stopped Shadow Elder from attacking Flowing Cloud and agreed to compensate him in exchange for his help restoring Xiao Yan's talent. After she left, Flowing Cloud learned that Nameless would risk his life to protect him and resolved to strengthen him at the upcoming auction.

• Xiao Xun'er called on Shadow Elder to kill Flowing Cloud, but Shadow Elder warned her that a Dou Huang protected him and offered to attack at great risk.
• Xiao Xun'er stopped Shadow Elder and asked Flowing Cloud what he wanted in return for restoring Xiao Yan's talent.
• Flowing Cloud demanded three or four valuable items as compensation and warned that Xiao Yan might suffer during the procedure if Xiao Xun'er refused.
• Xiao Xun'er agreed to send the items the next day and left after Flowing Cloud told her to persuade Xiao Yan to accept his conditions.
• Nameless appeared and vowed to protect Flowing Cloud even at the cost of his life, while Flowing Cloud urged him not to sacrifice himself.
• Flowing Cloud decided to prioritize any strength-enhancing treasures from the upcoming auction for Nameless.

Master Gu Ni finished refining a high-quality Second-grade Foundation Building Pill, then appraised a pill Flowing Cloud had given Ya Fei and discovered it was a Third-grade Qi Gathering Pill. The revelation left both Gu Ni and Ya Fei shocked as the auction approached.

• Master Gu Ni admired his newly refined Foundation Building Pill and placed it in a jade bottle.
• Ya Fei arrived to collect the Foundation Building Pill, and Master Gu Ni asked what auction items Flowing Cloud had prepared.
• Ya Fei gave Master Gu Ni a green pill from Flowing Cloud and asked him to appraise it.
• Master Gu Ni tested the pill and identified it as a Third-grade Pill.
• Master Gu Ni consulted a scroll and confirmed the pill was a Qi Gathering Pill, while Ya Fei reacted with disbelief.

Flowing Cloud cultivated the Myriad Beasts True Scripture using Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf blood, enduring intense pain before forming his first blood aperture and gaining the wolf’s strength. Ya Fei then arrived to see him, leaving him wondering whether Gu Ni had identified the Qi Gathering Pill.

• Flowing Cloud entered a barrel of Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf blood and used the Myriad Beasts True Scripture to temper his body.
• After five hours, Flowing Cloud stopped refining the blood when he sensed his body nearing its limit.
• Flowing Cloud directed the remaining blood energy into an acupoint and condensed his first blood aperture.
• Flowing Cloud activated the aperture, gained the Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf’s strength, and shattered the barrel with his transformed wolf-claw arms.
• Ya Fei requested an audience, and Flowing Cloud wondered whether Gu Ni had identified the Qi Gathering Pill.

Flowing Cloud met Ya Fei and Master Gu Ni, who came to confirm that his pill was a Third-grade Qi Gathering Pill. He claimed an alchemist master had given it to him, leaving Gu Ni cautiously asking where that master was.

• Ya Fei introduced Master Gu Ni to Flowing Cloud, who greeted the alchemist with deliberate humility.
• Ya Fei showed Flowing Cloud the Qi Gathering Pill, and he confirmed that it was a Third-grade Pill.
• Master Gu Ni asked where the pill came from, and Flowing Cloud claimed that his master had left it to him.
• Master Gu Ni asked where Flowing Cloud's master was, wary of offending the alchemist behind him.

Flowing Cloud used the Alchemist’s Handbook left by his master to win over Master Gu Ni. Gu Ni pledged his loyalty, and Flowing Cloud gave him the handbook while revealing that it could help him reach Fifth-grade Alchemist before he could see his master again.

• Flowing Cloud told Master Gu Ni that he did not know where his master had gone and explained that his master had left him an Alchemist’s Handbook and a treasure.
• Master Gu Ni asked to borrow the handbook, and Flowing Cloud agreed on the condition that Gu Ni become one of his own.
• Master Gu Ni knelt before Flowing Cloud and pledged to serve him and follow his orders.
• Flowing Cloud handed Gu Ni the Alchemist’s Handbook and said it could help him become a Fifth-grade Alchemist, after which he would be able to see his master again.

Flowing Cloud secured Master Gu Ni’s loyalty by giving him an Alchemist’s Handbook and continued pursuing Ya Fei’s submission while preparing for the upcoming auction. At the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan discussed Flowing Cloud’s puzzling conditions with Xiao Xun’er, still unsure whether they concealed a trap.

• Master Gu Ni realized Flowing Cloud’s master was likely an exceptionally powerful Alchemist and sincerely submitted to Flowing Cloud after receiving the Alchemist’s Handbook.
• Flowing Cloud considered how to win Ya Fei’s willing loyalty, asked whether the auction preparations were complete, and told her to collect more blood from Third-tier Magical Beasts.
• Ya Fei confirmed that the auction could proceed as scheduled and left Flowing Cloud’s courtyard.
• Flowing Cloud looked forward to the auction, which would begin the day after tomorrow.
• Xiao Xun’er found Xiao Yan at his usual cliffside spot and asked whether Flowing Cloud’s conditions had troubled him.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Xun’er that he found Flowing Cloud’s demands strange and feared they might be a trap.

Xiao Yan decided to accept Flowing Cloud’s offer to auction his future treasures, hoping to restore his talent, and Xiao Xun’er supported him. Two days later, Wutan City’s factions gathered at the Mittel Auction House to bid on a Qi Gathering Pill, while Xiao Zhan submitted a cultivation technique to raise funds for the Xiao Clan.

• Xiao Yan told Xiao Xun’er about Flowing Cloud’s offer to auction his treasures and give him all the proceeds, and he resolved to accept it.
• Xiao Xun’er agreed with Xiao Yan’s decision and pledged her support.
• Flowing Cloud had Ya Fei spread news of the Qi Gathering Pill, drawing the three great families and mercenary groups to the auction house.
• Xiao Zhan submitted the Yellow-tier high-grade cultivation technique Refining Fire Burning for auction, hoping to secure enough Gold Coins to obtain the Qi Gathering Pill.

Flowing Cloud watched Ya Fei open the auction at the Mittel Auction House, where the first item, a Qi Gathering Pill, sold for 2,500 Gold Coins. The system rewarded him with a Purple Restoration Pill, and he realized it might help Hai Bodong, the Mittel Family’s Grand Elder.

• Flowing Cloud reassured his nervous maid after she spilled tea in his private room.
• Ya Fei began the auction and captivated the crowd with her introduction.
• An independent cultivator bought the Qi Gathering Pill for 2,500 Gold Coins.
• The system rewarded Flowing Cloud with a fifth-grade Purple Restoration Pill.
• Flowing Cloud recalled that Hai Bodong was the Mittel Family’s Grand Elder and considered the pill’s possible use.

Flowing Cloud recalled Hai Bodong’s history and considered visiting the Tagori Desert to win his support, but decided he needed to grow stronger first. At the auction, Xiao Zhan bought a Foundation Building Pill, triggering the System’s Ten Thousand Times Return and giving Flowing Cloud a sixth-grade Creation Golden Pill.

• Flowing Cloud recalled Hai Bodong’s role in the original story and considered saving him to gain his support as the Young Master of the Mittel Family.
• Flowing Cloud decided to postpone visiting the Tagori Desert until he grew stronger because Queen Medusa and the Snake People made it dangerous.
• Ya Fei began the auction for a Second-grade Foundation Building Pill, and the bidding climbed to thirty-five thousand Gold Coins.
• Xiao Zhan bid forty thousand Gold Coins for the Foundation Building Pill, while Jia Lie Bi mocked him and Ao Ba Pa welcomed the expense.
• Ya Fei awarded Xiao Zhan the Foundation Building Pill, and the System gave Flowing Cloud a sixth-grade Creation Golden Pill through Ten Thousand Times Return.

Flowing Cloud examined the Creation Golden Pill and decided to give it to Ya Fei to improve her cultivation talent. At the auction, Jax won the Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf Demonic Core, triggering Flowing Cloud's Ten Thousand Times Return and earning him a Seventh-order Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast Demonic Core.

• Flowing Cloud learned that the Creation Golden Pill could transform a person's body and improve their cultivation talent, then chose Ya Fei as its recipient.
• Ya Fei presented a Third-order Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf Demonic Core for auction, and weapon master Jax and Iron Wolf competed to buy it.
• Jax raised his bid to forty thousand Gold Coins, causing Iron Wolf to stop bidding and securing the Demonic Core.
• Flowing Cloud received a system notification that the successful auction triggered Ten Thousand Times Return and awarded him a Seventh-order Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast Demonic Core.

Flowing Cloud obtained a seventh-tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast magic core through the auction system and planned to visit the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where he hoped to find treasures and encounter Xiao Yi Xian. At the auction, the Xiao Clan's Blazing Fire Art sold for forty thousand Gold Coins, and Flowing Cloud received the Earth-tier low-grade Crimson Sun Art.

• Flowing Cloud received the seventh-tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast magic core after a third-tier Bloodthirsty Demonic Wolf magic core was auctioned.
• Flowing Cloud planned to hunt Magical Beasts and search for a cave treasure trove in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, while considering how Xiao Yi Xian might become his ally.
• Ya Fei presented the Xiao Clan's Yellow-tier high-grade Blazing Fire Art for auction, and the bidders raised its price to forty thousand Gold Coins.
• Flowing Cloud received the Earth-tier low-grade Crimson Sun Art when Blazing Fire Art was successfully auctioned.

Flowing Cloud considered what to do with the Earth-tier Crimson Sun Art he had received from the system as the Mittel Auction House presented its final item, a Third-grade Qi Gathering Pill. The pill’s bidding began at one hundred thousand Gold Coins, leaving the patriarchs of Wutan City’s three great families facing the prospect of bankrupting their families to obtain it.

• Flowing Cloud received the Earth-tier low-grade Crimson Sun Art through the system’s Ten Thousand Times Return and decided to have Nameless auction it in the Black Corner Region later.
• Ya Fei announced that the auction’s final item was more precious than anything previously offered, while the three family patriarchs prepared to compete for the Qi Gathering Pill.
• A maid brought a wooden box onto the platform, and Ya Fei revealed a Third-grade Qi Gathering Pill inside a transparent jade bottle.
• Ya Fei explained that the pill could help a Nine-star Great Dou Shi break through to the Dou Ling realm, stirring the auction hall and intensifying the patriarchs’ desire to obtain it.
• Ya Fei set the starting price at one hundred thousand Gold Coins, and the three patriarchs realized they might have to bankrupt their families to win the pill.

The three great clan chiefs competed fiercely for the Qi Gathering Pill, and Xiao Zhan won it for 400,000 Gold Coins. Flowing Cloud received a seventh-grade Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill through the system’s Ten Thousand Times Return.

• Xiao Zhan, Jia Lie Bi, and Ao Ba Pa repeatedly raised their bids for the Qi Gathering Pill.
• Ao Ba Pa bid 300,000 Gold Coins, and the contest continued until Xiao Zhan offered his full 400,000 Gold Coins.
• Jia Lie Bi conceded, and Ao Ba Pa stormed out rather than risk violating the Mittel Auction House’s rules.
• Ya Fei announced Xiao Zhan as the winner, and he rejoiced at securing the pill for his breakthrough.
• Flowing Cloud received a seventh-grade Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill in the System Space after the auction succeeded.

Flowing Cloud received a Seventh-grade Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill and decided to give it to Nameless to strengthen his protector. After the auction, he invited Ya Fei to return with him to the Imperial Capital, and she agreed.

• Flowing Cloud received the Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill through the Ten Thousand Times Return and learned that it could raise a Dou Huang's strength and help them eventually reach Dou Zong.
• Flowing Cloud decided not to auction the pill and chose Nameless, his trusted Seven-star Dou Huang protector, to consume it.
• Ya Fei visited Flowing Cloud and reported that the auction had concluded successfully.
• Flowing Cloud invited Ya Fei to accompany him to the Imperial Capital, and Ya Fei agreed to follow his arrangements.

After the auction, Flowing Cloud reassured Ya Fei that he would provide the resources for the next one, then gave Nameless a Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill to strengthen his protection. Flowing Cloud cultivated with a Second-order Demonic Core and broke through to Four-star Dou Shi.

• Flowing Cloud told Ya Fei to prepare for another auction in half a month and promised to handle the major arrangements.
• Flowing Cloud returned to his courtyard and dismissed Sweet Potato before summoning Nameless.
• Flowing Cloud gave Nameless a Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill and told him to become stronger so he could protect him.
• Flowing Cloud said he was going to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and needed Nameless to accompany him.
• Flowing Cloud devoured energy from a Second-order Demonic Core and broke through to Four-star Dou Shi.

Xiao Zhan prepared to enter seclusion with the Qi Gathering Pill while entrusting the Xiao family to its three elders. He gave Xiao Yan a Foundation Building Pill and warned that Xiao Yan had two years to reach the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi before the clan's adulthood ceremony.

• Xiao Zhan announced his seclusion and ordered the three elders to manage the family and summon Xiao family disciples back to defend it.
• After everyone else left the hall, Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Yan the Foundation Building Pill he had bought at the auction.
• Xiao Zhan explained that Xiao Yan would lose his right to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion if he failed to reach the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi within two years.
• Xiao Yan resolved to meet the requirement and reassure his father, while Xiao Zhan vowed to find a way to restore his talent after breaking through to the Dou Ling realm.

Jia Lie Bi pressured Ao Ba Pa to join an attack on the Xiao Clan before Xiao Zhan could break through to the Dou Ling realm. Ao Ba Pa negotiated for twenty shops and a fifteen-year guarantee, then accepted, though he regretted the threat to Wutan City's balance.

• Jia Lie Bi met Ao Ba Pa at night and demanded that the Ao Ba family join his plan to destroy the Xiao Clan.
• Ao Ba Pa accused Jia Lie Bi of planning to eliminate the Xiao Clan and then turn against the Ao Ba family.
• Jia Lie Bi admitted he had considered that possibility and offered ten shops and a ten-year guarantee in exchange for cooperation.
• Ao Ba Pa demanded twenty shops and a fifteen-year guarantee, and Jia Lie Bi agreed to arrange the transfer the next day.
• After Jia Lie Bi left, Ao Ba Pa reflected that Xiao Zhan had disrupted the three-family balance and said he had no choice but to act.

Nameless refined the Yin Yang Barrier Breaking Pill and broke through to the Eight-star Dou Huang realm before returning to protect Flowing Cloud. Xiao Xun'er arrived to ask when Flowing Cloud would restore Xiao Yan's talent, and Flowing Cloud pressed her for the compensation she had promised.

• Nameless broke through to the Eight-star Dou Huang realm, destroying the cave with the force of his energy.
• Nameless returned to Flowing Cloud and reported his successful breakthrough, and Flowing Cloud planned to leave for the Magical Beast Mountain Range the next morning.
• Nameless sensed Xiao Xun'er approaching and vanished into hiding as she entered the courtyard.
• Xiao Xun'er asked when Flowing Cloud would help Xiao Yan recover his talent, and Flowing Cloud said he could do it once Xiao Yan accepted his conditions.
• Flowing Cloud reminded Xiao Xun'er that she owed him compensation and warned that without it, Xiao Yan's matter would be difficult to handle.

Flowing Cloud pressured Xiao Xun'er for compensation over Xiao Yan, then received two valuable Dou Techniques and a piece of armor from her. He prepared to leave for the Magical Beast Mountain Range, putting Ya Fei and Master Gu Ni in charge of the Mittel Auction House and its next auction.

• Flowing Cloud threatened Xiao Xun'er over Xiao Yan, then revealed that he knew she came from the Gu Clan.
• Xiao Xun'er gave Flowing Cloud two scrolls and a piece of soft armor as compensation before leaving his courtyard.
• Flowing Cloud discovered the scrolls contained the Profound-tier High-grade Dou Techniques Blazing Flame Palm and Golden Seal Fist, and planned to auction them with the armor.
• Flowing Cloud told Ya Fei to prepare items for the next auction and ordered Master Gu Ni to refine a Second-grade Pill.
• A black shadow grabbed Flowing Cloud and carried him out of Wutan City toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range.