Chapter Summaries

Flowing Cloud visited the Li Family after Nameless broke through to the Dou Zong realm and assured the family that he would protect them. He made the Li Family a Jia Ma Empire branch of Flowing Cloud Pavilion and assigned them to gather treasures and hold monthly auctions.

• Nameless reported that he had reached the Dou Zong realm, and Flowing Cloud told him to visit the Li Family.
• Li Yuan and the Li Family elders worried that the City Lord's Mansion might retaliate and wondered whether Flowing Cloud would make them leave Black Rock City.
• Flowing Cloud arrived with Nameless, reassured the Li Family, and returned the auction proceeds for them to keep.
• Flowing Cloud gave Li Yuan a Flowing Cloud Pavilion token and claimed that the faction was a top-tier force from the Central Plains.
• Flowing Cloud made the Li Family a branch of Flowing Cloud Pavilion and ordered them to gather treasures and hold at least one auction each month.

Flowing Cloud rewarded Li Yuan and urged the Li Family to prepare for its next auction, prompting Li Yuan to plan a bold expansion and enter seclusion. Meanwhile, Gute reported that his treasured collection had been stolen and suspected Flowing Cloud, though Ao Tuo defended him.

• Flowing Cloud gave Li Yuan one hundred Fifth-tier Demonic Cores and ten bottles of Companion Purple Crystal Source as a reward, and promised help if the Li Family faced a life-or-death crisis.
• After Flowing Cloud left with Nameless, Li Yuan gave Li Yan two bottles of Companion Purple Crystal Source and tasked him with helping the Li Family grow stronger.
• Li Yuan ordered Li Yan to announce that the Li Family would buy rare treasures at high prices, then took the remaining eight bottles of Companion Purple Crystal Source to prepare for seclusion.
• Gute told Ao Tuo that a powerful thief had knocked him unconscious and stolen his treasured collection.
• Gute suspected Flowing Cloud, but Ao Tuo defended him by saying he had been at the auction all day; Gute left the Alchemist Guild vowing to find the thief.

Flowing Cloud established a Void Gate near Black Rock City and passed the Third-grade Alchemist assessment before preparing to leave. He departed with a new badge and two poisonous herbs intended to hatch the Myriad Poison Beast's egg.

• Flowing Cloud had the Void Burrowing Beast establish a Void Gate in a secluded forest outside Black Rock City and memorized its location.
• Flowing Cloud went to the Alchemist Guild and told Ao Tuo and Fu Kelan he was leaving Black Rock City and wanted to take the Third-grade Alchemist assessment.
• Flowing Cloud showed Ao Tuo and Fu Kelan a Third-grade Pill he had refined, persuading them to let him take the assessment.
• Flowing Cloud passed the assessment, astonishing Ao Tuo and Fu Kelan with his achievement before he had even turned sixteen.
• Flowing Cloud received his Third-grade Alchemist Badge and exchanged for two fifth-tier poisonous herbs, then prepared to leave Black Rock City.

Flowing Cloud left the Alchemist Guild and boarded a flying magical beast bound for Mo City, the city closest to the Tagor Desert. As the beast flew east, he settled in to cultivate during the three-day journey.

• Flowing Cloud reached Black Rock City's flying transport station and waited in line to buy a ticket to the eastern border.
• The ticket clerk noticed Flowing Cloud's Third-grade Alchemist badge and told him that imperial regulations entitled Alchemists to free transport.
• A uniformed woman led Flowing Cloud to a fast, wind-attributed flying magical beast reserved for Alchemists, but he ignored her attempts to attract his attention.
• Flowing Cloud boarded the beast bound for Mo City and watched it take off toward the eastern part of the Jia Ma Empire.
• Flowing Cloud began cultivating in his room as the beast set out on its three-day journey.

Flowing Cloud spent two days refining pills aboard a flying magical beast and finally succeeded in forming a Fourth-grade Pill. As he bottled it, several passengers broke down his door, drawn by the pill’s fragrance.

• Flowing Cloud stopped cultivating because of the noise from a neighboring room and decided to refine pills during the journey east.
• Flowing Cloud repeatedly refined pills and gradually learned the techniques required of a Fourth-grade Alchemist.
• Flowing Cloud formed a blood-red Fourth-grade Pill, releasing a colored fragrance and an energy ripple that startled the flying beast and alerted nearby alchemists.
• Several passengers rushed to Flowing Cloud’s room and pounded on his door while he focused on completing the pill.
• Flowing Cloud bottled the finished pill, and the passengers violently broke open his door.

Flowing Cloud fought off four alchemists who tried to search him after discovering he had refined a Fourth-grade Pill. He used the Soul Devouring Art to kill the three survivors and began refining their Soul Power.

• Wuzi and three alchemists confronted Flowing Cloud and demanded to search him, suspecting he possessed a treasure.
• When a Second-grade Alchemist attacked, Flowing Cloud struck him down with Purple Flame.
• Flowing Cloud used Sky Covering Palm, Third Form—Shatter Space, to defeat Wuzi and the other two attackers, killing the First-grade Alchemist.
• Flowing Cloud used the Soul Devouring Art to devour Wuzi's soul, then killed the two Second-grade Alchemists the same way.
• Flowing Cloud ordered Nameless to dispose of the bodies and guard him, then sat down to refine the Soul Power he had devoured.

Flowing Cloud strengthened his Soul Power by using the Soul Devouring Art, then left the giant bird beast early to avoid an investigation into the missing alchemists. He arrived at Mo City in the Tagor Desert, where the local earth and fire energy made the area promising for cultivation.

• Flowing Cloud fused the Soul Power he had devoured from three alchemists, greatly increasing his strength but leaving him mentally dazed from their soul memories.
• Flowing Cloud recognized the risks of using the Soul Devouring Art and decided to wait until his soul foundation stabilized before using it again.
• Flowing Cloud told Nameless they would fly the rest of the way themselves, then departed the giant bird beast on his Wind Thunder Twin Wings.
• Flowing Cloud reached the Tagor Desert and discovered that its earth- and fire-rich energy made his Purple Fire Dou Qi more lively.
• Flowing Cloud landed near Mo City and walked toward its gates.

Flowing Cloud entered Mo City, where his Alchemist status earned him respect and useful information about the restless Snake-People. He found Hai Bodong’s map shop and discovered the Nether Flame Fragment Map among the discarded maps, leaving him poised to claim it.

• Flowing Cloud entered the city without paying the entrance tax, and a soldier warned him that the Snake-People in the Tagor Desert had grown restless.
• Flowing Cloud asked a passerby for the best map shop and learned the location of Hai Bodong’s Ancient Map.
• Flowing Cloud entered the shop and recognized the old man behind the counter as Hai Bodong.
• Flowing Cloud searched the maps and examined the worn shelf while Hai Bodong continued drawing.
• Flowing Cloud shook a stack of discarded maps, and a palm-sized fragment fell out; he recognized it as the Nether Flame Fragment Map.

Flowing Cloud recognized Hai Bodong’s map fragment as part of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map and tried to buy it, but Hai Bodong refused. After Flowing Cloud revealed that he sensed Hai Bodong’s former strength, the two faced off, and Flowing Cloud offered to trade for the fragment.

• Flowing Cloud examined the map fragment and realized it resembled the Nether Flame Fragment Map in his possession.
• Flowing Cloud asked Hai Bodong for a detailed desert map and then tried to learn about and purchase his fragment, but Hai Bodong refused.
• Flowing Cloud threatened to insist on buying the fragment and hinted that Hai Bodong had once been a Battle Emperor-class expert.
• Hai Bodong snapped his brush, shut the door, and released a powerful icy aura at Flowing Cloud.
• Flowing Cloud used the Black Tortoise True Armor to repel the aura and offered Hai Bodong anything he could provide in exchange for the fragment.

Flowing Cloud confronted Hai Bodong over the Fragment Map and fought back when Hai Bodong attacked him with icy mist and ice spikes. After Flowing Cloud revealed his rare abilities and launched a Wind Thunder Slash, Hai Bodong formed an Ice Mirror to defend himself.

• Flowing Cloud demanded the Fragment Map, but Hai Bodong refused and mocked him as a mere Third-grade Alchemist.
• Flowing Cloud retreated as Hai Bodong filled the shop with icy mist, then used Purple Fire Dou Qi Armor to resist its effects.
• Hai Bodong attacked Flowing Cloud with ice spikes, but Flowing Cloud used the Black Tortoise True Armor and purple flames to repel them.
• Hai Bodong charged, and Flowing Cloud dodged with his Wind Thunder Twin Wings, revealing his Flying Dou Technique.
• Flowing Cloud launched a Wind Thunder Slash, and Hai Bodong summoned an Ice Mirror to block it.

Flowing Cloud fought Hai Bodong over the Map Fragment, but Hai Bodong repeatedly countered his attacks and trapped him inside an icy chamber. When Flowing Cloud summoned a purple magical beast from the System Space, Hai Bodong was shocked and demanded to know who he was.

• Hai Bodong reflected Flowing Cloud's Wind Thunder Slash with an Ice Mirror, then used Ice Silk to stop and redirect Flowing Cloud's Earth Tier palm attack.
• Flowing Cloud dodged his redirected palm imprint with the Wind Thunder Twin Wings, but found that Hai Bodong had frozen the chamber ceiling to block his escape.
• Hai Bodong guessed that Flowing Cloud might belong to a powerful sect, clan, or the imperial family, but insisted that he hand over the Map Fragment.
• Flowing Cloud refused to give up the Map Fragment and entered the System Space, summoning a purple magical beast whose aura matched Hai Bodong's.
• Hai Bodong stared at Flowing Cloud and the beast in shock, then demanded to know who Flowing Cloud was.

Flowing Cloud ordered the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to fight Hai Bodong in exchange for Companion Purple Crystal Source. Hai Bodong prepared to resist, but the Lion King shattered his ice-spike attack and launched a purple beam at him.

• Flowing Cloud negotiated with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to have it fight Hai Bodong for two bottles of Companion Purple Crystal Source.
• Hai Bodong was shocked that Flowing Cloud could summon and command a Sixth-tier Magical Beast, then resolved to fight rather than surrender.
• Hai Bodong formed an ice spear and Ice Spirit Armor from Dou Qi as the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King revealed its true form.
• Flowing Cloud warned the Lion King not to kill Hai Bodong or it would lose a bottle of Companion Purple Crystal Source.
• Hai Bodong attacked with ice spikes, but the Lion King destroyed them with a purple beam and fired another beam at him.

Flowing Cloud had the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King defeat and seal Hai Bodong, then claimed the map fragment from him. Hai Bodong accepted his defeat but asked Flowing Cloud why the fragment mattered so much.

• Hai Bodong's ice spear and ice mirrors failed to stop the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, whose Purple Flame destroyed them.
• Hai Bodong unleashed his Mysterious Ice Swirling Kill, but the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King endured the attack without defending himself.
• The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King used Purple Crystal Seal to encase Hai Bodong in purple crystal and demanded his reward from Flowing Cloud.
• Flowing Cloud gave the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King two bottles of Companion Purple Crystal Source, then told the sealed Hai Bodong that the map fragment belonged to him.
• Hai Bodong admitted that Flowing Cloud had underestimated him and asked whether the map fragment was truly so important.

Flowing Cloud freed Hai Bodong in exchange for the missing piece of the Nether Flame Fragment Map, while using Nameless’s overwhelming aura to deter any attack. Hai Bodong introduced himself as the Ice Emperor, but Flowing Cloud challenged him to prove his identity.

• Hai Bodong revealed that he had split the Nether Flame Fragment Map into two pieces and demanded that Flowing Cloud release him before surrendering the other piece.
• Flowing Cloud ordered the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King to dissolve the Purple Crystal Seal and warned Hai Bodong not to attack.
• Flowing Cloud summoned Nameless, whose Dou Zong-level pressure frightened Hai Bodong into dropping his doubts about Flowing Cloud’s protection.
• Hai Bodong explained that his former strength was that of a Dou Huang and introduced himself as the Ice Emperor.
• Flowing Cloud recounted the Ice Emperor’s famous feats, then questioned how a proud expert of that stature could have become a map vendor in the desert.

Flowing Cloud revealed that he was Mittel Tengshan’s grandson and the Mittel Family’s Young Master, then persuaded Hai Bodong that he was the family’s Grand Elder. He claimed an Eighth-grade Alchemist from the Central Plains was his teacher, and the chapter ended as Hai Bodong began explaining how he had fallen into his current state.

• Flowing Cloud challenged Hai Bodong for impersonating the Ice Emperor and revealed that he was Mittel-Flowing Cloud, the Mittel Family’s Young Master.
• Hai Bodong showed Flowing Cloud his Elder Token, and Flowing Cloud bowed to him as the Grand Elder.
• Flowing Cloud told Hai Bodong that Mittel Tengshan was his grandfather and explained that his father had died saving him.
• Flowing Cloud claimed that an Eighth-grade Alchemist from the Central Plains was his teacher and that Nameless had been sent to guard him.
• Hai Bodong grew disappointed when he learned Flowing Cloud’s teacher had returned to the Central Plains, then began explaining how he had ended up in his current state.

Hai Bodong explained how Queen Medusa sealed his strength and agreed to trade information about a Heavenly Flame for Flowing Cloud’s help finding Sand Mandara. Flowing Cloud accepted and received Hai Bodong’s detailed map marking three likely locations of the flame.

• Hai Bodong told Flowing Cloud that Queen Medusa had cursed him after he obtained a fragment of a map, sealing his strength at the Dou Ling level.
• Flowing Cloud said a sixth-grade Po E Dan could undo Hai Bodong’s seal but admitted he could not refine it as a Third-grade Alchemist.
• Hai Bodong explained that he had gathered most of the ingredients for the pill but still needed Sand Mandara from the Tagor Desert.
• Hai Bodong offered his researched information about a Heavenly Flame in exchange for Flowing Cloud finding the missing herb, and Flowing Cloud agreed.
• Hai Bodong gave Flowing Cloud a detailed desert map marking three likely Heavenly Flame locations, water sources, and Snake-People tribes.

Flowing Cloud received Hai Bodong’s map of three possible Heavenly Flame locations and set out across the Tagor Desert. After reaching Shimo City, he went to the Mittel Mercenary Group and announced that he had come to detoxify its chief commander.

• Hai Bodong showed Flowing Cloud three suspected Heavenly Flame locations and advised him to avoid the western site because of Queen Medusa.
• Flowing Cloud reminded Hai Bodong that he had a Dou Zong guard, then left with the map while Hai Bodong kept the prescription and map fragment until his return.
• Flowing Cloud released the Void Burrowing Beast in a secluded corner of Mo City, fed it Companion Purple Crystal Source, and had it establish a Void Gate.
• Flowing Cloud crossed the harsh desert for two days and arrived at Shimo City.
• Flowing Cloud found the Mittel Mercenary Group compound and told its guards he had come to detoxify their chief commander.

Flowing Cloud impersonated a Third-grade Alchemist to enter the Mittel Mercenary Group, where he examined the poisoned commander Xiao Ding and arranged for medicinal herbs to be gathered. He rested in a guest room while still seeking Qing Lin and information about Queen Medusa and the Green Lotus Core Flame.

• Flowing Cloud used the dead alchemist’s identity to gain entry to the Mittel Mercenary Group and met deputy commander Xiao Li.
• Xiao Li led Flowing Cloud to the council hall, where Flowing Cloud found that neither maid there had Snake-People bloodline.
• Xiao Ding arrived with Xiao Li, and Flowing Cloud examined the poison from a Sand Poison Scorpion on Xiao Ding’s arm.
• Flowing Cloud gave Xiao Li a list of medicinal herbs needed to treat Xiao Ding and warned that time was running short.
• Flowing Cloud went to a guest room and fell asleep after a tiring day in the Tagor Desert.

Flowing Cloud found Qing Lin and made her his maid, then discovered her snake scales and the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. He reassured the frightened girl and was surprised when her eyes briefly affected his mind.

• Flowing Cloud established a Void Passage and sent the Void Burrowing Beast to search underground for the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Qing Lin entered to help Flowing Cloud wash up, and he recognized her name and asked her to serve him.
• While Qing Lin washed his feet, Flowing Cloud noticed the green snake scales on her wrist, frightening her.
• Flowing Cloud told Qing Lin that her scales were beautiful, and she asked whether he was afraid of her.
• Flowing Cloud recognized the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, felt briefly dazed by them, and then saw their three green dots disappear.

Flowing Cloud comforted Qing Lin after seeing the mercenaries' prejudice against her, then asked whether she had sensed anything unusual around Shimo City. When she had not, he decided to remain in the city and search for the Green Lotus Core Flame, and returned to the Mittel Mercenary Group after its commanders summoned him.

• Flowing Cloud apologized to Qing Lin, learned that she would serve as his personal maid, and took her to see the Mittel Mercenary Group.
• As the mercenaries showed disgust toward Qing Lin because of her mixed human and Snake-People blood, Flowing Cloud told her to live for herself, and three green dots appeared in her eyes again.
• Flowing Cloud asked Qing Lin whether she had sensed any unusual disturbances around Shimo City, and she said she had not.
• Flowing Cloud concluded that Medusa had not arrived and the Green Lotus Core Flame might still be underground, so he planned to stay in Shimo City and rely on the Void Burrowing Beast to search.
• Flowing Cloud and Qing Lin explored Shimo City, where he learned that the Sand Mercenary Group was the strongest group and judged the city's forces too weak to support a profitable auction house.
• After Flowing Cloud returned to the Mittel Mercenary Group, a messenger told him the commanders wished to see him, and he went to meet them, expecting they had gathered the medicinal herbs.