Chapter Summaries

Gu He took Yun Yun to a waterfall so she could bathe while recovering from her injuries, and she asked him to stay far away and not look. He secretly used his spiritual power to watch her under the pretense of guarding against magical beasts, then brought her a purple robe when she asked for clean clothes.

• Yun Yun told Gu He she wanted to bathe, and he offered to take her to a waterfall after they ate.
• Gu He carried Yun Yun through the air to the waterfall, and she asked him to move away and not turn around.
• After promising not to peek, Gu He secretly extended his spiritual power to observe Yun Yun bathing while claiming he was checking for magical beasts.
• Yun Yun finished bathing and asked Gu He to bring her clean clothes because her white robe was dirty and stained with blood.
• Gu He took a purple robe from his Storage Ring and left it on the shore for Yun Yun to retrieve.

After Yun Yun finished bathing, Gu He helped her return to the cave, where she said she had fully recovered and wanted to undo her seal. Gu He gave her Companion Amethyst Crystal Source to consume, and Yun Yun accepted it, moved by his generosity.

• Gu He waited with his back to the waterfall until Yun Yun put on the purple robe he had left for her.
• Yun Yun thanked Gu He for helping her return to the cave, and he joked that he would take her bathing again the next day.
• The next day, Yun Yun told Gu He she had fully recovered and asked how to undo the seal.
• Gu He took out a jade bottle containing Companion Amethyst Crystal Source and explained that it could remove Yun Yun's Amethyst Seal.
• Yun Yun recognized the rare substance, understood its value, and accepted the bottle from Gu He.

Yun Yun drank the Companion Amethyst Crystal Source, which helped loosen the Amethyst Seal in her body but triggered an overpowering, unexplained desire. Gu He kissed her as she embraced him, but Yun Yun regained some clarity and pleaded with him to stop.

• Yun Yun drank the Companion Amethyst Crystal Source while Gu He guarded her.
• Yun Yun directed the source's energy at the Amethyst Seal, breaking down its purple marks and forming a wisp of Purple Flame that let her Dou Qi circulate again.
• Yun Yun realized the seal was nearly undone, but the energy's effects made her body restless and clouded her consciousness.
• Gu He concluded that the interaction between the Amethyst Seal and the source had caused the strange aphrodisiac effect.
• Yun Yun embraced Gu He, and he kissed her, but a cool breeze helped her regain some clarity and she pleaded with him to stop.

After Yun Yun left the cave to escape the aftermath of what happened between them, Gu He woke and found her note asking him not to search for her while she calmed down. He left the Monster Beast Mountain Range with Xiao Jin and prepared to take the Dou Zong Pill.

• Yun Yun woke, realized what had happened with Gu He, and left him a note before leaving the cave.
• Gu He woke to find Yun Yun gone and read her note asking him to let her calm down.
• Gu He collected Yun Yun's inner armor and decided to leave the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
• Gu He reunited with Xiao Jin and gave it two Fifth-Grade Demonic Cores as an apology for leaving it waiting.
• Gu He asked Xiao Jin to guard him, then took out the Seventh-Grade Dou Zong Pill.

Gu He refined a Dou Zong Pill and advanced from a two-star to a Three-star Dou Zong before leaving the Monster Beast Mountain Range. Yun Yun returned a day later, found he was gone, and left with scraps of his purple robes.

• Gu He swallowed the Dou Zong Pill and used the Destiny Divine Flame to refine its medicinal power and energy from heaven and earth.
• Gu He cultivated for nearly four days as Xiao Jin guarded him, building up and purifying his Dou Qi.
• Gu He broke through to Three-star Dou Zong and confirmed that the pill had stabilized his cultivation.
• Gu He told Xiao Jin to leave with him, and the giant bird carried him away from the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
• Yun Yun returned to the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave, found only scraps of Gu He's purple robes, and left after realizing he was gone.

Gu He arrived at Tagor Desert and entered Desert City, where he found Hai Bodong’s map shop, Gutu. He began looking around for the Fragment of the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame hidden there.

• Gu He reached Tagor Desert and discovered that its fire- and Earth-rich energy suited cultivation in those attributes.
• Gu He approached Desert City, admired its desert-dwelling locals, and used Within Reach, Yet Worlds Apart to bypass the guards at the gate.
• Gu He asked passersby for Hai Bodong’s address and found the map shop named Gutu.
• Gu He entered the shop, noticed Hai Bodong making a map and four wealthy customers browsing, then picked up a map scroll while seeking the flame fragment.

Gu He searched Hai Bodong’s map shop and found the Fragment of the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame hidden among discarded maps. When the red-dressed woman and her men tried to drive him out, Gu He called out to Hai Bodong as an old friend.

• Gu He examined the maps in Hai Bodong’s shop but found no fragment among the displayed scrolls.
• Gu He searched a worn wooden rack, found a damaged map fragment, recognized it as the Fragment of the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame, and stored it in his Storage Ring.
• Hai Bodong told Gu He that the shop was closed, while the red-dressed woman ordered him to leave and had several men surround him.
• Gu He evaded the men, then hurled a mass of Dou Qi toward Hai Bodong and addressed him as an old friend.

Gu He revealed himself to Hai Bodong, who finally recognized the famed Dan Emperor and welcomed him as an old acquaintance. After Gu He intervened, Hai Bodong dismissed the red-dressed woman’s hopes of becoming his student but gave her a Dou Skill as compensation, then asked Gu He how he had found the shop.

• Gu He froze the Dou Qi attack aimed at Hai Bodong, prompting Hai Bodong to stop studying his map and question the white-robed stranger.
• Gu He reminded Hai Bodong that he was Gu He, the alchemist once offered a sixth-tier pill formula, and Hai Bodong recognized him as the Dan Emperor.
• The red-dressed woman and the shop’s occupants were stunned to learn Gu He’s identity, while the woman realized Hai Bodong treated him with unusual respect.
• Hai Bodong told the red-dressed woman to leave and never return, but, after Gu He objected, gave her a low-grade Profound-tier Dou Skill as compensation for her help.
• The red-dressed woman left with the other customers, and Hai Bodong explained that he did not want a disciple before asking Gu He how he had found the shop.

Gu He revealed his Heavenly Flame to Hai Bodong and offered to remove the seal that had weakened him in exchange for Hai Bodong’s map fragments. Hai Bodong agreed to give Gu He the remaining fragment once his strength was restored, and Gu He asked him for the pill prescription and ingredients.

• Gu He told Hai Bodong that he knew about the seal limiting Hai Bodong’s strength to the Dou Ling realm.
• Hai Bodong explained that Queen Medusa had cursed him after he obtained a map fragment, and that he had spent decades seeking a way to break the seal.
• Gu He showed Hai Bodong the map fragment he had taken and offered to trade one condition for it.
• Hai Bodong said only a pill refined by an alchemist with Heavenly Flames could remove his seal, and Gu He revealed his Purple Flame.
• Gu He agreed to lift the seal in exchange for Hai Bodong’s remaining map fragment, and Hai Bodong accepted.
• Gu He asked Hai Bodong for the pill prescription and told him he would need to provide the ingredients.

Gu He negotiated with Hai Bodong for information about Heavenly Flames in exchange for finding Sand Mandala in the Tagor Desert. He left with Hai Bodong’s detailed map and planned to investigate its marked locations, despite the danger near Queen Medusa’s territory.

• Hai Bodong told Gu He he still needed Sand Mandala, a herb found in the Tagor Desert, but could not seek it himself because Queen Medusa could sense him there.
• Hai Bodong offered information about Heavenly Flames in exchange for Gu He bringing him Sand Mandala, and Gu He accepted.
• Hai Bodong gave Gu He a detailed desert map marking three likely Heavenly Flame locations and warned him to avoid the western one near Queen Medusa’s territory.
• Gu He accepted the map, left Hai Bodong’s shop, and prepared to search the Tagor Desert.

Gu He encountered an injured member of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group while traveling toward Stone Desert City and learned that his squad was surrounded by snake people. He followed the man to the battlefield, where the snake people began attacking the trapped mercenaries.

• Gu He found an injured man in the desert, gave him water, and initially refused to fetch reinforcements.
• The man revealed that his Desert Iron Mercenary Group had been attacked, and Gu He confirmed its leaders were Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
• Gu He gave the man a Detoxification Pill and Healing Medicine, then ordered him to lead the way to the squad.
• Gu He brought the man to a hill overlooking the mercenaries, who were surrounded by eight snake people.
• The snake people charged the mercenaries, but a powerful pressure descended just as the assault began.

Gu He rescued the Desert Iron Mercenary Group from the Snake People and earned Xue Lan’s invitation to Stone Desert City. He planned to use the group to find Qing Lin, and the chapter ended with the squad preparing to travel there.

• Gu He appeared between the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the Snake People, then burned two Snake People to ashes with his purple flames.
• Old Fifth told Xue Lan that Gu He had saved him and agreed to help the group, and Xue Lan accepted his aid against the Snake People.
• Gu He refused to let Xue Lan’s squad fight and used purple flame serpents to kill the attacking Snake People.
• Gu He gave the mercenaries water and Healing Medicine, introduced himself only as Gu, and accepted Xue Lan’s invitation to Stone Desert City.
• Xue Lan sent a mercenary ahead with the squad’s prey to report the battle to the leaders, while Gu He prepared to travel with the group.

Gu He arrived in Stone Desert City with Xue Lan and the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, whose members he had saved from the Snake People Tribe. At the group’s headquarters, he met its leaders, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and declined their offer of a banquet in favor of resting.

• Xue Lan confirmed that Gu He was a Third-grade Alchemist and became more respectful toward him.
• Gu He and the Desert Iron Mercenary Group reached Stone Desert City and headed to the group’s headquarters.
• Xue Lan told a group member about Gu He's alchemist rank, changing the man’s displeasure into respect.
• Xiao Ding introduced himself and his brother Xiao Li to Gu He and offered him a banquet to thank him.
• Gu He declined the banquet and asked Xiao Ding to prepare a room so he could wash up and rest.

Gu He stayed at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and learned that Qing Lin was among its attendants. After meeting her, he planned to build a rapport with her before asking her to become his disciple.

• Xiao Ding held back his irritation when Gu He declined his hospitality, then learned from Xue Lan that Gu He was a Third-grade Alchemist and arranged more attendants for him.
• Gu He sent away four young girls, wondering whether Qing Lin was among them, and went to sleep while a small golden bird watched over his room.
• The next morning, Qing Lin entered Gu He's room to help him wash up and introduced herself.
• Gu He learned that Qing Lin was fourteen and decided to spend time getting along with her before proposing that she become his disciple.

Gu He brought Qing Lin to meet Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, hoping to take her away from the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. After agreeing to refine a Purple Jade Pill, he asked Qing Lin to become his disciple, leaving her and the Xiao brothers stunned.

• Qing Lin helped Gu He wash and then led him to the meeting hall at Xiao Ding's request.
• As Gu He and Qing Lin crossed the mercenary group's grounds, the mercenaries' disgusted looks upset Qing Lin, and Gu He encouraged her not to live for others.
• Qing Lin's eyes briefly showed three green dots after Gu He comforted her.
• Xiao Ding asked Gu He to refine a Purple Jade Pill, and Gu He agreed on the condition that he could take Qing Lin as his disciple.
• Gu He asked Qing Lin if she was willing to become his disciple, shocking Qing Lin, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li.

Qing Lin accepted Gu He as his third disciple, and he promised to protect her from those who might mistreat her. After learning that she wanted to grow strong enough to stop the war between humans and the Snake People, Gu He reflected on the conflict’s roots and the difficulty of finding a peaceful solution.

• Qing Lin agreed to become Gu He's disciple, and he reassured her that her senior disciples and others would not be allowed to bully her.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li congratulated Gu He, and Gu He told them to deliver the Purple Jade Pill ingredients within two days before he left Stone Desert City.
• After Gu He left the discussion hall with Qing Lin, Xiao Ding ordered Xiao Li to ensure no one in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group bullied her.
• Gu He told Qing Lin his real name and asked if she wanted to cultivate; she said she wanted strength to stop the war between humans and the Snake People.
• Gu He considered the conflict's roots in land and resources and concluded that peace would require humans to grant the Snake People suitable territory.

Gu He guided Qing Lin as she began cultivating, then took her to the eastern outskirts of Stone Desert City to use her bloodline sensitivity to locate the place where Queen Medusa’s aura had appeared. After searching beneath an ordinary stretch of desert, Gu He detected a scorching aura underground.

• Gu He taught Qing Lin the basics of cultivating and decided to postpone passing on power until she was stronger.
• Gu He showed Qing Lin Hai Bodong’s map, and she recalled sensing a powerful, bloodline-like aura outside Stone Desert City a month earlier.
• Gu He carried Qing Lin to the eastern outskirts and asked her to locate the aura’s source.
• Qing Lin followed the lingering trace through the desert and identified a flat stretch of sand.
• Gu He searched underground with his soul power and finally sensed a scorching aura.

Gu He found the underground magma cavern beneath the desert and left Qing Lin behind before searching for the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. The snake emerged from the magma and lunged at him, and Gu He prepared to capture it.

• Gu He used the Origin Divine Fire to dig into the desert with Qing Lin, protecting her from the heat with the Mysterious Ice Sacred Armor as they descended.
• Gu He and Qing Lin reached an immense underground magma world, where Qing Lin sensed an aura beneath the magma.
• Gu He returned Qing Lin to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group room, then went back alone to the magma cavern.
• Gu He searched for the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, hoping to subdue it and use it to find the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake burst from the magma and attacked Gu He, who vowed not to let it escape.

Gu He subdued the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake by forcing it to swallow his Destiny Divine Flame, then ordered it to lead him to where a woman from the Snake People Tribe had gone. Protected by his Mysterious Ice Sacred Armor, Gu He followed the snake into the Magma World and continued deeper through the molten lake.

• Gu He lured the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake out of the magma and seized it with a giant claw.
• Gu He forced the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to swallow his Destiny Divine Flame, making it obey him.
• Gu He asked whether a woman from the Snake People Tribe had come a month earlier, and the snake nodded.
• Gu He ordered the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to take him to the woman's destination, and it reluctantly led him into the magma.
• Gu He activated his Mysterious Ice Sacred Armor and followed the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake deeper into the Magma World.

Gu He followed the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake through the magma and found the cyan lotus growing deep below. He discovered that Queen Medusa had already taken the Green Lotus Core Flame, but he examined the valuable Green Lotus Platform and considered its uses.

• Gu He followed the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake deeper through the magma while maintaining his Mysterious Ice Sacred Armor against the rising heat.
• The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake accelerated toward a cyan glow, and Gu He followed it to a lotus surrounded by an unusually cool field.
• Gu He entered the cyan light and saw the eight-petaled lotus, its Green Lotus Platform, and its long energy-absorbing roots.
• Gu He found the lotus heart empty and recalled that Queen Medusa had taken the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu He decided to leave the flame with Queen Medusa for now and recognized the Green Lotus Platform's value for cultivation and escape.