Chapter Summaries

Xiao Heng intervened when Chen Xian of the Xuanming Sect tried to buy the rusty Copper Plate from Xiao Yan, escalating the dispute into a confrontation in Pill Tower territory. Xiao Heng’s group left after Xiao Yi Xian destroyed two guards’ arms, while Chen Xian ordered Elder Xuan to investigate them and began considering revenge.

• Xiao Heng arrived as Chen Xian offered Xiao Yan a High-grade Seventh-Rank Pill for the Copper Plate, then demanded an Eighth-grade Pill instead.
• Chen Xian attacked Xiao Heng, but Xiao Yan blocked him, and Xiao Yi Xian restrained the two Dou Zong guards who attacked.
• Xiao Heng ordered Xiao Yi Xian to take the guards’ hands, and her Calamity Poison Body corroded their arms despite Elder Xuan’s intervention.
• Chen Xian identified himself as a member of the Xuanming Sect and restrained his group from fighting further on Pill Tower territory.
• Xiao Heng warned Chen Xian against attacking, then left with Xiao Yan and the others for Ye Academy.
• Chen Xian told Elder Xuan to investigate Xiao Heng’s group and considered retaliation.

Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan discovered that Spirit Nurturing Dust could strengthen their Soul Power and help them see spirits. Xiao Heng found a Spirit Guiding Technique, learned to draw spirits in, and shared it with Xiao Yan.

• Xiao Heng removed the rust from the Copper Plate, revealed five grains of Spirit Nurturing Dust, and gave four to Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng refined their grains of Spirit Nurturing Dust, absorbing nearby spirits into their Soul Power.
• Xiao Heng searched the Scrolls in Little Grass Space and found a Spirit Guiding Technique with its third stage missing.
• Xiao Yan shared an incomplete incantation that let Xiao Heng see spirits, and Xiao Heng combined it with the Spirit Guiding Technique to draw spirits toward him.
• Xiao Heng transmitted the Spirit Guiding Technique to Xiao Yan, and they parted to study their discoveries.

Xiao Heng treated a scarred Dou Zun woman who traded him three drops of an Eighth-Rank Demonic Beast's essence blood for his help removing the poison disfiguring her face. After enduring the painful treatment for nearly a day, she collapsed from exhaustion as Xiao Heng told her to rest.

• A scarred woman arrived at Ye Academy and told Xiao Heng she accepted his terms if he guaranteed he could restore her appearance.
• The woman gave Xiao Heng three drops of essence blood and promised to hand over the intact Magic Core after the treatment.
• Xiao Heng offered to remove the poison with Heavenly Flames or have her cut out the affected bone, and she chose the first method.
• Xiao Heng used Heavenly Flames to drive the poison from the woman's wounds and bones while she endured the pain without resisting.
• After nearly a day, Xiao Heng burned away the last of the poison, and the exhausted woman collapsed as he told her to rest.

Xiao Heng healed the woman’s scars and bargained for demonic beast essence blood, then refined the blood to strengthen his Golden Core. After several days of cultivation, he set out to watch Xiao Yan take the assessment and see the Four Great Clans’ talents.

• Xiao Heng treated the woman’s facial wounds, and she woke to find her scars nearly gone.
• Xiao Heng rejected the woman’s offer of a favor and accepted essence blood from a Poison Flood Dragon and a Sky Horn Ant King as payment.
• The woman asked Xiao Heng about refining an Eighth-grade Divine Venerable Pill, then left after he said he could try if she provided a suitable reward.
• Xiao Heng refined the Poison Flood Dragon essence blood and absorbed its power, then cultivated with the Sky Horn Ant King essence blood over the following days.
• When the assessment arrived, Xiao Heng went with an attendant to watch Xiao Yan take part and see the Four Great Clans’ talents.

Xiao Heng and his companions accompanied Xiao Yan to the Pill Tower assessment, where the Ye Family’s future Elder Seat depended on the result. The Cao Family’s genius Cao Ying arrived and greeted Dan Chen, leaving the assessment poised to begin.

• Xiao Heng reassured Ye Zhong that Xiao Yan would compete for the Ye Family, and the group headed to the assessment hall.
• The Ye Family entered the crowded hall and took its seat as spectators discussed its decline and possible loss of its Elder Seat.
• Dan Xuan and Dan Chen greeted Xiao Heng, who introduced Xiao Yan as the Ye Family’s competitor.
• Cao Ying arrived with the Cao Family delegation, drawing attention as a leading alchemy genius and candidate to become a Pill Tower giant.
• Cao Ying approached Dan Chen, stopped beside her, and greeted her as her little sister.

The Pill Gathering assessment began with the five great families competing in a test of Soul Power. Xiao Yan’s record-breaking score secured the Ye Family’s survival, and the chapter left the contestants preparing for the second round.

• Cao Ying greeted Dan Chen and challenged her about whether she had entered the Spirit Realm, while Xiao Yan reflected on Xiao Heng’s strength.
• Cao Dan provoked Xiao Yan, but Cao Xiu stopped him and led him back to the Cao Family’s seats.
• Elder Sheng began the assessment and summoned representatives from the five great families into the arena.
• Dan Xuan scored 903 on the Soul Power stele before Xiao Yan scored 1,395, surpassing Cao Ying’s record and bringing joy to Ye Zhong.
• Elder Sheng announced that the second round would test Soul Power quality by having contestants catch specially made beads, and Xiao Heng considered how the beads might be used against Soul Hall Guardians.

Xiao Yan entered the final Soul Power contest against Cao Ying after she substituted herself into the match, and the two emerged as the only serious contenders. Cao Ying challenged him to withstand three of her Soul Hand Seals, while Xiao Heng watched and confidently assessed the fighters’ chances.

• After announcing the final round, Elder Sheng allowed Cao Ying to replace her family’s contestant, and Xiao Yan agreed to face her.
• The five contestants clashed with Soul Power, but Cao Ying focused her attacks on Xiao Yan, and their first exchanges showed that they were the strongest competitors.
• Bai Xuan and Qiu Ji conceded, while Xiao Yan blasted Bai Ying out of the circle and knocked him unconscious.
• Cao Ying offered to withdraw if Xiao Yan could withstand three of her Soul Hand Seals, and Xiao Yan accepted her challenge.
• Xiao Heng told Xiao Yi Xian and Ye Zhong that Xiao Yan was likely weaker than Cao Ying in a Soul Power contest, but that he himself would defeat her in a life-or-death battle.

Xiao Yan faced Cao Ying in a three-move soul-technique contest and won by remaining inside the red circle, though Cao Ying had the advantage in their clashes. He secretly learned part of her Soul Hand Seal, and Cao Ying invited him to exchange pointers privately as the Ye Family celebrated its victory.

• Cao Ying attacked Xiao Yan with Soul Profound Seal Palm, and their first two clashes drove him close to the edge of the red circle.
• Xiao Yan copied Cao Ying's hand seals and learned part of her Soul Technique, then used his version to withstand her Soul Storm.
• Cao Ying conceded after three moves because Xiao Yan remained inside the red circle, giving the Ye Family the test's victory.
• Cao Dan and the Bai Family reacted angrily to the result, while Ye Zhong celebrated the Ye Family's reprieve.
• Cao Ying invited Xiao Yan to privately exchange Soul Techniques, and Xiao Yan politely left the possibility open.

Xiao Heng challenged Cao Ying to a single exchange of soul power, surprising the hall with his strength. Their clash destroyed the hall, and Cao Ying departed after they agreed to meet again at the Pill Gathering.

• Xiao Heng challenged Cao Ying, explaining that he wanted to understand the soul technique she had used against Xiao Yan.
• After Xiao Heng praised her, Cao Ying agreed to exchange one move with him.
• Xiao Heng and Cao Ying unleashed a Giant Soul Sword and Falling Soul Phoenix Seal, which collided and shattered the hall around them.
• Xiao Heng and Cao Ying emerged unharmed, exchanged farewells, and Cao Ying led the Cao Family away.

After a duel with Xiao Yan, Xiao Heng helped repel a Soul Hall Dou Zun who attacked Xiao Yan under cover of a soul barrier, though the enemy escaped. Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan then decided to strike back at Xuanming Sect for leaking Xiao Yan’s information.

• Xiao Heng honored his agreement with Elder Sheng after the duel, and the crowd debated whether his match with Xiao Yan had ended in a draw.
• Xiao Heng and several others rushed to Xiao Yan’s courtyard at night and found a black-robed Dou Zun attacking him.
• Xiao Heng and the other Dou Zun experts restrained the intruder while Xiao Heng wounded him with his Heart Sword, but the man sacrificed an arm and escaped through a spatial crack.
• Xuan Kongzi warned Xiao Yan that the attacker might return and revealed that Xuanming Sect had leaked his information.
• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan agreed to deal with the Xuanming Sect members, and Xiao Yan questioned their captured Soul Hall members again without learning much.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Mu Gu, a black-robed old man, is severely injured by Xiao Heng's Heart Sword, losing an arm and suffering from a peculiar power preventing his wound from healing.
• Xiao Yan and his group meet with Elder Sheng from the Pill Tower, who tries to persuade them to let the matter with the Xuanming Sect go, offering the Soul Hand Seal as compensation.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng agree to temporarily set aside their grievance but make it clear they will not forget it. Xiao Yan decides to go to the Pill Tower, while Xiao Heng chooses to stay behind.

Character Developments

• Mu Gu's injury highlights the power of Xiao Heng's Heart Sword and the mysterious nature of the power Xiao Yan possesses.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng show unity and mutual respect, with Xiao Heng supporting Xiao Yan's decision to go to the Pill Tower.
• Elder Sheng demonstrates the Pill Tower's influence and attempts to mediate the conflict, but his efforts are met with resistance from Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strength and power in the world, as demonstrated by Xiao Heng's ability to protect Xiao Yan and the Pill Tower's influence.
• The concept of debts and favors, with Xiao Heng mentioning that debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng discussing their connection to the Pill Tower.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng display a strong bond, supporting each other's decisions and working together to navigate the conflict with the Xuanming Sect and the Pill Tower.
• Elder Sheng interacts with Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng, attempting to persuade them to let the matter go and offering the Soul Hand Seal as compensation, but his efforts are met with resistance.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng participate in the Pill Gathering, with Xiao Heng using the alias Xiao Yan.
• The Pill Gathering begins with the Illusionary Realm Stage, where contestants must navigate a misty, illusory space to qualify.
• The reward for the champion is an Ancient Soul Cultivation Method and the chance to become a candidate for one of the Pill Tower's giants.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng faces illusions of people from his past, revealing his longing for them and his determination to return.
• Xiao Yan shows eagerness and ambition, desiring the Ancient Soul Cultivation Method as a reward.

Significant Themes

• The power of memories and emotions, as Xiao Heng is affected by illusions of his past.
• Ambition and desire, as contestants vie for the rewards and recognition of the Pill Gathering.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan interact briefly before entering the Illusionary Realm, showing their camaraderie.
• Xiao Heng interacts with illusions of people from his past, revealing his emotional attachments and resolve.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng and Cao Ying are the first to exit the gray mist, surprising Cao Ying, who thought she would be the fastest.
• Song Qing, a handsome young man, arrives later and becomes jealous and hostile toward Xiao Heng due to his familiarity with Cao Ying.
• Xiao Heng warns Cao Ying about her behavior, causing her to feel humiliated and resentful.
• Xiao Heng declines Dan Chen's offer to travel together, preferring to act alone.
• The old man at the entrance to the Pill Realm explains the rules, maps, and dangers, and participants start entering the realm.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng: Shows his strength by being the first to exit the mist. He is aloof, confident, and direct, warning Cao Ying about her behavior and declining Dan Chen's offer to travel together. He is also a skilled alchemist, as shown by his knowledge of medicinal ingredients and their locations.
• Cao Ying: Initially surprised and impressed by Xiao Heng, she becomes resentful and humiliated after his warning. She is used to being the center of attention and doesn't take kindly to being reprimanded.
• Song Qing: Jealous and hostile toward Xiao Heng due to his feelings for Cao Ying. He maintains a polite facade but harbors killing intent.

Significant Themes

• Strength and Confidence: Xiao Heng's strength and confidence are evident in his actions and words, earning him respect from others.
• Jealousy and Resentment: Song Qing's jealousy and Cao Ying's resentment highlight the negative emotions that can arise from competition and perceived slights.
• Alchemy and Treasure Hunting: The focus on finding rare medicinal ingredients and treasures in the Pill Realm emphasizes the importance of knowledge, skill, and luck in alchemy.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng and Cao Ying: Their interaction highlights Cao Ying's willfulness and Xiao Heng's directness and lack of interest in her advances.
• Xiao Heng and Song Qing: Their interaction reveals Song Qing's jealousy and hostility toward Xiao Heng, while Xiao Heng remains indifferent and aloof.
• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan/Dan Xuan/Dan Chen: Xiao Heng's interactions with these characters show his willingness to help and offer advice but also his preference for acting alone.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng encounters a giant toad Magical Beast and kills it, obtaining a Sixth-Tier Magic Core.
• He enters the Corpse Bone Forest and discovers a vast sea of Life-Devouring Flowers.
• Xiao Heng uses his Heavenly Demon Puppet to clear a path through the flowers, aiming to reach the main root at the center.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng demonstrates his strength and resourcefulness, easily defeating Magical Beasts and navigating the dangerous Pill Realm.
• He shows determination and greed for the heavenly treasures within the sea of flowers.

Significant Themes

• The theme of survival and danger in the Pill Realm is emphasized, with Xiao Heng facing numerous threats from Magical Beasts and plants.
• The cycle of life and death, and the interdependence of creatures, is illustrated through the Life-Devouring Flowers.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng interacts with various Magical Beasts and plants, demonstrating his power and cunning.
• He uses his Heavenly Demon Puppet as a tool to help him navigate the sea of flowers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng, a powerful cultivator, enters a sea of enormous, sentient flowers, the Life-Devouring Flowers, to obtain their nectar and reach the Three-star Dou Zun realm.
• He brings his Heavenly Demon Puppet, which can withstand peak Dou Zong attacks, but it's sent flying by a single flower, revealing the flowers' extraordinary power.
• Xiao Heng uses his golden sword to cut down several flowers, but dozens more converge on him, trying to wear him down.
• He uses the Soaring Dragon Sword Art, a powerful technique, to clear a path, but the main Life-Devouring Flower evades him by moving underground.
• Xiao Heng discovers the main flower's location using his Third Eye and attempts to strike it, but it dodges at high speed.
• Xiao Heng decides to use the Seven Star Steps, a powerful technique, to quickly locate and destroy the main flower.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng demonstrates his strength, cunning, and determination in obtaining the Life-Devouring Flower nectar.
• The Heavenly Demon Puppet shows its power but is still sent flying by a single flower, revealing the flowers' immense strength.
• The Life-Devouring Flower shows its intelligence, speaking in broken sentences, and its ability to move underground, evading Xiao Heng's attacks.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and its consequences (Xiao Heng's desire for the Life-Devouring Flower nectar and the danger he faces).
• The intelligence and adaptability of plants (the Life-Devouring Flower's ability to speak and move).
• The importance of strategy and adaptability in battle (Xiao Heng's use of different techniques to counter the Life-Devouring Flower).

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng and the Heavenly Demon Puppet work together to fight the Life-Devouring Flowers, but the puppet is sent flying, showing the flowers' power.
• Xiao Heng and the Life-Devouring Flower engage in a battle of wits, with Xiao Heng trying to locate and destroy the main flower, and the flower evading his attacks.
• Xiao Heng encounters an unknown person who is also after the Life-Devouring Flower nectar and Xiao Heng's belongings, adding another layer of conflict to the story.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Xiao Heng, a powerful Dou Zun, confronts and defeats a creature that was causing destruction.
2. He collects Life-Swallowing Nectar from the creature, a valuable resource for cultivation and healing.
3. A woman steals one of Xiao Heng's Jade Bottles containing the nectar.
4. Xiao Heng pursues and captures the woman, who reveals her desperate situation and begs for his mercy.
5. Xiao Heng agrees to give her the nectar if she helps him gather medicinal ingredients from the withered sea of flowers.

Character Developments

1. Xiao Heng: Shows mercy and understanding towards the woman's plight, but remains firm in his principles and does not give away the nectar for free.
2. The Woman: Initially portrayed as cunning and deceitful, she reveals her desperation to save her daughter and is willing to do anything to obtain the Life-Swallowing Nectar.

Significant Themes

1. Desperation and the lengths people will go to save their loved ones.
2. The power of mercy and understanding, even in the face of deceit.
3. The value of hard work and effort, as Xiao Heng requires the woman to help him gather medicinal ingredients in exchange for the nectar.

Character Interactions

1. Xiao Heng and the Woman: Their interaction is marked by tension and deception, with the woman initially trying to trick Xiao Heng into giving her the nectar, and Xiao Heng remaining wary of her true intentions.
2. Xiao Heng's mercy and understanding towards the woman's plight create a complex dynamic between them, as the woman's desperation and Xiao Heng's firmness in his principles lead to a tense negotiation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng finds the Ascending Cloud Fruit, guarded by an Eighth-Rank Demonic Beast, the Black Demon Winged Tiger.
• He decides to lure the tiger away by blowing up a corner of the mountain where it lives, using a fire lotus.
• After the tiger leaves, Xiao Heng digs up the Ascending Cloud Fruit tree and escapes using space teleportation.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng demonstrates his strategic thinking and cunning, outsmarting the powerful demonic beast.
• He shows no mercy towards his enemies, as seen in his earlier decision to kill the thief who tried to rob him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of intelligence and strategy overcoming brute force is evident in this chapter, as Xiao Heng outwits the powerful demonic beast.
• The theme of ruthlessness is also reinforced, as Xiao Heng shows no hesitation in killing or deceiving others for his goals.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng interacts with the Black Demon Winged Tiger, though indirectly, as he lures it away without a direct confrontation.
• There are no human interactions in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng steals an Ascending Cloud Fruit tree from the Pill Realm, causing Little Grass to scold him for his shamelessness.
• Xiao Yan arrives at the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range, where he is attacked by Chen Xian and two Nine-Star Dou Zongs from the Xuanming Sect.
• Xiao Yan uses the Heavenly Fire Three Profound Transformations, significantly boosting his strength, and defeats Chen Xian and the two elders.
• Song Qing intervenes and saves Chen Xian, accusing Xiao Yan of hindering their alliance's chances of defeating the murderer.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng: Shows his shameless side by justifying his theft and blowing up someone's wall.
• Xiao Yan: Demonstrates his extraordinary speed and strength, defeating multiple opponents with ease.
• Chen Xian: Shows his cowardice and desperation as he is repeatedly saved from Xiao Yan's attacks.
• Song Qing: Displays his cunning by accusing Xiao Yan to turn the situation in his favor.

Significant Themes

• The theme of theft and justification is explored through Xiao Heng's actions and Xiao Yan's response to Chen Xian's provocation.
• The theme of power dynamics is evident in the way Xiao Yan's strength allows him to dominate his opponents, while Song Qing's influence is shown through his manipulation of the situation.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng and Little Grass: Xiao Heng's shamelessness is met with Little Grass's contempt, but they maintain a lively conversation.
• Xiao Yan and Chen Xian: Xiao Yan's strength and speed allow him to easily defeat Chen Xian, who is repeatedly saved by Song Qing.
• Xiao Yan and Song Qing: Xiao Yan's actions are accused by Song Qing, who uses the situation to his advantage, creating tension between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Yan is confronted by Song Qing, who tries to justify Chen Xian's actions.
• Xiao Yan stands his ground, refusing to back down.
• Xiao Heng arrives, revealing himself as a Dou Zun, and kills Chen Xian and two Nine-Star Dou Zongs.
• Xiao Heng threatens Song Qing, but Cao Ying intervenes, and he spares Song Qing on the condition that the Pill Tower provides an explanation.
• Cao Ying invites Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan to join forces against a powerful Magical Beast, but Xiao Heng declines due to Song Qing's presence.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng discover Pill Spirit Paste in the forest.

Character Developments

• Xiao Yan demonstrates his courage and determination by standing up to Song Qing.
• Xiao Heng showcases his strength as a Dou Zun and his ruthlessness in dealing with enemies.
• Song Qing's cowardice and lack of backbone are exposed, leading to a loss of respect from others.
• Cao Ying shows disdain for Song Qing's behavior and maintains her dignity.

Significant Themes

• Strength and power dynamics: Xiao Heng's Dou Zun status commands respect and fear, while Song Qing's lack of power leads to his humiliation.
• Alliances and trust: Cao Ying's invitation to join forces highlights the importance of alliances in the face of powerful enemies, but Xiao Heng's refusal due to Song Qing's presence shows the fragility of trust.
• Luck and fortune: Xiao Yan's discovery of Pill Spirit Paste demonstrates the role of luck in obtaining valuable resources.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng: Their brotherly bond is strengthened as they work together and support each other.
• Xiao Yan and Song Qing: Their conflict highlights the tension between Xiao Yan's determination and Song Qing's cowardice.
• Cao Ying and Song Qing: Cao Ying's disdain for Song Qing's behavior leads to a deterioration in their relationship.
• Cao Ying and Xiao Heng: Their interaction shows Cao Ying's respect for Xiao Heng's strength and her willingness to maintain her dignity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan encounter a Mystic Water Tiger Dragon guarding a treasure, which they obtain after Xiao Heng defeats it.
• They discover that someone is attacking Cao Ying and the others at the foot of the mountain and decide to intervene.
• Xiao Heng faces off against Old Man Mu Gu, who has a soul barrier protecting the Pill Tower members.
• Xiao Heng breaks through the soul barrier and engages in a fierce battle with Old Man Mu Gu.

Character Developments

• Xiao Heng demonstrates his immense strength as a Dou Zun, easily defeating the Mystic Water Tiger Dragon and engaging in a powerful battle with Old Man Mu Gu.
• Xiao Yan shows concern for the safety of the Pill Tower members and supports Xiao Heng's decision to help them.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between experts of different realms are highlighted, with Xiao Heng's strength being far superior to that of the Mystic Water Tiger Dragon and Old Man Mu Gu.
• The importance of treasure and resources is emphasized, as Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan obtain the Emerald Green Liquid and plan to use it to strengthen their Soul Power.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan work together to obtain the treasure and decide to help the Pill Tower members, showing their camaraderie and shared goals.
• Xiao Heng and Old Man Mu Gu engage in a heated battle, showcasing their powerful abilities and determination to defeat each other.