Chapter Summaries

Lu Yunxiao came to the Cao Clan to exchange for the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Magical Core, which Cao Xiu said his grandfather was using to research a pill. When Lu Yunxiao demanded to know where the old ancestor was in seclusion, he and Qing Yanjing overwhelmed the Cao Clan with their auras until Cao Ying arrived, but Lu Yunxiao remained unyielding.

• Lu Yunxiao told Cao Xiu he wanted the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Magical Core, and Cao Xiu said his grandfather had made it an indispensable catalyst for a new pill.
• Lu Yunxiao erupted in anger and demanded to know where Cao Xiu's grandfather was in seclusion, considering taking the core by force to protect Xiao Yi Xian.
• Cao Xiu summoned two Dou Zun experts and warned Lu Yunxiao not to act recklessly in the Cao Clan.
• Lu Yunxiao and Qing Yanjing unleashed their auras, revealing pressure at the Dou Zun Peak level and overwhelming Cao Xiu and the two experts.
• Cao Ying arrived and introduced herself, but Lu Yunxiao kept his pressure up and dismissed her attempt to intervene.

Lu Yunxiao pressured the Cao Clan for the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Magical Core, but Cao Ying revealed that her grandfather had already refined it. After the pill refinement was confirmed, Lu Yunxiao abandoned his demand, while Cao Ying considered how to turn his need into an alliance with the Cao Clan.

• Cao Xiu refused to reveal his grandfather's seclusion chamber, and Cao Ying tried to calm Lu Yunxiao by explaining that her grandfather was refining pills.
• Cao Ying warned that the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Magical Core had likely already been refined, but Lu Yunxiao remained determined to verify it.
• Five-Colored Pill Lightning appeared above the Cao Clan, confirming that the Cao Clan ancestor had successfully refined the pill.
• Lu Yunxiao realized the Magical Core was gone and lamented that he had arrived too late to obtain it for Xian'er.
• Cao Ying asked whether Lu Yunxiao urgently needed the Magical Core, and he confirmed that he did while making clear he would not attack the Cao Clan.
• Cao Ying inferred that Lu Yunxiao might become an ally if the Cao Clan helped him find another Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast's Magical Core.

Lu Yunxiao learned that the Cao Clan could use its Pill Tower connections to search for the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast’s Magical Core. He befriended Cao Ying’s clan, gave her an eighth-tier Pill Recipe as an apology, and left the Cao Clan while Cao Ying and Cao Xiu discussed him.

• Cao Ying offered to have the Cao Clan use its Pill Tower connections to find the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast.
• Lu Yunxiao accepted the Cao Clan’s help and promised to regard them as friends.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Cao Ying an eighth-tier Pill Recipe as an apology for his earlier actions.
• Lu Yunxiao declined Cao Ying’s invitation to stay at the Cao Clan and left for the Tianlin Hotel.
• Cao Xiu called Lu Yunxiao dangerous, while Cao Ying said she found him interesting.

Cao Ying and Cao Xiu examined the pill recipe Lu Yunxiao had left as compensation and discovered it was for the extraordinary Nine Transformations Venerable Pill. Its power shocked them, leaving Cao Ying wondering whether Lu Yunxiao was also a peerless alchemist.

• Cao Ying predicted that Lu Yunxiao's pill recipe would be far more valuable than Cao Xiu expected, and Cao Xiu admitted he had underestimated him.
• Cao Ying opened the scroll, releasing terrifying Soul Sword Qi that revealed Lu Yunxiao possessed a Spirit Realm Soul.
• Cao Ying wondered whether Lu Yunxiao's powerful soul and Heavenly Flames meant he was also a remarkable alchemist.
• Cao Ying and Cao Xiu read the recipe and learned it was for the Nine Transformations Venerable Pill, which could raise a Dou Zun Peak powerhouse's strength by one revolution, with a small chance of raising it by two.

Cao Ying accepted Lu Yunxiao’s Nine Transformations Venerable Pill Recipe and hurried to seek Xuan Kongzi’s help finding the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast. At Tianlin Hotel, Lu Yunxiao explained his urgency to Xiao Yi Xian and comforted her before carrying her away.

• Cao Ying realized Lu Yunxiao expected the Cao Clan to find the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast and sent Cao Xiu to deliver the pill recipe to their grandfather.
• Cao Ying left for the Pill Tower to ask her Master, Xuan Kongzi, for help gathering information.
• Qing Yanjing questioned Lu Yunxiao’s choice to give Cao Ying such a valuable recipe, and he explained that urgency was essential to protect Xian’er and avoid exposure.
• Xiao Yi Xian felt she had burdened Lu Yunxiao, but he reassured her and teased her about having a whole litter of children.
• Lu Yunxiao lifted Xiao Yi Xian into his arms and carried her away.

Lu Yunxiao waited for news of the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast while spending time with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Yanjing. Cao Ying arrived to invite him to Holy Pill City, where he would have to seek information from her master, leaving Lu Yunxiao to consider an earlier meeting with Xuan Kongzi than he had planned.

• Lu Yunxiao woke beside Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Yanjing after waiting seven days for news from the Cao Clan.
• Lu Yunxiao teased Xiao Yi Xian, then suggested that the three of them go out for a stroll.
• When someone knocked at the door, Lu Yunxiao sent Xiao Yi Xian into his Inner World before opening it to Cao Ying.
• Cao Ying told Lu Yunxiao that news of the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast might take several more days and invited him to Holy Pill City.
• Cao Ying explained that her master was helping search for the beast and that Lu Yunxiao might need to obtain the information from him personally.

Lu Yunxiao accepted Cao Ying’s invitation to visit Holy Pill City, hoping to obtain the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast for Xiao Yi Xian despite Xuan Kongzi’s possible intentions. After traveling through the Cao Clan’s Spatial Wormhole, he and his companions arrived at the crowded Holy Pill City Outer Region.

• Lu Yunxiao agreed to leave for Holy Pill City with Cao Ying that day, while Qing Yanjing understood the change of plans.
• Cao Ying led Lu Yunxiao and his companions through Cao City to the Cao Clan’s well-maintained Spatial Wormhole.
• The group rode Cao Ying’s Space Boat through the channel for three days and reached its exit on the fourth morning.
• Lu Yunxiao and the others emerged onto a vast, crowded plaza in Holy Pill City’s Outer Region.
• Cao Ying explained that the plaza was one of eight spatial plazas in the Outer Region.

Lu Yunxiao arrived in Holy Pill City with Qing Yanjing and stayed at a Cao Clan courtyard while waiting for news of the Heavenly Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast. That night, he considered obtaining Three Thousand Burning Flame for Gu Xun'er, then met Cao Ying in the courtyard.

• Cao Ying explained that Holy Pill City had vast Outer and Inner Regions, with the Pill Tower located in the Inner Region.
• Cao Ying led Lu Yunxiao and Qing Yanjing to a spacious Cao Clan property in the eastern Outer Region, where they settled in to wait for news.
• At night, Lu Yunxiao looked toward the Inner Region and thought about taking Three Thousand Burning Flame for Gu Xun'er.
• Lu Yunxiao reflected on his attachment to Gu Xun'er and believed he could win the Pill Gathering when it began.
• Cao Ying visited Lu Yunxiao in the courtyard, and he greeted her and admired her beauty.

Lu Yunxiao spoke with Cao Ying in his courtyard, warning her that getting close to him could be dangerous and claiming he was already married. Cao Ying asked about the green flame he had shown the Cao Clan, and Lu Yunxiao revealed the Green Lotus Core Flame before putting it away.

• Cao Ying praised Lu Yunxiao, and he admired her beauty while deciding he would honor his promise to Gu Xun'er and not pursue another woman in Central Continent.
• Cao Ying suggested they watch the stars together, and Lu Yunxiao warned her that associating with him could put her in danger and said he was married.
• Cao Ying doubted Lu Yunxiao's claim that he had married young, while he teased her with his explanation.
• Cao Ying asked whether the green flame Lu Yunxiao had brought to the Cao Clan was a Heavenly Flame, and he showed her the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Cao Ying recognized the nineteenth-ranked Heavenly Flame and envied Lu Yunxiao, but she had no intention of trying to take it from him.

Cao Ying discovered that Lu Yunxiao was an alchemist and invited him to the Pill Tower for an assessment. Lu Yunxiao agreed to earn an alchemist badge while concealing the true extent of his ability.

• Cao Ying guessed that Lu Yunxiao was an alchemist because she sensed he was even more capable than he appeared.
• Lu Yunxiao confirmed he practiced alchemy but kept his level vague, and Cao Ying guessed he was a seventh-tier alchemist.
• Cao Ying invited Lu Yunxiao to take an assessment at the Pill Tower so he could earn a badge and more easily seek information.
• Lu Yunxiao agreed to go with Cao Ying and planned to restrain his performance during the assessment.

Lu Yunxiao went with Cao Ying to a Pill Tower branch in Holy Pill City to obtain an alchemist certification badge. After Cao Ying arranged a private assessment room, Elder Han mistook their closeness for romance and urged Lu Yunxiao to pursue her.

• Lu Yunxiao left Qing Yanjing at the Cao Clan courtyard and went with Cao Ying to the Pill Tower branch.
• Cao Ying showed Lu Yunxiao the branch and told him about an alchemists-only trade fair scheduled for two days later.
• Cao Ying used her connections to take Lu Yunxiao past the assessment line and into a private room.
• Elder Han teased Cao Ying about bringing her sweetheart, and Cao Ying insisted that she and Lu Yunxiao were only friends.
• Elder Han told Lu Yunxiao to pursue Cao Ying before another suitor claimed her.

Lu Yunxiao accompanied Cao Ying to a Pill Tower branch to take an alchemy badge test, choosing to attempt a seventh-tier mid-grade badge. Elder Han led them to a Heaven-class testing room, where Lu Yunxiao selected the Profound Nether Soul Nurturing Pill to refine.

• Elder Han teased Cao Ying about her feelings for Lu Yunxiao and asked the disguised young man about himself.
• Cao Ying called Lu Yunxiao a genius but kept his true strength and background private.
• Lu Yunxiao asked about the highest badge available at the branch and chose to test for seventh-tier mid-grade.
• Elder Han offered to evaluate Lu Yunxiao personally in a Heaven-class room, and Cao Ying joined them.
• Lu Yunxiao chose to refine the Profound Nether Soul Nurturing Pill, explaining that he had its ingredients in his Storage Ring.

Lu Yunxiao used the Green Lotus Core Flame to refine a Supreme Grade Profound Nether Soul Nurturing Pill, passing Elder Han’s test and impressing Cao Ying with his skill. Cao Ying challenged him to an alchemy contest at the Pill Gathering in a little over two years, and he agreed.

• Lu Yunxiao declined Cao Ying’s offer of medicinal ingredients and began refining the Profound Nether Soul Nurturing Pill with his Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Elder Han was shocked to see Lu Yunxiao’s Heavenly Flame and was further impressed by his refined alchemy technique, while Cao Ying suspected his true ability exceeded Tier 7 mid-grade.
• After half a day, Lu Yunxiao produced a Supreme Grade Profound Nether Soul Nurturing Pill and passed Elder Han’s test.
• Cao Ying congratulated Lu Yunxiao and challenged him to compete at the Pill Gathering in a little over two years.
• Lu Yunxiao accepted Cao Ying’s challenge while resolving not to flirt with her or give her false hope.

Lu Yunxiao received a Tier 7 Intermediate alchemist badge but declined Elder Han and Cao Ying’s advice to seek a higher-grade assessment so he could keep a low profile. After an unsuccessful afternoon of searching the outer district, he returned home and reassured Qing Yanjing that Cao Ying’s admiration was only a passing favorable impression.

• Elder Han gave Lu Yunxiao his Tier 7 Intermediate badge and urged him to take an assessment at Pill Tower headquarters, but Lu Yunxiao declined to avoid attracting attention from the Soul Hall.
• Cao Ying offered to accompany Lu Yunxiao to the headquarters, then walked through the outer district’s trading areas with him.
• Lu Yunxiao found only a few rare medicinal ingredients during his afternoon of searching, and Cao Ying told him the Alchemist Trade Fair would begin in two days.
• Qing Yanjing embraced Lu Yunxiao in their courtyard and said Cao Ying seemed to like him.
• Lu Yunxiao told Qing Yanjing not to overthink Cao Ying’s favorable impression and said he was content with the women already by his side.

Lu Yunxiao finished refining pills for the Alchemist Trade Fair and went with Cao Ying and Qing Yanjing to the Pill Tower-backed fair in Holy Pill City. After entering with his seventh-grade alchemist badge, he began browsing the third-tier stalls for useful items.

• Lu Yunxiao emerged after two days of refining pills and apologized to Cao Ying for the disturbance, but she said she had enjoyed watching his alchemy.
• Lu Yunxiao, Cao Ying, and Qing Yanjing headed to the Alchemist Trade Fair in Holy Pill City.
• Lu Yunxiao showed his seventh-grade alchemist badge at the entrance, allowing himself and his companions to enter.
• Cao Ying explained the Trade Fair's ranked areas and the qualifications needed to enter the upper floors.
• Lu Yunxiao chose to browse the third-tier area first and searched the stalls for items he needed.

Lu Yunxiao moved on from the first-floor stalls and found a Crystal Blood Dragon Fruit on the second floor. He wanted to acquire it, but the seller demanded either an unfamiliar Seventh-Grade Mid-grade Pill Recipe or an Earth-tier Mid-grade Cultivation Technique.

• Lu Yunxiao gave up searching the first floor and followed Cao Ying to the second floor.
• Cao Ying asked why Lu Yunxiao kept such a low profile, and he replied that fame was pointless.
• Lu Yunxiao spotted a Crystal Blood Dragon Fruit and asked the stall owner to take it out.
• The Tier 6 Alchemist offered to exchange the fruit for an unfamiliar Seventh-Grade Mid-grade Pill Recipe or an Earth-tier Mid-grade Cultivation Technique.

Lu Yunxiao rejected an old man’s unreasonable demand, then traded for a Moonlight Herb before investigating a commotion at another stall. There he recognized Ye Xinlan and learned the Cao Clan planned to use a marriage alliance to take control of the declining Ye Clan.

• Lu Yunxiao refused to trade a 7th-grade Mid-tier Pill Recipe and an Earth-tier Mid-grade Cultivation Technique for the red-robed elder’s Crystal Blood Dragon Fruit, then left with Cao Ying.
• Lu Yunxiao bought a Moonlight Herb from a middle-aged alchemist in exchange for a Supreme Grade Pill.
• Lu Yunxiao, Cao Ying, and Qing Yanjing went to investigate a dispute and found Ye Xinlan confronting a young man, with Ye Zhong standing behind her.
• Cao Ying identified Ye Xinlan as a junior of the Ye Clan and explained that the clan risked losing its place among the Five Great Clans of the Pill Region.
• Lu Yunxiao guessed that the Cao Clan intended to take control of the Ye Clan through a marriage alliance between Cao Dan and Ye Xinlan, and Cao Ying confirmed his suspicion.

Lu Yunxiao explained why the Cao Clan was using a marriage alliance to influence the Ye Clan, then watched Cao Ying call back her troublesome younger brother, Cao Dan. After the group finished touring the second floor, they headed for the top floor of the Trade Fair.

• Lu Yunxiao told Cao Ying that a marriage alliance was the Cao Clan’s most reasonable way to interfere in the Ye Clan’s affairs, and said he disliked such arrangements.
• Cao Ying worried that Lu Yunxiao might intervene, but he said he would not meddle and criticized Cao Dan’s behavior.
• Cao Ying decided to stop Cao Dan from bullying Ye Xinlan and brought him back to Lu Yunxiao with his head lowered.
• Ye Xinlan watched Lu Yunxiao’s group leave, curious about him, while she kept the medicinal ingredient Cao Dan had tried to take.
• After touring the second floor, Lu Yunxiao and his companions approached the top-floor staircase, guarded by two powerful Dou Zong experts.

Lu Yunxiao visited the Alchemist Trade Fair’s guarded top floor with Cao Ying, Qing Yanjing, and Cao Dan, where he browsed rare treasures and medicinal ingredients. He spotted a Purple Smoke Soul-Nourishing Fruit, which Cao Ying recognized but could not use because the recipe for its medicinal liquid had been lost.

• A yellow-robed elder welcomed Cao Ying’s group and guided them through the guarded staircase to the trade fair’s top floor.
• The elder offered to help Lu Yunxiao find something, but Lu Yunxiao declined and began browsing with his companions.
• Lu Yunxiao purchased several medicinal ingredients as he examined the top floor’s valuable wares.
• Lu Yunxiao stopped at a jade platform and recognized a Purple Smoke Soul-Nourishing Fruit among its displayed treasures.
• Cao Ying explained that the rare Tier 8 ingredient could make Purple Spirit Soul-Nourishing Liquid, but its preparation method had been lost.

Lu Yunxiao acquired the Purple Smoke Soul-Nourishing Fruit and other rare ingredients at the Trade Fair by trading a medicinal formula, and kept a Black Jade Fragment as part of the deal. Back at his courtyard, he gave Cao Ying the fruit and the preparation method for the Purple Spirit Soul-Nourishing Liquid, leaving her deeply grateful as she departed to prepare it.

• Lu Yunxiao selected several precious medicinal ingredients from the scruffy old alchemist, including the Purple Smoke Soul-Nourishing Fruit.
• Lu Yunxiao traded a medicinal formula for the ingredients and negotiated to take the Black Jade Fragment as well.
• Lu Yunxiao returned to his Small Courtyard with Cao Ying and gave her the Purple Smoke Soul-Nourishing Fruit and the Purple Spirit Soul-Nourishing Liquid preparation method.
• Cao Ying was overwhelmed by gratitude, then left to prepare the Purple Spirit Soul-Nourishing Liquid.