Chapter Summaries

Lu Yunxiao toured the Pill Tower with Cao Ying, learned more about its powerful alchemists, and joked about recruiting them for Cloud Gate. In the West District, he suddenly recognized the person emerging from a garden and stopped in surprise.

• Lu Yunxiao tacitly accepted Cao Ying's explanation for pretending to be close to him, and they teased each other as they toured the Pill Tower.
• Cao Ying introduced Lu Yunxiao to several Pill Tower Elders, whose ranks and alchemical skill impressed him.
• Lu Yunxiao admitted he wanted to abduct the Pill Tower's Eighth-Grade Alchemists for Cloud Gate, while Cao Ying said their loyalty made that impossible.
• Cao Ying explained the Pill Tower's East and West residential districts as they walked through the West District.
• Lu Yunxiao noticed three people emerging from the West Garden District and stopped when he recognized the figure in the middle.

Lu Yunxiao reunited with Gu Xun'er when she arrived at the Pill Tower with Elder Tongxuan and another man, though both tried to hide how deeply the encounter affected them. Elder Tongxuan found Lu Yunxiao strangely familiar, and the chapter left Gu Xun'er and Lu Yunxiao poised to speak.

• Lu Yunxiao recognized Elder Tongxuan as a powerful High-level Half-Saint and was stunned to see Gu Xun'er beside him.
• Gu Xun'er recognized Lu Yunxiao as her Brother Gu Xiao, and the Yin Pendant at her chest warmed as she gazed at him.
• Cao Ying greeted the visitors and praised Gu Xun'er, while Elder Tongxuan admired Lu Yunxiao's bearing and wondered which Ancient Clan he belonged to.
• Elder Tongxuan asked Lu Yunxiao whether they had met before, but Cao Ying answered that he should never have encountered the elder.
• Gu Xun'er introduced herself to Lu Yunxiao, and Lu Yunxiao replied by saying her name.

Lu Yunxiao left Elder Tongxuan and Gu Xun'er without revealing his identity, intending to reunite with the Gu Clan through Gu Yuan first. That night, he secretly brought Gu Xun'er into his Inner World, where she asked him what the place was.

• Lu Yunxiao ended his encounter with Gu Xun'er and left with Cao Ying, leaving Elder Tongxuan puzzled by his sudden change in manner.
• The middle-aged alchemist criticized Lu Yunxiao, but Elder Tongxuan said he could not see through the young man; Gu Xun'er suspected his true identity as she watched him go.
• That night, Lu Yunxiao slipped out of the Cao Courtyard, and Gu Xun'er secretly left the western district of the Pill Tower.
• Elder Tongxuan followed Gu Xun'er, but Lu Yunxiao used the Inner World to make her aura disappear and evade him.
• Lu Yunxiao brought Gu Xun'er to his Inner World, and she asked where they were.

Gu Xun'er visited Lu Yunxiao's world and was astonished by its spiritual energy and treasures. After they reunited affectionately, Lu Yunxiao showed her the Phoenix Bath Spring, and she wondered whether refining it had made him a Saint.

• Gu Xun'er admired the spiritual energy and World Tree in Lu Yunxiao's world, and Lu Yunxiao invited her to visit often.
• Lu Yunxiao embraced and kissed Gu Xun'er beneath the World Tree, then asked why she had come to the Pill Tower and whether she wanted the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Gu Xun'er offered to give Lu Yunxiao the Three Thousand Burning Flame, but he said he did not want it and pointed out the Phoenix Bath Spring.
• Lu Yunxiao identified the Phoenix Bath Spring as the third-ranked Holy Water and explained that it surpassed the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Gu Xun'er realized the Phoenix Bath Spring had restrained her Golden Emperor Sky-Burning Flame and asked whether Lu Yunxiao had become a Saint by refining it.

Lu Yunxiao explained that Phoenix Bath Spring’s energy had mostly been absorbed by the World Tree, so it had not pushed him into the Dou Saint realm. He revealed that he planned to help Gu Xun'er obtain the Three Thousand Burning Flame as a birthday gift and said he had a way to overcome the protections surrounding it.

• Lu Yunxiao told Gu Xun'er that the World Tree had absorbed most of Phoenix Bath Spring’s energy and described it as a sapling linking countless worlds.
• Lu Yunxiao said he had no interest in the Three Thousand Burning Flame for himself and planned to help Gu Xun'er obtain it as a birthday gift.
• Lu Yunxiao explained that the Three Thousand Burning Flame was difficult to seize and refine, and that the Ancient Void Dragon Clan raised it and used a Dragon Seal to control it.
• Gu Xun'er asked whether Lu Yunxiao had a way to obtain the flame, and he assured her that he did.
• Lu Yunxiao asked Gu Xun'er how many Heavenly Flames she had subdued and noted that she had reached Nine-Star Dou Zun ahead of schedule.

Lu Yunxiao reassured Gu Xun'er about her Flame Mantra progress and then defended his relationship with Cao Ying when Gu Xun'er questioned him. Gu Xun'er said she believed him but reminded him that their family already had enough people.

• Gu Xun'er told Lu Yunxiao she had found only the Nine Dragon Lightning Gang Fire, and he comforted her and praised her progress.
• Lu Yunxiao checked Gu Xun'er's information and noted her quasi-Heaven-tier Mid-grade Flame Mantra and Divine Grade Bloodline.
• Lu Yunxiao considered the future potential of the women around him and concluded that Hai Bodong would likely never reach Dou Di.
• Gu Xun'er asked Lu Yunxiao about Cao Ying, pointing out Cao Ying's familiar gaze and hostility toward her.
• Lu Yunxiao insisted that Cao Ying was only a friend and that he had kept his promise to Gu Xun'er.
• Gu Xun'er said she believed him but asked him not to mistake her concern for pettiness, since their family already had enough people.

Lu Yunxiao reassured Gu Xun'er about his relationships and promised they could stop hiding their love because he was ready to reveal his identity. He told her that after the coming matter was settled, he would ask her father for her hand in marriage.

• Gu Xun'er questioned Lu Yunxiao about Zi Yan, and he explained that she had grown up and taken the initiative with him.
• Gu Xun'er revealed she had been happy with the number of women in Lu Yunxiao's life and warned him not to go back on his word.
• Lu Yunxiao told Gu Xun'er that he was prepared to live openly as Gu Xiao and face the Soul Clan and Gu Clan.
• Gu Xun'er trusted Lu Yunxiao's preparations and agreed to follow his lead.
• Lu Yunxiao promised to accompany Gu Xun'er to the Gu Clan and ask her father for her hand in marriage.

Lu Yunxiao decided to answer Gu Xun'er’s long-standing feelings, then spent the morning with Nalan Yanran while planning a campaign against the Soul Clan. Cao Ying invited him to the Trade Fair as the Pill Gathering approached.

• Lu Yunxiao kissed Gu Xun'er and resolved to give her an answer after all the years she had waited for him.
• Elder Tongxuan sensed Gu Xun'er return before dawn and decided to keep watch on her secret departures.
• After sending Gu Xun'er back, Lu Yunxiao woke beside Nalan Yanran, whose relationship with him had become intimate.
• Lu Yunxiao planned to spend the next few days with Gu Xun'er before mobilizing his forces against the Soul Clan.
• Cao Ying offered to take Lu Yunxiao to the Trade Fair, where alchemists and rare treasures had gathered ahead of the Pill Gathering.

Lu Yunxiao went with Cao Ying, Yun Yun, Queen Medusa, and Qing Yanjing to the Alchemist Trade Fair, where they headed straight for the third floor. There, they encountered Gu Xun'er and Elder Tongxuan again.

• Lu Yunxiao agreed to attend the Trade Fair with Cao Ying and invited Yun Yun, Queen Medusa, and Qing Yanjing to join them.
• Lu Yunxiao and the women left the Cao Courtyard and entered the crowded Alchemist Trade Fair.
• Lu Yunxiao chose to skip the first floor and went with Cao Ying to the third floor, while the other women followed.
• Lu Yunxiao met Gu Xun'er and Elder Tongxuan on the third floor, and they greeted each other.

Lu Yunxiao and Gu Xun'er grew openly intimate, alarming Elder Tongxuan and stirring Cao Ying’s jealousy. As the Pill Gathering began, Cao Ying explained its trials and warned Lu Yunxiao about danger in the Pill Realm, and he promised to protect her.

• Gu Xun'er invited Lu Yunxiao to walk with her, and the two left together while Elder Tongxuan grew suspicious of their closeness.
• Elder Tongxuan repeatedly saw Lu Yunxiao and Gu Xun'er acting intimately and decided to report his concerns to the Gu Clan, while Cao Ying became resentful.
• The Pill Gathering began, and Lu Yunxiao joined Yun Yun, Cao Ying, and the others in heading to the crowded venue.
• Cao Ying explained that contestants had to pass the Illusion Trial and gather specified ingredients in the Pill Realm before they could enter the final competition.
• Cao Ying warned Lu Yunxiao that the Soul Hall and other powerful opponents might attack contestants in the Pill Realm, and he promised to keep her safe.

Lu Yunxiao told Cao Ying that they should not provoke Soul Hall, but would show no mercy if its people attacked them. As the Pill Gathering began, the Pill Tower’s Three Giants appeared, and Cao Ying admitted that Venerable Xuan Yi was her role model.

• Lu Yunxiao said he would strike back if Soul Hall’s people came after them, and Cao Ying agreed.
• Lu Yunxiao teased Cao Ying by telling her to shout “666,” leaving her confused.
• A bell summoned the crowd’s attention, and the Pill Tower’s leaders appeared above the stone platform.
• Lu Yunxiao recognized Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Venerable Xuan Yi as the Pill Tower’s Three Giants.
• Cao Ying told Lu Yunxiao that Venerable Xuan Yi was her idol, and he encouraged her to believe she could match her accomplishments.

Lu Yunxiao declared that he would become the greatest alchemist, prompting Cao Ying and Gu Xun'er to praise him while their rivalry showed through. Xuan Kongzi welcomed the gathered alchemists and began addressing them before the Pill Gathering.

• Cao Ying asked Lu Yunxiao what heights he expected to reach, and Lu Yunxiao declared that none would stand above him in alchemy.
• Cao Ying said she would admire Lu Yunxiao if he achieved his ambition, while Gu Xun'er arrived with Elder Tongxuan and Gu Ying and voiced her confidence in him.
• Gu Ying silently dismissed Lu Yunxiao's boast, while Cao Ying and Gu Xun'er praised Lu and competed in their attention toward him.
• Lu Yunxiao deflected their praise, and Xuan Kongzi introduced himself on behalf of the Pill Tower and welcomed the alchemists.

Xuan Kongzi announced the Pill Gathering’s stages and revealed that its champion would receive an ancient Soul Cultivation Method and a chance to become a candidate for a Pill Tower Giant. Lu Yunxiao showed little interest in the prize, while those around him reflected on his unusual strength and the powerful methods he already possessed.

• Xuan Kongzi explained the three stages of the Pill Gathering and its champion’s rewards.
• The alchemists erupted with excitement when Xuan Kongzi announced the ancient Soul Cultivation Method.
• Gu Ying and Gu Xun'er discussed the method’s importance for reaching the higher ranks of alchemy.
• Cao Ying asked Lu Yunxiao whether he wanted the prize, and he said that he already had better soul cultivation methods.
• Gu Ying wondered about Lu Yunxiao’s background, while Gu Xun'er admired the advantages he had given her.

Lu Yunxiao entered the first trial of the Pill Gathering, the Soul Illusion Realm, after bidding farewell to his companions. Meanwhile, Gu Yuan and Soul Emperor learned that Gu Xun'er had reunited with Lu Yunxiao, leaving both aware that he had appeared again.

• Xuan Kongzi announced the start of the first trial and called contestants of fifth tier and above into the Soul Illusion Realm.
• Lu Yunxiao encouraged Gu Xun'er and said goodbye to Yun Yun, Queen Medusa, and Qing Yanjing before entering the trial, followed by Cao Ying.
• Elder Tongxuan suspected Lu Yunxiao might be Gu Xiao and sent information about him to the Gu Clan.
• Gu Yuan received news that Gu Xun'er was close to a young man, concluded that the man was Lu Yunxiao, and realized she had hidden his whereabouts.
• Soul Emperor used reports, a portrait, and a recording of Lu Yunxiao with Gu Xun'er to confirm that Lu Yunxiao had appeared in the Pill Region.

Soul Emperor found the Soul Illusion Realm and vowed that Gu Yuan would not stop him from breaking through to Dou Di. Lu Yunxiao entered the realm, found Cao Ying, and guided her through its illusions, where he rejected an image of Gu Xun'er while Cao Ying emerged from an illusion with unspoken feelings for him.

• Soul Emperor declared that he had finally found what he sought and called for Void, determined to break through to Dou Di despite Gu Yuan.
• Lu Yunxiao entered the Soul Illusion Realm and used his Soul Power to locate Cao Ying, who had been teleported to a different area.
• Lu Yunxiao warned Cao Ying that the realm manifested people’s innermost thoughts, then led her safely through its distorted spaces.
• The realm conjured Gu Xun'er for Lu Yunxiao, but he dismissed the image as an illusion and continued onward.
• Lu Yunxiao found Cao Ying lingering after her own illusion and reminded her not to become immersed in it; Cao Ying blushed and silently resented that he treated Gu Xun'er more warmly.

Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying crossed the gray fog and reached the entrance to the Pill Realm, where they waited for the other Pill Gathering contestants. Song Qing arrived, saw Cao Ying sitting beside Lu Yunxiao, and approached them with jealousy and resentment.

• Lu Yunxiao led Cao Ying through the illusions without being distracted and found the space channel to the Pill Realm.
• Cao Ying identified the guarding elder as Venerable Xuanlie, the Outer Pill Tower's Second Elder, and she and Lu Yunxiao sat down to wait.
• Black-robed men and Gu Ying emerged from the passage and waited nearby.
• Veteran Strong Persons and then younger contestants arrived at the clearing.
• Song Qing saw Cao Ying beside Lu Yunxiao, grew jealous, and went over to greet Cao Ying as if Lu Yunxiao were not there.

Lu Yunxiao ignored Song Qing while Cao Ying made clear that she preferred Lu Yunxiao’s company. Song Qing invited them to join his group in the Pill Realm, but Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying refused, leaving the pair to travel together.

• Lu Yunxiao ignored Song Qing, while Cao Ying greeted him with visible displeasure.
• Cao Ying praised Lu Yunxiao in front of Song Qing, provoking Song Qing’s jealousy and resentment.
• Song Qing resolved to win the Pill Gathering championship and prove his worth to Xuan Kongzi and Cao Ying.
• Song Qing invited Cao Ying and Lu Yunxiao to join his team for safety in the Pill Realm.
• Lu Yunxiao rejected the offer and warned that Song Qing’s large group would attract trouble.
• Cao Ying agreed to stay with Lu Yunxiao and felt delighted when he called her Ying'er.

Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying entered the Pill Realm after Venerable Xuanlie warned the contestants about its dangers and explained the ten-day herb-gathering task. They arrived together on a desolate plain, while Song Qing entered ahead of them with murderous intent toward Lu Yunxiao.

• Song Qing grew jealous of Cao Ying's admiration for Lu Yunxiao and secretly formed a plan to kill him inside the Pill Realm.
• Venerable Xuanlie explained that contestants needed to gather every herb on their medicinal list within ten days, warned them about powerful Magical Beasts and fellow contestants, and offered Space Stones for emergencies.
• Song Qing collected his items and entered the space channel, followed later by Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying.
• Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying emerged together on a desolate plain in the Pill Realm, where Cao Ying looked around curiously.

Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying entered the Pill Realm and discussed how to gather the rare medicinal ingredients required for the selection. Lu Yunxiao proposed targeting powerful Magical Beasts and taking their collections.

• Cao Ying surveyed the Pill Realm and noticed its abundant but decayed, violent energy.
• Cao Ying showed Lu Yunxiao the list of three rare ingredients they needed to find.
• Lu Yunxiao reassured Cao Ying that they should head toward the mountains, then asked her to call him Ying'er and affirmed they were friends.
• Lu Yunxiao reasoned that local Magical Beasts likely collected medicinal ingredients, and Cao Ying realized he planned to raid their stores.

Lu Yunxiao chose to head to the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range to seize medicinal ingredients, relying on his strength rather than searching the Pill Realm methodically. He and Cao Ying reached the range after traveling for a day and a night, where other contestants had gathered but were unable to enter easily.

• Lu Yunxiao decided to raid the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range, whose ruler was the Ancient Dragon Bear, and Cao Ying agreed to follow his plan.
• Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying traveled through the Pill Realm, where Lu Yunxiao killed contestants who tried to ambush them for their medicinal herbs.
• After a day and a night, Lu Yunxiao and Cao Ying arrived near the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range and saw tents belonging to contestants already gathered outside.
• Cao Ying apologized for slowing Lu Yunxiao down, but he reassured her that the others had arrived earlier only because their entry points were closer and that the mountain range was difficult to enter.