Chapter Summaries

Lu Yunxiao finished brewing Jade Crystal Fruit Wine and discovered that it was a potent, nourishing spirit wine. Zi Yan appeared in his room, drank eagerly, and Lu Yunxiao offered to let her take some with her.

• Lu Yunxiao opened the brewing barrel after more than half a month and found that his Jade Crystal Fruit Wine had turned out successfully.
• He tasted the wine, judged its energy comparable to a high-grade Tier 4 Medicinal Pill, and estimated that the barrel would yield several hundred bottles.
• Lu Yunxiao planned to brew Sixth-Grade Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine for an old man next.
• Zi Yan appeared through the wall, introduced herself, and stared longingly at the wine.
• Lu Yunxiao invited Zi Yan to drink, and she gulped down many ladles before he offered to let her take some away.

Lu Yunxiao offered Zi Yan Jade Crystal Wine and promised to turn her medicinal herbs into Hundred Herbs Wine. Half a month later, she returned to find the wine finished and ready to open.

• Lu Yunxiao let Zi Yan take jars of Jade Crystal Wine, and she gave him a Golden Marrow Fruit in return.
• Lu Yunxiao offered to brew Zi Yan's spiritual herbs into wine, asking for only one-tenth as a processing fee.
• Zi Yan brought more herbs so Lu Yunxiao could brew a fifth-grade Hundred Herbs Wine.
• Half a month later, Zi Yan visited Lu Yunxiao and admitted she had already finished all the Jade Crystal Wine he had given her.
• Lu Yunxiao told Zi Yan the Hundred Herbs Wine was ready, and she opened the barrel, releasing its rich aroma.

Zi Yan tasted Lu Yunxiao’s Hundred Herbs Wine and persuaded him to let her keep most of it, while he promised her two bottles of his still-maturing Sixth-Grade Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine. She then brought him to see Grand Elder Su Qian, where Lu Yunxiao reassured him that he cared for Zi Yan like a little sister.

• Zi Yan tasted the golden Hundred Herbs Wine and learned that the nearby barrel held Sixth-Grade Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine that needed another half month to mature.
• Lu Yunxiao promised Zi Yan two bottles of Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine and let her keep the rest of the Hundred Herbs Wine, taking only a share for himself.
• Zi Yan stored the wine and pulled Lu Yunxiao to a quiet chamber to tempt Grand Elder Su Qian with a flask.
• Su Qian recognized Lu Yunxiao as the brewer and praised his talent after tasting the wine.
• Lu Yunxiao told Su Qian that he was fond of Zi Yan and would care for her like a little sister.

Lu Yunxiao left Su Qian’s chamber with Zi Yan and proposed a treasure hunt in the Back Mountain, where he hoped to find Earth Core Body Tempering Milk. As they set off, Lin Xiuyai and Liu Qing noticed them and wondered what they were doing.

• Lu Yunxiao playfully teased Zi Yan, then left Su Qian’s chamber with her while Su Qian stayed behind to enjoy the Hundred Herbs Wine.
• Zi Yan suggested going to the Dou Skill Arena to fight, but Lu Yunxiao proposed treasure hunting instead and promised to split anything they found evenly.
• Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan headed to the Back Mountain to search for Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, drawing astonished looks from Inner Court students.
• Lin Xiuyai and Liu Qing watched Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan pass and wondered why they were going to the Back Mountain.

Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan searched the Back Mountain for the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, finding medicinal herbs along the way. Zi Yan sensed a fifth-tier beast guarding a cave where the treasure lay, and the pair charged toward it.

• Lin Xiuyai, Yan Hao, and Liu Qing discussed Lu Yunxiao's strength and exceptional talent, predicting he could threaten them in a few years.
• Zi Yan found a fifth-tier Golden Jade Ginseng, which Lu Yunxiao preserved, and they collected more herbs as they continued through the forest.
• Zi Yan sensed a fifth-tier magical beast nearby, and Lu Yunxiao used his soul perception to locate it.
• Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan reached a valley and identified the guardian as a Snow Demon Ape, likely a three-star Dou Wang, protecting the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk in a cave.
• Zi Yan charged toward the Snow Demon Ape, and Lu Yunxiao followed as the beast roared at them.

Lu Yunxiao watched Zi Yan overpower and subdue a berserk Snow Demon Ape, then used the Soul Contract Stone to make it his spirit pet. Zi Yan discovered what the stone could do and reacted with shock as Lu Yunxiao put it away.

• Zi Yan punched the Snow Demon Ape into a mountain wall, and it grew stronger by activating its berserk talent.
• Lu Yunxiao told Zi Yan not to kill the Snow Demon Ape because he wanted to make it his spirit pet.
• Zi Yan's aura frightened the Snow Demon Ape, and she beat it until it surrendered and begged for mercy.
• Lu Yunxiao used the Soul Contract Stone to bind the Snow Demon Ape, which bowed and addressed him as its master.
• Zi Yan asked about the stone, learned it could control others, and dropped it in shock; Lu Yunxiao caught it and stored it in his Storage Ring.

Lu Yunxiao reassured Zi Yan that he would never use the Soul Contract Stone on her, and the two grew closer after agreeing to keep it secret. They headed into the Snow Demon Ape’s cave to find the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, and Zi Yan sensed it was underground.

• Lu Yunxiao told Zi Yan he regarded her as family and would not use the Soul Contract Stone to control her.
• Zi Yan’s unease faded as she and Lu Yunxiao played around, and she insisted he become her lackey instead of her older brother.
• Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan agreed to keep the Soul Contract Stone secret in exchange for three bottles of Sixth-Grade Spirit Wine, bringing his promised total to six bottles.
• Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan entered the Snow Demon Ape’s cave to look for the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• Zi Yan sniffed out freshly disturbed ground beneath white fur and told Lu Yunxiao the milk was underground.

Lu Yunxiao and Zi Yan discovered the Snow Demon Ape’s hidden underground passage and found a vast stalactite cavern containing Earth Core Body Tempering Milk. Lu Yunxiao collected most of the precious liquid while leaving some behind, then had Zi Yan carry him back down.

• Lu Yunxiao uncovered the concealed entrance beneath the Snow Demon Ape’s fur and entered the underground passage with Zi Yan.
• Lu Yunxiao followed the strongest earth energy through a glowing cavern of stalactites to a massive stalactite holding the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• Lu Yunxiao explained that the milky pool below was only diluted liquid and that the concentrated Earth Core Body Tempering Milk was inside the stalactite.
• Zi Yan flew Lu Yunxiao up to the stalactite, and he cut it open with a jade shard and collected the green liquid in jade bottles.
• Lu Yunxiao stopped after collecting most of the liquid, sealed the stalactite with the piece he had cut out, and asked Zi Yan to take him down.

Lu Yunxiao collected the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk with Zi Yan and the Snow Demon Ape, then broke through to Nine Star Dou Master after half a month. As he prepared to return to the Jia Ma Empire, he gave Zi Yan the promised wine and told her he would be leaving, leaving her uneasy.

• Lu Yunxiao gave Zi Yan Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, gathered the remaining diluted liquid, and left the cave with her and the Snow Demon Ape.
• Half a month later, Lu Yunxiao advanced to Nine Star Dou Master and reviewed his cultivation and possessions on the system panel.
• Lu Yunxiao asked about a Soul Cultivation Method, and the system said the Elemental Scripture's middle volume would provide one.
• Zi Yan appeared in Lu Yunxiao's room, and he gave her six bottles of Sixth-Grade Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine.
• Lu Yunxiao told Zi Yan he was returning to the Jia Ma Empire for something important, and she reacted with unease.

Lu Yunxiao left Jia Nan Academy for the Jia Ma Empire but first returned to the Outer Court after two months. He reunited with Hu Jia and went with her to see Wu Hao, bringing gifts of Spirit Wine.

• Zi Yan asked to travel with Lu Yunxiao, but he explained that Su Qian would not allow it and promised to bring her treats when he returned.
• Zi Yan reluctantly accepted Lu Yunxiao’s departure, then pounced on him and bit his shoulder.
• Lu Yunxiao returned to the Outer Court after Su Qian approved his leave and gave Hu Gan several bottles of Spirit Wine.
• Lu Yunxiao met Hu Jia practicing her whip techniques and praised her improvement before inviting her to join him in visiting Wu Hao.
• Lu Yunxiao and Hu Jia arrived at Wu Hao’s room, where Wu Hao welcomed them inside.

Lu Yunxiao visited Wu Hao and Hu Jia, described the Inner Court’s dangers, and gave them Spirit Wine he had brewed to aid their cultivation. After learning Mentor Ruolin was handling admissions, he agreed to stay for a meal with Wu Hao and Hu Jia.

• Lu Yunxiao told Wu Hao and Hu Jia that the Inner Court was far more competitive than the Outer Court and advised them to delay entering it for another year.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Wu Hao and Hu Jia twenty-four bottles of Jade Crystal Wine and Hundred Herbs Wine, and they accepted after he explained he had brewed it himself.
• Lu Yunxiao asked whether they had seen Mentor Ruolin, and Hu Jia said she was likely handling admissions.
• Lu Yunxiao said he would give Mentor Ruolin wine when they reached the Jia Ma Empire and prepared to leave.
• Hu Jia invited Lu Yunxiao to eat with her and Wu Hao, and he agreed when she clarified Wu Hao would join them.

Lu Yunxiao returned to the Jia Ma Empire and stopped in Mo City on his way to the Ancient Map Shop. He reprimanded Mo Hongying for terrorizing the street, then arrived at the shop and called out to Hai Bodong.

• Lu Yunxiao crossed the Black Corner Region on the Starry Sky Flood Dragon and reached the border near Ghost Suppressing Pass.
• In Mo City, Lu Yunxiao stopped Mo Hongying from riding recklessly through the street and rebuked her for damaging the vendors' stalls.
• Lu Yunxiao swept aside Mo Hongying's companions with a wave and ordered her to compensate the stall owners and leave her victims alone.
• Mo Hongying paid the vendors and followed Lu Yunxiao toward the Ancient Map Shop.
• Lu Yunxiao reached the shop, felt at home, and called out to Hai Bodong.

Lu Yunxiao returned to the Ancient Map Shop and tested his strength against Hai Bodong in a fierce sword duel. After escalating their attacks, both prepared to meet in a decisive clash, with their strongest moves rushing toward each other.

• Lu Yunxiao dodged Hai Bodong's surprise ice arrow and warned Mo Hongying to stand aside.
• Hai Bodong asked Lu Yunxiao to draw his sword, and Lu Yunxiao summoned the Dragon Slaying Sword and attacked with a ten-meter sword light.
• Hai Bodong blocked Lu Yunxiao's thrust with Ice Condensation Mirror and drove him back with spiraling ice spikes.
• Lu Yunxiao released Star Spirit Gold, raising his aura toward Dou Ling strength, while Hai Bodong increased his own power.
• Lu Yunxiao unleashed Sword Separating Worlds as Hai Bodong sent Profound Ice Strangling's Ice Blade Storm toward him.

Lu Yunxiao battled Hai Bodong, showing that his swordsmanship could challenge a Dou Ling despite his lower cultivation, but Hai Bodong still won. Afterward, Hai Bodong dismissed Mo Hongying’s efforts to get close to them, and Lu Yunxiao gave her a Dou Skill before firmly turning down her advances.

• Lu Yunxiao clashed with Hai Bodong’s Ice Blade Storm, was driven back, and acknowledged that Hai Bodong had won.
• Hai Bodong praised Lu Yunxiao’s sword and combat strength, while Lu Yunxiao boasted that he would defeat Hai Bodong within five years.
• Mo Hongying offered to have the damaged ground repaired, but Hai Bodong told her to stop visiting and warned her father against his schemes.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Mo Hongying the Profound-tier Mid-grade Dou Skill Shadow Whip Dance as payment for her past assistance.
• Mo Hongying tried to approach Lu Yunxiao for a kiss, but he stopped her and sent her away; afterward, Hai Bodong teased him for refusing her.

Lu Yunxiao gave Hai Bodong Tier 6 Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine to remove the seal that had suppressed his strength for decades. Hai Bodong broke the seal and returned to the Dou Emperor realm, though he had only recovered to three-star Dou Emperor strength.

• Lu Yunxiao teased Hai Bodong about his new wealth and said he had brought him a gift.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Hai Bodong Tier 6 Delusion-Breaking Spirit Wine, which he said could break harmful seals better than a Calamity Breaking Pill.
• Hai Bodong drank the spirit wine in his icy meditation chamber and began cultivating as Lu Yunxiao watched.
• A dark-green snake-shaped seal appeared on Hai Bodong's forehead and battled fiery red energy within him.
• The fiery red energy destroyed the seal, and Hai Bodong awakened with the power of a three-star Dou Emperor.

After Hai Bodong regained his strength, Lu Yunxiao gave him two powerful Ice Attribute scrolls and asked to study his map of possible Heavenly Flame locations. Lu Yunxiao identified the Green Lotus Core Flame near Shimo City as his next target and concluded it should still be there.

• Lu Yunxiao used the Snow Demon Ape and Starry Sky Flood Dragon to pin Hai Bodong to the ground after Hai Bodong teased him with his aura.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Hai Bodong the Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique Thousand Shadow Frost Kill and cultivation art Myriad Cold Art.
• Hai Bodong accepted the scrolls and silently vowed to protect Lu Yunxiao.
• Lu Yunxiao asked Hai Bodong for his map of likely Heavenly Flame locations, then studied its three flame markers.
• Lu Yunxiao determined that the Green Lotus Core Flame near Shimo City should remain there for at least another half year and set his sights on it.

Lu Yunxiao and Hai Bodong arrived in Stone City to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame and encountered Qing Lin, a mistreated girl of mixed human and snake-person heritage. After driving away the hostile crowd, Lu Yunxiao asked to see her scales, and Qing Lin wondered whether he feared her.

• Lu Yunxiao and Hai Bodong entered Stone City and decided to recruit a mercenary group to search the area for the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• A crowd insulted Qing Lin as she ran through the street and collided with Lu Yunxiao, scattering the items she carried.
• Lu Yunxiao learned Qing Lin's name and defended her when a passerby condemned her mixed heritage.
• Hai Bodong released his Dou Emperor aura, scattering the crowd, while Lu Yunxiao comforted Qing Lin and asked to see her scales.
• Qing Lin raised her head and timidly asked Lu Yunxiao whether he was afraid of her.

Lu Yunxiao comforted Qing Lin about her scales and escorted her to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, where he asked Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to search for a Heavenly Flame near Stone City. He left them with a valuable reward offer and revealed enough of his strength to assure them he could handle the Sand Mercenary Group.

• Lu Yunxiao praised Qing Lin's scales, helped her up, and offered to escort her home.
• Qing Lin led Lu Yunxiao and Hai Bodong to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, where they met its leaders, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
• Lu Yunxiao asked the brothers to search the area around Stone City for a Heavenly Flame and offered a Profound-tier Dou Skill scroll as payment.
• Xiao Ding warned that Robb and the Sand Mercenary Group might interfere, but Lu Yunxiao dismissed the threat and demanded secrecy.
• Lu Yunxiao briefly revealed an aura comparable to a Dou Ling, leaving Xiao Ding and Xiao Li frightened and impressed.

Lu Yunxiao secured Xiao Ding’s help in searching for the Heavenly Flames and warned him to keep the matter secret. Afterward, Lu Yunxiao discussed Xiao Ding’s usefulness with Hai Bodong, revealed he had someone in mind to marry, and defended Qing Lin from Hai Bodong’s assumptions.

• Lu Yunxiao gave Xiao Ding two Grade 2 Qi-Enhancing Pills as a meeting gift and promised a Profound-tier Dou Skill if the Desert Iron Mercenary Group found the Heavenly Flames.
• Xiao Ding agreed to keep Lu Yunxiao’s information secret and ordered Xiao Li to escort Lu Yunxiao and Hai Bodong to the best guest rooms.
• After Lu Yunxiao and Hai Bodong left, Xiao Ding recognized Lu Yunxiao’s warning and decided that having Qing Lin serve him would benefit the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.
• Lu Yunxiao told Hai Bodong he already had someone in mind to marry and praised her as possessing peerless grace.
• Lu Yunxiao clarified that he regarded the twelve-year-old Qing Lin as a younger sister, praised her talent, and told Hai Bodong not to look down on her.

Lu Yunxiao comforted Qing Lin and discovered the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils in her eyes. He offered to take her away, leaving her to consider whether she would follow him.

• Lu Yunxiao reassured Qing Lin that she did not need to be nervous or feel inferior around him.
• Qing Lin told Lu Yunxiao she was willing to serve him for the rest of her life, and he noticed the three jade-green dots in her pupils.
• Lu Yunxiao asked whether Qing Lin wanted to cultivate and offered to take her away, but told her to decide in her own time.
• As Qing Lin led Lu Yunxiao around the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, its members gave her disgusted looks.
• Lu Yunxiao encouraged Qing Lin to ignore the others and value her own future, and she brightened and hurried after him.