Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan accepted medicinal ingredients and borrowed the Mysterious Cloud Cauldron from Ya Fei before arriving at the Alchemist Tournament venue. There, he reunited with Lin Fei, Otto, Frank, and Xue Mei, and asked Frank where President Kuro had been.

• Ya Fei offered Xiao Yan medicinal ingredients and the Mysterious Cloud Cauldron as support for the tournament, and Xiao Yan accepted the ingredients but agreed to borrow the cauldron.
• Ya Fei took Xiao Yan to register at the tournament venue, where he entered the enormous arena and worried about his limited alchemy experience.
• Xiao Yan met Lin Fei, Otto, Frank, and Xue Mei, who thanked him for helping Chisha City’s residents during the past week.
• Frank told Xiao Yan that Xiao Yi Xian had also helped many people and had become admired by the residents.
• Xiao Yan asked Frank where President Kuro had been during the past week.

Xiao Yan learned that Kuro had died after Chisha City vanished, while Frank and Otto uncovered a disturbing gap in their memories. As the alchemy competition began, Princess Yao Yue approached Xiao Yan and asked whether he would marry into the Imperial Family.

• Frank told Xiao Yan that Kuro had been found dead, apparently frightened to death, and that a female inn employee had disappeared.
• Frank and Otto separately recalled that three people had followed Xiao Yan, then realized they remembered only Xiao Yi Xian and the green-haired girl.
• Xue Mei explained why competitors avoided the central platform and led Lin Fei to a table below, while Xiao Yan also chose not to stand out.
• Yao Yue introduced herself to Xiao Yan as the second princess of the Jia Ma Imperial Family and praised him based on her sister's opinion.
• Yao Yue asked Xiao Yan whether he would be interested in marrying into the Imperial Family.

Xiao Yan declined Yao Yue’s suggestion that he marry her sister, Yao Ye, but accepted an invitation to a royal banquet. After Yao Yue asked him to compete on the Alchemist Tournament’s high platform so he could gain fame for Jia Xingtian’s plans, Xiao Yan embraced the trust placed in him and headed to the stage.

• Yao Yue asked Xiao Yan whether he would marry into the royal family, explaining that she was asking on behalf of her sister, Yao Ye.
• Xiao Yan firmly declined, citing his engagement to Nalan Yanran and the Three-Year Pact, while praising Yao Ye’s character.
• Yao Yue invited Xiao Yan to a banquet hosted by Yao Ye, and Xiao Yan agreed to attend.
• Yao Yue told Xiao Yan that Jia Xingtian wanted him to compete on the high platform and build his reputation, possibly for a matter involving the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Yan reflected on the many people who trusted him, and Yao Chen reassured him that being trusted mattered regardless of the outcome.
• Xiao Yan resolved to repay Jia Xingtian’s trust and strode toward the high platform to compete.

As the Alchemist Tournament gathered Jia Ma City’s attention, Nalan Yanran reflected on earning sincere gratitude through her own efforts and proudly called to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan admitted Nalan Yanran had been his first love as a child but said they were better suited as friends; the chapter ended with Gu He’s disciple Liu Ling introducing himself as Yanran’s pursuer.

• Jia Xingtian watched Xiao Yan and Yao Yue prepare for the tournament while Hai Bodong reassured him that Xiao Yan could win.
• Nalan Yanran and her companions reached the venue after citizens thanked them for their help, and Nalan Yanran felt proud that the gratitude was for her own actions.
• Nalan Yanran called out to Xiao Yan, and he waved back as Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin watched from beside her.
• Yao Yue asked about Xiao Yan’s relationship with Nalan Yanran, and Xiao Yan said she had been his first love ten years earlier but that they were better as friends.
• Yao Chen worried about the conflict between the Jia Ma Empire and the Misty Cloud Sect, especially because Yun Yun might have to choose between family and justice.
• Liu Ling introduced himself to Xiao Yan as Gu He’s disciple and declared that he was pursuing Nalan Yanran.

At the alchemy competition, Xiao Yan told Liu Ling he respected Nalan Yanran’s freedom to choose whom she loved, leaving Liu Ling humbled. Gu He delivered a message to Jia Xingtian, then departed to respond to the Misty Cloud Sect as Jia considered stepping down in favor of Ye'er.

• Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran discussed Liu Ling’s pursuit of Nalan Yanran and agreed they had no interest in him.
• Xiao Yan told Liu Ling he would not restrict Nalan Yanran’s choices and asked him to protect her reputation while pursuing her.
• Liu Ling was stunned by Xiao Yan’s outlook and wished him luck in the competition before taking his place at a stone table.
• Gu He told Jia Xingtian he had ignored the Misty Cloud Sect’s letters and delivered a message from someone to Jia Xingtian.
• Gu He left to reply to the Misty Cloud Sect, while Jia Xingtian said he planned to retire and have Ye'er take over the empire.

At the opening of the Jia Ma Empire’s Alchemist Tournament, Xiao Yan challenged Liu Ling’s contempt for ordinary people, prompting Liu Ling to reconsider his assumptions. As the first event began, Xiao Yan and the other contestants started refining black crystals, with Xiao Yan revealing his Heavenly Flame.

• Ya Fei introduced the tournament’s distinguished guests, including Nalan Jie, Fa Ma, and Jia Xingtian, then presented contestants Xiao Yan, Yao Yue, and Liu Ling.
• Fa Ma encouraged the contestants and declared the tournament open, and Ya Fei explained that the first event required refining black crystals before time ran out.
• Liu Ling dismissed the contestants who had not dared to stand on the high platform as ordinary, and Xiao Yan argued that ordinary people’s efforts and hopes deserved respect.
• Xiao Yan asked Liu Ling whether he could accept being ordinary, leading Liu Ling to reconsider how much talent and opportunity had shaped his own success.
• Xiao Yan reminded Liu Ling that half the time remained, and Liu Ling renewed his resolve to live up to his talents as both began refining their crystals.
• Xiao Yan ignited the Green Lotus Core Flame, startling Yao Yue and Liu Ling, while Yao Yue reconsidered whether Xiao Yan was beneath the Imperial Family.

Xiao Yan, Yao Yue, and Liu Ling narrowly completed the first round of the Alchemist Tournament, and Ya Fei used Jia Xingtian’s quick thinking to turn their late finish into a public triumph. The trio advanced among forty-seven qualifiers, while Liu Ling’s jealousy flared after Nalan Yanran cheered for Xiao Yan.

• Lin Fei and Xue Mei finished refining their white jade crystals, and more contestants completed the task as the hourglass ran low.
• Xiao Yan, Yao Yue, and Liu Ling opened their cauldrons just before time expired, and Ya Fei announced the round’s end.
• Nalan Yanran cheered for Xiao Yan, leaving Liu Ling jealous, while Jia Xingtian gestured for Ya Fei to explain the trio’s performance.
• Ya Fei claimed the organizers had required the three high-platform contestants to wait until half the time had passed before refining, silencing the objections of Lin Fei and the other alchemists.
• Ya Fei announced that forty-seven of the one hundred contestants had advanced and singled out Xiao Yan, Yao Yue, and Liu Ling as the round’s most outstanding performers.

The Alchemist Tournament’s second round ended as Jia Xingtian investigated the Nalan Family steward, but urgent news revealed that an unknown strongman was leading a Snake-people rebellion toward Jia Ma Holy City with Princess Yao Ye hostage. Jia Xingtian ordered preparations to confront the Misty Cloud Sect before the rebellion arrived, while Mu Zhan learned that his grandfather Mu Chen had died in battle and inherited command of the Mu Family soldiers.

• Ya Fei began the second round of the Alchemist Tournament, and Nalan Jie left Nalan Yanran to answer Jia Xingtian’s summons.
• Jia Xingtian examined the steward’s list of retired Misty Cloud Sect disciples, found it misleading, and ordered soldiers to compare it with imperial criminal records.
• A soldier reported that an unknown strongman had aided the Snake-people rebellion, captured Princess Yao Ye, and was leading the Snake-people toward Jia Ma Holy City after Mu Chen fell in battle.
• Jia Xingtian ordered Nalan Jie to prepare for an early trial of Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan’s Three-Year Pact, insisting that the Misty Cloud Sect must be dealt with before the Snake-people arrived.
• Jia Xingtian assigned the Mu Family soldiers to Mu Zhan and told him that Mu Chen had died; Mu Zhan broke down in grief and blamed himself for pursuing selfish desires while his grandfather fought on the frontline.

Jia Xingtian and Nalan Jie concealed General Mu Chen’s death and the Snake-people Rebellion to keep Xiao Yan from disrupting their plan. At the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun returned and confronted Yun Leng over the elders’ crimes, but Yun Leng’s plea for mercy left her conflicted.

• Jia Xingtian ordered Nalan Jie to hide General Mu Chen’s death, appoint Mu Zhan temporarily in his place, and keep the Snake-people Rebellion from Xiao Yan.
• Yun Leng received Gu He’s offer of support and a report about the rebellion, then sent Yun Fan to verify the news and ordered Yun Sha to contact retired disciples in Jia Ma Holy City.
• Yun Yun entered the main hall and accused Yun Leng and the other elders of endangering the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Yun Yun drew her sword and threatened to purge the sect, but gave Yun Leng a chance to explain.
• Yun Leng knelt, claimed sole responsibility for his crimes, and asked Yun Yun to preserve the Misty Cloud Sect after his death.
• Yun Yun hesitated as Yun Leng’s appeal to their shared history and the sect’s place as her home weakened her resolve.

Yun Yun demoted Yun Leng and took personal control of the Misty Cloud Sect, while Xiao Yan won the Alchemist Tournament by refining a Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill. The chapter ended with Xiao Yan proudly raising his trophy and Yao Chen telling him she was proud of him.

• Yun Yun spared Yun Leng but stripped him of his position as Great Elder, demoted him to an ordinary disciple, and declared that she would personally manage the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Yun Yun told Yun Du to invite Gu He to discuss joining the sect, and vowed to keep the Misty Cloud Sect from disbanding even if she had to repay its debts herself.
• Xiao Yan won the tournament with a high-grade Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill, leaving Liu Ling, Yao Yue, and the other contestants astonished.
• Fa Ma presented Xiao Yan with an honorary trophy, one million gold coins, and the Spirit Melting Pill formula.
• Xiao Yan raised his trophy before the cheering crowd and told Yao Chen that he had not disgraced her; Yao Chen replied that she was proud of him.

At the imperial banquet celebrating Xiao Yan’s Alchemist Tournament victory, Nalan Yanran got Xiao Yi Xian drunk, triggering an emotional scene that Xiao Yan struggled to contain. Meanwhile, Jia Xingtian revealed that he had planted false news of the Snake-people Rebellion to lure out a family steward, and he waited to see what the Misty Cloud Sect would do.

• Nalan Yanran repeatedly tried to make Xiao Yan drink, then poured liquor down Xiao Yi Xian’s throat when she intervened.
• Drunk, Xiao Yi Xian asked whether Xiao Yan hated or liked her, broke down over feeling like a burden, and tried to jump from a window while Xiao Yan held her back.
• Nalan Yanran declared Xiao Yan her fiancé and offered to make Xiao Yi Xian his little wife, while the banquet guests watched the commotion and Qing Lin brought water to help.
• Jia Xingtian stopped Nalan Jie from interrupting the young people and told Fa Ma that the Alchemist Guild should remain neutral.
• Jia Xingtian ordered Nalan Jie to capture his family’s steward, explaining that the false report of the Snake-people Rebellion had served its purpose and that the next move depended on the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Jia Xingtian looked at the moon and said the Sect Master had fought for one last chance for the Misty Cloud Sect, hoping they would not disappoint her.

Yun Leng faced the Misty Cloud Sect’s looming reckoning until Yun Fan confirmed that the Snake-people Rebellion was real and brought back Mo Cheng as further evidence. Seeing a chance to save the sect, Yun Leng ordered Yun Du to contact the Medicine Emperor of the Black Corner Region.

• Yun Leng worried that the imperial family would force the Misty Cloud Sect to disband or pay an enormous debt, while Yun Du and Yun Sha feared Yun Fan had failed to return.
• Yun Fan arrived alive and confirmed that Yao Ye was being held captive by the Snake-people army, with an unknown powerful leader coercing its other leaders.
• Yun Fan brought the wounded Mo Cheng to Yun Leng, and Mo Cheng confirmed the rebellion and claimed he had seen Mu Chen killed by the black-robed leader.
• Yun Leng judged that the rebellion’s strength was still insufficient and told Yun Du to contact the Medicine Emperor of the Black Corner Region.

Yun Leng resolved to bring down the Jia Ma Imperial Family and ordered Mo Cheng to find Dou Huang allies, while Xiao Yan returned to the Nalan Family after the banquet. As Xiao Yan kept watch beside the sleeping Xiao Yi Xian, he reassured Yao Chen that he would prove himself worthy of her trust, and she agreed to let him try.

• Yun Leng declared that the Misty Cloud Sect needed the Jia Ma Imperial Family removed, then gave Mo Cheng two days to bring Dou Huang helpers or die.
• Yun Leng ordered Yun Fan to watch Mo Cheng and kill him if he acted suspiciously, and told Yun Du that Yun Yun would oppose treason but would be forced to lead the sect.
• Nalan Jie told Xiao Yan that the captured steward had been replaced years ago and that the Misty Cloud Sect was behind it.
• Xiao Yan settled the drunken Xiao Yi Xian in her room and stayed outside to keep watch while Qing Lin and Nalan Jie retired.
• Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen whether she had ever felt her life was meaningless, and she recalled being betrayed by someone she had treated like family.
• Yao Chen asked whether Xiao Yan would betray her, and Xiao Yan promised to dispel her doubts through his actions; Yao Chen accepted his resolve.

The Medicine Emperor accepted Yun Leng’s offer to intervene in the Jia Ma Empire, then sent a letter addressed to Elder Jin Yin. At the Nalan Family, Xiao Yi Xian woke with a hangover and learned that Nalan Yanran had already left; the chapter ended when a servant announced that Qing Lin had gone missing.

• The Medicine Emperor forced the Misty Cloud Sect Envoy to kneel and surrender the reason for his visit: Yun Leng wanted help opposing the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
• After hearing Yun Leng’s offer of a billion and the Jia Ma Empire’s throne, the Medicine Emperor agreed to travel to the empire and handed his servant a letter addressed to Elder Jin Yin.
• Xiao Yi Xian woke hungover, worried about how she had behaved in front of Xiao Yan, and blamed Nalan Yanran for making her drink.
• Xiao Yi Xian went to confront Nalan Yanran, but Nalan Jie told her that Yanran had left for the mountain after receiving a letter from Sect Master Yun.
• Nalan Jie and Xiao Yan learned that Qing Lin had disappeared while out buying groceries with a servant.

Yun Leng prepared the Misty Cloud Sect’s confrontation with the Jia Ma Imperial Family, while Jia Xingtian made his own preparations and kept the larger plan hidden. The chapter ended with the city’s evacuation underway and Jia Xingtian hoping the coming events would proceed smoothly.

• Mo Cheng told Yun Leng he had secured the help of two Dou Huang powerhouses, and Yun Leng spared him while learning that he had abducted a little girl from the Nalan Family.
• Yun Leng agreed to let Gu He replace him as Great Elder and learned that the Medicine Emperor had agreed to help the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Yun Fan realized the Snake-people Rebels would arrive a day earlier than expected, relieving Yun Leng’s timing problem and strengthening his plan to overthrow the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
• Jia Xingtian received an unsigned letter confirming his expectations, dismissed Yun Yun’s blank letter, and assured Hai Bodong that the abducted Qing Lin was safe.
• Jia Xingtian ordered Nalan Jie to prepare for five Dou Huang intruders and evacuate Jia Ma Holy City’s residents, then admitted he hoped everything would go smoothly.

As Jia Ma Holy City evacuated ahead of an expected clash between the imperial family and the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun arranged for Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan’s Three-Year Pact to be held as a Trial Performance. Xiao Yan sent Xiao Yi Xian away with Ya Fei for safety, and Xiao Yi Xian promised to wait for him while resolving to become stronger.

• Nalan Jie ordered the residents of Jia Ma Holy City to relocate, while Yun Leng learned that Fa Ma and the Alchemist Guild would stay neutral and that the Three-Year Pact would be held in two days.
• Yun Yun explained to Nalan Yanran that she was using the Trial Performance as a formal occasion to speak with Jia Xingtian, then cried alone and reaffirmed that this was the final chance.
• Xiao Yan entrusted Xiao Yi Xian to Ya Fei as the city evacuated, and Xiao Yi Xian embraced him and promised to find him if he did not return.
• Ya Fei told Xiao Yi Xian that staying would only make them burdens, leaving Xiao Yi Xian more determined to gain strength.

Jia Xingtian’s plan moved toward its final stage as the evacuated residents watched the Three-Year Pact trial performance, while Xiao Yan prepared to face Nalan Yanran. Before the match, Jia Xingtian and Xiao Yan confronted Mo Cheng and left Qing Lin safe, then Xiao Yan followed Jia Xingtian toward the arriving Misty Cloud Sect.

• Soldiers placed Projection Crystals around the evacuation camp, and Yao Yue questioned why Gu He had become the Misty Cloud Sect’s Great Elder.
• Fa Ma explained that Gu He had unusually committed himself to the Misty Cloud Sect despite the danger, leaving his reasons unclear until the match began.
• Jia Xingtian revealed that Mo Cheng’s attempted kidnapping had served his plan, and Xiao Yan agreed to spare Mo Cheng temporarily so he could act as a witness.
• Jia Xingtian apologized to Qing Lin for using her, and she accepted after learning that she had helped Xiao Yan and Xiao Jing.
• Zi Yun agreed to help Jia Xingtian, while Xiao Yan left Qing Lin with the Little Lion King and followed Jia Xingtian toward the Misty Cloud Sect delegation.

The Misty Cloud Sect and Jia Ma Empire forces gathered at the arena, revealing the growing conflict within Yun Yun’s sect as Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran began their Three-Year Pact Trial Performance. After Xiao Yan won their opening clash, Yun Yun admitted that she likely could no longer turn the Misty Cloud Sect’s elders back, but insisted she would resolve the crisis herself.

• Jia Xingtian and Yun Yun exchanged formal greetings as the Misty Cloud Sect arrived with over a thousand disciples, and Nalan Jie led Jia Ma Empire soldiers into the arena in response.
• Yun Yun ordered her disciples to take their seats, but they waited for Yun Leng’s nod before obeying, showing how little authority she held within the sect.
• Yun Yun and Jia Xingtian left Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan alone in the arena, where Nalan Yanran apologized for the Three-Year Pact becoming a Trial Performance and Xiao Yan reassured her.
• Xiao Yan tossed a gold coin to start the match, then sent Nalan Yanran flying with their first weapon clash, astonishing the spectators with their speed and strength.
• As Nalan Yanran charged back into the fight, Jia Xingtian asked Yun Yun whether the situation could still be reversed, and she said she would confront the Misty Cloud Sect’s problems herself while clinging to a faint hope.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran fought with startling ferocity in a trial contest, each pushing through severe injuries. Nalan Yanran unleashed her strongest technique, and Xiao Yan answered with Flame-Splitting! Wave-Devouring Ruler!!! as the attack descended.

• Xiao Yan countered Nalan Yanran’s Wind Spirit Fractal Sword with Mad Lion’s Roar, but she pressed forward and struck him with all seven blades.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran rose despite their injuries, and Nalan Yanran resolved to keep fighting so she could win the Three-Year Pact and marry him.
• Nalan Yanran warned Xiao Yan that her next move would be her final one, then summoned the enormous Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Radiance from the clouds.
• Xiao Yan drew back the Black Xuan Heavy Ruler, erupted with green flames, and swung Flame-Splitting! Wave-Devouring Ruler!!! at the descending blade.

Xiao Yan defeated Nalan Yanran in their trial match, but a surprise attack by Lv Man triggered a confrontation between Heavenly Snake Manor and the Jia Ma Empire. The clash was interrupted by three high-level Dou Huangs arriving to support Lv Man, leaving Jia Xingtian facing new opponents above the arena.

• Xiao Yan shattered Nalan Yanran’s strongest Dou Technique and created a deep ravine in the arena before she admitted defeat.
• Yun Leng considered killing Xiao Yan, but an unseen attacker struck as the match ended, and Hai Bodong shielded Xiao Yan from Lv Man’s attack.
• Lv Man explained that Heavenly Snake Manor sought Qing Lin, while Jia Xingtian confronted her for trespassing in Jia Ma Empire territory.
• Bai Ya ambushed Jia Xingtian with poisonous gas, but Zi Yun appeared and dispersed it, then challenged Bai Ya.
• Three high-level Dou Huangs flew over the arena, relieving Lv Man and prompting Jia Xingtian to face the new arrivals.