Chapter Summaries

Chen Guan learned that the Pill Tower needed him to win a seat on the Little Pill Tower’s Great Elder’s Courtyard to secure support against Soul Hall. He prepared to face Old Monster Hou in an early assessment and considered searching for the elusive Pill Tower Ancestor.

• Xuan Kongzi warned Chen Guan that Soul Hall might retaliate and explained that the Little Pill Tower’s elders had refused to intervene directly.
• Xuan Kongzi said the Little Pill Tower would choose its tenth elder two years early, giving Chen Guan a chance to secure the votes needed to make the elders act.
• Xuan Yi explained that Chen Guan’s sole opponent would be Old Monster Hou, a powerful Grade 8 alchemist who had once competed against Yao Chen and Qing Hua.
• Tian Leizi mentioned that the Pill Tower Ancestor could not be contacted, and Xuan Kongzi described the ancestor’s unusual practice of living entire lifetimes in borrowed bodies.
• Chen Guan recalled the ancestor’s appearance in the Original Trajectory and considered searching for him before agreeing to go to the Little Pill Tower the next morning.

Chen Guan traveled to the Little Pill Tower to compete for a Tenth Seat Elder position and encountered a warning about his rival, Old Monster Hou. After learning Hou may be capable of refining pills with Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, Chen Guan realized he might need to refine a ninth-tier medicinal pill to secure victory.

• Chen Guan left Qingce Manor with Yun Yun and her disciple, while Venerable Skyfire secretly escorted them toward the Flower Sect.
• Chen Guan joined Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi at the Pill Tower, and they entered the Little Pill Tower through a Space Channel.
• Xuan Kongzi showed off Chen Guan’s achievements to the Little Pill Tower’s elderly alchemists as they climbed to the mountaintop.
• Xuan Kongzi arranged for Chen Guan to wait in a stone house while he and the others went to greet the Great Elder.
• An unidentified old man visited Chen Guan and warned that Old Monster Hou had refined eighth-tier pills with Eight-Colored Pill Lightning twenty years earlier.
• Chen Guan concluded that Old Monster Hou might now be able to produce Nine-Colored Pill Lightning and that a ninth-tier pill might be needed to guarantee victory.

Chen Guan arrived at Pill Tower Mountain to compete with Old Monster Hou for a seat in the Great Elder's Courtyard, a contest that could influence Little Pill Tower's stance toward Soul Hall. The Great Elder began the selection, and Chen Guan and Old Monster Hou prepared to refine their pills.

• Xuan Kongzi told Chen Guan that two elders would stand with them against Soul Hall, but Old Monster Hou had refined an eighth-grade pill that triggered Eight-Colored Pill Lightning eighteen years earlier.
• Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and the others took Chen Guan to Pill Tower Mountain, where alchemy masters had gathered to witness the selection.
• Chen Guan saw the Great Elder, a Two-Star Dou Saint, test him with Soul Pressure before announcing that the contestant who refined the highest-grade pill would win.
• The Great Elder introduced Chen Guan as the Pill Gathering champion who had killed four Soul Hall Heavenly Venerates and explained why the election had been moved forward.
• Old Monster Hou and Chen Guan stepped forward as the only contestants and set down their Medicine Cauldrons when the Great Elder rang the bell to begin.

Chen Guan and Old Monster Hou raced to refine mysterious ninth-grade pills, drawing the alchemists’ attention for half a month. Old Monster Hou’s pill summoned Nine-Colored Pill Lightning, but Chen Guan opened his eyes and declared it was still not enough.

• Chen Guan revealed his Myriad Beast Cauldron and fused Heavenly Flame, while Xuan Kongzi explained that Chen Guan had obtained a ninth-grade pill formula from Yao Chen.
• Chen Guan and Old Monster Hou began refining their pills with vast quantities of rare medicinal ingredients, and neither formula could be identified by the onlookers.
• After seven days and then another eight, both alchemists grew more adept at controlling the perilous refinement process.
• Three days later, Old Monster Hou’s pill neared completion and summoned a Lightning Cloud that revealed nine-colored light.
• Old Monster Hou claimed victory, but Chen Guan opened his eyes and said Nine-Colored Pill Lightning was not enough.

Chen Guan refined a Ninth Grade Treasure Pill, the Sacred Heart Pill, and defeated Old Monster Hou in their alchemy contest. After surviving the pill’s Black Demonic Lightning and capturing its Azure Luan form, Chen Guan revealed the pill’s name to the gathered alchemists.

• Chen Guan released a powerful cyan energy pillar from his cauldron, causing Old Monster Hou’s Nine-Colored Pill Lightning to shrink, then redirected the pillar to stabilize it.
• Black Demonic Lightning gathered over Chen Guan’s pill, and he sent his Tier 8 Puppets to withstand repeated strikes until the lightning clouds vanished.
• Chen Guan captured the pill, which had taken the form of an Azure Luan, and let the alchemists examine it.
• Old Monster Hou admitted defeat and conceded that Chen Guan had won with a Ninth Grade Treasure Pill.
• The Great Elder asked Chen Guan to identify the pill, and Chen Guan named it the Sacred Heart Pill.

Chen Guan won the election for the tenth elder of the Great Elder's Courtyard after revealing the power of his Sacred Heart Pill. With the result settled, the Great Elder summoned Chen Guan and Xuan Kongzi and the others to revisit the decision that had brought them to the Little Pill Tower.

• Chen Guan explained that his Sacred Heart Pill could help Nine-Turn Peak Dou Venerates break through to the Half-Saint realm, while Old Monster Hou described the Dou Qi mutation caused by his Blazing Demon Profound Pill.
• The Great Elder declared Chen Guan the election's victor and appointed him a voting elder of the Great Elder's Courtyard.
• Old Monster Hou accepted his defeat, and the assembled alchemists congratulated Xuan Kongzi on his disciple's achievement.
• Chen Guan and his allies recognized that Chen Guan's new vote gave their pro-war faction six votes and could bring the Little Pill Tower's reclusive members into the conflict against the Soul Hall.
• The Great Elder ended the gathering and asked Chen Guan, Xuan Kongzi, and the other two to accompany him to revisit their earlier discussion.

Chen Guan secured the Pill Tower elders’ support for a gradual campaign against the Soul Hall and promised to destroy it within ten years. After learning the Soul Hall was backed by the Soul Clan, he declared that he would destroy the Soul Clan as well, leaving the elders stunned by his ambition.

• The Great Elder explained the Pill Tower’s grievances against the Soul Hall and called a vote on Chen Guan’s candidacy, which passed six to four.
• Chen Guan asked the elders to publicly declare their stance, protect his family, and keep him safe while he worked to destroy the Soul Hall within ten years.
• The Second Elder warned Chen Guan that the Soul Hall was connected to the Soul Clan, one of the powerful Ancient Imperial Clans.
• Chen Guan reaffirmed his promise and declared that both the Soul Hall and the Soul Clan could be destroyed.
• Chen Guan recounted his rise from the Northwestern Region and claimed that a hundred years later, wherever he stood would be an Imperial Clan.

Chen Guan returned to Qingce Manor after securing the elders’ support and reported his success to Medusa, including his Ninth Grade Treasure Pill. He shared the pill’s benefits, entrusted Medusa with a powerful puppet, and planned a period of preparation and secluded cultivation before the Ancient Remains.

• Xuan Kongzi warned Chen Guan that the Soul Hall’s silence might conceal a larger plot and urged him to stay in the Pill Region while the elders handled matters.
• Chen Guan surveyed Qingce Manor and found its residents cultivating or resting, with Xiao Yi Xian close to a breakthrough.
• Chen Guan reunited with Medusa and told her about the Little Pill Tower and the Ninth Grade Treasure Pill.
• Medusa declined to take the pill, so Chen Guan explained that everyone could benefit from some of its blood and that the pill could be kept as a keepsake.
• Chen Guan gave Medusa a puppet capable of fighting a Six-Star Dou Venerate and said he would spend two months refining pills before cultivating for the Ancient Remains.
• Medusa agreed to cultivate in seclusion with Chen Guan, and he said he was investigating the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python to help her grow stronger.

After a year of seclusion, Chen Guan’s allies emerged stronger while Soul Hall’s silence left them uneasy. As Queen Medusa weighed whether to pursue newly discovered Ancient Remains in the Beast Region, a surge in World Energy suggested Chen Guan was about to break through.

• Chen Guan distributed pills and assigned his companions to cultivate and care for the younger members before entering seclusion with Queen Medusa, Qing Lin, Venerable Skyfire, and Old Monster You Du.
• A year later, Queen Medusa had reached eight-star Dou Zong, while the others who emerged from seclusion had each advanced by one star.
• Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian worried that Soul Hall had been silent for a year and discussed a letter reporting that Ancient Remains in the Beast Region were drawing many factions, including Burning Flame Valley.
• Medusa decided to have the Pill Tower monitor the remains and to wait for Chen Guan to emerge before deciding whether to go.
• The women sensed World Energy gathering toward Chen Guan’s secret chamber and hurried there to wait for his breakthrough.

Chen Guan emerged from a year of seclusion as a Four-Star Dou Venerate and decided to lead his companions to the Ancient Remains in the Beast Region. After arriving, he sent Qing Lin to question the local snake-type magical beasts for information.

• Chen Guan emerged from seclusion at the Four-Star Dou Venerate level and learned that the Ancient Remains had appeared in the Beast Region.
• Chen Guan decided to explore the ruins, and Medusa shared what she knew about the spatial rift and the forces already gathering there.
• Xuan Kongzi warned Chen Guan about the ruins’ dangers, the likely peak Dou Saint owner, and the powerful magical beast clans of the Beast Region.
• Chen Guan and his companions set out from Qingce Manor, leaving Little Qing Yan in Xuan Kongzi’s care.
• After reaching the Beast Region, Chen Guan stopped Zi Yan from provoking the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan or the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan.
• Chen Guan asked Qing Lin to question a snake-type magical beast for information about the region.

Chen Guan’s group learned that the Ancient Remains in the Beast Skeleton Mountain Range contained a dangerous Ancient Forest and attracted more than a hundred forces. On the way there, they encountered Ice River Valley experts, including someone with an Acquired Poison Body of Misfortune, and continued toward the remains while remaining wary.

• Qing Lin controlled a Nine Serene Deep Ground Python elder, who told Chen Guan’s group about the Beast Region, the Ancient Remains, and the forces gathering there.
• The elder reported that the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python clan had spread false rumors about a Heaven-tier Dou Technique and that nearly eighty percent of those entering the remains had died.
• Chen Guan decided the group would disguise themselves and head to the remains despite the suspected presence of the Soul Hall.
• Chen Guan’s group traveled toward the Beast Skeleton Mountain Range and encountered many experts bound for the Ancient Remains.
• Xiao Yi Xian sensed that one member of a cold, unfamiliar group had an unnatural Poison Body of Misfortune, and Chen Guan recognized the group as Ice River Valley.

Chen Guan arrived at Beast Skeleton Mountain Range with his companions and waited for the Ancient Remains to stabilize. Venerable Lei confronted him over his use of the Wind and Lightning Pavilion’s Three Thousand Lightning Movement, then left after learning how Chen Guan had acquired it and failing to secure a promise that it would never be shared.

• Chen Guan and his companions surveyed the expanding spatial rift above Beast Skeleton Mountain Range and settled in to wait for it to stabilize.
• Chen Guan noticed Tang Zhen, Yao Chen, and Xiao Huohuo among the gathered factions, but chose not to approach them.
• Venerable Lei visited Chen Guan and asked where he had learned Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
• Chen Guan explained that he had bought the technique at auction without knowing it belonged to the Wind and Lightning Pavilion, and said the seller had since been killed.
• Venerable Lei asked Chen Guan not to pass the technique on, but Chen Guan only promised not to share it casually, so Venerable Lei accepted the outcome and departed.

Chen Guan and the other factions waited for the Ancient Remains to open, then avoided the seal’s deadly spatial storm and entered the ruins. They reached a colossal Crimson Giant Hall, unaware that scarlet-eyed figures were watching Chen Guan from the edge of the sea of bones.

• The Spatial Power around the rift subsided, and the Ancient Remains opened, prompting more than a thousand people to rush toward it.
• Chen Guan sensed danger and led Medusa, Venerable Skyfire, Xiao Yi Xian, and the others away from the entrance before the seal erupted into a Space Storm that killed many of the first arrivals.
• After Venerable Skyfire identified the blast as the Ancient Remains’ seal shattering, Chen Guan led his group into the ruins together.
• Chen Guan and the others crossed the vast sea of bones and saw a colossal crimson hall looming ahead.
• Several figures hidden in mist watched Chen Guan, and one insisted he could identify the man responsible for his son’s death.

Chen Guan led his group through the Ancient Remains’ deadly first checkpoint by recognizing the Fire Path illusion and finding a hidden route beneath the magma. They reached a plaza guarded by ten Earth Demon Puppets and charged into battle to open the stone gate beyond them.

• The Crimson Giant Hall opened, and Chen Guan led Medusa, Zi Yan, and the others into its passage while the major factions held back.
• The passage erupted with magma and blue fire pillars, killing many entrants, but Chen Guan’s group descended through the magma to a hidden icy floor.
• Chen Guan explained that Heavenly Realm Spiritual Power let him see through the Fire Path illusion, while other adventurers followed him and avoided the trap.
• The group reached a plaza where ten peak Dou Zong Earth Demon Puppets had slaughtered those who rushed ahead and guarded a sealed stone gate.
• Chen Guan led seven Dou Venerate Experts into battle against the puppets, joined by adventurers who had followed his group.

Chen Guan’s group entered the ancient remains, and Zi Yan traced the strongest medicinal-herb scent to a vast forest of rare herbs. Chen Guan urged the group deeper instead of stopping to gather everything, keeping their search for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit as the priority.

• The ten Earth Demon Puppets evolved through their formation, but Chen Guan’s group suppressed them, and Chen Guan claimed them to study their technique.
• Chen Guan led his companions through the opening stone gate, prompting Yao Chen and the other arriving factions to follow into the remains.
• In the great hall, Chen Guan asked Zi Yan to locate the richest medicinal-herb scent, and she led the group down a corridor.
• The group discovered an immense forest of rare medicinal herbs, and Zi Yan eagerly began eating the energy-rich plants.
• Chen Guan told the group to collect herbs along the way and continue deeper, explaining to Zi Yan that they had to find the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.

Chen Guan led Zi Yan and their companions to a hidden Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, guarded by a Beast Spirit Barrier formed from the remains of an Ancient Void Dragon and an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix. After they entered and found the fruit, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan arrived, setting up a confrontation.

• Zi Yan recognized the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and led Chen Guan and the others toward its call through the Ancient Forest.
• Zi Yan opened the Beast Spirit Barrier with her blood, and the group entered a sealed plain dominated by a giant stone altar.
• The group found the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit on the altar and discovered that the skeletons of an Ancient Void Dragon and an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix encircled the plain.
• Chen Guan noticed that figures had arrived across the plain, and Zi Yan and the others identified the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan among them.

Chen Guan and his allies fought the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and its associates over the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, while Zi Yan moved to collect it. The melee spread across the altar, and the commotion drew other ruin explorers toward the battle.

• Chen Guan recognized the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s overwhelming strength and ordered Zi Yan to collect the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit while the others prepared to fight.
• A hostile Nine Star Dou Venerate attacked Chen Guan, and both sides launched into battle as Zi Yan approached the fruit.
• Chen Guan’s allies held off the old man and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan’s fighters, while Chen Guan confronted two Six-Star Dou Venerates.
• Venerable Lei moved to attack Medusa, but Chen Guan struck at him with a saber, forcing him to abandon his attack and defend himself.
• The clash shook the ruins, prompting explorers from other passages to converge on the altar.

Chen Guan unleashed the Five Ring Fire Separation Method, killing Venerable Lei and two Six-Star Dou Venerates whom he recognized as Soul Hall members. He then brought the flames to Venerable Skyfire’s battlefield, where a powerful Nine Star Dou Venerate prepared to face him.

• Venerable Skyfire urged Chen Guan to end the battle quickly as their opponents threatened to overwhelm them.
• Chen Guan summoned four Heavenly Flames and a Beast Flame, forming the Five Ring Fire Separation Method and sending its fire waves against his enemies.
• The Great Soundless Sound stopped Venerable Lei from escaping, and Chen Guan’s flames consumed him, leaving only his protected storage ring.
• Chen Guan’s fire waves destroyed the two Six-Star Dou Venerates’ Netherworld Demonic Flame Arms and killed them, confirming they belonged to the Soul Hall.
• Chen Guan flew to Venerable Skyfire’s battlefield and enclosed the strongest old man in his formation, but the Nine Star Dou Venerate remained disdainful.

Chen Guan and Venerable Skyfire stalled the vengeful old man while Zi Yan collected the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. Feng Qing'er awakened the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Ancestral Soul and attacked Medusa, but Zi Yan intervened with the power of the Ancient Void Dragon.

• Chen Guan and Venerable Skyfire countered the old man's attacks, and Chen Guan provoked him by mocking the death of Chen Xian.
• The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and its allies suffered heavy injuries as Xiao Yi Xian poisoned the white-haired man and Medusa pursued Feng Qing'er.
• The white-haired man urged Feng Qing'er to act, and she drew a blood rune that awakened the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix skeleton's Ancestral Soul.
• Feng Qing'er gained the Ancestral Soul's power and unleashed golden attacks at Medusa.
• Zi Yan appeared after collecting the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and dissolved Feng Qing'er's attacks with the power of the Ancient Void Dragon Ancestral Soul.

Zi Yan used the Ancient Void Dragon Ancestral Soul to overpower Feng Qing’er and shatter the Heaven Demon Phoenix Ancestral Soul. After Huang Xuan and the others attacked her together, she effortlessly sent four Dou Venerates flying and turned her attention to a fifth opponent.

• Old Monster You Du realized the Ancient Void Dragon Ancestral Soul’s power suggested the Remains Master and the rumored Heaven-tier Dou Technique were far more formidable than expected.
• Zi Yan declared that the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan must perish because Feng Qing’er had attacked Queen Medusa, then challenged Feng Qing’er as both women drew on their Ancestral Souls.
• Feng Qing’er used her blood to strengthen her Golden Light Heavenly Phoenix, but Zi Yan summoned an Ancient Void Dragon that crushed the phoenix and left Feng Qing’er gravely injured.
• Zi Yan told Huang Xuan and the others to end themselves, but Huang Xuan, the white-haired man, and the two affiliated tribe chieftains charged her instead.
• Zi Yan repelled all four Dou Venerates with a slight movement and then fixed her gaze on the elder at the edge of the battlefield.