Chapter Summaries

After celebrating with Yaoye, Ning Luo cultivated and was summoned by Fa Ma to discuss the alchemy competition. He rejected Fa Ma’s offered Fourth Grade Pill formula but agreed to defeat Yan Li in exchange for help gathering medicinal ingredients.

• Yaoye toasted Ning Luo and asked about his ties to the Misty Cloud Sect while Liu Ling watched resentfully.
• Ning Luo returned to his room, cultivated, and bathed after Qing Lin brought him water.
• Fa Ma summoned Ning Luo to the Alchemist Guild and explained that the next competition round required contestants to use their own pill formulas and ingredients.
• Fa Ma offered Ning Luo a valuable Fourth Grade Pill formula to help him beat Yan Li, but Ning Luo dismissed it as uninteresting.
• Ning Luo agreed to defeat Yan Li if Fa Ma helped gather the medicinal ingredients he needed.

Ning Luo arrived at the Royal Plaza for the alchemy competition’s final round after arranging with Fa Ma to fulfill his request if he defeated Yan Li. Yan Li taunted Ning Luo before the assessment began, and the chapter ended as the bell rang to signal the start.

• Ning Luo asked Fa Ma for a reward instead of the Fourth Grade Pill formula, and Fa Ma agreed to grant his request if Ning Luo defeated Yan Li.
• Ning Luo and Hai Bodong arrived at the crowded Royal Plaza, where spectators made way for Ning Luo and the other finalists greeted him.
• The Little Princess and Liu Ling spoke with Ning Luo about the final round, while Fa Ma and the Guild elders came down to greet the contestants.
• Yan Li entered, dismissed the other contestants, and told Ning Luo he would not hold back in the final round.
• Ning Luo took his place in the plaza as contestants and spectators filled the venue, and the bell rang.

The third round of the Alchemist Assembly began, requiring contestants to refine a pill using their own formulas and ingredients. As the Little Princess, Liu Ling, and Yan Li revealed fifth-tier cauldrons, Ning Luo chose not to take one out and prepared to refine without a cauldron.

• Fa Ma announced that the final round would determine the champion and that contestants had to supply their own formulas and medicinal ingredients.
• Yan Li taunted Ning Luo and declared that he would win the competition.
• Fa Ma began the test, and the contestants paused to consider what pills they could refine with their own resources.
• The Little Princess and Liu Ling brought out fifth-tier cauldrons, which Fa Ma identified as the Azure Flame Cauldron and the Volcanic Flame Furnace.
• Yan Li revealed his fifth-tier Grey Crane Cauldron, while Ning Luo decided not to use a cauldron and kept his legendary ones hidden.

Ning Luo revealed his Heavenly Flame during the alchemy competition, causing the other contestants’ flames to bow toward it. He then began refining medicinal ingredients directly in his hand without a cauldron, leaving the audience stunned.

• Ning Luo prepared ingredients for a fifth-tier pill but initially produced no cauldron.
• The Little Princess summoned the Azure Water Flame, while Liu Ling and Yan Li revealed their own unusual flames.
• Ning Luo summoned his Azure Flame, and the other flames weakened and tilted toward it.
• Fa Ma recognized the display as the phenomenon of all flames submitting when a Heavenly Flame appeared.
• Ning Luo began refining medicinal ingredients directly in his palm without a cauldron.

Ning Luo, the Little Princess, Liu Ling, and Yan Li cautiously refined pills in the competition’s final round as contestants were eliminated. Ning Luo attempted to make a breakthrough by refining a Fifth Grade Pill, but his pill refinement failed.

• Ning Luo carefully extracted the medicinal ingredients and began fusing them, while the Little Princess, Liu Ling, and Yan Li started their own pill-fusing processes.
• As more contestants failed and left the arena, Fa Ma explained that a strong pill fragrance signaled a Fourth Grade Pill and that a Fifth Grade Pill produced visible energy ripples.
• A faint pill fragrance rose from Ning Luo’s cauldron, and Yan Li judged that Ning Luo’s pill was inferior to his own.
• Ning Luo’s Azure Flame surged violently as he tried to form the pill, but Fa Ma concluded that the attempt had failed.
• Ning Luo looked at the failed pill calmly, recognizing that he had taken a chance at refining a Fifth Grade Pill to challenge himself.

Ning Luo’s first attempt appeared to fail, and the crowd expected Yan Li to win after he produced a peak Fourth Grade Pill with colored fragrance. Ning Luo calmly began refining again and declared that he would take the championship.

• Ning Luo’s cauldron produced black ash, leading the spectators and judges to believe he had failed, while Fa Ma knew he still had another chance.
• The Little Princess and Liu Ling advanced their Fourth Grade Pills as Yan Li’s flames continued to fuse his ingredients.
• The Little Princess and Liu Ling released strong pill fragrances, but Yan Li produced a pale violet fragrance that Fa Ma identified as proof of a peak Fourth Grade Pill.
• Ning Luo quietly resumed refining what the others believed was a Fourth Grade Pill, though he was actually making a Fifth Grade Pill.
• Ning Luo smiled at Yan Li, turned his thumb downward, and declared that the championship was his.

Ning Luo revealed that he had secretly preserved his pill through the cauldron explosion and announced that he had refined a Fifth Grade Essence Melting Pill. His revelation overturned Yan Li’s expected victory and left the conference crowd stunned.

• Yan Li mocked Ning Luo’s apparent failure and demanded that Fa Ma announce the conference winner.
• Fa Ma reluctantly declared that Yan Li’s Fourth Grade Pill surpassed Liu Ling’s and began naming Yan Li the victor.
• Ning Luo interrupted Fa Ma and summoned an azure flame containing the pill he had protected during the explosion.
• Ning Luo caught the pill and announced that it was a Fifth Grade Essence Melting Pill.
• Fa Ma celebrated, while the Little Princess, Liu Ling, and the spectators reacted in shock to Ning Luo’s achievement.

Ning Luo’s Essence Melting Pill stunned the crowd and appeared to secure him the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Grand Competition, but Yan Li challenged its authenticity and demanded an inspection. The inspectors examined the contestants’ pills, and Ning Luo’s pill released a dazzling green light and fragrance that revealed it had reached the peak of the fifth grade.

• The crowd and the judges recognized that Ning Luo had refined a Fifth Grade Essence Melting Pill, and Yan Li collapsed as he realized he had been outdone.
• Fa Ma prepared to announce Ning Luo as champion, but Yan Li interrupted and accused him of presenting a counterfeit pill.
• Fa Ma agreed to an inspection by a seven-person team of guild elders and respected independent Alchemists, excluding Yan Li from inspecting the results himself.
• The inspection team confirmed that Yan Li’s Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill had been successfully refined without defects, then examined the Little Princess’s pill.
• Otto received Ning Luo’s Essence Melting Pill, which emitted dazzling green light and a rich fragrance, revealing it to be at the peak of the fifth grade.

Ning Luo’s peak fifth-grade Essence Melting Pill was confirmed, and he won the Alchemist Convention after Yan Li’s defeat. After the celebrations, Ning Luo killed Liu Ling in front of the crowd when Liu Ling attacked him and provoked him over Gu He.

• Elder Mo confirmed Ning Luo had refined a peak fifth-grade pill and praised his potential to surpass Gu He.
• Yan Li left the arena after losing, unaware that Otto had placed a soul mark on his pill.
• Fa Ma declared Ning Luo the champion, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
• The Little Princess kissed Ning Luo on the cheek, then fled, while Ya Fei blushed as she recalled promising him a reward.
• Liu Ling challenged Ning Luo and lunged at him, but Ning Luo grabbed him by the throat and killed him despite Elder Jia’s warning.

After killing Liu Ling, Ning Luo accepted Princess Yaoye’s invitation and spent the night with Ya Fei before returning to cultivation. He prepared to use the Essence Melting Pill on the Green Lotus and began gathering energy, knowing the attempt could be dangerous.

• Ning Luo burned Liu Ling to ashes with the Green Lotus Core Flame and said he would face Gu He if Gu He came after him.
• Yaoye congratulated Ning Luo and invited him to stay at the imperial palace, while Ya Fei praised his skill and reminded him she had promised him a reward.
• Ning Luo refused invitations from others and spent the night with Ya Fei.
• The next morning, Cai Lin startled Ya Fei by lunging at her, and Ning Luo stopped the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python and fed her Heavenly Flames.
• After Ya Fei left for the guild, Ning Luo sat on the Green Lotus and prepared to use the Essence Melting Pill, then began absorbing energy from his surroundings.

Ning Luo used an Essence Melting Pill to advance from a two-star to a five-star Dou Ling, then stayed in the Jia Ma Empire for over a month before realizing his Three-Year Agreement with Xiao Yan was nearly due. He set out with Cai Lin to return to the Misty Cloud Sect.

• Ning Luo cultivated with the Green Lotus's inner flame and refined the Essence Melting Pill's medicinal energy into his Dou Qi vortex.
• An azure diamond-shaped crystal formed as the vortex's liquid energy ran dry, and Ning Luo reached the five-star Dou Ling realm.
• Ning Luo stayed in the Jia Ma Empire, visiting his Sister Ya Fei, the imperial palace, and the major factions.
• After more than a month, Ning Luo realized that three years had passed and his agreement with Xiao Yan was nearly due.
• Ning Luo took Cai Lin and prepared to return to the Misty Cloud Sect.

Ning Luo returned to the Misty Cloud Sect ahead of his Three-Year Agreement with Xiao Yan, having reached five-star Dou Ling, and reunited with Nalan Yanran. The next day, Xiao Yan arrived at Misty Cloud Mountain to face him, while an elite legion of the Jia Ma Imperial Family stood camped below.

• Ning Luo returned to the Misty Cloud Sect and told Yun Yun he wondered how strong Xiao Yan had become.
• Nalan Yanran returned from Jia Nan Academy, reunited with Ning Luo, and spent the night with him before the match.
• Xiao Yan arrived at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain carrying the Heavy Black Ruler and declared he would defeat Ning Luo.
• Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan that defeating Ning Luo would be difficult despite Xiao Yan obtaining the Mysterious Yellow Flame.
• Xiao Yan saw the Jia Ma Imperial Family's elite legion camped beneath Misty Cloud Mountain and continued toward the mountain.

On the day of the Three-Year Agreement, Ning Luo waited at the Misty Cloud Sect for Xiao Yan, confident that his five-star Dou Ling strength would secure victory. Xiao Yan climbed the mountain toward the packed plaza, where the assembled sect disciples and guests awaited the duel.

• Ning Luo told Nalan Yanran that he had reached the five-star Dou Ling realm and reassured her he could defeat Xiao Yan.
• Ning Luo and Nalan Yanran went to the Misty Cloud Sect plaza, where disciples gathered to await Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan climbed the ancient stone steps, resolved to overcome the humiliation of three years earlier and win the agreement.
• Ning Luo meditated in the plaza and considered Xiao Yan’s strength and his own Soul Seizing Technique.
• Yun Yun arrived and greeted Ning Luo, while Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, and Elder Jia observed the Misty Cloud Sect’s coordinated formation.
• As the sun reached its peak, footsteps sounded on the stairs and the plaza’s unified aura shifted slightly.

Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect to face Ning Luo in their Three-Year Agreement, declaring that the duel would be to the death. The match began with both fighters gathering Battle Qi, and Xiao Yan’s green flames appeared as they prepared to clash.

• Xiao Yan climbed the stairs, identified himself, and challenged Ning Luo to reclaim the humiliation of three years earlier.
• Ning Luo descended to meet Xiao Yan, and the Misty Cloud Sect disciples mocked Xiao Yan while Yun Leng agreed to preside over the match.
• Xiao Yan declared that life and death would be left to fate, and Ning Luo accepted the terms.
• Xiao Yan drew the Heavy Black Ruler and unleashed green Battle Qi, while Ning Luo summoned the Heavenly Jade Divine Sword and prepared to fight using Wind Attribute techniques.
• Yun Leng called the match to begin, and Xiao Yan’s Battle Qi surged as green flames flashed in his eyes.

Xiao Yan challenged Ning Luo at the Three-Year Agreement, but Ning Luo controlled their early exchanges while testing how much Xiao Yan had improved. Xiao Yan revealed that he had reached the Da Dou Shi realm and obtained the Mysterious Yellow Flame, and Ning Luo answered with a flurry of sword attacks as their fight continued.

• Nalan Yanran urged Ning Luo on, and Xiao Yan ignored Yun Leng's attempt to address the agreement before charging at Ning Luo with his Heavy Black Ruler.
• Ning Luo dodged Xiao Yan's opening attack and knocked him flying with a sword strike, while remaining calm and holding back.
• Ning Luo displayed the Wind Spirit Fractal Sword, prompting surprise and admiration from the Misty Cloud disciples and elders.
• Xiao Yan charged back at Ning Luo and revealed that he had obtained the twenty-third-ranked Mysterious Yellow Flame and advanced to the Da Dou Shi realm.
• Ning Luo unleashed wind blades and sent five illusory energy swords toward Xiao Yan as Xiao Yan raised his palm to defend himself.

Xiao Yan and Ning Luo fought fiercely, with Ning Luo repeatedly countering Xiao Yan’s attacks and revealing only Da Dou Shi-level strength. The onlookers discussed the gap between them, while Xiao Yan prepared to show Ning Luo how much stronger he had become.

• Ning Luo’s returning energy swords forced Xiao Yan to block them with his Heavy Black Ruler, and Xiao Yan then hurled the ruler at Ning Luo, who evaded it.
• Xiao Yan accelerated through Ning Luo’s wind blades and struck at him with Eight Extremes Collapse, but Ning Luo easily repelled him with a palm strike.
• Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma praised Xiao Yan’s strength and noted the Heavy Black Ruler’s effect on his speed, while Hai Bodong recognized that Ning Luo was far stronger than he appeared.
• Xiao Yan reflected on the hardship he had endured and vowed to show Ning Luo his strength.
• Ning Luo invited Xiao Yan to attack and released an aura that appeared to be at the Da Dou Shi level, astonishing the surrounding Misty Cloud Sect disciples.

Ning Luo and Xiao Yan revealed their Da Dou Shi strength as their duel began, and Ning Luo quickly wounded Xiao Yan with his Spiral Sword Qi. Xiao Yan refused Ning Luo’s offer to surrender and vowed to repay him double for his past suffering.

• Mu Chen admired Ning Luo after his aura rose to the Da Dou Shi level.
• Xiao Yan revealed his own Da Dou Shi strength by forming Dou Qi Armor, surprising the Misty Cloud Sect disciples and elders.
• Yun Leng told the elders to watch the fight, while privately sensing unease about Xiao Yan’s strength.
• Ning Luo launched the first attack and struck Xiao Yan’s arms with two of five Spiral Sword Qi.
• Ning Luo offered to let Xiao Yan go if he surrendered and apologized, but Xiao Yan refused and vowed to repay his past suffering double.

Xiao Yan and Ning Luo fought an increasingly fierce battle in the arena, with Xiao Yan sustaining sword wounds as Ning Luo remained composed. Ning Luo rose into the air and gathered immense energy into his sword, while Xiao Yan prepared to go all out; Ning Luo dismissed the attack as no more than a casual move.

• Xiao Yan charged Ning Luo with a fierce close-range attack, but Ning Luo used his movement technique and sword to counter him.
• The two exchanged powerful attacks across the arena as the spectators and Misty Cloud Sect elders watched tensely.
• After another clash, Xiao Yan and Ning Luo were driven apart; Xiao Yan's Dou Qi Armor bore deep sword scars, while Ning Luo appeared unharmed.
• Ning Luo formed hand seals, rose into the air, and drew sunlight toward his sword as terrifying energy gathered around it.
• Xiao Yan decided to go all out, but Ning Luo said the move was merely casual and not his trump card.

Xiao Yan formed a yellow-purple Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus by fusing two flames and launched it at Ning Luo's Sunfall attack. The two techniques raced toward each other, leaving the match's outcome uncertain.

• Ning Luo unleashed Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Radiance, sending a blazing sword aura down at Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan swallowed a medicinal pill, brought a yellow flame and a Purple Flame together, and fused them into a spinning fire lotus.
• Gu He recognized the fire lotus's immense explosive energy, while Yun Leng felt uneasy about Xiao Yan's technique.
• Xiao Yan redirected the pressure of Ning Luo's attack into the ground and sent the Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus flying toward Ning Luo's Sunfall.

Xiao Yan unleashed his Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus against Ning Luo, but Ning Luo emerged unharmed and revealed that he had reached the Dou Ling realm. The arena was left stunned as Xiao Yan's strongest attack failed to hurt him.

• Xiao Yan and Ning Luo's attacks collided above the plaza, sending a powerful shockwave into the crowd and forcing the Misty Cloud Sect disciples to strengthen their barrier.
• Xiao Yan declared the Three-Year Agreement over and believed his Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus would defeat Ning Luo.
• The explosion filled the arena with smoke, and Xiao Yan emerged injured while Ning Luo stood untouched.
• Xiao Yan questioned how Ning Luo had survived his strongest technique, while the crowd cheered Ning Luo.
• Ning Luo revealed his rising aura and stunned the spectators by showing that he was a Dou Ling expert.