Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ming told Su Qian he planned to return to the Xiao Family and then travel the continent, while Su Qian asked him to take Zi Yan to Central Continent to learn about her origins. After his companions went shopping, Xiao Ming began a Life Simulation, which recorded his return to the Xiao Family and several events on his journey.

• Xiao Ming told Su Qian he planned to leave the academy again, and Su Qian asked him to take Zi Yan to Central Continent someday.
• Xiao Ming explained his plans to Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan; Qing Lin was reluctant that she would stay behind, but Xiao Ming said she should cultivate until she reached Dou Wang.
• Xiao Ming began a Life Simulation while relaxing in the courtyard after his companions went shopping.
• In the simulation, Xiao Ming and his companions visited the Amethyst Winged Lion King, and Xiao Ming decided to postpone refining a Form Transformation Pill.
• In the simulation, Xiao Ming returned to Wu Tan City, where Xiao Zhan asked him to support his son for the approaching Three-Year Agreement.
• In the simulation, Xiao Ming traveled to the Imperial Capital, gained the life accomplishment Might Shakes Jia Ma, refined a Sixth Rank Purple Spirit Restoration Pill, and examined a particle of Spirit Nurturing Dust.

After the simulator ended, Xiao Ming chose a portion of Emperor's Flowing Sap over a Grade Five Medicinal Pill and a caterpillar's corpse, then sealed the sap in a Jade Bottle. He planned to research or devise a pill formula to maximize its effects, but Zi Yan immediately smelled the valuable substance when she returned.

• Xiao Ming selected Emperor's Flowing Sap from the simulator's available rewards.
• Xiao Ming captured the half-foot-long stream of golden sap in a Jade Bottle before its energy could spread further.
• Xiao Ming noted that the sap could benefit several people and planned to search for pill formulas or create one himself.
• Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yi Xian returned to the courtyard, and Zi Yan sniffed out the sap's scent.
• Xiao Ming denied having anything tasty and refused to let Zi Yan consume the Emperor's Flowing Sap before he refined it into a pill.

Xiao Ming returned to Wu Tan City after nearly two years away and learned that the Xiao Family had grown powerful across the Northeast Province under his influence. He chose to stay with the family for a while, leaving the clan to manage visitors by saying he was refining pills unless something urgent arose.

• Xiao Ming convinced Zi Yan that she had misjudged what she sensed, then set off with her and the others for the Jia Ma Empire the next day.
• Eleven days later, the Xiao Family prepared to receive visitors until its guards spotted Xiao Ming arriving on the Amethyst Winged Lion King and turned guests away.
• Xiao Zhan reported the Xiao Family's growth to Xiao Ming, who declined a Coming-of-Age Ceremony and asked where Xiao Shan was.
• Xiao Ming said he would stay with the family and told the clan to say he was refining pills if anyone sought him, unless the matter was urgent.
• After Xiao Ming left the hall with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, the Second Elder ordered everyone to follow his instructions.

Xiao Ming refined Emerald Dew Liquid for the Amethyst Winged Lion King's son while preparing to travel to the Imperial Capital. After Xiao Zhan asked him to witness Xiao Yan's Three-Year Agreement with Na Lan Yan Ran, Xiao Ming agreed and set out with Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

• Xiao Ming turned away most visitors while refining Emerald Dew Liquid for the Amethyst Winged Lion King's son, and the Amethyst Winged Lion King celebrated the gift.
• Xiao Shan returned to the Xiao Family, introduced Xiao Ming to his pregnant wife, and received Xiao Ming's belated wedding gift.
• Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Ming to visit the Misty Cloud Sect and witness Xiao Yan's fight with Na Lan Yan Ran, fearing Xiao Yan might lose.
• Xiao Ming agreed to go to the Misty Cloud Sect, where he also intended to obtain the Body Refining Method and meet Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Ming set out for the Imperial Capital with Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Ming arrived in Jia Ma Holy City with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, then received a visit from Hai Bodong the next day. Hai Bodong asked Xiao Ming to refine the Purple Spirit Restoration Pill, having gathered the materials and payment.

• Xiao Ming left the Amethyst Winged Lion King and Xue Tian to protect the Xiao Family while he traveled to the capital with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan.
• Xiao Ming and his companions entered Jia Ma Holy City after the gates had closed and spent the night exploring the city.
• Xiao Ming went to the residence the Alchemist Association had given him, and news of his arrival spread among the capital's major families.
• Hai Bodong visited Xiao Ming's residence, drawing attention from onlookers who recognized the Mitel Family's Supreme Elder.
• Hai Bodong told Xiao Ming that recovering his strength after the Dou Qi Medusa's seal had been difficult and asked him to refine the Purple Spirit Restoration Pill.

Hai Bodong learned that Xiao Ming had reached Dou Zong and secured his help refining two pills in exchange for watching over the Xiao Family. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan arrived in Jia Ma Holy City early to strengthen himself before facing the Misty Cloud Sect, worried that Gu He might recognize him.

• Xiao Ming agreed to refine a Purple Spirit Restoration Pill and an Emperor Extreme Pill for Hai Bodong, who promised to protect the Xiao Family after Xiao Ming left Jia Ma.
• Xiao Ming turned down invitations from Jia Ma’s major forces and Princess Yaoye.
• Xiao Yan arrived in Jia Ma Holy City with Old Man Yao more than a month before his duel at the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Old Man Yao explained that they had come to find medicinal ingredients and refine pills to raise Xiao Yan’s strength beyond Seven-Star Dou Shi.
• Xiao Yan worried that Gu He would recognize him as the person who had stolen his Heavenly Flames, and Old Man Yao reassured him that Gu He was badly injured and that they had powerful allies.

Xiao Yan recalled how his dealings with the Snake People Race had led Medusa and a commander to agree to help him confront the Misty Cloud Sect. At Xiao Ming’s residence, Xiao Ming refined a pill to undo a seal and prepared to begin refining the Emperor Extreme Pill.

• Xiao Yan remembered that he had asked a Snake People Race commander to guard him after stealing Gu He's Heavenly Flames, and that Medusa had agreed to help in exchange for borrowing the flames for her evolution.
• Xiao Yan worried that Medusa and the commander might not reach the Misty Cloud Sect in time, while Old Man Yao assured him they would keep their promises.
• Xiao Yan vowed to win and then go to Jia Nan Academy to gather enough Heavenly Flames to revive Old Man Yao.
• Xiao Ming used the ingredients Hai Bodong had sent to refine a Sixth Rank pill capable of restoring strength.
• Xiao Ming caught the completed cyan pill and prepared to refine the Emperor Extreme Pill.

After emerging from seclusion, Xiao Ming gave Hai Bodong the Emperor Extreme Pills they had agreed upon. At the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun decided to visit Xiao Ming for help treating the injured Gu He and to thank him for saving her life.

• Xiao Ming handed Hai Bodong two Jade Bottles of Emperor Extreme Pills, and Hai Bodong departed eagerly to test them.
• Yun Yun questioned Yun Lei about the search for the black-robed person who attacked Gu He, but the sect had found no clues.
• Gu He explained that a special energy in his wounds consumed the power of healing pills, leaving him difficult to treat.
• Yun Yun suggested asking Xiao Ming for help, and the elders agreed that the sect should approach him with proper etiquette and generous gifts.
• Yun Yun announced that she would personally visit Xiao Ming and ordered the search for Gu He's attacker to continue.

Xiao Ming received Yun Yun and Na Lan Yan Ran, agreed to visit the Misty Cloud Sect to examine Gu He's serious injuries, and accepted that he would attend the Three-Year Agreement without interfering in a fair duel. On the way, Yun Yun realized Xiao Ming had become a Dou Zong, and he began questioning Gu He about how he had been hurt.

• A maid told Xiao Ming that Yun Yun and Na Lan Yan Ran had come to visit him.
• Yun Yun thanked Xiao Ming, invited him to treat Gu He's injuries, and raised the Three-Year Agreement; Xiao Ming agreed to visit Gu He and attend the duel without interfering.
• Xiao Ming and Yun Yun flew to the Misty Cloud Sect, where Yun Yun recognized that he could fly without wings and realized he was a Dou Zong.
• Yun Yun brought Xiao Ming to Gu He's room in the Pill Hall, where Gu He asked for help with his injuries.
• Xiao Ming asked Gu He to explain how he had been injured, and Gu He began recounting what happened.

Gu He told Xiao Ming how a black-robed attacker stole the Wind Fury Dragon Flame and left him with injuries that resisted treatment. Xiao Ming identified the white crystals in Gu He's body and began using his Heavenly Flame to devour them.

• Gu He revealed that he had found the Wind Fury Dragon Flame in the Tagor Desert but was ambushed while preparing to absorb it.
• Gu He showed Xiao Ming severe burns and explained that white crystals inside his body consumed his Dou Qi and the medicinal energy of pills.
• Xiao Ming examined Gu He and determined that a Heavenly Flame could devour the crystals, while Gu He described using a cold sixth-rank healing pill as an alternative.
• Yun Yun and Liu Ling left the room, and Xiao Ming struck a wisp of his flame into Gu He's body to begin treating him.
• Xiao Ming guided the flame through Gu He's meridians, where it devoured the white crystals before they could activate.

Xiao Ming cured Gu He, and Yun Yun told the Misty Cloud Sect elders that Xiao Ming had become a Dou Zong. Yun Leng presented the sect’s rewards, including a Seventh Grade High-level Medicinal Pill Recipe, leaving Xiao Ming pleased with the offering.

• Yun Leng brought jade boxes of rewards to Yun Yun, who told him Xiao Ming was a Dou Zong and warned the elders to treat him respectfully.
• Yun Leng and the other elders doubted that Xiao Ming could have advanced so quickly, but Yun Yun said she had seen him fly without Dou Qi Wings.
• Xiao Ming emerged and told Yun Yun that he had removed the White Crystals from Gu He's body and that Gu He only needed a Grade Five Medicinal Pill for his external injuries.
• Yun Leng introduced himself and offered the sect’s rewards to Xiao Ming.
• Xiao Ming inspected a Seven Cloud Patterns jade box and recognized the Seventh Grade High-level Medicinal Pill Recipe inside, then accepted the remaining rewards without inspecting them.

Xiao Ming left the Misty Cloud Sect after treating Gu He and reassured Yun Leng that he would attend the Three-Year Agreement a month later, provided the match was fair. Back at his residence, Zi Yan asked about his trip and suggested stealing a Heavenly Flame, then abruptly ran out to play.

• Yun Leng invited Xiao Ming to drink Cloud Tea, but Xiao Ming declined because he was busy researching Pill Formulas.
• Yun Leng asked Xiao Ming about the Three-Year Agreement, and Xiao Ming said he would attend as long as the match was fair and impartial.
• Xiao Ming left the Misty Cloud Sect with Yun Yun, while Yun Leng and the elders discussed the upcoming match and whether to invite spectators.
• Xiao Ming returned to his residence, where Zi Yan questioned him about his trip and Xiao Yi Xian listened as he explained he had treated Gu He’s injuries caused by Bei Renyan’s Heavenly Flame.
• Zi Yan urged Xiao Ming to find the person in the Tagor Desert and steal his Heavenly Flame, then suddenly ran out to play.

Xiao Ming received Fa Ma, who introduced him to the disguised Xiao Yan, while Xiao Yan learned from Old Man Yao that Xiao Ming was a Dou Zong and Xiao Yi Xian possessed a Heavenly Flame. The chapter ended with Old Man Yao urging Xiao Yan to stay behind and seek a trade for the flame, since Xiao Ming already recognized him.

• Zi Yan left unexpectedly, and Xiao Ming and Xiao Yi Xian decided not to follow her.
• Fa Ma arrived at Xiao Ming's residence and introduced the young alchemist Yan Xiao, who was Xiao Yan in disguise.
• Old Man Yao told Xiao Yan that Xiao Yi Xian possessed a Heavenly Flame and was powerful enough to defeat him easily.
• Old Man Yao revealed that Xiao Ming had reached the Dou Zong realm, and Xiao Yan accepted the news.
• Old Man Yao warned Xiao Yan against trying to steal Xiao Yi Xian's Heavenly Flame and advised him to stay behind to negotiate a trade.

Xiao Yan revealed his identity to Xiao Ming and introduced his teacher, Yao Chen, who offered Xiao Ming a high-grade alchemy inheritance in exchange for a favor. The chapter ended with Yao Chen beginning to negotiate while Xiao Ming had yet to reveal what he wanted.

• After Fa Ma left, Xiao Ming identified Yan Xiao as Xiao Yan, who removed his Human Skin Mask and admitted he was in the Imperial Capital for the Three-Year Agreement.
• Xiao Ming warned Xiao Yan that Na Lan Yan Ran was considerably stronger, while Xiao Yan said he expected to raise his strength within the month.
• Xiao Ming revealed that he knew about the Soul Body in Xiao Yan's Na Ring, and Yao Chen emerged from the Bone Flame Ring.
• Yao Chen introduced himself as Yao Chen, and Xiao Ming recognized him as Venerable Yao, the Continent's Number One Alchemist.
• Yao Chen offered to teach Xiao Ming a true High-Grade Alchemy Technique if Xiao Ming agreed to do one thing for him.

Xiao Ming rejected Old Man Yao’s offer to trade a High-Grade Alchemy Technique for Xiao Yi Xian’s life-sustaining Nether Poison Flame, but proposed another deal. He revealed a second Heavenly Flame and brought up Han Feng, leaving Yao Chen enraged and Xiao Yan stunned by the revelation that his teacher had a murderous former disciple.

• Old Man Yao asked Xiao Ming about his relationship with Xiao Yi Xian, then offered a High-Grade Alchemy Technique and other treasures for her Nether Poison Flame.
• Xiao Ming refused, explaining that the flame kept Xiao Yi Xian alive and that extracting a refined Heavenly Flame could harm its owner.
• Xiao Yan urged Old Man Yao to stop pursuing the deal and leave, but Xiao Ming said they could still discuss the technique.
• Xiao Ming produced a Jade Bottle surrounded by another Heavenly Flame and asked whether Han Feng had been involved in Yao Chen’s mysterious death.
• Yao Chen’s expression changed as he unleashed Soul Power against Xiao Ming and demanded to know how he learned about Han Feng.
• Xiao Yan wondered who Han Feng was and realized that Yao Chen had never told him about his eldest disciple.

Xiao Ming stopped Xiao Yi Xian and Yao Tian Huo from attacking Old Man Yao, then negotiated over Han Feng’s soul and the techniques needed to revive Yao Tian Huo. He revealed Han Feng to Yao Chen, leaving the former master and disciple face to face as Han Feng realized his betrayal might be exposed.

• Xiao Yi Xian pressured Old Man Yao and Xiao Yan after Old Man Yao used Soul Power against Xiao Ming, and Yao Tian Huo joined the confrontation.
• Xiao Ming stopped Yao Tian Huo and told Old Man Yao to restrain his temper before offering Han Feng’s soul in exchange for a Body Refining Method, a High-Grade Alchemy Technique, and a Soul Cultivation Technique.
• Old Man Yao offered to help refine a body for Yao Tian Huo and give Xiao Ming the Soul Cultivation Technique if Xiao Ming helped Xiao Yan grow stronger.
• Xiao Ming released Han Feng’s soul from the Jade Bottle, and Old Man Yao angrily confronted his former disciple.
• Han Feng recognized Old Man Yao and feared the consequences of his former master’s survival and influence.

Han Feng tried to provoke Xiao Ming into killing Old Man Yao by revealing that he possessed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, but Xiao Yan attacked Han Feng after recognizing him as his master's murderer. Xiao Ming stopped the attack and negotiated with Old Man Yao, who agreed to trade Han Feng for alchemy techniques and a body-refining method but refused to provide the Soul Cultivation Technique, leaving Han Feng furious.

• Han Feng urged Xiao Ming to kill Old Man Yao by promising the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and valuable alchemy inheritances.
• Xiao Yan recognized Han Feng as the man who murdered his master and attacked him with a Heavenly Flame, revealing that he possessed the complete Flame Mantra.
• Xiao Ming extinguished Xiao Yan's attack and reminded him that Han Feng was part of a deal with Old Man Yao.
• Old Man Yao offered High-Grade Alchemy Techniques and a body-refining method in exchange for Han Feng, but said he could not provide a Soul Cultivation Technique.
• Han Feng protested that Xiao Ming should kill Old Man Yao and take his treasures and Heavenly Flames instead.

Xiao Ming negotiated with Old Man Yao for the Soul Cultivation Technique and Body Refining Method, then received both in exchange for handing over Han Feng. Old Man Yao killed Han Feng, while Xiao Ming and Yao Tian Huo considered how to use the body-refining method.

• Han Feng urged Xiao Ming to torture Old Man Yao and seize the two Heavenly Flames, but Xiao Ming ignored him and sought the Soul Cultivation Technique.
• Old Man Yao offered the Soul Cultivation Technique, a Body Refining Method, and a High-Grade Alchemy Technique in exchange for Xiao Ming protecting Xiao Yan at the Three-Year Agreement.
• Xiao Ming insisted on receiving the Soul Cultivation Technique before the agreement, and Old Man Yao accepted, giving him the Body Refining Resurrection Method and reciting the Soul Cultivation Technique.
• Xiao Ming handed the Body Refining Resurrection Method to Yao Tian Huo, who judged that it could restore his peak strength with the Fu Ling Azure Pill and other rare materials.
• Xiao Ming handed Han Feng over to Old Man Yao, who burned him to death.

After Xiao Ming warned Xiao Yan and Venerable Yao against targeting Jia Nan Academy, he returned to studying pills and collecting rare ingredients. Ya Fei brought him herbs, and Zi Yan returned with more—some secretly taken with Medusa from other people.

• Xiao Ming told Xiao Yan and Venerable Yao that Jia Nan Academy was too dangerous to target for its Heavenly Flame, then sent them away.
• Xiao Ming resumed cultivating and studying the Pill Formula for Emperor's Flowing Sap.
• Ya Fei delivered the few medicinal ingredients the Mitel Auction House had managed to find and told Xiao Ming that Hai Bodong had been in seclusion for about forty days.
• Zi Yan returned to Xiao Ming's courtyard with medicinal ingredients and asked him to turn most of them into Medicinal Pellets.
• Xiao Ming realized the herbs had not been freshly dug up, and Zi Yan admitted that she and Medusa had secretly taken them from other people.

On the day of the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Ming arrived at Misty Cloud Mountain with Medusa and Zi Yan, drawing the attention of the gathered experts. He greeted Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong before the agreement began.

• Xiao Ming scolded Zi Yan for stealing medicinal ingredients with Medusa and told her to stay in for the next few days.
• The great families and experts traveled to Misty Cloud Mountain to watch Na Lan Yan Ran and Xiao Yan’s Three-Year Agreement.
• Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong discussed Hai Bodong’s recent increase in strength and Jia Xingtian’s failed attempt to break through to Dou Zong.
• Xiao Ming arrived in the sky with Medusa and Zi Yan, revealing that he and Medusa could fly without Dou Qi Wings.
• The crowd recognized Xiao Ming as a Dou Zong expert, and he flew toward Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong.