Chapter Summaries

Yan Qingshan and the other candidates entered the Pill Realm, where Elder Cao Xin warned them about dangerous magical beasts and the realm’s unstable energy. After they harvested the medicinal fields and passed an initial character test, Cao Xin assigned each candidate a section of problematic herbs and left them to work for half a month.

• Elder Cao Xin privately warned Yan Qingshan that competitors and powerful magical beasts made the Pill Realm dangerous, and advised him to weigh risks against opportunities.
• Cao Xin led the candidates through a Spatial Passage into the Pill Realm and cautioned them against absorbing too much of its violent energy.
• Cao Xin used a jade token to protect the group as they entered a secluded valley of medicinal fields in the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range.
• The candidates harvested the spiritual herbs, each keeping one useful herb, while Cao Xin observed their skills and restraint.
• Cao Xin divided the medicinal fields into sections containing problematic herbs, issued jade tokens, and warned the candidates about the realm’s beasts before departing.
• After Cao Xin left, the candidates began exchanging opinions and cooperating, while Yan Qingshan made acquaintances without drawing undue attention.

Yan Qingshan treated the spiritual herbs in his trial plot, then secretly left the valley to search the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range. He found a thousand-year-old Earth Yellow Essence and its Core Soul Marrow, a treasure that could help him break through to the Spirit Realm, and flew back toward the range to seek the herbs needed to prepare it.

• Yan Qingshan used Dawn to devise a care plan and restored the spiritual herbs in his plot within three days, but chose to delay signaling that he had finished.
• Yan Qingshan left a clone guarding his plot and slipped out of the medicinal field valley to explore the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range.
• Yan Qingshan subdued an Earth Yellow Python and uncovered a thousand-year-old Earth Yellow Essence beneath its lair.
• Yan Qingshan found Core Jade Mother containing Core Soul Marrow, stored the marrow in a jade box, and recognized it could help temper his soul.
• Yan Qingshan relocated the Earth Yellow Python and flew toward the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range to find the herbs needed to prepare the Core Soul Marrow.

Yan Qingshan entered the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range to find Pill Spirit Paste and Gastrodia Jade Stone Essence for the Core Soul Marrow. After taking the Pill Spirit Paste from the Darkwater Tiger-Flood Dragon, he had it lead him to Xiong Zhan, who sensed Yan Qingshan’s Dragon’s Might as they met.

• Yan Qingshan searched the mountain range and sensed Xiong Zhan’s powerful aura, but avoided drawing his attention.
• Yan Qingshan found Pill Spirit Paste guarded by a seventh-tier Darkwater Tiger-Flood Dragon and suppressed it with the Dragon’s Might of his Source of Dragon Blood.
• Yan Qingshan gave the Darkwater Tiger-Flood Dragon a seventh-tier medicinal pill in exchange for the Pill Spirit Paste, then ordered it to lead him to Xiong Zhan.
• The Darkwater Tiger-Flood Dragon brought Yan Qingshan to Xiong Zhan’s hall, where two seventh-tier beasts stopped them at the entrance.
• Xiong Zhan came to the entrance and recognized the Dragon’s Might emanating from Yan Qingshan.

Yan Qingshan negotiated with Xiong Zhan for access to the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range’s spirit herbs, offering pills and a plan to help Xiong Zhan gain strength and unify the magical beasts. After finding the Gastrodia Jade Stone Essence, Yan Qingshan began arranging a medicinal formation, leaving his Soul Clone to guide Xiong Zhan’s subordinates.

• Yan Qingshan confronted Xiong Zhan and revealed his dragon bloodline, prompting Xiong Zhan to abandon his giant bear form and hear his proposal.
• Yan Qingshan offered to refine pills and help Xiong Zhan unify the magical beasts in exchange for spirit herbs, and Xiong Zhan accepted.
• Yan Qingshan searched the plaza and found the Gastrodia Jade Stone Essence he needed for Core Soul Marrow.
• Yan Qingshan told Xiong Zhan to rearrange the spirit herbs so their medicinal auras could form a cultivation-enhancing medicinal formation.
• Yan Qingshan created a Soul Clone to direct the formation while he prepared to refine pills.

Yan Qingshan finished refining a seventh-grade pill in the Pill Realm, earned Xiong Zhan’s gratitude and a Mystic Bird Beast mount, and secured a place under Elder Cao Xin. After passing the spiritual-herb cultivation trial, he officially became an outer-sect Shennong Disciple of Danta and went with Cao Xin.

• Xiong Zhan watched Yan Qingshan’s pill lightning and ordered the magical beasts to protect the area while Yan’s puppet destroyed the lightning.
• Yan Qingshan emerged from nine days of seclusion, gave Xiong Zhan pills, and received a Mystic Bird Beast as a gift before returning to the medicinal field valley.
• Elder Cao Xin inspected Yan Qingshan’s medicinal fields, praised his results, and invited him to work under him at Danta; Yan accepted.
• Elder Cao Xin announced that the trial-takers who passed had become outer-sect Shennong Disciples, then asked Yan Qingshan to go with him.

Yan Qingshan returned to Elder Cao Xin with a revived Seven-Cluster Purple Spirit Flower and received guidance on alchemy at the Pill Tower. He met Cao Ying, who became interested in his abilities, and impressed Cao Xin by outlining how to turn the flower into Soul Tempering Dew for Cao Xuan.

• Yan Qingshan returned from Elder Shengyao's lecture and brought the revived Seven-Cluster Purple Spirit Flower to Elder Cao Xin.
• Cao Xuan told Yan Qingshan he was hiding from his cousin, then Yan entered the courtyard and met Cao Ying.
• Yan Qingshan asked Cao Xin questions about alchemy and discussed how the Pill Tower's teachings could advance his knowledge.
• Cao Xin praised Yan Qingshan's talent with spirit herbs and asked how to process the Seven-Cluster Purple Spirit Flower.
• Yan Qingshan recommended ingredients and a method for refining the flower into Fifth-Grade Soul Tempering Dew for Cao Xuan.

Yan Qingshan proved his treatment for the Seven-Cluster Purple Spirit Flower by helping Cao Ying refine Spirit Tempering Dew, then rejected her flirtation. Cao Ying grew more interested in him and later persuaded him to accompany her to inspect spiritual herbs.

• Cao Ying challenged Yan Qingshan's pill formula, but he explained that the Seven-Cluster Purple Spirit Flower had absorbed other medicinal properties and warned her method could fail or explode the cauldron.
• Cao Ying followed Yan Qingshan's instructions and successfully refined Spirit Tempering Dew, which Elder Cao Xin took to give Cao Xuan.
• After Elder Cao Xin left, Cao Ying tried to draw Yan Qingshan closer, but he rejected her advances and departed, making her more interested in him.
• Cao Ying later sought Yan Qingshan out in the medicinal garden and insisted he accompany her for a walk.
• Cao Ying revealed that she wanted Yan Qingshan to accompany her to inspect a batch of spiritual herbs, and he agreed while asking her to keep her distance.

Yan Qingshan was assigned to tend Cao Ying’s medicinal garden, where his knowledge of herbs helped her invent a new pill. After recognizing his value, Cao Ying agreed to cooperate with him in pursuing her ambitions at Danta.

• Cao Ying brought Yan Qingshan to her medicinal garden and claimed him as its caretaker, but he focused on the work rather than her flirtation.
• Yan Qingshan moved and examined unfamiliar herbs, then deduced that one could be used to make a pill that dispelled cold poisons.
• Cao Ying followed his suggested ingredients and successfully refined a Fifth-grade Medicinal Pill on her first attempt.
• Cao Ying questioned Yan Qingshan about his knowledge and tried to charm him, but he teased her and proposed an exchange of their respective skills.
• Yan Qingshan began to leave after offering to help Cao Ying become a Danta leader, and Cao Ying called after him and agreed to cooperate.

Yan Qingshan studied the Pill Tower and Cao Ying’s alchemy while secretly pursuing his own plans. After Cao Ying received rare beast essence blood to strengthen her Blood Demon Flame, Yan Qingshan examined its refining method and realized it might allow him to create an artificial Heavenly Flame.

• Yan Qingshan brewed tea for Cao Ying and discussed pill-refining techniques while using a borrowed tome to learn about the Pill Tower.
• Uncle Fu arrived with essence blood from an eighth-tier Heavenly Yin Three-Headed Lion, which Cao Ying’s grandfather had sent to strengthen her Blood Demon Flame.
• Uncle Fu said the clan had also obtained a Heavenly Yin Demonic Flame for Young Master Cao Dan, then left to deliver it.
• Cao Ying showed Yan Qingshan the Blood Demon Flame refining method and suggested he could create a Wood Attribute version, though he lacked the wealth to gather the needed materials.
• Yan Qingshan studied the method and remarked that a successful artificial Heavenly Flame would be a genuine Heaven-tier Dou Skill, leaving Cao Ying puzzled by his sudden excitement.

Yan Qingshan proposed combining Cao Ying’s Blood Demon Flame with Transformed Flame to create an artificial Heavenly Flame, and offered her the Flame Manipulation Art and his insights in exchange for studying her cultivation. Cao Ying agreed to pursue the plan through Danta and entered its headquarters, leaving Yan Qingshan to wait outside a hall.

• Yan Qingshan explained his idea of refining Blood Demon Flame and Transformed Flame from the same Magical Beasts so they could fuse into an artificial Heavenly Flame.
• Yan Qingshan gave Cao Ying the True Flame Manipulation Art and explained that her clan or Danta could provide the resources to test his method.
• Cao Ying worried about the cost and the lack of matching Beast Flames, and Yan Qingshan suggested refining a new Blood Demon Flame and applying for Danta resources.
• Cao Ying recognized the opportunity to contribute to Danta and advance her standing, then shared an intimate moment with Yan Qingshan.
• Cao Ying brought Yan Qingshan into Danta and told him to wait outside a spacious hall while she went ahead.

Cao Ying gained Xuan Kongzi and the Cao Clan patriarch’s support to use Yan Qingshan’s method to refine a powerful artificial flame from the blood and Beast Flames of more than ten thousand magical beasts. With Yan Qingshan guiding her through the ritual, she began fusing the new flames with the Blood Demon Flame and the Three Thousand Burning Flame, and the first signs of fusion appeared.

• Yan Qingshan watched Cao Ying ask her teacher, Xuan Kongzi, to support her attempt to refine a new artificial flame using the Transformed Flame Method.
• Cao Ying rejected Cao Dan’s objections, and the Cao Clan patriarch agreed to provide the clan’s resources after learning the method could still produce a powerful flame if the experiment failed.
• Xuan Kongzi and the Cao Clan patriarch watched Cao Ying prepare more than twenty thousand containers of magical beast blood and Beast Flames, while the patriarch explained that Yan Qingshan had devised the secret methods.
• Cao Ying began the ritual, and Xuan Kongzi and the Cao Clan patriarch used their Dou Qi to help control the blood and flames as they formed the Blood Demon Flame and a second nascent flame.
• Following Yan Qingshan’s instruction, Cao Ying added the Three Thousand Burning Flame to her Blood Demon Flame and used it to suppress and draw in the two nascent flames.
• The three flames began to fuse without immediately erupting, and Yan Qingshan recognized this as evidence that his method could work.

Cao Ying completed the ritual to replace her Blood Demon Flame with a powerful artificial Heavenly Flame, while Yan Qingshan explained how the Three Thousand Burning Flame’s Dragon Seal helped make the fusion possible. The new flame emerged successfully, and flames throughout the Pill Tower reacted to it as though paying homage.

• Xuan Kongzi questioned Yan Qingshan about how Cao Ying’s Blood Demon Flame had suppressed the Three Thousand Burning Flame’s unrest during the ritual.
• Yan Qingshan explained that the Three Thousand Burning Flame contained an Ancient Void Dragon’s Dragon Seal and that its Dragon’s Might had helped stabilize the fusion.
• Yan Qingshan described how the carefully selected auras of over ten thousand Magical Beasts could make the artificial flame stronger than most Heavenly Flames.
• Yan Qingshan urged Cao Ying to abandon her original Life Flame, and she expelled it before drawing the blood-red fiery vortex into her dantian.
• Cao Ying summoned the newly formed scarlet flame, causing flames throughout the Pill Tower to behave abnormally until Xuan Kongzi contained its aura.

Cao Ying created the Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame, an artificial heavenly flame powerful enough to rival flames ranked among the top fifteen, and learned that its birth had attracted the Three Thousand Burning Flame. After Danta resealed the rampaging dragon, Cao Ying sensed a strange blood-eyed beast calling to her from the wilderness.

• Yan Qingshan explained that the energy Cao Ying absorbed while forming her flame had brought her close to becoming a Dou Zong.
• Xuan Kongzi judged Cao Ying's newborn flame strong enough to contend with several highly ranked heavenly flames once it matured, and Yan Qingshan advised her to nurture its flame spirit and bond with it.
• The Three Thousand Burning Flame sensed the newborn flame and tried to break out of its seal, while Cao Ying soothed the frightened flame spirit.
• Yan Qingshan named Cao Ying's creation the Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame, and Cao Ying happily accepted the name.
• Xuan Kongzi and another expert worked together to reseal the Three Thousand Burning Flame, and Xuan Kongzi attributed its disturbance to Cao Ying's new flame.
• Cao Ying told Yan Qingshan that she had sensed a strange magical beast in the wilderness calling to her, with blood-red eyes resembling Xiao Yao's.

Yan Qingshan explained how Cao Ying's Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame might evolve by fusing with the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, then used the Heavenly Yin Three-Headed Lion's essence blood to break through to eight-star Dou Zong. He left the chapter recording his artificial Heavenly Flame method and describing a cheaper way to refine it in stages.

• Yan Qingshan told Cao Ying that her Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame might resonate with the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame and eventually become a powerful Heavenly Flame, but she needed to improve her cultivation first.
• Yan Qingshan took Cao Ying's Heavenly Yin Three-Headed Lion essence blood and entered seclusion, while Cao Ying prepared to familiarize herself with her natal flame.
• Yan Qingshan used his refined Lionheart Baptism secret technique to absorb the eighth-tier beast's essence blood and advance from five-star peak Dou Zong to eight-star Dou Zong.
• Venerable Tianhuo praised Yan Qingshan's secret techniques and recognized his artificial Heavenly Flame refinement method as a pioneering Heaven-tier Dou Skill.
• Yan Qingshan wrote down the artificial Heavenly Flame method and explained that a simplified version could be refined in stages using beast blood and repeated additions of magical beast essences.

Yan Qingshan arranged for Cao Ying, now a powerful high-tier alchemist, to help Blazing Flame Valley’s injured young lady and earn the Pill Tower’s Cao Clan outside support. Cao Ying and Yan Qingshan entered the hidden valley with Elder Chihuo, where their visit was about to begin.

• Yan Qingshan learned that Cao Ying had become a Dou Zong and a high-grade seventh-tier alchemist, then proposed she help Blazing Flame Valley’s injured young lady.
• Cao Ying agreed to travel, and Yan Qingshan told her to secure President Xuan and the Cao Clan’s support before leaving Holy Pill City.
• At the Liu Family estate, Cao Ying introduced herself to Elder Chihuo, while Yan Qingshan reunited with Liu Qing in disguise.
• Elder Chihuo arranged for Cao Ying to accompany him to Blazing Flame Valley and granted the Liu Family three years of management over the Spatial Wormhole in Sky Yellow City.
• Yan Qingshan and Cao Ying followed Elder Chihuo through the spatial barrier into Blazing Flame Valley.

Cao Ying and Danta’s experts arrived at Blazing Flame Valley, where Valley Lord Tang Zhen sought alchemists to help refine a seventh-tier high-grade pill for Tang Huo’er. Tang revealed that the task required withstanding his Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Flame, and Cao Ying asked how likely the refinement was to succeed.

• Cao Ying praised Blazing Flame Valley as Elder Chihuo led her group to meet Tang Zhen.
• Cao Ying introduced herself to Tang Zhen and traded a competitive greeting with Tang Huo’er.
• Tang Zhen gathered the visiting alchemists and announced that he needed help refining a seventh-tier high-grade pill.
• Tang Zhen revealed his Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Flame and said assistants had to endure its power.
• Cao Ying learned that the pill required a Heavenly Flame and asked Tang Zhen about his chances of success.

Cao Ying agreed to refine the Fire Bodhi Pill for Tang Zhen, revealing her Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame and securing a promise for Yan Qingshan. After eight days and nights of work, she reached the pill’s final refinement stage.

• Cao Ying questioned Tang Zhen’s ability to refine the high-tier seventh-rank Fire Bodhi Pill and offered to make it herself.
• Cao Ying revealed her Myriad Spirit Demonic Flame, which clashed with Tang Zhen’s Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Flame before the two flames backed off.
• Tang Zhen agreed to Cao Ying’s offer, and she said she wanted a promise from Yan Qingshan before discussing the details.
• Tang Zhen brought out the Mountain Melt Cauldron and the pill ingredients at Blazing Flame Valley’s plaza, promising the cauldron as payment if the refinement succeeded.
• Cao Ying began refining the Fire Bodhi Pill with her Heavenly Flame and, after eight days and nights, reached the final stage.

Cao Ying completed the high-grade seventh-tier Fire Bodhi Pill, and Huo Luo endured its Pill Lightning before Tang Zhen secured it. Yan Qingshan’s secret Heart Flame Clone was exposed to Cao Ying, and he left her resting while accompanying Tang Huo'er through the garden.

• Cao Ying fused all eight medicinal liquids and formed the Fire Bodhi Pill, summoning Pill Lightning over Blazing Flame Valley.
• Huo Luo appeared and drew the lightning onto himself until the thunderclouds dissipated.
• The pill tried to escape the Mountain Melt Cauldron, but Tang Zhen caught it and thanked Cao Ying for her help.
• Yan Qingshan took the exhausted Cao Ying to her room, where she recognized Huo Luo as his Heart Flame Clone and demanded an explanation.
• Tang Huo'er entered the room, then left with Yan Qingshan after he arranged for Venerable Kuyi to watch over Cao Ying.

Yan Qingshan asked Blazing Flame Valley to open its core inheritance trial, then revealed that he was Huo Luo and explained why he had joined the valley and Danta. The elders remained suspicious of his many identities and relationships, while Tang Zhen demanded an explanation after Tang Huo'er defended him.

• Tang Huo'er brought Yan Qingshan before Tang Zhen and the elders, and Yan asked to enter Blazing Flame Valley's core inheritance trial.
• Tang Zhen and the elders rejected the request until Yan removed his mask and revealed that he was Huo Luo, a candidate already qualified for the inheritance trial.
• Yan explained his Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body clone and his reasons for joining Blazing Flame Valley and Danta, while the elders questioned his motives and identities.
• Tang Zhen attacked in anger, but Tang Huo'er stepped in to protect Yan; Yan caught her and revealed their private relationship.
• Tang Huo'er pleaded with Tang Zhen to hear Yan's explanation, and Yan admitted his relationships with Feng Qing'er, Mu Qingluan, Cao Ying, and Tang Huo'er, as well as his engagement to the Ye Clan's eldest miss.

Yan Qingshan revealed his secrets to Tang Huo'er and Tang Zhen, then secured approval to undergo Blazing Flame Valley's core inheritance trial. At the hidden inheritance site, Old Ancestor Huoyun sensed Yan Qingshan's extraordinary ability to conceal his aura.

• Tang Huo'er questioned Yan Qingshan about Xin Lan, and he explained that he was helping the Ye Clan retain its Danta seat.
• Yan Qingshan admitted he had concealed his identity and intentions, while Tang Huo'er declared that she trusted him and chose to be with him.
• Tang Zhen asked Blazing Flame Valley's elders to approve Yan Qingshan's request, and the Second Elder and Third Elder agreed to let him undergo the inheritance trial.
• Tang Zhen led Yan Qingshan and Tang Huo'er through a hidden passage to meet Old Ancestor Huoyun in a bamboo grove.
• Old Ancestor Huoyun examined Yan Qingshan, realized he had nearly concealed his aura completely, and revealed that he was a true Dou Saint.