Chapter Summaries

Wei Yang examined the treasures hidden in Gute’s Storage Ring and found several valuable pill recipes and pills. He put away the pills for now, deciding to consolidate his foundation before using the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill.

• Wei Yang tested the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, whose chill frosted his hand, then neutralized it with Dark Red Flame and stored it away.
• Wei Yang discovered recipes for the Fifth-Grade Dou Spirit Pill and Sixth-Grade Emperor Extreme Pill and put them away.
• Wei Yang identified a highest-grade Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill that could greatly increase a Da Dou Shi’s or Dou Ling’s strength, but decided to delay taking it.
• Wei Yang opened the last bottle and found a Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pill, which could reliably raise a Da Dou Shi’s strength by one star without backlash, then stored it.

Wei Yang and Xian'er searched Gute's residence, left him asleep, and escaped Black Rock City with his possessions. Back in Wu Tan City, they sorted the spoils and found medicinal herbs, alchemy materials, books, pill formulas, techniques, and the annotated Gu Clan Fire Control Technique.

• Wei Yang and Xian'er opened a hidden room in Gute's residence, found it empty, and left Gute asleep after confirming the sleeping drug would wear off within about twelve shichen.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er left Black Rock City, flew across much of the Jia Ma Empire, and returned to Wu Tan City five days later.
• The next morning, Wei Yang and Xian'er counted Xian'er's forty-eight rare medicinal herbs and Wei Yang's Ice Spirit Cold Spring, pill formulas, pills, and ancient books.
• Wei Yang gave Xian'er Gute's empty mid-grade Storage Ring and used his larger ring to empty Gute's belongings onto the floor.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er sorted Gute's pills, herbs, alchemy notes, pill formulas, Mysterious Grade techniques, and the annotated Gu Clan Fire Control Technique.

Wei Yang and Xian'er studied alchemy and built a solid foundation in Grade 1 Pills before preparing to move on to Tier 2 Pills. They planned to obtain more ingredients through the Xiao Family Market and Mitel Auction House, while Wei Yang expected to advance faster than Xian'er because of their different Soul Power and limitations.

• Wei Yang examined Pill King Gu He's Fire Control Technique, medicine cauldrons, and other possessions, giving Xian'er one cauldron and the household valuables.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er spent half a month studying alchemy books, then bought first-tier medicinal herbs from the Xiao Family Market and began practicing.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er refined Grade 1 Pills, repeating formulas until they understood the medicinal properties and principles behind them.
• After another month, Wei Yang and Xian'er prepared to study Tier 2 Pills, but Wei Yang noted that Wu Tan City could not supply enough second-tier herbs and Magic Cores quickly.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er considered asking both the Xiao Family Market and Mitel Auction House to source ingredients, and Wei Yang assessed Xian'er's Tier 3 limit and his own prospects of reaching the Fourth Grade.

Wei Yang and Xian'er planned to travel to a hidden valley in the Magic Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs and cultivate, delaying Xian'er's breakthrough until they arrived. Wei Yang went to the Xiao Family to sell a large batch of pills and was welcomed by Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan, and Gu Xun'er.

• Wei Yang told Xian'er about a hidden valley rich in herbs and spiritual energy, and they agreed to set out after resting for two days.
• Xian'er said she was ready to break through to the Dou Ling Realm, but Wei Yang asked her to wait until they reached the valley because her breakthrough could cause a major disturbance.
• Wei Yang visited the Xiao Family Market to sell pills and asked steward Xiao Feng to bring him to the Xiao Family for a private discussion.
• Xiao Feng escorted Wei Yang to the Xiao Family, where Xiao Zhan, the elders, Xiao Yan, and Gu Xun'er waited to receive him.

Wei Yang formally met the Xiao family and used his proposed business deal to express admiration for Xiao Yan, surprising everyone in the reception hall. The meeting ended with Wei Yang presenting himself as a longtime admirer eager to make Xiao Yan’s acquaintance.

• Wei Yang arrived at the Xiao residence and greeted Xiao Zhan, the elders, and the family members gathered to welcome him.
• Gu Xun'er recognized Wei Yang from their earlier brief encounter and noticed his greatly strengthened Soul Power and high-tier Dou Ling cultivation.
• The Great Elder interrupted Xiao Zhan’s welcome, exposing tension within the Xiao family, before Xiao Zhan led Wei Yang into the reception hall.
• After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Zhan asked Wei Yang about the major business deal he had proposed, and Wei Yang requested a large table be prepared.
• Wei Yang told the Xiao family that his regard for Xiao Yan had partly motivated him to trade with them, then said he had long admired Xiao Yan and was glad to meet him formally.

Wei Yang told the Xiao Family that Xiao Yan had inspired him to persevere after he lost his parents, lifting Xiao Yan’s spirits. He then offered the family 163 Grade 1 Pills to sell, leaving its members stunned by the scale of his gift.

• Wei Yang said he had looked up to Xiao Yan as a goal after his parents died when he was six.
• Xiao Yan felt embarrassed but warmed by Wei Yang’s admiration, while Gu Xun’er secretly held his hand and shared his relief.
• Wei Yang told Xiao Zhan that Xiao Yan’s recovery might still be possible, though Xiao Zhan struggled to hope after many failed attempts to find a cure.
• Wei Yang produced 163 Grade 1 Pills and asked the Xiao Family to sell them on his behalf.
• Wei Yang explained that the pills had various uses, including stopping bleeding, healing injuries, restoring Qi, aiding cultivation, and detoxifying.

Wei Yang offered the Xiao Family 163 high-grade Grade 1 pills to sell, and they inspected and accepted the batch. He revealed that he had refined most of the pills himself, leaving the Xiao Family stunned.

• The Xiao Family agreed to sell Wei Yang's pills and carefully inspected the batch.
• Xiao Zhan and the elders confirmed that all 163 pills were Grade 1 and high-grade.
• Xiao Zhan asked who had refined the pills, and Wei Yang said he had made most of them himself while a friend refined the rest.
• The Xiao Family members reacted in shock, while Gu Xun'er remained calm because she had already suspected Wei Yang was an alchemist.

Wei Yang reached a long-term business agreement with the Xiao Family, which would sell his pills and purchase herbs and Magic Cores for him. As Wei Yang prepared to leave, he offered to examine Xiao Yan’s condition.

• Xiao Zhan proposed a ninety-ten profit split, but Wei Yang offered the Xiao Family twenty percent in exchange for a long-term partnership.
• Wei Yang asked the Xiao Family to buy Grade 3 and Grade 4 medicinal herbs and Grade 2 through Grade 4 Magic Cores, and handed Xiao Zhan a Gold Coin Card with two hundred thousand gold coins.
• Wei Yang told Xiao Zhan to use his share of the pill proceeds for the requested purchases and said he would return in three months.
• At the hall’s entrance, Wei Yang asked Xiao Yan if he could examine his condition, and Xiao Zhan urged Xiao Yan to accept.

Wei Yang discovered that Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi was being mysteriously absorbed, likely by Elder Yao, and told the Xiao Family he would return in three months. He left Wu Tan City to search for the Small Valley while planning how to gain resources without derailing Xiao Yan’s role in the coming conflict.

• Wei Yang examined Xiao Yan as he circulated his Dou Qi and detected the ancient black ring emitting a faint ripple while Xiao Yan’s newly absorbed Dou Qi vanished.
• Wei Yang told Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan that he had found clues but needed three months to prepare before continuing his investigation.
• Wei Yang left the Xiao Family and flew from Wu Tan City toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range to find the Small Valley.
• Wei Yang planned to contact Elder Yao for alchemist knowledge and the Poison Pill Method, and considered trading the Green Lotus Core Flame for cultivation methods and Dou Techniques.
• Wei Yang decided to pursue opportunities for himself while preserving Xiao Yan’s growth, since he believed Xiao Yan would need to face Soul Heavenly Emperor and the coming calamity.

Wei Yang brought Xian'er to a hidden, energy-rich valley in the Magic Beast Mountain Range and prepared it as their home. Xian'er began cultivating there and broke through to the Dou Ling Realm, leaving Wei Yang guarding her chamber against the potent Fire Poison leaking out.

• Wei Yang returned to the valley he had discovered and brought Xian'er there from Wu Tan City.
• Xian'er explored the valley, delighted by its dense energy and abundant herbs, while Wei Yang carved out a cave dwelling.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er decorated their new home and discussed how her poisons and his pills could help them advance their cultivation.
• On the second day in the valley, Xian'er broke through to the Dou Ling Realm inside the sealed cultivation chamber.
• Wei Yang stood guard outside Xian'er's chamber and burned away the Fire Poison seeping through its door.

Xian'er controlled her fire poison and advanced to Dou Spirit, while she and Wei Yang became Second-Grade Alchemists and settled into a quiet life in the valley. Nearly three months later, Wei Yang contemplated the nature of cultivation as Xian'er returned from gathering herbs and prepared breakfast.

• Xian'er broke through to Dou Spirit, spent three days stabilizing her power, and brought her poison leakage under control.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er refined second-grade pills and advanced to Second-Grade Alchemists; Wei Yang consumed a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill and became a Nine-star Dou Spirit.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er spent nearly three months cultivating, refining pills, and studying the valley's medicinal herbs.
• Wei Yang absorbed morning-glow Yang Attribute energy and reflected on how the Dou Qi cultivation system differed from the Daoist ideas he remembered.
• Xian'er returned from gathering herbs and began preparing breakfast while Wei Yang watched her fondly.

After reaching Fourth-Grade Alchemist, Wei Yang refined Soul Nurturing Liquid from Xian'er’s treasured herbs to strengthen their Soul Power. He gave Xian'er the largest share, while his promised visit to Wu Tan City remained ahead.

• Wei Yang told Xian'er he planned to return to Wu Tan City to honor his agreement with the Xiao Family, but she chose to stay behind.
• Wei Yang persuaded Xian'er to give him three Soul Nurturing Lotuses and other herbs by promising her a share of the liquid and explaining its benefits.
• Wei Yang and Xian'er shared breakfast before he refined the Soul Nurturing Liquid as she watched and studied his techniques.
• Wei Yang divided the finished liquid among three jade bottles and gave Xian'er the largest portion.
• Xian'er thanked Wei Yang with a kiss after he jokingly asked for more than verbal thanks.

After refining the Soul Nourishing Liquid, Xian'er discovered that her Soul Power had grown enough to bring her closer to becoming a Fourth-Grade Alchemist, and Wei Yang promised to help her reach even greater heights. Wei Yang went to the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City on the day Nalan Yanran came to break off her engagement, arriving just as the meeting was about to begin.

• Xian'er refined the Soul Nourishing Liquid and found her Soul Strength comparable to that of an ordinary high-level peak Dou Wang expert.
• Wei Yang encouraged Xian'er to aim for Sixth Grade Peak or even Seventh Grade Alchemist status.
• Wei Yang left the Small Valley and headed for Wu Tan City, anticipating Nalan Yanran's engagement-breaking visit and Xiao Yan's famous declaration.
• The Xiao Family guards recognized Wei Yang and welcomed him into the residence.
• As the old man from the Misty Cloud Sect prepared to speak about Nalan Yanran's engagement, Xiao Zhan learned that Wei Yang had arrived and sent the Great Elder to welcome him.

Wei Yang witnessed Nalan Yanran break off her engagement with Xiao Yan and watched the Xiao Family’s humiliation without interfering. After settling a profitable pill and materials deal with Xiao Zhan, Wei Yang agreed to visit Xiao Yan in a quiet place.

• Wei Yang arrived at the Xiao Family hall and took the honored seat while Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran discussed their visit with Xiao Zhan.
• Ge Ye revealed that the Misty Cloud Sect had come to cancel Nalan Yanran’s engagement to Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan challenged her to a Three-Year Agreement before leaving in humiliation.
• Wei Yang watched without intervening, then completed a materials handover with Xiao Zhan and offered the Xiao Family more than fifty Grade 2 Pills to sell.
• Wei Yang told Xiao Zhan to use his share of the pill sales to buy only Grade 3 and higher materials, saying he would return in half a year.
• When Xiao Zhan asked about Wei Yang’s earlier mention of Xiao Yan, Wei Yang asked to see him and requested a quiet place.

After Nalan Yanran humiliated him, Xiao Yan sought solace on a mountain, where an aged voice revealed itself from his ring. Wei Yang confronted the hidden Elder Yao, who finally emerged as a transparent figure, leaving Xiao Yan terrified.

• Xiao Yan brooded over his humiliation and heard an aged voice speaking from the Ancient Black Ring.
• Xiao Zhan and Wei Yang arrived, and Xiao Zhan left Wei Yang alone with Xiao Yan to treat his body.
• Wei Yang addressed the ring and revealed that he had known about its occupant for three months.
• Elder Yao emerged from the ring, and Xiao Yan tore it off and threw it away in terror.
• Elder Yao used an invisible force to draw the ring back into his transparent hand.

Wei Yang revealed that Elder Yao had absorbed Xiao Yan's Dou Qi for three years, prompting Xiao Yan's fury before Elder Yao's explanation and Wei Yang's words calmed him. Xiao Yan realized his talent had never been lost and began to suspect the ordeal had been a test.

• Xiao Yan mistook Elder Yao's Soul Body for a ghost, while Elder Yao praised Wei Yang's strong Soul Power and learned he was from Wu Tan City.
• Wei Yang confronted Elder Yao about Xiao Yan's missing Dou Qi, and Elder Yao admitted he had absorbed it for three years.
• Xiao Yan erupted in anger over the humiliation he had suffered, but Wei Yang warned him they were no match for Elder Yao.
• Elder Yao suggested the hardship had tempered Xiao Yan, and Wei Yang agreed that Xiao Yan had once been too flamboyant.
• Xiao Yan calmed down, realized his talent had never disappeared, and began to understand that Elder Yao's actions might have been a test.

Wei Yang and Elder Yao cautiously negotiated after Elder Yao sensed the Green Lotus Core Flame on him. They avoided a fight, and Elder Yao learned that Wei Yang had not refined the powerful Heavenly Flame before the conversation turned to Elder Yao’s alchemy background.

• Elder Yao sensed a Heavenly Flame’s aura on Wei Yang and questioned him about it, while Xiao Yan prepared to flee.
• Wei Yang concealed the Green Lotus Core Flame in his Storage Ring as he and Elder Yao weighed whether to fight.
• Elder Yao and Wei Yang eased the tension with polite smiles and decided against making a move.
• Wei Yang revealed that he possessed the nineteenth-ranked Green Lotus Core Flame, which had matured to power rivaling a Dou Emperor.
• Wei Yang asked whether Elder Yao was an alchemist, and Elder Yao proudly said he had earned some renown in his homeland.

Wei Yang told Elder Yao that his friend in the Magic Beast Mountain Range had an awakened Body of Calamitous Poison and refused to let him harm her. He argued that the Netherworld Poison Flame could help control the physique, leaving Elder Yao convinced Wei Yang knew where to find it.

• Wei Yang revealed that his friend had an awakened Body of Calamitous Poison, and Elder Yao warned that it could become a catastrophic threat.
• Elder Yao proposed joining forces to kill Wei Yang's friend, but Wei Yang threatened to fight him to the death if he tried.
• Elder Yao explained that the poison body could rapidly grow stronger and eventually lose control, while Xiao Yan struggled against the pressure of their auras.
• Wei Yang insisted the poison body could be controlled and suggested using the Netherworld Poison Flame to regulate its power.
• Elder Yao agreed the idea was plausible and suspected Wei Yang knew where to find the Netherworld Poison Flame.

Wei Yang traded two bottles of Fourth-Grade Soul Nurturing Liquid with Elder Yao for a chance to read the Poison Pill Method, which could control the Body of Calamitous Poison. Wei Yang began studying the scroll while Elder Yao secured the precious medicine to nourish his weakened soul.

• Elder Yao and Wei Yang withdrew their auras after Xiao Yan asked them to stop and Wei Yang apologized for his agitation.
• Wei Yang claimed he had found information about the Poison Pill Method in the Seven-Colored Poison Classic and asked Elder Yao if he knew it.
• Elder Yao revealed that he possessed the complete method, then advised Wei Yang on how to improve his Soul Nurturing Liquid formula.
• Wei Yang offered Elder Yao two bottles of Soul Nurturing Liquid, and Elder Yao lent him the scroll containing the Poison Pill Method.
• Wei Yang unrolled the scroll and began reading it while Elder Yao stored away the medicine to restore his weakened soul.

Wei Yang obtained the Poison Pill Method needed to help Xian'er control her Body of Calamitous Poison, then left Xiao Yan with Elder Yao. As Wei Yang reflected on Xiao Yan’s desperate situation and their friendship, Xiao Yan began learning alchemy from Elder Yao.

• Wei Yang memorized the Poison Pill Method, which required three Heavenly Flames, a Seventh-tier Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast Magic Core, and Bodhi Transforming Body Saliva.
• Xiao Yan told Elder Yao he could no longer support him and suggested that he join Wei Yang, but Elder Yao chose to remain with Xiao Yan and promised not to absorb his Dou Qi without permission.
• Wei Yang departed and asked Xiao Yan to call him Brother Wei, saying he hoped they would someday fight side by side; Xiao Yan vowed to catch up with him.
• Elder Yao reminded Xiao Yan that he was only at third-stage Dou Qi and offered to teach him alchemy if he became his master.
• As Wei Yang walked away, he considered Xiao Yan’s approaching coming-of-age ceremony, his three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran, and the difficulty of catching up without a shortcut.