Chapter Summaries

Gu He completed the Upper-grade sixth-grade Sect Breaking Pill after a day of careful nurturing, then watched the Moon Spirit Orchid bloom under the moonlight. Its fragrance drew magical beasts toward the mountain, and Gu He drove them off with his aura.

• Gu He fused the medicinal liquids and shaped them into a pill prototype, then spent nearly a day nurturing it inside the Medicine Cauldron.
• An energy pillar erupted from the Medicine Cauldron, drawing the attention of nearby experts in the Black Corner Region.
• Gu He overcame the pill’s resistance, caught the finished Sect Breaking Pill, and stored it in a jade bottle in his Ring.
• The Moon Spirit Orchid gathered lunar energy and bloomed, releasing a fragrance that spread across the mountain.
• Magical beasts charged toward the orchid, but Gu He blasted open the cave roof and crushed or frightened them away with his aura.

After harvesting the Moon Spirit Orchid, Gu He sensed two near-peak Dou Emperor experts approaching Gu Ling City and flew back. Elder Jin and Elder Yin confronted Liu Jianlin over the Yao Brothers, and Elder Jin attacked him, prompting Tie Wu to rescue him as the city wall collapsed.

• Gu He harvested the Moon Spirit Orchid, whose roots withered away, and left the cave without returning to Gu Ling City immediately.
• Gu He sensed two near-peak Dou Emperor energy signatures near Gu Ling City and turned back to investigate.
• Elder Jin and Elder Yin demanded that Gu Ling come out and questioned Liu Jianlin about the Gu Ling Pavilion taking in the Yao Brothers.
• Liu Jianlin told the two elders that the Pavilion Master had made the decision and would return soon, while they revealed they had come hoping to extort Sect Breaking Pills from Gu He.
• Elder Jin struck at Liu Jianlin, but Tie Wu carried him out of danger as the attack demolished part of the city wall.

Tie Wu fought Elder Jin to defend Liu Jianlin but was badly beaten, and Gu He returned to Gu Ling City as the confrontation paused. Gu He asked Liu Jianlin what had happened, and Liu Jianlin eagerly greeted him.

• Tie Wu admitted Elder Jin and Elder Yin were important figures, and Elder Jin challenged him to fight.
• Elder Jin seized Tie Wu's fists with his cold energy, shattered his Raging Lion Force Kick, and kicked him in the chest.
• Tie Wu used a blood arrow to break free and fled into the air, badly wounded and fearing the gap between their strengths.
• Elder Jin and Elder Yin sensed a powerful aura approaching, while Gu He hurried back to Gu Ling City using his Dou Qi and the remaining medicinal power of the Windwalk Pill.
• Gu He arrived, asked Tie Wu how he had been injured, and Tie Wu directed him to Liu Jianlin.
• Gu He approached Liu Jianlin and asked what had happened, and Liu Jianlin excitedly welcomed him back.

Gu He confronted Elder Jin Yin after they threatened Liu Jianlin, and the dispute escalated into a destructive battle in Gu Ling City. He unleashed a giant azure flame lotus against the brothers’ combined technique, leaving their attacks colliding in midair.

• Liu Jianlin recounted how Elder Jin Yin had threatened him, and Gu He demanded an explanation from the brothers.
• Golden Elder accused Gu He of sheltering the Yao Brothers, while Gu He ordered Liu Jianlin to clear the nearby area and prepared to fight.
• Gu He and Elder Jin Yin exchanged a probing clash that destroyed the city district below them.
• Gu He summoned his Heavenly Flames, weakening Tie Wu and forming an enormous azure lotus with his new ability.
• Elder Jin Yin fused their Dou Qi and formed a Light Seal, then launched it as Gu He sent the azure lotus crashing toward them.

Gu He defeated Elder Jin Yin and Gu He’s combined attack, forcing them to flee, then rewarded Tie Wu for helping him. Elder Jin Yin sought treatment from Han Feng and believed their injuries might lead to a breakthrough.

• Tie Wu retreated from the violent energy storm as Gu He’s Green Lotus shattered Elder Jin Yin and Gu He’s Light Seal and forced them to expend their strength defending against it.
• Gu He threw two Green Eagles at Elder Jin Yin, who merged and fled after knocking them away.
• Gu He promised Tie Wu an Imperial Pill in return for saving Liu Jianlin, and Tie Wu left after accepting the offer.
• Gu He surveyed the ruined district, decided Elder Jin Yin had to be eliminated, and flew to find Liu Jianlin.
• Elder Jin Yin stopped several dozen li from Gu Ling City, spat blood, and decided to seek treatment from Han Feng.
• Elder Jin believed their injuries might help them reach Peak Dou Emperor within half a year.

After defeating Elder Jin Yin, Gu He became a feared figure among the Black Corner Region’s factions, while Han Feng watched for news and plotted to use the conflict against him. Demonic Flame Valley’s elders recognized Gu He as a Half-step Dou Zong and worried about what would happen if he broke through.

• Silver Elder suggested that he and Golden Elder recover and apologize to Gu He, but Golden Elder refused because he feared losing face.
• The injured brothers treated their wounds, then headed toward Maple City.
• Han Feng ordered Han Beng to have spies report the outcome of Elder Jin Yin’s battle with Gu He, and he expressed his desire to devour Gu He’s Heavenly Flame.
• News spread that Gu He had defeated Elder Jin Yin, prompting major factions to warn their people to treat him with respect.
• Fang Yan complained to the other Demonic Flame Valley elders that Gu He’s strength might soon make him difficult for even the Valley Master to kill.

Gu He advanced to Half-step Dou Zong and, short on pills, ordered Yao Er to open a shop that would trade pills for medicinal ingredients. Meanwhile, Demonic Flame Valley waited for intelligence about Gu He's backing, leaving its plan to kill him unsettled.

• Fang Yan agreed to wait for Central Continent's investigation into which faction backed the Gu Ling Pavilion Master, while the Third Elder returned to question the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
• Gu He designated Gu Ling City's destroyed western district as a tourist area and left the resettlement and rebuilding work to Liu Jianlin.
• Gu He refined an Imperial Pill with the Devouring Flame and reached Half-step Dou Zong.
• Gu He summoned Yao Er, confirmed a pill shop could open within two days, and gave him a Ring of pills to sell in exchange for medicinal ingredients.

Gu He built up Pill Cauldron Pavilion by refining pills for a month, making it a major attraction in Gu Ling City. Meanwhile, Elder Jin Yin recovered and announced that he and his brother would retreat to pursue Peak Dou Emperor, leaving Han Feng conflicted about their future strength.

• Yao Er accepted Gu He’s pills and promised to get Pill Cauldron Pavilion running, while Gu He vowed to handle any renewed trouble from Elder Jin Yin.
• Gu He secluded himself on the lake island and spent a month refining pills as ingredients arrived from Gu Ling Pavilion and the shop.
• Pill Cauldron Pavilion became famous across the Black Corner Region, and Yao Er offered Gu Ling Pavilion members a fifteen percent discount, drawing more cultivators to join.
• After finishing his stock, Gu He considered hiring a Fourth-grade alchemist and reflected that he needed to reach Dou Zong before attempting Seventh-grade pills.
• Golden Elder urged Han Feng to open a competing pill shop, but Han Feng refused, while Silver Elder announced that he and Golden Elder would return to Jin Yin Valley to pursue Peak Dou Emperor.
• Han Feng felt both pleased that Elder Jin Yin would grow stronger against Gu He and uneasy that this would make it harder to claim leadership later.

Gu He welcomed two newly recruited Dou Wangs into Gu Ling Pavilion and assigned them important duties. He then privately prepared to leave, instructing Liu Jianlin to keep the departure secret and protect the pavilion’s ongoing operations.

• After Han Feng watched Silver Elder and Golden Elder depart, Gu He met Liu Jianlin, who reported that two Dou Wangs had joined Gu Ling Pavilion.
• Gu He received Fan Hai and Bai Ping, welcomed them as elders, and assigned Fan Hai to build the medicinal ingredient caravan and Bai Ping to oversee the Pill Cauldron Pavilion.
• Gu He secretly placed Soul Imprints on Fan Hai and Bai Ping before they left the courtyard.
• Gu He told Liu Jianlin that he would soon leave in secret and asked about Yao Da’s progress toward breaking through to Dou Wang.
• Liu Jianlin reported that Yao Da’s breakthrough might take several more months, and Gu He ordered stronger guards and told him to maintain the pavilion’s pill supply and caravan expansion.

Gu He searched for a secluded cultivation site and attacked the Water Cloud Demonic Serpent that guarded the area’s deepest pool. After Gu He’s assault badly wounded it, the serpent summoned a nearly identical beast from its Dou Qi, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Gu He searched the mountains for a hidden cultivation site and chose the area around a deep pool after confirming no powerful experts were nearby.
• Gu He used an afterimage to lure the Water Cloud Demonic Serpent out of the pool, then struck it with four Green Eagles while the afterimage pinned it down.
• The Water Cloud Demonic Serpent suffered severe Heavenly Flame wounds and found itself surrounded with no clear escape route.
• The Water Cloud Demonic Serpent asked Gu He why he was targeting it, but Gu He ordered another attack without answering.
• The Water Cloud Demonic Serpent activated its Dou Qi and created a nearly identical demonic serpent, exhausting itself in the process.

Gu He killed the Water Cloud Demonic Serpent and searched its territory for the treasure that had drawn the beast to the area. He found an immature Snake Origin Fruit at the bottom of a deep pool and prepared to use the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python’s blood to ripen it.

• Gu He defeated the Water Cloud Demonic Serpent with his Heavenly Flames and Green Eagles, then burned its corpse and recovered a blue crystal from its brain.
• Gu He explored a deep pool in the serpent’s territory but found no precious herbs for Sixth-grade pills.
• Gu He sent an afterimage to investigate an unusually dense source of energy at the pool’s bottom and discovered a glowing Snake Origin Fruit rooted in an ancient Snake Magical Beast’s corpse.
• Gu He brought the corpse and Snake Origin Fruit to shore, then stopped the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python from eating the immature fruit.
• Gu He explained that he needed a few drops of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python’s blood to ripen the fruit, and the snake accepted.

Gu He prepared for his breakthrough to the Dou Zong realm while the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python absorbed the Snake Origin Fruit. After sealing her inside the deep pool, he swallowed the Sect Breaking Pill and began gathering and refining energy, starting a breakthrough that would take months without further help.

• Gu He fed the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's blood to the Snake Origin Fruit, then meditated for two days to bring his condition to its peak.
• When the Snake Origin Fruit matured, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python swallowed it, and Gu He sealed her and the deep pool with powerful restrictions.
• Three days later, Gu He swallowed the Sect Breaking Pill and began absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to break through from Dou Emperor to Dou Zong.
• Gu He used the Green Lotus Core Flame to refine the incoming energy, but estimated that the process would take at least three months without another method.

Gu He used pills and cultivation to break through the barrier between the Dou Emperor and Dou Zong realms, drawing in a vast surge of heaven-and-earth energy. Queen Medusa emerged from the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python just as Gu He's breakthrough neared completion, and he strengthened the barrier while racing to advance.

• Gu He spent a month refining Spirit Dou Pills and Imperial Pills while consolidating his energy and tempering his body.
• Gu He cracked the barrier to the Dou Zong realm, triggering a massive energy funnel that threatened to overwhelm him.
• Gu He refined another Imperial Pill and the Sect Breaking Pill's remaining medicinal power to meet the energy needed for his breakthrough.
• Queen Medusa transformed from the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python and emerged, deciding she had to escape before Gu He reached Dou Zong.
• Gu He sensed Queen Medusa, reinforced the barrier with his Soul Power, and hastened his refinement as she reacted to the strength of his control.

Gu He broke through to Dou Zong while Queen Medusa struggled to escape the restriction, and a nearby Dou Zong sensed the disturbance and set out to investigate. Gu He used the Sun Shadow Fire Separation Fruit to awaken the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, leaving Queen Medusa trapped inside while the little snake fell asleep on his wrist.

• Queen Medusa unleashed her full strength against the restriction, and a gray-haired, hawk-nosed Dou Zong sensed her aura from hundreds of miles away and went to investigate.
• Gu He refined the energy and medicinal power of the Sect Breaking Pill, reaching the strength of a one-star Dou Zong.
• Gu He crossed the distance to the restriction and told Queen Medusa he would not let her leave because she knew his secret.
• Gu He used the Sun Shadow Fire Separation Fruit to provoke the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, forcing Queen Medusa to divide her strength between suppressing it and attacking the restriction.
• The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python emerged in Queen Medusa's place, and Gu He removed the restriction and gave it the fruit.
• The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python ate the fruit, coiled around Gu He's wrist, and fell asleep.

After stabilizing his breakthrough to One-star Dou Zong, Gu He worried that Queen Medusa might reveal his Devouring Flame and considered how to win her loyalty. As he flew toward Gu Ling City, a Two-star Dou Zong ambushed him, and Gu He prepared to test his new strength.

• Gu He reasoned that Queen Medusa could expose his Devouring Flame and considered using her bond with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python to make her fall in love with him.
• Gu He placed a Soul Imprint on the sleeping Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, then tested his Dou Zong strength and confirmed his cultivation had stabilized at One-star Dou Zong.
• Gu He removed the restrictions around the deep pool and flew toward Gu Ling City while concealing his true strength.
• A Two-star Dou Zong who had been waiting outside the restrictions mistook Gu He for a Half-step Dou Zong and launched a surprise attack.
• Gu He detected the ambush with his Soul Power, let the attacker rush ahead, and secretly formed a Dou Qi Green Eagle in each hand.

Gu He fought Old Man Eagle Mountain after revealing his breakthrough to Dou Zong, while experts across the Black Corner Region sensed the battle. He identified Eagle Mountain and launched a full-force attack with the Green Lotus Core Flame.

• Gu He detonated two Green Eagles against Old Man Eagle Mountain, injuring him and sending battle fluctuations across the region.
• The experts in Black Emperor City and Demonic Flame Valley sensed the clash, while Han Feng recognized Gu He's aura and feared his newly gained strength.
• Old Man Eagle Mountain emerged from the blast, demanded Gu He's name, and challenged him as a Two-star Dou Zong.
• Gu He introduced himself as Gu Ling, identified Eagle Mountain as a former Black List powerhouse, and prepared to fight.
• Eagle Mountain attacked with a killing intent and a pitch-black palm, but Gu He countered by unleashing the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Gu He fought Old Man Eagle Mountain and secretly secured Queen Medusa’s cooperation by threatening the Snake-People Tribe and promising a Spirit Melting Pill. The fight reached a turning point when Gu He sent Queen Medusa’s true body at Old Man Eagle Mountain and struck while the old man was caught off guard.

• Old Man Eagle Mountain attacked Gu He to seize his Heavenly Flames, and the two began a destructive battle.
• Gu He judged that Old Man Eagle Mountain was a three-star Dou Zong and considered using his Soul Power, but doubted he could prevent the old man from escaping alone.
• Gu He offered the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python a Spirit Melting Pill in exchange for helping him kill Old Man Eagle Mountain, and Queen Medusa agreed after Gu He threatened the Snake-People Tribe.
• Queen Medusa proposed that Gu He throw her true body at Old Man Eagle Mountain to keep him from escaping.
• Gu He sent a streak of seven-colored light toward Old Man Eagle Mountain, then struck him with a powerful punch as Queen Medusa’s aura rose to the Dou Zong level.

Gu He and Queen Medusa fought Old Man Eagle Mountain together after she rejected his offer to ally with him. Gu He asked Queen Medusa to hold their opponent off for a minute while he prepared a powerful Azure Fire Sword Qi attack, and Old Man Eagle Mountain continued trying to persuade her as they battled.

• Queen Medusa appeared behind Old Man Eagle Mountain and joined Gu He in a surprise attack that injured him.
• Old Man Eagle Mountain used a dark technique to devour their attacks, then offered Queen Medusa a share of the Heavenly Flames and access to alchemists if she joined him.
• Queen Medusa rejected Old Man Eagle Mountain's offer and helped Gu He fight him, leaving Gu He with a slight advantage.
• Gu He asked Queen Medusa to hold Old Man Eagle Mountain off for a minute in exchange for refining a Snake Marrow Bone Shedding Pill, and she agreed.
• Gu He swallowed a Qi Cultivation Pill and gathered Azure Fire Sword Qi while Queen Medusa restrained Old Man Eagle Mountain, who continued trying to win her over.

Gu He and Queen Medusa fought Old Man Eagle Mountain as Gu He tried to stop him from escaping. After injuring him with a Soul Giant Hammer and breaking his right hand, Gu He called Queen Medusa to attack alongside him.

• Queen Medusa blocked Old Man Eagle Mountain’s attack while Gu He finished gathering his Azure Fire sword qi.
• Gu He unleashed Thousand Flame Sword Qi, and Old Man Eagle Mountain countered with Shadow Demon Snake Bind.
• Gu He charged through the energy clash and grabbed Old Man Eagle Mountain as a Soul Giant Hammer struck his shoulder.
• Gu He broke Old Man Eagle Mountain’s right hand, forcing him to retreat and tend to his injuries.
• Gu He condensed a second Soul Giant Hammer and called Queen Medusa to attack with him.
• Queen Medusa appeared beside Old Man Eagle Mountain and struck at him with her seven-colored light.

Gu He killed Old Man Eagle Mountain, claimed his high-grade Ring, and gave Queen Medusa the Spirit Melting Pill prescription before they traveled to Gu Ling City. The scene then shifted to Lu Ping leading students through a dangerous, mist-filled valley, where a creature suddenly attacked.

• Gu He and Queen Medusa killed Old Man Eagle Mountain, and Gu He struck his chest to make sure he was dead.
• Gu He claimed Old Man Eagle Mountain's high-grade Ring and stored the Dou Zong's corpse inside it.
• Queen Medusa demanded compensation, and Gu He gave her the Spirit Melting Pill prescription.
• Gu He and Queen Medusa flew to Gu Ling City, where the guards greeted Gu He as Pavilion Master.
• Lu Ping led the remaining students deeper into a cold, foggy valley and warned them to stay close.
• A massive creature lunged from the mist and swept its claws toward the front of the group.