Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ling and his companions traveled to Sacred Pill City for the Pill Gathering, with Zi Yan repairing the Ye Family’s Space Wormhole along the way. On arrival, Xiao Ling sensed Xun’er across the distance, while Cao Ying learned that he had reached the city and anticipated competing against him.

• Zi Yan used her mastery of space to restore the Ye Family’s Space Wormhole, then Xiao Ling’s group departed with Ye Zhong and Xin Lan.
• The group traveled through Qing Ling City and continued toward Sacred Pill City as crowds of Alchemists gathered for the Pill Gathering.
• Near the Sacred Pill City entrance, Xiao Ling’s Black Fish Jade Pendant glowed, and he sensed Xun’er across the distance before the vision faded.
• Xiao Ling and his companions arrived at Sacred Pill City, where Ye Zhong took them to the Ye Family’s courtyard and left to arrange Xiao Ling’s assessment and registration.
• After hearing that Xiao Ling had arrived, Cao Ying closed her book and looked forward to competing against him at the Pill Gathering.

Xiao Ling accompanied Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan to the Five Great Families' assessment, where his presence transformed the crowd's expectations of the declining Ye Family. Inside the hall, he recognized Dan Xuan and Dan Chen as the Dan Family's participants and noted Dan Chen's exceptional soul power.

• Xiao Ling reassured Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan that he would do his best in the assessment, while Zi Yan and the other two women went to explore Sacred Pill City.
• As Xiao Ling's group traveled to the assessment hall, spectators recognized him as an Eighth Grade Alchemy Grandmaster and speculated that he would represent the Ye Family.
• Xiao Ling entered the hall with Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan, and his presence dashed the hopes of rival families seeking to replace the Ye Family among the Five Great Families.
• Ye Zhong showed Xiao Ling the front seats and identified Dan Xuan as the Dan Family's participant in the assessment.
• Xiao Ling recognized the shy Dan Chen as the Dan Family prodigy who had broken his record as the youngest Eighth-grade Alchemist, and noticed that her soul power had reached the Spirit Realm.

Xiao Ling attended the Ye Family’s Pill Gathering assessment and reunited with Cao Ying, who challenged him for the championship. Dan Chen also declared her ambition to compete, and Xiao Ling offered to speak with her privately, leaving Cao Ying irritated as the rivals prepared for the gathering.

• The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone told Xiao Ling that Dan Chen could devour Spiritual Power and had the potential to become a Grand Talisman Master, and Xiao Ling agreed to approach her later.
• Cao Ying arrived with the Cao Family, greeted Xiao Ling warmly, and exchanged confident challenges with him over the Pill Gathering championship.
• Dan Chen announced that she wanted to contend for the championship, and Xiao Ling praised her potential and offered to speak with her privately.
• Cao Ying grew irritated at Xiao Ling’s attention to Dan Chen, then returned to the Cao Family’s seats as Cao Dan and Cao Xiu respectfully greeted Xiao Ling.

The Five Great Families’ assessment began under Elder Sheng Yao, with Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, Bai Ying, and Qiu Ji entering the arena as representatives. The first test measured Soul Value, and after Qiu Ji and Bai Ying passed, the chapter left Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen still to be tested.

• Sheng Yao opened the assessment and summoned the Five Great Families’ representatives to the arena.
• Cao Ying replaced Cao Xiu as the Cao Family’s representative, Dan Chen replaced Dan Xuan, and Bai Ying and Qiu Ji joined Xiao Ling on the arena.
• Sheng Yao explained that the first assessment tested Soul Value and recalled Cao Ying’s standing record of 976.
• Qiu Ji tested first and received a Soul Value of 739, passing the test.
• Bai Ying followed with a Soul Value of 796 and passed, while Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen awaited their turns.

Dan Chen and Cao Ying tested their Soul Power before Xiao Ling, whose controlled performance produced a record-breaking result. The plaza was left stunned by Xiao Ling’s strength, while the Ye Family gained confidence in its future and Cao Ying and Dan Chen wondered about his abilities.

• Dan Chen triggered a soul storm during her test and scored 1804, surpassing Cao Ying’s old record.
• Cao Ying tested next, producing a powerful soul storm and scoring 1995.
• Xiao Ling carefully controlled his Soul Power during the test, avoiding any visible soul storm as the numbers climbed past 2000.
• Xiao Ling withdrew his hand after the score reached 3799, shocking the crowd and reassuring Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan about the Ye Family’s prospects.
• Dan Chen questioned how Xiao Ling could be so far beyond her, while Cao Ying noticed his score equaled the sum of hers and Dan Chen’s.

Xiao Ling dominated the Soul Manipulation assessment, catching 521 Soul Testing Beads and breaking Cao Ying's record by a wide margin. Elder Sheng then announced a final soul-combat assessment in which the five contestants would fight inside a circle.

• Elder Sheng declared Xiao Ling the winner of the Soul Power test and introduced the Soul Manipulation assessment, which required contestants to catch falling Soul Testing Beads using only Soul Power.
• Cao Ying challenged Xiao Ling, and he confidently promised to control more beads than her before the test began.
• Bai Ying and Qiu Ji withdrew with 43 and 41 beads, while Dan Chen and Cao Ying later withdrew with 166 and 185 beads respectively.
• Xiao Ling withdrew his Soul Power after the others had left, and Elder Sheng counted 521 beads under his control, confirming his first place ahead of Cao Ying and Dan Chen.
• Elder Sheng introduced the final assessment as a Soul Power fight inside a thirty-meter red circle and invited the five contestants to enter.

Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen began a Soul Power contest, while Bai Ying and Qiu Ji were quickly driven from the red circle. Cao Ying and Dan Chen joined forces against Xiao Ling, but their Soul Phoenixes were losing ground to his Heavenly Demon Sable as the battle continued.

• Elder Sheng began the assessment, and Cao Ying’s probing attack sent Bai Ying and Qiu Ji flying out of the red circle.
• Bai Ying and Qiu Ji withdrew after realizing they could not compete with Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen.
• Cao Ying proposed that she and Dan Chen temporarily join forces against Xiao Ling, and Dan Chen agreed.
• Cao Ying and Dan Chen summoned Soul Phoenixes and sent them to attack Xiao Ling.
• Xiao Ling formed a Heavenly Demon Sable that fought both Soul Phoenixes and steadily overwhelmed them.

Xiao Ling defeated Cao Ying and Dan Chen in the Five Great Families assessment, securing first place for the Ye Family and helping it retain its standing. After accepting Cao Ying’s invitation to explore Sacred Pill City, Xiao Ling learned that Xuan Kongzi wanted to meet with him, while Elder Sheng worried that the Soul Hall might seek the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

• Xiao Ling’s Heavenly Demon Sable devoured Cao Ying and Dan Chen’s phoenixes, forcing both women to concede.
• Elder Sheng announced the rankings: the Ye Family placed first, the Cao Family second, the Dan Family third, the Bai Family fourth, and the Qiu Family fifth.
• Ye Zhong thanked Xiao Ling for helping the Ye Family and promised that the family would repay his favor.
• Dan Xuan and Cao Ying thanked Xiao Ling for showing mercy, and Cao Ying invited him to visit Sacred Pill City’s trading venues.
• Elder Sheng told Xiao Ling that Xuan Kongzi wished to meet him, and Xiao Ling agreed to see the president after Cao Ying came to find him.
• After Xiao Ling left, Elder Sheng worried that the Soul Hall would enter the Pill Gathering and try to claim the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

After Xiao Ling defeated Cao Ying and Dan Chen in the Five Great Families assessment, the three became famous contenders for the Pill Gathering. As Venerable Mu Gu and Star-Picking Old Ghost prepared a Soul Hall plan for the competition, Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, and Zi Yan explored Sacred Pill City's trading fair, where Xiao Ling noticed something at a stall run by a Seventh-grade advanced Alchemist.

• Xiao Ling's victory in the Five Great Families assessment preserved the Ye Family's standing and made him, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen famous favorites for the Pill Gathering.
• Venerable Mu Gu arrived at the Soul Hall branch, revealed he had received an item from the Hall Master, and declared that the Soul Hall would claim the Pill Gathering championship.
• Star-Picking Old Ghost told Venerable Mu Gu that the Black-White Heavenly Venerables would guard the branch hall, then set out with him and several Heavenly-level Protectors.
• Cao Ying guided Xiao Ling and Zi Yan through Sacred Pill City's trading fair, where their status as Eighth-grade Alchemists earned them respectful treatment.
• Xiao Ling and Cao Ying reached the top-floor trading area and browsed its valuable wares while Zi Yan searched eagerly for treasures.
• Xiao Ling stopped at a stall run by a disheveled Seventh-grade advanced Alchemist, and the old man greeted him and Cao Ying.

Xiao Ling traded two Eighth-grade three-colored pills for rare wares and discovered that a battered copper fragment contained Spirit Nurturing Dust and a soul cultivation formula. After leaving the Trade District, he promised Cao Ying one pellet, while the fragment’s former owner was left regretting the treasure he had sold.

• Xiao Ling selected valuable goods from Old Man Yan’s stall, and Cao Ying warned him that the shabby old man charged exorbitant prices.
• Xiao Ling paid two Eighth-grade three-colored pills and took the goods, then chose a battered copper fragment as an extra item.
• Xiao Ling revealed that the fragment contained a soul cultivation formula and Spirit Nurturing Dust, leaving Old Man Yan devastated over the treasure he had traded away.
• Cao Ying asked how Xiao Ling had identified the fragment’s contents and offered her family’s resources in exchange for some Spirit Nurturing Dust.
• Xiao Ling promised Cao Ying one pellet as thanks for accompanying him, intending to divide the remaining pellets among her and his companions.

Xiao Ling reunited with Xuan Kongzi at the Pill Tower, where he learned that the Soul Hall planned to use the Pill Gathering to seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Xuan Kongzi explained that the Pill Tower’s rules prevented it from barring qualified competitors, leaving Xiao Ling and the others to consider how to counter the threat.

• Cao Ying teased Xiao Ling about his feelings for her, and Zi Yan angrily insisted that Xiao Ling liked her instead.
• Xiao Ling followed Cao Ying to meet Xuan Kongzi, where he also saw Dan Chen and Song Qing.
• Xuan Kongzi praised Xiao Ling’s talent and predicted he could win the Pill Gathering; Xiao Ling said he would strive for first place.
• Xuan Kongzi revealed that the Soul Hall intended to seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame during the Pill Gathering.
• Xuan Kongzi explained that the Pill Tower could not exclude Soul Hall alchemists under its longstanding rules and warned that the resentful Three Thousand Burning Flame could devastate the Pill Region if released.

Xuan Kongzi warned Xiao Ling, Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Song Qing that the Soul Hall planned to seize Three Thousand Burning Flame during the Pill Gathering, and he rewarded Xiao Ling for helping the Pill Tower. After Cao Ying used Xiao Ling to fend off Song Qing’s advances, she took Xiao Ling to a private room, where he began uncovering the secrets of an ancient copper piece.

• Xuan Kongzi explained that the Soul Hall might steal or release Three Thousand Burning Flame and urged the four alchemists to stop its plans.
• Xiao Ling resolved to kill Venerable Mu Gu, whom he believed knew the secret of Fen Jue, while Xuan Kongzi gave Xiao Ling scrolls as a reward.
• Cao Ying clung to Xiao Ling to escape Song Qing’s persistent flattery, and Xiao Ling embraced her, provoking Song Qing’s jealousy.
• Cao Ying led Xiao Ling to a private room and asked him to show how Spirit Nurturing Dust had been stored inside the copper piece.
• Xiao Ling used a needle of Dou Qi to scrape away the green patina, gradually revealing the copper piece’s concealed patterns as Cao Ying watched.

Xiao Ling refined the bronze piece with Heavenly Flames and recovered five portions of Spirit-Nourishing Dust, giving one to Cao Ying. Cao Ying kissed him and they grew intimate, but she said she was not ready to go further, so Xiao Ling held back and let her help him in another way.

• Xiao Ling used Heavenly Flames to melt the bronze piece, revealing five particles of Spirit-Nourishing Dust.
• Xiao Ling gave one portion of Spirit-Nourishing Dust to Cao Ying, who was delighted by both the gift and its meaning.
• As Xiao Ling prepared to leave, Cao Ying stopped him and kissed him as a return gift.
• Xiao Ling embraced Cao Ying and deepened the kiss, but she told him she was not ready to go further.
• Xiao Ling respected Cao Ying's hesitation and asked her to take responsibility for stirring his desire, so she began to massage him.

Xiao Ling tested the Pure Yuan Treasure forged by Little Sable and the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone, naming the fiery shield Blazing Radiance Protection as he prepared for the Pill Gathering. Meanwhile, Xun'er arrived at the courtyard and was brought before Medusa, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin, who did not recognize her at first.

• Xiao Ling persuaded a hesitant Cao Ying to try a different kind of intimate service before returning to the group’s courtyard.
• Little Sable showed Xiao Ling the Pure Yuan Treasure shield, and Xiao Ling promised to refine a Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill to restore Little Sable’s body.
• Xiao Ling tested the shield’s fiery defensive barrier and learned it could resist soul attacks, reflect some force, and launch a pillar of flame.
• Xiao Ling named the shield Blazing Radiance Protection and stored it in his Storage Ring.
• Xun'er arrived at the courtyard, where the guards welcomed her and led her to Medusa, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin.
• The three women wondered who Xun'er was until a guard explained that she claimed to be Xiao Ling’s relative.

Xiao Ling reunited with Xun'er in Sacred Pill City, where she was recognized by Qing Lin and Zi Yan before sharing an affectionate reunion with him. He took Xun'er out to explore the city, and they ended their stroll reaffirming their devotion to one another.

• Qing Lin recognized Xun'er by her familiar appearance, aura, and necklace, and Zi Yan soon remembered her as well.
• Xun'er warmly reunited with Zi Yan and Qing Lin, while Medusa felt left out before introducing herself to Xun'er.
• Xiao Ling arrived and embraced and kissed Xun'er, then left with her to explore Sacred Pill City.
• Medusa asked about Xun'er's background after the pair departed, and Zi Yan and Qing Lin said her origins were mysterious.
• Xiao Ling concealed himself and Xun'er with an illusion so they could stroll through the crowded city without attracting attention.
• Xiao Ling told Xun'er he was glad she was with him, and Xun'er promised to stay by his side.

Xiao Ling prepared to compete in the Pill Gathering and arrived at the packed venue, where Ye Zhong explained the trials and dangers ahead. After spotting suspected Soul Hall members, Xiao Ling remained confident, while Zi Yan eagerly planned to sneak into the Pill Realm for its rare medicinal ingredients.

• Xun'er helped Xiao Ling dress in his formal Pill Tower robe, and the two shared an affectionate moment before joining Medusa, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan.
• Xiao Ling's group met Ye Xinlan and Ye Zhong, then traveled together to the Pill Gathering venue in Sacred Pill City's northern district.
• At the venue, Xiao Ling noticed several black-robed figures with sinister auras and suspected they belonged to the Soul Hall.
• Ye Zhong explained that the first round took place in an illusion realm, successful participants would enter the Pill Realm to gather ingredients, and only finalists could use the floating stone platforms.
• Zi Yan asked to enter the Pill Realm for its rare ingredients, and Xiao Ling suggested she sneak in with her spatial abilities.
• Ye Zhong warned Xiao Ling about deadly fights in the Pill Realm and possible Soul Hall schemes, but Xiao Ling calmly said he was prepared.

The Pill Gathering began as Xuan Kongzi announced its three-stage selection and promised the champion an ancient soul cultivation technique. Xiao Ling entered the first trial, the Soul Illusion Realm, while Chu Wanqing, Su Li, and Ning Yuxi arrived in Sacred Pill City, and the Pill Tower’s Three Giants discussed Xiao Ling’s chances.

• Xuan Kongzi, Tian Lei Zi, and Xuan Yi appeared at the opening ceremony and explained the Pill Gathering’s selection and its champion’s rewards.
• Xuan Kongzi opened the first trial, the Soul Illusion Realm, and Xiao Ling entered after receiving encouragement from Xun'er, Zi Yan, Medusa, and the others.
• Su Li recognized Xiao Ling among the contestants, while Chu Wanqing downplayed her connection to him and led Su Li and Ning Yuxi toward the Northern Region of Sacred Pill City.
• Xuan Kongzi told Tian Lei Zi and Xuan Yi that Xiao Ling had defeated Cao Ying and Dan Chen during the Five Great Families assessment and that he expected Xiao Ling to surprise everyone.

Xiao Ling passed through the illusion trial by seeing through its tricks and reached the plaza where the next assessment would be held. He waited there with Little Sable, and Cao Ying arrived and joined him as the remaining contestants had yet to appear.

• Xiao Ling entered the dark-gray illusion realm and used his Soul Power to find the correct path while avoiding its traps.
• Xiao Ling saw illusions of Xun'er, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, Han Yue, and Chu Wanqing, but dismissed them and continued onward.
• Xiao Ling found the exit and became the first contestant to pass the illusion trial, where Elder Liao told him to wait for the next challenge's rules.
• Xiao Ling relaxed on the plaza with tea and pastries, and Little Sable emerged from the Bone Flame Ring to eat and complain about being kept inside.
• Cao Ying arrived, greeted Elder Liao, and sat beside Xiao Ling, telling him she had worried he might be late.

Xiao Ling refused Cao Ying’s offer to team up for the Pill Realm trial, secretly placing a protective tracking mark on her before she formed an alliance with Dan Chen. As Elder Liao issued the second-round rules, Xiao Ling recognized Venerable Mu Gu among the Soul Hall contestants and resolved to seize his Nihility Devouring Flame Sub-flame.

• Cao Ying proposed that she and Xiao Ling gather a team for the dangerous Pill Realm trial, but Xiao Ling declined because he had other plans and did not want her exposed to danger.
• Cao Ying angrily walked away, and Xiao Ling secretly placed a tracking mark on her that could alert him to danger and deliver a small defensive strike.
• After Dan Chen passed the first trial, Cao Ying recruited her and attracted many contestants into their temporary alliance.
• Xiao Ling noticed Soul Hall members watching him and sensed a Nihility Devouring Flame aura from Venerable Mu Gu, deciding to eliminate him and obtain the Sub-flame.
• Elder Liao explained that contestants had to collect the listed medicinal ingredients and reach the exit within ten days, while warning that crushing a Space Stone would save them but end their participation.

Xiao Ling entered the Pill Realm for the second-round assessment and reunited with Zi Yan, then joined her in searching for rare medicinal ingredients. After they collected his required ingredients, Zi Yan sensed an extraordinary treasure near a group of Alchemists battling a serpentine Magic Beast, and they hurried toward it.

• Xiao Ling entered the Pill Realm, received a list requiring Spirit Rhyme Immortal Grass, Blazing Sun Spirit Fruit, and Thousand Year Purple Crystal Spirit Flower, and surveyed the realm from a floating island.
• Zi Yan slipped into the Pill Realm and found Xiao Ling by following his aura, then agreed to explore with him and gather medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Ling chose the Myriad Medicine Mountain Range as their first destination, and he and Zi Yan searched the realm together using his Soul Power and her treasure-sensing talent.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan collected many rare ingredients, including all three herbs required for his assessment, before Zi Yan sensed an extraordinary treasure near a group of Alchemists.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew toward the Alchemists, who finished killing the massive serpentine Magic Beast as they arrived.