Chapter Summaries

Liu Yun prepared several items for the Mittle Auction House and planned to travel to the Tagor Desert to seek the Green Lotus Core Flame and improve his cultivation. After receiving a system mission to defeat stronger opponents, he considered challenging the sealed Hai Bodong during the trip.

• Ya Fei became a First-grade Alchemist, and He Qingfeng returned with the ingredients Liu Yun needed for a pill.
• Liu Yun asked Ya Fei to auction a Green Spirit Pill, a Bone-Regenerating Pill Recipe, and a Qi Replenishing Pill Recipe to test whether the system would return auctioned items.
• Liu Yun decided to head to the Tagor Desert after the auction because he could no longer rely on Yun Yun's Dou Qi Return to advance quickly.
• Liu Yun gave He Qingfeng the ingredients and instructions for the black-robed man who would auction Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, and ordered him to gather ingredients for a Dou Ling Pill.
• Liu Yun read a system mission requiring him to defeat stronger opponents within three months and considered fighting the sealed Hai Bodong, whose current strength was at the Dou Ling level.

Liu Yun reached Nine-star Dou Master and prepared for a dangerous training journey, while the auction system returned valuable pills and recipes but did not trigger the nested returns he hoped for. He left He Qingfeng to protect Ya Fei and planned to depart for the Tagor Desert in search of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

• Liu Yun considered taking a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill to force a breakthrough and received a Huiyuan Pill Recipe and a Foundation Establishment Pill through the system's auction returns.
• Liu Yun waited for a second system notification to verify his nested-return hypotheses, but none came.
• He Qingfeng delivered the Dou Ling Pill ingredients list, and Liu Yun asked him to protect Ya Fei and send gathered ingredients to Xiao Yan.
• Liu Yun gave He Qingfeng the Immortal Sword Body Art and told him to remain in Wutan City.
• Ya Fei returned with the auction proceeds, and Liu Yun told her he planned to leave for training and teach her alchemy before departing.
• Liu Yun and Ya Fei embraced as he privately contemplated the dangers of seeking the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagor Desert.

Liu Yun gave Ya Fei Crimson Fire to refine and used a Dou Qi Pill to raise her to Nine-star Dou Zhe before the attempt. After Ya Fei began refining the flame, Liu Yun became a Peak Fifth-Rank Alchemist and recognized that Crimson Fire had grown unusually powerful, leaving her struggle unresolved.

• Liu Yun revealed Crimson Fire and offered it to Ya Fei, then showed her the orange Heavenly Flame he had refined.
• Liu Yun gave Ya Fei a Dou Qi Pill, raising her realm by three stars to Nine-star Dou Zhe.
• Liu Yun became a Peak Fifth-Rank Alchemist after Yao Chen refined a Peak Fifth-grade pill, and he obtained a Meridian Reforming Bone Shedding Pill.
• Ya Fei prepared herself, took an Ice Heart Pill, and swallowed Crimson Fire at Liu Yun's direction.
• Ya Fei endured Crimson Fire's burning as she guided it toward her Dou Qi Vortex, while Liu Yun realized the flame had grown stronger and developed a trace of instinctive intelligence.

Ya Fei nearly died when Crimson Fire ravaged her body, but Liu Yun helped her refine it and healed her injuries. She woke the next day as a One-star Dou Master, safe beside Liu Yun, and reassured him that she did not blame him.

• Ya Fei struggled to control Crimson Fire as it damaged her meridians and threatened her life.
• Liu Yun sent the Kirin Sky Refining Flame into Ya Fei, calming Crimson Fire so she could refine it into her source flame.
• Liu Yun gave Ya Fei a Meridian Reforming Bone Shedding Pill and a drop of Purple Blood, and she fell asleep as her body began to recover.
• Ya Fei woke the next day, discovered she had become a One-star Dou Master, and realized she was naked beneath the blanket beside Liu Yun.
• Ya Fei kissed Liu Yun and told him she did not blame him for the danger, while he hugged her.

Liu Yun visited Xiao Yi Xian in Qingshan Town before setting out for Black Rock City, giving her pills and sharing an affectionate farewell. On the road, he gained Nalan Yanran’s Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, Step Forward Slash, and began practicing it.

• Liu Yun left the Mittle Auction House and headed toward Qingshan Town to visit Xiao Yi Xian before traveling to Black Rock City.
• Liu Yun waited in line at Myriad Medicine Pavilion until Xiao Yi Xian recognized him, and they joyfully reunited.
• Liu Yun gave Xiao Yi Xian a ring of pills, kissed her forehead, and left; she later opened the ring and froze at what she saw inside.
• Liu Yun traveled toward Black Rock City and received Step Forward Slash through the Tenfold Return after Nalan Yanran cultivated it.
• Liu Yun drew his sword and began practicing the difficult Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique.

Liu Yun arrived at the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild and used the alias Ye Liangchen to take the alchemist assessment. He began with a difficult First-grade Accumulation Pill test and refined it effortlessly with his orange flame, leaving the Guild’s alchemists stunned.

• Liu Yun reached the Alchemist Guild in Black Rock City and revealed his flame to prove he was an alchemist.
• Liu Yun’s Soul Force roused Flank and Otto, and he asked for the highest qualification their branch could issue.
• Liu Yun registered as Ye Liangchen and requested the Third-grade Alchemist assessment despite having no prior qualification.
• The Guild assigned Liu Yun the difficult First-grade Accumulation Pill test, while Lin Fei and Xue Mei watched.
• Liu Yun refined the ingredients without a cauldron using his orange flame and completed the Accumulation Pill in minutes, shocking Flank and Otto.

Liu Yun passed the First-grade, Second-Rank, and Third-grade Alchemist assessments by refining pills with rare pill patterns and earned a three-silver-pattern robe and badge. He then asked Flank and Otto about the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill recipe, but learned he would need to seek it at the Alchemist Guild headquarters, the Misty Cloud Sect, or the Imperial Family.

• Liu Yun presented an Accumulation Pill with a pill pattern, and Flank announced that he had passed the First-grade Alchemist assessment.
• Liu Yun refined a Bone-Regenerating Pill with another pill pattern and passed the Second-Rank Alchemist assessment.
• Liu Yun refined a Wind Hành Pill and became a Third-grade Alchemist, receiving a robe and badge with three Silver Patterns.
• Liu Yun asked Flank for the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill recipe, but Flank said the Black Rock City branch did not have it.
• Otto explained that the pill was a Peak Fourth-grade Pill, and Flank advised Liu Yun to seek its recipe at the Alchemist Guild headquarters, the Misty Cloud Sect, or the Imperial Family.

Unable to find the prescription in Black Rock City, Liu Yun decided to travel to the Imperial Capital and visit the Alchemist Guild headquarters. After a brief encounter with Xue Mei, he boarded a Thick-Winged Bird bound for the capital.

• Flank proposed that Liu Yun marry Xue Mei and asked him to join the Alchemist Convention, but Liu Yun declined to commit to either suggestion.
• Liu Yun ran into Xue Mei outside the Alchemist Guild, exchanged greetings with her, and quickly continued on his way.
• Liu Yun reached the Flying Transport Firm and used the VIP passage reserved for alchemists.
• Liu Yun arranged passage to the Imperial Capital and boarded a Thick-Winged Bird.

Liu Yun traveled toward Jia Ma Sacred City aboard a giant flying beast while wondering whether a mysterious Will in the Darkness had influenced his thoughts about Xiao Yan. Three days into the journey, he sensed a Fourth-grade Pill and watched two Da Dou Shi attack the cabin where it was being refined, recognizing the people inside as acquaintances.

• Liu Yun boarded the giant flying beast bound for Jia Ma Sacred City and began meditating during the long journey.
• Liu Yun regretted lacking a Flight-type Dou Technique and wondered whether the Will in the Darkness had controlled his former attitude toward Xiao Yan.
• Three days later, Liu Yun sensed a Fourth-grade Pill being refined aboard the flying beast.
• Two Da Dou Shi decided to attack the cabin to seize the pill and blasted through its door.
• Liu Yun saw three burly men, an alchemist, and a beautiful woman inside, and recognized them as acquaintances.

Liu Yun rescued Xue Mei after she was knocked from the flying beast, while Flank’s attempt to save his disciple ruined his pill and badly injured him. Xue Mei recognized Liu Yun as Master Liangchen and, flustered by their embrace, threw herself back into his arms as the onlookers watched.

• Two men in black attacked Flank’s guards while Flank refined a Fourth-grade Pill and Xue Mei stood behind him.
• One attacker defeated the two Dou Master guards, and a flying guard crashed into Xue Mei and knocked her through the cabin wall.
• Flank abandoned his pill refinement to reach Xue Mei, but the pill burned out and Dou Qi backlash left him seriously injured.
• Liu Yun caught Xue Mei as she fell and carried her safely back onto the roof.
• Xue Mei recognized Liu Yun as Master Liangchen, thanked him, and hurriedly pulled away from his embrace.
• Xue Mei apologized for seeming to reject Liu Yun, then threw herself back into his arms as Flank and the other onlookers watched.

Liu Yun answered Xue Mei’s plea to avenge Flank and killed one of the two black-clad Da Dou Shi with Step Forward Slash. The surviving attacker fled by jumping off the giant bird beast, leaving everyone stunned by Liu Yun’s strength.

• Xue Mei asked Liu Yun to avenge her injured teacher, Flank, and Liu Yun agreed to confront the two black-clad Da Dou Shi.
• Liu Yun unleashed Step Forward Slash with his Liu Yun Sword and made the six-star Da Dou Shi vanish beneath the attack.
• Flank recognized that Liu Yun’s strike could threaten even a Dou Ling expert, while Xue Mei watched him with growing admiration.
• The eight-star Da Dou Shi abandoned the fight and jumped from the giant bird beast to escape Liu Yun.
• Liu Yun sheathed his sword and accepted that the fleeing man’s fate was no longer his concern.

Liu Yun rescued Flank, prepared healing pills, and traveled with Flank and Xue Mei to the Imperial Capital. He planned to take the Fourth-grade Alchemist assessment, while Flank tried to matchmake him with Xue Mei, leaving the matter unresolved.

• Liu Yun defeated the six-star Da Dou Shi and rescued the injured Flank, then returned to his cabin while Flank mourned the loss of his Fourth-grade Pill.
• Liu Yun refined a Recovery Purple Pill to prepare for his upcoming trip to the Tagor Desert.
• Three days later, Liu Yun arrived at the Imperial Capital and agreed to accompany Flank and Xue Mei to the Alchemist Guild headquarters.
• Liu Yun told Flank that he intended to take the Fourth-grade Alchemist assessment, and Flank promised to arrange it with President Fama.
• Flank asked whether Liu Yun would consider marrying Xue Mei, and Liu Yun said they should spend more time together before discussing marriage.

Liu Yun arrived at the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Guild to attempt the assessment for a Fourth-grade Alchemist by refining a Peak Fourth-grade Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill. After studying the formula and gathering the ingredients, he began refining before the Guild’s leaders and branch presidents.

• Flank brought Liu Yun and Xue Mei to meet President Fama and Vice President Mitchell at the Alchemist Guild.
• Liu Yun requested the formula and ingredients for a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, surprising the Guild leaders with his choice of a Peak Fourth-grade Pill.
• Fama gave Liu Yun a copied formula to study once, and Mitchell returned with the medicinal ingredients.
• Liu Yun began refining the pill, revealing his Kirin Sky Refining Flame and starting to process the herbs in the medicine cauldron.

Liu Yun refined a high-quality Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and was recognized as a Peak Fourth-grade Alchemist. After the Alchemist Guild announced the convention two years away, Fama asked Liu Yun to stay behind.

• Liu Yun refined several kinds of medicinal ingredients together, then began fusing and forming them in his cauldron.
• A dense purple pill scent filled the hall, and Liu Yun produced a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill with a nearly formed Pill Pattern.
• Mitchell and Fama inspected the pill, and Fama officially announced that Ye Liangchen had advanced to Peak Fourth-grade Alchemist.
• Mitchell announced that the Alchemist Convention would take place in two years, and Flank invited Liu Yun to represent Black Rock City.
• After the meeting, Liu Yun declined to travel with Flank, bid farewell to Xue Mei, and was asked by Fama to stay behind.

Fama discovered Liu Yun's true identity and watched him refine a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill with the Nine Dragon Cauldron. Liu Yun kept the unprecedented pill with two Pill Patterns, leaving Fama to accept that he had honored his promise.

• Fama asked Liu Yun to reveal his face, and Liu Yun identified himself as Mittel Liu Yun, Teng Shan's sixteen-year-old grandson.
• Fama promised to protect Liu Yun and agreed that he could keep the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill he refined next.
• Liu Yun brought out the Nine Dragon Cauldron and carefully refined the pill again, using its Dragon Qi to enhance the result.
• Liu Yun produced a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill bearing one purple and one gold Pill Pattern, astonishing Fama.
• Liu Yun stored the pill in his ring, and Fama refrained from asking for it back because he had already promised it to him.

Liu Yun attempted to refine the Dragon Power Pill for his Fifth-Rank Alchemist qualification, but the Nine Dragon Cauldron’s Dragon Qi transformed it into a pill beyond the sixth grade. After the Meteor Tear restored his strength, he completed the pill, triggering a vast phenomenon over Jia Ma Sacred City that drew Gu He and others toward the Alchemist Guild.

• Fama gave Liu Yun the Dragon Power Pill recipe and ingredients, making the difficult refinement his Fifth-Rank Alchemist qualification test.
• Liu Yun studied the recipe and began refining the pill, carefully controlling the orange flame and medicinal ingredients in the Nine Dragon Cauldron.
• During fusion, the pill resonated with the cauldron and absorbed Dragon Qi, transforming into a sixth-grade pill that overwhelmed Liu Yun’s strength.
• The Meteor Tear restored Liu Yun, allowing him to fuse the pill and suppress its violent energy until it took shape.
• A dark red pillar and Dragon Roars erupted from the Alchemist Guild, spreading clouds and lightning over Jia Ma Sacred City and causing people to flee.
• Gu He identified the phenomenon as the formation of a pill nearing the seventh grade and flew toward Jia Ma Sacred City with others from Misty Cloud Mountain.

Liu Yun completed a Dragon Power Pill that unexpectedly reached the sixth grade, drawing Jia Ma City’s experts to the Alchemist Guild. Fama took the pill, promoted Liu Yun to vice president and a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, and suggested he meet Gu He.

• Fama guarded Liu Yun as experts gathered at the Alchemist Guild to witness the pill-refining phenomenon.
• Gu He arrived, recognized that a sixth-grade pill was being refined, and asked Fama who was responsible.
• Fama announced that Ye Liangchen was refining the pill, and the heavenly phenomenon ended as Liu Yun completed the Dragon Power Pill.
• Fama took the pill for the Alchemist Guild to safeguard and study, while Liu Yun lamented that he could not keep it.
• Fama promoted Liu Yun to vice president and Sixth-Rank Alchemist, then advised him to meet Gu He while keeping a low profile.

Liu Yun met Gu He at the Alchemist Guild, secured a seventh-grade Shaping Pill formula, and discussed his plans to seek a Heavenly Flame in the Tagor Desert. He returned to the Mittel Family estate, where he learned his grandfather had called a family meeting about the strange phenomenon in the city.

• Liu Yun met Gu He and asked him for a sixth-grade formula, but Gu He gave him a copy of the seventh-grade Shaping Pill formula instead.
• Liu Yun told Fama he planned to visit his family before traveling to Mo City to search for a Heavenly Flame, and Fama warned him about the Snake People Tribe.
• Fama asked Liu Yun to return for the Alchemist Convention in two years, and Liu Yun asked him to look after Ya Fei if she returned to the Imperial Capital.
• Liu Yun changed out of his alchemist robes, went to the Mittel Family estate, and greeted the guards, noticing both were Dou Masters.
• The guards told Liu Yun that his grandfather had returned and summoned the family to a meeting, likely about the strange phenomenon in the city.

Liu Yun reunited with Teng Shan at the Mittel Family estate and revealed that he had reached the Nine-star Dou Master realm. After Liu Yun claimed he had met the alchemist Ye Liangchen, Teng Shan asked him to arrange a Dou Ling Pill, and Liu Yun received the ingredients needed to refine one.

• Liu Yun waited at his old cultivation spot for Teng Shan, who arrived two days later and warmly greeted him.
• Liu Yun released his aura, revealing that he had advanced from the Tenth Stage Dou Qi to a Nine-star Dou Master, and Teng Shan confirmed his foundation was solid.
• Teng Shan recalled Liu Yun's childhood breakthrough and asked about the alchemist who had given him a pill; Liu Yun said he had met Ye Liangchen several times.
• Teng Shan asked Liu Yun to request a Dou Ling Pill from Ye Liangchen, and Liu Yun agreed after Teng Shan handed him a ring containing the collected medicinal ingredients.
• Liu Yun asked Teng Shan to bring He Qingfeng from Wutan City and said he wanted He Qingfeng to remain as his guardian.

Liu Yun persuaded Teng Shan to postpone forcing Ya Fei into an engagement, warning him of the Mittel Family’s ties to a Sixth-Rank Alchemist and the Alchemist Guild. He then sent He Qingfeng back to Wutan City to protect Ya Fei while he prepared to pursue a breakthrough.

• Teng Shan confronted Liu Yun about his relationship with Ya Fei and said he planned to arrange her engagement to Mu Zhan.
• Liu Yun warned Teng Shan that Ya Fei was a Second-Rank Alchemist and Master Liangchen’s only disciple, so forcing her into marriage could bring dangerous consequences for the Mittel Family.
• Teng Shan set Ya Fei’s matter aside for the time being, and Liu Yun resolved to improve his cultivation before the situation worsened.
• Ten days later, Liu Yun told He Qingfeng to stop searching for Dou Ling Pill ingredients and deliver a ring to Xiao Yan.
• Liu Yun gave He Qingfeng an Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique and ordered him to protect Ya Fei, sending her to the Alchemist Guild if Wutan City became unsafe.