Chapter Summaries

Angel proposed using dream trials to improve Toby’s chances of surviving its tribulation, but the plan depended on suppressing Toby’s emotions in reality. Shali claimed she could help and revealed that she had suppressed the murderous intent in the Xitu Royal Family’s stolen Crimson Heart.

• Angel told Gloria that Toby had stirred the Extreme Grudge Intent even in the dream, and said he needed an external force to suppress Toby’s emotions in reality.
• Gloria doubted Angel could find anyone capable of suppressing Toby’s emotions, and Shali offered to help.
• Shali explained that she had once suppressed the murderous intent in a pigeon-blood ruby and showed Gloria the gem.
• Gloria recognized the gem as the Crimson Heart stolen from the Xitu Royal Family, and Shali admitted taking it from a locked drawer.
• Gloria examined the Crimson Heart and found its murderous intent sealed within it.

Angel tested Shali’s emotion-suppression ability and found it fell short of suppressing Toby, but proposed amplifying it with the Fate's Boiling Melody magic energy array. He explained the array’s limits and identified a Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone as a likely match for Shali’s ability.

• Angel tested Shali’s suppression ability throughout the day and found its magnitude reached only 3.412, below the magnitude 10 needed to suppress Toby’s emotions.
• Angel told Gloria that Fate's Boiling Melody could amplify Shali’s ability up to threefold, potentially raising it beyond magnitude 10.
• Gloria questioned why the array was not widely known, and Angel explained that it required specific Demon Bloodstones as consumables, which many abilities could not use or obtain.
• Angel explained that powerful abilities could require rare Demon Bloodstones, such as the Abyss Dragon Demon Bloodstone needed for Dragon Scale Physique.
• Angel told Gloria that Shali’s ability likely corresponded to a Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone.

Angel and Gloria planned to help Toby face his tribulation by using Shali’s emotion-manipulating ability, which required finding a Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone. Angel searched for the material in Sky Mechanical City and heard that Qili and Jiebo had escaped broader punishment for flooding Fragrant Plaza.

• Angel explained that a Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone could strengthen Shali’s ability, and Gloria agreed to ask Candy House’s connections to find one.
• Angel promised Shali a suitable gift if she helped Toby recover, and Shali agreed to try suppressing Toby’s emotions.
• Angel visited the Fingernail Alchemy House, where Niha said the shop lacked Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones but offered to inquire after recognizing Angel’s identity card.
• While waiting, Angel overheard apprentices say Qili and Jiebo had been blacklisted by fragrance alchemists but had avoided restrictions across the wider alchemy world.

Angel learned that Breeze Magic Materials Shop was the only reliable seller of Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstones in Sky Mechanical City, then visited it after checking in with Shan at Youthful Grace Hall. The shop’s owner refused to sell him any, claiming they were out and hinting that the materials could cause trouble.

• Niha told Angel that Breeze Magic Materials Shop regularly sold Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstones because it was backed by Breeze Valley, which controlled the wetlands where the sprites lived.
• Angel bought the other materials he needed from Niha and headed toward Breeze Magic Materials Shop, stopping first at Youthful Grace Hall.
• Shan told Angel that Serum and Xiliu planned to stay in Sky Mechanical City for the Endless Corridor, while she would likely return to Savage Cave and Nausicaa would probably leave with Reynolds.
• Angel reached Breeze Magic Materials Shop and asked its owner for Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone.
• The owner questioned Angel’s reason for wanting the material, warned that the shop did not want to be dragged into trouble, and said they were out of it.

Angel revealed his identity to pressure a shopkeeper into selling him a Demon Flower Demon Bloodstone, then reunited with Viking and Onassis at the Breeze Magic Materials Shop. The chapter ended with Viking and Onassis asking whether Angel had come to buy materials.

• Angel used his wizard’s pressure to frighten the shopkeeper, then removed his Transformation Technique and revealed himself as Lord Pat.
• The shopkeeper recognized Angel from the cover of Myriad Realities, but someone at the doorway called out to him first.
• Onassis and Viking entered the shop, and Viking excitedly greeted Angel.
• Viking thanked Angel for stopping his bleeding in the Purification Garden and explained how the healing spell had given him hope after Dan Yeluo abandoned him.
• Onassis mentioned that the Cloudvine Flower had not bloomed yet, then he and Viking asked Angel whether he had come to buy materials.

Angel asked Breeze Magic Materials Shop for Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones and learned that Shopkeeper Frandi had banned their sale. Viking brought Angel and Onassis into the inner room to explain the reason for the ban.

• Viking offered to provide Angel with materials and explained that he was temporarily managing the shop for Frandi.
• Snow hesitated to retrieve the Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones because Frandi had prohibited their sale.
• Angel questioned the basis for the ban, and Viking said it had been Frandi's decision rather than a rule of Sky Mechanical City.
• Viking shut the shop door and invited Angel and Onassis into the inner room to discuss the matter.
• Onassis agreed to listen, and Angel learned how Viking and Onassis had become friends through their shared interest in the novel "Redbeard."

Angel learned that the ban on selling Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones was meant to keep Breeze Magic Materials Shop from being linked to the Profound Alchemy Society. Viking explained that the Society had been seeking large quantities of the stones, and the shop expected its harassment to resume after the New Star Tournament.

• Angel told Viking that he had bought Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones for alchemy.
• Viking explained that the shop had banned their sale within the past half year and connected the matter to the Profound Alchemy Society.
• Viking said some Society believers had lost control of their emotions and were seeking the stones to control themselves.
• Viking explained that Breeze Magic Materials Shop had a stable supply, so Manager Frandi had returned to Breeze Valley to report the threat and seek a solution.
• Viking said the Society had harassed the shop before the tournament and would likely return now that it had ended.

Angel examined the superior-quality Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone and sought to buy more from Breeze Magic Materials Shop, despite Frandi’s plan to reserve the stock for the Profound Alchemy Society. After Angel proposed a solution, he left with Onassis, whose farewell reflected his hope that Viking’s trust in Angel would be rewarded.

• Snow and a puppet delivered a superior-quality Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone to Angel, who confirmed it could activate Fate's Boiling Melody twice.
• Angel refused Viking’s offer to give him the stone for free and said he wanted to buy as many Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones as possible.
• Viking explained that Frandi had set aside roughly a hundred stones to sell to the Profound Alchemy Society if necessary, so he could not authorize selling them all.
• Angel considered how to persuade Viking without using force and began proposing a solution.
• After leaving the shop, Angel exchanged poetic lines with Onassis, who then departed in a different direction.
• Angel understood that Onassis had hoped Viking’s trust in him would not be misplaced.

Angel planned to protect Breeze Magic Materials Shop from the Profound Alchemy Society by making it part of a network of shops backed by Ashilia alchemists or the Research Institute. Antonio explained that Angel could become the shop’s backer himself, leaving Angel to consider whether to take on that role.

• Angel prepared ninety-one Demon Bloodstones to amplify Shali’s ability and give Toby repeated chances to face the Extreme Grudge Intent, while planning to refine a platform for the magic energy array.
• Angel contacted Antonio, who explained that Qili and Jiebo would be blacklisted by the fragrance circle, though the blacklist might eventually be lifted if an opportunity arose.
• Angel told Antonio that the Profound Alchemy Society was threatening Breeze Magic Materials Shop over its Demon Bloodstones and that he had promised to protect the shop.
• Antonio explained that shops on Mansi Magic Material Street were protected by their ties to Ashilia alchemists and the Research Institute, and said Angel could become Breeze Magic Materials Shop’s backer.
• Antonio suggested Breeze Magic Materials Shop could later sell Research Institute products, and Angel considered the implications.

Angel discussed how to protect Breeze Magic Materials Shop with Antonio and began deciding whether to lend it the Research Institute’s reputation. Antonio also asked Angel to consider taking a New Star Tournament custom alchemy commission, and Angel agreed to review the top three contestants’ requests after Antonio contacted Guxiluo.

• Antonio explained that missions could protect Breeze Magic Materials Shop but would bring ongoing costs and risk the Profound Alchemy Society infiltrating the guards.
• Angel weighed the risks of associating with the shop, then accepted that he could end the relationship whenever he wished and began leaning toward helping it.
• Antonio told Angel that no Research Institute member had accepted the New Star Tournament custom alchemy commissions for the top three contestants.
• Angel asked Antonio to send the contestants’ crafting intentions and contact Guxiluo before Angel made a final decision about taking a commission.
• Angel set the commission aside and prepared to study Fate's Boiling Melody before forging its platform.

After emerging from seclusion, Angel learned that Melantha had delivered the top three New Star Tournament contestants’ alchemy requests. He revealed that he had obtained Demon Flower Monster Demon Bloodstone and showed Gloria and Shali a crystal disk he had crafted to carry Fate’s Boiling Melody.

• Angel emerged from three days of seclusion and found Shali waiting outside his laboratory.
• Shali told Angel that Melantha had delivered the top three contestants’ alchemy requests to Gloria and that Gloria wanted him to know.
• Angel told Shali he had not yet crafted her promised item but had a plan, provided her talent ability could help Toby.
• Gloria gave Angel Melantha’s unopened letter and said Antonio could explain the details when Angel contacted him.
• Angel revealed that he had crafted a platform for Fate’s Boiling Melody and obtained enough Demon Flower Monster Demon Bloodstone for Shali to use it around a hundred times.
• Angel took a palm-sized crystal disk from his bracelet and showed it to Gloria and Shali.

Gloria activated Fate's Boiling Melody, which let Shali sense her innate ability, while Angel revealed that the array showed him no sign of talent. Angel then began Toby's first attempt to face Extreme Grudge Intent in Heart House, with Shali prepared to use the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone to suppress his emotions.

• Gloria touched the crystal disc, activating Fate's Boiling Melody and revealing a vast magic energy array around them.
• Shali sensed a flame in her chest, and Angel explained that the flame represented her innate ability.
• Gloria described her food-related talent and questioned Angel about his; Angel said the array revealed nothing unusual about him.
• Gloria agreed to proceed with Angel's experiment after Shali prepared the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone.
• Toby accepted the difficult training, and Angel began monitoring him between reality and Dream Wilderness while Shali stood ready to suppress his emotions.
• Toby arrived before the void gate in Heart House to face Extreme Grudge Intent.

Toby entered the Heart House’s trial and began confronting a projection of the Extreme Grudge Intent, while Angel monitored his condition in Dream Wilderness and reality. Shali suppressed Toby’s emotional surge, but Angel’s plan still depended on her maintaining that control and Toby surviving more than a hundred clashes.

• Toby chose the gray mist door and entered the trial, leaving the tempting villa door behind.
• Angel sensed the true Extreme Grudge Intent entering Dream Wilderness through Toby and realized Toby had begun facing its projection.
• Angel returned to reality and saw Shali suppressing Toby’s emotions without activating Fate's Boiling Melody.
• Gloria connected with Angel through Mind Tether and asked whether Shali could complete his plan.
• Angel explained that Shali needed to suppress Toby’s emotions while Toby endured more than a hundred clashes and developed a way to weather the trial.

As Toby faced the Extreme Grudge Intent in the Heart House, Shali used the Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone to activate Fate's Boiling Melody and suppress the rising malevolence. When Toby's emotions returned to their usual level, Angel concluded that he had completed a trial and prepared to enter the dream to check on him.

• Angel warned Gloria that if Shali failed to keep Toby's seal stable, his death in the dream could become real.
• As black vapor escaped Toby, Shali crushed the Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstone on Fate's Boiling Melody's activation point.
• Fate's Boiling Melody enhanced Shali's emotion-control talent, allowing her to suppress Toby's malevolence and stop the black vapor.
• Angel and Gloria watched as Shali repeatedly suppressed further surges over the next ten minutes.
• Shali reported that Toby's malevolence had receded to its usual level, and Angel inferred that Toby had left the Heart House and completed a trial.
• Angel told Gloria he would enter the dream to check on Toby.

After Toby returned from Angel’s dream, he recovered from his disorientation by unleashing his anger in the sky above Sky Mechanical City. Comforted by Gloria and Angel, he began recounting his encounter with the Extreme Grudge Intent.

• Gloria worried over Toby’s dazed state, and Angel explained that he was suffering from a Kormos dream difference after facing the Extreme Grudge Intent.
• Toby awakened, transformed into a giant griffin, and roared as he vented his fear, helplessness, and humiliation.
• Angel negotiated with the Magic-Energy Eyes while they watched Toby warily and kept the law enforcement team from intervening.
• Gloria comforted Toby, who apologized for his outburst, and told Angel she was glad she had entrusted Toby to him.
• Gloria, Angel, and Toby returned to the dining room, where Butler No. 1 brought dried fish and Angel played soothing music.
• Toby settled down and began telling Gloria and Angel about his first confrontation with the Extreme Grudge Intent.

After Toby’s first confrontation with the Extreme Grudge Intent ended in a nightmare of death, Angel convinced Gloria that repeated trials in the Heart House could help Toby survive its Five Flavors Tribulation. Toby began accumulating experience with Shali and Gloria’s guidance, while Angel kept Dream Wilderness and Infinite Alchemy secret from Gloria.

• Toby recounted how the Extreme Grudge Intent overwhelmed it and made it experience its own death in the Bright Dream.
• Gloria accepted Angel’s plan despite her doubts, and Toby chose to keep facing the dangerous trials because they offered its only chance of survival.
• Gloria questioned Angel about the flaws in his explanation, but he stayed silent and decided to keep Dream Wilderness and Infinite Alchemy concealed.
• Gloria and Shali took charge of discussing Toby’s experiences and developing ways to counter the Extreme Grudge Intent.
• Angel gave Shali the Demon Flower Sprite Bloodstones and stopped watching over Toby after Fate’s Boiling Melody let Shali suppress its surging emotions.

People in Sky Mechanical City discussed rumors about Angel, Shali, and the Drama Shadow Box. The Whispering Witch’s changed opinion of the device left the bar curious about what she had discovered.

• A man in the Black Wheel Bar speculated that Angel had used his influence to settle the trouble caused by Shali, but a dark-clad young man challenged his assumptions.
• The young man explained that Shali’s mentor was also a member of the Research Institute, offering another reason Shali’s troubles might have been resolved.
• The bar patrons discussed Angel’s alchemy class at Ashilia Comprehensive Academy and the controversy surrounding the Drama Shadow Box.
• A patron said the Whispering Witch had reversed her criticism and planned to collaborate on making Drama Shadow Boxes.
• The patron explained that the Whispering Witch had bought a new Drama Shadow Box on Sunset Avenue and changed her judgment after comparing its technical sophistication with the earlier one.

Falga met Loki outside Breeze Magic Materials Shop, where crowds were arguing over the right to buy Drama Shadow Boxes. After hearing that prominent wizards and alchemy masters had purchased them, Falga became convinced that Angel had refined the boxes.

• Falga arrived at Breeze Magic Materials Shop and found two groups arguing over the right to purchase Drama Shadow Boxes.
• Loki recognized Falga and explained that he had come to see the boxes praised by the Whispering Witch.
• Loki told Falga that Ashilia alchemy students and art enthusiasts were competing for the boxes, and that several prominent wizards had already bought them.
• A messenger for the Mushroom Witch Regina emerged from the shop with a Drama Shadow Box, convincing Falga that Angel might have refined them.

Falga learned from Loki that rival apprentice factions were monopolizing access to Drama Shadow Boxes at Breeze Magic Materials Shop, while powerful backers could bypass their control. As the shop announced the start of its evening sale, the crowd prepared to compete for the limited stock.

• Loki explained that the Alchemy Faction and Art Faction were trying to control the purchasing rights for Drama Shadow Boxes, despite the shop's first-come, first-served policy.
• Loki described three ways to obtain a Shadow Box: join one of the factions, overpower them, or rely on a powerful backer, as Alan had done with help from an official witch.
• Loki asked whether Falga could use a backer to help him, but Falga said his mentor was at Silent Hill and he had come to Sky Mechanical City alone.
• Falga questioned why the Transcendent Dimension wizard made the Shadow Boxes and why they were being sold through Breeze Magic Materials Shop, but neither he nor Loki knew the reason.
• A formally dressed female puppet emerged from the shop and announced that the day's Drama Shadow Box sale had begun.

Loki and Falga sought a way to buy a Drama Shadow Box, and Falga brought Witch Oroba to Breeze Magic Materials Shop using his connection to her. Oroba purchased a box after learning its contents were random and its magic patterns would bind it to one user.

• Loki tried to persuade Falga to join the Art Faction or Alchemy Faction and buy a Shadow Box, but Falga refused and told him Witch Oroba was in Sky Mechanical City.
• Loki followed Falga to meet Witch Oroba, and the next day they entered Breeze Magic Materials Shop with her.
• Oroba asked acting shop manager Viking whether a Transcendent Dimension wizard had refined the Drama Shadow Boxes, but Viking declined to reveal the refiner's secrets.
• Oroba chose a red-glowing bubble and learned that each buyer could purchase only one box, its magic patterns bound it to one user, and its story was unknown until opened.
• Oroba accepted the uncertainty as an interesting form of artistic expression and prepared to open her Shadow Box.