Chapter Summaries

Yang Chan successfully refined a One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill at the Alchemist Exchange Meet while deliberately avoiding drawing attention from the Alchemist Alliance’s observers. Elder Yan praised Yang Chan’s composure and cautioned Xu Gaocen about his carelessness during refinement.

• Lu Qianfan and Xu Chuan assessed the participating Pharmacists’ pill-refining skills and discussed their prospects.
• Yang Chan focused on refining his pill, intending to succeed at the simple task but avoid standing out in later trials.
• Yang Chan succeeded on his first attempt and submitted his pill to the Alchemist Alliance.
• Yan Jinfeng praised Yang Chan’s steady mentality and offered him advice.
• Yan Jinfeng warned Xu Gaocen that stretching during the final stage had nearly ruined his pill refinement.

At the Alchemist Exchange Meet, Qingyuan Sect’s Pharmacists succeeded while Tianshan Sword Sect’s two experienced Intermediate Alchemists failed, leaving Luo Zhenming humiliated. Yang Chan stayed out of the ridicule and was teased by Xu Gaocen and Yan Jinfeng about exercising restraint at night.

• Several Pharmacists failed to refine One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills and were eliminated, while Xu Gaocen and Yang An both succeeded on their first attempts.
• Tianshan Sword Sect’s two Intermediate Alchemists failed, undermining the sect’s chances of earning a good ranking and cultivation resources.
• Luo Zhenming tried to leave, but members of other sects and Yan Jinfeng mocked him over his earlier boasts before he departed in disgrace.
• Yang Chan watched from the sidelines and hoped to remain inconspicuous during the next day’s competition.
• Xu Gaocen warned Yang Chan to take care of himself after joking that the Tianshan Sword Sect Pharmacists had stayed up too late, and Yan Jinfeng then gave both men a similar warning.

After the Alchemist Exchange Meet, Yang Chan and the Pharmacists went to Red Apricot Tower, where they spent the evening carousing before returning to Qingyuan Pavilion. He soaked in a Dragon Bone Medicinal Bath with Xiao Yuer, then cultivated and prepared for another day at the Alchemist Alliance.

• Elder Yan led Yang Chan, Xu Gaocen, and the other Pharmacists to Red Apricot Tower, where the group drank and flirted instead of discussing alchemy.
• Yang Chan waited for Elder Yan and the others to leave, then returned to Qingyuan Pavilion before midnight and soaked in the medicinal bath with Xiao Yuer.
• Yang Chan and Xiao Yuer scrubbed each other's backs, and Yang Chan stayed busy with her after they left the bath.
• At sunrise, Yang Chan absorbed purple qi, added three Potential Points to his strength, and ate Silver Fish Porridge and meat.
• Yang Chan left food beside the sleeping Xiao Yuer and did not wake her.

Crown Prince Yang Gan delayed his planned coup until he received a Spirit Gathering Pill and reached the Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster realm. At the Alchemist Exchange Meet, Yang Chan aimed to fail his Azure Spirit Pill refinement and remain inconspicuous before returning to the Qingyuan Sect.

• Yang Gan ordered his forces to wait until he could break through to the Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster realm, then planned to seize power while Emperor Yang Yu pursued the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill.
• Yang Gan prepared himself for the coming breakthrough and resolved to keep a way to escape White Jade Capital if his coup failed.
• The Alchemist Exchange Meet drew factions hoping to befriend promising pharmacists, but Yang Chan ignored them and focused on returning to the Qingyuan Sect.
• Yang Chan entered the pill-refining courtyard and planned to fail the Azure Spirit Pill refinement so he could blend in with the spectators.

Yang Chan took the Azure Spirit Pill examination and deliberately failed his first attempt while observing the other Pharmacists. He began his second attempt hoping to impress Yan Jinfeng and earn support to remain at the Qingyuan Sect.

• Yang Chan chose the Azure Spirit Pill and planned to control his performance rather than stand out by succeeding too easily.
• Yang Chan began refining after preparing the ingredients, but a flicker in the earthfire disrupted the mixture and he deliberately reacted too slowly, causing his first attempt to fail.
• Yang Chan saw that Xu Gaocen had also failed his first attempt, then prepared ingredients for another refinement.
• Yang Chan began his second attempt, aiming to show Yan Jinfeng that he could recover calmly from failure and secure support to stay in the Qingyuan Sect.

Yang Chan deliberately failed to refine the Azure Spirit Pill and received advice from Yan Jinfeng, while observing the other alchemists. After Yang Chan and several others were eliminated, Xu Gaocen invited him to visit Chunfang Tower, and Yang Chan appeared eager to go.

• Yang Chan deliberately added too little water to his Azure Spirit Pill, then returned to Yan Jinfeng and accepted his advice.
• Xu Gaocen successfully refined the Azure Spirit Pill on his second attempt, and Yan Jinfeng praised him while warning him to prepare for accidents.
• Yang Chan watched the remaining alchemists and learned from their refining processes as many failed the more difficult Azure Spirit Pill.
• After Yang Chan was eliminated, Xu Gaocen consoled him and invited him to Chunfang Tower, which was connected to the imperial family and the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.
• Yang Chan let his disappointment fade and acted excited about relaxing at Chunfang Tower.

Yang Chan followed Yan Jinfeng and the Qingyuan Sect disciples to Chunfang Tower after the alchemy competition, where he heard that some visiting Alchemists had met with White Jade Capital dignitaries. He stayed to watch the dancers and enjoy the company of a woman, while Xu Gaocen went to a private room.

• After the Alchemist Alliance announced the advancing Alchemists, Yang Chan followed Yan Jinfeng and the others to Chunfang Tower.
• At Chunfang Tower, Xu Gaocen took a woman upstairs while another woman sat beside Yang Chan.
• Yang Chan and Xu Gaocen chatted with visiting Alchemists, and Yang Chan heard that some had been taken to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau after contacting White Jade Capital dignitaries.
• After hearing the news, Xu Gaocen left with a woman for a private room, while Yang Chan watched the dancers onstage.
• Yang Chan declined the woman's invitation to go to a side room and continued watching the stage as he touched her.

Yang Chan learned that the Emperor planned to have the Alchemist Alliance's Top Alchemists refine the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill, potentially worsening the tension in the White Jade Capital. He made escape plans and resolved to keep a low profile, then turned his attention to Xiao Yuer as the night continued.

• Yang Chan overheard Yan Jinfeng and the other Senior Alchemists discuss the Emperor's plan to refine the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill and the risk of unrest in the White Jade Capital.
• Yang Chan considered the rival factions and planned how to avoid danger, including following the Qingyuan Sect or escaping through the northern city wall as a last resort.
• Yang Chan decided to conceal his true cultivation and rely on poisons and concealed weapons if danger arose.
• Yang Chan absorbed the medicinal power in the bath and, seeing Xiao Yuer's eagerness, changed positions and satisfied her.
• Yang Chan chose to wait until morning to spend the Potential Points he had gained.

On the fourth day of the Alchemist Exchange Meet, Yang Chan noticed disguised soldiers around the Alchemist Alliance and joined the other Senior Alchemists as they gathered and discussed mutual protection. He watched the pill-refining competition closely, studying the preparations and techniques of Xu Gaocen and the other Pharmacists to prepare for refining the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill himself.

• Yang Chan followed Yan Jinfeng and the others to the Alchemist Alliance, noticing increasing numbers of disguised soldiers along the way.
• Senior Alchemists gathered at the Alliance and discussed cooperating if danger arose in the White Jade Capital.
• Elder Yan and the others spoke with sect representatives about their contacts and dealings with White Jade Capital factions.
• The pill-refining competition began without the Alchemist Alliance's leader or deputy leader present.
• Yang Chan carefully studied the competitors' preparations and pill-refining methods, focusing especially on Xu Gaocen and the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill.

Yang Chan watched the earthfire falter as a black-clothed intruder disrupted Lu Qianfan’s attempt to refine the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill. Lu Qianfan confronted the fleeing man, who broke his suppression with the Blood Dragon Martial Imprint, while Yang Chan watched the battle from the sidelines.

• Yang Chan noticed the earthfire fluctuating beneath the alchemists, and the disturbance drew the attention of Elder Yan and the Senior Alchemists.
• A black-clothed man burst from underground as Lu Qianfan pursued him and revealed that the intruder had ruined the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill refinement.
• Lu Qianfan’s Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster aura pressed down on the gathering, and Yang Chan pretended to be overwhelmed by it.
• The black-clothed man invoked Blood Dragon Descent to break Lu Qianfan’s spiritual suppression and attempted to escape as Alliance martial artists moved to capture him.
• Yang Chan rose with the others and observed the clash, while onlookers speculated about the failed pill and its consequences for the Alchemist Alliance.

After an attacker sabotaged the earthfire at the Pharmacist Alliance, Xu Chuan captured him, but the man poisoned himself before he could be questioned. The Alliance strengthened security and postponed the Pharmacist Exchange Meet, leaving Yang Chan and the other participants stranded in White Jade Capital while the attack was investigated.

• Xu Chuan struck down the man in black as he tried to flee the Pharmacist Alliance.
• The man in black swallowed poison and died before Xu Chuan could stop him; Lu Qianfan identified him as a Death Warrior and ordered his corpse sent to the imperial palace.
• Lu Qianfan and Xu Chuan agreed to strengthen security and investigate how the attacker had infiltrated the Alliance.
• The Pharmacist Alliance suspended the pill-refining competition pending Emperor Yang Yu's orders.
• The Alliance kept Yang Chan and the other sect representatives in White Jade Capital, using the delay to investigate the participating forces and arrange for them to leave together later.

After an Internal Refinement of Five Organs expert was killed at the Alchemist Alliance, the sect representatives reconsidered their safety and returned to the Qingyuan Pavilion to discuss the crisis. Yang Chan stayed focused on keeping a low profile and hoped the Qingyuan Sect would leave the White Jade Capital soon.

• Yang Chan watched the black-clad Internal Refinement of Five Organs expert die and resolved to remain cautious.
• The sect representatives worried that the failed Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill refinement had made the White Jade Capital more dangerous, while the Alchemist Alliance refused to let them withdraw.
• Yan Jinfeng and the others discussed forming closer ties with other sects, then returned to the Qingyuan Pavilion instead of visiting a brothel.
• Yang Chan followed the group carefully and ordered local delicacies, valuing the food's contribution to his Potential Points.
• Elder Yan summoned Yang Chan to his quarters to discuss the day's events, and Yang Chan hoped the group would soon return to the Qingyuan Sect.

After the failed refinement of the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill plunged White Jade Capital into danger, Yan Jinfeng and Elder Ji Feng ordered Qingyuan Sect’s disciples to stay neutral and remain within Qingyuan Pavilion. Yang Chan accepted that he could not leave yet and planned to strengthen his defenses while waiting for a safer chance to return to Qingzhou.

• Yang Chan entered Yan Jinfeng’s room and found Elder Ji Feng, Xu Gaocen, and the other Personal Disciples gathered there.
• Yan Jinfeng explained that powerful nobles had likely sabotaged the Emperor’s pill refinement and warned that chaos could break out in White Jade Capital.
• Yan Jinfeng told the disciples to stay inside Qingyuan Pavilion, avoid outside affairs, and leave any requests for their help to him and Elder Ji Feng.
• Elder Ji Feng reassured the disciples that Qingyuan Sect and its allies would protect them, while warning them to remain cautious.
• Yang Chan accepted that he could not leave yet and planned to improve his cultivation, Stepping Wind Steps, swordsmanship, and concealed defenses.

Yang Chan stayed cautious in Qingyuan Pavilion and resumed his daily cultivation and medicine routine while White Jade Capital faced a looming succession struggle. In the East Palace, Crown Prince Yang Gan prepared to act within two days, relying on Imperial Guard Commander Du Gaojun and believing the Emperor’s pill-refining plans had been disrupted.

• Yan Jinfeng and Ji Feng warned Yang Chan and the others to avoid involvement with White Jade Capital’s forces, and Yang Chan returned to Qingyuan Pavilion.
• Yang Chan checked his food for poison, resumed taking medicine and practicing his techniques, and planned to remain uninvolved until he could return to the Qingyuan Sect.
• A middle-aged man reported to Yang Gan that the Alchemist Alliance matter had been handled and that the Emperor lacked a second set of materials for the Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pill.
• Yang Gan told Du Gaojun that his cultivation was nearing a breakthrough and that he planned to act within the next two days.
• Du Gaojun departed to resume guarding the palace, while Yang Gan watched him leave and waited for his breakthrough before issuing the command.

Crown Prince Yang Gan prepared to rebel against Emperor Yang Yu, believing he had no time left before the Emperor’s breakthrough. Yang Chan spent his Potential Points while Qi Yuansheng and others discussed the likely conflict in the White Jade Capital and Qingyuan Sect’s decision to stay out of it.

• Yang Gan swallowed a Spirit Gathering Pill as he prepared to break through and vowed to cut off Emperor Yang Yu’s retreat.
• Yang Chan used his three Potential Points to improve his cultivation, sword intent, and Stepping Wind Steps, then went to bed.
• Ji Feng suspected Crown Prince Yang Gan’s people had arranged the day’s attack and noted that the loss would be costly.
• Qi Yuansheng explained that Yang Gan had gathered Spirit Gathering Liquid and might soon break through to the Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster realm, prompting Emperor Yang Yu to act.
• Yan Jinfeng, Ji Feng, and Qi Yuansheng expected a struggle between father and son but agreed Qingyuan Sect should avoid involvement.

The Qingyuan Sect learned that several Imperial Princes were preparing to challenge Old Emperor Yang Yu, threatening to plunge the Great Zhou Dynasty into chaos. Yan Jinfeng and Ji Feng planned to strengthen their alliance with other sects while Qi Yuansheng stayed behind to guard Qingyuan Pavilion.

• Qi Yuansheng explained that other Imperial Princes and powerful nobles were preparing to act alongside Crown Prince Yang Gan.
• Yan Jinfeng warned that turmoil in the White Jade Capital could endanger Qingyuan Pavilion, even if the Qingyuan Sect stayed out of the conflict.
• Qi Yuansheng advised Yan Jinfeng to gather with allied sects if the situation worsened, so they could defend themselves together.
• Yan Jinfeng decided to visit the other sects and arrange for the worst-case scenario.
• Ji Feng agreed to accompany Yan Jinfeng the next morning while Qi Yuansheng remained behind to guard Qingyuan Pavilion.

Yang Chan cultivated in Qingyuan Pavilion and went to its restaurant to gather news about the commotion in White Jade Capital. He learned that an assassination attempt in the imperial palace had failed and decided the incident posed no immediate threat to Qingyuan Sect.

• Yang Chan finished his daily Purple Qi Body Cultivation Technique practice and decided to listen for news at the Qingyuan Pavilion restaurant.
• Yang Chan spotted traces of several powerful battles on the street and overheard diners offering conflicting guesses about the previous night's disturbance.
• Yang Chan overheard Qingyuan Sect undercover agents report that an assassin had attacked the emperor, escaped after an Imperial Guard clash, and become the target of a Six Gates investigation led by Jin Feihua.
• Yang Chan memorized details of the agents' conversation and concluded that he could remain safely in Qingyuan Pavilion while keeping a low profile.

Crown Prince Yang Gan broke through to Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster and prepared to launch an uprising against Old Emperor Yang Yu. He ordered Xu Lianhua to coordinate his allies before the planned action that night.

• Yang Gan concealed his breakthrough to Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster and reflected on his plans to seize the throne.
• Yang Gan told Xu Lianhua to contact his allies and arrange for them to gather before nightfall.
• Xu Lianhua agreed to carry out Yang Gan's orders, knowing his own fortunes were bound to the Crown Prince.
• Yang Gan resolved to claim the throne, declaring that the Great Zhou Dynasty needed a new emperor.

As turmoil erupted inside the imperial palace, the Four Great Divine Constables sealed its exits while Yang Chan stayed in Qingyuan Pavilion. With the Qingyuan Sect guards concentrated around Yan Jinfeng, Yang Chan concealed himself in the dark and waited out the crisis.

• Elder Ji Feng warned everyone from Qingyuan Sect to remain inside Qingyuan Pavilion as a crisis approached.
• The Four Great Divine Constables took positions around the imperial palace, then sealed its exits after fighting and bloodshed broke out inside.
• Yang Chan heard the palace turmoil and observed that the Qingyuan Sect guards had gathered around Yan Jinfeng's residence.
• Cai Kun briefly warned Yang Chan to stay in his room before leaving to join the guards at Yan Jinfeng's residence.
• Yang Chan restrained his aura, extinguished his candle, and sat in a dark corner to conceal himself.

Men in black attacked Qingyuan Pavilion as chaos spread through the capital, and Qi Yuansheng confronted a Tianshan Sword Sect grandmaster wielding Sky Feather Sword Intent. Their battle left Qi Yuansheng pinned outside while attackers targeted Yan Jinfeng and the others behind him.

• Qi Yuansheng sent Ji Feng to protect Elder Yan and went out to stop the attackers at Qingyuan Pavilion.
• Qi Yuansheng unleashed the Capture Tiger and Subdue Dragon Martial Imprint and charged through the black-clad men toward their Internal Refinement Grandmaster.
• The black-clad grandmaster revealed Sky Feather Sword Intent, and Qi Yuansheng recognized him as a member of the Tianshan Sword Sect.
• The Tianshan swordsman declared his plan to eliminate the Qingyuan Sect's people in the White Jade Capital and help destroy the sect.
• Qi Yuansheng attacked with overwhelming strength, but the swordsman used soft, deflecting techniques to keep him occupied while others struck from behind.