Chapter Summaries

Yang Chan kept watch over the injured disciples in White Jade Capital, then used his spare time to strengthen his Stepping Wind Steps while the city’s unrest settled. Three days later, he and Xu Gaocen left by carriage, though the sects still planned to hold the Alchemist Alliance responsible for their losses.

• Yang Chan stayed alert through the night, cultivated at sunrise, and checked that the injured disciples were recovering.
• Xu Gaocen took over the ward, and Yang Chan returned to his room to bathe, eat, and spend three Potential Points on his Stepping Wind Steps.
• Over the next three days, sects left Qingyuan Pavilion as conflicts resurfaced, while White Jade Capital restored normal entry and exit.
• The sects withheld retaliation against the imperial family and the Alchemist Alliance while their leaders considered the losses and waited for a chance to act.
• Yang Chan and Xu Gaocen departed White Jade Capital by carriage, leaving the bustling city behind.

Yang Chan and the Qingyuan Sect group left White Jade Capital alongside two allied sects and eventually met reinforcements sent by Qingyuan Sect. They returned safely, but learned that Elder Yan and Qi Yuansheng had not come back and were likely dead.

• Qingyuan Sect traveled with Tianyi Water Palace and Taiyi Sword Sect for five days before the three sects parted ways.
• Elder Ji Feng and the others met Hall Master Gu An and Qingyuan Sect reinforcements on the seventh day of travel.
• Yang Chan resolved to stay in Qingyuan Sect and strengthen his cultivation and combat abilities after realizing the danger of White Jade Capital.
• Yang Chan and the others returned to Qingyuan Sect four days after meeting Gu An, while the sects demanded an explanation from the Alchemist Alliance.
• Gu An told Elder Ji Feng that Elder Yan and Qi Yuansheng had not returned or sent news, leaving Yang Chan to suspect they were doomed.

Yang Chan returned to his residence and used Revealing Powder to check whether anyone had entered his bedroom while he was away. Finding no signs of intrusion, he judged Han Bingyu somewhat trustworthy and began preparing to use her help with intelligence and medicinal ingredients.

• Yang Chan returned to his courtyard and found it neat, with the markers on his bedroom door still undisturbed.
• Yang Chan scattered Revealing Powder through his bedroom and saw purple traces, but found no signs that anyone had entered.
• Yang Chan concluded that Han Bingyu had respected his warning and considered her somewhat trustworthy.
• Yang Chan planned to rely on Han Bingyu and the Han Family for intelligence and help finding medicinal ingredients.
• Yang Chan cleaned his room, checked and replaced sluggish traps, and took steps to air his bedding.

After returning to Qingyuan Sect, Yang Chan arranged a ten-day rest before preparing Cold Fragrance Yuan Refining Powder and reviewing what he had learned in White Jade Capital. He learned of several developments in the sect and left the newly advanced Internal Refinement Grandmaster’s identity undisclosed.

• Yang Chan welcomed Han Bingyu, Gu Shiqing, Liu Qing, and Fang Yun, then told them to study the herbs and storehouse supplies needed for his upcoming preparation of Cold Fragrance Yuan Refining Powder.
• Yang Chan sent Gu Shiqing, Liu Qing, and Fang Yun to prepare while Han Bingyu stayed to help with miscellaneous tasks and provide intelligence.
• Yang Chan reviewed reports that two disciples had advanced to Junior Alchemists and that the sect had received rare medicinal materials from an unknown source; he told Han Bingyu not to investigate further.
• Yang Chan learned that Qingyuan Sect had gained a new Internal Refinement Grandmaster, a Personal Disciple rather than Liu Shengyu, and chose to keep his own advancement secret.

After returning from White Jade Capital, Yang Chan resolved to keep a low profile in Qingyuan Sect and steadily improve his cultivation. He spent his three Potential Points on Sword Master, Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method, and Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique, resuming his normal allocation priorities.

• Yang Chan reflected that his dangerous experiences in White Jade Capital had shown him that Internal Refinement Grandmasters were not invincible, and he chose to cultivate quietly within Qingyuan Sect.
• Han Bingyu reminded Yang Chan to send a pill to the banquet for Qingyuan Sect’s new Internal Refinement Grandmaster, befitting his identity as a Junior Alchemist.
• Yang Chan reviewed his panel and noted his progress in Stepping Wind Steps, Sword Master, Alchemist, and Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method.
• Yang Chan spent one Potential Point on Sword Master to prepare for future cultivation of Artistic Conception.
• Yang Chan spent one Potential Point on Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method and his last point on Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique.
• Yang Chan planned to improve his other techniques through daily cultivation and focus on increasing his daily Potential Point income.

Yang Chan returned to Qingyuan Sect determined to keep a low profile and planned to replenish his pills and medicines. Meanwhile, Ji Feng reported the White Jade Capital crisis to Sect Master Liu Xuan, who ordered investigations into Yan Jinfeng and Qi Yuansheng’s disappearance and outlined Qingyuan Sect’s response.

• Yang Chan reflected on different levels of invincibility and resolved to remain cautious and keep improving.
• Yang Chan planned to refine pills and replenish the medicines he needed after returning to Qingyuan Sect.
• Sect Master Liu Xuan asked Ji Feng to explain Yan Jinfeng and Qi Yuansheng’s departure and the events in White Jade Capital.
• Ji Feng recounted the attack on Qingyuan Pavilion, the failed request for aid from the Alchemist Alliance, the fighting in White Jade Capital, and his return to Qingyuan Sect.
• Liu Xuan said Qingyuan Sect would investigate Yan Jinfeng and Qi Yuansheng, demand accountability from the Alchemist Alliance, and pressure the Great Zhou imperial family without provoking it too far.

After returning safely from White Jade Capital, Yang Chan replenished his pill-refining materials at the Medicine Hall pharmacy and avoided a confrontation with Gao Yuanlong. Gao Yuanlong was left frustrated after Yang Chan departed without giving him a chance to mock him.

• Yang Chan finished his morning cultivation and went to the Medicine Hall pharmacy to exchange contribution points for materials for three kinds of pills.
• With the pharmacy manager's help, Yang Chan acquired the medicinal materials and had four Steward Disciples deliver them to his residence.
• Yang Chan saw Gao Yuanlong and left with a polite nod, avoiding conversation and any dispute over the materials.
• Gao Yuanlong, who had hoped to mock Yang Chan over the Alchemist Exchange Meet quota, felt annoyed when Yang Chan left before he could speak.
• Gao Yuanlong recalled that Gu An had warned him to stop stirring up trouble or risk being assigned Pharmacist support work below the mountain.

Yang Chan refined Lantian Jade Refining Pills, One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills, and Azure Spirit Pills at the Qingyuan Sect’s Earth Fire Courtyard, succeeding with his first Azure Spirit Pill batch. After returning to his courtyard, he considered hiring servants and asking the sect’s investigators to find out whether Xiao Yuer had survived the turmoil in White Jade Capital.

• Yang Chan tested the Earth Fire Courtyard’s unstable earth fire and refined Lantian Jade Refining Pills and One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills, losing one batch to a fluctuation.
• Yang Chan refined Azure Spirit Pills successfully on his first attempt, inspected them, and swallowed one to confirm its effects.
• Yang Chan continued refining until he had used up his materials, then left the courtyard with his pills as the sun set.
• Yang Chan found Han Bingyu cleaning his courtyard and decided to consider hiring several servants.
• Yang Chan recalled Xiao Yuer and planned to ask Qingyuan Sect investigators going to White Jade Capital whether she was alive.

Yang Chan returned with a large supply of pills and arranged for the Han Family to gather medicinal herbs and poisons needed for higher-grade pill refining. He rewarded Han Bingyu with three Lantian Jade Refining Pills, and she accepted as a sign that she would continue working for him.

• Yang Chan brought two bottles of Lantian Jade Refining Pills and a list of medicinal herbs and poisons to Han Bingyu, asking her to have the Han Family gather them in exchange for pills.
• Yang Chan said he would make up any difference in value and was willing to offer One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills for especially precious materials.
• Han Bingyu agreed to report the request to the Han Family and said they would not disappoint Yang Chan.
• Yang Chan gave Han Bingyu three Lantian Jade Refining Pills as a reward for cleaning his courtyard, and she accepted them.

Yang Chan spent three peaceful months cultivating at Qingyuan Sect, strengthening his martial arts and alchemy while keeping his progress quiet. White Jade Capital’s rebellion was met with sweeping executions, and the marriage alliance with the Golden Meng Empire remained stalled as Yang Chan hoped to stay safely at the sect.

• Yang Chan advanced his Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method to Third Order: Mastery 38%, nearing his third viscera breakthrough, while his Swordmaster and Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique also improved.
• Yang Chan discreetly showed only a small external refinement breakthrough, reaching the second level of Bronze Skin in others’ eyes.
• Old Emperor Yang Yu executed the Crown Prince Yang Gan, the other rebellious Imperial Princes and their descendants, and purged many officials and their families.
• The imperial family killed Xu Chuan and other Alchemist Alliance members to answer the major sects’ demands after their losses in White Jade Capital.
• The Great Zhou Dynasty and the Golden Meng Empire continued delaying their marriage alliance, with Princess Lanyue Yang Xianglan and Princess Qianyue Yang Qianqian proposed as candidates.

Yang Chan worried that the Golden Meng Empire’s border raids could lead to war and hoped the marriage alliance would preserve Qingyuan Sect’s peace. While awaiting rare ingredients for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill, he continued refining pills and poisons, aiming to raise his daily Potential Point income above five.

• Yang Chan considered how war could force Qingyuan Sect to fight and hoped the Ninety-Ninth Princess or Princess Lanyue would secure the marriage alliance.
• Yang Chan delayed his Intermediate Alchemist assessment while continuing to improve at pill refinement, and Gu An reassured him that he had time.
• Qingyuan Sect prioritized helping Sect Master Liu Xuan become a Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster, while resources also supported Xu Gaocen and Yang Chan.
• Yang Chan arranged for both Qingyuan Sect and the Han Family to seek the two rare herbs he still needed for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill.
• Yang Chan continued studying and refining poisons while waiting for the herbs, hoping to push his daily Potential Point income above five.

Yang Chan learned that both medicinal materials needed for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill had been found in Cloud City, but obtaining them would require costly exchanges and a risky journey. He weighed the demands while Han Bingyu continued searching for other sources.

• Yang Chan kept watch over the maidservants in his courtyard and continued practicing his cultivation methods and fist techniques.
• Han Bingyu met Yang Chan after his training and reported that the Han Family had located both herbs in Cloud City.
• One family demanded that a skilled alchemist travel to Cloud City to refine a special pill in exchange for the Ghost Spirit Grass.
• Another family offered the Xiang Tian Flower only for a large quantity of Azure Spirit Pills.
• Yang Chan questioned Han Bingyu about other leads, and she said the Han Family was still making inquiries.

Yang Chan sought the rare ingredients needed to attempt refining the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill, but Qingyuan Sect had reserved them for Elder Hua’s work on the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Gu An offered to keep searching while advising Yang Chan to study for the Intermediate Alchemist examination.

• Yang Chan rejected Han Bingyu’s offer to trade three-hundred-year-old Xiang Tian Flower for ten Azure Spirit Pills and asked the Han Family to keep looking for ingredients.
• Han Bingyu explained that the Han Family could not arrange pill refinement in Qingyuan Sect because the other party needed Fleeting Flower from Yunzhou.
• Yang Chan visited Gu An and asked him to find three-hundred-year-old Xiang Tian Flower and two-hundred-year-old Ghost Spirit Grass for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill.
• Gu An explained that Qingyuan Sect’s supplies of both herbs had been sent to Elder Hua, who was preparing to refine the Marrow Cleansing Pill, and promised to keep asking around.
• Gu An advised Yang Chan to study the Medicine Codex and advance to Intermediate Alchemist, and Yang Chan agreed.

Yang Chan set aside his plans to refine the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill and helped Zhao Yi with the Lantian Jade Refining Pill. Meanwhile, Liu Xuan learned that the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Fruit had been found and prepared to lead Qingyuan Sect experts to claim it.

• Yang Chan decided to wait for news from Gu An rather than rush to become an Intermediate Alchemist or travel to Cloud City.
• Zhao Yi visited Yang Chan to ask again about refining the Lantian Jade Refining Pill, and Yang Chan answered his questions seriously.
• After Zhao Yi left, Yang Chan began his daily cultivation.
• Liu Xuan received news that the Marrow Cleansing Spirit Fruit had been found outside Qingzhou and summoned the three Supreme Elders.
• Liu Xuan and the Supreme Elders discussed sending experts and disciples to contend for the fruit at its perilous location.

Yang Chan learned that Qingyuan Sect was sending disciples to Silver Prefecture to compete for spiritual herbs, but he wanted to avoid the dangerous mission. When Gu An offered him a chance to gather ingredients for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill in the Yinzhou Secret Realm, Yang Chan declined and said he planned to go to Cloud City instead.

• Yang Chan cultivated his Flood Dragon, Ox, and Tiger Demon Martial Imprints, then rested before resuming his training.
• Han Bingyu told Yang Chan that Qingyuan Sect had issued a mission to Silver Prefecture to compete for superior spiritual herbs.
• Yang Chan said he would focus on advancing to Intermediate Alchemist rather than join the mission.
• Gu An told Yang Chan that the Yinzhou Secret Realm contained aged Ghost Spirit Grass and Xiang Tian Flowers, which could help him obtain ingredients for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill.
• Yang Chan declined the trip to Silver Prefecture, saying he would seek the herbs in Cloud City and prepare for his Intermediate Alchemist assessment.

Yang Chan declined Gu An’s recommendation to join the trip to Silver Prefecture so he could focus on becoming an Intermediate Alchemist, and he arranged to travel alone to Cloud City instead. He left Han Bingyu to coordinate with the Han Family and asked her for the remaining news from Qingyuan Sect.

• Yang Chan told Gu An he would pass up the Silver Prefecture opportunity, and Gu An agreed to give his recommendation slot to someone else.
• Gu An urged Yang Chan to focus on the Intermediate Alchemist assessment and told him Elder Hua would soon guide the sect’s Intermediate Alchemists toward becoming Senior Alchemists.
• Yang Chan left Gu An’s courtyard and told Han Bingyu he planned to travel to Cloud City for Xiang Tian Flower and Ghost Spirit Grass.
• Han Bingyu agreed to alert the Han Family and arrange matters in Cloud City, and Yang Chan asked what else had happened in Qingyuan Sect.

Han Bingyu updated Yang Chan on Qingyuan Sect and regional affairs, including the Yuzhou Chamber of Commerce’s acquisition of herbs he needed. After giving her pills for her work, Yang Chan let Han Bingyu stay the night, and she moved closer to him.

• Han Bingyu told Yang Chan that many Qingyuan Sect disciples wanted to take part in the Silver Prefecture mission for its valuable rewards.
• Han Bingyu updated Yang Chan on events elsewhere and said the Yuzhou Chamber of Commerce had acquired Xiang Tian Flower and Ghost Spirit Grass for auction.
• Yang Chan agreed to cover the herb costs and Han Family’s effort as long as the total stayed within six Qingyuan Pills.
• Yang Chan gave Han Bingyu three Lantian Jade Refining Pills in thanks for gathering information.
• Han Bingyu asked to stay overnight because the weather was cold, and she moved into Yang Chan’s arms when he did not refuse.

Yang Chan cared for Han Bingyu after their exhausting night together, then cultivated and used Potential Points to complete the tempering of his third viscera. He left the chapter newly strengthened and continuing toward his plans to go to Cloud City.

• Han Bingyu woke exhausted while Yang Chan cultivated the Purple Qi Body Cultivation Technique at sunrise.
• Yang Chan caught Han Bingyu when she tried to get up, urged her to rest, and left her with the maid before going to practice.
• Yang Chan used three Potential Points on the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method and completed the tempering of his third viscera.
• Yang Chan began tempering his fourth viscera, then spent his remaining two Potential Points according to his plan.

Old Emperor Yang Yu accepted the Golden Meng Empire’s demand that Princess Lanyue return within two days, while ordering military preparations along the border. He knew the empire was testing whether the Great Zhou Dynasty’s Pillar-Supporting Martial Saint was still alive and prepared to risk war while striving to break through himself.

• Grand Tutor Yan Hongwen told Old Emperor Yang Yu that the Golden Meng Empire had agreed to the marriage alliance but demanded Princess Lanyue return within two days.
• Yang Yu ordered troops to reinforce Jinyun City and sent urgent dispatches calling on nearby sects to prepare their disciples.
• Yan Hongwen questioned the preparations, and Yang Yu warned that the Golden Meng Empire’s intentions were dangerous and that precautions were necessary.
• Yang Yu revealed privately that the Golden Meng Empire was testing the condition of the Great Zhou Dynasty’s Pillar-Supporting Martial Saint.
• Yang Yu resolved to conceal the Martial Saint’s condition, then resumed cultivating and prepared to attempt another breakthrough with Earth Origin Supreme Saint Pills.

Yang Chan planned a trip to Cloud City before Qingyuan Sect's expedition to Silver Prefecture, arranging to take a sect mission and prepare carefully for unforeseen dangers. After Han Bingyu massaged him, he resumed his daily cultivation.

• Yang Chan reached the fourth stage of Internal Refinement and expected to finish tempering his lungs and bowels within a year.
• Yang Chan planned to travel to Cloud City five or six days before Qingyuan Sect departed for Silver Prefecture and take a local sect assignment to avoid joining the expedition.
• Yang Chan decided to refine pills and replenish his hidden weapons and poisons before leaving for Cloud City.
• Han Bingyu offered to massage Yang Chan, and he accepted while two maidservants watched and learned.
• Han Bingyu massaged Yang Chan and helped him absorb medicinal ointments before he returned to his daily cultivation.