Chapter Summaries

Yang Chan obtained the three-hundred-year-old Xiang Tian Flower from the Zhong Family and agreed to refine Longevity Pills for the Zhao Family. He successfully refined both batches, then left failed-refinement residue in the furnace to conceal his success.

• Yang Chan exchanged three One-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills with the Zhong Family for a three-hundred-year-old Xiang Tian Flower.
• Yang Chan visited the Zhao Family and secured a twenty-percent increase in his reward, with one of the two Longevity Pills promised to him if he refined both batches successfully.
• Yang Chan studied the Longevity Pill method and began refining it after the Zhao Family provided the ingredients and instructions for blooming the Fleeting Flowers.
• Yang Chan successfully refined the first Longevity Pill and then completed the second batch.
• Yang Chan put away the second Longevity Pill and made failed-refinement residue appear in the pill furnace.

Yang Chan successfully refined a Longevity Pill for the Zhao Family Old Ancestor and collected the agreed medicinal ingredients, including a two-hundred-year-old Ghost Spirit Grass. After returning to Qingfeng Pavilion, he learned that his visit to Cloud Stone Mountain to obtain the mine’s account books was arranged for the day after tomorrow.

• Yang Chan concealed his successful second refinement by staging signs of failure and told the Zhao Family Old Ancestor that only one Longevity Pill had been made.
• The Zhao Family Old Ancestor took the pill, and the Zhao Family Patriarch gave Yang Chan the agreed medicinal ingredients, including the Ghost Spirit Grass.
• Yang Chan left the Zhao Family with the ingredients and considered his plans to obtain the account books and secure what he needed from Princess Lanyue.
• Steward Li arranged Yang Chan’s visit to Cloud Stone Mountain for the day after tomorrow, when he could collect the mine’s recent account books.

Yang Chan settled into Qingfeng Pavilion in Cloud City, resumed his medicinal-bath routine, and took the Longevity Pill he had refined. His lifespan increased by six years instead of the expected three, leaving him determined to investigate the reason later.

• Yang Chan decided to stay at Qingfeng Pavilion until it was time to go up Cloud Stone Mountain and refused to take on more work unless he was paid with materials he needed.
• Yang Chan enjoyed a meal and Dragon Bone Medicinal Bath, then declined Steward Li’s offer of a massage because he distrusted the arrangement and wanted to rest and cultivate.
• Yang Chan swallowed the Longevity Pill he had refined with Fleeting Flower and carefully refined its fierce medicinal power.
• Yang Chan saw his lifespan entry rise from 18/333 to 18/339, double the expected increase, and wondered whether his youth, physique, or Life-Nourishing Technique explained it.
• Yang Chan decided to test other lifespan-extending pills and consult ancient records in the future.

Yang Chan discovered that the Longevity Pill had increased his daily Potential Point gain to 5.7, then used the extra points before sleeping safely in Qingyuan Sect territory. He inspected Cloud Stone Mountain’s iron mine, recorded its condition, and avoided interfering beyond his assigned duties.

• Yang Chan found that the Longevity Pill raised his daily Potential Point gain by more than one point, bringing it to 5.7.
• Yang Chan spent three Potential Points on the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method and one each on the Swordmaster profession and Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique, then slept behind his traps.
• Yang Chan went to Cloud Stone Mountain after informing Steward Li and accepted the mine steward’s offer of local herbs to keep the visit routine.
• Yang Chan inspected and recorded the mine’s ores, noting that most were ordinary but one area yielded a small amount of material suitable for Thousand Refinements weapons.
• Yang Chan prepared to send his observations alongside the mine’s account books to the Qingyuan Sect, leaving the final handling of any discrepancies to others.

Yang Chan returned to Qingyuan Sect with Princess Lanyue disguised as his maid, Xiao Xiang, while Six Gates continued searching near the Qingyuan River. Back at the sect, Han Bingyu told him that its people had left for Silver Prefecture and that their news had not yet returned.

• Yang Chan left Cloud City with account books and medicinal herbs, then rode toward Xiaoyuan Village to bring Princess Lanyue back to Qingyuan Sect.
• Princess Lanyue cooperated with Yang Chan and accepted her cover identity as Xiao Xiang, his maid, while relying on him to control the Three Flower Insect God Pill.
• Yang Chan passed Six Gates investigators searching near the Qingyuan River and instructed Princess Lanyue to keep his cultivation secret.
• Yang Chan and Princess Lanyue arrived safely at Qingyuan Sect, where Han Bingyu welcomed him and told him that sect members had gone to Silver Prefecture.

Yang Chan returned to Qingyuan Sect, heard reports of a possible siege at Jinyun City and Princess Lanyue’s disappearance, and arranged for Lanyue to remain hidden as the maid Xiao Xiang. In a private meeting, Lanyue revealed that the Imperial Shocking World Scripture could lead to Martial Saint but might have been tampered with beyond the Marrow Cleansing Realm, leaving Yang Chan to decide whether he still wanted it.

• Han Bingyu told Yang Chan that Golden Meng Empire troops had gathered near Jinyun City, support was coming from Qizhou and Yuzhou, and fighting might begin within one or two months.
• Han Bingyu reported that Princess Lanyue and the Golden Meng Empire’s envoy and Imperial Prince had vanished near Qingyuan River, and Yang Chan asked her to keep monitoring the search.
• Yang Chan told Han Bingyu that he had already obtained Ghost Spirit Grass and Xiang Tian Flower, asked her to watch the Han Family’s work in Yuzhou, and instructed her to treat Xiao Xiang as an ordinary maid.
• Yang Chan brought Han Bingyu into the bathing room, then later met Princess Lanyue in his study after she changed into clean clothes.
• Princess Lanyue explained that the Imperial Shocking World Scripture came from Crown Prince Yang Gan and was sound through the Marrow Cleansing Realm, but she feared the Old Emperor might have tampered with it beyond that point.

Yang Chan agreed to learn Princess Lanyue’s Imperial Shocking World Scripture and negotiated for its methods through the Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster realm. Princess Lanyue taught him the Imperial Sensing Chapter and planned to continue the remaining chapters over the next few days.

• Yang Chan accepted the Imperial Shocking World Scripture despite its possible flaws and asked Princess Lanyue to teach him.
• Princess Lanyue agreed to provide the breakthrough methods and first two marrow cleansings, while reserving the final cleansing and Martial Saint secrets until Yang Chan reached that stage.
• Princess Lanyue explained the scripture’s chapters, its incomplete Martial Saint portion, and the danger of the Great Zhou imperial family discovering Yang Chan’s cultivation.
• Princess Lanyue taught Yang Chan the Imperial Sensing Chapter, including its three-form fist technique for comprehending Imperial Shocking Strength.
• Princess Lanyue ended the lesson and agreed to demonstrate the remaining chapters to Yang Chan the next day.

Yang Chan cultivated the Imperial Shocking World Scripture while planning to improve his martial cultivation and prepare new pills. At the Qingyuan River, Jin Feihua found Wulan Haohuan’s saber but still had no trace of Princess Lanyue or the missing men, leaving her worried about how to answer the Old Emperor.

• Yang Chan secretly cultivated the Imperial Shocking World Scripture faster and more precisely than he had shown Princess Lanyue.
• Yang Chan decided to focus his Potential Points on the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method while using the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique and Sword Master profession as support.
• Yang Chan prepared to refine the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill and the Ancient Spirit Pill he had obtained from Princess Lanyue.
• Jin Feihua assessed the bloodstained sleeve and the missing people as evidence that Princess Lanyue might have died and the Golden Meng Empire’s men might have escaped by river.
• A Six Gates member brought Jin Feihua Wulan Haohuan’s golden-eagle-marked curved saber, but reported finding no scabbard, bodies, or other evidence.
• Jin Feihua ordered the investigation to continue and considered shifting responsibility if the search failed.

Yang Chan failed to refine the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill and began experimenting with the Ancient Spirit Pill. Princess Lanyue continued cultivating while planning to ask Yang Chan for resources, and the chapter left her preparing to attend to his bath.

• Yang Chan assessed his failed Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill attempt and decided to seek Princess Lanyue's advice before trying the Ancient Spirit Pill.
• Yang Chan prepared plentiful ingredients and began refining the Ancient Spirit Pill using Princess Lanyue's instructions.
• Princess Lanyue worried that her pills were running out and resolved to ask Yang Chan for cultivation resources.
• Princess Lanyue considered switching to the Imperial Shocking World Scripture's external refinement chapter once she comprehended Imperial Shocking Strength.
• Xiao Mei called Princess Lanyue to help heat water for Yang Chan's bath, and Princess Lanyue left with her.

After refining an Ancient Spirit Pill, Yang Chan discussed Han Bingyu’s cultivation and his plans to advance as an alchemist. Meanwhile, Jin Feihua received an imperial order to reinforce Jinyun City in Lanzhou, where war was imminent, and resolved to obey despite the danger.

• Yang Chan returned to Yuanqing Courtyard after successfully refining an Ancient Spirit Pill, and Han Bingyu helped him wash and relax.
• Yang Chan told Han Bingyu to continue monitoring the Han Family and gave her another bottle of Lantian Jade Refining Pills so she could advance her cultivation.
• Yang Chan told Han Bingyu he planned to take the Medicine Hall assessment and try to become an Intermediate Alchemist.
• A Six Gates constable delivered a letter from the palace to Jin Feihua while she investigated the disappearance of Princess Lanyue and two people from the Golden Meng Empire near the Qingyuan River.
• Jin Feihua learned that war was about to break out in Jinyun City, Lanzhou, and that she had been ordered to reinforce the city while leaving the missing persons case to others.
• Jin Feihua accepted that she could not defy the imperial decree and decided to obey the order.

Yang Chan increased his daily Potential Point gain and prepared to stay safe as tensions rose. Meanwhile, Gu An learned that the Golden Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Dynasty had begun fighting and alerted the sect to the threat of a wider war.

• Yang Chan saw that the Ancient Spirit Pill had raised his daily Potential Point gain to 5.1 and spent his points improving his strength.
• Yang Chan planned to refine more pills, seek formulas and guidance from Princess Lanyue, and remain within Qingyuan Sect as war approached.
• Gu An learned that the Golden Meng Empire and the Great Zhou Dynasty had gone to war after months of mounting tension.
• Gu An ordered a disciple to send news to Sect Master Liu Xuan in Silver Prefecture and studied a report about fighting at Jinyun City in Lanzhou.
• Gu An worried that the conflict could expand and wondered whether the Great Zhou Dynasty's long-lived Martial Saint ancestor was still alive.

Han Bingyu reported favorable news to Yang Chan, who then arranged upcoming work and negotiated with Princess Lanyue to refine and sell pills through his channels. Princess Lanyue agreed to his terms, and Yang Chan began by asking her to explain the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill’s refining process.

• Han Bingyu told Yang Chan that the Han Family had obtained Ghost Spirit Grass and Xiang Tian Flower, the Six Gates had left Qingzhou, and the female constable had disappeared.
• Han Bingyu reported cultivation resources returning from a Silver Prefecture secret realm and confirmed that Golden Meng Empire and imperial troops had gathered near Jinyun City.
• Yang Chan told Han Bingyu to prepare Fang Yun, Liu Qing, and Gu Shiqing for a Bear Gallbladder Skin Tempering Paste compounding task in three days, then asked her to send Xiao Xiang to his study.
• Princess Lanyue listed pills suitable for Yang Chan’s cultivation, including Zhi Cao Pill, Huan Ling Pill, Zhang Shen Pill, Pearl Lotus Paste, and White Tiger Paste.
• Princess Lanyue proposed refining pills to replenish her cultivation resources and selling them through Yang Chan’s channels; Yang Chan agreed to take twenty percent, provide initial materials, observe her refining, and accompany her to the Earth Fire Courtyard.
• Yang Chan asked Princess Lanyue to explain how to refine the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill so they could identify what had caused his failed attempt.

Princess Lanyue demonstrated how to refine Pearl Lotus Paste and taught Yang Chan the key steps, while he studied her technique and asked about the principles behind it. The refinement was still underway as she explained how to manage the unstable earth fire.

• Princess Lanyue brought Yang Chan to the Earth Fire Courtyard and agreed to demonstrate Pearl Lotus Paste despite the unstable earth fire.
• Princess Lanyue prepared the ingredients with practiced efficiency and explained Pearl Lotus Paste's bone-tempering effects as she began refining it.
• Yang Chan watched closely and asked whether switching the order of Ziling and Tiantong would ruin the refinement.
• Princess Lanyue explained that Tiantong harmonized the medicinal properties and that adding Ziling first would damage them.
• Princess Lanyue showed Yang Chan how to adjust the furnace's heat with a tool and taught him the three-highs, two-warms, and one-cool method.

Yang Chan confirmed that several pills increased his daily Potential Points and decided to advance to Intermediate Alchemist so he could secure better access to medicinal materials. At the assessment, Wang Gang posed a difficult medical case for Yang Chan to diagnose without seeing the patient.

• Yang Chan confirmed that four pills had increased his daily Potential Point gain to 6.1 and planned to refine more pills after obtaining their ingredients.
• Yang Chan continued improving the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method and estimated that his fourth Internal Refinement of Lungs and Viscera would be complete within a month.
• Yang Chan applied for the Intermediate Alchemist assessment, hoping to qualify for a better selection of medicinal materials.
• Xu Gaocen explained the assessment, which required Yang Chan to answer questions from four Intermediate Alchemists and refine a Lantian Jade Refining Pill.
• Wang Gang tested Yang Chan with a case about a disciple whose worsening symptoms resisted Detoxification Pills, asking him to propose treatment without examining the patient.

Yang Chan questioned Wang Gang about a disciple’s poisoning and used the details to identify the cause and explain how the wrong treatment had endangered him. He ended by correctly guessing the medicines Wang Gang had given the disciple.

• Yang Chan asked Wang Gang a series of detailed questions about the disciple’s food, herbs, symptoms, and treatment.
• Wang Gang described the disciple’s symptoms and timeline, including his exposure to a pungent odor, temporary recovery after an ordinary Detoxification Pill, and worsening after taking a snake-venom antidote.
• Yang Chan asked about the disciple’s complexion, and Wang Gang said the upper half of his face had been greenish while the lower half was pale.
• Yang Chan deduced that young Daji and Corpse Flower Pollen had caused mixed toxicity, which the snake-venom Detoxification Pill worsened.
• Yang Chan asked whether Wang Gang had first treated the disciple with Jieyuan Grass before giving him an ordinary Detoxification Pill.

Yang Chan passed the Qingyuan Sect’s Intermediate Alchemist assessment after answering Wang Gang’s difficult medical question and completing the remaining tests. He returned to Yuanqing Courtyard with his new status and robes, which Han Bingyu helped him put on.

• Yang Chan correctly explained how to treat the poisoned disciples, leaving Wang Gang with no further questions.
• Alchemist Chang assessed Yang Chan’s medicinal compounding, meridian knowledge, and alchemy, and Yang Chan passed each part.
• Xu Gaocen and the other assessors confirmed Yang Chan’s advancement, replaced his identity token, and gave him Intermediate Alchemist robes.
• Xiao Mei announced Yang Chan’s return to Yuanqing Courtyard, where Han Bingyu asked how the assessment went.
• Yang Chan told Han Bingyu he had advanced and asked her to help him put on his new robes.
• Han Bingyu helped Yang Chan dress in the purple and white Intermediate Alchemist robes and admired how they fit.

Yang Chan celebrated his promotion to Intermediate Alchemist by receiving congratulations and gifts from people across the Qingyuan Sect. He and Princess Lanyue arranged to refine more pills together, while Yang Chan planned to make full use of the gifts and preserve his daily Potential Points routine.

• Princess Lanyue judged Yang Chan's alchemy skills promising and rewarded his attendants by doubling their monthly allowances.
• Yang Chan received many congratulatory visitors, and Han Bingyu and the others recorded the gifts they brought.
• After the guests left, Princess Lanyue asked Yang Chan to refine pills with her using the superior spirit herbs among the gifts.
• Yang Chan agreed to refine pills the day after tomorrow and told Princess Lanyue to sort through the remaining gifts for useful formulas and materials.
• Yang Chan remembered that he still needed to complete his daily medication routine to maintain his Potential Points income.

Yang Chan told Gu An that he had advanced to Intermediate Alchemist, and Gu An advised him to strengthen his martial cultivation as war spread to Jinyun City. Yang Chan returned to Yuanqing Courtyard more cautious about the future and focused on pursuing opportunities that would benefit him.

• Yang Chan visited Gu An to report that he had advanced to Intermediate Alchemist, and Gu An praised his progress.
• Gu An advised Yang Chan to practice martial cultivation and explained that stronger realms would improve his lifespan and future prospects.
• Gu An revealed that fighting had begun at Jinyun City and that the Qingyuan Sect might send disciples and alchemists as reinforcements under its Pact of Alliance.
• Gu An told Yang Chan to keep the information secret and prepare for the worsening situation by improving his skills and cultivation.
• Yang Chan returned to Yuanqing Courtyard, accepted congratulations, and decided to prioritize pill commissions and exchanges that benefited him.

Princess Lanyue taught Yang Chan how to refine the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill and the Zhang Shen Pill, while he studied her methods and tracked the pills’ benefits. After gaining a new high in Potential Points, Yang Chan invested them in his cultivation and looked forward to developing Sword Momentum.

• Princess Lanyue refined thirty-six Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pills while explaining the process and its pitfalls to Yang Chan.
• Princess Lanyue began refining the Zhang Shen Pill and explained its benefits for Martial Seal cultivation and the risks of taking too many.
• Yang Chan calculated that the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill had added 0.7 Potential Points, bringing his total to 7.5.
• Yang Chan added Potential Points to the Flood Dragon Demon Breath Method, the Sword Master profession, and the Tai Chi Health Cultivation Technique.
• Yang Chan anticipated that advancing his Sword Master profession could transform his Demon Subduing Sword Intent into Sword Momentum.

Yang Chan visited the Medicine Hall pharmacy to exchange for superior spirit herbs brought back from the Yinzhou Secret Realm, increasing his supplies for pill refinement and learning about a new medicinal liquid. As more disciples sought missions to Silver Prefecture, he chose to remain safely at Qingyuan Sect and focus on refining medicine and improving his strength.

• Yang Chan used sect contribution points to select superior spirit herbs, prioritizing ingredients for the Three-Cycle Viscera Nourishing Pill and Zhang Shen Pill.
• Yang Chan’s Zhang Shen Pill had raised his daily Potential Point gain to 7.4, but he needed more ingredients to maintain that rate.
• Princess Lanyue identified Vitality Replenishing Spirit Nurturing Fluid as a new medicinal liquid, and Yang Chan gathered enough ingredients to try refining about a month’s supply.
• Yang Chan and the other Intermediate Alchemists left the pharmacy with large loads of herbs as more disciples sought lucrative missions to Silver Prefecture.
• Yang Chan decided not to travel to Silver Prefecture, preferring to remain at Qingyuan Sect, replenish his resources, and strengthen himself as an Alchemist.