Chapter Summaries

Zhang Lingshan negotiated a loan of Flame Crystals and a Divine Thought Crystal from Pei Daoming, then signed a contract with Gu Nanxiang and began refining the materials in a sealed room. His powerful techniques let him absorb their benefits far more effectively than others, leaving him eager to exploit the Third Layer’s resources.

• Zhang Lingshan asked to borrow two Flame Crystals and one Divine Thought Crystal, promising to purify all the materials to seventy-five percent, and Pei Daoming agreed to the terms.
• Jiang Yan returned with the crystals and a contract witnessed by Zhao Chuanying, and Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang pressed their Bronze Identification Tokens onto it.
• Pei Daoming sealed the Weapon Refining Room, and Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang began refining their crystals under his protection.
• Zhang Lingshan found that the Flame Crystal greatly increased his flame intensity and that the Soul Tree swallowed the Divine Thought Crystal’s resentment while absorbing its remaining divine thought.
• Zhang Lingshan realized he could refine Divine Thought Crystals continuously and concluded that the Third Layer’s resources could help him establish himself in the Immortal Realm.

Zhang Lingshan refined materials alongside Gu Nanxiang while secretly studying Pei Daoming’s artifact-refining methods, hoping to become an artifact refiner himself. After less than three months of work, Pei Daoming completed the artifact.

• Zhang Lingshan refined all three crystals before Gu Nanxiang finished one, then began refining materials beside her according to Pei Daoming’s lists.
• Zhang Lingshan’s flame grew stronger after he absorbed two Flame Crystals, and he refined materials steadily while secretly observing Pei Daoming’s techniques.
• Zhang Lingshan finished his assigned materials first, accepted additional work and Immortal Spirit Pills from Pei Daoming, and continued studying the artifact refinement.
• Zhang Lingshan judged that Pei Daoming’s mental strength was far greater than his own but believed his Split Spirit Technique could help him learn the old man’s methods.
• Pei Daoming sent the condensed materials into the furnace, merged his blood-turned-flame with the Artifact Embryo, and declared the artifact complete.

After helping Pei Daoming complete an artifact, Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang each received two thousand Merit Points, and Zhang then prepared to practice artifact refining himself. Zhao Chuanying soon took them to serve as fire boys for a Gold Alchemist, leaving Zhang with two newly purchased flame Crystals and a warning to stay close.

• Pei Daoming praised Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang for assisting with the artifact, then awarded each of them two thousand Merit Points.
• Zhang Lingshan left Gu Nanxiang and went to find Song Yi to apply for a Weapon Refining Room, but Zhao Chuanying arrived first and told him the Alchemy Pavilion had requested him as a fire boy for a Gold Alchemist.
• Zhao Chuanying summoned Gu Nanxiang to accompany Zhang, and Zhang reasoned that the Alchemy Pavilion likely needed two Water Element Fire Boys to help with alchemy.
• Zhang Lingshan asked why they would assist a Gold Alchemist rather than a Bronze Alchemist, but Zhao Chuanying said he did not know and ordered them to leave.
• Zhang Lingshan exchanged two thousand Merit Points for two flame Crystals before returning to Zhao Chuanying, who warned him to stay within ten feet after they left the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang were transferred from the Artifact Refining Pavilion to Alchemist Huoran’s Alchemy Pavilion to help refine a Pure Lotus Pill. They discovered Huoran intended to drain their Water Element Spiritual Roots and, while Zhang Lingshan endured the task, he vowed to take revenge once he became stronger.

• Zhao Chuanying escorted Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang out of the Artifact Refining Pavilion and handed them over to the soldiers guarding the route to the Alchemy Pavilion.
• Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang reached the Alchemy Pavilion, where the guards directed them to the fifth floor and the steward sent them to Huoran’s Alchemy Room.
• Zhang Lingshan noticed fresh bloodstains in Huoran’s Alchemy Room before Huoran inspected the two workers with his Divine Consciousness.
• Huoran told Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang to release their Water Element Spiritual Root power to help him refine a Pure Lotus Pill.
• Huoran berated Gu Nanxiang for hesitating, and Zhang Lingshan released his power while privately resolving to freeze Huoran once his cultivation reached Greater Accomplishment.

Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang were forced to help Huoran refine Pure Lotus Pills, and Zhang Lingshan used the Clear Spring Pills they received to strengthen his cultivation. After the steward refused to let him join the Alchemy Pavilion, Zhang Lingshan secured permission for them to cultivate in a stairwell and began looking for a way to earn more Merit Points.

• Huoran made Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang provide flames while he refined a furnace of Pure Lotus Pills, then gave them Clear Spring Pills to restore their Water Element Spiritual Roots.
• Zhang Lingshan absorbed the Clear Spring Pills and Flame Crystals, strengthening the Mystic Ice Tree, the Qi and Blood Tree, and his Water and Fire Harmony power.
• Huoran made Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang refine another furnace, then gave them ten thousand shared Merit Points and ordered them to exchange for Clear Spring Pills.
• Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang spent their Merit Points on Clear Spring Pills, and the steward refused Zhang Lingshan's request to join the Alchemy Pavilion.
• Zhang Lingshan persuaded the steward to let them cultivate in the stairwell, where he resolved to find a way to earn Merit Points.

Zhang Lingshan used Gu Nanxiang’s dwindling ability to absorb Clear Spring Pills to persuade her to let him refine the pills and nourish her Water Element Spiritual Root. After she recovered enough to continue, she began giving him her Merit Points for more pills, while he wondered how long they would remain seconded to the Alchemy Pavilion.

• Zhang Lingshan offered to absorb Gu Nanxiang’s leaked medicinal power and strengthen her Water Element Spiritual Root, but she suspected his motives and refused.
• As repeated pill-refining rounds worsened Gu Nanxiang’s condition, she eventually asked Zhang Lingshan for help and gave him her six saved bottles of Clear Spring Pills.
• Zhang Lingshan refined the pills while transmitting Mystic Ice power to Gu Nanxiang, restoring her spiritual root and letting her cultivate comfortably for two days.
• Zhang Lingshan stopped Gu Nanxiang from exchanging Merit Points for more pills immediately, advising her to conceal her recovery from Huoran and consolidate her strength.
• After the next alchemy session, Gu Nanxiang exchanged all her Merit Points for Clear Spring Pills and handed them to Zhang Lingshan.
• Zhang Lingshan hoped to return to the Artifact Refining Pavilion soon, while Gu Nanxiang preferred to stay and benefit from his spiritual power.

Zhang Lingshan returned to the Artifact Refining Pavilion with Gu Nanxiang after their temporary transfer ended, then searched for Song Yi and posted a notice asking his trusted friends to find him. He spent the next ten days frantically refining materials to earn Merit Points, until a man reported that Song Yi had been seriously injured while refining an artifact.

• Zhang Lingshan and Gu Nanxiang left the Alchemy Pavilion, met Zhao Chuanying, and returned to the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
• Zhang Lingshan searched the Refining Halls for Song Yi, then asked Zhao Chuanying how to reach him and posted a notice at the Exchange Hall.
• Zhang Lingshan began refining Second-Grade Water Element Materials to earn Merit Points for a Flame Crystal and a Weapon Refining Room.
• Over ten days, Zhang Lingshan became known for his relentless refining, while others speculated that he and Gu Nanxiang had gained benefits in the Alchemy Pavilion.
• A thick-browed man told Zhang Lingshan that Song Yi had failed at artifact refining and was seriously injured.

Zhang Lingshan saved Song Yi by using a Divine Thought Crystal, and the process advanced his Immortal Divine Sense to the fourth level. After Song Yi recovered, Zhang Lingshan set out to learn weapon refining and invited Shi Yong to join them.

• Shi Yong found Song Yi collapsed in a Weapon Refining Room, and Zhang Lingshan rushed to buy a Divine Thought Crystal to save him.
• Zhang Lingshan used Song Yi’s Spirit Tempering Method to channel the crystal’s pure divine thought into Song Yi and absorbed its chaotic resentment.
• Zhang Lingshan’s Immortal Divine Sense broke through to the fourth level, sharpening his senses and helping him refine materials more efficiently.
• While Song Yi recovered, Zhang Lingshan refined materials and resolved to practice weapon refining until he could become a weapon refiner.
• Song Yi woke and promised to repay Zhang Lingshan, but Zhang Lingshan told him to assist with his own weapon-refining practice instead.
• Zhang Lingshan invited Shi Yong to join him in the Weapon Refining Room, and Shi Yong eagerly accepted the opportunity.

Zhang Lingshan began learning artifact refining from Song Yi, determined to change professions despite the cost and risks. After a month of repeated failures and heavy Merit Point losses, he and his assistants finally succeeded in refining the Blue Silver Spear.

• Shi Yong was chosen to assist Zhang Lingshan, who asked Song Yi to explain why his attempt to transfer back to artifact master had failed.
• Song Yi explained that transferring required refining five different elemental treasures in succession, and Zhang Lingshan scolded him for attempting it without waiting and choosing unreliable Fire Workers.
• Zhang Lingshan began refining a third-grade Blue Silver Spear with Song Yi and Shi Yong, but his first attempt failed and cost him one hundred Merit Points.
• Song Yi warned Zhang Lingshan that artifact refining carried major risks, including limited quotas and steep losses, but Zhang Lingshan resolved to change professions rather than return to being a Fire Boy.
• After a month of repeated attempts and nearly thirty costly failures, Zhang Lingshan, Song Yi, and Shi Yong finally succeeded in refining the Blue Silver Spear.

Zhang Lingshan struggled to refine Magic Treasures while racing to change classes within six months, and he searched for Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng to help him improve. They finally arrived at No. 19 Artifact Refining Room, where Zhang Lingshan put them to work learning the Third Layer’s materials and rules as he continued earning Merit Points.

• Zhang Lingshan and Song Yi refined the Blue Silver Spear through repeated failures, and it finally succeeded at a heavy cost in Merit Points.
• Zhang Lingshan realized Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng might not find him after his Exchange Hall notice expired, so Shi Yong searched for them and posted a new notice.
• Zhang Lingshan asked Zhao Chuanying whether Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng had advanced, and Zhao Chuanying promised to direct them to No. 19 Artifact Refining Room if they came.
• Zhang Lingshan began refining the Fire Cloud Spear and finally succeeded once after another month of effort.
• Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng arrived at No. 19 Artifact Refining Room, where Wei Sheng reunited with Zhang Lingshan and learned Song Yi had advanced with Zhang Lingshan’s help.
• Zhang Lingshan asked Song Yi and Shi Yong to teach Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng about class changes, materials, and Third Layer rules while he accumulated more Merit Points.

Zhang Lingshan watched Qi Shuyan refine a Third-Grade Magic Treasure with effortless precision and realized Qi’s guidance might help him pass the weapon-refining assessment. He began memorizing Qi’s techniques, while Qi agreed to repeat the process so Zhang could learn and they could earn Merit Points.

• Wei Sheng learned that Fire Boys could be temporarily transferred to the Alchemy Pavilion, while artifact refiners could not, and Qi Shuyan hurried to study artifact refining.
• Zhang Lingshan continued refining medicinal ingredients as Qi Shuyan began refining a magic treasure with Shi Yong tending the fire.
• Qi Shuyan explained that new weapon refiners received three failure attempts without losing Merit Points, unlike Fire Boys using the Main Furnace.
• Zhang Lingshan observed Qi Shuyan stabilize the molten materials with subtle movements and realized he could learn the precise guidance points to replicate the process.
• Zhang Lingshan worried that the Artifact Refining Pavilion’s three-person limit might prevent Qi Shuyan from assisting during his assessment, but Qi told him to memorize the guidance instead.
• Qi Shuyan successfully formed the magic treasure, and Zhang Lingshan asked him to refine it again so he could study the movements.

After deriving artifact-refining techniques from Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng, Zhang Lingshan successfully changed class into an Artifact Refiner. He organized his companions to refine artifacts and share Divine Thought Crystals, then continued improving his Divine Sense and planned to learn from more skilled refiners.

• Zhang Lingshan spent two and a half months observing Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng, using Derive Myriad Techniques to raise his artifact-refining success rate.
• Zhang Lingshan refined five Third-Grade Magic Treasures of different attributes in No. 19 Artifact Refining Room and successfully changed class to Artifact Refiner with Zhao Chuanying.
• Zhang Lingshan arranged for Qi Shuyan and Wei Sheng to open their own Artifact Refining Rooms while he and Song Yi refined materials with Shi Yong's help.
• Zhang Lingshan and Qi Shuyan earned enough Merit Points to obtain a Divine Thought Crystal for Song Yi, and Zhang Lingshan absorbed most of its resentment.
• Zhang Lingshan's Immortal Divine Sense reached Level 4, and he resolved to observe more skilled Artifact Refiners to improve his abilities.

Zhang Lingshan settled into weapon refining with Qi Shuyan while improving his strength by absorbing divine thoughts and refining crystals. In the Alchemy Pavilion, Huoran learned from Gu Nanxiang how Zhang had restored her Water Element Spiritual Root and became interested in Zhang’s unusual ability.

• Zhang Lingshan gave up on learning weapon-refining techniques from other refiners and continued observing Qi Shuyan while assisting her, as Wei Sheng, Song Yi, and Shi Yong refined weapons separately.
• Huoran’s seconded fire boy nearly collapsed while helping refine a Pure Lotus Pill, and Gu Nanxiang helped her leave the Alchemy Room.
• Huoran questioned Gu Nanxiang about why her condition had improved when she worked with Zhang Lingshan, and Gu Nanxiang revealed that he had used Clear Spring Pills to produce pure water-element spiritual energy for her.
• Huoran recognized that Zhang Lingshan had an extraordinary Water Element Spiritual Root and appeared eager to take advantage of it.
• Yu Caiyue feared Huoran would target Zhang Lingshan, resolved to warn him if she returned, and decided to exchange her Merit Points for Clear Spring Pills.

Yu Caiyue returned from the Alchemy Pavilion with her Water Element Spiritual Root dried up and asked Zhang Lingshan to restore it. Zhang Lingshan agreed to help if he could observe Yu Caixing refining artifacts, leaving the sisters divided over his terms.

• Huoran sent Yu Caiyue back to the Artifact Refining Pavilion and privately told Manager Wu he wanted Zhang Lingshan as his fire boy if Yu Caiyue recovered.
• Yu Caiyue found her sister Yu Caixing and explained that her Water Element Spiritual Root had dried up, then asked her to accompany her to Zhang Lingshan.
• Yu Caixing refused to intrude on Zhang Lingshan with her Divine Consciousness, so the sisters waited outside his refining room until he opened the door.
• Yu Caiyue knelt and asked Zhang Lingshan to save her, explaining that Gu Nanxiang had revealed his ability to Huoran.
• Zhang Lingshan agreed to nourish Yu Caiyue's Spiritual Root but rejected the Clear Spring Pills as payment and asked to observe Yu Caixing's artifact refining instead.
• Yu Caixing refused to reveal her family's refining method and tried to leave, but Yu Caiyue stayed and pleaded with her to accept Zhang Lingshan's deal.

Zhang Lingshan negotiated with Yu Caixing to nourish Yu Caiyue’s Water Element Spirit Vein in exchange for observing her refine a superior first-grade Water Element Magic Treasure. After demonstrating his refining skill and beginning the Dragon Spring Sword, he left the molten materials in Qi Shuyan’s care while he went to treat Yu Caiyue.

• Yu Caixing agreed to let Zhang Lingshan observe her artifact refining if he restored Yu Caiyue’s Water Element Spirit Vein and helped her reach the level needed to assist with refining a superior first-grade Water Element Magic Treasure.
• Zhang Lingshan used a Clear Spring Pill to nourish Yu Caiyue’s Water Element Spirit Vein, while Yu Caixing arranged for Qi Shuyan to guard the room.
• Zhang Lingshan considered his secret knowledge of Huoran’s pill-refining method a trump card that could protect his status and let him resist being taken away.
• Yu Caixing began refining the Dragon Spring Sword in her No. 7 Weapon Refining Room, and Zhang Lingshan precisely refined the materials to seventy-five percent purity.
• Zhang Lingshan left Qi Shuyan to control the molten liquid while he went to nourish Yu Caiyue’s Spirit Vein, then returned and prepared to continue observing Yu Caixing.

Zhang Lingshan and Yu Caixing completed the Dragon Spring Sword and negotiated a million Merit Points in loans for his help refining more Super First-Grade Magic Treasures. He and Qi Shuyan used the funds to buy Divine Thought Crystals and strengthen their companions, while Zhang Lingshan anticipated Huoran would soon force his transfer to the Alchemy Pavilion.

• Yu Caixing completed the Dragon Spring Sword, earning a hundred thousand Merit Points and offering Zhang Lingshan the full amount.
• Yu Caixing invited Qi Shuyan to refine artifacts with her and agreed to lend Zhang Lingshan one million Merit Points if he helped refine treasures of four other attributes.
• Zhang Lingshan and Qi Shuyan exchanged the Merit Points for Divine Thought Crystals and brought them to Song Yi, Wei Sheng, and Shi Yong to improve their divine consciousness.
• After the four companions absorbed a hundred crystals and reached their limit, Zhang Lingshan told them to spend their remaining Merit Points on flame crystals or Immortal Spirit Pills.
• Zhang Lingshan said he and Qi Shuyan would return to help Yu Caixing refine artifacts, expecting Huoran to soon force the Artifact Refining Pavilion to release him.

Zhang Lingshan was transferred permanently from the Artifact Refining Pavilion to serve as Huoran’s fire boy in the Alchemy Pavilion. After Huoran crippled Gu Nanxiang and took her Merit Points, Zhang Lingshan began refining Clear Spring Pills under Huoran’s watch, and Huoran ordered him to assist with Pure Lotus Pills.

• Steward Ying told Zhang Lingshan that Huoran had secured his permanent transfer to the Alchemy Pavilion, while Qi Shuyan, Yu Caixing, and the others worried over his departure.
• Zhang Lingshan reported to Huoran’s Alchemy Room and found Gu Nanxiang crippled, with her Water Element Spirit Vein dried up.
• Huoran explained that he wanted Zhang Lingshan as his permanent fire boy because his abilities could improve Pure Lotus Pill production, then ordered Gu Nanxiang to hand over her Merit Points.
• Gu Nanxiang begged Zhang Lingshan to restore her Spiritual Root, but he refused, took her Merit Points, and left her at the stairway entrance.
• Zhang Lingshan refined Clear Spring Pills under Huoran’s observation, and Huoran praised his Water and Fire Element abilities before ordering him to demonstrate his flame while refining Pure Lotus Pills.

Zhang Lingshan endured Huoran’s abuse and persuaded him to let Zhang Lingshan adjust the Pure Lotus Pill refining process. The furnace produced fifteen pills, and Huoran believed the improved quality and full batch would help him advance.

• Zhang Lingshan cooperated with Huoran’s pill refining, but Huoran refused to let him share the Clear Spring Pill fragrance and ordered him to keep working.
• Zhang Lingshan resisted Huoran’s demands, so Huoran struck his shoulder with a Great Compassion Palm seal; Zhang Lingshan secretly endured it without serious harm.
• Zhang Lingshan claimed he could improve the quality of Pure Lotus Pills, and Huoran agreed to let him make adjustments after giving him a Clear Spring Pill and a Mid-Grade Immortal Spirit Pill.
• Zhang Lingshan absorbed the Immortal Spirit Pill’s power and gained 2000 Zhi of Myriad Techniques True Scripture experience before joining Huoran in another refining session.
• Zhang Lingshan secretly observed Huoran’s pill-refining hand seals as the furnace produced fifteen Pure Lotus Pills, prompting Huoran to celebrate the improved quality and full batch.

Zhang Lingshan proved that his assistance enabled Huoran to refine Mid-grade Pure Lotus Pills, forcing the Alchemy Pavilion to recognize his talent. He gained permission to train as a fire boy on the first floor while continuing to help Huoran, and received one million Merit Points.

• Zhang Lingshan demanded one hundred thousand Merit Points from Huoran for helping produce fifteen Mid-grade Pure Lotus Pills, but Huoran struck him and drove him out of the Alchemy Room.
• Zhang Lingshan told the fifth-layer steward that he had improved Huoran's pills and demanded a chance to refine pills; Huoran's solo attempt produced only eight lower-quality pills.
• Steward Wei accompanied Zhang Lingshan into the Alchemy Room, where Huoran cooperated and Zhang Lingshan again helped produce fifteen Mid-grade Pure Lotus Pills.
• Wei Zhongqian reported Zhang Lingshan's ability and secured permission for him to train as a fire boy on the first floor, provided he helped Huoran refine pills fifteen days each month.
• Zhang Lingshan demanded payment for two furnaces, and Wei Zhongqian urged Huoran to be generous; Huoran transferred Zhang one million Merit Points.

Zhang Lingshan advanced through the Alchemy Pavilion and raised his Immortal Divine Sense to Level Five by absorbing Divine Thought Crystals. His new perception revealed that the pavilion’s walls contained Monitoring Array Patterns, forcing him to abandon his attempt to spy on nearby alchemists.

• Zhang Lingshan passed the first-floor test after refining medicinal ingredients and entered the second floor as an alchemist, where he successfully refined White Jade Pills.
• Zhang Lingshan improved his alchemy by studying Zhang Zixin’s guidance and observing other alchemists, then reached Copper Rank and advanced to the third floor after ten months.
• Zhang Lingshan found no Immortal Spirit Pills in the exchange hall, so he focused on absorbing third-level Divine Thought Crystals with his abundant Merit Points.
• Zhang Lingshan’s Immortal Divine Sense reached Level Five, allowing him to perceive Pill Qi and distinguish harmful Pill Poison from beneficial qi.
• Zhang Lingshan discovered Monitoring Array Patterns in the walls, realized they could expose his attempts to spy through them, and decided to delay that plan while considering a transition to higher-level Divine Thought Crystals.