Chapter Summaries

Xuan Jin and his companions left the Pill Tower for the Ancient Realm, where Gu Xun Er learned that Xiao Yan had been found in Ye City. The chapter ended with Xun Er hearing that the declining Ye Clan faced expulsion from the Pill Tower’s Five Great Clans if it failed at the next Pill Gathering.

• Xuan Yi warned Xuan Jin that the star power remained chaotic and the Soul Hall planned to attend the Pill Gathering in two years, then sent him and the group through the teleportation array.
• Gu Xun Er cultivated in the Ancient Realm and thought about Xiao Yan and Xuan Jin’s recent accomplishments.
• Ling Ying brought Gu Xun Er intelligence from the Black Annihilation Army that Xiao Yan was in Ye City.
• Ling Ying told Gu Xun Er that Ye City belonged to the declining Ye Clan, which risked losing its place among the Pill Tower’s Five Great Clans.

Gu Xun Er learned that Xiao Yan had reached the level of a Two Star Dou Emperor and Seventh-grade Alchemist, but she recognized how far he still fell behind the Ancient Clan’s elite. Determined to meet him in Ye City, she planned to use the upcoming Pill Gathering as a reason to leave the Ancient Realm and find a way to keep her watchers from following.

• Ling Ying told Gu Xun Er that Xiao Yan had become a Two Star Dou Emperor and a Seventh-grade Alchemist, and she felt proud of his progress.
• Ling Ying explained that Xiao Yan remained weak by Ancient Clan standards and could not yet compare with Xuan Jin, a High-Rank Dou Venerate and Tier 8 High Alchemist.
• Gu Xun Er worried that Xiao Yan was in danger amid the Ye Clan’s troubles and decided she had to meet him despite the risks of leaving the Ancient Realm.
• Gu Xun Er proposed using her interest in alchemy and the coming Pill Gathering as a reason to leave, and said she would speak to her father.
• Gu Xun Er told Ling Ying she needed an excuse to keep the Black Annihilation Army commanders from following her.

Gu Xun Er secured Gu Yuan’s permission to leave the Ancient Realm and travel to the Pill Region, then rescued a Ye Clan convoy from the Black Fire Sect while asking after Xiao Yan. The story left off in Ye City, where the Ye Clan elders were discussing the Black Fire Sect’s attacks.

• Gu Xun Er told Ling Ying she would use Xuan Jin’s rise at the Pill Tower as a reason to visit the Pill Region and meet Xiao Yan.
• Gu Yuan saw through Gu Xun Er’s excuse, gave her a token to use the Ancient Clan’s covert forces once, and arranged for Ling Quan and the Black Annihilation Army to be away.
• Gu Xun Er and Ling Ying flew toward Ye City and found the Black Fire Sect attacking a Ye Clan merchant convoy.
• Gu Xun Er killed the Black Fire Sect’s two Dou Wang leaders with golden flames and stopped Ling Ying from chasing the fleeing attackers.
• The Ye Clan steward told Gu Xun Er that Xiao Yan was at Ye Mansion, where Ye Zhong was condemning the Black Fire Sect’s assault on the clan’s supply route.

Xun Er arrived at the Ye Clan and used her connection to Xuan Jin to win the clan's welcome, then reunited with a worn-down Xiao Yan. The chapter left them facing one another after a long separation.

• Ye Zhong rejected the elders' suggestion to hand Xiao Yan over, but then learned the returning caravan had brought a powerful guest.
• Xun Er introduced herself as Xiao Yan's old acquaintance and invoked Xuan Jin's name, prompting Ye Zhong to welcome her warmly.
• Xiao Yan failed to refine an intermediate Seventh Grade pill and heard that a young woman had come to see him.
• Xiao Yan entered the courtyard, recognized Xun Er, and the two met eyes as she became visibly emotional.

Xun Er reunited with Xiao Yan at the Ye Clan, where he struggled with the gap between their strength. When the Black Fire Sect attacked Ye City and Zhao Hei nearly killed Xiao Yan, Xun Er appeared before him in fury.

• Xun Er told Xiao Yan she was a Four-star Dou Ancestor, concealing that she had reached Peak Five-Star Dou Ancestor.
• Zhao Hei and Qin Mo led the Black Fire Sect in an assault on Ye City, demanding that Ye Zhong surrender the city and Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan attacked Zhao Hei with Explosive Flame Pills, but Zhao Hei emerged unharmed and struck Xiao Yan down.
• Zhao Hei prepared to kill Xiao Yan with black fire, but Xun Er appeared before him amid a surge of intense heat.

Xun Er intervened when the Black Fire Sect threatened Ye City, killing Qin Mo and Zhao Hei with her Heavenly Flames and forcing the sect’s followers to surrender. The Ye Clan survived, while Xiao Yan watched Xun Er’s overwhelming power and renewed his resolve to grow stronger.

• Xun Er shielded Ye City with golden flames and overwhelmed Zhao Hei and Qin Mo, revealing her Five-Star Dou Ancestor strength.
• Xun Er killed Qin Mo with a golden flame, burning his body and Remnant Soul to ash.
• Zhao Hei tried to kill Ye Zhong as he fled, but Xun Er struck him with Burning Heaven Finger and turned him to smoke.
• Xun Er demanded the Black Fire Sect disciples surrender, and they dropped their weapons and knelt.
• Ye Zhong and the Ye Clan thanked Xun Er for saving them, while Xiao Yan vowed to keep pursuing strength.

After the Ye Clan took over the Black Fire Sect's territory, Xiao Yan struggled with the gap between his strength and Xun Er's. Xun Er revealed that she would soon return to the Ancient Clan and urged him to reach High-Rank Dou Ancestor before her Coming of Age Ceremony so she could fight for a place for him there.

• Ye Zhong ordered the Ye Clan to seize the Black Fire Sect's territory and send its finest resources to Xiao Yan, declaring him their most honored guest.
• Xiao Yan admitted to Xun Er that his Two Star Dou Emperor strength made him feel unworthy beside her Peak Five-Star Dou Ancestor strength.
• Xun Er praised Xiao Yan's resilience, while privately worrying that the Ancient Clan's elders would treat her as a bargaining chip and reject him.
• Xun Er told Xiao Yan she would return to the Ancient Clan after the Ye Clan matters and Pill Gathering were finished.
• Xun Er asked Xiao Yan to reach High-Rank Dou Ancestor before her Coming of Age Ceremony in less than six years, so she might have grounds to fight her father for a place for him.

Xiao Yan learned that the Heavenly Tomb could help him grow stronger and promised Xun Er he would attend the Coming of Age Ceremony. After collecting medicinal ingredients from the Black Fire Sect's treasury, he began refining pills to prepare for the Pill Gathering.

• Xun Er told Xiao Yan about the Heavenly Tomb, and Xiao Yan promised to attend the Coming of Age Ceremony and stand proudly before her.
• Ye Zhong brought Xiao Yan medicinal ingredients taken from the Black Fire Sect's treasury, including a thousand-year-old Crimson Blood Spirit Mushroom and a Seventh Tier water-attributed magic core.
• Xiao Yan decided to refine a mid-tier Seventh Grade Plain Heart Pill and an Imperial Pill to raise his strength before the Pill Gathering, while Xun Er offered to stand guard.
• Xiao Yan entered the Alchemy Room and used his pill flames to refine the Crimson Blood Spirit Mushroom into pure red medicinal liquid.

Xiao Yan endured repeated failures to refine a Seventh Grade Plain Heart Pill, succeeding after a day and night and securing the Ye Clan’s safety. In the Ancient Realm, Gu Yuan set Xun Er’s upcoming Coming of Age Ceremony as Xiao Yan’s final chance to prove himself.

• Xiao Yan failed three times to fuse the Plain Heart Pill’s main ingredients while Xun Er waited outside and refused to interrupt him.
• Xiao Yan completed the pill, triggering Pill Lightning over the Ye Clan estate, and told Xun Er he could now refine the Imperial Pill without worrying about the Ye Clan.
• Xun Er wiped soot from Xiao Yan’s face as he said he would pursue Peak Dou Emperor and head toward the Pill Tower.
• An elder told Gu Yuan that Xun Er had gone to Ye City and used the Golden Emperor Incinerating Heaven Flame to save Xiao Yan.
• Gu Yuan decided to give Xiao Yan until Xun Er’s Coming of Age Ceremony to reach a level worthy of the Ancient Clan, or he would personally end their relationship.

Xuan Jin used an improved flame array to help Cai'er, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and himself cultivate in the Star Domain over two years. As the Pill Gathering approached, Qing Lin reached Six-Star Dou Venerate, Cai'er reached Five-Star Dou Venerate, Xiao Yi Xian reached Eight-Star Dou Venerate, and Xuan Jin achieved Peak Two-Turn Dou Venerate and Spirit Realm Grand Perfection.

• Xuan Jin activated the improved Five-Wheel Star Fire Soul-Tempering Array to filter the Star Domain's violent energy for the four women.
• Qing Lin refined serpentine beast souls, subdued the Ancient Heavenly Snake's Remnant Soul, and advanced to Six-Star Dou Venerate.
• Cai'er drew energy from the Nine-Colored Primal Stone and advanced to Five-Star Dou Venerate.
• Xiao Yi Xian controlled her Calamity Poison Body and reached Eight-Star Dou Venerate while her spiritual power grew stronger.
• Xuan Jin absorbed the Star Domain's origin, reached Peak Two-Turn Dou Venerate, and attained Spirit Realm Grand Perfection.

Cao Ying overcame a dangerous breakthrough and became a One-Star Dou Venerate with Mid Spirit Realm Soul Power. As Xuan Jin led the group toward the approaching Pill Gathering, Xuan Yi waited alone in Saint Pill City, longing for her absent disciples and remembering Yao Chen.

• Xuan Jin steadied Cao Ying's faltering Soul Power as she struggled to break through from Dou Zong to Dou Venerate.
• Cao Ying broke through to One-Star Dou Venerate and reached the Mid Spirit Realm, then embraced Xuan Jin and teased Cai'er.
• Xuan Jin warned that the Pill Gathering was near and that the Soul Hall would likely interfere, then led the group out of the Star Domain.
• Xuan Yi sat alone on the Pill Tower's top floor, missed Xuan Jin and Cao Ying after their two years of secluded cultivation, and thought of Yao Chen.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er arrived in Saint Pill City with the Ye Clan, where Xiao Yan saw Xuan Jin’s portrait displayed prominently for the Pill Gathering. Meanwhile, Xuan Jin emerged from two years of seclusion in the Star Domain and reunited with Cao Ying, while Xuan Yi worried about the approaching Pill Gathering.

• Xuan Yi worried about Xuan Jin and Ying'er as the Pill Gathering drew near.
• Xiao Yan and Xun Er arrived in Saint Pill City with Ye Zhong and the Ye Clan, and Ye Zhong explained the city’s Outer and Inner Domains.
• Xiao Yan saw Xuan Jin’s portrait displayed prominently and Ye Zhong hoped Xiao Yan’s connection to Xuan Jin would help protect the Ye Clan.
• Xiao Yan led the group toward the Inner Domain to settle at the Ye Clan’s residence.
• Xuan Jin emerged from the Star Domain, changed into his alchemist’s robe, and Cao Ying offered to help him.

After emerging from two years in the Star Domain, Xuan Jin reunited with Cao Ying and the others before meeting Xuan Yi. Xuan Yi discovered that Cao Ying had become a twenty-two-year-old Dou Venerate and looked to Xuan Jin to show what he had gained before the Pill Gathering.

• Xuan Jin and Cao Ying relaxed together after leaving the Star Domain, and Cao Ying asked about his hard-to-read Soul Power.
• Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Cai'er enjoyed the courtyard while Cai'er reflected on her five-star Dou Venerate strength.
• Xuan Yi waited beneath the old locust tree, teased Xuan Jin and the women when they emerged, and then sensed Cao Ying's cultivation.
• Xuan Yi was stunned that Cao Ying had reached Dou Venerate at twenty-two and said she could trouble the Soul Hall at the Pill Gathering.
• Xuan Yi asked what Xuan Jin had gained from his seclusion, and he silently extended his palm.

Xuan Jin and Cao Ying visited Xuan Kongzi after Cao Ying broke through to Dou Venerate, and Xuan Jin announced that he intended to propose to her after the Pill Gathering. Xuan Kongzi said winning the competition would secure the Cao Clan’s approval, and Xuan Jin claimed he had already won; the couple then prepared to visit the clan.

• Xuan Yi sent Xuan Jin and Cao Ying to see Xuan Kongzi and collect the Eighth Rank pill formula promised for Cao Ying’s breakthrough.
• Xuan Kongzi learned that Cao Ying had become a twenty-two-year-old Dou Venerate and congratulated her and Xuan Jin.
• Xuan Jin told Xuan Kongzi that he planned to formally propose to Cao Ying after the Pill Gathering.
• Xuan Kongzi said Xuan Jin would need to win the Pill Gathering to earn the Cao Clan’s approval, and Xuan Jin claimed he had already secured the championship.
• Xuan Kongzi told Xuan Jin to visit the Cao Clan the next day and prepare for the Five Great Clans’ assessment; Cao Ying teased Xuan Jin about his betrothal gifts.

Xuan Jin prepared valuable pills for his marriage proposal to Cao Ying and promised his other companions ceremonies of their own. He accompanied Cao Ying to the Cao Mansion, where powerful Dou Qi auras erupted from within as they arrived.

• Xuan Jin showed Cao Ying two Venerate Origin Pills and three Spirit Source Calming Pills as gifts for her clan.
• Cai'er and Xiao Yi Xian reacted jealously to Xuan Jin's upcoming proposal, and Xuan Jin promised to give Cai'er a grand marriage after the Pill Gathering.
• Cao Ying dressed in a dignified qipao, and Xuan Jin promised to hold a ceremony for each of the women after winning the Pill Gathering championship.
• Xuan Jin and Cao Ying walked to the Cao Mansion, where the guard captain recognized Cao Ying and rushed inside to inform her father.
• Powerful Dou Qi auras erupted from within the Cao Mansion before Xuan Jin and Cao Ying entered.

Xuan Jin visited the Cao Clan and proposed marriage to Cao Ying, then discovered the severity of Lin Qingyun’s soul injury. He presented Cao Ying with a Soul Infant Fruit as the chapter ended.

• Cao Yuan tried to probe Xuan Jin’s strength and suffered a backlash, realizing Xuan Jin had reached Spirit Realm Grand Perfection and Nine Turns to Sainthood.
• Cao Yuan welcomed Xuan Jin, and Cao Ying asked about her mother, Lin Qingyun, who was resting because her headaches had flared up.
• Xuan Jin proposed marriage to Cao Ying, and Cao Yuanlang enthusiastically accepted.
• Lin Qingyun entered the hall, and Xuan Jin recognized that her soul origin was severely depleted.
• Cao Ying explained that her mother’s soul injury had come from backlash when Cao Ying was born, and Xuan Jin gave her a Cold Jade Box containing a Soul Infant Fruit.

Xuan Jin restored Lin Qingyun’s soul with a Soul Infant Fruit and secured Cao Ying’s betrothal with lavish gifts to the Cao Clan. After spending the night with Cao Ying, he left her chambers with her and encountered Cao Dan, who was intimidated by his reputation.

• Xuan Jin gave Lin Qingyun a Soul Infant Fruit, restoring her depleted soul origin and earning the Cao Clan’s gratitude.
• Xuan Jin presented the Cao Clan with two Eighth Rank Venerate Origin Pills and three peak Seventh Grade Spirit Source Calming Pills as betrothal gifts, and Cao Yuan accepted the match with Cao Ying.
• Xuan Jin warned Cao Ying to watch out for Dan Chen during the Five Great Clans’ qualification assessment, then spent the night with Cao Ying.
• The next morning, Cao Ying helped Xuan Jin dress before they left her courtyard together.
• Cao Dan encountered Xuan Jin and Cao Ying, then stiffened in fear after recognizing Xuan Jin’s power and generosity.

Cao Ying, Xuan Jin, and Cao Yuan headed to the Five Great Clans assessment, where Xuan Jin sensed Soul Hall spies nearby. Inside the hall, the waiting clans learned Xuan Jin was coming, and the doors opened as everyone anticipated his arrival.

• Cao Dan told Cao Ying that Cao Xiu had left the city to train after hearing she had become a One-Star Dou Venerate.
• Cao Yuan personally accompanied Xuan Jin and the others toward the assessment site, and Xuan Jin sensed a cold soul aura from a nearby alley.
• Xiao Yan sat with Xun Er at the assessment hall, while Ye Zhong and Ye Xinlan hoped their connection to Xuan Jin would help the Ye Clan.
• Bai Ying and Qiu Ji complained about the delay until Dan Xuan revealed that Cao Ying was bringing her fiancé, Master Xuan Jin.
• Xiao Yan reacted to news of Xuan Jin's arrival, and Xun Er reassured him that he would surpass him.
• The assessment hall's heavy doors were pushed open.

Xuan Jin entered the Pill Tower examination hall with Cao Ying and greeted Xiao Yan and Gu Xun Er, drawing attention with his overwhelming power and status. He announced that he and Cao Ying would visit the Ancient Clan after the Pill Gathering, once they were formally married.

• Elder Sheng Yao welcomed Xuan Jin into the examination hall, where his Soul Power overwhelmed Bai Ying and Qiu Ji and revealed Cao Ying to be a Dou Venerate.
• Dan Chen tried to absorb Xuan Jin’s Soul Power, but his power rebounded and frightened her.
• Xiao Yan and Gu Xun Er greeted Xuan Jin, who praised Xiao Yan’s progress and received Xun Er’s invitation to visit the Ancient Clan.
• Xun Er told Xuan Jin that Gu Yuan respected his achievements and invited him to visit the clan after the Pill Gathering.
• Xuan Jin said he would visit the Ancient Clan after marrying Cao Ying, and the couple invited Xiao Yan and Xun Er to their wedding.

The Five Great Clans qualification assessment began, and Xiao Yan impressed the hall with a 940-point Soul Testing score before Cao Ying dominated the round with 1900. The Soul Testing Beads round started, and after Bai Ying, Qiu Ji, and Dan Xuan posted their results, Xiao Yan prepared to take his turn.

• Elder Sheng Yao began the assessment with the Soul Testing round and explained the 400-point passing mark.
• Bai Ying scored 785, Qiu Ji scored 707, and Dan Xuan scored 903 on the Disk Wheel Stele.
• Xiao Yan scored 940, stunning the hall and earning Xuan Jin's approval.
• Cao Ying scored 1900, then returned to Xuan Jin's side as the other clans reeled at her strength.
• Sheng Yao introduced the Soul Testing Beads round, and Bai Ying caught 43 beads, Qiu Ji caught 31, and Dan Xuan caught 66.
• Xiao Yan stepped forward to attempt the bead test as Bai Ying doubted his control.