Chapter Summaries

Jiang Cheng revealed himself as the Confucian Sage and began treating Nalan Jie’s Branded Poison with his Heavenly Flames. He removed the poison and contained it in a medicine bottle, while Nalan Jie endured the excruciating process.

• The alchemists admitted they could not treat Nalan Jie, and Jiang Cheng offered to try.
• Nalan Yanran recognized Jiang Cheng as the Confucian Sage, prompting Nalan Su to apologize and ask for his help.
• Jiang Cheng asked Nalan Su to prepare Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva and went with him and Nalan Yanran to see Nalan Jie.
• Jiang Cheng woke Nalan Jie from his coma and warned him that removing the poison would be painful.
• Jiang Cheng used three Heavenly Flames to draw out and eradicate the Branded Poison, then sealed the expelled poison in a medicine bottle.

Jiang Cheng treated Nalan Jie’s Branded Poison and accepted the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva, then stayed at the Nalan residence to finish the treatment the next day. At Nalan Yanran’s request, he began teaching her swordsmanship ahead of the Three Year Agreement, ending with a display of power that shook the Jia Ma Empire.

• Jiang Cheng drew some of the Branded Poison from Nalan Jie with his Heavenly Flames and said he would complete the treatment the next day.
• Nalan Jie gave Jiang Cheng the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva, and Jiang Cheng warned him not to use Dou Qi.
• Nalan Yanran led Jiang Cheng to her room, where they talked about his cultivation and her fear of losing the Three Year Agreement.
• Jiang Cheng summoned Nalan Yanran’s sword and agreed to teach her a move or two on behalf of her master.
• Jiang Cheng split the clouds with a sword swing and began a sword dance that made heaven and earth change color.

Jiang Cheng trained Nalan Yanran in Misty Cloud Sect swordsmanship and removed the remaining Branded Poison from Nalan Jie. With Nalan Jie recovered, the Nalan Family learned Jiang Cheng had come for the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva.

• Jiang Cheng used a withered branch to spar with Nalan Yanran, disarmed her, and corrected her hesitant sword technique.
• Jiang Cheng told Nalan Yanran to rest and continue training the next morning, with half a month remaining before the Three Year Agreement.
• Jiang Cheng endured Nalan Jie's severe pain as he removed the remaining Branded Poison and sealed it in a medicine bottle.
• Nalan Jie recovered, scolded Nalan Yanran over her broken engagement to Xiao Yan, and privately considered her a match for Jiang Cheng.
• Jiang Cheng thanked Nalan Jie for nothing and said he had come for the Seven Illusory Azure Spirit Saliva.

Jiang Cheng and Nalan Yanran visited the Alchemist Tournament trading market, where he found a Peach Blossom Fire Seed and killed a crooked alchemist who tried to cheat him. He left Nalan Yanran to notify the guards and continued searching the market for useful treasures.

• Jiang Cheng asked about the Alchemist Tournament, and Nalan Jie sent Nalan Yanran to show him the trading market.
• Jiang Cheng dismissed a vendor’s Red Fruit Grass as too impure for a Fifth-grade Pill and continued browsing with Nalan Yanran.
• Jiang Cheng traded a Fourth-grade Pill Formula for a Peach Blossom Fire Seed intended for Xiao Yi Xian.
• The vendor accused Jiang Cheng of offering a formula with blurred soul imprints, and Jiang Cheng killed him with a finger strike.
• Jiang Cheng collected the Peach Blossom Fire Seed and a jade slip from the stall, while Nalan Yanran gathered the remaining goods and went to notify the guards.
• Jiang Cheng searched the market further but found no other useful herbs or treasures.

Jiang Cheng reunited with Otto and Frank in the Jia Ma Empire and learned about the Alchemist Tournament. Otto and Frank pushed him to compete for its Spirit Melting Pill formula, while Jiang Cheng noticed Xiao Yan was absent and concluded that the original conflict involving Mo Cheng would not unfold.

• Otto recognized Jiang Cheng and brought him to meet Frank at the Alchemist Guild’s quiet room.
• Otto introduced Jiang Cheng to Xue Mei, then Frank recognized Jiang Cheng and greeted him with reverence.
• Frank and Otto recalled their reunion with Jiang Cheng, and Xue Mei served him tea as they caught up.
• Otto urged Jiang Cheng to enter the Alchemist Tournament, describing its honors and Sixth-Grade Spirit Melting Pill prize.
• Jiang Cheng declined to show interest, noticed Xiao Yan was absent, and reasoned that Mo Cheng’s survival would prevent the Xiao Family’s massacre.

Jiang Cheng agreed to enter the Alchemist Tournament under the alias Jiang Nan to confront the Cloudy Sky Empire’s Alchemist Guild, which was sending Yan Li. At the tournament entrance, he encountered Yao Yue and Liu Ling, who introduced himself and sized up the masked stranger.

• Frank told Jiang Cheng and Otto that Yan Li and the Cloudy Sky Empire’s Alchemists would compete, and Jiang Cheng agreed to enter the tournament under a new identity.
• Three days later, Jiang Cheng went with Otto to the Alchemist Guild, put on a mask, and accepted the name Jiang Nan.
• Yao Yue arrived in a royal carriage, noticed Jiang Cheng’s mask, and asked who he was.
• Liu Ling stepped out of the carriage, saw Otto’s badge and Jiang Cheng’s lack of one, and introduced himself as a Third-grade Alchemist and disciple of Pill King Gu He.

Jiang Cheng entered the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Tournament under the name Jiang Nan, where Chemir doubted his qualifications. During the medicinal-material purification test, Jiang Cheng revealed the Green Lotus Core Flame, shocking the venue and drawing Chemir’s attention.

• Jiang Cheng introduced himself to Liu Ling as Jiang Nan before Princess Yao Yue and Liu Ling went to the Alchemist Guild.
• Otto brought Jiang Cheng to meet Chemir, who questioned whether the unfamiliar entrant could qualify as a Third-grade Alchemist.
• Chemir announced a timed test requiring the competitors to purify medicinal materials to the highest purity they could achieve.
• Jiang Cheng entered his assessment room and put a Black Iron Spirit Leaf into his cauldron.
• Jiang Cheng used the Green Lotus Core Flame, causing the venue’s experts to recognize it as the nineteenth-ranked Heavenly Flame.
• Chemir asked Otto who Jiang Cheng was, and Otto hinted that Black Rock City had many talented people.

Jiang Cheng revealed his Green Lotus Core Flame, impressing President Fa Ma, who hoped to recruit him into the Alchemist Guild. After Liu Ling and Yao Yue posted strong purity scores, Jiang Cheng prepared to have his refined medicinal liquid tested.

• Vice President Chemir identified Jiang Cheng as the possessor of the Green Lotus Core Flame, and President Fa Ma arrived to see him.
• President Fa Ma praised Jiang Cheng's talent and asked Otto to try to recruit him into the Alchemist Guild.
• Jiang Cheng emerged from the refinement room in less than five minutes, then agreed to let the other contestants test their medicinal liquids first.
• Liu Ling scored seven points, while Yao Yue scored 6.5 points on the Purity Measuring Instrument.
• Otto personally placed Jiang Cheng's medicine bottle on the Testing Platform, surprising President Fa Ma.

Jiang Cheng won the alchemist qualifying test with a perfect score after refining the Black Iron Spirit Leaf eighteen times, then revealed to Otto that he was an eighth-grade alchemist. Back at his residence, he discussed his past with the Cloudy Sky Empire with Hai Bodong, promised to deal with Yan Li himself, and gave Hai Bodong the Fu Ling Zi Pills he had promised.

• The Testing Platform displayed a perfect ten after Jiang Cheng refined the Black Iron Spirit Leaf eighteen times, and President Fa Ma announced that he had taken first place.
• Jiang Cheng told Otto that he was an eighth-grade alchemist, leaving Otto stunned.
• Hai Bodong asked Jiang Cheng about his participation in the tournament, and Jiang Cheng explained his history with the Cloudy Sky Empire and his intention to deal with Yan Li personally.
• Jiang Cheng gave Hai Bodong the Fu Ling Zi Pills, and Hai Bodong began calling him Sir because of his extraordinary rise in strength.

Jiang Cheng went to the Alchemist Tournament under the name Jiang Nan, while Hai Bodong and Mittel Teng Shan concealed his identity. After Jiang Cheng destroyed an ambush by Cloudy Sky Empire death warriors, he encountered Yao Ye and Yan Li before arriving at the venue, where Jia Xing Tian and the others welcomed him.

• Jiang Cheng told Mittel Teng Shan that he planned to enter the tournament to repay Jia Xing Tian for the precious herbs, not to claim the title.
• Cloudy Sky Empire death warriors ambushed Jiang Cheng, Hai Bodong, and Mittel Teng Shan, but Jiang Cheng caused them to explode without lifting a hand.
• Jiang Cheng saw the female general Yao Ye and then recognized Yan Li, who was disguised as a little girl in purple and vowed to win the tournament.
• At the tournament lounge, Jia Xing Tian praised Jiang Cheng's Black Iron Spirit Leaf refinement, while Hai Bodong and Mittel Teng Shan kept his identity secret.
• Yao Ye and Yao Yue asked Jiang Cheng whether he was confident of winning, and Hai Bodong stopped Mittel Teng Shan from stepping forward.

Jiang Cheng revealed his Heavenly Flame and overwhelming skill during the Alchemist Tournament preliminary round, drawing attention and anger from Yan Li. After the round ended, Yan Li confronted him in a purple mist-filled street at night.

• Yao Yue and Yao Ye praised Jiang Cheng, while President Fa Ma assigned him a prominent seat in the tournament.
• Jiang Cheng used Instantaneous Movement to reach his seat, then recognized and discarded a flawed ingredient in the Third-Grade Ping Xiang Pill prescription.
• Jiang Cheng revealed the Green Lotus Core Flame, refined a pill with astonishing speed, and finished first as Yan Li took second place.
• Yan Li threatened Jiang Cheng after the preliminary round, and most contestants, including Yao Yue and Liu Ling, completed their pills.
• Jiang Cheng encountered Yan Li in the empty streets at night, and Yan Li accused him of not being from the Jia Ma Empire.

Jiang Cheng revealed himself to Yan Li and killed him after Yan Li’s Poison Pills failed against the Heavenly Flames. The chapter ended with Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian recognizing Jiang Cheng and discussing why he had kept Yan Li’s disguise secret.

• Jiang Cheng removed his mask, and Yan Li recognized him as the man who had once crippled him.
• Yan Li sent his subordinates to attack, but Jiang Cheng’s Heavenly Flames burned them to ashes.
• Yan Li released Poison Pills, but Jiang Cheng’s Heavenly Flames burned away the poisonous gas.
• Jiang Cheng appeared behind Yan Li, severed his legs, and then cut off his head despite Yan Li’s pleas and threats.
• Fa Ma and Jia Xing Tian approached Jiang Cheng, apologized, and asked why he had not exposed Yan Li’s disguise sooner.

After the Alchemist Tournament, Jiang Cheng received the champion’s sixth-grade Spirit Melting Pill Recipe and joined Yun Yun at the Misty Cloud Sect as the Three Year Agreement approached. The chapter ended with the sect’s elders entertaining Jiang Cheng while Zi Yan casually ate a Fifth-grade Pill.

• Jia Xing Tian held a state banquet for Jiang Cheng, and President Fa Ma presented him with the Spirit Melting Pill Recipe.
• Jiang Cheng, Queen Medusa, and Zi Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect at Yun Yun’s invitation before Xiao Yan’s challenge.
• Yun Yun welcomed Jiang Cheng warmly, and First Elder Yun Leng escorted the group to the sect’s Main Hall.
• Yun Yun offered Jiang Cheng the sect’s tea, while Zi Yan said he preferred wine and ate a Fifth-grade Pill like candy.

Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect to face Nalan Yanran in their Three Year Agreement, while Jiang Cheng warned Yun Leng against causing trouble. The battle began with Nalan Yanran holding the advantage, and Xiao Yan faced her Thousand Wind Barrier with his Heavy Black Ruler.

• Jiang Cheng warned Yun Leng that his actions could destroy the Misty Cloud Sect, and Yun Yun ordered him not to harm anyone after the match.
• Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect, where Nalan Yanran had been waiting to settle their Three Year Agreement.
• Jia Xing Tian, Hai Bodong, and other Jia Ma Empire experts gathered to watch, while Jiang Cheng took the seat of honor.
• Xiao Yan greeted Jiang Cheng, who urged him to avoid provoking the Misty Cloud Sect regardless of the match's outcome.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran began fighting, and Nalan Yanran quickly knocked away his Heavy Black Ruler.
• Nalan Yanran launched her Thousand Wind Barrier, and Xiao Yan raised his Heavy Black Ruler to defend himself.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran escalated their duel as she awakened Azure Gang Sword Intent and advanced to Four-star Dou Grandmaster. The chapter ended with Nalan Yanran’s sword strike and Xiao Yan’s Buddha’s Rage Fire Lotus rushing toward each other.

• Nalan Yanran used Wind Push Style to repel Xiao Yan’s thrown Heavy Black Ruler, while Xiao Yan stayed aloft with his Purple Cloud Wings.
• Nalan Yanran revealed her Dou Qi Armor and Da Dou Shi cultivation, then used the Misty Cloud Sect’s Flying Catkins Movement Technique to close in on Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan swallowed a medicinal pill and prepared a Heavenly Flame Fusion, revealing Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Nalan Yanran recalled Jiang Cheng’s sword teachings, awakened Azure Gang Sword Intent, and broke through from Three-star Dou Grandmaster to Four-star Dou Grandmaster.
• Nalan Yanran unleashed Wind Extreme, Setting Sun Radiance, and Xiao Yan countered with his Buddha’s Rage Fire Lotus.

Nalan Yanran defeated Xiao Yan in their Three Year Agreement, ending the engagement between their families and securing her future in the Misty Cloud Sect. Jiang Cheng sent Xiao Yan and Yao Chen back to Wu Tan City, while Nalan Yanran reunited with Yun Yun and celebrated her victory.

• Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan survived their devastating clash, but Xiao Yan collapsed after Nalan Yanran declared him defeated.
• Nalan Yanran voided the Divorce Letter, broke off the engagement herself, and told Xiao Yan he was still unworthy of becoming her man.
• Jiang Cheng sent Xiao Yan back to the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City, and Yao Chen agreed to leave with him and stay there.
• Nalan Yanran thanked Jiang Cheng for helping her understand Sword Intent, and he gave her a healing sacred medicine.
• Yun Yun comforted Nalan Yanran, while Jia Xing Tian and the other empire experts departed the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Nalan Jie left without joining the celebration and ordered Nalan Su to send treasure, Cultivation Methods, and Dou Techniques to the Xiao Family.

At Nalan Yanran’s victory banquet, Soul Hall Protector Wu Ying confronted Jiang Cheng over the Xiao Family’s jade slip and offered increasingly valuable rewards to obtain it. Jiang Cheng rejected Wu Ying’s offer and challenged Soul Hall to trade its own jade slip instead.

• Yun Shan congratulated Jiang Cheng for helping Nalan Yanran and ended his old grudge with Hai Bodong and Queen Medusa.
• Jiang Cheng sensed someone hiding nearby and exposed Soul Hall Protector Wu Ying, who introduced himself as the visitor from Peach Forest Mountain.
• Wu Ying asked whether Jiang Cheng had obtained the Xiao Family’s jade slip and offered three Seventh-Grade Pills and one Eighth-Grade Pill for it.
• Jiang Cheng refused the pills and offered three Eighth-Grade Pills for Soul Hall’s jade slip instead.
• Wu Ying warned Jiang Cheng about offending Soul Hall and offered resources, including Heavenly Flames, in exchange for the jade slip.

Jiang Cheng forced Protector Wu to submit and planted a seed in his soul, turning him into a spy in the Soul Hall. Later, Ling Ying told Xiao Xun Er that Xiao Yan would not return to Jia Nan Academy, leaving her to ask why.

• Jiang Cheng overwhelmed Protector Wu and warned him to tell his superiors to stop pursuing the jade fragments.
• Yun Shan threatened Protector Wu and urged him to serve Jiang Cheng instead of the Soul Hall.
• Protector Wu pledged loyalty to Jiang Cheng, who planted a seed in his soul and ordered him to spread a false report about the Xiao Family's jade fragment.
• Jiang Cheng returned to Peach Forest Mountain, while Ling Ying summoned Xiao Xun Er at Jia Nan Academy.
• Ling Ying told Xiao Xun Er that Xiao Yan would not return to Jia Nan Academy, and she asked what had happened.

Xiao Xun Er learned that Xiao Yan had lost the Three Year Agreement and had given up cultivation, but Ling Ying urged her to return to her clan instead of going to him. Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng trained Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin and prepared to help Xiao Yi Xian seek the Netherworld Poison Flame.

• Ling Ying told Xiao Xun Er that Xiao Yan had been defeated by Nalan Yanran, abandoned cultivation, and fallen into a life of drunken luxury after Yao Chen entered a deep slumber.
• Xiao Xun Er resolved to return to Xiao Yan, but Ling Ying warned that the Patriarch had ordered her back to the clan and that Xiao Yan was no longer qualified to be with her.
• Jiang Cheng made Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin practice physical training, explaining that they needed strength to survive and withstand dangers such as Pill Lightning.
• Jiang Cheng asked Queen Medusa to train Qing Lin and gave Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin medicinal pills.
• Jiang Cheng prepared to help Xiao Yi Xian obtain the Netherworld Poison Flame from the Ancient Netherworld Poison Marsh, since the flame suited her Poisonous Body.

Jiang Cheng traveled to the Eastern Continent with Xiao Yi Xian to seek the Netherworld Poison Flame, leaving Cai Lin behind. They arrived to find a border village devastated by war, and a wounded Dou Ling told them that fighting between the Stone Kingdom and Qingyun Empire had escalated into an invasion.

• Jiang Cheng told Cai Lin he was going to the Eastern Continent and refused her offer to accompany him, saying she should remain in the Northwest Continent.
• Xiao Yi Xian asked to join Jiang Cheng, and he agreed, carrying her through a spatial rift to protect her.
• After half a day, Jiang Cheng and Xiao Yi Xian arrived in the Eastern Continent and found a border village amid war, suffering, and death.
• Xiao Yi Xian went to treat the injured civilians while Jiang Cheng asked a wounded Dou Ling what had happened.
• The Dou Ling said that clashes between the Stone Kingdom and Qingyun Empire had led Qingyun forces to invade, capturing border cities and causing heavy civilian casualties.