Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan refined a peak Seventh-grade Pill at the Alchemist Convention and used his Earth Demon Puppet to withstand the Pill Lightning. As lightning from several other contestants’ pills gathered around his, the puppet approached the threshold of becoming a Sky Demon Puppet.

• Xiao Yan’s peak Seventh-grade Pill drew fierce Pill Lightning, and he summoned his Earth Demon Puppet to absorb it.
• Xiao Ling recognized the puppet he had once left with the Xiao Family and noted that Xiao Yan had tempered it with Pill Lightning until it neared the Sky Demon Puppet threshold.
• Nine Seventh-grade High-level Pills emerged within minutes, filling the sky with Pill Lightning and stirring the crowd.
• Xiao Yan’s bold use of the puppet drew the other Pill Lightnings toward his, merging them into a more powerful storm.
• Xiao Ling realized the gathered lightning was helping the Earth Demon Puppet advance toward becoming a Sky Demon Puppet.

Xiao Yan’s Earth Demon Puppet absorbed the Pill Lightning and transformed into a Sky Demon Puppet, while he secured his Seventh-grade High-level Pill. Dan Chen and Cao Ying then completed pills that summoned powerful multicolored Pill Lightning, as the Alchemist Convention’s attention turned to Xiao Ling’s still-unfinished pill.

• Xiao Yan’s Earth Demon Puppet endured the Pill Lightning and transformed into a golden Sky Demon Puppet, which Xiao Yan stored in his Ring.
• Xiao Yan inspected his refined Seventh-grade High-level Pill and reflected that he had accomplished his goals at the Alchemist Convention.
• Dan Chen completed her pill by sending blood into her Medicine Cauldron, which shattered as a blue-green and silver Pill Lightning cloud formed and began to gain a third color.
• Dan Chen exchanged a confident look with Xiao Ling, then faced Cao Ying, who declared she would not lose to her and returned her attention to her cauldron.
• Cao Ying released an Eighth-grade Pill that summoned four-colored Pill Lightning, earning praise from Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi.
• Xuan Kongzi noted that Xiao Ling’s pill seemed close to completion, though even he could not discern its grade through the mysterious Medicine Cauldron.

Xiao Ling completed his pill at the Alchemist Convention, summoning Pill Lightning that revealed it was an Eighth-grade Nine-colored Pill. The crowd was stunned by his achievement as the pill’s tribulation continued to unfold.

• Xiao Ling rose, struck the Spirit Quenching Cauldron, and unleashed a powerful surge of energy as his pill emerged.
• Xuan Kongzi recognized the signs of an eighth-grade high-tier pill, and five-colored thunderclouds gathered above the venue.
• The Pill Lightning expanded to seven colors, shocking the spectators and revealing Xiao Ling’s pill far surpassed the others in quality.
• Tang Huo'er praised Xiao Ling’s skill at the teahouse, while Zi Yan and Xun Er hinted that his achievement was not the limit of his strength.
• Gray and black thunderclouds appeared, completing nine colors and revealing Xiao Ling’s pill as an Eighth-grade Nine-colored Pill.

Xiao Ling refined an Eighth-grade Nine-colored Pill, stunning the Alchemist Convention and eclipsing the other competitors. As the gathered Pill Lightning prepared to strike, Xiao Ling entrusted the defense to Little Diao, while Xuan Kongzi stood ready to intervene if the pill faced imminent destruction.

• Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi marveled at Xiao Ling's Nine-Colored Pill Lightning and his extraordinary alchemy skill.
• Cao Ying and Dan Chen acknowledged how far Xiao Ling surpassed them, while Old Man Qinghua's Eighth-grade pill and Three-colored Thundercloud were overshadowed.
• Xiao Ling celebrated his success with Little Diao and told it to resist the approaching Pill Lightning, trusting the formation he had prepared.
• The Nine-Colored Pill Lightning absorbed the other competitors' Pill Lightnings and gathered into a destructive storm above the square.
• Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi worried that Xiao Ling could not withstand the tribulation, and Xuan Kongzi said he would intervene himself if the pill was about to be destroyed.

Yao Chen and Xiao Yi Xian watched the Alchemist Convention as the Danta presidents agreed to support Xiao Ling, and Yao Chen explained Danta’s strength while encouraging Xiao Yi Xian to meet her old friends. As Xiao Ling’s Nine-Colored Pill Lightning descended on the Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill, Little Diao consumed three seventh-tier Monster Cores and revealed his human form.

• Xuan Kongzi persuaded Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi that helping Xiao Ling would strengthen his bond with Danta, and they agreed.
• Yao Chen told Xiao Yi Xian about Danta and urged her to visit Xun Er and the others, while she admitted Xiao Ling would have to prove himself.
• Xiao Yi Xian watched Xiao Ling face the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning striking toward the Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill.
• Little Diao dismissed the threat, swallowed three seventh-tier Monster Cores, and released a powerful purple light.
• Little Diao’s light faded to reveal his human form, with snow-white hair tied in a high ponytail.

Little Diao revealed his human form and used the Sky Demon Spirit Phantom Array to summon a Sky Demon Sable projection that suppressed and devoured the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning’s Golden Thunder Dragon. As the lightning continued to replenish itself, Little Diao kept battling it while Xuan Kongzi left to check the Star Domain seal.

• Little Diao transformed into human form and activated the Sky Demon Spirit Phantom Array, summoning a giant Sky Demon Sable projection.
• Little Diao rode the projection into battle, and it defeated the Golden Thunder Dragon and began devouring its energy.
• Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi watched in shock as they assessed Little Diao’s strength and discussed the danger to the Star Domain’s seal.
• Xuan Kongzi left to investigate the Star Domain and guard against the Three Thousand Burning Flame breaking free.
• Little Diao continued fighting the replenishing Pill Lightning and complained that confronting it was harder than he had expected.

Little Diao restrained the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning until it ran out of energy, allowing Xiao Ling to complete the Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill. After the pill transformed into a tiny Sky Demon Sable and tried to escape, Xiao Ling reclaimed it for the Alchemist Convention assessment and promised to use it to revive Little Diao.

• Xuan Kongzi protected Sacred Pill City from the Nine-Colored Pill Lightning's battle with Little Diao.
• Little Diao held off the thunder giant dragon for over an hour until the Pill Lightning exhausted its energy and dispersed.
• The completed pill shot away from Xiao Ling's Medicine Cauldron, and Little Diao chased it down and seized it.
• The pill transformed into a tiny purple Sky Demon Sable, but Xiao Ling drew it into his palm before Little Diao could touch it.
• Xiao Ling told Little Diao he needed the pill for the Alchemist Convention assessment and promised to use it for his revival later.
• The people of Sacred Pill City cheered for Xiao Ling and hailed him as champion.

Xiao Ling’s Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill overwhelmed the other finalists’ pills, and Xuan Kongzi declared him champion of the Alchemist Convention. As Sacred Pill City celebrated, Xiao Ling looked beyond the title toward a future among distant planes.

• The crowd hailed Xiao Ling as the Continent’s Number One Alchemist, while Xiong Zhan recalled promising to cheer loudest if Xiao Ling won.
• Xuan Kongzi invited the remaining contestants to reveal their pills, displaying Cao Ying’s, Dan Chen’s, and Old Monster Qinghua’s Eighth-grade Pills.
• Xiao Ling released his Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill, which took the form of a Sky Demon Sable and subdued the other pills with its aura.
• Xuan Kongzi formally announced Xiao Ling as the Alchemist Convention champion, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
• Xiao Ling savored the celebration and resolved that his journey would carry him beyond the Dou Qi Continent to distant planes.

Xiao Ling won the Alchemist Convention, received Danta’s ancient Taigu Soul Forging Art, and learned that the top ten contestants would enter the Star Domain in two days to try to subdue Three Thousand Burning Flame. Xiao Ling intended to pursue the Heavenly Flame, while Xiao Yan set aside his own claim and considered investigating clues he had found elsewhere.

• Xiao Ling’s victory drew applause and congratulations from the crowd, while Xun Er and the other women celebrated his achievement.
• Xuan Kongzi invited Xiao Ling to visit Danta and gave him the champion’s prize, the Taigu Soul Forging Art, which Xiao Ling recognized as more advanced than the Tai Yi Soul Art.
• Xuan Kongzi announced that the top ten contestants would enter the Star Domain in two days for a chance to subdue Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Xiao Yan decided not to pursue Three Thousand Burning Flame because he believed Xiao Ling was the likelier candidate, and he planned to investigate clues about Heavenly Flames from a ruin after the matter was settled.
• Xiao Ling remained eager to pursue Three Thousand Burning Flame.

After the Alchemist Convention ended, Xiao Ling prepared to pursue the Three Thousand Burning Flame while Xuan Kongzi invited him to visit Danta. Xiao Ling and Xun Er shared a farewell beneath the moon, and after Xun Er unexpectedly broke through during their kiss, Xiao Ling revealed that he had prepared a gift for her.

• Xiao Ling resolved to devour the Three Thousand Burning Flame and pursue the resources needed to reach the Dou Saint realm.
• Xuan Kongzi privately invited Xiao Ling to visit Danta, then announced the successful conclusion of the Alchemist Convention.
• Xiao Yi Xian chose not to meet Xiao Ling and left with Yao Chen for Starfall Pavilion.
• Xiao Ling and Xun Er spoke of their future together before Xun Er prepared to return to her clan.
• Xun Er broke through her cultivation after kissing Xiao Ling, and Xiao Ling told her he had a gift for her.

Xiao Ling gave Xun Er a Fire Tribulation Fruit and explained that it could nurture a powerful fire spirit named Yan Ji, whom he intended for Xun Er to raise. Their conversation was interrupted by Elder Tong Xuan, who praised Xiao Ling’s achievements and observed the young couple’s affection.

• Xiao Ling revealed the Fire Tribulation Fruit and explained its ability to nurture Yan Ji, a fire spirit with formidable abilities.
• Xiao Ling told Xun Er that he had found the fruit in ancient ruins and decided she would be better suited to raise Yan Ji.
• Xun Er accepted the Fire Tribulation Fruit and promised to protect and care for Yan Ji when she emerged.
• Elder Tong Xuan appeared through spatial ripples and greeted Xun Er and Xiao Ling.
• Elder Tong Xuan praised Xiao Ling’s cultivation and accomplishments, and Xiao Ling expressed his affection for Xun Er.

Xiao Ling parted from Xun Er as she returned to the Ancient Clan, where she would await him at her coming-of-age ceremony. Afterward, he invited Chu Wanqing to drink with him in Sacred Pill City, and their moonlit evening grew increasingly intimate as she became tipsy.

• Elder Tong Xuan opened a Space Passage and left Xiao Ling and Xun Er alone to say goodbye before escorting her back to the clan.
• Xiao Ling reminded Xun Er to nurture the Fire Tribulation Fruit with the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, and she asked him to attend her coming-of-age ceremony.
• After Xun Er departed, Chu Wanqing appeared and teased Xiao Ling about his relationship with the Ancient Clan's Young Lady.
• Xiao Ling invited Chu Wanqing to drink and admire the moon, and she reluctantly agreed before letting him take her hand to a private room in a tavern.
• Xiao Ling and Chu Wanqing drank and talked until she became tipsy and said she could not drink more, but he poured her another cup.

After Chu Wanqing drank heavily, she and Xiao Ling spent the night together after she first took the initiative and he turned the tables. At dawn, Chu Wanqing woke alone in the tavern room, pieced together what had happened, and struggled with pain and uncertainty.

• Chu Wanqing accepted Xiao Ling's taunt, drained her wine, and grew increasingly affected by alcohol and desire.
• Chu Wanqing used Dou Qi to carry Xiao Ling to the bed, kissed him, and tore open his robe.
• Xiao Ling overpowered Chu Wanqing in turn, and the two spent the night together.
• Chu Wanqing woke at dawn to find Xiao Ling gone and noticed soreness and marks on her body.
• Chu Wanqing recalled how the night had unfolded, wondered if she had forced herself on Xiao Ling again, and tried to ease her pain.

Chu Wanqing woke after her night with Xiao Ling, accepted the jade hairpin he had left, and departed Sacred Pill City. Xiao Ling met with Danta’s Three Giants, accepted their invitation to join the Lesser Alchemist Tower, and received its token.

• Chu Wanqing read Xiao Ling’s letter, accepted the jade hairpin he had crafted, destroyed the room’s furnishings, and left Sacred Pill City.
• Xiao Ling traveled to Danta’s tower and met Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi.
• Xuan Kongzi explained that the Lesser Alchemist Tower was Danta’s secret core and invited Xiao Ling to join it.
• Xiao Ling accepted the invitation while explaining that he would continue traveling and only visit Sacred Pill City occasionally.
• Xuan Yi gave Xiao Ling the Lesser Alchemist Tower’s token, granting him membership and access to Danta’s resources.

Xiao Ling and the other Alchemist Convention finalists learned that the Star Domain would open in two days, giving them a chance to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame while guarding against the Soul Hall. After leaving the meeting, Xiao Ling agreed to discuss alchemy with Cao Ying as Dan Chen resolved to pursue him more actively.

• Xuan Yi congratulated Xiao Ling on joining the Lesser Alchemist Tower and told him that its elder selection would take place soon.
• Xuan Kongzi welcomed the top ten finalists, including Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Xiao Yan, and explained that they would enter the Star Domain to attempt to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi warned the finalists that the Soul Hall might try to disrupt the Star Domain operation and gave each of them a Jade Bead to summon Danta's experts.
• After the meeting, Xiao Yan left to cultivate using the remaining energy of the Immortal Source Ancient Fruit, while Cao Ying and Dan Chen stayed with Xiao Ling.
• Cao Ying invited Xiao Ling to discuss alchemy, and Dan Chen resolved not to remain passive in pursuing a closer relationship with him.
• Xiao Ling accepted Cao Ying's invitation, and she moved intimately beside him as she praised the chance to receive his guidance.

Xiao Ling reunited with Cao Ying, checked on Little Diao’s recovery, and learned that the Sky Demon Sable might revive within two months while his Destiny Talisman neared completion. Back in his room, he discovered a fire-red outfit and a letter prepared by Tang Huo'er, as he prepared to subdue Three Thousand Burning Flame.

• Cao Ying led Xiao Ling to a secluded room in Danta, where they shared an intimate reunion before he left to let her recover.
• Xiao Ling returned to his residence in Sacred Pill City and found Little Diao transforming inside a black-and-white cocoon after taking the Reincarnation Soul Sculpting Pill.
• The Spirit of the Ancestor Stone told Xiao Ling that Little Diao could revive within two months and that his Destiny Talisman was nearly complete.
• Xiao Ling returned to his room and found a fire-red outfit that drew in Fire Attribute energy.
• Xiao Ling found a sealed envelope bearing Tang Huo'er's name with the outfit.

Xiao Ling received Zi Yan’s Dragon Seal and Ancient Dragon blood to prepare for subduing Three Thousand Burning Flame in the Star Domain. After the two went to Sacred Pill City’s auction, the top ten Alchemist Convention contestants gathered at Danta to enter the Star Domain.

• Xiao Ling admired the garment Tang Huo'er had sent him and considered visiting Blazing Flame Valley to settle their relationship.
• Zi Yan used Ancient Dragon blood to inscribe a Dragon Seal on Xiao Ling’s palm, giving him a way to awaken the seal within Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Zi Yan gave Xiao Ling the remaining blood and instructed him to apply it to Three Thousand Burning Flame’s forehead in the Star Domain.
• Xiao Ling accepted the Dragon Seal and blood, confident that his Soul Power would let him defeat Three Thousand Burning Flame in a soul contest.
• Zi Yan took Xiao Ling to Sacred Pill City’s grand auction, and two days later the top ten contestants gathered at Danta to enter the Star Domain.

Xiao Ling and the other top ten Alchemist Convention contestants entered the Star Domain under Xiang Jinsong’s guidance to confront the Three Thousand Burning Flame. After Danta prepared to guard Sacred Pill City, the group crossed the scorching rift and neared the Heavenly Flame’s location, where Xiao Ling anticipated a direct battle.

• Xuan Kongzi opened a spatial gate and sent the top ten contestants into the Star Domain with Xiang Jinsong as their guide.
• After the group entered, Xuan Kongzi, Tian Leizi, and Xuan Yi arranged for Danta’s forces and allies to watch over Sacred Pill City.
• Xiao Ling felt his Heavenly Flames stir upon arriving in the Star Domain and recognized that the Three Thousand Burning Flame was nearby.
• Xiang Jinsong warned the group to stay together, endure the rising heat, and approach the Three Thousand Burning Flame without provoking it.
• As a brilliant light appeared ahead, Xiao Ling resolved to confront and tame the Three Thousand Burning Flame himself.

Xiao Ling approached the sealed Three Thousand Burning Flame and entered its origin space, where he used Zi Yan’s Ancient Dragon Token to convince the Heavenly Flame that he had come on behalf of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. He began inventing an explanation for why its former master had left it behind, hoping to win its trust and subdue it without a fight.

• Xiao Ling and the others saw the enormous, flame-wreathed Three Thousand Burning Flame, and Xiang Jinsong told the contestants to approach it one by one without waking it.
• Xiang Jinsong let the Alchemist Convention champion Xiao Ling attempt to subdue the Heavenly Flame first, and Xiao Ling noticed the sealing runes covering its scales.
• Xiao Ling touched an unburned dragon scale and sent his Soul Power inside, entering a void where he found Three Thousand Burning Flame’s miniature origin flame asleep.
• Xiao Ling presented Zi Yan’s Ancient Dragon Token and claimed the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had sent him to guide Three Thousand Burning Flame back to the clan.
• Three Thousand Burning Flame recognized the token’s dragon might and asked whether its former master had finally come for it, so Xiao Ling fabricated a story about the master leaving it behind to protect it from a deadly battle.

Xiao Ling convinced Three Thousand Burning Flame that its master had died and offered it a way out of Danta’s Star Domain by following him. Three Thousand Burning Flame agreed to cooperate and retain its consciousness, and Xiao Ling revealed their agreement to the onlookers as the Flame awakened without attacking.

• Xiao Ling told Three Thousand Burning Flame that its master, a senior of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, had died and explained the clan’s attempts to find and rescue it.
• Xiao Ling persuaded Three Thousand Burning Flame to leave with him, and it agreed on the conditions that it retain its intelligence and later visit the Ancient Void Dragon Clan’s territory.
• Three Thousand Burning Flame accepted Xiao Ling’s promise to refine it and take it to Ancient Dragon Island, while Xiao Ling warned that he could forcefully subdue it if necessary.
• Xiao Ling withdrew his consciousness from the dragon scale and told Cao Ying and the others that Three Thousand Burning Flame had agreed to submit to him.
• Three Thousand Burning Flame awakened and released its dragon might, alarming the onlookers, but Xiao Ling reassured them as it remained beside him without hostility.