Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ling and his companions finished looting the Ancient Forest and followed Zi Yan to the ruins’ Pill Hall. After entering, they found mostly low-grade pills on the first floor, while Xiao Ling collected them and spotted valuable ancient Pill Recipes as the group prepared to search further.

• Xiao Ling’s group gathered herbs and poisonous materials throughout the Ancient Forest, then asked Zi Yan to sense where the ruins held more treasures.
• Zi Yan led the group out of the forest and through several halls before they found the Pill Hall.
• Xiao Ling explained that Rank 9 Pills were unlikely to remain there and that he hoped to find ancient Pill Recipes.
• Xiao Ling opened the Pill Hall’s bronze door, and the group entered its spacious interior filled with shelves and Alchemy Rooms.
• Zi Yan opened several containers and found only low-grade pills or empty boxes, then decided the better treasures must be upstairs.
• Xiao Ling stopped Zi Yan from rushing ahead and began collecting the first-floor pills after finding valuable ancient Pill Recipes nearby.

Xiao Ling and the others searched the Pill Hall’s upper floors and discovered that a Nine-color Pill Beast was hiding there. Xiao Ling lured the adorable beast out with pills, leaving the group facing an opportunity to catch it.

• Xiao Ling and the others collected pills and ancient recipes on the first floor, then took antidote pills before entering the poisonous second floor.
• The group gathered higher-grade pills and lost medicinal knowledge on the second floor before moving to the vast, more toxic third floor.
• Zi Yan sensed a valuable treasure on the third floor, while Medusa spotted a small white blur near a stone table.
• Xiao Ling identified the creature as a likely Eighth-grade Nine-Colored Pill Beast and warned the others not to scare it away.
• Xiao Ling placed a Sixth-grade Pill as bait, drawing out a fluffy white beast that swallowed the pill and then eagerly ate more from him.

Xiao Ling subdued the Pill Beast with promises of pills and brought it along with his companions as they continued exploring the ruin. In the study, he discovered valuable alchemical writings, including a Rank 9 Treasure Pill recipe, and left eager to study them and advance his pill refining.

• Xiao Ling fed the Pill Beast Sixth-grade Pills, soothed its fear, and persuaded it to follow the group in exchange for food and occasional blood draws.
• Zi Yan and the other women took turns cuddling and teasing the Pill Beast until it relaxed and chose to stay with them.
• Xiao Ling and his companions collected the pills nearby and moved to the study, where they found signs that the Pill Beast had rummaged through the room.
• Xiao Ling searched a row of wooden shelves and opened boxes containing ancient pill recipes, manuscripts, and annotations.
• Xiao Ling found a Rank 9 Treasure Pill recipe and anticipated studying the writings before seeking Elder Yao's guidance on Alchemy.

After looting the relic’s halls, Xiao Ling’s group reached its central hall and found the Dou Sheng Skeleton guarded by powerful Ancient Human Puppets. Xiao Ling assigned his companions roles for the coming battle, which had not yet begun.

• Xiao Ling and his group searched the relic’s remaining halls and collected its treasures, accompanied by a little white beast.
• The group entered the central hall and saw ten light spheres surrounding the Dou Sheng Skeleton left by the Creation Saint.
• Xiao Ling recognized the skeleton as a chance to obtain Dou Sheng Marrow and advance his cultivation.
• Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Ling identified the dozen guardians as Ancient Human Puppets with Six-Star or Seven-Star Dou Zun strength and the ability to use Dou Techniques.
• Xiao Ling warned the group that they would have to fight the puppets to reach the treasures and assigned himself and Xiao Yi Xian to lead the attack, with Qing Lin and Medusa supporting them.

Xiao Ling and his companions broke the spatial barrier and fought the awakened Ancient Human Puppets while Zi Yan collected the escaping treasures. Xiao Ling unleashed a devastating Godfall Weapon strike that cut several puppets apart, though the battle continued.

• Xiao Ling assigned Zi Yan to collect the treasures while the others held back the puppets, then shattered the barrier separating the hall.
• The light spheres released their scrolls, and more than a dozen Ancient Human Puppets awakened and attacked the group.
• Xiao Ling and Xiao Yi Xian fought the puppets with the Godfall Weapon and Netherworld Poison Flame as Medusa and Qing Lin joined the battle with their own attacks and summoned beasts.
• Zi Yan used the Power of Space to seize the escaping light spheres, breaking through their attempts to resist her.
• Xiao Ling transformed the Godfall Weapon into a curved blade of light and sliced several puppets apart, breaking their assault.

Xiao Ling and his companions defeated the hall’s puppets, and Zi Yan returned with scrolls before the Dou Sheng Skeleton began to awaken. Xiao Ling prepared to use the Heavenly Demon Puppet to stop its revival.

• Xiao Ling, Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and Qing Lin destroyed the puppets, with Qing Lin earning Xiao Ling’s praise for her strength and control of serpent pets.
• Xiao Ling comforted Qing Lin, while Medusa felt a sudden envy that she blamed on the lingering effects of Little Sky Swallowing Python’s soul.
• Zi Yan returned with scrolls containing Advanced Earth Tier techniques, secret arts, and a battle-puppet refinement method, but no Heavenly Tier techniques.
• Xiao Yi Xian noticed the Dou Sheng Skeleton’s residual will stirring and faint light gathering in its eye sockets.
• Xiao Ling said he would use the Heavenly Demon Puppet to interrupt the skeleton’s revival.

Xiao Ling sent a Half-Saint Heavenly Demon Puppet to destroy the Dou Sheng Skeleton, but the skeleton’s safeguards activated and it began preparing the Heavenly Tier Dou Technique, Great Creation Palm. Xiao Ling evacuated himself and the four women from the hall as the skeleton’s blackened palm met the puppet’s fist.

• Xiao Ling tested the skeleton’s spatial restriction with a Heavenly Demon Puppet, which became trapped and had its right hand shattered.
• Xiao Ling summoned his violet-gold Half-Saint Heavenly Demon Puppet and ordered it to break through the barrier and destroy the skeleton.
• The Half-Saint puppet shattered the spatial barrier and charged the Dou Sheng Skeleton, whose bones began clattering as it sensed danger.
• The skeleton uttered “Great Creation Palm” and gathered black light into its right palm.
• Xiao Ling used the Power of Space to take himself and the four women outside the main hall, where they saw the skeleton’s palm collide with the puppet’s fist.

Xiao Ling and his companions survived the Great Creation Palm’s destruction of the hall, and his battered Half-Saint Puppet managed to move again. With the Dou Sheng Skeleton apparently inactive, Xiao Ling had his puppets dismantle it piece by piece, leaving a heap of bones.

• Xiao Ling used the Power of Space to move everyone clear of the black halo, which erased the hall and left a massive pit.
• Xiao Ling discovered that the Heavenly Demon Puppet was badly damaged but still operational, then put it away to prevent further harm.
• Xiao Ling examined the Dou Sheng Skeleton and chose to have puppets approach it in case it held a hidden danger.
• Xiao Ling’s puppets reached the skeleton without triggering anything and began dismantling it under his control.
• The puppets reduced the Dou Sheng Skeleton to a pile of bones, leaving Xiao Ling embarrassed by their treatment of it.

Xiao Ling discovered that three Dou Sheng ribs held sealed fragments of the Heavenly Tier Dou Technique Great Creation Palm, but could not decipher them yet. With factions gathering around the Skeleton Mountain Range, he decided to leave quickly and hide the women in his Portable Space while he handled what came next.

• Xiao Ling found concealed writing on a rib and realized it contained part of a Heavenly Tier Dou Technique; Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan each found another matching rib.
• Xiao Ling arranged the three ribs and tried to read their inscriptions, but a seal repelled his Soul Power, so he postponed deciphering them.
• Xiao Ling reassured the women that they could study the Great Creation Palm later, once he understood its cultivation method and special tempering process.
• Xiao Ling explained that Rayquaza had reported many factions gathering near the Skeleton Mountain Range, so they needed to leave before attracting trouble.
• Xiao Ling rejected Zi Yan's suggestion to fight their way out and told the women to enter his Portable Space while he dealt with what came next.

Xiao Ling sent Zi Yan, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin into a hidden space passage before disguising himself and preparing to confront the forces gathered around the ruins. He placed the Devouring Ancestral Symbol’s Destiny Talisman among the crowds, and the chapter left the gathered factions unaware of the danger closing in.

• Xiao Ling opened a Space Rift and sent Zi Yan, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin inside to wait safely.
• After closing the passage, Xiao Ling donned Yao Chen’s reforged black robe to conceal his identity and considered robbing the forces gathered near the ruins.
• Xiao Ling observed the many human and Magical Beast factions at the Skeleton Mountain Range and judged that their assembled experts were manageable.
• Xiao Ling sent the Destiny Talisman of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol toward the crowd, intending to test its power.
• Feng Tian of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan sensed an unsettling change, but a Nine Nether Underworld Python Clan elder dismissed his concern and boasted that their clans would claim the ruins’ treasures.

An ink-black barrier spread across the Skeleton Mountain Range, absorbing natural energy and threatening everyone gathered for the Ancient Ruins. After the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and Nine Nether Underworld Python Clan failed to break it, Xiao Ling watched from outside the barrier and prepared to begin his hunt.

• An ink-black barrier descended over the mountains, and Elder Feng Tian warned that it was devouring the surrounding natural energy.
• Elder Feng Tian ordered the factions to unite and attack the barrier before it could engulf them.
• The Nine Nether Underworld Python Clan summoned the Nine Nether Python Spirit Formation, while the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan raised the Heavenly Phoenix Flame Light Formation.
• The serpent and phoenix struck the barrier, but a black hole swallowed their energy and made the barrier stronger.
• The barrier spread over the entire region, plunging the Skeleton Mountain Range into darkness and terrifying the gathered factions.
• Xiao Ling revealed that he was hovering outside the barrier and said the real hunt could begin.

Trapped beneath the sealed barrier, the gathered factions were attacked by a vast force of black-robed fighters whose strength overwhelmed them. As Elder Feng Tian prepared to make a final stand, an unseen young human man pierced his chest, leaving the true mastermind about to be revealed.

• Elder Feng Tian told the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan members that their Space Jade Slip had failed and the barrier had sealed them off from the outside world.
• Vortices opened across the barrier, and countless black-robed figures emerged, prompting the crowd to suspect they were connected to the Hall of Souls.
• The black-robed force launched a devastating assault, overwhelming the factions with fighters who were at least Dou Zong and included countless Dou Zun Experts.
• The Nine Nether Underworld Python elder struggled against two black-robed Dou Zun Experts, while Elder Feng Tian's cracked Phoenix Bell weakened under repeated attacks.
• Elder Feng Tian gathered his strength for a final fight, but a fair, slender hand suddenly pierced through his chest.

Xiao Ling emerged from the Ancient Ruins after killing Elder Feng Tian and leading his Banner Slaves in a massacre of the trapped explorers and Magical Beasts. He reunited with Zi Yan and the other three women while flying away on Rayquaza, then said it was time to return to the Northwest Continent.

• Xiao Ling appeared before the dying Elder Feng Tian, who recognized him as Zhongzhou's Number One Prodigy and Continent's Number One Alchemist.
• Xiao Ling pulled his hand from Elder Feng Tian, took his Rank 8 Magic Core, and stored the elder's corpse.
• Xiao Ling watched his Banner Slaves slaughter the trapped factions inside the barrier until the killing ended and the barrier faded.
• Xiao Ling emerged from the Skeleton Mountain Range and rewarded Rayquaza with High-grade Medicinal Herbs before flying away on its back.
• Xiao Ling released Zi Yan and the other three women from his Portable Space, reassured them, and said they would return to the Northwest Continent.

Xiao Ling visited the Hall of Souls branch in Dark Abyss Ghost Valley to collect the Soul Origin gathered by his undercover Banner Slaves. After receiving it, he promised to strengthen several of his loyal subordinates with souls he had acquired.

• Xiao Ling arrived at Dark Abyss Ghost Valley, where his Banner Slaves had taken control of the Hall of Souls branch.
• Xiao Ling bypassed the branch hall’s defenses and entered its main hall, where the Banner Slaves greeted him as their Master.
• Venerable Qinghai presented Xiao Ling with the Soul Origin collected by the branch over the years.
• Xiao Ling examined the pure Soul Power and praised Venerable Qinghai for preparing it.
• Xiao Ling offered to strengthen several Banner Slaves with souls he had recently acquired as a reward for their service.

Xiao Ling retrieved a trove of Soul Origin from the Hall of Souls, arranged to infiltrate the organization, and reunited with Zi Yan and the others before resuming their journey. The group reached the Black Region Great Plains, nearing the Black Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy.

• Venerable Qinghai and the Banner Slaves thanked Xiao Ling for promising to help them grow stronger, while the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone offered to purify the Soul Origin.
• Xiao Ling entrusted the Soul Origin to the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone, then discussed Hall of Souls affairs with Venerable Qinghai and assigned Dou Zun-level Banner Slaves to join its upper ranks.
• Xiao Ling left the Hall of Souls branch, returned to Zi Yan and the others, and resumed their journey to the Northwest Continent after claiming he had searched nearby mountains for opportunities.
• On Rayquaza, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew through a black storm that quieted along their path and saw cities and travelers across the Black Region Great Plains.
• Xiao Yi Xian noted they were nearing the Black Corner Region, and Xiao Ling looked forward to returning to Jia Nan Academy.

Jia Nan Academy had flourished since Xiao Ling left, and a festive ceremony celebrated its new students and advancing Inner Academy students. As Su Qian and the others reflected on Xiao Ling’s achievements, Xiao Yu and Hu Jia arrived and teased each other about their feelings for him.

• Jia Nan Academy grew in power and reputation, drawing talented students and alchemists from across the Central Plains because of Xiao Ling’s fame.
• The academy held a ceremony for incoming students and those advancing to the Inner Academy, with statues of the Headmaster and Xiao Ling displayed in the plaza.
• New students learned from a senior student that Xiao Ling had become a Dou Zong at sixteen and reached the seventh tier in alchemy.
• Su Qian, Hu Gan, and Elder Huo discussed the academy’s growth and Xiao Ling’s Pill Gathering victory and Nine-colored Grade 8 Pill.
• Xiao Yu reported that the new-student arrangements were complete, then reminisced about Xiao Ling with Hu Jia, who teased her about her feelings for him.
• Xiao Yu retorted that Hu Jia also cared for Xiao Ling and often visited the courtyard where he had lived, prompting the elders to exchange knowing smiles.

Xiao Ling, Zi Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Medusa returned to Jia Nan Academy and reunited with Su Qian, Hu Gan, Elder Huo, Xiao Yu, and the others. The group left to catch up while Hu Gan stayed behind to oversee the new student selection, and the students watched Xiao Ling depart with growing curiosity.

• Xiao Ling and his companions emerged through a Space Passage, surprising Su Qian and the others with their return.
• Su Qian, Hu Gan, and Elder Huo warmly welcomed the group, while Xiao Yu and Hu Jia reacted with excitement at seeing Xiao Ling again.
• Su Qian teased Zi Yan about her height, prompting her to boast about her strength as the others laughed.
• Medusa felt out of place until Xiao Ling took her hand, and she clasped his hand in return.
• Su Qian led Xiao Ling's group away to talk, leaving Hu Gan and most of the elders to oversee the new student selection.
• The students watched Xiao Ling leave and whispered about his reputation, while female students admired him.

Xiao Ling and his companions reunited with Su Qian and the Jia Nan Academy elders, revealing that they had reached the Dou Zun Realm and sharing stories about the Central Plains. They planned to stay at the academy for a while before leaving to handle other matters.

• Su Qian asked Xiao Ling and the others about their cultivation, and Xiao Ling revealed that they had all reached the Dou Zun Realm.
• Su Qian and the elders celebrated the group's achievements, while Zi Yan mentioned reaching the eighth rank and praised Xiao Ling's alchemy.
• Su Qian asked Zi Yan whether she had found her clan, and she said the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had taken her back, though she still had not seen her parents.
• Zhu Kun felt a sudden unease outside Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, then blamed Tou She Ancient God and struck the mansion with his tail.
• Xiao Ling and his companions spent the day telling Su Qian and the elders about the Central Plains, and Xiao Yu and Hu Jia grew eager to visit it.
• Xiao Ling said the group would stay at Jia Nan Academy for a while, offered to refine pills for the elders, and returned to the Inner Academy with Su Qian and the others.

Xiao Ling and his group returned to the Inner Academy, where Su Qian welcomed them and showed them the academy’s growth and the Supreme Freedom Gate’s influence. After settling into their old courtyard, Xiao Ling received a purified Soul Origin from the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone, which could help him become a Grand Talisman Master.

• Xiao Ling and his group rode a Griffin to the Inner Academy’s entrance, where Su Qian opened a spatial gate for them.
• The group arrived at the Inner Academy and learned from Su Qian that the Supreme Freedom Gate remained its leading faction and had attracted many students through Xiao Ling and his companions’ reputations.
• Xiao Ling and the others bid farewell to Su Qian and returned to their former courtyard to rest.
• Xiao Ling entered his old room, where the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone appeared and offered him a purified Soul Origin that might help him become a Grand Talisman Master.

Xiao Ling absorbed the Soul Origin in seclusion for nearly a month, aiming to break through to Grand Talisman Master while the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone protected him. As his cultivation continued, Su Qian and Elder Huo discussed his absence and anticipated that his return would cause a stir.

• Xiao Ling formed a soul body and began drawing the Soul Origin into his Niwan Palace, where his eight Destiny Talismans absorbed it, especially the one derived from the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.
• The soul ripples from Xiao Ling's cultivation spread through the courtyard, so the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone raised an isolation barrier and told Xiao Yi Xian and the other women not to disturb him.
• Xiao Yi Xian and the others agreed to turn away visitors, and the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone returned to Xiao Ling as he continued refining Soul Power.
• Xiao Ling remained motionless in seclusion for nearly a month while Xiao Yi Xian and the others repeatedly turned away Su Qian, Elder Huo, and other Inner Academy elders.
• Su Qian and Elder Huo played chess, and Elder Huo lamented that Xiao Ling's Alchemist's Handbooks had inspired him to seek guidance in Alchemy before Xiao Ling entered seclusion.
• Su Qian said he expected Xiao Ling to cause a stir after finishing his cultivation.