Chapter Summaries

Gu Fengchen comforted Qing Lin and invited her to call him Brother, helping her feel accepted for the first time since her mother’s death. Xue Lan rushed in, mistook the embrace for abuse, and pulled Qing Lin away before Gu Fengchen could explain.

• Gu Fengchen told Qing Lin that everyone was equal and invited her to call him Brother.
• Qing Lin broke down in tears and threw herself into Gu Fengchen’s arms as he comforted her.
• Three faint Magatama appeared briefly in Qing Lin’s eyes, unnoticed by Gu Fengchen.
• Xue Lan entered, accused Gu Fengchen of bullying Qing Lin, and snatched Qing Lin from his arms.

Xue Lan mistook Gu Fengchen’s relationship with Qing Lin for abuse and angrily confronted him before realizing she had misunderstood. Gu Fengchen offered Qing Lin five hundred Gold Coins as a token of sincerity, and he discovered that her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils could affect even a Dou Emperor.

• Xue Lan saw Qing Lin crying and assumed Gu Fengchen had bullied her.
• Qing Lin defended Gu Fengchen and called him “Brother,” which further enraged Xue Lan.
• After Qing Lin and Xue Lan talked, Xue Lan realized her mistake and left in embarrassment.
• Gu Fengchen offered Qing Lin five hundred Gold Coins and asked her to stay by his side.
• Gu Fengchen noticed three jade-green dots in Qing Lin’s eyes and felt the influence of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.

Gu Fengchen reassured Qing Lin and recognized the power of her Jade-Eyed Three-Flowered Pupils, then went with Xue Lan to the Sand Mercenary Group to press them to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame. The group’s Third Leader provoked them at the entrance and was knocked aside by Gu Fengchen.

• Qing Lin asked whether she could help Gu Fengchen, and he promised she would not suffer while she stayed with him.
• Gu Fengchen was briefly dazed by Qing Lin’s Jade-Eyed Three-Flowered Pupils and considered her a valuable future fighter.
• Gu Fengchen had Xue Lan take him to the Sand Mercenary Group so he could urge them to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Several Sand Mercenary Group members accosted Xue Lan at the entrance and made lewd remarks.
• Gu Fengchen struck the man who had spoken, sending him into a wall, and the others identified him as their Third Leader.

Gu Fengchen killed the Sand Mercenary Group’s Third Leader with a snap of his fingers, then faced group leader Luo Bu. After Gu Fengchen burned Luo Bu’s sword to ashes, Luo Bu froze in fear.

• Gu Fengchen snapped his fingers and burned the Third Leader to ashes as his men fled to report the news.
• Luo Bu arrived with several burly men and learned that the Third Leader had been reduced to a lump of charcoal.
• Luo Bu asked Gu Fengchen why he had come, and Gu Fengchen said he was simply bored.
• Luo Bu charged Gu Fengchen with his Blackwood Sword Art, but Gu Fengchen burned his broadsword to ashes with a snap of his fingers.
• Luo Bu stopped in fear as he realized he could not safely advance against Gu Fengchen.

Gu Fengchen forced Luo Bu to agree to absorb his Sand Mercenary Group into the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, then gave him pills to distribute while setting a trap to sow distrust. That night, Gu Fengchen returned to his group and rested after drinking with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

• Luo Bu yielded to Gu Fengchen after realizing his strength and thanked him for killing the Third Leader.
• Gu Fengchen asked Luo Bu to join the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, and Luo Bu agreed after Gu Fengchen reminded him of the charred body.
• Gu Fengchen gave Luo Bu a bottle of third-grade pills and told him to distribute them among the Sand Mercenary Group.
• Gu Fengchen asked Luo Bu for a favor, and Luo Bu agreed.
• Gu Fengchen returned to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, drank with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, and went to rest.

Gu Fengchen searched for the Green Lotus Core Flame by having the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the Sand Mercenary Group dig through the desert near Shimo City. After they uncovered a passage, he cautiously sensed its interior before entering.

• Gu Fengchen inspected the Storage Rings he had taken from the Snake People Tribe fighters and found Gold Coins, pills, Medicinal Herbs, and weapons.
• Gu Fengchen reassured Qing Lin that he would stay by her side, while Xiao Li remarked that Gu Fengchen seemed to know her already and Xiao Ding said he meant them no harm.
• Gu Fengchen made finding the Green Lotus Core Flame his most urgent goal, and Luo Bu sent the Sand Mercenary Group to help dig after accepting Gu Fengchen's pills.
• After hours of searching, a Desert Iron Mercenary Group member reported that the teams had found a passage, and Gu Fengchen rewarded them with pills.
• Gu Fengchen sent the other teams to keep searching, then used his Soul Power to inspect the passage before going down.

Gu Fengchen continued exploring a passage toward the place where the Green Lotus Core Flame had formed, while considering how multiple Heavenly Flames could let him refine powerful pills. The chapter left him still descending through the passage at night.

• Gu Fengchen waited for nightfall before continuing his search through the desert passage.
• He sensed the Fire Attribute energy growing denser as he descended and inferred that the passage led toward the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu Fengchen considered using the Green Lotus Core Flame alongside the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame to refine stronger pills.
• He reflected on how medicinal pills could help cultivators break through and explained the rare Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill's power and risks.

Gu Fengchen searched the hidden passage for the Green Lotus Core Flame, following the strongest Fire Attribute energy but finding no clear sign of a Heavenly Flame. After exhausting his Soul Power and resting, he woke with stronger Soul Power and continued his search.

• Gu Fengchen explored the passage’s forks, using his Soul Power to seek denser Fire Attribute energy and backtracking whenever he reached a dead end.
• Gu Fengchen considered the Green Lotus Core Flame’s origins and wondered whether Medusa had possessed specific information about its location.
• Gu Fengchen’s extensive search depleted his Soul Power, leaving him dizzy and struggling to stand.
• Gu Fengchen rested in the passage, then woke to find that his Soul Power had grown stronger as it recovered.

Gu Fengchen searched underground for the Green Lotus Core Flame while using the effort to strengthen his Soul Power and comprehension. After three days, he found the underground birthplace of the flame.

• Gu Fengchen considered seeking the Falling Heart Flame and the Underworld Poison Flame after obtaining the Green Lotus Core Flame, hoping the latter could help Xiao Yi Xian.
• He repeatedly exhausted and recovered his Soul Power as he searched, increasing it by about ten percent and improving his comprehension.
• After three days, Gu Fengchen located the underground area richest in Fire Attribute energy and withdrew his Soul Power.

Gu Fengchen’s Soul Power improved, and his contact with the Green Lotus Core Flame stirred both the flame and the Taotie Seal. He located the flame but returned to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group to prepare before trying to subdue it.

• Gu Fengchen sensed the Green Lotus Core Flame’s spiritual resistance when his Soul Power touched it.
• The Taotie Seal reacted to the Green Lotus Core Flame, and Taotie emerged in Gu Fengchen’s mind, driven to devour it.
• Gu Fengchen left a Soul Imprint near the underground entrance and decided to return after resting and preparing.
• Gu Fengchen traveled back by camel cart while Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the mercenaries waited for him at the entrance.

Gu Fengchen found Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Qing Lin waiting for him in the Tagor Desert, while Queen Medusa mobilized the Snake People Tribe to search the region after emerging from seclusion. The chapter left the purpose of her search unrevealed.

• Gu Fengchen noticed that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had grown stronger after taking his pills.
• Qing Lin rushed to Gu Fengchen and insisted on staying by his side despite his concern for her safety in the desert.
• Queen Medusa emerged from secluded cultivation, and the Snake People Tribe began a large-scale search.
• Mobas reported to Queen Medusa that his group had searched the area according to her instructions.

Queen Medusa discovered traces of a powerful Heavenly Flame and worried its mysterious wielder might be pursuing the same flame she sought. The next morning, Gu Fengchen woke to Qing Lin and Xue Lan visiting him, and Xue Lan’s mercenary outfit caught his attention.

• Queen Medusa arrived at a mound where Snake People reported that a tribe’s missing squad had pursued human mercenaries there.
• Queen Medusa sensed traces of a Heavenly Flame stronger than the one she had previously detected and wondered whether its wielder was after the flames too.
• Gu Fengchen woke after a restful night and invited Qing Lin into his room.
• Qing Lin entered with Xue Lan, whose revealing mercenary attire stirred Gu Fengchen’s thoughts.

Gu Fengchen gathered fire-attribute energy around the Green Lotus Core Flame, using the Taotie Seal to refine his Dou Qi. After hours of cultivation, he broke through from peak Three-Star Dou Emperor to Four-Star Dou Emperor.

• Gu Fengchen had breakfast with Xue Lan, then returned to the underground cavern.
• Gu Fengchen followed his Soul Imprint to the area where fire-attribute energy was most concentrated and sensed the Green Lotus Core Flame beneath the magma.
• Gu Fengchen let the Taotie Seal absorb the surrounding Rootless Flames while considering how long it might take to absorb the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu Fengchen cultivated for several hours, broke through the Three-Star Dou Emperor bottleneck, and advanced to Four-Star Dou Emperor.

Gu Fengchen entered the magma sea beneath the earth to find the Green Lotus Core Flame, then lured out the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. He subdued the Dou Spirit-level beast with Soul Power and left it alive, though still struggling in his grasp.

• Gu Fengchen continued deeper underground, absorbing Fire Attribute energy as he went.
• Gu Fengchen reached a vast sea of magma and realized he needed the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to help him locate the flame.
• A Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake burst from the magma and attacked Gu Fengchen.
• Gu Fengchen used his Soul Power to seize the snake's heads and test his control over it.
• When the snake struggled fiercely, Gu Fengchen pierced its head with a Soul Power needle, then clamped it down without killing it.

Gu Fengchen compelled the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to guide him through the lava to the Green Lotus Core Flame and began absorbing nearby Fire Attribute energy. As he prepared to continue, Queen Medusa arrived at the cave entrance.

• Gu Fengchen planted a Soul Imprint in the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake and ordered it to lead him to the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu Fengchen activated the Three Thousand Burning Flame Body and followed the snake into the lava.
• Gu Fengchen found the Green Lotus Core Flame beneath an azure light screen and used the Taotie Seal to absorb the surrounding Fire Attribute energy.
• Queen Medusa's immense aura appeared at the cave entrance, and Gu Fengchen recognized her.

Queen Medusa returned to the cavern and discovered that Gu Fengchen had found the Green Lotus Core Flame. She confronted him with her powerful aura, leaving Gu Fengchen barely able to withstand the pressure and captivated by her appearance.

• Queen Medusa returned to the cavern after spending a month gathering Ice Spirit Cold Spring to protect her during the Heavenly Flame refinement.
• The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake told Queen Medusa that Gu Fengchen had entered the cavern and was still there.
• Gu Fengchen sensed Queen Medusa approaching and activated the Three Thousand Burning Flame Body to resist her pressure.
• Queen Medusa appeared before Gu Fengchen, and he struggled to withstand her aura while admiring her beauty.

Gu Fengchen tried to convince Queen Medusa to give him the Green Lotus Core Flame in exchange for helping her break through to Dou Zong. He revealed the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame, leaving Queen Medusa impressed but doubtful that he could refine the required pill.

• Queen Medusa sensed Fire Attribute energy around Gu Fengchen and accused him of absorbing the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu Fengchen insisted the Green Lotus Core Flame remained untouched and offered to help Queen Medusa reach Dou Zong if she gave it to him.
• Queen Medusa dismissed Gu Fengchen's offer as a bluff, so he revealed the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame.
• Queen Medusa recognized the flame's extraordinary power and asked whether Gu Fengchen was an Alchemist.
• Queen Medusa doubted that anyone in the Jia Ma Empire could refine a pill capable of helping her break through to Dou Zong.

Gu Fengchen claimed his soul strength nearly matched an eighth-grade Alchemist, but Queen Medusa attacked him after suspecting he had come alone to seize the Heavenly Flame. He withstood her strike and provoked her into fighting again, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Gu Fengchen asked Queen Medusa to trust him, but she used an afterimage to conceal her approach and launched a surprise punch.
• Gu Fengchen activated the Indestructible Golden Body, blocked Queen Medusa's attack, and slapped her, sending her flying.
• Queen Medusa explained that she had attacked because she doubted a seventh-grade Alchemist would come alone without a Dou Zong protector.
• Gu Fengchen argued that a powerful Alchemist did not need a protector and taunted Queen Medusa about the Snake People Tribe's rule concerning defeat.
• Queen Medusa enveloped Gu Fengchen in purple Dou Qi, and he used the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame to intercept her attack.

Gu Fengchen and Queen Medusa fought beneath the lava, with Gu Fengchen gaining the upper hand but unable to defeat her quickly. Concerned their battle might expose the Green Lotus Core Flame, he tried to persuade her to seek a safer way to break through, but she rejected his offer.

• Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor and Lv Man discussed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and headed northwest toward Tagor Desert.
• Gu Fengchen and Queen Medusa clashed with their flames and Dou Qi, and Gu Fengchen gained the advantage.
• The battle damaged the underground surroundings and churned the lava as Gu Fengchen worried it would attract the Jia Ma Empire's experts and reveal the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Gu Fengchen told Queen Medusa that devouring Heavenly Flames could kill her and offered to help her break through more safely.
• Queen Medusa replied that her breakthrough had nothing to do with Gu Fengchen.

Gu Fengchen offered to help Queen Medusa advance to Dou Zong in exchange for the Green Lotus Core Flame, pointing out that it contained dangerous fire poison. Queen Medusa recognized that she could not safely control the Heavenly Flame and agreed to his proposal.

• Gu Fengchen offered to increase Queen Medusa's chances of advancing to Dou Zong if she returned the Green Lotus Core Flame to him afterward.
• Gu Fengchen showed Queen Medusa the fire poison rising from the lava lake, and she recognized the danger within the flames.
• Gu Fengchen explained that fire poison would be a useful tonic to him but could harm others, and warned that the Snake People Tribe was especially vulnerable to Heavenly Flames.
• Gu Fengchen urged Queen Medusa to leave the Heavenly Flame to him as an Alchemist and accept his help with her advancement.
• Queen Medusa backed down and agreed to Gu Fengchen's proposal because she could not safely control the flame or defeat him.