Recaps

Lu Heng revealed that he could sense the Fallen Heart Flame’s consciousness, prompting Su Qian to explain the danger beneath the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. Su Qian gave Lu Heng the tower’s highest-authority purple fire crystal card, and Zi Yan appeared in the study as Lu Heng and Han Yue were leaving.

• Su Qian questioned Lu Heng about the fire energy on the tower’s fourth layer, and Lu Heng claimed he had sensed spiritual eyes beneath it.
• Su Qian explained that the tower stood over a magma sea where the intelligent Fallen Heart Flame was sealed, and that its seal was weakening.
• Lu Heng asked whether the Inner Academy could withstand the flame’s escape, and Su Qian said the elders were struggling to reinforce the seal.
• Su Qian gave Lu Heng a purple fire crystal card allowing him to cultivate at the tower’s deepest levels, warning him not to provoke the Fallen Heart Flame yet.
• Lu Heng and Han Yue prepared to leave Su Qian’s study, but Zi Yan appeared through a spatial ripple and greeted them.

Zi Yan tore through the barrier to visit Lu Heng, traded him rare medicinal ingredients for sweet pills, and Su Qian entrusted Lu Heng with preparing her food. Zi Yan then took Lu Heng to the Back Mountain to seize a treasure guarded by a powerful white-furred monkey.

• Zi Yan opened a spatial rift into Su Qian's study and rushed over to Lu Heng for pills.
• Lu Heng gave Zi Yan sweet pills, and she dumped rare herbs and fruits onto Su Qian's desk as payment for more.
• Lu Heng accepted the ingredients, and Su Qian asked him to refine Zi Yan's medicinal finds into suitable pills, with the academy covering the costs.
• Zi Yan grabbed Lu Heng and invited him to the Back Mountain to claim a treasure from a white-furred monkey she could not defeat.

Lu Heng agreed to help Zi Yan seek Earth Core Body Tempering Milk guarded by a Fifth-Rank Snow Demon Sky Ape, despite Han Yue's warnings about the danger. After returning to his courtyard, Lu Heng proposed a plan using Zi Yan to distract the beast while he infiltrated its den, and Han Yue reluctantly accepted.

• Lu Heng agreed to go with Zi Yan to find the treasure, and Su Qian let them leave while warning Zi Yan to protect him.
• Zi Yan hurried toward the Back Mountain with Lu Heng, and Han Yue caught up and learned the guardian was a Fifth-Rank Snow Demon Sky Ape.
• Han Yue warned that the beast could overwhelm them, but Lu Heng decided to pursue the treasure and led the others back to his courtyard to plan.
• Lu Heng explained that Zi Yan would distract the beast while he used his Purple Cloud Wings, soul power, and Lost Track Powder to reach the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• Han Yue reluctantly accepted the plan after Lu Heng assured her he was ninety percent confident he could get out.

Lu Heng prepared Han Yue and Zi Yan for a dangerous expedition to steal treasures from a fifth-tier Snow Demon Sky Ape, while the two stayed with him as he began refining pills. The chapter ended with Lu Heng starting work on Berserk Beast Blood Spirit Pills ahead of their departure the next morning.

• Lu Heng assigned Han Yue to set up an ice formation to slow the Snow Demon Sky Ape and help them escape if it attacked.
• Zi Yan interrupted Lu Heng and Han Yue's kiss, misunderstood it as a way to exchange Dou Qi, and asked to try it before Lu Heng gave her a sugar-coated pill.
• Lu Heng announced he would refine Berserk Beast Blood Spirit Pills, Energy Recovery Pills, and Lost Track Powder before they set out early the next morning.
• Zi Yan claimed Lu Heng's bed to guard him and get first access to his pills, while Han Yue chose to stay and cultivate nearby.
• Lu Heng began refining Berserk Beast Blood Spirit Pills to prepare for the expedition into the forbidden forest.

Lu Heng prepared pills and scent-concealing powder for the group’s attempt to raid the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s lair, while Zi Yan’s mistaken belief in his invented dual-cultivation technique led her to kiss him. Lu Heng, Zi Yan, and Han Yue set out for the Inner Academy’s Back Mountain to seek Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.

• Lu Heng refined blood-red pills, enhanced Energy Recovery Pills, Lost Track Powder, and powerful rough pills intended as snacks for Zi Yan.
• Zi Yan woke to the medicinal fragrance, ate a pill, praised Lu Heng’s cooking, and kissed him while trying to test the supposed dual-cultivation technique he had described.
• Zi Yan questioned why she could not feel Dou Qi from the kiss, and Lu Heng hastily claimed the technique required greater mutual understanding as Han Yue watched with amusement.
• Lu Heng gave Zi Yan and Han Yue Lost Track Powder and explained that it would conceal their scents from the Snow Demon Sky Ape.
• Zi Yan led the way toward the Back Mountain, and Lu Heng and Han Yue followed to search for Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.

Lu Heng, Zi Yan, and Han Yue raided the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s valley to steal the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, but the beast entered its berserk state and charged at them. Lu Heng flew to rescue Han Yue as the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s fist filled her vision.

• Lu Heng sent Zi Yan to draw the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s attention while Han Yue prepared traps and he planned to steal the treasure.
• Zi Yan exchanged blows with the beast, while Lu Heng slipped behind it and Han Yue laid an icy path and spike traps.
• Lu Heng cut open the stalactite and collected nearly all of the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, leaving a portion behind to nourish the Spirit Vein.
• The Snow Demon Sky Ape discovered the theft, entered its berserk state, and charged toward Lu Heng and Han Yue as Zi Yan tried to pursue it.
• Lu Heng called for retreat and flew toward Han Yue, whose traps and ice walls failed to stop the beast as it swung a fist at her.

Lu Heng took the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s devastating punch to protect Han Yue, leaving him gravely injured. Zi Yan unleashed the Ancient Void Dragon’s bloodline pressure to drive the beast back, and Han Yue and Zi Yan carried Lu Heng toward the valley exit.

• The Snow Demon Sky Ape shattered Han Yue’s ice shield and struck at her, but Lu Heng shielded her with his body.
• Lu Heng survived the blow but was badly injured, and Han Yue tearfully accused him of risking his life for her.
• Zi Yan’s fury awakened her Ancient Void Dragon bloodline pressure, forcing the Snow Demon Sky Ape to kneel and retreat.
• Zi Yan and Han Yue supported Lu Heng as they fled toward the valley exit before the Snow Demon Sky Ape recovered.

After Lu Heng was gravely injured protecting Han Yue from a white-furred monkey, Han Yue and Zi Yan rushed to treat him. His Azure Wood Body converted the medicine into healing energy, and he woke at dusk to find Han Yue keeping watch.

• Han Yue and Zi Yan brought the unconscious Lu Heng to his room, where Han Yue carefully cut away his blood-soaked clothes and found his back badly crushed.
• Han Yue fed Lu Heng healing pills with warm water, while Zi Yan blamed herself for not defeating the monkey and vowed to pluck its fur.
• Lu Heng's Azure Wood Body activated and turned the pills' medicinal power into green energy, gradually healing his back as Han Yue kept watch.
• At dusk, Lu Heng woke and joked with Han Yue, who cried with relief and softly scolded him for taking the blow.

Lu Heng showed Han Yue and Zi Yan the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk he had obtained from the Snow Demon Sky Ape and explained that it could strengthen the body and help Han Yue break through to Dou Ling. As Han Yue took charge of his recovery, Lu Heng learned that Zi Yan had somehow brought down the ape, while she asked whether the treasure could help her grow taller.

• Lu Heng revealed the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk and explained its benefits, including helping Han Yue overcome her cultivation bottleneck.
• Lu Heng said he had left some of the natural treasure behind so it could regrow, and Han Yue’s resentment over his injuries faded.
• Han Yue took the bottle and ordered Lu Heng to rest, while Zi Yan vowed to help keep him in bed.
• Lu Heng asked what had happened to the Snow Demon Sky Ape, and Zi Yan vaguely claimed it had collapsed after she shouted at it.
• Han Yue went to prepare food, and Zi Yan asked Lu Heng whether the milk could make her grow taller.

Lu Heng recovered from his injuries overnight, delivered the Earth Origin Spirit Pill to Liu Qing, and prepared Earth Core Body Tempering Milk for himself, Han Yue, and Zi Yan. The three began soaking in diluted medicinal baths to temper their bodies.

• Han Yue found Lu Heng fully healed and was astonished by his recovery.
• Zi Yan examined Lu Heng and teased him about his unusually powerful physique.
• Liu Qing visited Lu Heng, received the Earth Origin Spirit Pill, and thanked him for the favor.
• Lu Heng divided the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk among himself, Han Yue, and Zi Yan and warned them to dilute it before bathing.
• Han Yue and Zi Yan soaked in the medicinal baths, and Zi Yan wondered whether the treatment could help her grow up faster.

Lu Heng used Earth Core Body Tempering Milk to advance to peak Five-Star Da Dou Shi while Han Yue underwent a prolonged breakthrough. On the fourth day, Han Yue emerged as a Two-Star Dou Ling, and Lu Heng contained her freezing aura to protect the courtyard.

• Lu Heng absorbed Earth Core Body Tempering Milk for two days, advancing to peak Five-Star Da Dou Shi and strengthening his four physiques.
• Zi Yan finished absorbing the milk early, then waited outside Han Yue’s room while Lu Heng asked her to keep watch.
• Han Yue’s breakthrough began on the fourth day, sending freezing energy across the courtyard as she advanced to Dou Ling.
• Su Qian observed Han Yue’s breakthrough and recalled Lu Heng’s earlier exploits, including withstanding the Snow Demon Sky Ape’s attack and calming Zi Yan.
• Lu Heng raised a barrier of fire-attributed Dou Qi to contain Han Yue’s cold aura and protect the courtyard.
• Han Yue emerged with three revolving ice-blue wind blades and the strength of a Two-Star Dou Ling.

Lu Heng reunited with Han Yue after her breakthrough to Two-Star Dou Ling, and she confessed her feelings with a kiss. He announced his plan to enter seclusion in Zi Yan’s Training Room, while Yan Hao, Lin Xiuya, and Lin Yan arrived to request pills and hear about his plans.

• Lu Heng recognized Han Yue’s breakthrough to Two-Star Dou Ling, and Han Yue embraced and kissed him.
• Lu Heng announced that he planned to enter seclusion for two years, and Zi Yan offered her sixth-floor No. 1 Training Room while Lu Heng promised to prepare her rations.
• Yan Hao, Lin Xiuya, and Lin Yan arrived, noticed Han Yue’s new strength, and teased Lu Heng for helping her advance while they waited for pills.
• The three men presented Lu Heng with ingredients and payment for auxiliary cultivation pills, and Lu Heng said he would also make Ice Spirit Heart Protecting Pills to remove Flame Poison and protect the heart meridians.

Lu Heng prepared Han Yue for seclusion by taking medicinal ingredients from the Inner Academy storehouse with Zi Yan and refining an Ice Spirit Heart Protecting Pill. The three entered the tower’s sixth floor and opened No. 1 Cultivation Room, where Lu Heng sensed the sealed Fallen Heart Flame calling to him.

• Zi Yan took Lu Heng to the Inner Academy medicinal ingredient storehouse and pressured Elder Li into letting them collect ingredients for pills and snacks.
• Lu Heng spent two days refining pills, completing Lin Xiuya and the others’ orders and giving Han Yue an Ice Spirit Heart Protecting Pill to temper her ice Dou Qi and ward off Flame Poison.
• Lu Heng made Zi Yan a supply of flavored pills, then set off for the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower with Han Yue and Zi Yan.
• Zi Yan led Lu Heng and Han Yue past the sixth-floor barrier and opened No. 1 Cultivation Room.
• Lu Heng felt the Five Spirits Chaos Art react to the room’s heat and sensed the sealed Fallen Heart Flame pounding from deep within the magma world.

Lu Heng completed a month of cultivation in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower and reached the peak of Seven-Star Great Dou Master, while Han Yue stabilized her Two-Star Dou Ling realm. Zi Yan’s boredom and empty snack supply ended their session, and Lu Heng left the tower with her and Han Yue before making Zi Yan a jar of colorful treats.

• Lin Yan endured the tower’s heat with Ice Spirit Heart Protecting Pills from Lu Heng, while Yan Hao and Liu Qing also took the pills.
• Lu Heng absorbed the tower’s fire energy and Flame Poison, advancing from Peak Five-Star Da Dou Master to Seven-Star Peak in one month.
• Han Yue stabilized her Two-Star Dou Ling realm as Zi Yan complained about the tedious cultivation and demanded to leave for more snacks.
• Lu Heng agreed to end the session, and he, Han Yue, and Zi Yan left the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.
• Zi Yan stopped Lu Heng at the alchemy room entrance, and he spent more than half a day refining a jar of colorful snacks for her.

Lu Heng refined a Profound Realm-Breaking Pill and failed to break through to Dou Ling, reaching Half-Step Dou Ling instead. Han Yue and Zi Yan suggested fighting the Snow Demon Sky Ape again, but Lu Heng explained that Earth Core Body Tempering Milk would no longer help and decided to find someone to test his strength on.

• Lu Heng refined a Profound Realm-Breaking Pill overnight after preparing two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills.
• Lu Heng swallowed both Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills and reached Nine-Star Da Dou Shi.
• Lu Heng took the Profound Realm-Breaking Pill, but failed to break through the Dou Ling barrier and became Half-Step Dou Ling.
• Han Yue teased Lu Heng about the pill and suggested they borrow more Earth Core Body Tempering Milk from the Snow Demon Sky Ape.
• Zi Yan rushed in and eagerly offered to fight the Snow Demon Sky Ape, but Lu Heng explained that the milk would no longer help him overcome his bottleneck.
• Lu Heng decided to find someone to test his strength on, and Zi Yan asked who they would fight.

Lu Heng went to the Inner Academy Arena with Zi Yan and Han Yue and challenged Gao Meng, a Four-Star Dou Ling ranked thirty-ninth on the Strong Ranking List. The fight began with Lu Heng charging at Gao Meng, whose reaction suggested he had underestimated Lu Heng’s speed.

• Lu Heng, Zi Yan, and Han Yue went to the Arena, where Han Yue explained its challenges and Fire Energy rewards.
• Zi Yan pointed out Gao Meng after he defeated a Three-Star Dou Ling, and Han Yue identified him as a powerful Four-Star Dou Ling ranked thirty-ninth.
• Lu Heng decided to challenge Gao Meng, while Zi Yan encouraged him and the crowd recognized her as the Brute King.
• Lu Heng offered to bet thirty days of Fire Energy, and Gao Meng accepted while armoring himself with earth-yellow Dou Qi.
• Lu Heng cracked the platform with a powerful stomp and charged at Gao Meng, who realized his speed was far beyond that of a Da Dou Shi.

Lu Heng defeated Gao Meng with a punch and a palm strike, then gave Han Yue fifty days of Fire Energy. After hearing of the fight, Great Elder Su Qian changed the Strong Ranking Tournament rules to raise the rewards and let challengers choose their match formats, putting a heavier burden on Lu Heng.

• Lu Heng bent Gao Meng's Refined Iron Staff with a punch, shattered his Dou Qi Armor with the Azure Wood Seal, and forced him to concede.
• Lu Heng transferred fifty days of Fire Energy to Han Yue, while Zi Yan asked him for more treats.
• A mentor told Su Qian that Lu Heng had beaten Gao Meng in a direct clash, and Su Qian decided to change the Strong Ranking Tournament rules.
• Su Qian ordered the mentor to announce doubled rewards for the top ten and allow challengers to choose their match formats.
• Lu Heng discussed Lin Xiuya's speed with Han Yue as several people approached them.

Lu Heng’s rapid cultivation and victory over Gao Meng drew attention as he celebrated with Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Yan Hao, Lin Yan, Han Yue, and Zi Yan. He announced that he would enter seclusion to pursue a breakthrough to Dou Ling, but a Third-Grade Alchemist blocked his path and confronted him.

• Lin Xiuya and the others noticed Lu Heng’s name on the Strong Ranking List at thirty-ninth with Nine-Star Da Dou Shi Peak, and Lu Heng explained his recent gains and failed attempt to break through with a Profound Realm-Breaking Pill.
• Zi Yan demanded a fight or a meal, so Lu Heng treated her and the others to dinner at the Inner Academy cafeteria, where they discussed his victory over Gao Meng and the upcoming Strong Ranking Tournament.
• Lu Heng told Lin Xiuya and the others that he planned to return to seclusion because his Dou Qi had reached a critical point and he wanted to break through to Dou Ling before the tournament.
• After dinner, Lu Heng walked toward the Secluded Bamboo Forest with Han Yue and Zi Yan, then stopped when a young man in a moon-white robe marked as a Third-Grade Alchemist blocked the path and asked if he was Lu Heng.

Lu Heng accepted Chu Zhao’s challenge to an alchemy contest, wagering that the Medicine Gang would disband if Chu Zhao lost. At the contest, Chu Zhao began refining a peak Fourth-Rank pill while Lu Heng prepared to refine a Fifth-Rank Qi Cultivation Pill.

• Shen Yue told Lu Heng that the Medicine Gang forbade private pill trading and challenged him to face Chu Zhao in an alchemy contest three days later.
• Lu Heng accepted and demanded that the Medicine Gang disband if Chu Zhao lost; Zi Yan offered to tear down its buildings if it refused.
• News of the wager spread through the Inner Academy, and a crowd gathered at the Alchemist Department plaza three days later.
• Elder Huo announced the contest rules, and Chu Zhao began refining a peak Fourth-Rank Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
• Lu Heng brought out the Mystic Yuan Li Fire Cauldron and prepared ingredients for a beginner Fifth-Rank Qi Cultivation Pill.

Lu Heng defeated Chu Zhao in an alchemy contest by refining a superb-quality Fifth-Rank Qi Cultivation Pill, then allowed the Medicine Gang to continue under a new name if it abandoned its coercive rules. He left the crowd with Zi Yan warning the students not to trouble him.

• Chu Zhao completed a peak Fourth-Rank Three-Stripe Purple Gold Pill, but Lu Heng refined a Fifth-Rank Qi Cultivation Pill and Elder Huo confirmed its superb quality.
• Lu Heng told Chu Zhao to dismantle the Medicine Gang, then offered to let its members continue doing business under a different name without their coercive rules.
• Elder Huo asked Lu Heng to take responsibility for the supply of low-grade pills, and Lu Heng told Chu Zhao and Shen Yue to keep operating fairly and not provoke him.
• Lu Heng asked Zi Yan to deal with anyone who disturbed him at the Secluded Bamboo Forest, and she declared that anyone who challenged him would have to face her.

Lu Heng established his standing in the Inner Academy after revealing his Fifth-Rank alchemy skills and relying on Zi Yan’s reputation, then discussed the upcoming Strong Ranking Tournament with his friends. As he prepared to enter seclusion and break through to Dou Ling, he realized he still needed a Water Attribute treasure to complete his Five Elements cultivation.

• Lu Heng took Han Yue and Zi Yan away from the Alchemist Department, while the students parted in fear of Zi Yan.
• Lu Heng met Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Yan Hao, and Lin Yan, who questioned what he had been hiding; he explained that he had never concealed being a Fifth-Rank Alchemist.
• Lu Heng treated the group to a meal, where Han Yue cared for him and Zi Yan complained that the Strong Ranking Tournament was boring because everyone surrendered to her.
• Lu Heng told the others that he needed to reach Dou Ling before the next tournament, and Zi Yan agreed to compete again in exchange for pills.
• Lu Heng decided to enter seclusion but realized he still needed a Water Attribute treasure to complete the five elements and condense a Five Elements Dou Crystal.

After a month of cultivation in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, Lu Heng broke through to One-Star Dou Ling and completed his Five Elements Cycle. He discovered that awakening his Mystic Water Body and advancing his other physiques would require a great deal of rare resources, while Zi Yan asked to bite him after noticing his changed aura.

• Lu Heng prepared pills and supplies, then entered seclusion with Han Yue and Zi Yan in the tower’s No. 1 Cultivation Room.
• Lu Heng cultivated for a month as the tower’s Fire Attribute energy and Flame Poison nourished him.
• The Book of Destiny announced Lu Heng’s breakthrough, and Water essence joined his four other elemental powers to form the Five Elements Cycle and a five-colored Dou Crystal.
• Lu Heng inspected his new status and learned that awakening his Mystic Water Body required five Fifth Rank Water Attribute Magic Cores and ten Fifth-Rank Water Attribute Yao Cai.
• Han Yue congratulated Lu Heng on his breakthrough, and Zi Yan noticed his new scent and asked if she could bite him.

Lu Heng, Han Yue, and Zi Yan emerged from six months of seclusion as Lu Heng and Han Yue reached peak Four-Star Dou Ling. Their return stunned their friends and caught Great Elder Su Qian’s attention, who realized Lu Heng had gathered all five elements.

• Lu Heng spent five months using the Five Elements Cycle to cultivate, reaching peak Four-Star Dou Ling.
• Han Yue also reached peak Four-Star Dou Ling, while Zi Yan barely advanced to peak Fifth-Rank Mid-Stage.
• Lu Heng, Han Yue, and Zi Yan left the tower and encountered Yan Hao, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Lin Yan.
• Lu Heng revealed his peak Four-Star Dou Ling aura, astonishing the four friends, and invited them to a feast.
• Great Elder Su Qian sensed Lu Heng’s Water Attribute Dou Qi and wondered whether he had gathered all five elements.

After leaving seclusion, Lu Heng told Han Yue he needed a huge supply of five-element resources to balance and advance his five constitutions. He went with Zi Yan to bargain with Su Qian, offering pills in exchange, and Su Qian asked whether the new Water-Attribute Dou Qi caused the need.

• Su Qian sensed Lu Heng’s five energies combining smoothly and marveled at his cultivation and unusual abilities.
• Lu Heng told Han Yue and Zi Yan that he needed twenty-five Fifth-Grade Magic Cores and fifty Fifth-Grade Medicinal Herbs, evenly divided among the five attributes.
• Lu Heng proposed trading his advancement pills through the Academy’s upper management to obtain the resources, while Zi Yan urged him to hurry so he could make more candy pills.
• Lu Heng and Zi Yan visited Su Qian in the Elder Pavilion and offered a deal for the materials.
• Su Qian was shocked by the requested quantity and asked whether Lu Heng’s new Water-Attribute Dou Qi was the reason.

Lu Heng negotiated with Su Qian to exchange monthly batches of pills for access to the academy’s medicinal resources, then took Zi Yan to the repository to obtain materials for his Five Elements Awakening. Their arrival silenced the crowded hall, where students recognized Zi Yan and hurriedly cleared a path for them.

• Lu Heng explained that his cultivation required large quantities of resources and offered Su Qian four types of pills to offset the Magic Cores and herbs he owed.
• Su Qian accepted Lu Heng’s terms, returned the pills, and gave him a token granting access to the Medicinal Herb Repository.
• Lu Heng promised to deliver a fixed quantity of pills to the Elder Pavilion each month, and Su Qian thanked him for keeping Zi Yan well-behaved.
• Lu Heng and Zi Yan crossed the Inner Academy to the repository, where students crowded the exchange counters ahead of the Strong Ranking Tournament.
• When Zi Yan and Lu Heng entered the repository, the students recognized them and cleared a wide path to the high-grade resource exchange counter.