Chapter Summaries

Xiao Tianci negotiated with Hai Bodong over helping him find the Sand Mandala in the Tagor Desert, securing a recovered Dou Emperor’s help in return. He also persuaded Hai Bodong to provide maps of rare medicinal ingredients, leaving with more than the original bargain required.

• Hai Bodong explained that his sealed strength made entering the depths of the Tagor Desert too dangerous, and Xiao Tianci objected to searching for the Sand Mandala without proper compensation.
• Hai Bodong offered information about Heavenly Flames, but Xiao Tianci said he was not interested and asked for a different condition.
• Hai Bodong promised to serve as a Dou Emperor fighter once his strength recovered, and Xiao Tianci accepted.
• Xiao Tianci asked Hai Bodong for maps showing where rare medicinal ingredients could be found in the desert, and Hai Bodong agreed to fetch them.
• Hai Bodong took out a box of specially preserved maps as Xiao Tianci reflected that his negotiation had made the maps seem like Hai Bodong’s obligation.

Xiao Tianci received Hai Bodong’s detailed map of the Tagor Desert, which marked the Azure Cloud Sacred Ice and other rare treasures. Hai Bodong warned him about storing the ice, Queen Medusa’s territory, and the danger of being detected before Xiao Tianci left to gather the treasures.

• Hai Bodong gave Xiao Tianci his carefully drawn map of the Tagor Desert, showing water sources, Snake-Person tribes, and rare medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Tianci found the Azure Cloud Sacred Ice and Sand Mandala marked near each other and asked Hai Bodong why an ice-attribute treasure would grow in a scorching area.
• Hai Bodong explained that the Heavenly Flames deep in the desert caused unusual conditions that produced the Azure Cloud Sacred Ice.
• Hai Bodong warned Xiao Tianci to store the Azure Cloud Sacred Ice in extreme cold or it would melt, and advised him to conceal his aura near Queen Medusa’s territory.
• Xiao Tianci thanked Hai Bodong, agreed that Hai Bodong could keep the medicinal formula and map fragment until his return, and left after apologizing for damaging the roof.

Xiao Tianci left Hai Bodong’s map shop and rested in Desert City before setting out into the Tagor Desert. After earning enough experience for a lottery draw, he obtained a Limitless Dou Ling Pill and its formula, learning that the pill could guarantee major advancement and even help a peak Dou Wang break through to Dou Emperor.

• Hai Bodong explained that he planned to leave the map shop once his sealed strength began recovering, and Xiao Tianci apologized before departing.
• Hai Bodong wondered why Xiao Tianci had come to the Tagor Desert, then cleaned the shop and waited for his strength to recover.
• Xiao Tianci told Green Ox about Hai Bodong’s past as the Ice Emperor, bought snake-repelling medicine, and checked into an inn in Desert City.
• Xiao Tianci read through the night until he had enough experience for another lottery draw, then used the system the following morning.
• The system awarded Xiao Tianci a Limitless Dou Ling Pill and its formula, and he learned that the pill could raise a Dou Wang by up to four stars, be taken twice, and break the Dou Wang-to-Dou Emperor bottleneck.

Xiao Tianci consumed the highest-quality Limitless Dou Ling Pill while beginning to cultivate the Great Sun Divine Art. He formed the Great Sun True Fire and a blazing sun behind him, leaving the desert around him melted and powerful figures in Desert City stunned.

• Xiao Tianci prepared to gather the remaining ingredients needed to refine a Limitless Dou Ling Pill.
• Xiao Tianci swallowed the system-gifted Limitless Dou Ling Pill and began cultivating the Great Sun Divine Art as its energy raised his strength.
• Xiao Tianci’s cultivation heated the desert, prompting the Green Ox to move away from him.
• Xiao Tianci formed the Great Sun True Fire and a huge sun behind him, melting the surrounding sand into a massive pit.
• Powerful experts in Desert City sensed Xiao Tianci’s overwhelming aura, while desert demonic beasts fell silent.

Xiao Tianci absorbed a Limitless Dou Ling Pill and rose from a two-star to a six-star Dou Wang while his flames remained under control. He continued across the Tagor Desert toward an oasis marked on Hai Bodong’s map, while Xiao Yan and Yao Lao noticed his overwhelming fire from afar.

• Xiao Yan sensed powerful fire-attribute energy in the Tagor Desert and asked Yao Lao whether a Heavenly Flame had appeared.
• Yao Lao said the energy did not belong to a Heavenly Flame he knew, but admitted it was powerful enough to suppress his Bone Spirit Cold Fire.
• Xiao Tianci absorbed the Limitless Dou Ling Pill, reached six-star Dou Wang, and advanced the Green Emperor Longevity Art to an intermediate Heaven-tier method.
• Xiao Tianci set out with the Green Ox toward medicinal herb locations, hoping to find caravans or settlements where he could obtain ingredients for another pill.
• After more than ten days in the desert, Xiao Tianci spotted an oasis on Hai Bodong’s map and continued toward its Red Water Spirit Root.

Xiao Tianci encountered an injured man fleeing across the desert and learned that the man’s mercenary group was under attack by the Snake-People Tribe. The man’s group had the two medicinal ingredients Xiao Tianci needed, and after offering help, Xiao Tianci revealed himself to be a third-grade alchemist.

• Xiao Tianci found an unconscious, wounded man near a sand dune and revived him with water.
• The man said his Desert Iron Mercenary Group had been attacked by the Snake-People Tribe and was near destruction.
• The man promised the group’s Mystic Yang Stamen and Ghost Flame Bamboo if Xiao Tianci helped save them.
• Xiao Tianci said Stone Desert City was too far for reinforcements to arrive in time, then clarified that he would help and gave the man a healing, poison-neutralizing pill.
• The man recovered after taking the pill, noticed Xiao Tianci’s third-grade alchemist badge, and felt hopeful.

Xiao Tianci took a wounded man to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group squad that the Snake-People Tribe had ambushed, revealing speed and strength that stunned his guide. He arrived as the snake-people prepared to kill the mercenaries and capture one of the women.

• Xiao Tianci insisted on accompanying the injured man to his squad despite the man's warning that eight snake-people, including three Nine-Star Dou Zhe, surrounded it.
• Xiao Tianci carried the man over the dunes at astonishing speed, leaving him stunned.
• Xiao Tianci spotted ten Desert Iron Mercenary Group members surrounded by eight snake-people in the desert.
• Xiao Tianci noticed the snake-people's attention on one of the mercenary women as their leader ordered his fighters to kill the mercenaries and leave her alive.

Xiao Tianci intervened when Snake-People attacked the surrounded Desert Iron Mercenary Group and killed two attackers with a single icy sword strike. Dan Zai returned to Xue Lan with Xiao Tianci as the reinforcements he had found, leaving her surprised and wary about what he might have promised.

• The Snake-People leader ordered his fighters to attack the mercenaries, while Xue Lan urged them to hold out for help.
• Xiao Tianci appeared and insulted the Snake-People, prompting their leader to send two fighters after him.
• Xiao Tianci drew the Cold Sky Sword and froze the two Snake-People, cutting them apart with one strike.
• Dan Zai returned to the mercenaries and told Xue Lan that Xiao Tianci was the reinforcement he had found.
• Xue Lan questioned why Xiao Tianci would help them and worried that Dan Zai had made him a promise.

Xiao Tianci confronted the Snake-People Tribe after arriving to rescue Xue Lan and the mercenaries, then annihilated the charging snake-people with a single sword strike. The mercenaries were left stunned by the scale of his strength.

• Dan Zai explained that Xiao Tianci had agreed to help in exchange for two medicinal herbs and out of curiosity about the snake-people.
• The Snake-People Tribe leader threatened Xiao Tianci, who declared that he had come to kill the snake-people.
• The leader ordered his subordinates to attack Xiao Tianci and take the women, while Xue Lan prepared to help.
• Xiao Tianci told Xue Lan and the mercenaries to retreat, then unleashed his Great River Sword Intent.
• His sword froze the charging snake-people to death, and the ice sculptures shattered as the mercenaries watched in shock.

Xiao Tianci killed the Snake-People Tribe leader with his Sun True Fire after saving Xue Lan’s mercenary squad. Xue Lan offered him the medicinal herbs he needed, and the group set off for Stone Desert City with Xiao Tianci riding his green ox.

• Xiao Tianci killed the snake-people with a single sword strike, then confronted their leader.
• The leader attacked Xiao Tianci with dark green poisonous gas, but Xiao Tianci used his Sun True Fire to make him vanish.
• Xiao Tianci checked on Xue Lan, who thanked him and promised the Desert Iron Mercenary Group would provide his medicinal herbs.
• Xue Lan invited Xiao Tianci to travel with her squad to Stone Desert City, and he accepted.
• Xue Lan sent Fei Gao to retrieve the camel-horse cart, and Xiao Tianci joined the group on his green ox.

Xiao Tianci and Xue Lan’s group returned to Stone Desert City, where he expected to obtain the herbs needed to refine the Limitless Dou Ling Pill. They arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s headquarters, whose strength Xue Lan described as among the city’s top three.

• Xue Lan sent a mercenary ahead with the magical beast corpses and orders to prepare Xiao Tianci’s medicinal herbs.
• Xue Lan and Dan Zai realized Xiao Tianci was a third-tier alchemist as he read on the ox’s back.
• Xiao Tianci’s Green Ox kept pace with the mercenaries on their journey to Stone Desert City.
• Xue Lan and her group entered Stone Desert City with Xiao Tianci and led him to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s headquarters.
• Xue Lan told Xiao Tianci that the Killing Mercenary Group was stronger than hers and that the Storm Mercenary Group was roughly its equal.

Xiao Tianci returned to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group with Xue Lan to collect the promised medicinal herbs and unexpectedly reunited with his cousin Xiao Li. Xiao Li brought him into the hall to meet Xiao Ding, the other group leader.

• A burly mercenary thanked Xiao Tianci for rescuing Xue Lan’s squad and told them the leaders were waiting with the medicinal herbs.
• Xue Lan led Xiao Tianci through the courtyard, where the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s members greeted him with gratitude and respect.
• Xiao Tianci encountered Xiao Li at the hall entrance, and the cousins recognized each other with surprise and delight.
• Xiao Tianci asked after Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li hurried him into the hall to reunite with his older brother.

Xiao Tianci reunited with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in Stone Desert City, revealed that his strength had improved, and offered his alchemy services to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. After a night of drinking, he woke to find a timid young woman entering his room.

• Xiao Tianci reunited with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who were surprised by how much he had grown and changed.
• Xiao Tianci asked Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to keep his current strength secret from the Xiao Clan, explaining that hiding it was simply his habit.
• Xiao Tianci offered to refine medicinal pills for the Desert Iron Mercenary Group while he stayed in the Tagor Desert.
• Xiao Tianci drank with Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and the others without using Dou Qi to resist the alcohol, then woke up thoroughly hungover.
• Xiao Tianci used the Sun True Fire and Samadhi True Fire to expel the alcohol as a young woman entered his room and greeted him.

Xiao Tianci met Qing Lin, a shy young girl who had come to help him wash up, and discovered green scales on her wrist. Her frightened reaction led him to suspect that she was the child of a human woman and a snake-person.

• Qing Lin brought Xiao Tianci a basin of water, and he washed up himself before learning her name.
• Xiao Tianci used the Sword Control Technique to retrieve the Cold Sky Sword, whose icy energy had ruined the table it was left on.
• Qing Lin returned to sweep up the wood chips, but her sleeve caught on a nail and tore, exposing scales on her wrist.
• Qing Lin hid her arm and trembled in fear, while Xiao Tianci felt pity and recalled rumors of human women bearing children with snake-people.

Xiao Tianci comforted Qing Lin and noticed signs that she might possess the rare Green-Eyed Three-Flower Pupil. He planned to learn more about her while staying with the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and preparing to refine another Limitless Dou Ling Pill.

• Xiao Tianci pitied Qing Lin for being treated as cursed because of her human-snake bloodline and reassured her that he was not afraid of her.
• Qing Lin asked whether Xiao Tianci feared her, and he noticed three tiny emerald-green dots in her eyes that resembled the Green-Eyed Three-Flower Pupil.
• Xiao Tianci asked about Qing Lin's pupils, but she did not know what he meant, so he apologized for frightening her.
• Qing Lin offered to serve as Xiao Tianci's personal maid, and he gave her an outer garment to replace her torn clothes.
• Qing Lin told Xiao Tianci that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were handling the mercenary group's affairs; Xiao Tianci decided to learn about the group before refining his Limitless Dou Ling Pill.

Xiao Tianci walked Qing Lin around the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and saw how its members’ prejudice toward her hurt her. He comforted her by sharing that he had also been bullied, and Qing Lin grew more confident before they returned to his room.

• Xiao Tianci put away the medicinal ingredients, deciding to refine the Limitless Dou Ling Pill at night, then left his room with Qing Lin.
• As Qing Lin explained the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, its mercenaries greeted Xiao Tianci warmly but showed disgust toward Qing Lin.
• Xiao Tianci noticed Qing Lin trembling under the hostile stares and reassured her that he had also been bullied when he was young.
• Xiao Tianci told Qing Lin not to live for other people’s approval, and she said he was the first person to treat her so well.
• Qing Lin became more open as she guided Xiao Tianci around the group, and they returned to his room after touring it.

Xiao Tianci refined a four-lined Limitless Dou Ling Pill while Qing Lin watched from the corner of the room. He completed the pill at midnight, leaving him with the means to pursue the Dou Emperor realm.

• Qing Lin asked whether Xiao Tianci would visit the commanders, and he chose to prepare medicine instead.
• Xiao Tianci let Qing Lin stay and watch, protecting her from the flames with Dou Qi and containing the room's aura with his divine sense.
• Xiao Tianci used the Sun True Fire and Samadhi True Fire to refine the ingredients, including the Mystic Yang Stamen and Ghost Flame Bamboo.
• Xiao Tianci carefully stabilized the forming pill until it developed four lines and fully formed at midnight.
• Qing Lin woke from her nap when the pill released its fragrance, and Xiao Tianci realized the refining had taken longer than expected.

Xiao Tianci fed Qing Lin a proper meal and resolved to ask Xiao Ding and the others to look after her after he left. He then swallowed the Limitless Dou Ling Pill and, after nearly two days of cultivation, broke through to the Dou Emperor realm.

• Qing Lin shared her homemade flatbread with Xiao Tianci and told him that Xiao Ding and the others sometimes invited her to eat with them.
• Xiao Tianci grilled meat from a Green Wood Pig for Qing Lin, then decided to ask Xiao Ding and the others to care for her before he left.
• After meditating, Xiao Tianci swallowed the Limitless Dou Ling Pill and used the Green Emperor Longevity Art to strengthen his power.
• Qing Lin waited outside Xiao Tianci's room and kept the Desert Iron Mercenary Group from disturbing his cultivation.
• After nearly two days, Xiao Tianci opened his eyes, released a powerful aura, and realized he had reached the Dou Emperor realm.

Xiao Tianci tested his new Dou Emperor strength around Stone Desert City, driving away dangerous Magical Beasts and making the area safer. He then attended the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s quarterly strength test, where the chapter leaves off as the group’s competitive training system is explained.

• Xiao Tianci spread his spiritual sense across Stone Desert City, observed its residents, then withdrew it without being noticed.
• Xiao Tianci told Qing Lin to wait at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and spent several days testing his strength in the desert, killing higher-grade Magical Beasts.
• Qing Lin woke Xiao Tianci for the mercenary group’s quarterly test, and he joked that he would miss her care when he left Stone Desert City.
• Xiao Tianci told Qing Lin he planned to travel into the Tagor Desert and could not take her along, then promised to ask Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to look after her.
• Xiao Tianci and Qing Lin headed to the testing area, where the Desert Iron Mercenary Group held its regular test to measure strength and encourage advancement.

Xiao Tianci and Qing Lin arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s squad-leader test and watched the chaotic melee. Xiao Li challenged Xiao Tianci in front of the crowd, and the two prepared to fight on the arena.

• Xiao Tianci and Qing Lin strolled to the training field while other mercenaries hurried ahead to compete for squad-leader positions.
• They watched more than a hundred mercenaries battle in a restrained melee, and Qing Lin excitedly followed the action from a better vantage point.
• Qing Lin pointed out Xiao Ding and Xiao Li on the high platform, where the group’s leaders greeted Xiao Tianci.
• Xiao Li ignored Xiao Tianci’s attempt to decline and jumped into the arena, prompting the fighters to make room for him.
• Xiao Tianci joined Xiao Li on the arena, and Xiao Li announced that he wanted to test Xiao Tianci’s strength.
• Xiao Li drew a tungsten-steel spear and gathered silver Dou Qi as the crowd cheered.