Recaps

Xiao Yan sought an audience with President Xuan Yi, but Song Qing accused him of causing trouble and rallied Pill Tower alchemists against him. Xiao Yan broke through their first attacks, but Song Qing and the others continued to close in.

• Xiao Yan asked the Pill Tower alchemists to let him pass, but Song Qing attacked him and was easily knocked off balance.
• Song Qing urged the alchemists to capture Xiao Yan, claiming he would answer to his grandfather for any consequences.
• Song Qing hoped to impress the woman behind him and gain her trust by displaying his influence and backing.
• Xiao Yan was surrounded and, angered by the delay, unleashed the Red Lotus Core Flame to shatter the Soul Power blockade and force the attackers back.
• Song Qing formed a Soul Power hand seal as the Pill Tower alchemists closed in on Xiao Yan from several directions.

Xiao Yan broke through the Pill Tower crowd’s blockade and chased a hidden attacker who had tried to kill Song Qing. He confronted the gray-robed man, who claimed Xiao Yan could not defeat him.

• Xiao Yan used the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Fire to break the attackers’ formation and move toward Song Qing.
• A concealed soul attack targeted Song Qing, but Xiao Yan blocked it with a black vortex.
• Xiao Yan spotted the gray-robed attacker and pursued him as he fled from the Pill Tower level.
• Cao Ying stopped Song Qing from chasing Xiao Yan and identified him as Xiao Yan, the rumored young master of Starfall Pavilion and Venerable Yao’s disciple.
• Xiao Yan forced the gray-robed man to stop, rejected his excuse for attacking Song Qing, and prepared to test his strength.

Xiao Yan confronted a mysterious gray-robed man who had attacked Song Qing, then asked Xuan Yi to help him commission Haika to forge a gift for Xiao Yi Xian. Haika initially refused, but became eager to help after seeing Xiao Yan’s flame fused from three Heavenly Flames.

• Xiao Yan used the Crimson Lotus Karma Flame against the gray-robed man, but the man passed through the flames, attacked with a strange scorching aura, and escaped.
• Xuan Yi arrived and told Xiao Yan he would learn the gray-robed man’s identity during the Pill Convention, then promised to protect him.
• Xiao Yan asked Xuan Yi to take him to Haika so he could request a forged gift for Xiao Yi Xian.
• Haika rejected Xiao Yan’s request and started to leave until Xuan Yi urged Xiao Yan to reveal all his Heavenly Flames.
• Xiao Yan showed Haika the Red Lotus Core Flame, explaining that it had formed by fusing three Heavenly Flames, and Haika eagerly offered to forge several items for him.

Xiao Yan asked Haika to forge Starfall Black Iron using the Red Lotus Core Flame, and Haika eagerly demonstrated a powerful technique for directing the flame with wind pressure. After completing the forging, Haika saw Xiao Yan and Xuan Yi off and invited him to return for future work.

• Xiao Yan told Haika he urgently needed the Starfall Black Iron forged that day, and Haika brought him into the forging chamber.
• Xiao Yan released the Red Lotus Core Flame while Haika used wind pressure to guide it into the furnace and heat the Starfall Black Iron.
• Haika used his forging hammer to shape the glowing iron, while Xiao Yan watched his flame-controlling technique.
• Haika raised the heat with a fiery tornado, softened the Starfall Black Iron, and hammered it into shape.
• Haika and Xiao Yan left the forging chamber together, and Haika praised the forging session before letting Xiao Yan depart with Xuan Yi.

Xiao Yan brought Xuan Yi to meet Xiao Yi Xian, where their companions presented gifts at a dinner banquet. Fei Tian then revealed that Xiao Yan was being offered leadership of Ice River Valley, to be renamed Fairy Doctor Valley.

• Xiao Yan left Haika's forging room with Xuan Yi, who insisted on meeting the person he had prepared a gift for.
• Xiao Yan and Xuan Yi arrived at the residence during the dinner banquet, where Xiao Yi Xian and the others welcomed Xuan Yi.
• Qing Lin and Mu Qingluan gave Xiao Yi Xian their gifts, and Lei Jingxiao offered her two Spirit Awakening Pills.
• Xiao Yan persuaded Xiao Yi Xian to accept Lei Jingxiao's pills, which Xuan Yi said could help someone reach the Spiritual State Soul.
• Fei Tian told Xiao Yan that Ice River Valley had been purged and consolidated, and that the Pavilion Master wanted him to lead it as Fairy Doctor Valley.

Xiao Yi Xian was offered the leadership of Ice River Valley after Starfall Pavilion destroyed its weakened ruling faction, and she agreed to consider taking over after the Pill Convention. The chapter ended with Xiao Yan giving her a Heavenly Flame-capable jade bracelet for her birthday, and Xiao Yi Xian teasing that she already had a powerful alchemist by her side.

• Fei Tian told Xiao Yan that Starfall Pavilion and the Heavenly Luan Clan had destroyed Ice River Valley's leadership and planned to support Xiao Yi Xian as its new Valley Master.
• Xiao Yi Xian agreed that leading Ice River Valley could help her heal the world, while Xuan Yi offered her personal guidance and Fei Tian said they would discuss the details after the Pill Convention.
• The banquet guests left Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian alone, and Xuan Yi gave Xiao Yi Xian a gift with advice to follow her own judgment.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan she was satisfied with her birthday and would no longer dwell on the past.
• Xiao Yan gave Xiao Yi Xian a jade bracelet that could store his Red Lotus Core Flame, and she accepted it before teasing that she already had a powerful alchemist by her side.

Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan discussed their hopes and responsibilities, and Xiao Yan shared his wish to explore the continent with her and Xun Er once their burdens were resolved. The next morning, Xiao Yi Xian took the Innate Spirit-Rekindling Pill Xuan Yi had given her, accepting the chance to regain her ability to bear children.

• Xiao Yan supported Xiao Yi Xian's decision to become the Valley Master of Ice River Valley and encouraged her to pursue her ambitions.
• Xiao Yi Xian asked Xiao Yan what he truly wanted after fulfilling his responsibilities, and he said he hoped to travel the continent with her and Xun Er.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan she wanted to help ease his burdens and give him a place to rest, and the two shared an intimate night together.
• The next morning, Xiao Yi Xian learned that Xuan Yi's Innate Spirit-Rekindling Pill could restore the vitality and childbearing ability lost because of the Woeful Poison Body.
• Xiao Yi Xian chose to take the pill for Xiao Yan, and its medicinal effects began changing her body.

Wei Jiangyuan confronted Xuan Leizi and Xuan Kongzi over his attack on Song Qing, then agreed to stay hidden until the Pill Convention while Venerable Mingshui remained free to act. After Wei Jiangyuan praised Xiao Yan’s abilities, Xuan Kongzi revealed his confidence in Wei Jiangyuan because his teacher was Old Man Shennong, the continent’s foremost alchemist.

• Xuan Leizi challenged Wei Jiangyuan for attacking Song Qing, and Wei Jiangyuan defended his actions while mocking Song Qing.
• Xuan Kongzi ordered Wei Jiangyuan to stay out of sight until the Pill Convention began so the Spirit Clan would not learn he had arrived.
• Wei Jiangyuan agreed to remain hidden but asked whether Venerable Mingshui could act, and Xuan Kongzi said he could.
• Wei Jiangyuan praised Xiao Yan’s soul, Heavenly Flames, and devouring ability, and Xuan Kongzi said the Pill Tower had already sent someone to contact him.
• After Wei Jiangyuan left, Xuan Leizi questioned his reliability, and Xuan Kongzi said Wei Jiangyuan would fight seriously because he was Old Man Shennong’s student.

Xuan Yi secured the Pill Tower’s offer to pay Xiao Yan eighty percent of Wei Jiangyuan’s terms if he defeated Dan Chen and Cao Ying before the competition. Xiao Yan began a risky breakthrough using the Nine Dragon Thunder Fire’s residual lightning power and Earth Core Soul Marrow, leaving his soul in intense pain.

• Xuan Leizi, Xuan Kongzi, and Xuan Yi discussed Old Man Shennong’s disciples and Xiao Yan’s role as Wei Jiangyuan’s protector.
• Xuan Yi revealed that she had given Xiao Yan an Innate Spirit-Rekindling Pill and demanded eighty percent of Wei Jiangyuan’s offered terms for him.
• Xuan Kongzi approved the terms on the condition that Xiao Yan defeat Dan Chen and Cao Ying before the competition.
• Xiao Yan used the residual lightning-flame power of the Nine Dragon Thunder Fire to strengthen his body and soul during seclusion.
• Xiao Yan drank the Earth Core Soul Marrow, causing his soul power to surge violently and sharp pain to erupt between his brows.

Xiao Yan absorbed the Earth Core Soul Marrow and entered a long seclusion as his spiritual energy stirred Holy Pill City. While he remained under guard, powerful alchemists and major factions gathered for the approaching Pill Convention, which grew increasingly contentious after Elder Mu Gu was spotted in the city.

• Xiao Yan’s breakthrough caused a massive spiritual energy disturbance, so Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Lei Jingxiao took turns guarding him.
• Xiao Yan remained in seclusion for nearly a year as Holy Pill City swelled with visitors and the Pill Tower struggled to maintain order.
• Netherwater Saint and Qinghua Old Monster arrived in Holy Pill City, drawing attention as veteran alchemists seeking the Pill Convention’s Heavenly Flame prize.
• The Flower Sect and Heavenly Nether Sect announced Hua Wu and Yi Xu as their representatives, prompting speculation about their unusual participation.
• News that Elder Mu Gu had been seen in Holy Pill City brought the Soul Hall into the growing contest alongside the Pill Tower, Flower Sect, and Heavenly Nether Sect.

The Spirit Clan challenged the Pill Tower by drawing four of its five subordinate clans away and launching the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking to compete for young alchemists. The two powers negotiated an agreement to jointly set five tests and rank the contestants, ending the first phase of their confrontation.

• The Ye Clan, Qiu Clan, Bai Clan, and Cao Clan left the Pill Tower and became subordinate clans of the Spirit Clan, while the Dan Clan remained with the Pill Tower.
• The Pill Tower's leaders argued over whether to confront the Spirit Clan or negotiate with it as Holy Pill City watched their feud intensify.
• The Spirit Clan joined forces with the Heavenly Secrets Tower to create the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking, offering lavish rewards to young alchemists.
• The Pill Tower and the Spirit Clan secretly negotiated and agreed to jointly provide five major test questions and rank young alchemists by their performance.
• The first phase of the Spirit Clan and Pill Tower's confrontation ended, and many gifted alchemists gained public attention through the ranking.

At Xiao Zhan’s sixtieth birthday, the Xiao family discussed gaining more independence from the Ancient Clan and worried about Xiao Yan, who was making his way alone in the Central Plains. Xiao Ding said that Xiao Yan and Xun’er might soon reunite with them.

• The Xiao Clan celebrated Xiao Zhan’s sixtieth birthday, and Lu Qing presented him with a gift.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Zhan that the Xiao Clan would soon be able to enter and leave the Gu Realm independently, and Xiao Zhan proposed handing him the clan chief position.
• Xiao Li arrived without Qin Zhiyun and complained that living under the Ancient Clan was no way to live.
• After Xiao Li got drunk, Xiao Zhan said Xiao Yan had made his choice to protect the family and worried about the hardships he might face.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Zhan that Xiao Yan had reached the Central Plains and Xun’er had gone to find him, giving hope that the family would soon reunite.

Xiao Yi Xian struggled to find a way to advance her poison cultivation while Xiao Yan remained in seclusion. After nearly ten months, movement finally came from his room, leaving his companions waiting to see what he had accomplished.

• Xiao Yi Xian tested a mixture of deadly poisons but found it too weak to improve her Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yi Xian reflected on her cultivation bottleneck and the lack of guidance and resources for poison practitioners.
• Lei Jingxiao told Xiao Yi Xian he had risen to eighty-seventh place on the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking.
• Xiao Yi Xian predicted that Xiao Yan would take first place, and Lei Jingxiao complained that he had spent his time standing guard.
• Movement came from Xiao Yan's room after nearly ten months of silence.

After ten months of seclusion, Xiao Yan began a powerful soul breakthrough that shook Holy Pill City and drew the attention of the Pill Tower and the Spirit Clan. As the crowd gathered, the chapter focused on Ling Zhuo’s rise to prominence and the growing influence of the Spirit Clan.

• Xiao Yi Xian and the others continued guarding Xiao Yan until tremors signaled that he might be emerging from seclusion.
• Xiao Yan’s spiritual energy surged through the city, and his soul pressure forced everyone below the Dou Zun realm to the ground.
• The Pill Tower and other factions gathered to investigate Xiao Yan’s breakthrough to the Spiritual State Soul.
• Ling Zhuo arrived with members of the Spirit Clan, and the gathered factions greeted him as the clan’s powerful heir.
• Ling Zhuo’s repeated victories in all five Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking categories had made him the focus of Holy Pill City and strengthened support for the Spirit Clan.

As factions gathered around Ling Zhuo and the Spirit Clan at the Pill Convention, Yi Xu of the Heavenly Nether Sect offered to deal with Xiao Yan, who was breaking through inside Starfall Pavilion. Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er discussed Xiao Yan’s strength, and Tang Zhen revealed that he might obtain Burning Flame Valley’s Nine Dragon Thunder Fire.

• Ling Zhuo welcomed Yi Xu, whose rise and reputation had made him a notorious representative of the Heavenly Nether Sect.
• Yi Xu asked who was breaking through at Starfall Pavilion and offered to kill Xiao Yan for Ling Zhuo, who warned him that Xiao Yan could kill him.
• Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er watched Xiao Yan’s room and discussed his breakthrough to the Spiritual State Soul and his record of killing Venerable Lei.
• Tang Huo'er said she wanted to test herself against Xiao Yan, and Tang Zhen warned that she was no match for him.
• Tang Zhen told Tang Huo'er that Xiao Yan might have a chance to obtain Burning Flame Valley’s Nine Dragon Thunder Fire.

Xiao Yan’s breakthrough unleashed a purplish-red flame that clashed with the fires of Tang Zhen, Ling Zhuo, and Three Thousand Burning Flame. He emerged from seclusion as a Dou Zun, drove back the burning Heavenly Veil, and left his crimson lotus blazing in the sky.

• Tang Zhen told Tang Huo'er that he intended to give Nine Dragon Thunder Fire to Xiao Yan, as Xuan Yi and other Pill Tower experts arrived at the disturbance.
• Xiao Yan’s surging Dou Qi formed a purplish-red fire lotus, prompting Tang Zhen and Ling Zhuo to summon Nine Dragon Thunder Fire and Wind Fury Dragon Flame.
• Three Thousand Burning Flame stirred above Holy Pill City, and Wind Fury Dragon Flame withdrew first, followed by Nine Dragon Thunder Fire.
• Xuan Yi realized Xiao Yan was breaking through to Dou Zun as he emerged from the building amid a towering pillar of purplish-red light.
• Xiao Yan shouted and forced back the purplish-black Heavenly Veil, leaving the crimson lotus phantom dominating the sky.

After breaking through to the early two-star Dou Zun realm, Xiao Yan considered invitations from the Spirit Clan, Pill Tower, and Burning Flame Valley and decided to visit the Dan Clan first. He drew Xiao Yi Xian into his arms, while an unseen watcher observed Starfall Pavilion from the void.

• Xiao Yan emerged from seclusion and confirmed that he had advanced to the early phase of the two-star Dou Zun realm, with powerful soul force also awakening within him.
• Tang Zhen and the others congratulated Xiao Yan, and he thanked Tang Zhen for giving him the Earth Core Soul Marrow.
• Xiao Yan discussed the Spirit Clan's invitation with Xiao Yi Xian, then burned the letter and decided not to visit the Spirit Clan.
• Xiao Yan decided to visit the Dan Clan to honor his agreement with Dan Qiu before going to the Pill Tower or Burning Flame Valley.
• Xiao Yan pulled Xiao Yi Xian into his arms as an unseen figure watched Starfall Pavilion from the void.

Xiao Yan confronted the black-robed intruder Mu Gu, who demanded the Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames and attacked him. Xiao Yan revealed his clone deception and fought back, while three allies arrived to surround Mu Gu as he tried to escape.

• Xiao Yan discovered a black-robed man spying on him and trapped him in a sealed space.
• Mu Gu identified himself as Xiao Yan's uncle and demanded the Flame Mantra and Heavenly Flames, claiming Yao Chen had stolen the Flame Mantra from him.
• Mu Gu attacked Xiao Yan with Black Flame and soul power, but Xiao Yan used a Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body clone to evade the blow and countered with the four seals of the Emperor Seal Art.
• Xiao Yan and Mu Gu exchanged attacks, and Mu Gu decided to retreat after finding Xiao Yan more difficult to defeat than expected.
• Three figures surrounded Mu Gu as Xiao Yan told his uncle not to hurry away.

Xiao Yan and his allies cornered Elder Mu Gu, overwhelming him with coordinated attacks as he struggled to escape. Badly wounded and facing Xiao Yan’s gathered Heavenly Flames, Elder Mu Gu called for Xuan Kongzi to intervene, warning that the Pill Tower would be disgraced if he died.

• Xiao Yan’s group ambushed Elder Mu Gu, who transformed into black smoke and tried to flee.
• Lei Jingxiao struck Elder Mu Gu with a lightning-charged spear, and Qing Lin froze his smoke while Xiao Yi Xian poisoned him with the Woeful Poison Aura.
• Elder Mu Gu broke free using exploding soul bodies and sent Soul Hall Protectors to cover his retreat, but Xiao Yan and Lei Jingxiao quickly defeated them.
• Xiao Yan pursued Elder Mu Gu and clashed with his crystalline palms, while Qing Lin pierced him with an ice crystal and further wounded him.
• Elder Mu Gu saw Xiao Yan merge his Heavenly Flames and shouted for Xuan Kongzi, claiming the Pill Tower would become a laughingstock if it failed to protect him.

Xiao Yan and his companions cornered Elder Mu Gu, but an unidentified Spirit Clan Dou Sheng intervened and rescued him. Qing Lin was seriously injured, leaving Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian wary of the powerful newcomer.

• Xiao Yan ordered Qing Lin, Lei Jingxiao, and Xiao Yi Xian to keep attacking Elder Mu Gu while he prepared a fatal strike.
• Elder Mu Gu tried to self-destruct, but Qing Lin used her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to freeze him and halt his resolve.
• An unknown force opened a spatial fissure to pull Elder Mu Gu away, and Qing Lin and Lei Jingxiao tried to stop him.
• The mysterious attacker struck Qing Lin and knocked her away, while Xiao Yan reopened the fissure and launched a Three-Colored Fire Lotus.
• The attacker caught Xiao Yan's fire lotus and escaped with Elder Mu Gu; Xiao Yan rushed to the badly injured Qing Lin as an aged voice identified the rescuer as a Spirit Clan Dou Sheng.

A Spirit Clan Dou Sheng rescued Elder Mu Gu and secured his help in winning the Pill Convention by offering him a Heavenly Flame. Ling Zhuo reported that the Spirit Clan’s plans were nearly complete, while his great-grandmother reassured him that he remained the favored heir.

• A Spirit Clan Dou Sheng rescued Elder Mu Gu from his injuries and forced out the poison left by the Nine Serene Deepground Python.
• The old woman demanded that Mu Gu assist the Spirit Clan in winning the Pill Convention, offering him either the Sea Heart Flame or the Green Lotus Core Flame in return.
• Mu Gu promised to keep the meeting secret and left the Ye Clan estate, considering how he might benefit from the conflict over Xiao Yan and his Heavenly Flames.
• Ling Zhuo told his great-grandmother that four of the five Pill Tower families had been eliminated, the Dan Clan was contained, and Mu Gu had submitted.
• Ling Zhuo asked whether his great-grandmother favored Ling Fengzhui, but she told him not to worry and affirmed that he would retain the greatest merit if his plans succeeded.

After Qing Lin recovered from being injured by a Dou Sheng, Xiao Yan weighed how to protect his group from the powerful enemy who had rescued Elder Mu Gu. Xuan Yi and another powerful visitor arrived at the Starfall Pavilion residence, leaving Xiao Yan to wait and hear the Pill Tower’s response.

• Qing Lin awoke, and Xiao Yan reassured her that she had not failed by being unable to stop Elder Mu Gu after a Dou Sheng intervened.
• Qing Lin asked Xiao Yan to bring her to the Northwest Region on his next visit, explaining that Ming Mei had requested it.
• Xiao Yan left Qing Lin to rest and considered how to protect his group from the Dou Sheng who had rescued Elder Mu Gu.
• Xiao Yan prepared to summon Mu Yaoyin with a jade token, but sensed Xuan Yi and another powerful visitor approaching.
• Xiao Yan decided to wait and see the Pill Tower’s attitude before calling for help.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian met with Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi to discuss the Spirit Clan Dou Sheng’s attack and the Pill Tower’s responsibility. They learned that the Spirit Clan was recruiting Central Plains experts, including the Pill Tower’s Three Giants, and Xuan Kongzi invited Xiao Yan to join the Pill Tower and win the Pill Convention.

• Xuan Kongzi apologized for the Pill Tower’s failure to prevent the attack and offered compensation and treatment for the injured.
• Xuan Kongzi revealed that he had witnessed the attack but held back because Dou Sheng Ling He had only intended to rescue Elder Mu Gu.
• Xuan Kongzi identified the attacker as Spirit Clan Sixth Elder Dou Sheng Ling He and said the Spirit Clan was recruiting experts through the Pill Convention.
• Xuan Yi revealed that the Spirit Clan also wanted to recruit the Pill Tower’s Three Giants.
• Xiao Yi Xian inferred that Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi had another reason for visiting, and Xuan Kongzi invited Xiao Yan to join the Pill Tower’s side and claim the Pill Convention championship.

Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi recruited Xiao Yan to represent the Pill Tower against the Spirit Clan in the Pill Convention, promising protection and valuable rewards. Xiao Yan agreed to follow the Pill Tower’s arrangements, then asked to exchange one Soul Technique for Grandmaster Haika’s fire-controlling Dou Technique.

• Xuan Kongzi explained that the Pill Tower needed Xiao Yan to keep the Pill Convention championship from going to the Spirit Clan and to stand as a candidate for the Pill Tower.
• Xiao Yan weighed the risks of opposing the Spirit Clan, then asked whether the Pill Tower could protect him and his companions from retaliation.
• Xuan Kongzi assured Xiao Yan that the Pill Tower had Dou Shengs and demonstrated his strength with a flash of Dou Qi pressure.
• Xiao Yan agreed to await the Pill Tower’s arrangements after Xuan Kongzi promised rewards including Soul Techniques, medicinal pills, ingredients, a pill formula, and protection.
• Xiao Yan asked to trade the right to one Soul Technique for Grandmaster Haika’s fire-controlling Dou Technique.

Xiao Yan accepted the Pill Tower’s support while Xiao Yi Xian suspected the Spirit Clan had forced several clans into submission by hidden means. He went to the Dan Clan to honor their promised match, but Dan Qiu said the clan could not find anyone to fight him and voided their agreement.

• Xuan Kongzi offered Xiao Yan the Pill Tower’s rewards and told him to ask Haika directly for the flame-control combat technique.
• Xiao Yi Xian warned Xiao Yan that the Spirit Clan’s swift influence over the Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye clans suggested it had other effective methods.
• Xiao Yi Xian advised Xiao Yan to pursue the Pill Convention championship and seek more information from Aunt Xuan.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yi Xian about her hostility toward Xuan Kongzi, and she said he felt familiar despite their first meeting.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian visited the Dan Clan, where the guards initially refused visitors but admitted them after seeing Dan Qiu’s jade pendant.
• Dan Qiu told Xiao Yan the Dan Clan could not find anyone to fight him and released him from their agreement.