Recaps

Xiao Yan learned that the Dan Clan was concealing a crisis involving a comatose young woman, then helped Haika forge a medicinal cauldron and obtained a scroll explaining the Wind-Driving Palm. He left with the technique after Haika’s disciple reminded him that Xuan Yi had said not to keep him too long.

• Dan Qiu refused to tell Xiao Yan about the Dan Clan’s troubles, then returned to find Dan Ren, Dan Xuan, and the clan’s young woman still unconscious after a year.
• Dan Xuan urged Dan Ren to prioritize his sister’s life, but Dan Ren insisted that the Dan Clan could not abandon the Pill Tower.
• Haika welcomed Xiao Yan and spent three days using his wind-based technique to control Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flames while forging a medicinal cauldron.
• Xiao Yan praised Haika’s forging and asked to learn his Wind-Driving Palm, so Haika gave him a scroll containing the technique.
• Haika began sharing more of his ideas, but one of his disciples reminded him that Xuan Yi had said not to keep Xiao Yan too long.

Xiao Yan left Haika’s forging chamber after asking him to strengthen the Heavy Profound Ruler so it could withstand the Red Lotus Core Flame and Dou Zun-level battles. He then selected ingredients for ten eighth-tier pills from the Pill Tower’s reserves, while Xuan Yi pointed out the resources the Tower could offer him.

• Xiao Yan used his duty to challenge the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking as an excuse to leave Haika, who then offered to forge him a weapon.
• Xiao Yan showed Haika the Heavy Profound Ruler and explained that it could no longer endure the full force of his Heavenly Flames or the intensity of Dou Zun battles.
• Haika took the ruler to study ways to reinforce it, and Xiao Yan asked Haika’s disciple to notify him when a solution was found.
• Xuan Yi brought Xiao Yan to the Pill Tower’s medicinal-ingredient storage space and explained how the Tower gathered and preserved its rare herbs.
• Xiao Yan spent two days choosing ingredients for ten eighth-tier medicinal pills, and Xuan Yi described the Pill Tower’s resources and its ability to support powerful alchemists.

Xiao Yan refused Xuan Yi’s plea to join the Pill Tower, citing Yao Lao’s wishes and his responsibilities to the Heavenly Luan Clan. After entering the Soul Skill Pavilion, he watched a Dou Zun try to fuse two beast flames, and the newly merged fire began to riot.

• Xuan Yi urged Xiao Yan to stay with the Pill Tower, arguing it offered his best chance to reach the ninth tier, but he refused because of Yao Lao and his other responsibilities.
• Xuan Yi angrily sent Xiao Yan to the Soul Skill Pavilion and warned him that he might learn the value of compromise after getting hurt.
• Xiao Yan entered the Soul Skill Pavilion and found a peculiar Pill Tower Dou Zun concentrating on fusing two beast flames.
• Xiao Yan recognized the man’s technique as resembling the opening of his Buddha Fury Fire Lotus, though the man used a different and less stable method.
• The Dou Zun successfully merged the flames, but they began to riot when he relaxed, and Xiao Yan warned him to be careful.

Xiao Yan helped Su Huo fuse two beast flames, impressing the Pill Tower elder and prompting him to ask about Xiao Yan’s flame-fusion method. The chapter left Su Huo eager to pursue flame fusion as a way to discover new Heavenly Flames.

• Xiao Yan gathered two beast flames and used the Flame Mantra to stabilize them into a temporary Buddha Fury Fire Lotus.
• Su Huo praised Xiao Yan’s skill, and Xiao Yan introduced himself as a visitor authorized by Xuan Kongzi to select Soul Techniques.
• Su Huo recognized Xiao Yan and asked how he fused Heavenly Flames, but Xiao Yan refused to reveal his cultivation method.
• Su Huo tried to become Xiao Yan’s disciple so he could learn the method, and Xiao Yan hurriedly stopped him from bowing.
• Su Huo explained that he had long studied flame fusion and believed enough beast flames might lead to the discovery of new Heavenly Flames.

Xiao Yan shared his flame-fusion insights with Su Huo, then began searching the Pill Tower’s Soul Skill Pavilion for techniques suited to his fighting style. He reached the pavilion’s Earth-class section, where he started considering his limited choices.

• Xiao Yan explained his temporary flame-fusion method to Su Huo but refused to accept him as a disciple.
• Su Huo asked Xiao Yan to stand guard while he experimented with fusing beast flames, and Xiao Yan sent out his Three Thousand Lightning Phantom Body.
• Xiao Yan examined several Yellow-class and Black-class Soul Techniques, deciding they were not powerful enough for his needs.
• Xiao Yan found the Earth-class Soul-Locking Bell and continued through the pavilion’s most valuable section.

Xiao Yan chose Soul Techniques in the Pill Tower, and Su Huo revealed a hidden technique that suited his fighting style. After Xiao Yan accepted it and promised to share any discoveries about flame fusion, Xuan Kongzi summoned him before he could visit the Ten Thousand Pill Pavilion.

• Xiao Yan selected Frost Tail Needle and Soulflow Black Vortex from the Soul Skill Pavilion.
• Su Huo urged Xiao Yan to take the concealed Shadow Piercing Needle, explaining that it was secretly an Earth-tier high-grade Soul Technique.
• Xiao Yan accepted Shadow Piercing Needle and promised to tell Su Huo about any future discoveries in flame fusion.
• Xuan Kongzi summoned Xiao Yan before he could search the Ten Thousand Pill Pavilion for medicinal pills.
• After Xiao Yan left, an unfamiliar figure entered the Soul Skill Pavilion and showed interest in Su Huo's flame fusion.

Wei Jiangyuan demonstrated a new method of fusing beast flames to Su Huo, then selected two Soul Techniques while hinting that he wanted a missing Yellow-class scroll. The chapter left Su Huo fuming as news spread that Xiao Yan was about to challenge the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking.

• Wei Jiangyuan took Su Huo’s beast flames and fused them into a two-colored flame flower by encouraging them to grow rather than merely suppressing their violence.
• Wei Jiangyuan refused to take Su Huo as a disciple, insulting his strength and appearance before heading to the display platform.
• Wei Jiangyuan selected two Soul Techniques and told Su Huo to notify him when the missing Yellow-class scroll was returned.
• Wei Jiangyuan left after teasing Su Huo, who restrained himself because Xuan Kongzi had ordered him to accommodate Wei Jiangyuan.
• News spread throughout Holy Pill City that Xiao Yan was about to challenge the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking.

Xiao Yan began the Dragon Pillar Fire Trial as Pill Tower’s last hope of challenging Ling Zhuo’s dominance in the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking. He entered the test under intense public scrutiny, with Ling Zhuo’s record of lighting all nine pillars standing ahead of him.

• Xuan Kongzi urged Xiao Yan to compete immediately and win first place in an event before Pill Tower lost more influence to the Spirit Clan.
• Rumors spread through Holy Pill City that Xiao Yan, Yao Chen’s disciple and an eighth-tier master alchemist, was Pill Tower’s leading challenger to Ling Zhuo.
• Xiao Yan examined the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking and saw Ling Zhuo leading with 446 points, followed by three alchemists aligned with the Spirit Clan.
• A Pill Tower attendant announced that the Dragon Pillar Fire Trial was ready, and Xiao Yan walked to the nine dragon-carved pillars at the plaza’s center.
• Xiao Yan faced a flame-control test in which alchemists ignited the pillars’ dragon eyes; Ling Zhuo’s record was lighting all nine in three and a half hours.

Xiao Yan began the Nine Dragon Flame Pillars challenge, drawing skepticism as he slowly lit the first pillar. After studying its freezing defenses, he used a flaming lotus to send fire toward the remaining eight pillars at once.

• Xiao Yan started the challenge by directing his violet-red flames at the first dragon-patterned pillar, where they met a powerful freezing aura.
• Xuan Kongzi explained that Xiao Yan was testing the cold aura's limits rather than using his full strength.
• Xiao Yan spent nearly an hour lighting the first pillar while spectators mocked his slow progress.
• Xiao Yan used what he had learned to create a flaming lotus and sent eight streams of fire toward the other eight pillars simultaneously.

Xiao Yan split his flame among all eight Dragon Pattern Pillars, shocking the spectators as he attempted to light them simultaneously. He maintained the difficult balance while revealing that he had deliberately tested his limits and believed he could complete the feat.

• Xiao Yan divided his flame into eight streams and began lighting all eight Dragon Pattern Pillars at once, drawing mockery from the crowd and Ling Zhuo.
• Xuan Leizi worried that Xiao Yan was acting recklessly, but Xuan Kongzi recognized that all eight flames were being fed with equal strength and urged him to watch.
• Xuan Leizi and Xuan Kongzi discussed how Xiao Yan's success could help the Pill Tower stand against the Spirit Clan and retain its wavering elders.
• Xiao Yan controlled the flames with his soul power as the cold current from all eight pillars began to strain him.
• Xiao Yan recalled that he had slowed down on the first pillar to measure how much he could suppress the Red Lotus Core Flame, then concluded that lighting all eight at once was possible.
• Xiao Yan resolved to prove his value to the Pill Tower by winning decisively, since he needed its support against the Spirit Clan.

Xiao Yan continued supplying flames to all eight dragon-patterned pillars for an hour, silencing the crowd and convincing many that he could succeed. As the spectators watched, Ling Zhuo planned to protect his standing by challenging a higher Heavenly Secrets Ranking threshold after the trial.

• Xiao Yan maintained steady flames across all eight pillars for an hour, while a young couple from the Heavenly Secrets Talents Ranking recognized him as the legendary Jia Nan Academy genius and decided to return to their clan to cultivate.
• Xuan Kongzi told Xuan Leizi to wait and see whether Xiao Yan could surpass the Pill Tower’s previous record, while privately recalling his own defeat by a brilliant young man.
• Ling Zhuo crushed his teacup, rejected Elder Yan’s suggestion to interfere, and ordered him to notify the Heavenly Secrets Tower that he would challenge the 450-point threshold after the trial.
• Xiao Yi Xian, Lei Jingxiao, and Qing Lin watched Xiao Yan from the crowd and expressed confidence in his ability to succeed.

Xiao Yan lit all eight Dragon Pattern Pillars at once, accomplishing an unprecedented feat and securing the crowd’s admiration. After collapsing from exhaustion, he was supported by Xiao Yi Xian and invited the young attendant Bu Yao to seek him out at the Pill Tower, while a black-robed figure quietly departed.

• As Xiao Yan neared exhaustion, Ling Zhuo regretted giving him medicinal wine but held back from interfering under the Pill Tower experts’ watch.
• Xiao Yan sensed Ling Zhuo, poured his remaining Dou Qi into the Flame Lotus, and urged Ling Zhuo to watch as he unleashed his full power.
• All eight Dragon Pattern Pillars lit up together, stunning the crowd and prompting them to praise Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flames and declare him the Pill Convention champion.
• Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Leizi marveled at Xiao Yan’s feat and agreed that his achievement brought glory to all Alchemists.
• Xiao Yan nearly collapsed after succeeding, and Xiao Yi Xian helped restore his Dou Qi as the young attendant Bu Yao congratulated him.
• Xiao Yan invited Bu Yao to find him at the Pill Tower, while a black-robed figure left, acknowledging that Xiao Yan would make the road ahead more interesting.

After Xiao Yan’s perfect score in the Nine Dragon Fire Trial made him a major focus of the Pill Convention, he rested at the Pill Tower while continuing to search for Zi Yan and Huo Zhi. Fei Tian revealed how the Yellow Spring Pavilion’s Heartblood Clay Puppets were made and delivered a newly refined one, before telling Xiao Yan that Bu Yao had come to see him.

• Xiao Yan’s perfect score intensified public debate over his standing against Ling Zhuo, and Xuan Kongzi urged him to rest at the Pill Tower for half a month.
• Xiao Yan asked Fei Tian for news of Zi Yan and Huo Zhi, but Fei Tian reported that the Starfall Pavilion and Heavenly Luan Clan had been unable to locate them or contact the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
• Fei Tian explained that Heartblood Clay Puppets required the Yellow Spring Pavilion’s cultivation method and half a year in a naturally formed Nightmare Pool that could not be replicated.
• Fei Tian gave Xiao Yan a new puppet and said Wang Chen, the Yellow Spring Pavilion’s former Young Master, had condensed it.
• Fei Tian told Xiao Yan that Pill Tower attendant Bu Yao had come to see him, and Xiao Yan invited Bu Yao in.

Xiao Yan gave Bu Yao a scroll of his alchemy insights and told him to reach sixth-tier alchemist before age thirty if he hoped to become his disciple. After Xiao Yi Xian made him leave his studies to spend time with Lei Jingxiao, Xiao Yan learned that Lei Jingxiao wanted him to teach him alchemy and help him enter the Pill Convention.

• Bu Yao visited Xiao Yan, who gave him a scroll of alchemy insights and refused to accept him as a disciple for now.
• Xiao Yan told Bu Yao to become a sixth-tier alchemist before age thirty and then seek him out at Starfall Pavilion.
• Xiao Yi Xian took Xiao Yan's soul technique scroll and ordered him to help Lei Jingxiao choose a farewell gift.
• Xiao Yan joined Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, Mu Qingluan, and Lei Jingxiao for an outing, feeling guilty that he had not taught Lei Jingxiao anything.
• Lei Jingxiao told Xiao Yan that he wanted to learn alchemy and participate in the Pill Convention.

Xiao Yan agreed to teach Lei Jingxiao alchemy, though he doubted Lei Jingxiao could reach the Pill Convention's top ten and claim the Three Thousand Burning Flame. At the Pill Tower entrance, Xiao Yan noticed a mysterious black-clad woman carrying a token associated with Xuan Yi and could not explain the strange feeling she gave him.

• Xiao Yan warned Lei Jingxiao that his lightning-and-fire Dou Qi made alchemy difficult, but agreed to teach him if he insisted.
• Lei Jingxiao revealed that he planned to enter the Pill Convention, reach the top ten, and compete for the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Xiao Yan questioned Xiao Yi Xian about Lei Jingxiao's plans, while she and the other women laughed because they already knew about them.
• At the Pill Tower entrance, a black-clad stranger presented a token bearing Xuan Yi's aura, and the guards respectfully admitted her.
• Xiao Yan sensed something strange about the stranger, and Xiao Yi Xian guessed that she was a beautiful woman.

Xiao Yan and his companions enjoyed wine and shopping in Holy Pill City, where their extraordinary soul power drew attention. As they left, Xiao Yan learned that Ling Zhuo planned to challenge the 450 mark the next day, beginning the Spirit Clan’s counterattack.

• Xiao Yan drank Three Thousand Stars Brew at Drunken Reed Tower and remembered his family and his plans to reunite with them after settling matters in Holy Pill City.
• Mu Qingluan showed Xiao Yan a Phantom Light Hairpin, and the group tested how brightly their soul fluctuations made the hairpins shine.
• Xiao Yan offered to pay for anything the group wanted and ordered two more pots of Three Thousand Stars Brew to take away.
• As Xiao Yan and his companions left, they heard people debate his Dragon Pattern Pillar score and Ling Zhuo’s standing.
• Xiao Yan learned that Ling Zhuo would challenge the 450 mark the next day.

Xiao Yan took his group to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, where he bought hairpins for Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin and gave Lei Jingxiao a pearl from another hairpin. The group left the shop as Mu Qingluan suggested they head west to watch the fireworks show.

• Xiao Yan chose a jade hairpin for Xiao Yi Xian, then had the shopkeeper remove its glow and pinned the altered hairpin in her hair.
• Lei Jingxiao asked for a gift, and Xiao Yan used his flames to separate a pearl from a hairpin and gave it to him.
• Xiao Yan placed a blue-green pearl hairpin in Qing Lin's hair, and she became emotional at his thoughtfulness.
• Xiao Yan shielded Qing Lin from Mu Qingluan's view and asked where they should go next.
• Mu Qingluan proposed visiting the western part of Holy Pill City to watch that night's fireworks show.

Xiao Yan and his companions joined the crowds in Holy Pill City to watch the fireworks, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian shared a quiet moment as she urged him not to push himself too hard. On the way back, Qing Lin stopped at an old fortune-teller’s stall, and Xiao Yan sensed that the man was no ordinary person.

• Xiao Yan and his companions concealed their strength and joined the crowds to watch the Pill Tower’s fireworks display.
• Xiao Yan enjoyed the festivities and held hands with Xiao Yi Xian as they watched the fireworks together.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan not to push himself too hard, and he reassured her that he was there.
• Xiao Yan and his companions left after the fireworks, with Xiao Yan feeling the tension in his heart ease.
• Qing Lin stopped at an elderly man’s roadside fortune-telling stall, and Xiao Yan sensed that the fortune-teller was unusual.

Xiao Yan and his companions had their fortunes told by a mysterious old man, who warned of Xiao Yan’s bloody calamity and revealed Qing Lin’s extraordinary destiny. After they left, the old man returned to his true appearance and declared that the Nine Serene Deepground Python clan would rise now that the Empress had appeared.

• The old man told Xiao Yan he had an extraordinary fate but would likely face a bloody calamity within a year.
• The old man said Qing Lin possessed royal blood and an astonishing destiny, alarming her and making Xiao Yan wary.
• Lei Jingxiao asked for his fortune, but the old man refused and remarked that some people could never be surpassed, darkening Lei Jingxiao’s expression.
• Xiao Yan led the group away after leaving a fifth-tier medicinal pill, and he noticed faint scale-like marks on the fortune sticks.
• Two figures arrived and reported that their task had been completed without much obstruction from the Pill Tower.
• The old man opened his vertical-pupiled eyes, dismissed Yao Xiaotian and Yao Ming as fools, and declared that the Nine Serene Deepground Python clan would rise with the Empress’s appearance.

Xiao Yan discovered that Qing Lin’s icy aura had spiraled out of control, apparently after the suspicious old man from the Spirit Clan provoked it. He used the Red Lotus Core Flame to help her, but their forces continued clashing inside her body as the Nine Serene Deepground Python weakened unnoticed.

• While cultivating, Xiao Yan sensed a sudden icy aura coming from Qing Lin’s room and rushed to investigate.
• Xiao Yan found Qing Lin and Little Cold overcome by the cold, and Qing Lin warned him to leave.
• Xiao Yan suspected the old man from the Spirit Clan had caused Qing Lin’s loss of control and vowed to remember the debt.
• Xiao Yan used the Red Lotus Core Flame to fight the cold aura inside Qing Lin, but their powers clashed fiercely within her body.
• As the struggle continued, Xiao Yan’s palm froze and Little Cold grew weaker while no one noticed.

Qing Lin’s body underwent a bloodline replacement with Little Cold while Xiao Yan endured the frigid power. Ming Mei woke Xiao Yan and explained that she had arranged the transformation, leaving Qing Lin poised to inherit the Nine Serene Deepground Python Clan’s royal bloodline.

• The Nine Serene Deepground Python’s bloodline flowed into unconscious Qing Lin, while Little Cold’s body weakened and Xiao Yan remained unconscious under the frigid power.
• Ming Mei appeared and woke Xiao Yan, then questioned why he was in Qing Lin’s room.
• Xiao Yan explained how Qing Lin’s cultivation crisis began, and Ming Mei said a Nine Serene Deepground Python Clan elder had interfered after mistaking Qing Lin for a clan royal.
• Ming Mei explained that her planned blood replacement was proceeding and that Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame had helped Qing Lin survive the first wave of frigid power.
• Ming Mei revealed that Qing Lin could become ruler of the Nine Serene Deepground Python Clan, whose rightful heir had been killed by the clan itself.

Ming Mei completed Qing Lin’s bloodline replacement, making the royal blood of the Nine Serene Deepground Python dominant while sparing the weakened beast. As Ming Mei’s remnant soul vanished, Xiao Yan used his Heavenly Flames to clear the remaining blockages in Qing Lin’s bloodline, and she began to awaken.

• Ming Mei explained that the blood replacement would strengthen Qing Lin without damaging her human foundation, though the Nine Serene Deepground Python would never reach the Dou Emperor realm.
• Ming Mei told Xiao Yan to stay and use his Heavenly Flames to help Qing Lin absorb the royal blood, while he waited and cultivated.
• Ming Mei announced that her remnant soul would disappear, asked Xiao Yan to care for Qing Lin, and vanished.
• Xiao Yan covered Qing Lin with a robe and used his Heavenly Flames to clear blockages and soothe the cold aura in her bloodline.
• Qing Lin opened her eyes and recognized Xiao Yan, who told her to steady her mind while he finished clearing her bloodline.

Ling He confronted the Spirit Clan’s delegation after Xiao Yan earned two perfect scores in the Pill Convention trials, threatening the Heavenly Secrets Tower’s rankings and the clan’s plans. She ordered Zou Wu to stop Xiao Yan’s momentum and said she would intervene personally.

• Ling He demanded an explanation from Ling Zhuo about why Xiao Yan could not be stopped.
• Ling Zhuo explained Xiao Yan’s ties to Huo Xuan, the Ancient Clan, and Yao Chen, and reported that Xiao Yan had earned perfect scores in two trials.
• Elder Yan described how Xiao Yan endured the final lightning bolts in the Heavenly Secrets Tower’s trial, leaving the Spirit Clan unable to justify lowering his score.
• Ling Zhuo admitted his score was 456 and that he had little room to improve without damaging the ranking’s credibility.
• Ling He warned Zou Wu to stop Xiao Yan from disrupting the Spirit Clan’s plans and said she would personally take action.

Xiao Yan worried over the rare materials needed to upgrade his Heavy Profound Ruler and the lingering weakness in his Heavenly Flame before heading to meet Xuan Kongzi. On the way, Wei Jiangyuan stopped him and offered information about how the Spirit Clan had subdued the Pill Tower’s five affiliated families.

• Xiao Yan reviewed Master Haika’s list of rare materials, and Xiao Yi Xian offered to ask Old Fei to search for them.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan that Xuan Kongzi wanted him to attempt the third trial, while Xiao Yan concealed his concern that his Heavenly Flame had weakened after his encounter with Qing Lin.
• Xiao Yan practiced his soul techniques, making progress with the Soul Flow Black Vortex but not yet mastering the Shadow Piercing Needle.
• Wei Jiangyuan introduced himself to Xiao Yan and began listing his own supposed credentials.
• Wei Jiangyuan stopped Xiao Yan by offering to explain how the Spirit Clan had subdued the Pill Tower’s five great affiliated families.

Xiao Yan learned that the Cao Clan joined the Spirit Clan because Cao Ying faced a problem only the Spirit Clan could solve. He and Wei Jiangyuan confronted the Pill Tower’s leaders, who faced pressure to reveal the Spirit Clan’s methods.

• Wei Jiangyuan told Xiao Yan that the Cao Clan had defected to the Spirit Clan to save Cao Ying from a serious problem neither the clan nor the Pill Tower could resolve.
• Wei Jiangyuan proposed that he and Xiao Yan question Xuan Kongzi, and Xiao Yan agreed to learn how the Spirit Clan operated.
• Wei Jiangyuan brought Xiao Yan to the Pill Tower’s main hall, where Xuan Leizi rebuked him for revealing himself before the Pill Convention.
• Wei Jiangyuan challenged Xuan Kongzi to explain what the Spirit Clan had done to the Cao Clan and Dan Clan, threatening to withdraw from the Pill Tower’s cause.
• Xuan Leizi claimed the Spirit Clan had only offered great benefits, while Wei Jiangyuan accused the Pill Tower’s upper ranks of concealing the truth.