Recaps

After leaving the Heavenly Formation Sect, Qin Yu parted ways with Ziyan and Hei Qing, then returned to the Pill Tower with Cao Ying. He decided to attempt the Eighth-Rank Alchemist assessment, but Xuan Kongzi reminded him that Venerable Feng wanted to meet him at Starfall Pavilion and revealed that Han Feng remained in Xuan Yi’s custody.

• Hei Qing arrived to help with the trouble at the Heavenly Formation Sect, but Ziyan explained that the sect’s leader had avoided a confrontation.
• Ziyan teased Qin Yu about adding Cao Ying to his circle and warned him about Yun Yun and the others before leaving with Hei Qing.
• Cao Ying asked Qin Yu whether Ziyan was an Ancient Void Dragon, then admitted she was pushing herself to catch up with him.
• Qin Yu and Cao Ying returned to the Pill Tower, where Qin Yu told Xuan Kongzi that he wanted to attempt the Eighth-Rank Alchemist assessment.
• Xuan Kongzi told Qin Yu that Venerable Feng had asked him to invite Qin Yu to Starfall Pavilion, and said Han Feng was still in Xuan Yi’s hands until Yao Chen could deal with him.

Qin Yu told Xuan Kongzi where Yao Chen might be, then experimented with combining the Dark Abyss Nether Crow's blood essence and a Heavenly Flame as a possible step toward Chaotic Dou Qi. At Starfall Pavilion, Venerable Feng learned Qin Yu had arrived and rushed to meet him, eager for news of Yao Chen.

• Xuan Kongzi asked Qin Yu whether the brothers at the Heavenly Formation Sect had troubled him, then asked where Yao Chen was for Xuan Yi's sake.
• Qin Yu gave Xuan Kongzi Jia Nan Academy as a general direction for finding Yao Chen, and Xuan Yi thanked Xuan Kongzi for asking.
• Qin Yu discovered the Dark Abyss Nether Crow's blood essence in his Storage Ring and tested whether the Green Lotus Core Flame could balance its power, but the attempt remained inconclusive.
• Venerable Feng thought about Yao Chen and decided Qin Yu might know where his old friend was.
• Mu Qingluan told Venerable Feng that Qin Yu was at Starfall Pavilion's entrance, and Venerable Feng immediately rushed out to meet him.

Qin Yu told Feng Xian that Yao Chen had taken Xiao Yan as a new disciple, prompting Feng Xian to keep Qin Yu at the Starfall Pavilion for more information. Feng Xian began planning to look for Xiao Yan, while Qin Yu and Mu Qingluan joined forces to pry into Feng Xian’s private behavior.

• Feng Xian welcomed Qin Yu to the Starfall Pavilion and asked where Yao Chen was.
• Qin Yu recounted how Yao Chen had met Xiao Yan and accepted him as a disciple, making Feng Xian eager to meet them.
• Feng Xian persuaded Qin Yu to stay at the pavilion, where Mu Qingluan repeatedly visited him.
• Mu Qingluan asked Qin Yu to reveal how Feng Xian acted while asking about Yao Chen, and Qin Yu agreed to share details.
• Feng Xian arranged to watch for Xiao Yan and planned to search the Northern Region while attending the upcoming Four Pavilions Assembly.

Qin Yu left Starfall Pavilion and cultivated in seclusion, while Mu Qingluan’s gossip about Venerable Feng caused a scene at Myriad Sword Pavilion. After a month of using five linked spirit-gathering formations, Qin Yu reached Nine-Star Dou Zong and remembered his planned Eighth-Rank Alchemist assessment.

• Qin Yu left Starfall Pavilion early, avoiding Venerable Feng and Mu Qingluan’s gossip and the Four Pavilions Assembly.
• Mu Qingluan admitted that she had been asking Qin Yu about Venerable Feng’s interest in Pavilion Master Yao, and Feng Xian caught her trying to slip away.
• Feng Xian carried Mu Qingluan to Myriad Sword Pavilion, where Sword Venerable asked about their unusual arrival.
• Mu Qingluan clashed with Feng Qing'er, then regretted not sharing more gossip with Qin Yu.
• Qin Yu linked five spirit-gathering formations and reached Nine-Star Dou Zong after a month of cultivation.
• Qin Yu remembered that he had promised Xuan Kongzi he would take the Eighth-Rank Alchemist assessment.

Qin Yu passed the Eighth-Rank Alchemist examination after refining a Fire Spirit Flame-Forging Pill and using a Spirit Gathering Formation to strengthen it. When Cao Ying heard of his achievement, she went to ask how he advanced so quickly and stayed to learn from him.

• Xuan Kongzi met Qin Yu after his return to Saint Pill City and told him the Eighth-Rank Alchemist examination was ready.
• Qin Yu began refining the Fire Spirit Flame-Forging Pill, taking extra care because it was his first Eighth-Grade Pill.
• As the pill neared completion, Qin Yu set up a Spirit Gathering Formation to draw in more worldly energy before condensing it.
• Qin Yu used the Earth Puppet and Thunder Puppet to withstand the four-colored pill lightning, and the lightning strengthened both puppets to Dou Zun level.
• Xuan Kongzi let Cao Ying know Qin Yu had passed the examination, prompting her to visit him and ask how he cultivated so quickly.
• Cao Ying apologized for approaching Qin Yu abruptly, then said she wanted to learn from him.

Qin Yu began seclusion after spending a week teaching Cao Ying, using Emperor Hong Violet Qi to pursue a breakthrough to Dou Venerable. More than half a year later, a pillar of light burst from his retreat as a powerful aura emerged.

• Cao Ying asked Qin Yu to teach her, and he agreed to spend a week with her before entering seclusion.
• Qin Yu taught Cao Ying a formation that blocked outside interference, and she learned from him while their teasing left her flustered.
• After Cao Ying left, Qin Yu prepared his retreat and asked Qian Xu to guard him alongside four puppets.
• Qin Yu absorbed natural energy and gradually drew on the Emperor Hong Violet Qi during more than half a year of seclusion.
• A huge pillar of light erupted from Qin Yu's mountain, and Qian Xu sensed the aura of a Dou Venerable.

Qin Yu broke through to the Dou Venerable Realm, chose a trait that doubled his attack power against any opponent, and learned that Xiao Yi Xian and another woman were at the Demon Puppet Sect after an encounter with Ice River Valley. He set out with Qian Xu to reach them, ready to face any further trouble from Ice River Valley.

• Qin Yu broke through to the Dou Venerable Realm after half a year in seclusion and drew The Middle Way, which doubled his attack power against any opponent.
• Qian Xu told Qin Yu that Elder Yu had found two women with Heavenly Demon Puppets fighting Ice River Valley, then brought them to the Demon Puppet Sect after learning they knew Qin Yu.
• Qin Yu sensed the Qilin Mark he had left for Xiao Yi Xian and set out with Qian Xu for the Demon Puppet Sect after dismantling his formation and retrieving his puppets.
• Qian Xu explained that Elder Yu had used a Peak Dou Zong puppet to help the women drive off Ice River Valley without revealing his identity.
• Qian Xu assessed that the Demon Puppet Sect could overwhelm Ice River Valley's forces apart from its strongest Dou Venerables, and Qin Yu agreed.

Qin Yu returned to the Demon Puppet Sect, where Qian Xunji explained the sect’s failed puppet-making efforts and showed off a powerful Heavenly Demon Puppet. Qin Yu reunited with Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian, then learned that Yun Yun had inherited Yun Potian’s complete legacy and a high Earth-tier cultivation method.

• Qin Yu returned to the Demon Puppet Sect with Qian Xu and found the sect exhausted, with corpses and defective puppets piled across its grounds.
• Qian Xunji explained that he had captured a Soul Hall Protector, used his method to imprison souls, and killed old enemies to make puppets, but ran out of Seventh-Tier Magical Cores.
• Qian Xunji showed Qin Yu a Heavenly Demon Puppet made from a Dou Venerable’s body and soul and an eighth-tier magic core, which rivaled an ordinary four-star Dou Venerable.
• Qin Yu reunited with Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian in a secluded pavilion, and they spent two days together before catching up.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Qin Yu that she had reached Six-Star Dou Zong and that her Woeful Poison Body seal had loosened slightly, while Yun Yun had reached Five-Star Dou Zong.
• Yun Yun explained that the Life-and-Death Gate had called to her and that she had received Yun Potian’s complete inheritance, including his high Earth-tier cultivation method.

Qin Yu reunited with Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun, explained his ties to the Demon Puppet Sect, and revealed that he had reached the Dou Venerable Realm. He began helping Xiao Yi Xian fully control her Woeful Poison Body, then prepared to settle accounts with Ice River Valley.

• Qin Yu explained his relationship with the Demon Puppet Sect and demonstrated his new Dou Venerable strength to Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun.
• Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian questioned Qin Yu about meeting women at the Pill Tower, and he told them about Cao Ying.
• Qin Yu told Xiao Yi Xian he would resolve her Woeful Poison Body, and the two prepared for the treatment several days later.
• Qin Yu used his flames, Qilin Power, Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, and a beast core to compress Xiao Yi Xian's Poison Dou Qi into an embryonic Poison Pill.
• Qian Xunji and the Demon Puppet Sect's elders urged Qin Yu to take them along when he went after Ice River Valley.

Qin Yu infiltrated Ice River Valley, learned that Ice Venerable was targeting Xiao Yi Xian, and secretly prepared formations across the valley. He left to gather his allies from the Demon Puppet Sect and planned to strike before Ice River Valley could act.

• Qian Xunji volunteered to fight, and Qin Yu’s side amassed ten Dou Venerable-level combatants, including eight puppets.
• Qin Yu mapped Ice River Valley’s territory and used his Extra Character trait to infiltrate it unnoticed.
• Qin Yu followed an elder into Ice River Valley’s main hall and overheard him report that the Demon Puppet Sect had powerful puppets and a Dou Venerable sect master.
• Ice Venerable discussed killing the puppet controllers and claimed he would take the Calamity Poison Girl for himself.
• Qin Yu secretly planted additional formations throughout Ice River Valley, then left to gather the Demon Puppet Sect forces for an attack.

After Xiao Yi Xian reached the Dou Venerable level, Qin Yu led the Demon Puppet Sect’s forces in a surprise assault on Ice River Valley. The attack overwhelmed the valley’s defenses, and Ice Venerable discovered that the attackers included at least three Dou Venerables.

• Xiao Yi Xian emerged from seclusion as a One-Star Dou Venerable, and she asked Qin Yu to let her join the campaign against Ice River Valley.
• Qin Yu briefed Qian Xunji on Ice River Valley’s plans and Ice Venerable’s movements, and Qian Xunji assembled nearly every Dou Zong-level fighter in the sect.
• Qin Yu led the force to Ice River Valley and ordered a sudden attack, sending over a hundred Dou Zong-level fighters against the mountain gate.
• Ice River Valley’s defenses crumbled as the hidden measures sabotaged the Bing He Formation and the Demon Puppet Sect’s puppets led the assault.
• Ice Venerable prepared to confront the attackers, then sensed at least three Dou Venerable-level experts among their ranks.

Ice River Valley struggled against the Demon Puppet Sect’s overwhelming puppet forces as Bing He joined the battle and was surrounded. When Qin Yu nearly shattered his arm, Bing He awakened the Woeful Poison Body, which Xiao Yi Xian sensed from elsewhere.

• Ice River Valley’s survivors formed a defensive formation, and Tian Shuangzi gathered their Ice Venerable Force to slow the puppets.
• Bing He arrived and attacked with Frozen Heaven Palm, but two golden Dou Zun Puppets met his strike.
• Qian Xunji revealed three more golden puppets, and he and Qin Yu joined them in attacking Bing He while their remaining puppets assaulted the survivors’ formation.
• Qin Yu nearly smashed Bing He’s arm, prompting Bing He to activate the Woeful Poison Body.
• Xiao Yi Xian sensed Bing He’s Woeful Poison Body after killing the enemies who had pursued her.

Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian defeated Bing He after he revealed his acquired Woeful Poison Body, and the Demon Puppet Sect finished destroying Ice River Valley. While looting the valley, Qin Yu found the method Bing He used to create that body and considered sending the valley’s ice techniques to Hai Bo Dong.

• Bing He revealed his Woeful Poison Body, and Xiao Yi Xian recognized that it differed from her own.
• Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian attacked Bing He, while Qian Xunji withdrew to clear out the remaining Ice River Valley forces.
• Bing He asked how Xiao Yi Xian controlled her Woeful Poison Body, and Qin Yu showed him three Heavenly Flames before Qian Xunji’s Sky Demon Puppet killed him.
• Qin Yu captured Bing He’s soul, then searched Ice River Valley’s storehouse and found its valuable cultivation methods, techniques, and treasures.
• Qin Yu discovered a scroll describing how to create an acquired Woeful Poison Body, and Xiao Yi Xian learned that Bing He had transformed himself through repeated, dangerous poison tempering.
• Qin Yu considered sending Ice River Valley’s ice techniques to Hai Bo Dong, who sneezed in the Jia Ma Empire and worried about Qing Lin sneaking away.

Qin Yu sent Ice River Valley’s ice-attribute techniques to Hai Bo Dong, then traveled toward the Pill Tower after learning Cao Ying was close to becoming an Eighth-Rank Alchemist. On the way, Old Man Mu Gu ambushed him and threatened the Demon Puppet Sect.

• Qin Yu gave Qian Xu Ice River Valley’s ice-attribute cultivation methods, combat skills, and a letter for Hai Bo Dong, while keeping the valley’s two formation scrolls.
• Qin Yu broke through to Two-Star Dou Venerable, and Yun Yun told him that Cao Ying was approaching the Eighth-Rank Alchemist level.
• After spending several more days cultivating, Qin Yu left for the Pill Tower as Yun Yun stayed behind to consolidate her strength and attempt a breakthrough.
• Old Man Mu Gu emerged from a spatial rift and attacked Qin Yu, who recognized him after their first exchange and drove him back with heavenly flames.
• Mu Gu admitted he could not subdue Qin Yu himself, then threatened the people at the Demon Puppet Sect.

Qin Yu battled Mu Gu, who summoned the Black and White Heavenly Venerables for help, but Xuan Kongzi arrived and joined Qin Yu against them. Mu Gu was killed and his soul searched while Xuan Kongzi pursued the fleeing Heavenly Venerables, and what Qin Yu learned left him looking peculiar.

• Qin Yu used his Heavenly Demon Puppets and Heavenly Flames to overwhelm Mu Gu, who regrew his missing arm and burned a Jade Slip to summon help.
• The Black and White Heavenly Venerables emerged from a spatial rift, with White Heavenly Venerate holding off the puppets while Black Heavenly Venerate confronted Qin Yu.
• Xuan Kongzi appeared, and Qin Yu secretly set up a barrier to prevent the three opponents from calling for further help.
• The Black and White Heavenly Venerables threw Mu Gu toward Qin Yu and Xuan Kongzi before fleeing, and Xuan Kongzi pursued them.
• A Heavenly Demon Puppet killed Mu Gu, and Qin Yu searched his soul, reacting strangely to what he learned.

After learning through Mu Gu’s soul that the Hall of Souls had not planned an attack on the Demon Puppet Sect, Qin Yu realized Mu Gu had acted alone to frighten him and seize his Heavenly Flames. Qin Yu obtained the bodies and souls of Mu Gu and the Black and White Heavenly Venerables, then prepared to use them for puppet research.

• Qin Yu discovered that Mu Gu had invented the Hall of Souls’ threat against the Demon Puppet Sect to keep Qin Yu wary while he sought reinforcements.
• Xuan Kongzi returned with the captured Black and White Heavenly Venerables, and he and Qin Yu mocked Mu Gu for his reckless plan.
• Qin Yu asked Xuan Kongzi for the three enemies’ bodies and souls to research a special form of puppetry, and Xuan Kongzi handed them over.
• Xuan Kongzi suggested the Demon Puppet Sect relocate near the Pill Region for protection, then gave Qin Yu a Jade Slip to contact him.
• Xuan Kongzi asked Qin Yu what to tell Cao Ying about her upcoming eighth-rank promotion assessment, and Qin Yu asked him to offer brief encouragement.
• After Xuan Kongzi left, Qin Yu looked at the three sealed souls and prepared to deal with them.

The Hall of Souls set aside Qin Yu and the Demon Puppet Sect while turning its attention to Yao Chen and Xiao Yan. At the Demon Puppet Sect, Qin Yu studied the Human Puppet Refining Method and discussed relocating near the Pill Region with Qian Xunji, who worried the move could bring conflict with local Alchemists.

• The Hall of Souls learned that Xuan Kongzi had killed Mu Gu and the Black and White Heavenly Venerables, then decided to deal with captured Yao Chen and watch Xiao Yan while postponing its plans for Qin Yu.
• Qin Yu studied the Human Puppet Refining Method and learned that refining a puppet required completely suppressing its subject's soul, which would remain conscious and trapped in a puppet core.
• Qin Yu decided to test the method on the Black and White Heavenly Venerables rather than risk wasting Mu Gu, who had not recovered from the soul search.
• Qian Xunji visited Qin Yu, and Qin Yu asked how discussions about moving the Demon Puppet Sect near the Pill Region had gone.
• Qian Xunji said the sect was open to relocating but wondered whether they could refine puppets peacefully near the Pill Region without Alchemists complaining.

Qin Yu refined several human puppets and prepared for the Demon Puppet Sect’s relocation while Xiao Yi Xian broke through to Two-Star Dou Venerable. After the sect departed, Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian decided to continue cultivating at its former site as Yun Yun remained in seclusion.

• Qin Yu tested his White Heavenly Venerate human puppet against a Four-Star Dou Venerable Heavenly Demon Puppet and found it fought at Four-Star Dou Venerable strength.
• Qin Yu refined Black Heavenly Venerate, Mu Gu, and Bing He into human puppets, preserving nearly all of Bing He’s Five-Star Dou Venerable strength.
• Qian Xunji found a new location for the Demon Puppet Sect, and Qin Yu agreed that Qian Xunji would leave clues for Qian Xu to follow.
• Xiao Yi Xian emerged from secluded cultivation after absorbing Bing He’s poison and broke through to Two-Star Dou Venerable.
• Xiao Yi Xian proposed attacking the Hall of Souls’ branch halls, but Qin Yu said he had not located them yet.
• Qin Yu and Xiao Yi Xian decided to keep cultivating at the Demon Puppet Sect’s former site while Yun Yun continued her secluded cultivation.

Qin Yu learned that Xiao Yan had appeared in the Central Plains, explaining why the Hall of Souls had ignored him, and sent valuable cultivation materials and a pill to his friends in the Jia Ma Empire. The chapter left Yun Shan and Hai Bo Dong receiving Qin Yu’s gifts from Qian Xu.

• Qin Yu reached Four-Star Dou Venerable while Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian teased each other about his rapid cultivation.
• Yun Yun told Qin Yu that Wang Chen of Yellow Springs Pavilion had been killed and Starfall Pavilion was protecting the killer.
• Qin Yu identified the killer as Xiao Yan and concluded that Xiao Yan’s arrival, along with Yao Chen’s likely capture, explained the Hall of Souls’ inaction.
• Qin Yu told Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian they should continue with their own plans and seek Xiao Yan’s help only if they needed it.
• Qian Xu delivered Earth Tier ice-attribute cultivation methods and techniques from Qin Yu to Yun Shan and Hai Bo Dong, along with a Seventh-Rank Pill for Yun Shan.

Qian Xu learned that Qing Lin had left the Misty Cloud Sect and hurried back to inform Qin Yu. In Saint Pill City, Qin Yu accepted Cao Ying’s invitation to explore ancient ruins said to contain the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, while Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian chose to stay behind.

• Hai Bo Dong told Qian Xu that Qing Lin had left the Misty Cloud Sect more than half a year earlier with Little Eight, and Qian Xu decided to inform Qin Yu immediately.
• Qian Xu departed for the Central Plains, and Yun Shan went into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to Dou Zong while Hai Bo Dong agreed to remain at the Misty Cloud Sect for a while longer.
• In Saint Pill City, Cao Ying told Qin Yu that ancient ruins in the Southern Region were about to open and reportedly contained the Turtle Spirit Earthfire.
• Qin Yu accepted Cao Ying’s invitation to visit the ruins, and Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian both declined to go, leaving Cao Ying confused.

Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian gave Cao Ying a chance to be alone with Qin Yu, while Yun Yun explained that his extraordinary cultivation speed made her fear falling behind. Later, Cao Ying briefed Qin Yu on the ruins in the Southern Region of the Central Plains, and he resolved to pursue the Turtle Spirit Earthfire regardless of who else became involved.

• Cao Ying left after Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian made no objection to her spending time alone with Qin Yu.
• Yun Yun warned Qin Yu that a powerful faction in the Southern Region of the Central Plains might contest the Turtle Spirit Earthfire.
• Yun Yun told Qin Yu she feared his rapid cultivation would leave her behind and wanted him to keep pursuing his goals without slowing down for her.
• Cao Ying returned while Yun Yun and Xiao Yi Xian were cultivating and explained the ruins’ opening, origins, and possible treasures to Qin Yu.
• Cao Ying said the Starfall Pavilion might be too occupied with its conflict with the Yellow Springs Pavilion to interfere, but Qin Yu refused to abandon the chance to obtain the Turtle Spirit Earthfire.

Qin Yu and Cao Ying joined Venerable Feng and Xiao Yan at the Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range as its ruins opened, and Qin Yu sensed the Turtle Spirit Earthfire within. He grabbed Cao Ying and rushed into the ruins, while Yao Tian and his companions also set out to find the Earthfire.

• Qin Yu and Cao Ying arrived at the Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range and met Venerable Feng and Xiao Yan near the ruins.
• Qin Yu told Venerable Feng he would protect Cao Ying, and Xiao Yan noted Qin Yu's strength and thought of his captured master.
• The ruins opened, and Qin Yu sensed that the Turtle Spirit Earthfire was inside.
• Yao Tian and two elders identified the Turtle Spirit Earthfire as their target, and one elder entered first to scout.
• Qin Yu took Cao Ying by the hand and sped into the ruins, leaving Venerable Feng, Xiao Yan, and Yao Tian behind.

Qin Yu revealed that he had already subdued the turtle spirit earthfire, leaving Cao Ying stunned by how obedient it was to him. When a Seven-Star Dou Zun demanded the Heavenly Flame, Qin Yu fought back and trapped him with a spatial lock, claiming the Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range as his territory.

• Qin Yu led Cao Ying into a cave and called forth the turtle spirit earthfire from the walls.
• Qin Yu showed Cao Ying that the turtle spirit earthfire was already subdued, and it shrank to turtle size and settled on his shoulder.
• Qin Yu told Cao Ying that another treasure belonged to him alone, then revealed the old man who had been searching for the turtle spirit earthfire for Yao Tian.
• The old man demanded that Qin Yu hand over the turtle spirit earthfire, but Qin Yu insulted him and exchanged blows with him.
• Qin Yu used a spatial lock to immobilize the old man, who was shocked that a Four-Star Dou Venerable could restrain him.

Qin Yu refused Yao Tian’s offer for the Turtle Spirit Earthfire and expelled him and the other treasure seekers from the ruins. Yao Tian could not break the strengthened seal, while Xiao Yan concluded Qin Yu had prepared in advance; Qin Yu remained inside with the Heavenly Flame.

• Qin Yu threatened Elder Lin with the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, but Yao Tian and Elder Mu arrived in time to save him.
• Yao Tian offered pills and cultivation methods for the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, but Qin Yu refused unless he could provide a Heaven Tier technique.
• Elder Lin and Elder Mu prepared to fight Qin Yu, but Qin Yu waved them and Yao Tian out of the ruins.
• Yao Tian and the elders found the entrance sealed, and they could not break it without help from a Half-Saint or stronger elder.
• Venerable Feng and Xiao Yan were also expelled, and Xiao Yan decided Qin Yu must have prepared thoroughly to find the Turtle Spirit Earthfire.

Qin Yu expelled Yao Tian and the others from the ruins, then began absorbing the Turtle Spirit Earthfire and the power accumulated in the Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range. Nearly half a year later, he and Cao Ying still had not returned, and Xiao Yi Xian wondered why she felt uneasy around Xuan Kongzi.

• Qin Yu sent Yao Tian and the other two out of the ruins to prevent them from interfering, and Cao Ying warned him that the Yao Clan would likely seek to save face.
• Qin Yu revealed that he planned to use the Mysterious Spirit Mountain Range's accumulated power while subduing the Turtle Spirit Earthfire.
• Qin Yu gave Cao Ying a small clump of Turtle Spirit Earthfire to temper herself and promised her a Child Flame after he subdued it.
• Qin Yu and Cao Ying cultivated in the ruins for nearly half a year, with Cao Ying preparing to absorb the Child Flame.
• Xuan Kongzi told Xiao Yi Xian that Qin Yu and Cao Ying were likely still away because they had obtained the Turtle Spirit Earthfire, while Xiao Yi Xian questioned her unexplained discomfort toward him.