Chapter Summaries

After three months of refining weapons for the Yue Mei Tribe, Zhou Changqing went with Ling Sha to collect supplies approved by Yue Mei. At the tribe’s storehouse, Hacquis confronted him, and Zhou Changqing hastily denied having anything to do with Ling Sha.

• Zhou Changqing replenished his Dou Qi after refining a spear and learned that Yue Mei had approved his request for the tribe’s metal resources.
• Ling Sha led Zhou Changqing out of the central tent, and the two bickered over his promise to refine a Tier 4 Magic Weapon for her.
• Zhou Changqing and Ling Sha arrived at the guarded storehouse, where they encountered the burly Snake-People man Hacquis.
• Hacquis greeted Ling Sha and glared at Zhou Changqing, who interrupted him to deny being involved in any romantic rivalry with her.

Zhou Changqing defeated Hacquis, who challenged him for the last Spirit Ascension Pill, and then used the pill to attempt a breakthrough to Dou Ling. His dou crystal began changing under the surge of energy, but the chapter ended before his breakthrough was confirmed.

• Hacquis challenged Zhou Changqing to a duel for the Spirit Ascension Pill, and Ling Sha allowed them to fight.
• Zhou Changqing struck Hacquis and kicked him into a crater, leaving him badly injured while Zhou Changqing went with Ling Sha to collect the pill.
• Three or four days later, Zhou Changqing swallowed the Fourth-Rank Spirit Ascension Pill and cultivated with the Heavenly Dipper Gold-Tempering Art.
• Zhou Changqing drew in energy from the surrounding area, and his dou crystal began to turn oval and sprout small bumps.

After absorbing a Spirit Ascension Pill, Zhou Changqing broke through to Dou Ling and considered when he could safely leave the Charm Snake Tribe. Yue Mei sensed his breakthrough and traveled to Temple City to report to the Queen, where Hua She'er came to escort her.

• Zhou Changqing transformed his Dou Crystal and broke through to Dou Ling, gaining stronger dou qi and greater control over it.
• Zhou Changqing decided to wait until he reached High-Rank Dou Ling before attempting to leave, then began preparing to refine a weapon.
• Yue Mei sensed Zhou Changqing's new Dou Ling aura and realized his talent and likely ability to refine a Tier 4 Magic Weapon.
• Yue Mei left the Charm Snake Tribe and flew to Temple City, where the guards welcomed her and she went to the Medusa Temple.
• Yue Mei asked Hua She'er to announce her arrival to the Queen, and Hua She'er returned and told her to follow.

Yue Mei told Queen Medusa about Zhou Changqing’s talent and weapon refining, prompting the Queen to summon him to the Holy City. Yue Mei delivered the news to Zhou Changqing, who realized his chance to escape the Charm Snake Tribe had grown much harder.

• Yue Mei described Zhou Changqing’s cultivation talent and weapon refining to Queen Medusa, who ordered her to bring him for an audience.
• Zhou Changqing nearly ruined his weapon-refining materials when he sneezed, unaware that Yue Mei had reported him to the Queen.
• Yue Mei visited Zhou Changqing while he ate hot pot and joined him for a meal.
• Yue Mei told Zhou Changqing that Queen Medusa wanted to meet him and had sent her to take him to the Holy City.
• Zhou Changqing confronted Yue Mei for revealing his existence and despaired at how Queen Medusa’s interest would obstruct his escape.

Zhou Changqing accepted that he could not escape Yue Mei and agreed to go meet Queen Medusa. Before leaving, he beat Hacquis and confronted Ling Sha, whose attack he caught as their clash began.

• Yue Mei told Zhou Changqing that escape from her and Queen Medusa was impossible and urged him to accept better treatment in the Holy City.
• Zhou Changqing concluded that he could not escape and decided to go with Yue Mei, hoping he might flee during a future upheaval in the Snake-People Tribe.
• Zhou Changqing stopped Yue Mei before they left and punched Hacquis repeatedly while Yue Mei held back the other commanders.
• Zhou Changqing confronted Ling Sha for calling him little Changqing and caught her Dou Qi-wrapped fist as she attacked.

Zhou Changqing took revenge on Ling Sha before Yue Mei carried him to Temple City to meet Queen Medusa. He greeted the Queen in the Temple, where she began to question him.

• Zhou Changqing used his strength to overpower Ling Sha, then distracted her and spanked her before escaping with Yue Mei.
• Yue Mei carried Zhou Changqing through the air to Temple City, where he saw the Snake-People capital’s busy streets and distinctive architecture.
• Yue Mei brought Zhou Changqing to the Temple, where he met Snake Guard captain Hua She'er and faced her disdain.
• Zhou Changqing stared at Queen Medusa until Hua She'er rebuked him, but Medusa stopped her and asked Zhou Changqing to confirm his identity.
• Zhou Changqing greeted Queen Medusa respectfully and confirmed that he was Zhou Changqing.

Zhou Changqing demonstrated his Weapon Refining Technique for Medusa, whose perception detected a mysterious aura within the lightning Dou Qi. After absorbing the lightning arcs, Medusa sensed a profound change connected to her bloodline.

• Medusa ordered Zhou Changqing to demonstrate weapon refining, and he began forging a weapon in his Great Cauldron.
• Medusa probed the cauldron and felt an unusual stirring when her perception touched its lightning Dou Qi.
• Medusa drew several lightning arcs from the cauldron, nearly disrupting Zhou Changqing's refining before she left for her bedchamber.
• Medusa examined the arcs and felt her bloodline intensely crave them, so she absorbed them into her body.
• Medusa sensed something astonishing after absorbing the arcs and cried out in disbelief.

Medusa discovered that Zhou Changqing’s lightning attribute Dou Qi could strengthen both her snake spirit and Snake-People bloodlines, making her reconsider the risky Heavenly Flame Secret Method. She decided to keep Zhou Changqing close and seek more of his thunder qi, then appeared in his room late at night.

• Medusa realized the lightning attribute Dou Qi had strengthened her bloodline and considered it a safer alternative to the Heavenly Flame Secret Method.
• Medusa recognized that the Dou Qi could strengthen both her snake spirit bloodline and her own Snake-People bloodline, and wondered if this might reveal the Origin Ancestor’s mysteries.
• Medusa decided against forcibly controlling or refining Zhou Changqing and resolved to befriend him so she could keep receiving his thunder qi.
• Yue Mei settled Zhou Changqing into a room in the Temple after the weapon refining ended.
• Zhou Changqing pondered Medusa’s strange behavior and suspected she had noticed his Dou Qi’s unusual properties.
• A visitor entered Zhou Changqing’s room unseen, and he discovered it was Queen Medusa.

Medusa demanded Zhou Changqing’s lightning dou qi, but he refused and discovered that she needed him to willingly sever its connection before she could use it. After bluffing her with a show of defiance, Zhou Changqing gained leverage and began planning what to demand when she returned the next day.

• Medusa told Zhou Changqing she wanted his lightning attribute dou qi and insisted she would have it.
• Zhou Changqing accused Medusa of exploiting him and refused to hand over the foundation of his power.
• Medusa took a strand of Zhou Changqing’s thunder qi and found that it damaged her body without improving her bloodline.
• Medusa threatened to confine Zhou Changqing if he refused, but offered to meet any terms within her power and left until the next day.
• After Medusa departed, Zhou Changqing realized his defiance had bluffed her and considered what terms to negotiate.

Zhou Changqing negotiated terms with Medusa, agreeing to refine one tier-three or higher demonic weapon each day and give her his lightning Dou Qi in exchange for resources and access to the Snake-People Tribe’s techniques. After Medusa left, he sought out Hua She'er to visit the tribe’s cultivation library, provoking her with a mocking nickname.

• Medusa worried that Zhou Changqing might demand too much from the Snake-People Tribe, but hoped their negotiations would not end badly.
• Zhou Changqing and Medusa agreed that he would refine a demonic weapon daily, surrender his lightning Dou Qi each day, and retain freedom within the Holy City.
• Zhou Changqing transferred all his lightning Dou Qi to Medusa, who was surprised by the size of his reserves.
• Medusa told Zhou Changqing to seek out Hua She'er if he needed anything, then left while he replenished his Dou Qi.
• Zhou Changqing found Hua She'er and called her Xiaohua, enraging her; when she stopped short of striking him, he demanded she lead him to the Snake-People Tribe’s cultivation methods and combat skills.

Zhou Changqing spent three months studying the Snake-People Tribe’s cultivation methods and combat skills while using its resources to advance his cultivation. After reaching Three-Star Dou Ling and developing a plan to improve the Heavenly Dipper Gold-Tempering Art, he headed to the pavilion’s third floor to explore its collection.

• Zhou Changqing told Hua She'er to bring him all pills and treasures usable by a Dou Ling, and she reluctantly delivered them in a Storage Ring.
• Zhou Changqing browsed the Cultivation Method Pavilion, reading its cultivation methods and combat skills while a woman secretly observed him.
• Zhou Changqing spent his days studying, cultivating, and refining a low-grade third-tier Demonic Weapon, finding several intermediate Black Tier metal- and lightning-attribute techniques.
• Zhou Changqing used the Snake-People Tribe’s resources over three months to refine two spikes from his Sea Urchin Dou Crystal and reach Three-Star Dou Ling.
• Zhou Changqing formed a plan to improve the Heavenly Dipper Gold-Tempering Art and climbed to the pavilion’s third floor.

Zhou Changqing discovered three protected treasures on the Cultivation Method Pavilion’s third floor, then learned that his lightning attribute Dou Qi was becoming less effective for Medusa. She revealed that he could restore its usefulness by strengthening a special energy signature in it, but kept the reason for her need secret.

• Zhou Changqing found three scrolls on the pavilion’s third floor and guessed they were earth tier, but his token could not disable their protective membrane.
• Medusa appeared and offered to open the restrictions if Zhou Changqing wanted to inspect the scrolls, but he declined.
• Zhou Changqing asked whether Medusa had come to collect Dou Qi, and she said its effect on her had weakened.
• Medusa teased Zhou Changqing into thinking she might no longer need him, then admitted that he had to resolve the problem.
• Medusa told Zhou Changqing to strengthen the special energy signature in his lightning attribute Dou Qi, while withholding what she used it for.

Zhou Changqing proposed using heavenly lightning to strengthen the special presence in his thunder Qi, which could help Medusa continue improving her bloodlines. Medusa agreed to travel to the rainy region near Water-Storage City, and she carried him out of the desert toward their destination.

• Zhou Changqing realized that being struck by lightning had strengthened the special presence in his lightning attribute Dou Qi and suggested using lightning to help Medusa's bloodlines progress.
• Medusa understood that Zhou Changqing had tempered his body with heavenly thunder since he was a Da Dou Shi, and she considered the rainy region near Water-Storage City suitable for their plan.
• Medusa decided they would leave immediately, gave instructions to Hua She'er and the elders, and flew away with Zhou Changqing.
• Medusa carried Zhou Changqing out of the desert in less than a day, and he guided her into the Tropical Woodland Region toward Water-Storage City.
• After two more hours of flight, Medusa and Zhou Changqing reached an area within a hundred li of Water-Storage City.

Zhou Changqing returned with Medusa to the mountain peak where he had once tempered his body with heavenly lightning. After he endured and refined a bolt, his physical strength began to rise, and he moved to lower the coil before the next strike.

• Zhou Changqing showed Medusa the summit where he had previously attracted lightning and set up the Lightning Rod and Metal Coil.
• Zhou Changqing and Medusa waited on the summit for a thunderstorm, with Medusa wondering how the ordinary-looking equipment could weaken heavenly thunder.
• A bolt of heavenly thunder struck the Lightning Rod and surged through the coil into Zhou Changqing, who laughed through the pain as he refined it.
• Medusa watched Zhou Changqing endure the lightning and began to admire his resolve.
• Zhou Changqing's physical strength visibly increased, and he headed to lower the coil before the next bolt struck.

After Zhou Changqing’s body tempering strengthened his Thunder Qi, Medusa confirmed the method worked and shared a meal with him. Three days later, she demonstrated that she could redirect heavenly lightning to his iron pillar, accelerating their progress.

• Zhou Changqing finished tempering his body, noticed his strength had increased, and showed Medusa that his Thunder Qi had grown more potent.
• Zhou Changqing invited Medusa to eat hot pot with him, and she accepted.
• Medusa told Zhou Changqing she could make heavenly lightning strike his lightning rod directly.
• Three days later, Medusa used her Dou Qi to seize a bolt of lightning and drag it onto the iron pillar as Zhou Changqing tempered his body.

With Medusa guiding the lightning, Zhou Changqing endured an unusually intense round of heavenly-thunder body tempering that greatly improved his body, dou qi, and soul power. He and Medusa continued living and cultivating together, growing more familiar and becoming friends.

• Medusa redirected the heavenly thunder toward Zhou Changqing, helping him refine bolt after bolt for nearly eight hours until he passed out.
• Medusa checked Zhou Changqing, found no serious injuries, and carried him gently back to the Cave.
• After waking in his Stone Chamber, Zhou Changqing discovered that his physical strength and dou qi had improved about three times more than usual, and his soul perception had expanded.
• Zhou Changqing suspected that enduring pain beyond his limits had strengthened his soul, but restrained himself from attempting another session immediately.
• Zhou Changqing and Medusa continued using thunderstorms for body tempering and the quieter days for cultivation and weapon refining, gradually becoming friends.

Zhou Changqing tested his strength against Medusa and learned that his physique had reached the level of a Two-Star Dou Wang, despite his eight-star Dou Ling cultivation. Medusa then took him back toward the Snake-People Tribe after Yue Mei reported that powerful outsiders, including a Dou Emperor, had entered their territory.

• Medusa fought Zhou Changqing to test his strength, and judged that his Dou Qi could not yet match a Dou Wang.
• Medusa assessed Zhou Changqing's physical strength as comparable to a Two-Star Dou Wang, letting him fight a Three-Star Dou Wang and escape a Five-Star Dou Wang.
• Zhou Changqing returned to the Cave with Medusa, then went hunting for a rare Third-Tier Magical Beast.
• A few days later, Medusa told Zhou Changqing that Yue Mei had reported powerful outsiders in their territory, including a Dou Emperor.
• Medusa carried Zhou Changqing toward the Snake-People Tribe, and he recognized that the newcomers' arrival matched the timing of Old Xiao's first major opportunity.

Gu He and his companions demanded an audience with Queen Medusa, but the Snake-People chiefs refused and the standoff erupted into battle. While a mysterious Dou Huang faced the chiefs, a hidden youth watched from outside the Holy City and waited for a chance to approach the exposed Heavenly Flame.

• Gu He asked the Snake-People chiefs to arrange an audience with Queen Medusa, but Yin Shi and Yue Mei refused and warned him to leave.
• A dispute between the chiefs and Gu He's companions escalated when Yue Mei attacked Gu He and Feng Li countered her strike.
• The Eight Chiefs charged Gu He's group, prompting Gu He to ask the black-robed figure accompanying him for help.
• The black-robed figure revealed a Dou Huang-level aura and halted the chiefs' advance.
• A concealed youth outside the Holy City sensed the Heavenly Flame's exposed aura, but his teacher urged him to wait because Queen Medusa's absence made the situation suspicious.

The Eight Chiefs summoned the Eight-Snake Poison Fiend Seal to defend against the Black-Robed Woman, and their giant green snake fought her to a standstill. Gu He, Yan Shi, and Feng Li decided to attack the chiefs while they were controlling the fusion technique, leaving the battle poised to escalate.

• Yin Shi and the other chiefs chose to stall for Queen Medusa, then formed the Eight-Snake Poison Fiend Seal.
• The Black-Robed Woman struck the chiefs’ barrier, but they summoned a hundred-meter green snake with Dou Emperor-level strength.
• The green snake and the Black-Robed Woman exchanged powerful attacks without either gaining the advantage.
• Yan Shi and Feng Li proposed attacking the chiefs controlling the snake, and Gu He reluctantly agreed.
• Yan Shi charged toward Yin Shi and the other chiefs, followed by Feng Li and Gu He.

Queen Medusa arrived at the battlefield and stopped Gu He and his companions from attacking the Snake-People Tribe. After learning that Gu He had entered her territory to negotiate, she demanded an explanation and gave him a chance to state his offer.

• Gu He and his companions moved to attack Yin Shi and Mo Bass, but Queen Medusa arrived before they could act.
• Medusa released the eight chiefs from their seal state, then threw Zhou Changqing toward the ground; he slowed his fall with Dou Qi and landed safely.
• Xiao Yan recognized Zhou Changqing and decided to give up pursuing the Heavenly Flame for now so he could help rescue him.
• Medusa confronted Gu He and his companions, declaring that they would not leave unless they gave her a satisfactory explanation.
• Gu He apologized for forcing his way into the tribe, offered compensation, and asked Medusa to hear his proposed trade.