Recaps

Lin Changheng cautiously sold premium pills around Desolate Ruins Market, then investigated the coming auction and browsed shops while considering whether to buy a spirit beast. He entered the Liu Family’s Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion and was approached by an old man as he examined its wares.

• A shopkeeper told Lin Changheng that Desolate Ruins Market held a monthly auction where pill formulas and other treasures might appear, while refusing his assistant’s suggestion to target Lin Changheng for his pills.
• Lin Changheng checked his spirit stones, then sold more than three hundred premium pills in small batches, earning over nine hundred and thirty low-grade spirit stones before spotting and escaping a pursuer.
• Lin Changheng investigated the auction and paid two spirit stones for admission, planning to attend in two days.
• Lin Changheng visited a spirit beast corral but found no beast he wanted to buy.
• Lin Changheng recognized the Liu Family’s emblem at the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion and entered, where an old man approached him as he examined demon beast materials.

Lin Changheng bought rare and common demon beast essence blood from the Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion and learned that the Liu Family might soon have more Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox blood for sale. Back at the Immortal Inn, he prepared to examine his purchase.

• Lin Changheng asked the Liu Family elder about fire-element demon beast blood and learned how demon beast bloodlines were graded.
• The elder sold Lin Changheng two portions of Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox essence blood for six spirit stones and described a possible future sale of more.
• Lin Changheng bought large quantities of Earthfire Lizard and White Spirit Sparrow essence blood at a discounted price and received a Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion token.
• Lin Changheng returned to the Immortal Inn, secured his room, and poured Earthfire Lizard essence blood into a basin.

Lin Changheng discovered that higher-grade fire-aspected essence blood advanced the Fire Crow Dao Fruit’s transformation, while the Origin Cauldron could hold no more than five treasure seeds. He arrived at the Desolate Ruins Market auction, where Luo Lian'er opened the proceedings.

• Lin Changheng found that the Origin Cauldron had drained the essence blood without changing the Fire Crow Dao Fruit, and that the Earthfire Lizard Treasure Seed had reached 52/100 Spirit Seizure progress.
• Lin Changheng identified Fire Repelling as the most useful Earthfire Lizard talent and used Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox essence blood to raise the Fire Crow’s Transformation progress to 1/10.
• Lin Changheng tried White Spirit Sparrow essence blood, but the Origin Cauldron did not react, confirming his suspicion that its five treasure-seed positions were full.
• Lin Changheng considered whether Turbid Baleful Bloodline could use another part of the cauldron and whether transforming the Fire Crow might free a position.
• Lin Changheng entered the crowded Desolate Ruins Market auction after paying an additional fee and took the seat assigned to his bamboo token.
• Luo Lian'er rang the auction bell, quieted the hall, and welcomed the attendees as the auction’s host.

Lin Changheng watched the auction heat up as the [Locust Mother-Child Stones] and three [Spirit-Detonating Pills] sold for fiercely contested prices. By noon, the auction had reached its thirty-fifth lot, the [Cloud-Flying Boots].

• Luo Lian'er explained the auction rules and opened bidding on the [Locust Mother-Child Stones].
• Bidders competed until a young cultivator in an upper room won the [Locust Mother-Child Stones] for three hundred and thirty spirit stones.
• Luo Lian'er auctioned three [Spirit-Detonating Pills], which sold for one hundred and fifty, one hundred and forty-five, and one hundred and seventy spirit stones.
• Lin Changheng observed the bidding and decided not to compete for the first lot, saving his spirit stones for something he needed more.
• At noon, Luo Lian'er presented the thirty-fifth lot, a pair of [Cloud-Flying Boots].

Lin Changheng bought the [Cloud-Flying Boots] and the [Crimson Dragon Pill] formula at the auction, then returned to the Liu Family’s Spirit Fox Beast Pavilion. There, Liu Fengxiu revealed that he had found more than thirty portions of [Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox] essence blood.

• Lin Changheng won the [Cloud-Flying Boots] after other bidders showed little interest.
• Lin Changheng bought the [Crimson Dragon Pill] formula for one hundred and twenty-five spirit stones.
• Lin Changheng left the auction as the remaining lots became too costly and risky to pursue.
• Lin Changheng bought more than twenty sets of ingredients for the [Crimson Dragon Pill] and prepared to leave the market ward.
• Liu Fengxiu led Lin Changheng to a private room and showed him more than thirty portions of [Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox] essence blood.

Lin Changheng bought demon beast essence blood and joined the Xu Family caravan, which was attacked with poison during a stop at a wild temple. The caravan steward found two sentries dead and ordered everyone to return to the clan at full speed.

• Lin Changheng bought essence blood from Liu Fengxiu and asked him to stockpile more for future visits.
• Lin Changheng joined the Xu Family caravan, which departed without the old man in the bamboo hat and traveled peacefully for three days.
• At the wild temple, Lin Changheng detected poison and the female cultivator alerted the caravan, but two Xu Family cultivators collapsed after being poisoned.
• The caravan steward dispelled the poisonous gas with [Gale Technique] and distributed Antidote Pills while Lin Changheng resolved to transform the Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox blood.
• The caravan steward returned with the two dead sentries, said he had glimpsed someone in the woods, and ordered the caravan to head back to the clan at full speed.

Lin Changheng completed the Fire Crow Dao Fruit’s transformation and briefly experienced the power of a supreme true spirit’s Fire-Control Divine Ability. After returning across the Blackwater River, he concealed his identity from the caravan while securing an offer of future help, then returned home and resumed his experiment with essence blood.

• Lin Changheng absorbed essence blood until his Fire Crow Dao Fruit reached the Supreme stage and gained the chance to incorporate the true intent of the Fire Control divine ability.
• Lin Changheng briefly became a colossal firebird in a vision, felt absolute control over the kingdom of flames, and incorporated the divine ability’s true intent into his soul.
• Lin Changheng rejoined the caravan and traveled with it for three days until they reached the Blackwater River.
• Lin Changheng revealed his identity as Alchemist Lin to the caravan steward and asked him to keep it secret; the steward agreed and invited Lin Changheng to travel with the caravan again.
• Lin Changheng returned to his courtyard, rested, cleaned the house, and resumed his experiment with the remaining essence blood.

Lin Changheng discovered that the Origin Cauldron could use a freed seed slot to seize higher-grade bloodlines, then spent two years cultivating within the Xu family. The chapter ended with the family celebrating his achievement as a Mid-Grade Alchemist.

• Lin Changheng found that the cleared slot could no longer seize Mundane Tainted Bloodline, but it successfully seized the Flame-Tailed Spirit Fox’s Turbid Baleful Bloodline and began a new transformation.
• Lin Changheng considered the fox’s three innate talents and reflected that he might eventually have to walk his cultivation path alone, despite his temporary place in the Xu family.
• Two years passed, and Xu Xuheng, Xu Qianyan, Xu Hanji, and other Xu family members gathered outside a Alchemy Chamber to await Lin Changheng.
• Lin Changheng emerged from the Alchemy Chamber, and Xu Qianyan confirmed that his pills had reached Mid-Grade, welcoming him as another Mid-Grade Alchemist for the clan.

Lin Changheng became a full guest elder of the Xu Family after advancing to mid-grade alchemist, gaining a higher stipend, broader access, and greater freedom. He planned to move to Cloud Gazing Dao Site and reveal a controlled cultivation breakthrough, then was pulled into a celebratory feast by Xu Fugui and Bai Fengxian.

• Xu Xuheng praised Lin Changheng’s advancement and promised to raise his benefits, while reflecting on the promise of Lin Changheng, Tantai Feiyue, and Xu Fugui’s children with spiritual roots.
• Xu Xuheng and the Xu Family High Council rewarded Xu Fugui with a Meridian-Rushing Pill and prepared for him to marry again in hopes of having more children with spiritual roots.
• Xu Hanji congratulated Lin Changheng, and Xu Qianyan announced that Lin’s title changed from registered guest elder to guest elder, with a larger stipend, expanded access, and freedom to choose assignments or request an external posting.
• Lin Changheng planned to move to Cloud Gazing Dao Site and wait half a month before revealing a breakthrough into mid-Qi Refining.
• Xu Fugui and Bai Fengxian intercepted Lin Changheng and took him to a feast; Xu Fugui was preparing to marry again, and Bai Fengxian had recovered compensation for his injuries and reached mid-Qi Refining.

Lin Changheng, Bai Fengxian, and Xu Fugui discussed the Xu Family’s discovery of a second-tier spirit land and its decision to offer it to the Purple Pole Sect. The sect promised the family access to the land for future Foundation Establishment, while Lin Changheng considered how his connection with Mo Zhaoli might benefit him.

• Xu Fugui told Lin Changheng and Bai Fengxian that the Xu Family had gained enough from the Great Reclamation to approach becoming a Foundation Establishment Family.
• Xu Fugui revealed that the Xu Family’s Pioneer Team had discovered a second-tier spirit land and secured an initial foothold.
• Xu Fugui explained that the Xu Family had decided to offer the land to the Upper Sect rather than risk holding it themselves.
• Xu Fugui said Alchemist Mo had helped the Xu Family make contact with the Purple Pole Sect, leading Lin Changheng to realize Mo Zhaoli had mediated.
• Xu Fugui explained that the Purple Pole Sect had promised the Xu Family access to the spirit land for future Foundation Establishment attempts.

Lin Changheng settled into his new residence and reviewed how his treasure seeds and spirit-seizing methods had developed. He planned to seek a connection with the Liu Family while preparing to meet a young woman from the Xu Family.

• Lin Changheng moved into his new residence at the Cloud Gazing Dao Site and tested the improved Earth Escape Foreign Method from his second-tier Rockmountain Tortoise Treasure Seed.
• Lin Changheng reflected that Princess Tantai’s growing talent and their shared secrets had brought them closer.
• Lin Changheng’s Wooden Puppet Fox Treasure Seed reached its third and final tier, granting Finger Regeneration but revealing that the seed could advance no further.
• Lin Changheng concluded that different monster bloodlines had different limits, with Fire Crow essence blood capable of producing a divine ability, Greenwood Snake essence blood a Demon Art, and Wooden Puppet Fox essence blood only a foreign method.
• Lin Changheng noted that his Earthfire Lizard Treasure Seed was sixty percent of the way to its second tier and his Flame-tailed Spirit Fox Treasure Seed had reached 37/100 spirit seizure.
• Lin Changheng planned to meet the Xu Family woman recommended by Xuzhong and use the Liu Family’s visit in five days as a chance to make a connection.

Lin Changheng met Xu Hanyi after Xu Xuzhong arranged a matchmaking meeting, but he had no intention of taking a dao companion and politely rejected the prospect. Xu Xuzhong was left wondering whether Lin Changheng was interested in women at all.

• Lin Changheng considered prioritizing his fire spiritual root while keeping his secrets and cultivation prospects hidden.
• Xu Xuzhong arranged for Lin Changheng to meet Xu Hanyi at the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
• Lin Changheng and Xu Hanyi spoke pleasantly after Xu Xuzhong and the maid left them alone.
• Xu Xuzhong urged Lin Changheng to marry Xu Hanyi, promising him support and access to the Lineage's cultivation resources.
• Lin Changheng declined by claiming he wanted to focus on advancing his Dao of Alchemy, leaving Xu Xuzhong shocked by the possibility that he was not interested in women.

Lin Changheng shared an awkwardly intimate exchange with Tantai Feiyue before refining Blazing Breath Pills to seek Flame-Tailed Golden Mouse essence blood. After completing one furnace, he planned to begin another and had Xu Liucai call the second apprentice to help tend the fire.

• Lin Changheng met Tantai Feiyue on his way to the Hundred Refinements Hall, and they teased each other before accidentally swearing solemn vows of friendship.
• Tantai Feiyue blushed after Lin Changheng took her hand, then hurried away, claiming she needed to draw talismans.
• Lin Changheng chose to refine Blazing Breath Pills because their formula called for Flame-Tailed Golden Mouse essence blood, which might be from a turbid baleful bloodline.
• After six hours of refining, Lin Changheng told Xu Liucai to tend the furnace and asked where Xu Liuhui was.
• Lin Changheng instructed Xu Liucai to summon Xu Liuhui later so he could begin a second furnace of pills, then went to meditate.

Lin Changheng completed two furnaces of mid-grade pills and prepared to advance his alchemy through further practice. Tantai Feiyue gave him one hundred vials of Rockmountain Tortoise essence blood, enough to raise his Treasure Seed to the third tier, leaving him astonished and asking whether she had found a nest.

• Lin Changheng reflected on his pill-making progress, his wealth, and the Xu Family's hopes for his advancement as an alchemist.
• Lin Changheng refined two furnaces of mid-grade pills, producing ten pills, then returned to his courtyard to clean up and rest.
• Lin Changheng visited Tantai Feiyue and asked about Rockmountain Tortoise Essence Blood talisman ink.
• Tantai Feiyue presented Lin Changheng with a box containing fifteen vials of talisman ink and one hundred vials of Rockmountain Tortoise essence blood.
• Lin Changheng realized the essence blood could raise his Rockmountain Tortoise Treasure Seed to the third tier and asked Tantai Feiyue whether she had found a nest.

Lin Changheng learned that Tantai Feiyue had committed herself more closely to the Xu Family, then refined a rockmountain tortoise treasure seed and gained a stronger Earth Escape ability. At a banquet welcoming the Liu Family’s envoy, he heard a rumor that the Liu and Xu Families might establish a Market Ward in the newly reclaimed lands.

• Tantai Feiyue told Lin Changheng that she had accepted the Xu Family’s support and added rockmountain tortoise essence blood to her requests.
• Tantai Feiyue asked Lin Changheng whether he would stay with the Xu Family, and he refused; as he left, she kissed his cheek.
• Lin Changheng used the Origin Cauldron to refine the rockmountain tortoise treasure seed and strengthened his Earth Escape ability.
• Two days later, Lin Changheng attended the banquet for the Liu Family’s envoy with Xu Fugui, while Tantai Feiyue declined to go.
• Xu Fugui told Lin Changheng a rumor that the Liu and Xu Families planned to open a Market Ward at Dustless Valley in the newly reclaimed lands.

Lin Changheng attended the Xu Family’s welcoming banquet for Liu Family guests and learned more about Xu Fugui’s formidable father-in-law. He used the gathering to seek demon beast essence blood for his pill experiments, and Xu Fugui proposed asking the Liu Family for help.

• Lin Changheng and Xu Fugui speculated that the Xu and Liu Families might be planning to open a Market Ward together.
• Xu Fugui introduced Lin Changheng to his father-in-law, Xu Qianzhan, and Fellow Daoist Xuying; afterward, he recounted Xu Qianzhan’s brutal battlefield feat and how Xu Fugui had earned his approval.
• The Xu Family Head welcomed three Liu Family representatives, led by an old man in hemp robes, at a banquet attended by the Lineage’s senior figures.
• Lin Changheng told his table that he needed demon beast essence blood to test a promising pill-refining insight.
• Xu Fugui backed Lin Changheng’s request and suggested obtaining the essence blood from the Liu Family guests.

Lin Changheng persuaded the Xu Family elders to support his request to buy essence blood from the Liu Family, using a plan coordinated with Xu Xuzhong and Xu Fugui. Two days later, Xu Hanji told him the Liu Family had agreed to the purchase and wanted to meet him to learn what essence blood he needed.

• Lin Changheng asked the Xu Family elders to back his request, and Xu Xuzhong promised to raise it with the family head and gather their support.
• Lin Changheng and Xu Fugui discussed their coordinated efforts, and Lin Changheng explained why Xu Xuzhong had helped him while refusing to involve Xu Fugui's future father-in-law.
• Two days later, Xu Hanji visited Lin Changheng and told him the family had secured the Liu Family envoy's agreement to sell essence blood.
• Xu Hanji said the Liu Family wanted to meet Lin Changheng and ask what kind of essence blood he needed.

Lin Changheng met with the Liu Family to discuss demon beast essence blood and chose blood from a Lantern Grass Spirit. He learned that Lantern Grass Spirits were mountain and marsh spirits, while the Liu Family’s young woman began explaining how such spirits formed.

• Xu Hanji worried that the Liu Family might recruit Lin Changheng, but he promised to discuss only essence blood and remain loyal to the Xu Family.
• Lin Changheng met the Liu Family’s hemp-robed elder and young woman, who praised his alchemy and invited him to visit their clan.
• The Liu Family elder offered Lin Changheng three kinds of essence blood, and Lin Changheng chose the Turbid Baleful Bloodline from a Lantern Grass Spirit.
• Lin Changheng asked how many Lantern Grass Spirits the Liu Family kept, prompting the young woman to explain that they were mountain and marsh spirits formed when plants encountered a spiritual force of heaven and earth.
• Lin Changheng asked how the bloodline grades of mountain and marsh spirits were distinguished.

Lin Changheng learned about the Liu Family’s Lantern Grass Spirits, negotiated a five-year essence-blood contract, and transformed their blood into a Greenwood Snake True Core. Its Poison Transformation purified his body and let him break down toxins, including those in a failed pill.

• A Liu Family woman explained how mountain and marsh spirits were classified and revealed that her clan’s Lantern Grass Spirits could provide essence blood regularly.
• Lin Changheng agreed to buy about two hundred portions of essence blood each year for five years, and the hemp-robed elder sold him thirty-two bottles at a discount.
• After Lin Changheng declined the Liu Family’s recruitment and signed the contract, the Xu Family steward’s attitude toward him grew warmer.
• Lin Changheng absorbed Lantern Grass Spirit essence blood with the Origin Cauldron and formed a Greenwood Snake True Core that could be incorporated into Poison Transformation.
• Poison Transformation expelled foul impurities from Lin Changheng’s body and appeared to grant him resistance to first-tier poisons.
• Lin Changheng used the art to dissolve poison smoke and remove the toxins from a failed Water Fungus Pill, leaving it harmless to swallow.

Lin Changheng acquired the Lantern Grass Spirit Treasure Seed and chose to pursue its lifespan-extending talent, while the Xu Family gained a Foundation Establishment Pill and prepared a market ward with the Liu Family. The chapter ended with a survivor identifying a bandit cultivator as a Chen Family Remnant.

• Lin Changheng used the Poison-Transforming Demon Method to purge poison and then drained the Lantern Grass Spirit's essence blood to form its treasure seed.
• Lin Changheng saw the Lantern Grass Spirit's talents and decided to choose lifespan extension when spirit seizure succeeded.
• The Purple Pole Sect awarded the Xu Family an additional Foundation Establishment Pill for its contributions to Frontier Reclamation.
• The Xu Family and the Liu Family advanced plans for a market ward around Dustless Valley and offered discounted rents to cultivators with craft skills.
• Bandit cultivators continued ambushing the Xu Family, and a surviving clansman recognized one attacker’s Giant Sickle as belonging to a Chen Family Remnant.

Lin Changheng broke through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining and saw his cultivation, alchemy, and lifespan improve through his treasure seeds. He remained confident despite the years left to prepare for Foundation Establishment, while the Xu Family prepared for a revenge campaign by bandit cultivators.

• The Xu Family High Council concluded that the surviving Chen Family member’s allies were behind the revenge campaign and ordered the clan to be cautious outside.
• Lin Changheng used a Spirit Gathering Array and a premium Blazing Breath Pill to break through to the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
• Lin Changheng’s Triple Origin Treasure Seed accelerated spirit seizure, and Penetrating Wisdom helped him reach great accomplishment in the Li Fire Night-Illuminating Chant and improve his alchemy.
• Lin Changheng refined the Lantern Grass Spirit’s lifespan-extension talent, which slowed the decline of his vitality and blood and increased his natural lifespan by five years.
• Lin Changheng sensed that his natural lifespan had risen from roughly one hundred and eighteen years to one hundred and twenty-three.

Lin Changheng reflected on his improved fire spiritual root and attended the celebration for Xu Fugui’s twins with Tantai Feiyue. The gathering ended with Bai Fengxian teasing Lin Changheng after noticing a possible closeness between him and Tantai Feiyue.

• Lin Changheng reviewed the effects of his spirit-seizure progress and planned to seek more fire-type turbid baleful bloodline essence to strengthen his spiritual root.
• Xu Fugui held a grand full-month celebration for his tenth and eleventh children, twins with low-grade spiritual roots.
• Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue arrived at the celebration, where Xu Sanyuan welcomed them and received gifts from both.
• Tantai Feiyue commented on the hardship of children without spiritual roots, and Lin Changheng offered a different view of a peaceful mortal life.
• Bai Fengxian greeted Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue, then secretly teased Lin Changheng with raised eyebrows.

At Xu Fugui’s banquet, Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue drew Xu Hanji’s attention as their closeness suggested a growing alliance. Afterward, Lin Changheng walked with Tantai Feiyue and revealed that he had deduced she was nearing the fifth layer of Qi Refining and practiced the Aura Concealment Technique.

• Tantai Feiyue congratulated Xu Fugui and presented him with a gift, then teased Lin Changheng for offering only verbal thanks.
• Xu Fugui guided Xu Hanji to Lin Changheng’s table, where she greeted the group and noticed Tantai Feiyue sitting beside him.
• Xu Hanji and Tantai Feiyue exchanged measured looks, while Bai Fengxian called for everyone to begin eating and broke the tense moment.
• After the banquet, Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue left together, knowing their cooperation was secured through their mutual trust in him.
• Lin Changheng asked whether Tantai Feiyue was nearing the fifth layer of Qi Refining and said he had deduced that she practiced the Aura Concealment Technique.

Lin Changheng encouraged Tantai Feiyue to keep pursuing cultivation and agreed to trade elixirs for stronger talismans. Three days later, he advised Lü Bailian on alchemy and recognized resentment in his former fellow apprentice Xu Hanzhou.

• Lin Changheng explained his mastery of Aura Concealment Technique and correctly identified Tantai Feiyue’s impending breakthrough to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.
• Tantai Feiyue confided that her low-grade spiritual root might limit her cultivation, and Lin Changheng urged her to fight for every chance to advance.
• Lin Changheng offered Tantai Feiyue elixirs in exchange for mid-grade first-tier premium talismans, and she realized he could refine pills of that grade.
• Three days later, Lü Bailian visited Lin Changheng for advice, and Lin resolved his difficulties with ingredient blending and subdued refining.
• Lin Changheng recognized Lü Bailian’s apprentice, Xu Hanzhou, as his former fellow apprentice and noticed the jealousy and resentment in his gaze.

Xu Fugui traced the rumors about Lin Changheng to Xu Hanzhou and later helped arrange his death during the Xu Family’s campaign against bandit cultivators. Lin Changheng then traveled toward Desolate Ruins Market, where he learned that an auction would feature a Foundation Establishment Spirit Treasure.

• Xu Fugui told Lin Changheng that Xu Hanzhou had used Alchemist Lü’s connections to spread Lin’s name and make him a target, and offered to deal with him.
• Xu Qianzhan led the Xu Family to defeat the bandit cultivators, and Xu Hanzhou was listed among the dead; Xu Fugui returned his ashes and had them scattered in the Blackwater River.
• Lin Changheng watched Xu Hanzhou’s funeral from the crowd, then arranged with Xu Xulin to join a caravan bound for Desolate Ruins Market.
• Lin Changheng traveled with the Veil Hat woman he had met before, and they stopped overnight at the Wild Temple.
• Xu Xulin told Lin Changheng that Desolate Ruins Market would hold a major auction featuring a Foundation Establishment Spirit Treasure.