Chapter Summaries

Xiao Cha arranged to take a fourth-grade Alchemist assessment at the Black Rock City branch, with Frank and Otto serving as witnesses. He prepared to refine a peak fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill while Lin Fei, Xue Mei, Frank, and Otto watched.

• Lin Fei told Xiao Cha that the local branch could not normally conduct fourth-grade assessments, then went upstairs to consult Frank and Otto.
• Frank and Otto explained that they could witness the assessment together, though Xiao Cha would need to collect his fourth-grade badge and robe from the Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Cha agreed to take the assessment and asked for a third-grade badge to use until he collected his fourth-grade credentials.
• Otto initially tried to keep Lin Fei and Xue Mei out of the pill-refining room, but Xiao Cha invited them to watch.
• Xiao Cha brought out his medicinal ingredients and announced that he would refine a peak fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

Xiao Cha demonstrated his alchemy by refining a peak fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, impressing Frank and Otto and earning a Third-Grade Alchemist Badge. He traded two pills for four pill formulas and left to investigate the heavenly flame in Stone Desert City before continuing to Desert City.

• Frank and Otto recognized Xiao Cha as the mysterious alchemist who had refined the Foundation Establishment Pill and watched him begin his assessment.
• Xiao Cha used the Tiandu Corpse Fire to refine a peak fourth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, impressing Frank and Otto with his skill.
• Frank and Otto asked to buy the pills, and Xiao Cha traded two of them for four fourth-grade pill formulas.
• Xue Mei and Lin Fei brought Xiao Cha his Third-Grade Alchemist Badge and robe, and Frank said headquarters could issue his fourth-grade badge later.
• Xiao Cha declined to stay for the Alchemist Tournament and left to investigate the heavenly flame in Stone Desert City.

Xiao Cha traveled to Stone Desert City while considering how to advance beyond his diminishing pills. There, he gave steamed buns to a frightened, destitute little girl, whose belief that everyone hated her left him reflecting on his own past.

• Frank and Otto worried that Xiao Cha's growing talent would make the Alchemist Tournament even more competitive.
• Xiao Cha flew to Stone Desert City and realized the Foundation Establishment Pill was becoming less effective as he approached Six-Star Dou Shi.
• Xiao Cha bought two steamed buns and noticed a filthy little girl watching him from an alley.
• The little girl panicked and feared Xiao Cha would hit her, but he offered her the buns instead.
• Xiao Cha told the girl he was helping her for the sake of his past self, and she cried as she said everyone called her a jinx.

Xiao Cha intervened when a little girl was attacked in Stone Desert City and confronted Xiao Ding’s Desert Iron Mercenary Group with his Tiandu Corpse Fire and Gold-Devouring Insects. He demanded that they hand the girl over, and Xiao Ding reluctantly agreed.

• Xiao Cha heard attackers mocking a little girl and crushing the buns her big brother had given her, then watched the Desert Iron Mercenary Group arrive to intervene.
• Xiao Cha blasted the group’s leader, Xiao Ding, with the Tiandu Corpse Fire and introduced himself as Xuan Gu of Mysterious Yin Island.
• Xiao Cha knocked the attackers down with another burst of fire and surrounded Xiao Ding’s party with Gold-Devouring Insects.
• Xiao Cha demanded that Xiao Ding hand over the little girl, and Xiao Ding reluctantly ordered his men to bring her forward.
• The little girl told Xiao Ding she knew Xiao Cha would not hurt her.

Han Chen rescued Qing Lin from Stone Desert City and let her choose whether to stay with him. She became his disciple, and he gave her supplies and the first three levels of his Azure Essence Sword Art.

• Han Chen took Qing Lin to Desert City and healed her wounds with a Healing Pill.
• Han Chen revealed his real name and asked Qing Lin what she wanted to do; she asked to stay with him.
• Han Chen offered Qing Lin two options for serving him, and she chose lifelong loyalty because she considered meeting him her good fortune.
• Han Chen offered to make Qing Lin his disciple, and she accepted by kneeling and paying her respects.
• Han Chen gave Qing Lin a Storage Ring stocked with pills and talismans, then offered to teach her various disciplines.
• Han Chen gave Qing Lin the first three levels of the Azure Essence Sword Art, and she promised to cultivate diligently.

Han Chen warned Qing Lin to conceal her identity, avoid trouble, and flee from suspicious situations as they traveled to Desert City. There, Xiao Cha helped her bathe, read, and choose new clothes, leaving her delighted with her fresh appearance and wardrobe.

• Han Chen advised Qing Lin to hide her real name and face, avoid excitement, and run from dangerous or suspicious situations.
• Han Chen disguised himself as Xiao Yan and promised to buy Qing Lin clothes and arrange a bath in Desert City.
• Xiao Cha taught Qing Lin to read the Azure Essence Sword Art during their journey to Desert City.
• Xiao Cha took Qing Lin to a shop, where Xiao Lan bathed her and brought out clothes for her to try.
• Qing Lin modeled several outfits for Xiao Cha, who bought all of them except the one she wore.

Xiao Cha and Qing Lin visited Hai Bodong’s map shop, where Xiao Cha claimed a map fragment and offered the Ice Emperor a Poison-Breaking Pill in exchange. After Hai Bodong reacted with hostility, Xiao Cha revealed that he knew Hai Bodong’s history and introduced himself as Han Chen, Nalan Jie’s grandson and Yun Yun’s disciple.

• Xiao Cha and Qing Lin returned to the Ancient Map shop to search for a lead on the green lotus core flame.
• Xiao Cha and Xiao Yan reached for the same map fragment, and Xiao Yan recognized Xiao Cha by his purple iris Storage Ring.
• Xiao Cha confirmed he now went by Xiao Cha and offered Hai Bodong a Poison-Breaking Pill for the fragment.
• Hai Bodong unleashed his icy aura, and Xiao Cha used Tiandu corpse fire to shield Qing Lin from the cold.
• Xiao Cha recounted Hai Bodong’s reputation as the Ice Emperor, then introduced himself as Han Chen, Nalan Jie’s grandson and Yun Yun’s disciple.

Han Chen and Xiao Yan sparred with Hai Bodong after Han Chen revealed his identity and sought something in the Tagor Desert. Hai Bodong promised Han Chen a Fragment Map regardless of the outcome, then targeted Xiao Yan, leaving him unable to evade the Dou Huang’s attack.

• Han Chen revealed his face and told Hai Bodong he had come to the Tagor Desert to find something, prompting Hai Bodong to test him.
• Hai Bodong attacked, but Han Chen released gold-devouring insects that devoured his ice, then summoned the Tiandu Corpse Fire and sent Qing Lin aside.
• Hai Bodong promised Han Chen a Fragment Map whether he won or lost, and Xiao Yan protested until Hai Bodong assured him he had another fragment for him.
• Han Chen and Xiao Yan joined forces against Hai Bodong, using their weapons and flames while the gold-devouring insects swarmed the ice wall.
• Hai Bodong exploited the insects’ weakness with exploding ice spikes, then blocked Han Chen with Myriad Flower Ice Crystals and rushed Xiao Yan.
• Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan to watch out, but Hai Bodong was already too fast for him to evade.

Hai Bodong ended the test and gave Xiao Yan a map fragment, but Qing Lin’s Jade Spirit Three-Flower Eyes awakened, drawing the attention of the powerful Heavenly Snake Mansion. Han Chen vowed to protect her and told Hai Bodong he would help because he was Hai Bodong.

• Hai Bodong disarmed Xiao Yan, used him as a shield against Han Chen’s Gold-Devouring Insects, then ended the fight and gave Xiao Yan a map fragment.
• Xiao Yan noticed Qing Lin’s changed eyes, and Han Chen learned from Yao Lao that her Jade Spirit Three-Flower Eyes had awakened and might attract the Heavenly Snake Mansion.
• Yao Lao explained that the Heavenly Snake Mansion might have a Dou Zun, while the Misty Cloud Sect and its allies could potentially resist it.
• Han Chen gave Qing Lin the Eye-Scorching Divine Light and promised to catch the magical beasts she would need, while refusing to let the Heavenly Snake Mansion take her.
• Hai Bodong questioned whether Han Chen expected him to oppose the Heavenly Snake Mansion, and Han Chen said he would help simply because he was Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong agreed to help Qing Lin rescue someone from the Heavenly Snake Mansion in exchange for a Poison-Breaking Pill, while Han Chen maneuvered Xiao Yan into helping him pursue the Green Lotus Core Flame and its Earth Fire Lotus Seeds. Han Chen set out with Xiao Yan, leaving Qing Lin behind after discussing matters with her.

• Hai Bodong agreed to help Qing Lin once she gave him a Poison-Breaking Pill, and Qing Lin thanked him.
• Xiao Yan asked Han Chen for the Fragment Map, and Han Chen offered to trade it and Heavenly Flame information for Xiao Yan's help finding a rare treasure.
• Hai Bodong showed Xiao Yan maps marking suspected Heavenly Flame locations, while Yao Lao urged Xiao Yan to get more information from Han Chen.
• Han Chen revealed that the Tagor Desert's Green Lotus Core Flame was his target because its roots held a Heavenly Flame Lotus Seat bearing Earth Fire Lotus Seeds, and he warned that two other groups were pursuing it.
• Xiao Yan hurried to begin the search, but Han Chen stayed behind to speak with Qing Lin before leaving in his Xiao Cha disguise.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Cha arrived in Stone Desert City to search for the Heavenly Flame and Earthfire Lotus Seat, then reunited with Xiao Yan’s second brother, Xiao Li. The mercenaries feared Xiao Cha as the Insect Demon, and Xiao Li took the two brothers to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s headquarters to meet Xiao Yan’s eldest brother.

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Cha reached Stone Desert City and got lost while Xiao Yan tried to find his brothers.
• Xiao Li recognized Xiao Yan and happily greeted him, but the mercenaries panicked when they saw Xiao Cha and called him the Insect Demon.
• Xiao Li explained that Xiao Cha had summoned swarms of insects when rescuing Qing Lin from people bullying her in the city.
• Xiao Cha clarified that he had come to Stone Desert City to investigate their target and had taken Qing Lin away after seeing her in trouble.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Li and his eldest brother to help with their search, and Xiao Li led them to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group’s headquarters.

Xiao Yan told Xiao Ding and Xiao Li that he was searching the Tagor Desert for the Green Lotus Core Flame, and Xiao Ding arranged for the mercenary group to help. Later, Han Chen asked Yao Lao for compensation in exchange for his information and map fragment, leaving the price of the trade to be negotiated.

• Xiao Ding apologized to Xiao Cha, and Xiao Yan revealed that he had come to find a heavenly flame.
• Xiao Cha confirmed the Green Lotus Core Flame was in the Tagor Desert and said he wanted its Lotus Seat rather than the flame itself.
• Xiao Ding agreed to send the Desert Iron Mercenary Group to search for unusual locations using Xiao Yan's marked map.
• Xiao Yan studied Hai Bodong's map after the drinking party, and Han Chen visited him to negotiate with Yao Lao.
• Han Chen offered his map fragment and information in exchange for an Earth-Tier Dou Technique, a Seventh-Rank Pill, and a promise.

Han Chen negotiated with Yao Lao for a seventh-tier pill to treat an unstable foundation and restore combat strength, offering the map fragment in exchange. The next morning, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group searched the desert for sites marked on the map while Xiao Yan and Han Chen gathered pill ingredients, finding four rare items still missing.

• Yao Lao protested Han Chen’s demands, then agreed to accept the map fragment in exchange for a seventh-tier pill and a restricted promise.
• Han Chen gave Yao Lao the map fragment and requested a pill to stabilize a damaged foundation and restore combat strength before they left the Taggo Great Desert.
• Yao Lao agreed to find the ingredients and refine the pill, while Han Chen said he could use its pill lightning to cultivate his Thunder Magic.
• The Desert Iron Mercenary Group split into teams to search the desert for locations marked on the map, drawing the attention of rival mercenary groups.
• Xiao Yan and Han Chen searched Stone Desert City’s medicinal shops and found that purple fate flower, Brahma Valley grass, heavenly yam fruit, and broken jade vine were still difficult to obtain.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Cha bought the herbs Yao Lao needed and followed him into the Tagor Desert to refine a seventh-rank pill. As the pill’s lightning tribulation began, Xiao Cha endured the bolts to temper his Dou Qi while Xiao Yan stood guard.

• Xiao Cha paid for the four herbs, and he and Xiao Yan returned to the Desert Iron Mercenary Group before heading into the Tagor Desert at Yao Lao’s instruction.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Cha made a cave near a secluded cliff, where Yao Lao began refining the pill and warned them that the Snake-People Tribe’s powerful leaders might investigate.
• Xiao Cha joked that he would flee if the Snake-People were too strong, while Xiao Yan expected them to face danger together.
• When the tribulation clouds gathered, Xiao Cha swallowed pills and rose into the sky to endure the lightning bolts.
• Xiao Cha survived the powerful second bolt and faced the mild final bolt, feeling that the heavenly lightning had greatly condensed and strengthened his Dou Qi.

Yao Lao took control of Xiao Yan and fled Tagor with Han Chen as Queen Medusa pursued them. Han Chen used his gold-devouring insects and talismans to slow her down, while the chase continued toward Stone Desert City.

• Yao Lao sensed a powerful expert approaching, took control of Xiao Yan, and flew away with Han Chen.
• Han Chen healed himself with pills and broke through to Four-Star Dou Shi as Queen Medusa arrived at the cliff and followed their trail.
• Queen Medusa caught up with Xiao Yan and Han Chen, and Han Chen released gold-devouring insects to attack her.
• Queen Medusa destroyed many insects with her whip, so Han Chen recalled them and threw talismans that exploded with varied elemental attacks.
• Queen Medusa blocked the talismans and wondered whether Han Chen came from the Central Plains or another distant region.

Han Chen and Xiao Yan fled Queen Medusa through the Tagor Desert, with Yao Lao too exhausted to carry them farther. Han Chen used an ambush to delay Medusa and claimed to represent the Heavenly Snake Mansion, leaving her furious as the pair escaped.

• Yao Lao ran out of strength, so Han Chen took control of the Divine Wind Boat while Xiao Yan recovered from the strain of being carried at high speed.
• Medusa resumed her pursuit after realizing Han Chen and Xiao Yan were below Dou Wang, and Han Chen powered the boat with a magic core to increase its speed.
• Han Chen asked Medusa to let them go, but she insisted on taking them to the Snake-People Tribe's settlement.
• Han Chen attacked Medusa with two cyan snakes, then triggered hidden attacks that blasted apart the valley slopes and forced her to retreat.
• Han Chen claimed he was Profound Bone of the Heavenly Snake Mansion and taunted Medusa with the names Lu Man and Elder White Fang, prompting her to flatten the surrounding slopes in anger.

Han Chen and Xiao Yan learned that the green lotus core flame had surfaced near the site of their pill refining, but they chose to rest before investigating. Meanwhile, Yun Yun received a report about the thunderstorm and heavenly flame and questioned Gu He’s information.

• Han Chen gave Xiao Yan a pill formula in exchange for the promise that Xiao Yan would let him borrow the green lotus core flame someday.
• Xiao Ding told Han Chen and Xiao Yan that a thunderstorm had struck the Tagor Desert and that a spot near the Snake-People Tribe Settlement had become intensely hot and been dug open.
• Han Chen and Xiao Yan concluded that their pill refining might have drawn the flame out, and that Queen Medusa might have found it after pursuing them.
• Xiao Yan wanted to rush into the desert, but Yao Lao and Han Chen persuaded him to rest and investigate later.
• Yun Yun read an urgent report about the thunderstorm and heavenly flame and asked Gu He whether the information was reliable.

Gu He persuaded Yun Yun to join an expedition to obtain the heavenly flame, while Han Chen and Xiao Yan descended into the lava to search for it. They found the wounded Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, and Yao Lao concluded that Queen Medusa had likely defeated it and taken the flame.

• Yun Yun agreed to leave with Gu He, who planned to trade Queen Medusa a Sixth-Grade Pill for the heavenly flame.
• Han Chen and Xiao Yan reached the cave and entered it, with Han Chen hoping to find lotus seeds and a Lotus Seat to cultivate using Heavenly Creation Liquid.
• Yao Lao used the bone spirit cold flame to protect Xiao Yan and Han Chen as he led them down through the lava.
• Yao Lao struck the wounded Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake with a heavenly-flame whip and sent it flying away.
• Yao Lao judged that Queen Medusa had probably defeated the snake and taken the heavenly flame.

Han Chen joined Xiao Yan and Yao Lao on their journey to the Snake-People Royal City after finding the Heavenly Flame gone and taking the lotus platform. The three crossed the Tagor Desert, and Han Chen and Xiao Yan reached a Snake-People oasis to drink.

• Han Chen took the stone lotus platform from the cavern, then agreed to accompany Xiao Yan and Yao Lao to investigate the Heavenly Flame's whereabouts.
• Yao Lao agreed to refine Hai Bodong's Calamity-Breaking Pill after Han Chen offered him millennium spirit herbs.
• The three traveled through the desert and killed several Snake-People Tribe soldiers they encountered.
• Han Chen and Xiao Yan rushed to an oasis and drank from a bluestone pool that Xiao Yan realized had been built by the Snake-People Tribe.

Han Chen, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao discovered Queen Medusa bathing, but Medusa caught them watching and attacked. Han Chen escaped underground, only for Medusa to track him down with a small purplish-red snake that burrowed into his abdomen.

• Xiao Yan and Han Chen heard splashing at the pool and crept closer after Han Chen's gold-devouring insects revealed someone was bathing.
• Xiao Yan and Yao Lao peered at the bather, while Han Chen realized he had drunk Queen Medusa's bathwater and began vomiting.
• Queen Medusa caught the men watching, struck Yao Lao, and pursued them as Yao Lao flew away and Han Chen escaped underground with an Earth-Escape Talisman.
• Queen Medusa traced Han Chen's underground route with Dou Qi, and he swallowed pills and threw talismans behind him as he fled.
• A small purplish-red snake evaded Han Chen's talismans and burrowed into his abdomen.