Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan struggled to explain to Xiao Xun'er why she had advanced using a low-grade cultivation technique, while Apothecary urged her to keep the Flame Mantra secret. The chapter left Xiao Yan trying to bluff her way past Xun'er, and ended with an author’s note discussing an unwritten alternate route.

• Xiao Xun'er noticed Xiao Yan had become a Dou Zhe and asked whether she was using the Flame Fire Mantra from the Nalan Family.
• Xiao Yan realized Xun'er could see that her cultivation technique was only yellow tier low grade, despite Xun'er hiding her own strength.
• Apothecary advised Xiao Yan to bluff and keep the Flame Mantra secret, deciding not to reveal herself to Xun'er or seek the backing of her powerful family.
• Xiao Yan told Xun'er that she should know her well enough to realize she would not ignore a high-end cultivation technique to practice the lowest-grade one.
• The author’s note described an alternate story in which Gu Yuan took Xiao Yan to the Ancient Realm, but said that route would not be written for now.

Xiao Yan revealed her breakthrough and Apothecary’s existence to Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan elders, giving the clan Mystic Rank cultivation methods and techniques. After refining a second-tier beast flame too easily, she began preparing to practice alchemy while the clan sought stronger flames and adopted its new methods.

• Xiao Yan asked Apothecary for spare cultivation-method scrolls, then brought them to Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders, announcing that she had reached Dou Zhe and become an alchemist’s disciple.
• Xiao Yan claimed her teacher was a powerful alchemist seeking heavenly flames and gave the clan several Mystic Rank high-grade cultivation methods and matching Dou Techniques.
• Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders believed Xiao Yan’s story was plausible and hurried to obtain beast flames for her.
• Xiao Zhan bought a second-tier beast flame, which Xiao Yan swallowed with a Body-Protecting Pill and refined quickly before saying it was insufficient.
• Xiao Zhan sent the First and Second Elders to seek better beast flames and bought Xiao Yan a medicine cauldron and herbs, while the clan began adopting the new cultivation methods.
• Xiao Yan started learning pill refinement under Apothecary’s guidance as the Xiao Clan prospered.

Xiao Xun'er arranged for the Xiao Clan elders to unknowingly buy Xiao Yan a gentle beast flame while Xiao Yan studied alchemy and slowly improved her cultivation. When the elders returned with a pink flame seed, Apothecary recognized it as a rare fifth-tier peach blossom flame and realized someone had secretly arranged the purchase.

• Xiao Xun'er ordered Aunt Ling to arrange for the Xiao Clan elders to buy suitable beast flames for Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan practiced herb extraction with Apothecary and learned that the Flame Mantra had evolved to yellow tier low grade after consuming a second-tier beast flame.
• Xiao Yan spent two months cultivating and practicing alchemy, reaching Two-Star Dou Zhe and nearing first-grade alchemist level.
• The First Elder and Second Elder returned with a pink flame seed they believed was a reasonably priced third-tier beast flame.
• Apothecary identified the seed as a gentle fifth-tier peach blossom flame from a Kui Mu Beast and realized someone had arranged for the elders to buy it.

Xiao Yan learned that Xun'er’s family was far more powerful than she had imagined and worried that their friendship would not survive the gulf between their worlds. She set those fears aside for the moment and prepared to cultivate with the peach blossom flame.

• Xiao Yan asked Apothecary about the fifth-tier beast fire Xun'er had given her, and Apothecary remarked on how carefully Xun'er had chosen it for Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan wondered what level she would need to reach to remain close to Xun'er, while Apothecary stayed silent before explaining that Xun'er carried the aura of a heavenly flame more powerful than her Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Apothecary told Xiao Yan that even Dou Zun experts would compete for the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, leading Xiao Yan to suspect that Xun'er’s family was a Dou Sheng power.
• Xiao Yan worried that Xun'er might eventually return to her family and drift away, since Xun'er was her only close friend.
• Xiao Yan stopped dwelling on the future, sat down to cultivate, and prepared to devour the peach blossom flame.

Xiao Yan refined beast flames to evolve the Flame Mantra, then stunned the Xiao Clan by reaching two-star Dou Zhe at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. With Xiao Xun’er supplying more beast flames, Xiao Yan later advanced the technique to yellow tier high grade while keeping its secret hidden.

• Xiao Yan fused the peach blossom flame with a second-tier beast flame, evolved the Flame Mantra to peak yellow tier low grade, and remained a two-star Dou Zhe.
• At the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun’er were the only juniors at two-star Dou Zhe, and Xiao Yan’s unexpected strength awed the clan and its guests.
• Xiao Yan teased Xiao Xun’er about her rapid cultivation, and the two chose to remain in the Xiao Clan rather than attend Jia Nan Academy.
• Two months later, Xiao Xun’er learned that Xiao Yan needed beast flames and supplied her with one, helping the Flame Mantra break through to yellow tier middle grade.
• Xiao Xun’er recognized that Xiao Yan’s flame combined traits from multiple beast flames and guessed she was practicing a secret fire-control art.
• Xiao Xun’er continued supplying beast flames, pushing Xiao Yan’s Flame Mantra to yellow tier high grade.

After two months of training, Xiao Yan reached the peak of Eight-Star Dou Zhe, learned the first pulse of Eight Extremes Collapse, and became a seasoned First-Rank Alchemist. At the Apothecary’s suggestion, she prepared to leave on a training journey and gain alchemist status.

• Xiao Yan stopped accepting Xun'er’s beast flames after her Flame Mantra reached high Yellow Tier and further flames became more trouble than they were worth.
• Xiao Yan tempered her body and cultivated the first pulse of hidden force for Eight Extremes Collapse by shattering a large blue stone.
• The Apothecary explained that Eight Extremes Collapse could become far more powerful if Xiao Yan could use heavenly flames in its pulses.
• Xiao Yan refined two First-Rank Pills with pill patterns, and the Apothecary advised her to take the First-Rank Alchemist examination while gaining experience.
• Xiao Yan prepared knockout drugs and poisons, filled her Storage Ring with supplies, and set off on a training journey.

Xiao Yan left Wutan City for a training journey after saying goodbye to Xiao Zhan and reassuring Xun'er that she would return before the three-year agreement came due. As Xiao Yan and Xun'er walked toward the Flying Magical Beast Transit Point, Apothecary teased Xiao Yan about her way with words and offered to teach her more.

• Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Yan a gold storage card and suggested she visit her brothers in Stone Desert City.
• Xun'er confronted Xiao Yan about leaving and offered to help her defeat Nalan Yan, but Xiao Yan explained she had other reasons to train.
• Xiao Yan soothed Xun'er by promising to return within a year or two and go to Jia Nan Academy with her.
• Xiao Yan set off on foot with Xun'er toward the Flying Magical Beast Transit Point, carrying the Heavy Xuan Ruler.
• Apothecary teased Xiao Yan about charming Xun'er and offered her hands-on lessons.

Xiao Yan left Wutan City to seek First-Rank Alchemist certification in the imperial capital, hoping her talent would win the Jia Ma Imperial Family’s support for her and the Xiao Clan. After nearly half a month of travel, she arrived in the capital and asked a soldier for directions to the Alchemist Guild.

• Xiao Yan said goodbye to Xun'er and asked her to look after the Xiao Clan before boarding a flying magical beast.
• Xiao Yan decided to use her real identity for the alchemist examination so that her talent could attract the Jia Ma Imperial Family’s investment.
• Apothecary accepted Xiao Yan’s plan after sensing a Dark Attribute Dou Emperor following them and believing they had protection.
• Xiao Yan’s private flight landed in the imperial capital after nearly half a month of travel.
• Xiao Yan put away the Heavy Xuan Ruler, passed the queue, and asked a soldier how to reach the Alchemist Guild.

Xiao Yan arrived at the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Guild and registered for the first-rank alchemist examination, astonishing the crowd by claiming she was fifteen and a half. President Fa Ma agreed to personally oversee her examination, leaving her identity and ability to pass yet to be tested.

• Xiao Yan took a private carriage to the Alchemist Guild and tipped the guide with a first-grade Jade Skin Pill.
• Xiao Yan displayed her peach blossom flame and asked to take the first-rank alchemist examination.
• Xiao Yan registered her name and age as fifteen and a half, prompting shocked reactions from the alchemists present.
• Xiao Yan told the attendant that her teacher was anonymous and had never registered with the empire's Alchemist Guild.
• Fa Ma questioned Xiao Yan's confidence, sensed her strong soul power, and decided to oversee her examination personally.

Fifteen-year-old Xiao Yan passed both the First-Rank and Second-Rank Alchemist examinations, drawing attention from the Jia Ma Empire’s factions and earning an honorary elder token from Fa Ma. Fa Ma then brought up Xiao Yan’s engagement to the young master of the Nalan Family.

• Xiao Yan refined a pill with a pill pattern and passed the First-Rank Alchemist examination.
• Fa Ma made an exception for Xiao Yan to take the Second-Rank Alchemist examination, which she passed despite missing the time limit and producing no pill pattern.
• Xiao Yan moved into a luxurious courtyard while spies and guards watched her, and she waited for the Jia Ma Imperial Family to approach her.
• Fa Ma invited Xiao Yan to the Alchemist Guild headquarters and gave her an honorary elder token.
• Fa Ma asked Xiao Yan about her marriage engagement with the young master of the Nalan Family.

Xiao Yan spoke with Fa Ma about her broken engagement, her mysterious teacher, and her ambitions while he assessed whether the Jia Ma Imperial Family should invest in her. Fa Ma concluded that supporting Xiao Yan and the Xiao Clan could benefit the Imperial Family, then asked what she thought of the Jia Ma Empire.

• Xiao Yan joked that Nalan Yan had rejected her and said she could still seek admission to the Misty Cloud Sect if she wished.
• Fa Ma asked who Xiao Yan's teacher was, and Xiao Yan said she was only a registered disciple who could not use her teacher's name until she achieved something.
• Xiao Yan claimed her teacher had told her to seek her out upon reaching seventh rank, prompting Fa Ma to infer that her teacher was at least a seventh-rank alchemist and that Xiao Yan might eventually leave the empire.
• Fa Ma decided that the Jia Ma Imperial Family should invest in Xiao Yan and support the Xiao Clan, then asked Xiao Yan what she thought of the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Yan secured support from the Jia Ma Empire’s Imperial Family and the Alchemist Guild, then used their gifts to refine a sixth-rank beast flame. The flame strengthened her body and dou qi, but the Flame Mantra remained high-level Yellow Tier.

• Xiao Yan declared herself a citizen of the Jia Ma Empire, prompting Jia Xingtian to introduce himself and join Fa Ma in negotiating with her.
• Xiao Yan secured investment from the Imperial Family and the Alchemist Guild, then returned to her courtyard under increased guard.
• The Imperial Family delivered a sixth-rank blue beast flame, while the Alchemist Guild sent a Storage Ring of medicinal herbs.
• Xiao Yan used Apothecary’s guidance to prepare the herbs and swallowed them with the beast flame to cultivate.
• Xiao Yan easily refined the Ganlan water flame, but the Flame Mantra stayed high-level Yellow Tier, so she redirected the flame’s energy to her qi vortex.

Xiao Yan used the sixth-rank beast flame to reach the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zhe, repeatedly compressing her Dou Qi before beginning her breakthrough to Dou Shi. After absorbing and liquefying the flame’s remaining energy, she completed the breakthrough and opened her eyes with her power newly strengthened.

• Xiao Yan absorbed the beast flame’s energy and advanced from the peak of Eight-Star Dou Zhe to Nine-Star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan repeatedly injected the Ganlan Water Flame’s energy into her vortex and compressed her Dou Qi until she reached a solid peak of Nine-Star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan began breaking through to Dou Shi, allowing the vortex to draw in the beast flame’s energy as Apothecary watched.
• Xiao Yan’s vortex converted the Dou Qi into multicolored liquid droplets and shrank as it absorbed the beast flame’s remaining energy.
• Xiao Yan’s vortex reversed its rotation, spreading liquid energy through her body before it stopped and she opened her eyes.

After Xiao Yan reached early One-Star Dou Shi, Apothecary advised her to cultivate cautiously before leaving the imperial capital to gain experience. Xiao Yan reviewed gifts from four factions, accepted the Nalan Family’s compensation, and suspected that the family had once protected the Xiao Clan while taking its treasures.

• Apothecary praised Xiao Yan for sealing the Ganlan Water Flame’s energy instead of absorbing too much, then advised her to rest and avoid rushing her cultivation.
• The next day, Jia Xingtian’s elderly Dou Ling-level housekeeper brought Xiao Yan gift lists from the empire’s three great families and a sect.
• The Mu Family sent cultivation resources, which Xiao Yan planned to pass on to the Xiao Clan, while the Mittel Family offered her a high-limit auction house VIP card.
• Nalan Jie apologized in a letter for Nalan Yan’s past behavior and sent Mystic Tier methods, Dou Techniques, medicinal herbs, and other compensation, which Xiao Yan accepted.
• Xiao Yan reasoned that the Nalan Family had likely protected the declining Xiao Clan in exchange for taking its treasures, and considered the gifts a return of her family’s property.

Xiao Yan visited the Mittel Auction House seeking a way to restore Apothecary’s soul power and learned that the Nalan Family possessed the rare seven illusory azure spirit saliva. After making a plan with Apothecary, Xiao Yan arrived at the Nalan Mansion to pursue it.

• Xiao Yan burned the Misty Cloud Sect’s gift list and asked an old woman to arrange a visit to the capital’s Mittel Auction House.
• Xiao Yan asked the auction house manager about items that could restore soul power, and he told her the Nalan Family offered seven illusory azure spirit saliva as a reward for treating Old Master Nalan’s poison.
• Xiao Yan consulted Apothecary about the plant and devised a plan to obtain it without exposing Apothecary.
• Xiao Yan arrived at the Nalan Mansion, ready to visit the family as she had promised.

Xiao Yan visited the Nalan Mansion and offered to treat Nalan Jie's brand poison in exchange for seven illusory azure spirit saliva. Nalan Su went to consult Nalan Jie, leaving Xiao Yan waiting calmly for their decision.

• The Nalan Mansion's head of security recognized Xiao Yan and escorted her inside while a messenger went to alert the family leaders.
• Nalan Su welcomed Xiao Yan and made polite conversation, while Xiao Yan kept her distance and noted that Nalan Yan was absent.
• Xiao Yan told Nalan Su she had come to treat Nalan Jie's brand poison and asked to trade the method for seven illusory azure spirit saliva.
• Nalan Su questioned her confidence and the treatment's timing, and Xiao Yan said she was completely confident now but could not guarantee success if they waited years.
• Nalan Su went to consult Nalan Jie, and Xiao Yan agreed to wait without rushing him.

Xiao Yan proposed curing Nalan Jie's brand poison by forcing it into a limb and amputating that limb before the poison reached his marrow, then restoring it with a pill. Nalan Jie and Nalan Su found the unusual plan plausible, leaving the decision and the cost of obtaining the pill to them.

• Nalan Su went to bring Nalan Jie to meet Xiao Yan while Xiao Yan teased Apothecary about her proposed treatment.
• Nalan Jie questioned whether Xiao Yan's method could work, and Xiao Yan invited him to hear the explanation before judging it.
• Xiao Yan explained that Nalan Jie could concentrate the poison in a limb, amputate it, and use a high-grade pill to regrow it.
• Xiao Yan clarified that the method would only work before the poison spread into the marrow and that Nalan Jie would need to obtain the regenerative pill.
• Nalan Jie and Nalan Su considered the plan and found it feasible, though the pill would be costly.

Xiao Yan obtained the seven illusory azure spirit saliva from the Nalan Family and decided to keep the three-year agreement with Nalan Yan. After preparing to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, she stunned the imperial elderly housekeeper by announcing she would cross it alone to seek life-and-death danger and break through to Da Dou Shi.

• Nalan Jie and Nalan Su gave Xiao Yan the seven illusory azure spirit saliva and agreed not to raise the three-year agreement again, leaving its cancellation to her.
• Xiao Yan decided not to cancel the agreement, reasoning that Nalan Yan and the Nalan Family had accepted the humiliation her family would have faced if her talent had not returned.
• Apothecary processed and swallowed the seven illusory azure spirit saliva while Xiao Yan refined a second-grade pill and cultivated.
• Xiao Yan told the elderly imperial housekeeper that she planned to cross the Magical Beast Mountain Range alone and break through to Da Dou Shi.
• The elderly housekeeper warned Xiao Yan that the mountain range was too dangerous for a Dou Shi and urged her to cultivate more safely.

Xiao Yan left for the Magical Beast Mountain Range after warning the old woman not to follow her, while Nalan Yan worried that her rapid rise would leave him humiliated in their Three-Year Agreement. Nalan Su told him that Nalan Jie had gone to see Gu He about the brand poison and that the solution had come from Xiao Yan.

• Xiao Yan used Apothecary's soul pressure to convince the old woman not to accompany her, then asked her to return the Mu and Nalan families' gifts to the Xiao Clan.
• The old woman sent Xiao Yan off aboard the Flying Bird and reported to the Jia Ma Imperial Family about Xiao Yan's trump card.
• Nalan Yan trained at the Misty Cloud Sect and panicked over rumors that Xiao Yan had advanced to Dou Shi, fearing he would lose their Three-Year Agreement.
• A junior brother summoned Nalan Yan to meet Nalan Su, who said Nalan Jie had gone to see Gu He about the brand poison and that Xiao Yan had provided the method.

Xiao Yan began her training journey toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where Apothecary planned to improve her combat skills and search for herbs. After reaching Qingshan Town, she found a bargain piece of blood lotus essence, and Apothecary pointed out a white-clad girl with an unusual constitution.

• Nalan Su urged Nalan Yan to sincerely apologize to the Xiao Clan girl when the Three-Year Agreement came, and Nalan Yan agreed.
• Apothecary told Xiao Yan that they would train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range before going to the Tagor Desert, while searching for herbs to refine an Earth Spirit Pill.
• Xiao Yan traveled by carriage to Qingshan Town, the settlement nearest the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and decided to enter the mountains the next day.
• At the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, Xiao Yan spotted blood lotus essence mislabeled as yellow lotus essence and bought it cheaply among a batch of herbs.
• As Xiao Yan left the shop, Apothecary identified a white-clad girl nearby as having an unusual constitution and told Xiao Yan to build a relationship with her.