Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yu returned to Xiao City after a year underground and found Xiao Court thriving in his absence. He resumed leading the court, replenished its pill supplies, and searched with Zi Yan for rare ingredients needed for his seventh-grade pills.

• Xiao Yu disguised himself to eat noodles in Xiao City, then revealed himself at Xiao Court’s gates and was welcomed by its disciples.
• Zi Yan rushed into Xiao Yu’s arms, relieved to see him alive, and he promised to refine pills for her.
• Xue You reported that Xiao Court had gained three elders, its elders had advanced in cultivation, and he had reached Dou Huang.
• Xiao Yu planned pills for Xiao Court, gave Xue You an Emperor’s Extreme Pill, and auctioned the remaining pills and other sixth-grade medicines.
• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan searched across the Black-Corner Region for ingredients needed to refine his seventh-grade pills.

After gathering the ingredients for three seventh-grade pills, Xiao Yu began refining them in the Xiao Court. When the Transformation Pill triggered a lightning tribulation, he seized it and prepared to use the heavenly lightning to cultivate the eternal undying body.

• Xiao Yu returned to the Xiao Court with Zi Yan after gathering the medicinal ingredients for the Great Nirvana Pill, the Transformation Pill, and the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.
• Xiao Yu reviewed the formulas and successfully refined the Transformation Pill using the great desolate flame and five qi thunder.
• The Transformation Pill burst through the Alchemy Room roof and drew a powerful lightning tribulation, which Xiao Yu recognized as a threat to the pill.
• Xiao Yu considered absorbing the pill lightning to cultivate the eternal undying body and decided to test the method.
• As the lightning bolt descended toward the Transformation Pill, Xiao Yu snatched the pill and sat beneath the bolt in midair.

Xiao Yu endured the pill lightning from refining the Transformation Pill, using it to strengthen his spine and cultivate his body. After converting the leftover lightning into energy and reaching Three-Star Dou Zong, he began refining the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, intending to undergo more lightning tempering.

• Xiao Yu endured the Transformation Pill's pill lightning with his flesh and guided its power into his spine, strengthening it with each strike.
• After about an hour, Xiao Yu survived the final bolt, repaired his robe with Dou Qi, and inspected the fully refined Transformation Pill, whose surface depicted ten thousand beasts.
• Back in the Alchemy Room, Xiao Yu used the five qi thunder to refine the lingering pill lightning in his body into Dou Qi, then cultivated while studying the void-burning divine flame's spatial power.
• Five days later, Xiao Yu broke through to Three-Star Dou Zong and began refining the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, hoping its pill lightning would further temper his body.

After advancing to Four-Star Dou Zong, Xiao Yu left the Xiao Court with Zi Yan and traveled through the Magical Beast Mountain Range toward Wutan City. He reunited with Little Purple, who had grown into an advanced Sixth-Rank magical beast, and left the story with his mount greeting him as Master.

• Xiao Yu entrusted the Xiao Court and his points token to Xue You before leaving.
• Zi Yan insisted on accompanying Xiao Yu, and he agreed after she said she had informed Great Elder Su Qian she would be away.
• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan crossed Demon-Suppressing Pass into the Jia Ma Empire and entered the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
• Xiao Yu called for Little Purple, awakening the Amethyst Winged Lion King and his young cub.
• Little Purple recognized Xiao Yu, flew to him, and greeted him as Master.

Xiao Yu guarded Little Purple through his transformation into human form, then continued toward Wutan City with Zi Yan. In Wutan, Xiao Zhan presided over a prosperous Xiao Clan meeting when Xiao Yu announced his return.

• Xiao Yu gave Little Purple a Transformation Pill, and Little Purple swallowed it immediately, beginning his transformation inside a cocoon of light.
• After two days, Little Purple emerged as a towering human figure, thanked Xiao Yu, and began adjusting to his new body.
• Zi Yan returned with Little Little Purple, recognized the transformed Little Purple, and the group spent the night in the cave mansion.
• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan left for Wutan City the next day, while the Xiao Clan’s businesses and strength continued to grow under Xiao Zhan’s leadership.
• During the Xiao Clan’s monthly meeting, Xiao Yu arrived and called out to Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Yu returned to Wutan City with Zi Yan and found that the Xiao Clan and the city had grown prosperous in his absence. He reunited with Xiao Zhan and the elders, who welcomed him home and arranged a clan gathering that evening.

• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan entered Wutan City, where Xiao Yu heard exaggerated stories about his exploits and saw how prosperous the city had become.
• Xiao Yu reached the Xiao Clan residence, and a guard recognized him as the young clan leader and let him inside.
• Xiao Yu toured the renovated clan grounds with Zi Yan and learned that Xiao Zhan was holding a day for clan affairs reports.
• Xiao Yu entered the main hall and reunited with Xiao Zhan, who ended the reports and announced a clan gathering to celebrate his return.
• Xiao Zhan and the elders welcomed Zi Yan and invited her to dinner with the clan.

Xiao Yu attended a welcome-home feast at the Xiao Clan, where Xiao Zhan urged him to settle down and accept the young clan leader position. Xiao Yu rejected the appointment, and Zi Yan ended the evening by asking who Ya Fei was.

• The Xiao Clan held a large banquet to celebrate Xiao Yu's return, while clan members praised his achievements.
• Xiao Zhan pressed Xiao Yu about marriage and suggested that Ya Fei might be a suitable match, but Xiao Yu insisted they were only friends.
• Xiao Yu asked about becoming young clan leader and refused the position, saying he would leave again and did not need status to support the clan.
• Xiao Zhan agreed not to force the appointment and said he would discuss giving Xiao Yu a different position with the elders.
• Zi Yan asked Xiao Yu who Ya Fei was, and Xiao Yu scolded her for prying.

After returning to his old courtyard, Xiao Yu rested and studied the Void-Burning Divine Flame before Ya Fei visited him. She told him about major developments in the Jia Ma Empire, beginning with the Snake-People Tribe’s migration out of the desert.

• Xiao Yu returned to his old courtyard, enjoyed tea, and fell into a deep sleep.
• The next day, Xiao Yu studied the Void-Burning Divine Flame while relaxing without hiding his ordinary appearance.
• Ya Fei visited Xiao Yu, and they teased each other before discussing his plans to stay for a few months.
• Ya Fei told Xiao Yu that Queen Medusa had led the Snake-People Tribe out of the desert after he left.

Xiao Yu reviewed the major changes in the Jia Ma Empire, including the Snake-People Tribe’s settlement and the shifting balance of power. He then gave Ya Fei two pills to improve her aptitude and appearance, but their medicinal energy destroyed her clothes, leaving him staring in shock.

• The Snake-People Tribe settled in Salt City and Desert City with the Jia Ma Imperial Family’s approval, and Medusa later defeated three Dou Zong experts who attacked Snake People City.
• Xiao Yu reflected on the Xiao Clan’s rise, the Mittel Family’s growing power, and the Misty Cloud Sect’s weakened position after Yun Shan’s death.
• As dusk fell, Ya Fei prepared to leave, but Xiao Yu stopped her and offered two pills in repayment for her help to the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Yu made Ya Fei swallow the Great Nirvana Pill and Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Pill, then helped her absorb their medicinal power.
• The energy shredded Ya Fei’s clothes, and Xiao Yu stared at her in shock.

Xiao Yu guarded Ya Fei as she absorbed the Great Nirvana Pill, while Zi Yan visited and asked him to repair her Spirit-Gathering Array. After Ya Fei emerged transformed into a Three-Star Dou Ling, Xiao Yu saw the pill’s extraordinary effects firsthand.

• Zi Yan visited Xiao Yu, asked him to repair her depleted Spirit-Gathering Array, and tried to touch the golden sphere surrounding Ya Fei before Xiao Yu stopped her.
• Xiao Yu used the Three Thousand Puppet Thunders to devise and test a way to power the Spirit-Gathering Array remotely through its magic core.
• The golden sphere around Ya Fei churned and shrank as she finished absorbing the Great Nirvana Pill and Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Pill.
• Zi Yan rushed outside as the golden light vanished, leaving Xiao Yu awkwardly facing Ya Fei in her exposed state.
• Ya Fei said she felt lighter and clearer, and Xiao Yu realized she had risen from a newly advanced Da Dou Shi to a Three-Star Dou Ling.

Xiao Yu strengthened the Xiao Clan and left Wutan City to repay the Imperial Family, Alchemist Guild, Misty Cloud Sect, and Mittel Family for their past help. He arrived in Jia Ma Holy City and reunited with Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong.

• Zi Yan asked whether Ya Fei was intended to marry Xiao Yu, and Ya Fei boldly said she would be willing to become his wife or concubine.
• Xiao Yu completed a Spirit-Gathering Tower for the Xiao Clan, stocked its Dou Qi Pavilion with cultivation methods and combat skills, and refined fifth- and sixth-grade pills.
• Ya Fei visited the Xiao Clan often, grew close to Zi Yan, and pleased Xiao Zhan, who began hoping she would become Xiao Yu's wife.
• Xiao Yu stepped down as young clan leader at his own request, then left Wutan City a month later while Zi Yan stayed behind with Ya Fei.
• Xiao Yu reached Jia Ma Holy City to repay the factions that had helped the Xiao Clan and drew Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong to meet him.

Xiao Yu reunited with Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong in the Jia Ma Empire and revealed that he had reached Dou Zong. He repaid their support for the Xiao Clan with offers of pills and alchemy knowledge, then heard Jia Xingtian suggest the empire lacked strength and standing among the powers of the Northwest Continent.

• Xiao Yu told Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong that he had spent the past few years in the Black-Corner Region and had reached Dou Zong.
• Xiao Yu offered Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong help obtaining pills in exchange for the required ingredients, and gave Fa Ma insights into refining a Sixth-Grade Pill.
• Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and Hai Bodong thanked Xiao Yu and pledged that the Imperial Family, Alchemist Guild, and Mittel Family would help him in the future.
• Jia Xingtian hosted a banquet for Xiao Yu and asked what he thought of the Jia Ma Empire.
• Jia Xingtian explained that the Jia Ma Empire had shallow foundations and little standing among the Northwest Continent's empires.

Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong explained that the Sect Gathering would be held in the Jia Ma Empire in three months to unite Northwest powers against the Snake-People Tribe, threatening the empire. Xiao Yu agreed to establish a powerful organization to protect the Xiao Clan and oppose the Soul Palace, and invited the others to help.

• Jia Xingtian told Xiao Yu that the Sect Gathering would bring powerful Northwest factions to the Jia Ma Empire in three months.
• Jia Xingtian explained that the gathering’s organizers planned to crush the Snake-People Tribe because Queen Medusa had become a Dou Zong.
• Jia Xingtian offered the Jia Ma Imperial Family’s support if Xiao Yu established a power to preserve the empire.
• Hai Bodong urged Xiao Yu to build an organization strong enough to protect the Xiao Clan and resist the Soul Palace.
• Xiao Yu agreed to establish a powerful force and asked Jia Xingtian and the others to help him.

Yun Yun and the Misty Cloud Sect elders discussed the upcoming sect assembly when Xiao Yu arrived on Misty Cloud Mountain. He offered Yun Yun a pill to thank her for protecting the Xiao Clan, and their conversation ended with his teasing question about how she would repay him.

• Yun Yun told the Misty Cloud Sect elders to avoid provoking the powerful visitors expected at the sect assembly, while Gu He said they were coming for Queen Medusa.
• A powerful aura appeared over Misty Cloud Mountain, and Gu He stopped Elder Yun Yan from confronting its owner, saying the Sect Master would handle it.
• Xiao Yu waited atop the mountain and reflected on his years in the Jia Ma Empire before Yun Yun arrived.
• Xiao Yu offered Yun Yun a pill in gratitude for her care of the Xiao Clan, but she refused and said she owed him for helping avenge Yun Shan.
• Xiao Yu teasingly asked Yun Yun how she planned to repay him, and she was reminded of their time together in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Xiao Yu and Yun Yun exchanged gifts, with Xiao Yu accepting her powerful longsword and Yun Yun taking the Ice-Skin Jade-Bone Pill. After Xiao Yu left, Yun Yun dwelled on their age gap and his great strength, feeling increasingly bitter about the distance between them.

• Yun Yun offered Xiao Yu a sect-forged longsword that could increase the power of those below Five-Star Dou Emperor by fifty percent, and he reluctantly accepted it in exchange for his gift.
• Xiao Yu recognized the sword as matching Yun Yun’s and explained that it reminded him of the matching Sea Heart Armor she had given him.
• Xiao Yu teased Yun Yun about possibly having feelings for him, but she denied it and claimed she was only repaying his kindness.
• Xiao Yu remarked that they were more than a decade apart, then departed by walking through the air and vanishing as a streak of light.
• Yun Yun watched Xiao Yu leave and worried that she could never catch up to his talent or remain youthful as long as he did.

Xiao Yu visited Queen Medusa in Snake People City to thank her for protecting the Xiao Clan and discuss the coming Sect Gathering, which threatened the Snake-People Tribe. Medusa agreed to help Xiao Yu when the gathering began, while refusing to place herself beneath anyone.

• Xiao Yu reached Snake People City, and Queen Medusa confronted him after sensing his formidable aura.
• Xiao Yu gave Medusa a Sixth-Grade Pill in gratitude for her protection of the Xiao Clan, though she had hoped he might bring her more thunderflame.
• Medusa welcomed Xiao Yu into the palace, where he asked which factions had sent three Dou Zongs to trouble her; she named the Golden Goose Sect, the Lion Underworld Sect, and the Three Corpses Sect.
• Xiao Yu asked about the Sect Gathering, and Medusa confirmed that hostile factions might use it to attack the Snake-People Tribe.
• Xiao Yu proposed a plan and asked Medusa to help him when the Sect Gathering began; she agreed on the condition that she would not bow beneath anyone.

Xiao Yu studied the Taiyi Soul Art and began cultivating to reach the spirit realm, while the Jia Ma Imperial Family invited the empire’s factions to join his alliance. At the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun decided to join, seeing the alliance as the sect’s only path forward and a chance to grow stronger.

• Xiao Yu studied the Taiyi Soul Art and drew surrounding soul power into his niwan palace, expecting to reach the spirit realm in less than a month.
• The Jia Ma Imperial Family sent invitations asking the empire’s factions to join Xiao Yu’s alliance without dissolving their own factions.
• Yun Yan objected to the invitation, while Gu He warned Yun Yun that the Misty Cloud Sect could not refuse without leaving the empire.
• Yun Yun decided that the Misty Cloud Sect would join the alliance, telling Yun Yan that it could become an opportunity for the sect to grow stronger.

Xiao Yu broke through to the spirit realm, then risked his life using the Great Sun Divine Thunder to temper his body. As he faced death and struggled with his identity and desires, the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill restored his spine, and he awoke with a new outlook.

• Xiao Yu's soul power broke through to the spirit realm and briefly spread across the Jia Ma Empire, where Gu He vaguely sensed it.
• With two months remaining before the Sect Gathering, Xiao Yu began tempering his body with a seed bolt of the Great Sun Divine Thunder.
• The lightning destroyed Xiao Yu's spine and left him near death as a voice tempted him to abandon his responsibilities and become someone else.
• Xiao Yu rejected the voice and declared that he was himself, whether as Xiao Yu or Zhou Yu.
• The Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill's energy restored Xiao Yu's spine, and he later woke and questioned why returning to his old world should prevent him from pursuing what he wanted.

After surviving the Great Sun Divine Thunder’s tempering, Xiao Yu completed the first step of the eternal undying body and rose to Five-Star Dou Zong. He arrived in the Imperial Capital to establish an alliance before the Sect Gathering, warning Jia Ma’s faction leaders that the empire faced danger from the powerful outsiders gathering there.

• Xiao Yu survived the thunder’s final tempering, broke through to Five-Star Dou Zong, strengthened his body, and fused the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill’s dragon energy into his spine.
• Xiao Yu learned that more than a month had passed, wondered where Zi Yan and Ya Fei had gone, and rested while awaiting the Sect Gathering.
• After news arrived that the alliance preparations were complete, Xiao Yu traveled to the Imperial Capital.
• Jia Xingtian welcomed Xiao Yu to the council hall, where Yun Yun, Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, and leaders from across the Jia Ma Empire had gathered.
• Xiao Yu took the head seat and warned the assembled faction leaders that the Sect Gathering could bring disaster to the entire Jia Ma Empire if anything went wrong.

Xiao Yu formally established the Jia Ma Alliance after the empire’s factions agreed to join, then invited its members to raise concerns about its plans. When Situ Hui asked how the alliance could face numerous outside Dou Zong experts, Xiao Yu revealed that Queen Medusa had agreed to bring the Snake-People Tribe into the alliance, alarming the gathered leaders.

• Xiao Yu announced that alliance membership would be voluntary and promised not to interfere with the factions’ internal affairs.
• Jia Xingtian, the Mittel Family, the Alchemist Guild, the Misty Cloud Sect, and other factions agreed to join the alliance.
• Xiao Yu declared the Jia Ma Alliance established and urged its members to offer questions and suggestions.
• Situ Hui asked how the alliance would deter the many Dou Zong experts expected at the Sect Gathering.
• Xiao Yu revealed that Queen Medusa had agreed for the Snake-People Tribe to join the alliance, shocking the gathered faction leaders.