Chapter Summaries

Chen Cang discussed his newly refined Jade King Pill with Su Qian and recruited the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape to follow him. After reading letters from Xun'er and Lü Guan about events back home and at the Outer Academy, he took out the Lotus Platform and two jade bottles of pills.

• Chen Cang told Su Qian that the Jade King Pill should raise a Dou Wang's strength by around two stars and explained that it should not conflict with the Dou Ling Pill.
• Su Qian gave Chen Cang two letters from the Outer Academy, including one bearing the Tianxing Empire's emblem.
• Chen Cang invited the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape to follow him, and it agreed after shrinking to a more manageable size.
• Chen Cang read Xun'er's letter about her and Xiao Yi Xian's daily lives and cultivation.
• Chen Cang read Lü Guan's letter saying he had reached the Outer Academy, was a two-star Dou Shi, and might enter the Inner Academy next year; Lü Guan also relayed news from Tianying City.
• Chen Cang put away the letters and took out the Lotus Platform and two jade bottles of pills.

Chen Cang reached Four-Star Dou Wang and asked Su Qian for permission to enter the depths beneath the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower to deal with the fallen heart flame. After hearing Chen Cang's plan to preserve the tower's function, Su Qian agreed and warned him not to underestimate the danger.

• Chen Cang's breakthrough drew a crowd as two energy vortices formed, and he emerged as a Four-Star Dou Wang.
• Chen Cang met with Su Qian and requested permission to venture beneath the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower for the fallen heart flame.
• Su Qian refused at first, explaining that the fallen heart flame was essential to the tower and the Inner Academy.
• Chen Cang showed Su Qian the heavenly cold qi and explained that he could subdue the fallen heart flame while keeping the tower working.
• Su Qian agreed to let Chen Cang proceed and warned him that the fallen heart flame's power rivaled his own.

Chen Cang entered the magma beneath the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower and subdued the fallen heart flame with his soul power and heavenly cold qi. He extracted the flame and prepared to use it to temper his body.

• Su Qian gathered eighteen elders to open the seal while he stayed behind to guard the tower, and Chen Cang gave the elders Qi Recovery Pills before descending.
• Chen Cang crossed the magma sea and drew the hidden fallen heart flame toward him as he swam back toward the surface.
• The Invisible Fire Python attacked Chen Cang, but he stopped it with his soul power and weakened it with heavenly cold qi.
• Chen Cang read the Fire Python's memories, then reached into its body and extracted the invisible flame.

Chen Cang refined the Fallen Heart Flame and descended into the magma to find a Naling. He reached a transparent sphere containing powerful remains and discovered a second Fallen Heart Flame hovering above them.

• Chen Cang swallowed a protective pill and consumed the Fallen Heart Flame's origin, enduring its heat as he slowly erased its awareness.
• Chen Cang refined the docile Heavenly Flame Origin and gained control of the Fallen Heart Flame.
• Chen Cang used the Fallen Heart Flame to descend through the magma, following an increasingly urgent summons.
• Chen Cang reached a transparent sphere at the magma's bottom and found a powerful expert's remains beneath a second Fallen Heart Flame.

Chen Cang met Yao Tianhuo, the Heavenly Fire Venerable, beneath the magma and agreed to restore his soul and help resurrect him in exchange for his service. After accepting the Five-Wheel Separation Fire Method and Yao Tianhuo’s remains, Chen Cang fled approaching Flame Lizardmen and headed back toward the surface.

• Yao Tianhuo appeared and offered Chen Cang the young Fallen Heart Flame as a gift.
• Yao Tianhuo asked Chen Cang to restore his soul, offering the Five-Wheel Separation Fire Method as payment, but Chen Cang demanded Yao Tianhuo’s service in exchange for aid and possible resurrection.
• After learning Chen Cang was only about seventeen and a half, Yao Tianhuo accepted the deal and called him Young Master.
• Yao Tianhuo gave Chen Cang the Five-Wheel Separation Fire Method, entered his snow-white Storage Ring, and warned him about the powerful Flame Lizardmen in the magma.
• Chen Cang sensed Flame Lizardmen approaching, sped toward the surface, and said he would deal with them another time.

After returning from the Black Well with a weakened fallen heart flame, Chen Cang settled affairs at Tianying and prepared to leave the Inner Academy with Zi Yan. Su Qian approved their journey and asked Chen Cang to look for clues about Zi Yan’s unknown magical beast species.

• Zi Yan spotted Chen Cang emerging from the Black Well, and he told Su Qian that the fallen heart flame could again supply the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower.
• Chen Cang returned to Tianying, learned that six months had passed, and agreed to advise Qin Yuan on alchemy before recruiting him as an assistant.
• Chen Cang spent half a month organizing Tianying’s affairs, brought over the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape, and prepared to depart.
• Su Qian agreed that Chen Cang could take Zi Yan along and asked him to watch for clues about her species.
• Chen Cang reassured Zi Yan that they would return before the two set out.

Chen Cang traveled toward the Tianxing Empire with Zi Yan and his beasts, then helped the Void Pegasus Beast avenge its mother by killing the Blackflame Kui Ox. In Tianying City, he reunited with the long-retired Master Mo, who sprang up in shock at his return.

• Chen Cang learned from White Ape that the group was seven or eight days from Sky Star and told Zi Yan he was returning to see old acquaintances.
• In the Black Eagle Mountains, the Blackflame Kui Ox recognized Chen Cang and the Void Pegasus Beast as the thieves who had raided its cave years earlier.
• Chen Cang restrained the Blackflame Kui Ox with Fallen Heart Flame, allowing Zi Yan, Snow Demon Heavenly Ape, and the Void Pegasus Beast to defeat it.
• The Void Pegasus Beast killed the wounded Blackflame Kui Ox, avenging its mother's death, while Zi Yan searched the ox's lair for treasure.
• At the City Lord's Residence in Tianying City, Chen Cang surprised Master Mo, who recognized him and sprang up from his chair.

Chen Cang reunited with Master Mo and City Lord Ding Dian after returning to Tianying City, revealing his rapid rise to Dou Wang and his success as an alchemist. Ding Dian offered to recommend him to a mysterious faction, and Chen Cang agreed to follow his arrangements while awaiting further notice.

• Chen Cang recounted his travels and hardships to Master Mo, who marveled at how quickly he had grown.
• Chen Cang gave Master Mo an Azure Nether Longevity Pill and revealed that he had refined it himself.
• Master Mo warned Chen Cang not to reveal his alchemy skills to City Lord Ding Dian and said he suspected a mysterious faction supported Ding Dian's rapid rise to Dou Emperor.
• Chen Cang met Ding Dian, who was astonished to find him at the Dou Wang level and invited him to share news of his travels.
• Ding Dian offered to recommend Chen Cang to a powerful, mysterious faction, and Chen Cang agreed to follow his arrangements.

Chen Cang met Protector Hu, who recruited him into the Soul Hall and assigned him a test to earn Soul Envoy status. He received a Soul Token and was placed under Protector Hu’s direct supervision, with a month to hunt an expert from outside the Tianxing Empire.

• Chen Cang sensed an unfamiliar, sinister presence enter the City Lord’s Residence and went to meet Protector Hu in a secret chamber.
• Ding Dian introduced Chen Cang to Protector Hu as a talented, trustworthy young cultivator, and Protector Hu praised his strength.
• Protector Hu explained that Chen Cang had to obtain the soul of an expert from outside the Tianxing Empire within a month to qualify as a Soul Envoy.
• Protector Hu gave Chen Cang a Soul Token, which contained task listings and exchanges for Soul Points, and Chen Cang bound it to himself.
• Protector Hu decided Chen Cang would report directly to him and promised to give him a Bee Flute after he passed the test.

Chen Cang left Tianxing Empire for the Chu Yun Empire to hunt a powerful opponent for his Soul Hall trial, while events unfolded in Wutan City and the Jia Ma Empire without him. Xiao Xun'er defeated Xiao Yan in the arena, and Queen Medusa prepared to use the Green Lotus Core Flame to attempt an evolution and breakthrough.

• Chen Cang left the Tianxing Empire with Zi Yan and two beasts, crossed the Black Eagle Mountains, and entered the Chu Yun Empire to seek a stronger opponent than Black Marsh City's four-star Dou Wang lord.
• At the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Conference, Gu He regretted losing Chen Cang as a disciple and hoped to meet him again.
• In Wutan City, Xiao Yan basked in praise for his strength until Xiao Xun'er challenged him and defeated him with two light palm strikes.
• Queen Medusa prepared to use the Green Lotus Core Flame for her tribe's secret evolution art, hoping to break through to Dou Zong despite her growing unease.

Queen Medusa learned that Chen Cang planned to reclaim the green lotus core flame and decided to face him before attempting her evolution. In Wutan City, Chen Cang secretly visited Xiao Zhan at night and raised a matter concerning the Xiao Clan’s survival.

• Yue Mei told Queen Medusa that a young human had subdued and humiliated her, then delivered a threatening letter demanding the green lotus core flame.
• Queen Medusa identified the challenger as Chen Cang, questioned Yue Mei about his companions, and decided to wait for him rather than begin her evolution.
• Xiao Zhan reviewed auction offerings to prepare resources for Xiao Yan, whom the Xiao Clan elders had chosen to support as their future pillar.
• Chen Cang slipped into Xiao Zhan’s room unnoticed, greeted the clan leader, and said he had something concerning the Xiao Clan’s survival to discuss.

Chen Cang warned Xiao Zhan that the Soul Hall threatened the Xiao Clan because of its heritage and its jade token, then took the token for himself. After returning to the clan with Zi Yan, he was greeted by Xiao Zhan while Xun'er sensed his arrival and smiled.

• Chen Cang lit Drunken Dragon Incense and told Xiao Zhan that the Soul Hall sought the Xiao Clan's jade token and might exterminate the clan because of its Xiao surname.
• Chen Cang revealed that he had joined the Soul Hall and warned that moving the whole clan could expose it, then said he wanted the jade token for himself.
• Xiao Zhan handed Chen Cang the token, and Chen Cang promised to keep an eye on Xiao Yan when doing so suited his plans.
• Chen Cang left Xiao Zhan's room, collected Zi Yan and the magical beasts, and brought Zi Yan openly into the Xiao Clan after ordering the beasts to wait at the back mountain.
• When the incense burned out, Xiao Zhan greeted Chen Cang with laughter, while Xun'er sensed his return and smiled.

Chen Cang reunited with Xiao Yi Xian, Xun'er, and the Xiao brothers, then learned that Xun'er had grown strong and that Yao Chen was awake inside Xiao Yan's ring. He reassured Xiao Yi Xian about her woeful poison body, but told the girls he could stay only ten days before leaving for the Tianxing Empire, and ended by asking Xun'er about the Southern Continent.

• Chen Cang introduced Zi Yan to the others and shared a meal with them while recounting his travels and adventures in the Black-Corner Region.
• Zi Yan revealed that she and Chen Cang had stolen from Han Feng, and Chen Cang sensed a brief ripple of soul energy from the ring on Xiao Yan's hand, confirming Yao Chen was awake.
• After eating magical beast meat, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li left to cultivate, and Xiao Yan went to the mountain to train with the two fifth-rank magical beasts Chen Cang had brought back.
• Chen Cang praised Xun'er's strength and Xiao Yi Xian's restraint, then assured Xiao Yi Xian that he had found a way to suppress her woeful poison body and a lead on curing it completely.
• Chen Cang told Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian that he could stay for at most ten days before returning to the Tianxing Empire, then asked Xun'er whether she knew about the Southern Continent.

Chen Cang spent a short visit with Xun'er, Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Yan before preparing to travel to the Southern Continent. After receiving a valuable scroll and promising to return for the two girls, he departed with the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape.

• Xun'er explained the Southern Continent and the Central Plains to Chen Cang, while Xiao Yi Xian listened and wondered about Xun'er's background.
• Zi Yan returned carrying a badly frightened Xiao Yan, and Chen Cang teased and comforted him after his encounter with two Fifth-Tier Magical Beasts.
• Chen Cang enjoyed several days with Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, then spoke privately with Gu He, who left Wutan City without taking a disciple.
• After four more days at the Xiao Clan, Chen Cang accepted a scroll from Xun'er, promised Xiao Yi Xian he would take them both with him on his next return, and departed on horseback with the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape.

Chen Cang and his companions reached the island holding the Green Lotus Core Flame, where he inspected its seal and considered the danger of merging it with the Fallen Heart Flame. As Queen Medusa approached, Chen Cang decided that dealing with her came before refining the flame.

• Chen Cang recognized Xun'er's gift as the Emperor Seal Art and planned to open its required meridians after completing Protector Hu's assessment.
• The Heavenly Fire Venerable advised Chen Cang to test his new cultivation method on subjects in the land of exile, and Chen Cang considered using the dark races there.
• Queen Medusa waited ten days for Chen Cang's promised challenge, concluded he had deceived her, and headed to the lake island to check the sealed Green Lotus Core Flame.
• On the island, Zi Yan asked about the ice spirit cold spring, while Chen Cang collected some and examined the Green Lotus Core Flame and its lotus-seat seal.
• The Heavenly Fire Venerable warned Chen Cang that merging the Green Lotus Core Flame with the Fallen Heart Flame would be dangerous, and Chen Cang sensed Queen Medusa approaching.

Chen Cang confronted Queen Medusa over the Green Lotus Core Flame and revealed that his strength had grown enough to overpower her and thwart the Snake-People Tribe’s attempt to intervene. After releasing Medusa from his soul-power pressure, he led her back to the pool so they could talk.

• Queen Medusa arrived at the secluded pool, discovered Chen Cang and his companions, and demanded to know how he had found her hiding place.
• Chen Cang revealed that he knew about her plan to use the Green Lotus Core Flame to evolve, then urged her to abandon it and return the flame.
• Medusa attacked Chen Cang, but his soul power shattered her energy ribbon and left her unable to take to the air.
• Hua She'er flew toward the fight, but Chen Cang struck her down with his soul power and the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape captured her.
• Chen Cang lifted the pressure on Medusa, and she followed him to the pool as he proposed they talk properly.

Chen Cang confronted Queen Medusa over the green lotus core flame and demanded that the Snake-People Tribe obey him in exchange for letting her use it to evolve. Medusa refused, but after learning Chen Cang was a Sixth-Rank Alchemist, she left to reconsider what he wanted and how to negotiate.

• Queen Medusa realized Chen Cang had deliberately lured her into using and weakening the green lotus core flame, and he asked whether she still wanted to evolve with it.
• Chen Cang demanded that the Snake-People Tribe obey his commands, but Medusa refused and offered rare medicinal ingredients instead.
• Chen Cang rejected the offer, and the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape revealed that Chen Cang could refine Sixth-Grade Pills.
• Medusa left with Hua She'er and said she would reassess Chen Cang before deciding what terms to offer.

Chen Cang weakened the green lotus core flame by removing the ice spirit cold spring, then used the Lotus Platform to coax the flame into settling down. He planned to keep it with him while negotiating with Queen Medusa, and Zi Yan remained missing after wandering off to find food.

• Chen Cang discussed storing the green lotus core flame inside his body with Yao Lao and the Heavenly Fire Venerable, who judged it feasible if Chen Cang only suppressed its essence.
• Chen Cang ordered the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape to bottle the ice spirit cold spring, then finished collecting it himself when the ape struggled with the delicate task.
• The green lotus core flame escaped the crystal lotus seat as the weakening barrier collapsed, raising the island's temperature and evaporating the poisonous lake.
• Chen Cang gave Clear Poison Pills to himself, the Void Pegasus Beast, and the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape, then realized Zi Yan had wandered off and set aside his concern for her safety.
• Chen Cang estimated that the green lotus core flame could threaten a two-star Dou Emperor and placed the Lotus Platform on the crystal lotus seat.
• Chen Cang nudged the green lotus core flame onto the Lotus Platform and told it to stay there while he kept the ice spirit cold spring stored away.

Zi Yan returned from meeting Queen Medusa and asked Chen Cang not to hold a grudge against her. Queen Medusa later rejected Chen Cang’s demand for the Snake-People Tribe’s Dou Wang experts to serve him, while Chen Cang used the earth vein sickle she had brought to complete the ingredients for a pill to restore the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s soul.

• Zi Yan gave Chen Cang and the beasts Crimson Flame Fruits from Queen Medusa, then asked him not to bully her new friend.
• Chen Cang reassured Zi Yan that he would keep his personal feelings toward Queen Medusa separate from serious matters.
• Queen Medusa brought medicinal ingredients, pill formulas, Dou Techniques, and cultivation methods as payment, but Chen Cang demanded ten years of service from all Snake-People Tribe experts at Dou Wang and above, along with the earth vein sickle.
• Queen Medusa refused Chen Cang’s terms and left, determined to become strong enough to break through to Dou Zong.
• Chen Cang began refining the fifth-grade Soul-Nourishing Dew using the earth vein sickle, intending to help restore the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s soul.

Chen Cang restored Yao Lao with a fifth-tier Soul-Nourishing Elixir and struck a five-year protection deal with Queen Medusa in exchange for using the green lotus core flame to evolve. After Medusa made arrangements and the Snake-People Tribe prepared for the ceremony, she began her evolution alone on the island beneath the full moon.

• Chen Cang completed the Soul-Nourishing Elixir, strengthening the soul inside the Storage Ring and allowing Yao Lao to recover enough strength to protect him.
• Chen Cang offered Queen Medusa use of the heavenly flame in exchange for five years of protection, and Medusa accepted after considering the risks and her duties to the Snake-People Tribe.
• Queen Medusa arranged the tribe's affairs in four hours, then prepared for her evolution while Chen Cang advised her to wait until midnight.
• Hua She'er sent Snake-People soldiers out to clear potential threats from the Holy City, while the elders prayed for Queen Medusa in a secret chamber.
• At midnight, Queen Medusa asked for privacy, and Chen Cang left the island with Zi Yan and sealed the Heavenly Fire Venerable's Storage Ring.
• Queen Medusa approached the green lotus core flame and began undressing to start her evolution.