Chapter Summaries

The Sumeru Pill tried to escape Old Monster Hu and Yan Bing, but Yan Bing caught it after outmaneuvering Old Monster Hu. An Emperor Tribulation Pill then fled into Ancient Wilderness City, and Xiao Yan prepared to stop it.

• The Sumeru Pill fought Old Monster Hu and Yan Bing while disguised as Mo Zhai, then turned into its original form and fled toward Ancient Wilderness City.
• The Sumeru Pill disguised itself as Yan Bing to trick Old Monster Hu, but the real Yan Bing caught it in her frost-covered hand.
• The Emperor Tribulation Pill emerged and immediately darted toward the city, while Gu Li and Chi Lin watched without intervening.
• Elder Xuan moved to pursue the Emperor Tribulation Pill, but Luo Jin stopped him and pointed to Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan opened his eyes and coldly asked whether the Emperor Tribulation Pill thought it could escape.

As the Emperor Tribulation Pill fell into Ancient Wilderness City, Xiao Yan used his control over it to punish a Half-Emperor who tried to seize it. The pill returned to Xiao Yan, trapped by the Pill Transformation Ring, while Luo Jin and Elder Xuan wondered who Yan Xiao really was.

• Experts in Ancient Wilderness City rushed after the falling Emperor Tribulation Pill, and an Eight-Star Dou Sheng killed an old man who challenged him.
• A Half-Emperor chased the pill, but Xiao Yan used his Spiritual Strength and hand seals to freeze it in midair.
• The Emperor Tribulation Pill transformed into a figure like Xiao Yan, seized the Half-Emperor, tore off his arm, and pierced his chest with it.
• The pill figure returned to Xiao Yan and revealed that a ring of Heavenly Flames prevented it from escaping.
• Luo Jin and Elder Xuan recognized the ring as the Pill Tower's secret technique, the Pill Transformation Ring, and questioned Yan Xiao's identity.

Xiao Yan subdued the Emperor Tribulation Pill with the Pill Transformation Divine Art and challenged Mo Zhai for the alchemy championship. Gu Li ruled that the pills’ quality, not merely their completion time, would decide the winner, leaving the final judgment pending.

• Elder Xuan and Luo Jin were shocked by Xiao Yan’s many powerful techniques and treasures.
• Xiao Yan used the Pill Transformation Divine Art to suppress the Emperor Tribulation Pill’s attempt to self-destruct and drew it into his palm.
• Xiao Yan presented the Emperor Tribulation Pill and challenged Mo Zhai, who argued that his earlier-finished Sumeru Pill had already secured the championship.
• Gu Li said Mo Zhai had finished first but declared that the two pills’ quality must be assessed before the champion could be chosen.

Mo Zhai’s Sumeru Pill was judged a superior Formed Pill, and the crowd assumed he had won the Alchemist Grand Meeting. After Yan Bing attacked Xiao Yan and the Northern King blocked the blow, Gu Li announced that Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill was a superior Emperor Grade Complete Pill.

• Mo Zhai presented his Sumeru Pill, and Gu Li required him to submit it for the judges’ appraisal.
• The judges declared Mo Zhai’s Sumeru Pill a superior Formed Pill, and Mo Zhai and the crowd believed he had secured the championship.
• Xiao Yan handed Gu Li his Emperor Tribulation Pill while remaining confident, and Yan Bing suddenly attacked him with his presence.
• The Northern King blocked Yan Bing’s attack, and Gu Li rebuked Yan Bing before turning back to appraise Xiao Yan’s pill.
• Gu Li announced that Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill was a superior Emperor Grade Complete Pill.

Gu Li announced that Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill had been judged an Emperor Grade Complete Pill, but Mo Zhai challenged the appraisal and demanded another examination. Xiao Yan invited Elder Xuan to appraise the pill on behalf of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion, leaving Mo Zhai and Old Monster Hu wary of the Pavilion’s intervention.

• Gu Li publicly confirmed that the judging panel had unanimously identified Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill as an Emperor Grade Complete Pill, prompting cheers from the crowd.
• Mo Zhai accused Gu Li of fabricating the result and demanded that he personally appraise the pill, while Gu Li refused to hand it over to him.
• Old Monster Hu offered to appraise the pill instead, and Xiao Yan agreed that Gu Li should give it to him.
• Xiao Yan said he would also invite someone to appraise the pill and called on Elder Xuan of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion.
• Mo Zhai and Old Monster Hu realized the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion might intervene, potentially securing Xiao Yan’s victory.

Elder Xuan moved to appraise Xiao Yan’s Emperor Grade Complete Pill, but Yan Bing tried to intervene on behalf of the Sea Cloud Palace before Zhou Tai made a forceful return and revealed his standing with the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance. Zhou Tai drove Mo Zhai and Yan Bing from the contest, leaving Xiao Yan’s growing support and Old Monster Hu’s interest in the pill unresolved.

• Elder Xuan agreed to inspect Xiao Yan’s Emperor Grade Complete Pill, while Old Monster Hu yielded the first appraisal to him.
• Yan Bing claimed he would inspect the pill for the Sea Cloud Palace, but Zhou Tai crashed into Void Plaza and challenged his authority to represent it.
• Zhou Tai pressured Mo Zhai to his knees and showed Yan Bing a badge marking his affiliation with the Southern Region Alchemist Alliance.
• Yan Bing countered Zhou Tai’s pressure, took Mo Zhai, and left the arena after Zhou Tai’s backing made the contest unwinnable.
• Old Monster Hu recognized the forces supporting Xiao Yan, secretly coveted the Emperor Tribulation Pill, and then cupped his hands to Xiao Yan before leaving.

After Zhou Tai and Elder Xuan confirmed Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill was an Emperor-grade Complete Pill, Zhou Tai declared Yan Xiao the Alchemist Grand Meeting champion. Xiao Yan left with Gu Li and the others, celebrated as the savior of the Ancient Wilderness City Alchemist Guild, while the meeting came to an end.

• After Mo Zhai and his companions left, Zhou Tai and Elder Xuan jointly confirmed Xiao Yan’s Emperor Tribulation Pill was an Emperor-grade Complete Pill.
• Zhou Tai announced Yan Xiao as the champion of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
• The people of Ancient Wilderness City celebrated Xiao Yan for defeating Mo Zhai and preserving the Alchemist Guild’s dignity.
• Xiao Yan exchanged a knowing smile with Luo Jin in the stands without speaking.
• Gu Li urged the group to leave, and Zhou Tai led Xiao Yan and the others from the grounds as the Grand Meeting ended.

Xiao Yan learned that Zhou Tai had joined the Alchemist Alliance, while Zhou Tai warned the Alchemist Guild elders that he and Elder Xuan would not remain to protect the guild. The chapter ended with Xiao Yan asking what the Alchemist Alliance was, leaving Elder Xuan suspicious of how Xiao Yan had obtained Dou Techniques from the Central Region.

• Zhou Tai rebuked the Alchemist Guild elders for assuming Mo Zhai would no longer threaten them, then dismissed them from the hall.
• Zhou Tai explained that he had returned after hearing Elder Luo had stepped forward for Xiao Yan, and said he would soon leave Ancient Wilderness City.
• Zhou Tai tossed his Alchemist Alliance badge to Gu Li, who realized Zhou Tai had been invited to join the Alliance.
• Xiao Yan asked Zhou Tai whether the Alchemist Alliance was a faction of alchemists, astonishing the others.
• Elder Xuan wondered how Xiao Yan could possess Dou Techniques from the Central Region while knowing nothing about the Alchemist Alliance.

Xiao Yan learned that the Alchemist Alliance was a network managed by the Pill Tower, then slipped away from the crowds drawn by his victory at the Alchemist Grand Meeting. He took the awarded Emperor Grade Pill Formula and entered the Ginseng Spirit Realm to cultivate.

• Zhou Tai explained that the Alchemist Alliance was a Pill Tower faction with branches and guilds spread across the Origin Martial Continent, and that Zhou Tai had been admitted as an exception.
• Xiao Yan left the Alchemist Guild by a secluded route, leaving Gu Li and Chi Lin to deal with the factions gathered outside to meet him.
• Xiao Yan examined the Emperor Grade Pill Formula he had won and noted that he now possessed five such formulas.
• Xiao Yan avoided the inn, which he suspected was being watched, and headed to the Ginseng Spirit Realm for its richer ambient energy.
• Xiao Yan walked through the mysterious energy barrier in the courtyard and entered the Ginseng Spirit Realm.

Xiao Yan returned to the Ginseng Spirit Realm after winning the Alchemist Grand Meeting and encountered the powerful Ginseng Spirit Clan. Using his soul power, he located Elder Luo and set off there with Qing Feng.

• Xiao Yan arrived in the Ginseng Spirit Clan’s realm and saw the Thirty-Two Spirit Guards and hundreds of other clan members.
• The Spirit Guards recognized Xiao Yan and reacted with surprise to the news that he had slain Hei Mu.
• Qing Feng greeted Xiao Yan, joked about his reputation, and offered to guide him to Elder Luo.
• Xiao Yan used his soul power to locate Elder Luo and started toward him, astonishing Qing Feng.
• Xiao Yan called Qing Feng to follow, and Qing Feng hurried after him.

Xiao Yan met Elder Luo and Luo Jin at Elder Luo’s secluded home, where Luo Jin prepared to refine Heavenly Palace Jade Essence to advance toward Dou Di. After discussing Xiao Yan’s victory and plans, Xiao Yan decided to enter the Void Lightning Pool and pursue a breakthrough to Four-Star Half-Emperor.

• Luo Jin showed Elder Luo the Heavenly Palace Jade Essence, and Elder Luo said it could help him break through to Dou Di within two years.
• Xiao Yan arrived and greeted Elder Luo, then confirmed his suspicion that Luo Jin was connected to the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion.
• Elder Luo showed Xiao Yan and Luo Jin a view of the crowds gathered for Xiao Yan in Ancient Wilderness City.
• Xiao Yan told Luo Jin he planned to enter the Void Lightning Pool and break through to Four-Star Half-Emperor.
• Luo Jin warned Xiao Yan that Mo Zhai might seek revenge and explained that his cultivation method made the pool unsuitable for him.
• Xiao Yan prepared to refine a portion of Soul Origin.

While cultivating in the Ginseng Spirit Realm, Xiao Yan recovered from refining the Emperor Grade Complete Pill and restrained his approaching breakthrough so he could stabilize his strength in the Void Lightning Pool. He prepared to refine Qing Mu’s Soul Origin, learning from Gu You that Qing Mu had entrusted it to him because he hoped Xiao Yan would one day help the Ginseng Spirit Clan settle in the Central Region.

• Crowds gathered outside the Alchemist Guild hoping to meet Xiao Yan, unaware that he had left days earlier to cultivate in the Ginseng Spirit Realm.
• Xiao Yan recovered his condition by guiding and refining the Emperor Grade Pill, then suppressed his imminent breakthrough so he could stabilize his future Four-Star Half-Emperor strength in the Void Lightning Pool.
• Xiao Yan took out the Soul Origin Gu You had extracted from Qing Mu and considered whether it was right to refine something that should have belonged to Qing Mu.
• Gu You told Xiao Yan that Qing Mu had given him the Soul Origin because he believed in Xiao Yan’s potential and had entrusted the Ginseng Spirit Clan’s future to him.
• Gu You urged Xiao Yan to cultivate diligently and, once powerful, help the Ginseng Spirit Clan settle openly in the Central Region.

Xiao Yan refined Qing Mu's Soul Origin in the Ginseng Spirit Realm, greatly strengthening his soul power and bringing his cultivation close to a breakthrough. After reaching the peak of the late Emperor Realm, he wondered whether he could condense a Soul Bead.

• Xiao Yan enveloped Qing Mu's Soul Origin in Heavenly Flames and began condensing and refining it.
• After three days, the swelling Dou Qi within Xiao Yan burst out in a massive pillar toward the sky, alarming the Ginseng Spirit clansmen.
• Elder Luo ordered the clansmen to back away and recognized that Xiao Yan was suppressing an imminent breakthrough to wait for a suitable cultivation place.
• Xiao Yan completely absorbed the Soul Origin after five days and released soul power that carved a trench and split a distant mountain.
• Gu You assessed Xiao Yan's soul power as the peak of the late Emperor Realm, and Xiao Yan wondered if he could condense a Soul Bead.

Xiao Yan began condensing a Soul Bead despite his Spiritual Strength only recently reaching the Late Emperor Realm, and the mounting pressure nearly broke his mind. Gu You intervened once to save him, leaving Xiao Yan to endure the rest of the process on his own.

• Xiao Yan gathered and compressed his Spiritual Strength into a grayish-white Soul Bead.
• As the bead grew, its pressure overwhelmed Xiao Yan’s body and consciousness, and his illusory form burst apart.
• Gu You briefly restrained the Soul Bead’s pressure and warned Xiao Yan that he could not protect him forever.
• Xiao Yan thanked Gu You silently and refocused on enduring until the Soul Bead was complete.

Xiao Yan endured the Soul Bead’s crushing soul pressure and broke through it with repeated Eight Extremes Collapse punches, bringing the bead’s embryonic form within reach of completion. Although Gu You warned that Xiao Yan’s Late Emperor Realm soul gave him no more than a thirty percent chance of success, Xiao Yan resolved to attempt the refinement anyway.

• Xiao Yan endured the Soul Bead’s escalating soul pressure until his soul body grew solid enough to block it.
• Xiao Yan unleashed Eight Extremes Collapse and shattered the Soul Bead’s soul pressure, then advanced with repeated punches until the bead fell silent.
• Xiao Yan prepared to refine the Soul Bead’s embryonic form, believing the hardest stage was over.
• Gu You warned Xiao Yan that his Late Emperor Realm soul gave him no more than a thirty percent chance of successfully forming the Soul Bead.
• Xiao Yan acknowledged the risk but decided to try refining the Soul Bead despite the possibility of injuring his soul.

Xiao Yan's attempt to condense a Soul Bead failed, unleashing a Soul Storm across the Ginseng Spirit Realm and severely damaging his Spiritual Strength. Elder Luo and Luo Jin reached him as the storm lingered, and Xiao Yan struggled to stand, facing a long recovery that might prevent him from going to the Void Lightning Pool.

• The Soul Bead erupted inside Xiao Yan, sending his Spiritual Strength out of control and spreading a Soul Storm through the Ginseng Spirit Realm.
• The Ginseng Spirit Clan felt the storm's pressure, and its weaker members were forced to the ground.
• Luo Jin realized Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength had reached the Late Emperor Realm, while Elder Luo worried that the Soul Origin refinement had gone wrong.
• Elder Luo and Luo Jin arrived before Xiao Yan and discovered that he had tried to condense a Soul Bead; Elder Luo scolded him for attempting it at his current strength.
• After his Spiritual Strength dispersed, Xiao Yan was left pale, weakened, and struggling to stand as the Soul Storm continued over the Ginseng Spirit Trees.

After exhausting himself, Xiao Yan entered a state of insight while watching waves of trees sweep across the forest and recovered his strength as he studied their rhythm. He recreated their movement with his Heavy Xuan Ruler, then unleashed a massive strike that flew toward Elder Luo and Luo Jin.

• Luo Jin and Elder Luo thought Xiao Yan’s weakened condition would cost him his chance at the Void Lightning Pool.
• Xiao Yan suddenly froze while watching the waves of trees, and Elder Luo recognized that he had entered a state of insight.
• Elder Luo and Luo Jin retreated and watched as Xiao Yan absorbed the forest’s movements and recovered his Qi and Spiritual Strength.
• Xiao Yan practiced the waves’ rhythm in his mind with a Spiritual Strength ruler, then matched the motion with his Heavy Xuan Ruler.
• Xiao Yan swung the ruler and sent a streak of ruler light toward Elder Luo and Luo Jin.

Xiao Yan tested his newly created ruler technique against Luo Jin’s Breeze Slash, and the two Human Class Dou Techniques clashed evenly. With Luo Ao containing the destructive storm, the duel continued as Xiao Yan sensed that his ruler technique held further moves he had yet to unleash.

• Xiao Yan’s ruler light revealed Dou Technique Spirit Manifestation, shocking Luo Jin and Elder Luo with its Human Class power.
• Luo Jin summoned his Brushing Jade Fan and unleashed Breeze Slash, another Human Class Dou Technique.
• The ruler light and Breeze Slash collided, shattering the void and threatening the Ginseng Spirit Realm.
• Luo Ao stopped the spreading Dou Qi storm, while Ginseng Spirit Clan members gathered to watch.
• Xiao Yan and Luo Jin’s first exchange ended evenly, and Xiao Yan sensed that his ruler technique’s sequence had more moves.

Xiao Yan tested his newly comprehended Dou Technique against Luo Jin in a friendly fight, surprising the Ginseng Spirit Clan with his control of Eight Extremes Collapse. After hiding its force inside Luo Jin and catching him off guard, Xiao Yan swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler toward his face, leaving the strike about to land.

• Luo Jin feinted with a beam of Dou Qi, but Xiao Yan shattered it with Yellow Springs Palm before Luo Jin attacked from the side.
• Xiao Yan met Luo Jin's palm with Eight Extremes Collapse unleashed through his shoulder, astonishing Luo Jin and the Ginseng Spirit clansmen watching.
• Elder Luo explained that a Dou Technique could be unleashed from any part of the body if its user had mastered it.
• Xiao Yan released the hidden force of Eight Extremes Collapse inside Luo Jin, then swung the Heavy Xuan Ruler at his face while Luo Jin was still recovering.

Xiao Yan unleashed his newly comprehended ruler technique against Luo Jin, revealing that its seven successive strikes fused into an overwhelming attack. Elder Luo stopped the final strike and restored Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi, and Xiao Yan named the technique Sevenfold Heaven-Breaking Ruler.

• Xiao Yan focused and struck again with his ruler technique while Luo Jin prepared to counter with Breeze Slash.
• Xiao Yan’s second ruler strike fused with the first and broke through Breeze Slash, forcing Luo Jin to summon a crystal-like cyan hand.
• Xiao Yan continued adding strikes until seven ruler lights fused, overwhelming Luo Jin’s defenses and exhausting Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi.
• Elder Luo appeared before Luo Jin, halted the ruler light with the word “Still,” and returned its Dou Qi to Xiao Yan.
• Elder Luo praised Xiao Yan’s technique, and Xiao Yan named it Sevenfold Heaven-Breaking Ruler.