Chapter Summaries

Lu Ming cultivated the Nether Moon Spirit Spring Banner and discovered that the Fire Lotus Mark could suppress the clashing golden banner, while the new banner helped restore his Primordial Qi. The next morning, he joined Zhou Fuling and Zhou Xuan to compete for the Netherwater Flame.

• Lu Ming used a Moon Crystal and icy water to cultivate the Nether Moon Spirit Spring Banner, relying on his Sun-Shining Golden Body and Flame of Life to withstand the cold.
• The Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner resisted the new technique, but Lu Ming used the Fire Lotus Mark to suppress it and form an ice-blue banner imprint.
• Lu Ming activated the imprint and found that it replenished some of his Primordial Qi, then rested ahead of the Netherwater Flame competition.
• The next morning, Lu Ming showed Zhou Fuling and Zhou Xuan his hundred-year-old Scarlet Flame Fruit, confirming his qualification to compete.
• Lu Ming boarded Zhou Xuan's carriage with Zhou Fuling and set off toward the competition, eager to see the Netherwater Flame.

Lu Ming accompanied Zhou Xuan and Zhou Fuling to the Fengyang Prefecture Alchemist Association, where they gathered to see the Netherwater Flame. As Pang Qingsong revealed the Spirit Fire, Lu Ming sensed a faint reaction from the Fire Lotus Mark on his Divine Ability Bone.

• Zhou Xuan explained the Alchemist Association and described the different tiers of Spirit Fire to Lu Ming.
• Zhou Xuan brought Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling to the association, where they met Pang Qingsong, Ye Changfeng, and other masters of the Dao of Alchemy.
• Ye Changfeng asked Zhou Xuan about the Sacred Ruins in the Black Rain Zone, and Zhou Xuan avoided confirming whether they were real.
• Zhou Xuan urged Pang Qingsong to reveal the Netherwater Flame, and Pang Qingsong released black water surrounded by fierce flames from a gourd.
• Lu Ming sensed a faint fluctuation from the Fire Lotus Mark on his Divine Ability Bone as he watched the Netherwater Flame.

Lu Ming learned that the Netherwater Flame would go to the alchemist who refined the highest-quality intermediate-grade pill, but local competitors might have learned the formula in advance. Zhou Xuan proposed joint refinement as a way to improve Lu Ming’s chances.

• Pang Qingsong presented the Netherwater Flame and announced a pill-refining contest to decide its new owner.
• Lu Ming told Zhou Xuan he had cultivated twenty-one strands of Clear Qi, while Zhou Fuling had cultivated twenty-four.
• Zhou Xuan warned that some local alchemists might have prepared for the contest after learning which pill they would refine.
• Zhou Xuan explained that Lu Ming’s pill-formation technique could hold him back, especially with an unfamiliar formula and only three sets of ingredients.
• Zhou Xuan proposed joint refinement as a possible solution.

Lu Ming entered the Alchemist Association’s competition for the Netherwater Flame, where he and Zhou Fuling considered but rejected joint refinement. After learning the test was to make a difficult Thunderclap Pill, Lu Ming began competing despite suspecting his rivals had known the formula in advance.

• Zhou Xuan suggested Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling use joint refinement to combine Lu Ming’s skill at blending medicinal power with Zhou Fuling’s experience forming pills, but Zhou Fuling refused.
• Pang Qingsong announced that contestants would refine Thunderclap Pills, and Zhou Fuling told Lu Ming she had made them before and found them difficult.
• Lu Ming accused the Alchemist Association of leaking the test to favored competitors, while Zhou Xuan explained that he had not been given advance notice.
• Lu Ming paid the entry fee and submitted a Scarlet Flame Fruit to register for the competition for the Netherwater Flame.
• Lu Ming joined the other contestants at the alchemy stations, where he identified Song Ren and Su Tao as likely rivals; Song Ren taunted him over the spirit herb, and Lu Ming snapped back.
• After the contestants studied the pill formula for an incense stick, Pang Qingsong told them to begin.

Lu Ming failed twice while refining a Thunderclap Pill, while Song Ren and Su Tao produced middle-grade pills. As Lu Ming prepared his final portion of ingredients, Zhou Fuling stopped him and offered to refine it together.

• Lu Ming used the Fire Lotus Pill Furnace to fuse the medicinal powers of his first batch, but his attempt to form a pill ended in an explosion.
• Lu Ming tried again with his second batch, but the furnace exploded just before the Third Refinement was complete.
• Song Ren and Su Tao successfully refined middle-grade Thunderclap Pills, drawing praise from Pang Qingsong, Ye Changfeng, and the other Divine Ability Masters.
• Lu Ming reached for his final portion of ingredients, but Zhou Fuling stopped him and shyly proposed that they refine it together.

Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling attempted joint refinement to make a Thunderclap Pill, with Lu Ming handling the medicinal ingredients and Zhou Fuling responsible for forming the pill. Lu Ming fused the medicinal properties with striking purity, and the chapter ended as he prepared to transfer them to Zhou Fuling’s furnace.

• Lu Ming accepted Zhou Fuling’s help and proposed that he fuse the ingredients before she completed pill formation.
• Zhou Xuan explained that joint refinement was a legitimate technique, and the judges allowed Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling to proceed.
• Lu Ming used his third and final batch of ingredients, refining them with pill fire from his Primordial Qi rather than revealing his Flame of Life.
• The Dao of Alchemy masters praised the purity of Lu Ming’s fused medicinal properties and inferred that his weakness lay in pill formation.
• Lu Ming asked whether Zhou Fuling was ready, and she summoned her furnace as he prepared to pass her the medicinal properties.

Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling refined a Thunderclap Pill together, and Zhou Fuling pushed beyond the Third Refinement to attempt a higher-grade result for Lu Ming’s chance at winning the Netherwater Flame. She completed the Fourth Refinement and handed him the brilliant pill, saying she had not let him down.

• Lu Ming assisted Zhou Fuling with his Primordial Qi and Spirit Sense as she refined the Thunderclap Pill, teasing her until she kicked him and told him to stop.
• Zhou Fuling completed the First, Second, and Third Refinements, while Lu Ming sensed a sacred change in her pill fire and the Fire Lotus Mark on his Divine Ability Bone reacted.
• Zhou Fuling asked whether she should attempt the Fourth Refinement to improve Lu Ming’s chances of winning the Netherwater Flame, and he agreed despite the risk of failure.
• Zhou Fuling’s Bloodline Divine Ability produced five additional strands of Clear Qi, allowing her to begin the Fourth Refinement with twenty-nine strands.
• Song Ren and Su Tao feared Zhou Fuling would win, while Zhou Xuan warned the alchemy masters not to interfere.
• Zhou Fuling completed the Fourth Refinement, produced a brilliant silver Thunderclap Pill, and handed it to Lu Ming.

Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling refined a high-grade Thunderclap Pill together, overcoming Song Ren and Su Tao in the Spirit Fire competition. After the examiners confirmed the pill’s quality, Pang Qingsong declared them the winners, and Lu Ming celebrated with Zhou Fuling.

• Zhou Fuling gave Lu Ming the high-grade Thunderclap Pill they had refined together and credited his work blending the medicinal power.
• Song Ren and Su Tao appealed to Ye Changfeng and Su Wan after seeing that they had lost the competition.
• Pang Qingsong and the other alchemy masters inspected the four completed pills while Zhou Xuan watched to prevent tampering.
• The examiners confirmed Lu Ming and Zhou Fuling’s pill was high-grade, and Pang Qingsong named them the winners of the Netherwater Flame contest.
• Lu Ming told Zhou Fuling that they had won.

Lu Ming won the Netherwater Flame after refining a high-grade Thunderclap Pill, overcoming Ye Changfeng and Su Wan’s efforts to dispute the result. As Zhou Xuan and Zhou Fuling returned to Qingyuan Market amid growing outside interest, Lu Ming planned to remain in the capital for another month to train.

• Zhou Xuan shut down Ye Changfeng and Su Wan’s objections, and Pang Qingsong handed Lu Ming the Netherwater Flame.
• Lu Ming asked Pang Qingsong to return the high-grade Thunderclap Pill he had made with Zhou Fuling, then joked that he intended to eat it for cultivation, angering her.
• Zhou Xuan warned Lu Ming that absorbing a Spirit Fire required protection and a guard, while Lu Ming privately trusted his Fire Lotus Mark to handle it.
• Zhou Xuan told Lu Ming that factions from nearby prefectures were investigating Qingyuan Market and that the Highness might arrive early.
• Lu Ming said he would stay in the capital for about a month to train in the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall’s three Upper Divine Abilities, and Zhou Fuling left after warning him not to eat their pill.

Lu Ming absorbed the Netherwater Flame, forged a stronger Buddha's Fury Flame Lotus, and advanced his cultivation while mastering the four spirit banners. After a month of training in the prefectural city, he prepared to meet Zhong Taiyue and considered returning to Qingyuan Market.

• Lu Ming absorbed the Netherwater Flame into his Fire Lotus Mark and used it with the Flame of Life to create a powerful Buddha's Fury Flame Lotus, gaining a seventh strand of Glazed Heavenly Light.
• Lu Ming spent a month cultivating under Zhong Taiyue, advancing to fourteen Divine Ability Dharma Marks and mastering the basics of the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall's three Upper Divine Abilities.
• Lu Ming brought the Nether Moon Spirit Spring Banner, Ten Thousand Thunder Banner, and Azure Firmament Wind-Controlling Banner to the Entry Realm, completing the four spirit banner imprints on his Divine Ability Bone.
• Lu Ming examined the banners' abilities and regretted that he lacked the method to activate the Four Aspects Divine Banner Great Spirit Restriction.
• Zhong Quan told Lu Ming that Zhong Taiyue was looking for him, and Lu Ming decided it was nearly time to return to Qingyuan Market.

Lu Ming and his family left the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall for Qingyuan Market with Zhong Taiyue, who learned that the Sacred Ruins were real and decided the hall should pursue the opportunity. Near their destination, a Divine Ability-level white tiger confronted them, and a gentle voice from its back told it to be quiet.

• Lu Ming told Zhong Taiyue that the Sacred Ruins in the Black Rain Zone were real, and Zhong Taiyue decided to travel with the family to Qingyuan Market.
• The family departed the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall, while Lu Ming said goodbye to Zhong Quan and his other cousins.
• On the road, Lu Ming saw groups of travelers and Divine Ability Masters hurrying toward Qingyuan Market and realized they were heading for the Sacred Ruins.
• As the family stopped to eat near Qingyuan Market, a powerful white tiger emerged from the woods and frightened Lu Mengmeng.
• Lu Ming prepared to fight the tiger, but a voice from its back called it Xiao Yu and told it that it was too noisy.

Lu Ming and his companions met a mysterious red-clad girl riding a white tiger while traveling toward Qingyuan Market, and learned she was heading for the Sacred Ruins. After she departed, Zhong Taiyue judged that she possessed power comparable to a Divine Ability Grandmaster, and the group reached Qingyuan Market.

• The red-clad girl arrived at the campfire on her white tiger, Xiao Yu, and accepted Lu Ming's offer of food.
• The red-clad girl asked Lu Ming whether the Sacred Ruins in Qingyuan Market were real or an illusion created by the Eight-Armed Rain Spawn, and Lu Ming said he did not know.
• The red-clad girl praised Lu Mengmeng for not wasting food, asked Lu Ming his name, and departed after he gave her the false name Zhou Xuan.
• Zhong Taiyue told Lu Ming and the others that the red-clad girl had means comparable to a Divine Ability Grandmaster.
• Lu Mengmeng lamented the missing food until Zhong Ying gave her pastries, and the group continued on to Qingyuan Market.

Lu Ming returned to Qingyuan Market with Zhong Taiyue and learned that the Five Halls Association was pressuring the Thunderfire Hall and its local allies to accept its demands. As the rival masters prepared to fight, a powerful voice rang out from beyond the hall.

• Commander Fu told Lu Ming and Lu Qingyan that five outside halls had formed the Five Halls Association and were confronting the Thunderfire Hall, Red Sand Hall, and Mountain Moving Hall.
• Lu Ming, Lu Qingyan, and their companions hurried from the city gates toward the Thunderfire Hall.
• At the Thunderfire Hall, Jiang Yun and Li Guanyi demanded that the three local halls accept their terms, including paying for the outsiders' branches.
• Shi Tong and Shen Tai rejected the demands and affirmed their alliance with Lu Jin, who refused every term.
• Jiang Yun, Li Guanyi, and the other three masters released their Primordial Qi, and Lu Jin prepared to face them before a booming voice challenged the Five Halls Association from outside.

Zhong Taiyue arrived at the Thunderfire Hall and used his Nether Spirit Master strength to stop the Five Halls Association from threatening Lu Jin’s family. The association paid compensation and fled, leaving the Thunderfire Hall with the support of the Red Sand Hall and the Mountain Moving Hall.

• Zhong Taiyue revealed himself as a Nether Spirit Master and greeted Lu Jin as his in-law, confirming that Lu Ming’s family had reconciled with the Zhong family.
• Lu Qingyan, Lu Ming, and their family arrived, and Zhong Taiyue confronted the Five Halls Association’s five Divine Ability Masters.
• Jiang Yun tried to leave, but Zhong Taiyue demanded that each of the five pay a hundred thousand in Heavenly Gold Sand to apologize to the Thunderfire Hall.
• The Five Halls Association paid the compensation and fled, and Lu Jin shared some of it with Shi Tong and Shen Tai.
• Shi Tong and Shen Tai signaled their support for the Thunderfire Hall, while Lu Jin invited Zhong Taiyue into the inner courtyard.

The Lu Clan learned that a Divine Ability Grandmaster from the Great Golden Crow Hall was heading to Qingyuan Market, threatening the Thunderfire Hall because of Zhang Yue. Lu Ming and Zhong Taiyue refused to abandon the Lu family and planned to seek help from Market Master Zhou Xuan.

• Lu Jin told Lu Ming and Zhong Taiyue that forces from across the region were gathering in Qingyuan Market over the Sacred Ruins.
• Lu Jin revealed that the Great Golden Crow Hall was pursuing the Thunderfire Hall over Zhang Yue, and that one of its Divine Ability Grandmasters was already on the way.
• Lu Jin asked Zhong Taiyue to take Zhong Ying and the children away if the Thunderfire Hall was destroyed.
• Zhong Taiyue refused to retreat, and Lu Ming said he would stand with his family and seek out Market Master Zhou Xuan the next day.
• Lu Jin accepted that the family would face the danger together and raised his wine bowl with Zhong Taiyue.

At the Li Clan, Li Yan and Li Shuang heard Jingyi’s message revealing the great lengths she had gone to protect Lu Ming from the Great Golden Crow Hall. The story left Li Yan hoping the Golden Crow Grandmaster would not attack Thunderfire Hall, while Jingyi prepared to keep her distance for a year.

• Li Yan and Li Shuang discussed whether the Great Golden Crow Hall’s Divine Ability Grandmaster might attack Thunderfire Hall, and Li Shuang warned that the Li Clan could not keep intervening.
• Li Yan played Jingyi’s message, in which Jingyi declared her love for Lu Ming and asked her mother to use the Jing Spirit Mirror to block one Grandmaster’s attack.
• Jingyi revealed that she had also persuaded a Feng Clan Divine Ability Grandmaster to protect Lu Ming once in a crisis, and warned that she would make the Great Golden Crow Hall pay if Lu Ming died.
• Jingyi said she would be unable to send messages for a year and hinted that she would confront Zhou Fuling over her attack on Lu Ming.
• Li Yan ordered Li Shuang to keep Jingyi’s message secret and looked toward Thunderfire Hall, worried that an attack could have serious consequences.

Lu Ming reunited with Zhou Fuling and learned that Her Highness had arrived at Qingyuan Market to choose candidates for the four banners. He met the other cultivators and faced Zhu Chi’s claim to the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner position, just as Her Highness called for him from the pavilion.

• A market guard stopped Lu Ming at the administration office entrance and went to fetch Zhou Fuling, who teased him before leading him inside.
• Zhou Fuling told Lu Ming that Her Highness had arrived and advised him to be practical and to finish any food he was served.
• Lu Ming joined Zhou Fuling at the pavilion, where Zhou Xuan, Cheng Shan, Ye Yuan, Ye Ling, and several unfamiliar powerful figures had gathered.
• Han Yanzhi questioned Lu Ming’s ability and argued that Zhu Chi had already mastered the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner, while Zhou Fuling defended Lu Ming and Ye Yuan.
• Qin Xiao introduced himself, Han Yanzhi, and Zhu Chi, and Lu Ming realized that Zhu Chi was his main rival for the banner position.
• Zhu Chi declared that the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner position belonged to him, but Her Highness calmly asked whether Lu Ming had arrived.

Lu Ming met Her Highness again and learned that the powerful Daoist nun beside her was Zhou Fuling’s aunt, a Divine Ability Grandmaster. He then joined Ye Yuan and Zhu Chi to compete for the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner position, with the contest beginning as Zhu Chi displayed his banner.

• Her Highness recognized Lu Ming as the young man who had used Zhou Xuan’s name when they met on the road to Qingyuan Market, and Lu Ming apologized for deceiving her.
• Zhou Fuling defended Lu Ming from her aunt’s threat, explaining his rapid progress and citing their grandfather’s teachings about helping talented youths.
• Her Highness forgave Lu Ming and announced that the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner position was the only one left to decide.
• Lu Ming, Ye Yuan, and Zhu Chi stepped forward to compete, and Her Highness required each of them to form a banner at the Major Accomplishment Realm.
• Zhu Chi formed a golden banner whose flame patterns showed faint signs of approaching Perfection, worrying Zhou Fuling about Lu Ming’s chances.

Lu Ming competed for the banner position by lighting Her Highness’s bronze lamp with the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner, hoping to earn her protection for Thunderfire Hall. After Zhu Chi and Ye Yuan displayed their flames, Lu Ming revealed that his banner had reached the Perfection Realm and produced a blazing light that stunned everyone.

• Her Highness asked Zhu Chi and the other candidates to light a bronze lamp with their golden flames, and Zhu Chi’s flame shone brighter than Ye Yuan’s.
• Lu Ming asked Her Highness for a favor if he won the banner position, explaining that he wanted to borrow her power to protect Thunderfire Hall.
• Zhu Chi mocked Lu Ming for challenging him, but Her Highness invited Lu Ming to demonstrate his ability.
• Lu Ming used the Fire Lotus Mark to raise his Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to the Perfection Realm, shocking the onlookers.
• Lu Ming poured his golden flames into the bronze lamp, producing a brilliant fire as bright as a blazing sun.

Lu Ming secured the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner position by proving he had cultivated it to the Perfection Realm, earning Her Highness’s approval and a Qi Ascension Pill. He asked her to protect Thunderfire Hall from the Great Golden Crow Hall and declared that he would settle the grievance himself after three years.

• Lu Ming demonstrated that his Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner had reached the Perfection Realm, surprising Her Highness, Zhou Xuan, and the others.
• Her Highness chose Lu Ming for the banner position and gave Zhu Chi and Ye Yuan reserve roles; after Zhu Chi and Han Yanzhi questioned Lu Ming’s strength, she gave him a Qi Ascension Pill.
• Lu Ming asked Her Highness to protect his family and Thunderfire Hall from the Great Golden Crow Hall’s Divine Ability Grandmaster, and Zhou Fuling explained the dispute.
• Aunt Shu weighed the danger of opposing the Great Golden Crow Hall against the value of Lu Ming’s perfected banner and questioned how long he needed to grow stronger.
• Lu Ming asked Her Highness to protect Thunderfire Hall for three years and promised to settle the grievance himself afterward.