Episode 22 recap: Xiao Yan produced a Grade 8 pill, and Qiu Ling took the blame for his master.
When Xiao Yan woke up, he found Feng Xian, Xuan Kong Zi, Mu Qing Luan, and Xiao Yi Xian by his side. Feng Xian explained that Xuan Kong Zi and Qiu Ling had found the unconscious Xiao Yan and saved him. Xuan Kong Zi asked Xiao Yan if he remembered anything, but Xiao Yan noticed a signal from Mu Qing Luan and remained silent. Once they returned to their residence, Xiao Yan and Mu Qing Luan shared everything they had discovered with Feng Xian. They learned that someone in the Pill Tower had colluded with the Soul Palace, and Feng Xian believed that the assassination plot was a serious matter. He decided to inform Xuan Kong Zi about the situation.
However, Xiao Yan insisted on catching the thief red-handed and exposing them during the pill refining competition. The following day was the Alchemy Grand Competition, where participants had to refine pills within a specified time frame, and the higher the grade of the pills, the better. Xiao Yan was determined to make Qiu Ling expose himself, while Qiu Ling was confident and focused on his cultivation.
Both Xuan Kong Zi and Feng Xian had high hopes for their disciples and admired their alchemy processes, with each refusing to accept the other's superiority. After intense competition, Mu Qing Luan and Feng Qing Er both produced Grade 7 pills, Xiao Yi Xian produced a Grade 6 pill, while Xiao Yan achieved first place by refining an impressive Grade 8 Five-Color Thunder Pill.
Unfortunately, Qiu Ling's pill furnace was damaged, resulting in his failure. Strangely, both Qiu Ling and Xuan Kong Zi remained calm. Xuan Kong Zi even encouraged Qiu Ling with a smile, stating that as long as he did his best and had a clear conscience, it was enough. However, Xiao Yan persisted, accusing Qiu Ling of killing Xuan Ming Sect disciples and using Xuan Ming Sect's banned drug, Pregnancy Spirit Powder, during the alchemy process.
Qiu Ling hurriedly defended himself, claiming that he never used Pregnancy Spirit Powder. However, Xuan Kong Zi insisted that Tian Lei Zi thoroughly inspect Qiu Ling's pill furnace to provide a clear explanation to everyone present. After the inspection, Tian Lei Zi discovered unidentified residue in the pill furnace, which was confirmed by Feng Xian to be Pregnancy Spirit Powder from the Xuan Ming Sect.
Qiu Ling was shocked when he saw the evidence. He recalled Xuan Kong Zi summoning him the previous night and entrusting him with the pill furnace, claiming that he wanted to assist him and ensure his good performance the next day.
Xiao Yan publicly revealed his discovery of Qiu Ling's collusion with Mu Gu and the murder of Xuan Ming Sect disciples. Witnessing Qiu Ling's actions, Xuan Kong Zi became furious and decided to clean house. He ordered Tian Lei Zi to take Qiu Ling away and keep him under strict supervision.
Feng Xian went to see Xuan Kong Zi again and questioned him about the matter of the Dragon Seal collecting the Three Thousand Yan Flame. However, Xuan Kong Zi repeatedly emphasized that there was no such thing as the Tai Xu Dragon Seal. If Xiao Yan wanted to obtain the Three Thousand Yan Flame, he could only rely on his own abilities. Seeing Xuan Kong Zi's evasiveness, Feng Xian angrily stormed out of the room.
In reality, Xiao Yan was not worried at all about the Dragon Seal because Zi Yan had once mentioned that she was a member of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon clan. He took out Zi Yan's bracelet and summoned her, but although Zi Yan appeared, she knew nothing about the Dragon Seal of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon. Qiu Ling's junior brother, who was resentful towards Xiao Yan, lied and claimed that Feng Xian was looking for Xiao Yan and tricked him into going out.
Just as the three of them were about to deal with Xiao Yan, Qiu Ling suddenly appeared and rescued Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan asked him why he saved him, and Qiu Ling revealed a secret unknown to others. It turned out that Qiu Ling had not colluded with the Soul Palace, nor had he killed Xuan Ming Sect disciples.
Xiao Yan asked him why he did this and who he was taking the blame for. Qiu Ling then recounted what he had discovered: that day, he had found Xuan Ming Sect disciples secretly selling Pregnancy Spirit Powder. After he discovered them, the Xuan Ming Sect disciples begged him to let them off the hook. However, Qiu Ling was determined to take them to see Xuan Kong Zi. But to his surprise, the Xuan Ming Sect disciples laughed and told him that Xuan Kong Zi was actually a lackey of the Soul Palace. If Qiu Ling didn't believe it, he should push open the door ahead and see for himself.
Reluctant to doubt his own master, Qiu Ling told Xuan Kong Zi about all this, only to discover that his master had killed the Xuan Ming Sect disciples and instructed him not to say anything. Qiu Ling had no choice but to comply. Xiao Yan and Qiu Ling returned to their residence together, only to find that Mu Qing Luan and Xiao Yi Xian were unconscious, while Zi Yan had been captured. Qiu Ling revived the two, and Xiao Yan explained Qiu Ling's situation.
Mu Gu arrived to cast a spell on the woman in the ice coffin and threatened Xuan Kong Zi to quickly hand over the Three Thousand Yan Flame and Xiao Yan.
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