Chapter Summaries

Yao Chen told Xiao Yan that Hun Xiu’s Black Flame might be the second-ranked Nihility Devouring Flame, which had overwhelmed Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan resolved to surpass Hun Xiu, and Yao Chen revealed that another flame besides the elusive first-ranked Heavenly Flame could oppose it.

• Xiao Yan told Yao Chen that Hun Xiu had escaped punishment in the Gu Clan and described Hun Xiu’s strength and strange Black Flame.
• Yao Chen guessed that Hun Xiu’s Black Flame was the Nihility Devouring Flame, ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, and explained its devouring power.
• Xiao Yan became convinced that Hun Xiu possessed the Nihility Devouring Flame and vowed to rise again after his defeat.
• Yao Chen said the first-ranked Heavenly Flame could contend with the Nihility Devouring Flame, but no one knew its name or whereabouts.
• Yao Chen revealed that another flame besides the first-ranked Heavenly Flame could also contend with the Nihility Devouring Flame.

Xiao Yan learned that the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame could contend with the Nihility Devouring Flame and resolved to recover before pursuing it. He also planned to guard against Zhu Yizhi, who considered killing him but backed down when another Dou Sheng arrived at Starfall Pavilion.

• Yao Chen told Xiao Yan that the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame could rival the Nihility Devouring Flame and urged him to focus on healing before trying to obtain it.
• Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen to have Ancestor Huoyun guard him during seclusion because he distrusted Zhu Yizhi.
• Yao Chen warned Xiao Yan that Zhu Yizhi had recovered much of his strength and might exploit Xiao Yan's injuries to escape his control.
• Zhu Yizhi debated whether to assassinate the injured Xiao Yan, but feared Xiao Yan's Soul Imprint and Starfall Pavilion's experts.
• Zhu Yizhi abandoned the assassination after sensing another Dou Sheng expert arrive at Starfall Pavilion.

After years of seclusion, Hun Xiu triggered a vast heavenly phenomenon in the Hun Realm that suggested he was breaking through to the Nine-Star Dou Saint realm. Soul Emperor and the Hun Clan celebrated the prospect of gaining another Nine-Star Dou Saint and moving closer to unifying the continent.

• While Xiao Yan recovered in seclusion, Starfall Pavilion kept a low profile under the Hall of Souls' deliberate suppression and waited for him to return.
• The Bodhi Ancient Tree expedition strengthened Gu Xun'er and a Hun Clan prodigy, while the Gu and Hun Clans drew closer and the continent's factions grew uneasy.
• Hun Xiu continued cultivating in seclusion because Xiao Yan's rapid growth made him fear their next encounter.
• Hun Xiu emerged from his secret chamber as lightning and raging winds swept across the Hun Realm, signaling a major breakthrough.
• Soul Jade and Hun Feng suspected Hun Xiu was advancing to Nine-Star Dou Saint, and Soul Emperor welcomed the prospect as a step toward unifying the continent.

Hun Xiu completed his breakthrough to the Nine-Star Dou Saint realm and overcame the heavenly tribulation with the Xuanyuan Sword. The Hun Clan celebrated his ascension, while Soul Emperor and Nihility Devouring Flame had already discussed what his growing power meant for the clan.

• Soul Emperor and Nihility Devouring Flame praised Hun Xiu's coming breakthrough, though Nihility privately worried Soul Emperor might betray him later.
• Hun Xiu opened his eyes in the secret chamber as his Nine-Star Dou Saint aura erupted and lightning struck down around him.
• Hun Xiu reflected that he had mastered twenty-one Heavenly Flames and still needed the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame to control them all.
• Hun Xiu summoned the Xuanyuan Sword, which absorbed the tribulation lightning and cleared the heavenly phenomenon.
• Hun Xiu rose into the air with the aura of a Nine-Star Dou Saint, and the Hun Clan experts congratulated him and celebrated his breakthrough.

Hun Xiu celebrated his breakthrough to Nine-Star Dou Saint as Soul Emperor assigned him to lead Soul Jade and Hun Feng in claiming the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. Hun Xiu left the hall to prepare and spend time with his children before the flame appeared.

• Soul Emperor congratulated Hun Xiu on becoming a Nine-Star Dou Saint and proudly compared his talent to his own.
• Nihility Devouring Flame congratulated Hun Xiu, while privately recognizing that Hun Xiu had grown beyond his control.
• Soul Emperor told Hun Xiu that the Demonic Flame would descend soon and ordered him to lead Soul Jade and Hun Feng to obtain the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Hun Xiu assured Soul Emperor that the flame would belong to the Hun Clan, then left to prepare and visit his children.

Hun Xiu returned to the Hun Clan, reunited with Xiao Yi Xian and his daughters, and learned Qing Lin was in seclusion. At Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan emerged from years of healing as a Four-Star Dou Saint, determined to defy Hun Xiu’s expectations.

• Soul Emperor asked Nihility Devouring Flame about the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and they judged Hun Xiu could defeat it with Soul Jade and Hun Feng’s help.
• Hun Xiu returned to his courtyard and reunited with Xiao Yi Xian, who told him Qing Lin was preparing to break through to the Dou Saint realm.
• Hun Xiao and Hun Ling rushed to Hun Xiu and embraced him, and he lifted them into his arms.
• Ancestor Huoyun and Yao Chen sensed Xiao Yan’s power stirring at Starfall Pavilion and expected him to emerge from seclusion.
• Xiao Yan finished healing, revealed he had reached Four-Star Dou Saint, and vowed that Hun Xiu had not anticipated his advancement.

After emerging from seclusion with his injuries healed and his strength increased, Xiao Yan received the final fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map from Yao Chen. The four pieces merged, and a milky-white beam entered Xiao Yan’s glabella, leaving him dazed as Yao Chen and Ancestor Huoyun tried to rouse him.

• Xiao Yan left seclusion, confident in his Four-Star Dou Saint strength and vowing to repay Hun Xiu for his past harm.
• Yao Chen and Ancestor Huoyun welcomed Xiao Yan and praised his recovery and increased strength.
• Yao Chen gave Xiao Yan the fourth fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map.
• Xiao Yan brought out his other three fragments, and all four pieces merged into a complete map.
• A milky-white beam shot from the map into Xiao Yan’s glabella, leaving him unresponsive as Yao Chen and Ancestor Huoyun called to him and shook his shoulders.

Xiao Yan recovered after the map’s white light, and Yao Chen and Ancestor Huoyun confirmed he had not been possessed. The lotus-flame mark on his forehead hinted it would help him obtain the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, while the threat of the Hun Clan and Hall of Souls led Xiao Yan and Yao Chen to plan an alliance.

• Yao Chen questioned Xiao Yan about their past, and Ancestor Huoyun confirmed Xiao Yan’s answers were true.
• Xiao Yan noticed a milky-white lotus-flame mark between his brows and sensed it would help him obtain the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Yao Chen and Ancestor Huoyun warned Xiao Yan that the flame would soon descend and that he would face many factions, including the Hall of Souls and Hun Clan.
• Xiao Yan resolved to prepare for the struggle over the flame and asked Yao Chen about the Hall of Souls’ recent actions.
• Xiao Yan proposed uniting factions opposed to the Hall of Souls, and Yao Chen agreed to persuade them, including the Pill Tower.

Yao Chen united the Central Plains factions against the Hall of Souls while Hun Bufan watched their preparations and awaited Xiao Yan. A month later, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame descended, and Xiao Yan sensed its heat from Starfall Pavilion as factions rushed toward its emergence.

• Yao Chen rallied the Pill Tower, Burning Flame Valley, Flower Sect, and Rogue Cultivators into an alliance against the Hall of Souls.
• Venerable Shi reported the alliance’s actions to Hun Bufan, who refused to destroy the factions and said they would soon be unable to oppose the Hall of Souls.
• Hun Bufan wondered whether Xiao Yan had recovered and said he looked forward to meeting him.
• Hun Miesheng went to guard the Demonic Flame Space, leaving Hun Bufan in charge of the Hall of Souls.
• A month later, nine stars aligned, the Demonic Flame descended, and factions across the Central Plains rushed toward the Demonic Flame Space.
• Xiao Yan stood atop Starfall Pavilion and remarked on the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame’s terrifying heat.

Hun Xiu and Xiao Yan arrived at the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame’s emergence site with their allies, where they confronted each other after Hun Xiu recognized Xiao Yan. Hun Xiu challenged Xiao Yan to spar again, while the West Dragon King quietly looked for a chance to escape.

• Xiao Yan led Yao Chen, Ancestor Huoyun, and Starfall Pavilion’s experts from the Star Realm toward the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Hun Xiu arrived with Hun Feng and Soul Jade, told Hun Feng the flame could be claimed by whoever had the ability, and declined to seize it immediately so he could meet an old acquaintance.
• Hun Miesheng joined Hun Xiu, and Soul Jade suggested taking the flame before other experts arrived.
• Xiao Yan and numerous other experts reached the site, where Hun Xiu and his companions approached him; the West Dragon King concealed his aura and began planning to flee.
• Hun Xiu greeted Xiao Yan, remarked on his recovery and improved strength, and challenged him to spar again.

Xiao Yan and Hun Xiu traded provocations while waiting for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and Hun Yu revealed that he had once hunted Xiao Yan in the Tagor Great Desert. Xiao Yan remembered him and learned his name, then the two vowed to settle their score inside the Demonic Flame Space.

• Xiao Yan refused Hun Xiu’s challenge because he prioritized the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, while Hun Xiu taunted him for holding back.
• Hun Yu recognized Xiao Yan as the former Dou Master he had pursued in the Tagor Great Desert and reminded him of their past encounter.
• Xiao Yan remembered Hun Yu’s pursuit and grew angry as he connected it to the Hun Clan’s targeting of the Xiao Clan and the capture of Xiao Zhan over the Tou She Ancient God Jade.
• Hun Yu threatened to trap Xiao Yan in the Demonic Flame Space, and Xiao Yan promised to make him regret it once they entered.

Hun Feng met Xiao Yan and challenged him, while Xiao Yan realized that the Hun Clan had brought four powerful Four-Star Dou Saints. The West Dragon King tried to escape, but Hun Xiu stopped him and Xiao Yan recognized him as Zhu Yizhi.

• Hun Miesheng secretly introduced Xiao Yan to Hun Feng, who admired Xiao Yan’s strength and stepped forward to challenge him.
• Xiao Yan assessed Hun Feng and noticed Hun Xiu, Soul Jade, Hun Feng, and Hun Miesheng were all formidable Four-Star Dou Saints.
• Hun Miesheng introduced himself as the Hall Master of the Hall of Souls, further shocking Xiao Yan.
• The West Dragon King quietly tried to leave, but Hun Xiu noticed and confronted him.
• Xiao Yan recognized the West Dragon King as Zhu Yizhi and wondered why Hun Xiu had called him the West Dragon King.

Hun Xiu confronted the West Dragon King and refused to spare him for the deaths of the South and North Dragon Kings. The West Dragon King knelt and kowtowed, hoping to provoke a clash between Hun Xiu’s side and Xiao Yan’s alliance so he could escape.

• The West Dragon King claimed he had been leaving, but Hun Xiu rejected his excuse and said he would not let him escape again.
• The West Dragon King pleaded for his life, while Hun Xiu raised the miniature Xuanyuan Sword and refused to let him go.
• The West Dragon King knelt before the gathered factions, prompting onlookers to mock him and speculate that he was a Dou Saint from Starfall Pavilion.
• Xiao Yan and the Heavenly Mansion Alliance’s experts grew furious as the West Dragon King’s kneeling brought public disgrace upon their side.
• The West Dragon King deliberately kowtowed and begged Hun Xiu to spare him, hoping the insult would trigger a fight and create a chance to flee.

The West Dragon King tried to provoke Xiao Yan and the Hun Clan into fighting so he could escape, while Hun Xiu saw through his scheme. Hun Xiu exposed and seized the West Dragon King, who transformed into his colossal dragon form and accused him of a sneak attack.

• The West Dragon King kowtowed to Hun Xiu while hoping Xiao Yan's anger would spark a fight and let him escape.
• Xiao Yan ordered the West Dragon King to stand, then confronted Hun Feng and Hun Miesheng when the Hun Clan blocked his way.
• Hun Xiu joked about the name Pig One, making Xiao Yan wonder if Hun Xiu knew about his past life.
• The West Dragon King offered to rename himself Zhu Yitou, but Hun Xiu dismissed his escape plan and formed a black hole above his palm.
• Hun Xiu's devouring power dragged the West Dragon King into the open, revealing his enormous dragon form as he shouted that Hun Xiu had attacked him by surprise.

Hun Xiu killed the West Dragon King after he begged for mercy, then provoked Xiao Yan over the death. Gu Xun'er arrived and greeted Hun Xiu affectionately, leaving Xiao Yan facing the two of them before the watching factions.

• Hun Xiu trapped the West Dragon King with a black hole, and the dragon begged to become his mount in exchange for mercy.
• Hun Xiu refused and destroyed the West Dragon King, then claimed his Demonic Core as onlookers coveted it.
• Xiao Yan confronted Hun Xiu for going too far, while Hun Xiu challenged him to spar and Hun Feng, Soul Jade, and Hun Miesheng stood behind him.
• Gu Xun'er arrived with Gu Nanhai, took Hun Xiu's arm, and greeted him with a smile.

Hun Xiu reunited with Gu Xun'er, who urged him to kill Xiao Yan instead of sparring with him. Hun Xiu challenged Xiao Yan to a deadly fight, but Yao Chen stopped Xiao Yan from accepting so he could focus on obtaining the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.

• Gu Xun'er reunited with Hun Xiu and said she was a Two-Star Dou Saint, so he could come to the Gu Clan and marry her.
• Hun Xiu promised to send the Hun Clan's betrothal gifts once matters were settled, and Gu Xun'er happily trusted him.
• Gu Xun'er spotted Xiao Yan and begged Hun Xiu to beat him to death, while Xiao Yan realized he still had feelings for her despite her hatred.
• Hun Xiu challenged Xiao Yan to a sparring match where either man could beat the other to death.
• Xiao Yan prepared to accept Hun Xiu's challenge, but Yao Chen held him back and reminded him to prioritize obtaining the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.

Hun Xiu and the gathered factions waited for the Demonic Flame Space to fully emerge, then entered to compete for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. Hun Xiu sent Hun Feng, Soul Jade, and Hun Miesheng ahead while remaining behind, and Gu Xun'er and Gu Nanhai prepared to follow.

• Hun Xiu dismissed Xiao Yan's threats, and Xiao Yan led the Starfall Pavilion and Heavenly Mansion Alliance away to wait for the Demonic Flame Space to open.
• The Yao Clan experts arrived and mocked Yao Chen, so Xiao Yan retaliated and regained face by defeating them verbally.
• The Demonic Flame Space fully emerged, and experts from the gathered factions broke its seal and rushed inside.
• Soul Jade mocked the other factions, then asked Hun Xiu when the Hun Clan should enter.
• Hun Xiu ordered Hun Feng, Soul Jade, and Hun Miesheng to enter and compete without him, then told Gu Xun'er and Gu Nanhai it was their turn to set off.

Gu Xun'er set off with Gu Nanhai for the Demonic Flame Space while Hun Xiu confronted the Pill Tower Ancestor, whom he intended to take back to the Hun Clan. The Pill Tower Ancestor refused to cooperate and attacked Hun Xiu with Pill Fusion Heaven.

• Gu Xun'er told Hun Xiu she was going to the Demonic Flame Space, and he warned her to call for him if she faced trouble.
• Hun Xiu sensed someone hiding in the void and called the Pill Tower Ancestor out.
• The Pill Tower Ancestor appeared as a child riding a green ox, and Hun Xiu identified him as a peak Ninth-Grade Profound Pill.
• Hun Xiu revealed that his strength was at least that of a Six-Star Dou Saint and demanded that the Pill Tower Ancestor accompany him to the Hun Clan.
• The Pill Tower Ancestor refused Hun Xiu's invitation and attacked him with Pill Fusion Heaven.

Hun Xiu defeated the Pill Tower Ancestor and absorbed the peak Ninth-Grade Profound Pill before drawing in the demonic flames to strengthen his source flame. He entered the Demonic Flame Space to seek the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, which appeared and sensed that Hun Xiu was more unfathomable than the Purifying Demonic Saint.

• Hun Xiu shattered the Pill Tower Ancestor's Pill Fusion Heaven with his Great Might Heavenly Dragon, reducing the ancestor to his pill form.
• Hun Xiu took the peak Ninth-Grade Profound Pill and swallowed it into a black hole to aid his cultivation.
• Hun Xiu devoured the demonic flames around the Demonic Flame Space, strengthening his milky-white fire lotus.
• Hun Xiu entered the Demonic Flame Space and reached its lava sea, where he called for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame appeared and feared Hun Xiu's power, which seemed to exceed even the Purifying Demonic Saint's.

Hun Xiu confronted the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame in the Demonic Flame Space and demanded a portion of his power. As Xiao Yan began breaking through Hun Xiu’s illusion, Hun Xiu and the flame agreed to settle their conflict quickly, and Hun Xiu swallowed the flame’s attack with a black hole.

• Hun Xiu told the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame that he had come to borrow some of his power and warned that he would use force if the flame refused.
• The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame prepared to attack Hun Xiu with the space’s magma and demonic flames, but Hun Xiu remained calm.
• The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame noticed Xiao Yan dismantling Hun Xiu’s illusion and realized he might soon be surrounded.
• Hun Xiu and the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame agreed to fight quickly before anyone could interrupt them.
• The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame sent magma and demonic flames at Hun Xiu, who absorbed them with a black hole.