Chapter Summaries

After Xiao Heng fused a blood-refined Dou Technique onto Xiao Yan’s back, Xiao Yan learned that the painful process would take several days. The two went to meet Su Qian, where Xin Lan asked them for help with her family’s crisis.

• Xiao Heng told Xiao Yan the fusion would hurt for three to five days and advised him to replenish his blood with medicinal herbs.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Heng that Su Qian had sent for him and Xiao Yan, and they set off to meet the Great Elder.
• Xin Lan asked Su Qian to arrange a meeting with Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan, hoping they would help protect her family from ruin.
• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan arrived, and Su Qian introduced Xin Lan as his old friend’s granddaughter and explained why he had called them.
• Xin Lan greeted the two Pan Men leaders and began by saying she wanted to ask them a question.

Xin Lan asked Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan to help her clan reclaim its elder seat in the Pill Tower, which it risked losing after failing an assessment. Xiao Heng agreed to help during their coming trip to Central Continent, and left Xiao Yan to handle the alchemy work, though he said he would accompany him.

• Xin Lan asked Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan to help her clan regain its elder seat in the Pill Tower.
• Xiao Heng explained the Pill Tower's status and the high alchemy standard likely required to hold an elder seat.
• Xin Lan explained that her clan had failed an assessment and would lose its position if it failed again.
• Su Qian urged Xiao Heng to help Xin Lan and revealed that Xiao Heng could refine Seventh-Rank Pills.
• Xiao Heng agreed to help while traveling to Central Continent and suggested Xiao Yan take on the alchemy work in exchange for practice and medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Yan suspected Xiao Heng was plotting against him, and Xiao Heng smacked him.

Xin Lan secured Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan’s help for her family, and Su Qian revealed that Burning Flame Valley possessed the Nine Dragon Thunder Flame. Xiao Heng told Xiao Yan he might be able to overcome its Blood Soul Mark and suggested winning over the valley master’s daughter, leaving Xiao Yan intrigued despite his protest about Xun Er.

• Xin Lan offered her family’s medicinal ingredients in exchange for Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan’s help, and they agreed to try to protect her family’s seat among the Pill Tower elders.
• Xiao Yan asked Su Qian about other Heavenly Flames, and Su Qian told him that Burning Flame Valley had inherited the Nine Dragon Thunder Flame.
• Xiao Heng explained the Nine Dragon Thunder Flame’s combined lightning and fire power, while Xin Lan warned that Burning Flame Valley’s Blood Soul Mark made it difficult for outsiders to claim.
• After Xin Lan left, Xiao Heng said Xiao Yan’s Flame Mantra and other unique ties might let him overcome the mark and obtain the flame.
• Xiao Heng suggested Xiao Yan win over Burning Flame Valley’s daughter to gain the Nine Dragon Thunder Flame and a powerful ally, and Su Qian endorsed the idea.
• Xiao Yan objected because Xun Er was waiting for him, but he privately wondered whether the suggestion tempted him.

Xiao Heng told Xiao Yan about the Three Thousand Burning Flame sealed by the Pill Tower and discussed their shared interest in Heavenly Flames. The two then visited Jia Nan Academy’s treasury to select materials and medicinal ingredients, including Star Steel for a weapon for Zi Yan.

• Xiao Heng explained that the Pill Tower had sealed the Three Thousand Burning Flame after even its three giants failed to subdue it, and that anyone who succeeded could take it.
• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan joked about competing for Heavenly Flames before agreeing to pursue them fairly and help each other.
• Xiao Heng asked Su Qian for metal to forge Zi Yan a weapon, and Su Qian let him and Xiao Yan choose materials from the academy treasury.
• Xiao Heng found high-quality Star Steel and selected it, along with other materials, for Zi Yan’s weapon.
• Xiao Heng and Xiao Yan chose medicinal ingredients to exchange for pills, and Xiao Heng left the follow-up work to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Heng returned to Black Seal City and learned that Li Xuan had entered seclusion to pursue a breakthrough to the Dou Zong realm. He deciphered her hint, traveled to the great waterfall, and began searching underwater for her hidden retreat.

• Xiao Heng parted from Xiao Yan, who headed toward the Black Corner Region, while Xiao Heng went to visit Li Xuan.
• Li Xuan strengthened the Thousand Medicine Workshop’s hold over Black Seal City and entered seclusion, relying on the Immortal Herb Pill to help her break through.
• Xiao Heng arrived at the Thousand Medicine Workshop and learned from Aunt Li that Li Xuan’s secluded location was unknown, but she had left a hint in her room.
• Xiao Heng recognized the words “Sky High Sea Vast” on Li Xuan’s door as a clue and traveled to the Black Corner Region’s enormous waterfall.
• Xiao Heng searched around the waterfall, then plunged underwater after reasoning that Li Xuan’s retreat was hidden beneath the water.

Xiao Heng reached the hidden underwater chamber where Li Xuan was cultivating, and he broke through to six-star Dou Sect while waiting for her. With Xiao Heng's guidance and energy, Li Xuan overcame the barrier to her breakthrough and reached Dou Sect, then reunited with him in the water.

• Xiao Heng moved the hidden stone, entered the underwater chamber, and placed Spirit Stones around Li Xuan as she cultivated.
• While waiting, Xiao Heng cultivated for several days and broke through from five-star to six-star Dou Sect.
• Li Xuan's breakthrough stalled, so Xiao Heng calmed her, explained how to focus her attacks, and supplied her with energy.
• Li Xuan repeatedly concentrated water droplets on one point until she opened a gap, then shattered the barrier with a Water Flow Vortex and broke through to Dou Sect.
• Li Xuan stabilized her new power, formed a blue brocade robe from water and Dou Qi, and embraced Xiao Heng before they plunged into the water together.

Li Xuan broke through to the Dou Zong realm with Xiao Heng’s help, then returned with him to the Thousand Medicine Workshop. Her display of power and Xiao Heng’s presence deterred rivals from attacking, while the Workshop celebrated their strengthened position.

• After Li Xuan emerged from the water with Xiao Heng, she thanked him for helping her breakthrough and complained that he had been away for years.
• Xiao Heng urged Li Xuan to return to the Thousand Medicine Workshop before her breakthrough’s disturbance attracted trouble.
• As Li Xuan and Xiao Heng flew over Black Seal City, witnesses recognized her new Dou Zong strength and suspected that Xiao Heng was also a Dou Zong expert, prompting rival forces to reconsider their plans.
• Aunt Li and the Thousand Medicine Workshop’s gathered members welcomed Li Xuan, who announced an extra half year of pay for the Workshop’s staff.
• Xiao Heng added three months of pay at his own expense, and Li Xuan dismissed the crowd after the members celebrated their breakthrough.

Xiao Heng removed the restrictions binding several elders of the Thousand Medicine Workshop and persuaded them to keep serving Li Xuan. He then spent five days refining pills for Li Xuan, emerging exhausted after nearly exhausting the workshop’s medicinal ingredients.

• Li Xuan bargained with Xiao Heng for rare pills, and Aunt Li interrupted them to report that the elders wanted to meet him.
• Li Xuan and Xiao Heng agreed that the elders no longer needed to be controlled now that she had become a Dou Zong.
• Xiao Heng removed the restrictions from the elders and warned them against betraying the Thousand Medicine Workshop while promising them future benefits.
• Xiao Heng began refining pills while Li Xuan consolidated her cultivation, using the workshop’s abundant medicinal ingredients.
• After five days in the pill-refining room, Xiao Heng emerged looking haggard, and the workshop’s stored medicinal ingredients were nearly depleted.

Xiao Heng prepared to leave Li Xuan after giving her pills and resources, entrusting her with plans for Thousand Medicine Workshop and warning her about coming trouble. Meanwhile, Old Ghost of Earth Demon emerged from seclusion and gathered forces against Jia Nan Academy, which mobilized for a possible attack while Xiao Heng remained away.

• Xiao Heng gave Li Xuan twenty-eight pills, Spirit Stones, and other resources before asking her to gather more materials for him.
• Xiao Heng told Li Xuan he had to leave and instructed her to protect Thousand Medicine Workshop, watch Black Emperor City and Demon Flame Valley, and work with Xiao Li, Jia Nan Academy, and Medusa.
• Xiao Li reported to Xiao Yan, Su Qian, and the others that Old Ghost of Earth Demon had emerged from seclusion and was gathering forces, apparently targeting Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yi Xian offered to confront Old Ghost of Earth Demon, but Su Qian insisted the academy would face the threat together and ordered Xiao Li to monitor Demon Flame Valley.
• Jia Nan Academy mobilized its forces as Demon Flame Valley gathered in response to the deaths of its elders and the dispute over the Bodhi Body Transformation Pill.

As Old Ghost of Earth Demon led Demon Flame Valley forces to Jia Nan Academy and demanded the killer of his elders, Xiao Yan and Su Qian stood against him. Xiao Yi Xian admitted she had killed the elders and challenged Old Ghost of Earth Demon to fight, leaving the confrontation on the verge of battle.

• Demon Flame Valley and Jia Nan Academy became the focus of rising conflict as both factions mobilized after the deaths and disappearance of their leaders and elders.
• Xiao Yan watched a student competition with Xiao Yi Xian and the others until powerful auras approached the Inner Academy from the east.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon arrived with his followers, demanded that Jia Nan Academy hand over the person who killed three Demon Flame Valley elders, and threatened to destroy the academy.
• Su Qian refused to yield, and Xiao Yan stepped forward, saying Xiao Heng was responsible and that he would bear the consequences in his brother's absence.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon attacked Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yi Xian blocked his strike and revealed that she had killed the elders, daring him to begin the fight.

Demon Flame Valley confronted Jia Nan Academy over the deaths of its elders and the Bodhi Body Transformation Pill, then Old Ghost of Earth Demon pursued Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian. Su Qian fought to break through the three elders holding him back, while the students remained at risk below.

• Old Ghost of Earth Demon concluded that Jia Nan Academy had killed Demon Flame Valley's elders and likely held the Bodhi Body Transformation Pill, then declared that Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian had to die.
• Xiao Yi Xian volunteered to face Old Ghost of Earth Demon while Su Qian held back the other elders, and Xiao Yan stepped forward to join the fight.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon pursued Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian away from the students, while three Demon Flame Valley elders blocked Su Qian.
• Fang Fa insulted Jia Nan Academy's absent Headmaster, enraging Su Qian, who named him the Academy's mortal enemy and attacked.
• Fang Fa and the other two elders combined their gray flames to meet Su Qian's powerful Dou Qi palm, and the collision engulfed all four fighters in a violent burst of energy.

Su Qian and Fang Yan’s group continued their fierce battle while Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan faced Old Ghost of Earth Demon. Xiao Yan escaped a sudden attack with his crimson wings, and Xiao Yi Xian charged again as Old Ghost of Earth Demon unleashed a barrage of ice spikes.

• Su Qian shattered Fang Yan and the other two’s Life Transformation Fire, but their attacks kept him from gaining a decisive advantage.
• Gu Yue prepared a concealed attack and told Zi Yan to stay out of the fight because Old Ghost of Earth Demon was too powerful.
• Xiao Yi Xian attacked Old Ghost of Earth Demon with Myriad Leaf Flying Flower Flow and Yin Yang Qi Hand Seal, but he evaded her techniques and lunged at Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan used his crimson wings to dodge Old Ghost of Earth Demon’s ghostly claw and retreat a hundred meters.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon spread freezing cold across Jia Nan Academy as Xiao Yi Xian attacked with Gather Qi into Blade, prompting him to fire Thousand Illusions Profound Ice Spikes.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian battled Old Ghost of Earth Demon, using a curse and powerful techniques to wear down the stronger Dou Zong. As Xiao Yi Xian prepared a dragon attack, an unknown silver figure ambushed Old Ghost of Earth Demon, who managed to catch it after it pierced his defenses.

• Xiao Yi Xian wounded Old Ghost of Earth Demon and secretly placed the Six Soul Dread Curse on him by sending her blood into his body.
• Xiao Yan struck Old Ghost of Earth Demon with the Overturning Sea Seal, but the opponent survived behind an Energy Shield despite suffering an unseen injury.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon tried to kill Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan evaded as Xiao Yi Xian formed a gray dragon for another attack.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon turned to face Xiao Yi Xian and unleashed ice spikes, while a silver figure streaked up from below to ambush him.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon raised the Thousand Layer Ice Shield and an Energy Shield, but the silver light pierced them before he caught it.

Xiao Yi Xian unleashed the Calamity Poison Body and badly wounded Old Ghost of Earth Demon, but he survived and threatened Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Gu Yue. Xiao Heng returned and struck Old Ghost of Earth Demon with a powerful sword attack, then sent the others to recover while he faced the enemy alone.

• Xiao Yi Xian released the Calamity Poison Body, and her gray dragon struck Old Ghost of Earth Demon with a wave of deadly poison.
• Su Qian tried to protect the students while Fang Fa and two allies harassed him with the Life Transformation Fire.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon emerged badly corroded but still formidable, and Xiao Yan prepared to risk his life with a final move.
• Xiao Heng appeared and slashed Old Ghost of Earth Demon, sending him flying and drawing blood.
• Xiao Heng told Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan, and Gu Yue to retreat and recover while he took on Old Ghost of Earth Demon alone.

Xiao Heng returned to Jia Nan Academy and fought Old Ghost of Earth Demon, matching the powerful Dou Zong with his speed, swordsmanship, and Heavenly Flames. As the battle threatened to turn against the defenders, Old Ghost of Earth Demon launched a concentrated ice-sword attack at Xiao Heng.

• Xiao Heng's arrival relieved Xiao Yan and the others, while Su Qian turned his attention to the three elders of Demon Flame Valley.
• Su Qian pressured Dong Tian and the other elders, who feared Old Ghost of Earth Demon might not defeat Xiao Heng before they were overcome.
• Xiao Heng and Old Ghost of Earth Demon exchanged dozens of blows, with Xiao Heng's sword and Heavenly Flames holding their own against the old ghost's ice attacks.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon recognized Xiao Heng's strength and decided to end the fight quickly before the others recovered or Su Qian joined in.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon used Myriad Illusory Ice Spikes, then gathered the spikes into a Condensing Ice Sword that pierced Xiao Heng's fire wall and stabbed toward his head.

Old Ghost of Earth Demon trapped Xiao Heng inside his Thousand Illusion Ice Domain while Gu Yue launched a surprise attack that killed Fang Fa and two Demon Flame Valley Elders. Su Qian then ordered Jia Nan Academy to attack, and a full battle broke out across the skies above the academy.

• Xiao Heng appeared behind Old Ghost of Earth Demon and struck him, but the attack hit an ice double before Old Ghost of Earth Demon sealed them both inside a colossal ice coffin.
• Wu Hao stopped Hu Jia from flying to Xiao Heng's aid and urged her to trust him.
• Gu Yue attacked Fang Fa and the two Demon Flame Valley Elders, surviving their combined assault and killing all three.
• Su Qian blocked the leading Elder's attack on Gu Yue and ordered Jia Nan Academy's Elders to attack Demon Flame Valley.
• Zi Yan, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the other academy members joined the fight, and Jia Nan Academy began overwhelming the outnumbered Demon Flame Valley forces.

Xiao Heng fought Old Ghost of Earth Demon inside an ice domain that suppressed his Dou Qi and Heavenly Flames. He unleashed his Sword Domain to shatter the domain and badly wound his enemy, but Old Ghost of Earth Demon’s aura vanished before Xiao Heng could confirm the outcome.

• Old Ghost of Earth Demon trapped Xiao Heng in an ice coffin domain that strengthened its creator and suppressed Xiao Heng’s abilities.
• Xiao Heng used his Third Eye to locate Old Ghost of Earth Demon and struck him with a powerful punch.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon attacked Xiao Heng with endless ice spikes, forcing him to unleash his five swords and Sword Domain.
• Xiao Heng’s swords pierced Old Ghost of Earth Demon’s Energy Shield, while Old Ghost of Earth Demon used Ice Soul Burial to attack Xiao Heng with more ice spikes.
• Xiao Heng melted most of the spikes but was wounded by several, then sensed that Old Ghost of Earth Demon’s aura had disappeared.

Xiao Heng battled Old Ghost of Earth Demon, who used the Soul Devouring Technique to boost his strength and trap Xiao Heng with spatial ice mirrors. After surviving Old Ghost of Earth Demon’s attacks, Xiao Heng was caught in an Eternal Frozen Ice Coffin, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Old Ghost of Earth Demon survived Xiao Heng’s sword strike, then used the Soul Devouring Technique to heal his wounds and raise his strength to an eight-star Dou Zong.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon summoned eight ice mirrors and attacked through them, wounding Xiao Heng while evading his counterattacks.
• Xiao Heng destroyed the mirrors with fire lotuses, but Old Ghost of Earth Demon restored them and continued his assaults.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon transformed the mirrors into ice spikes and drove Xiao Heng into a barrage of attacks, but Xiao Heng emerged and shattered his ice sword.
• Old Ghost of Earth Demon invoked the Bone Chilling Ice Domain’s Eternal Frozen Ice Coffin and froze Xiao Heng inside it.

Xiao Heng slowly assimilated the black ice trapping him and broke free, then struck Old Ghost of Earth Demon before the weakened enemy could recover. Outside, Gu Yue sensed Xiao Heng’s aura rising, and the others waited as the ice coffin trembled.

• Old Ghost of Earth Demon believed Xiao Heng would die in the black ice and threatened to kill his loved ones after recovering.
• Xiao Heng used his mastery of ice to assimilate the prison while Old Ghost of Earth Demon treated his wounds.
• Gu Yue sensed Xiao Heng’s weakening aura and flew to the ice coffin, where Xiao Yan persuaded the others to wait rather than risk injuring him.
• Gu Yue sensed Xiao Heng’s aura rising just before the ice coffin began to tremble.
• Xiao Heng shattered the ice prison with his Ice Sword Intent and rushed Old Ghost of Earth Demon, who escaped the sword by tearing off his frozen left arm.

Xiao Heng survived Old Ghost of Earth Demon's explosive attack and killed him, ending the battle at the Inner Academy. As Xiao Heng and the others began recovering, Su Qian and Hu Gan faced the task of managing the academy's destruction and casualties.

• Old Ghost of Earth Demon detonated the ice coffin, blasting the Inner Academy and forcing Xiao Heng to endure the explosion with his sword qi, flames, golden scales, and Little Tree phantom.
• Xiao Heng survived the blast and killed the weakened Old Ghost of Earth Demon with a sword strike.
• Su Qian, Xiao Yi Xian, Gu Yue, Xiao Yan, and the others gathered around Xiao Heng, who said he was fine and joked about claiming a share of Demon Flame Valley's treasure vault.
• Xiao Heng went to heal while Xiao Yi Xian stabilized the backlash from unsealing her Calamity Poison Body, and Gu Yue stayed by his side.
• Su Qian confronted the devastation and casualties at the Inner Academy, stopped Hu Gan from leaving, and sent the elders and stewards to help the injured and repair the damage.