Chapter Summaries

Lu Yunxiao finished refining pills and distributed them to his companions, arranging for Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan to enter seclusion for their breakthroughs. He then took Zi Yan to visit Grand Elder Su Qian at Jia Nan Academy.

• Lu Yunxiao gave Spirit Cultivation Pills to Wu Hao and Hu Jia and a large supply of pills to Zi Yan.
• Lu Yunxiao gave Xiao Yi Xian a Perfect Emperor Breaking Pill and told her to break through alongside Zi Yan.
• Lu Yunxiao ate the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill and considered seeking a Sound Wave Dou Skill.
• Lu Yunxiao took Zi Yan to visit Grand Elder Su Qian, while Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the others left to improve their strength.

Lu Yunxiao returned to Jia Nan Academy after more than two years away and spoke with Grand Elder Su Qian, who praised his founding of Cloud Gate and advised him about Gu Xun'er. Su Qian also asked about Lu Yunxiao’s arranged match with Liu Qing, leaving Lu Yunxiao’s return and plans for the Strong Ranking Hegemony Competition established.

• Su Qian welcomed Lu Yunxiao and learned that his long absence had been spent handling affairs in the Jia Ma Empire and establishing Cloud Gate.
• Su Qian explained that Jia Nan Academy’s recruitment team had reported Cloud Gate to him, and Lu Yunxiao privately considered how to deal with Soul Hall’s agents in the Black Corner Region.
• Su Qian asked whether Zi Yan had caused trouble, and Lu Yunxiao reassured him while showing his affection for her.
• Su Qian warned Lu Yunxiao that Gu Xun’er’s origins would bring great pressure to their relationship, and Lu Yunxiao said he was prepared.
• Su Qian asked about Lu Yunxiao’s arranged battle with Liu Qing, and Lu Yunxiao said he had agreed because he admired Liu Qing and wanted to give him a chance to advance.

Lu Yunxiao gave Su Qian two bottles of Seventh-Grade Spirit Wine, but Zi Yan bluntly called the gift a waste, prompting Lu Yunxiao to teach her to consider others’ feelings. He left Zi Yan with instructions to visit Su Qian the next day and offer him some Sixth-Grade Spirit Wine.

• Su Qian discussed the Strong Ranking Competition and the benefits of becoming an Elder, and Lu Yunxiao agreed that he was interested.
• Lu Yunxiao offered Su Qian two bottles of Profound Purple Spirit Smoke Wine, but Zi Yan objected that giving the rare wine to him was wasteful.
• Lu Yunxiao hurriedly carried Zi Yan away, and Su Qian reflected that her blunt nature might get her into trouble.
• Lu Yunxiao explained that Zi Yan’s words could hurt Su Qian, who cared for her, and told her to consider other people’s feelings.
• Lu Yunxiao instructed Zi Yan to visit Su Qian the next day and bring him several bottles of Sixth-Grade Spirit Wine from her own collection.

Lu Yunxiao reconciled with Zi Yan and discussed the Inner Court’s powerful guardians and his plans with Queen Medusa. A month and a half later, Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were in seclusion, and the Inner Court’s Strong Ranking Hegemony Competition began as Lu Yunxiao waited for a chance to pursue the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Lu Yunxiao apologized to Zi Yan, and Queen Medusa explained that he needed to teach the innocent girl patiently and plainly.
• Queen Medusa reported sensing two powerful auras in the Inner Court, and Lu Yunxiao identified them as the nine-star Dou Zong guardians Qian Bai and explained why she had to conceal her aura.
• Lu Yunxiao said he would inspect the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower and gather information while waiting for an opportunity to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame.
• After a month and a half, Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian entered seclusion in the Back Mountain under the protection of a Spatial Barrier and a Starry Sky Ancient Dragon.
• The Inner Court’s Strong Ranking Hegemony Competition arrived, bringing excitement throughout the academy.

The Inner Court erupted with challenges ahead of the Strong Ranking Hegemony Competition, and Lu Yunxiao claimed Yan Hao’s fourth-place ranking with a single slap to end the challengers’ harassment. On the tournament’s opening day, Lu Yunxiao joined Wu Hao, Hu Jia, Lin Xiuyai, and the other competitors at Central Plaza as they awaited the competition.

• The Inner Court’s challenge frenzy reshuffled the lower Strong Ranking, and Lu Yunxiao defeated Yan Hao with one slap to take fourth place.
• The Strong Ranking Hegemony Competition began at Central Plaza, where Lu Yunxiao and the other competitors entered through a special passage to the platform.
• Wu Hao and Hu Jia told Lu Yunxiao they had reached the top thirty, crediting his pills as well as their own efforts.
• Lin Xiuyai and his group arrived, and Lin Xiuyai joked that he hoped Lu Yunxiao would go easy on him if they met in the competition.

At the Inner Court gathering, Lu Yunxiao greeted Han Yue and Lin Xiuyai, who learned that Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan had gone into seclusion. He turned down Liu Fei’s open admiration and said he already had a girlfriend, but Hu Jia exposed his supposed devotion as a joke because he had several girlfriends.

• Han Yue approached Lu Yunxiao and asked where Xiao Yi Xian was, and he said she had gone into seclusion with Zi Yan.
• Lin Xiuyai and the others were relieved that Zi Yan would not be present, and Liu Qing introduced Yao Sheng and Liu Fei to Lu Yunxiao.
• Liu Fei openly praised Lu Yunxiao, but he responded coolly, and Liu Qing pulled her back when he saw Lu Yunxiao was uninterested.
• Lin Xiuyai teased Lu Yunxiao about Han Yue’s devotion to him, and Lu Yunxiao said he already had a girlfriend and had no fate with other girls.
• Hu Jia objected to Lu Yunxiao being called devoted and complained that he already had several girlfriends.

Hu Jia exposed Lu Yunxiao’s romantic reputation, and Lin Xiuyai praised Xiao Xun’er without realizing she was Lu Yunxiao’s fiancée. The chapter ended with Lin Xiuyai discovering the truth and realizing Lu Yunxiao intended to punish him in the tournament.

• Hu Jia publicly called Lu Yunxiao a philanderer, prompting Wu Hao and Lin Xiuyai to defend him and tease Hu Jia about her feelings.
• Lin Xiuyai praised the beauty and refined temperament of Xiao Xun’er, whom he had once pursued.
• Han Yue recalled that Xiao Xun’er had been called the Inner Court’s number one beauty and asked Lin Xiuyai about his pursuit of her.
• Lu Yunxiao threatened to fight Lin Xiuyai without mercy, while Hu Jia and Han Yue denied that he had promised to go easy on him.
• Hu Jia revealed that Xiao Xun’er was Lu Yunxiao’s girlfriend and fiancée, leaving Lin Xiuyai horrified.

After Lu Yunxiao learned that Lin Xiuyai had once admired Xiao Xun'er, he challenged him to the Arena Stage, while the others eagerly backed the fight. Grand Elder Su Qian called the Strong Ranking participants into the arena, where Lu Yunxiao, Liu Qing, Han Yue, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia took their places.

• Han Yue and Liu Qing reacted with surprise to Xiao Xun'er being Lu Yunxiao's fiancée, and Liu Qing teased Lin Xiuyai about pursuing her.
• Lin Xiuyai tried to explain himself, but Lu Yunxiao challenged him to meet on the Arena Stage.
• Yan Hao and the others joined in urging Lin Xiuyai to fight, leaving him aggrieved as the crowd laughed.
• A bell silenced the plaza, and Grand Elder Su Qian called the Strong Ranking participants into the arena.
• Lu Yunxiao, Liu Qing, and Han Yue entered the arena, and Wu Hao and Hu Jia took positions behind Lu Yunxiao.

Su Qian opened the competition and explained that students would draw lots to find their opponents. Lu Yunxiao drew red number one, and after learning Bai Shan had drawn blue number one, he discovered who his first opponent would be.

• Su Qian warned the students not to kill during their matches and began the competition's lot drawing.
• Lu Yunxiao and Han Yue drew red numbers one and eight, respectively, while Liu Qing drew blue number three.
• A student drew blue number one, and Wu Hao identified him as Bai Shan, Bai Cheng's younger brother.
• Hu Jia said Bai Shan had helped suppress the new students and had pursued Gu Xun'er until Wu Hao beat him several times.
• Wu Hao told Lu Yunxiao that he had dealt with Gu Xun'er's other admirers for him, and Lu Yunxiao thanked him.

Wu Hao drew Bai Cheng as his first-round opponent, giving him a chance to avenge his earlier defeat. After the two entered the arena and clashed, the match began with Wu Hao blocking Bai Cheng’s spear strike.

• Lu Yunxiao encouraged Wu Hao to use his match against Bai Cheng to erase the humiliation of his earlier loss.
• Hu Jia and Han Yue drew opponents they expected to defeat, while the others completed their draws.
• Su Qian drew number eleven and ordered Wu Hao and Bai Cheng to remain in the arena for the first match.
• Wu Hao and Bai Cheng exchanged taunts, summoned their weapons, and released their Dou Qi as Su Qian announced the match.
• Wu Hao blocked Bai Cheng’s opening spear thrust with his Blood-Colored Heavy Sword and swung it back at him.

Wu Hao and Bai Cheng fought fiercely in the arena, with Wu Hao's tempered Dou Qi and relentless attacks gradually giving him the advantage. After being badly struck, Bai Cheng lost his composure and vowed to cripple Wu Hao.

• Wu Hao and Bai Cheng exchanged more than a hundred blows, while Hu Jia and Han Yue discussed Bai Cheng's pill-assisted breakthrough and Lu Yunxiao explained Qi Tempering Pills.
• Lu Yunxiao offered Han Yue two bottles of Qi Tempering Pills, and she accepted them gratefully.
• Wu Hao and Bai Cheng unleashed their energy techniques, and both were injured when the attacks collided.
• Wu Hao pressed his advantage with a barrage of heavy sword strikes and kicked Bai Cheng several meters back, making Bai Cheng spit blood.
• Bai Cheng struggled to his feet and threatened to cripple Wu Hao.

Wu Hao defeated Bai Cheng in the first match after Bai Cheng used a blood-powered secret technique, then returned to his friends as the tournament continued. Hu Jia asked Lu Yunxiao to guide her, and he agreed.

• Bai Cheng used a secret technique to raise his strength to that of an eight-star Dou Ling, but Lu Yunxiao remained confident that Wu Hao could defeat him.
• Bai Cheng unleashed the Cloud-Breaking Yellow Dragon Spear, and Wu Hao countered with the Mad Lion Blood Moon Slash, which destroyed the energy dragon and struck Bai Cheng out of the arena.
• An Elder confirmed Bai Cheng was alive, and Su Qian declared Wu Hao the winner of the first match.
• Wu Hao's friends congratulated him, and Lu Yunxiao praised his Earth Tier Dou Technique.
• Hu Jia asked Lu Yunxiao for guidance, and he agreed.

Lu Yunxiao defeated Bai Shan in the eighth match, beating him severely even as he tried to concede. After returning to his friends, Lu Yunxiao left the arena with Wu Hao while Han Yue and Hu Jia argued over whether she was jealous.

• Hu Jia, Han Yue, and Wu Hao encouraged Lu Yunxiao before he took the stage to face Bai Shan.
• When Bai Shan tried to concede, Lu Yunxiao struck him, stomped him into the arena floor, and blasted him out of the ring.
• An Elder confirmed Bai Shan was alive, and Su Qian declared Lu Yunxiao the winner of the eighth match.
• Hu Jia and Wu Hao praised Lu Yunxiao for beating Bai Shan, while Lu Yunxiao said he had held back because Bai Shan was too fragile.
• Han Yue invited Lu Yunxiao for a walk, and she and Hu Jia argued over Hu Jia's claim that she was watching him on Xun'er's behalf.
• Lu Yunxiao grew tired of their argument and left with Wu Hao, leaving Han Yue and Hu Jia behind.

Lu Yunxiao won his second-round match easily while Hu Jia and Han Yue discussed the tournament and sparred over their feelings toward him. Wu Hao gained the upper hand in his hard-fought bout as the second round continued.

• Lu Yunxiao defeated his opponent with a single palm strike and learned that Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyai had also advanced.
• Hu Jia said she had lost to Lin Yan, and Lu Yunxiao and Han Yue reassured her about her defeat.
• Lu Yunxiao watched Wu Hao fight a stronger opponent and predicted Wu Hao would prevail as the battle continued.
• Han Yue explained how the remaining contestants would be selected for the top ten, prompting Hu Jia to argue that the process was unfair.
• Hu Jia and Han Yue exchanged barbs over their interest in Lu Yunxiao before he turned back to Wu Hao's match, where Wu Hao had taken the advantage.

After Wu Hao advanced, Su Qian began the draw for the six contestants who would fight for the last top-ten places. Lu Yunxiao was selected as the final contestant, setting up a match with Liu Qing.

• Wu Hao defeated his opponent and rejoined Lu Yunxiao, Han Yue, and Hu Jia, who had been eliminated.
• Lu Yunxiao offered his companions Qi Recovery Pills and said he would help them reach the top ten if they were drawn.
• Su Qian explained that six of the thirteen remaining contestants would be selected to compete for three top-ten places.
• Su Qian drew Yan Hao and Qian Mo as opponents, then Qin Zhen and Lin Xiuyai.
• Su Qian drew Liu Qing, then selected Lu Yunxiao as the final contestant, causing an uproar in the arena.

Liu Qing drew Lu Yunxiao before the Strong Ranking tournament’s top ten and, despite expecting defeat, accepted the match with fierce determination. After Yan Hao defeated Qian Mo to enter the top ten, Lin Xiuyai and Qin Zhen began the next match.

• Liu Qing drew Lu Yunxiao, and the other contestants sympathized with him because they expected him to lose and miss the top ten.
• Liu Fei worried about Liu Qing, while Yao Sheng could not reassure her that Liu Qing would win.
• Liu Qing accepted that he was unlikely to enter the top ten and resolved to fight Lu Yunxiao with all his strength, hoping to break through during the battle.
• Liu Qing challenged Lu Yunxiao to an exciting match, and Lu Yunxiao calmly agreed.
• Su Qian began the tournament matches, and Yan Hao defeated Qian Mo after half an hour to secure a place in the top ten.
• Lin Xiuyai and Qin Zhen stepped into the arena and began the second match.

Lin Xiuyai defeated Qin Zhen with his Coiling Serpent Hand and Sword Aura, after which Lu Yunxiao entered the arena to face Liu Qing. Liu Qing launched a domineering spear attack, and Lu Yunxiao watched with interest as the duel began.

• Lin Xiuyai overwhelmed Qin Zhen with the Coiling Serpent Hand and blasted him out of the arena with a sword aura.
• Han Yue explained Lin Xiuyai's One Entanglement, One Aura techniques to Lu Yunxiao, who dismissed them as unimpressive.
• Su Qian declared Lin Xiuyai the winner and called Lu Yunxiao and Liu Qing into the arena.
• Liu Qing drew the Lieshan Spear and told Lu Yunxiao he would fight him with all his strength.
• Liu Qing charged at Lu Yunxiao with a spear strike that carried enough force to suppress his opponent.

Lu Yunxiao effortlessly countered Liu Qing’s spear attacks until Liu Qing unleashed his trump card, Great Fissure Rock. Just as Lu Yunxiao prepared to respond, a huge noise from the nearby Black Pagoda drew everyone’s attention.

• Liu Qing opened with a powerful spear thrust, but Lu Yunxiao deflected it with a casual sword strike and sent him reeling.
• Liu Qing repeatedly attacked, while Lu Yunxiao parried each strike and gradually injured him.
• Liu Fei cried over Liu Qing’s battered state, and Yao Sheng told her that Liu Qing had chosen to fight in hopes of breaking through.
• Liu Qing revealed his trump card and unleashed Great Fissure Rock, tearing up the arena floor as the golden attack rushed toward Lu Yunxiao.
• A tremendous noise came from the nearby Black Pagoda before Lu Yunxiao could counter, drawing the crowd’s gaze.

Fallen Heart Flame broke free of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower during a riot, and Lu Yunxiao weighed whether to seize the opportunity or respect his ties to Jia Nan Academy. Su Qian and the Elders began forming a Thousand-Layer Seal Array to recapture the escaping flame.

• Lu Yunxiao ended his duel with Liu Qing and followed Su Qian and the Elders toward the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower after hearing Fallen Heart Flame was rioting.
• Lu Yunxiao and his companions watched from a nearby hill as the Elders gathered around the tower and prepared an array.
• The tower’s spire exploded, releasing a torrent of magma and the enormous Invisible Fire Python, Fallen Heart Flame.
• Queen Medusa urged Lu Yunxiao to seize Fallen Heart Flame, but he chose to wait and warned Han Yue, Wu Hao, and the others to retreat if danger arose.
• Su Qian commanded the eighteen Elders to form the Thousand-Layer Seal Array, and they wove their Dou Qi into a dense, layered energy net.

Su Qian and the Elders struggled to contain Fallen Heart Flame as its attacks weakened their formation and sent a powerful energy signal across the Black Corner Region. After three hours, Hu Gan arrived with the Outer Court reinforcements, leaving the academy better prepared for the trouble Lu Yunxiao expected from Han Feng.

• Su Qian and the nineteen Elders held Fallen Heart Flame inside a Variegated Energy Net, repeatedly forcing it back as it attacked.
• Lu Yunxiao watched the battle and judged that the formation could not hold indefinitely.
• Fallen Heart Flame formed an arm-thick Flame Serpent and detonated it against the net, creating a tiny opening that released a signal detectable far away.
• Su Qian ordered the Elders to reinforce the seal, but after three hours only eight Elders besides him could still hold on.
• Hu Gan arrived with the Outer Court Elders, and Su Qian welcomed the reinforcements while Lu Yunxiao anticipated Han Feng's arrival.