Chapter Summaries

Xiao Chen offered Jia Nan Academy a way to resolve the Fallen Heart Flame’s growing threat and replace its cultivation energy, but he extracted the flame himself when Su Qian hesitated. He left Su Qian to discuss the Heavenly Flame’s ownership and the Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow’s placement.

• Su Qian and the Inner Academy elders objected when Xiao Chen said he had come for the Fallen Heart Flame, which they considered the Academy’s foundation.
• Xiao Chen warned that the weakening seal would soon fail and proposed letting Xiao Yan subdue the flame, offering Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow to preserve the tower’s cultivation effects.
• Su Qian admitted the seal was failing but struggled to accept the proposal, so Xiao Chen promised Xiao Yan would be safe and said he would remove the flame himself.
• Xiao Chen appeared above the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and used his control over space to seize the Fallen Heart Flame beneath its seal.
• Xiao Chen commanded the enraged flame to quiet and drew it out of the tower, then asked Su Qian to discuss its ownership and the placement of the Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow.

Xiao Chen and Jia Nan Academy agreed to let Xiao Yan devour Fallen Heart Flame, and Xiao Chen sealed off the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Platform to protect him during the fusion. As Xiao Yan began the perilous process, Queen Medusa arrived at Xiao Sect as promised.

• Su Qian accepted Xiao Chen's proposal and received the Earth Core Flame Jade Marrow in exchange for allowing Xiao Yan to subdue Fallen Heart Flame.
• Su Qian directed Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan to the abandoned Heaven Burning Qi Refining Platform, where Xiao Chen sealed the valley with a spatial barrier.
• Xiao Yan sat on the platform and circulated Fen Jue while Yao Lao prepared to respond to any danger.
• Xiao Chen loosened his suppression of Fallen Heart Flame, and the flame surged over Xiao Yan as the devouring and fusion began.
• Su Qian and several elders guarded the sealed valley while Xiao Chen monitored Xiao Yan's condition.
• Queen Medusa arrived at Xiao Sect with Snake People Race experts and announced that she had come as agreed.

Queen Medusa arrived at Xiao Sect to discuss an alliance with Xiao Zhan while Xiao Chen was away, and the two sides began negotiating a settlement and support for the Snake People Race. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan continued enduring a three-day firestorm at Jia Nan Academy as his aura rose.

• Queen Medusa arrived at Xiao Sect and asked Xiao Zhan about Xiao Chen and their proposed cooperation.
• Xiao Zhan welcomed Queen Medusa and offered Qing Ling Valley, three surrounding cities, and yearly supplies as support for the Snake People Race.
• Xiao Zhan asked the Snake People Race to stand with Xiao Sect against shared threats, and Queen Medusa said she would consult her tribal leaders before deciding.
• Queen Medusa settled temporarily in Xiao Sect's Guest Welcome Pavilion and looked toward Jia Nan Academy, wondering about Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan.
• At Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan continued to withstand a raging firestorm inside a spatial barrier as his aura rapidly increased.

Xiao Yan endured Fallen Heart Flame’s Heart Flame and devoured its source, breaking through to Dou Huang and advancing his Soul Power to the Spirit Realm. After Xiao Chen congratulated him, the brothers learned that an extraordinary guest had arrived in Wutan City and set out to return.

• Xiao Yan resisted Fallen Heart Flame’s illusions and refined its source while Yao Lao urged him to hold fast and Xiao Chen stood guard outside the barrier.
• After three days, Xiao Yan broke through to peak one-star Dou Huang and advanced his Soul Power to the Spirit Realm.
• Xiao Yan absorbed the remaining flames, recovered from his injuries, and said he could now fight Yun Shan without borrowing Yao Lao’s power.
• Xiao Chen congratulated Xiao Yan, then sensed an extraordinary guest in Wutan City and prepared to return with him.
• Xiao Yan guessed that Queen Medusa had arrived, and the brothers flew toward Wutan City to settle matters.

Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao Sect council hall, where Xiao Chen secured Queen Medusa’s agreement to an alliance between the Snake People Race and Xiao Sect. He ordered preparations for the Snake People’s migration and announced Xiao Sect’s founding ceremony in Wutan City three days later.

• Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan returned, and Queen Medusa was astonished by Xiao Yan’s new Dou Emperor strength and Xiao Chen’s deeper aura.
• Xiao Zhan reported the proposed exchange of Qing Ling Valley and nearby lands for the Snake People Race’s alliance and military support.
• Queen Medusa asked whether Xiao Chen could face Soul Hall, and Xiao Chen vowed to destroy any Soul Hall forces that threatened them.
• Queen Medusa and Xiao Chen sealed the covenant, forming an alliance of mutual offense and defense.
• Xiao Chen ordered Xiao Zhan to prepare Qing Ling Valley for the Snake People’s migration and announced Xiao Sect’s founding ceremony in Wutan City three days later.

Xiao Sect’s founding ceremony drew the Jia Ma Empire’s factions and rulers to Wutan City, where Xiao Chen appeared and announced the sect’s establishment. His overwhelming Dou Zun pressure and ruthless warning against its enemies left the assembled crowd silent.

• News of Xiao Sect’s founding ceremony spread across the empire, and Xiao Zhan, Hai Bodong, Queen Medusa, and the Snake People Race helped prepare for the event.
• Representatives of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, Fama, the Nalan Family, and other major factions arrived and took their places at the ceremony.
• Nine bell chimes rang out as Xiao Chen’s pressure descended over the plaza, shocking the assembled experts.
• Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan emerged from Xiao Sect’s residence, followed by Xiao Chen, whose calm presence drew every gaze.
• Xiao Chen declared Xiao Sect established, set out its principles, and threatened to wipe out the nine clans of anyone who became its enemy.

At the Xiao Sect’s founding ceremony, Xiao Chen’s power forced the Jia Ma factions to pledge friendship and the Misty Cloud Sect to offer costly compensation. As the celebrations began, Xiao Chen turned his attention to the Soul Hall and resolved to go to the Central Plains to face it.

• Xiao Chen’s display of Dou Zun power silenced the crowd, and the faction leaders bowed and pledged friendship with the Xiao Sect.
• The Misty Cloud Sect emissaries presented Xiao Zhan with a Seven-Colored Primal Stone, the Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill, and ten Fifth-Order Magical Cores as an apology.
• Xiao Zhan accepted the gifts and warned the Misty Cloud Sect to seal its mountain and avoid further trouble, and the emissaries hurried away.
• Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan led the remaining founding rituals while Xiao Chen stood as the sect’s deterrent, and the day-long ceremony ended at sunset.
• During the night celebration, Xiao Chen examined the Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill, said the Soul Hall would not let matters rest, and decided to head to the Central Plains to confront it.

Xiao Chen left Wutan City for the Central Plains to investigate Soul Hall, find clues about his master, Xu, and seek a way to restore Yao Lao. He entrusted Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan with the Xiao Sect’s affairs as he began his journey.

• Xiao Chen explained to Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan that Soul Hall’s growing interest made it necessary to travel to the Central Plains and investigate its forces.
• Xiao Yan offered to accompany Xiao Chen, but Xiao Chen told him to remain in Jia Ma Empire to strengthen himself and help lead the Xiao Sect.
• Xiao Chen gave Xiao Zhan cultivation insights, formation diagrams, and medicinal pills, then gave Xiao Yan a black jade talisman to summon him in a crisis.
• Xiao Chen assigned Xiao Zhan to handle Xiao Sect affairs with Xiao Yan’s help and urged them to maintain the alliance with the Snake People Race.
• Xiao Chen vanished from the quiet room, leaving Xiao Yan determined to grow stronger and travel to the Central Plains one day.
• Xiao Chen looked back toward Wutan City, then flew toward the Central Plains.

Xiao Chen arrived in the Central Plains, gathered intelligence about its factions and Soul Hall, and encountered a rare Lightning-struck Wood that resonated with his Chaos Flame. The chapter ended with him intervening in a Wind and Thunder Pavilion dispute and claiming the wood.

• Xiao Chen reached the Central Plains, concealed his Seven Star Dou Venerate strength as a newly advanced Dou Zong, and entered Tianbei City.
• Xiao Chen bought a faction map and intelligence on Soul Hall from the Hundred Information Pavilion, then asked about his master, Xu, and soul-restoring treasures.
• Xiao Chen planned to grow stronger, help Yao Lao recover, and investigate Soul Hall and Xu while seeking a place to settle.
• Xiao Chen noticed the Wind and Thunder Pavilion confronting mercenaries over Lightning-struck Wood and sensed that its Chaos Aura could benefit his Chaos Flame.
• When the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's Dou Zong elder attacked the mercenaries, Xiao Chen stopped the thunder palm and declared that he would take the wood.

Xiao Chen acquired Lightning-struck Wood by trading a Dou Spirit Pill, then used his Heavenly Soul Realm power to drive off the Wind and Thunder Pavilion elder. He accepted Han Yue’s invitation to stay with the Han Family and left with her for the estate.

• Xiao Chen stopped the Wind and Thunder Pavilion from taking the Lightning-struck Wood and offered the mercenaries a Dou Spirit Pill in exchange for it.
• The Wind and Thunder Pavilion elder challenged Xiao Chen, who injured him with a Soul Strike and revealed his Heavenly Soul Realm power.
• Han Yue introduced herself to Xiao Chen and invited him to visit the Han Family as their guest.
• Xiao Chen accepted Han Yue’s invitation and departed with her while the Wind and Thunder Pavilion members withdrew.

Xiao Chen stayed at the Han Family mansion, refined the Chaos Flame with Lightning-struck Wood, and drew the attention of both the Han Family and Wind and Thunder Pavilion. After learning that Soul Hall was active around the coming Pill Gathering in Sacred Pill City, he agreed to travel there with the Han Family caravan.

• Han Yue arranged for Xiao Chen to stay in Listening Bamboo Pavilion, where he used the Lightning-struck Wood to strengthen his Chaos Flame.
• Han Yue told Han Chi about Xiao Chen's power, and Han Chi assigned her to handle the Han Family's dealings with him.
• Lei Hong reported Xiao Chen to the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, whose master ordered an investigation and warned its disciples not to provoke Xiao Chen or the Han Family.
• Xiao Chen spent several days cultivating and learning about the Central Plains from Han Yue, while their mutual regard grew.
• Han Yue told Xiao Chen about the upcoming Pill Gathering in Sacred Pill City and Soul Hall's presence there.
• Xiao Chen agreed to join the Han Family caravan to Sacred Pill City, departing in three days.

Xiao Chen accompanied Han Yue’s caravan from Tianbei City toward Sacred Pill City, where the Blood Sect ambushed them in Black Wind Gorge to seize the Seven Illusions Azure Spirit Saliva. After the Blood Sect leaders attacked his carriage, Xiao Chen appeared and declared that they had chosen death.

• Han Yue welcomed Xiao Chen aboard the Han Family caravan, and they set out from Tianbei City for Sacred Pill City.
• During several peaceful days of travel, Han Yue spoke with Xiao Chen and grew more impressed by his composure and insight.
• As the caravan entered Black Wind Gorge, concealed attackers fired arrows at the guards, and Blood Sect members revealed themselves.
• The Blood Sect Sect Masters demanded the Seven Illusions Azure Spirit Saliva and the caravan’s valuables, while Han Yue prepared to resist.
• Xiao Chen warned the attackers to leave within three breaths, then appeared after one Sect Master’s palm strike failed to reach the carriage.
• Xiao Chen told the Blood Sect leaders that the three breaths had passed and they had chosen death.

Xiao Chen effortlessly killed the two Blood Sect leaders who attacked the Han Family caravan in Black Wind Gorge, then allowed the surviving bandits to flee. As the caravan resumed its journey, Han Yue’s shock and gratitude gave way to new feelings for him.

• The Blood Sect leaders mocked Xiao Chen, and the burly leader charged at him.
• Xiao Chen killed the burly Five-star Dou Emperor with a flick of his finger.
• The sinister leader fled, but Xiao Chen froze him and destroyed him with another flick.
• Xiao Chen ordered the remaining Blood Sect members to leave, and they fled the gorge.
• Han Yue and the Han Family guards thanked Xiao Chen, then the caravan continued on its way.
• Han Yue watched Xiao Chen in the carriage and realized her feelings for him had begun to change.

After reaching Sacred Pill City, Xiao Chen encountered the gifted alchemist Cao Ying and used his Soul Power to calm Dan Chen’s soul disorder. Cao Ying grew intrigued by Xiao Chen, while Han Yue watched their exchange uneasily as new complications began to gather around him.

• News of Xiao Chen defeating two Five-star Dou Emperors spread, and the Han Family caravan traveled safely for the next half month.
• The caravan reached Sacred Pill City, where Xiao Chen sensed powerful experts and traces of Soul Hall’s presence.
• At the city gate, Cao Ying recognized Han Yue and questioned Xiao Chen, who introduced himself as an unaffiliated cultivator and said he had come to broaden his horizons.
• When Dan Chen suffered a soul disorder, Xiao Chen soothed her with his Soul Power and advised her to progress gradually.
• Cao Ying became genuinely interested in Xiao Chen’s abilities, while Han Yue felt uneasy watching their interaction.

Xiao Chen visited the Alchemist Tower to certify his alchemist rank and effortlessly earned a Sixth-Grade Alchemist Badge using a mysterious Chaos-Colored Flame. He left before revealing whether he could refine seventh-grade pills, while rumors of his skill and Heavenly Flame spread through Sacred Pill City.

• Xiao Chen calmed Dan Chen's soul disorder, impressing Cao Ying and nearby alchemists before Dan Chen left with her family.
• Cao Ying invited Xiao Chen to the Alchemist Tower, where he agreed to certify his alchemist rank and chose to begin with sixth grade.
• Xiao Chen selected the Imperial Pill and used his Chaos-Colored Flame to refine three top-grade pills in one hour, shocking Elder Lin and Cao Ying.
• Elder Lin awarded Xiao Chen a Sixth-Grade Alchemist Badge, and Cao Ying publicly suggested he could be capable of seventh-grade alchemy.
• Xiao Chen declined to continue the certification and left with Han Yue as news of his achievement and suspected Heavenly Flame spread through Sacred Pill City.

After earning his Sixth-Grade Alchemist Badge, Xiao Chen accepted an invitation to dine with Cao Xiu and used the meeting to seek rare ingredients for repairing souls. He left with a lead connecting the Soul Infant Fruit to Starfall Pavilion, while sensing that powerful factions were watching him in Sacred Pill City.

• Xiao Chen sensed several powerful Soul Perceptions secretly probing him and Han Yue as they left the certification hall.
• Cao Ying invited Xiao Chen and Han Yue to a banquet at the Cao Family residence, and Xiao Chen accepted to make contact with the influential family.
• At the banquet, Cao Xiu asked about Xiao Chen's origins, and Xiao Chen said he came from the Northwest Continent and had a reclusive master.
• Xiao Chen named rare soul-repairing ingredients he sought, and Cao Xiu offered a lead about the Soul Infant Fruit being connected to Starfall Pavilion and promised to watch for the Nine-Revolutions Soul-Returning Grass.
• Cao Xiu warmly escorted Xiao Chen and Han Yue out, and Xiao Chen concluded that factions including the Soul Hall were still watching them.

The Alchemist Tower’s Pill Gathering began at Myriad Medicine Plaza with the “Myriad Flames Paying Homage” test and a soul-strength trial. Xiao Chen’s concealed Chaos Flame aura briefly subdued the Heavenly Flames, while Dan Chen stunned the crowd by lighting all nine rings of a Soul Testing Stele.

• Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Lei Zi opened the Pill Gathering and began the Myriad Flames Paying Homage stage.
• The contestants summoned their flames, and Xiao Chen’s faint Chaos Aura made the Heavenly Flames falter before he withdrew it.
• Xuan Kongzi introduced the soul test, and the contestants began measuring their Soul Power on the nine Soul Testing Steles.
• Cao Ying reached Earthly Realm Ninth Grade, while Xiao Yan passed with Peak of Earthly Realm Eighth Grade.
• Dan Chen lit all nine rings of her stele, shocking the crowd and prompting the three Alchemist Tower giants to watch her closely.

Xiao Yan passed the second Pill Gathering round and received Spirit Cleansing Pills from Xiao Yi Xian, who thanked him for Xiao Chen’s help at the city gate. After the break, the contestants began the third round, which tested flame control and willpower.

• Dan Chen revealed Mortal Realm Grand Perfection soul talent, shocking the crowd and the Alchemist Tower’s leaders.
• Xiao Yan, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen passed the second round by identifying medicinal ingredients and deducing an incomplete pill formula.
• Xiao Yi Xian gave Xiao Yan Spirit Cleansing Pills as thanks for Xiao Chen’s help, and Xiao Yan used one to restore his Soul Power.
• Xiao Chen recognized Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body and watched her leave with an unreadable smile.
• Xuan Kongzi began the Thousand Cauldron Heart Refining round, requiring contestants to keep their cauldrons intact under unstable Earth Core Fire.

Xiao Yan endured the Earth Core Fire trial while Xiao Chen secretly removed a Soul Hall mark that had been sabotaging his medicine cauldron. Five hundred alchemists advanced, and the Pill Gathering’s final pill-refining contest was set for the next day as the Soul Hall prepared another move.

• The alchemists struggled to control the violent Earth Core Fire and protect their fragile cauldrons, with many being eliminated when their cauldrons exploded.
• Xiao Chen detected a hidden Soul Hall mark sabotaging Xiao Yan’s cauldron and quietly destroyed it while restoring some of Xiao Yan’s Soul Power.
• Xiao Yan sensed the danger had eased, recognized Xiao Chen’s help, and continued the trial; Cao Ying watched Xiao Chen with growing interest.
• After the judges eliminated three more alchemists, five hundred advanced, including Xiao Yan, Cao Ying, and Dan Chen.
• Xuan Kongzi announced that the final pill-refining contest would take place the next day, while Xiao Chen warned the hidden Soul Hall members not to underestimate him.

Xiao Chen discovered Soul Hall’s hidden forces gathering in Sacred Pill City while preparing for the Pill Gathering final. After Tang Huo'er challenged him over his Heavenly Flame and he effortlessly stopped her attack, he sensed Soul Hall’s killers closing in on the Han Family residence and Xiao Yan’s lodging.

• Xiao Chen sensed at least ten Dou Zong souls and a likely Dou Zun among Soul Hall’s infiltrators, and warned Han Yue to keep the Han Family away from the plaza.
• Han Yue brought Xiao Chen Calming Soul Nourishing Soup and told him that unidentified experts, the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, and Soul Hall were active in the city.
• Tang Huo'er arrived above the Han Family residence on a flaming phoenix and challenged Xiao Chen to test her Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire against his Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Chen dispersed Tang Huo'er's flaming whip with a word, and she agreed to challenge him again after the Pill Gathering.
• Xiao Chen sensed concealed Soul Hall auras approaching the Han Family’s separate courtyard and Xiao Yan’s lodging.