Chapter Summaries

Ten-year-old Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan both reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, impressing the Xiao Family and drawing the attention of the Jia Ma Royal Family. Jia Xingtian considered the threat their talent might pose as Yaoye suggested visiting the Xiao Family.

• Xiao Shuang reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi with a high grade, and the crowd compared him with Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Shuang greeted Xun'er and waited with her and Xiao Mei for Xiao Yan's test.
• Xiao Yan also reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi with a high grade, matching Xiao Shuang's result.
• Xiao Yan invited Xiao Shuang and Xun'er to eat with him, while Xiao Mei left rather than join them.
• Jia Xingtian learned that two Xiao Family boys had reached the Ninth Stage at age ten and worried the family might produce two Dou Huang experts.
• Yaoye suggested that she and Jia Xingtian visit the Xiao Family.

Yaoye resolved to meet Xiao Shuang after learning about the Xiao Family’s promising geniuses and Xiao Yan’s engagement to Nalan Yanran. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, Xiao Shuang, and Xun'er went shopping and headed out to eat, where Xiao Yan asked Xiao Shuang how he felt about being shunned by the clan.

• Yaoye told Jia Xingtian she wanted to become Empress and personally approach a Xiao Family genius.
• Jia Xingtian explained that Xiao Yan was engaged to Nalan Yanran and suggested Yaoye approach Xiao Shuang instead.
• At the Xiao Family Marketplace, Xiao Yan bought a magic-core dagger, and Xiao Shuang paid for it after teasing him about spending too much.
• Xiao Yan, Xiao Shuang, and Xun'er left the Marketplace while Xiao Family guards discreetly protected them.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Shuang how he felt about the other clan members avoiding him.

Xiao Shuang talked with Xiao Yan about his contented, cultivation-focused life, then celebrated reaching the Ninth Stage Dou Qi with Xiao Yan and Xun'er. Back at his wooden house, he relaxed while Ping'er bathed him and reflected on how long she had served him and how soon they might go to Jia Nan Academy.

• Xiao Shuang told Xiao Yan that he was content with his life and planned to cultivate peacefully while supporting Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan agreed not to press Xiao Shuang about his plans, and the three friends celebrated their cultivation progress at a restaurant.
• Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Xiao Shuang returned to the Xiao Family, where Xiao Shuang went back to his wooden house.
• Ping'er prepared a bath for Xiao Shuang, who recalled how nervous she had been when she first began serving him.
• Xiao Shuang asked Ping'er how long she had served him, and she replied that it had been two years and one month.

Xiao Shuang reflected on the uncertain future and continued his daily cultivation at the Xiao Family’s hidden back-mountain cave. Jia Xingtian and Yaoye appeared there, and Yaoye introduced herself to Xiao Shuang.

• Xiao Shuang worried that changing the future might affect Xiao Yan’s fate, then decided to focus on cultivating before returning to the Jia Ma Empire.
• Xiao Shuang cultivated at dawn and later went to the hidden cave in the Xiao Family’s back mountain.
• Xiao Shuang sensed an intruder and confronted Jia Xingtian and Yaoye as they emerged.
• Yaoye praised Xiao Shuang’s appearance, predicted he would reach Dou Zhe within half a year, and offered him food.
• Yaoye introduced herself, and Xiao Shuang returned the introduction.

Xiao Shuang discovered that Princess Yaoye and Jia Xingtian had come to evaluate his talent, and Yaoye admitted she wanted to take him away. After Jia Xingtian relented and agreed to support her, Xiao Shuang inferred their Imperial Capital origins, and Yaoye asked whether he had ever been there.

• Xiao Shuang spoke with Yaoye in the cave while Jia Xingtian watched silently.
• Yaoye said she admired Xiao Shuang's talent and confessed that she had taken a fancy to him.
• Yaoye asked whether Xiao Shuang would let her abduct him, but Jia Xingtian interrupted and warned her against acting rashly.
• Yaoye insisted on deciding for herself, and Jia Xingtian withdrew his pressure on Xiao Shuang and agreed to back her judgment.
• Xiao Shuang guessed that Yaoye and Jia Xingtian came from the Imperial Capital, and Yaoye asked whether he had been there.

Yaoye offered Xiao Shuang better cultivation resources and, with Jia Xingtian’s approval, pursued a marriage engagement with him. Xiao Shuang agreed to seek an engagement and promised to become a Dou Wang, leaving Jia Xingtian questioning his confidence.

• Yaoye offered Xiao Shuang better resources, but he said he would not abandon the Xiao Family and planned to study at Jia Nan Academy before revitalizing it.
• Jia Xingtian realized Yaoye wanted to recruit Xiao Shuang and considered him a valuable ally for the Royal Family.
• Yaoye asked Xiao Shuang what he thought of her, and Jia Xingtian secretly told her to follow her heart.
• Xiao Shuang agreed to let Yaoye decide his future as long as she did not harm the Xiao Family, then asked Jia Xingtian for permission to become engaged to Yaoye.
• Xiao Shuang promised to reach the Dou Wang level within six to ten years, and Jia Xingtian challenged his confidence.
• Xiao Shuang said he had reached the Ninth Stage Dou Qi at age ten and would become a Dou Zhe in less than half a year.

Yaoye offered Xiao Shuang cultivation resources and agreed to marry him, while Jia Xingtian questioned whether Xiao Shuang could reach Dou Wang in time. Xiao Shuang accepted the marriage agreement and Yaoye’s gifts, leaving with her Jade Pendant as her fiancé.

• Xiao Shuang said he would reach Dou Wang within ten years, and Jia Xingtian challenged whether he could fulfill that promise.
• Yaoye offered Xiao Shuang a Mysterious Tier High-grade Ice Attribute cultivation method and a matching Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique as an investment in his talent.
• Yaoye agreed to the marriage agreement and gave Xiao Shuang her Jade Pendant as a token of affection, saying she would still consider him her husband even if he failed to reach Dou Wang within ten years.
• Yaoye gave Xiao Shuang Qi Gathering Powder, and he promised to repay her kindness.
• Xiao Shuang asked why Yaoye had chosen him, and she cited his appearance and said she would not accept other women around him; he assured her he was not fickle.

Xiao Shuang received a Mysterious Tier cultivation technique and Dou Technique from Yaoye, then began practicing Ice Breaking Finger and planned his next steps. After giving Ping'er a day off at the Xiao Family Marketplace, he headed to the Dou Technique Hall the next morning.

• Xiao Shuang examined the Condensing Ice Art and decided to wait until he reached the Dou Zhe realm before practicing it.
• Xiao Shuang began cultivating Ice Breaking Finger, directing his Dou Qi to his fingertips until one finger flashed faintly.
• Xiao Shuang stored the Qi Gathering Powder and scrolls but kept Yaoye's Jade Pendant around his neck.
• Xiao Shuang invited Ping'er to spend the next day at the Xiao Family Marketplace and gave her seventy Gold Coins, while repeatedly reminding her to be careful.
• After completing his morning cultivation and eating breakfast, Xiao Shuang watched Ping'er leave for the Marketplace and set out for the Dou Technique Hall.

Xiao Shuang, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er headed to the Dou Technique Hall, where Xiao Mei joined them after a brief awkward encounter. They reached the hall and went to its western training ground to spar.

• Xiao Shuang invited Xiao Yan to the Dou Technique Hall, and Xun'er joined them as they set out together.
• Xiao Mei approached Xiao Yan with a group of girls, and Xun'er caught her when one of them pushed her forward.
• Xiao Yan invited Xiao Mei to come along, leaving Xun'er quietly displeased as Xiao Mei's companions departed.
• Xiao Mei whispered something to Xiao Yan, and they laughed together while Xiao Shuang noticed Xun'er's newfound coldness.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang entered the western training ground of the Dou Technique Hall, intending to spar.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang sparred before the Xiao family youths, displaying their powerful attribute-infused Dou Qi and ending the match in a draw. Xun'er suspected Xiao Shuang had an unawakened Extreme Cold Physique and resolved to speak with him about it, hoping he could support Xiao Yan.

• Xiao Yan arrived at the training ground, where Xiao Ning watched bitterly as the crowd's attention shifted to him.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang exchanged courtesies and revealed their Fire and Ice attribute-infused Dou Qi to the onlookers.
• Xiao Yan charged Xiao Shuang, and the two traded a forceful fist-and-palm clash before agreeing to call the spar a draw.
• Xiao Yan teased Xiao Shuang about his cold Dou Qi, then warmed his hands and left the training ground with him.
• Xun'er examined Xiao Yan's hands and suspected Xiao Shuang had an unawakened Extreme Cold Physique, deciding to find a chance to discuss it with him.

Xiao Shuang, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er studied Low-level Yellow Tier Dou Techniques before heading to the southern Marketplace, where Xiao Shuang intervened after finding Ping'er accused of stealing. He took the money bag from a four-star Dou Zhe mercenary and prepared to handle the situation with Xiao Family guards nearby.

• Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan learned Stone Shattering Palm while studying in the Dou Technique Hall, and Xiao Mei invited them to her father's upcoming lesson on high-level Yellow Tier Dou Techniques.
• Xiao Shuang felt uneasy and persuaded Xiao Yan and Xun'er to go with him to the southern Marketplace, while Xiao Mei stayed behind to study.
• Xiao Shuang noticed a noisy crowd and went to investigate, followed by Xiao Yan and Xun'er as Xiao Family guards cleared a path.
• Xiao Shuang recognized Ping'er on the ground beside a mercenary who accused her of stealing his money bag and displayed his four-star Dou Zhe badge.
• Xiao Shuang took the money bag from the mercenary, reassured Ping'er, and saw Xiao Family guards gathering nearby.

Xiao Shuang protected Ping'er after a burly Four-star Dou Shi accused her of stealing his money pouch, and the Xiao Family guards subdued the man. After arranging for him to be taken away, Xiao Shuang brought Ping'er to a restaurant and tried to comfort her.

• The burly man accused Ping'er of stealing his money pouch, and Xiao Shuang ordered the Xiao Family guards to restrain him.
• Xiao Yan arrived as the guards beat the burly man, who pleaded for mercy before provoking Xiao Shuang again and being beaten further.
• Xiao Shuang told Xiao Yan to take the burly man away and noted that the Marketplace's security needed strengthening.
• Xiao Shuang invited Ping'er, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er to eat, then gave the money pouch to Xiao Yan to order food.
• Xiao Shuang apologized for letting Ping'er carry so much money and asked her to sit beside him, while she remained shaken and called herself his servant.

Xiao Shuang, Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Ping'er shared a meal after the Marketplace incident, while Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang grew more confident in their friendship. The Xiao Family arrived to take Xiao Shuang home, where his grandfather warned him to put his safety first.

• Xiao Shuang returned Xiao Yan's money pouch, and the two joked together as Xun'er warmed to seeing his more open side.
• Xiao Shuang introduced Ping'er, and Xiao Yan said he envied him for having such a well-behaved maid.
• Xiao Yan reflected on the importance of befriending Xiao Shuang, while Xiao Shuang considered his growing bond with Xiao Yan and remained wary of Xun'er.
• Xiao Yan, Xiao Shuang, Xun'er, and Ping'er ate an extravagant meal, and Xun'er stopped Xiao Yan from drinking wine.
• Xiao Zhan arrived with the Xiao Family members and left the Marketplace offender for Xiao Shuang to handle.
• The Third Elder warned Xiao Shuang that the Four-star Dou Shi could have hurt him, and Xiao Shuang promised to be careful.

After returning to his cabin, Xiao Shuang told Ping'er about his engagement before sensing someone nearby and confronting Yaoye, who had secretly followed him. Yaoye visited to talk with him about their engagement, leaving its details still to be discussed.

• Xiao Zhan rode back with Third Elder while Xiao Yan, Xiao Shuang, and Xun'er returned in another carriage.
• Xiao Shuang told Ping'er to go to Grandfather's place the next day and explained that he was engaged, so he intended to sever ties with other women.
• Xiao Shuang sensed someone in his cabin, found the window open, and struck at the intruder with a condensed Dou Qi finger.
• Yaoye caught Xiao Shuang's finger and revealed that she had come to visit him.
• Yaoye told Xiao Shuang she wanted to chat and discuss their engagement.

Yaoye visited Xiao Shuang and told him her great-grandfather would bring people to the Xiao Family the next day to finalize their engagement. She approved of Ping'er staying by Xiao Shuang's side, then remained with him to discuss other matters.

• Yaoye praised Xiao Shuang for remembering her demand to limit his ties with other women and said the engagement would be finalized the next day.
• Yaoye told Xiao Shuang she was satisfied with his recent behavior and permitted him to keep a maid, while warning him not to ask her to do anything improper.
• Ping'er entered the room, saw Yaoye on Xiao Shuang's bed, and served her tea without asking how she had arrived.
• Yaoye praised Ping'er for being sensible, touched her cheek, and told her to regard Yaoye as her mistress.
• Yaoye approved of Ping'er remaining by Xiao Shuang's side, then sent her away so she could continue speaking with Xiao Shuang.

Xiao Shuang and Yaoye grew closer as they teased each other, and she gave him two Dou Techniques and a precious Azure Sea Storage Ring. After Yaoye fell asleep, Jia Xingtian entered through the window and showed his approval of Xiao Shuang.

• Yaoye offered to provide Xiao Shuang with Royal Family resources, but he insisted on becoming a Dou Wang within ten years before marrying her.
• Yaoye teased Xiao Shuang and rewarded him with two Dou Techniques and an Azure Sea Storage Ring.
• Yaoye fell asleep while Xiao Shuang massaged her leg, and he covered her with a blanket.
• Jia Xingtian entered through the window, praised Xiao Shuang, and told him he could call him Elder Jia.

Jia Xingtian visited Xiao Shuang and approved of him marrying Yaoye, while strengthening the storage ring she had given him. As Xiao Shuang cultivated beside the sleeping Yaoye, she woke and teased him about touching her.

• Jia Xingtian told Xiao Shuang he would bring Yaoye to the Xiao Family the next day to arrange their marriage contract, and Xiao Shuang promised not to let her down.
• Xiao Shuang activated Yaoye’s storage ring, and Jia Xingtian reinforced it so only a Peak Dou Huang or a powerful alchemist could take it from him.
• Xiao Shuang sat beside Yaoye, covered her after she kicked off her blanket, and began cultivating while Jia Xingtian watched his unusually fast progress.
• Yaoye woke and watched Xiao Shuang cultivate, then asked him to put on her shoes and whispered a teasing question about how much he had touched her.

Xiao Shuang learned from Xun'er and Ling Ying that his unusual Ice Attribute cultivation might indicate the legendary Extreme Cold Physique, which could be tested with a Heavenly Flame. The chapter ended as Xun'er prepared to test him with her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.

• Yaoye and Jia Xingtian left after Yaoye told Xiao Shuang they would come to the Xiao Family the next day to settle the marriage contract.
• Xun'er emerged from the shadows with Ling Ying and asked Xiao Shuang about his physique and unusual cultivation talent.
• Ling Ying explained that he had read ancient records describing the Extreme Cold Physique and its ability to weaken Heavenly Flames.
• Xun'er offered to test Xiao Shuang's physique with her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, and he agreed.

Xun'er confirmed that Xiao Shuang possessed the Extreme Cold Physique and offered him resources in exchange for supporting Xiao Yan. Xiao Shuang accepted their personal cooperation and received a storage ring of Ice Attribute ingredients, while Xun'er remained confident that the Ancient Clan could handle his physique.

• Xun'er tested Xiao Shuang's Dou Qi with her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame and confirmed that he had the Extreme Cold Physique.
• Xun'er offered Xiao Shuang cultivation resources and asked him to keep his physique secret and help Xiao Yan when needed.
• Xiao Shuang revealed that cultivating caused him to lose memories and said he had suppressed his cultivation, but Xun'er attributed the memory loss to his physique's emotional detachment.
• Xiao Shuang agreed to cooperate with Xun'er personally and recognized that she wanted him to support Xiao Yan against obstacles to marrying her.
• Xun'er left Xiao Shuang a storage ring filled with Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients, and Ling Ying escorted her away through the shadows.
• Ling Ying warned Xun'er that the Extreme Cold Physique would be difficult to control, but she replied that the Ancient Clan could handle it and Xiao Yan would need Xiao Shuang's help.

The Royal Family visited the Xiao Family to arrange a marriage alliance between Yaoye and Xiao Shuang, and Xiao Shuang accompanied her away from the main hall. Yaoye then suggested visiting the Xiao Family's Marketplace.

• Xiao Yan told Xiao Shuang and Xun'er that the Royal Family was coming to arrange a marriage alliance, and Xiao Shuang teased him by pretending to be surprised.
• Jia Xingtian and Yaoye arrived at the Xiao Family's main hall with several attendants, and Yaoye spotted Xiao Shuang.
• Yaoye approached Xiao Shuang and invited him to show her around, then Xiao Zhan allowed them to leave together.
• Xiao Zhan and the elders discussed the alliance, which they agreed not to publicize, while Xiao Yan watched Xiao Shuang and Yaoye leave.
• Yaoye suggested visiting the Xiao Family's Marketplace, and Xiao Shuang agreed to arrange guards before taking her there.