Chapter Summaries

Xiao Shuang escorted Yaoye on a heavily guarded stroll through the Marketplace, alarming Wutan City’s factions and prompting Jia Lie Bi to seek an alliance with the Ao Ba Family. After returning to the Xiao Family, Xiao Shuang and Yaoye found Xiao Zhan and the others pleased after their discussions.

• The Xiao Family and the Royal Family sent a large escort to protect Xiao Shuang and Yaoye as they visited the Marketplace.
• Yaoye and Xiao Shuang browsed the shops and bought trinkets while Jia Lie Family members reported the visit to their clan.
• Jia Lie Bi feared the Xiao Family would gain an advantage and rejected Jia Lie Nu’s suggestion to act against them directly.
• Jia Lie Bi took Jia Lie Nu to visit the Ao Ba Family to seek an alliance against the Xiao Family.
• As evening fell, Yaoye rested her legs on Xiao Shuang’s lap, and he massaged them during the ride back to the Xiao Family.
• Xiao Shuang and Yaoye returned to find Xiao Zhan and the others finishing their discussions in high spirits.

Xiao Shuang used Yaoye’s Qi Gathering Powder to break through to Dou Zhe, then mastered the Condensing Ice Art and tested his ability to absorb Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients. The chapter left him beginning to consume the ingredients Xun’er had provided.

• Yaoye returned to the Imperial Capital with Jia Xingtian, while the Xiao Family’s silence led Wutan City’s factions to return to normal and left the Jia Lie Family ridiculed for its premature defenses.
• Xiao Shuang took the Qi Gathering Powder and compressed his Dou Qi until he successfully broke through to Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Shuang discovered an ice-blue vortex in his lower abdomen and found that he could now use the Ice Breaking Finger with genuine Dou Qi.
• Xiao Shuang learned the Condensing Ice Art, a Mysterious Tier High-grade cultivation method, and found it greatly improved his Ice Breaking Finger.
• Xiao Shuang ate an azure Ice Attribute fruit from Xun’er’s collection, and his Extreme Cold Physique rapidly refined its power.

After Xiao Shuang advanced to Three Star Dou Zhe, Ling Ying revealed that he needed to spend two years in the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to awaken his Extreme Cold Physique. Xun'er arranged the spring and a guardian for him, and Xiao Shuang began his seclusion in a concealed mountain cave.

• Xiao Shuang absorbed the medicinal power of the herb and advanced to Three Star Dou Zhe, deciding to wait until its remaining power was refined before taking more herbs.
• Ling Ying gave Xiao Shuang an ancient book explaining that he needed to soak in the Ice Spirit Cold Spring for two years to awaken his Extreme Cold Physique, and Xiao Shuang agreed to follow Xun'er's arrangements.
• Xun'er considered Xiao Shuang's potential as support for Brother Xiao Yan and ordered Ling Ying to prepare the spring and have a woman in green guard Xiao Shuang.
• Two days later, Ling Ying took Xiao Shuang to a newly prepared mountain cave, where the woman in green sealed the entrance as Xiao Shuang approached the Ice Spirit Cold Spring.

Xiao Shuang awakened his Extreme Cold Physique while cultivating in the Ice Spirit Cold Spring and stored vast amounts of cold energy, reaching seven-star Dou Zhe. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan became a Dou Zhe on his eleventh birthday, but his Dou Qi mysteriously vanished that night, leaving him with only three stages of Dou Power as Xiao Shuang continued cultivating.

• Xiao Shuang slipped into the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, where his Extreme Cold Physique awakened and tempered his Dou Qi until he reached seven-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Shuang learned from the woman in green that he had spent nearly a year and a half cultivating, then absorbed the spring's remaining energy until it became ordinary water.
• On his eleventh birthday, Xiao Yan condensed a Dou Qi Vortex and became a Dou Zhe, but learned that Xiao Shuang had been taken away for cultivation and would return in about two years.
• Xiao Yan celebrated with Xun'er, but after returning home, he discovered his Dou Qi had vanished and his Dou Power had fallen to three stages.
• Xun'er worried about Xiao Yan's condition and considered Xiao Shuang a possible source of support, while Xiao Shuang continued refining the spring's energy into liquid energy within his vortex.

After three years in seclusion, Xiao Shuang emerged from the Ice Spirit Cold Spring as a Dou Shi and returned to the Xiao Family. He learned that Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi kept disappearing, promised to support him while pursuing his own goals, and was reminded of the family assessment that day.

• Xiao Shuang broke through to Dou Shi after absorbing the Ice Spirit Cold Spring’s energy and left seclusion with Ling Ying.
• Ling Ying told Xiao Shuang that the Xiao Family was otherwise normal, though Xiao Yan’s strength was mysteriously regressing.
• Xiao Shuang returned to his cabin, reunited with Ping'er, and then went to see Xun'er.
• Xun'er explained that Xiao Yan’s cultivated Dou Qi kept disappearing despite his continued effort and retained talent.
• Xiao Shuang told Xun'er he would support Xiao Yan while pursuing his own life, and Xun'er reminded him about the family assessment.

Xiao Shuang returned to the Xiao Family and defended Xiao Yan after the assessment revealed that Xiao Yan had fallen to Dou Qi: Third Stage. The next day, Xiao Shuang made sure Xiao Yan had a seat when three mysterious guests arrived, and Xun'er pointed out the Silver Sword on their cuffs.

• Xiao Shuang found Xiao Yan at the family assessment and encouraged him despite his dispirited state.
• When the crowd mocked Xiao Yan's Dou Qi: Third Stage result, Xiao Shuang confronted them and pulled Xiao Yan off the testing platform.
• Xiao Shuang promised to protect Xiao Yan's dignity until he reclaimed his glory, and Xiao Yan regained some of his spirit.
• The Xiao Family elders praised Xiao Shuang, while Xiao Zhan worried about Xiao Yan's decline.
• Xiao Shuang asked a maid to add a seat for Xiao Yan before three guests entered the main hall.
• Xun'er pointed out the Silver Sword on the guests' cuffs, and Xiao Yan looked at it.

Nalan Yanran arrived with Ge Ye to ask the Xiao Family to dissolve her engagement to Xiao Yan, citing the Misty Cloud Sect Sect Leader’s wishes. Xiao Yan rejected the offered compensation, and Nalan Yanran angrily offered even more.

• Xun'er explained that Nalan Yanran had become a favored disciple of Yun Yun and likely wanted to end her engagement to Xiao Yan.
• Ge Ye told Xiao Zhan that the Misty Cloud Sect wanted the engagement dissolved, and Xiao Zhan shattered his stone cup in anger.
• Ge Ye blocked Xiao Zhan’s aura, and Xiao Zhan eventually relented, saying Xiao Yan was not worthy of Nalan Yanran.
• Ge Ye offered a Qi Gathering Powder as compensation, but Xiao Yan rejected it and said the Xiao Family might refuse the request.
• Xun'er defended Xiao Yan’s right to speak, and Nalan Yanran offered three Qi Gathering Powders and high-level Dou Techniques from the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Shuang challenged Nalan Yanran’s arrogant companion after he insulted Xiao Yan, then began to dominate their duel in the square. The young man unveiled a powerful sword technique as the fight continued.

• Xiao Shuang stood up for Xiao Yan and accepted the young man’s personal challenge after he threatened the Xiao Family.
• The young man agreed that Xiao Yan could decide what happened if Xiao Shuang won, and promised to leave the Misty Cloud Sect if he lost.
• Xiao Zhan and Ge Ye agreed to preside over a sparring match, and Xiao Shuang entered the square with a spear Yaoye had left him.
• Xiao Shuang used his strength and relentless spear attacks to suppress the young man, drawing concern from Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye.
• The young man steadied himself and formed two sword phantoms with the Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, Wind Spirit Fractal Sword.

Xiao Shuang defeated the young man from the Misty Cloud Sect after revealing that he had reached the Dou Shi level. His overwhelming victory left the Xiao Family, Ge Ye, and Nalan Yanran stunned.

• The young man attacked Xiao Shuang with Wind Spirit Fractal Sword, but Xiao Shuang used Ice Breaking Finger and his spear to break and repel the sword shadows.
• The young man swallowed a pill to strengthen his technique, while Ge Ye threatened Xiao Zhan into letting the attack continue.
• Xiao Shuang revealed his frost-white Dou Qi Gauze Robe, exposing his Dou Shi cultivation and shaking the young man's confidence.
• The young man fused three blood-red sword shapes into a final strike, but Xiao Shuang's Iron Mountain Fist shattered his sword and defeated him with one punch.
• The onlookers reacted in shock to Xiao Shuang's victory and his exceptional cultivation at such a young age.

Xiao Shuang defeated the Misty Cloud Sect disciple, while Xiao Yan rejected Nalan Yanran’s proposed challenge and repudiated her in front of the Xiao Family. Xiao Yan left for the back mountain determined to grow stronger, where an eerie voice offered him help.

• Xiao Shuang defeated the Misty Cloud Sect disciple, and the injured young man accepted responsibility and offered to leave the sect.
• Nalan Yanran proposed that Xiao Yan challenge her in three years, but Xiao Yan declared his lack of interest and wrote a repudiation contract in his blood.
• Xiao Yan knelt before Xiao Zhan, promised to come for Nalan Yanran in three years, and left the hall; Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye departed afterward.
• Xiao Zhan apologized to Xiao Shuang for failing to intervene, and Xiao Shuang later asked Xun'er for the Ice Attribute medicinal herbs she had promised.
• Xiao Yan vowed on the back mountain not to suffer such humiliation again, and an aged, eerie voice offered to help him.

Xiao Shuang refined an Ice Attribute herb and learned that Xiao Zhan wanted him to lead a Xiao Family mercenary team on a hunt near the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. With the Third Elder accompanying him, Xiao Shuang accepted the assignment and prepared to learn about the mercenary group from Xiao Lei.

• Xiao Shuang absorbed an Ice Attribute herb and estimated he would soon advance to a three-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er invited Xiao Shuang to visit the Marketplace, but he declined and congratulated Xiao Yan on recovering his spirits.
• Xiao Zhan summoned Xiao Shuang and told him to lead a mercenary team to hunt demonic beasts near the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
• Xiao Zhan assigned the Third Elder to accompany Xiao Shuang, and Xiao Shuang accepted the responsibility.
• Xiao Lei introduced himself and offered to explain the mercenary group to Xiao Shuang, whose strength the mercenaries already respected.

Xiao Shuang joined Xiao Lei and several mercenaries to hunt in the forest, where they used a Tiger-tailed Leopard's corpse to bait and catch Crimson Blood Rabbits. After a peaceful night at camp, the group packed up and continued toward Qingshan Town.

• Xiao Shuang agreed to join Xiao Lei in the forest to catch a rabbit, and Xiao Lei brought six mercenaries to protect him.
• The mercenaries worked together to kill a Tiger-tailed Leopard, and Xiao Shuang dug a Demonic Core from its skull.
• Xiao Lei explained that the leopard's corpse could bait Crimson Blood Rabbits, and the group used it to attract dozens of rabbits.
• The mercenaries knocked out and killed the rabbits, then returned to camp and cooked them for Xiao Shuang.
• After the night passed peacefully, Xiao Shuang and the group packed their carriages and set off for Qingshan Town.

Xiao Shuang arrived at Qingshan Town, bought Blood Coagulating Grass, and led the Xiao Family mercenaries into the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. The chapter ended as Xiao Lei and two mercenaries attacked two First-Tier Demonic Beasts Xiao Shuang had detected.

• Xiao Shuang arrived in Qingshan Town and decided the group would rest before entering the Demonic Beast Mountain Range the next day.
• Xiao Shuang bought Blood Coagulating Grass in bulk after Xiao Lei helped him choose the best stalks.
• Xiao Shuang declined to have Xiao Yi Xian refine the herbs, choosing to save Gold Coins for the hunt.
• Xiao Shuang led the Xiao Family mercenaries into the mountain range while Third Elder stayed in the carriage as backup.
• Xiao Shuang detected two sleeping First-Tier Demonic Beasts and sent Xiao Lei and two mercenaries to attack them.

Xiao Shuang’s party encountered a mercenary group overwhelmed by Demonic Beasts and intervened to save the survivors, including Xiao Yi Xian. Xiao Shuang moved to fight the remaining beasts while his men began helping the wounded.

• Xiao Shuang’s mercenaries hunted Demonic Beasts in the forest and rested after collecting a second-tier magic core.
• Xiao Lei discovered a nearby mercenary group under attack by three Second-Tier Demonic Beasts, with most of its members killed or scattered.
• Xiao Shuang found Xiao Yi Xian and a handful of survivors facing two rampaging Second-Tier Demonic Beasts.
• Xiao Shuang ordered Xiao Lei and another Dou Shi to engage one beast while he charged the other.
• Xiao Shuang killed the beast attacking Xiao Yi Xian with Ice Breaking Finger, then rushed toward the remaining beast as his men greeted the survivors and assessed the wounded.

After saving Xiao Yi Xian and arranging for her to make Healing Medicine, Xiao Shuang continued hunting in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. When a Third-Tier Magic Flame Tiger drove dozens of Second-Tier Demonic Beasts toward the camp, Xiao Shuang isolated it in icy mist and prepared to fight.

• Xiao Shuang saved Xiao Yi Xian and negotiated for her to make Healing Medicine using Blood Coagulating Grass.
• Xiao Yi Xian treated the wounded mercenaries and returned to town with them, promising to bring Xiao Shuang the medicine at the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion.
• Xiao Shuang rested with his group and set his sights on obtaining a Third-Tier Demonic Beast's magic core.
• Xiao Lei warned Xiao Shuang that dozens of Second-Tier Demonic Beasts were approaching the camp, and Xiao Shuang ordered the mercenaries to attack.
• Xiao Shuang sensed the Third-Tier Magic Flame Tiger behind the beasts, then used icy mist to conceal himself and confront it.

Xiao Shuang fought and killed a Magic Flame Tiger inside the icy mist, demonstrating the strength of his Extreme Cold Physique and gaining a third-tier magic core. The mist dispersed to reveal him unharmed, while the Xiao Family mercenaries had also defeated the other demonic beasts with only minor injuries.

• Xiao Shuang blocked the Magic Flame Tiger’s tail and used the icy mist to slow and disorient the beast.
• Xiao Shuang pierced the tiger’s tail with Ice Breaking Finger and gave it a chance to counterattack.
• Xiao Shuang clashed with the Magic Flame Tiger and drove his spear into its head, killing it and claiming its magic core.
• The icy mist dispersed, revealing Xiao Shuang safe beside the dead tiger as Xiao Lei and the mercenaries regrouped.

Xiao Shuang defeated a Third-Tier Magic Flame Tiger and collected its Magic Core with his group before returning to Qingshan Town to pick up Healing Medicine from Xiao Yi Xian. After learning she had refined it with great care, he offered her an Ice Bone Fruit in return.

• Xiao Shuang rested while Xiao Lei and the others collected one Third-Tier Magic Core, nine Second-Tier Magic Cores, and the Demonic Beast corpses.
• Xiao Shuang led the group back to Qingshan Town to collect Healing Medicine from the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion.
• Xiao Lei asked a mercenary for directions, and Xiao Shuang's group arrived at the Ten Thousand Medicine Pavilion.
• Xiao Yi Xian brought out about a hundred bottles of Healing Medicine, and Xiao Shuang recognized the Bone-Regenerating Flower and Vitality Fruit in it.
• Xiao Yi Xian refused Xiao Shuang's payment because he had saved her life, so Xiao Shuang offered her an Ice Bone Fruit instead.

Xiao Shuang gave Xiao Yi Xian an Ice Bone Fruit before returning to Wutan City, where Xiao Yan welcomed him back and presented him with a low-grade Earth Tier ice-attribute Dou Technique. The chapter left Xiao Shuang holding a powerful gift from Xiao Yan’s newly revealed master, Old Yao.

• Xiao Shuang gave Xiao Yi Xian an Ice Bone Fruit as a gesture of friendship, and she gratefully told him her name.
• After several days of travel, Xiao Shuang returned to Wutan City with Xiao Lei and delivered the Third-Tier Magic Core to Xiao Zhan, who told him Jia Nan Academy’s recruitment was approaching.
• Xiao Yan rushed into the Xiao Family’s main hall to greet Xiao Shuang, and the two left together after Xiao Shuang excused himself.
• Xiao Yan gave Xiao Shuang a low-grade Earth Tier ice-attribute Dou Technique that Old Yao had provided for him.

Xiao Yan gave Xiao Shuang an Earth Tier Dou Technique before they discussed Xiao Shuang’s plans to enter Jia Nan Academy. After Xiao Shuang confronted Xun'er over her schemes, they agreed to continue cooperating, though he warned that he would stand with Xiao Yan if the Ancient Clan threatened him.

• Xiao Yan gave Xiao Shuang the Earth Tier Dou Technique and learned that he planned to join Jia Nan Academy while Xiao Yan stayed behind to train for the Three-Year Pact.
• Xiao Shuang returned to his cave and discovered that the technique was the Movement Dou Technique Frosty Snow Step, capable of letting its user walk through the air at the Dou Wang level.
• Xun'er arrived with Ling Ying and gave Xiao Shuang a storage ring filled with medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Shuang accused Xun'er of plotting against him, and Ling Ying stepped in front of her as she admitted she had been at fault.
• Xiao Shuang agreed to continue cooperating with Xun'er but said he would stand with Xiao Yan if the force behind her threatened him.
• After Xiao Shuang left, Xun'er told Ling Ying that she had brought the conflict upon herself and chose to maintain their cooperation.

Xiao Shuang prepared for Jia Nan Academy’s recruitment, reflecting on his plans with Xun'er and Yaoye before setting out with Xiao Yan and Xun'er. Xiao Lei and the Xiao Family mercenaries cleared a path through the packed square, leaving Xiao Shuang at the testing area.

• Xiao Shuang considered confronting Xun'er about her schemes and dreamed of gaining enough strength to command the Jia Ma Empire.
• Ping'er helped Xiao Shuang wash and dress before Jia Nan Academy’s recruitment.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er met Xiao Shuang at his cabin, and the three headed to the recruitment square together.
• Xiao Lei arrived with Xiao Family mercenaries and escorted Xiao Shuang through the crowd while Xiao Yan and Xun'er left.
• Xiao Lei and the mercenaries returned to the edge of the square, and Xiao Shuang proceeded to the testing area.