Chapter Summaries

Xiao Shuang reunited with Ping'er, who chose to remain by his side and serve him and Yaoye. Xiao Shuang and Yaoye then set out for the Mittel Auction House to buy Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients.

• Yaoye brought Ping'er to Xiao Shuang, and Ping'er asked to stay with them in the Imperial City.
• Xiao Shuang agreed to keep Ping'er by his side and asked Yaoye to arrange pills to improve Ping'er's cultivation.
• Xiao Shuang and Yaoye prepared to attend the grand auction and buy every Ice Attribute medicinal ingredient available.
• Xiao Shuang and Yaoye left the palace with a heavily armed guard unit and rode toward the auction in Yaoye's carriage.

Xiao Shuang and Yaoye attended the Mittel Family’s Heaven Tier Auction, where they planned to obtain the Cold Marrow Branch for Xiao Shuang. The auction began with Ya Fei as its host, while several mysterious outsiders watched from the hall.

• Yaoye told Xiao Shuang that the Royal Family intended to secure the Cold Marrow Branch for him at the auction.
• Mittel Tengshan escorted Xiao Shuang and Yaoye to the number one VIP room at the Mittel Family headquarters.
• Yaoye pointed out several black-robed figures from outside the Jia Ma Empire, and she and Xiao Shuang settled in to watch the auction.
• Hai Bodong appeared on the second-floor platform as Ya Fei opened the Heaven Tier Auction and presented its first item.

The Heaven Tier Auction opened with a rare Flying Dou Technique, which Gu He bought for Liu Ling. Xiao Shuang and Yaoye discussed Gu He’s ties to the Misty Cloud Sect and the need to decide whether to recruit or confront him.

• Ya Fei began the auction by presenting a Cloud-Breaking Eagle’s wings and a Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Flying Dou Technique.
• Bidders drove the price up until Gu He offered two million three hundred thousand Gold Coins, winning the item.
• Yaoye told Xiao Shuang that Gu He was a Sixth-Grade Alchemist and might side with the Misty Cloud Sect because of his feelings for Yun Yun.
• Xiao Shuang said they should consider recruiting Gu He but would deal with him if he firmly backed the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Gu He explained that he had bought the Flying Dou Technique for his disciple Liu Ling and paid for it when the guards delivered it.

At the auction, Yaoye bought several Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients, and Xiao Shuang raised the bid on a Cold Marrow Branch despite interference from black-robed Poison Masters. The branch reached seven million, and Xiao Shuang suspected the auction still had more important items to come.

• A middle-aged man bought the Swift Walking Pill for two hundred forty thousand Gold Coins.
• Yaoye bought every rare Ice Attribute medicinal ingredient that appeared at the auction.
• Ya Fei introduced the Cold Marrow Branch as a rare Ice Attribute ingredient and an important component of the Sect Breaking Pill.
• Gu He bid four million five hundred thousand for the branch, then withdrew when Yaoye raised the price to six million.
• A black-robed man bid six million five hundred thousand, and Xiao Shuang countered with seven million after recognizing that the group was bidding to provoke them.
• Xiao Shuang let the black-robed men go and returned to his seat, noting that the Cold Marrow Branch was not likely to be the auction's finale item.

At the Heaven Tier Auction, Hai Bodong unveiled an Earth Tier Low-grade Cultivation Technique, Mysterious Rock Guardian, and the bidding escalated into a contest between Yaoye and the black-robed men from the Chu Yun Empire. Yaoye stopped at fifteen million one hundred thousand, and the Chu Yun group appeared to win at fifteen million five hundred thousand.

• Hai Bodong presented Mysterious Rock Guardian as the auction’s finale item and warned bidders to obey the rules.
• Bidders raised the price to eight million before Yaoye bid ten million on Xiao Shuang’s signal.
• Xiao Shuang gave Yaoye a storage ring of gold coins he had taken from Yuan Yi, and she raised her bid to eleven million.
• The Chu Yun Empire’s black-robed men and Yaoye traded bids until the price reached fifteen million.
• Yaoye followed Xiao Shuang’s advice and stopped at fifteen million one hundred thousand, while a black-robed man bid fifteen million five hundred thousand and went to pay.

After the Heaven Tier auction, Xiao Shuang and Yaoye left the auction house while Chu Yun Empire’s First Prince plotted against them. Xiao Shuang sensed they were being watched, and a Dou Wang returned to report that Yaoye’s carriage appeared lightly guarded.

• The Chu Yun Empire’s First Prince decided to investigate Jia Ma Empire’s Empress and consider attacking her, leaving a Dou Wang behind to gather information.
• Xiao Shuang and Yaoye discussed the auction with Hai Bodong, then left after arranging to buy Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients from the Mittel Family.
• Xiao Shuang noticed someone watching them, so Yaoye sent a guard to notify her Great-Grandfather and arranged for Elder Jia to follow the carriage unseen.
• Xiao Shuang and Yaoye suspected the Chu Yun Empire’s group and discussed the growing danger of war as their carriage entered a secluded street.
• The Chu Yun Empire’s Dou Wang confirmed that Yaoye had few guards and left to report his findings to the First Prince.

The First Prince of the Chu Yun Empire ambushed Yaoye’s carriage with two Dou Wang elders, expecting to seize the Jia Ma Empire’s Empress. Xiao Shuang neutralized their poison and trapped the elders, but the First Prince advanced toward the carriage while Xiao Shuang attacked Zhao Elder.

• The First Prince ordered Zhao Elder and Sun Elder to help him capture Yaoye, and they prepared an ambush on a secluded road.
• Sun Elder spread poisonous powder toward Yaoye’s carriage and gave the attackers antidote pills.
• Xiao Shuang sensed the poison, froze it into black Ice Crystal, and told the guards to protect Yaoye.
• Zhao Elder and Sun Elder appeared and attacked Xiao Shuang with poisonous Dou Qi, but he slowed them with cold and sealed them in an ice cage.
• Xiao Shuang struck Zhao Elder with Ice Breaking Finger as the First Prince led his men closer to Yaoye’s carriage.

Xiao Shuang defeated the Chu Yun Empire’s attackers and captured their First Prince after he tried to seize Yaoye. The First Prince groveled for mercy, while Xiao Shuang reassured Yaoye that he would protect her.

• Xiao Shuang killed the two Dou Wang attackers by cutting them apart with icy longswords and freezing their remains.
• Xiao Shuang restrained the First Prince after the prince’s attempt to poison him backfired, then used his soul perception to hunt down the other attackers.
• Jia Xingtian arrived, and Xiao Shuang asked him to collect the fallen storage rings carefully in case they were poisoned.
• Yaoye identified the prisoner as the First Prince of the Chu Yun Empire and explained that his attack could strengthen his standing or provoke a war.
• Xiao Shuang demanded that the First Prince bark and spin like a dog if he wanted to live, and the prince barked for mercy.
• Xiao Shuang released the First Prince from the ice spikes, then took Yaoye’s hand and promised that no one would hurt her while he was there.

Xiao Shuang killed the First Prince of the Chu Yun Empire and returned to the Imperial City with Yaoye, where they inventoried the Royal Family’s auction gains. Ling Ying arrived with a gift from Xun’er: Ice Spirit Cold Spring that could help Xiao Shuang reach the Dou Huang level.

• Xiao Shuang killed the First Prince after the prince threatened him with the Chu Yun Empire’s power.
• Yaoye wiped Xiao Shuang’s hands in the carriage, reassured him of her devotion, and playfully meowed at his request.
• Xiao Shuang stored nearly a hundred Ice Attribute medicinal ingredients in the Royal Family’s treasury.
• Ling Ying emerged from the shadows in the great hall, and Xiao Shuang invited Yaoye to stay for their conversation.
• Ling Ying explained that Xun’er had been taken back to her clan and had sent Ice Spirit Cold Spring to fulfill a promise to Xiao Shuang.

Xiao Shuang received the Ice Spirit Cold Spring from Ling Ying and prepared to pursue a breakthrough to Dou Emperor. He set out with Little Purple for the Xiao Family's back mountain to retrieve a meditation stone platform before beginning seclusion.

• Xiao Shuang asked Ling Ying what strength he needed to meet Xun'er's requirements, and Ling Ying estimated that he would need to reach Dou Venerate.
• Xiao Shuang promised to help Xun'er when needed and told Yaoye he would enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough, leaving her to handle affairs and flee with him if the Jia Ma Empire became too dangerous.
• Xiao Shuang decided to retrieve the stone platform from the Xiao Family's back mountain and asked Yaoye to prepare ice-attribute medicinal ingredients in his storage ring.
• Xiao Shuang found Little Purple sparring with the Abyssal Sea Flood Dragon Beast, who healed Little Purple's injuries before letting him go with Xiao Shuang.
• Yaoye gave Xiao Shuang the prepared medicinal ingredients, and Xiao Shuang left with Little Purple, saying he would return in about five days if he could move the stone platform.

Xiao Shuang returned to Wutan City and discovered the Xiao Family's hidden history from a dying elder of the ancient Xiao Clan. He took the clan's meteorite stone platform and left determined to tell Xiao Yan about the burden of reviving the family.

• Xiao Shuang and Little Purple returned to Wutan City and went to the Xiao Family's back mountain cave.
• Xiao Shuang found the stone platform and met a remnant soul who revealed that the Xiao Family had once been the powerful Xiao Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans.
• The Xiao Family elder explained that the Hun Clan attacked while the Xiao Clan leader tried to become a Dou Di, devastating the clan and forcing survivors to flee.
• The elder revealed that the stone platform was made from Outer-Heaven Meteorite Iron, warned Xiao Shuang to beware of the Hun Clan, and faded away.
• Xiao Shuang stored the stone platform, then decided to focus on reaching Dou Huang and tell Xiao Yan about the Xiao Clan's past.

Xiao Shuang cultivated in seclusion for two years and broke through to Dou Huang as the Misty Cloud Sect, backed by the Soul Hall, prepared to confront the Jia Ma Empire’s factions. He emerged just as Xiao Yan gathered allies and began returning to the empire.

• Xiao Shuang prepared a frigid cultivation pool with Ice Spirit Cold Spring, Ice Attribute medicinal herbs, a stone platform, and fifth-tier pills, then entered seclusion to pursue Dou Huang.
• After the Misty Cloud Sect reopened, Yun Shan mobilized the sect and threatened the Mittel Family, prompting the Royal Family, Mittel Family, Mu Family, and Alchemist Guild to form an alliance while the Nalan Family declared neutrality.
• Xiao Yan prepared to return from Jia Nan Academy with a powerful force, including Queen Medusa and Zi Yan, after Xiao Li told him about the empire’s situation.
• Yun Shan agreed to follow Protector Wu’s orders and stage battles against the empire’s factions, while keeping Yun Yun away from the Soul Hall’s influence.
• After two years, Xiao Shuang’s ice shell shattered and his aura spread through the Imperial City as he broke through to Dou Huang and emerged from seclusion.

After leaving seclusion, Xiao Shuang learned that the Misty Cloud Sect was provoking an alliance of the Jia Ma Empire’s major powers and suspected Yun Shan was waiting to destroy them all at once. He sparred with Jia Xingtian to test his new Dou Huang strength, leaving the Royal Family impressed by his power.

• Xiao Shuang heard from Yaoye that the Misty Cloud Sect had declared war on the Mittel Family and that the Royal Family, Mittel Family, Mu Family, and Alchemist Guild had allied against it.
• Xiao Shuang reasoned that Yun Shan was delaying because he planned to wipe out the alliance, and he expected Xiao Yan to return with powerful allies.
• Xiao Shuang asked Jia Xingtian to spar so he could assess his strength after reaching One-star Dou Huang.
• At the Imperial City training grounds, Jia Xingtian and Xiao Shuang released their Dou Huang auras as the Royal Family watched.
• Xiao Shuang used his Severing Life Spear to form three spear shadows, and his attack clashed with Jia Xingtian’s energy spear before they both dispersed their attacks.

Xiao Shuang and Yaoye grew closer while waiting for Xiao Yan’s return, though Xiao Shuang remained wary of the Misty Cloud Sect’s hidden strength. When Xiao Yan arrived in the Jia Ma Empire with many experts, he reunited with the gathered leaders and met Xiao Shuang, who asked him to assess their chances against the Misty Cloud Sect.

• Xiao Shuang dismissed the others so he and Yaoye could spend time alone, and they bathed and shared an intimate moment.
• Yaoye handed the empire’s affairs to Jia Xingtian and stayed with Xiao Shuang, while Little Purple trained with the Abyssal Sea Flood Dragon Beast.
• A message reported that Xiao Yan had returned to Town Ghost Pass with many experts, and Xiao Shuang warned Yaoye that Yun Shan had been waiting to strike.
• Xiao Yan entered the Jia Ma Empire’s Imperial Capital and went with Ya Fei to a Mittel Family estate, where Hai Bodong, Jia Xingtian, Fama, Xiao Ding, and others were gathered.
• Xiao Yan recognized Xiao Shuang seated in the place of honor and greeted the group; Xiao Shuang then asked how likely they were to defeat the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan prepared their alliance for a decisive battle against the Misty Cloud Sect after learning Yun Yun and Gu He were to wed. Xiao Shuang then brought Xiao Yan to the Xiao Family’s new home in the Imperial Capital, where they arrived at the gates of Xiao Manor.

• Old Yao appeared in the hall, revealed his history with Fama, and helped steady the alliance’s morale.
• Fama apologized for failing to support Xiao Yan and pledged the Alchemist Guild’s help against the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Yaoye reported that Yun Shan planned a wedding for Yun Yun and Gu He, and Xiao Shuang proposed attacking before the ceremony.
• Yaoye, Hai Bodong, the Mu Family head, Fama, and Xiao Yan agreed to Xiao Shuang’s plan and began mobilizing their forces.
• Xiao Yan declined to visit the Xiao Family until after defeating the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Shuang explained that Yaoye had relocated the family to the Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan arrived at Xiao Manor, where Xiao Shuang asked the gate guards if they recognized the returning Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang settled the Xiao Family’s leadership and prepared to oppose the Misty Cloud Sect. As the Royal Family and other factions readied their forces, the Nalan Family went to visit the Royal Family.

• Xiao Yan yielded the seat of honor to Xiao Shuang, and the Third Elder named Xiao Yan clan leader and Xiao Shuang Supervisory Elder.
• The Third Elder reported that the Xiao Family had 564 members and 320 fighters, and Xiao Shuang explained that the family’s resources came from Yuan Yi’s storage ring.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Li to move the Xiao Clan’s people in without disrupting order, then mentioned that Zi Yan had come to see Xiao Shuang.
• Xiao Ding warned Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang to protect themselves and revealed that he had scattered Xiao Family members across the Jia Ma Empire.
• Xiao Yan declared that he would make the Misty Cloud Sect repay its debts, while Yaoye and the empire’s allied factions prepared for war.
• The Nalan Family sensed the coming conflict and visited the Royal Family.

Nalan Jie visited Xiao Shuang and pledged the Nalan Family’s support for the Royal Family’s coming campaign against the Misty Cloud Sect. After Nalan Jie left, Xiao Yan arrived with Zi Yan and a cold, stunning beauty, and Xiao Shuang ordered him to watch Nalan Jie for suspicious moves.

• Xiao Shuang cut short Nalan Jie’s pleasantries and questioned the Nalan Family’s divided ties to the Misty Cloud Sect through Nalan Yanran.
• Nalan Jie pledged the Nalan Family’s full support for the Royal Family’s campaign and said he would disown Nalan Yanran if she sided with the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Shuang warned Nalan Jie that he would spare Nalan Yanran if she appeared but would punish the Nalan Family if it turned against the Royal Family during battle.
• Xiao Yan arrived with Zi Yan and a cold, stunning beauty, then asked Xiao Shuang what Nalan Jie had wanted.
• Xiao Shuang told Xiao Yan to have someone watch Nalan Jie, and Xiao Yan agreed, saying the Nalan Family’s involvement would not affect the battle.

Queen Medusa learned about the Snake People Race’s alliance with the Jia Ma Empire and its plans for a war beyond their borders. After Xiao Shuang and Queen Medusa left, Zi Yan stayed in the Imperial City, where Yaoye welcomed her and arranged a palace and a meal.

• Xiao Shuang explained the Snake People Race’s partnership with the Royal Family and its ambition to fight beyond the empire’s borders, while Queen Medusa questioned the arrangement.
• Yin Shi, Yue Mei, and Yan Li arrived to help Xiao Shuang fight the Misty Cloud Sect, and Queen Medusa insisted the Snake People Race show proper sincerity by sending more experts.
• Xiao Shuang pointed out that Queen Medusa was a Dou Zong expert, and later he and Queen Medusa left while Zi Yan remained in the Imperial City.
• Xiao Shuang told Zi Yan he was married and offered her a residence and access to his medicinal herb storehouse after the battle.
• Yaoye welcomed Zi Yan, arranged a palace and maids for her, and invited her to stay for a meal; Zi Yan asked Yaoye to call her Little Zi Yan.

As Gu He and Yun Yun's wedding began at the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan agreed to let Protector Wu take Gu He's soul after the battle while secretly considering how to turn against the Soul Hall. Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan then announced their attack, leaving the wedding on the brink of the final battle.

• Yun Shan and Gu He discussed the wedding and Gu He's hope that Yun Shan would lift Yun Yun's seal afterward.
• Protector Wu revealed his interest in Gu He's soul, threatened Yun Shan, and warned him to test the Misty Cloud Sect's worth to the Soul Hall.
• After Protector Wu departed, Yun Shan secretly considered killing him and uncovering why the Soul Hall valued the Xiao Family.
• On the wedding day, Gu He greeted a small group of guests as Yun Yun arrived in a veiled red gown.
• Xiao Shuang declared that he would destroy the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Yan joined him in the air and announced he had come to collect a debt.

Gu He's wedding to Yun Yun was interrupted when Xiao Yan and Xiao Shuang arrived with a large force to attack the Misty Cloud Sect over its alleged attempt to seize the nation and Xiao Yan's family grudge. Gu He accepted Xiao Yan's challenge, leaving the battle poised to begin.

• Yun Shan announced Gu He's marriage to Yun Yun, but a black heavy ruler crashed onto the wedding platform as Xiao Shuang and nearly a hundred Dou Wang experts appeared overhead.
• Xiao Shuang accused the Misty Cloud Sect of plotting to seize the nation, while Xiao Yan declared that he would make the sect pay for destroying the Xiao Family.
• Yun Shan summoned more than fifty Misty Cloud Sect elders, including dozens of Dou Huangs, and threatened the invading force as both sides prepared to fight.
• Gu He objected to the attack disrupting his wedding, but Xiao Yan insisted that anyone who stood in his way would be treated as an enemy.
• Xiao Yan challenged Gu He to last ten moves, promising to leave if Gu He succeeded, and Gu He accepted the challenge.