Chapter Summaries

At the Xiao Family Assessment Assembly, Xiao Yan discovered that his cultivation had fallen to Dou Qi Stage Four, while Xiao Ze reflected on choosing Xiao Xun'er as his bound target for the system’s tenfold returns. Xiao Xun'er joined Xiao Ze on a hill and asked about Xiao Yan, leaving the brothers’ situation unresolved.

• Xiao Yan tested at Dou Qi Stage Four, shocking the Xiao Family disciples who remembered him as a One Star Dou Practitioner.
• Xiao Yan left the assembly in pain as the crowd speculated about his loss of strength.
• Xiao Ze recalled choosing Xiao Xun'er as his binding target and saw a system reward that would raise him to Nine Star Dou Practitioner.
• Xiao Xun'er approached Xiao Ze, exchanged playful remarks with him, then pointed out that something seemed to have happened to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan’s loss of strength led Xiao Ning to defeat and humiliate him in a fight, while Xiao Ze remained confident that his third brother would rise again. Xiao Yan accepted the fight as a spar to prevent the incident from escalating into a dispute between Xiao Zhan and the Great Elder.

• Xiao Ze told Xiao Xun'er that he believed Xiao Yan’s decline was only a minor setback, and Xiao Xun'er wondered why he trusted Xiao Yan so strongly.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er heard that Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning were fighting, so they hurried to the scene.
• Xiao Zhan arrived to find Xiao Yan on the ground with blood at his mouth and Xiao Ning standing over him.
• Xiao Ze helped Xiao Yan up and signaled Xiao Zhan that his injuries were not serious.
• Xiao Zhan challenged Xiao Ning over the attack, but the Great Elder dismissed it as a spar between juniors and mocked Xiao Yan’s fall from his former strength.
• Xiao Yan accepted the defeat as a spar, and the Great Elder declared the matter settled.

After Xiao Yan was humiliated by Xiao Ning, Xiao Ze decided to answer the Great Elder’s claim that junior sparring was beyond adult interference by challenging Xiao Ning himself. The chapter ended with Xiao Ze revealing he was a Dou Zhe as he pinned Xiao Ning down and beat him before the stunned crowd.

• Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ze comforted Xiao Yan, and Xiao Ze revealed that Xiao Zhan had noticed his declining Dou Qi and had secretly sought its cause.
• Ling Ying told Xiao Xun'er that an unknown force was absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi whenever he cultivated.
• Xiao Ze told Xiao Xun'er he would avenge Xiao Yan through a junior sparring match, and she followed him to the Dou Skill Pavilion.
• Xiao Ze challenged Xiao Ning after hearing him boast about defeating Xiao Yan, and Xiao Ning accepted.
• Xiao Ze knocked Xiao Ning down, pinned his arms, and struck him with fists glowing with Attribute Dou Qi, revealing that he was a Dou Zhe.

Xiao Ze beat Xiao Ning at the Dou Skill Pavilion, where the Great Elder intervened and attacked him. Xiao Zhan drove the Great Elder back with the Furious Lion's Roaring Aura, and Xiao Ze called out the elder's hypocrisy as the crowd criticized him.

• The Great Elder hurried to the Dou Skill Pavilion after learning Xiao Ze was beating Xiao Ning.
• The Great Elder attacked Xiao Ze, but Xiao Ze deflected his blow with the Swallow Return Strike.
• Xiao Zhan arrived in a fury and sent the Great Elder flying with the Furious Lion's Roaring Aura.
• Xiao Ze reassured Xiao Zhan, then accused the Great Elder of contradicting his earlier defense of sparring between juniors.
• The crowd criticized the Great Elder after Xiao Ze exposed his double standard.

Xiao Zhan temporarily stripped the Great Elder of his position for attacking Xiao Ze, then revealed Xiao Ze’s extraordinary cultivation to justify the punishment. The chapter ended with the Great Elder realizing he had nearly harmed the Xiao Family’s future and regretting his actions.

• Xiao Ze challenged the Great Elder over his double standard, while Xiao Family disciples condemned the elder’s conduct.
• Xiao Zhan stripped the Great Elder of his position temporarily and warned that another offense would lead to harsher punishment.
• The Second Elder, Third Elder, and gathered disciples questioned Xiao Zhan’s punishment as too severe.
• Xiao Zhan told Xiao Ze to reveal his strength, and Xiao Ze showed that he was an eleven-year-old Nine Star Dou Practitioner.
• Xiao Zhan argued that Xiao Ze could become a major protector of the Xiao Family, turning the crowd and the other elders against the Great Elder.
• The Great Elder realized Xiao Ze was a peerless genius and was overcome with regret for attacking him.

Xiao Ze’s strength helped Xiao Zhan punish the Great Elder and secure support for the Xiao Family’s injured disciples. After Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Ze to help investigate Xiao Yan’s disappearing Dou Qi, Xiao Ze met Xiao Xun’er and offered to strengthen her meridians before she advanced to Dou Zhe.

• Xiao Zhan punished the Great Elder by making him resign, pay for the Dou Skill Pavilion’s repairs, and cover the injured disciples’ treatment costs.
• The Great Elder accepted the punishment and carried his unconscious grandson Xiao Ning out of the Dou Skill Pavilion.
• Xiao Zhan told Xiao Ze to help investigate why Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi was disappearing, and Xiao Ze asked his father to shield him from social obligations.
• Xiao Ze went to the back mountain, where Xiao Xun’er was waiting for him, and they joked about the attention his strength would attract.
• Xiao Ze offered to nourish Xiao Xun’er’s meridians before she condensed her Dou Zhi Qi Cyclone, and she teased him about using his Dou Qi throughout her meridians.

Xiao Ze nurtured Xiao Xun'er's meridians with his Water Attribute Dou Qi, then helped her improve her Swallow Return Strike. They began sparring in the forest clearing as Xiao Xun'er worked toward major accomplishment.

• Xiao Ze stopped channeling Dou Qi after Xiao Xun'er's body reached its limit, having spent only about thirty percent of his own reserves.
• Xiao Xun'er asked Xiao Ze how to advance her Minor Accomplishment Swallow Return Strike, and he asked her to demonstrate it.
• Xiao Ze tested Xiao Xun'er with a controlled palm strike, and she reflected roughly thirty percent of his force before landing a few zhang away.
• Xiao Ze explained that the technique required adjusting between borrowing and returning force, and that against a far stronger opponent she should focus on borrowing force.
• Xiao Xun'er understood Xiao Ze's advice, and they began sparring so she could work toward major accomplishment.

After Xiao Ning woke from his beating, the Great Elder explained that Xiao Ze had not been punished and warned him not to provoke Xiao Ze again. Xiao Ning accepted the warning and resolved to apologize, while Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er trained and shared a quiet evening roasting rabbits.

• The Great Elder treated Xiao Ning's wounds and told him that he had temporarily stepped down as Great Elder and that Xiao Ze had received no punishment.
• The Great Elder recounted the fight at the Dou Skill Pavilion, revealing that Xiao Ze was a Nine Star Dou Practitioner and had spared Xiao Ning.
• Xiao Ning gave up his resentment, promised not to provoke Xiao Ze again, and said he would apologize to Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Ze ended his sparring session with Xiao Xun'er and encouraged her to master Swallow Return Strike.
• Xiao Xun'er caught two rabbits, and she and Xiao Ze roasted them together in the back mountains.

Xiao Yan went to collect his reduced allowance and was puzzled when Xiao Family descendants treated him with fear. Xiao Mei explained that Xiao Ze had defended him after defeating Xiao Ning, leaving Xiao Yan grateful and determined to keep cultivating.

• Xiao Yan headed to collect his monthly allowance while expecting the Xiao Family descendants to look down on him.
• Xiao Yan noticed several descendants fell silent and looked afraid when they saw him, making him worry that Xiao Zhan had intervened on his behalf.
• Xiao Mei told Xiao Yan that Xiao Ze had defeated Xiao Ning and blocked an attack from the Great Elder at the Dou Technique Hall.
• Xiao Mei repeated Xiao Ze’s warning that no one should bully Xiao Yan or spread rumors, and that they should improve themselves through cultivation.
• Xiao Yan felt grateful for Xiao Ze’s support and vowed to work harder at cultivation.

Xiao Xun'er mastered Swallow Return Strike, and Xiao Ze received its core principle as a reward from his System. Xiao Yan thanked Xiao Ze for revealing his talent to defend him, and the brothers reconciled.

• Xiao Xun'er used Swallow Return Strike to return and amplify Xiao Ze's attack, sending him flying and demonstrating her great mastery.
• Xiao Ze praised Xiao Xun'er, and she invited him to a grand meal in Wu Tan City after taking time to prepare.
• Xiao Ze claimed the System's Tenfold Return and received True Meaning: Borrowing Strength to Strike, which could help him create new Dou Skills.
• Xiao Yan waited for Xiao Ze and thanked him for revealing his talent to protect him from being beaten.
• Xiao Ze reassured Xiao Yan that he did not regret revealing his ability, and Xiao Yan hugged him and thanked him.

Xiao Ze encouraged Xiao Yan to keep pursuing cultivation before preparing for his date with Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Xun'er dressed up for their first date, and the two set off together.

• Xiao Ze told Xiao Yan that he believed he would overcome his setback, moving Xiao Yan to renew his resolve to cultivate.
• Xiao Ze prepared for his date, collected his Gold Storage Card, and reflected on his progress toward becoming a Dou Master.
• Xiao Xun'er tried several outfits until Ling Ying suggested she wear something new for Xiao Ze.
• Xiao Xun'er met Xiao Ze at the entrance, showed off her chosen outfit, and delighted in his praise.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er left together for their meal, joking about whether he could eat her broke.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er enjoyed a costly Monster Beast Feast at Shengde Restaurant and learned the Nalan Family stood behind it. After witnessing Young Master Aoba harass Ya Fei, Xiao Ze suggested they stay and watch what happened next.

• Xiao Xun'er took Xiao Ze to a reserved private room at Shengde Restaurant and treated him to a Monster Beast Feast.
• Xiao Ze tasted the restaurant’s unusual fruit juice, and Xiao Xun'er explained that the Nalan Family was behind Shengde Restaurant.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er discussed the Nalan Family’s ties to the Xiao Family and Xiao Yan’s engagement to the Nalan Family’s eldest daughter.
• Young Master Aoba harassed Ya Fei in the restaurant, but the manager intervened and stopped the conflict from escalating.
• Xiao Ze recognized Ya Fei and, after noticing Young Master Aoba watching her, persuaded Xiao Xun'er to stay and wait for a show.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er followed Ya Fei after she left the restaurant, expecting her to punish Young Master Aoba for stalking her. The situation turned dangerous when Ya Fei's supposed ally killed Aoba and revealed his own intentions toward her, leaving Xiao Ze startled by the appearance of another expert.

• Xiao Ze tried to pay for the meal, but Xiao Xun'er revealed that she had already settled the bill.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er put on cloaks and followed Ya Fei and Young Master Aoba out of the restaurant.
• Young Master Aoba cornered Ya Fei in a secluded alley, where she revealed that she had deliberately led him there.
• A fierce young man with the Mitel Auction House emblem killed Young Master Aoba's guard and then Aoba himself.
• Ya Fei confronted the young man, who admitted he had ignored her instructions and declared that he wanted her for himself.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er watched from the shadows, and Xiao Ze realized another expert had appeared.

Ya Fei’s guard plotted to assault her and frame Young Master Aoba, but Xiao Ze intervened before he could act. Ya Fei collapsed toward Xiao Ze after he knocked the guard unconscious.

• Ya Fei’s guard revealed his obsession with her and dismissed her warning that she belonged to the Mittel Family.
• The guard devised a plan to make it appear that Young Master Aoba had assaulted Ya Fei, then escape while the Mittel Auction House and Aoba Family fought.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er watched from outside the alley and decided Xiao Ze would step in when no one else appeared.
• As the guard reached for Ya Fei, Xiao Ze struck him down and confirmed he was unconscious.
• Ya Fei’s legs gave out, and she fell forward toward Xiao Ze.

Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er saved Ya Fei from Young Master Aoba, then left after asking her to keep their identities secret. The Aoba Family's hunt for the killer caused turmoil in Wu Tan City, but the authorities eventually brought the uproar to an end.

• Xiao Xun'er revealed that she and Xiao Ze had watched Ya Fei's encounter with Young Master Aoba, and Xiao Ze explained that he had caught Ya Fei when she fell.
• Ya Fei thanked Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er, promised not to expose them, and returned to the Mitel Auction House, where she sent trusted aides to handle the alley.
• The next day, the Aoba Family announced that Young Master Aoba and his guard had been killed, and the Aoba Patriarch's investigation pointed to Ya Fei.
• Ya Fei denied involvement and demanded compensation for Young Master Aoba's attempt to poison and assault her, leaving the Aoba Patriarch without evidence and forcing him to pay.
• The Aoba Family offered a bounty of one hundred thousand gold coins, but the authorities warned the Aoba Patriarch against disrupting Wu Tan City's order, and the manhunt fizzled out.

Ya Fei tried to identify the young man who killed a One Star Dou Master and suspected he was Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family. Meanwhile, Xiao Ze cultivated toward becoming a Dou Master, then sparred playfully with Xiao Xun'er.

• Ya Fei reasoned that the young man she had met was likely from either the Xiao Family or the Jialie Family, then found records identifying Xiao Yan as the Xiao Family's youngest Dou Zhe.
• Ya Fei sent a trusted aide to investigate whether anything significant had happened recently in the Xiao Family.
• Xiao Ze cultivated on the back mountain, carefully increasing the Dou Zhi Qi Cyclone's absorption to strengthen his meridians without damaging them.
• Xiao Ze judged that he had reached the peak of Nine Star Dou Practitioner and was close to liquefying his Dou Qi to become a Dou Master.
• Xiao Xun'er visited Xiao Ze, and after they teased each other, they sparred in the clearing until Xiao Ze lightly smacked her backside.

Xiao Xun'er broke through to One Star Dou Practitioner after Xiao Ze nourished her meridians, triggering the system’s Tenfold Return and raising Xiao Ze to One Star Dou Master. The chapter ended as Xiao Ze began his own breakthrough, leaving Xiao Xun'er stunned by how quickly he surpassed her.

• Xiao Ze continued nourishing Xiao Xun'er's meridians while holding his cultivation at Nine Star Peak in anticipation of the system's reward.
• Xiao Xun'er sensed her breakthrough approaching, and Xiao Ze stepped aside so she could cultivate.
• Xiao Xun'er condensed a Dou Zhi Qi Cyclone and successfully advanced to One Star Dou Practitioner.
• The system rewarded Xiao Ze with a Tenfold Return, advancing him directly to One Star Dou Master.
• Xiao Ze began gathering energy to break through, leaving Xiao Xun'er astonished that he was already reaching for Dou Master.

Xiao Ze completed his breakthrough to Dou Master, drawing Xiao Xun'er, Ling Ying, and Xiao Zhan’s attention with the immense energy vortex around him. He opened his eyes after the phenomenon subsided and prepared to tell Xun'er the good news.

• Xiao Ze absorbed vast amounts of heaven and earth energy as his Dou Zhi Qi Cyclone purified it and condensed it into dense liquid Dou Qi, strengthening his body.
• Xiao Xun'er and Ling Ying watched Xiao Ze’s breakthrough, and Ling Ying praised his extraordinary talent while Xiao Xun'er predicted he might reach the Dou Venerable or Dou Saint realm.
• Xiao Xun'er went to the foot of the mountain and told Xiao Zhan that Xiao Ze was breaking through to Dou Master, asking him not to disturb the process.
• Xiao Zhan celebrated the prospect of an eleven-year-old Dou Master and sent away the Xiao Family members who had come to investigate, resolving to protect Xiao Ze.
• Xiao Ze finished his breakthrough, felt the liquid Dou Qi within his cyclone, and decided to tell Xun'er the good news before examining two system notifications.

After reaching the Dou Master realm, Xiao Ze discussed his newfound strength with Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Zhan, then considered the danger the Soul Hall posed to the Xiao Family. He examined the system’s new Subordinate Binding feature and began looking for useful talents and abilities to bind.

• Xiao Ze told Xiao Xun'er that his strength had surged after breaking through and believed he could now fight the Great Elder head-on.
• Xiao Ze detected Xiao Zhan hiding nearby, confirmed his breakthrough, and heard Xiao Zhan praise his talent and the Xiao Family’s prospects.
• Xiao Ze returned home and considered how the Soul Hall might target the Xiao Family, including the possibility of striking first or relocating the family.
• Xiao Ze read the system notifications and concluded that a Subordinate Binding could target a specific trait, with feedback multipliers that might reach ten-thousandfold.
• Xiao Ze inspected Xiao Yan as a possible subordinate binding, found little of present value beyond his soul strength, and realized cultivation was not an available binding option.

Xiao Ze advanced further in the Dou Master realm and discussed joining Jia Nan Academy with Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Yu returned from the academy and learned of Xiao Ze's strength, then decided to meet him with her grandfather.

• Xiao Ze continued consolidating his Dou Master realm and improved within the One Star realm, astonishing Xiao Xun'er.
• Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er discussed the coming-of-age ceremony and agreed that Jia Nan Academy could be their next destination.
• The Great Elder suspected Xiao Ze had become a Dou Master and decided Xiao Ning should apologize to him.
• Xiao Yu returned from Jia Nan Academy and learned that Xiao Ze was an eleven-year-old Nine Star Dou Practitioner who might have reached Dou Master.
• Xiao Yu agreed to accompany the Great Elder to meet Xiao Ze and exchange pointers.