Chapter Summaries

Ning Luo defeated Bai Cheng, while the arena officials warned him against using excessive force. Liu Qing then crushed Lan Yan’s attack and won their match, as Ning Luo and Lin Xiuyai discussed Liu Qing’s strength.

• Ning Luo returned to his seat after Su Qian declared him the winner and warned contestants against excessive force.
• Liu Fei insulted Bai Cheng and urged Yao Sheng to avenge her, while Liu Qing cautioned Yao Sheng not to underestimate Ning Luo or his Azure Flame armor.
• Su Qian called contestant number thirty-seven, and Liu Qing entered the arena to face Lan Yan.
• Lan Yan launched his Three Shark Stabs, but Liu Qing caught and shattered the sword light with two fingers, then sent Lan Yan crashing out of the arena.
• Ning Luo told Lin Xiuyai that he must be powerful to have defeated Liu Qing, and Lin Xiuyai said that defeating Liu Qing had been a matter of luck before suggesting that Ning Luo could challenge them both.

Ning Luo faced Yao Sheng in the arena after the two were called for the next match. Yao Sheng launched a fierce assault, and Ning Luo used the Three Thousand Lightning Movement and his longsword to defend himself as their fight continued.

• Ning Luo learned that his next match was against Yao Sheng, who promised Liu Fei he would make Ning Luo kneel and beg for mercy.
• Lin Xiuyai wished Ning Luo luck, and Ning Luo entered the arena before Yao Sheng descended to face him.
• Su Qian began the match, and Yao Sheng immediately attacked Ning Luo with his twin daggers.
• Yao Sheng released strange black Dou Qi and claimed his strength gave him the advantage, while Ning Luo answered with a chuckle.
• Yao Sheng rushed in with a rapid barrage of dagger strikes, and Ning Luo used the Three Thousand Lightning Movement and his longsword to block them as the impacts numbed his wrists.

Ning Luo countered Yao Sheng’s Black Water Realm by revealing a Flight Fighting Skill and attacking from the air with sword qi. With Yao Sheng’s black water greatly diminished, Ning Luo pressed his advantage and prepared to continue the fight.

• Yao Sheng unleashed his Black Water Realm, spreading toxin-laced black water across the arena and attacking Ning Luo with his daggers.
• Ning Luo evaded Yao Sheng’s strike by taking to the air with a Flight Fighting Skill, shocking the stands, judges, and spectators.
• Ning Luo attacked from above with his sword and green sword qi, forcing Yao Sheng to dodge as the black water rapidly diminished.
• Liu Qing told Liu Fei to stop shouting during the match, and she sat down while glaring at Ning Luo.
• Ning Luo challenged Yao Sheng to reveal any remaining tricks, and Yao Sheng insisted Ning Luo’s strength-boosting technique would not last.

Ning Luo defeated Yao Sheng in the arena using his Lightning Power and Thunderous Might, securing a place in the top ten. After Su Qian declared him the winner, Ning Luo rejoined his companions as the crowd celebrated.

• Yao Sheng dodged Ning Luo’s sword strike and counterattacked with his twin daggers and Illusory Stab.
• Ning Luo unleashed All Shall Crumble Before Thunder, injuring and stunning Yao Sheng with a sound-wave attack.
• Ning Luo used his movement technique to reach Yao Sheng and struck his chest with Thunderous Might, sending him crashing outside the arena.
• Su Qian announced Ning Luo as the winner, and the crowd applauded while Xun'er smiled at him.
• Ning Luo flew back to the high platform, where Wu Hao and Hu Jia congratulated him and Lin Xiuyai said he had secured a place in the top ten.

Ning Luo watched Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyai demonstrate their strength in the tournament and spoke with Xun'er about her hidden abilities. After the matches, Lin Yan offered to travel with Ning Luo when he left the Inner Academy, and the chapter ended with Xun'er visiting Ning Luo late at night.

• Ning Luo told Lin Xiuyai that he only cared about reaching the tournament's top ten, while Lin Xiuyai again raised the prospect of seeking the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• Liu Qing defeated his eight-star Dou Ling opponent with overwhelming speed and claw attacks.
• Ning Luo and Xun'er discussed the strength of Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyai, and Xun'er promised to show Ning Luo her most dazzling side after the competition.
• Lin Yan explained that Lin Xiuyai's Coiling Snake Hand used binding and force to control opponents, then offered to travel with Ning Luo when he left the Inner Academy.
• Lin Xiuyai defeated his opponent, and Lin Yan left with Ning Luo as they awaited the next day's matches for the top ten.
• Ning Luo cultivated in his room until Xun'er knocked and asked whether he was asleep.

Xun'er visited Ning Luo at night, gave him a sealed Dou Technique scroll, and confessed that she had to leave because of her family. After they became intimate, Ning Luo promised to grow strong enough to find her, and the chapter ended with him learning the scroll required Dou Wang strength to open.

• Xun'er entered Ning Luo's room and handed him a black scroll from her Ring of Holding.
• Ning Luo pulled Xun'er into his arms, and they kissed and became intimate.
• Xun'er told Ning Luo she was leaving, and he promised to grow stronger and come find her.
• Ning Luo examined the scroll, and Xun'er explained that only someone with Dou Wang strength could open it.
• Ning Luo asked Xun'er what rank the Dou Technique was.

Xun'er gave Ning Luo a valuable item in secret, hoping it would help him become a true expert. At the Strong Ranking Tournament, Su Qian drew the matchups for the final thirteen contestants, pairing Zi Yan with Qin Zhen and Liu Qing with an opponent yet to be announced.

• Xun'er persuaded Ning Luo to accept her gift, then told Ling Ying to keep its origin secret from everyone, including her father.
• Xun'er reflected that Ning Luo would have to pursue the path of a true expert himself, while she hoped they would meet again after he grew stronger.
• Ning Luo met Zi Yan at the tournament and learned she had fought a Dou Emperor-level Magical Beast over a medicinal herb before returning bruised.
• Su Qian announced that six of the thirteen remaining contestants would compete for the final top-ten places, and drew Yan Hao and Qian Mo as the first pair.
• Su Qian drew Zi Yan and Qin Zhen as the second pair, prompting the crowd to pity Qin Zhen, then announced Liu Qing as the final contestant selected to compete.

Ning Luo drew Liu Qing as his opponent in the final battle for a place in the top ten. After Yan Hao defeated Qian Mo and Zi Yan advanced when Qin Zhen forfeited, Ning Luo and Liu Qing faced off in the arena, ready to begin their match.

• Su Qian revealed that Ning Luo would face Liu Qing, prompting concern from his companions and delight from Liu Fei.
• Yan Hao and Qian Mo fought for nearly half an hour before Qian Mo conceded.
• Zi Yan entered the arena, but Qin Zhen forfeited, claiming his stomach hurt.
• Su Qian announced the final top-ten match, and Liu Qing and Ning Luo entered the arena.
• Liu Qing challenged Ning Luo to prove himself worthy of facing his Mountain Splitting Spear, and Ning Luo replied that he hoped Liu Qing could last several exchanges.

Ning Luo fought Liu Qing for the final place in the tournament’s top ten while suppressing his cultivation to avoid revealing it before the Fallen Heart Flame erupted. Their clash left the arena floor pulverized as they remained locked in close combat.

• Su Qian declared the match between Ning Luo and Liu Qing underway.
• Ning Luo used white lightning to raise his aura while suppressing his cultivation, then charged at Liu Qing.
• Ning Luo’s sword strike missed, and he blocked Liu Qing’s counterattack with a punch, forcing Liu Qing to retreat.
• Liu Qing clamped Ning Luo’s Heavenly Jade Divine Sword, but Ning Luo used the opening to attack with Thunderous Might.
• Ning Luo and Liu Qing collided with Thunderous Might and Great Coffin Splitting Claw, shattering the arena floor beneath them.

Ning Luo’s lightning barrier withstood Liu Qing’s assault, and his Fire Lotus devastated the arena without defeating Liu Qing. Liu Qing revealed the Mountain Splitting Spear and announced that he would finish the fight in one move.

• Ning Luo formed a lightning barrier that blocked Liu Qing’s clawed strikes.
• Ning Luo sent a Fire Lotus at Liu Qing, and its explosion shattered the arena.
• Liu Fei feared for Liu Qing, while Yao Sheng reassured her and the watching students questioned whether Liu Qing had survived.
• Liu Qing emerged from the dust unharmed and pointed the Mountain Splitting Spear at Ning Luo.
• Liu Qing planted his spear in the rubble and declared that he would end the fight with one move.

Ning Luo faced Liu Qing’s trump card in their arena battle and revealed an Earth Tier Combat Skill. Liu Qing unleashed Great Rock Split as Ning Luo answered with Sword Break, leaving their attacks on the verge of colliding.

• Liu Qing prepared his Mountain Splitting Spear and challenged Ning Luo with his final trump card.
• Ning Luo summoned the Heavenly Jade Divine Sword and unleashed a violent energy fluctuation that the elders recognized as an Earth Tier Combat Skill.
• Liu Qing chose to press the fight, drawing his golden energy into the Mountain Splitting Spear and unleashing Great Rock Split.
• Ning Luo raised the Heavenly Jade Divine Sword and fired Sword Break toward Liu Qing’s golden attack.

Ning Luo defeated Liu Qing in a devastating clash and earned third place in the Strong Ranking Tournament. The tournament concluded with Zi Yan first, Lin Xiuyai second, and Lin Yan rising to fourth.

• Ning Luo and Liu Qing's strongest attacks collided, creating a destructive Energy Storm that Su Qian stopped with Spatial Lockdown.
• Escaping energy struck Ning Luo and Liu Qing, and Liu Qing was blasted out of the battlefield.
• Su Qian announced Ning Luo as the winner, shocking the arena, Liu Fei, Yao Sheng, and the Inner Academy.
• The tournament standings were finalized with Zi Yan first, Lin Xiuyai second, Ning Luo third, and Lin Yan fourth.

After Ning Luo won the Strong Ranking Tournament, Xiao Xun'er defeated Lin Xiuyai in a post-tournament spar and the Inner Academy was shocked by her strength. While Ning Luo remained in seclusion for a major breakthrough, Lin Xiuyai returned to Luomen to see Xun'er, and Ning Luo’s aura began to rise dramatically.

• After the tournament, Xiao Xun'er challenged Lin Xiuyai and defeated him with a single golden attack, leaving him to concede.
• Students across the Inner Academy spent the next few days discussing Ning Luo’s and Xun’er’s strength.
• Wu Hao wondered why Ning Luo had been cultivating for three days, and Xun'er explained that his breakthrough was unusually significant.
• Lin Xiuyai visited Luomen to check on Ning Luo, but Xun'er turned him away because Ning Luo was at a critical stage of cultivation.
• Outside Luomen, Lin Xiuyai admitted to Yan Hao that he was jealous of Ning Luo because he had fallen for Xun'er.
• As Xun'er watched Ning Luo in the secret chamber, his aura surged past its previous peak and continued to climb.

Ning Luo emerged from cultivation stronger but suppressed his breakthrough to Dou Emperor, then spent a quiet stretch of time with Xun'er and gave her a mysterious gift. Their time together ended when a squadron of armed riders on Four-winged Unicorn Beasts arrived overhead, seemingly seeking Xun'er.

• Ning Luo expelled black vapor and opened his eyes after his aura surged, but told Xun'er he had suppressed his breakthrough until he entered the tower.
• Ning Luo discovered that Lin Yan had joined Luomen, which had grown into a powerful force in the Inner Academy.
• While waiting for access to the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, Ning Luo and Xun'er spent time together in the mountains, where Xun'er reminded him to practice the scroll she had given him.
• Ning Luo handed Xun'er a Ring of Holding and told her not to look inside or show it to anyone until she left.
• More than a dozen Four-winged Unicorn Beasts carrying expressionless figures in violet-black robes flew toward Xun'er.

Ling Quan and the Black Mist Army arrived to take Xun'er back to her clan, forcing Ning Luo to part from her. After Ling Quan insulted Ning Luo and threatened him, Grand Elder Su Qian ordered him to leave, while Ning Luo resolved to grow strong enough to seek Xun'er again.

• Ling Quan introduced himself as deputy commander of the Black Mist Army and said he had come by the Clan Ancestor's order to bring Xun'er back.
• Ling Quan's men searched the forest after he sensed someone nearby, and Ning Luo emerged to stand beside Xun'er.
• Ning Luo embraced Xun'er and promised to come find her, and she said she believed in him before leaving with Ling Quan's escort.
• Ling Quan stayed behind to tell Ning Luo he was unworthy of Xun'er, and Ning Luo stood his ground as his aura revealed he was close to the Dou Emperor realm.
• Grand Elder Su Qian intervened and ordered Ling Quan to leave the Inner Academy, and Ling Quan departed after challenging Ning Luo to seek Xun'er when he became stronger.

After Xun'er returned to her clan, Ning Luo prepared to enter the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower for the Origin Heart Flame’s body tempering. He joined the other Strong Ranking experts inside, where Zi Yan complained about having to be in the tower.

• Su Qian reassured Ning Luo after Ling Quan left and said he needed to become stronger to find Xun'er.
• Ning Luo told Wu Hao and Hu Jia that Xun'er had returned to her clan and might not come back.
• The next day, Ning Luo led Luomen to the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, where he greeted Lin Xiuyai’s Wolf Fang and met Liu Qing.
• Su Qian opened the tower and ordered only the Strong Ranking experts inside; Ning Luo entered first, followed by Lin Yan, Lin Xiuyai, and the others.
• Zi Yan tugged on Ning Luo’s sleeve and asked him to refine more food for her after they left, saying she hated the tower.

Ning Luo and ten others entered the deepest level of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower to undergo origin Heart Flame body tempering. As their cultivation neared completion on the third day, Su Qian sensed a sudden disturbance near the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Su Qian led Ning Luo and the others down to the lowest level, warning them to stay close and not look around.
• Su Qian seated the eleven cultivators on jade platforms while two elders revealed the origin Heart Flame, which entered their heads and began tempering their bodies.
• An elder reported that the Fallen Heart Flame had gone unusually quiet and that the Inner Academy elders had repaired its weakened seal.
• Su Qian warned the elders not to underestimate the Fallen Heart Flame and ordered them to increase their watch and signal immediately if it moved.
• On the third day, as the cultivators' tempering neared its end, Su Qian's expression changed drastically while he watched the dark-red pit at the lowest level.

Fallen Heart Flame burst out of the magma beneath the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and began breaking through Su Qian’s seals. Ning Luo and the others fled the tower as he saw the blood-red pit and realized the eruption had begun.

• Su Qian sensed heartbeat-like sounds growing faster beneath the pit and realized something was stirring in the magma.
• A huge transparent fiery python burst from the magma, and Su Qian ordered the Elders to the tower and the students to evacuate.
• The python’s attack shattered Su Qian’s first energy barrier, so he formed another seal over the pit.
• Ning Luo and the others left the eighth level after the gray-robed Elder urged them to evacuate.
• At the tower’s exit, Ning Luo saw the blood-red pit enclosed by an energy barrier and wondered if Fallen Heart Flame was about to erupt.

Xiao Yan traveled to Jia Nan Academy seeking the Fallen Heart Flame so he could grow stronger, rescue his father, and take revenge on Ning Luo. As Ning Luo and the others watched, the Fallen Heart Flame erupted from the cavern and struck the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.

• Xiao Yan, now a Dou Ling, arrived in the Black Corner Region and asked Yao Lao whether the Fallen Heart Flame was at Jia Nan Academy.
• Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan that obtaining the flame would be difficult and that, without the Bone Spirit Cold Flame Ning Luo had taken, they were poorly equipped to defeat him.
• Xiao Yan vowed to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, avenge his defeat by Ning Luo, and rescue his father from the Soul Hall.
• At Jia Nan Academy, Ning Luo and the others sensed violent energy rising from the cavern and watched it burst through the energy barrier.
• A blood-red magma pillar erupted and crashed into the spire of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, but a dark energy barrier stopped it from breaking through.
• Ning Luo watched the Fallen Heart Flame coil around the tower and decided that the flame had to be his.

Ning Luo escaped the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower as the Fallen Heart Flame erupted, then cultivated in the forest while Zi Yan stood guard. He broke through to the Dou Emperor realm as Yao Lao and Xiao Yan headed to Jia Nan Academy to compete for the flame.

• Ning Luo took Zi Yan out of the tower as the Fallen Heart Flame overwhelmed it, and she hugged him in fear.
• Ning Luo saw Jia Nan Academy's elders form a formation around the tower, while Yao Lao possessed Xiao Yan and set off for Jia Nan Academy.
• Ning Luo took Zi Yan into the forest and asked her to guard him while he broke through.
• Ning Luo absorbed Dou Qi and reached the Dou Emperor realm, astonishing Zi Yan.