Chapter Summaries

Gu Xun'er said goodbye to the Xiao Clan and left with Gu Yuan, ending her years as Xiao Xun'er. After learning more about the Gu Clan and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, Xiao Yan asked whether he could ever reach their level, and Yao Chen began considering a desperate gamble.

• Gu Yuan told Gu Xun'er that she could bid farewell to her friends before leaving the Xiao Clan.
• Gu Xun'er thanked Xiao Zhan for caring for her and said she would never return to the Northwest Continent.
• Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er exchanged farewells, and Xiao Yan admitted that they belonged to different worlds.
• Gu Yuan opened a spatial passage, and Gu Xun'er left with him while Xiao Yan watched.
• Yao Chen urged Xiao Yan to understand that strength determined respect and explained the power of the Gu Clan and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
• Xiao Yan asked whether he could become as powerful as them, and Yao Chen decided it might be worth gambling everything on a hidden possibility.

Yao Chen warned Xiao Yan that his potential was limited without a dangerous, evolving cultivation method and taught him the Flame Mantra, which required devouring Heavenly Flames. Xiao Yan began converting his Dou Qi to cultivate it, while Ao Qing remained unaware and arrived at Jia Nan Academy, where an unexpected turn awaited him.

• Yao Chen told Xiao Yan that reaching the Dou Zun realm would be difficult and offered a risky way to improve his prospects.
• Yao Chen explained that the Flame Mantra evolved by devouring Heavenly Flames, with no more than a twenty percent chance of reaching its peak.
• Xiao Yan chose to cultivate the Flame Mantra so he could gain the strength to protect the Xiao Clan and avoid helplessly witnessing its troubles again.
• Yao Chen taught Xiao Yan the Flame Mantra and revealed that its successful cultivation might let him use compatible Heavenly Flames to forge a body for his soul.
• Xiao Yan began converting his Dou Qi to cultivate the Fen Jue, while Ao Qing, unaware of the change, arrived at Jia Nan Academy with his companions.

After returning to Jia Nan Academy, Zi Yan agreed to help Grand Elder Su Qian, only to discover that he wanted her to become the academy’s dean. Su Qian explained that he hoped she would train her temperament and use her ties to Ao Qing and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to secure the academy’s future.

• Ao Qing reassured Grand Elder that he would be more careful after Gu Yuan’s unexpected appearance in Wutan City, and Grand Elder returned to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
• Su Qian summoned Zi Yan and teased her about leaving the academy without telling him and causing trouble with powerful enemies.
• Zi Yan promised to help Su Qian with a task, believing it would be simple, and he used her promise to ask her to take charge of Jia Nan Academy as its dean.
• Zi Yan protested that she could not manage the academy, but Su Qian explained that her leadership and backing from Ao Qing could help the academy survive and grow in the Central Continent.
• Having already promised to help, Zi Yan accepted Su Qian’s request despite her shock.

Grand Elder Su Qian asked Zi Yan to take charge of Jia Nan Academy as it prepared for the possibility of moving to Central Continent. Zi Yan accepted the responsibility, and after hearing about the academy's leaders and experts, she returned to her courtyard to think over what lay ahead.

• Su Qian explained that Jia Nan Academy hoped to establish itself in Central Continent and asked Zi Yan to manage it, while assuring her she could refuse.
• Zi Yan accepted, saying the academy felt like home and that she wanted to grow more mature and contribute to it.
• Su Qian told Zi Yan about the academy's experts, including Hu Qian, the Two Elders Qian Bai, and Dean Mang Tianchi.
• Su Qian said he and the Two Elders Qian Bai would announce Zi Yan's appointment in a few days and urged her not to rush herself.
• Zi Yan returned to her courtyard, where Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran noticed her troubled expression and asked what had happened.

Zi Yan worried about taking over Jia Nan Academy, while Queen Medusa confronted Ao Qing over hiding the dangers of his recent trip to the Xiao Clan. After hearing that a powerful Gu Clan expert had nearly trapped Ao Qing and the others, Medusa found comfort in his embrace and resolved to regain her drive to grow stronger.

• Zi Yan told Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran that Grand Elder Su Qian wanted her to take over Jia Nan Academy, and they encouraged her to seek advice from Ao Qing and Queen Medusa.
• Queen Medusa questioned Ao Qing about his sudden disappearance, and he explained how Zi Yan had helped Nalan Yanran break off her engagement at the Xiao Clan in Wutan City.
• Ao Qing said he had defeated an Emperor Clan Dou Saint, but Zi Yan revealed that a stronger Gu Clan expert had appeared and the group had needed the Grand Elder to escape.
• Queen Medusa reproached Ao Qing for concealing the danger, and he comforted her with an embrace.
• Medusa reflected that her recent happiness had dulled her fearless spirit and decided she needed to grow stronger and learn more.

Ao Qing reassured Medusa that he would take fewer risks, then learned Zi Yan had agreed to become Jia Nan Academy’s Dean and lead its expansion into the Central Continent. He supported her decision, and after Zi Yan left, he proposed that she and Qing Lin handle most of the academy’s affairs while he stepped in when needed.

• Ao Qing promised Medusa he would be more careful and keep her informed when he went away.
• Zi Yan interrupted their conversation and told Ao Qing that Grand Elder Su Qian had asked her to become Jia Nan Academy’s Dean.
• Zi Yan admitted she had already accepted, and Ao Qing agreed to support her despite worrying the responsibility would bring him more work.
• Zi Yan thanked Ao Qing and left, while Medusa teased him for giving in to her.
• Ao Qing said Zi Yan and Qing Lin could manage the academy while he helped only when necessary.

Zi Yan accepted the role of Jia Nan Academy’s Dean but worried about how to strengthen the academy. Nalan Yanran chose to stay and help her, and the three sisters flew to the Misty Cloud Sect so Yanran could inform Yun Yun and prevent her from confronting the Xiao Clan.

• Zi Yan told Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran that Ao Qing did not oppose her becoming Dean, though she was unsure how much support he would provide.
• Nalan Yanran decided to remain at Jia Nan Academy to help Zi Yan and continue cultivating, while hoping to return to the Misty Cloud Sect and lead it in the future.
• Zi Yan and Qing Lin urged Nalan Yanran to inform Yun Yun before staying, and Yanran agreed to return to the sect and explain what had happened at the Xiao Clan.
• Worried Yun Yun might try to break off the engagement herself and provoke the Xiao Clan, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran flew toward the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Ao Qing noticed their departure but stayed behind with Medusa, while Su Qian noticed Zi Yan was gone and assumed she would return to manage the academy.

Nalan Yanran returned to the Misty Cloud Sect with Zi Yan and told Yun Yun that she had cut ties with the Nalan Family, ended her engagement to the Xiao Clan, and wished to stay with Zi Yan at Jia Nan Academy. Yun Yun accepted her decision and encouraged her to face the wider world carefully.

• Zi Yan brought Nalan Yanran and the others back to the Misty Cloud Sect in a single day.
• Yun Yun visited Nalan Yanran and learned that she had severed her ties with the Nalan Family and broken off her engagement to the Xiao Clan.
• Nalan Yanran warned Yun Yun that a powerful Dou Zun Soul Body protected the Xiao Clan, and Yun Yun agreed that the sect should avoid provoking them.
• Nalan Yanran asked to remain with Zi Yan at Jia Nan Academy and later travel to the Central Continent with her companions.
• Yun Yun supported Nalan Yanran's choice, cautioned her about the dangers ahead, and urged her to value her life and learn from Ao Qing.

Su Qian announced that he would remain Jia Nan Academy’s Grand Elder but hand the position of Dean to Zi Yan, whom he believed could lead the academy to greater strength. The students were stunned by her appointment and by how far she had advanced since they last knew her.

• Yun Yun recognized that she could not lead the Misty Cloud Sect to greatness and hoped Nalan Yanran would grow stronger at Jia Nan Academy.
• After leaving the Misty Cloud Sect, the group returned to Jia Nan Academy, and two days passed.
• Jia Nan Academy’s students gathered in the plaza to hear Su Qian’s important announcement.
• Su Qian said he would step back from managing the academy and appoint Zi Yan as its new Dean.
• The students reacted with shock as they realized Zi Yan had become at least a Dou Zong after years of rapid cultivation.

Grand Elder Su Qian recounted Xiao Yan’s past contributions to Jia Nan Academy before announcing Zi Yan as its new Dean. Zi Yan appeared before the academy’s students and elders, who saw her power and welcomed her declaration.

• Grand Elder Su Qian described how Xiao Yan had helped Jia Nan Academy contain Fallen Heart Flame and later supplied it with a young replacement.
• Su Qian announced that Zi Yan would become the Dean of Jia Nan Academy.
• Zi Yan stepped through the void onto the stage, demonstrating strength above the Dou Zong realm.
• The academy’s members recognized Zi Yan from her earlier days and recalled her fiery temper and love of medicinal ingredients.
• Zi Yan introduced herself as the new Dean and spoke with growing confidence.

Zi Yan announced that Jia Nan Academy would select students and instructors to travel to Central Continent, then held the academy’s annual assessment. As Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan prepared for their next steps, a storm was brewing in Central Continent.

• Zi Yan announced a grand competition in three months, with the top ten Inner Academy students and top three Outer Academy students qualifying to travel to Central Continent in three years.
• Ao Qing watched the academy assessment, where Nalan Yanran earned Heaven grade after being revealed as a sixteen-year-old three-star Dou Ling.
• Nalan Yanran celebrated with Zi Yan and Qing Lin, and Zi Yan encouraged her to temper her rapidly growing Dou Qi and cultivate stronger Dou Skills.
• Xiao Yan became a Dou Ling at sixteen and told Xiao Zhan he planned to leave the clan for Jia Nan Academy, where he hoped to find its Heavenly Flame.
• Jia Nan Academy continued to grow peacefully while a storm gathered over Central Continent.

Ao Qing searched the Monster Mountain Range for the Demon Fire Remnant Map while Aru Na and Xiao Yi Xian waited. After finding its location at midnight, he led them toward it.

• Ao Qing used his Soul Power to search the caves throughout the Monster Mountain Range, while Aru Na cultivated and Xiao Yi Xian waited.
• As night fell, Aru Na watched the moon and Xiao Yi Xian reflected on their worries and her decision to travel to Jia Nan Academy.
• At midnight, Ao Qing found the cave containing the Demon Fire Remnant Map and inadvertently frightened the magical beasts with his aura.
• Ao Qing told Aru Na to bring Xiao Yi Xian along, and they followed him toward the map's location.
• Aru Na, Xiao Yi Xian, and Fire Wolf caught up with Ao Qing after traveling a little over two hundred li.

After the academy competition, Ao Qing agreed to visit the Monster Mountain Range after Medusa urged him to seek resources for Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran. He left to investigate other treasures there, while Medusa stayed behind to rest.

• Jia Nan Academy held its competition, and Zi Yan watched before leaving after it ended.
• Ao Qing relaxed with Medusa, who asked him to travel to the Monster Mountain Range for Amethyst Accompanying Source.
• Ao Qing agreed to go, explaining that the resource was unnecessary for Qing Lin and the others but that he wanted to investigate other things in the range.
• Ao Qing mentioned wondering whether a certain being still had strength and whether its soul had survived, confusing Medusa.
• Ao Qing kissed Medusa goodbye and left, while Medusa fell asleep and began to recover.

After the academy competition, Medusa tried to persuade Ao Qing to leave for the Monster Mountain Range so she could rest, but he teased her before agreeing to go. Ao Qing departed planning to seek the Amethyst Winged Lion King and investigate the Demon Fire Remnant Map, while Medusa fell asleep recovering.

• Zi Yan presided over the academy competition, then left after the Inner Academy leaderboard students claimed the expected results.
• Medusa told Ao Qing to visit the Monster Mountain Range and find Amethyst Accompanying Source for Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran, hoping to get a break from him.
• Ao Qing accepted the trip but challenged Medusa before leaving, and several hours later she admitted she had made up her excuse.
• Ao Qing told Medusa that Amethyst Accompanying Source was no longer useful to Qing Lin and the others, and hinted that he wanted to learn whether a soul had survived.
• Ao Qing kissed Medusa goodbye and left for the Monster Mountain Range as she fell asleep and began to recover.

Ao Qing discovered a hidden village beneath Tree God Mountain and met Hua Qianmeng, the remnant soul of a Seven-Star Dou Saint. Hua Qianmeng explained that only Aru Na remained of his clan, leaving Ao Qing to learn more about the girl and the village.

• Ao Qing arrived at Tree God Mountain and encountered a beautiful girl with a Crescent Moon Blade and a fourth-tier crimson wolf.
• Ao Qing evaded the girl and entered a hidden space through a cave beyond a waterfall, finding a village of tiny green-clad people.
• The girl caught up with Ao Qing and threatened to summon her ancestor after he entered her home.
• Hua Qianmeng appeared and reprimanded Na Er for being rude to Ao Qing.
• Hua Qianmeng introduced himself as a fading remnant soul and said that only Aru Na remained of his clan.

Ao Qing negotiated with Hua Qianmeng for her body and treasures in exchange for protecting her descendant, Aru Na. Hua Qianmeng agreed, leaving Aru Na in Ao Qing’s care as her remnant soul prepared to fade.

• Ao Qing decided against reviving Hua Qianmeng and offered to protect her descendant in return for a suitable price.
• Ao Qing asked to use Hua Qianmeng’s body to refine a Heavenly Demon Puppet, and Aru Na objected.
• Hua Qianmeng explained that she could not protect Aru Na herself and ordered her to stay by Ao Qing’s side.
• Hua Qianmeng agreed to give Ao Qing her body and accumulated resources, asking him to look after Aru Na.
• Hua Qianmeng produced her intact body and handed Ao Qing a Na Ring containing her collection.

Hua Qianmeng gave his remaining Soul Power to Aru Na before disappearing, and she agreed to follow Ao Qing. At the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range, Xiao Yi Xian ended a herb-gathering trip with Mu Li and his mercenaries.

• Ao Qing collected Hua Qianmeng's body and Na Ring, and Hua Qianmeng asked him to look after Aru Na.
• Hua Qianmeng transferred his remaining Soul Power to Aru Na, raising her Soul Power to the Spiritual Realm before he vanished.
• Aru Na grieved for Hua Qianmeng, then told Ao Qing she would go wherever he went.
• Ao Qing led Aru Na toward the spatial exit while she followed behind him.
• Mu Li warned Xiao Yi Xian's mercenaries that they were nearing the Monster Mountain Range's Death Zone, and Xiao Yi Xian agreed to return after collecting enough herbs.

Xiao Yi Xian was trapped by a fourth-tier Bewitching Mist Wolf that sought to devour her Woeful Poison Body. Ao Qing discovered her in the Monster Mountain Range and rushed to her aid, while Aru Na followed his directions.

• Purple mist drained the mercenaries’ Dou Qi, and Xiao Yi Xian warned them to retreat.
• A fourth-tier Bewitching Mist Wolf appeared and focused on Xiao Yi Xian, while Mu Li and the other mercenaries fled.
• The Bewitching Mist Wolf prepared to swallow Xiao Yi Xian as she accepted her apparent death.
• Ao Qing sensed Xiao Yi Xian with his Soul Power and hurried toward her, telling Aru Na to travel fifty li north and wait.
• Aru Na decided to follow Ao Qing after recalling her ancestor’s words.

Ao Qing saved Xiao Yi Xian from a Bewitching Mist Wolf and used his Dou Qi to reveal the destructive power of her Innate Woeful Poison Body. He offered to teach her to control it, and Xiao Yi Xian was drawn to the promise that she would no longer harm others.

• Ao Qing killed the Bewitching Mist Wolf with a trace of pressure and Void Flame without Xiao Yi Xian noticing.
• Ao Qing spoke to Xiao Yi Xian, who opened her eyes, saw that he had saved her, and thanked him.
• Ao Qing released Xiao Yi Xian's suppressed poison, causing black mist to wither and rot the surrounding plants.
• Ao Qing decided Xiao Yi Xian could grow into a powerful ally for Zi Yan and Jia Nan Academy.
• Ao Qing offered to teach Xiao Yi Xian to control her constitution, and she was especially moved by the promise that it would no longer harm others.

Xiao Yi Xian agreed to follow Ao Qing and cultivate at Jia Nan Academy, trusting him to help control her Woeful Poison Body. After Aru Na arrived, Ao Qing prepared to search for a cave containing the Demon Fire Remnant Map and the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.

• Xiao Yi Xian agreed to go with Ao Qing, promising to help as long as it did not violate her conscience.
• Ao Qing told Xiao Yi Xian that his younger sister was Jia Nan Academy's Dean and that he was a Dou Saint who could teach her about the Woeful Poison Body.
• Aru Na arrived riding the Fire Wolf and stood beside Ao Qing.
• Ao Qing set out to search for the cave where he believed he could find the Demon Fire Remnant Map and the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture.