Recaps

At the lakeshore, Nalan Ye warned Xiao Yan that Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xin were in danger and suggested Xun Er might be responsible. He then claimed Xun Er had secretly interfered during his fight with a Hall of Souls expert, leaving Xiao Yan shaken and wondering how she had changed.

• Xiao Yan got drunk while worrying about how to tell Xun Er that he had married Nalan Yanran.
• Nalan Ye reminded Xiao Yan that Nalan Yanran and his four-year-old nephew Xiao Xin could be killed while they were away.
• Nalan Ye argued that Xun Er had the power and opportunity to kill them, and Xiao Yan insisted she was too kind to do so.
• Nalan Ye told Xiao Yan that Xun Er had already made a move against him by secretly hindering him during his fight with a Hall of Souls Seven Star Dou Zong.
• Xiao Yan began to believe Nalan Ye and blamed himself for letting Ling Quan take Xun Er away seven years earlier.

Nalan Ye urged Xiao Yan to choose between Nalan Yanran and Gu Xun'er, then sowed doubts that Gu Xun'er might threaten Yanran and Xiao Xin. Xiao Yan got drunk and returned to Xun Er, who helped him to bed, but he suddenly grabbed her hand as she tried to leave.

• Xiao Yan asked Nalan Ye what he should do, and Nalan Ye told him he had to choose between Yanran Jie and Xiao Xun'er.
• Xiao Yan said he wanted both women, so Nalan Ye suggested making the relationship with Xun Er irreversible.
• Nalan Ye warned Xiao Yan that Gu Xun'er might send people to attack the Xiao Residence and harm Yanran and Xiao Xin.
• Xiao Yan rejected Nalan Ye's suspicions and walked into the Bamboo Grove, where he drank until he was drunk.
• Xun Er found Xiao Yan staggering out of the grove and helped him up to the little building's second floor.
• Xun Er tucked Xiao Yan into bed and started to leave, but Xiao Yan caught her hand and pulled her back.

Xiao Yan staged a hurried wedding with Xun Er before his parents’ Spirit Tablets, following Nalan Ye’s advice. After they became husband and wife, he asked Xun Er to keep the Ancient Clan from targeting his family and friends.

• Xiao Yan lit candles and arranged offerings before the Spirit Tablets of Xiao Zhan and his mother.
• Xiao Yan dressed Xun Er in the red Wedding Gown made for his wedding with Nalan Yanran and led her through a ceremony before his parents’ tablets.
• Xiao Yan and Xun Er swore to remain together and became husband and wife in the small building in Burning Flame Valley.
• Xiao Yan asked Xun Er to prevent the Ancient Clan from taking its anger out on his family, Yanran, and the Nalan Family.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er celebrated their marriage, while Ling Quan and the Black-Robed Venerables spent the night unaware of what had happened. The narrator praised the Little Fairy Doctor for compiling a detailed Toxic Sect Roster, then led her, Zi Yan, and two others out to visit Senior Tang.

• Xiao Yan promised Xun Er he would one day gain her father's approval and give her a grand wedding, then took her to the bridal chamber.
• Ling Quan cultivated through the night, while Nan Lao and Lin Lao chatted outside and dismissed Nan Lao's suspicion that something was amiss with Xun Er.
• The narrator returned to the courtyard and found the Little Fairy Doctor compiling a roster of 288 Toxic Sect members, including eight Dou Zong, ninety-three Dou Emperors, and one hundred and eighty-seven Dou Wang.
• The narrator teased the Little Fairy Doctor, reassured her that Xun Er would not attack him again, and led her, Zi Yan, and two others out of the courtyard.
• Green Luo approached the group respectfully, and the narrator said he was going to see Senior Tang.

Nalan Ye proposed a military defense alliance between Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion, using a Space Wormhole to make mutual aid possible against Hun. The wormhole opened, and Little Fairy Doctor wondered whether Nalan Ye intended to become the alliance’s leader.

• Nalan Ye visited Tang Zhen and sent Green Luo to deal with a volcano damaged in the battle.
• Nalan Ye warned Tang Zhen that Hun could attack again and proposed a defense alliance with Starfall Pavilion.
• Tang Zhen agreed to discuss the proposal and used Wind Venerable’s Ancient Jade to establish a Space Wormhole.
• Little Fairy Doctor asked Nalan Ye whether he was working so hard to form the alliance because he wanted to become its Alliance Leader.

Nalan Ye explained why he believed he could become Alliance Leader, relying on his ties and deeds at Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley rather than the prisoners he had recruited. Wind Venerable arrived after the battle, and Nalan Ye misled him about Tang Zhen’s poor reception before Wind Venerable surveyed the damage.

• Little Fairy Doctor promised to help Nalan Ye secure the Alliance Leader position, and he reflected on the support he had earned at Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley.
• Wind Venerable emerged from a Space Wormhole and asked Tang Zhen and Nalan Ye whether Hun and Ice River Valley’s forces had arrived.
• Nalan Ye told Wind Venerable that the allied forces had already attacked and that two Ancient Clan Venerables had helped Tang Zhen defeat Ice Venerable and Star Plucking Old Ghost.
• Tang Zhen congratulated Wind Venerable coolly, then left Nalan Ye and the others to attend to Burning Flame Valley’s affairs.
• Nalan Ye told Wind Venerable that Burning Flame Valley had suffered considerable losses, and Wind Venerable used his Soul Power to survey the damaged grounds.

After Burning Flame Valley was devastated in the battle against Hun's forces, Nalan Ye urged Wind Venerable to form an alliance with Tang Zhen, and Wind Venerable agreed. Nalan Ye reunited with Mu Qingluan and Yao Lao, then brought them to the lodgings, where Mu Qingluan learned that the captives from Ice River Valley's dependent factions had joined the Toxic Sect.

• Wind Venerable surveyed Burning Flame Valley's devastation, and Nalan Ye warned that Hun would retaliate and proposed an alliance between Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley.
• Wind Venerable agreed to the alliance and returned to Starfall Pavilion through the Space Wormhole.
• Mu Qingluan and Yao Lao arrived, and Nalan Ye reassured them that he and Xiao Yan were safe.
• Nalan Ye told Yao Lao that Xiao Yan was staying in the same building as Xun Er, startling Ling Ying, who feared for Xun Er's reputation.
• Nalan Ye led Mu Qingluan and the others to their lodgings, where the Toxic Sect's elders reported that their captured forces had joined the sect.
• Mu Qingluan praised Nalan Ye for capturing Ice River Valley's forces, while Little Fairy Doctor silently objected that she had captured them.

Xun Er left Burning Flame Valley for the Ancient Realm after spending the night with Xiao Yan, hoping to keep their marriage secret and protect him. Ye watched her depart and concluded that staying would have exposed Xiao Yan to the Ancient Clan’s vengeance.

• Xun Er woke beside Xiao Yan, gathered their wedding clothes, and left the cottage before he awoke.
• Xun Er told Nan Lao and Lin Lao that the Ancient Clan party should return to the Ancient Realm, claiming their mission against the Hall of Souls was complete.
• Lin Lao offered to kill Xiao Yan if he had mistreated Xun Er, while Nan Lao questioned her sudden decision and accepted that she would not explain it.
• Ling Quan mistakenly believed his efforts had changed Xun Er’s mind, and the Ancient Clan party quickly departed without saying farewell to Tang Zhen.
• Ye saw Xun Er flying out of Burning Flame Valley and reasoned that her departure would help conceal what had happened and spare Xiao Yan from capture or death.

Xun Er confronted Nalan Ye over what he had said to Xiao Yan during their drinking, then realized he had helped engineer what happened between her and Xiao Yan. She demanded to know what he wanted, fearing that if he revealed their secret, Xiao Yan would be ruined.

• Xun Er spotted Nalan Ye and Mu Qingluan while leaving Burning Flame Valley and flew over to question him.
• Xun Er asked what Nalan Ye had discussed with Xiao Yan, and he claimed they had only talked about their recent battles and ordinary things between men.
• Xun Er concluded that Nalan Ye had prompted Xiao Yan to sleep with her and erupted in fury, while Nalan Ye remained calm.
• Nalan Ye said he had already written to friends to share how much fun he and Xiao Yan had had, making Xun Er realize their secret could be exposed.
• Xun Er's murderous intent faded, and she asked Nalan Ye what he was trying to accomplish because Xiao Yan was already in a desperate position.

Nalan Ye threatened to expose Xiao Yan and Xun Er’s marriage to the Ancient Clan, forcing Xun Er to yield and recognize that he had outmaneuvered her. Xun Er realized her suspicions of Nalan Ye had grown from Ling Ying’s reports and blamed him for worsening their relationship.

• Nalan Ye warned Xun Er that his hidden followers would spread news of her marriage to Xiao Yan if he died, making the Ancient Clan a threat to Xiao Yan.
• Xun Er asked Nalan Ye what he wanted and accepted that she could not safely move against him.
• Nalan Ye hinted that Xun Er’s covert attack the previous day had prompted his retaliation, while the others present failed to understand his meaning.
• Xun Er recalled Nalan Ye’s past kindness to Xiao Yan and the Xiao Family, then traced her distrust of him to Ling Ying’s reports about his alleged ties to the Soul Clan.
• Xun Er blamed Ling Ying for misleading her and damaging her relationship with Nalan Ye, which had left Xiao Yan in danger.

Xun Er reconciled with Nalan Ye, gave him a Heaven Rank high-grade Dou Technique, and asked him to protect Xiao Yan before returning with the Ancient Clan party. Lin Lao learned Nalan Ye's supposed secret and left bewildered, while Nalan Ye went back to breakfast with Mu Qingluan.

• Xun Er agreed to stop targeting Nalan Ye and handed him Nan Lao's Heaven Rank high-grade Dou Technique, Great Thunder Heavenly Dragon.
• Xun Er asked Nalan Ye to protect Xiao Yan, warned him not to let anyone harm Xiao Yan, and departed with the Ancient Clan party.
• Lin Lao pressed Nalan Ye about his conversation with Xun Er, and Nalan Ye whispered that he went for both men and women, startling Lin Lao into retreating.
• Nalan Ye kept the scroll, dismissed Mu Qingluan's questions, and returned to the courtyard with her for breakfast.
• As the Ancient Clan party headed toward the Ancient Realm, Lin Lao told Nan Lao what Nalan Ye had said, leaving Nan Lao stunned that Xun Er might compete with a man for Xiao Yan.

After waking to find Xun Er gone, Xiao Yan learned from Yao Lao that she belonged to the powerful Ancient Clan and feared that her family would punish them for secretly marrying. The chapter ended with Yao Lao explaining that Xun Er had left willingly, probably to protect Xiao Yan.

• Yao Lao entered Xiao Yan's room, discovered that he had been drugged, and woke him by neutralizing the pill.
• Xiao Yan told Yao Lao that he and Xun Er had married, and Yao Lao warned him about her powerful Ancient Clan background.
• Xiao Yan vowed to grow strong enough to stand before the Ancient Clan, while Yao Lao worried about the consequences of their marriage.
• Yao Lao revealed that Xun Er and the Ancient Clan's people had left, and Xiao Yan rushed to look for her.
• Yao Lao stopped Xiao Yan and said that Xun Er had left of her own accord, probably to protect him.

Nalan Ye reassured Xiao Yan after Xun Er left and guided him to pursue greater strength before joining the leaders of Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion to discuss an alliance with the Toxic Sect. The meeting ended with Nalan Ye insisting that the newly expanded Toxic Sect had a mountain gate.

• Green Luo reported that Burning Flame Valley had made her repair the volcano overnight, and Nalan Ye gave her a bowl of porridge.
• Xiao Yan confronted Nalan Ye about Xun Er's departure, but Nalan Ye urged him to grow stronger, prompting Xiao Yan to seek Tang Zhen's Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations.
• Nalan Ye, Little Fairy Doctor, Mu Qingluan, Zi Yan, and others left breakfast to meet Tang Zhen and discuss an alliance.
• Nalan Ye opened the council meeting and included Little Fairy Doctor's Toxic Sect in the alliance, noting that it had nine Dou Zong powerhouses.
• Red Fire Elder questioned whether the Toxic Sect had a mountain gate, and Nalan Ye solemnly insisted that it did.

Nalan Ye tried to rally the elders of Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion by proposing a name for their alliance against Hun, prompting a heated debate. The elders eventually set aside their rivalries over the first suggestions and enthusiastically began proposing new names.

• Tang Huo'er defended the Toxic Sect's right to join the alliance, and Tang Zhen welcomed the Little Fairy Doctor and gave her a seat of honor.
• Nalan Ye proposed naming the alliance the Central State Resistance Hall of Souls, leaving the hall astonished at the awkward name.
• Tang Huo'er suggested the Burning Souls Alliance, and Mu Qingluan countered with the Slaughter Souls Alliance, sparking arguments between the sects' elders.
• Tang Zhen and Wind Venerable persuaded the elders to stop arguing over the rival names and consider alternatives.
• The elders proposed names including Souls Alliance, Azure Sky Alliance, and Righteous Qi Alliance while Nalan Ye watched, pleased that everyone had become involved.

Nalan Ye proposed naming the anti-Hun coalition the Grand Alliance of One Family Under Heaven, winning enthusiastic praise from Tang Huo'er, Mu Qingluan, and Little Fairy Doctor. Yao Lao distrusted Nalan Ye and accused him of pushing the alliance because he wanted to become its leader.

• Tang Zhen asked Nalan Ye to suggest a name for the alliance, and Nalan Ye proposed the Grand Alliance of One Family Under Heaven to unite factions oppressed by the Hun.
• Tang Huo'er, Mu Qingluan, and Little Fairy Doctor praised Nalan Ye's name, while Zi Yan and the elders watched in surprise.
• Wind Venerable asked Yao Lao why he seemed troubled, and Yao Lao secretly told him about Xiao Yan and Xun Er.
• Wind Venerable defended Nalan Ye's efforts to rescue Yao Lao, but Yao Lao called Nalan Ye crafty and accused him of scheming to take the Alliance Leader's seat.

Nalan Ye proposed an alliance against the Hall of Souls, and Wind Venerable praised his ability while Yao Lao opposed the idea of bringing him into Starfall Pavilion. The factions settled on the name Heaven and Earth United Great Love Alliance and agreed on its Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, then turned to choosing a leader.

• Yao Lao told Wind Venerable about Nalan Ye's past rule over the Gama Empire and warned that he might seize control of Starfall Pavilion.
• Wind Venerable argued that Nalan Ye's ability could strengthen Starfall Pavilion, but Yao Lao angrily insisted that Nalan Ye would not inherit its leadership.
• Tang Zhen proposed the name Heaven and Earth United Great Love Alliance, and Wind Venerable persuaded Yao Lao to accept it.
• The alliance members agreed on five principles governing sovereignty, nonaggression, noninterference, mutual aid, and peaceful coexistence.
• Nalan Ye called on the assembled factions to choose an alliance leader who could lead them against the Hall of Souls.

As the elders debated who should lead the alliance, Xiao Yan arrived and nominated Yao Lao, prompting Burning Flame Valley’s elders to mock Yao Lao’s weaknesses and history. The narrator saw Yao Lao’s lack of influence as little threat and proposed Tang Zhen as Alliance Leader.

• The hall fell silent as Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion hesitated to yield the Alliance Leader position, while the narrator waited for an opening.
• Xiao Yan entered after learning the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations and told Yao Lao he had mastered the technique.
• When the narrator asked Xiao Yan who should lead, Xiao Yan declared that Yao Lao was the best choice because of his strength, alchemy, and reputation.
• Burning Flame Valley’s elders mocked Yao Lao’s soul form and his former disciple Han Feng’s betrayal, angering Xiao Yan until the Wind Venerable restrained him.
• Tang Zhen reprimanded his elders and apologized to Yao Chen, while the narrator concluded that Yao Lao lacked the influence to be a serious rival.
• The narrator praised Tang Zhen and suggested that the Burning Flame Valley Valley Master become Alliance Leader.

Xiao Yan challenged Tang Zhen’s bid to lead the alliance, provoking Burning Flame Valley and forcing Wind Venerable to intervene. Yao Lao recognized that the dispute might be part of Nalan Ye’s scheme and called on him to volunteer for the position.

• Tang Zhen prepared to accept Wind Venerable’s offer to become Alliance Leader, but Xiao Yan objected and accused him of failing to defend Burning Flame Valley.
• Burning Flame Valley’s elders and Tang Huo'er angrily rebuked Xiao Yan, while Wind Venerable restrained him and apologized to Tang Zhen.
• Tang Zhen dismissed Xiao Yan as a child, and Xiao Yan broke Wind Venerable’s restraint with his Exotic Flame.
• Yao Lao told Xiao Yan to stop arguing after realizing that Nalan Ye might be using him to inflame tensions between Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion.
• Yao Lao turned to Nalan Ye and challenged him to volunteer to become Alliance Leader.

Yao Lao exposed Nalan Ye’s ambition to become Alliance Leader, forcing him to publicly admit his intention before the assembled leaders of Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion. Nalan Ye defended his candidacy by promising to act fairly toward both sects as they prepared to resist the Hall of Souls.

• Yao Lao announced that Nalan Ye wanted to become Alliance Leader, stunning Xiao Yan and the leaders gathered in the Main Hall.
• Tang Zhen asked Nalan Ye whether the claim was true, and Nalan Ye admitted his ambition rather than deny it.
• Xiao Yan praised Nalan Ye’s boldness, but Yao Lao rebuked Xiao Yan and challenged Nalan Ye’s qualifications.
• Nalan Ye said the Alliance Leader needed ability, discernment, and impartiality to lead the resistance against the Hall of Souls.
• Nalan Ye promised Mu Qingluan, Tang Huo'er, and the other leaders that he would treat Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion fairly.

Nalan Ye campaigned to become Alliance Leader, promising fairness and proposing a supervisory bureau after Yao Lao accused him of pursuing personal gain. Little Fairy Doctor, Mu Qingluan, Tang Huo'er, and Wind Venerable supported him, leaving Tang Zhen to decide whether his candidacy would succeed.

• Nalan Ye argued that his neutrality between Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley made him a fair Alliance Leader candidate.
• Yao Lao accused Nalan Ye of using the Toxic Sect to pursue personal gain and swallow the other factions, but the elders largely dismissed the charge.
• Nalan Ye proposed a supervisory bureau and said the Alliance Leader would coordinate resistance against the Hall of Souls rather than control member sects.
• Little Fairy Doctor, Mu Qingluan, and Tang Huo'er declared their support for Nalan Ye, and Wind Venerable agreed that he should lead the alliance.
• The elders turned to Tang Zhen, whose decision would determine whether Nalan Ye became Alliance Leader.

Tang Zhen backed Nalan Ye as Alliance Leader, making him the alliance’s first leader despite Yao Chen’s objections. The Little Fairy Doctor reminded the hall that rescuing Yao Chen had provoked the Hall of Souls, leaving Xiao Yan afraid the alliance might hand his teacher back.

• Tang Zhen named Nalan Ye Alliance Leader, and the Main Hall erupted in surprise.
• Yao Chen protested that Nalan Ye lacked the cultivation and standing to lead the alliance.
• Tang Huo'er defended Nalan Ye, while the Little Fairy Doctor reminded Yao Chen that Nalan Ye had rescued him from the Hall of Dead Souls.
• The Little Fairy Doctor suggested returning Yao Chen to the Hall of Souls, and Xiao Yan moved to shield his teacher.
• Nalan Ye laughed and told Xiao Yan that the Little Fairy Doctor had been joking, though Xiao Yan remained uneasy.

Nalan Ye stopped the elders from turning against Yao Lao by arguing that handing him over to the Hall of Souls would disgrace the alliance and that his alchemy could still benefit them. Tang Zhen refused to surrender Yao Lao, but Burning Flame Valley paused the gathering to choose which disciple would become his apprentice.

• Little Fairy Doctor's remark made the elders question the value of rescuing Yao Lao, who was too injured to refine pills.
• Wind Venerable warned that the Hall of Souls would retaliate, while Xiao Yan prepared to defend his teacher.
• Nalan Ye had Little Fairy Doctor apologize, then persuaded the elders that they should protect Yao Lao and help him recover.
• Xiao Yan reassured Yao Lao that Nalan Ye would not harm him, then blamed Little Fairy Doctor and suggested Nalan Ye get closer to Xiao Meier instead.
• Nalan Ye asked Tang Zhen to summon the Burning Flame Valley disciple who would study under Yao Lao, but Tang Zhen called an intermission to discuss the candidates.

Tang Zhen reconsidered his choice to make Nalan Ye alliance leader and questioned his motives. As Burning Flame Valley elders argued over candidates to become Yao Chen’s apprentice, Han Jin revealed that Zhou Chuan had kept refining during the attack and successfully made a remarkable pill, prompting Tang Zhen to summon him alongside Lan Yan and Lu Yue.

• Tang Zhen explained to Red Fire Elder that Nalan Ye’s appointment would split Gu Ling and Yao Chen, leaving Tang Zhen with the deciding vote.
• Tang Zhen questioned why Nalan Ye had worked to become alliance leader and why he kept helping Yao Chen.
• Burning Flame Valley elders argued over whether Lan Yan or Lu Yue should become Yao Chen’s apprentice, and Tang Zhen objected to their apparent favoritism.
• Han Jin recommended Zhou Chuan, explaining that he had stayed to refine during the attack and produced a Fourth Rank Peak Purple Cloud Pill after Lu Yue failed.
• Tang Zhen ordered Zhou Chuan, Lan Yan, and Lu Yue to be summoned.

After becoming Alliance Leader, Nalan Ye drank tea with Starfall Pavilion’s elders while Yao Lao complained to Wind Venerable about his schemes against Xiao Yan. Later, Nalan Ye met Zhou Chuan, the young alchemist chosen to become Yao Lao’s disciple, and startled him with a greeting.

• After Burning Flame Valley left the Main Hall, Nalan Ye shared tea from Yun Yun with Little Fairy Doctor and Mu Qingluan.
• Yao Lao told Wind Venerable that Nalan Ye exploited Xiao Yan, but Wind Venerable argued that their families and relationships made them impossible to separate.
• Wind Venerable urged Yao Lao to accept that Xiao Yan might lose out to Nalan Ye, and Yao Lao reluctantly gave up on finding a solution.
• Tang Huo'er joined Nalan Ye’s tea gathering, explained that Zhou Chuan was an eighteen-year-old Fourth-Rank Alchemist chosen to become Yao Lao’s disciple, and noticed his hostility toward Nalan Ye.
• Nalan Ye approached the flustered Zhou Chuan, placed a hand on his shoulder, and greeted him as if they had met before.

Nalan Ye questioned Zhou Chuan’s hostility, while Zhou hid his resentment and ambitions. Yao Lao accepted Zhou as his disciple to strengthen ties with Burning Flame Valley, but as the ceremony ended, Zhou began to see his frail teacher as someone he could replace.

• Nalan Ye probed Zhou Chuan’s cultivation and wondered why Zhou seemed hostile, while Zhou silently resented Nalan Ye and vowed to win Tang Huo'er’s affection.
• Tang Zhen described Zhou Chuan to Yao Lao, who decided to accept him as a disciple to build an alliance with Burning Flame Valley.
• Yao Lao recalled Xiao Yan’s perseverance, and the two shared a knowing look before Tang Zhen summoned Zhou Chuan to pay his respects.
• Zhou Chuan knelt before Yao Lao and became his third disciple as elders praised his prospects and celebrated the apprenticeship.
• As Zhou Chuan imagined becoming famous and winning Tang Huo'er, he noticed Yao Lao’s frailty and thought, “I could replace him!”