Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan brought Zi Yan back to Pan Gate, where Little Doctor Immortal struck a bargain with her to find rare medicinal ingredients. That night, Ling Ying told Xun'er that her clan ordered her to return within a month if she could not find the key, leaving her facing pressure to part from Xiao Yan.

• A black-robed old man searched for the pill refiner, but Xiao Yan hid his presence, and the old man left without finding him.
• Xiao Yan saw Zi Yan break through to two-star Dou King and brought her back to the Inner Academy, where he introduced her to Pan Gate and revealed her Brute Force King reputation.
• Zi Yan explained that she could sense spiritual medicines and had told Han Yue about the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk guarded by the Snow Demon Sky Ape.
• Little Doctor Immortal offered to refine pills for Zi Yan in exchange for her help locating medicinal ingredients, and Zi Yan agreed.
• Ling Ying told Xun'er that the clan was investigating Xiao Zhan's disappearance and ordered her to return within a month if she could not find the key.
• Xun'er accepted that the clan might come for her and said its members would learn in time whether Xiao Yan was worthy of her.

Xiao Yan learned that Xiao Yu was urgently looking for him at the Outer Academy and set out with Xun'er and their companions. As they flew toward the Outer Academy, Xun'er worried that her clan still underestimated Xiao Yan, while he suspected the Soul Hall had made its move against the clan.

• Xun'er reflected that her clan would not take Xiao Yan seriously until he reached a peak realm, but she continued to believe in his potential.
• Xiao Yan gave Zi Yan her pills, and Lin Yan recognized her as the formidable Brute Force King before she left after promising to protect Xiao Yan.
• A Tai told Xiao Yan that Xiao Yu was urgently seeking him at the Outer Academy, prompting Xiao Yan to suspect the Soul Hall had found the clan.
• Elder Su made an exception to let Xiao Yan and his companions leave the Inner Academy and arranged a Griffon Beast for their journey.
• Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and the others boarded the Griffon Beast and flew toward the Outer Academy.

Xiao Yan returned to the Outer Academy, learned that the Xiao Family had survived a Soul Hall attack, and brought Xiao Yu up to date on the threat surrounding the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade. Back in the Inner Academy, he prepared for the Strong Ranking competition, but his training was interrupted when the Fallen Heart Flame began to stir.

• Xiao Yan and his companions reached Instructor Ruo Lin's residence, where Xiao Yu tearfully told him about the attack on the Xiao Family.
• Xiao Yan confirmed that Saint Yao Chen had taken the Xiao Family to the Central Plains, and Xun'er explained that Soul Hall had attacked in search of a piece of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade.
• Xiao Yan reassured Xiao Yu, made plans to help Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning qualify for the Inner Academy competition, and returned to the Inner Academy with Xun'er and the others.
• With the Strong Ranking Grand Competition less than twenty-five days away, Xiao Yan trained in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower as challengers targeted his thirty-fourth-place ranking.
• The tower's energy turned violent, and an elder ordered all students to evacuate within ten minutes; Xiao Yan left his training room and met Lin Yan in the corridor.

Xiao Yan left the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower as the sealing clash with the Fallen Heart Flame continued, then prepared for the Strong Ranking Grand Competition. At the tournament venue, he reunited with familiar contestants and faced Liu Qing’s group as the competition was about to begin.

• Xiao Yan and Lin Yan escaped the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower after elders sealed the surging invisible flames behind its iron door.
• Xiao Yan sensed the clash between the seals and the Fallen Heart Flame, then left with Lin Yan, who reminded him the Strong Ranking Grand Competition began in four days.
• On the morning of the competition, Xiao Yan took Xun'er, Little Doctor Immortal, Little Qing Lin, and the others through the contestants' passage to the Central Square.
• Xiao Yan spoke with Wu Hao and Lin Xiuyuan, who warned him to be careful around Liu Qing’s group during the tournament.
• Liu Qing arrived on the high platform with Liu Fei and Yao Sheng, and they exchanged hostile looks with Xiao Yan and his companions.

Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyuan renewed their rivalry as Xiao Yan’s group confronted Yao Wei and Liu Fei before the Strong Ranking Grand Competition began. Liu Qing, Lin Xiuyuan, and Xiao Yan entered the arena, and Zi Yan arrived as the competitors gathered.

• Liu Qing confronted Lin Xiuyuan on the platform and said he had been waiting for their long-awaited rematch.
• Yao Wei threatened Xiao Yan over Xun’er’s earlier slap, but Xiao Yan dismissed him, and Liu Qing led his group away.
• Great Elder Su Qian called the Strong Ranking competitors into the arena as the crowd fell silent.
• Liu Qing landed heavily in the arena and fixed his fighting gaze on Lin Xiuyuan.
• Lin Xiuyuan descended using wind Dou Qi, and Xiao Yan entered with a burst of speed that drew the elders’ attention.
• Zi Yan arrived among the competitors, spotted Xiao Yan, and grinned at him.

Xiao Yan and the other contestants drew lots for the Strong Ranking Grand Competition, and the first match began. After He Bu won, Zi Yan faced a confident dark horse who mistook her for an easy opponent, just as the chapter ended before their fight began.

• Su Qian explained the competition rules and had the contestants draw lots, pairing Xiao Yan with Bai Cheng.
• Xiao Yan and the others watched as He Bu defeated his fire-affinity opponent by outlasting him and striking back.
• Xun'er said Little Doctor Immortal and Little Qing Lin were training near a breakthrough to the Dou King realm, prompting Xiao Yan to consider gifts for them.
• Su Qian called the second match, and Zi Yan's opponent laughed and said he would go easy on her.
• Zi Yan entered the arena, cracked her knuckles, and asked Su Qian whether the fight could begin.

Zi Yan won her match against Bei Ju with a single devastating strike, then left after promising to help Xiao Yan reach the top ten. Xiao Yan faced Bai Cheng in the fourth match, and Bai Cheng launched a powerful blood-spear technique while Xiao Yan still had not moved.

• Zi Yan defeated Bei Ju by shattering his Dou Qi armor and striking him between the legs, then Su Qian declared her the winner.
• Zi Yan told Xiao Yan she had intervened because Bei Ju had threatened him, and she claimed he owed her a favor; she later left the competition square.
• Lin Xiuyuan asked Xiao Yan to persuade Zi Yan not to humiliate him if they met in the competition, and Xiao Yan agreed.
• Su Qian called Xiao Yan and Bai Cheng to the arena for the fourth match, where Bai Cheng resolved to defeat Xiao Yan by any means.
• Bai Cheng charged Xiao Yan with his spear, then unleashed Eight Blood-Earth Rifts, sending eight blood-colored arcs into a cage-like formation around Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan defeated Bai Cheng in the Strong Ranking competition and watched the later matches before Liu Qing entered the arena. The chapter ended as Liu Qing's opponent, Lan Yan, launched his first attack.

• Bai Cheng's Eight Blood-Earth Rifts blasted through the arena, but Xiao Yan emerged unharmed while Bai Cheng lay unconscious.
• Su Qian declared Xiao Yan the winner and warned the competitors against striking too heavily.
• Xiao Yan returned to his seat, and Wu Hao later won his match with a single move.
• Liu Qing was called to compete and descended into the arena to face Lan Yan.
• Lan Yan attacked Liu Qing with Three Shark Thrusts, sending a shark-shaped surge of blue Dou Qi at him.

Liu Qing defeated Lan Yan with his Great Coffin Splitting Claw, and the first day of the Strong Ranking Grand Competition ended. On the second day, Xiao Yan drew number seven and faced Yao Sheng, whose match began as the chapter ended.

• Liu Qing caught and shattered Lan Yan's shark-shaped sword glows, then knocked him out of the arena.
• Lin Xiuyuan advanced when his opponent forfeited, and the first day's twenty-five matches concluded.
• Xun'er told Ling Ying she would leave after Xiao Yan secured a place in the top ten.
• Su Qian began the second day's round, granting Zi Yan the unconditional advance among the twenty-five remaining competitors.
• Xiao Yan drew number seven and entered the arena to face Yao Sheng, who threatened to make him beg for mercy.
• Su Qian started Xiao Yan and Yao Sheng's match.

Xiao Yan fought Yao Sheng in the arena, avoiding his attacks before using his flying Dou Skill and Green Lotus Core Flame to neutralize the Black Water Realm. He finished Yao Sheng with a sonic attack and a powerful palm strike, leaving him unconscious outside the arena.

• Yao Sheng attacked Xiao Yan with speed and daggers, but Xiao Yan evaded every strike without moving his hands from behind his back.
• Yao Sheng unleashed the Black Water Realm, spreading corrosive black water across the arena and attacking Xiao Yan from within it.
• Xiao Yan revealed his fire-wing flying Dou Skill and used the Green Lotus Core Flame to dry up the black water.
• Xiao Yan struck Yao Sheng with the Lion-Tiger Golden Shattering Roar, leaving him dizzy, then closed the distance with his movement technique.
• Xiao Yan slapped Yao Sheng out of the arena, where Yao Sheng crashed into the floor and fainted.

Xiao Yan defeated Yao Sheng with a single slap and watched Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyuan win their matches. After Xiao Yan encouraged Xun'er to show her strength, the chapter ended with the group anticipating the next day's fight for the top ten.

• Xiao Yan knocked Yao Sheng unconscious, and Su Qian declared Xiao Yan the winner as the arena applauded.
• Xiao Yan reunited with Wu Hao, Hu Jia, Xun'er, and Lin Xiuyuan, then watched the later matches.
• Lin Yan defeated his opponent in twenty exchanges, and Liu Qing forced the Strong Ranking's eleventh-ranked expert to surrender.
• Xiao Yan encouraged Xun'er to reveal her own brilliance, and she promised to show him her dazzling side after the competition.
• Lin Xiuyuan defeated the Strong Ranking's thirteenth-ranked expert with his Coiling Snake Hand, and Lin Yan said the group would wait for the next day's top-ten matches.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er shared their first kiss before the Strong Ranking Grand Competition resumed, where Xiao Yan drew Liu Qing as his opponent for a place in the top ten. Zi Yan's opponent forfeited rather than face her, and Liu Qing entered the arena to begin the highly anticipated match as Xiao Yan prepared to follow.

• Xiao Yan pulled Xun'er into his arms, and they shared their first kiss beneath the moonlight.
• Su Qian announced that the remaining thirteen competitors would fight for the final top ten spots and drew Xiao Yan against Liu Qing.
• Zi Yan told Xiao Yan that she had fought a Dou Huang-level magical beast while searching for a spiritual herb.
• Qin Zhen forfeited his match against Zi Yan, leaving her to advance without fighting.
• Liu Qing stepped into the arena and faced Xiao Yan as the crowd awaited their match.

Xiao Yan faced Liu Qing in the match for the final top-ten spot, and their opening exchange proved Xiao Yan could withstand Liu Qing’s close-combat strength. Forced to bring out his heavy spear, Liu Qing declared that Xiao Yan had earned the right to face his Mountain Splitting Spear.

• Su Qian announced the match between Xiao Yan and Liu Qing, and Liu Qing released his domineering aura as they prepared to fight.
• Xiao Yan and Liu Qing charged at each other, and Xiao Yan’s heavy ruler narrowly missed Liu Qing before Liu Qing struck back with his claw.
• Xiao Yan met Liu Qing’s claw with a fist and forced him to retreat, prompting Liu Qing to praise Xiao Yan and use his Great Coffin Splitting Claw.
• Xiao Yan and Liu Qing clashed again with fist and claw, damaging the arena floor and raising a cloud of dust.
• When the dust cleared, Liu Qing stood battered in the ruins with his heavy spear in hand and declared that Xiao Yan had qualified to face his Mountain Splitting Spear.

Xiao Yan defeated Liu Qing in the Strong Ranking Grand Competition by meeting his full-strength spear attack with raw strength, then the competition concluded with Xiao Yan in first place and Xun'er in third. The victories of Xiao Yan and Xun'er raised Pan Gate's reputation throughout the Inner Academy.

• Liu Qing announced that one final move would decide the match and unleashed his Great Fissure Rock attack with the Mountain Splitting Spear.
• Xiao Yan met Liu Qing's golden spear strike with the Heavy Xuan Ruler, and Su Qian contained the resulting energy storm with Spatial Lock.
• Liu Qing learned that Xiao Yan had not used a combat skill, then fainted; Su Qian declared Xiao Yan the winner.
• The Strong Ranking Grand Competition ended with Xiao Yan in first place, Zi Yan in second, and Xun'er in third after her decisive victory over Lin Xiuyuan.
• Pan Gate's reputation and status rose as Inner Academy students discussed Xiao Yan's and Xun'er's astonishing battles.

Xun'er’s clan sent Ling Quan and the Black Annihilation Army to bring her home, forcing her to leave Xiao Yan after they shared a quiet day together. Ling Quan insulted Xiao Yan and threatened him, but Great Elder Su Qian arrived before the confrontation could escalate.

• Xiao Yan realized Xun'er was about to leave and watched as she hid him from the approaching visitors.
• Ling Quan arrived with nine subordinates riding Four-Winged Unicorns and announced that he had come to take Xun'er back to the Gu Clan.
• Xiao Yan revealed himself, ignored Ling Quan’s insults, and pretended not to know about the key Ling Quan asked him about.
• Xun'er chose to return home, saying she wanted to visit her clan, and flew away with Ling Quan’s escort.
• Ling Quan stayed behind to tell Xiao Yan that he was unworthy of Xun'er, while Xiao Yan calmly challenged his jealousy.
• Su Qian appeared and warned Ling Quan against attacking an Inner Academy student, prompting Ling Quan to withdraw his killing intent.

Ling Quan left after warning Xiao Yan about the Gu Clan, while Xiao Yan stayed resolute about reuniting with Xun'er and settling an old promise. The next day, Xiao Yan led Pan Gate to the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and joined the Strong Ranking experts for their descent to its lower levels, where he began cultivating after they arrived.

• Su Qian ordered Ling Quan to leave, and Ling Quan challenged Xiao Yan to come to the Gu Clan when he had become stronger.
• Xiao Yan resolved to reach the Dou Di Realm, marry Xun'er, and settle his promise to Old Ya; Wu Hao and Hu Jia learned that Xun'er had returned to her clan.
• The next day, Xiao Yan led Pan Gate to the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower for the source heart flame tempering, where they met Lin Xiuyuan and the Wolf Fang group.
• Su Qian led the eleven Strong Ranking experts through a restricted passage into the tower's lower levels and warned them not to look around or stray.
• After the group emerged into a brightly lit area, Xiao Yan sat down and began cultivating.

Su Qian and the others used the Origin Heart Flame to cultivate in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower while Su Qian monitored the seal below. The Fallen Heart Flame erupted from the magma, shattered the first seal, and left the academy facing an imminent crisis.

• Su Qian revealed nine Origin Heart Flames and explained how Xiao Yan and the others could use them to cultivate.
• After hearing a strange sound below the tower, Su Qian entered the sealed area and sensed the Fallen Heart Flame gathering power in the magma.
• The Formless Fire Python burst from the magma, recognized Su Qian, and charged toward the seal.
• Su Qian warned the academy’s elders and students to evacuate, but the Fallen Heart Flame broke through the first barrier.
• Su Qian formed a second seal as Xiao Yan and Lin Xiuyuan and the others awakened on the eighth level.

The Fallen Heart Flame erupted from beneath the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, broke through its seals, and emerged as a Formless Fire Python. Su Qian and the elders began forming a counter-seal as the creature escaped into the Inner Academy.

• Su Qian ordered Xiao Yan, Lin Yan, Zi Yan, Lin Xiuyuan, and the others to leave the tower after its energy grew dangerously violent.
• A blood-red magma pillar burst from the deep hole, and the Formless Fire Python appeared and attacked the dark barrier protecting the tower’s tip with invisible flame.
• As the barrier weakened, Su Qian gathered the elders to use the Headmaster’s sealing formation, but the tower’s top exploded before they could act.
• The Formless Fire Python escaped into the Inner Academy, spreading magma and fire as students watched in horror.
• Su Qian commanded eighteen elders to form the Thousand Layer Seal Array, and they interwove their Dou Qi into a layered energy net.

Su Qian and the academy elders fought to contain the Formless Fire Python after it escaped the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, but its attacks weakened their seal and sent a Heavenly Flame fluctuation across the region. Han Feng sensed the signal and began gathering allies to seize the flame, while the battle at the Inner Academy remained unresolved.

• Su Qian reinforced the Thousand Layer Seal Array, and Xiao Yan watched the Formless Fire Python prepare to attack with the Little Doctor Immortal, Little Qing Lin, Xiao Yu, and Zi Yan.
• The Formless Fire Python battered the energy net and unleashed formless flames, while Su Qian and the elders held it back.
• The Formless Fire Python condensed its flames into a small snake that exploded against the net, creating a tiny opening and sending a powerful energy fluctuation far away.
• Han Feng sensed the Heavenly Flame near Jia Nan Academy and ordered Han Beng to summon several factions and two influential allies to Maple City.
• Han Feng recalled his resentment over losing the Burning Art, while the Formless Fire Python continued striking the dimming net and exhausting the elders.

Su Qian and the academy forces battled to contain the Formless Fire Python, eventually driving it back into the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and sealing the entrance. Xiao Yan warned that the seal would not hold, as the Fallen Heart Flame had grown too powerful and the Black Corner Region experts were about to intervene.

• The Formless Fire Python battered the energy net until ten of Su Qian's eighteen elders were forced to withdraw from exhaustion.
• Xiao Yan noticed the arriving reinforcements and told Little Doctor Immortal he intended to humiliate his target before killing him.
• Hu Gan arrived with Outer Academy experts, who took over maintaining the energy net while Su Qian organized the Inner Academy elders and instructors to prepare a sealing array.
• The Formless Fire Python launched another charge, but Su Qian struck it with the gathered Dou Qi sphere and forced it back into the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.
• Su Qian sealed the tower's peak, prompting the students to cheer, while Xiao Yan warned Little Doctor Immortal, Zi Yan, Little Qing Lin, and Xiao Yu that the Fallen Heart Flame could not be contained and the Black Corner Region experts were about to act.