Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yun received Ning Fengzhi and his two guardian Douluo, who questioned him about Old Madam Xu Huiyin’s recovery and sought pills to help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect break through bottlenecks. After Ning Fengzhi left, Xiao Yun considered establishing a power of his own while the girls continued their Trial Tower challenge.

• Xiao Yun met Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong at his apartment and welcomed them inside.
• Ning Fengzhi asked whether Xiao Yun had healed Old Madam Xu Huiyin and helped her break through to level eighty, and Xiao Yun admitted he had given her a pill.
• Xiao Yun explained that the pill was a Foundation and Longevity Pill, not a Nine Revolutions Glazed Pill, and said its rare ingredient was the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma.
• Ning Fengzhi asked for information about the herb and offered the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s favor in return; Xiao Yun described its habitat and appearance.
• After Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo departed, Xiao Yun considered establishing his own power as the girls continued fighting in the Trial Tower.

Xiao Yun returned to his hometown with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing for the New Year, where townspeople speculated about his fortunes. After reassuring his neighbors and giving Uncle Lin money and Lin Hu candy, he opened the long-closed Yunlai Tavern and showed his companions where they would stay.

• Xiao Yun arrived at Yunlai Tavern with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing, and the townspeople gathered to gossip about his return.
• Uncle Lin and Lin Hu greeted Xiao Yun, who said he was doing well in Heaven Dou City and gave them Silver Soul Coins and candy.
• Uncle Lin sent the onlookers away after Xiao Yun's generosity dispelled rumors that he was struggling.
• Xiao Yun unlocked the dusty tavern and showed Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing the hall and backyard rooms.
• Xiao Yun assigned Liu Erlong the East Side Room and Zhu Zhuqing her former room, then went to light a fire.

Xiao Yun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Liu Erlong cleaned the tavern and prepared a warm dinner together. They ended the evening sharing a meal in the quiet town.

• Xiao Yun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Liu Erlong divided up the tavern cleaning, and Zhu Zhuqing used her clones to clean several rooms.
• Xiao Yun remembered his mother's pickling jar while cleaning the kitchen, then finished the chores and went to the market for New Year ingredients.
• Xiao Yun returned with groceries, and Zhu Zhuqing helped him prepare dinner while Liu Erlong set the table.
• Xiao Yun served braised pork, steamed carp, vegetables, and mushroom soup, and the three sat down to eat.

Xiao Yun shared a quiet evening with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing at his childhood home, then took them to Cloud Mist Mountain the next morning. Along the way, he supported poor townspeople by buying their firewood, while Liu Erlong grew curious about his actions.

• Xiao Yun told Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing about his parents and why he had left town to see the world.
• Liu Erlong told Xiao Yun that Zhu Zhuqing was sincere about him, and Xiao Yun said he would answer her feelings when the time was right.
• Xiao Yun declined Liu Erlong's implied invitation for intimacy, and the three went to their rooms for the night.
• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing left the tavern after breakfast to visit Cloud Mist Mountain.
• Xiao Yun bought firewood from Uncle Li and Uncle Wang, paid them a deposit, and asked them to deliver it discreetly.
• Xiao Yun continued ordering firewood and paying deposits to poor townspeople, leaving Liu Erlong increasingly puzzled.

Xiao Yun confronted Liu Erlong for looking down on ordinary people, explaining how their labor sustained Soul Masters and nobles. The three reached the mountain summit, where Xiao Yun shared his childhood refuge and drank while taking in the scenery.

• Liu Erlong asked Xiao Yun whether he was treating the commoners too well, and he challenged her assumptions about their worth and dignity.
• Xiao Yun explained that ordinary people farmed, made clothes, and built homes, and said he respected anyone who worked to support themselves and their families.
• Liu Erlong apologized after realizing she had never considered ordinary people's lives, while Zhu Zhuqing reflected on the labor behind daily comforts.
• Xiao Yun led Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing to the summit and showed them the town, fields, and distant Heaven Dou City below.
• Xiao Yun described the summit as his childhood refuge, opened a jar of aged wine, and drank as he watched the sea of clouds.

Xiao Yun took Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing around Cloud Mist Mountain, where they sang together, admired the summit lake and waterfall, and shared a meal of Silver Spirit Fish. Afterward, the three rested beneath a tree, leaving their worries behind for a peaceful afternoon.

• Xiao Yun sang a love song for Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing on Green Mountain Peak, and the three joined their voices and drank together.
• Xiao Yun showed Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing Cloud Mist Lake and the waterfall formed where its waters poured out.
• Xiao Yun used Daoist Arts to catch Silver Spirit Fish, then grilled them for the three to eat.
• Liu Erlong drove the insects away with her dragon might, and the three lay beneath a tree and soon fell asleep.

On the eve of the New Year, Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing shared a warm evening after returning from the mountain, then prepared the tavern for the holiday. The chapter left them finishing their New Year's decorations together.

• Xiao Yun learned that Uncle Lin had paid for the firewood and slipped Lin Hu a Gold Soul Coin, promising him a gift and a red envelope.
• The three ate dinner and gathered around a bonfire to roast sweet potatoes and drink tea, and Liu Erlong found herself enjoying their ordinary life.
• Before dawn on New Year's Eve, Xiao Yun woke Liu Erlong and asked Zhu Zhuqing to clean the tavern while he prepared paste for the Spring Festival couplets.
• Liu Erlong swept the backyard beneath the Old Plum Tree as Zhu Zhuqing cleaned the halls and guest rooms with the help of her clone.
• Xiao Yun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Liu Erlong hung Xiao Yun's couplets and an upside-down fortune character on the tavern's doors.

Xiao Yun celebrated New Year's Eve with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing, sharing the town's traditions and a festive dinner. He gave each woman a personal gift, and the three ended the year together in a warm, harmonious mood.

• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing bathed, changed into new clothes, and went around town handing out lucky money and candy.
• Xiao Yun prepared New Year's Eve dinner while Zhu Zhuqing helped in the kitchen and Liu Erlong set the table.
• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing shared a meal and talked about their childhood New Year customs and memories.
• Xiao Yun gave Liu Erlong the Heart of Blazing Fire earrings, which suited her Fire Dragon Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yun gave Zhu Zhuqing the Flower of the Dark Night necklace, which could enhance her nighttime perception and conceal her aura.

Xiao Yun celebrated New Year with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing by setting off fireworks, and the three welcomed the new year together. After Zhu Zhuqing went to bed, Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong retired for the night, promising to celebrate together again next year.

• Xiao Yun brought out fireworks and shared Fairy Sticks with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing.
• Xiao Yun launched colorful fireworks, including a Dragon and Phoenix Bring Auspiciousness display, while the town watched.
• Xiao Yun embraced Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing and promised they would celebrate the next New Year together.
• After the New Year's bell, Xiao Yun lit firecrackers and six fireworks that formed auspicious characters, then exchanged New Year greetings with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing.
• Zhu Zhuqing went to bed, and Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong returned to the main house, where Liu Erlong said she had enjoyed the celebration.

On New Year's Day, Xiao Yun prepared breakfast for Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing before taking them to honor his parents at their graves. After introducing them and completing the offerings and rites, the three left the peaceful mountainside.

• Xiao Yun cooked breakfast and told Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing that he would handle the household chores as part of a New Year's custom.
• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing carried offerings up Cloud Mist Mountain to Xiao Yun's parents' graves.
• Xiao Yun cleaned the graves, offered incense to the Mountain God and Earth God, and introduced Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing to his parents.
• Xiao Yun lit candles and firecrackers, burned paper offerings, and prayed for his parents and family's well-being.
• Xiao Yun made sure the fire was extinguished, then left the graves with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong spent the new year relaxing at the tavern, then discussed her past with Yu Xiaogang and Blue Tyrant Academy as snow fell. Liu Erlong explained why she handed the academy to Flender and acknowledged that he likely changed its admissions rules.

• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing played mahjong together through a warm, quiet afternoon.
• On the fourth day of the first lunar month, Xiao Yun asked Liu Erlong whether she had moved on from Yu Xiaogang and Blue Tyrant Academy.
• Liu Erlong told Xiao Yun that Yu Xiaogang was in her past and that meeting him had helped her let go.
• Liu Erlong explained that she founded Blue Tyrant Academy while waiting for Yu Xiaogang and created affordable opportunities for commoner students.
• Liu Erlong said she gave Flender the dean's position on the condition that he accept Shrek's students and keep Blue Tyrant Academy's original commoner students.
• Liu Erlong acknowledged that Flender likely changed the academy's commoner-only admissions rule after taking over.

Liu Erlong accepted that Blue Tyrant Academy belonged to her past and committed to building a new life with Xiao Yun. Outside, Zhu Zhuqing mastered the advanced Water Walking technique and hurried to share her success.

• Xiao Yun criticized Yu Xiaogang and assessed the Shrek Seven Devils, worrying that Tang San might exploit the innocent Xiao Wu.
• Liu Erlong admitted she felt relieved to leave Blue Tyrant Academy and resolved to create a future with Xiao Yun.
• Zhu Zhuqing practiced Xiao Yun’s Water Walking technique, gradually learning to spread Soul Power evenly beneath her feet.
• After studying her technique, Zhu Zhuqing crossed the snow with only faint traces and realized she had made a major breakthrough.
• Zhu Zhuqing rushed into the pavilion to show Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong her success.

After Zhu Zhuqing mastered the third level of the Spirit Cat Movement Technique, Xiao Yun asked about her three years away from home, prompting her to begin describing her harsh upbringing in the Star Luo Empire. She left off recalling the military training and cruelty she experienced as a child.

• Zhu Zhuqing returned to the pavilion and told Xiao Yun she had grasped the idea of spreading Soul Power beneath her feet like a membrane.
• Xiao Yun taught Zhu Zhuqing to let the Soul Power membrane flow and adjust with each step, and she went outside to practice.
• Zhu Zhuqing ran across the courtyard with almost no footprints and announced that her Spirit Cat Movement Technique had reached the third level.
• Xiao Yun asked Zhu Zhuqing about the three years since she had left home, and she began recounting her childhood training in the Star Luo Empire.

Zhu Zhuqing told Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong about the brutal Star Luo Empire and the political engagement and danger she escaped. The next morning, Xiao Yun prepared to return to Heaven Dou City and entrusted his tavern to Uncle Lin.

• Zhu Zhuqing explained that she had been pledged to Dai Mubai, hunted by her family and sister, and later realized she was happier after leaving him and the Zhu Family.
• Zhu Zhuqing described the Star Luo Empire’s harsh hierarchy and the cruelty of its nobles, while Liu Erlong agreed that it was more brutal than the Heaven Dou Empire.
• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing talked until dusk, then went to the kitchen to prepare dinner together.
• On the fifth day of the first lunar month, Xiao Yun told Uncle Lin that he would return to Heaven Dou City the next day and left him the tavern keys and documents.
• Xiao Yun gave Uncle Lin six months’ caretaking money and asked him to use it for the tavern’s upkeep and Little Tiger’s schooling.

Xiao Yun said farewell to Lin Hu and the town before preparing to leave for Heaven Dou City with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing. On their last night at Yunlai Tavern, the three shared hot pot and locked up the building, ready to depart at dawn.

• Xiao Yun gave Lin Hu an Arm Crossbow and promised to take him to Heaven Dou City in the summer.
• Xiao Yun visited his neighbors and said goodbye, then returned to find Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing finishing their preparations.
• Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing agreed to travel by carriage along the Imperial Road and leave at dawn.
• The three prepared and ate hot pot together for their final dinner at Yunlai Tavern.
• After cleaning and locking the tavern, Xiao Yun, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing went inside to rest before their journey.

Xiao Yun returned to Heaven Dou City, greeted the academy’s Education Committee, and visited Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo for the New Year. After promising to protect Dugu Yan and discussing meridian cultivation with Dugu Bo, he left for another visit and arrived at the Fan Hosen manor, where Vincent and Sylvia were waiting.

• Xiao Yun returned to the Royal Academy with Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing, then gave the Education Committee Soul Replenishing Pills and confirmed that his trip to Spirit City would begin in three days.
• Dugu Yan welcomed Xiao Yun at the Dugu manor, where he exchanged New Year greetings with Dugu Bo and shared lunch with them.
• Dugu Bo asked about Xiao Yun’s intentions toward Dugu Yan, and Xiao Yun promised not to abandon her and offered for their first child to take her surname.
• Xiao Yun discussed the Eight Extraordinary Meridians with Dugu Bo, who said the cultivation method had eased his old ailments.
• Xiao Yun left the Dugu manor and went to the Fan Hosen manor, where Vincent and Sylvia were waiting at the open gate.

Xiao Yun visited the Van Hosen and Feng Huayuan families for New Year, earning the approval of Sylvia and Feng Hua's fathers as he prepared to travel to Spirit City. The visits left him mindful of the political stakes and the growing responsibility others had placed on him.

• Xiao Yun presented Vincent with a Soul Replenishing Pill, and Vincent welcomed him while Horn thanked him for the cultivation method and warned him about Spirit City.
• Alice told Xiao Yun that his cultivation method had helped her open four meridians, and Vincent praised its benefit to the Van Hosen Family.
• Vincent sent Sylvia off with Xiao Yun, and she said her father had greeted him as a father rather than a state minister.
• Xiao Yun presented Suimen with a gift, and Suimen explained that the Spirit City ceremony was also a test among the powers watching Spirit Hall.
• Suimen entrusted Feng Hua to Xiao Yun's care, and Xiao Yun left the visit feeling the weight of the families' expectations.

Xiao Yun visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for the New Year after finding the Crown Prince away, and Ning Fengzhi welcomed him and showed him the sect. Xiao Yun declined an offer to become an elder, advised the sect on securing his pistols, and joined Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong for a banquet.

• Xiao Yun returned to the Teacher's Apartment and shared a warm dinner with Feng Hua, Sylvia, Liu Erlong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan.
• Xiao Yun visited the Crown Prince's Mansion, learned the Crown Prince was away, and continued on to Seven Treasure City.
• Ning Fengzhi personally welcomed Xiao Yun at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's mountain gate, where Xiao Yun presented him with a brocade box of pills.
• Ning Fengzhi offered Xiao Yun an elder's position, but Xiao Yun declined because he already had a master and wished to travel and cultivate.
• Xiao Yun suggested adding a Master Recognition Array and self-destruction array to the sect's pistols, and Ning Rongrong recorded his advice.
• Xiao Yun greeted Chen Xin and Gu Rong before joining them, Ning Fengzhi, and Ning Rongrong for a banquet.

Xiao Yun and Ning Rongrong returned to Heaven Dou City, where Rongrong reunited with her friends before the new term began. Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong then visited their construction site and began buying materials for his planned buildings.

• Ning Fengzhi set a departure time for the trip to Spirit City, while Chen Xin and Gu Rong gave Xiao Yun protective treasures.
• Ning Rongrong chose to return to the academy with Xiao Yun, and they discussed growing up and protecting what mattered to them.
• Ning Rongrong reunited with Zhu Zhuqing, Xivia, and Shenghua at the Teacher's Apartment before classes resumed.
• Xiao Yun and Liu Erlong inspected the manor construction site, where the foundations were finished but the craftsmen lacked experience with his wooden building plans.
• Xiao Yun specified the column bases and timber needed, gave Liu Erlong a large Space Ring, and took her to buy construction materials.
• Liu Erlong stored piles of timber directly in the Space Ring as Xiao Yun purchased lumber and other supplies for the project.

Xiao Yun completed plans for the manor and led Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s Imperial Fighting Team oath-taking rally before their journey to Spirit City. As the team prepared to leave the next day, he told them to return safely.

• Xiao Yun carved and assembled a wooden courtyard frame, then gave Liu Erlong plans, material lists, and funds for the manor’s construction.
• Xiao Yun outlined the main building’s dimensions and materials while Liu Erlong recorded his instructions.
• At Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s new student assembly, Xiao Yun rallied the Imperial Fighting Team before its expedition to Spirit City.
• Xiao Yun joined the team in an oath of victory, then privately urged every member to return safely.
• Xiao Yun told the team they would leave the next day and reminded them they were not alone.