Chapter Summaries

Two and a half years later, Xiao Ling reached Dou King Three-star and decided to leave Jia Nan Academy to seek opportunities, including the Green Lotus Core Flame. He placed Supreme Freedom Gate in his friends’ hands and agreed to take Zi Yan with him, pending Su Qian’s approval.

• Xiao Ling broke through to Dou King Three-star and left the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower, concluding that it could no longer greatly improve his cultivation.
• Xiao Ling told his friends he would leave for training and entrusted Supreme Freedom Gate to them while advising them to remain at the academy until they reached Dou Ling Peak.
• Zi Yan begged Xiao Ling to take her along so she could keep getting pills and seek medicinal herbs while training.
• Xiao Ling agreed to take Zi Yan if Su Qian approved and warned her to follow his arrangements or he would stop refining pills for her.
• Zi Yan eagerly dragged Xiao Ling toward Su Qian’s office to ask for permission.

Xiao Ling asked Great Elder Su Qian for permission to leave Jia Nan Academy and train in the Jia Ma Empire and Tagor Desert, and Su Qian agreed after warning him about the dangers. Zi Yan joined Xiao Ling’s plans, and they decided to leave the following morning.

• Xiao Ling told Su Qian that he wanted to leave the academy because his cultivation and alchemy had stalled, and Su Qian warned him about powerful threats in the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Ling explained that he planned to return to his clan and train in the Jia Ma Empire and Tagor Desert, relying on Rayquaza’s speed for safety.
• Su Qian approved Xiao Ling’s plans, made him an Inner Academy elder, and reminded him that Jia Nan Academy would always be his home.
• Zi Yan told Su Qian that she wanted to train outside with Xiao Ling, and Su Qian instructed her to follow Xiao Ling’s arrangements.
• Xiao Ling promised to refine a Form Transformation Pill for Zi Yan once he gathered the ingredients and reached the required alchemy level, and they planned to leave the next morning.

Xiao Ling reviewed his cultivation and soul-power advances before using ten of his remaining system draws. He gained manuals, pills, and gold, then went to visit Han Yue and Xiao Xun'er before their temporary separation.

• Xiao Ling checked his personal panel and reflected on how tempering his body with the Fallen Heart Flame's source had helped him reach the Spirit Realm.
• Xiao Ling used ten draws and received gold coins, two Sect Breaking Pills, the Heavenly Snake Manual, the Mind Splitting Control Method, and a Bone-Regenerating Blood-Melding Pill.
• Xiao Ling examined the Heavenly Snake Manual and decided it would help Qing Lin develop her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
• Xiao Ling inspected the Mind Splitting Control Method and the eighth-grade Bone-Regenerating Blood-Melding Pill, then stored both safely.
• Xiao Ling headed to Han Yue and Xiao Xun'er's dormitory to say farewell before they parted temporarily the next day.

Xiao Ling secretly visited Han Yue before leaving for training, and they discussed her plans to return to her clan and his promise to protect her. The chapter ended with Han Yue reassured and the two sharing a kiss.

• Xiao Ling used Disguise and Soul Perception to sneak past Ling Ying and enter Han Yue's room with her spare key.
• Han Yue welcomed Xiao Ling, and they embraced and settled together on the sofa.
• Xiao Ling asked whether Han Yue would return to the Central Plains after reaching Dou Wang, and she said she planned to visit her clan and younger sister.
• Xiao Ling promised to escort Han Yue to Tianya City after his training and to protect her for the rest of his life.
• Han Yue accepted Xiao Ling's promise and kissed him.

Before leaving to train, Xiao Ling visited Xiao Xun'er, who gave him a Flame Seed from her clan’s Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame. He accepted the gift after learning that separating it had only exhausted her Soul Power, and prepared to carry it with him on his journey.

• After leaving Han Yue’s room, Xiao Ling went to see Xiao Xun'er and told her he wanted to spend time with her before departing to train.
• Xiao Ling noticed Xiao Xun'er seemed fatigued and asked what was wrong.
• Xiao Xun'er explained that she had separated a Flame Seed from her Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame as a farewell gift, though doing so had overused her Soul Power.
• Xiao Xun'er assured Xiao Ling that the separation had caused no major side effects, and he urged her to take care of her health.
• Xiao Ling accepted the Flame Seed and learned that it contained some of the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame’s Origin Power and could grow stronger with him.

Xiao Xun'er gave Xiao Ling the first two forms of the Ancient Clan’s Emperor Seal Art and warned him to keep the technique secret. Meanwhile, the Ancient Clan elders discussed when to bring her home, and Gu Yuan ordered her return in two years.

• Xiao Xun'er gave Xiao Ling the Emperor Seal Art scroll and explained its five forms and cultivation requirements.
• Xiao Xun'er warned Xiao Ling not to reveal the clan technique, and Xiao Ling promised to prove himself worthy of her.
• Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er shared a quiet evening together and fell asleep on the sofa.
• Gu Nanhai urged Gu Yuan to bring Gu Xun'er back from the Xiao Family because her coming-of-age ceremony was approaching.
• Gu Yuan ordered that a message be sent to Gu Xun'er and that she return to the Ancient Clan in two years.
• After the elders departed, Gu Yuan wondered whether Xiao Xuan would regret his decision and whether the Xiao Clan could rise again.

Xiao Ling left Xun'er and returned to his dormitory to refine the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame Seed. After completing the process, he emerged with golden flames in his eyes and a powerful new aura.

• Xiao Ling quietly left Xun'er asleep on the sofa, and Xun'er revealed she had been awake and promised to wait for his return.
• Xiao Ling prepared the Blood Lotus Pill, Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and Spirit Absorption before beginning to devour the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame Seed.
• Xiao Ling used the Blood Lotus Pill to protect himself, seized the flame seed, swallowed it, and drank the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to counter its heat.
• Xiao Ling circulated the flame through the Fen Jue, then guided it into the Spirit Absorption inside his Dou Crystal; the flame entered willingly because Xun'er had instructed it.
• Xiao Ling completed the refinement as the golden barrier around him cracked and burst, revealing golden flames in his eyes.

After refining a Heavenly Flame, Xiao Ling prepared to leave Jia Nan Academy with Zi Yan and return to the Jia Ma Empire to train. He said farewell to Hu Gan, gave him two Sect Breaking Pills, and set off with Zi Yan.

• Xiao Ling found that refining the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame had raised his cultivation to Dou King Four-star and advanced Fen Jue, then tested the flame’s destructive power.
• Xiao Ling told Lin Xiuyai he was leaving once Zi Yan arrived and asked him to arrange repairs to the damaged cultivation room.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan borrowed a Griffin Beast and traveled from the Inner Academy to the Outer Academy, where Xiao Ling visited Vice Dean Hu Gan to say goodbye.
• Xiao Ling gave Hu Gan two Sect Breaking Pills for him and Elder Huo, and Hu Gan gave Xiao Ling a Storage Ring containing Techniques and Dou Skills.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan left Hu Gan’s office and flew away from the academy to begin their journey.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan left Jia Nan Academy aboard a Griffin Beast, and Xiao Ling practiced the Mind Splitting Control Method during their flight. As they neared the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Ling planned to move the Xiao Family to the Imperial Capital for protection from the Misty Cloud Sect.

• Xiao Ling gave the Flight Station instructor a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and departed with Zi Yan on the Griffin Beast.
• Xiao Ling practiced controlling multiple flames with his Soul Power and reached the Three Aperture Heart Control within an hour.
• During the journey, Xiao Ling trained, refined pills for Zi Yan, and spent time with her and Rayquaza.
• After half a month, Zi Yan asked about reaching the Jama Empire, and Xiao Ling said they would soon arrive at Town Ghost Pass.
• Xiao Ling planned to send word for the Xiao Family to move to the Imperial Capital and considered asking an old man in the Tagor Desert to help protect them.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan arrived at Town Ghost Pass, where Xiao Ling revealed his identity and arranged for the Jia Ma imperial family to relocate the Xiao Family to the Imperial Capital. After leaving instructions with Mu Tie, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew toward the Tagor Desert to find Hai Bodong.

• Mu Tie and the soldiers at Town Ghost Pass spotted the Griffin Beast and were shocked when Xiao Ling and Zi Yan revealed themselves as Dou Wang powerhouses.
• Xiao Ling introduced himself to Mu Tie as a Jia Nan Academy elder and a member of the Xiao Family, then asked him to send a letter to Wutan City and arrange the Xiao Family's move to the Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Ling showed Mu Tie his Sixth-grade Alchemist Badge and demonstrated the heat of his Heavenly Flame, earning Mu Tie's respect.
• Xiao Ling offered to refine a Spirit Dou Pill for Mu Tie if he gathered the ingredients, and Mu Tie promised to carry out his requests.
• Xiao Ling handed Mu Tie the letter and flew with Zi Yan toward the Tagor Desert, while Mu Tie sent a guard to Wutan City and went to inform the imperial family.

The chapter humorously recounted Hai Bodong’s history of betting on Xiao Yan, from their first meeting to the Misty Cloud Sect’s assault on the Mittel Family. It ended with General MacArthur describing their bond as a gamble that brought Hai Bodong both fortune and loss.

• Hai Bodong met Xiao Yan after Queen Medusa sealed his strength, and Xiao Yan later lifted the seal in exchange for a year of guard work.
• Hai Bodong stepped in to protect Xiao Yan when the Misty Cloud Sect hunted him and saved him three times at the sect.
• Three years later, Hai Bodong was trapped in a formation during the Misty Cloud Sect’s assault on the Mittel Family, and Xiao Yan arrived with a Spirit Recovery Purple Pill.
• General MacArthur said Hai Bodong and Xiao Yan had each gained and lost through their bond.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan traveled to Mo City and followed a soldier’s directions to the Ancient Map shop. There, Xiao Ling recognized the elderly shopkeeper as Hai Bodong.

• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan rode Rayquaza to Mo City, and Xiao Ling warned Zi Yan not to steal medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan entered Mo City, where Xiao Ling used his Third-grade Alchemist badge to pass the gate without waiting in line.
• Xiao Ling gave a First-grade Pill to a gate soldier, who directed him to the Ancient Map shop.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan arrived at the shop, where Xiao Ling recognized the old shopkeeper as Hai Bodong.

Xiao Ling found the Nether Lotus Demonic Flame Fragmented Map in Hai Bodong's shop and revealed that he could refine the pill needed to break Hai Bodong's seal. The chapter ended with Xiao Ling agreeing to trade a Breaking Calamity Pill for the map's other half.

• Xiao Ling found and took the Nether Lotus Demonic Flame Fragmented Map fragment from an old rack in Hai Bodong's shop.
• Hai Bodong confronted Xiao Ling and Zi Yan after Xiao Ling asked to buy the other half of the map, and Zi Yan insulted him.
• Xiao Ling showed Hai Bodong his Sixth-grade Alchemist badge and Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame, prompting Hai Bodong to lower his hostile aura.
• Hai Bodong introduced himself as the former Ice Emperor and explained that Queen Medusa had sealed his battle qi and that he possessed the map's other half.
• Hai Bodong offered the other map fragment in exchange for Xiao Ling refining a Breaking Calamity Pill, and Xiao Ling accepted the trade.

Xiao Ling agreed to find Sand Mandara for Hai Bodong in exchange for ingredients and his promise to look after the Xiao Family. After receiving Hai Bodong’s map of likely Heavenly Flame locations, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan set out into the Tagor Desert, where he relied on Zi Yan to help find the herb.

• Hai Bodong admitted that he lacked Sand Mandara for the Breaking Calamity Pill, and Xiao Ling agreed to seek it in exchange for medicinal ingredients and Hai Bodong’s help protecting the Xiao Family.
• Hai Bodong gave Xiao Ling a detailed map marking three places in the Tagor Desert that might contain a Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Ling thanked Hai Bodong, said he would search for the Heavenly Flame after refining the pill, and left the Map Shop with Zi Yan.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew toward the desert, then climbed onto Rayquaza and headed deeper into the Tagor Desert.
• Xiao Ling told Zi Yan that finding Sand Mandara depended on her doing her part.

Xiao Ling brought Zi Yan across the desert toward Queen Medusa’s territory, hoping to trade for a Sand Mandara. They reached the Charming Snake Tribe, where Commander Yue Mei came out to meet them.

• Xiao Ling persuaded Zi Yan to help negotiate with Queen Medusa by promising her a share of the medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan flew across the desert on Rayquaza while Xiao Ling studied Hai Bodong’s map and identified a tribe led by Yue Mei.
• Xiao Ling scanned the oasis with Soul Perception but found neither Yue Mei nor any snake women there.
• Xiao Ling recalled Rayquaza, then flew with Zi Yan toward the Charming Snake Tribe and drew the attention of its guards.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan stopped outside the tribe’s gates, and Yue Mei flew out from the tallest building to meet them.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan met Yue Mei in the Charming Snake Tribe’s city and asked to trade for Sand Mandara. Since the ingredient was kept in the Snake People Sacred City, Yue Mei agreed to escort them there in exchange for Xiao Ling refining a Spirit Dou Pill for her.

• Yue Mei confronted Xiao Ling and Zi Yan, then invited them into the city after Xiao Ling explained their peaceful intentions.
• Xiao Ling asked Yue Mei to exchange a stalk of Sand Mandara, and Zi Yan revealed that he was a Sixth-grade Alchemist.
• Yue Mei explained that the Charming Snake Tribe had no Sand Mandara and that Queen Medusa kept the reserves in the Sacred City.
• Xiao Ling offered to refine a Spirit Dou Pill for Yue Mei if she supplied ingredients for three pills, and Yue Mei accepted.
• Yue Mei led Xiao Ling and Zi Yan out of the city and set off with them toward the Snake People Sacred City.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan arrived at the Snake People Sacred City with Yue Mei to negotiate a deal with the clan. Queen Medusa received them at the palace, where Xiao Ling saw her and her guard commander Hua She’er.

• Xiao Ling studied Hai Bodong’s map and judged that the Charming Snake Tribe lay close to the Snake People Sacred City, but kept Rayquaza’s speed in reserve as an escape option.
• Xiao Ling, Zi Yan, and Yue Mei reached the city after more than half a day of travel and approached its guarded, closed gates.
• A guard captain questioned Yue Mei about the two human Dou Wangs, then allowed them into the city after she vouched for them.
• Yue Mei led Xiao Ling and Zi Yan through the palace guards and into the council hall, where Queen Medusa had already arrived to meet them.
• Xiao Ling recognized Queen Medusa and her personal guard commander, Hua She’er, as he examined the queen.

Xiao Ling asked Queen Medusa to trade a stalk of Sand Mandara, and Zi Yan's charm quickly won Medusa's affection. Medusa agreed to treat Zi Yan as a younger sister, then asked Xiao Ling what he would offer in exchange for the precious herb.

• Xiao Ling introduced himself as a Jia Nan Academy Alchemy Department elder and requested a stalk of Sand Mandara from Queen Medusa.
• Zi Yan praised Xiao Ling as a Sixth-grade Alchemist and told Medusa about her lonely past and her wish to recover her Magical Beast form.
• Moved by Zi Yan's story, Medusa asked her to become her younger sister, and Zi Yan accepted on the condition that Medusa provide delicious medicinal herbs.
• Zi Yan reminded Medusa that Xiao Ling wanted Sand Mandara, and Medusa asked what bargaining chip he could offer for the rare herb.

Xiao Ling traded the promise of a Sect Breaking Pill for the Sand Mandara and ingredients or treasures of equivalent value from the Snake People Clan. After visiting the treasury with Medusa and Zi Yan, he handed Medusa a Sect Breaking Pill and prepared to leave.

• Xiao Ling offered to refine a Sect Breaking Pill for Medusa in exchange for the Sand Mandara, and Medusa accepted.
• Xiao Ling gave Medusa the ingredient list, and she explained that the Snake People Clan lacked enough herbs for three complete sets.
• Medusa took Xiao Ling and Zi Yan to the treasury, where Xiao Ling collected the available ingredients and selected other treasures to make up the value.
• Zi Yan took two medicinal herbs and asked Xiao Ling to turn them into candy pills, and he agreed.
• After returning to the hall, Xiao Ling gave Medusa a Sect Breaking Pill and said that he and Zi Yan had to leave.

Medusa accepted Xiao Ling’s Sect Breaking Pill and prepared to enter seclusion to break through to Dou Zong. Xiao Ling left the Snake People Sacred City with Zi Yan and Yue Mei, taking her Spirit Dou Pill ingredients and setting out on Rayquaza.

• Medusa accepted the Sect Breaking Pill from Xiao Ling and agreed to keep their transaction secret.
• Zi Yan said goodbye to Medusa, and Xiao Ling led her out of the hall; Yue Mei followed after realizing she still needed payment for her ingredients.
• Medusa ordered Hua She'er to keep the transaction secret and announced she would enter seclusion to cultivate.
• Yue Mei gave Xiao Ling three sets of Spirit Dou Pill ingredients, and he agreed to refine them while traveling.
• Xiao Ling summoned Rayquaza and fed it a Fourth-grade Pill, then asked it to grow larger and fly steadily as Yue Mei watched its aura rise to Dou Emperor level.