Chapter Summaries

Nalan Jie, Nalan Su, Nalan Yanran, and Yun Yun arrived at the Xiao Family manor to meet Xiao Yan, whose blunt attention to Yun Yun made Nalan Yanran wonder if he preferred older women. Their meeting was interrupted when a fearsome white-clothed man appeared and bowed to Xiao Yan as “Young Sect Leader.”

• Nalan Yanran worried about rumors of Xiao Yan’s interest in another woman while traveling with Yun Yun, Nalan Jie, and Nalan Su to Wu Tan City.
• Xiao Zhan welcomed the visitors, and Yun Yun was surprised that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had both reached the Da Dou Shi level.
• Yun Yun mistook Xiao Yan’s heated stare for lechery, while Nalan Yanran noticed he treated her politely and seemed more interested in her teacher.
• Xiao Zhan privately feared the visit would become difficult if Xiao Yan handled the broken engagement poorly, especially with Yun Yun present.
• A formidable white-clothed man approached the group, bowed to Xiao Yan, and addressed him as Young Sect Leader.

Xiao Yan rejected the engagement to Nalan Yanran, explaining that he had fallen for someone else and asking the Nalan family to annul it. Nalan Jie’s anger began to rise, but an overwhelming aura abruptly descended over the hall.

• Bai Han joined Xiao Yan, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, Nalan Jie, and Nalan Su, and his deference to Xiao Yan astonished the guests.
• The group gathered in the Xiao family reception hall, where Xiao Zhan dismissed the other clan members before the marriage discussion began.
• Nalan Su asked Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan about plans for Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan’s marriage.
• Xiao Yan asked Nalan Jie to annul the engagement, saying he had met a girl he truly liked.
• Nalan Yanran was shaken by Xiao Yan’s rejection, while Nalan Jie grew furious and released his Dou Wang aura.
• As Nalan Jie’s aura rose, a vastly stronger aura suddenly filled the hall.

Xiao Yan negotiated a discreet end to his engagement with Nalan Yanran, offering her a chance to cultivate in Central State, but she rejected his terms and challenged him to a Three-Year Agreement. She declared that she was the one casting him aside and sealed her statement with a bloody handprint.

• Bai Han revealed the aura of a peak Dou Emperor, making Nalan Jie wary as Xiao Yan proposed keeping the broken engagement secret and offered Nalan Yanran a chance to cultivate in Central State.
• Nalan Yanran asked why Xiao Yan rejected her, and he said she was outstanding but that he loved another woman.
• Nalan Su suggested that Xiao Yan make Nalan Yanran his principal wife and his beloved a concubine, prompting Xiao Yan to rebuke him.
• Nalan Yanran accused Xiao Yan of looking down on her, vowed to prove him wrong, and challenged him to a Three-Year Agreement; Yun Yun praised her resolve.
• Xiao Yan accepted the challenge, but Nalan Yanran refused to wait for a formal dissolution document and declared that she was casting him aside, leaving her bloody handprint on the paper.

Xiao Yan firmly ended his engagement to Nalan Yanran, then offered the Nalan Family lavish compensation and promised to treat Nalan Jie's Brand Poison. The chapter left everyone stunned when Xiao Yan revealed that he would personally remove the poison.

• Nalan Yanran tried to repudiate Xiao Yan, but he warned that publicizing the broken engagement would disgrace the Nalan Family, and she collapsed from anger.
• Yun Yun caught Nalan Yanran and scolded Xiao Yan, then helped her recover as Nalan Jie agreed to keep the broken engagement private until Yanran reached Dou Wang.
• Xiao Yan gave the Nalan Family six valuable medicinal pills as compensation, and Nalan Jie recognized their great worth.
• Xiao Yan offered to cure Nalan Jie's Brand Poison, prompting Nalan Yanran to offer herself as his concubine before he reaffirmed that the engagement was over.
• Xiao Yan promised to refine any pill below the seventh grade for the Nalan Family, including a Sect Breaking Pill, and Nalan Jie accepted the compensation.
• Xiao Yan asked Nalan Jie to stay at the Xiao Family for treatment, then revealed that he would personally remove the Brand Poison.

Xiao Yan revealed his Exotic Flame and began expelling Nalan Jie’s Brand Poison, while Nalan Yanran regretted challenging him to a Three-Year Agreement. After Yun Yun steadied her disciple, Xiao Yan visited Yun Yun and said he had come specifically to see her.

• Bai Han claimed Xiao Yan could surpass Gu He, and Xiao Yan displayed his Exotic Flame, shocking Yun Yun and the Nalan Family.
• Xiao Zhan arranged lodgings and a banquet for the Nalan Family after the engagement dispute ended.
• Xiao Yan began treating Nalan Jie, purified the Brand Poison into a drop of poisonous blood, and stored it in a jade bottle.
• Nalan Yanran regretted making the Three-Year Agreement, but Yun Yun reminded her not to let Xiao Yan become a demon in her Dao Heart.
• Xiao Yan arrived at Yun Yun’s courtyard and said he had come specifically to see Sect Leader Yun, prompting her to warn him against disrespect.

Xiao Yan gave Yun Yun an Imperial Zenith Pill in exchange for watching over the Xiao Family while he was away, then teased her with hints about his teacher’s sect and Yun Shan. The next day, Ya Fei visited the Xiao Family and saw Xiao Yan openly affectionate with Xun'er, stirring her envy.

• Xiao Yan gave Yun Yun an Imperial Zenith Pill and asked her to protect the Xiao Family for three years while he was away.
• Yun Yun reluctantly accepted the pill after Xiao Yan mentioned his teacher’s sect’s ties to Yun Potian and said he would visit the Misty Cloud Sect in three years.
• Nalan Yanran teased Yun Yun about Xiao Yan’s interest in her, and Yun Yun ordered Nalan Yanran to practice the Breeze Swordplay one hundred times.
• Ya Fei visited the Xiao Family after Xiao Yan cleared more of Nalan Jie's Brand Poison, and Xun'er came out to meet her.
• Xiao Yan introduced Xun'er to Ya Fei and said Nalan Yanran would have to learn about their relationship sooner or later, leaving Ya Fei envious of Xun'er.

Xiao Yan introduced Xun'er to Ya Fei and the Nalan Family, and Nalan Yanran was shaken by Xun'er's beauty and cultivation. The chapter ended with Yanran telling Yun Yun that her Dao Heart had shattered.

• Xiao Yan brought Ya Fei to meet Nalan Jie, Nalan Su, and Nalan Yanran, then introduced Xun'er as his childhood sweetheart.
• Xiao Yan reassured Xun'er that she held the most important place in his heart and teased her before she ran back to her courtyard.
• Yun Yun watched Xiao Yan and Xun'er from the Bamboo Forest and felt unsettled as she wondered about his broken engagement to Yanran.
• Ya Fei told Nalan Yanran that thirteen-year-old Xun'er had already reached Four Star Dou Zhe, leaving Yanran and the Nalan elders stunned.
• Nalan Yanran returned to her courtyard in a daze and told Yun Yun that her Dao Heart had shattered.

The Imperial Family sent Yao Ye, Yao Yue, and Ice Axe Prince to meet the Xiao Family, where Yao Ye granted Wu Tan City to the family as a fief and appointed Xiao Zhan its Grand Duke. She then offered Xiao Yan a Storage Ring as a separate gift, leaving its contents undisclosed.

• Xiao Yan learned that Ya Fei had told the Nalan Family that Xun'er had reached Four Star Dou Zhe, helping explain Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun's changed attitudes toward him.
• Ya Fei told Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan that Imperial Family members had come to visit the Xiao Family, and Xiao Yan agreed to receive them.
• Yao Ye, Yao Yue, and Ice Axe Prince arrived, and Xiao Yan welcomed them into the Xiao Family's hall.
• Yao Ye presented an imperial decree granting Wu Tan City to the Xiao Family and naming Xiao Zhan Grand Duke of Wu Tan City.
• Yao Ye offered Xiao Yan a Storage Ring as a greeting gift from the Imperial Family.

Xiao Yan accepted the royal family’s generous gift and offered to find Yao Yue a Seventh Grade Alchemist teacher if she reached Fourth Grade within five years. After the royal party left Wu Tan City, Ya Fei revealed her feelings for Xiao Yan, and the chapter ended with a group from Jia Nan Academy arriving in the Jia Ma Empire.

• Yao Ye gave Xiao Yan a Storage Ring filled with valuable medicinal ingredients, which he accepted.
• Yao Ye asked Xiao Yan to help Yao Yue join his teacher’s sect, and Xiao Yan promised to seek her a Seventh Grade Alchemist teacher if she became a Fourth Grade Alchemist within five years.
• After the royal party left the Xiao Family, Yao Ye asked Ya Fei whether she had won Xiao Yan over, and Ya Fei admitted she had feelings for him but thought she was not good enough for him.
• The royal party departed Wu Tan City, leaving Xiao Zhan as its first Grand Duke and the Xiao Family in control of the city.
• A group from Jia Nan Academy traveled from the Black-Corner Region and arrived in the Jia Ma Empire.

Jia Nan Academy prepared to recruit talented students across the Jia Ma Empire, and Elder Li assigned Ruo Lin to seek out Xiao Yan in Wu Tan City. As the academy’s arrival neared, Xiao Yan helped Xiao Yu prepare for its selection, and news finally came that the delegation had reached the city.

• Elder Li told the Jia Nan Academy mentors to inspect the empire’s cities for talented students and asked Ruo Lin to recruit Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yu sparred with Xun'er and admitted she could not last ten exchanges against her.
• Xiao Ning showed his gratitude to Xiao Yan, whose Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid had helped him reach Dou Qi level 7.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Yu that reaching Four Star Dou Zhe could earn her special training at Jia Nan Academy and gave her a Dou Qi Pill to help her break through.
• Five days later, news arrived in Wu Tan City that Jia Nan Academy had come.

Ruo Lin arrived in Wu Tan City with Jia Nan Academy’s delegation to recruit Xiao Yan, hoping to bring the empire’s famed genius back as her student. Xiao Yan agreed to join the academy and chose Ruo Lin as his instructor, leaving her thrilled and stunned.

• Ruo Lin led the Jia Nan Academy delegation into Wu Tan City and brought Liu Fei and Lei Na to visit the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Yan prepared to welcome Ruo Lin with Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yu, and Xun'er, and recognized Liu Fei and Lei Na from their earlier encounter at the Heavenly Flame Training Gas Tower.
• Ruo Lin praised the Xiao Clan and asked whether Xiao Yan was the peerless genius she had come to recruit.
• Xiao Zhan confirmed that Xiao Yan wanted to attend Jia Nan Academy, and Ruo Lin eagerly agreed to take him.
• Xiao Yan told Ruo Lin that he wanted her as his instructor and would not choose anyone else, leaving her overjoyed.

Xiao Yan agreed to join Jia Nan Academy under Instructor Ruo Lin and asked her to bring Xiao Yu and Xun'er along. Their tests revealed extraordinary cultivation, and Ruo Lin fainted after discovering Xun'er was a Five Star Dou Zhe.

• Xiao Yan asked Ruo Lin to admit Xiao Yu and Xun'er into her class, and she agreed to take them to the academy camp for registration.
• At the camp, Xiao Yan tested as a Six Star Dou Shi, stunning Ruo Lin, Lei Na, and the onlookers.
• Xiao Yu tested as a Four Star Dou Zhe, revealing A Grade potential and surprising Ruo Lin.
• Xun'er tested as a Five Star Dou Zhe, and the delighted Ruo Lin fainted as the others called out to her.

After Ruo Lin fainted, Liu Fei and Lei Na tried to poach Xiao Yan and Xun'er for Earth Rank Instructors, but both refused. Lei Na challenged Xiao Yan and threatened Xun'er, so Xiao Yan beat him nearly to death with a whip of Heavenly Flames before a Mu Family imperial officer stopped him.

• Ruo Lin fainted after Xiao Yan confirmed that what she had seen was real, and he had female students carry her into a tent.
• Liu Fei and Lei Na plotted to recruit Xiao Yan and Xun'er for their instructors, but Xiao Yan rejected Liu Fei's offer and Xun'er refused Lei Na's.
• Xiao Yan found Lei Na speaking to Xun'er, took her hand, and refused Lei Na's attempt to persuade her to switch instructors.
• Lei Na blocked Xiao Yan and challenged him to a match after Xiao Yan called him trash, while Liu Fei tried to intervene and then encouraged Lei Na to fight.
• Xiao Yan formed a whip from Heavenly Flames and lashed Lei Na repeatedly until a Mu Family imperial officer arrived and he stopped.

Xiao Yan injured Lei Na after Lei Na and Liu Fei tried to recruit him and Xun'er for another instructor, then reassured Ruo Lin that Lei Na would recover. Ruo Lin worried about retaliation from Lei Na's instructor, but Xiao Yan revealed connections to Su Qian and Hu Qian; the group stayed in the Xiao Family's lodging while Xiao Yan prepared for his departure.

• Xiao Yan threatened Liu Fei after defeating Lei Na, and the officer surnamed Mu gave Lei Na a Heart Meridian Pill before learning Xiao Yan had not intended to kill him.
• Ruo Lin awoke and learned Xiao Yan had beaten Lei Na, then Xiao Yu explained that Lei Na and Liu Fei had tried to recruit Xiao Yan and Xun'er and that Lei Na had set his sights on Xun'er.
• Ruo Lin feared Lei Na's Earth Rank Instructor might retaliate, but Xiao Yan and Xun'er said they would leave Jia Nan Academy rather than accept unfair treatment, and Xiao Yan mentioned Su Qian and Hu Qian.
• Ruo Lin brought the Jia Nan Academy group to stay in the Xiao Family's lodging, while her search for more recruits yielded no other outstanding students.
• Xiao Yan made arrangements for his departure and went to see Ya Fei.

Xiao Yan said goodbye to Ya Fei before leaving Wu Tan City, and the two admitted their feelings while agreeing he would return within two years. He arranged the Xiao Family’s affairs and asked Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to look for Qing Lin in the Tagor Desert.

• Xiao Yan visited Ya Fei at the Mittel Auction House and received the profits from the Xiao Family’s pill sales.
• Ya Fei asked why Xiao Yan had treated her so generously, and he confessed that he loved her and promised he would give her a proper status.
• Ya Fei admitted she had fallen for Xiao Yan and said she would wait for him in the Jia Ma Empire; he promised to return within two years.
• Xiao Yan assigned Bai Han to guard the Xiao Family and rewarded Liu Panlong with a soul cultivation technique and pill-refining guidance.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to look for Qing Lin in the Tagor Desert and take her in if they found her.

Xiao Yan prepared to leave Wu Tan City for Jia Nan Academy, asking Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to search for Qing Lin and avoid major conflict with the Snake-People Race. After the academy group departed, Xiao Yan and Xun'er shared a private moment on the road, and the party reached Gama Holy City seven days later.

• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li agreed to search for Qing Lin in the Tagor Desert, and Xiao Yan warned them to avoid major conflict with the Snake-People Race.
• Ruo Lin finished recruiting in Wu Tan City, finding no other promising candidates beyond the Xiao Family's three SSA students.
• The Jia Nan Academy students said goodbye to their families and left Wu Tan City, where Ya Fei embraced Xiao Yan and asked him to wait for her return.
• On the journey, Xun'er admitted she was jealous of Xiao Yan's relationship with Ya Fei, and Xiao Yan apologized and promised to make it up to her.
• Liu Fei treated Lei Na's wounds and promised that her cousin would teach Xiao Yan a lesson once they reached the academy.
• Seven days later, the group arrived at Gama Holy City and gathered at a large residence.

Ruo Lin brought Xiao Yan and the other recruits to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital, where Elder Li discovered Xiao Yan’s extraordinary cultivation and the exceptional potential of Xun’er and Xiao Yu. As the instructors prepared to arrange accommodations before departing for Jia Nan Academy, an injured Lei Na arrived asking them to intervene.

• The Mu Family commandant completed the escort to the residence, and Ruo Lin led the recruits inside to meet Elder Li and the other instructors.
• Ruo Lin introduced Xiao Yan, and he revealed that he was a thirteen-year-old Six Star Dou Shi, shocking Elder Li and the instructors.
• Elder Li rewarded Ruo Lin with a valuable azure sword for recruiting Xiao Yan.
• Elder Li reviewed the roster and discovered that Xun’er was a thirteen-year-old Five Star Dou Zhe and that Xiao Yu was a Four Star Dou Zhe.
• Elder Li told Ruo Lin to arrange accommodations and said they would leave for Jia Nan Academy in three days.
• Lei Na arrived limping with Liu Fei’s support and asked Elder Li and the instructors to stand up for him.

Xiao Yan defended his beating of Lei Na by explaining that Lei Na and Liu Fei had tried to recruit him and Xun'er, and that Lei Na had made advances toward Xun'er. Elder Li punished Lei Na and Liu Fei but spared Xiao Yan, who spent the next three days at the student residence before Elder Li announced their departure for Jia Nan Academy.

• Ka Mu confronted Xiao Yan over Lei Na's injuries, and Xiao Yan admitted he had beaten Lei Na.
• Xiao Yan explained that Lei Na and Liu Fei had tried to recruit him and Xun'er, and that Lei Na had harbored improper thoughts toward Xun'er; he warned that Lei Na was lucky to have survived.
• Elder Li ordered Lei Na and Liu Fei to spend three days in confinement, while privately giving Ka Mu a medicinal pill for Lei Na.
• Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and their companions stayed in Ruo Lin's students' quarters, where young students admired Xiao Yan and called Xun'er their sister-in-law.
• Over the next three days, Xiao Yan and Xun'er walked around the residence, and students who recognized Xiao Yan avoided provoking him.
• Elder Li gathered the students on the third evening and announced they would leave the Jia Ma Empire for Jia Nan Academy the next morning.

Xiao Yan and the Jia Nan Academy recruits traveled to Flying Beast City, where Vice Principal Hu Qian announced that they must cross the Black-Corner Region on foot to earn recognition as official students. As the students set out, Hu Qian asked Elder Li to bring Xiao Yan and Xun'er to meet the elders.

• Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Xiao Yu traveled with Ruo Lin's group toward Jia Nan Academy aboard flying beasts, and Xiao Yan soothed airsick students with a medicinal fragrance.
• After more than half a month, the group arrived at Flying Beast City, where Elder Li explained its role as a transportation hub and academy outpost.
• The recruitment teams gathered in the city over five days, and Xiao Yan sensed Hu Qian and numerous other powerful academy members nearby.
• Hu Qian addressed the recruits and declared that they had to cross the Black-Corner Region on foot to become official students, with the elders intervening only to prevent deaths.
• The students set out across the dark plain, and Hu Qian asked Elder Li to bring Xiao Yan and Xun'er over so the elders could meet them.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er joined the Jia Nan Academy group and crossed the dangerous Black-Corner Region with the new students. By the end of the arduous journey, the students had grown more resilient, and a small town appeared between two towering mountains.

• Elder Li brought Xiao Yan and Xun'er to Hu Qian, who welcomed them and warned the elders to protect Xun'er because her clan's anger could bring disaster to Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er drew attention from the students, and news of Xiao Yan's age, strength, and beating of Lei Na spread through the group, discouraging others from approaching them.
• The students struggled with the long daily marches and the dangers of the Black-Corner Region, while Xiao Yan advised the exhausted Xiao Yu to pace herself and use her Dou Qi to replenish her strength.
• After nearly a month of travel, the students had grown more vigorous and endured filthy conditions, treacherous people, magical beast attacks, and a small Black Storm with the elders' protection.
• The group reached two towering mountains, where a small town came into view between them.