Chapter Summaries

After Emissary Li fled, Xiao Yan learned that Han Feng had betrayed Old Man Yao and had once been his disciple. Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo resolved to confront Han Feng and take his Sea Heart Flame, while Old Man Yao found hope in his new disciple.

• Emissary Li left as the Black Storm dissipated, and Xiao Yan reflected on the Soul Hall's reach and his need to become a Tier 7 Alchemist to revive Old Man Yao.
• Xiao Yan questioned Old Man Yao about his grudge against Han Feng, and Old Man Yao revealed that Han Feng had been his disciple before betraying him.
• Xiao Yan reassured Old Man Yao that he would face the complications with Hun Ruoruo at his side, and Hun Ruoruo affirmed her loyalty to her master and senior brother.
• Old Man Yao praised Hun Ruoruo and expressed relief that she had not repeated Han Feng's betrayal.
• Xiao Yan learned that Han Feng possessed the Sea Heart Flame, and resolved to take the flame and avenge Old Man Yao.

Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo entered Black Seal City, where Ruoruo used a Soul Dou Technique to charm the gate guards into waiving her fee. She then revealed she had hired the Soul Hall to steal treasures from the upcoming Auction Conference, leaving Xiao Yan stunned.

• Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo joined the queue to enter Black Seal City, and Ruoruo explained why Jia Nan Academy students received special protection in the Black Corner Region.
• At the city gate, Ruoruo charmed the guards into letting her enter without paying, while Xiao Yan still had to pay the entrance fee.
• Xiao Yan confronted Ruoruo about using a Soul Dou Technique on the guards, and she admitted she had secretly returned their fee through his Storage Ring.
• When Xiao Yan asked about the Auction Conference, Ruoruo showed him a Protector token and revealed she had arranged for the Soul Hall to steal the treasures they wanted.

Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo explored a violent street in the Black Corner Region before visiting the Thousand Medicine Workshop, where Xiao Yan spent his hidden savings on medicinal ingredients. Hun Ruoruo used the remaining money to buy Candied Hawthorn, leaving Xiao Yan touched by her simple request.

• Hun Ruoruo defended her dealings as a fair trade, and Xiao Yan hurried ahead while she followed him through the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Yan explained that he had come to the Thousand Medicine Workshop to buy medicinal ingredients, but found the prices far beyond what he could afford with his available funds.
• Hun Ruoruo gave Xiao Yan 350,000 Gold Coins from his accumulated income, and he revealed a savings card holding enough to cover the remaining cost.
• Xiao Yan paid more than 800,000 Gold Coins for medicinal ingredients using money his father had saved for his marriage.
• Hun Ruoruo took the remaining money and asked Xiao Yan to buy her a skewer of Candied Hawthorn, then reminded him to keep the change.

Hun Ruoruo and Xiao Yan reached Peace Town at the border of Jia Nan Academy after traveling through the Black Corner Region. The Enforcement Team recognized Xiao Yan as the student who had given away his Special Enrollment spot, while Hun Ruoruo revealed she was now Jia Nan Academy’s Special Enrollment Student.

• Hun Ruoruo and Xiao Yan traveled leisurely through the Black Corner Region for three days before arriving near Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yan sensed Jia Nan Academy’s concealed Soul scout and admired the academy’s defenses in Peace Town.
• A middle-aged Enforcement Team member stopped Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo, questioned their identities, and recognized Xiao Yan from his entrance test and leave.
• The students learned Hun Ruoruo was Jia Nan Academy’s Special Enrollment Student and wondered how she would compare with Xun'er.
• Xiao Yan reacted to hearing that Xun'er often talked about him and said he would speak with her when they met.

Xun'er waited eagerly for Xiao Yan to return, confident he would arrive for Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy Selection Competition. Xiao Yu reminded her that Xiao Yan’s absence could jeopardize Teacher Ruolin’s promotion, and Xun'er joined the crowded event still expecting to see him.

• Xun'er reflected on the two years since Xiao Yan left Wutan City and admitted that she had secretly sent Ling Ying to follow and protect him.
• Xun'er worried about An Ruoruo’s closeness to Xiao Yan but believed his mysterious teacher would keep him safe.
• Xiao Yu found Xun'er waiting on the mountain and warned that Xiao Yan’s absence from the competition could ruin Teacher Ruolin’s promotion.
• Xiao Yu told Xun'er that Teacher Ruolin had added Xiao Yan to the selection roster at Xun'er's request, and Xun'er insisted he would come.
• Xun'er and Xiao Yu joined Teacher Ruolin’s group at the crowded Inner Academy Selection Competition.

Xiao Xun'er defeated Mo Wen in the academy’s advancement tournament while Instructor Ruolin worried about Xiao Yan’s absence. Xiao Yan finally arrived for his match, and Xun’er rushed toward him before he stopped her with a teasing reminder to keep her distance in public.

• Xiao Yu reflected on Xiao Ning’s unexpected diligence and his progress to Six-star Dou Master.
• Instructor Ruolin warned Xun’er that Mo Wen was a formidable opponent and worried that Xiao Yan had not appeared.
• Xun’er defeated Mo Wen with a single palm strike, and he conceded.
• The referee called Xiao Yan to fight Xue Beng, and Xiao Yan arrived through the crowd.
• Xun’er rushed toward Xiao Yan, but he rubbed her head and reminded her that men and women should keep their distance.

Xiao Yan reunited with Gu Xun'er, who was startled that he did not embrace her and then discovered his severe injuries. After they caught up, he went to face Xue Beng in the arena, where Xue Beng said he would not have minded if their conversation had lasted longer.

• Gu Xun'er was stunned when Xiao Yan did not hug her, and Xiao Yan teased her about their childhood before smoothing her hair.
• Gu Xun'er sensed Xiao Yan's severe injuries and asked whether he had used a costly secret technique; Xiao Yan said he would explain after the match and defended An Ruoruo.
• Gu Xun'er calmed down, resolved not to seem petty, and looked forward to reaching the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yan climbed onto the stage and introduced himself to Xue Beng, apologizing for making him wait while he caught up with Gu Xun'er.
• Xue Beng said he would not have minded if Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er had chatted a little longer.

Xiao Yan faced Xue Beng in the arena and effortlessly suppressed his spear technique with one finger. After defeating him, Xiao Yan warned Xue Beng to focus on cultivating instead of prying into his sister's privacy.

• Xue Beng tried to ingratiate himself with Xiao Yan and advised him to withdraw from the competition, but Xiao Yan insisted on fighting.
• Xue Beng attacked with his spear technique, Pear Blossom Rain, and Xiao Yan stopped the entire assault with one finger.
• The students, elders, Vice Principal Hu Gan, and the red-clothed Little Enchantress were shocked by Xiao Yan's strength.
• Xiao Yan explained that Xue Beng relied too much on brute force, then pressed down and shattered the arena floor, blasting Xue Beng's spear into the ground.
• Xiao Yan patted Xue Beng's cheek and told him to cultivate instead of obsessing over his sister's privacy.

Xiao Yan defeated Xue Beng with a flick of his finger, then reunited with the Xiao Family members at Jia Nan Academy and revealed that the clan had moved to the Imperial Capital. After promising to protect them and catching up with Instructor Ruolin, he was left stunned when she asked which girl he liked.

• Xiao Yan defeated Xue Beng effortlessly, earning the announced victory and the crowd’s recognition.
• Xiao Yan greeted Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Ning, then revealed that the Xiao Family had moved from Wutan City to the Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Yan declared that he would protect the Xiao Family and gave Xiao Ning a medicinal pill for his injuries.
• Instructor Ruolin chided Xiao Yan for missing academy classes and learned that Ruoruo had been certified as a Special Enrollment Student.
• Instructor Ruolin pulled Xiao Yan aside and asked which girl he actually liked, leaving him wide-eyed.

Xiao Yan reassured Xun'er that he had needed to settle his family’s grudges himself, then left her before the Inner Academy finals. Hun Ruoruo joined Jia Nan Academy, where Hu Gan questioned why she called Xiao Yan her Senior Brother.

• Xun'er worried over the risks Xiao Yan had taken against the Misty Cloud Sect, but he explained that he had to face the family’s grudges himself.
• Xiao Yan promised to look after Xun'er in the Inner Academy, teased her about her childhood, and left before the finals.
• After Xiao Yan departed, Xun'er resolved not to lose to An Ruoruo for his attention.
• Hu Gan discussed Hun Ruoruo’s exceptional strength and her past with Xiao Yan before welcoming her to Jia Nan Academy.
• Hun Ruoruo explained that her sect arranged seniority by accomplishment rather than cultivation strength, prompting Hu Gan to question why she called Xiao Yan Senior Brother.

Hun Ruoruo settled into the Outer Academy with Old Man Yao and deduced that the Falling Heart Flame was likely beneath the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, while planning to use Inner Academy Fire Energy through her senior brother. Xiao Yan dominated the Selection Competition, earned the nickname Outer Academy Brute Force King, and asked Hu Jia about the Special Enrollment Students, provoking Xun’er’s jealousy.

• Hun Ruoruo complained to Old Man Yao about her lengthy interrogation, and he praised her exceptional cultivation talent.
• Hun Ruoruo and Old Man Yao suspected the Falling Heart Flame lay beneath the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, and Hun Ruoruo pointed out that they could still trade with Inner Academy Fire Energy.
• Xiao Yan defeated Bai Shan and the other finalists with help from Xun’er, cementing his reputation as an overwhelmingly powerful body cultivator.
• Hu Jia called Xiao Yan the Outer Academy Brute Force King and challenged him, but he asked whether Special Enrollment Students would reach the Inner Academy before the other students.
• Hu Jia explained the Special Enrollment process, and Xun’er listened with barely concealed resentment and hostility.

Xiao Yan and the others entered Jia Nan Academy’s Library to choose Dou Techniques, and Xiao Yan devised a plan to seize the moving light balls despite his injuries. His coordinated effort drew the attention of a hidden elder, who recognized that Xiao Yan had broken no rules.

• Xun'er resented Ruoruo for taking the Special Enrollment Student honor from Xiao Yan and anticipated protecting him in the coming test.
• Xiao Yan and the other successful competitors entered the Library, where they found an impressive collection of Dou Techniques, including Earth-tier techniques.
• Xiao Yan studied the light balls with his Soul Force and assigned Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu, and Xun'er roles in a plan to redirect them toward him.
• Xiao Yan struck the incoming light balls with tremendous force, setting off explosions that alarmed Elder Huo.
• A hidden elder stopped Elder Huo from intervening, saying Xiao Yan had broken no rules and calling him interesting.

After recovering enough to travel, Xiao Yan joined the students preparing to enter Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy, where Vice Principal Hu Gan introduced the special-enrollment student, Hun Ruoruo. Her arrival unsettled Xun'er when she noticed Xiao Yan’s ring on Ruoruo’s hand, while Ruoruo teased Xiao Yan about interrupting him and Xun'er.

• Xun'er found Xiao Yan sleeping in a valley and told him the group was about to leave for the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er joined the students at Hu Gan’s study, where Xiao Yan noticed Bai Shan watching him with concealed hostility.
• Hu Gan announced that Hun Ruoruo had the special-enrollment slot and asked the students to welcome her.
• Hun Ruoruo arrived, greeted Xun'er, and prompted Xun'er to notice Xiao Yan’s ring on her hand.
• Hu Jia invited Hun Ruoruo to join their group, and Hun Ruoruo declined Bai Shan’s invitation before heading to Xiao Yan and Xun'er.
• Hun Ruoruo privately teased Xiao Yan about whether she had interrupted him and Xun'er, leaving Xiao Yan sweating nervously.

Xiao Yan tried to fend off Hun Ruoruo’s teasing, then explained to Xun’er that Ruoruo wore his ring because she was also the mysterious Teacher’s disciple. Xun’er grew jealous over the ring and their seniority, leaving Xiao Yan to realize both girls seemed to harbor possessive delusions about him.

• Hun Ruoruo teased Xiao Yan about secretly touching her and joked that she could accept sharing him with Xun’er.
• Xiao Yan rebuked Hun Ruoruo for taking the joke too far, and she left to speak with Hu Jia, unsettled by his devotion to Xun’er.
• Xun’er asked Xiao Yan why Hun Ruoruo had worn his important ring, and he explained that it belonged to his mysterious Teacher and was not his alone.
• Xiao Yan told Xun’er that Hun Ruoruo had also become the Teacher’s disciple and was interested in alchemy, making him her senior brother.
• Xun’er protested that Xiao Yan should not put the ring on another girl, and he realized she was jealous of Hun Ruoruo.

Xiao Yan and Hun Ruoruo traveled with the freshmen to the Inner Academy and learned the rules of the Fire Energy Hunt Competition. As soon as Hu Gan declared it begun, they overwhelmed the senior students and collected their Fire Energy, leaving Xun'er stunned.

• Ten Griffin Beasts carried Xiao Yan, Hun Ruoruo, and the other selected students toward the hidden Inner Academy.
• Hun Ruoruo gave Xiao Yan a Crystal Card and secretly helped undo some of his seals, while Xun'er grew jealous and raised her concealed strength.
• Hu Gan led the group through the Space Lock to the Inner Academy entrance, where he explained the Fire Energy Hunt Competition and told Hun Ruoruo not to participate.
• When Hu Gan announced the competition, Xiao Yan struck a senior student and Hun Ruoruo took his Fire Energy before the others could react.
• Xiao Yan fought through the senior students while Hun Ruoruo collected their Fire Energy, and Xun'er watched in bewilderment as the contest seemed to end immediately.

Xiao Yan revealed Dou Ling strength during the Fire Energy Hunt, while Hun Ruoruo helped him gather Fire Crystal Cards and learned that senior students planned to ambush him. After learning how valuable Fire Energy was for cultivation and trading, Xiao Yan decided to target the other senior students for more.

• Xiao Yan defeated senior students with his displayed Dou Ling cultivation, and the elders praised his talent while noting his injuries.
• Senior students discussed joining forces with the Black and White Twin Fiends to stop Xiao Yan and recover their Fire Energy.
• Hun Ruoruo treated the defeated Su Xiao, heard his group’s plan to ambush Xiao Yan, and promised not to reveal it.
• Hun Ruoruo told Xiao Yan about the planned ambush, and he pointed out that she had broken her promise by sharing the information.
• Hun Ruoruo gave Xiao Yan a Fire Crystal Card holding 575 Fire Energy and explained its uses at Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yan decided to take more Fire Energy from the senior students to support the Xiao Family.

After reuniting with Xun'er and the other Freshmen, Xiao Yan distributed Fire Energy and gently rebuked Xun'er for how she spoke about An Ruoruo. Meanwhile, the Senior Students gathered at the forest checkpoint and launched a desperate attack as Xiao Yan approached.

• Xiao Yan returned to the Freshmen, announced that the eastern area had been cleared, and gave Xiao Ning Fire Energy to distribute among their scouts and allies.
• Xun'er praised Xiao Yan's strength, and he revealed that he had sensed her cultivation was at least that of a Three-Star Dou Ling.
• Xiao Yan gave Xun'er a blue Fire Crystal Card containing a hundred days of Fire Energy and told her to return An Ruoruo's card later.
• Xun'er realized the card belonged to An Ruoruo and called her "that woman," so Xiao Yan told her that being rude did not suit her.
• The Senior Students gathered at the forest checkpoint, then charged into the woods after the white-robed youth announced Xiao Yan's arrival.

Xiao Yan faced the Senior Students guarding the Inner Academy checkpoint while elders watched from a hillside. After Sha Tie and Luo Hou drew on the Dou Qi of their allies, Xiao Yan challenged them to attack him together.

• Elder Qing and the other elders discussed Xiao Yan’s reputation, while Elder Huo complained that Xiao Yan had nearly damaged the Library.
• Su Xiao warned Sha Tie and Luo Hou that Xiao Yan was far stronger than an ordinary Dou Ling, but they trusted their numbers and experience.
• Xiao Yan and the Freshmen arrived at the checkpoint, where Sha Tie and Luo Hou introduced themselves as the Black and White Twin Fiends.
• The Senior Students used a combined Dou skill to bolster Sha Tie and Luo Hou, and Hun Ruoruo explained that their coordination was imperfect.
• Xiao Yan told Xun'er not to worry and said he would rather face the Senior Students alone so the Freshmen could seize their Fire Energy.
• Xiao Yan challenged Sha Tie and Luo Hou to attack him together, leaving the standoff poised for a fight.

Xiao Yan fought Luo Hou and Sha Tie while Bai Shan’s reinforcement exposed his hidden injuries and left him at a disadvantage. As the senior students prepared to force his surrender, Xiao Yan swallowed a Fourth Order Magic Core, restoring his strength and shocking everyone.

• Bai Shan reinforced Luo Hou and Sha Tie with Dou Qi, raising Luo Hou’s strength as the two launched a coordinated attack on Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan used his fists and hardened body to block their weapons, but the clashes aggravated his hidden injuries.
• Luo Hou revealed that he and Sha Tie had targeted Xiao Yan’s injuries after Bai Shan disclosed his weakness, and Bai Shan defended joining the senior students’ team.
• Xun’er tried to intervene, but Hun Ruoruo stopped her and insisted Xiao Yan should fight without outside interference.
• Xiao Yan ignored Luo Hou’s demand to surrender, bit through a Fourth Order Magic Core, and swallowed its energy to restore his strength.

Xiao Yan revealed the Myriad Beasts Spirit Flame and defeated Luo Hou and Sha Tie with a powerful punch, but Su Qian intervened to stop the attack. The Freshmen won the Fire Energy Hunt Competition, and Xiao Yan healed Hun Ruoruo before they headed toward the Inner Academy together.

• Hu Gan told Elder Huo that Xiao Yan was an Alchemist who possessed a Heavenly Flame, prompting Elder Huo to suspect he had the Myriad Beasts Spirit Flame.
• Xiao Yan used the Myriad Beasts Spirit Flame to restore his strength and confirmed that refined Magic Cores might help Ruoruo recover.
• Xiao Yan struck Luo Hou and Sha Tie with his Eight Extremes technique, suppressing them with his flame and overwhelming vital energy.
• Su Qian blocked Xiao Yan's punch and declared the Freshmen the winners of the Fire Energy Hunt Competition.
• Xiao Yan healed Hun Ruoruo, then crossed the checkpoint with her toward the Inner Academy as the Senior Students lamented their defeat.