Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan protected Han Xue and the Han Family caravan when Lower Python demanded that Han Xue be left behind at Black Wind Canyon. After Xiao Yan revealed his Dou Huang Eight Stars strength, Lower Python and his Snake People guards fled, and the caravan continued through the canyon.

• Uncle Li warned Han Xue and Xiao Yan that Lower Python controlled Black Wind Canyon and might demand more than toll money.
• Lower Python accepted the Han Family's gold and pearls but demanded that Han Xue stay with him.
• Uncle Li and the guards prepared to fight Lower Python to protect Han Xue.
• Xiao Yan stepped out of the carriage and threatened Lower Python, then revealed his Dou Huang Eight Stars strength as Lower Python attacked.
• Lower Python fled with his Snake People guards, and Han Xue and Uncle Li thanked Xiao Yan for saving them.
• Xiao Yan urged the group to leave quickly, and Uncle Li drove the caravan through the canyon.

The Hong Family threatened to destroy the Han Family unless Han Yue and Han Xue married Hong Chen. Xiao Yan drove off their envoys and promised to face Hong Chen when he came in three days.

• Han Xue and Xiao Yan arrived at Han Mansion and found signs of a violent dispute.
• Scarface demanded that Han Yue and Han Xue marry Hong Chen within three days or the Hong Family would destroy Han Mansion.
• Han Shan and Han Yue refused, despite Scarface threatening the family and preparing to attack.
• Han Xue arrived with Xiao Yan, who confronted Scarface and forced him and his guards to retreat.
• Han Shan, Han Yue, and Han Xue warned Xiao Yan about Hong Chen, but Xiao Yan vowed to handle him if he came in three days.

Xiao Yan defeated Hong Chen in Han City's life-and-death arena battle, saving the Han Family from the Hong Family's threat. His use of the Wind Thunder Pavilion's Three Thousand Lightning Movements drew Lei Qianjue's attention, leaving Xiao Yan facing a new potential conflict.

• Han Xue and Han Yue worried as Xiao Yan faced Hong Chen, while Hong Chen threatened the Han sisters and mocked the Han Family.
• Hong Chen attacked Xiao Yan with the Black Python Sky-Splitting Saber, but Xiao Yan blocked and evaded his strikes while countering with black flames.
• Hong Chen unleashed the Black Python Devouring Heaven, and Xiao Yan used Three Thousand Lightning Movements to dodge and strike Hong Chen from behind with Heavenly Flames.
• Xiao Yan's attack knocked Hong Chen unconscious, and the Han Family celebrated his victory.
• Hong Ba tried to attack Xiao Yan, but Lei Qianjue invoked the rules of the life-and-death arena and stopped him.
• Lei Qianjue questioned Xiao Yan about his use of Three Thousand Lightning Movements, and Xiao Yan said he had obtained it by chance.

Xiao Yan defeated the Hong Family and killed Lei Qianjue after they attacked him and accused him of stealing the Wind Thunder Pavilion's battle skill. He protected the Han Family, warned Han City’s factions not to threaten them, and left the training ground.

• Lei Qianjue accused Xiao Yan of stealing 'Three Thousand Lightning Movements' and attacked him, but Xiao Yan summoned a Six-Star Dou Zong puppet to fight back.
• Hong Ba joined Lei Qianjue, and Xiao Yan summoned a Seven-Star Dou Zong puppet before overpowering Hong Ba and killing the four Hong Family Dou Huang Experts.
• Xiao Yan killed Hong Chen, while the two puppets battled Lei Qianjue and blocked his desperate Wind Thunder World Destruction attack.
• Xiao Yan struck down Lei Qianjue, then recalled his puppets as the spectators watched the Hong Family and Wind Thunder Pavilion leaders lie dead.
• Han Shan offered the Han Family's service to Xiao Yan, who refused and warned the factions that anyone who bullied the Han Family would become his enemy.
• Xiao Yan left the training ground after the factions agreed to his warning.

Xiao Yan was trapped by five Seven-Star Dou Zong experts from the Wind Thunder Pavilion and the Hong Family, but Heavenly Flame Venerable awakened and lent him power. Xiao Yan reached Eight-Star Dou Zong and faced the stunned attackers, preparing to counterattack.

• Four Wind Thunder Pavilion elders and Hong Tianxiao surrounded Xiao Yan with a barrier and demanded his surrender.
• Han Xue tried to reach Xiao Yan, while Han Yue watched anxiously as he assessed the five enemies and prepared to fight.
• Heavenly Flame Venerable awakened in Xiao Yan’s Storage Ring and agreed to help him confront the attackers.
• Heavenly Flame Venerable’s Soul Power surged through Xiao Yan, raising his strength to Eight-Star Dou Zong and cracking the barrier.
• Possessed by Heavenly Flame Venerable, Xiao Yan taunted the five experts and challenged them to attack.

Xiao Yan used his puppets to hold off Hong Tianxiao while Heavenly Flame Venerable taught him the Five-Wheel Separation Flame Method to break the Wind Thunder Pavilion elders’ formation. With the formation destroyed and its elders badly injured, Xiao Yan prepared to finish them as Hong Tianxiao’s escape was blocked.

• Xiao Yan summoned his Six-Star Puppet and Seven-Star Puppet to attack Hong Tianxiao and keep him from interfering.
• The four Wind Thunder Pavilion elders formed their sect-protecting formation and bombarded Xiao Yan with black lightning blades.
• Heavenly Flame Venerable asked Xiao Yan to lend him four Heavenly Flames and demonstrated the Five-Wheel Separation Flame Method.
• The four flaming beasts attacked the lightning formation, destroyed its core, and wounded all four elders.
• Hong Tianxiao tried to flee, but the puppets intercepted him and forced him to defend against their attacks.
• Xiao Yan withdrew the flames, raised his Black Heavy Ruler toward the fallen elders, and prepared for the final reckoning.

Xiao Yan killed the four Wind Thunder Pavilion elders with a four-colored fire lotus while his puppets killed Hong Tianxiao, ending the battle in Han City. After accepting Han Xue’s confession and her Calm Heart Pill, he agreed to let her travel with him to Burning Flame Valley to search for a companion flame seed.

• Xiao Yan formed a four-colored fire lotus and burned the four wounded Wind Thunder Pavilion elders to death, leaving their Storage Rings behind.
• The Seven-Star Puppet killed Hong Tianxiao and took his Storage Ring to Xiao Yan, while the battle’s surviving spectators watched in fear.
• Xiao Yan collected all five Storage Rings, and Han Shan and Han Yue thanked him for saving the Han Family and Han City.
• Han Xue confessed her feelings to Xiao Yan and offered him a Calm Heart Pill she had refined herself.
• Xiao Yan agreed to let Han Xue accompany him after setting conditions for her training and conduct, and they departed for Burning Flame Valley.

Xiao Yan opened the Wind Thunder Pavilion elders’ Storage Rings and found the Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body technique. He cultivated it to the intermediate stage in a hidden cave, then planned to return to the Han Family with Han Xue the next day.

• Xiao Yan used the Seven-Star Puppet to break the lightning restrictions on four Storage Rings after the Six-Star Puppet was damaged by the first ring.
• Xiao Yan found the Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body scroll and uncovered intelligence, cultivation insights, pills, Spirit Stones, and puppet-repair materials in the rings.
• Xiao Yan gave Han Xue pills and Spirit Stones to support her cultivation and help her reach Dou Wang.
• Xiao Yan cultivated Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body until his clone reached the intermediate stage, with sixty percent of his strength and the ability to use Lightning Flash.
• Xiao Yan stopped cultivating, shared a meal with Han Xue, and planned to return to the Han Family the next day to deliver the Wind Thunder Pavilion intelligence to Sect Master Han.

Xiao Yan and Han Xue were ambushed in the Miasma Forest by Fei Tian, the Nine-Star Dou Zong master of the North Wind Thunder Pavilion. After Heavenly Flame Venerable helped Xiao Yan distract Fei Tian with fake scrolls, they escaped through a transportation wormhole to a valley near Burning Flame Valley, where Xiao Yan repaired their puppets and prepared to seek the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire.

• Heavenly Flame Venerable possessed Xiao Yan and blocked Fei Tian's opening attack, while Han Xue and the Six-Star Puppet fled toward the transportation wormhole.
• Xiao Yan and the Seven-Star Puppet fought Fei Tian, but his powerful attacks damaged the puppet and wounded Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan cast four false Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body scrolls in different directions, tricking Fei Tian into chasing them while Xiao Yan escaped.
• Xiao Yan caught up with Han Xue, and the group crossed the transportation wormhole to a valley near Burning Flame Valley, where Heavenly Flame Venerable ended his possession.
• Xiao Yan swallowed Han Xue's Concentrating Spirit Pills, then temporarily repaired the damaged Six-Star and Seven-Star Puppets with her help.
• Xiao Yan and Han Xue rested in a cave and planned to travel to Burning Flame Valley to search for clues about the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire.

Xiao Yan refined the five Seven-Star Dou Zong corpses into powerful Thunder Puppets during an overnight forging session. With the puppets successfully under his command, he and Han Xue prepared to continue toward Burning Flame Valley and search for Heavenly Flames.

• Xiao Yan gathered the corpses, lightning beast cores, and refining materials to forge five Thunder Puppets while Han Xue guarded the valley.
• Xiao Yan removed the corpses’ Dou Cores and skeletons, then fused the bones with lightning beast cores in the Burning Thunder Cauldron.
• Xiao Yan shaped the puppets’ bodies from lightning-infused liquid metal and forged lightning-patterned spears for them.
• Xiao Yan placed command and master-recognition imprints in the five puppets’ beast cores, bringing them under his control.
• The five puppets emerged from the cauldron and obeyed Xiao Yan’s commands, and Han Xue praised their strength.
• Xiao Yan said the puppets would protect them as they continued toward Burning Flame Valley to search for Heavenly Flames.

Xiao Yan arrived at Burning Flame Valley to help refine the Rank 8 Fire Bodhi Pill and investigate the Fallen Heart Flame. After overpowering an alchemist who mocked him, he earned the respect of the valley elders and was registered as a seventh-grade Alchemist, leaving to await the refinement briefing.

• Burning Flame Valley announced its recruitment of sixth-grade and higher Alchemists to combine their efforts to refine a Fire Bodhi Pill for Tang Huo'er.
• Xiao Yan and Han Xue approached the registration platform, but Elder Li and two other alchemists mocked Xiao Yan for failing to produce his badge.
• Xiao Yan struck Elder Li with his Soul Power, making him cough blood and silencing the crowd.
• Xiao Yan introduced himself to the seventh-grade Alchemists and explained that he had come to help refine the pill.
• Lin Yue welcomed Xiao Yan, registered him as a seventh-grade Alchemist, and invited him and Han Xue to the inner hall to rest before the briefing.

Tang Zhen led Xiao Yan and the alchemists of Burning Flame Valley in refining a Rank 8 Fire Bodhi Pill to save Tang Huo'er from Fire Poison. After Xiao Yan used the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame to stabilize a dangerous mishap, the group successfully condensed the pill, leaving the exhausted alchemists grateful to him.

• Tang Zhen explained that only a Fire Bodhi Pill could save Tang Huo'er and assigned the alchemists roles in its refinement.
• The alchemists separated the ingredients' medicinal power and began feeding it into the Purple Gold Pill Furnace under Tang Zhen's guidance.
• A Sixth-grade Alchemist lost control of a Fire Crystal Beast energy cluster, threatening to trigger an explosion inside the furnace.
• Xiao Yan revealed the Glazed Lotus Heart Flame, purified the unstable energy, and steadied the fire net so the refinement could continue.
• Tang Zhen and the alchemists joined Xiao Yan in condensing the medicinal power, successfully forming a Rank 8 Fire Bodhi Pill.
• Wang Qi, Zhang Mo, and the other alchemists thanked Xiao Yan and promised to repay his help.

Xiao Yan asked Tang Zhen for Burning Flame Valley’s Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations, and Tang Zhen agreed to pass it on through the valley’s inheritance crystal. The inheritance triggered a rare phenomenon linked to Xiao Xuan, leaving Tang Zhen convinced Xiao Yan might be Xiao Xuan’s descendant and determined to investigate his lineage.

• Xiao Yan explained his desire to learn the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations and asked Tang Zhen to teach him.
• Tang Zhen stopped the elders from objecting, praised Xiao Yan’s openness, and took him to the transmission chamber.
• Xiao Yan received the cultivation method through the Flame Suppressing Transmission Crystal, which erupted with a Flame Dragon Protecting Master phenomenon.
• Tang Zhen suspected Xiao Yan was Xiao Xuan’s descendant and arranged for him to stay at Yan Yun Residence with resources to recover his Soul Power.
• After Xiao Yan left, Tang Zhen decided to investigate his background and inform Burning Flame Valley’s reclusive elders.

Xiao Yan learned that a newly reborn Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire waited atop Nine Thunder Mountain and accepted Tang Zhen’s aid to reach it. He began testing the mountain’s lightning restrictions with seven puppets, tempering them and himself as they advanced to the third restriction.

• Xiao Yan pressed Tang Zhen for news of a Heavenly Flame, and Tang Zhen revealed Burning Flame Valley guarded the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire at Nine Thunder Mountain.
• Tang Zhen explained that the flame had been reborn less than ten years earlier and could be subdued if Xiao Yan passed nine lightning restrictions; he gave Xiao Yan a Lightning Avoidance Jade Talisman and promised him a map.
• Xiao Yan vowed to subdue the flame within three days and arrived at Nine Thunder Mountain, where he sent seven puppets into the first Green Lightning Restriction to absorb its lightning.
• Xiao Yan controlled the puppets through his Soul Force as they absorbed green lightning, then Violet Lightning, growing stronger while he used the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations to temper his meridians.
• Xiao Yan led the puppets through the third Lightning Net Restriction, where they developed lightning patterns and a defensive barrier, and prepared to continue deeper into the mountain.

Xiao Yan seized the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire on Nine Thunder Mountain and endured the dangerous process of refining it with the Flame Mantra. He emerged at Peak Ninth Star Dou Huang with a high-tier Earth-class Flame Mantra, stronger thunderfire, and seven puppets that had advanced to Ninth Star Dou Zong.

• Xiao Yan found the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire at the summit of Nine Thunder Mountain and declared that he would subdue it.
• Xiao Yan charged through the flame’s dragon and thunder might, seized its core, and began refining it with the Flame Mantra despite the damage to his body.
• The seven puppets guarded Xiao Yan while absorbing the mountain’s lightning, and their strength rose as he refined the Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Yan broke through to Peak Dou Huang but suppressed his advance into Dou Zong so he could stabilize his foundation.
• The Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire transformed the Flame Mantra into a high-tier Earth-class technique and let Xiao Yan wield thunderfire.
• Xiao Yan rose with his strength greatly increased, while the former Six-Star and six Seven-Star Dou Zong puppets had all advanced to Ninth Star Dou Zong.

Xiao Yan and Han Xue traveled toward Tianshan to seek the Blood Pool, which could help Xiao Yan advance to Dou Zong. They reached the crowded mountain and hid in a valley to assess the factions, but distant fighting suggested the competition had already turned violent.

• Tang Zhen gave Xiao Yan Burning Flame Valley's Communication Jade Token and warned him about the dangers surrounding the Blood Pool.
• Xiao Yan flew with the unwell Han Xue and explained that an ancient text described the Blood Pool's origin, opening signs, and power to aid a breakthrough to Dou Zong.
• Han Xue offered to use her defensive and detection techniques to help Xiao Yan, and they continued toward Tianshan while other cultivators gathered along the route.
• Xiao Yan and Han Xue reached Tianshan, sensed the Blood Pool's energy, and saw cultivators already fighting over positions near the mountain.
• Xiao Yan took Han Xue to a concealed valley to observe the factions, where they heard distant curses and screams from another battle.

Xiao Yan reunited with Nalan Yanran at the canyon entrance and introduced her to Han Xue before the Crimson Gold Rats blocked their route to the Tianshan Fire Pool. With only ten places available and the rats’ sound waves making the crossing dangerous, the three prepared to cross the bridge together.

• Xiao Yan spotted Nalan Yanran and embraced her after their long separation.
• Nalan Yanran met Han Xue and teased her about her affection for Xiao Yan.
• Crimson Gold Rats attacked the crowd with piercing sound waves, and a cultivator attempting to cross the bridge was injured.
• Xiao Yan shielded Nalan Yanran and Han Xue from the sound waves while Nalan Yanran reassured Han Xue.
• Xiao Yan explained that only ten people could enter the Tianshan Fire Pool, and the three resolved to cross the bridge and compete for a place.

Xiao Yan protected Han Xue from the Crimson Gold Rat Tribe’s gatekeeper and learned from Qing Luan that Venerable Feng would attend the Four Pavilions Grand Gathering in a month. He returned to Han Xue and Nalan Yanran, then turned his attention to the Tianshan Fire Pool and the chance to advance his cultivation while pursuing clues to help Elder Yao.

• The gray-robed gatekeeper tried to force Han Xue to leave, so Xiao Yan struck him down and declared that ten people remained.
• Xiao Yan asked Qing Luan where Venerable Feng was and told her he was the disciple of one of Venerable Feng’s old friends.
• Qing Luan revealed that Venerable Feng would travel to the Wind Thunder Pavilion for the Four Pavilions Grand Gathering in a month.
• Xiao Yan thanked Qing Luan, returned to Han Xue and Nalan Yanran, and told them where they could find Venerable Feng.
• Xiao Yan looked toward the Tianshan Fire Pool, anticipating its cultivation benefits and the chance to learn how to help Elder Yao.

Xiao Yan, Han Xue, and Nalan Yanran cultivated in the Tianshan Fire Pool, where the energy repaired Han Xue’s meridians and helped all three advance. Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zong, Han Xue reached Four Star Dou Wang, and Nalan Yanran reached Dou Huang Eight Stars before they left the pool together.

• Xiao Yan carried Han Xue into the Tianshan Fire Pool inside a Heavenly Flame shield, while Nalan Yanran joined them.
• Xiao Yan guided the group toward the pool’s deepest waters, where Han Xue’s damaged meridians healed and her cultivation began advancing.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran absorbed the pure Fire Attribute Energy as they cultivated toward their respective bottlenecks.
• After half a month, Xiao Yan shattered his Peak Dou Huang barrier and broke through to Dou Zong.
• Han Xue advanced from Peak Dou Ling to Four Star Dou Wang, and Nalan Yanran advanced from Seven Star Dou Huang to Dou Huang Eight Stars.
• Xiao Yan carried Han Xue out of the pool with Nalan Yanran, and the three left with their breakthroughs complete.

At the Four Pavilions Grand Gathering, Fei Tian of Wind Thunder Pavilion confronted Xiao Yan and tried to bar him from entering. Xiao Yan revealed Elder Yao’s Storage Ring to Venerable Feng, who recognized it and vowed to protect Xiao Yan, leaving Fei Tian stunned.

• Xiao Yan, Han Xue, and Nalan Yanran arrived at the Four Pavilions Grand Gathering, where Fei Tian accused Xiao Yan of being an unworthy intruder and gathered lightning to attack him.
• Nalan Yanran challenged Fei Tian’s claim that Wind Thunder Pavilion controlled the gathering’s entrance, while Han Xue prepared to help Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan calmed Han Xue and Nalan Yanran, then called out to Venerable Feng and showed him Elder Yao’s black Storage Ring.
• Venerable Feng recognized the ring as Elder Yao’s, examined its markings, and urgently asked Xiao Yan about Elder Yao.
• Venerable Feng ordered Fei Tian not to harm Xiao Yan and declared that anyone who did would become his enemy, shocking Fei Tian.