Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian escaped Lei Batian and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group after they were discovered leaving the cave with the Companion Purple Crystal Source. They found shelter for the night, and Xiao Yan resolved to grow strong enough to protect those beside him as he pursued the Heavenly Flames and prepared for the Three-Year Pact.

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian hid from Lei Batian and his more than twenty Wolf Head Mercenary Group members, who had come to seize the cave’s treasures.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian tried to escape through a concealed trail, but Lei Batian sensed them and gave chase.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian slid down a steep slope into the forest, while Lei Batian stopped at the top and sent his men to search for them.
• With Elder Yao’s perception helping him avoid dangers, Xiao Yan found a concealed cave where he and Xiao Yi Xian rested and treated their wounds.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian thanked each other and promised to prepare better for future dangers as they sheltered together through the night.
• Xiao Yan resolved to find the Heavenly Flames, fulfill the Three-Year Pact with Nalan Yanran, and gain the strength to protect those beside him.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian split up so she could reach a Medicine God Valley branch hall while he drew Lei Batian’s mercenaries away. After silently killing seven mercenaries, Xiao Yan lured Lei Batian and the remaining men toward Rubble Slope, where the pursuit began among dangerous rocks and cliffs.

• Xiao Yi Xian urged Xiao Yan to split up, and Xiao Yan gave her a Stealth Token and supplies before she headed southwest for the branch hall.
• Xiao Yan armed himself and killed an isolated mercenary, then ambushed two more with his dagger and crossbow.
• Xiao Yan continued attacking scattered mercenaries, killed seven in total, and learned that Lei Batian had gone to Rubble Slope with the remaining men.
• Xiao Yan left false tracks toward the northeast, prompting Lei Batian to pursue him with ten mercenaries.
• Xiao Yan ran into Rubble Slope and prepared to face the pursuers among its boulders, crevices, and hidden cliffs.

Xiao Yan escaped Lei Batian’s pursuit by falling from a cliff, where Elder Yao saved him and taught him the Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique Flame Splitting Wave Ruler. After recovering and training with the Black Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan ambushed three mercenaries and learned that Lei Batian and more than ten members of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group remained at their mountain camp.

• Lei Batian cornered Xiao Yan on Rubble Slope, injured him badly, and chased him toward a cliff; Xiao Yan struck Lei Batian’s nose and fell over the edge.
• Elder Yao manifested his soul form, used a Soul Imprint and protective Dou Qi to save Xiao Yan, and brought him safely to the bottom of the cliff.
• Elder Yao brought out the Black Heavy Ruler and taught Xiao Yan Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, explaining how to fuse Dou Qi, flame, and gravity through the weapon.
• Xiao Yan recovered and trained with the Black Heavy Ruler for several days while Elder Yao guided him and simulated Lei Batian’s attacks.
• Xiao Yan ambushed three mercenaries searching the valley, killed two, and captured the third long enough to learn that Lei Batian’s camp held more than ten men.
• Xiao Yan killed the remaining mercenary and resolved to master Flame Splitting Wave Ruler before taking revenge on Lei Batian.

After training with the Black Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan found the badly injured Yun Yun and treated her wounds. She awoke suspicious of him but accepted his explanation, introduced herself as Yun Zhi, and stayed while Xiao Yan went to fetch water and food.

• Xiao Yan practiced the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler for three hours, and Elder Yao praised his progress while warning him to balance the flow of Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan found Yun Yun unconscious near the stream with poisoned wounds and treated her arm and leg before keeping watch overnight.
• Yun Yun awoke, pointed her sword at Xiao Yan, and accused him of taking advantage of her while she was unconscious.
• Xiao Yan explained how he had found and treated her, and Yun Yun lowered her sword and thanked him for saving her.
• Yun Yun borrowed Xiao Yan's robe, used the alias Yun Zhi, and warned him about the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
• Xiao Yan went to the stream for water and reflected on Yun Zhi's hidden identity and the concern he felt for her.

Xiao Yan entered the Purple Gold Winged Lion King's lair to retrieve the Purple Gold Source, crystal cores, and Beast Fire while Yun Yun lured the beast away. When the Lion King returned and injured Yun Yun, Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan's body, defeated the beast, and left it transformed into a docile cub; Xiao Yan and Yun Yun ended the chapter together after the battle.

• Xiao Yan treated Yun Yun's wounds with his Heavenly Flames, and she recovered enough to walk the next morning.
• Yun Yun proposed using her Beast Luring Flute to draw the Purple Gold Winged Lion King away while Xiao Yan searched its lair.
• Xiao Yan collected the Purple Gold Source, several Purple Gold Crystal Cores, and the Lion King's Beast Fire from the lair.
• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King returned and attacked, and Yun Yun was wounded while shielding Xiao Yan from its feather arrows and claw.
• Elder Yao possessed Xiao Yan, struck the Lion King down, and forced it to submit and shrink into a purple cub.
• Xiao Yan helped Yun Yun after Elder Yao withdrew, and she comforted him as he held the obedient lion cub.

Yun Yun gave Xiao Yan protective gifts before leaving for the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Yan began refining the Purple Gold Winged Lion King's Beast Fire. He successfully absorbed the fire, advanced to six-star Dou Zhe, and set his sights on finding Yun Yun again after growing stronger.

• Yun Yun gave Xiao Yan the Sea Heart Inner Armor and three Pulse Protecting Pills before departing for sect matters.
• Xiao Yan put on the armor and began refining the Purple Gold Winged Lion King's Beast Fire with the Blazing Art.
• Xiao Yan endured the Beast Fire's resistance as the pills and armor protected his meridians and body.
• Xiao Yan fully devoured and refined the Beast Fire Origin, strengthening his flames and breaking through to six-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan promised to find Yun Yun at the Misty Cloud Sect once he had become stronger, then left the cave with Little Purple Lion.

Xiao Yan refined the Purple Cloud Wings with his Purple Fire, gaining the ability to fly and strengthening his Dou Qi. After testing his new wings, he returned to the cave at dawn, ready to continue growing stronger.

• Xiao Yan used Purple Fire to dissolve the energy barrier inside the Purple Cloud Wings while Elder Yao warned him to control their violent wind-element energy.
• Xiao Yan guided the wind-element energy into his meridians and fused it with his Purple Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan successfully merged the Purple Cloud Wings with his body and flew through the cave.
• Xiao Yan tested the wings by flying through the forest and estimated he could fly for about an hour with his current strength.
• Xiao Yan returned to the cave at dawn, examined his strengthened Dou Qi, and told Little Purple Lion they could now fly together.

Xiao Yan learned from Little Purple Lion about a terrifying flame hidden in a valley near Black Wind Cliff and suspected it was the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. He set out with Little Purple Lion to investigate, leaving them to cross dangerous regions of the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

• Xiao Yan teased Little Purple Lion about having no treasures, prompting it to remember a hidden place with flames.
• Little Purple Lion told Xiao Yan that a valley near Black Wind Cliff was filled with powerful Demonic Beast phantoms and a flame aura that had nearly extinguished its Beast Fire.
• Xiao Yan recognized the description as possibly the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and became eager to find it.
• Little Purple Lion warned that the route crossed dangerous areas inhabited by high-tier Demonic Beasts, but Xiao Yan said they could flee if necessary.
• Xiao Yan carried Little Purple Lion out of the cave and hurried into the forest toward the valley.

Xiao Yan and Elder Yao judged that the mysterious valley likely contained the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and traveled toward it with the Purple Gold Winged Lion King. They entered the Misty Forest and headed for Black Wind Cliff, where the valley lay, leaving Xiao Yan wary but eager to investigate.

• Elder Yao explained that the beast phantoms and overwhelming fiery aura made the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire a strong possibility, while warning Xiao Yan about its dangers.
• Xiao Yan agreed to investigate the valley and prepare for danger as the Purple Gold Winged Lion King carried him through the forest.
• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King roared at two Shadow Demon Wolves, frightening them into fleeing, and its presence kept other monster beasts at bay.
• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King told Xiao Yan that the group was near the Misty Forest and that the valley lay at the foot of Black Wind Cliff beyond it.
• Xiao Yan urged the Lion King onward, and it charged into the mist toward the valley as he tightened his grip on the Black Heavy Ruler.

Xiao Yan entered Black Wind Cliff with Elder Yao and faced the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, enduring its beast-soul phantoms and violent counterattack. He earned the spirit fire’s tentative acceptance and began refining a wisp of its Origin Fire, leaving the dangerous process underway.

• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King sensed the danger at the valley entrance, shrank to a cub, and clung to Xiao Yan as he entered with Elder Yao.
• Xiao Yan fought through the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire’s beast-soul phantoms and used Purple Fire to suppress them long enough to reach the flame’s source.
• The Myriad Beast Spirit Fire emerged as a seven-colored Fire Dragon Phantom and attacked Xiao Yan, while Elder Yao identified a Fire-Trapping Array that confined it to the valley’s center.
• Xiao Yan stopped resisting and conveyed his intent to coexist with the spirit fire, while the little lion added its Beast Fire aura to help calm it.
• The spirit fire accepted a wisp of Purple Fire and Origin Fire, and Xiao Yan began refining it under Elder Yao’s guidance as the little lion guarded him.

Xiao Yan endured the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire’s dangerous refinement and fused its origin with his Dou Qi, breaking through to the first star of the Dou Shi Realm. With the Blazing Art advancing to Mysterious-tier Low-grade, he left the valley with Elder Yao and the lion cub to consolidate his new strength.

• Xiao Yan resisted the beast souls invading his consciousness as Elder Yao guided him and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King Cub protected him.
• The cub’s Beast Fire helped Xiao Yan overcome Qiongqi’s attack, and Xiao Yan guided the Spirit Fire origin into his dantian.
• Xiao Yan fused the Spirit Fire origin with his Dou Qi core, successfully refining the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and breaking through to the first star of the Dou Shi Realm.
• Xiao Yan discovered that the Blazing Art had advanced from Yellow-tier High-grade to Mysterious-tier Low-grade and tested the Spirit Fire’s power.
• Elder Yao warned Xiao Yan to consolidate his cultivation before Black Corner Region fighters targeted him, and Xiao Yan left the valley with the cub.

Xiao Yan ambushed the Wolf Head Mercenary Group’s Third Boss, Zhao Hu, and defeated him with the Black Heavy Ruler and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. After killing Zhao Hu and his men, Xiao Yan left the clearing to find a quiet place to stabilize his new Dou Shi cultivation.

• Xiao Yan and Elder Yao identified Zhao Hu and learned that his Fierce Wind Leopard core sachet could temporarily boost his speed.
• Xiao Yan attacked Zhao Hu, shattered his Dou Qi Shield, and killed the surrounding mercenaries with Fire Serpents.
• Zhao Hu crushed the sachet and charged Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan evaded his attacks with the Purple Cloud Wings until the core’s energy waned.
• Xiao Yan struck Zhao Hu with a powerful flame blade, then finished him with the Black Heavy Ruler despite his pleas for mercy.
• Xiao Yan ignored Zhao Hu’s plundered goods, extinguished the clearing’s fires, and left with the Purple Gold Winged Lion King Cub to consolidate his cultivation.

Xiao Yan infiltrated Wolf Fang Stockade and defeated its chief, Lei Batian, destroying the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and rescuing two abducted villagers. After sending the women home, he left to continue his training and search for Flame Spirit Grass in Crimson Flame Valley.

• Xiao Yan used smoke to create an opening in Wolf Fang Stockade’s defenses, then fought through its guards with the Black Heavy Ruler and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire.
• Lei Batian confronted Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan shattered his Wolf Fang Shield with Flame Splitting Wave Ruler and wounded him.
• Lei Batian swallowed a Berserk Beast Pill and attacked with Earth Splitting Fist, but Xiao Yan unleashed a Seven-Colored Fire Dragon and killed him.
• Xiao Yan burned the fleeing mercenaries, completely destroying the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
• Xiao Yan gave food and directions to two women abducted from Clear Wind Town, then set out to find Flame Spirit Grass near Crimson Flame Valley.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian grew closer while living together in a secluded valley, until Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body erupted. Xiao Yan used the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to suppress the poison, and they vowed to face the danger together as he promised to find a permanent cure.

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian spent several peaceful days training, gathering herbs, and sharing tender moments in the secluded valley.
• Xiao Yi Xian asked about Xiao Yan’s future, and he invited her to join him on his journey to the Jia Ma Empire and the Alchemist Convention.
• Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body erupted, and she warned Xiao Yan to stay away lest the poison harm him.
• Xiao Yan used the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to suppress the poison while Xiao Yi Xian endured the pain and helped him with her Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan trapped the poison in Xiao Yi Xian’s dantian, leaving her safe for the moment but still vulnerable to another eruption.
• Xiao Yi Xian said she wanted to face the future with Xiao Yan, and he promised to find a way to cure her Calamity Poison Body.

After Xiao Yi Xian left to seek a cure for her Calamity Poison Body, Xiao Yan vowed to find her and traveled to Luofeng Town to enter the Tagor Desert. There he found a fragment matching his map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, but the old map seller refused to part with it, leaving Xiao Yan waiting for his answer.

• Xiao Yan read Xiao Yi Xian's farewell letter in the Secluded Valley and vowed to find a way to heal her and bring her back.
• Xiao Yan packed the medicinal furnace and herb basket before leaving the valley with the Purple Gold Winged Lion King.
• After traveling for more than ten days, Xiao Yan reached Luofeng Town and bought a detailed map of the Tagor Desert from an old seller.
• Xiao Yan spotted a beast-hide fragment bearing the same flaming lotus mark as his Fragmented Map of the Netherworld Demonic Fire.
• Xiao Yan offered the old man money for the hide, but the seller refused, and Xiao Yan pleaded with him as he waited for a decision.

Xiao Yan fought the map vendor Hai Bodong, but Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan’s body and defeated him. Hai Bodong revealed his identity and offered the Quicksand Secret Path Map and three years of aid in exchange for a Po E Pill, leaving Xiao Yan to gather the ingredients in Luofeng Town.

• Hai Bodong sensed Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame and challenged him to withstand three moves in exchange for the beast hide map.
• Xiao Yan resisted Hai Bodong’s first two ice attacks, but was trapped in the Extreme Cold Ice Prison and began to run out of Dou Qi.
• Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan’s body, broke the ice prison, and defeated Hai Bodong with the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler before binding him with flame chains.
• Hai Bodong identified himself as the former Ice Emperor and explained that a soul technique had reduced his cultivation from Dou Huang to Dou Ling.
• Hai Bodong offered Xiao Yan the Quicksand Secret Path Map and three years of protection if Xiao Yan refined a Po E Pill to help restore his cultivation.
• Xiao Yan agreed to gather Ice Crystal Grass, Rotten Heart Flower, and an Earth Dragon Inner Core, collected the fragmented map, and headed to Wan Yao Hall with the Purple Gold Winged Lion King.

Xiao Yan trained in the Tagor Desert to refine his Dou Qi, master the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, and recover from Hai Bodong’s attack. After breaking through to two-star Dou Shi, he intensified his combat and survival training as he headed toward the desert’s hidden opportunities and challenges.

• Xiao Yan followed Elder Yao’s guidance to temper his meridians with the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire and practice combining the flame with the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler.
• Xiao Yan and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King defeated a Desert Scorpion that ambushed him during training.
• Xiao Yan used the violent spiritual qi of the desert to break through to two-star Dou Shi and demonstrated the increased power of his ruler technique.
• Xiao Yan began seeking desert spirit herbs and fighting Demonic Beasts to improve his skills and gather useful materials.
• Xiao Yan endured desert storms and continued toward the depths of the Tagor Desert, where the Snake People Tribe and ancient ruins awaited.

Xiao Yan rescued three Ink Iron Mercenary Group members from Snake People and followed them to Stone Spring Oasis, where he reunited with his brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. As the brothers shared wine and stories, Xiao Yan resolved to grow stronger and protect those close to him.

• Xiao Yan drove off five Snake People who were attacking three Ink Iron Mercenary Group mercenaries, then gave the injured mercenaries Clear Spirit Pills.
• The mercenaries brought Xiao Yan and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King to their base at Stone Spring Oasis.
• Xiao Ding and Xiao Li recognized Xiao Yan at the camp and joyfully reunited with their younger brother.
• Xiao Yan told his brothers about his travels and cultivation while concealing the Blazing Art, Elder Yao, and Xiao Yi Xian.
• The three brothers shared Jujube Wine and stories, and Xiao Ding and Xiao Li offered to help Xiao Yan during his time in the desert.

Xiao Yan reunited with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li at Stone Spring Oasis, where they welcomed Qing Lin and reassured her that her snake scales were beautiful. Qing Lin accepted their kindness and began to feel safe with the Ink Iron Mercenary Group.

• Xiao Li recounted how Xiao Ding and Xiao Yan had defeated a third-rank Desert Iron Scorpion, and Xiao Ding praised Xiao Yan's improved Dou Qi.
• Qing Lin entered the tent with a jug of wine, and Xiao Ding explained that she had suffered rejection and bullying because of her human and Snake People heritage.
• Qing Lin exposed her snake scales by accident and panicked, apologizing as she tried to hide them.
• Xiao Yan held Qing Lin's hand and told her the scales were beautiful, while Xiao Ding and Xiao Li promised to protect her.
• Qing Lin stopped hiding her scales and smiled as she accepted the three brothers' welcome.

Xiao Yan reunited with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li at Stone Spring Oasis, where Xiao Li challenged him to a spar. Xiao Yan defeated Xiao Li’s strongest attack, and the brothers recognized how far his strength had grown as Qing Lin watched and praised him.

• Xiao Li challenged Xiao Yan to a spar while Xiao Ding watched and assessed Xiao Yan’s progress.
• Xiao Yan blocked Xiao Li’s spear attack and pressed him with swift movements and strikes from the Black Heavy Ruler.
• Xiao Li unleashed Thunderclap Break, and Xiao Yan shattered its lightning spears with a powerful swing of the Black Heavy Ruler.
• Xiao Li admitted defeat, and Xiao Ding praised Xiao Yan’s strength and told Xiao Li that their younger brother no longer needed their protection.
• Qing Lin ran to Xiao Yan, praised him, and said she wanted to grow strong enough to protect herself.