Chapter Summaries

Qing Lin was bullied by two young mercenaries while gathering herbs, but Xiao Yan rescued her, punished them, and reassured her that she belonged in the Ink Iron Mercenary Group. Back in the tent, Xiao Yan treated her injury as Xiao Ding and Xiao Li offered their support, leaving Qing Lin safe and comforted in Xiao Yan’s arms.

• Qing Lin went out to gather Sea Buckthorn Grass, and two young mercenaries mocked her, crushed the herbs, and injured her knee while exposing her snake scale.
• Xiao Yan arrived, freed Qing Lin, ordered the mercenaries to gather the salvageable herbs and take twenty military strokes, then carried her back to camp.
• Xiao Yan told Qing Lin that she was not a burden and promised to protect her as family.
• Xiao Yan treated Qing Lin’s knee in the tent while Xiao Ding gave her sweetened water and Xiao Li promised to defend her.
• Xiao Yan said he would make clear that no one could target Qing Lin’s origins, and Qing Lin settled into his embrace as Xiao Ding and Xiao Li gave them privacy.

Xiao Yan comforted Qing Lin after mercenaries bullied her, then led her and Xiao Ding into Scorching Wind Valley to investigate its dense Fire Attribute Energy. When a Fifth-tier Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python nearly killed Xiao Yan, Qing Lin awakened her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, subdued the beast, and named it Little Fire, while a mysterious light still beckoned from the magma lake.

• Xiao Yan reassured Qing Lin that she belonged to the Ink Iron Mercenary Group and was his little sister.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Yan about the dangerous Scorching Wind Valley, and Xiao Yan, Xiao Ding, and Qing Lin entered it with Xiao Li.
• The group reached an underground magma lake, where a Fifth-tier Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python attacked them.
• Xiao Yan was badly injured while fighting the python, and Qing Lin broke free from Xiao Li to shield him.
• Qing Lin awakened her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and forced the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python to submit.
• Xiao Yan and his brothers learned about Qing Lin's rare gift, and Qing Lin named the tamed python Little Fire as a strange light glimmered beneath the magma.

Xiao Yan searched the Heart Burning Cave for the Green Lotus Core Flame but found that Queen Medusa had already taken it. He returned to Qing Lin and the others with an Associated Lotus Leaf and a new goal: finding Queen Medusa in Snake People City.

• Qing Lin told Xiao Yan that Little Fire knew the way to the Heart Burning Cave, and Xiao Ding and Xiao Li advised him to stay cautious as he set out with the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Python.
• Elder Yao covered Xiao Yan with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and Little Fire guided him through the magma to the Heart Burning Cave.
• Xiao Yan found an Associated Lotus Leaf beside the Magma Pool, but Elder Yao sensed that the Green Lotus Core Flame had left the cave.
• Xiao Yan discovered Queen Medusa's scale and, with Elder Yao's help, concluded that she had taken the Green Lotus Core Flame to further her cultivation.
• Xiao Yan returned to Qing Lin, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li with the leaf and the news that Queen Medusa had taken the Heavenly Flame, and Xiao Ding proposed investigating Snake People City before making a plan.

Xiao Yan infiltrated the Snake People Tribe’s stone cave and found Medusa using the Green Lotus Core Flame to attempt a breakthrough. Elder Yao concealed Xiao Yan as Medusa’s dangerous advancement continued, leaving him unable to move or seize the Heavenly Flame.

• Xiao Yan hid above the cave while Elder Yao used Soul Power and the Qi Concealment Technique to mask his presence.
• Xiao Yan saw the Green Lotus Core Flame floating above a spring and recognized Medusa standing nearby.
• Elder Yao warned Xiao Yan that Medusa was nearing the Dou Zong realm and that he must not expose himself.
• The Green Lotus Core Flame sent a pillar of fire into Medusa’s brow as she forcibly fused its power and endured the strain.
• Xiao Yan considered the chance to take the Heavenly Flame but stayed motionless, relying on Elder Yao’s concealment as Medusa continued her breakthrough.

Pill King Gu He attacked the Snake People Tribe to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame while Medusa advanced in seclusion. After Mo Lin summoned reinforcements, Gu He withdrew, leaving Xiao Yan to decide whether to take advantage of the tribe’s weakened defenses.

• Gu He and four Dou Wang companions entered the Snake People Tribe and demanded the Green Lotus Core Flame from Mo Lin.
• Mo Lin refused, and Gu He’s group fought the Snake People defenders, with Gu He defeating Mo Lin and Wei You killing Qing Feng.
• Mo Lin summoned reinforcements, so Gu He ordered his companions to break through; they defeated Qing Ying and Lu Ji before retreating.
• Chi Ya led Snake People reinforcements in pursuit of Gu He and his companions.
• Elder Yao urged Xiao Yan to seize the Green Lotus Core Flame while the tribe’s main force was away, but Xiao Yan hesitated over disturbing Medusa’s breakthrough.

Medusa’s attempt to advance with the Green Lotus Core Flame failed when a powerful lightning tribulation knocked her back into her Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python form. Xiao Yan seized the weakened flame and captured Medusa before fleeing the cave into the desert night.

• Medusa’s unstable breakthrough drew a lightning tribulation, and successive bolts overwhelmed her defenses and forced her into her original snake form.
• At Elder Yao’s urging, Xiao Yan left his hiding place and approached the weakened Green Lotus Core Flame while Medusa could barely move.
• Xiao Yan soothed the flame with his Dou Qi and sealed it inside the Fire-Locking Jade Bottle.
• Xiao Yan placed the helpless Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python in a protective bag and escaped the cave with her and the Heavenly Flame.

Xiao Yan watched Yun Yun being overwhelmed by Snake People warriors, then let Elder Yao take control of his body to save her. After he treated her injuries and poison, they fled together while Xiao Yan concealed the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python.

• Yun Yun fought the snake-man general and four warriors after intervening to protect Gu He, but their poison and attacks left her close to death.
• Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan's body and used Golden Dou Qi to defeat the general, then drove the other Snake People warriors away.
• Xiao Yan returned to himself and gave Yun Yun a Detoxifying Healing Pill, helping her recover from the venom and her injuries.
• Yun Yun explained that Gu He had asked her to find something and that she had intervened when the Snake People hunted him.
• Xiao Yan hid the sack containing the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, and he and Yun Yun left the desert as Snake People reinforcements began searching for them.

Xiao Yan refined the Green Lotus Core Flame, fused it with the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into a powerful Gold-Purple Flame, and nearly collapsed from the strain. Qing Lin rushed into the cave to help him, and Xiao Yan embraced and kissed her as the new flame’s heat overwhelmed him.

• Xiao Yan asked Qing Lin to guard the hidden cave while he refined the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Xiao Yan endured the flame’s violent resistance and used the Flame Mantra and his Soul Power to tame and refine it.
• Xiao Yan drew the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into his dantian and fused the two Heavenly Flames into a Gold-Purple Flame.
• The fusion’s energy left Xiao Yan feverish and weak, and Qing Lin rushed into the cave after hearing signs of trouble.
• Xiao Yan pulled Qing Lin into his arms and kissed her, while the Gold-Purple Flame continued to glow in his palm.

After waking together in the cave, Xiao Yan apologized to Qing Lin, who told him she had willingly given herself to him and trusted him to protect her. They dressed and returned hand in hand to the Ink Iron Mercenary Group's camp, where the mercenaries welcomed them.

• Xiao Yan woke with Qing Lin in his arms and regretted losing control the previous night.
• Xiao Yan apologized, but Qing Lin said she was willing and was happy to be with him.
• Xiao Yan promised to protect Qing Lin, then gave her a pale green dress and helped her tie its ribbons.
• Xiao Yan checked on the weakened Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python and led Qing Lin out of the cave.
• Xiao Yan and Qing Lin returned hand in hand to the Ink Iron Mercenary Group's camp, where mercenaries greeted them.

Xiao Yan and Qing Lin left Xiao Ding and Xiao Li at the edge of the Tagor Desert and reached Hai Bodong’s manor, where Xiao Yan began refining the Spirit-Restoring Purple Pill with Elder Yao’s help. Qing Lin waited outside the alchemy chamber as the sun went down, and the pill refinement remained underway.

• Xiao Yan promised Xiao Ding and Xiao Li that he would return to the Jia Ma Empire with Qing Lin after refining Hai Bodong’s pill and settling matters.
• Xiao Yan and Qing Lin traveled to Hai Bodong’s manor, where Hai Bodong welcomed them and showed Xiao Yan the prepared alchemy chamber.
• Xiao Yan told Qing Lin to wait outside while he refined the pill, and she agreed to remain by the chamber door.
• Xiao Yan entered the chamber, summoned Elder Yao, and began refining the Spirit-Restoring Purple Pill with his Golden-Purple Exotic Flame.
• Qing Lin waited silently outside the chamber, staying by the door even as evening came and her stomach began to growl.

Elder Yao guided Xiao Yan through refining three Spirit-Restoring Purple Pills, and Hai Bodong swallowed one and recovered his peak strength. In return, Hai Bodong promised to protect Xiao Yan for three years as they continued their journey.

• Elder Yao taught Xiao Yan how to balance the medicinal properties while they refined the Spirit-Restoring Purple Pills.
• Xiao Yan controlled the Golden-Purple Exotic Flame as Elder Yao fused the ingredients, and they successfully produced three pills.
• Qing Lin joined Xiao Yan and Elder Yao after smelling the finished pills, and Hai Bodong hurried in to ask about them.
• Xiao Yan gave Hai Bodong the pills, and Hai Bodong swallowed one and regained his strength.
• Hai Bodong thanked Elder Yao and Xiao Yan, then promised to stay by Xiao Yan's side and protect him for the next three years.

Hai Bodong took a Spirit-Restoring Purple Pill and recovered his peak Dou Huang strength, becoming even stronger than before. He pledged to guard Xiao Yan for the next three years as Xiao Yan continued to grow amid threats from the Misty Cloud Sect and other factions.

• Xiao Yan gave Hai Bodong the jade bottle containing three Spirit-Restoring Purple Pills, and Hai Bodong swallowed one.
• The pill restored Hai Bodong’s meridians and vitality, returned him to his youthful appearance, and raised his strength beyond the Dou Wang realm to Dou Huang.
• Hai Bodong thanked Xiao Yan and vowed that no one in the Jia Ma Empire would be allowed to harm him.
• Hai Bodong warned Xiao Yan that the Misty Cloud Sect and other factions posed dangers, then promised to guard him for the next three years.
• Xiao Yan thanked Hai Bodong and promised to return the favor if Hai Bodong ever needed him.

Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Hai Bodong were ambushed by three Peak Dou Huangs from Heavenly Snake Mansion, who demanded Qing Lin because of her Jade-Eyed Three-Flower Pupils. Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan’s body and fought back with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, but the combined attack of two enemies injured him and left him near defeat as he continued to defend Qing Lin.

• Hai Bodong sensed three powerful experts approaching, and Xiao Yan shielded Qing Lin as three Heavenly Snake Mansion Dou Huangs blocked their path.
• The leading purple-robed man demanded that they surrender Qing Lin, and Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong refused and fought to protect her.
• One attacker wounded Xiao Yan, so Elder Yao took control of his body and revealed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Elder Yao injured one of the attackers, but the other two overwhelmed him with a black snake shadow and poisonous mist.
• As Elder Yao weakened, Qing Lin apologized and the sealed Purple Gold Winged Lion King struggled to protect her.
• The leading purple-robed man advanced with a poisoned spear, while Elder Yao vowed to protect Qing Lin even if he had to die.

Xiao Yan fused the Green Lotus Core Flame, Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, and Bone Spirit Cold Flame into a Buddha Flame Fire Lotus, saving Qing Lin and Hai Bodong from the Heavenly Snake Mansion’s Dou Huangs. The attack killed one enemy and drove the others away, but Xiao Yan suffered catastrophic injuries and lost consciousness as Hai Bodong carried him and Qing Lin toward shelter.

• Xiao Yan persuaded Elder Yao to lend him the Bone Spirit Cold Flame so he could fuse three Heavenly Flames, while Hai Bodong promised to hold off the attackers for ten breaths.
• Hai Bodong used Freeze a Thousand Miles and then an ice wall to delay the two Heavenly Snake Mansion Dou Huangs as Xiao Yan struggled to fuse the flames.
• Xiao Yan burned part of his Soul Origin and formed the Buddha Flame Fire Lotus, then hurled it at the fleeing Dou Huangs.
• The explosion killed one Dou Huang and severely injured the purple-robed man and the other Dou Huang, who fled into the wilderness.
• Xiao Yan collapsed from the backlash, and Qing Lin and Hai Bodong found him gravely injured and unconscious.
• Hai Bodong carried Xiao Yan while Qing Lin followed with the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, and they headed into the wilderness to find shelter.

After surviving the fusion of three Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan recovered in a hidden cave under Qing Lin and Hai Bodong’s care, then broke through to three-star Great Fighter. He resumed training as Elder Yao remained asleep, determined to grow stronger and protect those close to him.

• Hai Bodong gave unconscious Xiao Yan Clear Spirit Pills, while Elder Yao revealed that his Soul Power was exhausted and he would need to sleep.
• Qing Lin cared for Xiao Yan for ten days as Hai Bodong guarded the cave and helped stabilize his injuries.
• Xiao Yan woke, sensed his Dou Qi had grown denser, and broke through from two-star to three-star Great Fighter.
• Xiao Yan promised Qing Lin he would marry her once he had enough strength to protect her.
• Xiao Yan resumed cultivation and practiced controlling his Green Lotus Core Flame while Qing Lin and Hai Bodong stayed beside him.

After learning that the Mo Clan had sold their movements to the Heavenly Snake Mansion, Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong, and Qing Lin traveled to Mo City to confront Mo Chen. They reached the Mo Clan residence and demanded an explanation, waiting outside as the steward went to inform the patriarch.

• Hai Bodong told Xiao Yan that the Mo Clan had leaked their movements to the Heavenly Snake Mansion in exchange for resources and influence.
• Xiao Yan reassured Qing Lin that she was not to blame and decided to confront the Mo Clan in person; Qing Lin insisted on joining him.
• Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Hai Bodong flew to Mo City, entered discreetly, and made their way through the city to the Mo Clan residence.
• Xiao Yan demanded to see Mo Chen and explained that they had come over the Heavenly Snake Mansion's interception attempt.
• The Mo Clan steward hurried inside to report their arrival, while Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Hai Bodong waited outside for Mo Chen.

Xiao Yan and his companions confronted the Mo Clan and Misty Cloud Sect after learning that Mo Chen had betrayed them. They killed Mo Chen and Zhao Lie, then left Mo City knowing the Misty Cloud Sect would likely retaliate.

• Xiao Yan overheard Mo Chen and Elder Zhao Lie discussing their alliance and burst into the reception hall with Qing Lin and Hai Bodong.
• Hai Bodong challenged Zhao Lie, while the Purple Gold Winged Lion King grew to full size and defeated the two Misty Cloud Sect disciples who attacked it.
• The Lion King overwhelmed Zhao Lie as Hai Bodong blocked Mo Chen's escape, and Xiao Yan rejected Mo Chen's pleas for mercy.
• The Lion King crushed Mo Chen and killed Zhao Lie with a golden energy beam.
• Hai Bodong warned that the Misty Cloud Sect would seek revenge, and Xiao Yan left Mo City with Qing Lin and Hai Bodong, vowing to settle accounts with the sect.

Xiao Yan sought medicine to repair the soul of an unconscious elder, and Hai Bodong brought him to the Mittel Auction House for help. Yafie revealed that the Nalan Clan possessed soul-nourishing ingredients and needed someone with Heavenly Flames to treat Nalan Jie, giving Xiao Yan a reason to visit the clan and meet Nalan Yanran.

• Xiao Yan asked Hai Bodong about ways to repair a damaged soul, and Hai Bodong suggested seeking clues from the Mittel Auction House.
• Hai Bodong identified himself at the auction house, where Yafie and Mossen welcomed him and Xiao Yan.
• Yafie told Xiao Yan that the Nalan Clan had soul-nourishing ingredients while trying to save Nalan Jie from Soul Erosion Miasma.
• Yafie explained that Heavenly Flames could purge the poison, and Xiao Yan realized he could offer his help in exchange for the ingredients.
• Hai Bodong and Yafie warned Xiao Yan to act carefully with the powerful Nalan Clan, and Xiao Yan resolved to go there and address his engagement to Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan visited Nalan Mansion with Qing Lin and Hai Bodong to treat Nalan Jie’s Soul Erosion Miasma poison. Before meeting him, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran affirmed their feelings and shared a shy kiss, then entered the mansion to discuss the serious matter.

• Xiao Yan arrived at Nalan Mansion with Qing Lin, Hai Bodong, and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King.
• Xiao Yan teased Nalan Yanran, then lifted her into his arms in front of the mansion’s onlookers.
• Xiao Yan asked Nalan Yanran whether she wanted to become his wife, and she admitted she did and would still marry him if he truly cared for her.
• Nalan Yanran kissed Xiao Yan on the cheek, and Xiao Yan gently set her down.
• Hai Bodong reminded Xiao Yan that Nalan Jie was waiting, and Nalan Yanran led the group toward the reception hall so Xiao Yan could treat her grandfather’s poison.

Xiao Yan used the Green Lotus Core Flame and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to purge the Soul Erosion Miasma from Nalan Jie, saving his life. The Nalan Clan rewarded Xiao Yan with precious soul-nourishing herbs and Gold Coin to help him restore Elder Yao’s soul.

• Nalan Yanran brought Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong, and Qing Lin to see her gravely ill grandfather, Nalan Jie, while the clan elders doubted Xiao Yan could help.
• Xiao Yan prepared three pills for Qing Lin to administer during the detoxification, and Hai Bodong kept the elders outside with a barrier.
• Xiao Yan revealed the Green Lotus Core Flame and combined it with Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to burn the miasma from Nalan Jie’s body and soul, while Qing Lin gave him the Clear Spirit Pill and Soul Protecting Pill at Xiao Yan’s instructions.
• After nearly two hours, Xiao Yan burned away the last trace of poison, and Nalan Jie awoke and thanked him for saving his life.
• The elders apologized to Xiao Yan, and Nalan Jie ordered Nalan Yanran to bring him Spirit Condensing Grass, Soul Nurturing Flower, Soul Leaf Grass, and one hundred thousand Gold Coin.
• Xiao Yan accepted the reward to help restore Elder Yao’s soul, while Nalan Yanran went to fetch the herbs and money.