Chapter Summaries

After saving Nalan Jie, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran grew closer and confessed their feelings in her chamber. The next morning, an attacker ambushed them in the courtyard, and Xiao Yan charged forward with the Green Lotus Core Flame.

• Nalan Yanran brought Xiao Yan to her private chamber and thanked him for saving her grandfather and helping the Nalan Clan.
• Xiao Yan teased Nalan Yanran about their marriage agreement, and she kissed him before declaring that she wanted to become his woman for love, not obligation.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran spent the night together and woke up in her chamber the next morning.
• Xiao Yan helped Nalan Yanran dress and arranged her hair, and they spoke about marrying openly in the future.
• A black-clad attacker lunged at Xiao Yan with a short knife, and Nalan Yanran tried to shield him.
• Xiao Yan pulled Nalan Yanran behind him and attacked the assailant with a flaming palm formed from the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran fought off Poison Scorpion and his Black Corner Region reinforcements after he ambushed them in the Nalan Mansion. The guards took Poison Scorpion alive for questioning, and Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran went to meet Nalan Jie after promising to stay by each other’s side.

• Xiao Yan disarmed and injured Poison Scorpion, while Nalan Yanran recognized him as a criminal her grandfather had driven out of the Jia Ma Empire.
• Poison Scorpion revealed his plan to avenge himself on the Nalan Clan, destroyed a bottle of poison, and summoned armed reinforcements with black Tokens.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran fought the attackers together, but the growing numbers forced Xiao Yan to unleash Lotus Flame Burning Heaven and burn them all to ash.
• Xiao Yan stopped Poison Scorpion from using a hidden technique and ordered the guards to keep him alive for questioning.
• Nalan Yanran’s guards secured the residence and summoned Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran to meet Nalan Jie in the main hall.
• Xiao Yan tended Nalan Yanran’s wound, and they walked together to meet her grandfather.

After Xiao Yan treated Nalan Yanran’s wound from the Black Corner Region criminals’ attack, he brought her to see her recovering grandfather, Nalan Jie. Nalan Jie accepted their relationship and entrusted Yanran to Xiao Yan, who swore to protect her for life, leaving the three at peace in the manor.

• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran entered the main hall hand in hand, where Nalan Jie asked about her injury from the attack.
• Nalan Yanran reassured Nalan Jie that Xiao Yan had treated her, while Xiao Yan cautioned her not to strain the wound.
• Nalan Jie thanked Xiao Yan for protecting Yanran and recalled how her feelings for him had changed her.
• Nalan Jie accepted their devotion and asked Xiao Yan to protect Yanran and keep her from harm.
• Xiao Yan vowed to stay by Yanran’s side and never betray her, and Yanran said she believed him.
• Nalan Jie welcomed Xiao Yan into the manor as family and advised the couple to support one another.

Qing Lin asked Xiao Yan whether his engagement to Nalan Yanran meant she had no place in his future, and he reassured her that he cherished and would protect her. The chapter ended with Qing Lin trusting his promises as they embraced and kissed.

• Qing Lin asked Xiao Yan about his engagement to Nalan Yanran and admitted she feared being pushed aside.
• Xiao Yan confirmed the engagement but told Qing Lin that she held a special place in his heart.
• Qing Lin said she wanted only to remain by Xiao Yan’s side, and he promised to give her security and never abandon her.
• Qing Lin wept with relief, embraced Xiao Yan, and told him she believed him.
• Xiao Yan kissed Qing Lin, and they held each other as he promised to protect her and make her happy.

Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran shared a tender morning together in Nalan Mansion. Nalan Yanran welcomed Qing Lin as a sister, and the three promised to face the future together.

• Qing Lin woke beside Xiao Yan, and the two shared an affectionate morning kiss.
• Nalan Yanran entered with tea and pastries, then joined Xiao Yan and Qing Lin at the bedside.
• Xiao Yan asked Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin to stay together as a family, and Nalan Yanran invited Qing Lin to call her Sister Yan Ran.
• Qing Lin accepted Nalan Yanran as her sister, moved by the warmth and acceptance she offered.
• Xiao Yan helped both women dress and promised to cherish and protect them.
• Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran embraced and shared a peaceful morning, looking forward to facing the future together.

Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran shared a tender night together, reaffirming their love and trust in one another. They promised to remain together and face whatever dangers lay ahead as a family.

• Xiao Yan held Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran as they talked about cultivation and gradually drifted toward sleep.
• Xiao Yan gently watched over the two women, who woke and teased him before sharing affectionate kisses with him.
• Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran expressed their happiness at being together and promised they would never part.
• Xiao Yan vowed to protect both women, and the three joined hands and promised to support one another through cultivation and future adventures.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran prepared to face the Three-Year Pact at the Misty Cloud Sect, where she hoped to free herself from the sect’s rules without losing Master Yun Yun’s affection. They set out before dawn, with Xiao Yan determined to protect Nalan Yanran’s freedom as they approached the sect.

• Nalan Yanran told Xiao Yan she no longer saw the Three-Year Pact as meaningful and feared the elders would accuse her of betraying the Misty Cloud Sect if she left.
• Xiao Yan promised to support her choice and warned that he would confront the elders if they tried to force her to stay or fight him.
• Nalan Yanran dressed in her combat attire, and she and Xiao Yan agreed to go to the Misty Cloud Sect and settle the matter.
• Xiao Yan summoned the Purple Cloud Wings and flew with Nalan Yanran toward the sect, reassuring her that Master Yun Yun would understand her decision.
• As dawn broke, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran neared the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Yan prepared to defend her freedom.

At the Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Yanran refused to annul her marriage with Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan arrived to stand by her. When the elders tried to seize him, his Purple Gold Winged Lion King revealed its Dou Huang power and silenced the sect, leaving Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran standing together unopposed.

• Nalan Yanran rejected the elders’ demand to end her marriage with Xiao Yan and declared she would not fight him.
• Xiao Yan arrived, took Nalan Yanran’s hand, and warned the elders not to force her.
• Elder Ge Ye ordered four Dou Wang experts to capture Xiao Yan and cripple his cultivation.
• Xiao Yan summoned the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, which grew to its full size and released its Dou Huang aura.
• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King intimidated the four Dou Wang and the Misty Cloud Sect elders, and Xiao Yan asked if anyone else would oppose him.
• Nalan Yanran leaned against Xiao Yan as the sect fell silent and no one dared stop them.

Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, Hai Bodong, and their two Demonic Beasts fought the Misty Cloud Sect elders after Yun Ling ordered them seized. They defeated Yun Ling and left the sect together, while he vowed the Misty Cloud Sect would seek revenge.

• Yun Ling arrived, condemned Nalan Yanran, and ordered his elders to capture her and Xiao Yan while he fought the Purple Gold Winged Lion King.
• Hai Bodong intervened to protect Xiao Yan and battled four Dou Wang elders, while Xiao Yan summoned Little Cai to fend off the sect’s attackers.
• Xiao Yan revealed the Green Lotus Core Flame, drawing Yun Ling’s attention and prompting him to attack Xiao Yan for the Heavenly Flame.
• Hai Bodong, the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, and Little Cai struck Yun Ling together, severely injuring him.
• Xiao Yan warned Yun Ling not to threaten Nalan Yanran again, then left with her, Hai Bodong, the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, and Little Cai.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran tried to leave the Misty Cloud Sect, but Yun Shan appeared as a newly advanced Dou Zong and blocked them. After Yun Shan defeated their allies, Xiao Yan stood against him to protect Nalan Yanran.

• Yun Shan revealed his Dou Zong strength and stopped Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran from leaving the Misty Cloud Sect.
• The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python attacked Yun Shan, but he repelled its strike and badly wounded it.
• Xiao Yan asked Hai Bodong and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King to protect them, and both charged Yun Shan.
• Yun Shan overwhelmed Hai Bodong and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, leaving them unable to fight.
• Yun Shan threatened Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, and Xiao Yan shielded her while igniting the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Queen Medusa emerged from the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python and rescued Xiao Yan and his companions from Yun Shan. She escorted them away from the Misty Cloud Sect, warning Xiao Yan that her aid came with demands he would have to meet.

• The wounded Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python transformed into Queen Medusa before Xiao Yan and the others.
• Queen Medusa confronted Yun Shan and declared that she would protect Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin.
• Yun Shan reluctantly agreed to let them leave but vowed that the Misty Cloud Sect would collect its debt from Xiao Yan later.
• Queen Medusa healed Hai Bodong and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King enough for them to be moved, then led the group out past the Misty Cloud Sect disciples.
• As the group departed, Queen Medusa warned Xiao Yan that if he failed to meet her future demands, her kindness would become the instrument of his death.

Queen Medusa demanded that Xiao Yan refine a Rank 6 Soul Revival Pill within one year to stabilize the Heaven Swallowing Python’s soul, and Xiao Yan agreed in exchange for her protection. After shopping for clothes in Luoyun City, the group left to begin their journey to find the pill’s rare ingredients.

• Queen Medusa told Xiao Yan to refine a Soul Revival Pill within one year or face the consequences.
• Xiao Yan agreed to make the pill and secured Queen Medusa’s promise to protect him and his companions during the search for ingredients.
• The group arrived in Luoyun City, where Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran suggested looking for medicinal herbs and information about the pill’s ingredients.
• Queen Medusa, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran bought new clothes at Brocade Pavilion.
• The group left Luoyun City, and Xiao Yan planned to seek information about Soul Devouring Grass, Dragon Blood Vine, and other alchemy ingredients.

After learning that Yun Ling and the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Families had attacked the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan enlisted Queen Medusa to help him retaliate and protect his family. He and his companions set out for Wutan City, where a violent confrontation awaited them.

• At a tavern in Luoyun City, Xiao Yan overheard that Yun Ling had led Misty Cloud Sect disciples to the Xiao Clan while the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Families looted its property and injured its guards.
• Xiao Yan rejected Nalan Yanran's suggestion to investigate first and demanded Queen Medusa help him kill their enemies.
• Queen Medusa agreed to protect the Xiao Clan and help Xiao Yan in exchange for an Ice Lotus Core, and Xiao Yan immediately accepted.
• Xiao Yan ordered the Purple Gold Winged Lion King to carry Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran toward the Xiao Clan, then flew toward Wutan City with Queen Medusa.
• Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran joined the journey, and the Lion King followed Xiao Yan as he raced to reach his family and take revenge.

Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao Family Mansion as Jia Liebi and Ao Bapa threatened the Xiao Clan, then ordered Queen Medusa to kill them and their followers. He reassured his family and vowed to avenge their suffering by confronting Yun Ling and the Misty Cloud Sect.

• Jia Liebi and Ao Bapa tried to force Xiao Shan to surrender the Xiao Clan's pharmacy and mining profits, threatening the clan's women and children.
• Xiao Mei ran into the hall, where she recognized Xiao Yan and told him the Jia Lie Family had attacked the mansion and injured the clansmen.
• Xiao Yan comforted Xiao Mei, entered the hall, and watched Jia Liebi and Ao Bapa panic and attempt to flee.
• Xiao Yan ordered them killed, and Queen Medusa slaughtered Jia Liebi, Ao Bapa, and their followers.
• Xiao Yan apologized to Xiao Shan and promised to protect the Xiao Clan, then vowed to make Yun Ling and the Misty Cloud Sect repay their blood debt.

Xiao Yan learned that Yun Ling had abducted his father, Xiao Zhan, and ordered the Xiao Clan to evacuate to the Ink Iron Mercenary Group while he led the fighting clansmen to punish the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Families. He set out with Xiao Zhan’s still-glowing jade pendant, determined to reclaim the clan’s property and find his father.

• Xiao Yan treated Elder Xiao Shan and the injured clansmen with Healing Pills before asking about his father.
• Elder Xiao Shan told Xiao Yan that Yun Ling and four black-cloaked men had abducted Xiao Zhan, and showed him a jade pendant that indicated Xiao Zhan was still alive.
• Xiao Yan ordered Elder Xiao Shan to sell the clan’s remaining assets and lead the vulnerable clansmen to the Ink Iron Mercenary Group in the Tagor Desert.
• Xiao Yan refused Xiao Mei’s request to join him and promised to reunite with her after rescuing Xiao Zhan.
• Xiao Yan took Xiao Yong and other able clansmen to attack the Jia Lie and Ao Ba Families as Elder Xiao Shan organized the clan’s evacuation.

Xiao Yan confronted the Misty Cloud Sect to rescue his father and avenge his slain clansmen, but Yun Shan attacked him after Yun Yun tried to intervene. Queen Medusa arrived to protect Xiao Yan, and he killed Yun Ling with a fused three-flame lotus before turning on Yun Shan.

• Xiao Yan ordered his guards to move the Xiao Clan survivors and seized goods to safety, then set out alone for the Misty Cloud Sect while Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran went to the auction house.
• At the sect gates, Xiao Yan accused Yun Ling of raiding the Xiao Clan, killing clansmen, and abducting Xiao Zhan; Yun Yun confronted Yun Ling and demanded that he return Xiao Zhan.
• Yun Shan arrived and ordered the elders to stop Xiao Yan from fusing three Heavenly Flames, but Yun Yun shielded Xiao Yan and was badly injured when Yun Shan struck her.
• Queen Medusa appeared and fought Yun Shan while Xiao Yan completed a Tri-Colored Exotic Flame Lotus and killed Yun Ling with it.
• Xiao Yan turned toward Yun Shan and declared that he would be next.

After Yun Ling’s death, Yun Shan ordered the Cloud Smoke Covering Sun Formation to trap Xiao Yan, Medusa, and Yun Yun, then ambushed Xiao Yan and wounded him. Elder Yao appeared and drove Yun Shan back, but the formation grew stronger, leaving Xiao Yan to hunt for its core while Elder Yao held Yun Shan off.

• Yun Shan commanded the Misty Cloud Sect disciples to form the Cloud Smoke Covering Sun Formation around Xiao Yan and Medusa.
• Yun Yun urged Xiao Yan to escape through a secret passage, but Xiao Yan refused to leave her behind.
• Yun Shan attacked Xiao Yan by surprise, and Xiao Yan shielded Yun Yun but suffered a deep wound to his arm.
• Elder Yao appeared from within Xiao Yan, shattered Yun Shan’s Cloud Mist Shield, and forced him to defend against powerful soul attacks.
• Yun Shan ordered the disciples to strengthen the formation, and Elder Yao warned Xiao Yan to locate and destroy its core.
• Xiao Yan took Healing Pills and prepared to attack the formation core while Elder Yao engaged Yun Shan.

Elder Yao battled Yun Shan, whose strength was amplified by the Cloud Smoke Covering Sun Formation, while Xiao Yan was ordered to find and destroy its core. As Elder Yao neared the end of his Soul Power and his greatsword stalled against the disciples’ renewed defenses, Xiao Yan charged toward the strongest disciples to search for the core.

• Elder Yao’s Soul Annihilation Palm clashed with Yun Shan’s attack, and both were driven back by the collision.
• Yun Shan ordered the Misty Cloud Sect disciples to pour their Dou Qi into the formation, strengthening his defenses and attacks.
• Yun Shan’s Cloud Smoke Soul Breaking Spear missed Elder Yao, but Yun Shan followed with a surprise punch that badly weakened Elder Yao’s soul body.
• Elder Yao told Xiao Yan to destroy the formation core, then used a golden greatsword to attack Yun Shan’s rune-covered wall.
• The disciples reinforced the wall and halted Elder Yao’s attack, leaving him nearly out of Soul Power.
• Xiao Yan charged toward the disciples with the strongest auras to find and destroy the formation core.

Xiao Yan and Yun Yun escaped Yun Shan and the Misty Cloud Sect with help from Hai Bodong, Yafie, and the Shadow Guards, then reached a hidden Mittel Family outpost to recover. Yun Yun began to reconsider her ties to the sect, while Xiao Yan vowed to return and settle accounts with Yun Shan within one to three years.

• Yun Yun broke open the Cloud Smoke Covering Sun Formation, and Xiao Yan refused to leave her behind as they fled together while Elder Yao held Yun Shan back.
• Yun Shan offered rewards to the disciples pursuing Xiao Yan, but the Shadow Guards ambushed them and Hai Bodong intervened to hold Yun Shan off.
• Xiao Yan threw his Buddha Flame Fire Lotus at the pursuers, and Yafie used a spatial scroll to transport the group more than a hundred miles away.
• At a hidden valley, Yafie gave Xiao Yan and Yun Yun Recovery Pills and told them about a nearby Mittel Family outpost.
• Xiao Yan reassured Yun Yun that he did not blame her and promised to return to defeat Yun Shan; she accepted that she could choose her own path beyond her title as Sect Master.
• Yafie led the group to the concealed outpost, where they took shelter as Misty Cloud Sect search parties continued looking for them.

While recovering from Yun Shan’s attack, Xiao Yan comforted Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran and promised to protect them as they prepared to leave the Jia Ma Empire for the Central Plains. He vowed to settle accounts with Yun Shan when he returned, while assuring Yun Yun that he would spare Misty Cloud Sect disciples who had not aided Yun Shan’s crimes.

• Qing Lin brought Xiao Yan medicine and blamed herself for being unable to help with his injuries, but Xiao Yan reminded her of how she had already helped him.
• Xiao Yan told Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran that he planned to leave the Jia Ma Empire for the Central Plains after his injuries stabilized, then return to deal with Yun Shan.
• Yun Yun pleaded with Xiao Yan to spare Yun Shan, but Xiao Yan refused and explained that Yun Shan had tried to kill her and use her as a pawn.
• Xiao Yan promised Yun Yun he would not punish Misty Cloud Sect disciples who had not participated in Yun Shan’s wrongdoing.
• Xiao Yan drew Nalan Yanran into his embrace, reassured her that he did not blame her for the Three-Year Pact, and promised to protect her.
• Nalan Yanran promised to become stronger and face future dangers with Xiao Yan, while Yun Yun and Qing Lin accepted the others as companions and family.