Chapter Summaries

While Xiao Yan recovered in the stone chamber, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin cared for him and discussed their plans for Jia Nan Academy. The chapter left Xiao Yan resolved to master the Fallen Heart Flame, overcome the Misty Cloud Sect’s threat, and build a secure future with the three women.

• Nalan Yanran fed Xiao Yan his medicine while Qing Lin offered him candied fruit and Yun Yun supported his injured back.
• Xiao Yan rejected Yun Yun’s offer to arrange help at Jia Nan Academy and said he would face the Fallen Heart Flame himself to grow stronger and help Elder Yao restore his soul.
• Xiao Yan encouraged Nalan Yanran to improve her Wind Element Dou Qi and promised to help her find suitable skills at the academy.
• Xiao Yan promised Qing Lin she could practice using her Jade-Eyed Three-Flower Pupils in the academy’s Monster Beast Forest.
• Yun Yun and Qing Lin brought Xiao Yan fruit, while he shared a quiet conversation with Nalan Yanran and resolved to return stronger and end the threat of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yan and his companions tried to leave the northwestern fortress, but Zhao Kun and the Misty Cloud Sect guards blocked their way. Elder Yao took control of Xiao Yan’s body and defeated Zhao Kun, and the group continued toward Jia Nan Academy after Xiao Yan warned Yun Shan that he would return to settle the Xiao family’s feud.

• Zhao Kun accused Xiao Yan of treason and ordered him to surrender, then attacked him when Xiao Yan refused.
• Elder Yao possessed Xiao Yan and repelled Zhao Kun’s attack, cut his saber in half, and struck him down.
• Elder Yao frightened the Misty Cloud Sect disciples into fleeing, then returned control of Xiao Yan’s body to him.
• Xiao Yan spared Zhao Kun and told him to warn Yun Shan that he would return to destroy the Misty Cloud Sect and avenge his family.
• Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, Nalan Yanran, and Yun Yun left the fortress and headed through the sands toward Jia Nan Academy as word of the fight spread.

Xiao Yan and his companions entered the Black Corner Region in disguise and tried to find an inn while avoiding trouble. At the Peace Inn, a scarred gang leader confronted them, demanded protection money, and singled out Qing Lin.

• Xiao Yan warned Qing Lin, Nalan Yanran, and Yun Yun about the dangers of the Black Corner Region and gave them Shadow Wood masks to conceal their identities.
• The group entered the lawless market, where they witnessed a wounded Purple Crystal Winged Lion being exploited and a youth being beaten; they restrained themselves from intervening.
• Xiao Yan led the others through the market, while Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran quietly discouraged a would-be harasser and thieves from approaching them.
• The four found the Peace Inn and prepared to enter, but a scarred man and his armed followers stopped them.
• The scarred man claimed control of the East Market, demanded protection money, and ordered Xiao Yan to remove Qing Lin's mask.

Xiao Yan defeated Scarface when the brute threatened Qing Lin and the group, then secured a quiet room at the Peace Inn under the alias Yan Yan. As the group settled in, Yun Yun warned that Scarface might be connected to the Black Blade Gang, while Xiao Yan prepared to seek a route to Jia Nan Academy.

• Scarface demanded Xiao Yan's money and Storage Ring and threatened Qing Lin, but Xiao Yan dodged his axe and knocked him out with one punch.
• Xiao Yan ordered Scarface's men to leave, and they fled with their injured boss as the market watched.
• Xiao Yan registered as Yan Yan and led Qing Lin, Nalan Yanran, and Yun Yun to a suite at the Peace Inn.
• Nalan Yanran found a geography book that might reveal a route to Jia Nan Academy, while Yun Yun warned that Scarface could be backed by the Black Blade Gang.
• Xiao Yan gave the others Communication Jade Tokens and warned Qing Lin not to reveal her Jade-Eyed Three-Flower Pupils.
• The group ate in their room, and Xiao Yan resolved to find a route to Jia Nan Academy and eventually destroy the forces threatening the region.

Xiao Yan and Yun Yun shared a quiet, affectionate night at the inn while Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran slept nearby. Yun Yun fell asleep in Xiao Yan’s arms after they promised to face the dangers ahead together, and Xiao Yan also drifted off, leaving their journey unresolved.

• Xiao Yan tucked in Qing Lin’s blanket and found Yun Yun finishing her reading while Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran slept.
• Xiao Yan embraced and kissed Yun Yun, teasing her about the time she had watched him and Yan Ran together.
• Xiao Yan promised to grow stronger, settle his score with Yun Shan, find his father, and build a peaceful home for Yun Yun, Qing Lin, and Yan Ran.
• Yun Yun affirmed that she would stay beside Xiao Yan and help him face danger, search for his father, and stand against Yun Shan.
• Xiao Yan carried Yun Yun to the empty bed, where she initiated another kiss and then fell asleep in his arms.
• Xiao Yan watched over the sleeping Yun Yun and eventually fell asleep beside her.

Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin woke to find Xiao Yan and Yun Yun sleeping in an embrace, then teased them as the group prepared for the day’s journey. Xiao Yan helped all three girls dress, and the chapter ended with the four sharing a warm morning at the inn before setting out.

• Nalan Yanran woke and saw Xiao Yan and Yun Yun embracing, then quietly let them sleep.
• Qing Lin awoke, spotted the couple, and hid beneath her blanket to watch them.
• Yun Yun woke in Xiao Yan’s arms and shyly urged him to get up before Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin saw them.
• Nalan Yanran reminded Xiao Yan of his promise to tie her dress, and Qing Lin asked him to tie her belt as well.
• Xiao Yan helped Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun, and Qing Lin dress, tying their straps and bows while they joked together.
• Yun Yun prepared Xiao Yan’s robe, and the group finished getting ready at the inn for their journey.

Xiao Yan and his group learned that the Black Bone Hall’s auction at the Ghost Market would feature a Rank 7 High-grade Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, drawing the Blood Sect and Bone Gate elders. After preparing to conceal their strength and survive the dangerous bidding, they reached the Ghost Market entrance at night as the auction was about to begin.

• Xiao Yan’s group entered the Drunken Immortal Tower to gather information about the auction.
• A bearded cultivator revealed that the Black Bone Hall would auction a Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill at the Bone Tower in the Ghost Market that night, with elders from the Blood Sect and Bone Gate expected to attend.
• Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran warned Xiao Yan about the dangers and advised him to keep a low profile, while Xiao Yan resolved to try for the pill if an opportunity arose.
• Xiao Yan gave Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran Concealment Powder and prepared to enter the auction with their high-tier weapons hidden.
• Xiao Yan led Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin toward the Ghost Market’s guarded entrance as night fell and its lanterns lit.

Xiao Yan and his companions attended the Ghost Market auction, where the rare Thunder Bat Sky Wings sparked fierce bidding between the Blood Sect and Bone Gate. After Bone Gate won the scroll for thirty million taels, Xiao Yan waited for the auction’s true target, the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.

• Xiao Yan brought Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran to the auction and settled near the front.
• Mo Shan opened the auction, and cultivators bought several medicinal, forging, and cultivation items.
• Mo Shan presented the Low-grade Profound Tier Thunder Bat Sky Wings, prompting the Wind Blade Sect, Bone Gate, and Blood Sect to bid.
• Elder Yao told Xiao Yan that his High-grade Profound Tier Purple Cloud Wings surpassed the Thunder Bat Sky Wings in speed and versatility.
• The Bone Gate disciple outbid the Blood Sect at thirty million taels and won the Thunder Bat Sky Wings.
• Xiao Yan and his companions waited for the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, the auction’s finale and their true target.

At the Black Bone Hall auction, Xiao Yan recognized a fragmentary map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame but held back from bidding after Elder Yao warned that pursuing it would expose its value and draw danger. Xue Wushang won the map, and Xiao Yan resolved to take revenge after growing stronger while keeping his focus on the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.

• Mo Shan presented an ancient fragmentary map, and Xiao Yan recognized it as the third map piece linked to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Xue Wushang raised the bid to seven hundred thousand taels, apparently to provoke Xiao Yan.
• Elder Yao warned Xiao Yan not to reveal his interest in the map, and Xiao Yan suppressed his urge to bid.
• Xue Wushang mocked Xiao Yan and won the map as Yun Yun restrained the angry Nalan Yanran.
• Xiao Yan silently marked Xue Wushang for revenge and refocused on obtaining the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.

Mo Shan auctioned the Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique Three Thousand Lightning Movements, which Xue Wushang won for sixty million taels. Xiao Yan suppressed his anger toward Xue Wushang and remained focused on waiting for the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.

• Mo Shan revealed Three Thousand Lightning Movements and authenticated it as an inherited technique of the Ancient Thunder Clan.
• Xiao Yan watched without bidding, while the Wind Blade Sect, Bone Gate, Blood Sect, Golden Thunder Pavilion, and Nether Hall competed for the scroll.
• Xue Wushang outbid the Nether Hall representative with a sixty-million-tael offer and claimed Three Thousand Lightning Movements.
• Xiao Yan silently vowed to reclaim the scroll and punish Xue Wushang, but Yun Yun urged him not to act impulsively.
• Xiao Yan reassured Qing Lin and promised to teach her powerful Dou Techniques as Mo Shan began auctioning a three-thousand-year-old Purple Heart Grass.

Mo Shan unveiled the Rank 7 High-grade Yin-Yang Dragon Profound Pill and explained that it had helped Venerable Feng break through from Dou Zong to Dou Zun. Xiao Yan and several powerful factions prepared to bid for the pill, and the auction began with Blood Sect offering 130 million taels.

• Mo Shan presented the Yin-Yang Dragon Profound Pill as the auction's grand finale and described its Break and Then Stand effect.
• Mo Shan revealed that Venerable Feng had used the pill to recover from near death and advance from Five-Star Dou Zong to Dou Zun.
• Xiao Yan resolved to compete for the pill, while Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin watched tensely.
• Mo Shan set the starting price at 100 million taels, and representatives from Golden Thunder Pavilion and Nether Hall raised bids to 110 million and 120 million taels.
• Xue Wushang bid 130 million taels on behalf of Blood Sect, and the hall waited to see whether anyone would challenge him.

Xiao Yan ambushed Xue Wushang after the Blood Sect group was caught in a battle with the Heavenly Snake Mansion, and Elder Yao’s power let him kill Xue Wushang’s four Dou Wang guards and reclaim the auction items. Xiao Yan killed Xue Wushang and vanished, while Xue Li remained unaware that his son and the treasures were gone.

• Xiao Yan followed Xue Wushang and four Blood Sect Dou Wangs through the alleys after Yun Yun warned him to be careful.
• Xue Wushang saw Xue Li fighting the Heavenly Snake Mansion, and Xue Li ordered his son to escape and bring reinforcements.
• Xiao Yan blocked Xue Wushang’s path and fought the four Dou Wangs with Elder Yao possessing him.
• Elder Yao used Xiao Yan’s body to kill all four Dou Wangs and take the Fragmented Map of the Netherworld Demonic Fire, Three Thousand Lightning Movements, and the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.
• Xiao Yan killed Xue Wushang and disappeared into the night, leaving Xue Li fighting without knowing what had happened.

Xiao Yan, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin left the Black Corner Region before dawn to escape danger and reach Jia Nan Academy before its enrollment deadline. They crossed the western gate and continued toward the Academy, where Xiao Yan planned to strengthen himself and find a way to restore Elder Yao.

• Xiao Yan decided that the group had to leave the Black Corner Region before the Blood Sect could hunt them down.
• Nalan Yanran settled the inn bill, and the four departed at dawn with Qing Lin in their care.
• The group passed through the western gate after Nalan Yanran paid the guards, leaving the Black Corner Region behind.
• Qing Lin delighted in the peaceful plains outside the city as Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran promised to explore Jia Nan Academy with her.
• Xiao Yan planned to improve his cultivation at Jia Nan Academy, master Three Thousand Lightning Movements, and seek ingredients to restore Elder Yao's soul.

Xiao Yan returned to Jia Nan Academy with Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin, where he reunited with Gu Xun Er and began arranging their enrollment. As jealous students watched, Xiao Yan and his companions headed to the student affairs office, and he looked ahead to cultivation and finding the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Xiao Yan presented his student token at Jia Nan Academy's gate, and a guard recognized him as the student who had taken leave for more than two years.
• Xiao Yan entered the academy with Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin and encountered Gu Xun Er beneath a willow tree.
• Gu Xun Er embraced Xiao Yan and showed jealousy toward his companions before he introduced them and promised to spend time with her after handling their enrollment.
• Lin Hao and his lackeys saw Xiao Yan with Gu Xun Er and grew hostile, while Xiao Yan ignored their jealous whispers.
• Xiao Yan, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, Qing Lin, and Gu Xun Er headed to the student affairs office as Gu Xun Er told Xiao Yan about changes at the academy.

Xiao Yan entered Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy selection and crushed Bai Shan in a challenge, revealing his nine-star Da Dou Shi cultivation and battle-honed skills. He then watched the Inner Academy matches, preparing to challenge an Inner Academy student next.

• Xiao Yan, Xun Er, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin completed their academy procedures and headed to the selection arena.
• Bai Shan provoked Xiao Yan, challenged him to a fight, and wagered an Earth Attribute Dou Technique scroll against Xiao Yan's selection qualification.
• Xiao Yan dodged Bai Shan's attacks, revealed his nine-star Da Dou Shi cultivation, and shattered Bai Shan's Earth Thorn Array with a precisely formed Dou Qi sword.
• Xiao Yan forced Bai Shan to surrender, declined the scroll, and watched Bai Shan leave the arena in disgrace.
• Xiao Yan reunited with his companions and said he would study the Inner Academy fighters before challenging one himself.

After Bai Shan challenged the fairness of the inner academy selection, Qing Lin revealed her Dou Ling strength and Nalan Yanran defeated him in a fight. The selection results were finalized, and the newly qualified students prepared to enter the inner academy in three days.

• Elder Ge announced Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Nalan Yanran, Qing Lin, Bai Shan, Yan Hao, and Hu Jia had passed the inner academy selection, but Bai Shan objected to Nalan Yanran and Qing Lin qualifying without fighting.
• Xiao Yan asked Qing Lin to reveal her strength, and her Dou Qi showed the crowd that she was a Dou Ling.
• Bai Shan challenged Nalan Yanran, who accepted and used her movement technique and wind attacks to pierce his earthen armor and force him to surrender.
• Elder Ge finalized the selection results and told the qualifiers to gather at the inner academy entrance at dawn in three days.
• Xun Er and Qing Lin praised Nalan Yanran, and the group left the arena together.

Xiao Yan and his teammates entered the Fire Energy Hunt Competition, defeated a senior team ambushing freshmen, and reached the finish line with 10 Fire Energy points. They headed toward Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, ready to exchange their points for cultivation resources.

• The instructor explained that teams could steal Fire Energy from each other and promised three bonus points to teams reaching the finish line.
• Xiao Yan assigned his teammates scouting, defense, and combat roles as they entered Black Stone Canyon and Qing Lin detected six seniors in Withered Wood Forest.
• Xiao Yan's team confronted the seniors, with Xiao Xun'er suppressing the gray-robed leader's fire attacks and Xiao Yan breaking the Earth Attribute senior's formations.
• Hu Jia, Lei Yan, Qing Lin, and Nalan Yanran worked together to restrain the four Da Dou Shi, forcing the senior team to surrender two Fire Energy points.
• Xiao Yan's team avoided further ambushes and reached the canyon exit, where an instructor awarded them three points for a total of 10.

Xiao Yan and the freshmen surrounded the Black Fiend Squad at Poisonous Marsh Beach and defeated them with coordinated tactics that countered their poison skills. After recovering the stolen Fire Energy and returning it to the other squads, Xiao Yan led the freshmen onward through Black Stone Canyon as one force.

• Black Fiend prepared to ambush approaching freshmen, but Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Nalan Yanran, Hu Jia, Lei Yan, and three squads surrounded his team from four directions.
• Xiao Yan assigned the Wind Attribute squad to scatter poison and the Fire Attribute squad to burn it, while Xiao Xun'er held Black Fiend back.
• Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, Hu Jia, Lei Yan, and the other freshmen defeated the Black Fiend Squad's four Da Dou Shi and forced its two early Dou Ling members to surrender their Fire Energy Tokens.
• Xiao Xun'er wore down Black Fiend until he surrendered his token, and Xiao Yan returned the twelve recovered points to the four squads that had been robbed.
• Xiao Yan invited the freshmen to continue together, and they formed one large squad and headed toward the end of Black Stone Canyon.

Xiao Yan led more than fifteen freshmen in a coordinated attack that defeated Bai Sha’s White Fiend Squad and returned stolen Fire Energy to three freshman squads. The united group then set off toward Black Stone Canyon’s finish and its three-point reward.

• Bai Sha prepared to freeze the approaching freshmen, but Xiao Yan’s group and two allied squads surrounded White Stone Flat.
• Xiao Yan assigned the Fire Attribute squad to melt the ice and the Earth Attribute squad to protect the freshmen while Xiao Xun'er restrained Bai Sha.
• Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, Hu Jia, Lei Yan, and the freshmen defeated the White Fiend Squad’s three Da Dou Shi and forced its two early-stage Dou Ling members to surrender their Fire Energy.
• Xiao Xun'er overwhelmed Bai Sha’s ice techniques, and Bai Sha surrendered his token to Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan returned nine stolen points of Fire Energy to the three freshman squads, then led the united freshmen toward the finish of Black Stone Canyon.

Xiao Yan and his companions chose Embrace the Moon Courtyard as their shared residence in the Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy and settled into its bedrooms, training hall, courtyard, and storeroom. They ended the day celebrating their new home and planning to cultivate and face future challenges together.

• Xiao Yan chose the five-person, A-rated Embrace the Moon Courtyard, and Xiao Xun'er, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin agreed to live there with him.
• The instructor gave Xiao Yan a jade token keyed to their Dou Qi signatures, and the group followed its map to their new residence.
• Xiao Yan and the others explored the courtyard and training hall, discussed cultivation plans, and agreed that Qing Lin could grow herbs by the pond.
• The group chose bedrooms, set aside a spare room, and stored Xiao Yan's Fire Energy Tokens, pills, and Black Heavy Ruler in the storeroom.
• Xiao Yan hosted a small celebration, and the four shared their hopes of growing stronger and facing future challenges together.