Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er spent the night together in Embrace the Moon Courtyard, and Qing Lin joined them the next morning with freshly made porridge. The chapter ended with Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, and Qing Lin sharing a warm breakfast together.

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er shared a tender night together after their long separation.
• Qing Lin brought Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er medicinal porridge at dawn, and Xiao Yan drew her into his embrace.
• Qing Lin told Xiao Yan she liked him, and he returned her affection with a kiss and reassurance.
• Xiao Xun'er woke, accepted Qing Lin's closeness, and invited her to share the porridge.
• Xiao Yan helped Xiao Xun'er and Qing Lin dress, then served them porridge at the table.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran entered Jia Nan Academy’s Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and underwent Spark Body Tempering on its first floor. After their bodies and Dou Qi improved, they headed toward the second floor to seek stronger cultivation opportunities.

• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran entered the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower as its doors opened and the tower’s Flame Patterns came alive.
• The tower’s sparks converged on them, passing through Nalan Yanran’s Dou Qi Barrier and beginning to temper both cultivators.
• Xiao Yan relaxed and absorbed the sparks, while Nalan Yanran guided their energy through her body and felt her Dou Qi bottleneck loosen.
• The sparks receded, leaving Xiao Yan stronger and Nalan Yanran’s body and Dou Qi improved.
• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran climbed the stairs toward the second floor, hoping to find greater cultivation benefits.

Xiao Yan refined Spirit Breaking Pills in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and helped Nalan Yanran overcome her stalled cultivation. After Nalan Yanran broke through to Dou Ling, Xiao Yan took a pill himself and began advancing toward the late stage of Dou Ling.

• Xiao Yan prepared his Purple Crystal Winged Lion Cauldron and ingredients while Nalan Yanran struggled to break through from eight-star Da Dou Shi.
• Xiao Yan refined three Spirit Breaking Pills, carefully controlling the flames and removing impurities from the medicinal liquid.
• Xiao Yan gave Nalan Yanran a Spirit Breaking Pill, and she used its energy to break through to Dou Ling.
• Nalan Yanran tested her new strength with Violet Lightning and thanked Xiao Yan for helping her breakthrough.
• Xiao Yan swallowed a Spirit Breaking Pill and began advancing from the middle stage of Dou Ling as Nalan Yanran consolidated her new realm.

After leaving the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower with Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan intervened when Bai Shan and his cousin bullied freshmen over a training room and their resources. He defeated the six-star Dou Ling cousin, warned Bai Shan to stop abusing freshmen, and then left with Nalan Yanran for the Library Pavilion.

• Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran left the tower after reaching the Dou Ling realm, and Xiao Yan suggested they find a suitable technique for her at the Library Pavilion.
• Xiao Yan discovered Bai Shan and his cousin threatening three freshmen, demanding their resources, and preparing to cripple one of them.
• Xiao Yan stopped the cousin's attack and fought him, cutting through his Dou Qi blade and shield before sealing his dantian and dislocating his wrist.
• Xiao Yan warned Bai Shan not to bully freshmen again, and Bai Shan fled with his injured cousin while the freshmen thanked Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan advised the freshmen to report future bullying to the Enforcement Hall, declined their offer of pills, and headed to the Library Pavilion with Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan helped Nalan Yanran search Jia Nan Academy’s Library Pavilion for a Dou Technique suited to her Purple Lightning attribute and new Dou Ling cultivation. They found the High-grade Profound Tier Purple Lightning Piercing Cloud Sword, and Xiao Yan spent 3,200 points to obtain it for her before they left to study its cultivation notes.

• Xiao Yan explained the Library Pavilion’s floors and advised Nalan Yanran to seek a suitable High-grade Profound Tier technique.
• Nalan Yanran described how her old sword technique no longer matched her strength, and she and Xiao Yan searched the lightning shelves without finding a suitable technique.
• Xiao Yan spotted the Purple Lightning Piercing Cloud Sword on the wind shelves, and Nalan Yanran recognized that its dual lightning and wind attributes suited her perfectly.
• Nalan Yanran worried that the technique cost too many points, but Xiao Yan spent his 3,200 points to exchange for it.
• The librarian registered the technique and gave Nalan Yanran cultivation notes, and Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran left together to study its first form.

Xiao Yan agreed to lead the new students in founding Panmen to protect one another from older students’ exploitation and bullying. With rules, assigned duties, and a roster established, the members prepared to begin training and take their first group mission.

• Lin Mo, Zhao Xiaopang, Zhou Yuan, and the other new students told Xiao Yan how older students had stolen their resources, occupied training rooms, and extorted them, then asked him to lead a faction.
• With Nalan Yanran’s support, Xiao Yan agreed to form a faction and named it Panmen, explaining that its members should remain steadfast and support each other like family.
• Xiao Yan established rules against internal conflict and bullying, required members to cultivate diligently, and assigned Lin Mo, Zhao Xiaopang, and Zhou Yuan organizational, safety, and mission duties.
• Nalan Yanran offered to guide the new students in cultivating Dou Qi techniques and shared her experience reaching the Dou Ling realm.
• Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, and more than thirty new students signed Panmen’s first roster as news of the faction spread through the Inner Academy.

Xiao Yan traded an Ice Pure Detoxification Pill treatment for Lei Yan’s mysterious dark gold fragment and an old map. He left planning to study the objects after handling Panmen’s affairs.

• Xiao Yan spotted a dark gold fragment at Lei Yan’s stall and learned Lei Yan would exchange it only for a cure for his Fire Poison.
• Xiao Yan agreed to refine Ice Pure Detoxification Pills, and Lei Yan brought him the required medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Yan used his Green Lotus Core Flame to refine three pills, and Lei Yan took one, easing his pain.
• Lei Yan gave Xiao Yan the fragment and an old map that had been wrapped around it.
• Xiao Yan stored both mysterious objects and returned toward Panmen, intending to investigate them later.

Xiao Yan activated the Secret Pattern Jade fragment with his Green Lotus Core Flame and uncovered the first transformation of Burning Flame Valley’s Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations. He left the cave determined to cultivate the technique and strengthen himself, while Elder Yao warned him of the dangers of flame backlash.

• Xiao Yan used his Green Lotus Core Flame on the fragment, and Elder Yao identified it as Secret Pattern Jade that required a powerful flame to unlock.
• Xiao Yan sustained the flame as the fragment revealed a red-robed phantom and ancient writing that Elder Yao recognized as Burning Flame Valley’s Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations.
• Xiao Yan learned that the fragment contained the first transformation, which could amplify his strength by converting flame energy into power for his Dou Qi.
• Elder Yao explained that mastering the first transformation would take time and warned Xiao Yan that poor control could damage his meridians or burn his Dou Qi foundation.
• Xiao Yan stored the fragment and left the cave with Elder Yao, resolved to cultivate the technique to protect Panmen and pursue greater strength.

Xiao Yan activated the ancient map with the Green Lotus Core Flame and saw that it revealed a former Burning Flame Valley branch in the Black Corner Region. He and Elder Yao resolved to seek its ruins only after Xiao Yan grew stronger and could travel with powerful companions.

• Xiao Yan examined the Dragon Scale Beast Skin map and recognized Burning Flame Valley’s Flame Totem at its center.
• Elder Yao used Soul Power to reveal silver lines and ancient markings, then urged Xiao Yan to test the map with a Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Yan lightly touched the map with the Green Lotus Core Flame, causing it to display a vision of Burning Flame Valley’s Black Corner Region branch.
• Elder Yao explained why Burning Flame Valley had established the branch and warned Xiao Yan that the Black Corner Region was too dangerous for him at his current strength.
• Xiao Yan agreed to master Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations and Three Thousand Lightning Movements before searching for the branch with Yun Yun and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King.

Xiao Yan refined his lightning and Dou Qi circulation to eliminate the delay in Three Thousand Lightning Movements. He mastered the technique and ended the chapter preparing to continue his cultivation journey.

• Xiao Yan circulated lightning through his meridians, tempering them and increasing the speed of his Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan tested Three Thousand Lightning Movements but noticed a delay when combining lightning with Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan realized the energies needed to merge at the moment of release and carefully wove Dou Qi threads through the Lightning Attribute Qi Vortex.
• Xiao Yan moved through the cave’s stone obstacles without slowing, mastering Three Thousand Lightning Movements and combining it with attacks.
• Xiao Yan practiced consecutive teleportations and afterimages, then stopped cultivating and reflected on the road ahead.

Xiao Yan returned to Panmen and found that Ling Feng and the Medicine Sect had attacked its members and destroyed its pill stalls. He accepted Ling Feng’s challenge to a public alchemy contest for the West Street District, and the two headed to the Inner Academy to ask an elder to choose the pill.

• Xiao Yan returned to Panmen and saw its disciples facing the Medicine Sect, with injured members, ruined stalls, and pills crushed across the ground.
• Hu Gan and Wu Hao told Xiao Yan that Ling Feng had demanded Panmen surrender its West Street District selling rights and had ordered his followers to attack when they refused.
• Ling Feng challenged Xiao Yan to compete in refining a third-grade pill chosen by an Inner Academy elder, with the winner claiming the district’s pill-selling rights.
• Xiao Yan accepted and required the Medicine Sect to compensate Panmen and apologize if it lost; Ling Feng added that Xiao Yan must surrender his Purple Crystal Cauldron if Panmen lost.
• Xiao Yan and Ling Feng shook hands, and Ling Feng felt Xiao Yan’s power disrupt his Dou Qi before they agreed to go immediately to the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yan sent the injured Panmen members to the medicine hall, told Wu Hao to salvage what he could, and accompanied Ling Feng toward the Inner Academy.

Xiao Yan returned to Panmen after an overnight journey, reuniting with Qing Lin and Xiao Yanran, who had been anxiously waiting for him. He comforted them and promised Xiao Yanran he would keep her informed during future trips, leaving them resting together in a tender moment.

• Qing Lin rushed into Xiao Yan's arms and told him how much she had missed him, while Xiao Yanran welcomed him with relief and described her worries.
• Xiao Yan reassured both women that he had returned safely and made a small breakthrough, then kissed Qing Lin's forehead and Xiao Yanran's lips.
• Xiao Yan embraced Qing Lin and Xiao Yanran and promised he would tell them when he would return whenever he left again.
• Xiao Yan carried Xiao Yanran into the room, where she clung to him and told him she was relieved he had come back.
• Xiao Yan promised to send Xiao Yanran nightly messages about his safety and travels, then held her close as they rested together.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yanran woke together and lingered in each other’s arms, sharing affectionate words before Xiao Yan helped her dress. The chapter ended with them holding hands in the warm morning light.

• Xiao Yan woke with Xiao Yanran sleeping in his arms and watched her tenderly until she opened her eyes.
• Xiao Yan praised Xiao Yanran’s beauty, and she shyly asked to stay in his arms a little longer.
• Xiao Yanran asked Xiao Yan to help her get dressed, and he promised to take care of her.
• Xiao Yan carefully dressed Xiao Yanran and smoothed her clothing until she was warm and comfortable.
• Xiao Yanran thanked Xiao Yan and held his hand as they stood together in the morning light.

Xiao Yan spent a peaceful day in the courtyard with Qing Lin, Xun'er, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran, sharing meals, games, and stories. As Qing Lin fell asleep in his arms, Xiao Yan was left cherishing the quiet life they shared.

• Xiao Yan returned to the courtyard with Nalan Yanran and was welcomed by Qing Lin, Xun'er, and Yun Yun.
• Xiao Yan drank Xun'er's flower tea, while Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran planned a chilled fruit soup with Qing Lin's help.
• The group spent the day reading about herbs, preparing fruit, and playing chess as Xiao Yan explained the game to Qing Lin.
• Xiao Yan, Xun'er, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin prepared dinner together and shared it beneath the courtyard lanterns.
• After dinner, Xiao Yan told Qing Lin a story about a fire-breathing fox while the others talked and shared mint tea.
• Qing Lin fell asleep in Xiao Yan's arms, and he looked around at his companions, content with their peaceful life together.

Xiao Yan carefully carried the sleeping Qing Lin to bed, then shared a tender evening with Yun Yun. He carried Yun Yun to bed after she fell asleep, and they ended the night embracing peacefully.

• Xiao Yan carried the sleeping Qing Lin to her room, tucked her into bed, and quietly went to Yun Yun's room.
• Yun Yun asked whether Qing Lin had fallen asleep, and Xiao Yan embraced Yun Yun before they kissed and confessed that having each other made them happy.
• Yun Yun grew drowsy in Xiao Yan's arms, so he carried her to bed, removed her shoes, and tucked her in.
• Xiao Yan lay beside Yun Yun, drew her into his embrace when she moved closer in her sleep, and wished her good night.

Xiao Yan and Yun Yun woke together after spending the night in each other’s arms, sharing a tender morning and teasing one another about their scattered clothes. They remained in bed, reluctant to part, as Xiao Yan promised to make breakfast and Osmanthus Cake for Yun Yun and Qing Lin.

• Xiao Yan woke beside Yun Yun, covered her exposed shoulder, and kissed her as she slept.
• Yun Yun woke, noticed the clothes strewn beneath the bed, and shyly asked Xiao Yan why he had not woken her and why their clothes were scattered.
• Xiao Yan teased Yun Yun about their intimacy the night before and reassured her that he would pick up the clothes before Qing Lin saw them.
• Yun Yun admitted she felt embarrassed because it was daytime, then settled back into Xiao Yan’s embrace.
• Xiao Yan asked Yun Yun to stay with him longer and promised to make breakfast and the Osmanthus Cake she liked.
• Yun Yun agreed to remain in bed with Xiao Yan as they quietly enjoyed the morning together.

Xiao Yan fused the Green Lotus Core Flame and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame and used it to refine three top-grade Dragon Power Pills. He defeated Lin Feng and secured the final ticket to the Alchemist Conference finals, where stronger opponents awaited him.

• The Pill Tower Elders announced that Xiao Yan and Lin Feng would compete to refine a Dragon Power Pill within one incense stick.
• Xiao Yan revealed his Green Lotus Core Flame and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, then fused them into the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame.
• The Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame overwhelmed Lin Feng’s Earth Flame Bear Fire, leaving him unable to begin refining while Xiao Yan processed the ingredients.
• Lin Feng’s unstable Beast Fire burned the Dragon Blood Grass to ash, ruining his attempt.
• Xiao Yan refined three top-grade Dragon Power Pills with exceptionally potent medicinal power, and the Pill Tower Elders declared his achievement.
• Lin Feng admitted defeat and left as the crowd celebrated Xiao Yan’s victory and his advance to the finals.

Xiao Yan encountered a purple-haired little girl eating Purple Heart Orchid in the Inner Academy’s Medicinal Herb Repository and offered to make her sweeter pills to help her grow. She took his hand and led him toward the medicinal gardens, while Xiao Yan planned to learn about her constitution and help her.

• Xiao Yan heard crunching behind a shelf and found a little girl eating more than half a box of Purple Heart Orchid.
• The little girl told Xiao Yan she had eaten medicinal herbs for years to grow, but they were bitter and she was still short.
• Xiao Yan said he could refine sweeter pills suited to her constitution, and the little girl eagerly offered to guide him to rare herbs in the medicinal gardens.
• The little girl grabbed Xiao Yan’s hand and led him out of the repository, telling him she had won first place in the Inner Academy’s Ranking Challenge Tournament.
• Xiao Yan walked with the little girl toward the medicinal gardens and planned to study her constitution so he could refine pills for her.

Xiao Yan defeated Zhao Lei, a Seven Star Dou Ling, with the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Inner Academy Ranking Tournament. He advanced to the top eight, where stronger opponents awaited him as he pursued the tournament’s rewards.

• Xiao Yan faced Zhao Lei, who challenged him to survive three attacks and launched Stone Shattering Hammer.
• Xiao Yan dodged Zhao Lei’s hammer and summoned the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Xiao Yan struck the weak point in Zhao Lei’s Earth Guard, burned through the shield, and shattered it.
• Xiao Yan’s flame pierced Zhao Lei’s armor and defeated him, prompting the referee elder to declare Xiao Yan the winner and advance him to the top eight.
• Xiao Yan considered his upcoming opponents, Lin Yue and Wu Feng, while the ranking board moved his name from twentieth place to eighth.

Nalan Yanran fought Zhou Hao in the ranking competition and overcame his Entangling Silk Vine with her Purple Lightning Piercing Cloud Sword. She defeated him and advanced to ninth place, determined to keep climbing the academy rankings.

• Nalan Yanran entered the arena to face Zhou Hao, a six-star Dou Ling known for trapping opponents with his vines.
• Zhou Hao unleashed waves of vines, but Nalan Yanran dodged them and cut them apart with her Purple Lightning Sword.
• Nalan Yanran broke through Zhou Hao's vine wall with Lightning Flash and Piercing the Clouds, then struck him with Violet Lightning Storm.
• Zhou Hao was knocked down and admitted defeat, and the referee announced Nalan Yanran's victory and advancement to the top nine.
• Nalan Yanran took ninth place on the ranking board and exchanged a brief look of mutual respect with Xiao Yan before leaving the arena.