Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan accepted Liu Qing’s challenge after defeating Zhao Lei and fought him in the Ranking Challenge Tournament. Xiao Yan won with a Fire Lotus formed from two Heavenly Flames, retained second place, and left determined to keep climbing the rankings.

• Liu Qing challenged Xiao Yan to a contest of Dou Techniques, and Xiao Yan accepted despite Xun'er’s warning about the Lie Shan Spear.
• Xiao Yan blocked Liu Qing’s attacks with the Black Heavy Ruler and forced him back with Eight Level Collapse.
• Liu Qing unleashed Lie Shan Spear: Mountain-Splitting Form, but Xiao Yan countered with Flame Splitting Wave Ruler and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Xiao Yan used Three Thousand Lightning Movements to evade Liu Qing’s close-range attack, then fused the Green Lotus Core Flame and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into a Buddha Flame Fire Lotus.
• The Buddha Flame Fire Lotus defeated Liu Qing, who conceded, and the referee elder declared Xiao Yan the winner and confirmed that he retained second place.

On the eve of Xun'er's departure from Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan and Xun'er shared a tearful farewell and promised to meet again. Xun'er left him the Emperor Seal Art scroll, while Xiao Yan vowed to find her in the Ancient Clan and fulfill the plans they had made together.

• Xun'er met Xiao Yan outside the dormitory and gave him a brocade box containing the Emperor Seal Art scroll and cultivation advice.
• Xiao Yan embraced Xun'er and confessed that he could not bear to let her go, recalling the places and treats he had hoped to share with her.
• Xun'er asked Xiao Yan to promise they would meet again and visit the wisteria flowers, eat Osmanthus Cake, and travel to Wutan City together.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er kissed and held each other, determined to remember their closeness during their separation.
• Xiao Yan promised to find Xun'er in the Ancient Clan and reunite with her, and Xun'er accepted his promise with tears and hope.

After Xun'er left for the Ancient Clan, Xiao Yan struggled with the separation until Qing Lin comforted him. He embraced and kissed her, and they promised to stay by each other's side.

• Xiao Yan woke beside Xun'er's moon-white garment and remembered their farewell the night before.
• Qing Lin brought Xiao Yan millet porridge and told him Xun'er had left a message promising to contact him after settling in the Ancient Clan.
• Qing Lin reassured Xiao Yan that she, Yan Ran, and Yun Yun would support him, and Xiao Yan pulled her into an embrace.
• Xiao Yan kissed Qing Lin, and she returned his affection as they comforted each other.
• Xiao Yan asked Qing Lin to stay with him, and she promised to remain by his side and help him.

Xiao Yan learned that Yun Shan and the Misty Cloud Sect had attacked the Xiao Clan, killing many and gravely wounding Xiao Li. After stabilizing the survivors, Xiao Yan vowed to avenge the clan and protect those who remained.

• Xiao Yu rushed to the Inner Academy and told Xiao Yan that his second brother had been hurt.
• Xiao Yan, Qing Lin, Yan Ran, and Yun Yun reached the Xiao Clan stronghold and found dead clan members in the courtyard and wounded survivors inside.
• Xiao Yan gave Xiao Li a Recovery Pill, which eased the poison and steadied his breathing.
• Xiao Yu said Yun Shan had sent Misty Cloud Sect experts to massacre the clan, and that Hai Bodong had helped a few survivors escape.
• Qing Lin and Yan Ran calmed Xiao Yan, while Yun Yun offered to seek allies and a safe refuge for the survivors.
• Xiao Yan suppressed his rage, promised to avenge the dead, and prepared to lead the Xiao Clan against the Misty Cloud Sect.

Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, and the top Inner Academy disciples underwent Heart Flame body tempering in the lowest level of the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. Xiao Yan helped Nalan Yanran through a dangerous breakthrough, and they left the tower after reaching Four-star Dou Ling.

• Hu Gan led the disciples into the tower’s lowest level, where they took positions on ten Body Tempering Platforms and began tempering their bodies with the violent Fire Attribute Energy.
• Xiao Yan guided Nalan Yanran through the painful process, sharing his Dou Qi to help control the energy disrupting her meridians.
• Xiao Yan broke through from Three-star Dou Ling to Four-star Dou Ling as the Fire Attribute Energy strengthened his body and meridians.
• When Nalan Yanran struggled against her breakthrough barrier and faced energy backlash, Xiao Yan sent her condensed Dou Qi to help her gather strength for one final attack.
• Nalan Yanran broke through to Four-star Dou Ling, and Hu Gan and several senior students also advanced as the heart flame energy calmed.
• The guiding elder declared the body tempering complete and told the disciples to consolidate their cultivation for the upcoming Inner Academy trials; Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran left the tower together.

The Fallen Heart Flame erupted in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, overwhelming the sealing formation and injuring Jia Nan Academy’s elders. Su Qian and the elders temporarily subdued it, but its Origin Power remained intact and threatened to erupt again.

• Su Qian ordered the Inner Academy elders to reinforce the failing seal as the Fallen Heart Flame’s pure white flames ravaged the chamber.
• The Fallen Heart Flame shattered the elders’ defenses and wounded them, forcing Su Qian to confront it with a Dou Qi Colossus.
• Su Qian was injured while trying to suppress the flame, then swallowed a Heart Burning Pill to strengthen his Dou Qi.
• Su Qian and the elders poured their remaining Dou Qi into the Fire Sealing Array and formed a violet seal over the flame.
• The elders collapsed from exhaustion after temporarily containing the Fallen Heart Flame, and Su Qian warned that Jia Nan Academy still needed a complete seal.

Han Feng invaded the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower to seize Fallen Heart Flame, but Elder Yao possessed Xiao Yan and drove him back before the seal shattered. With the flame out of control and Elder Yao asleep, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were consumed by its fire, leaving the surviving elders amid the ruined tower.

• Han Feng and Bone Elder attacked Su Qian and the Inner Academy elders, breaking their defenses and weakening the seal on Fallen Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yan confronted Han Feng, and Elder Yao possessed him, wounded Han Feng, and fought Bone Elder.
• The purple seal shattered, releasing Fallen Heart Flame, and Han Feng tried to capture its core while Elder Yao fought to stop him.
• Xiao Yan's body began failing under Elder Yao's power, and Han Feng provoked Fallen Heart Flame, unleashing a blast that forced Elder Yao into a deep slumber.
• Han Feng retreated as Su Qian and the surviving elders regrouped, while Nalan Yanran ran to Xiao Yan and tried to help him.
• Fallen Heart Flame engulfed Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, burning them away as Su Qian and the elders failed to reach them.

Trapped in the Fallen Heart Flame’s Fire Prison, Xiao Yan used the last protection Elder Yao left them to fuse his two Heavenly Flames and shield himself and Nalan Yanran. The fire waves continued to batter their defenses, and Xiao Yan relied on the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python as they struggled to survive the coming three days.

• Elder Yao warned Xiao Yan that his Bone Spirit Cold Flame could protect them for only three days before he fell into a deep slumber.
• Xiao Yan guided the Green Lotus Core Flame and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire into a new golden-red flame while Nalan Yanran helped soothe his damaged meridians.
• Xiao Yan used the fused Myriad Beast Spirit Fire to replace the fading Bone Spirit Cold Flame and form a shield against the Fallen Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yan summoned the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King and Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, and both beasts stood outside the shield to fend off the fire waves.
• As the beasts weakened and the shield came under pressure, Xiao Yan shared his Dou Qi with them and promised Nalan Yanran that he would get them out.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran endured the Fallen Heart Flame inside the Fire Prison while the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame protected them, and the flames tempered their bodies and strengthened their Dou Qi. Queen Medusa and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King also absorbed the fire’s energy, leaving Xiao Yan determined to keep growing until they could escape and subdue the Fallen Heart Flame.

• The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python evolved into Queen Medusa, who complained to Xiao Yan before recognizing the Fallen Heart Flame as a way to temper her body.
• Medusa drew the Fallen Heart Flame into herself, while the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King overcame its fear and began using the fire to strengthen its Lion Flame.
• The Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame shielded Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran as the Fallen Heart Flame’s heat painfully burned and repaired their bodies.
• Xiao Yan encouraged Nalan Yanran and shared his Dou Qi with her, helping them both adapt to the flames and improve their strength.
• Xiao Yan sensed that his Dou Qi had nearly reached the Dou Wang realm and discovered a relatively weak point in the fire waves, while Nalan Yanran’s condition and confidence improved.
• Xiao Yan resolved to keep tempering their bodies, strengthen the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame, escape the Fire Prison, and eventually subdue the Fallen Heart Flame.

Xiao Yan captured and refined the Fallen Heart Flame Origin, evolving the Flame Mantra and surging to Dou Wang Nine Stars as the flames fused into a new Heavenly Flame. The excess energy caused backlash, while Nalan Yanran and Medusa remained in perilous breakthroughs, and Xiao Yan sent Nalan Yanran a gentle thread of flame energy to help her.

• Xiao Yan overwhelmed the Fallen Heart Flame Origin with the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame and seized it as a Fire Serpent.
• Xiao Yan used the Origin's energy to advance the Flame Mantra from Mysterious-tier Low-grade to a level between Mysterious-tier High-grade and Earth-tier Low-grade, while his cultivation climbed to Dou Wang Nine Stars.
• Xiao Yan absorbed the Fallen Heart Flame Origin, fusing it with the Myriad Beast Green Lotus Flame into a new golden-red Heavenly Flame.
• Medusa suffered intense pain as her soul and the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python entered deep Soul Fusion, while Nalan Yanran struggled to break through to Dou Wang.
• Xiao Yan suffered backlash from the excess energy and sent a gentle thread of fused Heavenly Flame Energy toward Nalan Yanran to help her breakthrough.

Xiao Yan found Medusa weakened by Soul Fusion and held her as they endured the heat and pain in the Sealing Chamber. Their comfort turned into an intimate embrace and kisses, while Nalan Yanran continued her breakthrough attempt nearby.

• Xiao Yan rushed to Medusa and lifted her from the rock wall despite his own painful energy backlash.
• Xiao Yan kissed Medusa, and she reacted with surprise before gradually relaxing in his arms.
• Medusa leaned into Xiao Yan as their warmth eased some of the pain caused by Soul Fusion.
• Xiao Yan and Medusa kissed and held each other inside a Dou Qi Barrier, shutting out the surrounding chamber.
• Nalan Yanran continued trying to break through to the Dou Wang realm while the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King stood guard nearby.

In the Sealing Chamber, Nalan Yanran broke through to Dou Wang while Xiao Yan and Medusa faced the bond formed during Soul Fusion. Medusa accepted Xiao Yan, and he promised to protect her for the rest of his life; they rested together as the chamber quieted.

• Nalan Yanran broke through to Dou Wang and then spoke with the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King.
• Medusa told Xiao Yan that their kiss meant she belonged to him, and she acknowledged their bond.
• Xiao Yan apologized for taking advantage of Medusa while she was weak and swore to protect her and never betray her.
• Medusa accepted Xiao Yan's promise, and he kissed her forehead before carrying her to a quieter corner.
• Xiao Yan warmed the stone for Medusa, covered her with his robe, and rested beside her as they held hands.

Xiao Yan and his companions escaped the Sealing Chamber, where Nalan Yanran broke through to Dou Wang and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King reached nine-star Dou Huang. Reunited with the Inner Academy, they headed back as Xiao Yan promised to explain what had happened inside.

• Xiao Yan gave Medusa the name Cai Lin, and she accepted it.
• Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran, Cai Lin, and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King broke through the Sealing Chamber's stone door and emerged safely.
• Su Qian and the Inner Academy elders and disciples welcomed Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, while Qing Lin rushed to hug Xiao Yan and Yun Yun greeted them.
• Xiao Yan introduced Cai Lin to Yun Yun and told Su Qian that the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had helped them escape and now possessed nine-star Dou Huang strength.
• Xiao Yan led the group toward the Inner Academy, promising to recount what had happened in the Sealing Chamber.

After escaping the Sealing Chamber, Xiao Yan reunited with Yun Yun and Qing Lin, who had anxiously waited for him. Qing Lin confessed her love, and Xiao Yan returned her feelings and promised to stay by her side.

• Xiao Yan held Yun Yun and Qing Lin close and apologized for making them worry while he was trapped in the Sealing Chamber.
• Yun Yun told Xiao Yan that she had trusted him to return, and Qing Lin described waiting near the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower every day.
• Xiao Yan escorted the exhausted Yun Yun to her room, then carried Qing Lin back to hers.
• Qing Lin confessed that she loved Xiao Yan as more than an older brother and wanted to stay with him forever.
• Xiao Yan returned Qing Lin's feelings, kissed her, and promised to protect her and help her cultivate the Jade-Eyed Three-Flower Pupils.
• Xiao Yan tucked Qing Lin into bed and stayed beside her as she fell asleep in his embrace.

After learning that the Blood Sect had attacked the Xiao Clan Main Hall, Xiao Yan rushed to protect his clan from Han Feng’s diversion. He and Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and Yan Ran raced toward the besieged hall, leaving the battle unresolved.

• A wounded guard told Xiao Yan and the Great Elder that hundreds of Blood Sect fighters had broken through three defensive lines and were nearing the Xiao Clan Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yan recognized the attack as Han Feng’s attempt to divide his attention between the Xiao Clan and the Black Alliance, and vowed to defend his home.
• Qing Lin, Yun Yun, and Yan Ran joined Xiao Yan, offering their abilities and agreeing to help protect the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Yan assigned Yun Yun to scout ahead, Qing Lin to watch for hidden enemies, and Yan Ran to guard the rear.
• Xiao Yan and the others set out at full speed for the Xiao Clan Main Hall as he swore vengeance on the Blood Sect and Han Feng.

Xiao Yan arrived in time to save his wounded second brother, Xiao Li, and destroyed the Blood Sect after defeating its leader. He carried Xiao Li toward a nearby town, planning to heal him before returning to Wutan City.

• Xiao Li fought on despite grievous injuries as three Blood Sect Dou Wangs prepared to kill him and warned that Xiao Yan could not help.
• Xiao Yan arrived at Dou Wang Nine Stars, killed the three attackers, and gave Xiao Li a Recovery Pill.
• The Blood Sect Leader confronted Xiao Yan with his disciples, but Xiao Yan overcame the Blood Soul Mist and defeated him despite his Blood Sacrifice Secret Technique.
• Xiao Yan sealed the Blood Sect Leader's remnant soul and killed the remaining Blood Sect disciples.
• Xiao Yan helped the injured Xiao Li take a Healing Pill, then carried him toward a distant town to seek safety and treatment.

Xiao Yan confronted Han Feng while Su Qian and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King fought Han Feng’s hired experts across the Jia Nan Academy plaza. After Yun Yun intervened to protect the injured Xiao Yan, he fused three Heavenly Flames into a Buddha Flame Fire Lotus and defeated Han Feng, who collapsed unconscious with Sea Heart Flame badly damaged.

• Su Qian accused Han Feng of betraying Yao Chen, murdering academy students, and conspiring with Soul Hall, while Han Feng mocked the defenders and summoned five hired experts.
• Two Peak Dou Huang experts attacked Su Qian, three Early Dou Huang experts besieged the Purple Gold Winged Lion King, and Xiao Yan charged Han Feng.
• Han Feng struck Xiao Yan with Sea Heart Flame attacks and a black phantom’s scythe, sending him crashing into a pillar and leaving him injured.
• Yun Yun arrived and fought Han Feng, giving Xiao Yan time to begin forming a Buddha Flame Fire Lotus from Green Lotus Core Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, and Myriad Beast Spirit Fire.
• Xiao Yan launched the completed Three-Colored Buddha Flame Fire Lotus, which overwhelmed Han Feng’s defenses and blasted him into the western mountain wall.
• Han Feng emerged severely burned with Sea Heart Flame weakened, then collapsed unconscious as Xiao Yan’s victory ended the battle.

Xiao Yan tried to extract Han Feng’s soul, but a Soul Devouring Envoy arrived, stole Han Feng’s soul and the Sea Heart Flame, and threatened to take Yao Chen’s soul. Cai Lin protected Xiao Yan, and after the envoy escaped, Xiao Yan turned to the ongoing battle across the plaza.

• Xiao Yan approached the unconscious Han Feng to extract his soul, but a cloaked Soul Devouring Envoy appeared and forcibly took Han Feng’s soul and the Sea Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yan attacked the envoy, who wounded him with a sinister chain, but Cai Lin intervened and shielded him.
• The envoy questioned Xiao Yan about Yao Chen’s soul, then escaped with Han Feng’s soul after warning that he would return for Yao Chen.
• Cai Lin treated Xiao Yan’s wound, and Xiao Yan removed Han Feng’s Storage Ring and secured his corpse.
• Xiao Yan saw that Su Qian was struggling against two Peak Dou Huang opponents and that the Purple Gold Winged Lion King was being worn down by three Soul Hall experts.

Cai Lin, Xiao Yan, and the Purple Gold Winged Lion King defeated the Soul Hall attackers and secured Jia Nan Academy. After warning that Soul Hall would return, Xiao Yan ordered everyone to treat the injured, clear the plaza, and strengthen the academy’s defenses.

• Cai Lin shattered a Peak Dou Huang Soul Hall expert’s shield and killed him with her seven-colored greatsword.
• Xiao Yan and Su Qian overcame another Peak Dou Huang, and Xiao Yan killed him with the Black Heavy Ruler and Fallen Heart Flame.
• The Purple Gold Winged Lion King and Cai Lin killed one early-stage Dou Huang Soul Hall expert, while Xiao Yan trapped the last two and extracted their souls.
• Xiao Yan stored the seven attackers’ remnant souls and corpses in his Storage Ring.
• Xiao Yan, Cai Lin, and Su Qian discussed the threat of Soul Hall, and Xiao Yan directed the survivors to treat the wounded, clean the battlefield, and reinforce Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Yan used Han Feng’s pill stockpile to plan a high-profile auction in the Black Corner Region, aiming to strengthen the Xiao Clan and attract capable allies. The auction succeeded, and Xiao Li returned to Jia Nan Academy with great wealth, rare materials, and new recruits, leaving the clan poised to expand.

• Xiao Yan discovered Han Feng’s trove of pills and treasures, including a Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, then asked Xiao Li to auction the stockpile in the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Li recruited thirty Xiao Clan disciples and secured support from Elder Su Qian, who assigned two Dou Wang elders and five Dou Ling stewards to protect the expedition.
• A Hu and A Li arranged the auction with Pavilion Master Qian at the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, and news of the rare pills drew cultivators and major factions to Black Emperor City.
• At the auction, Old Ghost Flowing Sand bought the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill for three million five hundred thousand Gold Coins, while the sale of Han Feng’s pills brought in nearly thirty million Gold Coins and rare materials.
• Xiao Li recruited nearly thirty independent cultivators, including alchemists, forgers, and fighters, and returned to Jia Nan Academy with them and the auction proceeds.
• Xiao Li gave Xiao Yan a Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma to aid his Blazing Art cultivation, and the brothers welcomed the new resources and recruits as the Xiao Clan’s foundation grew stronger.