Chapter Summaries

Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan alchemy formulas and the Xuan Heavy Ruler, then put him through punishing training with extra restraints. After Xiao Yan returned home exhausted, Yao Lao revealed that he had detected Ling Ying hiding in the courtyard.

• Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan precious low-tier medicinal formulas and warned him to handle them carefully.
• Yao Lao presented Xiao Yan with the Dou Qi-suppressing Xuan Heavy Ruler and additional restraints that nearly sealed his strength.
• Xun Er waited for Xiao Yan in his courtyard and rushed to help when he returned carrying the heavy ruler.
• Xun Er accidentally dropped the ruler, smashing the courtyard path, and Xiao Yan comforted her and advised her to ask before acting.
• Yao Lao warned Xiao Yan that a powerful intruder was hiding nearby, identifying Ling Ying as the person he had detected.

Xiao Yan joined Xiao Mei and the others in celebrating Xiao Ning’s breakthrough, insisting that the clan needed new pillars despite his own decline. Xiao Yu learned that the Xiao Clan had gained an alchemist’s help and was distributing high-quality medicine, while Xiao Ning revealed the clan had kept this development from her.

• Xiao Yan discovered the group hiding plans to celebrate Xiao Ning’s breakthrough and asked to join them.
• Xiao Yan said he did not resent the clan’s other young talents and urged everyone to help strengthen the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Yu scolded Xiao Ning for his slow progress and learned he believed the clan had found a shortcut to training.
• Xiao Ning told Xiao Yu that the clan head had found an alchemist and that the clan’s resources and supplies had improved.
• Xiao Yu examined Xiao Ning’s healing medicine and judged its quality nearly comparable to second-grade medicine from Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Yu learned how much the Xiao Clan had prospered through its high-quality medicines and worried that its success could draw powerful enemies to Wutan City. The clan elders discussed a mercenary group’s proposed barter deal, but the chapter left the decision unresolved.

• Xiao Yu tested the Xiao Clan’s medicinal liquid and warned Xiao Ning that the clan’s success could attract rivals and powerful enemies.
• Xiao Ning offered Xiao Yu several bottles of medicine and invited her to share a meal with their father, who was leaving his post that night.
• The First Elder obsessively counted the Xiao Clan’s new wealth while Xiao Zhan and the other elders discussed a mercenary group seeking a steady supply of goods.
• The Third Elder judged Mu She’s mercenary group to be vicious, poorly funded, and badly managed, leading the Second Elder to question whether the Xiao Clan should make the deal.

Xiao Zhan and the elders debated whether the Xiao Clan should build a commercial alliance with the local Mercenary Groups, weighing the profits against the danger of provoking powerful rivals. The decision was postponed, and Xiao Yan headed to Back Mountain to train with the Xuan Heavy Ruler.

• The Second Elder urged the Xiao Clan to refuse involvement with the Mercenary Groups, while the Third Elder proposed using trade to build lasting ties and gain allies.
• Xiao Zhan suggested that the Xiao Clan lead the creation of a Mercenary Guild, but the elders warned that the plan could provoke the Jia Ma Empire, the Mite'er Family, and other powerful forces.
• Xiao Zhan hesitated to risk the clan's stability and the younger generation's future, and the First Elder offered to seek help from the Lion Heart Marshal if necessary.
• A maid announced that Xiao Yu had arrived, and the Xiao Clan's leaders prepared to welcome her with gifts.
• Xiao Yan left the clan manor for Back Mountain and moved through the trees while training with the Xuan Heavy Ruler.

Xiao Yan trained his movement and combat techniques while Yao Lao tested him with a series of dangerous attacks. After Xiao Yan survived the trial and damaged his wrist bracelet, Yao Lao repaired it, and Xiao Yan noticed its seal had loosened slightly.

• Xiao Yan practiced Instant Step through the forest as Yao Lao observed his progress.
• Yao Lao sent falling trees and a cutting dust storm at Xiao Yan, who countered with Eight Extremities Collapse, Breath Fire Palm, and Wave Devouring Ruler.
• Yao Lao's bone-white flame nearly struck Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan dodged it with Suction Palm.
• Xiao Yan complained that Yao Lao's test was too dangerous and showed him a crack in his bracelet.
• Yao Lao repaired the bracelet, and Xiao Yan noticed its endurance had increased while its seal had loosened.

Yao Lao explained that Xiao Yan’s unusual strength required him to limit his cultivation while they studied the three clusters of Dou Qi in his body. He warned that reaching Dou Zong would introduce spatial power and risk upsetting their balance, then told Xiao Yan to continue the unfinished pill assessment.

• Yao Lao explained that his modified bracelets could seal the amount of Dou Qi Xiao Yan stored and limit how much he released, with their effects scaling up to Dou Wang.
• Yao Lao described Dou Di Bloodlines and said their clans held a dominant position across the continent, then called Dou Zong the first true cultivation threshold.
• Xiao Yan argued that his talent should let him advance, but Yao Lao said he had delayed Xiao Yan’s progress because he did not know how Dou Zong’s spatial power would affect the three clusters of Dou Qi in his body.
• Yao Lao said Xiao Yan would have to keep cultivating his self-created qi and blood and his metallic qi according to his own discoveries, though their research had made progress.
• Yao Lao set down a medicinal cauldron and ordered Xiao Yan to refine the pill because the assessment was not over.

Xiao Yan refined dozens of batches of medicinal ingredients at once, producing a potent medicinal paste after his cauldron exploded. Yao Lao explained the mishap and teased Xiao Yan about Xun Er, who was waiting for him at home.

• Xiao Yan threw large quantities of herbs and magic cores into the cauldron, then triggered an explosion while trying to condense the medicine.
• Xiao Yan recovered a fist-sized lump of medicinal paste, and Yao Lao identified it as a Third Grade medicine too potent for someone at the Dou Qi stage to use safely.
• Yao Lao explained that excess waste caused the explosion and advised Xiao Yan how to handle the refining process next time.
• Yao Lao suggested Xiao Yan give the paste to his supposed little girlfriend, but Xiao Yan insisted that he and Xun Er were brother and sister.
• Xun Er sat on the steps, lamenting that Brother Xiao Yan had not visited her in a long time, and Ling Ying reminded her that Back Mountain was nearby.

Xiao Yan gave Xun Er meridian-nourishing ointment and called her his little sister, leaving her dejected until he invited her to the marketplace. Elsewhere, Nalan Yanran demonstrated her swordsmanship and advancement to Dou Zhe, while Elder Yun Leng criticized her choice to cultivate without a Qi Gathering Powder.

• Ling Ying fretted over Xun Er's feelings for Xiao Yan, but she rebuked him for trying to interfere in her affairs.
• Xiao Yan brought Xun Er a Third Grade ointment to nurture and protect her frail meridians.
• Xun Er eagerly accepted Xiao Yan's gift, then grew unhappy when he called her his little sister.
• Xiao Yan invited Xun Er to stroll around the Xiao Clan Marketplace, and she eagerly grabbed his arm to go with him.
• Nalan Yanran displayed her swordsmanship and earned praise for reaching Dou Zhe without a Qi Gathering Powder, while Elder Yun Leng criticized her decision.

Nalan Yanran helped Yun Yun handle the Misty Cloud Sect’s paperwork and learned why Yun Yun delegated its affairs despite being Sect Leader. The conversation ended with Nalan Yanran telling her teacher about her marriage engagement and promising not to put her in a difficult position.

• Yun Yun told Nalan Yanran to take the sect documents to the elders, then let her stamp them as Acting Sect Leader.
• Nalan Yanran stamped dozens of documents with the “Act as Circumstances Dictate” seal and questioned Yun Yun about her hands-off approach.
• Yun Yun explained that her authority came from being a Dou Emperor and that the Sect Leader’s strength kept the sect’s elders and allies in line.
• Nalan Yanran understood Yun Yun’s explanation and told her that she had a marriage engagement, though nothing had happened between her and the man.
• Yun Yun urged Nalan Yanran not to put her in a difficult position, and Nalan Yanran promised she would respect the boundaries.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er visited the market district, where Yao Lao praised Xiao Yan for how he managed its mercenaries. When a customer began causing trouble, Xun Er offered to deal with him.

• The market guards greeted Xiao Yan and Xun Er, and one guard warned his companion to respect Xiao Yan because he supported the mercenaries and paid their wages.
• Yao Lao praised Xiao Yan for providing the mercenaries with stable work and support, while Xiao Yan privately acknowledged that he wanted them ready to protect the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Yan offered to buy Xun Er anything she wanted, and she eagerly agreed to browse the shops with him.
• A customer shouted at a seller, and Xun Er asked Xiao Yan if she could go deal with him.

Galeo accused a shopkeeper in the Xiao Clan Marketplace of selling overpriced fake goods, but Xiao Yan arrived and challenged his claims. After establishing that the necklace was genuine and fairly priced, Xiao Yan left Galeo humiliated and assured the crowd that the Xiao Clan would protect customers from dishonest trade.

• Galeo publicly accused the shopkeeper of selling a fake necklace and stirred up the crowd.
• Xiao Yan arrived with guards and confronted Galeo, whose own guards were quickly subdued.
• Galeo tried to justify his complaint, but Xiao Yan frightened him into silence with the Xuan Heavy Ruler.
• Xiao Yan examined the necklace, confirmed its first-rank magic core was genuine, and asked the shopkeeper to show its price.
• A local trader said the necklace was worth a little over nine hundred, and Xiao Yan declared that the Xiao Clan Marketplace would uphold fair trade.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er spent the evening talking about his future, his feelings, and the responsibilities he would accept. Xun Er felt at home with him and the Xiao family, and the two headed back together.

• Xiao Yan and Xun Er walked through the streets after Galeo was taken away, and Xun Er told Xiao Yan how much she had enjoyed watching him stand up to Galeo.
• Xiao Yan said he planned to travel after handling matters at home, but that he would eventually return to the Xiao Clan; he also said he would prioritize responsibility while pursuing his own feelings where possible.
• Xun Er asked whether Xiao Yan liked anyone and what kind of person he wanted, and he said he had no one in mind and believed affection could grow through spending time together.
• Xiao Yan told Xun Er to follow her heart and face responsibilities without running away, and she thanked him for caring for her like an older brother.
• Xiao Yan offered Xun Er his hand and told her it was time to go home.

Xiao Yan declined the clan test and discussed an impending departure with the First Elder, while privately reflecting on Nalan Yanran’s planned annulment of their engagement. The chapter ended with Xiao Yan reuniting with Xun Er and teasing her about her health and appetite.

• Xiao Yan told the First Elder that taking the test would make no difference, then revealed that he had taken a master and that he planned to leave after resolving some matters.
• The First Elder announced that Xiao Yan had given up the test and hinted to the steward that people would soon be sent out of the clan.
• Xiao Yan thought about Nalan Yanran’s approaching visit to annul their engagement and blamed her for using her position in the Misty Cloud Sect to pressure him and the Xiao Clan.
• Xun Er surprised Xiao Yan from behind, and he teased her about being a little pig before expressing concern over her frail health.

Nalan Yanran asked Xiao Zhan to dissolve her marriage agreement with Xiao Yan on behalf of the Misty Cloud Sect, prompting the Xiao Clan to reveal its formidable strength. Xiao Yan arrived as tensions rose, leaving the confrontation poised to continue.

• Steward Mo searched for Xiao Yan while Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran arrived at the Xiao Clan's Main Hall.
• The elders recognized Nalan Yanran and assessed the Misty Cloud Sect party's strength as Ge Ye struggled to explain their purpose.
• Nalan Yanran asked Xiao Zhan to dissolve her marriage agreement with Xiao Yan, and Xiao Zhan crushed his jade cup in response.
• Ge Ye sensed danger as sixteen Dou Shi and three Xiao Clan elders surrounded and pressured him.
• Nalan Yanran urged Xiao Zhan not to escalate the confrontation, but Xiao Yan entered the hall and asked whether she was threatening the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan confronted Nalan Yanran over her attempt to annul their marriage agreement, showing her how the Misty Cloud Sect’s authority had shaped the confrontation. He led her outside to speak privately, where she asked whether she could have been forced if he had never come.

• Xiao Yan pinned Nalan Yanran’s Five Star Dou Zhe lackey to a chair with the Black Ruler, revealing that he was not crippled.
• Xiao Yan accused Nalan Yanran of using the Misty Cloud Sect’s influence to annul the engagement and damage the Xiao Clan’s reputation.
• Nalan Yanran insisted the decision was hers alone, but Xiao Yan challenged her claim and pointed out that everyone had been acting under the pressure of her status.
• Xiao Yan showed Nalan Yanran that her visiting card named the Misty Cloud Sect, then took her outside to talk while Ge Ye and the others stayed in the Main Hall.
• Nalan Yanran asked Xiao Yan whether anyone could have forced her if he had never come, and he replied that no one could have.

Xiao Yan overwhelmed Nalan Yanran with his strength and rejected the idea that her annulment mattered to him, while Xiao Zhan and the elders presented the agreement dissolving the families’ betrothal. Nalan challenged Xiao Yan to a duel in three years, promising to accept any consequence if she lost.

• Xiao Yan confronted Nalan Yanran over her contempt for the Xiao Clan and questioned whether she would have sought an annulment if he had remained a genius.
• Xiao Yan released his immense Dou Qi and held the Black Ruler over Nalan Yanran, leaving her unable to move before he withdrew his pressure.
• Xiao Yan told Nalan Yanran that he did not care about the annulment and called her and others petty clowns.
• Xiao Zhan brought out the contract dissolving the agreement between the Xiao and Nalan families, and the First Elder told Nalan Yanran to take it back.
• Nalan Yanran challenged Xiao Yan to fight her in three years, promising to let him do as he pleased if she lost.

Xiao Yan ended the engagement dispute by sending Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect away, while Xun Er learned that rival families were preparing to target the Xiao Clan and considered striking first. The chapter left Galeo Bi seeking help from a Fourth Grade Alchemist, who acknowledged the Xiao Clan’s alchemist was capable.

• Xiao Yan criticized Nalan Yanran for disowning responsibility as the Misty Cloud Sect’s Young Sect Master and declared the annulment matter finished.
• Ling Ying told Xun Er that the Jia Lie Family and other forces were likely preparing to attack the Xiao Clan, with a Dou Ling alchemist aiding the Jia Lie Family.
• Xun Er asked Ling Ying to deal with the hostile forces, then decided to wait until they acted before ordering a massacre.
• Galeo Bi fawned over a thin old Fourth Grade Alchemist, who said the Xiao Clan’s alchemist had some ability.

An old Fourth Grade Alchemist suspected that the Xiao Clan’s new alchemist threatened the Mountain Foothills market and left two men to investigate. Xiao Yan and Yao Lao observed the plot, and Yao Lao prepared a deadly attack on the old man.

• The old alchemist examined Galeo Bi’s pills, suspected a powerful Xiao Clan alchemist was behind them, and decided to probe the situation.
• The old man left two alchemists, Liu Xi and a muscular man, to handle the marketplace while Galeo Bi promised to support them.
• Xiao Yan and Yao Lao watched the group, and Xiao Yan was disgusted by the men’s behavior as Galeo Bi tried to entertain them.
• Yao Lao dropped Xiao Yan from the sky as a prank, but Xiao Yan used his wings of blazing light to stop his fall.
• Yao Lao judged that the old alchemist was acting alone and formed an icy spear, preparing to attack him from afar.

Xiao Yan chose to keep Yao Lao hidden while he considered his path and promised to help him settle his grudge. When the Galeo and Oba families used Nalan Yanran’s annulment to stir up public opinion against the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan stepped forward to confront them.

• Xiao Yan decided not to have Yao Lao act yet, reasoning that the Xiao Clan could rely on another faction to bear the Jia Ma Empire’s scrutiny.
• Xiao Yan told Yao Lao that he intended to care for the Xiao Clan, support Xiao Zhan, refine Yao Lao a body, and avenge him when he was strong enough.
• A messenger told Xiao Zhan that the Galeo and Oba families had gathered people at the Xiao Clan’s market and were spreading news of Nalan Yanran’s annulment.
• The First Elder went to the marketplace while Xiao Zhan suppressed his anger and the Third Elder urged him to be patient.
• Galeo Bi publicly mocked Xiao Yan over the annulment as the crowd discussed the Xiao Clan’s apparent submission to the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Yan stopped the guard captain from attacking Galeo Bi and stepped forward to defend the Xiao Clan’s reputation.

Xiao Yan confronted Galeo Bi at the Xiao Clan Marketplace, then watched the First Elder emerge and overpower the Jia Lie Family patriarch. Galeo Bi realized the Xiao Clan had concealed a Dou Ling expert.

• Xiao Yan faced Galeo Bi, who accused him of humiliating his son and mocked him over his engagement.
• Xiao Yan challenged Galeo Bi to confirm his claims about the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, and Galeo Bi panicked and attacked.
• The guard captain and the Xiao Clan guards launched attacks at Galeo Bi, but he formed Dou Qi Armor and unleashed a blast that scattered them.
• The First Elder appeared from the dust and sent Galeo Bi flying with his wind pressure.
• Galeo Bi recognized the First Elder as a Dou Ling and wondered why the Xiao Clan had kept him hidden.