Chapter Summaries

Lin Xia woke after more than ten days unconscious to find his body and Larvitar transformed, while Lou Gao explained how a phoenix-like Ancient Great Beast had revived them after the Sun Essence nearly destroyed them. Lin Xia discovered a mysterious Phoenix Mark linked to Larvitar and realized they had become involved in something extraordinary.

• Lin Xia awoke with immense physical strength and found that Larvitar's red shell could fade back to its original appearance.
• Lin Xia rushed to Lou Gao, relieved to find his teacher alive, and asked what had happened during his absence.
• Lou Gao recounted how the Sun Essence reduced Lin Xia to a glowing skeleton and how crazed Volcanic Soul Beasts nearly destroyed him and Larvitar.
• A flaming phoenix phantom emerged from the Ore Vein, revived Lin Xia and Larvitar, and left matching Phoenix Marks on them before taking the Soul Beast corpses and disappearing.
• Lou Gao revealed that Lin Xia and Larvitar had spent more than ten days consuming nearly half the Ore Vein before waking.
• Lin Xia examined his new power and Phoenix Mark, then told Lou Gao that they seemed to have become involved in something extraordinary.

Lin Xia discovered that the Phoenix Mark had awakened new fire powers and dramatically strengthened his body. He and Larvitar demonstrated their abilities in the ore cave, while the mark’s possible connection to a divine inheritance remained uncertain.

• Lin Xia wondered whether the Phoenix Mark was connected to the Phoenix God's Inheritance and considered that the Extreme South Volcanic Belt might also contain the Fire God's Inheritance.
• Lou Gao asked Lin Xia about his condition, and Lin Xia sensed that his Soul Power had reached Level Twenty and that he had gained new fire moves.
• Lin Xia used Flame Fist to blast apart a massive slab of Obsidian.
• Lin Xia manifested Flame Fang, and Larvitar copied the move to crush and melt a piece of Mineral Ore.
• Lin Xia pierced an Obsidian pillar with his bare hand, pulled it from the ground, and smashed it down hard enough to shake the ore cave.

After the Sun Essence transformed Lin Xia and Larvitar, Lin Xia concluded that a divine being had guided the change and revealed the Flame Giant Bird was likely the God of Phoenix. The chapter ended with Lou Gao suspecting that Lin Xia’s mark was the sign of a Phoenix Divine Trial.

• Lin Xia discovered that his physical strength and defense had reached at least the Soul Ancestor level, possibly the Soul King level, while Larvitar showed off its hardened carapace.
• Lou Gao reasoned that the Sun Essence alone could not explain their transformation and believed the Flame Giant Bird’s power had reshaped them and granted their talents.
• Lin Xia agreed that the Flame Giant Bird had guided the Sun Essence and proposed that it was a god rather than a soul beast.
• Lin Xia argued that the being’s life-level suppression, power to revive and remake them, and control over the volcanic region proved it was divine.
• Lin Xia connected the Flame Giant Bird to an ancient account of a phoenix deity in the southern Flame Domain and identified it as the God of Phoenix.
• Lou Gao accepted Lin Xia’s reasoning and suspected that the mark had chosen Lin Xia and Larvitar for the Phoenix Divine Trial.

Lin Xia persuaded Lou Gao to risk entering the God Trial and worked out how to activate it using their Phoenix Marks and the Ore Vein's fire energy. As Larvitar revealed its Lava Form and Lin Xia lit his mark, they began trying to open the trial's next stage.

• Lin Xia told Lou Gao that the Ore Vein's core was likely the entrance to the God Trial, and Lou Gao warned him about its deadly risks.
• Lin Xia argued that they should seize the chance rather than live with regret, and Lou Gao agreed to face the trial with him.
• Lin Xia proposed that the Heart of Fire Source lay in the Ore Vein's core and that their Phoenix Marks could draw out the Ancient Magic Array.
• Lin Xia asked Larvitar to reveal its Lava Form and release its fire power, and Larvitar's Phoenix Mark resonated with his.
• Lin Xia guided his fire power into his Phoenix Mark, which erupted in brilliant crimson-gold light.

Lin Xia and Larvitar activated the marks, causing the Ancient Magic Array to reappear and the Sun Essence Ore Vein to melt. The God of Phoenix manifested to stop the process, and Lin Xia thanked it for saving his life as he faced its immense divine pressure.

• Lin Xia and Larvitar's marks resonated, making the Ancient Magic Array reappear and causing the Sun Essence Ore Vein to dissolve into molten Sun Essence.
• Larvitar panicked over the melting ore and dragged Lin Xia toward it, hoping to save his food.
• A powerful voice stopped them, extinguished the connection to the array, and froze the molten Sun Essence.
• The Sun Essence gathered into the enormous Flame Phoenix, revealing the physical manifestation of the God of Phoenix.
• Lin Xia bowed to the God of Phoenix and thanked it for saving his life, while holding himself steady beneath its gaze.

Lin Xia asked the God of Phoenix to let Lou Gao accept the Phoenix inheritance, arguing that his teacher’s lifelong dedication to forging and mastery of fire could make up for his age and lack of potential. The God of Phoenix had warned that Lou Gao would likely die in even the first trial, but Lin Xia insisted that the inheritance might value perseverance and devotion to the path of fire.

• The God of Phoenix ordered Lin Xia and Lou Gao to leave the inheritance grounds after they received their benefits.
• Lin Xia refused to leave and asked to accept the God of Phoenix’s inheritance, shocking Lou Gao and the god.
• The God of Phoenix explained that Lin Xia’s sand-and-rock Martial Soul was incompatible with the inheritance, while Lou Gao would likely be incinerated by the first trial.
• Lin Xia admitted he did not seek the inheritance for himself and named Lou Gao as the one he wanted to receive it.
• Lin Xia argued that Lou Gao’s lifetime of forging, steadfast will, and devotion to fire could awaken the potential needed to endure the God Trial.

Lin Xia persuaded the God of Phoenix to give Lou Gao a chance at its trial, and Lou Gao accepted despite the risk of death. The God of Phoenix sent a stream of divine light into Lou Gao, beginning his trial.

• Lin Xia argued that Lou Gao's determination and dormant potential made him worthy of a God Trial.
• The God of Phoenix offered Lou Gao a deadly trial and demanded that he declare his readiness.
• Lin Xia and Larvitar vowed to face the danger, and Lou Gao accepted the trial without fear.
• The God of Phoenix sent condensed crimson-gold light into Lou Gao's chest.

The God of Phoenix branded Lou Gao with a Phoenix Divine Trial, gave him a mountain of Sun Essence Companion Ore, and warned the group not to damage the Sun Essence source further. Lou Gao learned that his first trial was simply called “Bathed in Fire,” with no other instructions.

• The God of Phoenix branded Lou Gao with a Crimson Gold Phoenix Mark and swept the scattered Sun Essence Companion Ore into a pile for Lin Xia and Larvitar.
• The God of Phoenix warned them not to ravage the Sun Essence source again, then vanished into the Ore Vein Core.
• Larvitar eagerly lunged at the ore pile and began eating a fire-attribute ore.
• Lin Xia checked on Lou Gao, who revealed that the God of Phoenix had granted him a nine-trial Phoenix Divine Trial.
• Lou Gao told Lin Xia that his first trial was called “Bathed in Fire,” but he had received no further instructions.

Lin Xia interpreted Lou Gao’s Phoenix God Trial as a baptism by fire and helped him use the Phoenix Mark to draw out its power. Lou Gao’s body and Soul Power began burning under the divine flames, leaving Lin Xia terrified that he had sent his teacher to his death.

• Lin Xia explained that Lou Gao’s “Bathed in Fire” trial might require him to burn through destruction and achieve rebirth, like a phoenix’s nirvana.
• Lin Xia advised Lou Gao to focus on the Phoenix Mark and use it to guide the divine fire within him.
• Lou Gao connected with the mark, which released a far more powerful blaze that began incinerating his body, Soul Power, and Martial Soul.
• Lin Xia and Larvitar watched helplessly as Lou Gao endured the flames, while he clung to his Craftsman’s resolve.
• Lin Xia regretted pushing Lou Gao toward the God Trial and thought of the safer preparation he had planned at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Lin Xia reached out to the Phoenix God through his mark and was drawn into the consciousness space of the Phoenix Divine Trial. There he saw Lou Gao’s Soul Origin being consumed by the Divine Fire, leaving his teacher on the brink of destruction.

• Lin Xia tried to reach Lou Gao through the flames, then focused his Soul Power and Spiritual Power on his Phoenix Mark for help.
• The Phoenix Mark blazed white, and the Phoenix God’s consciousness seized Lin Xia’s soul before it could be destroyed by the mark’s power.
• Lin Xia awoke in the vast fire-filled consciousness space of the first Phoenix Divine Trial, Bathed in Fire.
• Lin Xia saw Lou Gao’s fragile Soul Origin withering as the Divine Fire stripped away his memories, will, and Soul Power foundation.

Lin Xia watched Lou Gao’s soul nearly perish in the Divine Fire before Lou Gao’s ironlike craftsman’s will awakened and flooded Lin Xia with the memories and insights behind his lifelong pursuit of forging. The chapter left Lou Gao’s survival uncertain as his will began to fuse with golden-red energy from the flames.

• Lin Xia remained powerless as the Divine Fire burned away nearly half of Lou Gao’s soul and brought it close to annihilation.
• A dark-gold Divine Craftsman’s Heart emerged within Lou Gao’s fading soul and resisted the flames’ destruction.
• Fine strands of warm golden-red energy separated from the Divine Fire and wound around Lou Gao’s stubborn will.
• Lou Gao’s immense obsession burst through the Phoenix Will’s barrier and flooded into Lin Xia’s consciousness.
• Lin Xia experienced Lou Gao’s lifelong memories of forging and recognized the path that had become the cornerstone of his teacher’s soul.

Lin Xia witnessed Lou Gao turn the Phoenix divine fire into a force that reforged and greatly strengthened his soul and body. After a day and a night, the cocoon vanished and Lou Gao awakened, leaving Lin Xia and Larvitar to greet him.

• Lin Xia realized Lou Gao was using his lifelong craftsman's will to confront the divine fire.
• Lou Gao's Dark Gold Will absorbed and fused with the Phoenix divine fire, restoring his soul and strengthening it beyond its former state.
• The Phoenix Will released Lin Xia from the consciousness space, and he returned to the Ore Cave to see Lou Gao's body being rebuilt inside a golden-red cocoon.
• Lin Xia stayed beside Lou Gao for a day and a night while Larvitar ate the gifted mineral ore.
• The cocoon contracted into Lou Gao, who exhaled deeply as Larvitar stopped chewing and Lin Xia called out to his teacher.

Lou Gao completed his transformation after receiving the God of Phoenix’s favor, evolving his Martial Soul and reaching Level Eighty. He thanked Lin Xia for securing his chance at rebirth and said the God of Phoenix had granted him preliminary recognition.

• Lou Gao opened his eyes after his transformation and discovered that his body had regained its strength and youth.
• Lou Gao summoned his evolved Martial Soul, the Phoenix Divine Chisel, whose power surpassed that of his former Diamond Chisel.
• Lou Gao’s suppressed Soul Power erupted, breaking through the Soul Saint realm and rising to Level Eighty, Soul Douluo.
• Lou Gao celebrated his newfound power and thanked Lin Xia for pleading with the god to spare him.
• Lou Gao declared that the God of Phoenix had granted him preliminary recognition.

Lou Gao celebrated his rebirth and the power he gained by passing the Phoenix Divine Trial’s first trial, then learned his second trial required five years of seclusion in Norton Volcano. Lin Xia was shocked as Lou Gao explained that he had to forge his soul and master the power of his reborn body near the Sun Essence Ore Vein Core.

• Lou Gao thanked Lin Xia for helping him pass the “Bathed in Fire” trial and vowed to devote himself to the Phoenix Divine Trial.
• Lin Xia congratulated Lou Gao on reaching Rank 80, evolving his Martial Soul, and gaining a Divine Bone and an ascended soul.
• Lou Gao’s joy faded when he told Lin Xia that his second God Trial had arrived.
• Lou Gao revealed that the trial required him to remain on the mountain for five years and forge his soul in the volcanic environment.
• Lou Gao explained that he had to harmonize his reborn soul power, Divine Bone, and Phoenix Divine Chisel while comprehending the Flame Law and Nirvana True Meaning.

Lin Xia reassured Lou Gao that he could continue their Soul Tool research while Lou Gao completed the Phoenix God’s five-year trial at Norton Volcano. Lou Gao accepted the trial and entrusted their plans for the outside world to his disciple.

• Lin Xia realized Lou Gao’s five-year God Trial would interrupt their crucial Soul Tool Mech research.
• Lin Xia told Lou Gao to pursue the trial and promised to carry on the research using the forging knowledge he had inherited.
• Lin Xia demonstrated his skill by shaping an ore fragment into a small Soul Tool Core Array gear.
• Lin Xia promised to coordinate with Si Long and Si Yu and record difficult problems for Lou Gao to address later.
• Lou Gao set out to forge his Divine Bone, Tool Martial Soul, and Soul of Nirvana into a foundation worthy of the Phoenix God’s seat, entrusting their dreams to Lin Xia.

After three days of learning from Lou Gao, Lin Xia left Norton Volcano to seek a suitable second Soul Ring. He crossed the volcanic belt and reached the Far West Desert, where he began his search for a Sandstorm Worm King.

• Lin Xia practiced forging techniques and refined Soul Tool designs while Larvitar absorbed the Phoenix God’s Companion Ores.
• Lou Gao urged Lin Xia to survive and choose his Soul Rings carefully, then sent him out to find a suitable beast for his second ring.
• Lin Xia chose the Sandstorm Worm King in the Far West Desert as his target, hoping to gain Sand Force for his Martial Soul.
• Lin Xia and Larvitar trekked west for more than a month and a half, overcoming the volcanic belt’s harsh terrain and Soul Beasts.
• Lin Xia and Larvitar reached the Far West Desert, where scorching days and freezing nights greeted them.

Lin Xia and Larvitar crossed the Quicksand Death Zone in search of the Sandstorm Worm King, enduring harsh conditions and ambushes along the way. After the king attacked, Larvitar used Dig to evade its crushing bite, and Lin Xia prepared for their counterattack as they burst back above the sand.

• Lin Xia used his sand-sensing abilities to guide them through the desert while they endured dwindling water supplies and sudden sandstorms.
• Lin Xia reached the Sandstorm Wyrms’ nesting grounds and carefully searched for the Sandstorm Worm King as Larvitar stood ready beside him.
• The Sandstorm Worm King trapped Lin Xia in a quicksand vortex and lunged at him with its rotating mouthparts.
• Larvitar grabbed Lin Xia and used Dig to escape beneath the sand just before the Worm King crushed their former position.
• The Worm King sensed them moving underground and pursued them, so Lin Xia called for Larvitar to burst out of the sand.

Lin Xia and Larvitar tested their training by attacking the Sandstorm Wyrm King with Phoenix-powered fire, badly damaging its carapace. The wounded beast retaliated with Quicksand Abyss, trapping Lin Xia and Larvitar in rapidly sinking sand.

• Lin Xia ordered Larvitar to meet the charging Sandstorm Wyrm King with Flame Fist.
• Larvitar melted the wyrm's Sand Crystal Carapace and sent it flying, leaving its body encased in hardened Glazed Crystal.
• Lin Xia ordered Larvitar to unleash maximum-power Flamethrower on the exposed, crystallized area.
• Larvitar shattered the crystal armor and burned the wyrm, destroying much of its defensive carapace.
• The Sandstorm Wyrm King used Quicksand Abyss, and the sand swallowed Lin Xia and Larvitar as they struggled to escape.

Lin Xia and Larvitar turned the Sandstorm Wyrm King’s final charge into an opening, landing a devastating combined attack that left it near death. As they prepared to finish the fight and absorb its Soul Ring, the Wyrm King began a strange, desperate contraction, and Lin Xia warned Larvitar that something was wrong.

• The Sandstorm Wyrm King lunged at Lin Xia and Larvitar despite its severe injuries.
• Lin Xia ordered Larvitar to use Flamethrower on the quicksand, hardening it into a glassy foothold.
• Lin Xia struck the Wyrm King’s open mouth with Thunder Punch and Flame Fist, devastating it from within.
• The Wyrm King howled and writhed, leaving Lin Xia convinced it was close to death; he told Larvitar to prepare to absorb its Soul Ring.
• As Lin Xia and Larvitar moved to deliver the final blow, the Wyrm King began a strange contraction, and Lin Xia shouted a warning.

The Sandstorm Wyrm King disintegrated into thousands of sand-made Small Sandstorm Wyrms that fled in every direction. Lin Xia and Larvitar combined their fire-infused sandstorms into a massive wall of scorching sand to stop them.

• The Sandstorm Wyrm King disintegrated, and its grains of sand reassembled into thousands of Small Sandstorm Wyrms that scattered to escape.
• Lin Xia realized the Sandstorm Wyrm King had an unknown escape ability and ordered Larvitar to raise a sandstorm and release its fire-element energy.
• Larvitar created a vast sandstorm and infused it with the crimson-gold flames from its Phoenix Divine Marks.
• Lin Xia raised another fire-infused sandstorm and merged it with Larvitar's, forming a thousand-meter-wide wall of blazing sand.
• The fleeing Small Sandstorm Wyrms ran into the scorching wall of death from every direction.