Chapter Summaries

Gu Long treated Yun Yun after her internal injuries worsened, extracting the Amethyst Winged Lion King's hidden Purple Flame and giving her a healing pill. Yun Yun woke embarrassed and angry, but acknowledged that he had saved her; her Dou Qi remained sealed, leaving her dependent on him as their uncertain journey continued.

• Yun Yun lost consciousness as her injuries flared, and Gu Long found a concealed cave where he could treat her.
• Gu Long removed the Purple Flame lodged near Yun Yun's heart meridians and gave her a healing pill.
• Yun Yun woke, realized Gu Long had treated the injury beneath her clothing, and confronted him in humiliation and anger.
• Gu Long explained that her life had been at risk, and Yun Yun reluctantly thanked him for saving her.
• Gu Long told Yun Yun that her Dou Qi seal would remain until she had rested for several days, while she wondered who he was and what would happen next.

While Yun Yun recovered in a cave, Gu Long cooked for her and promised to stand guard, easing some of her fear and leaving her with unfamiliar feelings toward him. Yun Yun went to rest but could not stop thinking about him.

• Gu Long finished meditating, roasted river fish, and gave one to the hungry Yun Yun.
• Yun Yun ate the fish and began to feel less hostile toward Gu Long as she remembered his care and his offer to heal Yun Shan.
• Gu Long told Yun Yun to rest for two days while he stood guard by the cave entrance.
• Yun Yun accepted water and a blanket from Gu Long, then lay awake thinking about him.

Gu Long released the recovering Yun Yun and gave her a jade token so they could stay in contact, promising to visit the Misty Cloud Sect and help Yun Shan. Yun Yun returned to the sect with complicated feelings, while Gu Long went deeper into the Monster Mountain Range to deal with the subdued Amethyst Winged Lion King.

• Gu Long told Yun Yun her injuries had stabilized and allowed her to return to the Misty Cloud Sect, promising to help Yun Shan repair his Sea of Dou Qi and break through to Dou Zong.
• Yun Yun asked why Gu Long was helping her and the sect; he described it as an investment and gave her his name and a jade token for communication.
• Gu Long escorted Yun Yun to the edge of the mountain range, where they parted and she headed toward the official road.
• After Yun Yun had left, Gu Long recalled the Dou Ancestor Puppet and went deeper into the Monster Mountain Range to arrange matters with the subdued Amethyst Winged Lion King.
• Yun Yun stopped after leaving Gu Long's sight, studied the jade token, and continued toward the Misty Cloud Sect to stabilize the situation and await his arrival.

Gu Long ordered the Amethyst Winged Lion King to send magical beasts to hunt Xiao Yan, hoping to exhaust him and worsen his cultivation foundation. Xiao Yan barely escaped a coordinated attack with Han Feng’s help, while the hunt across the Monster Mountain Range began.

• Gu Long gave the Amethyst Winged Lion King pills and ordered it to dispatch nearby Fifth-tier Magical Beasts and their hordes to hunt Xiao Yan.
• The Amethyst Winged Lion King relayed the order through the Monster Mountain Range as Gu Long intended to pressure Xiao Yan and test the local beasts.
• Xiao Yan complained to Han Feng about his slow cultivation and aching meridians, then found himself surrounded by a large pack of Wind Wolves.
• Xiao Yan fought the wolves with Suction Palm and Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, but a Fourth-Order Earth-Splitting Stone Bear blocked his escape and badly injured him.
• Han Feng used his Soul Power to frighten the beasts and control Xiao Yan’s escape, leaving Xiao Yan wounded and confused about why they had targeted him.

After enduring a relentless pursuit by Magical Beasts, Xiao Yan reached Qingshan Town and was rescued by the physician Xiao Yi Xian. He began recovering at Myriad Medicine House while Han Feng warned that someone was directing the attacks, leaving Xiao Yan uncertain about his injuries and the plan to seek a Heavenly Flame.

• Xiao Yan fled through the Monster Mountain Range for days, suffering severe wounds, poison, and damage to his meridians as Han Feng helped him escape.
• Han Feng urged Xiao Yan to leave the mountain range, and Xiao Yan struggled for three days to reach Qingshan Town.
• Xiao Yan collapsed at the town entrance, and Xiao Yi Xian caught him and brought him to Myriad Medicine House.
• Xiao Yi Xian treated Xiao Yan's wounds and warned him not to circulate Dou Qi while his meridians healed.
• Han Feng suspected that someone was controlling the Magical Beasts, while Xiao Yan considered Gu Long and then began cautiously recovering.

After recovering at Myriad Medicine House, Xiao Yan tried to leave but became entangled in He Meng’s attempt to intimidate Xiao Yi Xian. Mr. Yao drove off the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, and Xiao Yan left town quietly to avoid bringing Xiao Yi Xian more trouble.

• Xiao Yan thanked Xiao Yi Xian for treating him, accepted herbs to help his meridians, and prepared to leave Myriad Medicine House.
• He Meng and several Wolf Head Mercenary Group members blocked the entrance and threatened Xiao Yi Xian, demanding that she go with them.
• Xiao Yan stood up to He Meng, but his injuries prevented him from fighting effectively, and Xiao Yi Xian threw a medicine jar to stop He Meng from grabbing him.
• Mr. Yao emerged from the rear courtyard, prompting He Meng to retreat with his men.
• Xiao Yi Xian helped Xiao Yan leave through the back door with the medicinal herbs so he would not bring further trouble to Myriad Medicine House.

Xiao Yi Xian revealed that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group was pursuing her because she had found a hidden cave that might contain an expert’s treasure, and she persuaded Xiao Yan to explore it with her. They escaped Qingshan Town for the mountains while He Meng ordered a larger search, and Gu Long watched their departure from afar.

• Xiao Yan hid near the Myriad Medicine Zhai and met Xiao Yi Xian after spotting Wolf Head Mercenary Group scouts watching the area.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan she had discovered a hidden cave in the mountains and showed him an ancient metal fragment she had found inside.
• She explained that He Meng had seen the fragment and was trying to force her to reveal the cave’s location, then offered to share its treasures with Xiao Yan.
• After consulting Han Feng, Xiao Yan agreed to explore the cave with Xiao Yi Xian, and they used a hidden trail to leave Qingshan Town that night.
• He Meng found the Myriad Medicine Zhai empty and ordered his men to search the Monster Mountain Range for Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.
• From a distant peak, Gu Long sensed their departure and decided to let them pursue the cave’s dangers without intervening.

Mu She and Mu Li mobilized the Wolf Head Mercenary Group to hunt Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian and claim the hidden cave dwelling. The pair reached the cave and escaped through a mysterious stone door, but the mercenaries surrounded the entrance and left them trapped inside.

• Mu She blamed He Meng for losing track of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian, and Mu Li ordered a coordinated search and blockade of the mountain routes.
• He Meng led an elite squad into the Monster Mountain Range while other mercenaries sealed routes and searched the area.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian reached the hidden valley and entered its cave, where they found a heavy stone door blocking the passage.
• As He Meng's squad approached, Xiao Yan failed to push open the door, but it opened by itself and he pulled Xiao Yi Xian through.
• He Meng and his men failed to break the stone door, so He Meng ordered them to guard it while he returned to report to Mu She and Mu Li.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian opened the stone boxes in the cave dwelling and found a poison scripture, two Dou Techniques, and valuable herbs. Xiao Yan kept what he wanted and treated Xiao Yi Xian’s share as charity, leaving her hurt and widening the rift between them as the Wolf Head Mercenary Group attacked the sealed door.

• Xiao Yan paid respects to the skeleton before opening the stone boxes with Xiao Yi Xian.
• Xiao Yan dismissed the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture as useless and casually gave it to Xiao Yi Xian, who recognized its value but felt slighted.
• Xiao Yan found the Eagle's Wings flying Dou Technique and kept it for himself without offering to share it with Xiao Yi Xian.
• Xiao Yan offered Xiao Yi Xian the Roaring Lion Chant in a condescending manner, but she refused it and distanced herself from him.
• Xiao Yan collected the medicinal herbs without sharing them, while Gu Long judged him greedy and selfish and noted the rift between the two.
• The Wolf Head Mercenary Group continued attacking the stone door from outside.

Mu She and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group broke into the stone chamber and overwhelmed Xiao Yan, but Han Feng took control of Xiao Yan’s body and killed He Meng. Han Feng used the treasure to create an opening and fled into a narrow passage as Mu She pursued him and sent men after Xiao Yi Xian.

• Mu She broke through the stone door with his men and confronted Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.
• Mu She defeated the injured Xiao Yan with one blow, then ordered He Meng to cripple him and the mercenaries to capture Xiao Yi Xian.
• Han Feng took control of Xiao Yan’s body and killed He Meng with a strike through his chest.
• Han Feng evaded Mu She’s attacks and used Soul Power to stun several mercenaries, but his strength quickly waned.
• Han Feng scattered gold coins and treasure to obstruct the mercenaries, then fled into a narrow passage as Mu She pursued him and sent men after Xiao Yi Xian.

Han Feng, disguised as Xiao Yan, fled Mu She by leaping from a cliff while Gu Long watched without intervening. Back at the Wolf Head Mercenary Group headquarters, Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body awakened and unleashed deadly poison mist, leaving her surrounded by destruction as an unseen voice identified her power.

• Han Feng escaped Mu She by jumping from the cliff, and Gu Long watched him fall into the abyss.
• Mu She returned to the stone chamber, ordered his men to search it, and had the captured Xiao Yi Xian taken back under guard.
• Mu Li confronted the bound Xiao Yi Xian and struck her when she resisted his assault.
• Xiao Yi Xian’s Calamity Poison Body awakened, releasing poison mist that killed Mu Li and the guards who entered the room.
• The poison mist spread through the Wolf Head Mercenary Group headquarters, killing mercenaries as Xiao Yi Xian stared in shock at the destruction.
• An unseen speaker asked whether the Calamity Poison Body had finally awakened.

Gu Long helped Xiao Yi Xian control her awakened Calamity Poison Body, then retrieved a hidden Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map from the cave. With his plans in Qingshan Town complete, he headed toward Jia Nan Academy to pursue the Falling Heart Flame.

• Gu Long gave Xiao Yi Xian the Poison Control Secret Record, calming the poison energy in her body and helping her suppress the poisonous mist.
• Xiao Yi Xian picked up the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture and escaped into the night while chaos continued at the Wolf Head Mercenary Group headquarters.
• Gu Long found a hidden compartment in the cave's stone chair and took the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map.
• Gu Long reviewed the outcomes of his plans, leaving Xiao Yan's fate unresolved and Xiao Yi Xian to forge her own path.
• Gu Long flew toward the Black Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy, where Xun Er and Ling Ying were waiting and the Falling Heart Flame was his next goal.

Gu Long returned to the courtyard and made up with Xun Er by sharing food and teaching her Go. Xun Er showed a talent for the game, and after sending her to rest, Gu Long resumed his cultivation and sign-in routine.

• Gu Long returned to the courtyard, where Xun Er was upset that he had left her alone for several days.
• Gu Long apologized by serving Xun Er food he had prepared, and she quickly forgave him as she ate.
• Gu Long taught Xun Er the rules and tactics of Go, and she improved over several games.
• Xun Er found a clever move that impressed Gu Long, then asked to keep learning Go the next day.
• Gu Long sent Xun Er to her room, reflected on the challenges ahead, and began his daily cultivation and sign-in routine.

Zhao Yun reported that Dragon Domain had brought the Northwest Continent under its covert control, giving Gu Long a powerful base for his plans. Gu Long ordered Dragon Domain to consolidate and monitor Jia Nan Academy as he prepared to pursue the Falling Heart Flame and face future challenges in the Central Continent.

• Zhao Yun arrived in Gu Long's courtyard and reported Dragon Domain's military strength, resources, intelligence network, and commercial reach.
• Zhao Yun told Gu Long that Dragon Domain effectively controlled the Northwest Continent and that Zhou Yu had reached the Six-Star Dou Ancestor realm after devouring the Sea Heart Flame.
• Gu Long ordered Dragon Domain to consolidate its power, cultivate core talent, expand cautiously toward the Central Continent, and avoid an early clash with Soul Hall.
• Gu Long instructed Zhao Yun to watch Jia Nan Academy, especially the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, before Zhao Yun departed.
• Gu Long told Xun Er that he would take her to see the Northwest Continent after matters at Jia Nan Academy were settled.

Gu Long reached Peak Dou Emperor and took Xun Er to inspect Dragon Domain’s military, resources, intelligence network, and leadership. After returning to Jia Nan Academy, he resolved to begin plotting for the Falling Heart Flame in the Inner Academy.

• Gu Long broke through to Peak Dou Emperor, then told Xun Er he would take her to Dragon Domain.
• Gu Long showed Xun Er Dragon City and the Underground City, including the War Department, Resource Vault, and Intelligence Center.
• Gu Long met with Zhou Yu and Zhao Yun in Dragon Hall, heard their report, and instructed them to keep developing Dragon Domain for its future push into the Central Continent.
• Gu Long returned to Jia Nan Academy with Xun Er, admitted Dragon Domain was meant to counter the Soul Clan, and encouraged her resolve to grow stronger.
• Gu Long decided it was time to plot for the Falling Heart Flame in Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy.

The Amethyst Winged Lion King broke through to the Seventh Order with help from Gu Long, Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun, and Dragon Domain’s formations. Gu Long made it the Guardian Divine Beast of the Dragon Domain, strengthening the domain as his larger plans advanced.

• In Ten Thousand Beast Valley, the Amethyst Winged Lion King gathered its strength and began breaking through the Seventh-Order barrier.
• Gu Long directed Zhou Yu and Zhao Yun to help it withstand the pressure of heaven and earth, while Dragon Domain formation experts reinforced it.
• The Amethyst Winged Lion King shattered the barrier and became a Seventh-Order magical beast, equivalent to a human Dou Zong.
• The Amethyst Winged Lion King thanked Gu Long and pledged to follow him, and Gu Long appointed it Guardian Divine Beast of the Dragon Domain.
• Gu Long left the valley with Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun, and the others as the Amethyst Winged Lion King remained behind to stabilize its new realm.

Gu Long gave Xun Er an introductory array formation inheritance and materials, and she began studying and practicing the basics. As Xun Er made rapid progress, Gu Long turned his attention to the restless Falling Heart Flame in Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy, sensing that their peaceful days might soon end.

• Gu Long gave Xun Er the Elementary Introduction to the Profound Array Dao and advised her to study its foundations carefully.
• Xun Er immersed her Soul Power in the Jade Slip and eagerly read about basic array principles and formations.
• After Xun Er expressed excitement about the Small Spirit Gathering Array, Gu Long supplied her with Low-grade Spirit Stones and other practice materials.
• Xun Er spent her spare time drawing runes and arranging simple arrays, improving her Soul Power and control over energy with Gu Long’s guidance.
• Gu Long focused on the restless Falling Heart Flame in Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy as he felt time running short.

After surviving his fall into a mountain fissure, Xiao Yan discovered the Mysterious Yellow Flame and began devouring it despite his catastrophic injuries. With Han Feng guiding the flame and protecting his vital meridians, Xiao Yan’s aura slowly began to recover as the dangerous process continued.

• Xiao Yan regained consciousness at the bottom of a fissure and sensed a dark-yellow flame nearby.
• Han Feng identified the flame as the Mysterious Yellow Flame, a Heavenly Flame ranked twenty-third, and urged Xiao Yan to use the Flame Mantra to reach it.
• Xiao Yan struggled through his injuries to attract the Mysterious Yellow Flame, which eventually drifted out of the fissure and hovered before him.
• Xiao Yan swallowed the Mysterious Yellow Flame, and its violent energy tore through his body as Han Feng used Soul Power to protect him and guide its energy through the Flame Mantra.
• Xiao Yan clung to life as the flame began to be refined, and Gu Long sensed the event from Jia Nan Academy and remarked that Han Feng was about to make another contribution.

Gu Long traveled to Mo City, recruited Qing Lin, and secretly empowered Luo Bu to make trouble for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. He left with Qing Lin as the Sand Mercenary Group prepared to target Mo Tie, while the brothers remained unaware of the greater threat.

• Gu Long left Xun Er under Ling Ying's protection and traveled toward Mo City.
• In Mo City, Gu Long found the Mo Tie Mercenary Group and gave Luo Bu pills and funds to stir up trouble for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
• Gu Long discovered Qing Lin being harassed by thugs and drove them away.
• Gu Long offered Qing Lin food, shelter, and help controlling her eyes, and she agreed to go with him.
• Gu Long healed the injured snake Qing Lin carried and left with her as Luo Bu prepared to attack the Mo Tie Mercenary Group.

Gu Long sheltered Qing Lin at Dragon Domain Headquarters and taught her to awaken and control her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. After she subdued a Fourth-Grade Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, Gu Long prepared to return to Jia Nan Academy as the Falling Heart Flame grew increasingly restless.

• Gu Long brought Qing Lin to a concealed courtyard at Dragon Domain Headquarters and told her she would be safe there.
• Gu Long passed the Myriad Snake Scripture to Qing Lin and guided her in sensing the power of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
• Qing Lin awakened the pupils enough to subdue an Iron Wire Snake and began learning to communicate with, link to, and command snake-type magical beasts.
• Over several months, Qing Lin learned to control groups of snakes and share their senses through soul links.
• Qing Lin made a Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake submit, demonstrating that her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had initially awakened.
• Gu Long resolved to leave Qing Lin to continue training and return to Jia Nan Academy, where the Falling Heart Flame was growing restless.