Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ling broke through to the Grand Talisman Master realm and faced the Wind-Lightning Tribulation his breakthrough summoned. He relocated to the Magical Beast Mountain Range to spare Jia Nan Academy, where the first bolt struck as the academy watched in alarm.

• As Xiao Ling's cultivation stirred a massive storm over Jia Nan Academy, Zi Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and Qing Lin worried about his emergence from seclusion.
• The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone concealed Xiao Ling's surging Spiritual Power and realized he was about to reach the Grand Talisman Master realm.
• Xiao Ling completed his breakthrough and learned that the approaching Wind-Lightning Tribulation could devastate Jia Nan Academy.
• Following the Spirit of the Ancestral Stone's advice, Xiao Ling used the Power of Space to transport himself and the Spirit to a mountain peak in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
• The Wind-Lightning Tribulation began with a blinding bolt, and Jia Nan Academy's members watched the terrifying storm in shock.

Xiao Ling faced a terrifying lightning tribulation above the Magical Beast Mountain Range and deliberately used it to temper his body with the Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art. Jia Nan Academy’s disciples and elders recognized or suspected him as they watched, while Xiao Ling endured the lightning and guided it with his Destiny Talismans.

• A massive lightning tribulation gathered over the Magical Beast Mountain Range, drawing the attention of Jia Nan Academy’s disciples and elders.
• Xiao Ling shot toward the descending lightning, and Su Qian, Elder Huo, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian suspected or recognized him.
• Qian Mu and Bai Lie worried about the tribulation’s power, then recalled Xiao Ling’s return to the academy and his reputation as a Peak Eighth-grade Alchemist.
• Xiao Ling let the Sea of Lightning engulf him, transformed as scales covered his body, and used his Lightning Power and Devouring Power Destiny Talismans to control and absorb its energy.
• The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone warned Xiao Ling that the tribulation could destroy him, but Xiao Ling insisted his recovery and trump cards would let him endure it and temper the Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art.

Xiao Ling endured the Great Floating Bell’s Wind-Lightning Tribulation to temper his body, repeatedly suffering devastating injuries and healing as his strength and Azure Dragon Markings developed. After the lightning finally faded, distant spectators could see nothing of what had caused the heavenly phenomenon, leaving Xiao Ling’s result unknown.

• Xiao Ling endured the lightning tribulation without protective measures, and his body repeatedly broke apart and healed under the assault.
• The lightning awakened residual medicinal power within Xiao Ling, strengthening his cultivation, body, and dragon scales while mysterious Azure Dragon Markings appeared on his shoulders and back.
• The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone watched Xiao Ling withstand the tribulation and recognized his recovery ability and resolve.
• The lightning ravaged the Magical Beast Mountain Range for hours, drawing spectators from across the Black Corner Region, but none dared approach.
• The lightning weakened and dispersed, and the distant onlookers could not see what remained at its center.

Xiao Ling returned to Jia Nan Academy with Zi Yan and Su Qian, then took Zi Yan into the Underground Magma World to investigate something hidden beneath the academy. He believed a valuable discovery lay deeper in the magma and led them onward, leaving its nature unrevealed.

• Xiao Ling and Su Qian observed the crowded Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, where the growing number of students competed for limited cultivation spots.
• Xiao Ling used the Power of Space to bring Zi Yan and Su Qian to the tower's base, where Zi Yan asked why he had brought her there.
• Xiao Ling told Su Qian they would continue alone, and Su Qian warned them that powerful Flame Lizardmen lived in the depths.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan entered the passage to the Underground Magma World, and Xiao Ling shielded them from the heat with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Xiao Ling assured Zi Yan that something valuable lay deep in the magma, and the two hurried toward its depths.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan encountered a group of Flame Lizardmen deep in the underground Magma World, and Zi Yan began fighting them after Xiao Ling cleared away the surrounding magma. At the entrance to Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, Zhu Kun sensed something and wondered if it had been an illusion.

• Zi Yan sensed approaching life auras, and Xiao Ling identified them as the Flame Lizardmen that had once defeated Heavenly Fire Venerable.
• Dozens of Flame Lizardmen confronted Xiao Ling and Zi Yan, and Zi Yan accepted Xiao Ling's offer to fight them.
• Xiao Ling drove the magma away from the area, removing the Flame Lizardmen's environmental advantage.
• Zi Yan transformed, equipped her gauntlets, and destroyed several Flame Lizardmen with an attack powered by the Power of Space.
• The remaining Flame Lizardmen attacked Zi Yan with magma pillars, but she evaded them and revealed more of her Ancient Dragon majesty.
• Zhu Kun opened his eyes at the entrance to Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, lifted his head, and wondered if he had sensed an illusion.

Zi Yan unleashed her Heavenly Tier Dragon Emperor's Other Dimension against the Flame Lizardmen, then shared a tender moment with Xiao Ling as they continued deeper into the underground Magma World. They reached the God's Tomb, where two Half-Saint Flame Lizardmen warned them to leave before they awakened its Guardian.

• Zi Yan used Dragon Emperor's Other Dimension to devastate the Flame Lizardmen's position and shatter Xiao Ling's spatial warning barrier.
• Xiao Ling praised Zi Yan, and she embraced him in her adult form and kissed him to thank him for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
• Xiao Ling protected himself and Zi Yan from the returning magma before carrying her onward through the underground Magma World.
• Xiao Ling defeated the increasingly powerful Flame Lizardmen they encountered and collected the fire pearls within their bodies.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan reached a lower region, where two Half-Saint Flame Lizardmen warned them to leave the God's Tomb or face its Guardian.

Xiao Ling defeated the Flame Lizardmen guarding the route through the underground Magma World and collected their valuable fire pearls. He and Zi Yan continued toward Zhu Kun, while Xiao Ling worried about meeting Zi Yan’s father.

• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan refused to turn back when two Half-Saint Flame Lizardmen blocked their way, and the lizardmen attacked after being provoked.
• Xiao Ling used Spiritual Power to immobilize the two Half-Saints and unleashed Heavenly Flames, burning away the weaker Flame Lizardmen.
• Xiao Ling tore apart the two Half-Saint Flame Lizardmen with Space Rifts, then collected their fire pearls, including the two valuable pearls they carried.
• Zi Yan returned to Xiao Ling’s arms, and the two flew deeper into the underground Magma World as Xiao Ling worried about facing Zhu Kun.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan crossed the Magma World and reached the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, where they discovered a colossal purple-gold creature. The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone judged it to be a Peak Dou Sheng and sensed that its aura was closely related to Zi Yan's.

• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan traveled through the magma, where the reddish-black heat forced Xiao Ling to slow down.
• Xiao Ling led Zi Yan through a silent void toward a distant glow and warned her to stay calm about what they might find.
• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan found an ancient bronze gate marked “Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion,” and Xiao Ling warned Zi Yan not to stare at its inscription.
• Zi Yan noticed a gigantic purple-gold creature in the darkness and recognized similarities between its scales and an Ancient Void Dragon's.
• The Spirit of the Ancestral Stone told Xiao Ling that the creature might be a Peak Dou Sheng and that its aura seemed related to Zi Yan.

Xiao Ling and Zi Yan encountered Zhu Kun in the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, where Zhu Kun recognized Zi Yan as his long-lost daughter. Zi Yan struggled to accept him and wept over the lonely childhood she had endured, leaving their reunion unresolved.

• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan awakened Zhu Kun, who demanded to know whether they possessed the Ancient Jade.
• When Xiao Ling said they did not, Zhu Kun began to threaten them, but he sensed Zi Yan's bloodline and recognized her as his child.
• Zi Yan rejected Zhu Kun's claim, while Xiao Ling stepped in to protect her and asked Zhu Kun to explain himself.
• Zhu Kun changed into human form and tried to approach Zi Yan, who kept her distance and asked whether he was truly her father.
• When Zhu Kun mentioned Zi Yan's mother, Zi Yan angrily insisted that Xiao Ling, Sister Medusa, and the clansmen of Ancient Dragon Island were her only family, then broke down in tears.

Zi Yan began to accept Zhu Kun after hearing why he had been absent from her life, while Zhu Kun offered her Dragon Emperor techniques and explained that the Ancient Jade was needed to free him. Xiao Ling questioned Zhu Kun about the cave mansion and revealed his love for Zi Yan, leaving Zhu Kun wary but gradually more accepting of their relationship.

• Zhu Kun apologized to Zi Yan and explained that Tou She Ancient God had trapped him, preventing him from finding her and her mother.
• Zi Yan asked Zhu Kun for a gift, and he promised to teach her the Dragon Emperor lineage’s Heavenly Tier Advanced Dou Techniques.
• Zhu Kun told Zi Yan that the Ancient Jade was needed to open the cave mansion and release him from his imprisonment.
• Xiao Ling asked whether the cave mansion held a chance to become a Dou Di, and Zhu Kun confirmed that it did while withholding further details.
• Xiao Ling told Zhu Kun that he and Zi Yan loved each other, and Zi Yan recounted their shared history as Zhu Kun’s hostility gradually eased.

Zi Yan and Xiao Ling told Zhu Kun about the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and the divided Ancient Dragon Clan, prompting him to entrust Zi Yan with his bloodline techniques and a gift to help her absorb the fruit. As Zi Yan and Xiao Ling left, Xiao Ling promised to gather the Tou She Ancient God Jade and free Zhu Kun.

• Xiao Ling confirmed that the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit had been brought to the Ancient Dragon Clan, and Zi Yan explained how the clan had split into rival factions.
• Zhu Kun raged at the rebels and urged Zi Yan to grow stronger so she could restore order as the next Dragon Emperor.
• Zhu Kun gave Zi Yan a drop of his blood containing royal-lineage techniques and power to help her absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
• Zi Yan promised to settle the clan's conflicts and find the Tou She Ancient God Jade to rescue Zhu Kun, then left with Xiao Ling.
• Zhu Kun warned Xiao Ling to protect Zi Yan, and Xiao Ling privately told him that the Ancient Jade had been split into eight pieces and promised to gather them.

After Xiao Ling and Zi Yan returned from the underground Magma World, they told their companions about Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion and Zi Yan's reunion with Zhu Kun. As the group enjoyed a quiet evening, Queen Medusa questioned whether she would truly return to the Central Plains with Xiao Ling.

• Xiao Ling and Zi Yan emerged from the Magma World, told Su Qian they had dealt with the Flame Lizardmen, and kept Zhu Kun and the Ancient God's Cave Mansion secret from him.
• Back at the courtyard, Xiao Ling recounted their discoveries to Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Queen Medusa, who congratulated Zi Yan on finding her father.
• Queen Medusa suggested that Zi Yan return to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, but Xiao Ling proposed they travel there together later, and Zi Yan agreed.
• Xiao Ling and his companions spent the day chatting and sharing a meal before Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan retired for the night.
• Queen Medusa asked Xiao Ling whether he was sure she would return to the Central Plains with him after handling the Snake People Race's affairs, leaving him at a loss for words.

Xiao Ling confessed his feelings to Medusa, and she agreed to become his woman, pledging to stay by his side. After they promised to face the future together, Xiao Ling gave her a Seven-Colored Raw Stone, and Medusa sealed their relationship with a kiss.

• Medusa challenged Xiao Ling to speak plainly about his feelings instead of hiding behind talk of her future and cultivation.
• Xiao Ling confessed that he had grown attached to Medusa and asked her to become his woman.
• Medusa accepted, and she and Xiao Ling exchanged vows to remain together and never betray one another.
• Xiao Ling gave Medusa the Seven-Colored Raw Stone, which stirred a response in her Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python bloodline.
• Medusa thanked Xiao Ling, kissed him, and Xiao Ling drew her close and returned the kiss.

Xiao Ling awoke after spending the night with Medusa, then shared a teasing, affectionate moment with Qing Lin. Later, he used three drops of Dou Sheng Marrow to refine their energy and push toward an Eight-star Dou Zun breakthrough.

• Qing Lin woke Xiao Ling and teased him about the marks Medusa had left on him before she departed.
• Xiao Ling pulled Qing Lin close and kissed her, while Xiao Yi Xian remarked on their behavior from another room.
• Xiao Ling sensed that his Dou Qi had nearly reached the bottleneck for an Eight-star Dou Zun breakthrough.
• Xiao Ling swallowed three drops of Dou Sheng Marrow and began refining their immense energy with Fen Jue.

After refining Dou Sheng Marrow, Xiao Ling advanced to the Peak mid-stage Eight-star Dou Zun and left Jia Nan Academy with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin to return to the Xiao Family. Meanwhile, Yun Yun worried that her master intended to force her to marry Gu He for the sect’s sake.

• Xiao Ling finished refining the Dou Sheng Marrow and discovered that he had reached the Peak mid-stage Eight-star Dou Zun.
• Xiao Ling reunited with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, learned that Zi Yan had gone to the Snake People Race, and decided to return to the Xiao Family before meeting up with her and Medusa.
• Xiao Ling informed First Elder Su Qian that he was leaving, then used the Power of Space to take Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin away from Jia Nan Academy.
• Yun Yun ended her cultivation on Misty Cloud Mountain and lamented that her master wanted her to marry Gu He despite her lack of affection for him.

Nalan Yanran visited Yun Yun, who was being urged by her grandmaster to receive Gu He, and the two discussed Yun Yun’s support for Yanran’s choices, including breaking off her engagement to Xiao Yan. After learning that Xiao Ling had returned to the Xiao Family, Yun Yun decided to visit him, giving her a possible reason to avoid Gu He and leaving her curious about meeting Xiao Ling.

• Nalan Yanran told Yun Yun that Gu He had come again with gifts and that their grandmaster expected Yun Yun to receive him in person.
• Yun Yun reassured Nalan Yanran that she would support her choice of partner and had never regretted helping her break off her engagement to the Xiao Family.
• Nalan Yanran said she did not regret ending the engagement with Xiao Yan because they had no affection for each other.
• Nalan Yanran reported that Xiao Ling had returned to the Xiao Family and that Hai Bodong had visited him.
• Yun Yun decided to visit Xiao Ling, partly as a reason to avoid Gu He, and began to look forward to meeting him.

Xiao Ling returned to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital and agreed to receive the Misty Cloud Sect and other factions before leaving the Xiao Family the next day. Meanwhile, Medusa felt a sudden tightness in her chest but dismissed it as fatigue, leaving the cause unclear.

• The Jia Ma Empire defeated the Yan Luo Empire and Chu Yun Empire, expanded its territory, and entered a period of steady development.
• Xiao Zhan praised Xiao Ling for helping the Xiao Family prosper, and Xiao Ling credited the clan's leaders for managing its growth.
• Payne reported that a visitor from the Misty Cloud Sect was waiting, and Xiao Ling decided to meet the empire's factions to lend the Xiao Family his support.
• Xiao Ling told Xiao Zhan he would leave the next day to resume his Central Plains affairs, then departed using the Power of Space.
• Medusa suddenly felt tightness in her chest while talking with Zi Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin, but said she was probably tired.

After returning to the Snake People Race, Medusa felt unwell, so Xiao Yi Xian examined her and discovered she was pregnant. The revelation left Medusa and the others stunned, while Zi Yan realized the child was Xiao Ling's.

• Medusa returned to the Snake People Race and shared precious cultivation resources with her people.
• Zi Yan excitedly told Medusa about her adventures, but Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian noticed Medusa seemed listless and unwell.
• Xiao Yi Xian examined Medusa and determined that she was pregnant.
• Medusa accepted the diagnosis and connected her recent discomfort to the pregnancy.
• Zi Yan realized the child was Xiao Ling's and protested that she had been there first.

The Xiao Family hosted a lavish banquet for the Jia Ma Empire’s influential factions, who gathered hoping to meet Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling finally arrived through a Space Rift, drawing every guest’s attention.

• The Xiao Family prepared its mansion for a grand banquet and invited the Jia Ma Empire’s major factions to meet Xiao Ling.
• Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran arrived, greeted Hai Bodong, and entered the mansion with him.
• Influential guests filled the banquet hall, where Xiao Zhan welcomed them and maidservants served tea and food.
• The guests left the food untouched and watched the empty seat of honor and the hall entrance while waiting for Xiao Ling.
• Xiao Ling opened a Space Rift above the seat of honor, apologized for keeping the guests waiting, and stepped into the hall.

Xiao Ling demonstrated his Dou Zun strength at the Xiao Family banquet, securing the gathered factions’ respect before abruptly leaving after sensing Zi Yan approaching. The banquet continued under Xiao Zhan’s care, while Yun Yun grew distracted by Xiao Ling’s sudden departure.

• Xiao Ling emerged through a Space Rift, and the Jia Ma Empire’s gathered leaders praised his Dou Zun strength.
• Xiao Ling urged the guests to enjoy the banquet, while Xiao Zhan recognized that his power would protect the Xiao Family from its rivals.
• Xiao Zhan arranged for dancers to perform as the guests celebrated and watched Xiao Ling from afar.
• Xiao Ling sensed Zi Yan approaching from the Magical Beast Mountain Range, excused himself, and vanished using the Power of Space.
• Xiao Zhan tried to restore the banquet’s mood, while Gu He pursued Yun Yun’s attention and Yun Yun wondered why Xiao Ling had left.