Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan chose the Flame Mantra to revive Yao Lao and visited Xiao Ce to ask how he had absorbed a Heavenly Flame. Xiao Ce revealed that a map of the Tagor Desert might mark multiple Heavenly Flames, then showed Xiao Yan the map, leaving him eager to get it.

• Qing Lin lamented that Xiao Ce had stopped visiting, and Xiao Yi Xian teased her about missing him and being jealous.
• Xiao Yan returned to the Dou Zhe realm, chose the Flame Mantra, and resolved to cultivate it to revive Yao Lao.
• Xiao Yan visited Xiao Ce and found him with Xun'er and Yun Yun, whom Xiao Ce explained he had met in the Tagor Desert.
• Xiao Ce explained that he had obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame by cooperating with Queen Medusa and luring Gu He into bringing a Spirit Absorber and an Ice Pulse Pill.
• Xiao Ce told Xiao Yan that Elder Hai's map marked several possible Heavenly Flame locations in the Tagor Desert, then presented the map to him.

Xiao Ce told Xiao Yan that a moving Heavenly Flame called the Wind Fury Dragon Flame might be in the Tagor Desert, prompting Xiao Yan to consider searching for it. After Xiao Yan celebrated his return to Dou Zhe, he left Xiao Ce and Yun Yun together, and Xiao Ce visited Yun Yun that night.

• Xun'er said the chance of two Heavenly Flames existing in the Tagor Desert was negligible, but Xiao Ce argued that Elder Hai's map marked four possible locations.
• Xiao Ce explained that the Wind Fury Dragon Flame could move through the desert and might account for the map's four marked areas, stirring Xiao Yan's hopes of finding a Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Ce put the map away and suggested that exploring its remaining locations might reveal traces of the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, while Xiao Yan silently resolved to speak with him about it.
• Xiao Ce congratulated Xiao Yan on returning to his peak, and Xiao Yan credited Yun Yun's Juqi Powder before leaving the group.
• Xiao Ce appeared beside Yun Yun's bed at night and told her he had come because he missed her.

Xiao Ce spent the night with Yun Yun before Queen Medusa suddenly appeared and confronted him about taking advantage of her while she was trapped in the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. She offered a deal for help merging with the python’s soul, and Xiao Ce accepted her challenge to defeat her within three years in exchange for her acknowledging him as her master.

• Xiao Ce and Yun Yun spent the night together after he assured her that their room’s sounds were blocked from reaching Nalan Yanran.
• A seven-colored light appeared on Xiao Ce’s robe, and Queen Medusa materialized beside him and Yun Yun.
• Queen Medusa accused Xiao Ce of taking her from the Snake-People Tribe and treating her as a pet while her consciousness was suppressed.
• Queen Medusa offered the Snake-People Tribe’s herbs and magic cores in exchange for Xiao Ce helping her merge with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python’s soul, but he refused those terms.
• Xiao Ce asked for Queen Medusa herself, and she agreed to acknowledge him as her master if he helped her merge with the python’s soul and defeated her within three years.

Xiao Ce accepted Queen Medusa’s three-year challenge, then traded a map to the Tagor Desert for two powerful Dou Techniques from Yao Lao. Nalan Yanran grew suspicious of Yun Yun’s behavior, while Xiao Ce gained a new technique to study.

• Queen Medusa set Xiao Ce three years to help her fuse with the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python’s soul and defeat her, and Xiao Ce accepted.
• Queen Medusa transformed into the Seven-Colored Little Snake, which nuzzled against Xiao Ce before settling down.
• Yun Yun hurried back to Nalan Yanran after spending the night with Xiao Ce, and Yanran grew suspicious of her teacher’s changed behavior.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Ce to trade him the map to the Tagor Desert so he could search for the Wind Fury Dragon Flame.
• Yao Lao refused to trade his Black Demon Cauldron but exchanged two Di-tier Dou Techniques, Senluo Flame Demon Hand and the incomplete Guiyuan Sword Art, for the map.
• Yao Lao explained that Guiyuan Sword Art combined Dou Qi and soul power, leaving Xiao Ce eager to study it.

Xiao Ce studied the Guiyuan Sword Art, then left Wutan City with Yun Yun to break through to Dou Emperor in seclusion. After returning to the Xiao Clan, he received the Emperor Seal Art from Xun'er as a congratulatory gift.

• Xiao Ce read the Guiyuan Sword Art and decided its dangerous Hidden Dragon Emerging from the Abyss form could become his trump card.
• Xiao Ce told Xun'er he was leaving, then brought Yun Yun to a mountain peak away from Wutan City to break through.
• Xiao Ce spent three days gathering energy and broke through from peak Dou Wang to Dou Emperor, demonstrating his formidable physical strength.
• Xiao Ce thanked Yun Yun for guarding him, embraced her, and returned with her to the Xiao Clan.
• Xun'er congratulated Xiao Ce and gave him the high-grade Di-class Emperor Seal Art, explaining that she hoped to obtain Tian-class techniques for him when she gained greater authority.

Xiao Ce reassured Xun'er that he would stay until her coming-of-age ceremony, then spent the night with Xiao Yi Xian and assured her he would not abandon either woman. Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran returned to the Misty Cloud Sect, while Xiao Ce planned to visit the sect and pursue the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes; time passed until the Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony arrived.

• Xun'er urged Xiao Ce to spend more time cultivating with Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Ce promised to remain in Wutan City until after Xun'er's coming-of-age ceremony.
• Xiao Ce visited Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, learned how their cultivation had progressed, and later told Xiao Yi Xian that Xun'er knew about their relationship and had accepted it.
• Xiao Yi Xian feared Xiao Ce might abandon her, but he reassured her that he would stay with both her and Xun'er.
• Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran returned to the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Ce promised Yun Yun he would visit her, intending to seek the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes and deal with Protector Wu.
• After they left, Xiao Ce focused on cultivation and medicine while dividing his nights between Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian; the Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony eventually arrived.

The Xiao Clan’s Coming of Age Ceremony drew a large crowd as the clan’s young members showcased their improved strength. Xiao Yu returned from Jia Nan Academy and learned Xiao Ce planned to travel through the Black-Corner Domain to reach the academy, while Xun’er concealed her true power during her test.

• The Xiao Clan held a lively Coming of Age Ceremony, with Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, and other young clan members benefiting from Foundation Building Spirit Liquid and preparing to break through with Juqi Powder.
• Xiao Yu returned from Jia Nan Academy and greeted Xiao Ce, Xun’er, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Ya Fei.
• Xiao Yu invited Xiao Ce to join Jia Nan Academy through its recruitment, but he said he intended to go there by passing through the Black-Corner Domain.
• Xun’er tested at three-star Dou Zhe, prompting Xiao Yan to decide he would conceal his own strength as well.
• Xiao Ce recognized that Xun’er was deliberately keeping her strength hidden.

After the Coming of Age Ceremony, Xiao Ce visited Miteer Auction House to collect the supplies he had arranged before leaving Wutan City. Ya Fei seduced him, and after their encounter she advanced from two-star Dou Zhe to five-star Dou Zhe.

• Xiao Yan finished his Coming of Age Ceremony test, revealing two-star Dou Zhe while Xiao Ce saw that he was truly a four-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Ce went to Miteer Auction House to collect the medicinal ingredients and magic cores he had requested from Ya Fei.
• Ya Fei kissed Xiao Ce and led him into the lounge, hoping to secure a connection with him before he left Wutan City.
• Xiao Ce overcame Ya Fei's bravado, and their encounter left her exhausted.
• Xiao Ce observed that Ya Fei had advanced from two-star Dou Zhe to five-star Dou Zhe.

After refining pills for Hai Bodong, Xiao Ce asked him to protect the Xiao Clan and Ya Fei before departing Wutan City for Jia Nan Academy with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin. Hai Bodong and Ya Fei then arranged alchemists to support the Xiao Clan while Xiao Ce was away.

• Ya Fei woke after her encounter with Xiao Ce, limped from the lounge, and later regretted that he had not returned to see her.
• Xiao Ce gave Hai Bodong a Po'e Pill and a Purple Spirit Recovery Pill to break his seal and restore his peak strength, asking him to watch over the Xiao Clan and Ya Fei.
• Three days later, Xiao Ce said goodbye to Xiao Hai, Xun'er, Xiao Yan, and the others before leaving on a flying magical beast with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin.
• Hai Bodong praised Xiao Ce's potential, while Ya Fei lamented his departure and revealed that their encounter had helped her break through three minor realms.
• Ya Fei proposed sending an alchemist to support the Xiao Clan, and Hai Bodong arranged a fourth-tier alchemist for Xiao Hai and other alchemists to maintain the clan's pill supply.

Xiao Ce took Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, where he defeated the Purple Lightning Thunder Wolf King and helped Qing Lin control two fifth-rank snake-type magical beasts. The three then traveled north on a giant serpent and reached Black Seal City, their first stop in the Black-Corner Domain.

• Xiao Ce, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin visited Mr. Yao in Qingshan Town, where they learned Wanyao Pavilion had become a supplier for the Xiao Clan.
• Xiao Ce returned to the small valley and went alone to challenge the Purple Lightning Thunder Wolf King, defeating it with a single punch and taking its magic core.
• Xiao Ce brought two fifth-rank snake-type magical beasts back to the valley, and Qing Lin used her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to control them.
• Xiao Ce and his companions left the valley riding one of Qing Lin's controlled serpents, startling Mr. Yao and drawing the attention of Mu Tie at Ghost-Suppressing Pass.
• Xiao Ce, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin crossed into the Black-Corner Domain and arrived in Black Seal City.

Xiao Ce infiltrated the Six-Fan Sect headquarters and forced Yuan Yi to lead him to the treasury, where he took many treasures but did not find the Incomplete Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. As Xiao Ce prepared to leave, Yuan Yi knelt and offered to become his servant.

• Xiao Ce left the courtyard at night and easily subdued Yuan Yi in the Six-Fan Sect headquarters.
• Xiao Ce demanded access to the treasury, and Yuan Yi led him through a concealed door.
• Xiao Ce used his soul force to check for danger before entering the treasury, and Yuan Yi realized he was a powerful alchemist.
• Xiao Ce searched the treasury, found no Incomplete Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and took many treasures.
• Yuan Yi knelt before Xiao Ce and offered to become his slave and servant.

Xiao Ce secured Yuan Yi’s allegiance in Black Seal City and refined Imperial Extreme Pills to strengthen his new foothold. After Yuan Yi advanced to four-star Dou Emperor, Xiao Ce assigned him to gather resources and send them to Jia Nan Academy.

• Xiao Ce accepted Yuan Yi’s submission and had him prepare an alchemy room in Black Seal City.
• Xiao Ce refined two Imperial Extreme Pills from Yuan Yi’s three sets of ingredients and gave one to Yuan Yi, who took it before entering seclusion.
• Xiao Ce returned to Xiao Yi Xian and explained that he planned to use the Eight-Fan Sect’s channels to make Black Seal City a major trading hub.
• The next day, Xiao Ce learned Yuan Yi had advanced two stars to become a four-star Dou Emperor and gave him a jade slip listing needed resources.
• Xiao Ce told Yuan Yi to gather as much as possible and send the resources to Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Ce arrived at Jia Nan Academy and requested a guest elder position, while Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian joined as Inner Academy disciples. The academy welcomed them, setting Xiao Ce up to pursue his goal of meeting Zi Yan.

• Xiao Ce left Yuan Yi in the Eight-Fan Sect and returned to his residence after securing control over him with the Imperial Extreme Pill.
• After two days in Black Seal City, Xiao Ce, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yi Xian traveled to Jia Nan Academy on Qing Lin’s fifth-rank giant snake.
• Hu Gan and the academy elders met the group outside Jia Nan City and learned Xiao Ce had come seeking a guest elder position.
• At the academy, Hu Gan recognized Qing Lin’s Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, and Xiao Ce said his cousins would also be joining Jia Nan Academy.
• Hu Gan appointed Xiao Ce a guest elder of the Inner Academy and accepted Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian as Inner Academy disciples.

Xiao Ce, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin settled into Jia Nan Academy, where Xiao Ce built ties with Zi Yan while they kept their cultivation mostly private. Meanwhile, Xiao Ce’s high-tier pills transformed Yuan Yi’s standing in Black Seal City, leaving him surrounded by powerful buyers.

• Su Qian appointed Xiao Ce a guest elder and granted him access to the Library Pavilion and every floor of the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower, while Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin received student privileges.
• Xiao Ce, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin moved into separate pavilions in a quiet bamboo grove and settled into secluded academy life.
• Qing Lin trained in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower, advanced to one-star Da Dou Shi, and became notorious after a summoned fifth-rank Magical Beast nearly killed a student who tried to flirt with her.
• Xiao Ce attracted Zi Yan with high-tier medicinal pills and began taking her into the mountains to gather ingredients and face dangerous guardian beasts.
• Xiao Ce’s fifth- and sixth-tier pills appeared in Black Seal City, and Yuan Yi gained the respect of powerful buyers as the Six-Fan Sect’s leader.

Yuan Yi traded another batch of high-tier pills on behalf of Xiao Ce, strengthening the Eight-Fan Sect and drawing the Black Emperor Sect’s attention. In Feng City, Han Feng suspected that the unknown alchemist behind Yuan Yi had come to Jia Nan Academy for a Heavenly Flame and resolved to investigate before acting.

• Yuan Yi told gathered experts that Xiao Ce wanted medicinal ingredients, magic cores, and mid-Di-class or higher Dou Techniques in exchange for pills.
• Yuan Yi offered another batch of high-tier pills, and the Eight-Fan Sect’s growing influence alarmed the Black Emperor Sect.
• Mo Tianxing ordered his subordinate to keep searching for the identity of Yuan Yi’s mysterious backer.
• Han Feng connected Yuan Yi’s dealings to Jia Nan Academy and wondered whether the alchemist behind him sought a Heavenly Flame.
• Han Feng decided to determine the alchemist’s intentions before risking a confrontation.

Xun'er arrived at Jia Nan Academy while Xiao Ce helped Zi Yan defeat a Snow Demon Sky Ape and reach its underground cavern. They found the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk, leaving its collection still ahead.

• Xun'er arrived at Jia Nan Academy with a group of young men and women.
• Zi Yan asked Xiao Ce to help her take the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk from the Snow Demon Sky Ape.
• Xiao Ce beat the ape until it surrendered the treasure, and Zi Yan led him into its cave.
• Zi Yan uncovered a hidden passage beneath a pile of white fur, and she and Xiao Ce crossed into a vast underground cavern.
• Zi Yan and Xiao Ce reached a stalactite and spotted the true Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk above the milky liquid in a stone depression.

Xiao Ce and Zi Yan collected Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk, then reunited with Xun'er at the Inner Academy. Using the diluted milk, Xiao Ce innovated a peak tier-six pill that might improve cultivation talent.

• Xiao Ce carefully harvested most of the Earth Core Body-Tempering Milk from the stalactite and collected the diluted milk from the platform, promising to make pills for Zi Yan.
• Xiao Ce and Zi Yan returned to the Inner Academy, where Xun'er greeted Xiao Ce and received an introduction to Zi Yan.
• Xun'er gave Zi Yan a bright red fruit as a first-meeting gift, and the three chatted in the pavilion.
• Xiao Ce used the diluted milk to modify the formula for the Earth Origin Marrow-Refining Pill and refined a milky-white peak tier-six pill.
• Xiao Ce said the new pill could strengthen the physique, broaden meridians, and perhaps improve cultivation talent, while Xun'er marveled at his alchemy skill.

Xiao Ce tested the Earth Core Foundation-Cultivating Pill, confirmed its gentle effects, and gave pills to Xun'er, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian. After sharing an intimate evening with Xun'er, he learned that Xiao Yu, Xiao Li, and Xiao Mei had discovered his Inner Academy status and that Xun'er had joined them there.

• Xiao Ce swallowed an Earth Core Foundation-Cultivating Pill, confirmed that Doushi cultivators could withstand it, and then refined three more pills at once.
• Xiao Ce gave pills to Xun'er and Zi Yan, and Zi Yan left after spending some time with them.
• Xiao Yi Xian visited Xiao Ce, chatted with Xun'er, and accepted a pill before leaving.
• Xun'er and Xiao Ce spent the night together, but Xiao Ce refused to dual cultivate with her before receiving her father's approval.
• Xiao Yu, Xiao Li, and Xiao Mei learned from Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan that Xiao Ce was a one-star Dou Wang and an Inner Academy elder, while Xun'er revealed her strength and joined the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Ce arranged for students to build a new loft in his bamboo forest.

Xiao Ce prepared to protect Yuan Yi from the Black-Corner Domain’s factions as they grew suspicious of Eight-Fan Sect, while the Heavenly Snake Mansion investigated signs of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils near Jia Nan Academy. Han Feng also enlisted Protector Xuan’s interest in a possible seventh-tier alchemist and offered to create an opportunity to capture one.

• Xiao Ce gave Qing Lin an Earth Core Foundation-Cultivating Pill and planned to return to the Jia Ma Empire for the Alchemist Grand Meeting and to deal with Protector Wu.
• Lv Man and White Fang tracked a faint aura linked to the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to Jia Nan Academy, then split up so White Fang could report to the Mansion Master while Lv Man investigated Eight-Fan Sect.
• Mo Tianxing suspected Jia Nan Academy backed Eight-Fan Sect and proposed testing its strength with Han Feng and Demon Flame Valley.
• Yuan Yi warned Xiao Ce that his valuable medicinal pills could attract attackers, so Xiao Ce agreed to accompany him and find assistants while making an example of their enemies.
• Han Feng told Protector Xuan that a sixth- or seventh-tier alchemist might be in the Black-Corner Domain and offered to create an opportunity for Protector Xuan to capture him.

Xiao Ce’s Heavenly Flame drew Han Feng’s attention while the Eight-Fan Sect’s enormous auction of pills stirred greed across the Black-Corner Domain. As the auction approached, Su Qian decided to go to Black Seal City and protect Xiao Ce.

• Xiao Ce flew out from Jia Nan Academy with Yuan Yi, and Han Feng sensed Xiao Ce’s Heavenly Flame and clashed briefly with his Spiritual Strength.
• Han Feng judged Xiao Ce to be a newly advanced seventh-tier alchemist and agreed with Protector Xuan to test him before making a move for his soul and Heavenly Flame.
• The Eight-Fan Sect announced an auction in Black Seal City featuring numerous high-grade pills, prompting Mo Tianxing to press Demon Flame Valley to join forces with the Black Emperor Sect and Han Feng.
• Su Qian, Hu Gan, and Elder Huo discussed the danger Xiao Ce faced because of the auction’s scale and his unusually rapid pill refining.
• Su Qian decided to attend the auction alone to protect Xiao Ce while Hu Gan stayed behind to support Jia Nan Academy.