Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan reached the Black-Domain Great Plains, gathered maps and information about the Black-Corner Region, and learned that Han Feng was known as the Maple Emperor. Back on the Flying Boat, Yao Lao revealed that Han Feng was responsible for his current soul form and imprisonment in the Bone Flame Ring.

• Xiao Yan arrived at the Black-Domain Great Plains with Hai Bodong and reflected on his progress in soul and battle skills.
• Mao Luo brought Xiao Yan maps of the Black-Corner Region, and Xiao Yan rewarded him with gold coins.
• Mao Luo explained the region's factions and the Black Ranking, naming Han Feng as the third-ranked expert and the Maple Emperor.
• Xiao Yan returned to his room on the Flying Boat, isolated it with his soul power, and called out Yao Lao.
• Yao Lao told Xiao Yan that Han Feng had caused him to become a soul form and become trapped in the Bone Flame Ring.

Yao Lao told Xiao Yan how Han Feng and Elder Mu Gu had betrayed him, and Xiao Yan traveled with Hai Bodong to Black-Seal City for its annual auction. They learned the auction would begin in a week and settled into an inn, where Xiao Yan waited for the valuable items he expected to appear.

• Yao Lao recounted how Han Feng had joined Elder Mu Gu to ambush him for the Burning Mantra, and Xiao Yan promised to deal with Han Feng.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to remain behind while he and Hai Bodong went to Black-Seal City.
• Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong flew into Black-Seal City, where Hai Bodong froze and shattered a man who tried to steal from him.
• Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong reached the Black-Seal Auction House and learned that the annual auction would start in a week.
• Xiao Yan checked into an expensive inn with Hai Bodong and anticipated bidding on the Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map and other treasures.

Xiao Yan attended the Black-Seal Auction with Hai Bodong and used his wealth to secure VIP access. He bought every auction lot at high prices, including a young girl, while Fan Ling drew his attention as a possible rival for the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill.

• Xiao Yan completed his mastery of Void Soul Prison, then went with Hai Bodong to the Black-Seal Auction House.
• Xiao Yan bought Medicinal Herbs to qualify for a Level 1 VIP Card and took a front-row seat with Hai Bodong.
• Xiao Yan recognized Fan Ling as a likely buyer of the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill and decided he would have to kill him to seize it.
• The Black-Seal Auction began, and Xiao Yan bought the Cold Edge sword for two hundred thousand gold coins.
• Xiao Yan outbid the crowd for the lots one by one, spending nearly ten million gold coins and drawing everyone's attention.

Xiao Yan won the Thunder Bat Sky Wings and a map fragment connected to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, then lost patience with Fan Ling’s repeated provocations. He ordered Hai Bodong to kill Fan Ling and announced that they would overturn the auction.

• Fan Ling insulted Xiao Yan, who wondered whether his evolved aura was provoking hostility.
• Xiao Yan outbid Fan Ling for the Thunder Bat Sky Wings at two million gold coins.
• After Yao Lao identified a map fragment as connected to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, Xiao Yan won it for three hundred thousand gold coins.
• Fan Ling stopped bidding on the fragment, while other bidders mocked Xiao Yan for paying so much for it.
• Xiao Yan told Hai Bodong to stop pretending to be calm and kill Fan Ling, and Hai Bodong agreed.

Xiao Yan took the Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map while Hai Bodong subdued Fan Ling and confronted Yuan Yi. After Yuan Yi admitted he had helped Fan Ling out of greed, Hai Bodong asked Xiao Yan how to deal with him, leaving Yuan Yi stunned by Xiao Yan’s apparent authority.

• Hai Bodong revealed himself as a Dou Emperor, froze Fan Ling’s guards, and sealed the auction house exit.
• Xiao Yan broke the protective barrier and stored the Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map in his Storage Ring.
• Yuan Yi emerged from the second floor, broke the ice barrier, and allowed Fan Ling to flee toward the exit.
• Hai Bodong killed Fan Ling and his guards, then overwhelmed Yuan Yi with his high-star Dou Emperor aura.
• Yuan Yi admitted that he had helped Fan Ling to earn a favor from his father, and Hai Bodong asked Xiao Yan how to deal with him.

Xiao Yan forced Yuan Yi to surrender the Black-Seal Auction’s items, including Han Feng’s Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, and left to build his reputation in the Black-Corner Region. Han Feng learned the pill had been stolen by someone with a Heavenly Flame and became intensely interested in the thief.

• Xiao Yan pressured Yuan Yi into handing over every auction lot except Han Feng’s pill, then used his Myriad Beast Spirit Flame to make Yuan Yi surrender that as well.
• Xiao Yan took the items without payment and left the auction house with Hai Bodong after destroying Fan Ling’s ice sculpture.
• Xiao Yan told Hai Bodong he had spared Yuan Yi so the sect leader would spread his name and help him draw someone out.
• Han Feng learned Yuan Yi had lost the Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill and erupted in anger.
• Yuan Yi told Han Feng that the thief possessed a Heavenly Flame, and Han Feng demanded to hear more.

Han Feng learned that Xiao Yan possessed the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame and ordered Yuan Yi to find him, offering to overlook the lost Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan equipped Xiao Li with lightning-attributed Dou Skills, then completed the Ice Extreme Pill and summoned Hai Bodong, telling him it was time to break through to Dou Zong.

• Yuan Yi told Han Feng that Xiao Yan's masked companion had wielded the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, and Han Feng recognized the chance to improve his Burning Mantra and pursue his ambitions.
• Han Feng asked Yuan Yi to find Xiao Yan and promised to overlook the lost Yin-Yang Profound Dragon Pill, with an Imperial Extreme Pill as a further reward if Yuan Yi helped him.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Ding and Xiao Li about the auction, gave Xiao Li two lightning-attributed Dou Skills, and handed Xiao Ding the remaining spoils to distribute among his subordinates.
• After three days aboard the Flying Boat, Xiao Yan finished the prescription and pill for the mid-tier sixth-rank Ice Extreme Pill, which could raise an ice-attributed Dou Emperor by one star.
• Xiao Yan summoned Hai Bodong, who was drawn to the icy pill, and told him it was time to break through to Dou Zong.

Xiao Yan gave Hai Bodong three pills to raise his cultivation, and Hai Bodong successfully broke through to Dou Zong. The chapter ended with Hai Bodong demonstrating his ability to walk through the void aboard the Flying Boat.

• Xiao Yan explained that the Imperial Extreme Pill, Ice Extreme Pill, and Break-Ancestor Pill could help Hai Bodong advance to Dou Zong.
• Hai Bodong took the Imperial Extreme Pill and advanced from Seven-Star to Eight-Star Dou Emperor.
• Hai Bodong took Xiao Yan's Ice Extreme Pill, reached Nine-Star Dou Emperor, and gained more condensed Dou Qi with resistance to flames.
• Hai Bodong swallowed Xiao Yan's top-grade Break-Ancestor Pill and broke through to Dou Zong.
• Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Ya Fei, and Xue Lan congratulated Hai Bodong when he and Xiao Yan emerged from the room.
• Hai Bodong walked through the air beside the Flying Boat, revealing that he had become a Dou Zong.

Hai Bodong revealed that he had become a Dou Zong thanks to Xiao Yan’s pills, while Xiao Yan learned that factions across the Black-Corner Region were responding to their growing reputations. Xiao Yan accepted Han Feng’s invitation and arranged a meeting in Black-Seal City, planning to prepare for the danger ahead without exposing his full strength.

• Hai Bodong demonstrated his Dou Zong cultivation and credited Xiao Yan’s pills for his breakthrough, increasing the loyalty of those aboard the Flying Boat.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Yan that news of the Black-Seal Auction incident had spread throughout the Black-Corner Region and that many factions were investigating or contacting them.
• Xiao Yan reviewed invitations from factions including Demon Flame Valley and the Black Emperor Sect, noting that Han Feng had invited him to discuss alchemy.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Ding to arrange a meeting with Han Feng in Black-Seal City three days later.
• Xiao Ding warned that Han Feng might gather powerful allies, and Xiao Yan said he would seek one or two more Dou Emperors while keeping his strength hidden.

At Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Xun'er learned that Xiao Yan had arrived and prepared to meet him despite her heartbreak over his relationship with Medusa. She left with the disciple who delivered his message, while Ling Ying and another protector secretly followed.

• Xiao Xun'er sat heartbroken at the training grounds as other disciples speculated that Xiao Yan had hurt her.
• An Enforcement Team disciple told Xiao Xun'er that a man wearing a Flame Mask waited near Peace Town and had sent the message, "Xun'er, I'm here."
• A green-clad figure reminded Xiao Xun'er that Xiao Yan had grown close to other women, including Medusa, but Xiao Xun'er insisted that he was still her Brother Xiao Yan.
• Ling Ying recalled telling Xiao Xun'er about Xiao Yan's relationships with Medusa and Yun Yun, news that had crushed her hopes for their future.
• Xiao Xun'er changed into a carefully arranged green gown, then left with the messenger while Ling Ying and the green-clad figure secretly followed.

Xiao Yan met Xiao Xun'er outside Peace Town and explained how he had become involved with Queen Medusa, easing some of Xun'er's hurt. Xun'er lent him Elder Ling despite denying that she had forgiven him, and Xiao Yan left with Ling Ying to join his allies and prepare for their next move in the Black-Corner Region.

• Xiao Xun'er met Xiao Yan at Peace Town, where he explained that he had taken responsibility for Queen Medusa after she forced herself on him.
• Xiao Xun'er offered to lend Elder Ling to Xiao Yan for the sake of their past friendship, then hurried away.
• A green-clad figure questioned Xiao Xun'er about helping Xiao Yan, and she privately wondered whether she had forgiven him too easily.
• Ling Ying told Xiao Yan that Xiao Xun'er had been grieving over him and warned that Queen Medusa would make winning the Ancient Clan's approval harder.
• Xiao Yan returned to the Flying Boat with Ling Ying and ordered him to stop every Dou Emperor except the Gold and Silver Elders and Han Feng.

Xiao Yan prepared to attack Han Feng for Feng City, revenge, and the Sea Heart Flame, while concealing his true motives from Ling Ying. After Han Feng gathered allies and ambushed him, Xiao Yan confronted him directly, and Han Feng ordered his forces to attack.

• Xiao Yan explained his plans to take Feng City, and Hai Bodong revealed that he had advanced to Dou Zong, easing Ling Ying’s concerns.
• Xiao Yan returned to his room and considered visiting Xun Er after taking Feng City, while thinking about using their relationship to seek resources.
• Han Feng waited in Black-Seal City and gathered the Gold and Silver Elders, Ban Lao, Fan Lao, and Yuan Yi to help him seize Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Yan entered Han Feng’s inn disguised as Yun Xiao, accompanied by Hai Bodong, and Han Feng recognized the presence of a Heavenly Flame.
• Xiao Yan called out Han Feng’s hidden ambush, and Han Feng ordered his allies to attack together.

Xiao Yan faced Han Feng and four allies in a siege, but Hai Bodong and Ling Ying arrived to even the odds, and Yuan Yi switched sides. Xiao Yan seized control of Han Feng’s Sea Heart Flame and unleashed Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, leaving their battle at its climax.

• Han Feng and four other Dou Emperors attacked Xiao Yan, but Hai Bodong revealed himself as a Dou Zong and Ling Ying joined the fight.
• Yuan Yi abandoned Han Feng and allied himself with Ling Ying after revealing that he had reported Xiao Yan’s Heavenly Flames to Han Feng.
• Han Feng and the Gold and Silver Elders agreed to fight on, while Fan Lao and Ban Lao prepared to hold off Ling Ying and Yuan Yi.
• Han Feng attacked Xiao Yan with the Sea Heart Flame, but Xiao Yan used his abilities to seize control of the flames and knock Han Feng back with the Heavy Profound Ruler.
• Xiao Yan endured Han Feng’s halberd strike and swung the ruler with Flame Splitting Wave Ruler.

Xiao Yan defeated Han Feng, imprisoned his soul, and took the Sea Heart Flame and Storage Ring. He subdued Ban Lao and Yuan Yi, ordered the rebuilding of Black-Seal City, and revealed that his real name was Yan Xiao.

• Xiao Yan used an Earth Rank Dou Skill to cut Han Feng in two, then trapped his Soul Body in Void Soul Prison.
• Xiao Yan stored Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame and took his Storage Ring.
• Hai Bodong injured the Gold and Silver Elders, and Xiao Yan stopped them from escaping before Hai Bodong killed them and took their Storage Rings.
• Ling Ying and Hai Bodong killed Fan Lao, while Ban Lao surrendered to Xiao Yan and pledged the Earth Flame Sect's loyalty.
• Xiao Yan gave Ban Lao and Yuan Yi pills, ordered Yuan Yi to manage Black-Seal City, and told them to call him Yan Xiao.

Xiao Yan assigned the Eight-Fan Sect and Earth Flame Sect roles in his expanding operation, rewarding their leaders with pills. In a concealed room, he released Yao Lao to confront the imprisoned Han Feng, who realized his former teacher was still alive.

• Xiao Yan ordered the Mittel Family to take over the Eight-Fan Sect’s Black-Seal City connections and sent another Flying Boat to occupy Feng City, while promising Yuan Yi protection and pills.
• Hai Bodong revealed that Xiao Yan’s pills had helped him reach the Dou Zong realm, and Xiao Yan gave Yuan Yi an Imperial Extreme Pill for his cooperation.
• Xiao Yan assigned Ban Lao’s Earth Flame Sect to escort and transport resources, then gave Ban Lao a Dou Ling Pill.
• Xiao Yan told Ling Ying to watch over Black-Seal City and sent Hai Bodong back to relay his orders to his elder brother.
• At the Black-Seal Auction House, Xiao Yan isolated the room with soul power and asked Yao Lao to deal with Han Feng, who recognized Yao Lao and cried out that he was alive.

Xiao Yan confronted Han Feng with Yao Lao, who explained why he had withheld the Burning Mantra and rejected Han Feng’s feigned repentance. After Yao Lao entrusted Han Feng’s fate to Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan sealed Han Feng’s soul in a bottle and began claiming his possessions, including the Nether Sea Storage Ring.

• Yao Lao told Han Feng that he had taken him in and planned a safer path to stronger cultivation, while Han Feng blamed him for withholding the Burning Mantra.
• Han Feng appeared remorseful and begged Yao Lao for another chance, but turned vicious when Yao Lao refused to spare him.
• Xiao Yan recognized Han Feng’s plea as manipulation, intensified the Soul Chains’ torment, and reassured Yao Lao that Han Feng was simply an ingrate.
• Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan permission to deal with Han Feng as he wished, then returned to the ring.
• Xiao Yan weakened Han Feng’s soul, sealed it in a bottle for possible future use in a Heavenly Demon Puppet, and removed Han Feng’s Soul Mark from the Nether Sea Storage Ring.

Xiao Yan claimed Han Feng’s Myriad Beast Cauldron and discovered it resonated with his Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, inspiring him to plan a pill for magical beasts. He then swallowed the Sea Heart Flame’s fire seed and began absorbing its energy to strengthen his body, evolve the Burning Mantra, and raise his cultivation.

• Xiao Yan examined Han Feng’s Storage Ring and found a wealth of herbs, pills, treasures, and the Myriad Beast Cauldron.
• Xiao Yan erased Han Feng’s Soul Mark from the Myriad Beast Cauldron and found that it resonated with his Myriad Beast Spirit Flame.
• Xiao Yan guessed that the cauldron and flame could help him refine a pill for magical beasts, which he hoped to use to befriend Zi Yan.
• Xiao Yan removed the Sea Heart Flame’s fire seed from the Earth Fire Lotus Platform and swallowed it.
• Xiao Yan absorbed the Sea Heart Flame’s energy as the Burning Mantra evolved, his physique strengthened, and his cultivation rose.

Xiao Yan used an Imperial Extreme Pill, the Sea Heart Flame, and vast quantities of fire-attribute treasures to break through from Dou Emperor to Dou Zong. The chapter ended with him controlling spatial power and confirming his breakthrough, while Yuan Yi and Ban Lao watched in awe.

• Yuan Yi and Ban Lao sensed the energy vortex over Black-Seal City and realized Xiao Yan was breaking through within the Dou Emperor stage.
• Xiao Yan swallowed an Imperial Extreme Pill and advanced through Seven-Star, Eight-Star, and Nine-Star Dou Emperor, but stopped at Half-Step Dou Zong for lack of energy.
• Xiao Yan swallowed fire-attribute herbs and used his Heaven-Swallowing Talent to absorb their energy, then took a Break-Ancestor Pill to dissolve his bottleneck.
• A vast energy vortex drew power from across the Black-Corner Region, and Yuan Yi and Ban Lao realized Xiao Yan was attempting to break through to Dou Zong.
• Xiao Yan sensed and controlled spatial power, cracked the air with a flick of his finger, and declared that he had reached Dou Zong.

After reaching Dou Zong and taking stock of his gains, Xiao Yan decided not to awaken a talent with the Sea Heart Flame and planned to visit Jia Nan Academy as a Seventh-Rank Alchemist collaborator. He left Black-Seal City with Ling Ying to pursue Xun'er, Zi Yan, and a chance to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Xiao Yan considered using a talent slot for the Sea Heart Flame but chose to save his remaining slots for more useful treasures.
• Xiao Yan searched the Gold and Silver Elders' Storage Rings, found a Sixth-Rank Beast Flame, and absorbed it to slightly increase his cultivation.
• Yuan Yi, Ban Lao, and Ling Ying congratulated Xiao Yan on reaching Dou Zong, and Ling Ying told him Feng City had not yet been secured from Han Feng's allies.
• Xiao Yan reviewed his goals, deciding to delay attacking Demon Flame Valley and go to Jia Nan Academy as a collaborator instead of a student.
• Xiao Yan told Ling Ying to accompany him to Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Yan refined a Break-Ancestor Pill outside Peace Town to attract Jia Nan Academy’s attention. When academy leaders learned a Dou Zong was making pills at the entrance, the chapter ended with them alerted to his presence.

• Xiao Yan summoned the Myriad Beast Cauldron and used the Green Lotus Core Flame to refine a Break-Ancestor Pill, while Ling Ying stood guard.
• People gathered and recognized that Xiao Yan was a Dou Zong powerhouse after noticing he was suspended in the air without wings.
• An Enforcement Team captain hurried to notify Vice Principal Hu Gan and Grand Elder Su Qian.
• Hu Gan and Su Qian discussed Xiao Xun’er’s promise before an instructor reported that a Dou Zong was refining pills at Peace Town’s entrance.