Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yu and Zi Yan entered the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape’s valley to retrieve the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk after Xiao Yu forced the beast to let them pass. They found the hidden underground pool, and Zi Yan began collecting half while Xiao Yu flew toward the stalactite above it.

• Xiao Yu healed Little Purple with a Blood Revival Pill and gave Big White a Qi Restoration Pill after their fight with the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape.
• Xiao Yu demanded access to the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, overpowered the beast with his and his companions’ auras, and made it step aside.
• Xiao Yu led Zi Yan into the valley and uncovered a hidden passage beneath the Snow Demon Heavenly Ape’s sleeping place.
• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan followed the passage to an underground cavern filled with Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• Xiao Yu gave Zi Yan a jade spoon and two bottles to collect half the pool, then flew toward the top of the enormous stalactite.

Xiao Yu found the true Earth Core Body Tempering Milk, advanced to six-star Dou Wang, and shared the gathered treasures with his companions. A month later, as the Inner Academy’s Heart Flame grew unstable and the Strong Ranking Competition approached, Fan Lao killed a disciple who failed to identify the students behind the attack on his Blood Sect, before a stranger addressed him.

• Xiao Yu used his Soul Power to locate the true Earth Core Body Tempering Milk in a stalactite, absorbed Earth Power, and advanced to six-star Dou Wang.
• Xiao Yu took most of the jade-green milk and left the valley with Zi Yan, while the returning Snow Demon Heavenly Ape rushed back inside.
• Cai Die brought Xiao Yu, Zi Yan, and their companions back to the Inner Academy, where they distributed both kinds of Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
• A month later, Xun Er, Hu Jia, and the others reported that the Heart Flame in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower had grown violent, and Xiao Yu advised them to avoid it.
• Xiao Yan returned from the back mountain at four-star Dou Ling, and Xiao Yu later told Xun Er he wanted them to have a child after they married.
• Fan Lao killed a Blood Sect disciple who could not identify the Jia Nan Academy students behind the ambush, then heard an unfamiliar voice criticize his conduct.

Han Feng tried to recruit Fan Lao into a future attack on Jia Nan Academy, and Fan Lao agreed to wait until the academy was in danger. Meanwhile, Xiao Yu brought Little Xiao Nian to Cai Lin, then joined Xun Er and the others at the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, where the Fallen Heart Flame was growing more violent.

• Han Feng urged Fan Lao to join other Black Corner Region factions in taking revenge on Jia Nan Academy, and Fan Lao agreed to await news if the academy fell into peril.
• Fan Lao ordered Blood Sect disciples to send more men to monitor Jia Nan Academy.
• Cai Lin took Little Xiao Nian from Cai Die’s room and sent her to Xiao Yu, who fled downstairs after mistaking Cai Lin for Cai Die.
• Little Xiao Nian approached Cai Lin, learned her name, and quickly won a warm response from her.
• Xiao Yu went with Xun Er and the others to the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and sensed that the Fallen Heart Flame inside had grown more violent.

Xiao Yu used Chaos Flame to quell Fallen Heart Flame's upheaval in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, drawing Great Elder Su Qian's attention. After Xiao Yu investigated the flame beneath the tower, he told Su Qian that he had a way to solve the problem of its confinement.

• Xiao Yu and Xun Er entered the tower's sixth floor, where Fallen Heart Flame's energy suddenly erupted.
• Xiao Yu released Chaos Flame, and Fallen Heart Flame's rampaging energy abruptly calmed.
• Great Elder Su Qian arrived, ordered the elders to increase surveillance, and asked about Xiao Yu.
• Su Qian brought Xiao Yu to the seal and asked him to investigate Fallen Heart Flame using the connection between Heavenly Flames.
• Xiao Yu said Fallen Heart Flame had developed intelligence and that guiding it would be better than keeping it trapped.
• Xiao Yu told Su Qian that he had a way to solve the problem.

Xiao Yu told Su Qian that Fallen Heart Flame’s eruption could not be stopped and proposed triggering it early with Xiao Yan’s help. He revealed that a second, unformed Fallen Heart Flame lay beneath the tower, leaving Su Qian hopeful that Jia Nan Academy could preserve the tower’s benefits after the crisis.

• Xiao Yu proposed weakening the Inner Academy’s seal so he and Xiao Yan could guide Fallen Heart Flame’s eruption, and Su Qian agreed to discuss the plan while reinforcing the seal.
• Xiao Yu privately told Su Qian that the academy risked losing its strength if Fallen Heart Flame erupted and escaped its control.
• Xiao Yu revealed that two Fallen Heart Flames existed beneath the black hole: the intelligent flame and an unformed one.
• Su Qian realized the unformed flame might provide Jia Nan Academy with a new source of power and asked whether Xiao Yan could subdue the intelligent flame.
• Su Qian sent Xiao Yu to ask Xiao Yan about subduing Fallen Heart Flame and planned to address the tower after the Strong Ranking Competition.

Ya Fei trained at the Mittel manor as Mittel Tengshan urged her to reach Dou Wang and travel to the Black Corner Region to find Xiao Yu. A disturbance at the Misty Cloud Sect drew the capital's experts, where they found Nalan Yanran injured after forcing a breakthrough; she later awoke at the Nalan residence.

• Mittel Tengshan told Ya Fei that the family was supporting her cultivation so she could become a Dou Wang and find Xiao Yu in the Black Corner Region.
• A thunderous boom and powerful aura erupted from the Misty Cloud Sect, prompting Ya Fei, Mittel Tengshan, and other Imperial Capital experts to rush there.
• The experts found the Misty Cloud Sect nearly deserted and saw Nalan Yanran emerge from a sword radiance before collapsing.
• Fama examined Nalan Yanran and said her forced breakthrough had reversed her Dou Qi, leaving her unable to use it for a time.
• Nalan Jie and Nalan Su took the unconscious Nalan Yanran home, and she awoke in her room that night.

Nalan Yanran learned that the power sealed inside her could protect her, then arranged to enter long-term seclusion and left the Imperial Capital alone. In Maple City, Han Feng confronted a figure in black mist over their failure to capture Yao Chen’s soul, and Han Feng erupted in anger.

• Nalan Yanran told Nalan Jie and Nalan Su that she had entered the Misty Cloud Sect’s Gate of Life and Death and gained a sealed power.
• Nalan Jie tested the power and found that it overwhelmed his Dou Qi and protected Nalan Yanran from his attack.
• Nalan Yanran regretted how she had broken off her engagement and decided to go to Jia Nan Academy, where she thought her teacher was.
• Nalan Yanran ordered the Misty Cloud Sect elders to handle its affairs during her long-term seclusion, then disguised herself and left the Imperial Capital.
• A black-mist figure taunted Han Feng about failing to capture Yao Chen’s soul, and Han Feng destroyed the stone table in anger.

Han Feng learned that Yao Chen might be hiding in Jia Nan Academy and planned to attack when the Fallen Heart Flame erupted. Xiao Yu told Xiao Yan that the academy would arrange for him to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame after the Strong Ranking Competition, then revealed a mysterious dark golden flame.

• The Soul Hall informant told Han Feng that Yao Chen might be at Jia Nan Academy and that its Fallen Heart Flame could erupt within two months, giving Han Feng a chance to attack.
• Xiao Yu told Xiao Yan that the Fallen Heart Flame beneath the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower could no longer be suppressed, and Yao Lao joined their discussion.
• Xiao Yu revealed that two Heavenly Flames lay beneath the tower: one had developed intelligence, while the other had yet to take shape.
• Xiao Yu said the Inner Academy would let the intelligent Fallen Heart Flame erupt under her control after the Strong Ranking Competition so Xiao Yan could absorb it.
• Xiao Yan planned to find a sixth-tier water-attributed magical beast core to finish refining the Earth Spirit Pill, and Yao Lao questioned why the Fallen Heart Flame feared Xiao Yu's flame.
• Xiao Yu showed Xiao Yan and Yao Lao a dark golden flame, which Yao Lao said might be an unknown Heavenly Flame.

Xiao Yu learned that a mysterious force was hunting cultivators in the Black Corner Region and suspected the Soul Hall was behind it, possibly in connection with Han Feng and Fan Lao. Meanwhile, Yao Lao refined Xiao Yan’s Earth Spirit Pill, whose dramatic appearance drew Great Elder Su Qian toward them.

• Xiao Yu told Xiao Yan and Yao Lao that he believed the flame inside him came from the heavenly tribulations he endured when breaking through realms.
• Xiao Yan found the final medicinal ingredient for the Earth Spirit Pill and left before finishing breakfast so Yao Lao could refine it.
• Wu Hao reported a surge of murderous outsiders near Jia Nan Academy and rumors of a black-mist-cloaked force hunting cultivators across the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Yu and Xun Er suspected the Soul Hall had entered the region and discussed whether its mission involved Xiao Yan, Han Feng, and Fan Lao.
• Yao Lao refined the Earth Spirit Pill, unleashing a huge blue pillar of light that alerted Great Elder Su Qian, then warned that someone was approaching.

Xiao Yan, Yao Lao, and their companions confronted Great Elder Su Qian after he sensed the aura of Sixth Grade Pills, and Yao Lao revealed his identity as the presumed-dead Venerable Yao. As they discussed the Soul Hall’s presence in the Black Corner Region, Xiao Yu proposed using the Fallen Heart Flame to turn the coming conflict with the Soul Hall and Han Feng against them, with Xun Er’s help.

• Yao Lao concealed Xiao Yan from Su Qian, who arrived seeking the source of the Sixth Grade Pills’ aura.
• Xiao Yu arrived carrying Xun Er, recognized Xiao Yan as the pill refiner’s companion, and called him out of hiding.
• Xiao Yan denied refining the pills and refused to reveal who had, but Yao Lao emerged and Su Qian recognized him as Venerable Yao.
• Xun Er warned that the Soul Hall had come to the Black Corner Region for Yao Lao’s soul, and Xiao Yu confirmed that its agents were likely working with Han Feng.
• Xiao Yu proposed using the controlled Fallen Heart Flame to make the Soul Hall and Han Feng suffer, then asked Xun Er to help.

Xiao Yu proposed that the Ancient Clan help oppose Soul Hall and invited Gu Yuan to the Black Corner Region to witness a planned show. Yao Lao recognized Xun Er’s Ancient Clan heritage and suspected the Xiao Clan was connected to the ancient Xiao Clan, while Gu Yuan received Xun Er’s invitation.

• Xiao Yu told Xun Er that Soul Hall’s activities offered the Ancient Clan a chance to investigate and urged them to build a force to oppose it, and Xun Er agreed to pass the message to her father.
• Yao Lao recognized the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame in Xun Er and inferred that she belonged to the Ancient Clan, then wondered whether the Xiao Clan was the ancient clan of that name.
• Xiao Yu arranged with Great Elder Su Qian to remove the flame in the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower and let the Fallen Heart Flame erupt after the Strong Ranking Competition.
• Xun Er sent Elder Ling to deliver Xiao Yu’s message to Gu Yuan in the Gu Realm.
• Gu Yuan learned that Xun Er and Xiao Yu had invited him to the Black Corner Region in half a month to watch a show.

Gu Yuan reflected on his promise to protect the Xiao Clan and hoped Xiao Yu would restore its glory. Five days later, the Strong Ranking Competition began at Jia Nan Academy, where Xiao Yu and Zi Yan joined Pan Men and faced the Inner Academy’s top fighters.

• Gu Yuan told a black-clad man to warn Ling Ying that Xun Er would return with him if the competition failed to impress, then recalled his promise to Xiao Xuan and placed his hopes in Xiao Yu.
• Five days later, the Inner Academy’s bell announced the Strong Ranking Competition, and Xiao Yu sensed the powerful auras of its contestants.
• Zi Yan arrived at Xiao Yu’s room, complained about the competition, and learned that Xiao Yu had reached the seven-star Dou Wang realm.
• Xiao Yu, Xun Er, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Cai Lin, and Xiao Nian gathered with Pan Men before heading to Central Plaza, where Xiao Yu planned to build the Underworld after the competition.
• Xiao Yu and Zi Yan entered the contestants’ area, unnerving Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and the other top-ranked students, while Liu Fei recognized Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan but said nothing about her grudge.

The Inner Academy Strong Ranking Competition began as Su Qian announced the rules and the contestants prepared to draw their opponents. Outside Black Rock City, Green Man confronted Yuan Yi, who identified himself as the Eight Fan Sect master and said he had come at Han Feng’s request to welcome the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

• Yao Sheng promised Liu Fei he would punish Xiao Yan if they met in the competition, and Liu Fei urged him to beat Xiao Yan badly.
• Cai Lin brought Little Xiao Nian to the elders’ seats and used her aura to frighten away people staring at them.
• Su Qian called the Strong Ranking contestants into the arena, warned them that killing was forbidden, and explained the numbered-slip draw.
• Green Man confronted Yuan Yi in a forest outside Black Rock City, and he revealed he had come on Han Feng’s orders to welcome the Heavenly Snake Mansion.
• Green Man let her Dou Qi fade after hearing Han Feng’s name, but warily asked Yuan Yi what Han Feng wanted.

Green Man and the others waited outside Black Rock City for Han Feng, while Yuan Yi secretly weighed his cooperation with Soul Hall. Nalan Yanran reached the outskirts of Black Rock City on her way to Jia Nan Academy and concealed herself after hearing nearby voices.

• Green Man refused Yuan Yi’s offer to enter Black Rock City, gave him a Heavenly Snake Mansion jade slip for sending messages, and prepared to rest with Elder Qing and Qing Lin.
• Qing Lin looked forward to seeing Han Feng again and reassured herself that she had protected his sword, Black Scale.
• Yuan Yi ordered a subordinate to tell the Medicine Emperor that Heavenly Snake Mansion had arrived, then argued with a Soul Hall envoy about their uncertain alliance.
• Yuan Yi told the envoy about a powerful lone Dou Emperor outside Black Rock City and said he would contact Soul Hall if Han Feng acted.
• Nalan Yanran reached the Black Corner Region after traveling for more than ten days, checked a map, and continued toward Jia Nan Academy to see her teacher.
• When Nalan Yanran heard nearby voices, she used the Returning to One’s Body Dou Technique to hide her aura in a tree.

Green Man told Qing Lin and Elder Qing how the Heavenly Snake Mansion’s Mansion Lord had been defeated by Yellow Springs Venerable and driven back to the Northwest Continent. Nalan Yanran was caught listening, introduced herself to the group, and froze when she met Qing Lin’s eyes.

• Green Man revealed that the Mansion Lord had fought Yellow Springs Venerable of the Yellow Springs Pavilion, suffered defeat, and retreated with the Heavenly Snake Mansion to the Northwest Continent.
• Qing Lin vowed to defeat Yellow Springs Venerable and restore the Heavenly Snake Mansion’s standing.
• Nalan Yanran overheard the group discussing Xiao Yu and the Mansion Lord, then tried to slip away quietly.
• Green Man attacked Nalan Yanran, who dodged and introduced herself as the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Green Man questioned how Nalan Yanran had become Sect Leader, and Qing Lin asked whether she was from the Jia Ma Empire.
• Nalan Yanran explained that Yun Yun was her master, then froze when her eyes met Qing Lin’s.

Nalan Yanran convinced Green Man to let her travel with the group to Jia Nan Academy to find Xiao Yu. At the Strong Ranking Competition, Great Elder Su Qian announced a new Challenger Seat rule that put Zi Yan, Xiao Yu, and Lin Xiuya at risk of challenges for a place in the finals.

• Nalan Yanran said she was going to Jia Nan Academy to find Xiao Yu, and Green Man agreed to let her accompany the group after Qing Lin intervened.
• The next day, Nalan Yanran traveled with Green Man and the others toward Peace Town.
• At Jia Nan Academy, the first day's elimination results left twenty-five contestants, including Xiao Yu and Zi Yan, still in the Strong Ranking Competition.
• Xiao Yu, Zi Yan, and their companions arrived at the plaza for the second round as Pan Men's popularity drew the crowd's attention.
• Great Elder Su Qian announced that Zi Yan, Xiao Yu, and Lin Xiuya would take the Challenger Seat, where the remaining contestants could challenge them for places in the finals.

The second round of the Strong Ranking Competition began, and Xiao Yan faced Yao Sheng after Yao Sheng arranged to become his opponent. Xiao Yan defeated him decisively, and the remaining contestants finished their matches before Su Qian announced the next challenge stage.

• Su Qian announced the second-round matches and had the contestants draw lots, while Liu Qing showed his dissatisfaction with Lin Xiuya's ranking.
• Lin Yan told Xiao Yan that Yao Sheng had traded opponents to fight him because of Liu Fei, but Xiao Yan refused to switch matches.
• Xiao Yan fought Yao Sheng, revealed his Heart Fire, and shattered several of Yao Sheng's ribs with Eight Extremes Collapse.
• Lin Yan, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and the other contestants completed their matches, while Han Yue was eliminated.
• Su Qian announced that the eleven remaining contestants each had one chance to challenge someone, with unsuccessful challengers entering the top-ten elimination matches.

On the final day of the Strong Ranking Competition, Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan prepared for the top ten matches while Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran arrived at Jia Nan Academy looking for Xiao Yu. Meanwhile, the Soul Hall learned that Yao Chen's soul was with Xiao Yan, and figures from Xun Er's clan emerged from a rift in space.

• Liu Qing declined to challenge anyone, and Great Elder Su Qian advanced Zi Yan, Xiao Yu, and Lin Xiuya directly into the top ten elimination matches.
• Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, and their companions discussed the upcoming matches, while Xiao Yan reflected that the Earth Spirit Pill would let him attempt to devour the Fallen Heart Flame after the competition.
• Green Man brought Qing Lin and Nalan Yanran to Jia Nan Academy, where Hu Gan told them that Xiao Yu had entered the Inner Academy and offered to pass along a message.
• Yuan Yi ordered his men to search for the Heavenly Snake Mansion group after they disappeared, and Han Feng learned that they had escaped.
• A Soul Hall Venerable Elder learned that Yao Chen's soul was with Xiao Yan and ordered Qing Hai to report to him after dealing with Han Feng.
• Several figures emerged from a spatial rift in the Northwest Continent, and their leader lamented that Xun Er had suffered in a place with such impoverished natural energy.

Gu Yuan arrived at Jia Nan Academy with the Ancient Clan elders, intending to bring Xun Er back and meet Xiao Yu. After the Strong Ranking Competition ended, Xiao Yu gave her Heart Flame Origin Body Tempering opportunity to another Xiao Yu, then headed to the Outer Academy after hearing someone was looking for him, while a voice summoned Su Qian.

• Ling Ying greeted Gu Yuan and the elders, and Gu Yuan said he had come to bring Xun Er back and assess Xiao Yu’s talent.
• Lin Xiuya defeated Liu Qing in the Strong Ranking Competition finals, while Xiao Yu defeated Qian Mo and Xiao Yan defeated Qin Zhen.
• The final rankings placed Zi Yan first, Xiao Yu second, Lin Xiuya third, and Liu Qing fourth.
• Xiao Yu gave her Heart Flame Origin Body Tempering opportunity to Xiao Yu, who accepted it.
• After an elder reported that someone was looking for Xiao Yu at the Outer Academy, Xiao Yu and Xun Er went there to investigate.
• A faint voice called for Su Qian to come out and meet it.

Su Qian discovered Gu Yuan and his party had entered the Inner Academy to meet Xiao Yu and Xun Er. At South City Square, Xiao Yu reunited with Qing Lin and learned Nalan Yanran had come to see Yun Yun.

• Su Qian confronted Ling Ying, then met Gu Yuan, who said Xiao Yu had invited him and agreed to wait in the Inner Academy for Xun Er.
• Hu Gan told Xiao Yu and Xun Er that their visitors were waiting at South City Square in Jia Nan City.
• Qing Lin ran to Xiao Yu and hugged him, and Xiao Yu introduced Xun Er as his wife.
• Green Man and Elder Qing greeted Xiao Yu, while Nalan Yanran removed her hood and said she had come to see Yun Yun.
• Xiao Yu told Nalan Yanran that Yun Yun was doing well and that he would notify her when Yun Yun awakened.