Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan was swallowed by the Qiankun Ancient Array and discovered that his Array Stone could absorb its power. After he broke the formation and returned, he prepared to lead the disciples into Tianming Villa.

• Xiao Yan stepped toward the Space Gate and was pulled into the Qiankun Ancient Array’s independent space while the yellow light swallowed the others nearby.
• Inside the formation, Xiao Yan faced a destructive attack and saw his Array Stone absorb the yellow energy, growing stronger.
• The Soul Devouring Master explained that the Array Stone might control the Qiankun Ancient Array, which Tianming Villa had likely set up as a test.
• Xiao Yan used the Array Stone to subdue the formation and emerged from the Space Gate as multicolored light restored the unconscious disciples.
• Xiao Yan told the disciples to count their members and prepare to enter Tianming Villa.

After ten days of studying formations, Xiao Yan visited Sifang City’s medicine market to seek the final ingredient needed for the Undying Fire. He entered the Medicine Pavilion after learning it governed the market, while Elder Tian recognized Xiao Yan’s unusual soul power and anticipated an eventful Four Continents Tournament.

• Xiao Yan completed ten days of intensive formation study and decided to search the medicine market for the final ingredient for the Undying Fire.
• Xiao Yan browsed the market’s pills and medicinal ingredients but found nothing he needed.
• The Soul Devouring Master directed Xiao Yan to speak with a white-haired elder at a stall, and the elder explained the Medicine Pavilion’s role in the market.
• Xiao Yan entered the Medicine Pavilion, and the elder identified as Elder Tian noted his profound soul power and familiar fluctuations.
• A man from the Medicine Pavilion approached Elder Tian respectfully and invited him inside.

Xiao Yan trapped Feng Ling and the cage holding Xiao Gui inside his Purgatory Formation while trying to free the prisoner. Huang Lei and Muxi discovered the array and entered it, leaving Xiao Yan facing all three as he prepared to test the formation’s power.

• Huang Lei attacked Muxi with Tiger Claw Bow, and Muxi stopped the strike with Space Binding while Xiao Yan finished assembling his array stone and array veins.
• Feng Ling approached the cage containing the Human-Ghost Hybrid, but Xiao Yan’s Purgatory Formation pulled Feng Ling and the cage into an array space resembling a volcano.
• Xiao Yan revealed himself to Feng Ling, learned that the young man was named Xiao Gui and that his parents were dead, then tried to break the cage with soul power without success.
• Huang Lei and Muxi noticed Feng Ling and the cage had vanished, agreed to investigate, and entered Xiao Yan’s array.
• Muxi recognized Xiao Yan and joined Huang Lei in preparing to attack him, while Xiao Yan brought out the array stone with thirty-four thousand array veins.

Xiao Yan fought one of the Xiangsi Tree's five Guardians while learning that Acacia Power and thoughts of a distant loved one could open a path into the tree. After remembering Xun Er and the others, he vanished into the Xiangsi Tree's roots, leaving the four Central Region experts outside.

• Qi Ziwen, Song Lanfeng, Hu Tianyuan, and Kong An recognized the five living-looking Elders as Guardians controlled by the Xiangsi Tree, and Xiao Yan joined them to explain their origins.
• Xiao Yan volunteered to hold off a scarred Guardian and attacked him with several techniques, but his strikes barely affected the four-star, late-stage Dou Xian.
• The Soul Devouring Master told Xiao Yan that entry began at the roots and required Acacia Power tied to longing, which only Xiao Yan possessed.
• Xiao Yan distracted the scarred Guardian with the Spirit-Devouring Blood Monument and Purgatory Array Chart, then rushed to the Xiangsi Tree's roots.
• Xiao Yan remembered Xun Er, Cai Lin, Yun Yun, and Yingying, and the Holy Flame Heart released blue flames as his distinct Acacia Power emerged.
• Xiao Yan transformed into a Pink Halo and disappeared into the Xiangsi Tree's roots before the four experts could stop him.

Xiao Yan tried to awaken the Xiangsi Tree and obtain a Xiangsi Fruit, hoping to find a way to save Mu Yingying. His tear finally caused two Xiangsi Fruits to appear, and he decided to keep one for her as he continued searching for the Xiangsi Broken Intestine Flame.

• The Soul Devouring Master told Xiao Yan that the vanished woman was likely the Xiangsi Tree's Guardian and that the tree's third treasure was connected to the Xiangsi Broken Intestine Flame.
• Xiao Yan tried his spiritual power, Dou Qi, and Twin Holy Flames to make the Xiangsi Fruit appear, but the tree did not respond.
• Xiao Yan despaired over his failure to save Mu Yingying, and a tear from his eye fell beneath the tree's roots.
• The Xiangsi Tree gathered its Acacia Power at the spot where the tear fell and produced two Xiangsi Fruits.
• The Soul Devouring Master said the fruits could help Xiao Yan break through to the Four-Star Dou Xian Mid Stage, but Xiao Yan chose to save one for Mu Yingying.

After reaching Three-star Later-stage Dou Xian, Xiao Yan chose to absorb the Dou Xian Pill before seeking out the Xiangsi Tree Spirit. A year of cultivation brought him to the Four-star Dou Xian Tribulation, which began as silver-black thunderclouds gathered overhead.

• Xiao Yan decided to swallow the Dou Xian Pill before searching for the Xiangsi Tree Spirit and pursuing his next goals.
• Xiao Yan released the pill from its Jade Bottle and used his Holy Flame to subdue and refine it.
• Xiao Yan absorbed the Dou Xian Pill’s energy for a year as it tempered the Acacia Power inside him.
• Silver-black Thunder Clouds appeared, and Xiao Yan opened his eyes as the Four-star Dou Xian Tribulation arrived.
• Xiao Yan watched the thunder strike the Xiangsi Tree’s roots and realized he would face four tribulations to complete his breakthrough.

Xiao Yan realized that the Earth Spirit Blood General was absorbing the experts’ attacks to restore his strength and drew its attention while Yuanyan broke the seal to Tianwang Cang’s ruins. Xiao Yan and his companions entered the ruins and resealed the entrance, leaving the other experts and the enraged Blood General outside.

• The experts attacked the Earth Spirit Blood General, while Xiao Yan noticed that its armor was absorbing their Dou Qi.
• The Soul Devouring Master warned Xiao Yan that the Blood General was using the attacks to regain its strength, so Xiao Yan rushed in to stop it.
• Xiao Yan attacked the Blood General with his Firmament Finger, and the other experts realized their strikes had not harmed it and stopped attacking.
• Xiao Yan lured the Blood General away as Yuanyan used an Array Stone to break the seal at the ruins’ entrance.
• Xiao Yan and his companions entered the ruins and resealed the entrance, while the Blood General absorbed the stored Dou Qi and the other experts vowed to make Xiao Yan pay.

Xiao Yan explored the Temporary Market at Soul Valley and bought a rare Fire Phoenix Grass after bargaining with a stall owner. He passed up a mysterious Leaf linked to the Xiangsi Tree when Song Lanfeng outbid him, and she followed him to confirm his identity.

• Xiao Yan searched the Temporary Market and spotted a rare Fire Phoenix Grass at a stall.
• Xiao Yan bargained the middle-aged stall owner down from ten million to one million gold coins and bought the herb.
• Xiao Yan noticed a strange Leaf that seemed connected to the Xiangsi Tree, but the stall owner demanded one hundred million gold coins for it.
• Song Lanfeng of the Different Soul Tower paid one hundred million gold coins for the Leaf, so Xiao Yan left without it.
• Song Lanfeng suspected Xiao Yan was the manager of the Wanhuo Sect and followed him out of the Temporary Market.

Xiao Yan and Duan Qifei headed toward the center of the ruins after securing the proto-pill, where experts from across the Four Continents were gathering near Tianwang Cang’s mausoleum. As rival groups approached, several discovered ominous signs and prepared to compete for the treasures within.

• Xiao Yan and Duan Qifei sensed Liu Qing and the others and hurried toward the primitive forest’s core, expecting the struggle over Tianwang Cang’s legacy to begin.
• Liu Qing’s group discussed their dangerous journey through the Mihun Heavenly Palace and Nether Marsh, then moved toward the center after Yun Qi sensed approaching auras.
• Mo Baixuan and Moyu planned to pursue the Heavenly King Seal and free Tian Dusha, but chose to hide and wait for the other experts to act first.
• Xing Yun and Liu Yun approached the mausoleum, concerned that the Xuanyu Qin was reacting uneasily to a danger within.
• Lin Yuan and Lin Lin advanced cautiously, while Shen Jun and Muxi separately vowed to use the gathering at the mausoleum to defeat Xiao Yan and reclaim what they had lost.

Luo Menglan uncovered five Xuanbing Lotus Seeds and entered secluded cultivation to try to reach Four-star Dou Xian. Xiao Yan and Xiao Gui waited outside, but Luo Menglan’s breakthrough began to show signs of failure.

• Luo Menglan opened the Xuanbing Lotus Platform and found five Xuanbing Lotus Seeds inside.
• Luo Menglan entered secluded cultivation with the seeds while Xiao Gui agreed to guard her.
• Xiao Yan returned after absorbing the Ice Demon Swordsman and encouraged Xiao Gui to pursue Luo Menglan.
• Xiao Yan treated Xiao Gui’s wound and told him to speak with Luo Menglan when she emerged from seclusion.
• Luo Menglan’s cultivation space shook with violent impacts, and the surrounding ice gave off a chilling aura that suggested her breakthrough was failing.

Xiao Yan investigated the strange river surrounding the Xiangsi Tree’s island and concluded that wit, not brute force, was needed to cross it. He enlisted Qi Ziwen’s fire power to help draw out a hidden Soul Beast, which began surging toward them as Xiao Yan concentrated.

• Qi Ziwen reacted with hatred when Song Lanfeng introduced Xiao Yan, but she warned him not to attack her invited helper.
• Song Lanfeng explained that the circular river had obliterated anyone who tried to cross it or approach the island underground.
• Xiao Yan listened near the water, noticed crystal-like grains on its surface, and decided the river had to be solved through cunning rather than force.
• Xiao Yan asked Qi Ziwen to assist, then explained that they needed to combine fire power and soul power to force a hidden Soul Beast to appear.
• As Xiao Yan channeled his soul energy and flame Dou Qi into the river, the creature began surging toward the surface while Song Lanfeng watched.

Xiao Yan challenged the Wanhuo Sect’s leaders to settle their doubts about his authority by force. Ten Three-star Dou Xian Perfection experts attacked him together, and a strange power began to emerge around him as the chapter ended.

• At a banquet, Huo Xun challenged Xiao Yan to spar, and Xiao Yan agreed but said one opponent would not be enough.
• Xiao Yan announced that he and Xiao Gui would take over the Wanhuo Sect’s administration and invited everyone who disagreed, including Huo Yi, to fight him.
• Huo Yi sent ten Three-star Dou Xian Perfection experts to battle Xiao Yan, while telling Huo Liuxin to stay behind.
• Xiao Gui offered to join Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan reassured him that he could handle the fighters alone.
• The ten experts surged toward Xiao Yan with cyan flames, while Xiao Yan stood still and a strange power rippled through the void around him.

After Xiao Yan nearly killed Feng Jie with his Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus, Ling Yu appeared and trapped everyone at Qingshan Peak inside a black barrier. Ling Yu devoured Feng Jie and confronted Xiao Yan, whose Soul Devouring Master recognized a mysterious power within Ling Yu as the two sides prepared to clash.

• Xiao Yan's Buddha's Rage Fire Lotus left Feng Jie near death, but a strange black energy shield kept him alive.
• Ling Yu emerged from hiding, revealed himself as the mastermind behind Xiao Gui's capture, and sealed Qingshan Peak inside a black barrier.
• Ling Yu devoured Feng Jie, increasing his power, while the Soul Devouring Master warned Xiao Yan that Ling Yu's aura was unusual.
• Ling Yu sensed the Soul Devouring Master's presence in Xiao Yan and urged his own mysterious inner power to kill Xiao Yan quickly.
• Xiao Yan attacked Ling Yu as the Soul Devouring Master confronted the mysterious Light Orb that emerged from Ling Yu's body.

After consolidating the Wanhuo Sect’s new power, Xiao Yan left for the Spirit Academy to investigate Ling Yu and meet the Academy Head. Elder Di told him that Ling Feng had lost his post and been imprisoned after evidence tied Ling Yu to the Outer Realm Evil Clan, then escorted Xiao Yan to the Academy Head.

• Xiao Yan learned that the Wanhuo Sect had destroyed Tingfeng Pavilion’s remaining forces and taken the territories of both Tingfeng Pavilion and Qingyun Pavilion.
• Xiao Yan told Huo Yi he might return to the Dou Di Continent, and Huo Yi pledged the Wanhuo Sect’s support whenever Xiao Yan called on them.
• Xiao Yan left Xiao Gui and Luo Menglan at the Wanhuo Sect and headed covertly to the Spirit Academy to summon Elder Di with the leaf-shaped paper.
• Elder Di advised Xiao Yan to remember the Wanhuo Sect as a potential source of support and reported that Ling Feng had been stripped of his position and locked in the Soul Prison after Ling Yu was linked to the Outer Realm Evil Clan.
• Elder Di brought Xiao Yan into the Spirit Academy’s core area to meet the Academy Head, who had matters to discuss with him.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Gui, and Xiao Gui’s companion arrived at Diling Academy, where Earth Spirit Old Ghost introduced the two courtyards and brought them to the Spirit Academy. The Spirit Academy’s commanders learned that Xiao Yan possessed a Holy Flame and reacted with excitement.

• Xiao Gui woke up, and Earth Spirit Old Ghost brought Xiao Yan and the others into Diling Academy’s vast Boundary Domain.
• Earth Spirit Old Ghost explained that Diling Academy contained the Earth Courtyard and Spirit Courtyard, then left Qin Jun to settle the newcomers in the Spirit Academy’s city.
• Qin Jun told Xiao Yan and Xiao Gui that the Earth Courtyard housed powerful experts while the Spirit Academy trained fresh recruits for advancement.
• Earth Spirit Old Ghost met with Luozhamu and Jiang Wen, the Spirit Academy’s other commanders, and told them their recruitment trip had yielded two promising disciples.
• Luozhamu and Jiang Wen sprang to their feet in surprise when Earth Spirit Old Ghost revealed that one of the newcomers possessed a Holy Flame.

Luo Menglan and Xiao Gui found a powerful treasure beneath a frozen lake, but the Ice Demon Swordsman guarding it attacked when Luo Menglan awakened it. As its deadly sword strike closed in on her, Xiao Gui rushed to intervene.

• Luo Menglan told Xiao Gui to retrieve the treasure while she held off the Ice Demon Swordsman, but Xiao Gui stayed nearby rather than leave her alone.
• Luo Menglan struck the mountain peak with Ice Attribute Dou Qi, waking the Ice Demon Swordsman from its slumber.
• The Ice Demon Swordsman charged at Luo Menglan and shattered her opening attack, then summoned a White Jade Ice Sword.
• The Ice Demon Swordsman unleashed its Glacier Sword Intent, and Luo Menglan's Bingyuan Heavenly Lock failed to stop the fatal attack.
• Xiao Yan prepared to step in, but the Soul Devouring Master told him to let Xiao Gui handle it, and Xiao Gui rushed toward Luo Menglan as she faced the incoming strike.

Xiao Gui protected Luo Menglan from the Ice Demon Swordsman’s Glacier Sword Qi, but suffered a serious injury. Xiao Yan arrived, drove off the Ice Demon Swordsman’s attack, then lured it away from the frozen lake, leaving Luo Menglan and Xiao Gui behind.

• The Ice Demon Swordsman attacked Luo Menglan, and Xiao Gui pushed her out of danger before taking the Glacier Sword Qi blow on his left arm.
• The Ice Demon Swordsman prepared another attack, and Xiao Yan appeared in a black robe to protect Xiao Gui and Luo Menglan.
• Xiao Yan struck the Ice Demon Swordsman with his Seven-layered Heaven Breaking Ruler and flames, damaging its icy body.
• The Ice Demon Swordsman blasted Xiao Yan back, and he used the Fiery Explosion Technique to flee toward the outer perimeter.
• The Ice Demon Swordsman chased Xiao Yan, leaving Luo Menglan and the injured Xiao Gui by the frozen lake.

Elder Di brought Xiao Yan and Xiao Gui to the Spirit Academy, hidden in the sky above the city, and explained its role in managing sects across the Lihun Domain. He assigned the two to manage a sect together and sent them through a Space Channel to take up their post in the Central Region.

• Elder Di woke Xiao Yan and Xiao Gui early and led them through a hidden entrance to the Spirit Academy.
• Xiao Yan perceived that the academy's apparent Mansion was an illusion and discovered its true location high above the city.
• Elder Di explained that the Spirit Academy trained and managed talent by having disciples oversee sects and compete in a tournament every three years.
• Elder Di told Xiao Yan and Xiao Gui they would manage a sect as a team, and Xiao Gui offered to take charge of its management.
• Elder Di gave Xiao Yan a gold-and-silver token marked with a Fire Character and kicked the two into a Space Channel bound for the Central Region.

Xiao Yan rescued the Second Elder from the crystal vein and learned that Xiao Gui had been gravely injured and captured after an ambush connected to Qingyun Pavilion. After recovering the sealed power in the Second Elder’s possession, Xiao Yan set out for the Wanhuo Sect, resolved to deal with Qingyun Pavilion once the sect’s affairs were settled.

• Xiao Yan defeated the crystal vein guards, and a Guard Captain offered to guide him to the Second Elder in exchange for his men’s lives.
• Xiao Yan freed the wounded Second Elder, who explained that a powerful expert had sealed Xiao Yan’s protective power and destroyed the crystal vein forces.
• The Second Elder reported that Xiao Gui was injured by a Qingyun Pavilion administrator and disappeared after the Wanhuo Sect was ambushed on the way back.
• The Second Elder said the attackers carried a Qingyun Token and believed Xiao Gui had been captured because of his secret promise to Luo Menglan.
• Xiao Yan crushed the black seal around the thunder orb, recovered its power, and ordered everyone to return to the Wanhuo Sect before confronting Qingyun Pavilion.

Xiao Yan and the Blood Guard approached Desolate Mountain, where Qingyun Pavilion was hunting the Wanhuo Sect’s Third Elder and his wounded followers. As the Third Elder faced Qing Feng’s killing attack and prepared to self-detonate, Xiao Yan arrived and saved him.

• Xiao Yan dismissed the Blood Guard’s warning about Qingyun Pavilion’s Earth Courtyard support and continued toward Desolate Mountain.
• Qing Feng ordered Qingyun Pavilion soldiers to find the fleeing Wanhuo Sect Third Elder before he crossed into another faction’s territory.
• The Third Elder refused to abandon the Wanhuo Sect’s crystal vein or return for reinforcements, while his wounded followers urged him to escape.
• Qing Feng caught up with the Third Elder and attacked him with a cyan hurricane, overwhelming his fire technique.
• As the Third Elder prepared to self-detonate, Xiao Yan used a gentle force to restore him and easily stopped the incoming cyan energy.