Chapter Summaries

Lu Heng rescued Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Yan Hao, and the injured students after defeating the ambushers at Soul-Falling Cliff. Once the others left to recover, he remained behind and turned back toward the dark fissure.

• Lu Heng destroyed the three Seven-Star Dou Kings with his Lesser Five Elements Divine Light and treated Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and two injured students.
• Lu Heng found Yan Hao close to death in a cave and stabilized his injuries with pills and Azure Wood Dou Qi.
• Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing told Lu Heng that Zhao Ping had given them an altered route, leading them into an ambush by Demon Flame Valley.
• Lu Heng carried Yan Hao out of Soul-Falling Cliff while the group made its way to safety.
• Lu Heng sent Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and the injured students away, then turned back toward the fissure beneath Soul-Falling Cliff.

Lu Heng discovered two preserved Life-Devouring Pills in a sealed chamber beneath Soul-Falling Cliff, then spent three days replenishing medicinal supplies in the Black-Corner Region. He returned to Jia Nan Academy and briefly exchanged a polite greeting with Xiao Xun'er.

• Lu Heng searched deeper beneath Soul-Falling Cliff and uncovered a hidden ancient stone chamber.
• Lu Heng found two preserved Life-Devouring Pills and confirmed there were no other hidden spaces in the cliff.
• Lu Heng traveled through six underground markets, buying medicinal ingredients and two Sixth-Rank Magic Cores.
• Lu Heng returned to Jia Nan Academy and exchanged a distant nod with Xiao Xun'er in the Outer Academy plaza.
• Lu Heng continued toward the Inner Academy without approaching Xiao Xun'er.

Lu Heng returned to Jia Nan Academy, reported Demon Flame Valley’s attack and Zhao Ping’s betrayal to Hu Gan, and decided to focus on cultivation rather than pursue the larger conflict. He reunited with Han Yue at Courtyard No. 1, where she spoke of the widening gap between their cultivation levels.

• Lu Heng told Hu Gan about the ambush at Soul-Falling Cliff, and Hu Gan explained that Zhao Ping had been arrested and had altered the mission route for a payment from Demon Flame Valley.
• Hu Gan described Demon Flame Valley’s strength and the difficulty of ending its repeated attacks, while Lu Heng decided to break through to Dou Zong before dealing with it.
• Lu Heng returned to the Inner Academy, reviewed his plans to consolidate his cultivation and guide Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, and headed to Courtyard No. 1.
• Han Yue updated Lu Heng on Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, Yan Hao, and Lin Yan, then listened as Lu Heng recounted his recent battles and visits to underground markets.
• Han Yue compared her Three-Star Dou King cultivation with Lu Heng’s Five-Star Dou Emperor realm, and Lu Heng reassured her that her progress was exceptional.

Lu Heng reunited with Cao Yue, discussed alchemy with her, and learned that she was graduating from Jia Nan Academy next month. Cao Yue left after asking Lu Heng to remain available for future alchemy questions.

• Lu Heng welcomed Cao Yue to his courtyard after recognizing her as a Five-Star Dou King and alchemist.
• Cao Yue explained that she had heard Lu Heng had returned after seeing him arrive at the academy with five-colored Dou Qi.
• Lu Heng identified Cao Yue’s flame-control weakness and advised her on refining Sixth-Grade Pills.
• Lu Heng and Cao Yue discussed pill refinement techniques and alchemy.
• Cao Yue told Lu Heng she would graduate at the end of next month and return to the Cao Clan to work at a Pill Tower Branch Hall.
• Cao Yue asked Lu Heng to answer her alchemy questions in the future, then left.

Lu Heng comforted Han Yue by promising to propose to her in Tianbei City once he grew stronger, then began replenishing his pill stockpile. After half a month of refining, Cao Yue returned and watched him demonstrate remarkable control while making Fifth-Rank Pills.

• Han Yue told Lu Heng she had not returned home to Tianbei City in nearly six years, and he promised to visit and propose to her once he was stronger.
• Qing Lin interrupted Lu Heng and Han Yue with Spirit-Nourishing Tea from Xiao Yi Xian, then teased Han Yue about her flushed face.
• Lu Heng planned to replenish his supplies and began refining Fourth-Rank and Fifth-Rank pills, along with recovery pills for future battles.
• Lu Heng spent the following days refining pills in Courtyard No. 1, using the Chixiao Cauldron to build reserves for Lin Xiuya, Xiao Yi Xian, and others.
• Cao Yue visited Lu Heng on the third day of his refining and watched in amazement as he precisely controlled the flames while condensing a Fifth-Rank pill.

Lu Heng spent half a month refining pills while Cao Yue watched and learned from him. Before leaving Jia Nan Academy, Cao Yue revealed her ties to the Pill Tower’s Cao Clan and gave Lu Heng a token; afterward, Lu Heng decided to visit the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower to pursue his plans involving the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Cao Yue watched Lu Heng refine pills and asked precise questions about his techniques, while he explained what he could.
• Han Yue brought Lu Heng lunch, and he teased her about being jealous of Cao Yue’s frequent visits.
• After half a month of pill refinement, Lu Heng had built up a substantial supply of pills.
• Cao Yue told Lu Heng she belonged to a branch of the Cao Clan connected to the Pill Tower and gave him a token to use if he visited the Central Plains.
• Han Yue warned Lu Heng that the Central Plains’ forces were powerful, and he said he would focus on the tasks before him.
• Lu Heng announced that he would visit the Qi Refining Tower the next day, where the source of the Fallen Heart Flame and the sleeping Skyfire Venerable lay.

Lu Heng brought Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin to the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower, then descended alone to its bottom and unleashed his Five Elements Roulette on the Heart Fire. The slumbering Fallen Heart Flame trembled as its energy was drawn toward the roulette.

• Lu Heng told Han Yue he planned to inspect the restless Fallen Heart Flame and absorb some scattered energy, concealing his plan to weaken it and enter the Magma World.
• Lu Heng asked Han Yue to introduce Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin to the tower, and Han Yue agreed to guide them through the first floor.
• Lu Heng, Han Yue, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin traveled to the tower, where Han Yue took the two newcomers to choose Training Rooms while Lu Heng went below.
• Lu Heng reached the tower's bottom, where magma churned beneath a cavern and Fallen Heart Flame's invisible energy spread through the space.
• Lu Heng summoned the Five Elements Roulette, which drew in the Heart Fire and caused the slumbering Fallen Heart Flame to tremble.

Lu Heng drained Fallen Heart Flame to strengthen his Small Five Elements Spirit Body, then abandoned his descent into the magma after realizing he lacked a vessel for Skyfire Venerable Yao Tianhuo's soul. Su Qian pointed him toward the Black Seal City Auction, leaving Lu Heng planning a trip to the Black-Corner Region.

• Lu Heng absorbed Fallen Heart Flame's energy for two hours, replenishing his Dou Qi and strengthening his Small Five Elements Spirit Body while the flame weakened.
• Lu Heng stopped before entering the magma when he realized he had no soul-nourishing jade artifact to contain Skyfire Venerable Yao Tianhuo's remnant soul.
• Lu Heng returned to the surface, met Han Yue, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin, and told them Fallen Heart Flame had been stabilized.
• Lu Heng asked Su Qian for a jade artifact capable of containing and nourishing a powerful soul, but Su Qian said the academy had none.
• Su Qian told Lu Heng that a major auction hosted by the Eight Fan Sect was held in Black Seal City and might offer the artifact he needed.
• Lu Heng asked Su Qian about the auction and left with a plan to travel to the Black-Corner Region.

Lu Heng went with Zi Yan to the Back Mountain to defeat the Black Rock Rhino guarding a Purple Crystal Spirit Marrow. He killed the beast in one strike, leaving Zi Yan stunned.

• Lu Heng found Zi Yan bored and alone after Han Yue, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin went to cultivate in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.
• Zi Yan told Lu Heng that a Black Rock Rhino had driven her away from a Purple Crystal Spirit Marrow and asked him to help her fight it.
• Zi Yan led Lu Heng to the valley where the Black Rock Rhino guarded the treasure.
• The Black Rock Rhino attacked Lu Heng with its Heavy Rock Cannon, but his Magma Barrier blocked the blast without moving.
• Lu Heng killed the Black Rock Rhino with Mountain-Suppressing Edge, and Zi Yan watched in astonishment.

Lu Heng accompanied Zi Yan on a sweep through Jia Nan Academy’s Back Mountain, collecting treasures and reassuring her that he would protect her until she grew strong enough to protect him. They returned to Courtyard No. 1, where Han Yue, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin shared their impressions of cultivating in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.

• Lu Heng removed the Black Rock Rhino’s Magic Core and horn, then gave Zi Yan the Purple Crystal Spirit Marrow she had come to find.
• Lu Heng and Zi Yan swept through the Back Mountain, taking treasures from the lairs of powerful magical beasts under Lu Heng’s protection.
• Zi Yan admitted she wanted to grow stronger and stand beside Lu Heng, and he promised to protect her until she could protect him in return.
• Lu Heng and Zi Yan returned to Courtyard No. 1 with a pile of Yao Cai, where Han Yue, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin welcomed them.
• Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian discussed how the Heart Fire in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower had improved their cultivation.

Lu Heng decided to travel to Black Seal City in the Black-Corner Region to find a soul vessel for Skyfire Venerable. Han Yue and Zi Yan joined him, while Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin stayed at Jia Nan Academy, and Lu Heng finished preparing supplies for the trip.

• Lu Heng told the women he planned to visit the Black-Corner Region to seek a soul vessel, following Great Elder Su Qian's suggestion.
• Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin chose to remain at Jia Nan Academy, while Han Yue asked to accompany Lu Heng and he agreed.
• Zi Yan insisted on joining the trip, and Lu Heng agreed after making her promise to obey his orders and not cause trouble.
• Lu Heng visited the Inner Academy's Medicinal Herb Repository and exchanged materials for pill refining.
• After five days of preparing pills, Lu Heng left the alchemy room with his Storage Ring filled and his preparations complete.

Lu Heng brought Han Yue and Zi Yan into Black Seal City, where he crippled a Blood Sect Dou Ling and four Da Dou Shi for threatening Han Yue. After securing a suite and learning that Cold Soul Jade was among the auction’s final items, he led the others to the Eight Fan Sect auction as it began.

• Lu Heng entered Black Seal City with Han Yue and Zi Yan, where Han Yue drew lecherous attention from the street’s desperadoes.
• When a Peak Dou Ling of the Blood Sect tried to grab Han Yue, Lu Heng’s pressure crippled him and four Da Dou Shi.
• Lu Heng took Han Yue and Zi Yan to the Black Seal Inn, then gathered intelligence confirming Cold Soul Jade would be auctioned alongside items sought by powerful factions.
• Lu Heng advised Han Yue to wear a veil and assured her he would secure the Cold Soul Jade.
• The next night, Lu Heng led the veiled Han Yue and excited Zi Yan to the Eight Fan Sect auction venue.

Lu Heng attended Black Seal City’s auction with Han Yue and Zi Yan, where Fan Ling won a Fragmented Map that Lu Heng recognized as a map connected to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. The auctioneer then introduced the heavyweight finale treasure.

• Lu Heng passed the Eight Fan Sect’s scan, bought VIP seats, and spotted Lu Man and Fan Ling in the venue.
• The auction began, and Lu Heng stopped Zi Yan from bidding on a Crimson Flame Fruit by promising to refine better pills for her.
• Bidding erupted over an ancient Fragmented Map with faint spatial fluctuations, and Lu Man eventually withdrew.
• Fan Ling threatened the bidders in the Blood Sect’s name and won the Fragmented Map for two million five hundred thousand Gold Coins.
• Lu Heng recognized the map and let Fan Ling keep it, expecting to take it after killing him.
• The auctioneer announced the finale treasure, and two guards carried a heavy dark iron box onto the stage.

Lu Heng outbid Fan Ling for the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade, then led Han Yue and Zi Yan onto a secluded mountain path where Fan Ling and two Blood Sect elders ambushed them. The elders attacked as Han Yue revealed her Three-Star Dou King aura.

• Lu Heng repeatedly outbid Fan Ling until he won the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade for eight million Gold Coins, paying with pills.
• Fan Ling threatened Lu Heng after losing the auction, and Lu Heng left the auction hall with Han Yue and Zi Yan.
• Lu Heng led Han Yue and Zi Yan away from the city toward a secluded mountain path, where Fan Ling and two Blood Sect elders blocked their way.
• Fan Ling demanded the jade and threatened Lu Heng and Han Yue, but Han Yue released her Three-Star Dou King aura.
• The two Blood Sect elders attacked Lu Heng's group with blood-red Dou Qi claws.

Lu Heng defeated two Blood Sect elders and killed Fan Ling, then returned toward Jia Nan Academy with Han Yue and Zi Yan. Fan Lao learned that his son was dead and ordered the Blood Sect to seal Black Seal City and hunt for the killer, while Lu Heng stopped in the sky and looked back toward the city.

• Lu Heng used the Five-Color Wheel and Earth Gold Mountain-Suppressing Edge to defeat two Blood Sect elders in one move.
• Lu Heng struck down Fan Ling with Blazing Sun Finger and Azure Wood Seal, while Lu Man and her subordinates fled the area.
• Lu Heng collected Fan Ling's Storage Ring, burned the corpses and traces of the battle, then flew toward Jia Nan Academy with Han Yue and Zi Yan.
• A Blood Sect patrol found the remains and Fan Ling's belongings, then reported his death to Fan Lao.
• Fan Lao erupted in fury and ordered the Blood Sect to seal Black Seal City and search for Fan Ling's killer.
• Hundreds of miles from Black Seal City, Lu Heng stopped in flight and looked back toward the city.

Lu Heng, Han Yue, and Zi Yan avoided the Blood Sect’s search while sightseeing and treasure hunting around the Black-Corner Region. After Fan Lao gave up searching Black Seal City and announced a bounty, the three returned to Jia Nan Academy.

• Lu Heng learned that the Blood Sect had sealed Black Seal City after discovering its young sect master’s death, but agreed to stay and explore with Han Yue and Zi Yan.
• Lu Heng used the Five Elements Wheel to conceal their auras as they visited underground markets, where Zi Yan helped him find hidden treasures.
• Lu Heng subdued a band of roadside bandits by releasing a trace of his aura, and the three continued their leisurely trip.
• Fan Lao withdrew the Blood Sect’s search teams and offered a Sixth-Grade Pill for clues and a Dou Technique for the murderer’s head.
• After three days of sightseeing, Lu Heng, Han Yue, and Zi Yan flew back toward Jia Nan Academy and reached its vicinity half a day later.

Lu Heng returned to Jian'an Academy with Han Yue and Zi Yan, reuniting with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin before preparing for secluded cultivation. Su Qian confronted him about Fan Ling’s death, but after Lu Heng admitted killing him, Su Qian praised the deed and promised the academy would protect him.

• Lu Heng, Han Yue, and Zi Yan returned safely to Courtyard No. 1, where Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin welcomed them with relief.
• Han Yue gave Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin gifts from the Black-Corner Region, and Lu Heng briefly recounted the auction trip before announcing his plans to cultivate in the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.
• The next morning, Lu Heng left to gather ingredients for a Soul-Calming Pill after beginning to refine the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade.
• Su Qian told Lu Heng that Fan Lao was searching for Fan Ling’s killer and had offered a Sixth-Grade Pill for information.
• Lu Heng admitted that he had killed Fan Ling, and Su Qian praised him, saying Jia Nan Academy would cover for him against the Blood Sect.

With Jia Nan Academy backing him against the Blood Sect, Lu Heng cultivated beneath the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower and broke through to Six-Star Dou Emperor. He then entered the Magma World with the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade to seek the Infant Fallen Heart Flame and awaken the powerful soul below.

• Su Qian reassured Lu Heng that Jia Nan Academy would protect him from the Blood Sect and warned him to keep his cultivation disturbances beneath the tower under control.
• Lu Heng descended to the bottom of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower and used the Five Elements Roulette to absorb fire energy and Fallen Heart Flame's origin energy.
• After a month of cultivation, Lu Heng broke through to Six-Star Dou Emperor and spent a day stabilizing his new realm.
• Lu Heng took the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade, formed Five-Color Light Armor, and plunged into the Magma World.

Lu Heng fought through the Lizard-People and descended deeper into the underground magma, where he sensed a fading remnant soul. Skyfire Venerable revealed that he had been trapped there for centuries and asked Lu Heng to let him recuperate inside the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade.

• Lu Heng repelled the Lizard-People's attack, defeating their three Dou Emperor leaders and driving off the survivors.
• Lu Heng continued deeper into the magma, using his Early Spirit Realm soul power to withstand the heat and detect a Heavenly Flame and a hidden remnant soul.
• The remnant soul reached out to Lu Heng after sensing the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Soul Jade he carried.
• Skyfire Venerable told Lu Heng that the Fallen Heart Flame had destroyed his body and trapped his soul in the underground magma for centuries.
• Skyfire Venerable asked Lu Heng to store his soul essence in the Cold Soul Jade so he could recuperate and possibly rebuild his body.

Lu Heng bargained with Skyfire Venerable for the Five Spirits Fire-Locking Technique, sealed the Infant Fallen Heart Flame inside his dantian, and carried Skyfire Venerable in the Cold Soul Jade. He returned to Courtyard No. 1 and showed the jade to Han Yue, who asked what it was.

• Lu Heng negotiated with Skyfire Venerable, who taught him the Five Spirits Fire-Locking Technique in exchange for shelter in the Cold Soul Jade.
• Lu Heng guided Skyfire Venerable's weakened soul into the Cold Soul Jade, where the cold yin aura strengthened it.
• Lu Heng used the Five Elements Chaos Art to seal the Infant Fallen Heart Flame in a compartment outside his dantian.
• Lu Heng tested the sealed flame's leaking essence and found that it increased his cultivation speed.
• Lu Heng returned from the tower and placed the Cold Soul Jade on the table for Han Yue, who asked what it was.