Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan returned to the Jia Ma Empire and advanced his plan to unite the Northwest Continent under the Flame Alliance. The alliance had gained many factions, but the Heavenly Snake Mansion, Great Qin Empire, and Lion Nether Sect opposed it, while Xiao Yan learned that Xiao Yi Xian led the Poison Sect.

• Xiao Yan ordered White Fang and Protector Mo to recruit the Northwest Continent’s sects, then secured Huang Yu’s pledge for Phoenix City.
• Xiao Yan met Yun Potian and Old Hai at the Jia Ma Empire, where they reported that the surrounding empires and the Black-Corner Region had joined the Flame Alliance.
• Old Hai reported that the Heavenly Snake Mansion, Great Qin Empire, and Lion Nether Sect had allied against the Flame Alliance, and Xiao Yan told the others to prepare to confront them.
• Yun Potian revealed that the Poison Sect’s Heavenly Poison Woman was Xiao Yi Xian, and Xiao Yan warned the alliance to watch the Soul Hall’s movements.
• Xiao Yan returned to the Imperial Capital, where Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li had reached the Dou Wang realm.

Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao Clan, then prepared a Flame Alliance assembly at the Misty Cloud Sect before confronting the Northwest Continent’s three leading powers. The Lion Nether Sect, Heavenly Snake Mansion, and Great Qin Empire debated how to respond as the Flame Alliance’s influence spread.

• Xiao Yan watched the Xiao Clan’s adulthood ceremony, reunited with his family, and left soon afterward to handle urgent matters.
• Xiao Yan ordered Yun Shan to gather the Flame Alliance’s Dou Zong and stronger sect leaders for an assembly at the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Yan and Old Hai discussed the meeting’s arrangements and planned to deal with three sects after it concluded.
• Shi Tian, Chen Tiannan, and Shi Yu met at the Lion Nether Sect to discuss the Flame Alliance’s growing power and the threat to their territories.
• Shi Yu and Chen Tiannan resisted Shi Tian’s call for immediate cooperation, while Shi Yu suggested discussing a practical response.

Shi Tian and Old Ghost Zhaixing persuaded Chen Tiannan and Shi Yu to cooperate with the Soul Hall against Xiao Yan and the Flame Alliance. Two days later, factions gathered at Misty Cloud Sect for an assembly, where the Flame Alliance’s strength impressed its allies and left them wondering about Xiao Yan’s purpose.

• Shi Tian and Old Ghost Zhaixing warned Chen Tiannan and Shi Yu that Xiao Yan had powerful Dou Zun subordinates, and the two reluctantly agreed to cooperate with the Soul Hall.
• Xiao Yan prepared for an assembly at Misty Cloud Sect, which filled with visitors two days later.
• Xiao Yi Xian arrived with three Dou Zong elders from the Poison Sect, while Medusa arrived with two Dou Zong elders from the Snake-People Tribe.
• Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian acknowledged each other before joining the gathering at the sect’s largest square.
• Fei Tian released his four-star Dou Zun aura, startling the gathered faction leaders, who discussed the Flame Alliance’s growing power and their choice to support it.

Xiao Yan introduced himself as the Flame Alliance’s leader and outlined plans to unify the Northwest Continent under a shared framework. After the assembly, he reunited with Xiao Yi Xian, warned her that he could not yet cure her Woe Poison Body, and left her hopeful about a future treatment.

• Yun Potian announced Xiao Yan as the Flame Alliance’s leader, surprising the gathered faction leaders and Xiao Yi Xian.
• Xiao Yan explained the alliance’s goal of unifying the Northwest Continent, and Old Hai described its regional structure and shared institutions.
• Xiao Yan left the assembly and met Xiao Yi Xian in a secluded pavilion, where they caught up on their experiences.
• Xiao Yi Xian warned Xiao Yan about the powerful Soul Hall, and Xiao Yan reassured her that he had prepared for the threat.
• Xiao Yan told Xiao Yi Xian that her Woe Poison Body could be cured and made stronger, though he still needed to gather what was required.
• Xiao Yi Xian asked whether Xiao Yan had women by his side, leaving him conflicted.

Xiao Yan considered how to expand the Flame Alliance while managing his complicated relationship with Xiao Yi Xian. The Seven-Tailed Demon Fox arrived seeking to bring the magical beasts into the alliance, and the agreement was quickly settled, raising the Flame Alliance’s influence.

• Xiao Yan told Xiao Yi Xian about his relationship with Xun Er, and she left without answering whether she would still be with him.
• The Seven-Tailed Demon Fox Yin Hu brought Yin Huanhuan to the Flame Alliance assembly and told Hai Bodong that she had come to join the alliance.
• Hai Bodong informed Xiao Yan of Yin Hu’s offer, and Xiao Yan chose Fei Tian and Yun Potian to handle the negotiations.
• Fei Tian and Yun Potian quickly settled the magical beasts’ entry into the Flame Alliance, and Hai Bodong publicized the agreement.

Xiao Yan set out with six powerful allies to use Qing Lin’s peril at the Heavenly Snake Mansion as a reason to attack its faction and seize control of the Northwest Continent. The story left Qing Lin bound and facing forced marriage and abuse by Chen Feng, as Xiao Yan and his companions approached.

• Xiao Yan told Yun Potian, Hai Bodong, White Fang, Protector Mo, Fei Tian, and Iron Sword Venerable that Qing Lin’s situation at the Heavenly Snake Mansion gave them grounds to attack the three great factions.
• White Fang warned Xiao Yan that Chen Feng was lecherous, and Xiao Yan decided they had to go to the Heavenly Snake Mansion themselves.
• Xiao Yan gained an eighth-tier Alchemist rank and increased Soul Power, then chose to bring only his six allies on the expedition.
• Xiao Yan and his six allies departed for the central Northwest Continent to attack the Heavenly Snake Mansion.
• Chen Feng prepared to force Qing Lin into marriage, revealing that Chen Tiannan had taken control of her magical beasts and that he feared her growing power.

Chen Feng's wedding brought the Heavenly Snake Mansion's allies together, while Shi Tian used a valuable gift to secure Chen Tiannan's agreement to join the Soul Hall's plans against the Flame Alliance. The celebration continued as seven black-robed figures appeared outside the mansion.

• Chen Feng left Qing Lin in his room and went to greet the wedding guests.
• Chen Tiannan welcomed the faction leaders, and Shi Tian and Shi Yu gave him an auction house pair and a medicinal cultivation fief.
• Shi Tian secretly offered Chen Tiannan a juvenile Nine Nether Deep Earth Python, and Chen Tiannan accepted it in exchange for supporting the Soul Hall's plans.
• Shi Tian told Chen Tiannan that their factions might someday divide the Northwest Continent after defeating the Flame Alliance.
• Chen Feng's companions teased him about Qing Lin and his wedding as they drank.
• Seven black-robed figures appeared on the outskirts of the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Xiao Yan and his allies attacked the Heavenly Snake Mansion during a celebration to rescue Qing Lin and eliminate the forces opposing them. The fighting began, Chen Feng and Lv Man were killed, and Iron Sword Venerable went to find Qing Lin while Fei Tian confronted the mansion’s Dou Zuns.

• Xiao Yan’s group entered the Heavenly Snake Mansion, killing the guards and silencing the mansion’s defenses.
• Xiao Yan revealed himself at the celebration and announced that he had come for Qing Lin.
• Hai Bodong seized Chen Feng, while White Fang blocked Chen Tiannan and killed Lv Man.
• Protector Mo appeared and collected Lv Man’s soul, prompting most of the guests to flee.
• Hai Bodong froze Chen Feng, and Iron Sword Venerable departed to rescue Qing Lin.
• Fei Tian challenged Chen Tiannan and the two other Dou Zuns to fight him together.

Xiao Yan and the Flame Alliance fought the Heavenly Snake Mansion, while Xiao Yan used his Four-Colored Fire Lotus to destroy Shi Yu and raze the mansion. As Soul Hall’s Old Ghost Zhaixing and the Black-White Venerable joined the battle, Fei Tian struck Shi Tian with azure lightning.

• Shi Tian attacked Xiao Yan, but Yun Potian intercepted him and began fighting him outside.
• White Fang and Protector Mo engaged two of Shi Yu’s National Preceptors, while Xiao Yan overwhelmed Shi Yu with spiritual pressure and struck him with a Four-Colored Fire Lotus.
• The fire lotus killed Shi Yu and destroyed the Heavenly Snake Mansion, leaving Xiao Yan to set his sights on the Pill Tower’s Three Thousand Burning Flame.
• Old Ghost Zhaixing and the Black-White Venerable appeared, while Iron Sword Venerable told Xiao Yan that Hai Bodong was protecting Qing Lin.
• Protector Mo absorbed the souls of fallen enemies and advanced to three-star Dou Zun, while Fei Tian joined Yun Potian against Shi Tian and struck him with azure lightning.

Xiao Yan and his allies faced a growing Soul Hall force, including two eight-star Dou Zun experts, while Xiao Yan summoned Heavenly Fire Venerable and strengthened Yun Potian. As Mo Yu and Qiu Di prepared to attack, an unseen force restrained them.

• Xiao Yan overwhelmed Old Ghost Zhaixing with his soul power, but Mo Yu appeared and attacked; Iron Sword Venerable cut apart his black-mist fist.
• Protector Mo arrived after devouring Chen Tiannan’s soul, and Qiu Di joined Mo Yu, leaving Xiao Yan’s side outnumbered.
• Fei Tian and Yun Potian subdued Shi Tian, while Protector Mo absorbed another soul and advanced to five-star Dou Zun.
• Xiao Yan used an Advanced Summoning Talisman to summon the nine-star Dou Zun Heavenly Fire Venerable and used an enhancement slot to raise Yun Potian to six-star Dou Zun.
• Mo Yu and Qiu Di decided to attack, but they suddenly felt their bodies restrained.

Xiao Yan and his allies attacked the Soul Hall forces and their collaborators, with Heavenly Fire Venerable, Iron Sword Venerable, Yun Potian, Protector Mo, and Fei Tian engaging the enemy leaders. The battles left Mo Yu and Qiu Di facing Heavenly Fire Venerable’s next attack while the other Soul Hall opponents were being driven toward defeat.

• Xiao Yan summoned Heavenly Fire Venerable and ordered his allies to eliminate the upper ranks of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, the Great Qin Empire, and the Lion Nether Sect.
• Heavenly Fire Venerable attacked Mo Yu and Qiu Di with a flaming lion, then summoned four more flaming beasts after they dispelled his first assault.
• Iron Sword Venerable and Yun Potian broke through Black-White Venerable’s defenses and pressed their opponents into a desperate fight.
• Protector Mo and Fei Tian cornered Old Ghost Zhaixing, and Protector Mo declared that he would turn his former superior’s soul into nourishment.

Xiao Yan’s forces defeated the Soul Hall’s Heavenly Venerables and brought most of the Northwest Continent under the Flame Alliance. After ordering a search for the remaining Soul Hall branches, Xiao Yan completed the unification achievement and received system rewards.

• Protector Mo absorbed the Eighth and Ninth Heavenly Venerables’ souls, advancing to an eight-star Dou Venerable, while Xiao Yan ordered Northwest forces to submit to the Flame Alliance.
• Xiao Yan returned to the Jia Ma Empire and reunited Qing Lin with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li at the Xiao Clan.
• After most of the Northwest Continent joined the Flame Alliance, Xiao Yan ordered his allies to locate and destroy its Soul Hall branches within three months.
• Xiao Yan refined eighth-tier pills as White Fang, Fei Tian, Old Hai, and Iron Sword Venerable increased their strength.
• Five months later, the system awarded Xiao Yan for unifying the Northwest Continent, raising his alchemist level and soul power and granting summoning rewards.

Xiao Yan reached peak nine-star Dou Zong after refining a Fifth Turn Profound Sect Pill and decided to visit Jia Nan Academy before heading to the Central Plains. At the Inner Academy, he reunited with the Xiao Clan members and learned how they and the academy had grown under the Flame Alliance’s influence.

• Xiao Yan refined a Fifth Turn Profound Sect Pill with Fei Tian, then used it and a Star-Adding Card to reach peak nine-star Dou Zong.
• Xiao Yan decided to leave the Northwest Continent’s affairs in capable hands and travel to Jia Nan Academy with Yun Shan.
• At the Inner Academy’s Strong Ranking Tournament, Xiao Ning defeated the Pan Gate disciples and claimed first place, surpassing Xiao Yan’s record.
• Xiao Yan appeared before the gathered students and said that Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and the others would return to the Jia Ma Empire with him.
• Su Qian greeted Xiao Yan and discussed how the Flame Alliance had unified the Northwest Continent and protected Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Yan sent Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, and the others back from Jia Nan Academy before visiting the Three-Legged Crow at the Beast Hall. He promised the Crow a future deputy hall master position if he reached eighth-rank, but ordered him to lead the charge against the Mystic Underworld Sect when war began.

• Xiao Yan told Xiao Ning and the others to return with Yun Shan and cultivate, promising Xiao Ning he could become a pillar of the Northwest Continent within five years.
• Xiao Yan arranged a flying magical beast for their journey and stayed at Jia Nan Academy for another day or two.
• Lin Yan told Xiao Yan that he, Lin Yan, and his companions planned to head to the Central Plains, and Xiao Yan said he would follow one day soon.
• The Three-Legged Crow enjoyed his comfortable life at the Beast Hall until Xiao Yan arrived and challenged him about abandoning his revenge against the Mystic Underworld Sect.
• Xiao Yan said White Fang would lead the Flame Alliance's Beast Hall and offered the Three-Legged Crow its deputy hall master position if he became an eighth-rank magical beast, in exchange for leading the charge against the Mystic Underworld Sect.
• The Three-Legged Crow accepted Xiao Yan's terms, but Xiao Yan left before he could offer him tea.

Xiao Yan assigned leadership roles and responsibilities to strengthen the Flame Alliance before traveling to the Central Plains with Heavenly Fire Venerable. He left the alliance prepared to defend the Northwest Continent while he sought the Three Thousand Burning Flame and materials for his teacher’s body.

• Xiao Yan appointed White Fang to lead the Beast Hall and Hai Bodong to lead the Pill Hall, with Gu He and Fa Ma as deputies.
• Xiao Yan named Yun Potian and Fei Tian deputy alliance leaders, and assigned Iron Sword Venerable and Protector Mo to lead the Enforcement Hall and Intelligence Hall.
• Xiao Yan explained that he planned to retrieve the Three Thousand Burning Flame, pursue a breakthrough to Dou Zun, and gather materials for his teacher’s body, while warning that the Soul Hall might retaliate.
• Heavenly Fire Venerable pointed out that the Pill Gathering was still at least four years away, but Xiao Yan decided to travel to the Pill Tower and assess his options there.
• Xiao Yan told the alliance leaders to defend the Northwest Continent during his possible two- or three-year absence, then departed for the Central Plains with Heavenly Fire Venerable through a fiery passage.

Xiao Yan traveled to Hidden Sword City and was drawn into the Sword King Mansion’s succession ceremony by Tang Ying. As Chen Yuanqing welcomed the guests, a hidden observer reported Xiao Yan’s arrival to an elder.

• Xiao Yan traveled through the spatial passage with Heavenly Fire Venerable and cultivated during the two-month journey, planning to meet Xun Er and prepare for the Bodhi Ancient Tree’s return.
• In Hidden Sword City, Tang Ying had reached nine-star Dou Emperor as the Old Sword King prepared to pass his title to Chen Shi.
• Xiao Yan decided to leave rather than attend the private succession ceremony, but Tang Ying spotted him and invited him along to see Chen Yuanqing.
• Tang Ying warned Xiao Yan that He Feng had broken through to Dou Zong and was highly regarded by the Demon Sword Sect.
• A concealed watcher recognized Xiao Yan and left to report his arrival to an elder.
• Chen Yuanqing welcomed the Sword King Mansion’s vassals, who praised him as a future Sword King.

Xiao Yan attended the Sword King Mansion banquet with Tang Ying and Heavenly Fire Venerable, where guests recognized him as someone wanted by the Demon Sword Sect. The gathering turned hostile when He Feng and Blood Sword Venerable confronted him, and Blood Sword Venerable declared he would take Xiao Yan away.

• Chen Yuanqing welcomed Xiao Yan and Tang Ying to the Sword King Mansion and warned Xiao Yan that the Demon Sword Sect was seeking him.
• The Sword Venerable greeted Xiao Yan and met Heavenly Fire Venerable, then invited the group to mingle at the banquet.
• Tang Ying introduced Xiao Yan to a table of young cultivators, who whispered that he resembled the person wanted by the Demon Sword Sect.
• Chen Yan arrived and settled the guests, but He Feng and Blood Sword Venerable appeared and challenged Xiao Yan.
• Tang Ying and Chen Yuanqing objected to He Feng and Blood Sword Venerable's intrusion, but Blood Sword Venerable insisted he would take Xiao Yan away.

Chen Yan stopped the Blood Sword Venerable from taking Xiao Yan at the Sword King Mansion, but the elder pursued Xiao Yan outside Hidden Sword City and was burned to ashes by the Heavenly Fire Venerable. A robed man investigated the killing and declared that Xiao Yan had provoked the Demon Sword Sect into war.

• Chen Yan invoked the Sword King inheritance rules and Commander Liu's presence to make the Blood Sword Venerable leave the banquet without Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan met the old and new Sword Kings, then left the Sword King Mansion with the Heavenly Fire Venerable.
• The Blood Sword Venerable followed Xiao Yan and the Heavenly Fire Venerable beyond Hidden Sword City and challenged them.
• The Heavenly Fire Venerable engulfed the Blood Sword Venerable in nameless flames, reducing him to ashes.
• A robed man examined the scene and said that killing a Demon Sword Sect elder meant war.

Xiao Yan and Heavenly Fire Venerable explored Pill City and the Pill Tower as Xiao Yan sought a way to meet its three giants. There, Xiao Yan witnessed Venerable Qingfeng finally pass the fifth-tier Alchemist assessment after years of repeated failures, then encountered him again on the sixth floor and asked about Xuan Kongzi.

• Xiao Yan and Heavenly Fire Venerable entered Pill City and learned how the Pill Tower restricted access to its upper floors by Alchemist rank.
• Xiao Yan watched Venerable Qingfeng pass the fifth-tier Alchemist assessment after taking it more than a thousand times.
• Xiao Yan praised Venerable Qingfeng’s perseverance, then left the assessment area with Heavenly Fire Venerable.
• Xiao Yan went to the sixth floor to seek someone who could help him meet the Pill Tower’s three giants.
• Venerable Qingfeng recognized Xiao Yan as a fifth-tier Alchemist, and Xiao Yan asked whether he knew Xuan Kongzi.

Xiao Yan sought an audience with Xuan Kongzi and proved his identity as the Flame Alliance Leader to Venerable Qingfeng. At the Pill Tower’s guarded stairs, the guards rejected his outdated Alchemist record, so Xiao Yan displayed his exceptional pill and summoned four Heaven Flames to prove his skill.

• Xiao Yan told Venerable Qingfeng that he was the Flame Alliance Leader and used part of his Spiritual Strength to overpower him.
• Venerable Qingfeng agreed to escort Xiao Yan upstairs, explaining that an eighth-tier Alchemist could bring companions to the upper floors.
• The guards stopped Xiao Yan and found only an old record listing him as a second-tier Alchemist.
• Xiao Yan showed the guards an exceptional eighth-tier three-colored pill, but they said it did not prove that he had refined it.
• Xiao Yan summoned all four Heaven Flames within his body before the guards and Venerable Qingfeng.