Recaps

Yao Lao returned and stopped Gu Yu’s devastating attack with his soul power and bone-white flame, leaving the Ancient Clan unsure whether it could defeat him. As the standoff continued, Jiang Yunyan arrived to challenge Gu Yu.

• Gu Yu unleashed a tide of Dou Qi against Xiao Yan and his companions, while Yao Ming shielded the others from its shockwaves.
• Yao Lao pierced Gu Yu’s attack with soul power and froze the entire tide with a bone-white flame.
• The frozen Dou Qi shattered, and Gu Yu realized Yao Lao was at least as strong as he was.
• Yao Lao mocked the Ancient Clan Three Immortals, and Gu Yu hesitated to continue fighting.
• Jiang Yunyan arrived and called on Gu Yu to instruct her.

Jiang Yunyan challenged Gu Yu, lost their clash, and then asked him to spare Xiao Yan, offering the Lei Clan’s support. Gu Yu acknowledged that the conflict’s core was the Ancient Jade and insisted that the Xiao Clan could not leave without addressing its grievances, including Xiao Yan killing two Ancient Clan geniuses.

• Jiang Yunyan struck at Gu Yu, but his Great Nirvana Finger shattered her sword shadow and injured her.
• Jiang Yunyan conceded the battle and asked Gu Yu to spare Xiao Yan because she believed he had not deliberately provoked the Ancient Clan.
• Jiang Yunyan revealed a lightning-imbued spatial jade slip and offered to secure anything Gu Yu demanded except the Ancient Jade.
• Gu Yu recognized the Lei Clan’s involvement and admitted that the Ancient Jade was central to the Ancient Clan’s conflict with the Xiao Clan.
• Gu Yu said the Xiao Clan could not simply leave after being sheltered by the Ancient Clan and accused Xiao Yan of killing two of its young geniuses.

Xiao Yan accepted Gu Yu’s challenge to compete in the Heavenly Tomb Gathering after avenging Xiao Li, and his allies helped him and the Xiao Clan leave the Ancient Clan safely. He departed heartbroken that Xun Er had not appeared, but composed himself and led his group away.

• Gu Yu offered Xiao Yan a place in the Heavenly Tomb Gathering and warned that the Ancient Clan would not intervene if its prodigies targeted him.
• Xiao Yan defended killing Gu Yao to avenge Xiao Li and accepted the Heavenly Tomb Gathering challenge.
• Gu Yu left, and Xiao Yan reclaimed the Black Flame before Yao Ming opened a spatial passage for Xiao Yan’s group and the Xiao Clan members to depart.
• Xiao Yan hoped Xun Er would appear, but she did not, and Xiao Yi Xian tried to comfort him.
• Xiao Yan regained his composure and led his group out of the Ancient Clan.

After the Ancient Clan’s attack, Xiao Yan thanked Jiang Yunyan and the Nine Serene Deepground Python tribe for helping him. Jiang Yunyan departed after warning Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian to honor Lei Jingxiao’s loyalty, while Xiao Yan reunited with Qing Lin and confirmed she had become a Dou Saint.

• Xiao Yan thanked Jiang Yunyan, who explained that Lei Jingxiao had sent her in his place and given Xiao Yan a precious spatial jade slip left by his mother.
• Jiang Yunyan warned Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian not to betray Lei Jingxiao’s sincere friendship, and Xiao Yi Xian vowed to protect them both.
• Jiang Yunyan left through a spatial rift and said Lei Jingxiao would visit after completing his breakthrough and attend the gathering at the Heavenly Tomb.
• Xiao Yan thanked Yao Ming and the Nine Serene Deepground Python tribe for answering Qing Lin’s call to help him.
• Xiao Yan spoke with Qing Lin, who blushed at his praise, and confirmed that she had entered the Dou Saint realm.

Qing Lin reunited with Xiao Yan after three years and confessed that she wanted to remain by his side once she had grown strong enough. Xiao Yan accepted her feelings, and the chapter ended with him turning his attention to Yao Lao, who had returned to help him.

• Qing Lin told Xiao Yan that she had to return to the Nine Serene Deepground Python clan after escorting him and the others to safety, because the clan remained unstable and her cultivation was best pursued there.
• Qing Lin confessed that once she reached the five-star Dou Saint level and could walk her own path, she wanted to protect Xiao Yan and never be separated from him again.
• Xiao Yan accepted Qing Lin's feelings and promised to wait for her, making her joyful and delighting the watching Nine Serene Deepground Python clansmen.
• Qing Lin told Yao Ming and the others to leave while she spent more time with Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan later thanked everyone before turning to Yao Lao and reflecting on his unexpected return.

Yao Lao reunited with Xiao Yan and explained that the power he had used came from the Void Heavenly Emperor. As Xiao Yan’s allies from the Pill Tower arrived, the group’s escape from the Ancient Clan ended in a tearful reunion.

• Yao Lao told Xiao Yan that he had sensed trouble three years earlier but only recently came to help, and explained that the Void Heavenly Emperor had temporarily boosted his soul power.
• Xiao Yan assured Yao Lao that he was confident he could gather the materials needed to revive him.
• A spatial vortex appeared, and the Nine Serene Deepground Python Dou Saints prepared to defend Qing Lin and Xiao Yan’s group.
• Wei Jiangyuan, Elder Lin, Xuan Yi, and Yao Qingyu emerged from the vortex and greeted Xiao Yan as an ally.
• Yao Qingyu hugged Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian comforted her while Wei Jiangyuan jokingly joined their embrace.

Xiao Yan reunited Yao Lao with Xuan Yi and revealed that Yao Qingyu was their daughter, giving the family a chance to reunite after years apart. After thanking the allies who came to his aid, Xiao Yan invited Xiao Yi Xian to meet two people among the Xiao Clan.

• Yao Qingyu recognized that Xuan Yi had stopped to stare at Yao Lao, and Xiao Yan introduced Yao Qingyu as Yao Lao's daughter.
• Xuan Yi confirmed that Yao Qingyu was Yao Lao's child and embraced him, explaining that she had been unable to reach him when she discovered the girl.
• Xiao Yan led the others away to give Yao Lao, Xuan Yi, and Yao Qingyu time together, while Wei Jiangyuan supported Yao Qingyu.
• Xiao Yan thanked Mu Yaoyin for the Heavenly Luan Clan's aid and Elder Lin for the Pill Tower's support; Elder Lin promised the Pill Tower would help him in the future.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yi Xian to accompany him to meet two people near the Xiao Clan, where Xiao Ding and Xiao Zhan were comforting the clan members.

Xiao Yan introduced Xiao Yi Xian to Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ding, who welcomed her as family and promised to arrange a grand wedding. After the group reunited and prepared to leave, they decided to return to Starfall Pavilion, while Xiao Zhan learned that Xiao Yi Xian also commanded the Medical Poison Valley.

• Xiao Yan brought Xiao Yi Xian to meet Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ding, and introduced her to them.
• Xiao Yi Xian addressed Xiao Zhan as Father and Xiao Ding as Big Brother, and both welcomed her warmly.
• Xiao Yan explained that he and Xiao Yi Xian had not yet married, and Xiao Zhan promised to arrange a grand wedding once things settled down.
• Xiao Yan reflected on the comfort of having his family and Xiao Yi Xian with him, while wishing his Second Brother were present.
• Yao Lao's family reunited, Elder Lin returned to the Pill Tower, and Wei Jiangyuan joined the group accompanying Yao Qingyu.
• The group chose to return to Starfall Pavilion, and Xiao Zhan became more impressed after learning Xiao Yi Xian commanded the Medical Poison Valley.

Xiao Yan returned to Starfall Pavilion with Yao Lao and their companions, where Venerable Wind joyfully reunited with Yao Lao. They entered the newly strengthened pavilion, and Yao Lao praised its transformation as Mu Qingluan hinted that it had changed only recently.

• Xiao Yan and the group arrived outside Starfall Pavilion, where Venerable Wind and the others welcomed them back safely.
• Venerable Wind reunited with Yao Lao and checked on his health, then learned that Yao Lao still lacked a physical body.
• Venerable Wind led everyone through Starfall Pavilion's improved defensive formation and showed Yao Lao the pavilion's expanded grounds.
• Yao Lao praised Starfall Pavilion's transformation, and Venerable Wind boasted that it ranked third among the great powers.
• Mu Qingluan laughed and told Venerable Wind that Starfall Pavilion had not looked this way three years earlier.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian returned to Starfall Pavilion and discussed the strange lack of defenses during their escape from the Ancient Clan. They could not explain who had helped them or why, and Xiao Yan wondered whether Xun Er had been involved.

• Mu Qingluan revealed that Starfall Pavilion's growth came from Xiao Yan's Pill Convention victory and Wei's formation, deflating Venerable Wind's boast.
• Yao Chen praised Feng Xian for his work as Pavilion Master, and the two old friends joked warmly.
• The Nine Serene Deepground Python clan confirmed Qing Lin's return date and left, while Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian returned to their quarters together.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan that the Ancient Clan's defenses had been inexplicably absent when she and the reinforcements arrived to rescue him.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian reasoned that the Ancient Clan had not deliberately lured them in, but they could not determine who had helped them.
• Xiao Yan wondered whether Xun Er had secretly intervened and why she had not appeared.

Soul Heavenly Emperor confronted Gu Yuan in the Ancient Clan and proposed discussing the Heavenly Tomb, while Xiao Yan agreed to judge a joint competition for the younger disciples of Starfall Pavilion, Medical Poison Valley, and Burning Flame Valley. He left his alchemy work for the event after Mu Qingluan secured Yao Lao’s permission.

• After Xiao Yan left the Ancient Clan, Soul Heavenly Emperor appeared before Gu Yuan and the Black Annihilation King.
• Gu Yuan accused Soul Heavenly Emperor of interfering with the Ancient Clan’s defenses, and Soul Heavenly Emperor defended his actions as retaliation for the Ancient Clan’s earlier conduct.
• Soul Heavenly Emperor challenged Gu Yuan to attack him and offered to discuss why Gu Yuan had allowed Xiao Yan into the Heavenly Tomb.
• Mu Qingluan told Xiao Yan that the three major powers were holding a competition for their new disciples and asked him to serve as a judge.
• Xiao Yan hesitated because he planned to work on Yao Lao’s resurrection, but Mu Qingluan said Yao Lao had granted him leave, and Xiao Yan agreed to go.

The announcement described the first Three Sects Tournament, a competition for young disciples from Starfall Pavilion, Medical Poison Valley, and Burning Flame Valley. It set out the tournament’s rules, judges, and goals, and established it as a recurring event hosted by the three sects in rotation.

• Starfall Pavilion, Medical Poison Valley, and Burning Flame Valley announced a tournament to encourage friendly competition and cooperation among their young disciples.
• The announcement outlined each sect’s background and specified that eligible contestants had to be under thirty and at least Dou Wang, with internal eliminations followed by public duels at Starfall Pavilion.
• The three sects invited Xiao Yan to serve as chief judge, while Tang Zhen, Xiao Yi Xian, Wei Jiangyuan, Yao Qingyu, and other leaders would attend.
• The tournament would feature matches on Starfall Pavilion’s obsidian arena, where disciples would compete using their sects’ distinctive skills.
• The three sects resolved to hold the tournament every three years and take turns hosting it.

Xiao Yan arrived at Starfall Pavilion’s arena to serve as a judge for the tournament between the three factions, where the disciples greeted him with admiration. He reunited with his daughter Xiao Qingqing and reflected on the happiness he wanted to protect.

• Xiao Yan arrived at the arena and received an enthusiastic welcome from disciples of Starfall Pavilion, Medical Poison Valley, and Burning Flame Valley.
• Xiao Yan greeted Tang Zhen and joined the other organizers and judges on the platform.
• Wei Jiangyuan teased Xiao Qingqing as she tried to reach Xiao Yi Xian, and Yao Qingyu took the girl away from him.
• Yao Qingyu encouraged Xiao Qingqing to go to Xiao Yan, and the girl happily ran into her father's arms.

Xiao Yan and Wei Jiangyuan continued their work on resurrecting Yao Lao, while Xiao Yan checked on Yao Qingyu’s use of her Heavenly Flame. The resurrection method remained unresolved, but Xiao Yan believed the effort might bring him close to the ninth tier.

• Xiao Yan said he had been handling every matter concerning Yao Lao’s resurrection himself, while Wei Jiangyuan teased him and gave Xiao Qingqing a fruit.
• Wei Jiangyuan complained that Yao Lao had challenged him to redesign the resurrection plan, and Yao Qingyu told him to stop pretending to be pitiful.
• Xiao Yan reflected that Yao Lao and Xuan Yi had reconciled, and that Wei Jiangyuan had spent three years studying how to forge a body for Yao Lao’s soul.
• Xiao Yan asked Yao Qingyu about Wind Fury Dragon Flame, and she said it was extremely useful for her alchemy.
• Wei Jiangyuan warned Yao Qingyu not to overuse her Heavenly Flame and predicted he would reach the ninth tier first, but Xiao Yan said he might approach its threshold after resurrecting Yao Lao.

The Three Sects Tournament quarterfinals began, and Xiao Yan watched Yan Ling lose to Tang Meng before Yan Yu won his own match. When the third match’s contestants appeared, Xiao Yan sensed someone from Soul Hall.

• Wei Jiangyuan reacted to Xiao Yan’s words by theatrically declaring he would go into seclusion, and Yao Qingyu explained that he was hiding his concern for Yao Lao behind his usual irreverence.
• Mu Qingluan introduced Yan Ling of Medical Poison Valley and Tang Meng of Burning Flame Valley as the first quarterfinalists, and Xiao Yan judged that Tang Meng had the advantage despite appearing to be on the defensive.
• Tang Meng defeated Yan Ling by using his soul power to overwhelm her with drowsiness, and Yan Yu caught her before she fell.
• Yan Yu defeated Youquan in the next match, revealing Dou Zong-level strength, then exchanged a charged stare with Tang Meng.
• Xiao Yan lost interest in the earlier matches but sensed that one of the third match’s contestants came from Soul Hall.

Xiao Yan learned that Refinement, a young man with a Soul Clan inheritance, had joined Starfall Pavilion after Mu Yaoyin judged him harmless. Refinement defeated Bu Yao in the quarterfinals, and the fourth match began with Ding Ji facing Star Calamity.

• Xiao Yi Xian and Mu Qingluan explained Refinement's background and why Starfall Pavilion had accepted him, easing Xiao Yan's suspicions.
• Xiao Yan recalled Mu Yaoyin's reliable predictions and trusted her judgment that Refinement posed no danger.
• The third quarterfinal began between Starfall Pavilion's Refinement and Medical Poison Valley's Bu Yao, Xiao Yan's former alchemy apprentice.
• Refinement used methods inherited from Soul Hall to defeat Bu Yao, who left the arena discouraged without noticing Xiao Yan's lack of disappointment.
• Tang Meng, Yan Yu, and Refinement secured semifinal places for their factions, and the fourth quarterfinal began between Ding Ji and Star Calamity.

Star Calamity defeated Ding Ji to claim the final place in the next round, while Xiao Yan reflected on his own youth and the dangers he had endured. After the day’s top-eight matches ended, Tang Zhen approached Xiao Yan to speak privately.

• Ding Ji and Star Calamity entered the arena, and Mu Qingluan explained their ties to Burning Flame Valley, Starfall Pavilion, and the Heavenly Luan Clan.
• Star Calamity used formations to restrict Ding Ji and defeated him, earning the final place in the next round.
• Xiao Yan and Mu Qingluan discussed the competitors’ talents and their age limit of thirty, and Yao Qingyu pointed out that Xiao Yan could still compete.
• Xiao Yan reflected on how his strength and perilous experiences had shaped him, then watched Xiao Qingqing go to her mother.
• After the top-eight matches concluded, Tang Zhen asked Xiao Yan to speak with him in private.

Tang Zhen invited Xiao Yan to Burning Flame Valley, offering knowledge about the Xiao Clan’s past as a reason to visit. After consulting Yao Lao, Xiao Yan agreed to consider the trip, reassured that Yao Lao’s resurrection could proceed without him and asked to bring back a rare herb needed for it.

• Tang Zhen thanked Xiao Yan for saving Burning Flame Valley’s ancestor and invited him to visit the valley, where the ancestor hoped to meet him.
• Xiao Yan hesitated because he was overseeing Yao Lao’s resurrection, but Tang Zhen said Burning Flame Valley might reveal secrets about the Xiao Clan’s past.
• Yao Lao advised Xiao Yan to accept the invitation, saying Burning Flame Valley’s ancient inheritance could help answer his questions.
• Yao Lao assured Xiao Yan that he and Wei Jiangyuan could handle the resurrection preparations while Xiao Yan was away.
• Yao Lao asked Xiao Yan to obtain Fire Essence Demon Ginseng from Burning Flame Valley, and Xiao Yan recognized its dangers and its short period of usefulness after harvesting.

Xiao Yan prepared to travel to Burning Flame Valley to investigate secrets surrounding the Xiao Clan and discussed the journey with Xiao Yi Xian. Before leaving, he learned from Xiao Ding that members of the Ancient Clan had repeatedly called them the “Xiao Clan.”

• Yao Lao and Xiao Yan agreed that the Fire Essence Demon Ginseng could be used in Yao Lao’s resurrection, with Xiao Yan overseeing the process.
• Xiao Yan visited Xiao Yi Xian and told her about his planned trip to Burning Flame Valley and the possible connection between the Fire Essence Demon Ginseng and the Xiao Clan’s past.
• Xiao Yi Xian supported the trip and suggested Qing Lin accompany Xiao Yan for protection.
• Xiao Yi Xian said she wanted Xiao Qingqing to enjoy her childhood without cultivation resources or pressure, and Xiao Yan agreed.
• Xiao Yan visited Xiao Zhan with Xiao Ding, who revealed that Ancient Clan elders had repeatedly referred to their family as the “Xiao Clan.”

Xiao Yan considered Xiao Ding’s warning about Xun Er and the Ancient Clan, but left his feelings unresolved. After the Three Sects Tournament, he traveled with Tang Zhen’s group to Burning Flame Valley, where he saw the sect’s remarkable fire-rich territory.

• Xiao Ding urged Xiao Yan not to let hatred blind him toward Xun Er, and Xiao Yan remained silent, conflicted about her.
• Xiao Zhan arrived, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding avoided discussing the Ancient Clan and Xiao Li in front of him.
• Yan Yu of Medical Poison Valley won the Three Sects Tournament, and Tang Zhen departed with Xiao Yan and the others.
• During the journey, Xiao Yan advised Burning Flame Valley’s young disciples on cultivation until Tang Zhen sent them away to give him time.
• Two days later, Tang Zhen brought the group to Burning Flame Valley, where Xiao Yan sensed the region’s abundant fire-attributed Dou Qi.

Xiao Yan returned to Burning Flame Valley and learned that its Ancestor needed another day or two to finish cultivating before meeting him. While he waited, Tang Huo'er offered to show him and Qing Lin the valley’s Dou Technique Pavilion so he could prepare for his coming journey to the Heavenly Tomb.

• Tang Huo'er welcomed Xiao Yan and rejoiced that he had returned unharmed.
• Tang Huo'er told Xiao Yan that the Ancestor was still cultivating, and Tang Zhen explained that the Ancestor could not be disturbed for another one or two days.
• Xiao Yan asked Tang Zhen about obtaining Fire Essence Demon Ginseng, but Tang Zhen said the dangerous area beneath the valley could not be visited until the Ancestor emerged.
• Tang Huo'er suggested Xiao Yan study Burning Flame Valley’s Dou Techniques before his journey to the Heavenly Tomb, and Tang Zhen invited him to choose anything he needed.
• Tang Huo'er led Xiao Yan and Qing Lin toward the Dou Technique Pavilion, while Tang Zhen reflected on his daughter’s feelings for Xiao Yan and the strength of the women around him.

Xiao Yan searched Burning Flame Valley’s Yanwu Pavilion for high-tier Earth-class Dou Techniques that could strengthen his arsenal against the Ancient Clan’s geniuses. After inspecting the fifth floor’s collection, he discovered that its central treasure was the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Fire, a secret art he already used.

• Tang Huo'er brought Xiao Yan to Yanwu Pavilion, where Tang Zhen’s approval gave him access to every Dou Technique.
• Xiao Yan rejected the lower floors’ techniques and asked Tang Huo'er to lead him to the high-tier Earth-class selections.
• Tang Huo'er guided Xiao Yan to the fifth floor, where he examined Burning Flame Valley’s most precious Dou Techniques.
• Xiao Yan considered Blazing Fire Wave Strike but decided it was unlikely to improve his abilities enough to be worthwhile.
• After searching the collection for half a day, Xiao Yan found the Three Mysterious Changes of Heavenly Fire at the pavilion’s center.

Xiao Yan found Burning Flame Valley’s Di Class Dou Techniques impressive but not powerful enough to justify the time he would spend cultivating one, and he declined Tang Huo’er’s offer to ask her father for a Heaven Class technique. That night, Qing Lin brought him a Heaven Class Dou Technique she had created herself, leaving Xiao Yan touched but unsure whether it would suit him.

• Xiao Yan told Tang Huo’er that the Dou Techniques in Yanwu Pavilion lacked the decisive power he wanted for battles at the Half-Saint level.
• Tang Huo’er offered to ask her father for a Heaven Class Dou Technique, but Xiao Yan declined to avoid imposing on Burning Flame Valley.
• Xiao Yan spent the evening reflecting on the techniques he had seen while sensing Burning Flame Valley’s fire-attribute Dou Qi.
• Qing Lin visited Xiao Yan and gave him a Heaven Class Dou Technique she had created after reaching the Dou Sheng level.
• Xiao Yan felt touched by Qing Lin’s gift but suspected that her technique, shaped by her own abilities and fighting style, would not suit him.

Qing Lin offered to risk harming a Nine Serene Deepground Python Clan Dou Sheng to obtain a suitable Dou Technique for Xiao Yan, but he refused. She confessed that staying by his side mattered more to her than her status or strength, and Xiao Yan accepted her feelings before they kissed.

• Qing Lin told Xiao Yan she could use a secret blood-exchange method with a Nine Serene Deepground Python Clan Dou Sheng to obtain a suitable Dou Technique for him.
• Xiao Yan rejected the dangerous plan and urged Qing Lin to follow her own path rather than tie her future to him.
• Qing Lin confessed that she wanted to stay by Xiao Yan's side and did not mind sharing his affection with Xiao Yi Xian, Xun Er, or anyone else.
• Xiao Yan clasped Qing Lin's hand, told her their relationship was not one of master and servant, and promised to wait for her at Starfall Pavilion.
• Qing Lin embraced and kissed Xiao Yan, and he carried her into his room.

Xiao Yan and Qing Lin gave in to their desire for each other, with Qing Lin taking the initiative as her feelings and the influence of her blood stirred. As they embraced, the flower in Qing Lin’s emerald eyes brightened and a strange fragrance made Xiao Yan’s vision grow hazy.

• Qing Lin clung to Xiao Yan and guided his hand beneath her clothing.
• Qing Lin asked whether she was beautiful, and Xiao Yan reassured her.
• Xiao Yan and Qing Lin shed their clothing as their desire for each other intensified.
• The flower in Qing Lin’s emerald eyes brightened, and a peculiar fragrance made Xiao Yan’s vision blur.