Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan endured the Black Flame's assault, subdued its source flame, and evolved the Burning Art as Old Yao fell into a depleted slumber. He woke as an eight-star Dou Huang, then searched the magical beast's corpse for its Demonic Core but found it missing.

• Old Yao instructed Xiao Yan to absorb the Black Flame and imprint its source flame with his soul mark, while warning him to prepare Qi Recovery Pills.
• Xiao Yan endured the Black Flame burning his body and soul, found its beast-shaped source flame, erased the magical beast's soul mark, and imprinted his own.
• Old Yao told Xiao Yan to circulate the Black Flame through the Burning Art before falling asleep from depleted soul power, and Xiao Yan's injuries began to heal as the technique evolved.
• Xiao Yan woke the following night with most of his injuries healed, discovered he had reached eight-star Dou Huang, and found that the Burning Art had become a Mysterious Tier Advanced Cultivation Technique.
• Xiao Yan collected the magical beast's hide and horn but could not find its Demonic Core, which had been transformed into Black Flame during the beast's final counterattack.

After discovering that the Black Flame could strengthen and consume souls, Xiao Yan named it Evil Flame and prepared to leave the forest. A mysterious summons stopped him, and after his coin tosses repeatedly pointed toward staying, he decided to investigate.

• Xiao Yan examined the Black Flame and learned that it could temper his soul, burn others’ souls, absorb their power, and reach Heavenly Flame temperatures.
• Xiao Yan named the flame Evil Flame and wondered about the unknown magical beast it had come from.
• Xiao Yan sensed a summons from deeper in the forest but spent the night cultivating to help Old Yao and consolidate his Dou Huang strength.
• The next morning, Xiao Yan left the dangerous central region and began flying toward Jia Nan Academy, but the summons grew stronger and made him stop.
• Xiao Yan tossed a gold coin several times to choose whether to stay or leave, then decided to follow the summons; unbeknownst to him, the coin showed “stay.”

Xiao Yan followed Evil Flame’s summons into a volcano and discovered a hidden cave beneath the magma. Evil Flame led him to a sealed building, and Xiao Yan entered to learn what had drawn it there.

• Xiao Yan wrapped himself in battle qi and descended into the magma, where he found a light curtain protecting a cave.
• Xiao Yan passed through the barrier and reached an underground space filled with streams, magma pools, and the skeletons of magical beasts.
• Xiao Yan tried to leave when he feared he had found the beasts’ nest, but Evil Flame pulled him deeper into the cave.
• Xiao Yan reached a building whose stone doors would not open until Evil Flame lit a nearby brazier and activated them.
• Xiao Yan entered the building to discover what had caused Evil Flame to act on its own.

Xiao Yan entered an ancient altar and learned that he was the last descendant of the Red-Eyed Tyrannosaur Clan, after a spiritual message revealed the clan’s history and strengthened his soul. He discovered that the Evil Flame Demonic Blade was tied to his clan, which had been nearly wiped out by powerful Dou God Experts.

• Xiao Yan followed an ancient passage to an altar, where he found a black blade burning with Evil Flame and several objects on a stone table.
• A white light circled Xiao Yan and entered his head, easing the blade’s pressure and delivering a message from a clan ancestor.
• Xiao Yan’s soul strength increased, and he learned that he was a Red-Eyed Tyrannosaur descended from a clan whose members took human form and possessed Evil Flame.
• Xiao Yan learned that he had killed the clan’s last surviving member, and that the blade was called the Evil Flame Demonic Blade.
• Xiao Yan learned that two Tyrannosaur Clan Dou Sheng had killed a Dou God Expert, prompting more than a dozen Dou God Experts and dozens of Dou Sheng to massacre the clan.

Xiao Yan learned the fate of the Tyrannosaur Clan, claimed the Evil Flame Demonic Blade, and discovered the Dragon Flame Art. He stayed in the underground world to train, reaching the art’s Form level while Old Yao’s condition improved.

• The Tyrannosaur Clan was massacred by Dou Di, and Evil Flame Demon Saint sacrificed himself after leading a few survivors underground and warning them not to seek revenge before reaching Dou Di.
• The surviving Dou Di cursed the Tyrannosaur Clan, causing its members to lose the ability to reach Dou Di, reproduce, and gain intelligence; millions of years later, a lone Red-Eyed Tyrannosaur escaped the weakened magic array.
• Xiao Yan erased the Evil Flame Demonic Blade’s former soul imprint, made the blade his own, and fashioned a sheath from the magical beast’s horn.
• Xiao Yan opened an intact scroll and learned the Dragon Flame Art, a soul-based fire-controlling Dou Skill that required Evil Flame and had five levels.
• Xiao Yan trained in the underground world and reached the Dragon Flame Art’s Form level, while the ring’s growing glow suggested Old Yao would awaken soon.

After six months of cultivation, Xiao Yan left the underground world and headed toward Jia Nan Academy, where he came upon an old man fighting a Sky Winged Tiger over an injured little girl. He learned the girl was a magical beast transformed by eating the tiger’s Form Transformation Grass, and the battle continued as he watched.

• Xiao Yan discussed his progress and his good fortune with the newly awakened Old Yao, then left the underground world.
• Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu, and Xun Er wondered how Xiao Yan was doing and talked about their own cultivation progress.
• While traveling through the Magical Beast Forest, Xiao Yan heard fighting and went to investigate.
• Xiao Yan saw an old man from Jia Nan Academy battling a nine-star Dou Huang Sky Winged Tiger while protecting an injured little girl.
• Sky Winged Tiger explained that the girl had eaten its Form Transformation Grass and become human, but the old man refused to hand her over, and they fought again.

Xiao Yan rescued Su Qian and the newly transformed Zi Yan from a Sky Winged Tiger, then joined Su Qian on the journey to Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy. He named the girl Zi Yan and continued teasing her as they traveled.

• Xiao Yan killed the Sky Winged Tiger with his Drawing Sword Technique just as it was about to kill Su Qian.
• Su Qian offered to serve Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan exposed his reluctance and accepted him as a steward in jest.
• Xiao Yan revealed his identity, gave healing pills to Su Qian and the little girl, and asked how they had encountered the beast.
• Su Qian explained that he had found the transformed girl alone and intervened when the Sky Winged Tiger attacked her.
• Xiao Yan insisted on accompanying Su Qian and the girl to Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy, then named the girl Zi Yan.

Xiao Yan persuaded Su Qian to bring him into Jia Nan Academy’s hidden Inner Academy, where he and little Zi Yan were welcomed and given a place to stay. The chapter left them settling in as guests at the Academy.

• Xiao Yan told Su Qian that his deceased master had passed his Dou Qi to him, while Old Yao complained about being called dead.
• Su Qian stopped at a bare hill and hesitated to bring Xiao Yan into the Inner Academy, but Xiao Yan insisted on accompanying him.
• Su Qian opened the hidden spatial gate and led Xiao Yan and little Zi Yan into the Inner Academy.
• Su Qian brought Xiao Yan and little Zi Yan to his residence, where they ate dinner and chatted.
• Su Qian arranged a nearby courtyard for Xiao Yan and Zi Yan and provided them with clothes and daily necessities.

Xiao Yan cared for Little Zi Yan after she clung to him, then shared a room and bed with her. The next morning, he carried her out of bed and prepared to find Su Qian for breakfast.

• Xiao Yan heated a bath for Little Zi Yan and helped her wash when she did not understand how to bathe herself.
• Xiao Yan dressed Little Zi Yan in new clothes, and she clung to him and fell asleep in his arms.
• Xiao Yan carried Little Zi Yan to bed and promised to protect her from now on.
• The next morning, Little Zi Yan tickled Xiao Yan awake, and he playfully tickled her in return.
• Xiao Yan carried Little Zi Yan out of bed and prepared to find Su Qian for breakfast.

Xiao Yan took little Zi Yan to breakfast, where he crippled a wastrel who harassed her and discovered that Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy used Fire Energy as currency. He informed Su Qian about the incident, and Su Qian asked whether Xiao Yan planned to stay with him.

• Xiao Yan took little Zi Yan to the cafeteria after failing to find Su Qian, then ordered breakfast in the second-floor hall.
• A wastrel harassed little Zi Yan, so Xiao Yan kicked him between the legs and drove off his two lackeys with his killing intent.
• Xiao Yan learned that breakfast cost two Fire Energy, paid with a third-tier Demonic Core, and asked a student where Su Qian worked.
• Xiao Yan found Su Qian and told him about the cafeteria incident after Su Qian apologized for being unable to show him around.
• Su Qian said Xiao Yan was not at fault and asked whether he planned to stay, leaving Xiao Yan annoyed by the question.

Xiao Yan persuaded Su Qian to make him an elder of Jia Nan Academy by demonstrating his alchemy, then received his academy credentials and chose a part-time job maintaining the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower. He settled into the academy with little Zi Yan, unaware that Su Qian had a deeper hope tied to his future.

• Xiao Yan convinced Su Qian to appoint him an elder after showing off his control of Evil Flame and agreeing to refine pills for him when asked.
• Su Qian called an elder council meeting, and Xiao Yan’s strength and alchemist status won approval for his membership.
• Xiao Yan and little Zi Yan headed toward the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, but an elder stopped him for lacking student identification.
• Su Qian brought Xiao Yan and Zi Yan their identification and Fire Energy cards, and Xiao Yan agreed to maintain the tower’s fourth floor a few days each month.
• After Su Qian left, Xiao Yan continued playing with Zi Yan in his courtyard.

After spending the night with Little Ziyan, Xiao Yan entered the Burning Heaven Qi Training Tower and endured the Fallen Heart Flame’s heartfire for two hours. He woke safely to find Su Qian and Little Ziyan worried about him.

• Xiao Yan took Little Ziyan out for a meal after she devoured the pills he had given her.
• Xiao Yan and Little Ziyan spent a restless night together, then slept until noon.
• Xiao Yan carried Little Ziyan into the Burning Heaven Qi Training Tower and began resisting the Fallen Heart Flame’s heartfire.
• Su Qian and the onlookers grew worried as Xiao Yan remained unconscious for nearly two hours, while Little Ziyan waited quietly beside him.
• Xiao Yan woke just as Su Qian was preparing to use external force, and he reassured Su Qian and Little Ziyan that he was fine.

Xiao Yan met Inner Academy elders Liu and Huo, then explored the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower and planned how to prepare for safely devouring the Fallen Heart Flame. He ended the day relaxing with little Zi Yan, while his peaceful life remained far from lasting.

• Elders Liu and Huo introduced themselves to Xiao Yan and invited him to visit the Herbal Hall and Alchemy Hall.
• Xiao Yan explored the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower and noticed that the Fire attribute energy grew denser and more violent on its lower floors.
• Xiao Yan decided he needed to consult Old Yao and find more medicinal ingredients before attempting to devour the Fallen Heart Flame.
• Little Zi Yan massaged Xiao Yan as he considered his plans, and he later took her for a walk around the grass.
• Xiao Yan returned to his room with little Zi Yan, and they fell asleep together after an intimate evening.

Xiao Yan visited the trading district to find medicinal herbs for his pill refining, then came across a group of men harassing a young woman. He intervened just as they were closing in on her.

• Xiao Yan went to the trading district with Zi Yan and bought her candied hawthorn while browsing the stalls.
• Xiao Yan found Blood Lotus Essence and agreed to buy it from Wang Biao for three hundred Fire Energy.
• Xiao Yan asked Wang Biao to find medicinal herbs for him and promised a high price plus a finder's fee.
• Xiao Yan and Zi Yan approached a crowd and saw four or five men surrounding a young woman.
• Xiao Yan shouted at the men to stop bullying the girl.

Xiao Yan rescued Ruolin from a spoiled brat and his four lackeys, then learned she was the academy mentor he remembered from the original story. He and Zi Yan followed Ruolin to her dormitory, where she began preparing them a meal.

• Xiao Yan defeated the spoiled brat and his four Da Dou Shi lackeys while holding Zi Yan, then kicked the brat unconscious.
• Xiao Yan teased Ruolin, who blushed and offered to cook for him because she had little Fire Energy.
• Ruolin introduced herself, and Xiao Yan revealed that he was an academy elder and introduced Zi Yan as his little sister.
• Xiao Yan recognized Ruolin as a mentor from the original story and wondered why her strength differed from what he remembered.
• Xiao Yan and Zi Yan followed Ruolin to her dormitory, where she poured them tea and went to cook.

Xiao Yan grew closer to Ruolin over a meal and invited her to live with him, offering her work and a chance to care for Zi Yan. Ruolin accepted and moved into his courtyard, though both she and Xiao Yan struggled to sleep as they thought about their new relationship.

• Ruolin cooked for Xiao Yan and Zi Yan, and Xiao Yan praised her food while flirting with her.
• Ruolin told Xiao Yan about her difficult upbringing and how she had entered the Inner Academy through her own efforts.
• Xiao Yan invited Ruolin to live with him, offered to pay people she gathered one Fire Energy point a day, and asked her to look after Zi Yan.
• Ruolin accepted Xiao Yan's offer, packed her belongings, and moved into his courtyard.
• Xiao Yan arranged a room for Ruolin, and after dinner she retired while he returned to his room with Zi Yan.
• Xiao Yan and Ruolin both lay awake thinking about the day's events before eventually falling asleep near dawn.

Xiao Yan began his shift at the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower and tested the tower’s cultivation benefits while monitoring the students. He sensed the Fallen Heart Flame beneath the tower, where his Evil Flame confronted it, and learned that the seal was weakening and the Heavenly Flame had developed intelligence.

• Ruolin prepared breakfast for Xiao Yan, and he thanked her, asked her to care for Zi Yan, and kissed her forehead before leaving.
• Elder Liu explained Xiao Yan’s duties at the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower and handed over the shift.
• Xiao Yan cultivated with his Purple Fire Crystal Card, filtering out Fire poison and feeling his Dou Qi grow slightly more refined.
• Xiao Yan extended his soul power through the weakening seal and saw the Fallen Heart Flame in the underground Magma World.
• The Fallen Heart Flame ignited Xiao Yan’s heartfire, but his Evil Flame swallowed it and confronted the Heavenly Flame, which seemed wary.
• Xiao Yan withdrew his soul power and used the Evil Flame to recover, concluding that the seal was weakening and the Fallen Heart Flame had gained intelligence.

Xiao Yan began recruiting students to sell his pills and gather medicinal ingredients, while preparing to refine a large batch with Evil Flame. After hiring Ruolin’s recruits and reassuring Gu Yue that he would treat Ruolin well, he spent most of the night learning to refine pills with guidance from Old Yao.

• Xiao Yan shared a warm dinner with Ruolin and Zi Yan, and explained that Zi Yan’s pill eating was normal for her special constitution.
• Ruolin gathered more than a dozen students, and Xiao Yan hired them to sell his pills and collect ingredients for one Fire Energy per day, paying fifteen Fire Energy in advance.
• Gu Yue warned Xiao Yan to treat Ruolin well, and Xiao Yan promised that he would.
• Xiao Yan told Ruolin and Zi Yan not to wait up, then began refining pills with Evil Flame in his alchemy room.
• Old Yao guided Xiao Yan as he learned to refine with Evil Flame, improving his speed and success rate while he made pills for more than half the night.

After emerging from the alchemy room, Xiao Yan kissed Ruolin and told her about the Fire poison medicines he had refined for her to sell. He gave Ruolin a Marrow Cleansing Pill, guarded her as she refined it, and left her to bathe after it expelled impurities from her body.

• Xiao Yan found Ruolin asleep on the sofa, kissed her when she woke, and teased her by calling her his future wife.
• Xiao Yan asked Ruolin to arrange the sale of 1,270 Ice Spirit Pills and 980 bottles of Marrow Cleansing Cold Spirit Liquid and to collect medicinal ingredients.
• Xiao Yan gave Ruolin a peak sixth-grade Marrow Cleansing Pill and had her swallow it in the cultivation room.
• Ruolin endured the pill's painful effects for about two hours as Xiao Yan guarded her while she refined its medicinal power.
• Ruolin discovered black grime on her skin, and Xiao Yan explained that the pill had expelled impurities before sending her to bathe.

After a year of carefree days in the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan struggled through a dangerous breakthrough inside the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower. He finally broke through to Dou Zong by discovering the heart of a powerhouse, then emerged before the anxious academy members with a transformed aura.

• Ruolin bathed after her strength improved, then covered sleeping Xiao Yan with a blanket and kissed his forehead.
• Xiao Yan spent a year cultivating and enjoying time with Ruolin and Zi Yan before breaking through to Dou Zong at the peak of Dou Huang.
• Xiao Yan struggled to break through as the heavenly phenomenon lingered, and Old Yao told him he was missing a heart.
• Su Qian, the elders, Ruolin, and Zi Yan waited anxiously outside the tower while Xiao Yan made his final attempt.
• Xiao Yan shattered his bottleneck after embracing the heart of a powerhouse and emerged through a spatial crack as a Dou Zong.