Chapter Summaries

Zhao Li reunited with Ling Meng, whose childhood memories of his rescue had shaped her life and search for him. After comforting her and guiding her unstable Soul Power toward a breakthrough, he remained with Ling Haoran to discuss the Ling Clan’s near-destruction.

• Zhao Li recognized Ling Meng and reassured her that he remembered rescuing her as a child.
• Ling Meng recalled Zhao Li saving her after her parents and villagers were killed, and explained that she had spent nearly a century seeking him and the truth.
• Zhao Li comforted the grieving Ling Meng and offered to let her remain Ling Li’s little sister.
• Zhao Li quietly guided Ling Meng’s unstable Soul Power as she rested, then dismissed the others.
• Zhao Li asked Ling Haoran what he thought after the Ling Clan had nearly been annihilated.

After Zhao Li drove Hun Tiandi away from the Spirit Realm, he discussed the Soul Clan’s ambitions and the Tou She Ancient God Jade with Ling Haoran. Ling Haoran handed Zhao Li the Ling Clan’s shard, and Zhao Li said Hun Tiandi could no longer become Emperor without his permission before asking the Ling Clan to cooperate with him.

• Ling Haoran thanked Zhao Li for saving the Ling Clan and easing Ling Meng’s burden.
• Zhao Li asked Ling Haoran what he thought of Hun Tiandi’s attack, and Ling Haoran admitted the Soul Clan had become too powerful for his clan to challenge.
• Zhao Li explained that Hun Tiandi would pursue the Dou Di realm and would not ignore the Tou She Ancient God Jade.
• Ling Haoran showed Zhao Li the Ling Clan’s shard and explained that the ancient jade had been divided among the eight clans.
• Zhao Li said Hun Tiandi had no chance to become Emperor without his permission, and Ling Haoran gave him the Ling Clan’s shard.
• Zhao Li accepted the jade and told Ling Haoran there was one more matter he needed the Ling Clan to cooperate with.

Zhao Li enlisted the major clans to prepare for the Eighty-one Trials and weighed the risks of spreading cultivation methods across the continent. At Five-Finger Mountain, Gu Yuan confronted the imprisoned Hun Tiandi, who warned that the emergence of a Dou Di would change Gu Yuan’s life as well.

• Zhao Li secured Ling Haoran’s cooperation, then visited the Yan Clan, Yao Clan, Lei Clan, and Shi Clan to arrange support for the Eighty-one Trials.
• Zhao Li considered the disorder his teachings might cause and decided to wait for news of the new emperor to spread while Xiao Yan continued to grow.
• Gu Yuan tried to break open Five-Finger Mountain, but Hun Tiandi urged him to stop and admitted defeat.
• Gu Yuan reflected on his past rivalry with Hun Tiandi and said he had never expected them to meet again with Hun Tiandi imprisoned.
• Hun Tiandi told Gu Yuan that a Dou Di had appeared on the continent and warned that Gu Yuan would no longer be free and unrestrained.

Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi acknowledged that Zhao Li had become a Dou Di beyond their power to challenge, while Gu Yuan explained Zhao Li’s promise and ambitions to Hun Tiandi. The chapter left Hun Tiandi hearing that his own ambitions were small beside Zhao Li’s broader plans.

• Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi concluded that Zhao Li had become a Dou Di and that they had lost any chance to stop him or become emperors without his permission.
• Gu Yuan suggested Zhao Li might eventually let him become a Dou Di, but Hun Tiandi mocked the idea and warned him not to be naive.
• Gu Yuan asked Hun Tiandi about Great Li, Starfall Pavilion, and Pill Tower, then revealed Zhao Li had visited him half a month earlier.
• Gu Yuan said Zhao Li had promised him a place among the Dou Di and that he believed Zhao Li’s intentions, though he doubted his plans to revive the continent would succeed.
• Gu Yuan told Hun Tiandi that both he and Zhao Li were ambitious, but Hun Tiandi’s ambitions were much narrower.

Gu Yuan challenged Hun Tiandi to reconsider whether Dou Di was the end of cultivation and explained Zhao Li’s plan to spread cultivation methods across the continent. He argued that the old clans had to adapt to the changing times, leaving Hun Tiandi to confront the possibility that Zhao Li had spared him for a purpose.

• Gu Yuan admitted that Zhao Li’s ambition had rekindled his own desire to pursue a realm beyond Dou Di.
• Gu Yuan pressed Hun Tiandi to question whether Dou Di was the limit, but Hun Tiandi said those beneath Dou Di were powerless to advance.
• Gu Yuan suggested Hun Tiandi might still be alive because Zhao Li had plans for him, then described Zhao Li’s request for the Gu Clan to unite local forces.
• Gu Yuan explained that the Gu Clan would help stage Journey to the West Preaching, spreading cultivation methods while taking the blame for Zhao Li’s scheme.
• Hun Tiandi realized the Gu Clan would be cast as villains and Zhao Li’s people as saviors, while Gu Yuan argued that the clans had to adapt as new experts emerged.

Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi reckoned with Zhao Li’s plans as news of Hun Tiandi’s defeat spread and the continent’s powers were reorganized. With preparations to spread the Dao complete, Zhao Li turned his attention to Xiao Yan’s progress in the Black Corner Region.

• Gu Yuan told Hun Tiandi that Zhao Li must have spared him for a reason and said he would take advantage of the Soul Clan’s weakened position.
• Hun Tiandi realized Gu Yuan had learned that Xiao Xuan was in the Heavenly Tomb and wondered whether a Dou Di could revive him.
• News spread that Hun Tiandi had been suppressed and had attacked the Ling Clan, while the Soul Clan fell into disarray and Hun Xuzi took over as clan chief.
• Over three months, the ancient clans consolidated thousands of scattered powers into roughly a hundred regional powers, leaving much of the continent in chaos.
• After the final deity returned to his body, Zhao Li said the preparations for spreading the Dao were complete and went to check on Xiao Yan’s progress in the Black Corner Region.

Zhao Li left the Northwestern Continent to see how Xiao Yan would fare in the Black Corner Region, while Jia Nan Academy held its Inner Academy Selection Competition. Xun'er continued to wait for Xiao Yan, and the chapter ended as he was called for his first match.

• Zhao Li reviewed All Deities' information, planned to judge Xiao Yan's progress, and left the Northwestern Continent.
• Jia Nan Academy drew a large crowd for its Inner Academy Selection Competition, where Xun'er defeated a Nine-Star Dou Master opponent.
• Instructor Ruolin and Xiao Yu urged Xun'er not to waste another chance by waiting for Xiao Yan, but Xun'er said she believed in him.
• Xiao Yu complained that Xiao Yan had missed more than two years of training, and Instructor Ruolin threatened to make him pay if he was absent again.
• The announcer called Xue Beng of Mysterious Tier Class Three and Xiao Yan of Yellow Tier Class Two for the next match.

Xiao Yan arrived at Jia Nan Academy’s Selection Competition, where Hu Gan suspected he was the mysterious powerhouse but allowed him to proceed after receiving word from the Inner Academy. Xiao Yan swiftly defeated Xue Beng and reunited with Xun'er, leaving their relationship openly acknowledged before the watching crowd.

• Ruolin nearly lost hope when Xiao Yan failed to appear, but Xun'er sensed that he had arrived.
• Hu Gan called for the hidden powerhouse to reveal himself, and Xiao Yan appeared and identified himself as the student who had taken a long leave.
• Hu Gan suspected Xiao Yan was the powerful visitor, then relaxed after receiving a message and allowed the competition to continue.
• Xue Beng mocked Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan ignored him and knocked him off the stage with a wisp of Azure Glow.
• Xiao Yan won the match, leaped to Xun'er, and embraced her while apologizing for being late.

After Xiao Yan dominated his matches at Jia Nan Academy, the elders decided to treat him cautiously but normally. Yao Chen urged him to temper his aura and control his strength before attempting to devour another Heavenly Flame, while Bai Shan watched him from afar in resentment.

• Xiao Yan won several matches with ease, earning recognition as a true prodigy among the academy’s students.
• Hu Gan told the elders that Xiao Yan’s record in the Black Corner Region was frightening and that he had sensed a threat from him.
• The Great Elder decided the academy would befriend Xiao Yan unless he acted against it, while only slightly increasing its guard against the Black Corner Region.
• Yao Chen warned Xiao Yan to wash away his intimidating aura and master his strength before devouring the Fallen Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yan accepted Yao Chen’s advice and disappeared into the forest as Bai Shan watched, hating him and himself.

The final round of the Inner Academy Selection Competition began as a melee in which contestants formed teams and competed to last the longest. Xiao Yan and Xun'er stood together against the other groups, and Xiao Yan confronted Bai Shan as the battle was about to start.

• The Selection Competition chose its final fifty qualifiers, and Hu Gan announced that their ranks would be determined by how long they survived a free-for-all.
• The contestants split into four groups led by Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia, while Xiao Yan and Xun'er formed a group of two.
• Bai Shan pointed his spear at Xiao Yan and threatened to make him lose face unless he left Xun'er behind.
• Xiao Yan sensed malice among the contestants, took Xun'er's hand, and walked toward Bai Shan's group as he challenged their threat.

Xiao Yan faced Bai Shan and the other contestants after they surrounded Xun'er and targeted him at the start of the elimination match. He effortlessly eliminated eight attackers, then prepared to unleash the Flame Splitting, Tsunami Devouring Ruler against Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia.

• Xiao Yan pulled Xun'er behind him and stepped into the encirclement as the stands condemned Bai Shan's group for targeting him.
• Hu Gan explained to Old Huo that the match's rules allowed the attack, and the teachers let the contest continue.
• Eight peak Dou Shi contestants rushed Xiao Yan, who struck them all out of the competition circle with eight flame-powered punches.
• Bai Shan and Wu Hao attacked Xiao Yan, but he parried their spear and Heavy Sword with the Black Ruler and forced them back.
• Xiao Yan covered the Black Ruler with azure flames, drew the fire into himself, and swung the ruler while calling out the Flame Splitting, Tsunami Devouring Ruler.

Xiao Yan unleashed his powerful flames during the competition, forcing Hu Gan to intervene and evacuate the students. After Xiao Yan warned the academy against interfering in his relationship with Xun'er, Hu Gan persuaded him to enter the Inner Academy by promising it could help him reach Dou King.

• Xiao Yan struck with Flame Splitting Wave Eating Ruler, and Hu Gan froze the attack before it could hit Hu Jia and the other students.
• Xiao Yan spread the Green Lotus Core Flame across the arena, prompting Hu Gan to order the Elders to evacuate everyone.
• After the arena was cleared, Xiao Yan withdrew his flames and warned Hu Gan that the academy should stop causing trouble over Xun'er.
• Xiao Yan took Xun'er's hand and prepared to leave, but Hu Gan told him the Inner Academy could help him break through to Dou King.
• Xiao Yan accepted Hu Gan's invitation and entered the Inner Academy.

Zhao Li reviewed Xiao Yan’s rise in the Black Corner Region and sensed an unknown watcher, then decided to accelerate his plans. At Jia Nan Academy’s Fire Spirit Hunt Competition, Xiao Yan and Xun'er collected Fire Energy from the Inner Academy teams, leaving the academy’s students to recognize his strength.

• Zhao Li learned that Xiao Yan had used the Black Emperor Sect’s support to grow powerful in the Black Corner Region and had defeated a peak Dou Zong.
• Zhao Li realized Xiao Yan’s strength could make the coming Eighty-one Trials too easy and sensed an unknown gaze watching him.
• Zhao Li split off a wisp of thought to inform Yao Chen of what would come next.
• Xiao Yan and Xun'er defeated Inner Academy teams during the Fire Spirit Hunt Competition and collected their Fire Energy.
• The White Fiend Squad’s leader surrendered its team’s Fire Energy to Xiao Yan, who then headed to the Elders to handle his Inner Academy procedures.

Xiao Yan negotiated with Su Qian to take the Fallen Heart Flame while preserving the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, then entered the magma to subdue it. He discovered the flame’s intelligence and illusions, and left the magma with Yao Chen’s guidance while holding a piece of Ancient Jade that seemed to summon him from below.

• Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen whether to use force to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, then chose to negotiate openly with Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yan agreed with Su Qian to leave some of the flame behind so the tower could keep operating and to help Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region.
• Xiao Yan entered the magma and encountered the Fallen Heart Flame, which trapped him in repeated illusions and made him believe he had subdued it and reached Peak Dou Emperor.
• Yao Chen told Xiao Yan that the Fallen Heart Flame’s Origin Flame was inside him but remained unrefined, and warned him to leave the magma before it could counterattack.
• Xiao Yan sensed a summons from a piece of Ancient Jade but chose to follow Yao Chen’s advice and continue toward the surface.

After surviving the Fallen Heart Flame’s attempt to refine him, Xiao Yan reached Dou Zong and left Jia Nan Academy. He entered Great Li seeking Zhao Li, hoping to learn more about his master’s master and whether he could return to another world.

• Xiao Yan awakened after overcoming the Fallen Heart Flame, and Yao Chen guided him to sense the changes in his strength.
• Xiao Yan told Su Qian he was leaving Jia Nan Academy, and Su Qian let him go; Xiao Yan promised he would return someday.
• Xiao Yan arrived at the peaceful border of Great Li and traveled to a city, where the city lord invited him to the City Lord’s Mansion.
• Xiao Yan explained that he had come to meet Zhao Li, and the city lord arranged his travel procedures and gave him an Identity Card.
• Xiao Yan realized Great Li’s formations and technology reminded him of another world, and he hoped his master’s master could help him return there.

Zhao Li told Xiao Yan that Blue Planet was likely destroyed and recruited him to help spread knowledge across Dou Qi Continent. He gave Xiao Yan half a year in the Pocket World to study before beginning the journey.

• Zhao Li confirmed that Xiao Yan's origins explained why he treated him differently, then said Blue Planet was likely destroyed and returning would be difficult without coordinates.
• Xiao Yan described how Great Li resembled the nation in his memories, and Zhao Li said he needed Xiao Yan's cooperation for a journey to spread the Dao.
• Zhao Li explained that Xiao Yan's strength, search for Heavenly Flames, and eventual dealings with the Ancient Clans made him suited to the task.
• Xiao Yan asked for bodyguards, and Zhao Li said he had prepared them and gave him a Jade Slip of books, techniques, and a cultivation method to study for half a year.
• Xiao Yan accepted the Jade Slip, imagining Zhao Li would train him until he could wreak Havoc in Heaven.

Xiao Yan freed Hun Tiandi from Five-Finger Mountain and set out with him to spread the scriptures Zhao Li had promised. Hun Tiandi accepted the journey after receiving a jade slip that gave him hope of becoming Dou Di.

• Hun Tiandi noticed the Mountain Guardians had vanished and waited to see what would happen, still remembering his wager with Zhao Li.
• Xiao Yan arrived at Five-Finger Mountain after refining the Nine Nether Wind Flame and helping Yao Chen become a living person and Transcend to Saint.
• Hun Tiandi mistook Xiao Yan for Zhao Li’s scripture-bearer and demanded that he remove the seal, then learned Zhao Li would not come in person.
• Xiao Yan used the Green Lotus Core Flame Zhao Li had left him to unravel Hun Tiandi’s seal.
• Hun Tiandi read the jade slip Xiao Yan gave him, abandoned his plan to flee, and agreed to travel with Xiao Yan to spread the scriptures.

After three years of spreading Great Li’s scriptures and influence, Xiao Yan encountered a pursuit in a miasma-filled mountain gorge and intervened to protect the bloodied woman being chased. He fought Ice Venerate, whose attack ended in Xiao Yan’s exploding Fire Lotus.

• Xiao Yan reflected on his three years of traveling across kingdoms, teaching cultivation, and expanding Great Li’s influence.
• Hun Tiandi sensed energy fluctuations nearby and sent Xiao Yan to investigate.
• Xiao Yan found Ice Venerate pursuing a bloodied woman, attacked him, and refused to leave even after she warned him that he was a Dou Zun.
• Xiao Yan introduced himself as a traveler from Great Li and asked Ice Venerate to let them go, but Ice Venerate attacked to advance the Body of Misfortune and Poison.
• Xiao Yan unleashed his fused Heavenly Flames and fought Ice Venerate, who transformed the snowflake between his brows into a black dragon.
• Xiao Yan’s crystalline dark green Fire Lotus exploded near Ice Venerate, melting away the surrounding energy and people.

Xiao Yan rescued Xiao Yi Xian from Ice River Valley and learned she was seeking the Underworld Poison Flame to control her Body of Misfortune and Poison. They set out together, while Zhao Li reflected on how Xiao Yan’s changing relationships and growing influence might affect the future.

• Xiao Yan defeated Ice River Valley’s group and reunited with Xiao Yi Xian, who explained that she had been targeted while searching for the Underworld Poison Flame.
• Xiao Yan offered to travel with Xiao Yi Xian and help control her poison body, and she agreed to pursue the Underworld Poison Flame first.
• Zhao Li learned that Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian’s relationship had changed and worried that altering the Thread of Fate could cause unforeseen events.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian traveled together, and Xiao Yan told her to value herself more as she tried to reassure him that she would be safe.
• Xiao Yan continued transmitting scriptures and spreading the Dao, confronting increasingly powerful forces and growing stronger through repeated battles.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er entered the Heavenly Tomb and made their way toward Xiao Xuan's resting place. Xiao Xuan drew Xiao Yan into his tomb, where Xiao Yan recognized him as his ancestor and knelt to greet him.

• Xiao Yan and Xun'er entered the Heavenly Tomb and hurried past its first two levels toward the third.
• Xiao Yan burned away the blood on Blood Saber Saint's weapon and subdued the Half-Saint with a thunderous shout.
• Blood Saber Saint warned Xiao Yan that the forbidden path was beyond his authority to control, but Xiao Yan continued onward.
• Xiao Xuan watched Xiao Yan approach and used an unknown method to draw him and Xun'er into Xiao Xuan's Tomb.
• Xiao Yan checked that Xun'er was safe, then knelt before Xiao Xuan and greeted him as his ancestor.