Recaps

Xiao Lin’s Red Dust Heart-Refining Formation for Xun’er collapsed when a special wisp of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame erupted to protect her from having her memories altered. Xiao Lin realized Gu Yuan had placed a powerful safeguard inside Xun’er, and he wondered whether the flame remained linked to its main body.

• Xiao Lin arranged a Red Dust Heart-Refining Formation for Xun’er, with a script designed to make her relive a life of waiting for Xiao Yan and accepting his many other confidantes.
• When Xun’er entered the formation, her memories began to blur and other memories started invading her mind.
• Golden flames burst from Xun’er, cracking and destroying the illusion world before Xiao Lin’s script could unfold.
• Xiao Lin recognized the flames as the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame and withdrew the Three Thousand Burning Flame that had reacted to it.
• Xiao Lin concluded that the flame was an unusual child flame still connected to its main body and had emerged because the formation threatened Xun’er’s memories.
• Xiao Lin suspected Gu Yuan had planted the safeguard in Xun’er and warned himself that further interference could bring Gu Yuan in person.

Xun'er broke through the third formation after the golden emperor burning heaven flame inside her disrupted the illusion, becoming the first to reach the Bamboo Grove. There, Ye Xinlan greeted her on Xiao Lin's orders, while Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran remained stuck in their trials.

• Xiao Lin gave up trying to manipulate Xun'er's life after Gu Yuan's sealed flame reacted to his attempt to alter her memories.
• The golden emperor burning heaven flame withdrew, and Xun'er wondered whether it had broken the third formation and allowed her to pass by cheating.
• Xun'er entered the revealed Bamboo Grove and headed toward the pavilion she believed was Lin Supreme Elder's residence.
• Xun'er heard footsteps and mistook the approaching person for Xiao Yan or Nalan Yanran, unaware that she had reached the grove before either of them.
• Ye Xinlan introduced herself to Xun'er and said she had come on Lin Supreme Elder's orders to receive her.

Ye Xinlan, a gifted alchemist and formation master, had become Xiao Lin’s attendant after passing the Trial Grounds at Jia Nan Academy. She guided Xun'er toward Xiao Lin’s Pavilion and revealed that Xiao Yan and Yanran were still struggling to pass.

• Ye Xinlan had joined the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and developed into a peak Tier 4 alchemist, a level-two formation master, and a Peak Dou Ling ranked fourteenth on the Inner Academy Strong Ranking.
• Xiao Lin had kept Ye Xinlan by his side in the Trial Grounds and entrusted her with his daily needs and with receiving those who passed through.
• On Xiao Lin’s instructions, Ye Xinlan came to guide Xun'er to the Pavilion in the Bamboo Grove.
• Xun'er asked whether Xiao Yan and Yanran had passed the Trial Grounds, and Ye Xinlan told her they were still attempting the formations.
• Ye Xinlan said Xun'er was the first person besides herself to pass the Trial Grounds since Xiao Lin returned.

Xun'er met Lin Supreme Elder after passing the Trial Grounds and learned she could make a request of him. She chose to wait for Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran before deciding, and Nalan Yanran emerged from the Trial Grounds as Ye Xinlan went to fetch her.

• Xun'er asked Ye Xinlan why she lived at the Trial Grounds, and Ye Xinlan explained that she had requested to stay there after passing.
• Ye Xinlan brought Xun'er to meet Lin Supreme Elder, who invited her to sit and make a request as promised.
• Xun'er explained that she and her companions had come to thank Lin Supreme Elder for the recommendation letters he had sent through Grandpa Xiao.
• Lin Supreme Elder insisted that Xun'er's chance to make a request still stood, and Xun'er asked to wait until Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran arrived.
• Nalan Yanran emerged from the Trial Grounds, and Lin Supreme Elder sent Ye Xinlan to fetch her.

After leaving the Red Dust Heart-Refining Formation, Nalan Yanran struggled to control her anger toward Xun'er, whom she blamed for taking her groom in the illusion. Xiao Lin invited both women to watch Xiao Yan endure his trial, and his image appeared in a crystal ball.

• Ye Xinlan brought Nalan Yanran to Xiao Lin, then sat aside to read his book on formations.
• Nalan Yanran warned Xun'er to stay out of her sight because she feared she would draw her sword, while thanking Xiao Lin for his Letter of Recommendation.
• Xun'er challenged Nalan Yanran's warning, and the two traded snorts before setting their grudge aside while on Xiao Lin's grounds.
• Nalan Yanran declined Xiao Lin's offer to make a request, matching Xun'er's choice, and both agreed to wait for Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Lin offered to show the women what Xiao Yan was experiencing, then revealed Xiao Yan's figure in a crystal ball.

Xiao Yan endured Xiao Lin’s Three-in-One Grand Formation, surviving a series of punishing landscapes and disasters until the false world vanished. He emerged from the trial with his soul realm advanced to late Mortal Realm and his cultivation at Peak Dou Ling.

• Xiao Yan crossed mountains, oceans, forests, and other hazardous terrain in the formation, then struggled through its vast desert.
• Xiao Yan kept moving despite his exhaustion because passing through the Trial Grounds was his only way to see Lin Supreme Elder.
• Xiao Lin showed Xun'er and Nalan Yanran Xiao Yan’s ordeal in a crystal ball, and both watched with concern as Nalan Yanran wrestled with her feelings about him.
• Xiao Yan endured the formation until its false world disappeared and sunlight fell on him in the Bamboo Grove.
• Xiao Yan sensed that his soul realm had reached late Mortal Realm and his Dou Qi cultivation had risen from Eight-Star Dou Spirit to Peak Dou Ling.
• Yao Lao explained that the formation had tempered Xiao Yan’s soul, body, and Dou Qi, and Xiao Yan accepted the changes.

After Xiao Yan realized the Three-in-One Formation Trial had tempered him and helped him break through, he reunited with Xun'er and Nalan Yanran. Nalan Yanran was upset by the illusion she had experienced, but Xiao Yan misunderstood her mood and told her to drink more hot water.

• Xiao Yan learned from Yao Lao that the trial had strengthened his body and soul, letting him reach Peak Dou Ling, Late Mortal Realm soul, and the ability to refine Tier 5 Medicinal Pills without Heavenly Flames.
• Xiao Yan and Yao Lao suspected Xiao Lin had specially arranged the trial because of Xiao Yan's grandfather, and Xiao Yan resolved to repay him someday.
• Ye Xinlan introduced herself and led Xiao Yan through the Bamboo Grove to Xiao Lin, where Xun'er and Nalan Yanran had already arrived.
• Xun'er greeted Xiao Yan excitedly, while Nalan Yanran recalled the illusion in which he had abandoned her on their wedding day to pursue Xun'er.
• When Nalan Yanran said she was in a bad mood, Xiao Yan told her to drink more hot water, leaving both girls stunned and Nalan Yanran embarrassed and angry.

Xiao Yan’s concern eased Nalan Yanran’s anger after the Trial Grounds, while Xun’er sulked at their closeness. Xiao Yan, Xun’er, and Nalan Yanran thanked Xiao Lin for his help instead of asking for a promise, and Xiao Yan revealed the gains he had made in the Trial Grounds.

• Xiao Yan mistook Nalan Yanran’s shifting expression for a physical ailment and checked her condition, which softened her resentment toward him.
• Xun’er grew jealous as Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran drew close, and Xiao Lin interrupted them before asking about the promise they wanted.
• Xiao Yan, Xun’er, and Nalan Yanran thanked Xiao Lin for the recommendation letters and insisted they did not need another promise.
• Xiao Yan revealed his Peak Dou Ling cultivation and late Mortal Realm Soul Power as the benefits he had gained in the Trial Grounds.

Xiao Lin reassured Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Nalan Yanran that he had sent them Letters of Recommendation for their talent and promised they could ask him for help in the future. As he laid the groundwork to aid Xiao Yan through his alternate identity, Xiao Lin explained that he had befriended Xiao Yan’s grandfather because they were both Formation Masters.

• Xiao Lin praised Xiao Yan’s cultivation and alchemy talent, then said he had recommended the three youths for the academy’s sake rather than out of personal obligation.
• Xiao Lin reminded Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Nalan Yanran that his rule allowed students who passed the Trial Grounds to make him one request, and said they could ask him later.
• Xiao Yan accepted Xiao Lin’s offer, and Xun'er and Nalan Yanran accepted it as well.
• During their conversation, Xiao Yan asked how Xiao Lin had become friends with his grandfather.
• Xiao Lin praised Xiao Yan’s grandfather’s knowledge and Formation Dao, claiming they became friends because they were both Formation Masters.

Xiao Yan and the others cleared the Trial Grounds, raising Pan Gate’s standing as Xiao Yan advanced to eleventh place on the Inner Academy’s Strong Ranking. Elsewhere, Xiao Lin saw Zi Yan awaken after four months at Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor.

• Xiao Yan mistook Xiao Lin’s praise of his grandfather for a story about their shared knowledge of formations, and Xun'er and Nalan Yanran accepted the explanation.
• Xiao Lin saw Xiao Yan and the two girls out of the Trial Grounds, and news of their success spread through the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yan’s cultivation reached peak Nine-Star Dou Spirit, his Tier 5 Alchemist status boosted Pan Gate’s influence, and he climbed to eleventh on the Strong Ranking.
• Xiao Yan held off challenging the top ten, whose members were all Dou Wang experts, until he could break through to Dou Wang.
• Xiao Lin saw Zi Yan awaken after four months, with her cultivation risen from Five-Star Battle Emperor to Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor.

Zi Yan woke from her growth and discovered that her true form was an Ancient Void Dragon, then proudly promised to protect Xiao Lin and Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Lin asked her for a drop of blood essence to prove her identity, intending to use it to make a deal with Zhukun.

• Zi Yan showed Xiao Lin that she had grown a little, and he praised her while avoiding saying that she still acted like a child.
• Zi Yan complained about Su Qian and told Xiao Lin that she had learned her true form was an Ancient Void Dragon.
• Zi Yan declared that she would protect Xiao Lin and Jia Nan Academy once she grew stronger.
• Xiao Lin asked Zi Yan for a drop of blood essence that could prove her identity so he could approach Zhukun.

Xiao Lin obtained a drop of Zi Yan’s blood essence so he could approach Zhukun and negotiate a deal, then returned to the Underground Magma World. He arrived with the confidence of a Three-Star Dou Sheng, far stronger than on his previous visit.

• Xiao Lin took a drop of Zi Yan’s blood essence and gave her a Tier 7 Medicinal Pill to make up for it.
• Xiao Lin kept his plans for the blood essence from Zi Yan, intending to use it to convince and pressure Zhukun into negotiating.
• Xiao Lin returned to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower and reached its lowest floor.
• Xiao Lin opened the Fire-Sealing Formation and entered the Underground Magma World.

Xiao Lin encountered the Fallen Heart Flame in the Underground Magma World, but it fled from him rather than fight. He continued deeper into the magma, where powerful magma creatures gathered around him.

• The Fallen Heart Flame emerged as a giant flaming python, recognized Xiao Lin, and quickly retreated into the magma.
• Xiao Lin considered absorbing some of the Fallen Heart Flame’s origin but decided against weakening it because Xiao Yan had entered Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Lin covered himself with the Three Thousand Burning Flame and descended into the Underground Magma World.
• After descending for more than ten minutes, Xiao Lin noticed the environment changing and sensed concealed magma creatures approaching.
• Xiao Lin identified the creatures, including two with Half-Saint-level auras, and remained unafraid of them.

Xiao Lin drove the Flame Lizardmen away from his path through the underground magma and continued toward the depths of the Ancient Emperor’s Cave. He left the Heavenly Fire Venerable behind with a promise that someone would rescue him in about five years.

• Xiao Lin identified the two Half-Saint Flame Lizardmen as the creatures’ leaders and learned they warned intruders to leave the God's Cemetery.
• Xiao Lin used Infinite Purgatory to crush some Flame Lizardmen under intense gravity, then hurled the survivors away.
• Xiao Lin sensed the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s soul light but chose not to approach him.
• Xiao Lin sent the Heavenly Fire Venerable a thought telling him to wait about five years for someone to rescue him and rebuild his body.
• Xiao Lin continued deeper into the Underground Magma World without further opposition.

Xiao Lin journeyed through the Magma World and discovered a hidden space created by Tou She Ancient God. Inside, he found the Ancient Emperor's Cave, the destination he had been seeking.

• Xiao Lin pressed deeper into the Magma World, reasoning that Tou She Ancient God had created it and that the Flame Lizardmen were born there.
• Xiao Lin slowed when the magma turned reddish-black and sensed a strange boundary ahead.
• Xiao Lin touched the magma with his palm and discovered a concealed space, then stepped inside.
• Xiao Lin crossed the silent, empty space and spotted a vast stone gate beside an enormous plaza.
• Xiao Lin read the words "Ancient Emperor's Cave" above the gate and declared that he had finally found it.

Xiao Lin entered the darkness beneath the Ancient Emperor's Cave to find the awakened Old Dragon Emperor, Zhukun, rather than to claim the cave’s treasures. Zhukun halted his attack after Xiao Lin revealed a drop of his daughter Zi Yan’s blood, but remained wary of Xiao Lin and his energy-body form.

• Xiao Lin dismissed the Ancient Emperor's Cave as useless to him and focused on the powerful aura awakening beneath it.
• Zhukun opened his enormous pale-red eyes and demanded to know whether Xiao Lin possessed the Ancient Emperor Jade.
• Xiao Lin said he had no Ancient Jade, then took out a vial containing Zi Yan’s blood as Zhukun launched an attack.
• Zhukun stopped his claw just before striking Xiao Lin after recognizing his child’s aura.
• Xiao Lin asked Zhukun to talk, while Zhukun questioned who he was and why he had Zi Yan’s blood, noting that he would not speak with an energy body.

Xiao Lin used an energy body to meet Zhukun, who saw through both the clone and Xiao Lin’s false appearance. After Xiao Lin used Zi Yan’s essence blood to bargain, Zhukun agreed to talk so he could learn about his daughter.

• Xiao Lin revealed that his real body had stayed at the entrance while he remotely controlled an energy body inside Zhukun’s space.
• Zhukun recognized the energy body and Xiao Lin’s altered appearance, while Xiao Lin refused to enter with his real body.
• Xiao Lin reminded Zhukun that he could learn about his daughter by talking with him, and Zhukun held back from attacking.
• Zhukun appeared in human form and admitted he wanted to seize Xiao Lin and force information from him.
• Xiao Lin promised to tell Zhukun everything he wanted to know, leaving the two with a preliminary agreement.

Xiao Lin told Zhukun how Zi Yan had grown up and explained that the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had fractured after Zhukun disappeared. Zhukun became furious and alarmed for Zi Yan’s safety, but he remained trapped in the Ancient Emperor’s Cave.

• Xiao Lin told Zhukun that Zi Yan was doing well and that he had become one of her guardians after asking her for blood essence.
• Xiao Lin recounted Zi Yan’s lonely childhood and hardships, and Zhukun vowed to raze the Magical Beast Forest.
• Xiao Lin reminded Zhukun that he could not escape the Ancient Emperor’s Cave, leaving Zhukun helpless.
• Xiao Lin explained that the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had split into rival factions and that Zi Yan could be in danger if they discovered her.
• Zhukun erupted with rage and fear for Zi Yan as powerful Dou Qi nearly blew Xiao Lin’s Energy Body away.

Xiao Lin reassured Zhukun that his account was true and promised to protect Zi Yan, then described how she had grown up. After Zhukun explained that the Ancient Emperor's Cave held him captive until someone gathered all eight pieces of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, Xiao Lin hinted that he had another way to free him, while his main body discovered an emperor formation in the space.

• Xiao Lin swore that his account was true, and Zhukun accepted his words and asked him to protect Zi Yan.
• Xiao Lin promised to treat Zi Yan like his own granddaughter, and Zhukun thanked him and asked what had happened to her.
• Xiao Lin recounted Zi Yan's life and changes on the Dou Qi Continent, while Zhukun listened and judged that most of the account was true.
• Zhukun explained that he was trapped as the Ancient Emperor's Cave guardian and could leave only if someone gathered all eight pieces of the Tou She Ancient God Jade.
• Xiao Lin told Zhukun that he had another way to free him, though he needed more time, and Zhukun doubted that a Three-Star Dou Sheng could do what he could not.
• Xiao Lin's main body realized that the space created by Tou She Ancient God also contained an emperor formation.

Xiao Lin told Zhukun that an Emperor Array, not the space itself, had trapped him and promised to learn enough to break it. Zhukun offered to help Xiao Lin grow stronger if Xiao Lin brought Zi Yan to see him safely.

• Xiao Lin explained that an Emperor Array had trapped Zhukun and that he needed time to reach the skill required to break it.
• Xiao Lin estimated he could break the array or open a gap within ten years, possibly sooner if his strength improved.
• Zhukun considered helping Xiao Lin advance but hesitated because he did not fully trust him.
• Xiao Lin guessed that Zhukun wanted to see Zi Yan, and Zhukun confirmed it.
• Zhukun promised to help Xiao Lin advance beyond his Three-Star Dou Sheng foundation if Xiao Lin brought Zi Yan to him safely.

Xiao Lin secured Zhukun’s promise to help him fight the Hun Clan after escaping, hoping the Old Dragon Emperor could reunite the Ancient Void Dragon Clan’s scattered elders. The two agreed, and Xiao Lin left to bring Zi Yan to meet her father.

• Xiao Lin told Zhukun he would bring Zi Yan to him and asked him to help deal with the Hun Clan unconditionally after escaping.
• Zhukun agreed to help Xiao Lin and the Xiao Household oppose the Hun Clan.
• As Xiao Lin prepared to leave, Zhukun asked his name and wondered how he should prepare to meet Zi Yan.
• Xiao Lin reassured Zhukun that sincere treatment would help Zi Yan accept him, and Zhukun thanked him.
• Xiao Lin left the space created by Tou She Ancient God.

Xiao Lin took Zi Yan through the Underground Magma World to meet someone, though he did not tell her that he was bringing her to her father. They descended toward the world’s lowest depths, where Xiao Lin said her questions would be answered.

• Xiao Lin fetched Zi Yan from her quarters and teased her about sleeping and eating before telling her he had something important to discuss.
• Zi Yan offered Xiao Lin another drop of her precious essence blood, but Xiao Lin said he wanted to take her to meet someone instead.
• Xiao Lin brought Zi Yan to the lowest level of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower and opened the seal to the Underground Magma World.
• Xiao Lin wrapped himself and Zi Yan in the three thousand burning flame and plunged into the magma, passing the giant python formed from the fallen heart flame.
• Xiao Lin guided Zi Yan toward the depths and told her that her questions would be answered when they reached their destination.

Xiao Lin brought Zi Yan through the Flame Lizardmen's territory and used the clan's reverence for Zhukun to present her as his daughter. The Flame Lizardmen accepted Zi Yan as their lady, giving her a powerful source of support.

• The Flame Lizardmen stopped Xiao Lin and Zi Yan, then sensed Zhukun's aura on Zi Yan and became hesitant.
• Xiao Lin realized he could use the Flame Lizardmen's respect for Zhukun to secure protection for Zi Yan.
• Xiao Lin told the Flame Lizardmen that Zi Yan was their Lord Guardian's daughter.
• The Flame Lizardman chiefs and their clan begged Zi Yan's forgiveness and greeted her as their lady.

Xiao Lin escorted Zi Yan through the Underground Magma World to meet Zhukun, reassuring her and explaining what he knew about her father. After entering the Dou Di Space, Zi Yan and Zhukun sensed each other and finally saw one another for the first time in several thousand years.

• The Flame Lizardmen escorted Xiao Lin and Zi Yan toward the place where Zhukun was waiting, treating Zi Yan as their Lady.
• Xiao Lin comforted Zi Yan about meeting her father and told her what he knew about Zhukun as they traveled.
• The Flame Lizardmen stopped at God's Cemetery and left Xiao Lin and Zi Yan to continue alone.
• Xiao Lin and Zi Yan entered the Dou Di Space together.
• Zhukun and Zi Yan sensed their blood connection and gazed at each other from afar while Xiao Lin quietly watched.

Xiao Lin gave Zi Yan and Zhukun time to reconnect, and Zhukun began passing on the Ancient Void Dragon Clan’s inheritance to his daughter. Grateful for Xiao Lin’s care of Zi Yan, Zhukun offered him a drop of dragon emperor essence blood as repayment.

• Xiao Lin encouraged the nervous Zi Yan to approach Zhukun alone, then left the Dou Di Space to give them privacy.
• After a month, Xiao Lin returned and found Zhukun helping Zi Yan receive part of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan’s inheritance while she slept in her true form.
• Zhukun explained that he was making up for Zi Yan missing the clan’s inheritance while growing up, and Xiao Lin agreed the training would help protect her.
• Zhukun thanked Xiao Lin for caring for Zi Yan and insisted on repaying him separately from any help Xiao Lin might give him to escape or fight the Hun Clan.
• Zhukun cut his palm and produced a drop of dragon emperor essence blood, whose power stirred a yearning in Xiao Lin.