Chapter Summaries

Xiao Lin proposed rebuilding his master’s Myriad Formation Spirit Palace as a sect devoted to the Dao of Formations, and the eight Formation Grandmasters agreed to join. Ji Li also insisted on joining and claiming the sect master position, then fled when the group remembered they had promised to beat him up.

• Xiao Lin revealed his plan to establish a sect focused on the Dao of Formations, and all eight Formation Grandmasters agreed to build it with him.
• Xiao Lin explained that he had long aimed to recruit the eight Grandmasters to rebuild the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and that their special space could serve as the sect’s foundation.
• Ji Li objected that no one had asked his opinion, and Xiao Lin jokingly offered him a gatekeeper position.
• Ji Li declared that he wanted to be sect master, and Xiao Lin and the others teased him for knowing nothing about formations.
• The group remembered their promise to beat Ji Li up, chased him when he ran, and eventually gave him a severe beating.

Lin Xiao, Ji Li, Zuo He, and eight other Formation Grandmasters established Myriad Formation Spirit Palace in the Northern Region of the Central Plains after leaving Falling Phoenix Ridge. The sect gradually recruited members after publicizing Lin Xiao’s reputation, but still had only two to three hundred people after half a year.

• Lin Xiao and the other nine Formation Grandmasters ruled out the Southern and Central Regions and chose the Northern Region for their sect.
• The ten founders built Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, laid formations throughout it, and moved their secret special space from the Realm Bead into its grounds.
• The sect initially attracted few people, and Zuo He and the other Formation Grandmasters brought their families to join.
• Myriad Formation Spirit Palace publicized that Lin Xiao was its palace master, prompting more Formation Masters to join.
• After half a year, the sect had recruited only two to three hundred people, and Lin Xiao and the others accepted its slow growth.

Myriad Formation Spirit Palace developed peacefully under Lin Xiao's leadership, while Thunder Venerable and Wind Lightning Pavilion chose not to interfere. During a half-year review, Lin Xiao revealed to the other core members that he was also the patriarch of a family in the Northwest Continent, which he could not yet bring to the Central Plains.

• Thunder Venerable visited Myriad Formation Spirit Palace, found several people there stronger than himself, and ordered Wind Lightning Pavilion not to interfere.
• Lin Xiao served as palace master, Ji Li became Second Palace Master, and Zuo He and seven other Formation Grandmasters became the Eight Elders.
• The core members created an introductory formation syllabus, and Myriad Formation Spirit Palace began developing in an orderly way.
• Zuo He reported that the palace had recruited 278 disciples over its first half-year, including 12 Dou Emperors and 63 Dou Kings.
• Ji Li teased Lin Xiao about his skill at managing the palace, and Lin Xiao explained that he had experience as the Xiao Household patriarch.
• Lin Xiao told the others that his family was in the Northwest Continent and could not yet move to the Central Plains.

Xiao Lin admitted he had planned to found the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace since he learned Ji Li had gathered eight Formation Grandmasters. When Xiao Lin’s restriction in the Realm of Formations was triggered, he and the others entered the realm and discussed the Wutong Forest’s healing and cultivation potential, naming its central tree Cangwu.

• Ji Li accused Xiao Lin of planning the sect from the start, and Xiao Lin admitted he had wanted to found it for a long time.
• Ji Li joked that he should be Palace Master, but Xiao Lin told him to surpass him in formations first.
• Xiao Lin noticed that his restriction in the Realm of Formations had been triggered, so he, Ji Li, and the Eight Elders entered the realm.
• Xiao Lin and the others reviewed the Realm of Formations, where the Wutong Forest’s trees contained replenishing Essence of Life that could heal injuries and improve aptitude.
• Xiao Lin and the others named the colossal central wutong tree Cangwu.

Xiao Lin and the Eight Elders watched the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Egg hatch after a year of nurturing it with the Cangwu ancient tree’s Essence of Life. The newborn transformed into a toddler after eating a Human Shape Pill, and Xiao Lin named him Tian Huangzi, leaving him to carry on the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix clan.

• Xiao Lin and the Eight Elders waited as the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Egg absorbed the Cangwu ancient tree’s Essence of Life and began to crack.
• The egg hatched, revealing a small seven-colored bird whose crow-like cries made Ji Li and Wu Yunfeng wonder whether it was truly an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix.
• Xiao Lin offered the newborn a Human Shape Pill, which the bird swallowed before transforming into a toddler.
• Xiao Lin named the child Tian Huangzi and declared him the last Ancient Heavenly Phoenix and a member of the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace.

Xiao Lin and the others named the newly hatched Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Tian Huangzi and taught him a lesson for his arrogance. On the day Tian Huangzi was born, Xiao Yan was also born into the Xiao Household in the Jia Ma Empire.

• Xiao Lin named the hatchling Tian Huangzi, and the little phoenix revealed he remembered the others from inside his egg.
• Tian Huangzi arrogantly ordered Xiao Lin and the others to care for him, so they beat him until he returned to his true form and apologized.
• Xiao Lin considered making Ji Li raise Tian Huangzi, while Ji Li suspected Xiao Lin was plotting against him.
• Xiao Lin tried to teach Tian Huangzi to change his crow-like cry, but eventually told him to make less noise instead.
• Tian Huangzi's birth coincided with Xiao Yan's birth in the Xiao Household of the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Yan was born into the Xiao Household, while Xiao Lin, unaware of the birth at first, prepared to leave the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace and return home. After reaching the Northwest Continent, Xiao Lin headed for the Xiao Household, eager to meet his grandson.

• Xiao Zhan welcomed his third son, Xiao Yan, and wondered why the child was not the daughter he had hoped for.
• Xiao Lin and the others sealed the newborn Tian Huangzi's cultivation to Dou Zhe and ordered him to remain in the Realm of Formations until he reached Dou Emperor.
• After a year of growth, the Myriad Formation Spirit Palace had more than 400 disciples, so Xiao Lin decided to return to the Xiao Household.
• Xiao Lin entrusted the sect's affairs to Ji Li and the eight elders before departing for the Northwest Continent.
• Xiao Lin reached the Northwest Continent in less than two days and headed for the Xiao Household to meet Xiao Yan.

After emerging from his latest fake retreat, Xiao Lin reunited with his family and met his youngest grandson, Xiao Yan, for the first time. Xiao Yan initially refused to call him Grandpa, but changed his mind when Xiao Ding said Xiao Lin could take him flying.

• Xiao Lin dismissed the Xiao Household's visitors and showed Xiao Zhan that his cultivation had advanced to Seven-Star Battle King.
• Xiao Lin greeted Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who recognized him as their grandfather, while Xiao Yan silently sized him up.
• Yang Xiyue and Xiao Zhan explained that Xiao Yan was shy around strangers, and Xiao Lin said there was no need to force him to speak.
• Xiao Ding told Xiao Yan that Xiao Lin could take him flying, and Xiao Yan eagerly called Xiao Lin Grandpa.

Xiao Yan called Xiao Lin Grandpa after learning about his cultivation and ability to fly, then eagerly asked him for a ride through the air. Xiao Lin agreed to take Xiao Yan and Xiao Li flying, while Xiao Ding stayed behind, determined to cultivate until he could fly by himself.

• Xiao Yan called Xiao Lin Grandpa after Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue realized he had been tempted by talk of cultivation.
• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Lin to take him flying and reflected on his new family, which he acknowledged but had not fully accepted.
• Xiao Lin saw through Xiao Yan's motives but agreed to take him flying.
• Xiao Ding declined to join, saying he would cultivate until he could fly on his own, and Xiao Lin encouraged him to reach above Dou Wang.
• Xiao Li looked to his parents for permission to join Xiao Lin, Xiao Yan, and the flight.

Xiao Lin took Xiao Li and Xiao Yan flying, inspiring Xiao Yan to pursue cultivation and bringing him closer to his grandfather. After emerging from seclusion, Xiao Lin visited the Nalan Household and met the infant Nalan Yanran, whose future role he recognized.

• Xiao Lin flew Xiao Li and Xiao Yan above the Xiao Household, and Xiao Yan resolved to reach and surpass the Dou Wang realm.
• Xiao Yan began pestering Xiao Lin to learn more about cultivation, while Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue supported his interest.
• Xiao Lin resumed his routine at home and, a few days after emerging from seclusion, visited the Nalan Household.
• Nalan Su brought Xiao Lin to Nalan Jie, who introduced his infant granddaughter, Nalan Yanran.
• Xiao Lin recognized Nalan Yanran as the person who would trigger the original story's famous events.

Xiao Lin visited Nalan Jie and teased his old friend about having a granddaughter, while reflecting on Nalan Yanran’s future engagement annulment. He realized Nalan Jie had brought him to meet the girl in hopes of matching her with Xiao Lin’s family.

• Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie traded playful boasts about their grandchildren and reaffirmed their close friendship.
• Nalan Su took Nalan Yanran from Nalan Jie and left to bring her to her mother for feeding.
• Xiao Lin considered that Nalan Yanran could rightly reject the engagement, but that publicly humiliating the Xiao Household would be the wrong way to do it.
• Nalan Jie poured Xiao Lin tea and asked what he was thinking about.
• Xiao Lin joked that he was planning to root up Nalan Jie's cabbage, and Nalan Jie realized Xiao Lin had seen through his matchmaking motive.

Nalan Jie pressed Xiao Lin to honor their old promise to arrange a match between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Lin’s grandson. Xiao Lin remained hesitant but learned that both families’ parents were receptive, leaving the decision up to his approval.

• Nalan Jie reminded Xiao Lin of their youthful pact, and Xiao Lin recalled that it involved their descendants.
• Nalan Jie argued that his granddaughter Nalan Yanran and Xiao Lin’s grandson could grow close through more contact, but Xiao Lin worried they might not suit each other.
• Xiao Lin said he could not decide for Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue, and questioned whether Nalan Su and his wife would approve.
• Nalan Jie said Nalan Su and his wife supported the match and claimed Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue were fond of Nalan Yanran.
• Xiao Lin recognized that Nalan Su might also favor the marriage alliance because the Xiao Household had grown stronger than the Nalan Household.

Xiao Lin agreed to arrange a childhood betrothal between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran after weighing the risks and benefits. He and Nalan Jie signed the Engagement Contract, while Xiao Lin hoped it would help Xiao Yan accept his place in the Xiao Household.

• Nalan Jie asked Xiao Lin to approve a marriage alliance between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.
• Xiao Lin considered the possible consequences, then agreed to the betrothal.
• Nalan Jie revealed he had already prepared two copies of the Engagement Contract.
• Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie named Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran and signed the contracts as witnesses.
• Xiao Lin kept one copy and privately hoped the engagement would help Xiao Yan feel part of the Xiao Household.

Xiao Lin arranged Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s childhood betrothal, and Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue supported the decision. Xiao Yan was stunned by the news and privately resolved to end the engagement when he was older, though he admitted he might accept it if he liked Nalan Yanran.

• Xiao Lin returned from the Nalan Household and told Xiao Zhan and Yang Xiyue that he had arranged Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s betrothal.
• Yang Xiyue and Xiao Zhan approved, and Xiao Zhan agreed that the engagement might help change Xiao Yan’s distant, strong-willed nature.
• Xiao Yan heard that his family had chosen a fiancée for him and was stunned that they had decided without asking him.
• Xiao Yan resolved to ask Xiao Lin to cancel the engagement when he was older, but considered accepting it if Nalan Yanran was attractive, kind, and someone he liked.

Xiao Lin spent his days bonding with and guiding Xiao Yan while considering how to improve his cultivation. The Xiao Household then received a visit from Gu He, whom Xiao Zhan introduced as his friend, leaving Xiao Lin surprised to meet the future King of Pills.

• Xiao Lin refused to let Xiao Yan begin cultivating early but promised he could start at age four, and Xiao Yan gradually grew more comfortable with him.
• Xiao Lin considered visiting Starfall Pavilion to benefit from its Astral Power but decided he was not ready to return to the Central Plains.
• Xiao Zhan brought Gu He to the Xiao Household and introduced him to Xiao Lin as a friend.
• Xiao Lin confirmed that Gu He was the Alchemist Grand Tournament champion and recognized his Five-Star Dou Spirit cultivation and exceptional alchemy talent.

Gu He visited the Xiao Household to see his old friend Xiao Zhan and promised to help him reach Dou Wang. He then asked Xiao Lin to help him wipe out the Chek Family.

• Xiao Lin welcomed Gu He and praised his rise to become a Tier 5 Alchemist, while teasing Xiao Zhan for lagging behind him.
• Xiao Zhan and Gu He recalled their friendship, which began during an adventure before Gu He became famous.
• Gu He promised to help Xiao Zhan reach Dou Wang, giving Xiao Lin a public explanation for his son's future growth.
• Xiao Lin invited Gu He to stay with the Xiao Household, and Gu He revealed that he wanted help wiping out the Chek Family.

Gu He asked Xiao Lin to help destroy the Chek Family, and Xiao Lin agreed, confident he could defeat them alone. After arranging for Gu He to guide the Xiao Household’s alchemists, Xiao Lin insisted that no other Dou Wangs or clan members were needed for the task.

• Xiao Lin immediately agreed to help Gu He annihilate the Chek Family, whose leader Chek Aoyan was a 2-Star Dou Wang.
• Gu He offered the Xiao Household a favor in return, and Xiao Lin asked him to stay afterward to guide their alchemists.
• Gu He accepted Xiao Lin’s request and spent time conversing with Xiao Lin and Xiao Zhan before preparing to leave and recruit more Dou Wangs.
• Xiao Lin told Gu He that he alone was enough to annihilate the Chek Family.

Xiao Lin insisted on wiping out the Chek Family alone and promised Gu He he would return within three days. He reached the Chek Family’s stronghold in Gulan City and entered its gates, leaving its disciples dead behind him.

• Xiao Lin rejected Gu He and Xiao Zhan’s concerns and promised to destroy the Chek Family within three days.
• Xiao Zhan secretly went to ask Nalan Jie for help while Gu He stayed at the Xiao Household.
• Xiao Lin flew to Gulan City and witnessed the Chek Family’s members plundering and abusing the locals.
• Xiao Lin entered the Chek Family’s gates after killing the disciples he encountered along the way.

Xiao Lin wiped out the Chek Family in Gulan City after learning of its cruelty toward the city’s people. He and Nalan Jie returned to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital in less than two days, leaving Gulan City’s residents to celebrate their freedom.

• Nalan Jie hurried to Gulan City after Xiao Zhan told him Xiao Lin had gone there alone to destroy the Chek Family.
• Nalan Jie learned that Xiao Lin had been killing Chek Family members who abused and preyed on ordinary people.
• Nalan Jie found the Chek Family’s residence reduced to ruins and confirmed that Xiao Lin had killed its head, Chek Ao-yan.
• Xiao Lin showed Nalan Jie a mass grave containing the skulls of people the Chek Family had killed, and Nalan Jie condemned the family as beasts.
• Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie flew away as Gulan City’s residents knelt to bid them farewell, then returned to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital in under two days.

After Xiao Lin returned from Gulan City, he revealed that he had annihilated the Chek Family after discovering its corpse pit and brutal crimes. The Jia Ma Royal House dropped its inquiry, and Xiao Lin rose to fifth place among the empire’s strongest, with many viewing him as its strongest beneath the Dou Emperor.

• Xiao Lin returned to the Xiao Household, where Xiao Zhan and Gu He mistakenly thought Nalan Jie had stopped him from attacking the Chek Family.
• Nalan Jie confirmed that Xiao Lin had already destroyed the Chek Family and explained that he arrived too late to intervene.
• Xiao Lin told Xiao Zhan, Gu He, and Nalan Jie that he killed Chek Aoyan and wiped out the family after witnessing its crimes and discovering its pit of ten thousand corpses.
• The Jia Ma Royal House investigated the Chek Family’s ruins, found the corpse pit, and abandoned its plan to question Xiao Lin.
• Xiao Lin’s ranking on the Top Ten Strongest of the Jia Ma Empire rose to fifth, and his reputation and the Xiao Household’s standing grew.