Chapter Summaries

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.

Zhukun gave Xiao Lin his Dragon Emperor Essence Blood to repay him for caring for Zi Yan and helped him refine two drops. Xiao Lin broke through to the Mid-Four-Star Dou Sheng realm, while Zhukun's aura weakened from giving up the blood.

• Zhukun offered Xiao Lin a drop of his Dragon Emperor Essence Blood and helped him refine it.
• Xiao Lin absorbed nearly half the first drop over two or three days and advanced to the peak of the Three-Star Dou Sheng realm.
• Unsatisfied with how little the first drop had improved Xiao Lin, Zhukun forced out a second drop and told Xiao Lin to continue refining.
• After ten days, Xiao Lin finished refining both drops and broke through to the Mid-Four-Star Dou Sheng realm.

Xiao Lin refined Zhukun’s essence blood, received cultivation guidance, and spent a year improving his strength and studying the Emperor Array that trapped Zhukun. He remained unable to understand the array fully, but reached Late Four-Star Dou Sheng and Mid Earth Tier as a Spirit Array Master.

• Xiao Lin thanked Zhukun for giving him a second drop of dragon emperor essence blood, which helped him raise his cultivation by one star.
• Zhukun answered Xiao Lin’s cultivation questions and asked what he would do while Zi Yan received her inheritance.
• Xiao Lin decided to improve his formation skills by studying the Emperor Array, and told Su Qian that Zi Yan had fallen asleep after another breakthrough.
• Xiao Lin devoted himself to condensing Spirit Seals, advancing as a Spirit Array Master, and studying the array, which he realized he would need to reach Heaven Tier to understand properly.
• A year passed, and Xiao Lin reached Late Four-Star Dou Sheng and Mid Earth Tier while anticipating that his soul realm would advance when he became a Five-Star Dou Sheng.

After a year of missions and training, Xiao Yan had reached Five-Star Battle King and risen to fourth place on the Inner Academy Strong Ranking. He and Yao Lao discovered that Yao Lao’s traitorous disciple Han Feng was in the Black-Corner Region, but they decided to wait until they could capture him in one decisive strike.

• Xiao Yan trained with Xiao Xun'er and Nalan Yanran, rose to fourth place on the Strong Ranking, and made Pan Gate a powerful Inner Academy faction.
• After returning from a mission, Xiao Yan sent Xiao Xun'er and Nalan Yanran away and told Yao Lao they had confirmed their suspicion.
• Yao Lao learned that Han Feng, his former disciple and Xiao Yan’s senior brother, had become the Medicine Emperor in the Black-Corner Region.
• Xiao Yan offered to capture Han Feng, but Yao Lao warned that Han Feng had Dou Zong allies and urged him not to act until they could prevent Han Feng from escaping.

Xiao Yan accepted Yao Lao’s advice to focus on strengthening himself before pursuing Han Feng or the Fallen Heart Flame. While feeding the Seven-Colored Little Snake, he witnessed Medusa emerge from her transformation.

• Xiao Yan blamed his lack of strength for being unable to avenge Yao Lao, but Yao Lao urged him to be patient and prioritize cultivation.
• Yao Lao reminded Xiao Yan that he had nearly four years before graduating from Jia Nan Academy and advised him to use the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
• Xiao Yan decided to cultivate on his own while Yao Lao returned to his Storage Ring to restore his Soul Power.
• The Seven-Colored Little Snake appeared at Xiao Yan’s wrist, and he fed her Companion Amethyst Source.
• A faint pink haze and alluring fragrance filled the room, and Medusa appeared before Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan tried to explain himself after Medusa awoke and found him feeding Little Cai with his finger in her mouth. Medusa recalled his help during her evolution but remained angry that he had taken her away from the Snake-People Tribe, leaving their tense confrontation unresolved.

• Xiao Yan froze when Medusa awoke in his arms with his finger in her mouth and worried that she might attack him.
• Medusa bit Xiao Yan's finger, and he pulled it from her mouth and apologized for feeding Little Cai.
• Medusa remembered Xiao Yan's help during her evolution and the memories she had inherited from the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
• Medusa accused Xiao Yan of taking her from the Snake-People Tribe and keeping her as a pet, while warning that she could kill him.
• Xiao Yan explained how Little Cai had crawled into his sleeve as he fled the Snake-People Tribe Holy City after taking the Green Lotus Core Flame.
• Medusa knew his explanation was true but remained frustrated that Xiao Yan had taken her away.

After Medusa awakened, she demanded a Spirit Fusion Pill from Xiao Yan, who agreed to refine one within two years. Medusa claimed Xiao Yan’s room until he delivered it, then threw him out when he joked about sharing the bed.

• After Xiao Yan explained what had happened, Medusa ordered him off her bed.
• Medusa asked Xiao Yan for a Spirit Fusion Pill, and he agreed to make one in one or two years.
• Medusa decided to occupy Xiao Yan’s room until he gave her the pill.
• When Xiao Yan asked where he would sleep and joked about sharing the bed, Medusa threw him out.
• Xiao Yan rubbed his backside and went to look for an empty room in Pan Gate’s courtyard.

After Medusa awakened in Xiao Yan’s room, three formidable auras detected her at Jia Nan Academy, and the strongest one allowed her to stay after warning her not to cause trouble. Medusa accepted the warning and reflected that leaving the Tagor Desert with Xiao Yan had broadened her world.

• Unable to find a place to sleep, Xiao Yan left his courtyard to seek a room nearby while Medusa stayed in his bed.
• Two Dou Venerable auras locked onto Medusa, who realized she was too weak to resist them.
• A third, even more powerful aura intervened and ordered Medusa not to act out of line at Jia Nan Academy.
• Medusa promised to obey, and all three auras withdrew.
• Medusa concluded that Jia Nan Academy’s experts had permitted her to remain and felt grateful to Xiao Yan for bringing her beyond the Tagor Desert.

Xiao Lin reassured Qian Bai Er Lao after Medusa woke and revealed her presence at Jia Nan Academy, while Xiao Yan sneaked into Nalan Yanran’s room at night. Nalan Yanran caught him and demanded to know why he had entered through her window.

• Medusa’s awakening alerted Qian Bai Er Lao, but Xiao Lin vouched for her and they withdrew their auras.
• Ling Ying watched Xiao Yan leave his courtyard, then relaxed when Xiao Yan headed toward Nalan Yanran’s room instead of Xun’er’s.
• Xiao Yan climbed through Nalan Yanran’s open window while she slept.
• Nalan Yanran detected Xiao Yan, drew her sword, and asked why he had come to her room in the middle of the night.

Xiao Yan climbed through Nalan Yanran’s window after losing his room to a Dou Zong and asked to stay with her. They shared her bed and fell asleep in each other’s arms, though Xiao Yan stayed awake through the night.

• Nalan Yanran drew her sword when she heard someone entering through her window, then recognized Xiao Yan and lowered it.
• Xiao Yan told Nalan Yanran that a Dou Zong had taken over his room and asked her to let him stay for the night.
• Nalan Yanran hesitated but let Xiao Yan lead her to the bed, where he carried her and tucked her under the quilt.
• Xiao Yan promised he would not force her to do anything and held her as they lay down together.
• Nalan Yanran fell asleep against Xiao Yan’s chest, while Xiao Yan remained awake through the night.

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran woke together after spending the night embracing, only to rush next door when Xun'er confronted Medusa in Xiao Yan's room. Xun'er saw Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran emerge together and concluded that they had spent the night together, leaving her devastated.

• Xiao Yan stayed awake through the night beside Nalan Yanran, suppressing his desire to honor his promise to her.
• A loud boom woke Nalan Yanran, and she and Xiao Yan heard Xun'er demanding to know why someone was in Xiao Yan's room.
• Xiao Yan realized Xun'er had found Medusa in his room and hurried there with Nalan Yanran close behind.
• Xun'er shattered the room's door and raised the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame before Xiao Yan called out to her.
• Xun'er saw Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran arriving together in their sleep clothes and believed they had spent the night together.