Chapter Summaries

Qing Lin competed in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament’s preliminary round and defeated Luo Fu with her speed and strength. She advanced and returned to Xiao Yao and Instructor Ruo Lin as the tournament continued.

• Xiao Yao, Xun Er, and Xiao Yu spoke before the tournament began, and the referee announced the rules for the elimination round.
• The referees called Qing Lin and Luo Fu to compete, and Qing Lin revealed her Da Dou Shi-level Battle Qi armor.
• Qing Lin used her Azure Snake Seven Shadows Step to break Luo Fu’s defense and send him flying across the arena.
• Luo Fu counterattacked with an earth-attribute Battle Technique, but Qing Lin dodged and knocked him off the stage.
• Qing Lin returned to Xiao Yao, who praised her, and a referee announced that she had advanced.

Xun Er defeated Liu Lian and returned to the stands as Xiao Yao’s next match against Lu Mu was announced. Xiao Yao entered the arena to face Lu Mu while spectators—including a white-clad young man and a red-clad girl—watched with hostile intentions.

• Xun Er fought Liu Lian, overcame his attacks, and knocked him out of the fighting area to win her match.
• Xun Er returned to Xiao Yao and Instructor Ruo Lin, who praised her performance and discussed their chances of reaching the top five.
• The referee announced Xiao Yao’s match against Lu Mu of the Alchemy Department, and Instructor Ruo Lin warned Xiao Yao about Lu Mu’s destructive flames.
• Xun Er, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yu wished Xiao Yao luck as he leaped into the arena.
• Lu Mu arrived to loud cheers, while a white-clad young man and a red-clad girl watched and hoped Xiao Yao would be defeated.

Xiao Yao faced Lu Mu in the arena, where both revealed blue flames and Xiao Yao’s proved far more powerful. The crowd and Bai Shan recognized that Xiao Yao’s rumored strength might make him nearly impossible to defeat.

• Lu Mu told Xiao Yao he would hold back, then warned him that his Blue Crystal Fire could injure Dou Ling experts.
• As the match began, Lu Mu summoned his beast flame and called it the Blue Crystal Fire.
• Xiao Yao revealed his own blue flame, shocking Lu Mu and the spectators with its greater heat.
• Xiao Yu asked Xun Er about Xiao Yao’s flame, and Xun Er said he might have gained it through an opportunity.
• Bai Shan admitted Xiao Yao’s flame and rumored strength made his chances of winning nearly zero, despite his classmates’ encouragement.

Xiao Yao defeated Lu Mu in a fire-control contest by trapping him in a crystal formed from the Heavenly Flame, Blue Crystal Flame. His victory proved his alchemy talent to the academy, and he gave Lu Mu Marrow-Cleansing Pills before leaving the arena.

• Fire Old Man could not identify Xiao Yao's blue flame but judged its power comparable to a Heavenly Flame.
• Lu Mu challenged Xiao Yao to a contest of fire control, and Xiao Yao revealed Blue Crystal Flame's full power.
• Xiao Yao's flame formed a massive blue crystal around Lu Mu, who admitted defeat when he could not break free.
• The referee declared Xiao Yao the winner, and the crowd cheered as his reputation spread through the academy.
• Xiao Yao gave Lu Mu Marrow-Cleansing Pills and warned him against relying on pills for breakthroughs.
• Lu Mu praised Xiao Yao and predicted he would become champion of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament.

Xiao Yao left the tournament with Xun Er and followed her to a secluded mountaintop, where they confessed their feelings and shared a passionate kiss. Xun Er stopped him from going further and asked him to wait until they were married.

• Xiao Yao told Qing Lin and Instructor Ruo Lin that he and Xun Er were leaving the tournament for a while.
• Xun Er led Xiao Yao to her secret place on the back mountain and showed him the vast view of the Jia Ma Empire.
• Xiao Yao apologized for making Xun Er worry and told her she would always be the woman he chose.
• Xun Er kissed Xiao Yao, and he drew her close and returned the kiss.
• Xun Er pushed Xiao Yao away when his hand wandered, then asked him to wait until they were married.

Xiao Yao and Xun Er discussed their future before watching the second round of Jia Nan Academy’s selection matches. Yun Li defeated Goli in a fierce wind-versus-lightning battle, and the matches continued.

• Xun Er told Xiao Yao that he would need to reach Dou Zun level to marry her, and Xiao Yao led her to sit beneath a tree.
• The referee announced that the second round would narrow the contestants toward fifty places in the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Yao and Xun Er watched Goli and Yun Li fight, while Xun Er explained that their techniques would eventually exhaust their Battle Qi.
• Yun Li unleashed a lightning Qilin against Goli’s green tornado, and the collision left Goli unable to fight.
• The referee declared Yun Li the winner and called the next pair of contestants.

Qing Lin faced Liu Chen in the academy tournament and used her illusion ability to defeat and humiliate him without touching him. She won the match and returned to her clear-headed state as Liu Chen realized he had been thrown out of the arena.

• Qing Lin entered the arena to face Liu Chen, who mocked her and drew angry reactions from the crowd.
• The referee started the match, and Liu Chen covered himself in yellow Dou Qi armor while continuing to taunt Qing Lin.
• Qing Lin activated the three green points in her eyes and trapped Liu Chen in an illusion.
• In reality, Liu Chen knelt, slapped himself, and apologized while Qing Lin controlled him into rolling off the platform.
• The referee declared Qing Lin the winner, and Liu Chen regained his senses outside the arena.

Qing Lin defeated Liu Chen with her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, and the Academy elders discussed Xiao Yao's hidden strength and history. As the selection tournament narrowed toward its final qualifying matches, Wu Hao took the arena, drawing Xiao Yao's attention as a rival for Xun Er.

• Liu Chen tried to challenge Qing Lin again, but an elder crushed him with pressure until he admitted defeat and left.
• Hu Gan and Fire Old Man discussed Qing Lin's rare constitution and Xiao Yao's strength, then agreed to help him if he encountered trouble at the Academy.
• Xiao Yao comforted Qing Lin, while the girls in Instructor Ruo Lin's group won their matches and the tournament field shrank to sixty contestants.
• Xiao Yao and Xun Er each defeated their opponents with one move, then learned Wu Hao had pursued Xun Er and might have entered the tournament because Xiao Yao had arrived.
• The referee announced Wu Hao's match against Yan Cheng, and Xiao Yao saw Yan Cheng facing Wu Hao's blood-soaked aura.

Wu Hao defeated Yan Cheng in two exchanges and challenged Xiao Yao to prove himself worthy of Xun Er. Xiao Yao rose to face him, but Wu Hao's challenge remained unanswered as the two began to test each other with their Dou Qi.

• Wu Hao appeared in the arena, and his blood-red robes and killing intent silenced the plaza.
• Wu Hao disarmed Yan Cheng with his heavy sword and defeated the Five-Star Battle Master by holding the blade to his neck.
• Xun Er explained Wu Hao's speed technique to Xiao Yao, who said he could easily defeat an opponent like Wu Hao at Battle Master strength.
• Wu Hao pointed his sword at Xiao Yao and challenged him to fight for Xun Er's sake.
• Xiao Yao stood and met Wu Hao's gaze as their Dou Qi began to surge, and Wu Hao urged him to come down and fight.

Xiao Yao and the other top fifty finishers prepared to enter Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy as the Selection Tournament’s final day began. Hu Gan announced that the final rounds would use a new format and called all fifty contestants into the arena.

• Hu Gan stopped Xiao Yao and Wu Hao from fighting, and Wu Hao left after challenging Xiao Yao to face him the next day.
• Instructor Ruo Lin congratulated her students on qualifying for the Inner Academy and urged them to surrender rather than risk serious injuries.
• Xiao Yao reflected on his plans for the Inner Academy and his expected encounter with the Soul Hall at the Misty Cloud Sect.
• Xiao Yao and the others entered the crowded plaza, where he silently told Bai Shan that he would suppress him later.
• Hu Gan explained that higher tournament rankings would bring better Inner Academy cultivation conditions, announced a change to the final-round format, and summoned all fifty contestants into the arena.

The Inner Academy competition began with a grand melee elimination match, and the contestants formed temporary teams after the opening chaos. Xiao Yao warned his companions to be careful as Bai Shan called on the other contestants to eliminate him first.

• Mentor Ruo Lin encouraged Xiao Yao and the others before they entered the arena.
• Hu Gan explained the elimination rules and announced that the final round had begun.
• The contestants erupted into battle, and many were quickly knocked out of the arena.
• The surviving contestants formed temporary teams, prompting Xiao Yao to tell his companions to prepare for the real fight.
• Bai Shan urged the contestants to unite against Xiao Yao, identifying him as the Dou Ling-level opponent.

Xiao Yao revealed Fallen Heart Flame during the arena confrontation, leaving Bai Shan and his allies incapacitated and proving his strength. Bai Shan persuaded Wu Hao and Hu Jia to join forces against Xiao Yao, and they approached him together.

• Bai Shan led his group toward Xiao Yao while Xun Er and the others prepared to fight.
• Xiao Yao told Xun Er to step back, then summoned an invisible flame that took the shape of a Flood Dragon.
• Hu Gan and Fire Old Man recognized the flame as Fallen Heart Flame, while Bai Shan and his group collapsed under its Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yao taunted Bai Shan and asked whether he had proved his qualification for the Inner Academy Selection Tournament.
• Bai Shan urged Wu Hao and Hu Jia to unite against Xiao Yao, appealing to their feelings for Xun Er, and they agreed.
• Xiao Yao withdrew Fallen Heart Flame and watched Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and their allies join Bai Shan.

Xiao Yao faced a combined assault from Bai Shan, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and more than twenty contestants, then endured their attacks without injury. The blast eliminated nearly everyone else, leaving Xiao Yao, Xun Er, Qing Lin, Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia on the field as Mentor Ruo Lin learned that Xiao Yao’s strength exceeded Dou Wang.

• Xiao Mei, Qing Ling'er, and Xue Ni left the arena, while Xiao Yao told Xun Er and Qing Lin to stay back and watch.
• Bai Shan, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and their allies unleashed their strongest Dou Techniques at Xiao Yao.
• Xiao Yao met the combined attacks with his bare fist and emerged unharmed from the resulting explosion.
• The blast destroyed most of the arena and knocked every contestant except Xiao Yao, Xun Er, Qing Lin, Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia out of the field.
• Qing Ling'er told Mentor Ruo Lin that Xiao Yao’s strength was at least above Dou Wang, and Ruo Lin predicted that he would take first place.

Xiao Yao knocked Bai Shan out of the arena, then left with Xun Er and Qing Lin rather than finishing the match. Hu Gan announced the tournament’s final top five, with Xiao Yao in first place despite his departure.

• Bai Shan, Hu Jia, and Wu Hao realized their group could not defeat Xiao Yao, who remained unharmed.
• Xiao Yao suddenly appeared before Bai Shan and struck him off the arena.
• Xiao Yao left the match and told Xun Er and Qing Lin to face Hu Jia and Wu Hao; Xun Er and Qing Lin also left.
• Wu Hao abandoned the match, leaving Hu Jia alone in the arena.
• Hu Gan ranked Xiao Yao, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Xiao Xun Er, and Qing Lin in the top five, and the referee announced the tournament’s conclusion.

After winning the tournament, Xiao Yao and Xun Er joined the academy’s carnival celebration, where they agreed to perform together. They reached the stage before Vice Principal Hu Gan, the elders, and Instructor Ruo Lin.

• Hu Jia left the stage vowing to have her cousin avenge her humiliation, while injured Bai Shan was carried away for treatment.
• Lu Mu congratulated Xiao Yao and invited him to visit the Alchemy Department, and Xiao Yao agreed.
• Xiao Yao, Xun Er, and Qing Lin left the arena with Instructor Ruo Lin after the competition ended.
• Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning found Xiao Yao and Xun Er in their room and brought them to the celebration with Xiao Mei and Qing Lin.
• Xun Er explained the carnival tradition, and she and Xiao Yao decided to perform a song together, with Xiao Yao accompanying her on the flute.
• Xun Er led Xiao Yao toward the stage, where Vice Principal Hu Gan, several elders, and Instructor Ruo Lin stood.

Xiao Yao and Xun Er performed “Desolate” at the academy gathering, with Xun Er singing and Xiao Yao accompanying her on the flute. Their performance captivated the plaza, and the chapter left the song’s lingering flute melody drifting over the audience.

• Instructor Ruo Lin and Hu Gan welcomed Xiao Yao and Xun Er onto the stage to perform.
• Xiao Yao announced that Xun Er would sing “Desolate” while he played the flute.
• Xiao Yu, Qing Ling'er, Xiao Ning, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the others gathered near the stage to watch.
• Xiao Yao played the Astral Flute as Xun Er sang, and the audience fell silent, absorbed in the performance.
• Xun Er reached the song’s climax and fell silent, while Xiao Yao continued playing the melody across the plaza.

Xiao Yao and Xun Er’s song enthralled the Jia Nan Academy students, and the celebration continued with praise and playful banter. Hu Gan congratulated the fifty students advancing to the Inner Academy and summoned the top five to the Library Pavilion three mornings later for additional rewards.

• Xiao Yao used the Astral Flute’s melody to draw the students into an illusion while accompanying Xun Er’s song.
• Xun Er and Xiao Yao finished their duet, and the students erupted into cheers and asked them to perform again.
• Hu Gan asked whether they would perform more, and Xiao Yao declined so they could watch the remaining performances.
• Wu Hao praised Xiao Yao and promised to challenge him, while Hu Jia confessed her affection for Xun Er and Xun Er said her heart belonged to Xiao Yao.
• Hu Gan congratulated the fifty students advancing to the Inner Academy, warned them to stay united, and summoned Xiao Yao, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Xiao Xun Er, and Qing Lin to the Library Pavilion three mornings later.

After winning the selection competition, Xiao Yao gave Xiao Mei and her friends pills and prepared to choose his reward before heading to the Inner Academy. Vice Principal Hu Gan warned Hu Jia and Wu Hao not to make an enemy of Xiao Yao and explained that they would need to cooperate with the new students inside the Inner Academy.

• Xiao Yao gave Xiao Mei a Three-Stripe Green Spirit Pill for her future breakthrough and gave pills to her four friends.
• Instructor Ruo Lin brought Xiao Yao, Xun Er, and Qing Lin to Instructor Ku Lu, who led them to choose their rewards for placing in the top five.
• Hu Jia and Wu Hao complained to Vice Principal Hu Gan that Xiao Yao had ignored them after the competition, and Hu Gan warned them against turning him into an enemy.
• Hu Jia joked that she could make Xiao Yao angry by taking advantage of Xun Er, prompting Hu Gan to question her fixation on Xun Er.
• Hu Gan told Hu Jia and Wu Hao that new students entering the Inner Academy needed to band together and that strength, not background, determined their standing there.

Hu Gan led the tournament’s top five to the Library Pavilion, where two gray-robed elders noticed Xiao Yao’s concealed Heavenly Flames and Qing Lin’s rare talent. The elders praised the group’s abilities and recognized Qing Lin’s Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, leaving Hu Jia and Wu Hao astonished.

• Hu Gan opened a hidden passage and led Xiao Yao, Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Xun Er, and Qing Lin to the Library Pavilion.
• Hu Gan announced the top five’s arrival and asked the elders to open the pavilion, but the gray-robed men initially remained silent.
• The gray-robed elders sensed Xiao Yao’s Heavenly Flame and questioned him, and Xiao Yao introduced himself and identified it as a Fallen Heart Flame other than the academy’s.
• One elder praised Xiao Yao for controlling a Heavenly Flame, while the other recognized Qing Lin’s Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and predicted her potential.
• Hu Jia and Wu Hao stared at Qing Lin in shock as she lowered her head shyly.

Xiao Yao, Xun Er, Qing Lin, Hu Jia, and Wu Hao entered Jia Nan Academy’s Library Pavilion to search for treasures they could take with them. Inside, Xiao Yao seized a purple scroll containing the Xuan Tier High-Class cultivation method Purple Thunder Art.

• The two gray-robed men opened the Space Lock, allowing Hu Jia, Wu Hao, Xiao Yao, Xun Er, and Qing Lin to enter.
• Hu Gan explained that they could take only one item each and warned them not to force their way through the energy barriers.
• The gray-robed men opened the Library Pavilion doors, and the five entered before the doors shut behind them.
• Hu Jia urged Xun Er to form a faction with her in the Inner Academy, but Xun Er said she would follow Xiao Yao and join only if he formed one.
• A purple light streaked toward Xiao Yao, who caught it and pulled a purple scroll containing the Purple Thunder Art through its energy layer.