Chapter Summaries

Ning Chen’s evil fire caused him to kiss Zhu Zhuqing, who attacked him until a masked assassin’s projectile forced him to save her. As two masked men emerged and mocked Zhu Zhuqing, their intentions remained unclear.

• Ning Chen explained that his martial soul’s evil fire had erupted while he was cooling off in a river, where he had encountered Zhu Zhuqing and forcibly kissed her.
• Zhu Zhuqing attacked Ning Chen with her first and second soul skills, but his Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor withstood both assaults.
• Zhu Zhuqing demanded to know how Ning Chen knew her identity, and he claimed that saving her life would repay the debt of seeing her naked.
• A black soul-power projectile flew at Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Chen tackled her out of its path, saving her from the blast.
• Two men in black ghost masks emerged from the forest and leered at Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Chen.

Ning Chen revealed his powerful armor and Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring while protecting Zhu Zhuqing from two assassins. He killed one attacker and pursued the leader, who fled toward the Star Luo Empire.

• The two wolf-soul assassins cornered Zhu Zhuqing and attacked Ning Chen, but his four Soul Rings and Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor stunned them.
• Ning Chen’s pressure forced both assassins to their knees, and he summoned the Emperor-Slaying Sword.
• The assassins tried to fight back, but the second man’s Wolf Claw could not damage Ning Chen’s armor.
• The leader abandoned his partner and fled, leaving the second assassin behind to be killed by Ning Chen.
• Ning Chen watched the leader escape and activated his first Soul Skill, Sword Slashes the Eight Desolations.

Ning Chen crippled and killed the black-clad assassin, who revealed that he served Davis, the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire. He and wary Zhu Zhuqing prepared to leave the forest together on his flying Emperor-Slaying Sword, though she hesitated to take his hand.

• Ning Chen's eight flaming sword qi shattered the assassin's Wolfrock Shield and severed one of his arms and legs.
• The assassin threatened Ning Chen with Davis and the Star Luo Empire, but Ning Chen dismissed the threat and stomped him to death.
• Ning Chen dismissed his armor and sword, then approached Zhu Zhuqing, who feared he might take advantage of her again.
• Ning Chen warned that the battle's noise and blood could attract soul beasts, then summoned the Emperor-Slaying Sword and stood on it.
• Ning Chen offered Zhu Zhuqing his hand to board the sword, but she hesitated, worried about standing close to him.

Ning Chen carried the injured Zhu Zhuqing out of the Star Dou Great Forest on his flying sword and told her about his martial soul’s Evil Fire and his level 44 cultivation at age fourteen. They parted at a nearby town at dawn, while Ning Chen hurried onward to pursue the treasures he sought before Bibi Dong could catch him.

• Zhu Zhuqing accepted Ning Chen’s help and rode behind him on the Emperor-Slaying Sword through the night.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked Ning Chen’s name, and he teased her before introducing himself.
• Ning Chen explained that his Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor caused uncontrollable Evil Fire, which also helped temper his body and spiritual power.
• Ning Chen revealed that he was fourteen and had reached soul power level forty-four, shocking Zhu Zhuqing.
• At dawn, Ning Chen and Zhu Zhuqing parted at a town near the Star Dou Great Forest.
• Ning Chen worried that Bibi Dong had discovered his escape and set out to seek the immortal herbs at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes and the Blue Silver Emperor’s Right Leg Bone.

Ning Chen gave the injured Zhu Zhuqing money and a jade necklace, then flew toward Sunset Forest, leaving her to wonder about his connection to Spirit Hall. At Spirit City, Bibi Dong learned he had secretly left and ordered a continent-wide search for him.

• Ning Chen gave Zhu Zhuqing Gold Soul Coins and a blue jade necklace, told her to seek him in Spirit City if she needed help, and flew toward Sunset Forest.
• Zhu Zhuqing watched Ning Chen disappear, put on the necklace, and entered town.
• Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan reported that searches of Spirit City and nearby forests had found no trace of Ning Chen.
• Bibi Dong worried that Ning Chen's Evil Fire could make him lose control and ordered Spirit Hall branches across the continent to search for him.
• Bibi Dong decided to punish Ning Chen when he returned for sneaking away.

Ning Chen traveled toward the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes, planning to use his knowledge of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan’s poison to secure the Immortal Herbs. In Sunset Forest, he found Dugu Yan wounded and cornered by a Shadow Ghost Leopard, and prepared to intervene.

• Ning Chen reasoned that he could persuade Dugu Bo to cooperate by offering to cure the poison afflicting him and Dugu Yan, with his status as Bibi Dong’s disciple as a safeguard.
• Ning Chen reached Sunset Forest during a rainstorm and realized the gloomy weather likely meant Dugu Bo was at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes suppressing his pain.
• Ning Chen flew deeper into the forest and heard a woman calling for help.
• Ning Chen found Dugu Yan injured in the mud and facing an almost eight-thousand-year-old Shadow Ghost Leopard.
• Ning Chen recognized Dugu Yan’s Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul and saw a chance to gain leverage with Dugu Bo as Dugu Yan warned the beast to stay back.

Dugu Yan was cornered by a Shadow Ghost Leopard in Sunset Forest until Ning Chen arrived and protected her. He revealed his four soul rings, including a ten-thousand-year fourth ring, and effortlessly blocked the beast’s attack with his second soul skill.

• Dugu Yan entered Sunset Forest alone to search for Dugu Bo and was badly wounded by a Shadow Ghost Leopard.
• The leopard prepared to kill Dugu Yan, but Ning Chen descended on a flaming sword and drove it back.
• Ning Chen summoned his armor and revealed four soul rings, including a black ten-thousand-year fourth ring, stunning Dugu Yan.
• The Shadow Ghost Leopard fired its Shadow Shockwave at Ning Chen and Dugu Yan.
• Ning Chen formed Scorching Heaven Sword Ward, which absorbed the attack with only a ripple, leaving Dugu Yan astonished.

Ning Chen protected Dugu Yan from the Shadow Ghost Leopard’s attacks and then trapped the eight-thousand-year soul beast in his Heaven-Scorching Sword Formation. The leopard was left inside the fiery cage, slowed and unable to break free.

• Ning Chen blocked the Shadow Ghost Leopard’s attack and told Dugu Yan to stay inside his shield.
• Ning Chen clashed with the Shadow Ghost Leopard, overpowering it with his strength and defending against its rapid attacks.
• Ning Chen unleashed his third soul skill, Heaven-Scorching Sword Formation, summoning five flaming swords around the beast.
• The sword formation created a sealed cage that slowed the Shadow Ghost Leopard with immense gravity and burned it when it tried to escape.
• Ning Chen watched from outside the formation and taunted the trapped Shadow Ghost Leopard after it failed to break through.

Ning Chen killed the Shadow Ghost Leopard with his Heaven-Scorching Sword Formation and treated Dugu Yan’s injured leg. After learning each other’s names, Dugu Yan blushed as Ning Chen said he had a question for her.

• Ning Chen trapped the Shadow Ghost Leopard in the Heaven-Scorching Sword Formation and summoned a giant flaming Evil Emperor Sword.
• Ning Chen struck the Shadow Ghost Leopard with the giant sword, destroying it and leaving a massive crater in the clearing.
• Ning Chen dispelled his armor and weapons, then checked on Dugu Yan and noticed her bleeding leg wound.
• Ning Chen used medicine and bandages to treat Dugu Yan’s wound while she shyly watched him and thanked him for saving her.
• Dugu Yan introduced herself and learned Ning Chen’s name, and Ning Chen finished bandaging her leg before telling her he had a question.

Ning Chen discovered that Dugu Yan had come alone to Sunset Forest to find her grandfather, Dugu Bo, because she was worried about her worsening symptoms. After offering to lead her to him, Ning Chen carried the injured Dugu Yan, who clung to him rather than be left alone in the forest.

• Ning Chen recognized Dugu Yan as Dugu Bo's granddaughter and asked why she had come alone to Sunset Forest.
• Dugu Yan explained that she had not seen Dugu Bo for several days and had come looking for him because she felt unwell.
• Ning Chen identified Dugu Yan's symptoms as itching and chest tightness that worsened in rainy weather, then offered to take her to her grandfather.
• Dugu Yan tried to stand but collapsed because of her injured calf, so Ning Chen lifted her in a bridal carry.
• When Ning Chen pretended he would leave her behind, Dugu Yan clung to him and insisted on going with him.

Ning Chen teased Dugu Yan after saving her, then carried her deeper into Sunset Forest on the Emperor-Slaying Sword. As night fell, Dugu Yan grew calmer and more excited by the flight, though she was exhausted from the day's ordeal.

• Dugu Yan told Ning Chen that when a girl said no, she meant yes, then panicked at her own bold words.
• Ning Chen playfully threatened Dugu Yan and slapped her backside, making her let out a surprising sound that embarrassed them both.
• Dugu Yan blamed Ning Chen for humiliating her and buried her face in his neck, while secretly clinging to him more tightly.
• Ning Chen summoned the Emperor-Slaying Sword and flew with Dugu Yan deeper into Sunset Forest.
• Dugu Yan watched the scenery from Ning Chen's arms, gradually relaxing as night fell and exhaustion overtook her.

Ning Chen and Dugu Yan reached the poisonous mist surrounding the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes, where Dugu Yan recognized her grandfather Dugu Bo’s Jade-Scaled Snake Emperor Poison. After shielding Dugu Yan, Ning Chen armored himself and plunged into the poison formation to find a way through.

• Dugu Yan fell asleep in Ning Chen’s arms during their flight, and he carried her toward the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes.
• Ning Chen woke Dugu Yan when they reached the edge of a vast emerald poisonous mist, and she recognized it as Dugu Bo’s poison formation.
• Ning Chen set Dugu Yan down and assured her he could withstand the poison, despite her warning about its deadly toxicity.
• Ning Chen enclosed Dugu Yan in a Scorching Heaven Sword Ward shield and told her to stay inside while he investigated.
• Unable to see through the poisonous mist from above, Ning Chen donned his Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor and plunged into the formation.

Ning Chen penetrated Dugu Bo’s poison formation and evaded his lethal attack with a self-created movement technique. Dugu Bo appeared before him, and Ning Chen introduced himself as the two finally faced each other.

• Ning Chen used the Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor to withstand the poison mist and searched for the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes.
• Dugu Bo sensed the intruder and launched dozens of toxic soul-power spheres at Ning Chen.
• Ning Chen used Scorching Heaven Sword-Shadow Step to weave through the barrage without being hit.
• Impressed by Ning Chen’s movement, Dugu Bo cleared the poison mist and appeared before him.
• Ning Chen dismissed his armor, greeted Dugu Bo, and drew the old man’s attention to his unusually young appearance.

Ning Chen tried to explain himself to Dugu Bo, but the Poison Douluo turned hostile after smelling Dugu Yan on him. Ning Chen revealed that Dugu Yan had sent him to find Dugu Bo after he saved her from a Shadow Ghost Leopard, leaving Dugu Bo uncertain whether to believe him.

• Ning Chen identified Dugu Bo as the Poison Douluo and praised his reputation, easing some of Dugu Bo’s suspicion.
• Dugu Bo smelled Dugu Yan’s scent and blood on Ning Chen and assumed the boy had harmed his granddaughter.
• Dugu Bo unleashed his pressure on Ning Chen, who activated the Scorching Heaven Evil Emperor Armor and stood his ground.
• Dugu Bo demanded to know what Ning Chen had done to Dugu Yan, and Ning Chen said she had asked him to find her grandfather.
• Ning Chen explained that Dugu Yan had nearly been killed by an eight-thousand-year Shadow Ghost Leopard in Sunset Forest and that he had saved her, making Dugu Bo wonder if the claim was true.

Dugu Bo reunited with Dugu Yan and learned that her Jade Phosphor Snake Martial Soul backlash poison had begun causing severe symptoms. As Dugu Yan recounted how Ning Chen had rescued her, Dugu Bo was stunned to learn Ning Chen had a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth soul ring.

• Ning Chen sent Dugu Bo out of the poison formation to find Dugu Yan, then stayed behind to wait for a chance to collect Dugu Bo's gratitude.
• Dugu Bo rushed out of the poison formation and reunited with Dugu Yan, noticing her bandaged leg and asking why she had come to Sunset Forest.
• Dugu Yan told Dugu Bo that she suffered worsening itching and chest tightness, and Dugu Bo recognized the symptoms as her Martial Soul Backlash Poison.
• Dugu Yan anxiously asked about Ning Chen, and Dugu Bo questioned her about their relationship before asking her to explain what had happened.
• Dugu Yan recounted how Ning Chen had rescued her, and Dugu Bo was shocked to hear Ning Chen had absorbed a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth soul ring.

Ning Chen emerged unharmed from Dugu Bo’s poison array, and Dugu Bo realized he had nearly harmed the young man who saved Dugu Yan. Dugu Bo apologized and promised Ning Chen a major favor, while Dugu Yan blushed as Ning Chen teased her about caring for him.

• Dugu Bo concluded that Ning Chen was likely a powerful Spirit Hall figure and feared the consequences of having attacked him.
• Dugu Yan insisted that Ning Chen had saved her, and Dugu Bo promised he would emerge safely from the poison array.
• Ning Chen flew out of the poisonous mist on the Emperor-Slaying Sword and dispelled his shield.
• Ning Chen teased Dugu Yan for worrying about him, and she angrily denied that she had been crying or cared about him.
• Dugu Bo joked that Dugu Yan cared for Ning Chen, then apologized for attacking him and pledged to repay the favor of saving her.

Ning Chen asked Dugu Bo for access to his Medicine Garden, hoping to find medicinal herbs. Dugu Bo warned him about the deadly spring at its center, but Ning Chen remained determined and asked to speak with him privately.

• Ning Chen asked Dugu Bo to let him search the Medicine Garden for herbs, and Dugu Bo hesitated despite having promised to help him.
• Dugu Yan scolded Dugu Bo for refusing Ning Chen, and Dugu Bo explained that the garden was dangerous.
• Dugu Bo described a spring divided between scorching heat and extreme cold that even he dared not approach.
• Dugu Yan urged Ning Chen to give up and offered to buy him herbs, but Ning Chen insisted on seeing the garden.
• Ning Chen asked Dugu Bo to speak with him alone about a private matter.

Ning Chen told Dugu Bo that he and Dugu Yan suffered from Martial Soul Backlash and claimed he knew two ways to cure it, pending a look at Dugu Bo's Medicine Garden. Dugu Bo vowed to obey Ning Chen if he cured the Dugu Clan, and Dugu Yan approached to ask what they had been discussing.

• Ning Chen took Dugu Bo aside and described Dugu Yan's symptoms, prompting Dugu Bo to blame himself for neglecting her condition.
• Ning Chen accurately detailed Dugu Bo's decades-long symptoms and identified them as poison backlash, shocking Dugu Bo.
• Dugu Bo admitted Ning Chen was right and revealed that his son had died from Martial Soul Backlash.
• Ning Chen said he knew two possible methods to solve the problem but needed to inspect Dugu Bo's Medicine Garden for the required herbs.
• Dugu Bo promised to follow Ning Chen's orders if he cured Dugu Yan and the Dugu Clan, and Ning Chen agreed to go to the Medicine Garden.
• Dugu Yan caught up with Ning Chen and Dugu Bo and demanded to know what they were hiding from her.

Ning Chen entered Dugu Bo’s Medicine Garden at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes and collected several Immortal Herbs. He identified a possible way to cure Dugu Yan’s poison, leaving Dugu Bo eager to hear the rest of his treatment plan.

• Dugu Bo changed his mind and led Ning Chen and Dugu Yan through the poison formation after giving them Poison-Repelling Pills.
• Ning Chen saw the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eyes and recognized rare Immortal Herbs growing around its opposing springs.
• Ning Chen used the Emperor-Slaying Sword to uproot seven or eight Immortal Herbs without touching them.
• Dugu Bo asked whether any of the herbs could cure Dugu Yan’s poison, and Ning Chen confirmed that one could.
• Ning Chen picked up the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and explained that an External Soul Bone could absorb Dugu Yan’s toxins as she cultivated.

Ning Chen explained two ways to cure Dugu Yan’s Martial Soul backlash: storing the poison in an External Soul Bone or using the Earth Dragon Golden Melon to evolve her Jade Phosphorous Serpent toward a flood dragon. Dugu Bo learned that the melon’s transformation could be fatal, so he went to ask Dugu Yan what she wanted to do and prepared to reveal the truth about her condition.

• Ning Chen proposed putting Dugu Yan’s poison into a compatible External Soul Bone, and Dugu Bo recognized the idea’s promise but noted how difficult such a bone would be to find.
• Ning Chen offered the Earth Dragon Golden Melon as another solution, explaining that its earth dragon bloodline could transform Dugu Yan’s body and Martial Soul, allowing her to overcome the poison.
• Dugu Bo was impressed by the method, but Ning Chen warned that the painful transformation could make Dugu Yan explode and die if she lost consciousness.
• Dugu Bo decided he could not choose for Dugu Yan and carried the melon over to her to ask what she wanted.
• Dugu Yan complained that Dugu Bo and Ning Chen had ignored her, and Dugu Bo told her they had been discussing a way to solve her Martial Soul backlash.