Chapter Summaries

The Dongting Dragon Lord learned that demons had stolen more than half of the Dragon Horses from Flowing Cloud Pasture and began planning to recover them. Meanwhile, Lingyi delivered Mid-Autumn gifts from Xing Yan to his parents, then overheard her father discussing the stolen horses and Elder Xiongli.

• A fire protected by violet magic distracted the Four Rivers Dragon Soldiers while demons abducted more than half of the Dragon Horses from Flowing Cloud Pasture.
• The Dragon Lord of Dongting suspected the demons were building their forces and recalled Lingyi’s clashes with a powerful violet-eyed demoness.
• Lingyi brought Xing Yan’s parents pastries and money, told his mother about his life, and returned to the Four Rivers Dragon Residence.
• Lingyi overheard her father praise General Fu for discovering that the stolen Dragon Horses were hidden on an overseas island under Elder Xiongli’s protection.
• The Dragon Lord and General Fu planned how to recover the horses and expose Elder Xiongli, the Fourth Heavenly Demon of the Demon Frontier.

Xing Yan agreed to help Lingyi recover the dragon horses stolen from the Four Rivers Flowing Cloud Pasture and prepared to infiltrate Liling Isle with her, Qiong Rong, and Xueyi. After Yubo’s ambiguous divinations, the group headed for the demonic waters, where Xing Yan’s newly donned Black Demon Armor sharpened his mind and made him realize something alarming.

• Xing Yan met Lingyi in a mountain wilderness, agreed to help retrieve the stolen dragon horses, and devised a plan to enter Liling Isle among its guests.
• Qiong Rong and Xueyi decided to accompany the group, and Lingyi obtained the Black Demon Armor from the Child-Giving Goddess Temple in Yangzhou for Xing Yan’s disguise.
• Lingyi took the group to consult Yubo, who predicted setbacks before success and gave Qiong Rong a discouraging answer about staying with Xing Yan; Qiong Rong later pressured him into changing it.
• The group set out for Liling Isle aboard Lingyi’s Dragon Chariot, and Xing Yan donned the Black Demon Armor as they approached the demonic waters.
• The armor made Xing Yan’s mind unusually sharp, and he suddenly realized something that caused cold sweat to pour down his skin.

Xing Yan and his companions reached Liling Isle for the Spirit Isle Gathering after Lingyi reluctantly carried them across the sea in dragon form. As they followed the other visitors toward Heavenfire Peak, Crimsonwood Terrace, a strange encounter with the island’s human-faced trees left Xing Yan wary of the gathering.

• Xing Yan realized that arriving in the dragon carriage would expose their plan to reclaim the dragon steeds, so he and Lingyi discussed finding him another mount.
• Qiong Rong offered to carry Xing Yan, but he and Lingyi refused because she was too young; Xing Yan promised she could do so when she grew up.
• Lingyi flew Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Xueyi toward Liling Isle, where Xing Yan recognized the island by its vast crimson clouds and fiery glow.
• The group landed among the arriving demons and spirits, dismounted, and followed them toward the Spirit Isle Gathering at Heavenfire Peak, Crimsonwood Terrace.
• Qiong Rong spoke to the human-faced trees, causing their laughing fruits to fall and dissolve into dark red liquid, and the frightened girl returned silently to Xing Yan.

Xing Yan and his companions reached Heavenfire Perilous Peak, where Lingyi carried them through the flames to the summit. After Qiong Rong recovered her missing Firebird Hairpins, the group crossed the lava toward Crimsonwood Terrace beneath a rising red moon.

• Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Xueyi followed the burning Never-Dimming Trees until they reached the sea of fire surrounding Heavenfire Perilous Peak.
• Lingyi transformed into a dragon and carried Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Xueyi through the flames to the summit, while a black-robed old man followed in their cloud.
• Qiong Rong discovered that her Firebird Hairpins had fallen off, and Lingyi prepared to search for them before two enormous flame birds appeared.
• Qiong Rong recognized the flame birds as her hairpins and happily seized their talons as Xing Yan welcomed their strength.
• Xing Yan and his companions crossed the lava toward the towering platform of Crimsonwood Terrace as a blood-red moon rose above the summit.

Xing Yan entered the Demon Continent Gathering and debated the Heavenly Way with the Red Tiger Mountain God before a powerful flame-haired elder challenged his beliefs. Xing Yan restored the Mountain-Splitting Axe after the elder destroyed it, but the elder warned that the Big Dipper’s radiance might signal an approaching slaughter.

• Xing Yan reached the Demon Continent Gathering under a crimson moon and explored its plaza with Qiong Rong, Xueyi, and Lingyi.
• Xing Yan listened to devil spirits debate the Heavenly Way, then argued that living beings should follow heaven and respond to its seasons.
• A flame-haired elder appeared, destroyed the Red Tiger Mountain God’s bloodthirsty Mountain-Splitting Axe with Chaos-Fire Turmoil Power, and challenged Xing Yan’s views.
• Xing Yan used the power of the Big Dipper’s seven stars to restore the axe, replacing its bloody glow with pure radiance.
• The elder praised Xing Yan’s creation and warned that the Big Dipper’s divine light could herald the Heavenly Slaughter Star and a coming sea of blood.

Xing Yan asked Elder Xiongli about Qiong Rong’s power to nullify magic, then attended the Demon Continent Gathering’s spectacular fireworks display. As the gathering ended, Xing Yan confessed that he was a Daoist wearing demonic armor, and Elder Xiongli responded with a knowing smile.

• Xing Yan asked Elder Xiongli about a power that made other magic ineffective, and the elder identified it as a Divine Domain wielded by ancient immortals or gods.
• Xing Yan learned that the black-robed elder was Elder Xiongli, then rested while Lingyi guarded him from flirtatious demons.
• Elder Xiongli addressed the crowd, scattered the clouds, and unleashed a dazzling fireworks display that entranced Xing Yan and the girls beside him.
• After the fireworks ended, Elder Xiongli summoned a suspended stone path and invited the guests to their lodgings.
• Xing Yan told Elder Xiongli that he was a Daoist wearing demonic armor, and Elder Xiongli said he had been about to explain how to reach Xing Yan’s lodgings.

Xing Yan and his companions settled into their lodgings on Liling Isle, then began searching for the stolen Dragon Horses and found them on a nearby island. After stopping Lingyi from breaking the horses out, Xing Yan got separated from the others while looking for Qiong Rong and discovered a mysterious figure in a mist-covered lake.

• Xing Yan and his companions followed Elder Xiongli's glowing path to their red-clay lodging, where the three girls shared the bed and Xing Yan slept at the stone table.
• The next morning, Azure Xi brought Xing Yan his bloodthirsty iron club and asked him to restore it, and Xing Yan agreed after learning what the weapon looked like.
• Xing Yan learned that the visitors could explore Liling Isle that day, then followed Qiong Rong and Lingyi's senses to the island where the Four Rivers' Dragon Horses were held.
• Xing Yan stopped Lingyi from firing her Silver Moon Divine Bow at the apparently weak barrier around the Dragon Horses, warning that the Heavenly Devil elder might have hidden traps.
• Xing Yan and the girls spent the day sightseeing, but as they returned at dusk, Qiong Rong chased a ladybug into the undergrowth and disappeared.
• Xing Yan searched for Qiong Rong and found a purple, mist-covered lake with a pale human silhouette at its center, which shocked him when he focused on it.

Xing Yan and his companions attempted to free the Dragon Horses, but a trap on the Green Isle captured Lingyi and Xueyi while Xing Yan escaped. That night, Yinghuo vanished, and Xiong Li discovered a water-mirror message that sent him rushing southwest after Xing Yan.

• Xing Yan found Qiong Rong watching a woman bathe, brought her back to Lingyi and Xueyi, and joined the Demon Spirits’ beach feast.
• Xiong Li and Huang Wan discussed returning the stolen Dragon Horses, but Yinghuo arrived and confronted Xiong Li about his plans.
• Xing Yan, Lingyi, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong approached the Green Isle before dawn, and Lingyi’s arrow opened a breach in its fiery barrier.
• The barrier’s trap drained Xing Yan’s power and captured Lingyi and Xueyi, while Qiong Rong escaped with him; Ghost King Xiao Mang’s power then broke apart Xing Yan’s demon armor.
• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong confronted Xiong Li and Yinghuo, then withdrew after finding Lingyi and Xueyi imprisoned among the demon army.
• After Yinghuo disappeared, Xiong Li found a water-mirror message on the beach and hurried southwest in his Purple Cloud Carriage.

Xing Yan and Qiong Rong abducted Yinghuo from her bath and fled across the sea, prompting the Devil Race to scramble and Xiongli to report the kidnapping to the Devil Lord. The Devil Lord accepted the news calmly but recognized the discarded Black Demon Armor as belonging to his returned brother, while Xing Yan knocked Yinghuo unconscious again as they neared their destination.

• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong sneaked into Yinghuo’s bathing chamber, drained her pool, and captured her after Xing Yan’s spell rendered her unconscious.
• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong escaped through the sea using the Water-Traveling Art and sent a message demanding that their friends be treated well before arranging an exchange in five days.
• Xiongli hurried to the Demon Capital to report the kidnapping, while Huang Wan released the two captive dragon girls and placed them under guard.
• The Devil Lord said he already knew about Yinghuo’s abduction, and the Demon Empress asked when their daughter would return.
• The Devil Lord recognized the discarded Black Demon Armor and said that his brother had finally returned.
• When Qiong Rong noticed Yinghuo stirring during their escape, Xing Yan struck her forehead and knocked her unconscious again.

Xing Yan and Qiong Rong hid Yinghuo in an abandoned thatched cottage in Reed Marsh, where talismans kept the Devil Master restrained. As night fell, Qiong Rong broke down in tears because she missed Sister Xueyi.

• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong traveled through the sea and Red River to reach Reed Marsh, where Xing Yan hoped to hide from the Heavenly Demon.
• Xing Yan found an abandoned thatched cottage in the marsh and made it their temporary lodging.
• Yinghuo woke up and tried to attack Xing Yan, but Tree Talismans on her ankles suppressed her Heavenly Demon Power and kept her captive.
• Yinghuo insulted Xing Yan, then fell silent when he ignored her and continued preparing the cottage.
• At night, Qiong Rong began crying and told Xing Yan that she missed Sister Xueyi.

While Xing Yan and Qiong Rong hid in Reed Marsh, Yinghuo learned more about the pair as she remained trapped by his talismans. Lingyi and Xueyi stayed imprisoned on the Demon Continent, and the chapter ended with Xing Yan returning to the hut and being shocked by Yinghuo’s disheveled state.

• Lingyi and Xueyi were moved from Flame Cages into adjoining crystal prison rooms, where Demon People treated them more courteously but kept their powers sealed with Demon Rings.
• Lingyi worried Xing Yan might return to rescue her, while Xueyi calmly accepted that he would continue his mission and wondered how Qiong Rong and Xing Yan would fare without her.
• Yinghuo awoke in Reed Marsh and discovered Qiong Rong guarding her; Qiong Rong revealed the talisman-marked roots that prevented her escape.
• Yinghuo questioned Qiong Rong about Xing Yan, and Qiong Rong shared how much her brother cared for her and Sister Xueyi.
• Xing Yan returned soaked with food for Qiong Rong, then brought Yinghuo into the hut, where he froze after seeing her clothes disarrayed.

Xing Yan learned that Yinghuo had caused the conflict over a petty grudge and nearly killed her in anger, but Qiong Rong stopped him. He made Yinghuo work in the hut, then left to find a place for the prisoner exchange with the Devil Race, due in two days.

• Yinghuo told Xing Yan that she had arranged the Dragon Horse theft and his capture simply because she felt like it.
• Xing Yan drew his sword in fury, but Qiong Rong stopped him before he could harm Yinghuo.
• Xing Yan removed one of Yinghuo's talismans and ordered her to do chores, which she struggled through with Qiong Rong's help.
• Xing Yan put Yinghuo to sleep for the night, and she woke the next morning feeling strangely lost when he had already left.
• Xing Yan raced across the sea to find a suitable site for the prisoner exchange with the Devil Race.

Xing Yan found a hidden ocean current to use for the hostage exchange, then discovered Yinghuo was sick with water miasma and took her to a wetland where he caught medicinal fish. After treating Yinghuo and settling in for the night, he remained unaware that forces were mobilizing across the rivers, lakes, and seas.

• Xing Yan rejected the nearby islands as exchange sites, discovered a warm underwater current, and decided it could provide a hidden route for the hostage exchange.
• Xing Yan returned to the hut and found Yinghuo gravely ill with water miasma poisoning.
• Xing Yan carried Yinghuo and Qiong Rong to a grassy wetland, where he fished for crucian carp said to cure the illness.
• Yinghuo recovered enough to talk with Qiong Rong, who defended Xing Yan and explained that he would rescue his friends the same way.
• Xing Yan cooked medicinal fish pancakes, then applied foul-smelling herbal paste to Yinghuo's face as she struggled and fainted.
• Xing Yan went to sleep, unaware that troops and commanders were mobilizing across the rivers, lakes, and seas.

After Xing Yan cured Yinghuo’s Water Miasma Poison, he kept her captive before the hostage exchange while Qiong Rong and he spent a quiet evening together. He bound Yinghuo with a starry spell, but by dawn she was awake beside him, with her hand resting over his.

• Xing Yan asked the recovered Yinghuo to walk so he could confirm she was back to normal, then continued treating her face with herbs.
• Yinghuo watched the sunset clouds with Qiong Rong and later remained strangely docile as Xing Yan restrained her before supper.
• Xing Yan and Qiong Rong sat in the banyan tree, where he told her he was trying to temper Yinghuo’s arrogance and believed she could become a worthy person.
• After Qiong Rong went to bed, Xing Yan cast a starry spell around Yinghuo to prevent her escape before the hostage exchange.
• At dawn, Xing Yan woke with his hand resting on Yinghuo, whose hand lay over his as she watched him with bright eyes.

On the fifth day of their agreement, Xing Yan prepared to return Yinghuo in exchange for Lingyi and Xueyi, while their journey and the Devil Race’s preparations brought both sides toward a carefully arranged meeting. Xueyi mistakenly believed Xing Yan had come to rescue her and resolved to take her own life if the Devil Race attacked him.

• Xing Yan woke to find Yinghuo playfully holding his hand, then apologized to her and prepared to return her when their five-day agreement ended.
• Qiong Rong supervised Yinghuo’s washing, and Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Yinghuo ate breakfast together before Xing Yan rendered Yinghuo unconscious and carried her away.
• Xing Yan traveled with Qiong Rong to the Subsurface Current, checked that no Devil Race members were nearby, and sent a message naming a bell-shaped island fourteen hundred li south-southeast of Liling Isle.
• Elder Xiongli took Lingyi and Xueyi from the island’s crystal prison and led Huang Wan and other capable subordinates to the meeting place.
• Lingyi worried that Xing Yan might be walking into a trap, while Xueyi believed he had come for her and resolved to die if the Devil Race moved against him.

Xing Yan completed the prisoner exchange and escaped with Lingyi, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong, while Yinghuo unexpectedly declared that she liked him. After reaching the Yangtze Estuary, Xing Yan prepared to leave Lingyi, but a furious figure appeared and called him a rascal.

• Xiong Li found Xing Yan offshore, and the two agreed to exchange Lingyi and Xueyi for Yinghuo.
• Xing Yan released Yinghuo as Lingyi and Xueyi reached him, and Yinghuo teased him before confessing that she liked him.
• Xing Yan led Lingyi, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong away through the water while the Demon Continent's forces learned that Dragon Clan troops had raided Li Ling.
• Yinghuo returned to Li Ling and destroyed reefs and rocky peaks with her demon power.
• At the Yangtze Estuary, Lingyi scolded Xing Yan for risking himself, then thanked him and said he need not escort her farther.
• As Xing Yan prepared to leave, someone strode across the water and shouted at him for causing trouble and trying to run away.

Xing Yan reunited with the Lord of the Clouds, who explained the history of Gaoyao’s sealing and gave Xing Yan a clue about the missing Water Spirit. Xing Yan set off with Xueyi and Qiong Rong toward Yulin Commandery to investigate a village where the Spirit might be hiding.

• The Lord of the Clouds arrived and teased Xing Yan and Lingyi before inviting them to drink at a riverside wine shed.
• The Lord of the Clouds revealed that Xing Yan’s stolen black armor had sealed Gaoyao, while Yinghuo visited Gaoyao in the Demon Domain and heard how Gaoyao had fallen in love with the dragon prince who sealed her.
• The Lord of the Clouds and Gaoyao recounted their opposing memories of the Demon-Punitive War and Gaoyao’s three days as the dragon’s armor.
• The Lord of the Clouds told Xing Yan that a strangely prosperous village lay within four hundred li of Yulin Commandery and advised him to watch for someone who seemed to be what they were not.
• Xing Yan departed with Xueyi and Qiong Rong, heading toward Yulin Commandery to search for the Water Spirit.

Xing Yan traveled with Xueyi and Qiong Rong to Yangzhou, where they enjoyed the city and its lake before continuing their search for the missing water spirit. Their journey was interrupted when a divine general invited Xing Yan to watch Lord Meng of the South Sea review the All-Seas Dragon Army.

• Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong visited Yangzhou, worshipped at the Child-Giving Goddess Temple, and marveled at the city’s busy markets and costly cricket championship.
• Xing Yan treated the girls to dinner at the Fragrant Drunkard Tower, hired singers, and later drifted across Slender West Lake while playing his flute as Xueyi rowed.
• After several days in Yangzhou, Xing Yan reminded Qiong Rong that they only needed to locate the water spirit’s hiding place before reporting back to Shangqing Palace.
• As Xing Yan prepared to stop for the night, a fierce wind revealed a tower ship, and golden-armored warriors invited him on behalf of Lord Meng of the South Sea to watch the All-Seas Dragon Army review at sunrise.

Xing Yan attended the South Sea military review at Meng Zhang’s invitation, only to learn that the Water Marquis wanted him to give up Lingyi. Xing Yan left without answering, and Meng Zhang concluded that he was a proud rival who would not easily withdraw.

• Meng Zhang welcomed Xing Yan and brought him to watch the South Sea Dragon Army’s grand military exercises.
• After the review, Meng Zhang told Xing Yan that Lingyi should be with him, praising his own divine status and insisting that a mortal could not be her proper match.
• Xing Yan thanked Meng Zhang, said he would consider his words, and departed with Xueyi and Qiong Rong by water escape.
• Dragon Lingzi told Meng Zhang that Xing Yan would likely recognize the difficulty and back away.
• Meng Zhang rejected that assessment, declaring that Xing Yan was a proud man like himself.

After hearing Meng Zhang’s blunt words, Xing Yan continued his search for the missing Water Essence and followed rumors to Emerald Li Village. The village chief admitted Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong on the condition that they join a group wedding ceremony the day after tomorrow.

• Xing Yan struggled with Meng Zhang’s words, then regained his composure and traveled with Xueyi and Qiong Rong to Yulin Commandery to seek villages with newly abundant water.
• Xing Yan learned that Fire Li Village had become the scenic Emerald Li Village and hurried there despite rumors that its people killed unmarried couples.
• Xing Yan startled a young gentleman and his maid while they hid by the road, then learned that Emerald Li Village forbade unmarried men and women from being alone together.
• Xing Yan told the village guards that Xueyi was his betrothed, and Qiong Rong called herself his child bride, convincing the guards to lower their weapons.
• The clan chief allowed Xing Yan, Xueyi, and Qiong Rong to enter Emerald Li Village but required them to join the wedding bows of village couples the day after tomorrow.