Chapter Summaries

After absorbing the Fallen Heart Flame’s energy, Xiao Fan lost control and became intimate with You Ruo deep beneath the magma. A year later, Pan Gate gathered at Xiao Fan’s statue, where Hu Jia reported that Han Feng was organizing an alliance in Maple City and lamented how many of her companions had left.

• Xiao Fan and You Ruo absorbed the Fallen Heart Flame’s energy, including the malice it had accumulated during its imprisonment.
• Xiao Fan broke You Ruo’s attempt to restrain him, and You Ruo eventually relaxed her resistance as he succumbed to his frenzy.
• After an unknown time, Xiao Fan and You Ruo lay together within the black flames as their strength continued to rise.
• A year after the war began, Inner Academy students gathered for the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower’s monthly opening, and Pan Gate members paid respects to Xiao Fan’s statue.
• Hu Jia told Xiao Fan’s statue that Han Feng had gathered the invading sects in Maple City, then complained that Xun’er, Xiao Yan, Wu Hao, and Yue Yao had all left.
• Lin Yan challenged Hu Jia’s claim that she was the only one left, and Hu Jia glared at him over his antics in Pan Gate.

As the Heart Fire in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower neared collapse, Xiao Fan woke in the magma after sacrificing the Fallen Heart Flame and rose to Four-Star Dou Emperor. You Ruo joined him, and they turned back toward the surface instead of exploring deeper.

• The First Elder learned that the tower's Heart Fire could only be used about twice more, then ordered the elders and students to evacuate when the underground energy began rampaging.
• The First Elder descended toward the seal as scorching energy surged beneath the tower.
• Xiao Fan awoke in the crimson space beside You Ruo, suggested they repeat their intimate encounter, and was blasted away by her energy.
• Xiao Fan checked his system panel, claimed the completed sacrifice quest, and advanced from Two-Star to Four-Star Dou Emperor.
• You Ruo questioned Xiao Fan's strength, then told him to focus on escaping, and he chose to turn back from the depths of the magma.

Xiao Fan and You Ruo broke the seal beneath the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower and emerged as magma erupted through the Inner Academy. Xiao Fan stopped the eruption from destroying the students, and Hu Jia welcomed him back.

• You Ruo found the seal too sturdy to break by force, so Xiao Fan used a chaos flame seed to corrode it.
• Xiao Fan and You Ruo broke the seal, unleashing a torrent of magma that surged toward the tower’s summit.
• The First Elder failed to stop the magma from bursting out of the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower and raining down on the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Fan froze the falling magma and sent it back into the tower, while the students saw him and You Ruo hovering in the air.
• Hu Jia recognized Xiao Fan and welcomed him back.

Xiao Fan returned to the Inner Academy and revealed his overwhelming strength by defeating Lin Yan in a single blow. The First Elder welcomed him and thanked You Ruo for protecting the academy a year earlier, while Xiao Fan introduced her as his girlfriend.

• Xiao Fan returned to the plaza after forcing the magma underground and reunited with Hu Jia and Lin Yan among the Pan Gate students.
• The First Elder greeted Xiao Fan and suggested he spar with Lin Yan, who eagerly accepted.
• Xiao Fan struck Lin Yan down in one move, and Lin Yan recognized that Xiao Fan had reached Dou Emperor.
• The First Elder sent the students to cultivate in the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower and took Xiao Fan and his companions to a quiet office.
• Xiao Fan introduced You Ruo as his girlfriend, and the First Elder thanked her for helping protect the Inner Academy a year earlier.

Xiao Fan learned that the Inner Academy had spent the past year fighting the Black-Corner Region’s factions while he was trapped in the Fallen Heart Flame. After he revealed that he had devoured the flame, the First Elder arranged for him to supply a weaker substitute for the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower and sent him back to Pan Gate.

• The First Elder told Xiao Fan that the Inner Academy had fought the invading factions for a year and had defeated most of them.
• The First Elder explained that Xiao Yan, Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and other strong students had gone to the Black-Corner Region, where Han Feng was trying to unite the remaining factions against the Inner Academy.
• Xiao Fan told the First Elder that he had devoured the Fallen Heart Flame and that the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower could no longer accelerate cultivation as before.
• The First Elder gave Xiao Fan a container for heavenly flames, and Xiao Fan filled it with his Chaos Flame transformed to resemble the Fallen Heart Flame.
• The First Elder accepted the container and told Xiao Fan to return to Pan Gate, so Xiao Fan left with You Ruo.

Xiao Fan reunited with Hu Jia and Lin Yan at Pan Gate and learned that Yue Yao had returned to her family, leaving him a mysterious moon-shaped jade pendant. After hearing about Pan Gate’s situation and the upheaval in the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Fan decided to go there and deal with Han Feng.

• Xiao Fan returned to Pan Gate, where Lin Yan marveled at his rise to Dou Emperor and Xiao Fan explained how he had survived and grown stronger.
• Hu Jia told Xiao Fan that Yue Yao was not in the Black-Corner Region but had gone home, then gave him the moon-shaped jade pendant Yue Yao had left behind.
• Xiao Fan wondered about Yue Yao’s family and resolved to ask Han Yue about her destination when he had the chance.
• Hu Jia updated Xiao Fan on Pan Gate’s development and explained that many of its members were alternating between the Inner Academy and the Black-Corner Region.
• Xiao Fan decided to head to the Black-Corner Region and eliminate Han Feng as soon as possible.

Xiao Fan left the Inner Academy with You Ruo and Zi Yan and crossed the mountain range toward the Black-Corner Region, where Zi Yan led them to confront magical beasts that had wronged her. You Ruo continued to indulge Zi Yan and gave Xiao Fan a kiss before vanishing ahead, leaving him eager to follow.

• Xiao Fan used the First Elder’s authorization token to leave the Inner Academy with You Ruo and Zi Yan, who had insisted on accompanying them to the Black-Corner Region.
• Xiao Fan struck a Windshadow Wolf away, and Zi Yan scolded it for stealing her coldwind grass before taking medicinal ingredients from it.
• Zi Yan told You Ruo that an Earthshell Dragon had once taken a wuliu fruit from her, then hurried off to get revenge.
• Xiao Fan complained that You Ruo spoiled Zi Yan and acted as her enforcer against magical beasts.
• You Ruo kissed Xiao Fan’s cheek, vanished to join Zi Yan, and left Xiao Fan declaring that he loved helping others.

Xiao Fan traveled toward Chuangu City with You Ruo and Zi Yan, while the Deathless Gate he had established there faced growing pressure from the Eight Gates and the Earth Flame Sect. After reports warned that Xinlai City and Zhong Sai City were preparing to attack, Xiao Yan and the Gate’s leaders weighed the danger of provoking the factions behind them.

• Xiao Fan led You Ruo and Zi Yan toward Chuangu City after they collected medicinal ingredients from magical beasts in the mountain range.
• The Deathless Gate gained influence in Chuangu City by offering independent cultivators missions and rewards, while rival factions’ experts disappeared.
• Lin Xiuya reported that Xinlai City and Zhong Sai City were preparing to move against the Deathless Gate.
• Liu Qing and other Inner Academy members called for fighting the two cities, but Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing worried about provoking the Eight Gates and the Earth Flame Sect.
• Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing looked to Xiao Yan for guidance.

Xiao Yan planned to destroy Xinlai City and Zhong Sai City’s forces before the Earth Flame Sect and the Eight Gates learned of his campaign. Meanwhile, Xiao Fan, You Ruo, and Zi Yan arrived in Xinlai City, where Xiao Fan protected his companions and encouraged You Ruo to enjoy a meal.

• Xiao Yan declared that his forces would ensure no one returned if Xinlai City and Zhong Sai City attacked.
• Lin Xiuya warned that the Earth Flame Sect and the Eight Gates might notice the fighting, but Xiao Yan said they had no attention to spare and would not discover the outcome for at least half a month.
• Xiao Fan, You Ruo, and Zi Yan reached Xinlai City and stopped at an inn to eat before continuing toward Chuangu City.
• Xiao Fan’s aura frightened away the locals who had been staring greedily at You Ruo and Zi Yan, and the innkeeper arranged a luxurious private room for them.
• Xiao Fan urged You Ruo to eat and enjoy life as well as cultivation, and she began to relax over the meal.

Xiao Fan overheard that the Earth Flame Sect planned to destroy the Deathless Gate in Chuangu City, where he suspected the Inner Academy group had settled. He decided to wait in Xinlai City for the Earth Flame Sect to act so he could surprise them.

• A spy reported to his master that Xiao Fan and two veiled women had entered Xinlai City, and the master ordered the spy to keep monitoring the city.
• Xiao Fan listened as Rogue Cultivators discussed the Deathless Gate’s rewards for those who completed its missions.
• An Earth Flame Sect disciple claimed the sect would soon destroy the Deathless Gate, provoking the Rogue Cultivators’ interest in the impending conflict.
• Xiao Fan guessed that the Inner Academy group had settled at the Deathless Gate and decided to wait in Xinlai City for the Earth Flame Sect to make its move.

Xiao Fan stayed in Xinlai City with You Ruo and Zi Yan while secretly monitoring the Earth Flame Sect's plans. He learned that the sect and the Eight Gates would attack the Deathless Gate in Chuangu City the next day, with more reinforcements arriving from headquarters.

• Xiao Fan booked two rooms in Xinlai City and stayed there with You Ruo and Zi Yan for three days.
• Zi Yan and You Ruo used their abilities to secretly plunder rare medicinal ingredients around the city.
• Xiao Fan infiltrated the Earth Flame Sect's branch and kept track of its preparations without being detected.
• Xiao Fan overheard Ku Lai tell the Earth Flame Sect's leaders that they would join the Eight Gates to attack the Deathless Gate and compete for control of Chuangu City.
• Ku Lai said an elder from headquarters would arrive the next day, and Xiao Fan realized the attack was imminent.

Xiao Fan and his companions traveled to Chuangu City as the Earth Flame Sect and the Eight Gates moved to attack the Deathless Gate. Xiao Yan and the Deathless Gate faced the two forces outside the city, whose leaders prepared to begin the battle.

• Zi Yan and You Ruo hid what they had been doing from Xiao Fan, who told them they would head to Chuangu City the next day.
• The Earth Flame Sect's disciples left Xinlai City, prompting Rogue Cultivators to gather near the sect's lightly guarded branch.
• Xiao Fan traveled to Chuangu City with You Ruo and Zi Yan to see what the Earth Flame Sect could do.
• Xiao Yan sensed the approaching forces and led Lin Xiuya and the others to the city wall to meet them.
• Ku Lai and Bei Hai confronted the masked Xiao Yan and agreed to let their forces attack the Deathless Gate.

Xiao Yan and the Deathless Gate faced eight Dou Wang experts from the Eight Gates and the Earth Flame Sect, leaving them outnumbered. Xiao Fan arrived and severely injured Ku Lai in one move, leaving the enemy’s remaining fighters afraid to act.

• Xiao Yan arranged for Elder Qian, Elder Han, Lin Xiuya, and Liu Qing to hold off the enemy Dou Wangs while he dealt with Bei Hai.
• Xiao Fan arrived with Hu Jia and another companion, answering Xiao Yan’s call for help.
• Ku Lai warned Xiao Fan not to interfere, but Xiao Fan ignored him and appeared beside him with astonishing speed.
• Xiao Fan struck Ku Lai once, sending the Three-Star Dou Wang crashing into a crater and leaving the seven remaining Dou Wangs terrified.

Xiao Fan arrived to support the Deathless Gate and revealed his Dou Emperor strength, overwhelming the Earth Flame Sect and Eight Gates forces. He began forcing their elders to submit, and after two tried to resist, he killed them while the rest watched in fear.

• Xiao Fan severely injured Ku Lai with one strike and released his Dou Emperor aura, shocking Bei Hai, the surrounding elders, Xiao Yan, Lin Xiuya, and Liu Qing.
• Xiao Fan warned the remaining elders not to resist, and Bei Hai signaled for his group to stand down while the Earth Flame Sect elders blamed the unconscious Ku Lai.
• Xiao Fan marked the Dou Wang elders with black flames and enclosed them in a barrier before demanding their submission or death.
• When an elder threatened retaliation from the Eight Gates, Xiao Fan burned him and another man to ash, frightening the remaining elders.
• Two Earth Flame Sect elders attacked and urged everyone to fight together or die.

Xiao Fan forced Bei Hai, Ku Lai, and several other Dou Wangs to submit by planting Chaos Flame Seeds in them, then killed two Earth Flame Sect elders who would not have been reliable. He ordered the survivors to return to their sects and lie low before leaving for Chuangu City, where Zi Yan and You Ruo had joined Xiao Yan and the others.

• Xiao Fan defeated the two elders who attacked him, and the remaining men agreed to obey him.
• Xiao Fan gave four men Black Flame Seeds as a means of controlling them, and Bei Hai and the last hesitant elder eventually accepted.
• Ku Lai also submitted to Xiao Fan and warned that two Earth Flame Sect elders would report the events to their sect.
• Xiao Fan burned the two Earth Flame Sect elders to ashes and told the survivors to return to their sects, lie low, and wait for his instructions.
• Ku Lai gave the survivors a cover story about buying their lives, after which Xiao Fan dismissed the Energy Barrier and left for Chuangu City.

Xiao Fan reunited with Xiao Yan and Yao Lao, explained how he survived the Fallen Heart Flame, and revealed his Chaos Flame. He strengthened the Inner Academy’s position against the Earth Flame Sect and the Eight Gates, and the group began preparing to disrupt their alliance with Han Feng.

• Xiao Yan embraced Xiao Fan outside the Deathless Gate’s main hall, and Xiao Fan invited him inside to talk privately.
• Xiao Fan told Yao Lao and Xiao Yan that his constitution and innate Chaos Flame had helped him escape the Fallen Heart Flame, which he had devoured.
• Yao Lao and Xiao Yan accepted Xiao Fan’s explanation and reassured him that his safety mattered more than claiming the Fallen Heart Flame for Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Fan told Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and the others that he had killed three Dou Wang experts and taken control of five elders from the Earth Flame Sect and the Eight Gates.
• Xiao Fan revealed his hidden pawns and involvement as the group planned to sabotage the alliance Han Feng was trying to form.
• The group settled on battle plans and left to alert the Inner Academy’s students and prepare for the coming conflict.

Han Feng gathered Black-Corner Region leaders in Maple City to form an alliance against Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy. The leaders agreed that unity was necessary to withstand the Inner Academy’s retaliation, and Han Feng proposed mutual defense as the alliance’s sole purpose.

• Han Feng entered the gathering late, and the Old Poison Fiend mocked his delay and exposed the leaders’ distrust of him.
• Yuan Yi, leader of the Eight Gates, intervened to calm the dispute and redirect the meeting to its purpose.
• Han Feng explained that factions with conflicts against Jia Nan Academy had been targeted over the past year, with some smaller sects destroyed.
• Han Feng proposed that the gathered factions form an alliance solely to oppose the Inner Academy and aid any member faction it attacked.

Han Feng secured the Black-Corner Region factions’ support for an alliance against Jia Nan Academy by revealing powerful allies and arranging private backing from Yuan Yi and Yan. He became alliance leader and turned his attention to the remaining heavenly flame possessed by Xiao Yan.

• Han Feng reassured the gathered faction leaders that the Gold and Silver Elders could help oppose Su Qian, then revealed that the Spotted Emperor had also joined his cause.
• Yuan Yi and Yan agreed to form the alliance, prompting the smaller factions to join as well.
• Yuan Yi nominated Han Feng as alliance leader, and Yan supported the nomination, revealing their private agreement with him.
• Han Feng reflected on the rewards he had promised Yuan Yi, Yan, the Gold and Silver Elders, and the Spotted Emperor to secure their support.
• Han Feng focused on the Inner Academy and the green lotus core flame Xiao Yan possessed, while wondering why Xiao Yan seemed familiar to him.

Xiao Fan left Xiao Yan and Zi Yan to seek help from Su Mei of the Rakshasa Gate, bringing You Ruo with him to Rakshasa City. He found Su Mei absent from her headquarters and waited for her to return.

• Xiao Fan persuaded Zi Yan to stay with Xiao Yan, then left with You Ruo to find helpers for the conflict with Han Feng.
• Xiao Fan and You Ruo reached Rakshasa City, where they learned Su Mei had been seen three days earlier but was not at the Rakshasa Gate headquarters.
• Xiao Fan decided to wait in an inn for Su Mei to return while You Ruo rested in their room.
• Xiao Fan observed Rakshasa City's orderly streets and reflected on how Su Mei's strength and governance kept the city stable.

Xiao Fan and You Ruo met Su Mei at the Rakshasa Gate, where Xiao Fan asked her about the Inner Academy and Han Feng's group. Su Mei recognized their overwhelming strength and began to wonder which side Xiao Fan supported in the conflict.

• Xiao Fan and You Ruo sensed Su Mei's return and went to meet her at the Rakshasa Gate.
• Su Mei entered her room and tried to charm Xiao Fan, but he remained unmoved.
• You Ruo appeared behind Su Mei and revealed her Dou Zong strength, frightening the Rakshasa Gate leader.
• Xiao Fan displayed his Four-Star Dou Emperor aura and asked Su Mei what she thought of the Inner Academy and Han Feng's group.
• Su Mei connected Xiao Fan's question to the conflict between Jia Nan Academy and the Earth Flame Sect, Blood Sect, and their allies, and wondered which side he favored.