Chapter Summaries

Hun Changqing persuaded Yao Chen to let go of his guilt toward Xiao Yan and decided to take Xiao Yan as his adopted younger brother. After healing Yao Chen and beginning to train with him, Hun Changqing was interrupted by Yao Chen, who turned serious to raise an important matter.

• Hun Changqing reassured Yao Chen that he could repay Xiao Yan with pills and techniques, and Yao Chen stopped blaming himself for absorbing Xiao Yan's Dou Qi.
• Hun Changqing announced that he would take Xiao Yan as his adopted younger brother, and Yao Chen welcomed the idea.
• Hun Changqing used Three-Light Divine Water to heal most of Yao Chen's soul injuries, then gave him cultivation materials and asked him to prepare pills and training plans.
• Yao Chen teased Hun Changqing about his severed arm and repeatedly called him Little Changqing while Hun Changqing studied a Water Attribute Dou Technique.
• Yao Chen returned to Hun Changqing and, after joking about ghosts, solemnly said he wanted to discuss business.

Yao Chen told Hun Changqing about the Flame Mantra, a Yellow Tier Low Grade cultivation method that could evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames, but Hun Changqing's water and wood attributes made it unusable for him. Hun Changqing appreciated Yao Chen's generosity and privately resolved to spare him if they ever became enemies, while aspiring to reach the Great Thousand World with him.

• Yao Chen asked Hun Changqing about his Dou Qi attributes and learned he had water and wood attributes.
• Yao Chen revealed that the Flame Mantra could evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames, but required Fire Attribute Dou Qi.
• Hun Changqing said he did not regret being unable to use the Flame Mantra because his current cultivation method suited him.
• Yao Chen set aside his regret and walked toward the alchemy furnace.
• Hun Changqing felt warmth toward Yao Chen and vowed to spare his life if they were ever forced to fight, then envisioned bringing him to the Great Thousand World.

Hun Changqing searched the Magical Beast Mountain Range for Xiao Yan’s cave dwelling and the Amethyst Winged Lion King, hoping to take its treasures and beast flame. After provoking the mountain’s magical beasts, he killed the Amethyst Winged Lion King and headed for its cave.

• Hun Changqing searched the cliffs for Xiao Yan’s cave dwelling but found nothing.
• Hun Changqing swept through the mountain range and unleashed his peak Dou Emperor aura to draw out the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
• The Amethyst Winged Lion King emerged after hiding from Hun Changqing, then attacked him with its Purple Crystal Flame Cannon.
• Hun Changqing’s water swords obliterated the Amethyst Winged Lion King’s attack and killed it.
• Hun Changqing stored the beast flame and corpse, then walked toward the Amethyst Winged Lion King’s cave dwelling.

Hun Changqing looted the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave, spared its cub and took it along while gathering more magical beast resources. Returning to Wutan City, he witnessed Xiao Yan reject Jia Lie Ao's costly necklace in favor of Xiao Yan's cheap gift to Xun'er.

• Hun Changqing found the Amethyst Winged Lion King cub in its father's cave, fed it some meat and decided to raise it.
• Hun Changqing spent two more days hunting Fifth-Order and Fourth-Order Magical Beasts before heading back to Wutan City.
• Hun Changqing passed the Xiao Family Market and saw Xiao Yan and Xun'er arguing with Jia Lie Ao over necklaces.
• Xiao Yan offered Xun'er a cheap blue necklace while Jia Lie Ao presented her with an expensive one, but Xun'er eagerly chose Xiao Yan's gift.
• Xiao Yan told Jia Lie Ao to stop pursuing Xun'er and warned her to stay away from him.

Hun Changqing secretly drove Jia Lie Ao into attacking Xiao Yan, prompting Gu Xun'er to kill Jia Lie Ao with the Emperor Seal Art. The chapter ended with Hun Changqing watching Gu Xun'er support the wounded Xiao Yan and deciding to exploit her devotion.

• Xiao Yan confronted Jia Lie Ao in the Xiao Clan market, and the Xiao Family guards surrounded Jia Lie Ao and his men.
• Hun Changqing secretly used Dou Qi and soul power to intensify Jia Lie Ao's anger and damage his meridians.
• Jia Lie Ao struck Xiao Yan from behind with Gale Fist, sending him crashing into a stone wall.
• Gu Xun'er used the Emperor Seal Art to crush Jia Lie Ao into a mist of blood.
• Hun Changqing watched Gu Xun'er help Xiao Yan leave and resolved to use her love for him.

Hun Changqing’s attempt to advance to Dou Zong through a pill failed when Yao Chen’s refinement exploded, though Hun absorbed most of its medicinal efficacy. After reassuring Yao Chen and giving him another set of materials to try, Hun Changqing resolved to pursue his risky plan involving Gu Xun’er through brute force.

• Hun Changqing watched Yao Chen refine a difficult Seventh-Order pill, hoping it would help him break through to Dou Zong.
• The pill trembled and burst apart, scattering frigid yin Qi through the secret chamber.
• Hun Changqing protected Yao Chen and absorbed the scattered yin Qi, but the failed pill only brought him slightly closer to Dou Zong.
• Hun Changqing comforted the ashamed Yao Chen and showed him the Spirit-Receiving Stone, Beast Flame, and Companion Amethyst Source he had obtained.
• Hun Changqing gave Yao Chen the remaining pill materials, then decided to carry out his risky plan against Gu Xun’er using brute force.

Hun Changqing devised the idea for a Mirror Flower, Water Moon technique to conceal Gu Xun’er’s disappearance from Ling Ying, then returned to his secret chamber to test it. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan continued punishing himself with intense training a month after his injury, until someone called out to him.

• Hun Changqing reasoned that he needed to deceive Ling Ying to keep the Gu Clan from discovering Gu Xun’er’s disappearance.
• Hun Changqing conceived a technique that used Three-Light Divine Water and Monadic Heavy Water to invade Ling Ying’s soul and make him perceive Gu Xun’er as present.
• Hun Changqing rushed back into the secret chamber to experiment with his Mirror Flower, Water Moon idea.
• Xiao Yan trained alone in the Xiao Clan back mountain, striking a boulder with his bare fists despite his hands bleeding.
• Xiao Yan stopped punching when he heard someone call, “Brother Xiao Yan...”

Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er discovered the Flame Mantra, a cultivation method that could evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames, on the boulder Xiao Yan had been striking. After Gu Xun'er destroyed the inscription to keep the method secret, Xiao Yan prepared to pursue its power with her support.

• Xiao Yan thanked Gu Xun'er for standing by him and promised to become powerful enough to protect her, and she pledged to support him.
• The boulder began glowing and revealed the Flame Mantra, which Yao Chen had inscribed as compensation for Xiao Yan before Hun Changqing took him away.
• Gu Xun'er suspected the method was connected to Xiao Xuan and memorized its inscription alongside Xiao Yan.
• After Xiao Yan confirmed he had memorized the method, Gu Xun'er destroyed the boulder to prevent others from learning about it.
• Gu Xun'er explained that the Flame Mantra evolved by devouring Heavenly Flames and that Xiao Yan would need to seek them out, deepening his gratitude toward her.

Hun Changqing met Xiao Yan after his breakthrough to Dou Zong and offered to become his sworn elder brother, giving him pills and Dou Techniques to aid his recovery. Xiao Yan accepted eagerly, while Hun Changqing secretly attached Supreme Yin True Qi to one of his hairs before leaving.

• Gu Xun'er encouraged Xiao Yan to trust the Flame Mantra, then left him to continue cultivating.
• Hun Changqing emerged from seclusion after perfecting an early draft of Mirror Flower, Water Moon, breaking through to Dou Zong, and regenerating his arm.
• Hun Changqing told Xiao Yan that an evil soul in his Storage Ring had drained his Dou Qi, and claimed he had saved him from being devoured.
• Hun Changqing introduced himself as Lin Changqing and proposed that Xiao Yan become his sworn younger brother instead of his disciple.
• Xiao Yan accepted Hun Changqing as his big brother, and Hun Changqing gave him a Storage Ring containing medicinal pills and Xuan-tier Dou Techniques.
• Hun Changqing told Xiao Yan to focus on recovering and training, secretly attached Supreme Yin True Qi to one of his hairs, and departed.

Hun Changqing used Mirror Flower, Water Moon to make the Xiao Clan see an illusion of Gu Xun'er, then abducted the real Gu Xun'er and took her to a secret chamber. He left her sealed and confronted her in disguise as a Soul Palace elder.

• Hun Changqing spread Monadic Heavy Water and Three-Light Divine Water over the Xiao Clan, making the clan members see a false Gu Xun'er while Ling Ying was left confused.
• Hun Changqing found Gu Xun'er, searched her for anything that could alert the Gu Clan, and carried her away.
• Hun Changqing sealed Gu Xun'er's Dou Qi and bloodline in a secret chamber and suppressed her Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame with Supreme Yin True Qi.
• Gu Xun'er woke in the chamber, realized her powers and belongings were gone, and identified the hooded Hun Changqing as a Soul Palace member.
• Hun Changqing disguised his voice and told Gu Xun'er that he had abducted her after discovering her identity and her connection to the Xiao Clan.

Hun Changqing revealed that he had planted a deadly coldness inside Xiao Yan and used Gu Xun'er's concern for him to frighten her. After she threatened him, Hun Changqing struck and humiliated her, then challenged her faith in Gu Yuan's ability to protect her.

• Gu Xun'er denied caring for Xiao Yan and claimed his recovered talent had left her with no reason to watch over him.
• Hun Changqing revealed that he had planted a hidden Supreme Yin item in Xiao Yan that could freeze and destroy his body.
• Gu Xun'er panicked and pleaded with Hun Changqing not to harm Xiao Yan, offering him anything and threatening him.
• Hun Changqing slapped Gu Xun'er and sent her crashing into the secret room's Black Mysterious Steel.
• Hun Changqing crouched over Gu Xun'er, hooked up her chin, and asked whether Gu Yuan could save her or make him afraid.

Hun Changqing threatened Gu Xun'er with Xiao Yan’s life and demanded Gu Clan resources, miraculous water, and copies of its Dou Qi techniques. Gu Xun'er agreed outwardly while planning to seek her father’s help, but Hun Changqing saw through her intentions and frightened her further.

• Hun Changqing insulted Gu Xun'er and explained that he could kill Xiao Yan without provoking the Gu Clan into war.
• Gu Xun'er became frightened for Xiao Yan and asked Hun Changqing what he wanted.
• Hun Changqing demanded Gu Clan cultivation resources, a search for water with powers like heavenly flames, and copies of the clan’s Dou Qi techniques.
• Gu Xun'er agreed but secretly planned to have Gu Yuan examine the Jade Slip and help her deal with Hun Changqing.
• Hun Changqing guessed Gu Xun'er's plan and tightened his grip on her chin, leaving her terrified of him.

Hun Changqing forced Gu Xun'er to accept that she could not recover the jade slip or use the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame against it, then threatened Xiao Yan to secure her cooperation. Gu Xun'er agreed to help but warned that her influence over the Gu Clan was limited, leaving Hun Changqing dissatisfied with her vague promise to do her best.

• Hun Changqing revealed that Gu Xun'er carried a sealed Child Flame of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame and explained how it had made her frail as a child.
• Hun Changqing released Gu Xun'er's seal enough for her to test the flame against the jade slip, and the Child Flame fled back into her body in fear of the Supreme Yin True Water Origin.
• Hun Changqing warned Gu Xun'er that he would detonate the trace of Dou Qi inside Xiao Yan if anyone tried to interfere with it.
• Gu Xun'er chose to cooperate rather than risk Xiao Yan's safety and promised to help Hun Changqing.
• Gu Xun'er explained that she could seek resources, intelligence, and Dou Techniques from the Gu Clan but could not command unlimited support, and Hun Changqing was dissatisfied with her promise to do her best.

Hun Changqing used visions of Xiao Yan’s gruesome death to frighten Gu Xun'er into promising to do everything she could to meet his demands. He then demanded additional compensation in the secret chamber, and the chapter ended with him giving in to desire and committing a grave mistake.

• Hun Changqing shattered a mirror and used its effects to overwhelm Gu Xun'er, then showed her a vision of Xiao Yan dying horribly.
• Gu Xun'er begged Hun Changqing to spare Xiao Yan and promised to try her utmost to help him.
• Hun Changqing comforted Gu Xun'er and said he believed her, then demanded additional compensation from her.
• Gu Xun'er resisted his demand but eventually agreed after Hun Changqing threatened Xiao Yan again.
• Hun Changqing lost control in the secret chamber and committed a grave mistake.

After Gu Xun'er woke in despair over losing her chastity, Hun Changqing tried to keep her alive and hide what had happened. When she repeatedly demanded death, he showed her visions of Soul Palace punishments until she broke down, asking why he would not let her die.

• Gu Xun'er lay devastated in the secret chamber and asked Hun Changqing to kill her.
• Hun Changqing promised he could conceal her lost chastity from Xiao Yan and Gu Yuan, but Gu Xun'er again demanded death.
• Hun Changqing used Mirror Flower, Water Moon to show Gu Xun'er the Blood-Devouring Cold Pool and described its horrors.
• Hun Changqing showed her the Hell Ghost Fire and other punishments, leaving Gu Xun'er terrified and on the verge of collapse.
• Gu Xun'er broke down crying and asked why Hun Changqing was treating her this way and refusing to let her die.

Hun Changqing kept Gu Xun'er imprisoned in a dark chamber and visited her regularly, while mistaking her growing dependence on his attention for a sign of instability. Gu Xun'er began clinging to his visits and concern, leaving her emotionally attached to the man she hated.

• Hun Changqing decided to keep Gu Xun'er locked away rather than risk her returning to Xiao Yan and seeking revenge.
• Over the next month, Hun Changqing visited Gu Xun'er every few days, while she shifted from angry outbursts to silence and then constant talking.
• Hun Changqing's casual question about Gu Xun'er's mood made her interpret his words as concern and eagerly anticipate his visits.
• When Hun Changqing stayed away for five days, Gu Xun'er pounded on the iron door and called for him until he returned.
• Gu Xun'er clung to Hun Changqing as he asked if she was alright, then blushed and stared at him in a daze.

Hun Changqing released Gu Xun'er after stabilizing her emotions, concealing her loss of purity, and ordering her to obtain the resources he demanded. Back at the Xiao Clan, Gu Xun'er reunited with Xiao Yan and felt disturbed by the aura she sensed on him.

• Hun Changqing bought clothes for Gu Xun'er and told her she was ready to return home.
• Hun Changqing planted an aura in Gu Xun'er to conceal her loss of purity and warned her to gather the items he had demanded or Xiao Yan would die.
• Gu Xun'er asked Hun Changqing for his name, and he gave her the false name Lin Changqing before sending her back.
• Gu Xun'er returned to the Xiao Clan and encountered Xiao Yan outside the main hall.
• Gu Xun'er sensed the Supreme Yin True Qi on Xiao Yan and felt irritated, thinking he did not deserve to carry its aura.

Gu Xun'er returned to the Xiao Clan but remained haunted by her month with Hun Changqing and confused by her feelings toward him. When she encountered him alongside Xiao Yan, she saw how close they had become and felt her jealousy and hidden violent impulses growing stronger.

• Gu Xun'er told Xiao Yan she was tired and went to rest, while Xiao Yan headed to the back mountain to cultivate.
• At the back mountain, Gu Xun'er recalled her captivity with Hun Changqing and felt despair at the thought of him dying, despite wanting to hate him.
• Xiao Yan arrived with Hun Changqing and introduced him as his sworn older brother, explaining that Hun Changqing had cured his cultivation problem and guided his training.
• Hun Changqing teased Xiao Yan about Gu Xun'er being his sweetheart, while Gu Xun'er felt bewildered by their friendship and doubted her own talent and past choices.
• As Hun Changqing trained Xiao Yan without acknowledging her, Gu Xun'er grew jealous of the Little Purple Beast and felt her buried killing intent stir.

Hun Changqing warned Gu Xun'er to focus on cultivation and stop seeking Xiao Yan, but she remained drawn to Hun Changqing whenever he appeared. The group went to an auction in Wutan City, where Xiao Yan asked to see Hun Changqing's face and heard his story about a disfiguring accident.

• Hun Changqing asked Gu Xun'er when she would return to her clan for resources, then threatened Xiao Yan's life if she tried any tricks.
• Over the next seven days, Gu Xun'er cultivated intensely but kept following Xiao Yan to the back mountain, where she watched Hun Changqing whenever he arrived.
• Xiao Yan invited Hun Changqing and Gu Xun'er to an auction in Wutan City, and Hun Changqing agreed after recalling that a beautiful auctioneer might be there.
• Xiao Yu joined Xiao Yan, Gu Xun'er, and Hun Changqing on their trip to the auction, while Xiao Yan bought gifts for Gu Xun'er.
• Xiao Yan asked Hun Changqing to remove his hood, and Hun Changqing claimed an accident had left his face hideously disfigured.
• Gu Xun'er wondered whether Hun Changqing's story was true and felt unexpected heartache at the thought of his past injury.

At the Mittel Auction House, Xiao Yan told Xiao Yu that his cultivation had recovered and asked about joining Jia Nan Academy. After Hun Changqing claimed to be a Five-Star Dou Ling, Xiao Yu urged Xiao Yan to invite him to the academy, while Gu Xun'er doubted Hun Changqing would go.

• Xiao Yan asked Xiao Yu about Jia Nan Academy’s upcoming enrollment and revealed that he had recovered his cultivation and reached Two-Star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Yan credited Hun Changqing with curing him, impressing Xiao Yu with his big brother’s supposed talent.
• Xiao Yan asked Hun Changqing about his cultivation, and Hun Changqing calmly claimed he was a Five-Star Dou Ling.
• Xiao Yu urged Xiao Yan to ask Hun Changqing to join Jia Nan Academy so he could look out for them there.
• Gu Xun'er privately dismissed the idea that Hun Changqing would attend Jia Nan Academy.