Chapter Summaries

Hun Changqing told Medusa to leave him and return to the Snake-People Tribe, and she reacted with anger and hurt. After failing to damage his flower bud, Medusa left the mountain and confronted Hai Bodong.

• Hun Changqing decided he would send Medusa back to the Snake-People Tribe rather than keep her beside him, and told her they would never see each other again.
• Medusa panicked at his cold farewell but stubbornly agreed to leave.
• Hun Changqing opened the flower bud and sent Medusa outside before closing it again.
• Medusa attacked the flower bud with her full Five-Star Dou Zong strength, but it remained undamaged.
• Medusa covered herself with a purple robe, cursed Hun Changqing, and left the mountain.
• Medusa found Hai Bodong boasting about seeking revenge against her and appeared before him with her Five-Star Dou Zong aura unleashed.

Hai Bodong avoided Medusa’s wrath by praising Hun Changqing and urging her to reconcile with him, then resumed cultivating after she left. Meanwhile, the Shennong Mountain Range was devastated by golden flames, and Old Man Shennong faced three figures while badly injured.

• Medusa confronted Hai Bodong after he broke through to Dou Zong, but he claimed to be Hun Changqing’s follower and called her his lady.
• Hai Bodong praised Hun Changqing and advised Medusa to talk things through with him, briefly softening her anger before it flared again.
• Medusa left without attacking Hai Bodong, who remembered Hun Changqing’s meaningful look and sat down to continue cultivating.
• In the Central Plains, golden flames ravaged the Shennong Mountain Range, destroying its plants, beasts, and landscape.
• The injured Old Man Shennong knelt in midair and stared with hatred at a goateed old man, a beautiful middle-aged woman, and a middle-aged man in white robes.

Gu Yuan killed Old Man Shennong and took his Life Spirit Flame to send to Xun'er in the Black-Corner Region. There, a red-dressed woman known as the Ancient Flame Old Demon hunted down survivors after slaughtering the Ancient Flame Sect, and the chapter ended as she confronted fleeing disciples.

• Old Man Shennong tried to self-destruct rather than surrender the Life Spirit Flame, but Gu Yuan pierced him and forcibly extracted it.
• Gu Yuan killed Old Man Shennong, sealed the Life Spirit Flame in a Spirit-Receiving Stone, and gave it to Gu Juan to take to Xun'er.
• Gu Yuan and his companions left the devastated Shennong Mountain Range.
• In the Black-Corner Region, fleeing disciples ran across a blood-soaked battlefield after the Ancient Flame Old Demon killed the Ancient Flame Sect's sect master.
• The Ancient Flame Old Demon appeared before the fleeing disciples, who begged for their lives and promised to leave the Black-Corner Region.

Gu Xun'er’s relentless slaughter in the Black-Corner Region turned her into a powerful Dou Huang and the feared leader of the Ancient Flame Sect, earning her the name Ancient Flame Old Demon. After a bloody rampage, Gu Juan arrived and struggled to decide how to address her.

• Gu Xun'er spent months slaughtering factions in the Black-Corner Region, rising from Da Dou Shi to Dou Huang after refining two Heavenly Flames.
• She tortured the Dou Ling and Dou Wang who had attacked her, then began exterminating stronger sects while imagining Hun Changqing to suppress her growing bloodlust.
• Gu Xun'er founded the Ancient Flame Sect to learn when Hun Changqing reached the region, and her faction expanded by seizing territory.
• After Gu Xun'er killed three Dou Emperors and was rescued while near death, she recovered and killed the survivors, earning a place among the Black-Corner Region’s top ten on the Black List as Ancient Flame Old Demon.
• Gu Juan appeared before Gu Xun'er, then hesitated over whether to address her as Great-Grandaunt, Xun'er, or Young Patriarch.

Gu Xun'er learned that Hun Changqing had left the Soul Clan under a false identity and discovered that Hun Feng had severely injured him. After receiving the Life Spirit Flame, she set out with Gu Juan to refine it and turned her anger toward Hun Feng.

• Gu Juan gave Gu Xun'er the fifth-ranked Life Spirit Flame and reported that no Soul Palace member matched the person Xun'er was seeking.
• Gu Juan revealed that Hun Changqing, a water-method cultivator who left the Soul Clan two years earlier, fit most of Xun'er's clues.
• Gu Xun'er identified Hun Changqing as the man she sought and imagined bringing him back to the Gu Clan.
• Gu Juan explained that Hun Changqing had been badly injured and lost parts of his body after clashing with Hun Feng.
• Gu Xun'er learned that Hun Feng was likely a High-Rank Dou Zong and reacted with murderous intent.
• Gu Xun'er left with Gu Juan to refine the Life Spirit Flame.

Xiao Yan arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect to fulfill the three-year agreement and fight Nalan Yanran. After quickly overpowering her, he watched her rise into the air and gather energy into her sword for another attack.

• Xiao Yan told Nalan Yanran that he had come to settle their past grievances and the humiliation of the Xiao Clan.
• Nalan Yanran said she did not regret rejecting their marriage and would make the same choice again.
• Xiao Yan charged Nalan Yanran, evaded her sword technique, and punched her in the abdomen, sending her crashing to the ground.
• The Misty Cloud Sect disciples watched in disbelief as Nalan Yanran struggled to rise, furious at her defeat.
• Nalan Yanran ascended into the air and gathered sunlight and energy around her sword until it shone like a second sun.

Xiao Yan survived Nalan Yanran’s strongest attack, revealed his identity as Yan Xiao, and overwhelmed her with his strength. When Yun Yun intervened to protect Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan summoned two peak Dou Emperors, leaving the Misty Cloud Sect square in stunned silence.

• Nalan Yanran unleashed Extreme Wind: Setting Sun Radiance, but Xiao Yan emerged unharmed in Dou Qi armor and two-colored flames.
• Nalan Yanran recognized Xiao Yan as Yan Xiao, while the onlookers realized he was the young fourth-tier alchemist.
• Xiao Yan used Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations to raise his strength to three-star Dou Ling and sent flames toward Nalan Yanran.
• Yun Yun rescued Nalan Yanran and extinguished the flames, then demanded that Xiao Yan explain his ruthless attack.
• Xiao Yan called for Senior Lu Man and Senior White Fang, whose peak Dou Emperor auras swept over the square as they appeared above the sect.

Lu Man and White Fang stopped Yun Yun from forcing Xiao Yan to answer for defeating Nalan Yanran, and Xiao Yan ended their dispute without claiming her as his servant. As they left Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan looked forward to reuniting with Xun'er and recalled how his adventures at the Heavenly Snake Mansion had strengthened him.

• Lu Man and White Fang confronted Yun Yun and used their Peak Dou Emperor auras to prevent her from detaining Xiao Yan.
• Nalan Yanran tried to kill herself rather than fulfill her promise to serve Xiao Yan, but Yun Yun knocked the sword from her hand and protected her.
• Xiao Yan forgave Nalan Yanran, ended the Three-Year Agreement, and left Misty Cloud Sect with Lu Man and White Fang.
• On White Fang's back, Xiao Yan resolved to find Xun'er in the Black-Corner Region and recalled the Heavenly Flames, training, and cave treasures he had discovered during his two years away.
• Xiao Yan remembered finding the myriad beast spirit flame, a Sixth-Tier Alchemist's notes, and the first layer of Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations in the cave dwelling.

Xiao Yan fulfilled the three-year agreement and headed toward the Black-Corner Region, eager to reunite with Gu Xun'er. Meanwhile, Queen Medusa secured territory for the Snake-People Tribe but remained tormented by thoughts of Hun Changqing and clashed with her elders.

• Xiao Yan inherited the legacy of a deceased Xiao Clan Dou Zong, refined the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, and advanced his cultivation and alchemy.
• Xiao Yan won the Imperial Capital alchemy competition as Yan Xiao, treated Nalan Jie, and declined Jia Xingtian's offer to marry one of his granddaughters.
• Xiao Yan avoided approaching Ya Fei, then defeated Nalan Yanran in their three-year agreement and set out for the Black-Corner Region with White Fang.
• Queen Medusa forced Jia Xingtian to cede several western cities to the Snake-People Tribe after finding the tribe oppressed in her absence.
• Queen Medusa's longing for Hun Changqing left her irritable, and she used her Five-Star Dou Zong aura to pin down the elders who criticized her before declaring herself the tribe's leader.
• The chief elder shouted that Medusa would regret her actions as she left.

After months of fear and longing, Medusa returned to the valley to find Hun Changqing and waited beside the flower bud containing him. As she grew impatient with his long seclusion, a terrifying aura erupted from the bud.

• Medusa blamed Hun Changqing for their separation and flew toward the valley, determined to demand an explanation.
• Medusa found Hai Bodong still by the river and secretly added Ya Fei and the two princesses to her assassination plans.
• Medusa sensed Hun Changqing inside the flower bud on the mountain peak and settled beside it to cultivate.
• Medusa spent several months cultivating near the bud, steadily advancing toward Six-Star Dou Zong while waiting for Hun Changqing to emerge.
• A terrifying aura burst from the flower bud, shaking the mountain as Medusa watched.

Hun Changqing emerged from a year of seclusion after transforming the Wood Essence into Supreme Yin Black Death Wood, unleashing a deadly black energy that destroyed the mountain and devastated the valley. He reached Nine-Star Dou Zong and reunited with Medusa and Hai Bodong.

• The black mist spread from the flower bud, forcing Medusa and Hai Bodong to withstand its deadly aura as the mountain shook.
• The flower bud emitted a soul-piercing sound, then exploded in a pillar of black light that engulfed and erased the mountain.
• The energy faded, and Hun Changqing appeared at the center of the pillar; Medusa mocked his refined appearance before black mist revealed his evil aura.
• Hun Changqing restrained his aura and reflected on how he had fused the Wood Essence's Death Qi with his Supreme Yin True Qi, creating Supreme Yin Black Death Wood.
• Hun Changqing confirmed that he had reached Nine-Star Dou Zong and gained full control of the transformed Wood Essence.

Hun Changqing discovered Medusa had returned and learned she had watched over him for three months, hurt by his apparent indifference. As Medusa tried to leave in despair, Hun Changqing stopped her and kissed her, and she kissed him back.

• Hun Changqing sensed Medusa nearby and asked why she had returned.
• Medusa berated Hun Changqing for ignoring her during the three months she had watched over him.
• Hun Changqing realized Medusa had been conflicted about her feelings and teased her, prompting her to leave in tears.
• Hun Changqing used black mist to stop Medusa from leaving, drew her into his arms, and kissed her.
• Medusa’s despair gave way to joy, and she kissed Hun Changqing back.

After several days together, Medusa decided to follow Hun Changqing and warned him not to pursue other women. As they prepared to leave, they found Hai Bodong still waiting, and he pledged to remain in Hun Changqing’s service.

• Medusa told Hun Changqing she had arranged for the Snake-People Tribe to defend itself and would accompany him instead of returning as its queen.
• Hun Changqing accepted Medusa’s decision and tried to reassure her, but she threatened to kill any woman he pursued and stormed ahead.
• Medusa called Hun Changqing to follow her, and he reluctantly went after her.
• Hun Changqing found Hai Bodong meditating by a river and asked why he had not left after being released.
• Fearing Medusa would kill him if he departed, Hai Bodong claimed he wished to remain by Hun Changqing’s side and serve him.

Hun Changqing invited Hai Bodong to join him in taking over the Black-Corner Region, then introduced Medusa and Hai Bodong to the Soul Palace and its required laugh. The chapter ended with Medusa losing patience with Hun Changqing’s repeated corrections while Hai Bodong endured the embarrassment.

• Hun Changqing decided to bring Hai Bodong to the Black-Corner Region and build a faction there, and Hai Bodong agreed to follow him.
• Hun Changqing gave Medusa and Hai Bodong black robes and told them to identify themselves as members of the Soul Palace when causing trouble.
• Hun Changqing insisted that Medusa and Hai Bodong learn the Soul Palace’s signature laugh, and Hai Bodong reluctantly performed it.
• Hun Changqing coached Medusa through several attempts at the laugh until she snapped and refused to continue.
• Hai Bodong felt deeply embarrassed by Hun Changqing’s behavior.

Han Feng gathered leaders of several Black-Corner Region factions to plan against the Ancient Flame Sect and learn about the Ancient Flame Old Demon. After hearing how quickly she had grown stronger and slaughtered their allies, the group faced the possibility that she had reached Dou Zong.

• In Maple City, the burly leader of the Blood Sect and Yuan Yi complained about the Ancient Flame Old Demon’s attacks, while Su Mei mocked Yuan Yi for nearly losing to her.
• Han Feng stopped Yuan Yi and Su Mei from fighting and said he had invited everyone to unite against the Ancient Flame Sect.
• Yuan Yi explained that the Ancient Flame Old Demon occupied strategic locations to gather intelligence and seemed to be searching for something.
• The burly Blood Sect leader recounted that the Ancient Flame Old Demon had survived a siege, recovered from grave injuries, and later killed the Dou Emperors who had attacked her.
• The burly leader said that when he and Yuan Yi confronted her again with several Dou Emperors, she killed the others and forced them to flee, leading him to suspect she had become a Dou Zong.

Han Feng learned that the Ancient Flame Old Demon might wield the Flame Mantra and resolved to gather powerful allies to kill her. Meanwhile, Hun Changqing and his companions arrived at Black Seal City, where Hai Bodong went to investigate the Black-Corner Region.

• Han Feng recognized the description of the Ancient Flame Old Demon and suspected she possessed the Flame Mantra and multiple heavenly flames.
• Han Feng decided to seek help from the Chu Yun Empire while telling the Black-Corner Region's leaders to consolidate their territories and avoid provoking the Ancient Flame Old Demon.
• Han Feng dismissed the leaders, then chose to deliver a message himself instead of sending Han Beng with a jade slip.
• Hun Changqing and his two companions arrived at Black Seal City, revealing themselves as three Dou Zong experts.
• Hun Changqing ordered Hai Bodong to investigate the city and learn what had happened in the Black-Corner Region over the past few years.

Hun Changqing learned that the Ancient Flame Sect had thrown the Black-Corner Region into turmoil and decided to attend the grand auction in Black Seal City. After forcing his way through the crowd with his aura, he was stopped by Fan Ling, who invited him inside while lustfully watching Medusa.

• Hun Changqing removed the seal on his Storage Ring after sensing signs that Yao Chen was waking.
• Hai Bodong reported that the Ancient Flame Old Demon had founded the Ancient Flame Sect and devastated many factions in the Black-Corner Region.
• Hun Changqing chose to attend the auction in Black Seal City and used his aura to make the crowd clear a path.
• Fan Ling called out to Hun Changqing and offered to enter the auction together, while keeping his gaze on Medusa.

Hun Changqing and his companions entered the auction house after Medusa killed Fan Ling and his two Dou Wang guards for threatening them. The auction house’s attendant led them to a private room, while Medusa warned her off after catching Hun Changqing admiring her.

• Fan Ling called out to Hun Changqing, and Medusa killed Fan Ling and his two Dou Wang guards with a wave of her sleeve.
• Hun Changqing led Medusa and Hai Bodong into the auction house as the crowd feared the three experts and speculated that the Blood Sect would be in danger.
• Hun Changqing and Hai Bodong admired the grandeur of the auction hall, and an attendant offered them a VIP card and a private room.
• Hun Changqing praised the attendant’s appearance, so Medusa threatened her with killing intent and took the VIP card.
• The frightened attendant guided Hun Changqing, Medusa, and Hai Bodong upstairs to the private room.

At the Black Seal City Auction, Hun Changqing ignored the early lots until the Earth Tier Low Grade Three Thousand Lightning Movement caught his attention. He explained its connection to a Heaven Tier movement technique, and Medusa asked about its price as he considered buying it.

• A maid led Hun Changqing, Medusa, and Hai Bodong to a private room before the auction began.
• Hun Changqing perked up when a beast-eared young woman was put up for auction, but Medusa's furious stare made him close his eyes and behave.
• Hai Bodong bought several treasures while Hun Changqing and Medusa showed little interest in the items.
• The auctioneer presented Three Thousand Lightning Movement, and Hun Changqing explained its speed and its connection to the Three Thousand Lightning Illusory Body.
• Medusa asked whether the technique would be expensive and began suggesting they do something about it.

Hun Changqing used his Peak Dou Zong power to force the Black Seal City Auction House to sell him Three Thousand Lightning Movement for eight million gold coins. After he obtained the scroll, the auction resumed under a new auctioneer.

• Hun Changqing predicted that Three Thousand Lightning Movement would sell for eight million gold coins, but the Shanyin Sect bid ten million.
• Hun Changqing released his aura over the auction hall and demanded the scroll for eight million gold coins, leaving the crowd and auction staff unable to resist.
• Yuan Yi, master of the Eight Gates, agreed to Hun Changqing's demand, and Hun Changqing paid before taking the scroll.
• Medusa mocked Hun Changqing's claim that he had acted with an expert's bearing, while Hai Bodong silently avoided getting involved.
• The auction house replaced the injured auctioneer and continued selling the remaining items.