Arc 32Breakthrough and Sect Confrontation
Xiao Yan emerged from the Emperor Tribulation, fought the Four Great Clans, and escaped Ye Luotian's scheme with Leng Bingshuang's help. His journey toward the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb brought him into conflict with the Four Great Sects and into the Alchemist Alliance, before both sides agreed to swear an oath over opening the tomb in one year.
- Xiao Yan saved his wounded companions, revealed his Four-Star Dou Di cultivation, and summoned the Northern King and clones while drawing Bai Ying to his side.
- Ye Luotian used medicinal pills to infest the Four Great Clans with Withered Leaf Gu, but Xiao Yan destroyed his group's Gu with Heavenly Flames and Leng Bingshuang drove Ye Luotian away.
- Xiao Yan parted ways with Bai Ying and learned from Tian Ying that the Heavenly Severing Ancient Tomb contained the Origin Return Art.
- Xiao Yan reunited with Jin Yao in Yan City, revealed his advancement to Five-Star Dou Di, and forced Zhao Mian to flee.
- Xiao Yan traveled west, broke the Battle Martial Sect elders' Hexagram Formation, and departed after the Great Elder conceded.
- Chen Zhen, Wu Jitian, Jian Ming, and Ye Luotian confronted Xiao Yan in Shahepu and demanded the Heavenly Severing Steps.
- Han Dong intervened and recruited Xiao Yan into the Alchemist Alliance, but the four sect masters continued to demand the Heavenly Severing Steps.
- Xiao Yan threatened to destroy the Heavenly Severing Steps and offered to help open the tomb in one year, and the four sect masters agreed to swear a lightning punishment oath together with him.