Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan defeated Xiao Feng with the Mountain and River Seal, then struggled to stop the technique before it could seriously injure his opponent. The elders declared Xiao Yan the winner, while Xiao Shaojun and Xiao Siyu discussed his hidden strength and Huo Zhu's choice to follow him.

• Xiao Yan unleashed the Gu Clan's Mountain and River Seal, drawing shock from the spectators and accusations from Xiao Dingtian.
• Xiao Feng used the last of his Origin Qi to strengthen his spear, but the Mountain and River Seal overwhelmed it and left him badly injured.
• Xiao Yan found he could not control the advancing seal, then used blood and invisible energy to stop it before dispersing it.
• Xiao Mingyuan announced Xiao Yan as the winner, and Xiao Xuan caught him as he collapsed.
• Xiao Shaojun and Xiao Siyu noted that Xiao Yan had not used his flame-lotus technique and wondered why Huo Zhu had chosen to follow him.

After winning the clan gathering, Xiao Yan gained the Xiao Clan’s recognition and drew a stream of visitors. While recovering from his battle with Xiao Feng, he broke through to Mid-Stage Three-Star Yuan Zong, and Xiao Shaojun arrived with the champion’s reward and another gift.

• The Xiao Clan debated Xiao Yan’s victory for days, and elders and deacons crowded his courtyard hoping to meet him.
• Xiao Xuan and Xiao Shaojun discussed how the clan had finally acknowledged Xiao Yan, then went to see him.
• Xiao Yan recovered from the strain of using the Mountain and River Seal and broke through to Mid-Stage Three-Star Yuan Zong, wrecking the furniture with the burst of energy.
• Xiao Shaojun introduced himself as the young clan leader, congratulated Xiao Yan, and gave him thirty Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones as the champion’s reward and a gift from the clan leader.
• Xiao Shaojun presented Xiao Yan with an additional congratulatory gift: an ancient, dark-red wooden token shaped like a flame.

Xiao Shaojun gave Xiao Yan a Fire Banyan Token and explained the ruins it opened, then told him he could choose whether to accept the heir position and began describing the upcoming Clan Ritual. Lian'er interrupted with news that Bai Hua had awakened and changed again, sending Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan rushing to him.

• Xiao Shaojun gave Xiao Yan the Fire Banyan Token and explained that it was a key to the Fire Banyan Ruins, the former home of the vanished Fire Banyan Clan.
• Xiao Shaojun told Xiao Yan that winning the clan assembly made him the clan's new heir, but Xiao Yan could decline the position.
• Xiao Shaojun said the Clan Ritual would likely take place in two days and began explaining its requirements and purpose.
• Lian'er reported that Bai Hua had awakened and changed again, nearly breaking out of the formation holding him.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan rushed out to investigate Bai Hua, and Xiao Shaojun followed them.

After Bai Hua’s two Soul Origins fused, conflicting powers caused him to lose control, but he eventually recovered and collapsed. Xiao Yan explained that the conflict could return and named three possible remedies, including the rare Heaven Inquiry Pill, whose past recipients Xiao Shaojun discussed.

• Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan watched Bai Hua struggle inside the formation as Xiao Yan judged that his Soul Origins had fused successfully, despite his violent transformation.
• Xiao Yan urged the others to wait, and Bai Hua’s black Qi eventually withdrew before he collapsed and fainted.
• Xiao Yan examined Bai Hua and explained that the two fused Soul Origins carried incompatible powers that could overwhelm his consciousness again.
• Xiao Yan listed balancing the energies, sealing Bai Hua’s cultivation, or obtaining a Heaven Inquiry Pill as possible solutions.
• Xiao Shaojun explained that the Pill Tower Ancestor had given the rare pill to Ouyang Yu, Xiao Yitian, and an unidentified extraordinary woman from the Central Region’s past.

Xiao Yan learned that the Clan Ritual was meant to awaken bloodline power, then discovered he had been selected to attend. Xiao Mingyuan warned that Xiao Dingtian might interfere because he was concerned about Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan’s bloodline quality, and they set off for the ancestral shrine.

• Xiao Xuan told Xiao Yan that the Clan Ritual centered on awakening bloodline power, while the Heaven Inquiry Pill remained out of reach for now.
• Bai Hua emerged from his room, blamed himself for the trouble caused by the Creation Pill, and accepted Xiao Yan’s reassurance and help.
• Half a month passed peacefully, and Xiao Zhuobin returned from seclusion as a five-star Yuan Zong.
• Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin told Xiao Yan that the Clan Ritual participant list was ready and invited him to the ancestral shrine.
• Xiao Mingyuan warned Xiao Yan that Xiao Dingtian might interfere because of concerns about Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan’s bloodline quality.
• Xiao Yan agreed to go to the ancestral shrine with the others.

Xiao Yan arrived at the Xiao Clan’s ancestral shrine for the clan rites and clashed spiritually with Xiao Siyu. The Sixth Elder, Xiao Yuehua, reprimanded them and set a tense tone for the rites.

• Xiao Yuheng waited with Xiao Dingtian and Xiao Yuehua for Xiao Yan to arrive at the ancestral shrine.
• Xiao Dingtian objected to Xiao Yan’s presence, while Xiao Yuehua told Xiao Yuheng she would follow clan rules and judge bloodline grades without favoring him.
• Xiao Yan entered the courtyard and exchanged greetings with Xiao Shaojun and other clan members.
• Xiao Yan blocked Xiao Siyu’s approaching Spiritual Strength, causing a Soul Storm that left many people dizzy.
• Xiao Yan and Xiao Siyu recognized each other’s strength, and Xiao Mingyuan praised Xiao Siyu’s soul talent.
• Xiao Yuehua rebuked Xiao Yan and Xiao Siyu for fighting in the courtyard, and Xiao Xuan warned Xiao Yan that the Sixth Elder was harsh.

Xiao Yan’s conduct was challenged before the clan sacrifice, but Xiao Yuheng stopped Xiao Dingtian from pressing the matter as the ancestral shrine opened. Xiao Yan then learned that entrants had to undergo an examination by the fearsome Fourth Elder Xiao Ming, and the chapter left the clan gathered before a blood-colored crystal.

• Xiao Siyu admitted that she had provoked Xiao Yan and offered to accept his punishment, but Xiao Dingtian continued to accuse him.
• Xiao Yuheng silenced Xiao Dingtian, and the ancestral shrine’s doors opened, drawing the gathered clansmen toward it.
• Xiao Ming’s roar sent the crowd flying back, and Xiao Mingyuan warned Xiao Yan not to meet the Fourth Elder’s petrifying gaze.
• Xiao Ming ordered everyone to be examined by the Blood Stone before entering the shrine, threatening execution for anyone who disobeyed.
• Xiao Dingtian and Xiao Yuehua stepped onto the platform as Xiao Dingtian revealed a blood-colored crystal.

Xiao Dingtian began the Blood Stone test that would qualify participants for the clan ritual, revealing how bloodline grades shaped status and opportunity in the Xiao Clan. When Xiao Yan was called, Xiao Dingtian warned him to leave, but Xiao Yan chose to face the challenge.

• Xiao Dingtian explained that the forty participants had to take a Blood Stone test before entering the ancestral shrine, and Xiao Yan reflected on the Xiao Clan's hidden strength.
• Xiao Shaojun and Xiao Ling'er came forward for their Blood Stones, and Xiao Siyu's test revealed a dense white-grade bloodline.
• Xiao Zhuobin explained the five bloodline grades, while Xiao Feng criticized the clan's rule that high-grade bloodlines determined who became its rulers.
• Xiao Yan noticed Xiao Yang was absent because Blood Fury had cost him eligibility, and Xiao Feng voiced the same resentment Xiao Yan felt toward the world's injustice.
• Xiao Dingtian called Xiao Yan, then privately urged him to leave rather than lose face, but Xiao Yan replied that he preferred a challenging trouble to giving up.

The Xiao Clan began testing its young members’ bloodlines, while Xiao Yan learned that Blood Stones contained immense, dangerous energy. Xiao Ling’er revealed a Crimson Gold Bloodline, but Xiao Yan’s Blood Stone exploded, leaving him battered and the crowd stunned.

• Xiao Yan took his Blood Stone, and Xiao Shaojun warned him that its violent energy could drive anyone who tried to absorb it mad.
• Xiao Shaojun explained that a Blood Crystal was rumored to have enough energy to create a peak Yuan Sheng expert, and Xiao Yan abandoned the idea of absorbing the stone for now.
• Xiao Yuheng ordered the clan members to place a drop of essence blood on their Blood Stones, beginning the bloodline test.
• Xiao Ling’er’s Blood Stone shone with a Crimson Gold Bloodline, delighting Xiao Yuheng, though the light did not advance to Radiant Gold.
• Xiao Yan’s Blood Stone suddenly exploded, scattering scarlet energy and leaving him disheveled as the clan stared in shock.

After Xiao Dingtian sabotaged Xiao Yan’s bloodstone test and forced him to leave the clan ritual, Xiao Xuan revealed the Radiant Gold Bloodline, shocking the Xiao Clan. The chapter ended with Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan exchanging a knowing smile as Xiao Dingtian collapsed.

• Xiao Dingtian declared Xiao Yan disqualified after the bloodstone shattered, while senior clan members suspected he had tampered with it.
• Xiao Mingyuan tried to confront Xiao Dingtian, but Xiao Yan stopped him and accepted that he would leave.
• Xiao Feng, Xiao Lei, Xiao Zhuobin, and others turned toward Xiao Yan in a show of support as he departed.
• A golden pillar of light filled the ancestral hall, and Xiao Yuheng recognized it as the Radiant Gold Bloodline.
• The light revealed Xiao Xuan holding the bloodstone; Xiao Dingtian spewed blood and collapsed, while Xiao Xuan met Xiao Yan’s gaze and smiled.

Xiao Xuan revealed the Radiant Gold Bloodline, overturning Xiao Dingtian’s accusations and prompting Xiao Yan to leave the Xiao Clan. Before departing, Xiao Yan left Lian'er and Bai Hua in the clan’s care and gave Bai Hua a ring to suppress the forces inside him.

• Xiao Xuan revealed the Radiant Gold Bloodline, and Xiao Dingtian collapsed as his authority over the inner council crumbled.
• Xiao Yan turned away from the clan, and Xiao Xuan let him leave despite Xiao Yuheng’s attempt to persuade him to stay.
• Xiao Mingyuan hurried after Xiao Yan while the ancestral shrine opened for the clan’s bloodline inheritance ceremony.
• Xiao Yan reassured Lian'er that he was not abandoning her and left her in Xiao Xuan’s care.
• Xiao Yan placed a Pill Transformation Ring on Bai Hua’s wrist to suppress the two forces inside him and promised to seek the Heaven Inquiry Pill.
• Xiao Yan told Bai Hua he was leaving immediately and produced a wooden token.

After leaving the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan set out for the former Fire Banyan Clan’s territory, but a mysterious senior intervened and gave him a life-saving Formation Plate. The senior revealed only that he bore the Xiao surname, leaving Xiao Yan shaken and uncertain about his identity.

• Xiao Li approved of Xiao Yan’s decision to leave the Xiao Clan and told him he could enter the ancestral shrine another time.
• Xiao Mingyuan apologized to Xiao Yan, begged him to return someday, and gave him several tier-seven pills.
• Xiao Yan reassured Xiao Mingyuan that he would always bear the Xiao surname, then left Xiao City for the Flowing Fire Plain.
• Xiao Yan prepared to travel to the former Fire Banyan Clan’s territory using the Fire Banyan Token, but sensed an overwhelming presence and was forced to stop.
• A mysterious senior suppressed Xiao Yan’s power and gave him a golden Formation Plate, saying it could save his life when necessary.
• The senior said he bore the Xiao surname, and an old man in a distant city opened his eyes with brilliant golden light in his pupils.

Xiao Yan completed his physical training journey and entered the Flowing Fire Plain, seeking the Fire Banyan Ruins. After meeting Tang Ye and a mysterious white-robed man, he agreed to travel with them through the dangerous forest of living Fire Banyan Trees.

• Xiao Yan defeated a powerful magical beast using only his physical strength and produced a layer of golden light through his punches.
• Xiao Yan reached the Flowing Fire Plain, where he used the Fire Banyan Token to sense the buried ruins and set out to find their entrance.
• Xiao Yan discovered that the withered trees on the lava plain were alive and asked whether their roots reached into the magma.
• Tang Ye approached with a white-robed companion and invited Xiao Yan to travel with them.
• Tang Ye warned Xiao Yan that the Fire Banyan Trees could unleash underground magma against anyone crossing alone, and Xiao Yan agreed to join the two men.

Xiao Yan, Tang Ye, and Bai Zijing discussed the dangers and treasures of the Fire Banyan Tree Woods on the Flowing Fire Plain. With the lava power nearing an eruption, Tang Ye prepared to begin their attempt to obtain Fire Banyan Branches.

• Tang Ye introduced Bai Zijing to Xiao Yan and explained that the Fire Banyan Trees were remnants of the destroyed Fire Banyan Clan, still capable of erupting with deadly magma.
• Tang Ye revealed that the trees contained priceless Fire Banyan Branches, whose concentrated fire energy could be collected after the trees expended their gathered lava power.
• Bai Zijing recognized that Tang Ye wanted them to trigger the trees and seize the chance to collect branches, while Xiao Yan questioned why Tang Ye needed their help.
• Tang Ye claimed the branches were protected by barriers and that their power would gather again, so working together would let them collect more.
• Xiao Yan sensed energy building in the trees as the three men faced the imminent eruption, and Tang Ye announced that their operation would begin.

Xiao Yan held back the Fire Banyan Forest’s magma while Tang Ye and Bai Zijing descended to obtain a Fire Banyan Branch. After Bai Zijing died and Tang Ye emerged with the branch, he revealed that the Fire-Scaled Lizards were closing in and drew their attention to Xiao Yan.

• Tang Ye urged Xiao Yan to shield him and Bai Zijing from the forest’s eruption of magma while they sought a Fire Banyan Branch.
• Xiao Yan blocked the falling magma with a palm strike, and Tang Ye and Bai Zijing plunged beneath the surface.
• Xiao Yan tried to probe the magma with his Spiritual Strength but withdrew when it burned his Soul Power, then waited as the forest flooded.
• Xiao Yan sensed mysterious creatures with scarlet eyes surrounding him and attacked one as the magma closed in.
• Tang Ye emerged from the magma and revealed that he had killed Bai Zijing, then told Xiao Yan the Fire-Scaled Lizards would hunt anyone seeking a Fire Banyan Branch.
• Tang Ye threw the Fire Banyan Branch toward Xiao Yan, causing the Fire-Scaled Lizards’ scarlet gazes to turn on him.

Xiao Yan confronted Tang Ye in the Fire Banyan Forest and used his strength and Heavenly Flames to overcome Tang Ye’s traps and attacks. After taking Tang Ye’s protective banner, Xiao Yan left him exposed to the Fire-Scaled Lizards.

• Xiao Yan recognized the Fire-Scaled Lizards and accused Tang Ye of luring travelers to their deaths.
• Xiao Yan struck Tang Ye with the Heavy Xuan Ruler, injuring his arm and revealing his superior combat strength.
• Tang Ye used his banner to shield himself from the magma and retreated into it, while Xiao Yan drove back the magma and Fire-Scaled Lizards with his flames.
• Xiao Yan broke through Tang Ye’s defense, seriously injured him, and seized the banner.
• Tang Ye begged Xiao Yan to return the banner, but Xiao Yan stored it away, leaving Tang Ye to be attacked by the Fire-Scaled Lizards.

Xiao Yan was trapped by a swarm of powerful Fire-Scaled Lizards whose shrieks disrupted his spatial techniques. He used Northern King to buy time, completed a Fire Lotus, and sent it exploding toward the encircling beasts.

• The Fire-Scaled Lizards surrounded Xiao Yan with more than a dozen beasts above Yuan Zong level, and their sound waves dispersed his spatial barriers.
• The giant beasts attacked Xiao Yan from all sides, injuring him and forcing him to abandon his massive ruler and flee upward.
• Xiao Yan sent Northern King to block the strongest beast’s attack, buying time to condense a Fire Lotus.
• Magma attacks struck from around Xiao Yan, and he used the Fire Lotus to burn through one beast’s tail.
• Xiao Yan launched the Fire Lotus toward the dozen or so Fire-Scaled Lizards, and it exploded near them.

With Xiao Yan exhausted after fighting the Fire-Scaled Lizard Beasts, Bai Zijing ambushed him and revealed that he belonged to the Bai Clan and was avenging his younger brother, Bai Ruoxuan. Xiao Yan and the Northern King struggled to withstand Bai Zijing’s attacks, and the chapter ended as Bai Zijing activated his Domain of Water to set up another arrow.

• The Fire-Scaled Lizard Beasts suddenly plunged into the magma, leaving Xiao Yan confused before Bai Zijing ambushed him and wounded his shoulder.
• Bai Zijing revealed he was from the Bai Clan and attacked Xiao Yan with Light of the Solar Corona, which Xiao Yan countered with Fire God's Wrath.
• Bai Zijing learned Xiao Yan was from the Xiao Clan and fired a steady stream of arrows at him while the Northern King defended him.
• Bai Zijing used Severing Break Arrow to pierce the Northern King’s body and nearly incapacitate the puppet.
• Bai Zijing invoked his Domain of Water and prepared to fire another arrow at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan used his Heavenly Flame, the Great Dao of the Void, and an avatar to evade Bai Zijing while freeing the Northern King. He left Bai Zijing raging after the avatar vanished, while the real Xiao Yan escaped.

• Xiao Yan used his Heavenly Flame to dispel Bai Zijing’s water arrows and fought back with the Heavy Xuan Ruler and Mountain and River Seal.
• Bai Zijing trapped the Northern King in a water prison while Xiao Yan used the Great Dao of the Void to flee.
• Xiao Yan’s avatar drew Bai Zijing toward the horizon while the real Xiao Yan emerged from the magma and freed the Northern King with a net of flame.
• Bai Zijing broke the avatar’s wrist and pierced its chest, but the body turned illusory and Xiao Yan taunted him before disappearing.
• Bai Zijing spat blood in fury and roared Xiao Yan’s name.

Two months after escaping Bai Zijing, Xiao Yan reached the peak of late-stage Three-Star Yuan Zong by cultivating with Scarlet Pearls in the Magma World. He found a Fire Banyan Branch and prepared to refine it in hopes of breaking through to Four-Star Yuan Zong.

• Xiao Yan used the Flame-Avoiding Water Banner to hide and cultivate beneath the magma, advancing to the peak of late-stage Three-Star Yuan Zong.
• Xiao Yan located a Fire Banyan Tree surrounded by dozens of Fire-Scaled Lizard Beasts and recalled how Tang Ye had used newcomers as bait to steal a branch.
• Xiao Yan concealed himself with the banner and crossed the magma past the Fire-Scaled Lizard Beasts without being detected.
• Xiao Yan used the Great Dao of the Void to pass through the scarlet barrier surrounding the Fire Banyan Tree.
• Xiao Yan discovered that the Fire Banyan roots could divide and absorb his Heavenly Flames, then used flames to distract them as he approached the Fire Banyan Branch.
• Xiao Yan decided to refine the Fire Banyan Branch amid the abundant molten-lava energy and attempt a breakthrough.