Chapter Summaries

Chen Xiao decided to use his Pre-pay opportunity for Heavenly Cold Qi rather than pills, then entered the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower to refine it. As the Ice-blue Mist poured into his body, he began absorbing the Heavenly Cold Qi.

• Chen Xiao reviewed the difficult follow-ups for his Pre-pay options and chose Heavenly Cold Qi because it could permanently strengthen his Dou Qi.
• Chen Xiao received a Red Fire Crystal Card from Cao Hui, funded with three hundred days of fire energy by Grand Elder Su Qian, and encouraged his friends to aim for the next Strong Ranking Tournament.
• The next day, Chen Xiao entered an eighth-floor Cultivation Room in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower and prepared to refine the Heavenly Cold Qi.
• Chen Xiao opened a Jade Bottle, releasing Ice-blue Mist that flooded the room with cold.
• Chen Xiao circulated Dou Qi around his body, and the Ice-blue Mist surged into him through his pores and other openings.

Chen Xiao struggled to assimilate the Heavenly Cold Qi in his meridians, using the Fallen Heart Flame in the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower to gradually gain the advantage. After remaining inside for several days, he finally emerged to find Zi Yan waiting outside his cultivation room.

• Chen Xiao stopped the Heavenly Cold Qi from spreading by circulating his Dou Qi, but found it difficult to assimilate.
• Chen Xiao realized that heart flames could weaken the Heavenly Cold Qi, and used repeated heart flame bursts to slowly absorb it.
• Chen Xiao steadily increased his advantage until he was assimilating the Heavenly Cold Qi faster and faster.
• Zi Yan went to Chen Xiao's pavilion on the third day, learned he was in the tower, and decided to wait.
• Zi Yan returned on the fifth day, found Chen Xiao still inside, and waited outside his room for three more days.
• Chen Xiao's cultivation room door finally opened while Zi Yan was dozing outside.

Chen Xiao finished refining the Heavenly Cold Qi, strengthening his Ice Attribute Dou Qi, then left for the Black-Corner Region with Zi Yan. After a month of training together, Zi Yan had adapted to the region’s dangers and become a ruthless fighter.

• Chen Xiao left the Cultivation Room after eight days of refining the Heavenly Cold Qi with the Fallen Heart Flame, and showed Zi Yan how his Dou Qi could extinguish a flame.
• Chen Xiao told Zi Yan that his Dou Qi had grown much stronger, then prepared to leave the New Student Accommodation Area with her.
• Fu Tong asked Chen Xiao about the Cao Family and a pill to extend someone’s lifespan, and Chen Xiao explained that the Cao Family had many people stronger than the Pill Emperor.
• Chen Xiao and Zi Yan traveled to the Black-Corner Region, where Zi Yan eagerly took on people who provoked them.
• Over their first month training together, Zi Yan grew faster, more accurate, and more ruthless, leaving Chen Xiao to worry more about the region’s small fry than about her.

After two years of traveling and training in the Black-Corner Region, Chen Xiao reached Seven-Star Dou Wang and returned to Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy with Zi Yan. He planned to inform Grand Elder Su Qian before heading to the Jia Ma Empire for a Dou Ling Pill and other opportunities.

• Chen Xiao broke through to Seven-Star Dou Wang, and Zi Yan admitted that he had grown strong enough to beat her.
• Chen Xiao explained that he had mastered the Mountain Splitting Seal and intended to return to the Inner Academy before traveling somewhere that could provide a Dou Ling Pill.
• Zi Yan eagerly agreed to leave the mountains, and Chen Xiao flew with her back to Jia Nan Academy’s Inner Academy.
• Chen Xiao greeted Grand Elder Su Qian respectfully, while Zi Yan cheerfully called him “Old Man Su.”

Chen Xiao and Zi Yan left Jia Nan Academy for the Jia Ma Empire after learning that Su Qian had entered seclusion. Queen Medusa sensed powerful travelers near the Holy City and ordered the Eight Great Tribes to stay vigilant, leaving Hua She'er to realize that her queen had made a decision.

• Su Qian praised Zi Yan and asked Chen Xiao about his plans, and Chen Xiao said he intended to return to the Jia Ma Empire before coming back to challenge the Black Ranking.
• Su Qian announced he would enter seclusion that night, while Zi Yan agreed to travel with Chen Xiao to the Jia Ma Empire.
• Chen Xiao visited his former residence, learned that Fu Tong and Cao Hui had left and that Mu Boshan was likely cultivating, then met Zi Yan and decided they should depart.
• Chen Xiao and Zi Yan flew toward the Jia Ma Empire and quietly slipped past its border fortress after more than twenty days of travel.
• Queen Medusa sensed two powerful experts passing near the Holy City and told Hua She'er to order the Eight Great Tribes to strengthen their vigilance and avoid trouble.

Chen Xiao returned secretly to Wu Tan City with Zi Yan and used his Mitre Auction House VIP status to enlist Ya Fei’s help with his plans. He kept his return from the Xiao Family and prepared to auction high-ranked techniques, while Zi Yan asked Gu Ni to make pills from medicinal herbs.

• Ya Fei and Gu Ni respectfully received Chen Xiao and Zi Yan at the Mitre Auction House after recognizing their highest-level VIP Card.
• Chen Xiao asked Ya Fei to send word of his return to Hai Bo Dong and Teng Shan, but ordered her to keep it secret from everyone else.
• Chen Xiao told Ya Fei to prepare an auction of high-ranked Qi Methods and Dou Techniques.
• Chen Xiao asked Gu Ni to refine pills from Zi Yan’s medicinal herbs, and Gu Ni agreed to deliver them.
• After Ya Fei and Gu Ni left, Zi Yan admired the VIP Card’s privileges while Chen Xiao said their strength alone would command respect in Wu Tan City.

Xiao Yan’s annual test confirmed that he had remained at the third stage of Dou Qi, while Chen Xiao prepared a major auction and learned that the original story was beginning. Hai Bo Dong and Clan Leader Teng Shan arrived to reunite with Chen Xiao in Wu Tan City.

• Xiao Yan tested at the third stage of Dou Qi, drawing mockery from the Xiao Family crowd as Ya Fei watched him and then took her leave.
• Xiao Zhan asked Ya Fei about the coming auction, and she promised valuable Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, pills, herbs, and other treasures.
• Chen Xiao instructed Ya Fei to keep watch on the Xiao Family and prepare auction catalogs, then supplied a selection of valuable goods, including a Purifying Lotus Demon Fire Remnant Map.
• Chen Xiao realized the Xiao Yan test marked the start of the original plot and asked Gu Ni to check whether the Misty Cloud Sect was heading toward Wu Tan City.
• Hai Bo Dong and Clan Leader Teng Shan arrived at Mitre Auction House, greeted Chen Xiao, and met Zi Yan.

Chen Xiao and his companions went to the Xiao Family, where the Misty Cloud Sect’s delegation revealed that Nalan Yanran had come to dissolve her engagement to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan rose with a bleeding hand after smashing a teacup, while Chen Xiao held back Zi Yan as the confrontation began.

• Hai Bo Dong and Teng Shan learned that the Misty Cloud Sect was headed to Wu Tan City to address Nalan Yanran’s engagement to the Xiao Family.
• Hai Bo Dong offered Zi Yan medicinal ingredients, and Chen Xiao advised Teng Shan to send Fire Attribute candidates to Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Zhan welcomed Ge Ye, Nalan Yanran, and another Misty Cloud Sect disciple to the Xiao Family and hoped their visitors might help explain Xiao Yan’s decline.
• Hai Bo Dong, Teng Shan, Chen Xiao, and Zi Yan arrived at the Xiao Family and joined the gathering as honored guests.
• Ge Ye announced that Nalan Yanran had come to dissolve her engagement to Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan smashed a teacup and stood with his right hand bleeding, while Chen Xiao restrained Zi Yan from reacting.

Xiao Yan rejected Nalan Yanran’s offer to end their engagement and sealed a Three-Year Agreement with a blood-written divorce letter. After the Misty Cloud Sect delegation left, Yao Chen appeared before Xiao Yan in the Back Mountain, offering help.

• Chen Xiao supported Xiao Yan’s right to speak, and Xiao Yan challenged Nalan Yanran to explain the engagement dispute herself.
• Nalan Yanran offered Qi Gathering Powder and proposed a duel at the Misty Cloud Sect in three years, but Xiao Yan rejected her terms and wrote a blood-sealed divorce letter.
• Xiao Zhan backed Xiao Yan and had the Misty Cloud Sect delegation escorted out of the Xiao Family.
• Xiao Yan apologized to Zi Yan for frightening her with the smashed cup, and Chen Xiao and Hai Bo Dong left with their companions.
• Xiao Yan went to the Back Mountain to resolve himself to the Three-Year Agreement, where Yao Chen appeared and offered help.

Chen Xiao prepared an auction and recruited a shill to keep Xiao Yan from obtaining a Fragment Map too easily. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan brought Xiao Yan an auction catalog, and Yao Chen promised to help him recover before the auction, but paused when he noticed something in the catalog.

• Chen Xiao told Ya Fei to announce that the auction would be held in half a month, then asked Hai Bo Dong to act as a shill; Hai Bo Dong offered to find a powerful substitute.
• Xiao Zhan and the three Grand Elders reviewed the auction catalog and discussed bidding on items to strengthen the Xiao Family against the Gale Family.
• Xiao Zhan brought Xiao Yan a catalog featuring a Meridian Cleansing Pill, while Xiao Yan hid that he could already cultivate again and hoped to reach the fourth stage of Dou Zhi Li before the auction.
• Yao Chen offered to prepare Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid to speed Xiao Yan's cultivation and listed the ingredients he needed.
• Yao Chen stopped reading the catalog instructions and told Xiao Yan not to make noise while he thought.

Yao Chen recognized that a Fragment Map concerned the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame and urged Xiao Yan to find a way to bid for it. Meanwhile, Chen Xiao arranged for Gu He to refine a Dou Ling Pill and waited in Wu Tan City as the auction approached.

• Yao Chen identified the Fragment Map as a clue to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, but Xiao Yan said he could not afford to bid for it.
• Chen Xiao accepted a delivery of medicinal ingredients from a Three Star Dou Ling and asked Hai Bo Dong and Teng Shan about Gu He's alchemy level.
• Chen Xiao said he expected to reach Eight-Star Dou Wang in about two months and asked Teng Shan to help arrange for Gu He to refine a Dou Ling Pill.
• Chen Xiao handed Teng Shan two sets of Dou Ling Pill ingredients, and Teng Shan agreed to deliver them to Gu He in the Imperial Capital.
• As the auction drew near, Chen Xiao spent his days with Zi Yan and sparring with Hai Bo Dong before setting out for the day's auction.

Chen Xiao used the Mitre Auction House auction to draw out buyers for the Fragment Map and acquire things he wanted, while Xiao Zhan spent heavily on items for the Xiao Family. The Fragment Map went up for bidding as Yao Chen took control of Xiao Yan’s body, showing him the Heaven Rank Dou Technique Ghost Possession.

• Ya Fei began the crowded auction, and Hai Bo Dong learned Chen Xiao was using the Fragment Map as bait for someone who possessed goods he wanted.
• Chen Xiao spotted Xiao Yan and Yao Chen in the crowd, then had a black-robed Dou Ling bid on Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, winning more than a dozen portions.
• Xiao Zhan won the Mystic Lightning Aura cultivation method, a Profound Middle-Rank Dou Skill, and Soul Scattering Sand, spending nearly a million gold coins for the Xiao Family.
• Ya Fei brought the Fragment Map onto the stage after the fierce bidding eased, and Yao Chen took over Xiao Yan’s body to demonstrate Ghost Possession.

Yao Chen competed with a black-robed Dou Ling for the Fragment Map, then won it by offering a scroll the owner valued more than gold. Chen Xiao secured the Poison Pill Condensation Method, while Yao Chen left with the map and Xiao Yan learned the value of knowledge.

• Yao Chen raised his bid for the Fragment Map, but the black-robed Dou Ling countered with three hundred fifty thousand gold coins.
• Yao Chen asked to barter, and Ya Fei arranged a private bidding session overseen by Hai Bo Dong.
• Yao Chen offered a Profound Middle-Rank Cultivation Method and then a powerful Poisonous Medicine, but the Fragment Map’s owner rejected both.
• Yao Chen offered a scroll, and Hai Bo Dong announced that the owner had accepted it and awarded Yao Chen the Fragment Map.
• Yao Chen told Xiao Yan that information could be valuable even when it seemed useless, while Chen Xiao celebrated receiving the Poison Pill Condensation Method.

Chen Xiao traveled with Zi Yan and Hai Bo Dong to the Snake-People Race Holy City to meet Queen Medusa again about their earlier cooperation. Queen Medusa welcomed them into the hall, where she awaited them on her throne.

• Ya Fei delivered the auction proceeds to Chen Xiao, who gave her more spoils to auction through the Mittel Family.
• Chen Xiao told Hai Bo Dong and Zi Yan that he planned to visit Tagor, and the three set out the next day.
• After reaching the desert, Hai Bo Dong hesitated but followed Chen Xiao and Zi Yan toward the Holy City.
• Hua She'er recognized Chen Xiao and received him, Hai Bo Dong, and Zi Yan after Queen Medusa invited them inside.
• Chen Xiao entered the hall and saw Queen Medusa waiting on her throne.

Chen Xiao visited Queen Medusa under the pretext of buying Ice Spirit Cold Spring and confirmed that she was preparing to evolve. After he left, Queen Medusa suspected he wanted the Green Lotus Core Flame and considered letting someone take it from the Snake-People Race, but left her offer unfinished.

• Queen Medusa greeted Chen Xiao, Hai Bo Dong, and Zi Yan, and Chen Xiao asked to buy Ice Spirit Cold Spring.
• Queen Medusa refused because she had gathered only a limited amount for her own evolution.
• After the visitors left, Queen Medusa realized Chen Xiao had come to check whether her preparations for evolution were nearly complete.
• Queen Medusa considered the danger the Green Lotus Core Flame posed if her evolution failed or left her weakened, and thought of having someone take it away.
• Queen Medusa said giving Chen Xiao the Heavenly Flame was not impossible, but stopped before stating her condition.

Chen Xiao waited in Mo City for the Queen Medusa to act while Zi Yan secretly grew closer to her. Meanwhile, Cao Xi questioned Cao Hui about Chen Xiao and then set out with a young woman to approach him.

• Hai Bo Dong praised the Queen Medusa's strength and leadership, while Zi Yan said the Queen Medusa had seemed gentle toward her.
• Chen Xiao said he would wait another ten days or half a month for an opportunity before making other plans.
• During the following days, Chen Xiao cultivated while Zi Yan often disappeared and returned smiling, and he suspected she was meeting the Queen Medusa.
• On the seventh day, the Mittel Family's Dou Ling Pill arrived in Mo City, but the opportunity Chen Xiao awaited had not appeared.
• In Canaan City, Cao Xi asked Cao Hui about Chen Xiao's temperament and how to approach him, then thanked Cao Hui and left with a young woman.

Queen Medusa invited Chen Xiao to the Holy City before her planned evolution, offering him the Green Lotus Core Flame and Ice Spirit Cold Spring in exchange for agreeing to a condition. After reflecting on her duty to the snake-people race, she prepared to state what she wanted from him.

• Queen Medusa told Zi Yan that Chen Xiao could take the Green Lotus Core Flame and any remaining Ice Spirit Cold Spring after her evolution if he came to the Holy City.
• Zi Yan returned to Chen Xiao and explained Medusa’s invitation, and Chen Xiao agreed to go with her.
• Hua She'er escorted Chen Xiao and Zi Yan through the Holy City to the Medusa Shrine.
• Queen Medusa recalled her travels across Tagor and the hopes she had for the snake-people race before seating herself on the throne.
• Queen Medusa told Chen Xiao that the Green Lotus Core Flame belonged to the snake-people race and offered to let him take it if he agreed to one condition.

Queen Medusa began evolving with the Green Lotus Core Flame, enduring a brutal transformation that appeared to kill her before a bolt of lightning struck her charred body. A seven-colored streak then burst from the ashes as a powerful aura spread across the city, and Queen Medusa declared that she was unharmed.

• Queen Medusa released the Green Lotus Core Flame and exposed herself to its fire as Hua She'er, Zi Yan, and Chen Xiao waited outside Lake Heart Island.
• Queen Medusa transformed into her Violet Nether Flame Snake companion soul, which the Heavenly Flame burned until it stopped moving and her aura vanished.
• The Snake-People mourned Queen Medusa, but a lightning bolt struck her charred body and cyan mist concealed what followed.
• Chen Xiao and Zi Yan reached the island after the flame receded, and the charcoal body cracked apart as a seven-colored streak shot out.
• A vast aura spread from Lake Heart Island, and Queen Medusa announced that she was unharmed.

Queen Medusa successfully evolved into a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, but her soul had to contend with the newborn soul sharing her body. Chen Xiao agreed to wait for her return while Hua She'er informed the Snake-People Elders.

• Queen Medusa's voice brought joy to the Holy City, and Chen Xiao saw the tiny Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python approach his Earth Fire Lotus Seed.
• Chen Xiao gave the little snake Fire Spirit Paste, and it hid inside his sleeve after finishing the bottle.
• Chen Xiao told Hua She'er that Queen Medusa and the newborn snake soul had to compete for control of the body.
• Chen Xiao said he would stay until Queen Medusa appeared, for no longer than a month, while claiming the Heavenly Flame as agreed.
• Hua She'er arranged lodging for Chen Xiao and Zi Yan, then went to report to the four Elders, who headed toward the small lake.

For seven days after Queen Medusa’s evolution, the Four Great Elders tried to lure the Little Heaven Swallowing Python back with Red Feather Fruits, but it remained attached to Chen Xiao. When a powerful Dou Zong aura reached the Holy City, Queen Medusa reappeared, and Chen Xiao hurried out to meet the newcomer.

• The Four Great Elders sent the Second Elder to feed the Little Heaven Swallowing Python Red Feather Fruits, but it ate and returned to Chen Xiao’s Jade Bottle.
• Chen Xiao noticed that the Little Heaven Swallowing Python grew warmer after eating and let it coil around his fingertip.
• Zi Yan told Chen Xiao that Hai Bo Dong was exploring Mo City and would meet them after they left the Holy City.
• Chen Xiao and Zi Yan sensed a Dou Zong aura sweep across the Holy City and suspected the visitor might be from the Dan or Cao Families.
• A burst of light transformed the Little Heaven Swallowing Python into Queen Medusa, who sensed the Dou Zong and appeared with killing intent.
• Chen Xiao flew out to meet the expected visitor while Zi Yan stayed with Queen Medusa.