Recaps

Xiao Yan entered Spirit Hall’s Holy Son and Holy Maiden selection competition and revealed that he was a level sixty-one Soul Emperor at only seventeen. His first-round opponent, Zhang Lie, began his attack despite realizing Xiao Yan far surpassed him.

• Xiao Yan arrived in Spirit City for the selection competition and noticed Hu Liena watching him with a desire to fight.
• Bibi Dong opened the competition, and the contestants drew lots for the elimination tournament.
• Xiao Yan drew number seventeen and was matched against Zhang Lie of the Heaven Dou City branch hall.
• Xiao Yan introduced himself as a level sixty-one Soul Emperor and revealed six Soul Rings, stunning the crowd and Spirit Hall’s leaders.
• Zhang Lie steadied himself and launched his third Soul Skill, Azure Wolf Howls at the Moon.

Xiao Yan dominated three tournament matches with minimal effort, defeating Zhang Lie and two Soul Kings without relying on Soul Skills. His growing fame in Spirit City bolstered his standing, while Hu Liena asked him to fight her again after the competition, and he agreed.

• Xiao Yan broke Zhang Lie’s mental attack, dodged his claw strike, and sealed his Soul Power with a wisp of flame, forcing Zhang Lie to admit defeat.
• Hu Liena watched Xiao Yan’s victory, then challenged him to fight her again after the competition; Xiao Yan agreed.
• Xiao Yan absorbed Yan Lie’s flame attack with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and froze Yan Lie’s feet to the stage, winning his second match.
• Xiao Yan used a Fire Lotus to consume the ice power of the Mysterious Ice Turtle Soul King, who then admitted defeat.
• The crowd cheered Xiao Yan after his three effortless victories, while he hoped his reputation would make Bibi Dong think twice before acting against him.

Hu Liena defeated Salas Weide with her illusions and advanced to the final against Xiao Yan, who had received a bye. Their decisive match began with Hu Liena’s Charm failing against Xiao Yan as he launched an icy attack, and she rushed toward him at increased speed.

• Hu Liena overwhelmed her first three opponents with her Charm and control abilities, then faced level 57 Soul King Salas Weide.
• Hu Liena combined her Fox Demon Illusion and Soul Bone Skill to trap Weide, then struck him out of the arena and won.
• Xiao Yan drew a bye and advanced to the final, where he faced Hu Liena as two cloaked figures watched from outside the Pope’s Palace.
• Hu Liena recalled her earlier defeat by Xiao Yan and challenged him, but her Demon Fox Charm had no effect on him.
• Xiao Yan sent ice crystals toward Hu Liena, and she dodged them before lunging at him with increased speed.

Xiao Yan defeated Hu Liena in the tournament and was publicly named Spirit Hall’s holy son, with Hu Liena named its holy maiden. Bibi Dong summoned them to the Pope’s Palace, and Xiao Yan felt uneasy about the complicated expression she had given him.

• Xiao Yan dodged Hu Liena’s claw attacks, read her pattern, and caught her wrist before releasing her.
• Hu Liena used Demon Fox Illusory Sound, but Xiao Yan resisted it and stopped her attack with a touch to her brow.
• Hu Liena unleashed Demon Fox Sacred Flame, but Xiao Yan suppressed her with Everfrost Mausoleum and bound her with Netherworld Lock until she conceded.
• Xiao Yan helped Hu Liena to her feet, and she acknowledged her defeat as the arena crowd cheered.
• Bibi Dong declared Xiao Yan the tournament winner and named him Spirit Hall’s holy son and Hu Liena its holy maiden.
• Bibi Dong summoned Xiao Yan and Hu Liena to the Pope’s Palace, and they headed toward the rear of Spirit Hall.

Xiao Yan met Bibi Dong at the Pope's Palace, where she questioned him about his Second Martial Soul and its rumored ability to improve talent. He concealed its full nature and endured her crushing pressure without answering, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Xiao Yan and Hu Liena entered the Pope's Palace and greeted Bibi Dong, who praised Xiao Yan and asked about his Second Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yan revealed his Soul Division Martial Soul and explained that merging with it increased his strength, attack power, speed, and perception.
• Bibi Dong revealed that Yu Xiaogang had told her Soul Division could improve talent, and Xiao Yan questioned whether she trusted Yu Xiaogang despite his having harmed him.
• Bibi Dong demanded that Xiao Yan tell her more and pressed him with her Titled Douluo pressure, while Xiao Yan stayed silent and Hu Liena watched in shock.

Bibi Dong tried to force Xiao Yan to reveal his Second Martial Soul, but he opened a portal and escaped into another world. After Hu Liena asked to enter Slaughter City to grow stronger, Bibi Dong told Yu Xiaogang what happened, and he realized Xiao Yan had physically crossed worlds.

• Bibi Dong pressured Xiao Yan to reveal his Second Martial Soul and threatened him when he refused.
• Hu Liena asked Bibi Dong to let Xiao Yan go, but Bibi Dong attacked him, so Xiao Yan activated Soul Division and opened a portal.
• Xiao Yan escaped through the portal despite Bibi Dong's strike, and Bibi Dong and Hu Liena sensed the presence of another world.
• Hu Liena asked to go to Slaughter City so she could become stronger, and Bibi Dong granted her permission.
• Bibi Dong confronted Yu Xiaogang about what he knew of Xiao Yan's Martial Soul, and Yu Xiaogang realized Xiao Yan had physically crossed into another world.

Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong resolved to capture Xiao Yan after learning his Martial Soul connected him to another world, while Zhu Zhuqing ordered the Dark Hall into hiding. Xiao Yan arrived at Jia Nan Academy during a catastrophic battle, where the Fallen Heart Flame swallowed Xiao Huohuo before Su Qian sealed it beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower; Xiao Yan and Su Qian were left severely injured, and Xiao Huohuo’s fate remained uncertain.

• Yu Xiaogang urged Bibi Dong to capture Xiao Yan and uncover the secrets of his Martial Soul, and Bibi Dong said she had already ordered his capture.
• Zhu Zhuqing learned that Hu Liena had left the Pope's Palace, ordered the Dark Hall to hide and reduce its operations, then left the Spirit Hall Main Hall.
• Xiao Yan stepped through a portal into Jia Nan Academy and was badly injured by the shock wave from a green-and-white mushroom cloud.
• The Fallen Heart Flame devoured the mushroom cloud's energy and then swallowed the falling Xiao Huohuo as Zi Yan and the others watched helplessly.
• Su Qian and the elders sealed the Fallen Heart Flame beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, after which Su Qian collapsed and ordered the lowest level closed.

Xiao Yan survived the devastating battle between Xiao Huohuo and Han Feng, hid in the mountains, and healed his injuries. After returning to the Inner Academy, he learned that Xiao Huohuo had been swallowed by the Fallen Heart Flame and found Zi Yan, Lin Yan, and Hu Jia mourning near the sealed tower.

• Xiao Yan escaped the battlefield while gravely injured, avoiding notice from the academy elders and the Black-Corner Region experts.
• Xiao Yan hid in a vine-screened hollow, treated his wounds, and spent seven days recovering before moving deeper into the mountains.
• Xiao Yan healed for several more days in a sealed cave until he had fully regained his strength, then sensed Xiao Huohuo faintly beneath the sealed tower.
• Xiao Yan disguised himself in a student's uniform and slipped back into the Inner Academy nearly half a month after the battle.
• Xiao Yan saw Zi Yan, Lin Yan, Hu Jia, and other Pan Gate members mourning near the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.

Xiao Yan sneaked into the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower to search for Xiao Huohuo, but Zi Yan mistook him for an enemy trying to reach the sealed Fallen Heart Flame. Their fight began on the eighth floor, where Zi Yan accused him of harming Xiao Huohuo.

• Xiao Yan waited until evening, disguised himself as an Inner Academy disciple, and slipped into the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
• Xiao Yan descended to the eighth floor, sensing Xiao Huohuo's faint presence below, while the ninth floor remained sealed.
• Zi Yan, grieving for Xiao Huohuo, spotted Xiao Yan heading toward the forbidden lower level and assumed he was plotting to release the Fallen Heart Flame.
• Xiao Yan sensed Zi Yan's hostility and turned to fight, but her punch sent him crashing into the tower wall.
• Xiao Yan used Cold Flame · Soul Armor and Cold Fire: Netherworld Lock to trap Zi Yan, who resisted the freezing chains and threatened to crush him.

Xiao Yan fought Zi Yan in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower until he restrained her with Netherworld Locks and bone spirit cold flame. After convincing her that he was Xiao Huohuo’s clone and that Xiao Huohuo was still alive beneath the tower, he followed her to the sealed lava at the tower’s bottom.

• Zi Yan broke Xiao Yan’s Netherworld Lock and attacked him with overwhelming strength, forcing him to evade and deflect her blows.
• Xiao Yan trapped Zi Yan with eight Netherworld Locks and bone spirit cold flame, then told her he was not from the Black-Corner Region.
• Zi Yan recognized Xiao Yan’s resemblance to Xiao Huohuo, and Xiao Yan claimed he was Xiao Huohuo’s refined clone and could sense him fighting below.
• Xiao Yan assured Zi Yan that Xiao Huohuo was alive, so she asked to be released and hurried toward the ninth floor.
• Xiao Yan followed Zi Yan to the tower’s bottom, where they saw a seal blocking the churning lava, and he frowned at the formation.

Xiao Yan and Zi Yan found the seal trapping the Fallen Heart Flame and Xiao Huohuo, but opening it risked another disaster for the Inner Academy. Zi Yan tore open the seal briefly, letting Xiao Yan plunge into the magma to rescue Xiao Huohuo, and she collapsed from the effort as he promised to return safely.

• Zi Yan burned her hand when she tried to touch the seal, and Xiao Yan prepared to break through it to save Xiao Huohuo.
• Zi Yan warned that breaking the seal could unleash the Fallen Heart Flame and endanger the recently rebuilt Inner Academy.
• Zi Yan decided to tear open the seal for an instant and urged Xiao Yan to enter while it was open.
• Zi Yan used spatial power to rip open a crack, and Xiao Yan passed through the seal into the magma.
• Zi Yan spat blood and weakened as the crack closed, while Xiao Yan promised to bring Xiao Huohuo back safely before sinking into the magma.

Xiao Yan descended into the Magma World and found Xiao Huohuo trapped inside the Fallen Heart Flame, protected by Yao Lao. After learning that the flame and Xiao Huohuo were locked in a stalemate, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao decided to revive Xiao Huohuo and turn the danger into a chance for him to devour the Fallen Heart Flame.

• Zi Yan collapsed after the figure vanished, but vowed to bring him back before losing consciousness.
• Xiao Yan followed Xiao Huohuo's presence through the magma, using recovery pills as the heat and pressure drained his strength.
• Xiao Yan approached the Fallen Heart Flame and found that his Martial Soul let him enter its body without being harmed.
• Xiao Yan found Xiao Huohuo unconscious and charred, with Yao Lao's flames protecting him.
• Yao Lao explained that the Fallen Heart Flame was trying to devour Xiao Huohuo, while he kept it at bay.
• Yao Lao proposed that Xiao Yan's Martial Soul could hide them from the Fallen Heart Flame long enough for Xiao Huohuo to recover and attempt to devour it, and Xiao Yan gave him pills.

Xiao Yan healed Xiao Huohuo inside the Fallen Heart Flame and helped him identify its Heart Flame as the key to refining it. Yao Lao and Xiao Huohuo prepared to subdue and refine it, and Xiao Yan trapped it with his Netherworld Lock as the Magma World began to boil.

• Xiao Yan used a pill and his Soul Power to heal Xiao Huohuo's shattered meridians while Yao Lao watched with relief.
• Xiao Huohuo woke and learned from Yao Lao that Xiao Yan had saved them, then asked what they should do next.
• Yao Lao explained that they had to locate the Fallen Heart Flame's Heart Flame and said Xiao Yan's Martial Soul could help him find it.
• Xiao Yan used his Soul Power to spot the Heart Flame, while Yao Lao told Xiao Huohuo to swallow and refine it as he held it back.
• Xiao Yan rushed toward the Heart Flame and bound it with his Netherworld Lock, provoking it to struggle and make the Magma World churn.

Xiao Yan helped Yao Lao extract the Fallen Heart Flame’s heart flame so Xiao Huohuo could devour it, then left him to endure the refining process. Xiao Yan escaped the Magma World through the seal and left the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, while Zi Yan approached it with Lin Yan.

• Xiao Yan used his Netherworld Lock to suppress the Fallen Heart Flame’s heart flame, allowing Yao Lao to cut out a wisp for Xiao Huohuo.
• Yao Lao gave Xiao Yan a Storage Ring containing his medicine-refinement insights, Dou Techniques, and cultivation methods, then returned to the ring and fell asleep.
• Xiao Huohuo swallowed the heart flame, and Xiao Yan left him to refine it while his soul presence remained strong.
• Xiao Yan discovered that his Clone Martial Soul could pass through the seal around the Magma World, then concealed himself and left the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower without being seen.
• Zi Yan headed toward the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower despite Lin Yan urging her to rest after she had woken up weak and exhausted.

Xiao Yan entered Black Seal City in disguise to learn about the Black-Corner Region and its factions. After hearing that Han Feng had invited them to Maple City to plan against Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan decided to attend while keeping his identity hidden.

• Xiao Yan left Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy and reached Black Seal City under a mask and black robe.
• A gang tried to extort Xiao Yan at the city gate, and he severed the arrogant young man's arm before continuing into the city.
• Xiao Yan bought a map and learned that Han Feng had invited the Black-Corner Region's factions to meet in Maple City.
• Xiao Yan decided to go to Maple City to gather information while Little Huohuo devoured the Fallen Heart Flame.

Xiao Yan entered Maple City under the assumed name Tang San and used his Soul Emperor-level presence to gain access to the inner city. Fan Lao of the Blood Sect welcomed him and brought him along, leaving Xiao Yan among the gathered factions preparing to oppose Jia Nan Academy.

• Experts from across the Black-Corner Region gathered in Maple City after Han Feng summoned them to plan against Jia Nan Academy.
• Xiao Yan learned that only those with Dou Wang-level strength or higher could enter the inner city, though he could not fly despite his power.
• Xiao Yan released his Soul Emperor-level pressure, convincing the guards to let him pass.
• Fan Lao sensed Xiao Yan's formidable presence, rebuked the guard, and introduced himself as the Blood Sect's leader.
• Xiao Yan called himself Tang San and accepted Fan Lao's invitation to enter the inner city with the Blood Sect members.

Xiao Yan, posing as Tang San, accompanied Fan Lao to meet Medicine Emperor Han Feng in Maple City. As Han Feng welcomed them into his bamboo grove, Elder Ban tested Xiao Yan with Dou Emperor pressure, but Xiao Yan resisted it with his Soul Power.

• Xiao Yan told Fan Lao he had entered seclusion to heal after arriving in the Black-Corner Region and had only recently emerged.
• Fan Lao brought Xiao Yan to Han Feng’s bamboo grove in Maple City, where Han Feng came out to greet them.
• Fan Lao introduced Xiao Yan as Tang San, and Han Feng invited him and Fan Lao into the grove.
• Xiao Yan sensed powerful experts near Han Feng’s bamboo building as they entered the courtyard.
• Elder Ban released Dou Emperor pressure toward the visitors, but Xiao Yan resisted it with his Soul Power.
• Han Feng explained that Elder Ban had mistaken Xiao Yan for an unfamiliar threat, and Elder Ban emerged behind him, staring at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan met Han Feng and Fan Lao in Maple City and agreed to join their planned alliance against Jia Nan Academy, intending to spy on the Black-Corner Region from within. He stayed at the Blood Sect’s quarters to prepare for the alliance gathering three days later.

• Elder Ban tested Xiao Yan with his presence, then Han Feng welcomed Xiao Yan and Fan Lao into his bamboo lodge.
• Han Feng questioned Xiao Yan about his past, and Xiao Yan claimed he had hidden in the Black-Corner Region while recovering from injuries.
• Fan Lao and Han Feng blamed Jia Nan Academy for the conflict, while Xiao Yan recognized that they were twisting the truth about the fight over the Heavenly Flames.
• Han Feng announced that the faction leaders would gather in Maple City in three days to form an alliance, and Xiao Yan agreed to join so he could gather intelligence for Jia Nan Academy.
• Fan Lao brought Xiao Yan to the Blood Sect’s quarters and arranged a room, where Xiao Yan began regulating his breathing to remain in peak condition.

Xiao Yan attended Han Feng’s gathering in Maple City, where Han Feng founded the Black Alliance and rallied the Black-Corner Region’s factions against Jia Nan Academy. The alliance’s leaders prepared to retaliate, but Xiao Yan judged that its reluctant members might not follow Han Feng into a full attack.

• Xiao Yan and Fan Lao went to Maple City’s plaza, where Xiao Yan recognized Elder Jin, Elder Yin, Yin Wuji, and Yan Mo among the assembled faction leaders.
• Han Feng accused Jia Nan Academy of massacring Black-Corner Region residents and proposed uniting the factions against it.
• Fan Lao, Yin Wuji, Yan Mo, and the smaller factions backed Han Feng as alliance leader, and Elder Jin and Elder Yin agreed to join.
• Han Feng invited Xiao Yan, who accepted, then officially established the Black Alliance as his sea-blue Heavenly Flame flared.
• Han Feng called for the factions to support one another and strike back at Jia Nan Academy, while Xiao Yan doubted that the alliance’s reluctant members would risk their lives for Han Feng’s campaign.

Xiao Yan settled into the newly formed Black Alliance and cultivated at the Blood Sect’s base until his Soul Power reached level fifty-five. A street clash between the Blood Sect and the Eight Gates then escalated when Fan Lao and Yuan Yi confronted each other, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Xiao Yan spoke with Fan Lao, who warned him that Han Feng was ruthless and urged him not to grow too close to the Medicine Emperor.
• Xiao Yan decided to remain in the Black Alliance and cultivate, then reached Soul Power level fifty-five after three days.
• Xiao Yan saw Blood Sect and Eight Gates members fighting in the street, and Fan Lao stopped them with his Dou Emperor pressure.
• A Blood Sect steward accused the Eight Gates of interfering with an attempt to capture people from Jia Nan Academy, while an Eight Gates man blamed the Blood Sect.
• Fan Lao struck the Eight Gates man, and Yuan Yi arrived to demand an explanation; Fan Lao insisted that the Eight Gates owed him one instead.

Han Feng summoned the Black Alliance faction leaders to a training ground to announce alliance arrangements and test their strength. He had Xiao Yan demonstrate first, and Xiao Yan began sparring with Xiong Lie while evading his attacks.

• Han Feng stopped Fan Lao and Yuan Yi's Blood Sect and Eight Gates factions from fighting, then warned them to keep their people in line.
• Fan Lao told Xiao Yan that the Blood Sect and Eight Gates had a longstanding feud and accused Han Feng of wanting them to fight among themselves.
• The Blood Sect and Eight Gates continued to clash in Maple City, while Han Feng noticed the growing unrest and summoned the faction leaders to a training ground.
• Han Feng explained that alliance members would need to contribute to earn benefits, then asked Xiao Yan to demonstrate his strength.
• Xiong Lie, a Peak Dou Wang, challenged Xiao Yan and attacked with his battle-axe, but Xiao Yan dodged every strike.

Xiao Yan defeated Xiong Lie with one punch, then proved his strength against Elder Ban by enduring his attack and countering with the Netherworld Lock. Impressed by Xiao Yan’s power, Han Feng offered him the position of an elder of the Black Alliance.

• Xiao Yan waited for Xiong Lie to exhaust himself, then knocked him out with a single punch.
• Han Feng asked Elder Ban to spar with Xiao Yan, and Elder Ban attacked him with powerful Dou Qi.
• Xiao Yan dodged Elder Ban’s attacks, then used Soul Armor and Netherworld Lock to withstand and counter his Light of Burst.
• Xiao Yan froze Elder Ban with the Netherworld Lock and struck him off the training ground, prompting Elder Ban to admit defeat.
• Han Feng praised Xiao Yan and said his strength was enough to make him an elder of the Black Alliance.

Xiao Yan secured a place as an elder of the Black Alliance after demonstrating his strength, while Han Feng used the gathering to rally its factions and arrange their roles. As Xiao Yan traveled to Maple City with Fan Lao, he confronted him about the Blood Sect’s troubles and revealed that he had no ambition to be bound to the alliance.

• Han Feng named Xiao Yan an elder of the Black Alliance, and the gathered factions celebrated his strength.
• The factions held matches at the training ground while Han Feng assessed their strengths and discussed future tasks and territories.
• Han Feng announced a banquet in Maple City to celebrate the Black Alliance’s founding, and the crowd cheered its ambitions.
• Xiao Yan traveled with Fan Lao toward Maple City and asked him to speak openly about what was on his mind.
• Xiao Yan pointed out the Blood Sect’s weakening position and said Han Feng had made him an elder to bind him to the alliance, but that his own ambitions lay elsewhere.

Xiao Yan secured Fan Lao’s agreement to share the Black Alliance’s intelligence in exchange for helping protect the Blood Sect. At Han Feng’s banquet, Han Feng praised Xiao Yan’s strength after his draw with Elder Ban, while Xiao Yan continued concealing his identity and intentions.

• Xiao Yan told Fan Lao that Han Feng intended to unite the Black-Corner Region, and Fan Lao admitted that the Blood Sect had few options for survival.
• Xiao Yan offered to help protect the Blood Sect if Fan Lao shared all intelligence about the Black Alliance’s plans, and Fan Lao agreed.
• Xiao Yan hinted to Fan Lao that he had fled from the Central Plains and would eventually fight his way back there.
• At Han Feng’s banquet, Xiao Yan observed Han Feng charming the Black Alliance’s faction leaders and consolidating his influence.
• Han Feng toasted Xiao Yan and praised his draw with Elder Ban as proof that Xiao Yan ranked among the Black-Corner Region’s strongest fighters.

Xiao Yan observed Han Feng’s consolidation of power in the Black-Corner Region and advised Fan Lao to endure the Blood Sect’s territorial losses until conflict created an opportunity. The chapter ended as Han Feng presented a detailed map at a meeting of the Black Alliance’s leaders.

• Han Feng questioned Xiao Yan about his past and welcomed him as an honored guest of the Black Alliance, while Fan Lao warned him not to trust anyone easily.
• Han Feng reorganized the Black-Corner Region’s territories, giving stronger factions more land and resources and overruling objections from smaller factions.
• The Eight Gates took valuable mineral veins and two important cities from the Blood Sect, prompting Fan Lao to ask Xiao Yan for advice.
• Xiao Yan urged Fan Lao not to provoke the Eight Gates yet, arguing that Han Feng benefited from their conflict and that the Blood Sect should wait for an opportunity.
• Han Feng convened the Black Alliance’s upper ranks and displayed a detailed map marked with red and blue dots.