Chapter Summaries

Li Mubai learned that Spirit Hall had announced the Wild Wolf Gang’s destruction and heard Jingxi Street residents praise the unknown man who had protected Sister Zhao and her daughter. After Li Mubai shared breakfast with Xiao Qian, Sister Zhao returned to the street and found the residents treating her with unusual respect.

• Li Mubai read Spirit Hall’s notice about the Wild Wolf Gang’s crimes and punishment, and he approved of Bibi Dong using the incident to win public support.
• Jingxi Street residents credited Li Mubai with destroying the gang and protecting Sister Zhao and her daughter, while those who had mocked Sister Zhao feared her powerful protector.
• Li Mubai left the crowd, bought breakfast for three, and ate with Xiao Qian and the others before Sister Zhao returned home to prepare tofu.
• Sister Zhao blushed as she remembered Li Mubai holding her that morning, and her daughter asked why her face was red.
• Sister Zhao returned to Jingxi Street, where the crowd parted for her and an old woman who had often teased her greeted her warmly.

Zhao Yuzhen realized Li Mubai’s intervention had made the residents of Jingxi Street respect her and Xiao Yu'er, while Xiao Yu'er promised to marry him when she grew up. In Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong ordered corrupt officials arrested and publicly executed, then considered creating a supervisory body to fight corruption.

• Zhao Yuzhen concluded that the residents treated her kindly because they feared Li Mubai, and she thanked him for helping her gain a foothold on Jingxi Street.
• Xiao Yu'er asked why the neighbors were suddenly polite, and Zhao Yuzhen explained that they feared her Brother Mubai and reminded her of his kindness.
• Xiao Yu'er promised never to forget Li Mubai’s help and said she would marry him when she grew up.
• Bibi Dong ordered a guard to arrest everyone on the City Guard Office’s list, parade them through the streets, and execute them publicly outside Spirit Hall.
• Bibi Dong decided the executions would only serve as a temporary warning and considered proposing a supervisory body directly under her at the next assembly.

Spirit Hall guards arrested a City Guard Office clerk on the Pope’s personal order for embezzlement and corruption. As they took him away, the crowd learned he faced beheading and praised the Pope.

• Spirit Hall guards marched through Spirit City and smashed the gates of a City Guard Office clerk’s mansion.
• The guards identified the clerk from a portrait, subdued him, and sealed his Soul Power.
• The clerk protested that the guards had no right to arrest him, but they said the Pope had ordered it.
• A guard told the clerk that embezzlement and corruption were punishable by beheading, leaving him terrified.
• The onlookers reacted with surprise and praised the Pope for cracking down on corruption.

Director Li watched the prisoners accused of corruption get paraded through the streets, relieved that he had escaped arrest. At Li Mubai’s home, Sister Zhao brought Xiao Qian tofu skin, and a growing commotion approached from the street.

• Director Li followed the prison carts, carrying the report Bibi Dong had ordered him to prepare.
• Citizens pelted the three imprisoned clerks with rotten food and waste as the guards led them through the streets.
• One clerk mocked the crowd, then choked when a lump of excrement flew into his open mouth.
• Director Li trembled with relief at being spared and vowed not to embezzle or accept bribes.
• Sister Zhao brought Xiao Qian tofu skin, and Xiao Yu’er greeted her at Li Mubai’s home.
• Sister Zhao declined Xiao Qian’s invitation to come inside as a commotion grew louder in the street.

As Spirit Hall paraded corrupt officials through the streets, Sister Zhao suspected that Li Mubai was behind the sudden crackdown, but he concealed his identity. When she tried to leave without eating, Li Mubai used Xiao Yu'er's hunger to persuade her to stay for the meal.

• Xiao Qian and Sister Zhao watched a crowd follow prison carts carrying corrupt officials who were to be beheaded and displayed at the gates of Spirit Hall.
• Sister Zhao recognized Xiao Li, who had taken Li Mubai away the previous night, and wondered whether Li Mubai held an important position in Spirit Hall.
• Li Mubai returned from the kitchen and casually said Xiao Li deserved his punishment, keeping his identity and cultivation secret.
• Li Mubai invited Sister Zhao to eat with him, but she declined because she had things to do at home.
• Xiao Yu'er's stomach growled, and Li Mubai urged Sister Zhao to stay so the child would not have to wait for food.

Bibi Dong attended the public execution of three corrupt officials, following Li Mubai’s advice to win the people’s support. As the crowd praised her, Li Mubai watched with his companions, wondering whether she would heed his guidance again.

• Three prisoners knelt outside Spirit Hall as a crowd gathered for their execution.
• Bibi Dong arrived in her golden carriage, and the people cheered her for personally overseeing the crackdown on corruption.
• Inside the carriage, Bibi Dong recognized Li Mubai’s advice as a way to unite the people but wondered what their support would accomplish.
• Li Mubai arrived at the plaza with Xiao Qian, a beautiful woman, and a child, hoping to see whether Bibi Dong had followed his suggestion.

Qian Daoliu heard that Bibi Dong had publicly executed corrupt clerks and confronted the worshippers who accused her of threatening their influence. He dismissed their complaints as the worshippers abandoned Golden Crocodile, then reassured him that they were all on the same side.

• A guard reported to Qian Daoliu that Bibi Dong had gone to oversee the public beheading of several clerks outside Spirit Hall.
• Qian Daoliu wondered about Bibi Dong’s motives but decided to let her act as long as she did not endanger Spirit Hall.
• Golden Crocodile and the other worshippers urged Qian Daoliu to confront Bibi Dong, claiming her actions threatened their share of Spirit Hall’s financial authority.
• Qian Daoliu replied that the clerks had broken the rules and deserved their punishment, then turned to face the worshippers.
• The worshippers blamed Golden Crocodile for bringing them, and Golden Crocodile reluctantly accepted their accusation.
• Qian Daoliu laughed and told Golden Crocodile that he had nothing to fear because they were on the same side.

Qian Daoliu forced the Worship Hall elders to accept Bibi Dong’s growing authority, and Golden Crocodile reluctantly agreed under pressure. After leaving the hall, Golden Crocodile blamed Li Mubai for the dispute and decided to confront him.

• Golden Crocodile questioned Qian Daoliu about allowing Bibi Dong to expand her power, but Qian Daoliu argued that strengthening Spirit Hall mattered more than preserving the worshippers’ authority.
• The worshippers accepted Qian Daoliu’s position and apologized, while Golden Crocodile hesitated to give up his opposition.
• Qian Daoliu used his pressure to force Golden Crocodile to promise not to interfere in the matter.
• The worshippers left the hall, and Golden Crocodile ignored their apologies as he departed in frustration.
• Golden Crocodile connected Li Mubai to Bibi Dong’s visits and resolved to teach the newly arrived elder a lesson.

Bibi Dong arrived at Spirit City's public execution and ordered three officials convicted of embezzlement and bribery beheaded. The crowd cheered her, raising her prestige, while Li Mubai saw an opportunity to develop Spirit City and strengthen Spirit Hall's economy.

• A large crowd gathered at Spirit Hall to witness the executions as Bibi Dong's carriage entered the square.
• Bibi Dong emerged from the carriage, and the crowd was captivated by her appearance.
• Li Mubai and Sister Zhao stood near the execution ground because the guards recognized Li Mubai and let him pass.
• Bibi Dong declared the three prisoners guilty under Spirit City's regulations and ordered their execution at the third quarter of noon.
• The executioners beheaded the prisoners, and the crowd cheered Bibi Dong, whose prestige soared.
• Li Mubai smiled as he considered building up Spirit City and boosting Spirit Hall's economy.

Spirit City prospered after Bibi Dong’s crackdown on corruption and gangs, while Li Mubai taught Xiao Yu'er and her mother, Sister Zhao, kept her distance from neighbors who had only begun treating her kindly for his sake. The chapter ended with Hu Liena reporting to Bibi Dong about Spirit City’s recent changes.

• Bibi Dong’s sweeping measures and the destruction of the Wild Wolf Gang improved Spirit City’s safety, administration, and economy, earning Spirit Hall and the Pope greater public respect.
• Rumors spread that a newly appointed Spirit Hall elder was responsible for the reforms, and people sought information about him.
• Li Mubai spent time drinking and visiting the Pleasant Fragrance House with Demon Bear, while Bibi Dong discussed governing Spirit City with him.
• Sister Zhao listened as Xiao Yu'er studied with Li Mubai and felt grateful that her daughter had the chance to learn.
• Sister Zhao sold her tofu quickly but treated her suddenly friendly neighbors coldly, suspecting they wanted to benefit from Li Mubai’s influence.
• Hu Liena reported to Bibi Dong about the recent changes in Spirit City.

Hu Liena inspected Spirit City and discovered that new city policies had cleaned up the streets, attracted merchants, and provided work for the poor. She then learned that the city’s tax revenue over seven days exceeded its usual monthly total, leaving her astonished.

• Hu Liena toured Spirit City and found crowded streets, thriving trade, and cleaner roads after the gangs vanished and the City Guard Office changed.
• Hu Liena met an elderly widow sweeping an alley, who explained that the new policy provided her with food, lodging, and wages.
• Hu Liena realized that Bibi Dong and the Tenth Elder had introduced the policy, and suspected the Tenth Elder had devised it.
• Hu Liena questioned silver-armored guards carrying gold coin chests and learned that they were depositing Spirit City’s latest tax revenue into the treasury.
• Hu Liena read the tax statement and discovered that seven days of taxes exceeded the city’s usual monthly revenue.

Hu Liena told Bibi Dong that Spirit City's recent changes had greatly increased its tax revenue, and Bibi Dong credited Li Mubai with the success. As Bibi Dong considered entrusting him with more financial plans, an attendant reported that Golden Crocodile had sought him out, leaving Bibi Dong uneasy about the Worship Hall's intentions.

• Hu Liena reported that Spirit City had become busier and its tax revenue over a few days exceeded the previous month's total.
• Hu Liena confirmed to Bibi Dong that she had checked the accounts and the revenue increase was genuine.
• Bibi Dong praised Li Mubai for fulfilling his promise but judged the new income insufficient to fund a large army.
• Bibi Dong considered asking Li Mubai for more ways to raise revenue and giving him authority over the task.
• An attendant told Bibi Dong that Golden Crocodile had sought out Li Mubai, and Bibi Dong grew suspicious of the Worship Hall.

Golden Crocodile challenged Li Mubai to a public spar in three days, hoping to humiliate him. Li Mubai accepted, then told Demon Bear he could simply refuse to attend because he did not care about losing face.

• Golden Crocodile approached Li Mubai at the Pleasant Fragrance House, but Li Mubai had not heard him over the music and asked him to repeat himself.
• Demon Bear loudly demanded that Golden Crocodile explain himself, then apologized to the people whose entertainment he had interrupted.
• Golden Crocodile invited Li Mubai to spar and threatened that the whole city would mock him if he refused.
• Demon Bear warned Li Mubai that Golden Crocodile was too powerful for him, but Li Mubai accepted the invitation to spar in three days.
• After Golden Crocodile left, Li Mubai told Demon Bear he could still skip the match because he did not care about face.

Bibi Dong took Hu Liena to visit Li Mubai, hoping to persuade him to accept Golden Crocodile Douluo’s challenge. As their carriage left Spirit Hall, the busy streets showed how Spirit City had benefited from Li Mubai’s policies.

• Bibi Dong summoned Hu Liena and ordered a carriage prepared so they could leave early.
• Bibi Dong criticized Hu Liena for being exhausted after fighting a Soul Beast, then gave her a pill for her injuries.
• Bibi Dong explained that she wanted to reach Li Mubai before he left to meet Demon Bear Douluo and visit pleasure houses.
• Bibi Dong planned to persuade Li Mubai to accept Golden Crocodile Douluo’s challenge, which had drawn Soul Masters from across the two empires to Spirit City.
• As the carriage left Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong noticed the increased bustle and thought about how Li Mubai’s policies had attracted merchants and residents.

Bibi Dong visited Li Mubai with Hu Liena and urged him to spar with Golden Crocodile, despite his plans to avoid the duel. The chapter ended with Bibi Dong bluntly asking him to have a “friendly” match.

• Li Mubai answered the door expecting Demon Bear but found Bibi Dong and Hu Liena instead.
• Bibi Dong teased Li Mubai about planning to go out for entertainment, and he invited the two women inside.
• Li Mubai asked Bibi Dong to explain her visit, and she brought up his scheduled arena spar with Golden Crocodile.
• Hu Liena told Li Mubai that news of the duel had spread through Spirit City and reached Soul Masters from both empires.
• Li Mubai decided he would rather skip the duel, but Bibi Dong said she wanted him to spar with Golden Crocodile.

Bibi Dong insisted that Li Mubai spar with Golden Crocodile Douluo so Spirit Hall could use the widely publicized match to display its strength, despite knowing the Worship Hall wanted to undermine him. Li Mubai refused until Bibi Dong revealed a Soul Bone, leaving him eager to accept.

• Bibi Dong told Li Mubai he had to fight Golden Crocodile Douluo because Soul Masters and officials from across the continent had gathered in Spirit City to watch.
• Bibi Dong explained that the Worship Hall had used the challenge to target Li Mubai, but Spirit Hall stood to gain too much from the match for her to cancel it.
• Li Mubai protested that he could not withstand Golden Crocodile Douluo, while Hu Liena wondered whether Bibi Dong had developed feelings for him.
• Bibi Dong offered Li Mubai something to prove her sincerity, and he immediately changed his mind when he saw the Soul Bone in her hand.
• Li Mubai recognized the Soul Bone as the prize he had failed to find during months of searching the Star Dou Forest.

Bibi Dong gave Li Mubai a Ten Thousand Year Right Hand Soul Bone on the condition that he spar with Golden Crocodile in two days. Li Mubai accepted and successfully fused with the bone, while Xiao Qian waited outside, worried.

• Hu Liena was astonished when Bibi Dong presented Li Mubai with a Soul Bone and privately wondered whether her teacher had fallen for him.
• Li Mubai recognized the bone as a Right Hand Soul Bone suited to his sword-wielding Martial Soul and agreed to spar with Golden Crocodile in two days to receive it.
• Bibi Dong gave Li Mubai the Soul Bone and promised to protect him even if he lost the match.
• Li Mubai went to a sealed room and began fusing with the Soul Bone, feeling warmth and surging strength in his right arm.
• Xiao Qian waited outside beneath the tree, watching the closed room with worry, until Li Mubai laughed and announced that the fusion had succeeded.

Li Mubai confirmed he would spar with Golden Crocodile after Bibi Dong promised him a Right Hand Soul Bone, while Demon Bear worried that the far more experienced elder would overpower him. At lunch, rumors suggested Golden Crocodile was at least level ninety-six and possibly level 98, but Li Mubai remained unconcerned about the upcoming fight.

• Demon Bear visited Li Mubai and asked whether he was really going to spar with Golden Crocodile.
• Li Mubai said he had promised Bibi Dong and would attend the spar, and Demon Bear warned him to stop the fight if he was outmatched.
• Li Mubai invited Demon Bear to lunch at a restaurant in the west of the city.
• Nearby diners discussed the elders' upcoming spar and guessed that Golden Crocodile was above level ninety-six.
• Demon Bear grew more worried after hearing the discussion, but Li Mubai reassured him that Bibi Dong would not let Golden Crocodile seriously injure him.

Li Mubai reassured Demon Bear about his upcoming spar with Golden Crocodile Douluo, then reflected on the lethal Soul Skill he had gained from his new Soul Ring. He decided he could not use the skill in the spar, since it might kill Golden Crocodile Douluo and cost him his place in Spirit Hall.

• Wealthy merchants gathered information from Soul Masters about the clash between two Titled Douluo so they could place bets.
• Demon Bear warned Li Mubai about Golden Crocodile Douluo, but Li Mubai insisted he could last three hundred exchanges before admitting he had been joking.
• Demon Bear remembered Li Mubai’s boastful sword line and considered adapting it for his own Martial Soul.
• Xiao Qian worried about Li Mubai’s upcoming spar, and he reassured her before she fell asleep in his arms.
• Li Mubai reflected on his level ninety-three Soul Power and the Forgetting Both Self and Things Soul Skill, deciding not to use its potentially fatal Spiritual Power attack against Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Soul Masters and merchants flooded Spirit City to watch the announced duel between Golden Crocodile Douluo and Li Mubai, while betting shops filled with wagers favoring Golden Crocodile. Li Mubai persuaded Demon Bear to bet on him, and Demon Bear placed five thousand Gold Soul Coins on blue to win.

• A betting shop in Spirit City announced that red was Golden Crocodile Douluo and blue was Li Mubai, drawing a crowd of wagers mostly backing Golden Crocodile.
• A young Soul Master bet on blue without knowing who Golden Crocodile was, and nearby Soul Masters mocked his choice.
• Li Mubai asked Demon Bear whether he trusted him and wanted to make money, then urged him to bet on Li Mubai to win.
• Demon Bear doubted Li Mubai could defeat Golden Crocodile but followed his request, betting five thousand Gold Soul Coins on blue.