Chapter Summaries

After losing a higher-rank Soul Battle to Xia Liang, Dugu Yan arranged a rematch and offered Dugu Bo’s Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch as the stake. Dugu Bo encouraged her to fight seriously, not realizing Xia Liang was a Soul Grandmaster rather than the stronger opponent he assumed.

• Dugu Yan offered Xia Liang the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch to secure a rematch, and Xia Liang agreed to fight her the following night.
• Yu Tianheng and the Imperial Fighting Team overheard Dugu Yan’s plans as they arrived at the Great Soul Arena.
• Dugu Yan returned to Dugu Manor and asked Dugu Bo for the pouch, which he gave her after she explained her loss and the rematch.
• Dugu Bo criticized Dugu Yan for underestimating Xia Liang and advised her to use her Jade Phosphor Serpent poison abilities fully.
• Dugu Bo praised Dugu Yan’s chances against a Soul Ancestor, while she kept quiet about Xia Liang being a Soul Grandmaster.

Dugu Yan fought Xia Liang again in a cross-rank Soul Battle, determined to win back the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch. Xia Liang’s Black-Purple rib defense completely blocked her poison, and he emerged with an Iron Bone Blade as the battle continued.

• Qin Ming arrived with the Imperial Fighting Team and said he would discuss Dugu Yan’s previous loss after watching the match.
• Dugu Yan attacked first, releasing three layers of poison mist while dodging Xia Liang’s five flying phalanges.
• Dugu Yan believed her poison had decided the fight, but Xia Liang emerged unharmed inside his sealed Black-Purple ribs.
• Xia Liang pulled out a rib and formed the Iron Bone Blade, preparing to continue the Soul Battle.

Xia Liang defeated Dugu Yan in a Soul Battle after resisting her poison and disabling her with Finger Bullets, but Qin Ming stopped him before he could strike her. He claimed the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch and began preparing for a possible visit to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and trouble from Dugu Bo, then Qin Ming approached to speak with him privately.

• Dugu Yan used her Poison Mist Ray and snake-tail attack against Xia Liang, but his ribs blocked both attacks.
• Xia Liang weakened Dugu Yan with four Finger Bullets and restrained her with a Skeleton Right Arm, stopping her from releasing more poison.
• Qin Ming conceded the match for the Imperial Fighting Team before Xia Liang could fire a Finger Bullet at Dugu Yan.
• Xia Liang collected his reward and the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch, then planned to prepare antidote food and a flight skill for possible dangers near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
• Qin Ming approached Xia Liang with Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, and the others, and asked to speak with him privately.

Xia Liang weighed Qin Ming’s invitation to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy while refining Whale Rubber and using a medicinal bath to strengthen himself. As he considered how the academy might help his plans, he broke through to level thirty.

• Qin Ming privately invited Xia Liang to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy and promised help obtaining a high-quality Third Soul Ring, and Xia Liang asked for three days to decide.
• Xia Liang used his Soul Battle winnings to buy cultivation resources, including ten pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber and six supportive milk drinks from the Shui Family.
• Xia Liang refined a piece of Whale Rubber and then soaked in his sixth Advanced Medicinal Bath, reviewing his recent battles and Qin Ming’s invitation.
• Xia Liang considered joining the academy for access to its library and support, while planning to use the tournament schedule to pursue his own cultivation goals.
• Xia Liang felt a surge of energy, released his Spiritual Power, and broke through the level thirty bottleneck.

After reaching level thirty, Xia Liang continued working as a chef at Heaven Dou Royal Academy while Dugu Yan persistently sought another Soul Battle. He exposed the flaws in her poison strategy and dismissed her Mixed Poison, leaving her surprised by his knowledge of poison.

• Xia Liang broke through from Soul Power level twenty-nine to level thirty after his sixth Advanced Medicinal Bath.
• Dugu Yan visited Xia Liang in the academy kitchen and offered to arrange daytime cultivation for him if he fought her again.
• Xia Liang ignored Dugu Yan's pleas and continued cooking, then left the kitchen during lunch break.
• Dugu Yan followed Xia Liang and claimed she could overcome his Rib Defense by attacking from below with poison mist.
• Xia Liang revealed that he had intentionally blocked Dugu Yan's mouth in their last battle and said her poison could not harm him.
• Xia Liang criticized Dugu Yan's three-layer Mixed Poison, and she was surprised that he understood poison.

Xia Liang explained to Dugu Yan how Ring Fusion could let her create External Mixed Poison without suffering poison backlash, and the two wagered on their next spirit battle. He then accepted Qin Ming’s offer to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy as a registered student, gaining access to its cultivation resources and Library.

• Xia Liang told Dugu Yan that she could fuse Soul Ring poisons outside her body through Ring Fusion, prompting her to challenge him again and wager that she would become his subordinate if she lost.
• Dugu Yan and Xia Liang traded provocative remarks and moved close together before Qin Ming interrupted them and teased Dugu Yan about having feelings for Xia Liang.
• Xia Liang and Qin Ming discussed his offer to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Xia Liang proposed joining as a registered student while remaining free to pursue other work.
• Qin Ming agreed to let Xia Liang join as a registered student and said he would report the arrangement to the Three Education Commissioners, who might help him obtain his Third Soul Ring.
• Xia Liang was pleased to gain access to the academy’s cultivation resources and Library, where he hoped to find knowledge about Ring Fusion.

Xia Liang studied plant Soul Beasts, plant Martial Souls, and Ring Fusion at Heaven Dou Royal Academy while preparing to leave his cooking duties behind. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe summoned him and confirmed the academy would protect his growth by keeping him out of the Elite Tournament.

• Xia Liang handed his recipes to the Head Chef and spent his free time studying plant knowledge in the Heaven Dou Library.
• Xia Liang learned about several historical Titled Douluo with rare plant Martial Souls and noticed Ye Lingling studying plant-related books.
• Xia Liang moved on to studying Ring Fusion techniques after finishing his research on plants.
• Qin Ming brought Xia Liang to a meeting with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Prince Xue Xing, and the Three Education Commissioners.
• Xue Qinghe told Xia Liang the academy would not require him to enter the Elite Tournament and urged him to grow into a pillar of the empire.

Xia Liang explained that his Skeleton Martial Soul and rigorous training let him absorb unusually old Soul Rings, while asking the academy to help him obtain a five-thousand-year Bone Dragon Soul Ring. The academy’s leaders agreed to keep his abilities secret and support his plan rather than let outsiders learn about him.

• Xia Liang accepted thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins from Qin Ming as compensation for investigating his records.
• Xia Liang attributed his rapid cultivation to hard work, resourcefulness, and the Skeleton Martial Soul’s unusually strong bones and meridians, which let him withstand older Soul Rings.
• Meng Shenji, Prince Xue Xing, Qin Ming, and Xue Qinghe promised not to reveal Xia Liang’s Martial Soul secret.
• Xia Liang explained that he had misjudged his First Soul Beast’s age and later chose a nine-hundred-year Second Soul Ring after studying Soul Beasts and Soul Ring absorption.
• Xia Liang asked Meng Shenji to help him obtain a five-thousand-year Bone Dragon Soul Ring for his Third Soul Ring and said he would seek help elsewhere if the academy refused.
• The academy’s leaders agreed to help Xia Liang and keep his talent from Spirit Hall, the Seven Great Sects, and other outsiders.

Meng Shenji planned to find Xia Liang a five-thousand-year Bone Dragon Soul Ring in secret, while Dugu Bo confronted Xia Liang and then left on a long journey with Prince Xue Xing. With Dugu Bo away, Xia Liang saw an opportunity to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and improve his strength.

• Meng Shenji decided to travel to Dragon Valley to capture a five-thousand-year Bone Dragon for Xia Liang's Third Soul Ring and conceal his talent.
• Xue Qinghe invited Xia Liang to cook for him at the Imperial Palace, and Xia Liang agreed to make him noodles.
• Yu Tianheng and the Imperial Fighting Team questioned Dugu Yan about rumors that she had kissed Xia Liang, but Dugu Yan denied them.
• Dugu Bo pressured Xia Liang over his remarks about the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison, then accepted Xia Liang's methods and gave him the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch.
• Dugu Bo told Dugu Yan he would be away for a long journey and left with Prince Xue Xing, while Xia Liang planned to use the opportunity to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Xia Liang received Anti-Poison Pills from Dugu Yan after she apologized for her grandfather’s test and explained how the pills worked. That night, he reviewed the day’s gains and prepared to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well soon.

• Dugu Yan caught up with Xia Liang and apologized for Dugu Bo’s treatment of him.
• Dugu Yan gave Xia Liang six Anti-Poison Pills and explained that they offered limited protection against poison and could signal their friendship to Dugu Bo.
• Xia Liang suspected the pills also helped Dugu Yan withstand the backlash from Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison, but she denied needing to keep any of them.
• Dugu Yan reminded Xia Liang that they would have another Soul Fight after she mastered Ring Fusion and External Mixed Poison.
• That night, Xia Liang sorted through his Storage Soul Tools and reflected on gaining the Anti-Poison Pills, a Gold Card with thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins, and an acquaintance with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

Xia Liang prepared to enter Sunset Forest and reach the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, relying on an Anti-Poison Pill and Food-type Soul Skills to survive its dangers. After arriving at the forest at night, he sent one hundred Gastlys out to scout the way.

• Xia Liang reviewed the threats around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and concluded that an Anti-Poison Pill, flying Food-type Soul Skills, and detoxifying foods could help him cross Dugu Bo's poison array.
• Xia Liang packed supplies into the Three-colored Ring and decided to risk entering the forest to obtain the Immortal Herbs and improve his talent.
• Xia Liang took a week's leave from Heaven Dou Royal Academy and traveled to Sunset Forest at night.
• Xia Liang released his Skeleton Martial Soul and summoned one hundred Gastlys.
• Xia Liang ordered the Gastlys to scatter and scout Sunset Forest.

Xia Liang used Gastly scouts and food-system soul skills to cross Sunset Forest and reach its core, where he found Dugu Bo’s Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He ended the chapter realizing that the array’s poison could destroy even his strengthened Giant Bone Hand almost instantly.

• Xia Liang dispatched Gastlys to scout routes and watch for Dugu Bo, then used food-system soul skills to conceal his scent, shield his mental power, and travel deeper into Sunset Forest.
• Xia Liang continued through the forest overnight as nearly half the Gastlys were lost to sunlight and soul beasts.
• Xia Liang entered the Core Area, where a Ten-Thousand-Year Man-Faced Demon Spider attacked him, but Gastlys disrupted its strike and he escaped after several exchanges.
• After two days and two nights, Xia Liang reached the center of the Core Area and identified the dark green poisonous mist as Dugu Bo’s Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array.
• Xia Liang sent a Gastly into the array and watched it dissolve, then extended his strengthened Giant Bone Hand into the mist and found its forearm reduced to powder.

Xia Liang crossed Dugu Bo’s Poison Array and carefully descended into the valley, where he discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He stood near the spring, surrounded by plants he suspected were Immortal Herbs and other rare treasures.

• Xia Liang used Gastly to test the Anti-Poison Pill, then crossed the toxic mist with help from a flight-type food Soul Skill.
• After reaching the safe area, Xia Liang cleared the lingering toxins and had Gastlys scout the strange landscape beyond the Poison Array.
• Xia Liang flew over a mountain and spotted a sulfur-scented valley, then used Milk Hot Drink and Milk Cold Drink to resist its extreme energies.
• Xia Liang descended into the valley, concealed his aura and scent, and put on an Iron One-piece Suit to protect himself from poisonous plants.
• Xia Liang saw a red-and-white spring forming a Taiji pattern and recognized it as the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Xia Liang searched the plants around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and harvested two immortal herbs, while deciding he needed to learn more before Tang San arrived. He reached the shore to claim the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot for Ice-Fire Body Tempering, but the chapter ended before he picked them.

• Xia Liang tested a purple flower with Bamboo Snake venom, confirmed it was likely the Aromatic Silk Beauty, and transplanted it into a planter.
• The Bamboo Snake exploded from the extreme cold and heat around the well, and Xia Liang continued searching for recognizable herbs.
• Xia Liang harvested the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and left the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in place as a possible way to gain Dugu Bo's trust.
• Xia Liang realized he could identify few of the herbs and resolved to learn more or keep Tang San from gaining the well's opportunity.
• Xia Liang reached the shore between the hot and cold springs to take the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot for Ice-Fire Body Tempering.

Xia Liang harvested and consumed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, then entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to temper his body with their powers. As he sank unconscious, his body recovered and his Skeleton Martial Soul evolved, growing a black-purple skull and a longer spine.

• Xia Liang sent two Gastly to cut the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass with a metal dagger and the Infernal Delicate Apricot with a jade dagger, but the springwater’s spiritual energy dispersed them.
• Xia Liang retrieved both herbs with his Skeleton Right Arm, ate them together, and drank the Milk Hot Drink, Milk Cold Drink, and Milk Algae Drink.
• Xia Liang hid his Storage Soul Tools and jumped into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where the herbs’ powers began converting into Ice-Fire Energy and transforming his body.
• As Xia Liang sank unconscious, Ice-Fire Energy strengthened his muscles, cleared his meridians, and improved his bones while his appearance returned to normal.
• Xia Liang’s strengthened skeleton caused his Skeleton Martial Soul to evolve from black-purple ribs into a five-meter spine, ribs, and skull.

After absorbing the Ice-Fire Energy, Xia Liang awakened to find his Skeleton Martial Soul had evolved into a five-meter-tall, Top-Tier Necromancer Skeleton with a skull and an Undead Domain. He learned that his body had gained immunity to ice, fire, and poison, and considered how further evolution might lead to Bone Transformation Susanoo and a vast undead army, though he could not yet summon the undead sealed by his domain.

• Xia Liang woke in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as his Skeleton Martial Soul finished evolving, growing a skull and expanding into a five-meter frame.
• Xia Liang learned that he had absorbed the Ice-Fire Energy and gained immunity to ice, fire, and poison, while his Skeleton Martial Soul had advanced to a Top-Tier Martial Soul.
• Xia Liang considered how future Martial Soul evolutions and Soul Rings could complete the skeleton and create Bone Transformation Susanoo.
• Xia Liang retracted his Martial Soul and found that his body had returned to a normal flesh-and-blood appearance and would no longer struggle to keep pace with his skeleton.
• Xia Liang learned that his renamed Necromancer Skeleton had awakened the Undead Domain, which could damage souls and permanently seal the undead of those killed within it.
• Xia Liang imagined gathering a million undead to evolve his Martial Soul into an emperor, but realized the domain could not house an army or let him summon its sealed undead yet.

After hearing the Two Dragon Kings of Ice and Fire’s Wraith Roar, Xia Liang abandoned his plan to explore the abyss and returned safely to shore. He discovered his improved vision, collected Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and planned to hide his Immortal Herbs from Dugu Bo.

• Xia Liang heard the Two Dragon Kings of Ice and Fire’s Wraith Roar and decided not to risk descending into the abyss for their Soul Bones.
• Xia Liang used Gastly to scout the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and learned that Dugu Bo was absent and the area was safe.
• Xia Liang emerged from the spring and realized his Necromancer Skeleton Martial Soul had improved his eyesight and Spiritual Power.
• Xia Liang identified Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew at the boundary between the Extreme Cold Ice Spring and the Blazing Fire Spring and transplanted it into the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch.
• Xia Liang decided to hide his Immortal Herbs after returning to Heaven Dou Royal Academy so Dugu Bo would not suspect him.

Xia Liang successfully stole the immortal herbs, escaped the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array, and returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy after transforming his appearance and strengthening his defenses against Dugu Bo’s poison. When students learned that Master Xia had returned looking handsome, Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, and their companions hurried to the kitchen to see him.

• Xia Liang left charred clothing by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to make Dugu Bo believe the thief had died, then crossed the poison array using the Aromatic Silk Beauty and infused Ice-Fire Energy into his Necromancer Skeleton Martial Soul.
• Xia Liang reasoned that his combined defenses made Dugu Bo’s poison nearly ineffective, so he decided to stay for his Third Soul Ring and prepared an excuse for having used three of Dugu Yan’s Anti-Poison Pills.
• Xia Liang left Sunset Forest, gathered poisonous wild vegetables and mushrooms as a cover story, and returned to Heaven Dou City the next morning with his appearance restored and refined.
• Students rushed toward the Academy Kitchen after hearing that Master Xia had returned looking handsome, and Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, Osler, and the others followed to see for themselves.

Students crowded the academy cafeteria to learn how Xia Liang had restored his appearance, while he explained his transformation as the result of a specialized soup. Dugu Yan silently acknowledged rumors linking her to Xia Liang, leaving Yu Tianheng jealous but resolved to pursue her himself.

• Students gathered outside the kitchen and speculated that Xia Liang had overcome his Martial Soul defect through special food.
• A student recalled Dugu Yan's two losses to Xia Liang, and Dugu Yan resolved to learn new techniques and challenge him again.
• Xia Liang explained that Black-Bone Chicken Smoked Perch Soup had helped restore his body and appearance, then continued teaching cooks.
• Dugu Yan met Xia Liang's gaze and reminded him of their soul battle agreement; he responded with a smile and nod.
• Dugu Yan named Xia Liang when another student asked who he was, while Yu Tianheng grew jealous but decided to take the initiative and pursue her.

Xia Liang practiced in the Cave Mimetic Field and discussed training with Dugu Yan, who challenged him to another Soul Battle before she mastered Ring Fusion. The chapter ended with Dugu Yan discovering Xia Liang had already learned Ring Fusion and asking him to teach her.

• Xia Liang returned to the cave after handing over his kitchen duties and meditated while considering his plans to absorb his Third Soul Ring and take the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone.
• Dugu Yan found Xia Liang in the cave and suggested that she train there with him, prompting them to tease each other about cultivation.
• Dugu Yan challenged Xia Liang to another Soul Battle because she feared he would become too strong once he absorbed his Third Soul Ring.
• Dugu Yan explained that Ring Fusion was difficult to master, but Xia Liang demonstrated that he could fuse two Yellow Soul Rings into a Black-Purple Light Ball.
• Dugu Yan excitedly asked Xia Liang to teach her Ring Fusion, and he considered how her learning it could help them in future battles.