Chapter Summaries

Nidya cleared the Zhou Family Ancestral Land’s eighth trial round, then rejected her family’s attempt at reconciliation. The Zhou elders responded by considering marriage as a way to remove her from the family and prevent further trouble.

• Nidya entered the trial and fought off more than a hundred wandering souls using her Soul Rings and Moonlight Scepter.
• Nidya froze the hall and the emerging wandering souls, then endured the ten-minute round and absorbed the Soul Power released by the defeated enemies.
• Zhou Liqing praised Nidya and offered her the resources the family had withheld, but she rejected them and accused the elders of acting out of self-interest.
• Zhou Liqing warned Nidya that rejecting the family’s goodwill would make her future difficult.
• An angry family elder called Nidya ungrateful and urged that she be married off, while the figure at the head of the room remained silent.

Wang Xiaofeng secured a laboratory at the Research Institute to study flesh from an Evil God, which he had preserved and cleansed of contamination. Dai Mubai reacted violently to the sample, prompting Wang Xiaofeng to investigate the Saint King's history for clues.

• Li Muchen refused Wang Xiaofeng's request for a laboratory, so Dai Mubai offered to help him find one at the Research Institute.
• An Bo enthusiastically welcomed Wang Xiaofeng, asked to draw his blood, and showed him the best-protected vacant laboratory.
• Wang Xiaofeng listed the equipment he needed and learned that some devices would have to be scheduled in advance.
• Wang Xiaofeng revealed a piece of Evil God flesh preserved in his Gourd, and Dai Mubai recoiled when he saw it.
• Wang Xiaofeng explained that he had removed the contamination and said they needed to study the Evil God to discover its weaknesses.
• After Dai Mubai collapsed from his bloodline's reaction, Wang Xiaofeng asked him to gather information about the Saint King, including myths and folk tales.

Tuoba Xi pressured Tuoba Yan to accept a marriage alliance that would serve the Saint Dragon Sect and Spirit Hall. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaofeng used the Evil God Remains to identify and correct flaws in his Soul Power circulation, greatly improving his cultivation efficiency.

• Tuoba Xi explained the Saint Dragon Sect’s hidden ties to Spirit Hall and told Tuoba Yan to devote himself to the sect through a marriage alliance.
• Tuoba Yan submitted to his father’s decision and left the study feeling lost about the childhood betrothal he had been promised.
• Wang Xiaofeng began his forty-second experiment by sending his consciousness into the Evil God Remains and seeing his Soul Power pathways with heightened clarity.
• Wang Xiaofeng adjusted a faulty pathway during the experiment, then repeatedly checked and corrected his other pathways despite the mental strain.
• By dawn, Wang Xiaofeng had corrected all his Soul Power circulation paths, boosting his physical abilities and doubling his Soul Power conversion efficiency.

Wang Xiaofeng recovered from a dangerous stint in Thought Space and discussed Dai Mubai’s warning about his relationship with Zhu Qing. They tested a cauldron of medicinal ingredients and Evil God Remains, and Dai Mubai discovered the paste tasted irresistible.

• Dai Mubai entered Wang Xiaofeng’s laboratory and had the Calabash Vine wake him from Thought Space.
• Wang Xiaofeng explained that Thought Space’s 1:40 time flow had nearly exhausted his mental energy, so he would limit future sessions to a safer pace.
• Dai Mubai told Wang Xiaofeng that Zhu Qing’s grandfather, Divine Spear Douluo, opposed their relationship and urged him to find a reason to keep going.
• Wang Xiaofeng opened his cauldron after its six-hour cooking timer sounded and explained he was testing whether high temperatures could kill the Evil God Remains.
• Dai Mubai tried the medicinal paste and, despite calling it disgusting, ate more than half of it.

Shrek Academy's electives became popular at Star Luo Royal Academy, easing some students' prejudice toward the exchange students. Ma Ke obtained the Blood God flesh needed for his martial soul evolution and was left preparing for a dangerous Soul Ring absorption.

• Ma Hongjun and Qin Ming began teaching popular elective courses, and some Star Luo students started befriending Shrek students.
• Ma Ke received an evolution method for his Crimson Blood Dragon Carp that required 50 grams of incomplete Blood God flesh.
• Ma Ke found Fang Jing with a nutrient solution containing incomplete Blood God blood and asked to meet Wang Xiaofeng.
• Wang Xiaofeng agreed to give Ma Ke 50 grams of Blood God flesh in exchange for drawing 500cc of his blood each quarter.
• Ma Ke took the flesh and regretted spending 1,000 Evolution Points earlier on another evolution method.

Mihail learned why Star Luo Academy students faced intense graduation examinations and how Shrek’s graduates avoided Spirit Hall’s restrictions. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaofeng learned that families were competing to marry Master Zhou’s eldest granddaughter, while her clan elders plotted to force her to cooperate with the wedding.

• Qin Ming explained Star Luo’s official-oriented job market, Shrek’s conflict with Spirit Hall, and the academy’s strong employment prospects.
• A palace guard summoned Wang Xiaofeng to Dai Mubai’s study, where Dai Mubai showed him a list of eight families seeking to marry Master Zhou’s eldest granddaughter.
• Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing discussed whether the missing woman had been placed under house arrest, while Wang Xiaofeng said the wedding day would reveal the truth.
• The clan elders reviewed lavish betrothal gifts and decided to pressure the woman into playing along by making the wedding a public spectacle.
• Second Clan Elder chose the Saint Dragon Sect as the groom’s family because its betrothal gifts were the most generous.

The Zhou Family’s planned marriage alliance with the Saint Dragon Sect dominated public attention as Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing discussed Wang Xiaofeng’s potential clash with the legendary Master Zhou. Zhou Huai'an’s father learned of the marriage and vowed to stop it, but the wedding preparations and rumors continued until August tenth.

• News of the Zhou Family and Saint Dragon Sect’s marriage alliance overwhelmed other topics, including the Sugar Water Troupe’s reunion concert.
• Dai Mubai offered Wang Xiaofeng two places at the August tenth event, while Wang Xiaofeng returned to his laboratory to check on an experiment.
• Dai Mubai told Zhu Zhuqing that Zhou Huai'an might protect Wang Xiaofeng if a confrontation broke out, and admitted he wanted to see Wang Xiaofeng humbled by Master Zhou.
• Zhou Huai'an’s father stormed into his study and declared the marriage null, but Zhou Huai'an said the wedding invitations had already been sent and warned him not to cause a public scandal.
• Rumors about lavish wedding clothes and a citywide banquet kept the marriage alliance in the headlines, while the Sugar Water Troupe struggled to sell tickets until August tenth.

Nidya returned to the Zhou Residence and discovered that her family had arranged for her to marry into the Saint Dragon Sect. When the clan elders tried to force her into the wedding, she exposed their abuses and corruption before the guests, until a young man intervened and declared he would take her away.

• Ma Ke learned that Qin Ming and Ma Hongjun had gone to Star Luo City to watch the Zhou Family’s wedding banquet.
• Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the Zhou Residence, while Wang Xiaofeng slipped into the rear courtyard and secretly tampered with the banquet food and drinks.
• Nidya discovered that the Zhou Family had arranged her marriage to the Saint Dragon Sect, rejected the steward’s demands, and tried to escape the clan elders.
• Nidya publicly accused the elders of mistreating her and exposed Third Clan Elder’s embezzlement and the events that had kept her from leaving the family.
• Second Clan Elder attacked Nidya with his Thunder Nether Overlord Spear, but a young man caught it, hurled it away, and declared that he would take her with him.

Wang Xiaofeng rescued Nidya from the Zhou Family by weakening its elders and shielding them from their own lightning attack. As he tried to escape with Nidya, the level-97 Titled Douluo blocked their path, leaving them unable to move.

• Wang Xiaofeng arrived at Nidya’s wedding and declared that he would take her away, then caught the Second Clan Elder’s Overlord Spear barehanded.
• The four Zhou Family clan elders joined forces and summoned a Thunder Cloud, while Nidya spread cold air across the Zhou Residence to strengthen it.
• Wang Xiaofeng released poisonous mist that drained the guests’ and elders’ Soul Power, then carried Nidya toward the exit.
• The Second Clan Elder unleashed the elders’ Four-in-One Soul Skill Fusion Technique, but red silk from Wang Xiaofeng’s body erased the lightning and protected them as they escaped.
• Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya reached the back gate, where a level-97 Titled Douluo stopped them with his killing intent.

Wang Xiaofeng fought Zhou Huai'an to free Nidya, and Nidya severed her ties with the Zhou Family in front of her grandfather. Zhou Huai'an let the pair escape, then accepted the Star Luo Emperor’s judgment against his family.

• Zhou Huai'an attacked Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya, but Nidya trapped him in ice and helped Wang Xiaofeng flee.
• Zhou Huai'an broke free, struck Wang Xiaofeng down, and restrained Nidya, but Wang Xiaofeng recovered and fought back.
• Wang Xiaofeng used his calabash, Calabash Vine, and Moon Dew to injure and briefly bind Zhou Huai'an, though Zhou Huai'an soon gained the upper hand.
• Nidya cut off her hair, renounced the Zhou Family, and threw down the coin pouch Zhou Huai'an had given her as a child.
• Wang Xiaofeng pierced Zhou Huai'an with a water attack, but Nidya stood between them; Zhou Huai'an remembered his daughter and lowered his spear, allowing them to escape.
• The Star Luo Emperor ordered half the Zhou Family’s assets confiscated and the rest punished according to their crimes, while Zhou Huai'an accepted the verdict.

Wang Xiaofeng brought Nidya to Star Luo Royal Academy, where they reunited and nearly resumed their relationship before he stopped himself because of a promise. Ma Ke interrupted them, and Wang Xiaofeng sent him and Fang Jing to buy supplies.

• Nidya flew with Wang Xiaofeng on the Gourd and told him she had missed his familiar scent after two years apart.
• Wang Xiaofeng used Soul Power to clear the congealed blood in Nidya’s body as the Gourd landed at Star Luo Royal Academy.
• Wang Xiaofeng showed Nidya his room and told her to shower, but she pushed him onto the bed and tried to kiss him.
• Wang Xiaofeng stopped Nidya, reminding her that he had promised not to sleep with her before they were married, and went to answer a knock at the door.
• Ma Ke arrived, saw Wang Xiaofeng’s disheveled appearance, and received a Black Card and a list of supplies to buy with Fang Jing.

Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya spent a quiet couple of days together before attending Sugar Water Troupe’s concert in Star Luo City. As Shui Yue'er showed Wang Xiaofeng affection from the stage, Nidya drew him close, and the concert began with the crowd singing along.

• Wang Xiaofeng cooked dinner for Nidya, then trimmed her hair and earned her promise of a kiss.
• Ma Ke brought Dai Mubai’s message telling Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya to stay home for the next few days.
• Qin Ming and Ma Hongjun welcomed Nidya, while Wang Xiaofeng learned that the Zhou Family’s wedding had collapsed and officials blamed the ruined street on a fireworks warehouse explosion.
• Sugar Water Troupe’s concert drew a large crowd to the Great Spirit Arena, where Shui Binger and Shui Yue'er bowed to thank the audience.
• Shui Yue'er spotted Wang Xiaofeng in the inner section and made a heart gesture as she performed.
• Nidya noticed Shui Yue'er's affection for Wang Xiaofeng, and he pulled her close as the crowd sang along.

Wang Xiaofeng left Star Luo City with Nidya to travel and put his studies into practice, after giving Dai Mubai research papers and Ma Hongjun a Soul Bone. He also demonstrated that he had deciphered the ancient Fire Rune, opening a path toward rebuilding Soul Tool knowledge.

• Newspapers reported Sugar Water Troupe's successful concert as crowds gathered in Star Luo City for the academy entrance examinations.
• Wang Xiaofeng and Ma Hongjun prepared concentrated nutritional paste at the Research Institute for the journey ahead.
• Wang Xiaofeng told Dai Mubai he was leaving Star Luo City, gave him seven research papers, and declined to attend the Inheritance Hall assessment.
• Dai Mubai asked Wang Xiaofeng to save him wine and reminded him of their gathering in two years, but Wang Xiaofeng departed before he could answer.
• Outside the city, Nidya teased Wang Xiaofeng about giving Ma Hongjun a Soul Bone, and Wang Xiaofeng explained that it could help Ma Hongjun more than it could help him.
• Wang Xiaofeng formed a fireball with the Fire Rune he had reconstructed through experiments with Qin Ming and Ma Hongjun.

Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya arrived in Stone Town and ate a meal at its tavern, where they learned about the annual fish migration and the Fish Dragon King of Mo Yang Lake. They returned to their room after drawing curious looks from the townspeople, and Nidya pounced on Wang Xiaofeng as they entered.

• Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya arrived in Stone Town by donkey cart, and Wang Xiaofeng cared for their exhausted donkey.
• Wang Xiaofeng met Old Gaul at the tavern, and Old Gaul offered to cook breakfast for him and Nidya.
• Old Gaul and a silver-haired woman served the siblings fried fish, fruit pie, and fish stew.
• Old Gaul explained that fish migrated to a nearby lake to spawn, while the silver-haired woman warned them about the Fish Dragon King in Mo Yang Lake.
• Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya returned to their room after breakfast, and Nidya pounced on him as they entered.

Wang Xiaofeng explained that he had brought Nidya to Mo Yang Lake to search for a sea turtle Soul Beast whose shell might help her obtain a defensive Sixth Soul Ring and advance his Soul Power Armor research. On the road, they encountered a hungry bear cub, and Nidya adopted it and named it Black Bean.

• Wang Xiaofeng told Nidya that he hoped to find a sea turtle Soul Beast for her Sixth Soul Ring and to study its shell for his Soul Power Armor research.
• Nidya recited a melodramatic verse about being overshadowed by Wang Xiaofeng's first love, and he teased her before getting her to resume training.
• Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya left Old Gaul early the next morning and drove their donkey cart toward Mo Yang Lake.
• A small black bear blocked the cart to demand Nidya's meat pie, and Nidya lured it close before grabbing it by the scruff.
• Nidya decided to adopt the bear cub, named it Black Bean, and the cub reluctantly accepted its new name after being slapped.

Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya reached Weiyang Lake and prepared a picnic, where Wang Xiaofeng captured the giant catfish and traded Moon Dew for samples and measurements. Meanwhile, Black Bean met a large black bear in the forest, which warned it against trusting humans.

• Nidya accidentally slapped Black Bean while waking, then apologized, and Wang Xiaofeng gave the cub a jar of honey.
• Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya arrived at Weiyang Lake and spotted a giant black fish drive off an Iron Claw Eagle.
• Wang Xiaofeng lured the giant catfish ashore with Moon Dew and negotiated a trade for its blood, scales, and body data.
• Nidya returned with wild vegetables and mushrooms, and Wang Xiaofeng released the catfish back into the lake.
• A large black bear scolded Black Bean for trusting humans, but then tasted the honey and enjoyed it.

Wang Xiaofeng gathered berries and prepared an outdoor meal by the lake with Nidya and Black Bean. After they ate, he began curing salmon roe into caviar, explaining that studying and making food were also part of cultivation.

• Calabash Vine uprooted a berry bush for Wang Xiaofeng, who told it to gather only the berries and replant the shrub.
• Black Bean returned dirty and without its honey jar, and Nidya teased it while Wang Xiaofeng cooked sandwiches and fish with mushrooms and wild vegetables.
• Wang Xiaofeng, Nidya, and Black Bean raised their cups to welcome Black Bean, then ate the meal together.
• Nidya found Wang Xiaofeng curing salmon roe in a floating water ball and asked why he was doing the tedious work himself.
• Wang Xiaofeng explained that many activities, including studying and making food, were forms of cultivation, and he caught another salmon to continue making caviar.

During a journey along the river, Wang Xiaofeng experienced sudden enlightenment in a rainstorm and broke through the barrier to a higher level of spiritual consciousness. He demonstrated his new power by dispersing the clouds and unknowingly saving Hunter Old Xing from a mother brown bear.

• Nidya teased Black Bean about the brown bears they passed, and Wang Xiaofeng urged the group to travel faster as rain approached.
• Wang Xiaofeng shielded the donkey cart with a water dome and, while listening to the rain, felt his spiritual consciousness merge with the natural world.
• A ray of dawn entered Wang Xiaofeng's Sea of Consciousness, breaking an invisible barrier and expanding his awareness across the surrounding mountains and rivers.
• Wang Xiaofeng flicked a leaf into the sky, dispersing the clouds, and told Nidya that his sudden enlightenment had saved him two months of cultivation and that he now needed a Soul Ring.
• A mother brown bear charged Hunter Old Xing in a cave, but Wang Xiaofeng's emerald power blasted apart the rock wall and drove the bear away with her cub.

Old Xing told Wang Xiaofeng about seeing a fiery crab and a white sea turtle beneath the sea during a childhood storm. Inspired by the account, Wang Xiaofeng paid Old Xing fifty Gold Soul Coins and hired him to guide him back to the place where the vision occurred.

• Old Xing returned to the Drink Enough Tavern after nearly dying in the Forest and reflected on how fear of the sea had ended his hopes of becoming a fisherman.
• Wang Xiaofeng paid the tavern’s customers to share stories, and Old Xing eventually told him about the storm at sea and the crab and turtle he saw beneath the waves.
• Old Xing added that he had heard a bell like the one Spirit Hall rang, and Wang Xiaofeng eagerly gathered his notes and left to write.
• The next morning, Wang Xiaofeng offered Old Xing fifty Gold Soul Coins and a contract to take him to the place where the vision had happened.
• Despite his fear of the sea, Old Xing agreed to sign the contract, and You Li confirmed that Wang Xiaofeng’s supplies would be ready within an hour.

Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya inspected a fishing boat at You Li’s urging and decided to buy it for their coming fight with two powerful sea beasts. They paid the old owner ten thousand Gold Soul Coins without haggling, leaving him stunned as the sale was completed.

• After Drink Enough Tavern’s patrons gathered hoping to see the rumored spender, the bartender told them Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya had already left.
• You Li led Wang Xiaofeng and Nidya to inspect the Izumo, a three-masted fishing boat built with an ironwood hull.
• Nidya charmed the wary old owner, and You Li privately urged him to quote a lower price to the wealthy buyers.
• Wang Xiaofeng inspected the boat with Soul Power, while he and Nidya discussed whether buying it was safer than chartering one for their battle against two powerful sea beasts.
• The old owner asked ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, and Wang Xiaofeng accepted; the sale was completed at the bank without any haggling.