Chapter Summaries

Chen Xiaojun concluded that Da Siming represented the yin aspect of the Yin Yang Great Dao and would draw on destruction and death to nurture a spark of life. Convinced she was a righteous god rather than an evil one, he began feeding her cocoon negative energy from the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword.

• Chen Xiaojun compared Shao Siming’s life-giving aura with Da Siming’s destructive nature and deduced that they embodied opposing, complementary aspects of yin and yang.
• Chen Xiaojun told Ye Xiuxin that he believed Da Siming was a Righteous God and would not let her devour him.
• Ye Xiuxin collected the dark-red blood crystal fragments to study for ways to restrain or use them, then left Chen Xiaojun alone.
• Chen Xiaojun summoned the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword Phantom Soul and released negative energy toward Da Siming’s Black-Red Light Cocoon.
• Da Siming’s cocoon greedily devoured the energy, stirring the sea of consciousness as Chen Xiaojun watched.

Chen Xiaojun used the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword’s stored negative energy to nourish the Black-Red Light Cocoon, then carefully introduced Nine Yang True Qi into his sea of consciousness. The cocoon began absorbing the yang energy, leaving him with the first sign of a possible balance between yin and yang.

• Chen Xiaojun drew on the Nethersea Seven Kill Sword’s reserves of negative energy to feed the Black-Red Light Cocoon.
• Chen Xiaojun formed a Nine Yang Sun Wheel above his sea of consciousness and illuminated the cocoon with its Pure Yang aura.
• Chen Xiaojun stopped the sword’s energy supply once the cocoon’s devouring slowed, then cautiously guided the sun wheel’s golden light toward it.
• The Black-Red Light Cocoon trembled, opened a crack, and slowly absorbed a fine thread of Nine Yang True Qi.
• Chen Xiaojun realized that Da Siming’s Yin Gives Birth to Yang had begun as the cocoon accepted the yang energy and settled into a warmer, more restrained pulse.

After finishing a four-hour meditation, Chen Xiaojun joined his companions for a meal at Iron Jaw Fortress and gave Ma Liang a copy of the Flame Breathing Technique. Ma Liang accepted it after swearing to keep the secret art from being passed on.

• Chen Xiaojun left his meditation room and found Zhu Wuneng, Du Gu Fu, Ma Liang, Qiu Qingquan, An Mingyuan, and Yuan Run drinking Rock Marrow Wine in the courtyard.
• Zhu Wuneng served Chen Xiaojun the meal they had kept warm while the others waited for him to finish eating.
• Chen Xiaojun presented Ma Liang with a copy of the Flame Breathing Technique, saying he considered him a brother and would not leave him behind.
• Ma Liang hesitated because the technique was so precious, but Du Gu Fu and Chen Xiaojun reassured him that the gift had been approved.
• Chen Xiaojun warned Ma Liang not to share the technique without permission, and Ma Liang swore by his martial soul and life to keep it secret.

Chen Xiaojun’s group discussed the Flame Breathing Technique, their recent military operations, and a spreading doomsday rumor that Qinghuang Sword Monarch would unleash corrupt blood within seven days. As the threat loomed, they turned to reviewing the battle at Iron Jaw Fortress, and Chen Xiaojun tasked Du Gu Fu with compiling the group’s observations into a battle report.

• Chen Mu, Chen Shurui, and Chen Bin teased Ma Liang about receiving the Flame Breathing Technique and encouraged him to use it to challenge Zhu Wuneng.
• Chen Mu reported that winning the loyalty of the people under their command would take time, while Chen Shurui described rising unrest and refugee movements across the Underground World.
• Chen Shurui revealed a rumor that Qinghuang Sword Monarch had been summoned by the Lord of Corrupt Blood and would drown surface creatures in corrupt blood within seven days.
• Chen Xiaojun warned that a storm was coming, then redirected the gathering to its earlier discussion of the battle at Iron Jaw Fortress.
• Du Gu Fu explained that the group was reviewing their battlefield tactics, and Chen Xiaojun assigned him to organize their observations into an archived battle report.

Chen Mu revealed that the Chen family was considering forming Chen Xiaojun’s Young Master’s Guard, prompting his followers to wonder about the roles and requirements. The plan had not been formally established, but Chen Mu suggested it was likely to happen soon.

• Du Gu Fu promised to remember Chen Xiaojun’s instructions, and Chen Mu told him the Young Master’s Guard might soon be formed.
• An Mingyuan, Qiu Qingquan, and Yuan Run expressed their hopes of joining the Guard and asked whether Di Sha Star status was required.
• Zhu Wuneng worried about taking a captain’s post while still young and studying, and Chen Mu praised his command during the Battle of Iron Jaw Fortress.
• Chen Xiaojun clarified that the Guard was only an idea mentioned by his second uncle and that no formal organization had been decided.
• Chen Mu said the elders had long wanted Chen Xiaojun to train more people and implied that forming the Guard was likely to happen soon.

Qingluo escaped her shackles and tried to flee the underground fortress, but Lord Zuo intercepted her and forced her to reveal her spider-type Martial Soul. The alarm sounded and guards converged as she remained trapped in the fight.

• Qingluo unlocked her Soul Power Shackles with a hidden bone key and slipped out while her sleeping roommates remained in bed.
• Qingluo crossed the western breach and sprinted north toward the fortress wall.
• Lord Zuo attacked Qingluo with his Ghost Gold Soul-Rending Sword, but she dodged the strikes using Luo Yan Step and Martial Soul Possession.
• The sword winds struck the walls and ground, alerting the Brocade-Clad Guards, who raised the alarm and lit the courtyard.
• The guards identified Lord Zuo and saw Qingluo’s spider-like Martial Soul form as they rushed to seize her.

Qingluo fought Zuo Jinhua with her spider abilities but lost their contest of mental power and resumed fleeing. Zuo Jinhua pursued her through the street with a sword-energy whirlwind, keeping close behind.

• Qingluo used her Abyssal Soul Spider Web to attack Zuo Jinhua, but his Ghost Gold Sword Net tore holes through it.
• Qingluo unleashed her Thousand-Eye Soul-Capturing Array, and Zuo Jinhua countered with Rending Soul Roar, overpowering her in their mental clash.
• Zuo Jinhua identified Qingluo by the name on the Chen Clan's roster and ordered her to surrender, but she continued to flee.
• Qingluo swung through the street using spider silk attached to eaves, pillars, and rocks to change direction and evade Zuo Jinhua.
• Zuo Jinhua unleashed Dust Whirlwind Severing Slash and chased Qingluo inside a spinning whirlwind of sword energy that sliced her clothes and destabilized her in the air.

Qingluo tried to escape through the ruins of Iron Jaw Fortress while Zuo Jinhua and the Chen Clan’s young masters closed in on her. She summoned swarms of poison spiders to hold off her pursuers and plunged the Backyard into chaos as she fled toward the fortress’s upper levels.

• Zuo Jinhua smashed into a tower’s base to disrupt Qingluo’s escape, then continued pursuing her through the ruins as Brocade-Clad Guards moved to surround her.
• Chen Shurui and Chen Bin ambushed Qingluo at a crossroads with sword attacks, but she used Half Moon to break one strike and deflect the other, taking a cut to her shoulder.
• With Zuo Jinhua closing in, Qingluo used Demonic Spider Summon to unleash poison spiders against the Chen brothers, nearby guards, and Zuo Jinhua, then swung toward the fortress’s upper levels.
• Qingluo crossed the rooftops, evaded guards with her Luo Yan Step, spider silk, and mental interference, and summoned more spiders to attack pursuers and civilians across the Backyard.
• Qingluo released four waves totaling over a thousand poison spiders, throwing the Backyard into chaos and disrupting her pursuers.

Qingluo fought Gu Yuanchao as she tried to escape Iron Jaw Fortress, but his purified defense countered her strongest attack and forced her to flee into the rear kitchen. There, Xin Shouyi, Mai Zheleng, and other Soul Masters rallied to protect the servants from the demon spider swarm.

• Gu Yuanchao ambushed Qingluo on a rooftop with his Giant Horn soul skill, and she blocked much of its force with Thousand Blades Ten Thousand Shields before being knocked down and wounded.
• Qingluo struck back with Wujian Spear, but Gu Yuanchao used Sacred Radiance Steel Body to withstand it and weaken her poisonous, dark energy.
• Qingluo fled into the kitchen courtyard, and Gu Yuanchao pursued her as demon spiders attacked him.
• Xin Shouyi used Five Flavors Barrier to disrupt the spiders, while Mai Zheleng struck them with Wheat Awn Volley.
• Chen Clan disciples and former Bone Excavation Group Soul Masters rallied to fight the spiders and protect the frightened kitchen staff.

Qingluo tried to use Gu Zijian as a hostage while escaping through the kitchen, but the boy resisted with his strength and knife skills. As Gu Yuanchao charged to save him, Qingluo destroyed Gu Zijian’s makeshift cover and sent spider silk after him.

• Qingluo summoned hundreds of Demonic Spiders to block her pursuers and spotted Gu Zijian fighting spiders in the meat-cutting area.
• Qingluo bound Gu Zijian’s wrist with Soul Binding Silk and dragged him toward her, but he cut the strand with a boning knife and fell to the ground.
• Gu Yuanchao saw his son in danger and charged toward Qingluo with Barbarian Bull Charge, smashing through the spiders in his path.
• Gu Zijian threw two knives to hinder Qingluo, then shoved a wooden chopping block between them as a shield.
• Qingluo pierced and shattered the chopping block with spider silk, then sent more strands toward Gu Zijian.

Gu Zijian used the Stone Breathing Technique and an iron hook chain to resist Qingluo, but her Soul Skill overwhelmed him. Chen Mu arrived in time to save him, then pursued Qingluo as she fled into the kitchen’s darkness.

• Gu Zijian wielded a meat hook and chain with the Stone Breathing Technique to deflect Qingluo’s spider silk.
• Qingluo attacked with Half Moon, breaking through Gu Zijian’s chain defense and knocking him down.
• Qingluo cast Abyssal Soul Spider Web toward the helpless Gu Zijian as Gu Yuanchao rushed to reach him.
• Chen Mu cut apart the web with Ninefold Plum Blossom and charged at Qingluo.
• Qingluo fled into the kitchen shed, and Chen Mu chased after her.

Chen Mu pursued Qingluo through the fortress’s storage area while Gu Yuanchao and the others closed in behind them. Qingluo summoned spiders to hinder her pursuers and fled deeper into the shadows, with Chen Mu still gaining on her.

• Gu Yuanchao checked Gu Zijian for injuries, then chased after Qingluo and Chen Mu while Gu Zijian prepared to defend himself from approaching spiders.
• Chen Mu followed Qingluo through the storage area, cutting through spider silk and obstacles as she used shelves and webs to evade him.
• Qingluo attacked Chen Mu with her Thousand-Eye Soul-Capturing Array, but he broke through the illusions with Seven Kill Extinction and cracked her shoulder carapace.
• Gu Yuanchao, Zuo Jinhua, Chen Shurui, and Chen Bin pursued the pair through the fortress as Qingluo escaped across the shelves.
• Qingluo summoned Poison Spiders to slow the pursuers and fled toward a darker part of the storage zone, while Chen Mu accelerated after her.

Qingluo’s escape through the Chen Clan fortress ended at a prepared blockade, where Chen Xiaojun revealed that he had guided her route. Zuo Jinhua identified her as Bi Qing Xiu of the Spider Emperor Bi family, and she stood surrounded with no path to the city wall.

• Qingluo, injured from her earlier fights, forced open the storage-area door and rushed toward the rear city wall.
• She found Chen Xiaojun calmly waiting at a table, while Zuo Jinhua and the pursuing Chen Clan fighters closed in behind her.
• Qingluo abandoned her transformed spider form, approached the table, and asked how Chen Xiaojun had anticipated her route.
• Chen Xiaojun said he had kept her web intact so he could watch the spider, while Qingluo recognized that Chen Mu and the others had guided her toward him.
• Zuo Jinhua identified Qingluo as Bi Qing Xiu, the older twin sister of Bi Yun Xiu and a former Genius List ranker with a mutated Soul-Devouring Venom Spider martial soul.

Chen Xiaojun confronted Bi Qing Xiu about her disguise and her presence at Iron Jaw Fortress, then used his Blood Fiend Qi to probe her Mental Power and seal her abilities. Bi Qing Xiu remained in his custody, weakened by the Yin Sha Deep Abyss Seal.

• Bi Qing Xiu dismissed her ranking and deflected Chen Xiaojun's questions about her appearance and identity.
• Chen Xiaojun deduced that Bi Qing Xiu had watched the battle at Iron Jaw Fortress, and Du Gu Fu reported that summoned demon spiders had injured several people and killed three servants.
• Chen Xiaojun accepted responsibility for the deaths, while Qin Luguang ordered Zuo Jinhua to receive punishment for the plan's failure.
• Chen Xiaojun sent Fifth Child to take Bi Qing Xiu away and used Da Siming's Mind Reading Technique to discover her powerful Mental Power and inherited head Spirit Type soul bone.
• Chen Xiaojun placed the Yin Sha Deep Abyss Seal on Bi Qing Xiu, making it difficult for her to use her Mental Power and Soul Power.

Chen Xiaojun and Qin Luguang restrained Bi Qing Xiu and discussed the danger of keeping her at Iron Jaw Fortress. Chen Mu escorted her to a private room and gave her Sword Spirit Balm, where their teasing left her recovering under guard.

• Chen Xiaojun sealed Bi Qing Xiu's three Soul Nests, and Qin Luguang locked the Soul Power meridians in her limbs.
• Bi Qing Xiu warned Chen Xiaojun that Iron Jaw Fortress needed to be cleared of spies, and he agreed before Chen Mu escorted her away.
• Chen Xiaojun and Qin Luguang speculated about why Bi Qing Xiu had come to the fortress and debated whether keeping her alive was too dangerous.
• Chen Mu brought Bi Qing Xiu to a clean, private stone room, where she accepted being called his big sister.
• Chen Mu gave Bi Qing Xiu Sword Spirit Balm for her shoulder wound, and she teased him until he backed away from her flirtatious offer to repay him.

Chen Mu treated Bi Qing Xiu’s shoulder wound and discovered her revealed true face, joking with her before leaving. Alone afterward, Bi Qing Xiu reflected on his words about proving her worth and living within the rules.

• Chen Mu told Bi Qing Xiu she could move around the courtyard but must not leave through the gate.
• Bi Qing Xiu revealed her true face, stunning Chen Mu, and teased him about being the first outsider to see it.
• Chen Mu realized Bi Qing Xiu could not maintain her disguise while her soul meridians were sealed, and promised to bring her a veil.
• After Chen Mu left, Bi Qing Xiu recalled his words about earning freedom and better treatment by proving her worth.
• Bi Qing Xiu considered whether to break the rules as she stared at the closed stone door.

At Goddess Lake, Xia Qingyun and Xue Laixi traded insults over breakfast, old rumors, and the fortunes of their families. The conversation ended with Xue Laixi suggesting that Lu Xueqi had caused the recent Super Martial Soul breakthrough and its continent-shaking phenomenon.

• Xia Qingyun drank liquor while Xue Laixi offered her peeled eggs and scolded her for drinking so early.
• Xia Qingyun called Xue Laixi an old fat chicken, and Xue Laixi crushed an egg in anger before boasting about her youthful looks and figure.
• Xia Qingyun mocked Xue Laixi as a giant and reminded her that Qian Buruo had died decades ago, prompting Xue Laixi to doubt the rumors of her death.
• Xia Qingyun cited past calamities and the disappearance of the goddesses as evidence that Qian Buruo was likely dead, while Xue Laixi pointed out that Bo Xian'er remained alive in the Chen Clan.
• Xue Laixi asked whether Lu Xueqi had caused the recent Super Martial Soul breakthrough and the phenomenon that had unsettled the continent.

Xue Laixi accused Xia Qingyun of orchestrating Heaven Dou City's escalating political and factional conflict, while Xia denied directing the turmoil and called the Qinghuang Sword Monarch incident an accident. The chapter left the two older goddesses locked in a bitter dispute over whether Xia had engineered the crisis for the Chen Clan's benefit.

• Xia Qingyun dismissed Xue Laixi's complaints and mocked her for asking Xia to leave the waterside pavilion.
• Xue Laixi condemned Xia for supposedly causing chaos in Heaven Dou City and threatened to sever their distant family ties.
• Xue Laixi laid out how the Chen Clan's actions, the Silver Plume Alliance, and the Huiming Bureau had helped topple the balance between Heaven Dou City's surface and underground factions.
• Xia denied planning the upheaval and said the Qinghuang Sword Monarch incident had been an accident.
• Xue Laixi argued that Xia and the Chen Clan could have found another pretext to stir the city into conflict and profit from the resulting disorder.

Xia Qingyun and Xue Laixi confronted each other over the Chen Family’s rise and Xia Qingyun’s taking of Chu Xin, Shi Qiong, and Tian Tian. Their clash revealed Xia Qingyun’s formidable cultivation, but Xue Laixi declared that even greater power would not overturn Goddess Lake.

• Xue Laixi accused Xia Qingyun of using the Chen Family’s expansion to benefit both the Chen Family and the Xia Clan while claiming to stay uninvolved.
• Xue Laixi condemned Xia Qingyun for taking Chu Xin, Shi Qiong, and Tian Tian, and Xia Qingyun mocked her jealousy over the girls.
• Xia Qingyun and Xue Laixi released their opposing powers, and Xue Laixi melted the jade pot in Xia Qingyun’s hand.
• Xue Laixi recognized that Xia Qingyun had reached the peak of Level Ninety-six and that her Sun Yang True Fire was developing toward the third tier.
• Xue Laixi summoned a scarlet-gold divine bird and warned Xia Qingyun that she still would not overturn Goddess Lake.

At the National Competition closing matches, Five Mountains Team used coordinated illusions and attacks to defeat Skywater Team and break its Ice Phoenix fusion skill. Yang Wenxiu’s Five Elements Spirit Chasing Arrow helped secure Five Mountains Academy’s victory.

• Jin Xin and Zhou Yi discussed Donghuang Xiuyi’s disappearance, rumors that she had been injured, and whether she would appear at the closing ceremony.
• The National Competition’s final matches began with the top four teams’ positions secured and the remaining Qualification Spots still contested.
• Zhu Luoxi coordinated Five Mountains Team while Xia Shuyao and Ye Fei’s illusions deprived Skywater Team of its senses.
• Wei Yelin attacked the helpless Skywater members as Lin Chiluan and Zhu Xuanming’s Maple Flame Flower Dance clashed with Shui Binglan and Xue Qingwu’s Ice Phoenix.
• Yang Wenxiu fired her Five Elements Spirit Chasing Arrow through the Ice Phoenix, helping Five Mountains Academy defeat Skywater Team.