Chapter Summaries

After the awards ceremony, Sea God Island’s leaders recognized Xiao Yi as a formidable opponent, while the Chang'an Academy team returned to Heaven Dou City and discussed their prizes. Xiao Yi was named Chief Student of the National Competition, and Chen Xiaojun teased Chen Mu that the honor might otherwise have gone to his older sister.

• Bo Saixi judged Xiao Yi’s injury no longer a hindrance and urged Sea God Island’s team to give their all in the finals.
• On the carriage ride back, Zhu Wuneng complained about the empty baron titles and the prizes, and Chen Xiaojun teased him into offering to treat the team.
• Chen Mu explained that Xiao Yi had received the Chief Student of the National Competition honor after also earning the provincial title.
• Chen Xiaojun pointed out that Chen Mu’s older sister would ordinarily have been the leading candidate for Chief Student because the Moonlight Team had won the championship undefeated.
• Chen Mu protested that Chen Xiaojun had set him up again as the others laughed.

After losing her bets when Heaven Dou Academy fell, Dou Congtong returned home and tried to figure out how to get through the next ten days without money. She sat down to dinner with Madam Lin, while her father remained away on a trip.

• Dou Congtong cursed Yan Zaiyang, Xiao Qing, and Yu Tianya for losing and worried about finding money for the next ten days.
• Dou Congtong returned to her manor and learned from Wu Mingde that her father would likely be away for two or three months.
• Aunt Fang suspected that Dou Congtong wanted to ask her father for money, but Dou Congtong claimed she was only asking about a promised gift.
• Dou Congtong washed her face and considered ways to get money from Chu Wanyu or Xiao Qing.
• Dou Congtong composed herself, entered the main hall, and joined Madam Lin for dinner.

Dou Congtong tried to hide Heaven Dou Academy’s defeat from Madam Lin, who questioned her about the competition and her spending. Their dinner was interrupted by an unfamiliar group of teenagers arriving with valuable gifts, and Madam Lin ordered Wu Mingde to tactfully turn them away.

• Madam Lin questioned Dou Congtong about Heaven Dou Academy’s poor showing and Moonlight Academy’s victory, while Dou Congtong tried to conceal her disappointment.
• Madam Lin suspected Dou Congtong had suffered another kind of loss, but Dou Congtong blamed the competition and complained about wanting jewelry from Linglong Pavilion.
• Aunt Fang brought the household accounts and Dou Congtong’s next allowance, and Madam Lin asked her to explain how she planned to spend it.
• Wu Mingde reported that unfamiliar teenagers accompanied by an old expert and a capable attendant had arrived with valuable gifts.
• Madam Lin decided the visitors’ purpose was unclear and told Wu Mingde to politely ask them to return.

Chen Xiaojun arrived at Dou Manor to deliver a message, but when the household turned him away, he ordered Zhu Changyun to break through the gate. As his companions fought the manor’s defenders, Chen Xiaojun entered the courtyard, followed by Xiao Yi and the others.

• Chen Xiaojun and his companions arrived at Dou Manor, where he explained that he had come to pass along a few words and tell the household some things.
• Butler Wu Mingde tried to turn them away, saying the master was out and the madam was unwell.
• Chen Xiaojun declared that he had come to be an unwelcome guest and ordered Zhu Changyun to enter by force.
• Zhu Changyun clashed with Wu Mingde at the gate while Chen Xiaojun walked into the manor.
• Mu Jingming led the manor guards against Chen Xiaojun’s group, and Du Gu Fu, Ma Wencai, and Chen Shurui engaged them.
• Xiao Yi led Gao Cuilan and Su Ningxia through the battle and followed Chen Xiaojun into Dou Manor.

Chen Xiaojun and the Chang'an Team forced their way into Dou Manor to ask about Dou Jing, where Madam Lin recognized the significance of his arrival and Dou Congtong attacked them. Dou Congtong gained the upper hand against Ma Liang, while the other battles across the courtyard continued.

• Madam Lin and Dou Congtong went to the front courtyard after Xiao Dongxiang reported that intruders had entered Dou Manor and Aunt Fang was trying to stop them.
• Madam Lin saw Wu Mingde, Mu Jingming, and Fang Yidan fighting Chen Xiaojun’s companions, then met Chen Xiaojun’s gaze as he introduced himself and said he had come about Dou Jing.
• Dou Congtong recognized the intruders as members of Chang'an Academy and charged at Chen Xiaojun, but Ma Liang intercepted her with his Phoenix Meteor Fist.
• Dou Congtong used her short staff to cut through Ma Liang’s follow-up attack, then pressed him with rapid kicks and forced him back despite his Phoenix Fire Robe.

Madam Lin revealed her Soul Saint strength and used her kick techniques to overpower Zhu Changyun and force back several attackers. The fighting stopped when she landed beneath the corridor and ordered everyone to cease.

• Madam Lin stopped Dou Congtong from attacking, while Zhu Changyun drove Wu Mingde backward with his shield.
• Madam Lin used her Green Mangeless Shadow Kick and Wood Heart Stake technique to batter Zhu Changyun's shield and force him back.
• Dou Congtong and Xiao Dongxiang realized that Madam Lin was a powerful Soul Saint, whose strength Dou Jing had cultivated to protect his family.
• Madam Lin used her Emerald Sky Flow Kick to break away from Zhu Changyun and push back Du Gu Fu and the other fighters, with Xiao Yi's Thousand Leaf Barrier cushioning her blows.
• Madam Lin landed beneath the corridor and ordered everyone to stop fighting.

Madam Lin revealed herself as Ye Sirong, a former attendant of Chen Shurui's mother, after Zhu Changyun recognized her fighting style. She welcomed the Chen family and Zhu guests to the main hall to talk.

• Madam Lin stopped the courtyard battle and walked toward Chen Xiaojun, while Zhu Changyun recognized her as Ye Sirong from her distinctive leg technique.
• Madam Lin performed the Chen Clan's Dust-sweeping Heart-knocking Gesture and greeted Chen Xiaojun, the other Chen brothers, and Zhu Yanfeng.
• Madam Lin greeted Zhu Changyun as an old acquaintance, and he confirmed she was Zhengxin's youngest daughter and called her Older Sister Sirong.
• Chen Shurui learned that Ye Sirong had served as his mother's personal attendant for several years and that his mother had missed her and felt guilty.
• Ye Sirong invited the Chen family, Zhu Yanfeng, Zhu Changyun, and the others to continue their conversation in the main hall.

Chen Xiaojun realized Da Siming’s influence was causing his sudden attraction to Xiao Yi, while Xiao Yi also blushed under Shao Siming’s influence. He fought to suppress the gods’ apparent reaction as they entered Madam Lin’s hall.

• Chen Xiaojun suspected Da Siming was behind the uncanny coincidence that Dou Jing’s wife came from Chen Lin Village and had been one of the personal followers.
• Xiao Yi sent Life Soul Power through Chen Xiaojun’s wrist, and his Black-Red Light Cocoon began to tremble as he felt overwhelming heat and attraction toward her.
• Chen Xiaojun recognized that Da Siming’s influence had been triggered by Xiao Yi’s Life Soul Power and feared the deity was affecting his mind.
• Xiao Yi developed a faint blush, leading Chen Xiaojun to suspect Shao Siming was responding through her as the two deities communicated through their hosts.
• As Madam Lin led the group toward the hall, Chen Xiaojun struggled to control his thoughts and suppress the gods’ influence.

Chen Xiaojun told Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong that the Bone Excavation Group had been destroyed and that Dou Jing had been captured alive. Ye Sirong asked why he had come to the Dou Manor, and Chen Xiaojun insisted he had no other intention.

• Chen Xiaojun entered the main hall with Xiao Yi, Zhu Yanfeng, and the others, then asked Ye Sirong what capacity she was speaking in.
• Chen Xiaojun announced that the Bone Excavation Group was gone, shocking Wu Mingde, Fang Yidan, and Dou Congtong.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that the Three Great Clans and the Ma Family had defeated the Bone Excavation Group, captured Vice Leader Dou alive, and secured the submission of the other underground groups in Huagai District.
• Ye Sirong inferred that the Four Families Alliance had taken control of Huagai District and asked Chen Xiaojun to explain what had happened.
• Dou Congtong angrily accused Chen Xiaojun of capturing her father, but Ye Sirong silenced her and apologized.
• Ye Sirong asked Chen Xiaojun what he wanted from the Dou Manor, and he replied that he had no other intention in coming.

Chen Xiaojun explained that Dou Jing had confessed after his memories revealed Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong’s whereabouts, then reassured them that he had come to ensure their safety. Ye Sirong was granted permission to visit Dou Jing and began explaining why she had stayed away from Chen Lin Village.

• Chen Xiaojun told Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong that Dou Jing had confessed, and Zhu Yanfeng said the authorities had learned of them through a Spirit Type soul skill.
• Ye Sirong asked how Chen Xiaojun intended to handle her and Dou Congtong, and he said he had come without malice to check their safety.
• Chen Xiaojun told Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong they could visit Dou Jing, as his second uncle had approved it.
• Zhu Yanfeng asked Ye Sirong why she had not returned to Chen Lin Village or contacted her family, and she explained that surveillance and shame over her relationship with Dou Jing had kept her away.
• Chen Xiaojun silently inferred that Ye Sirong’s complicated attachment to Dou Jing had grown from her years of captivity, while he sent Zhu Yanfeng a message by Sound Transmission.

Ye Sirong hesitated over returning to her village and showed the gathered family Dou Congtong’s unprecedented Medicine Grinding Spirit Rabbit martial soul. Chen Xiaojun and Zhu Yanfeng judged it to be at Eighth Rank Grand Perfection, and Zhu Wuneng revealed his own related beast-and-tool martial soul.

• Zhu Yanfeng urged Ye Sirong to return to her village and see her waiting parents, but she said she wanted to meet Old Dou first.
• Ye Sirong asked Dou Congtong to display her martial soul, revealing a jade rabbit wielding a transformed Medicine Grinding Pestle.
• Zhu Yanfeng assessed the Medicine Grinding Spirit Rabbit as Eighth Rank Grand Perfection, and Chen Xiaojun explained that its paired martial souls were stalled below Ninth Rank.
• Ye Sirong recognized Zhu Wuneng as Zhu Tianhao’s son after Zhu Yanfeng said Wuneng had a similar mutated martial soul.
• Zhu Wuneng summoned Marshal Canopy, revealing his Stone Armor Porcupine and strengthened Nine-Toothed Rake.

Chen Xiaojun assessed Dou Congtong’s Medicine Grinding Spirit Rabbit and retested her innate soul power with a precision Testing Ball. The result was level 9.1, higher than her original measurement and close to level 9.2.

• Ye Sirong praised Zhu Wuneng’s perfected ninth-grade King Martial Soul, and Zhu Yanfeng credited Chen Xiaojun’s guidance for its development.
• Zhu Yanfeng asked Chen Xiaojun whether Dou Congtong’s martial soul had room to improve, and Chen Xiaojun noted its attributes and asked about her original test result.
• Ye Sirong said Dou Congtong had measured at Innate Soul Power level 9.0 when she awakened.
• Chen Xiaojun offered his precision Testing Ball, and Dou Congtong used it to test her soul power again.
• Chen Xiaojun announced that Dou Congtong’s Innate Soul Power was level 9.1, nearly level 9.2.

Chen Xiaojun explained how Dou Congtong’s Medicine Grinding Spirit Rabbit could evolve into a King Martial Soul and might even reach the Super Martial Soul realm. Ye Sirong accepted his guidance, leaving the mother and daughter poised to enter the Chen Clan’s cultivation system.

• Chen Xiaojun explained that Dou Congtong’s innate soul power had improved as her Martial Soul evolved, and attributed her original aptitude partly to the Mystic Ice Life-Giving Orchid.
• Chen Xiaojun said the Medicine Grinding Spirit Rabbit could awaken its Ice Attribute and reach ninth grade, with a chance to develop a Moon Attribute and become a King Martial Soul or even a Super Martial Soul.
• Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong reacted with shock as Chen Xiaojun described the possibilities, then Ye Sirong regained her composure and listened to his explanation.
• Chen Xiaojun said the Frost Steel Fork’s inherited traits and the Mystic Ice Life-Giving Orchid supported the rabbit’s evolution, while clan treasures could help it reach ninth grade; evolving its Moon Attribute would be more difficult.
• Ye Sirong accepted Chen Xiaojun’s guidance, signaling that she was willing to bring Dou Congtong into the Chen Clan’s system.

Chen Xiaojun asked why Dou Congtong had not joined Heaven Dou Academy’s school team despite her talent, and Ye Sirong explained that her family had hidden her abilities to protect her from threats tied to the Bone Excavation Group. The chapter ended with Chen Xiaojun recognizing the need for Congtong’s transformation and Ye Sirong realizing he understood their circumstances.

• Chen Xiaojun questioned Ye Sirong about Dou Congtong’s Level 46 Soul Power and absence from Heaven Dou Academy’s school team.
• Dou Congtong claimed she had chosen not to join the team, but Ye Sirong revealed that danger had forced the family to conceal her talent and martial soul.
• Ye Sirong explained that Dou Congtong had trained discreetly and restrained her progress to avoid exposing their origins or endangering Dou Jing.
• Dou Congtong realized how much her parents had sacrificed to protect her and felt ashamed of her earlier assumptions.
• Chen Xiaojun said that a transformation was necessary, and Ye Sirong recognized his understanding of their situation.

After Chen Xiaojun's party left Dou Manor, Ye Sirong promised to rescue her captured husband and told Dou Congtong about her past as an envoy of the Chen Clan. On the carriage ride back, Chen Xiaojun and Zhu Yanfeng discussed Ye Sirong's skill at reading people, while Chen Xiaojun remarked that it remained unclear who had handled whom.

• Chen Xiaojun's party departed Dou Manor, and Mu Jingming reported that he had reassured the neighbors about the disturbance.
• Ye Sirong promised Wu Mingde, Fang Yidan, and the others that she would try to rescue Master Dou and their captured family members.
• Ye Sirong told Dou Congtong that she had served as an envoy of the Chen Clan and studied at Moonlight Academy with Su Rong.
• Dou Congtong asked how Ye Sirong and her father had become a couple, and Ye Sirong began recounting the story of their graduation trip.
• Zhu Yanfeng told Zhu Wuneng that Ye Sirong had only pretended to be surprised by his abilities, and Chen Xiaojun said it was still uncertain who had the upper hand.

Chen Xiaojun explained that Ye Sirong had taken control of the negotiations by displaying her strength before agreeing to cooperate with the Chen Clan. In Dou Manor, Ye Sirong told Dou Congtong that she had used her Soul Sage strength to secure bargaining power and a future for their family.

• Chen Xiaojun asked the group when they had formed their impression of Ye Sirong as a composed and resilient woman.
• Chen Xiaojun pointed out that Ye Sirong had chosen to intervene with force even though the earlier conflict could have been stopped peacefully.
• Ye Sirong told Dou Congtong that she had displayed her strength to prove her value to the Chen Clan and protect her family from living under its control.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that Ye Sirong had used her attack to establish herself as a formidable negotiator and gain the initiative.
• The others fell silent as they realized Ye Sirong had guided the negotiations from the moment she struck.

Chen Xiaojun and his companions recognized that Dou Congtong and Ye Sirong had deliberately revealed her talent to secure the Chen Clan’s support. Ye Sirong explained their strategy and fears about Spirit Hall, leaving Dou Congtong with a new understanding of her mother’s resolve and their uncertain future temporarily safer.

• Du Gu Fu explained the three meanings behind Chen Xiaojun’s earlier remark, and Zhu Yanfeng agreed that Ye Sirong and Dou Congtong had used the encounter to seek a new path for their family.
• Chen Xiaojun said his exchange with them had been a tacit transaction, but Dou Congtong’s Soul Power Level was genuine; Chen Mu recognized how he had seized the initiative through pressure and temptation.
• Xiao Yi identified Chen Xiaojun’s words as a warning to Ye Sirong, judged her usable for now, and Chen Xiaojun accepted her assessment.
• Ye Sirong told Dou Congtong that she had exposed her talent to win the Chen Clan’s support and protect them from Spirit Hall and other dangers.
• Ye Sirong said Chen Xiaojun’s confidence about evolving Dou Congtong’s Martial Soul showed how much the Chen Clan had changed, and Dou Congtong understood her mother’s courage before Ye Sirong reassured her that the hardest trial was temporarily over.

Ye Sirong explained the Chen Clan’s traditions to Dou Congtong and prepared her to join its system. She urged Dou Congtong to reclaim her Ye surname, and they set out to see her father.

• Dou Congtong asked Ye Sirong whether the Chen Clan was full of schemes, and Ye Sirong described its fierce but rule-bound competition and tradition of unity.
• Ye Sirong told Dou Congtong to adapt to the Chen Clan’s rules and learn her place within its system.
• Ye Sirong said she would again be known as Madam Ye and urged Dou Congtong to change her surname to Ye, citing her inherited Martial Soul and the protection and support the Ye and Yao families could provide.
• Dou Congtong considered the chance to join the Chen Clan, reconnect with her bloodline, clear her father’s name, and pursue becoming a Titled Douluo.
• Ye Sirong said they would go see Dou Congtong’s father, and Dou Congtong clasped her mother’s hand and agreed to go together.

Chen Xiaojun advised Zhu Wuneng to separate and train the components of his symbiotic Martial Soul so he could better understand their foundations and develop his will. He recommended a defensive Sixth Soul Skill and asked Zhu Yanfeng for clan materials to guide Zhu Wuneng’s future choices.

• Chen Xiaojun explained that Zhu Wuneng could display the Stone Armor Porcupine and Nine-Toothed Rake separately and train each component on its own.
• Zhu Yanfeng pointed out that Zhu Wuneng had relied too heavily on the Nine-Toothed Rake and neglected the Stone Armor Porcupine and the Zhu Clan’s inherited techniques.
• Chen Xiaojun argued that Marshal Canopy’s strength had hindered Zhu Wuneng’s understanding of its component Martial Souls and reviewed which Soul Skills the Stone Armor Porcupine could use.
• Chen Xiaojun recommended [Stone Armor Shield] or [Earth Armor] for Zhu Wuneng’s Sixth Soul Skill, since his offense was already strong and he needed greater defense.
• Chen Xiaojun asked Zhu Yanfeng to gather the Zhu Clan’s soul beast atlases and Soul Skill selection records, and Zhu Wuneng accepted the advice to split and train his Martial Soul.

Chen Xiaojun connected his Ziwei identity and faith campaign to Da Siming’s underworld authority, suspecting that Purple Forbidden, Fengdu, and Da Siming were linked. He suppressed his unease and left the mystery for later investigation as the carriage conversation resumed.

• Chen Xiaojun recalled that Marshal Canopy served beneath the Ziwei Great Emperor and connected his own Ziwei Sword title and Purple Forbidden faith campaign to Zhu Wuneng’s Marshal Canopy martial soul.
• Chen Xiaojun reasoned that Da Siming’s power over negative Spirit Qi and Soul Power might correspond to the Fengdu Great Emperor’s authority over the underworld.
• Chen Xiaojun wondered whether Da Siming, the Purple Forbidden Great Emperor, and the Fengdu Great Emperor were connected, and whether promoting Ziwei faith was influencing Da Siming’s evolution.
• Chen Xiaojun recalled True Lord Tian Peng kneeling to accept a gift from the suspected Donghuang Taiyi and questioned whether the exchange held a deeper meaning.
• Chen Xiaojun pushed aside his questions, while Zhu Yanfeng resumed teaching, Zhu Wuneng watched him, and Xiao Yi quietly worried about him.