Recaps

After absorbing Sky Dream Ice Silkworm’s Million-Year Soul Ring, Zhao Ming tested his new ice-and-fire soul skill and summoned Tu Shan Ya Ya as his second Soul Ring. He left the chapter with Ya Ya at his side and considered using her against Hu Liena when he next saw her.

• Zhao Ming learned that Tian Meng’s spiritual cultivation would strengthen his Spiritual Power over time, but he could not inherit Tian Meng’s spiritual-type soul skills or gain a Spirit Bone.
• Bi Ji confirmed that she had guarded Zhao Ming while he absorbed the Soul Ring, and Zhao Ming offered her a reward before deciding to test his new soul skills.
• Zhao Ming killed an Ice Wolf with his first soul skill, which combined ice and fire energies.
• Zhao Ming released his Puppet Martial Soul and summoned Tu Shan Ya Ya as his second Soul Ring after reaching Rank 21.
• Zhao Ming told Tu Shan Ya Ya not to use Voice Transmission without permission, then thought about having her deal with Hu Liena.

In Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong noticed Hu Liena seemed distracted and warned her about falling for the wrong person. Meanwhile, Zhao Ming had Bi Ji test Tu Shan Ya Ya’s strength, learning that her ice and combat abilities were formidable but drained his Soul Power rapidly.

• Hu Liena sneezed and tried to hide her thoughts about Zhao Ming when Bibi Dong asked why she seemed distracted.
• Bibi Dong warned Hu Liena to tell her if she liked someone, and Hu Liena insisted she did not.
• Bi Ji recognized Tu Shan Ya Ya as resembling the lost Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox bloodline and offered to test her strength.
• Zhao Ming ordered Tu Shan Ya Ya to attack Bi Ji, and Ya Ya unleashed powerful ice attacks after being repeatedly repelled.
• Bi Ji judged Ya Ya’s strength comparable to or above a human Soul Elder, while Zhao Ming noticed the puppet had consumed about one-third of his Soul Power.
• Zhao Ming explained that Ya Ya was an Arctic Fox and told Bi Ji not to be surprised by her differences from Star Dou Forest foxes.

After leaving the Extreme North, Zhao Ming discovered that Flame Spirit Princess’s life force had risen and learned from the system that Body Nourishment could help restore her body. He accepted the resulting mission, studied Xiao Yan’s example, and prepared to provide Flame Spirit Princess with Body Nourishment.

• Zhao Ming and Bi Ji left the Extreme North and reached Extreme Ice City, where Bi Ji explored while Zhao Ming checked into a hotel.
• Zhao Ming learned that Flame Spirit Princess’s soul had awakened but her body remained dormant, and the system said Body Nourishment could rapidly increase her life force.
• The system assigned Zhao Ming a mission to provide Flame Spirit Princess with Body Nourishment and offered materials based on Xiao Yan’s experience with Gu Xun'er.
• After the system accidentally showed him the material from Xun'er's perspective, Zhao Ming demanded compensation and continued watching.
• Zhao Ming asked the dormant Flame Spirit Princess for consent, then treated her lack of response as agreement and lifted her into his arms.

After exhausting himself nourishing Flame Spirit Princess, Zhao Ming received the Soul Refining Art and set out with Bi Ji. As their carriage journey continued, Bi Ji grew more comfortable with him and their closeness increased.

• Zhao Ming completed the nourishment mission, raising Flame Spirit Princess's life force by two points, and received the Soul Refining Art and a bottle of Kidney Treasure.
• Zhao Ming learned that the Soul Refining Art could expand his meridians and multiply his Soul Power across ten stages.
• Bi Ji waited outside Zhao Ming's room, and he asked her to call him by his name and took her hand.
• Zhao Ming and Bi Ji ate downstairs, rented a carriage, and continued their journey together.
• As the carriage bumped along, Zhao Ming and Bi Ji sat close and grew warmer toward each other.

Five years after Zhao Ming’s cultivation stalled at level thirty, Flame Spirit Princess had awakened into a living being, and she and Zhao Ming shared a playful, affectionate morning. The chapter ended with Zhao Ming weighing two possible paths for Tang San: joining Spirit Hall or going to Shrek.

• Over five years, Zhao Ming’s strength reached level thirty while he waited for a mission to obtain his Third Puppet, Xiao Wu advanced to level thirty-one, and Flame Spirit Princess fully awakened.
• Flame Spirit Princess teased Zhao Ming in bed, then stopped him from continuing and urged him to get up before Xiao Wu became angry.
• Zhao Ming helped Flame Spirit Princess dress her hair, and she thanked him for treating her as more than a Puppet before kissing his cheek.
• Zhao Ming considered sending Tang San to Spirit Hall to become its Saint Son or to Shrek, where Zhao Ming could defeat him and the Grandmaster.

Zhao Ming spent time with Xiao Wu and Bi Ji at home before the system gave him a new check-in mission. The mission sent him to Shrek Academy, with Queen Medusa as the reward.

• Zhao Ming arrived with Flame Spirit Princess, and Xiao Wu's jealousy eased when he fed her a grape.
• Xiao Wu told Zhao Ming that Bi Ji was cooking in the kitchen, so he went to see her.
• Zhao Ming hugged Bi Ji as she cooked, and they teased each other about her meals and Flame Spirit Princess's cooking.
• The system announced a new check-in mission at Shrek Academy and offered Queen Medusa as the reward.

Zhao Ming prepared to leave Nuoding City and travel to Suotuo City, where he planned to check in at Shrek Academy and obtain Queen Medusa. He arrived with Xiao Wu, Bi Ji, and Hu Liena, and considered opening a clothing shop with Bi Ji’s help.

• Zhao Ming learned that Shrek Academy’s admissions would begin in three days and checked that Tu Shan Ya Ya’s life force had reached 98.
• Zhao Ming told Xiao Wu and the others they would leave Nuoding City, then collected his graduation certificate from Nuoding Junior Academy.
• Zhao Ming and the three women rented a carriage and traveled toward Suotuo City.
• Zhao Ming and his companions entered bustling Suotuo City, where the women went shopping.
• Zhao Ming weighed selling Tang Hao’s Spirit Bones against opening a shop and favored starting a luxury clothing brand managed by Bi Ji.

Zhao Ming and the others arrived at the Rose Hotel, where Dai Mubai challenged Zhao Ming over the last room and the women accompanying him. Zhao Ming attacked Dai Mubai, whose confident punch was about to meet his own.

• Zhao Ming agreed to share the Rose Hotel’s last room with Xiao Wu, Bi Ji, and Flame Spirit Princess, though he intended to sleep on the floor.
• Dai Mubai arrived with the Twin Sisters and claimed the room, then offered to let Zhao Ming stay only if he could defeat him.
• Dai Mubai challenged Zhao Ming for the three women, while Xiao Wu angrily defended Zhao Ming and Bi Ji and Flame Spirit Princess watched.
• Zhao Ming accepted the provocation and threw a punch at Dai Mubai.
• Dai Mubai raised his fist with only thirty percent of his strength, while the Twin Sisters covered their eyes, expecting Zhao Ming to be badly hurt.

Zhao Ming repeatedly defeated Dai Mubai, who then released his White Tiger Martial Soul and attacked with his Soul Skills. Zhao Ming revealed his Ancient Immortal Bird and a million-year Soul Ring, leaving the confrontation poised to escalate.

• Zhao Ming knocked Dai Mubai into a pillar with a single punch, and the Twin Sisters realized Dai Mubai had deceived them about his strength.
• Dai Mubai claimed he had used only thirty percent of his strength, charged Zhao Ming again, and was sent back into the pillar by another punch.
• Flame Spirit Princess mocked Dai Mubai, while he concluded that Zhao Ming must have been born with immense strength.
• Dai Mubai released his White Tiger Possession and used White Tiger Vajra Transformation and a white orb attack against Zhao Ming.
• Zhao Ming summoned the Ancient Immortal Bird amid Black Flame, and a golden million-year Soul Ring rose beneath his feet.

Zhao Ming defeated Dai Mubai with his ice-and-fire eye beams and Undying Flame, leaving him badly burned and bald. Zhao Ming spared him because he intended to use Dai Mubai to gain influence over the Star Luo Empire, while Dai Mubai was left facing the hotel manager’s demands and the twins’ scorn.

• Zhao Ming’s aura and ice-and-fire beams overwhelmed Dai Mubai’s White Tiger Body Barrier, and his Undying Flame burned away Dai Mubai’s hair, eyebrows, and clothes.
• Zhao Ming stopped attacking, decided to keep Dai Mubai alive for his political ambitions, and warned him not to provoke people beyond his reach.
• Dai Mubai learned that his hair and eyebrows were gone and lamented how the injuries would affect his ability to attract women.
• The hotel manager thanked Zhao Ming, gave him a room card, and demanded that Dai Mubai pay five hundred Gold Soul Coins for the damage.
• The twin sisters called Dai Mubai a liar, then looked toward Zhao Ming and left.

Dai Mubai was humiliated and sent back to Shrek Academy in a cargo cart after the hotel manager revealed he had only fawned over him for money. After Zhao Ming left the hotel to buy bedding, he encountered Ning Rongrong shopping in Suotuo City and offered to pay for her necklace.

• The hotel manager arranged to send Dai Mubai to Shrek Academy in a cargo cart and charged him two Gold Soul Coins.
• The hotel manager admitted he had overcharged Dai Mubai for a room and had fawned over him only because he was wealthy.
• Zhao Ming left the hotel after the women drove him out of the room, collected the hotel manager's calling card, and went to buy bedding.
• Zhao Ming spotted Ning Rongrong bargaining for a necklace in a shop in Suotuo City.
• Ning Rongrong claimed she had seen the necklace first, and Zhao Ming offered to pay for it.

Zhao Ming tricked Ning Rongrong into taking an ugly oversized chain while keeping the crystal necklace for Xiao Wu. He left Rongrong furious and considered how to win her and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over without flattering her.

• Ning Rongrong introduced herself to Zhao Ming and assumed he was pursuing her because of her beauty.
• Zhao Ming bought a crystal necklace and an oversized fake-gold chain, then told Rongrong the chain was hers and the crystal necklace was his.
• Rongrong grew furious when Zhao Ming hung the chain around her neck and pointed out a woman wearing a similar one.
• Zhao Ming vanished with the crystal necklace, intending to give it to Xiao Wu.
• Zhao Ming reflected that he wanted to win Ning Rongrong and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over, but believed he should avoid simping for her.

Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu traveled to Shrek Academy, where he explained that he chose the secluded school to keep her identity as a soul beast safe. After arriving and checking in, Zhao Ming received Queen Medusa as his reward, and his Soul Power began surging.

• Zhao Ming told Bi Ji his plans, and Bi Ji and Flame Spirit Princess stayed in Suotuo City to find a shop.
• Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu set out for Shrek Academy, and he explained that he had chosen it to protect her identity.
• Xiao Wu was moved by Zhao Ming’s consideration, admitted her jealousy, and accepted the crystal necklace he had bought for her.
• Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu reached Shrek Academy, a small village school, and Zhao Ming checked in beneath its sign.
• The system awarded Zhao Ming Queen Medusa and automatically bound a Puppet Soul Ring, causing his Soul Power to surge.

Zhao Ming absorbed his long-anticipated Soul Ring and surged to level thirty-five, astonishing the Shrek Academy registrants. He and Xiao Wu passed registration and followed Teacher Li Yusong to the grounds for their later tests.

• Zhao Ming's Soul Power surged after he obtained a Soul Ring, breaking through to level thirty-five while Xiao Wu guarded him.
• Ning Rongrong recognized Zhao Ming from the previous day, admired his talent, then grew irritated again when she spotted Xiao Wu wearing the necklace she had wanted.
• Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu registered, revealed their Martial Souls and Soul Rings, and passed the initial assessment.
• Zhao Ming told the registration elder that his Puppet Martial Soul and orange Soul Rings were a family secret.
• Li Yusong introduced himself and explained Shrek Academy's small enrollment, then led Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu to the clearing for their later tests.

Zhao Ming met Zhu Zhuqing at Shrek Academy and introduced himself to her and Ning Rongrong alongside Xiao Wu. The group laughed at Oscar after Zhao Ming drew attention to his beard, while Zhu Zhuqing’s first impression of Zhao Ming remained warm despite her cool manner.

• Zhao Ming noticed Zhu Zhuqing among the students and felt sympathy for her difficult circumstances and her search for Dai Mubai.
• Xiao Wu pinched Zhao Ming for staring at Zhu Zhuqing, then questioned him about his preferences before he changed the subject.
• Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu approached Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, exchanged introductions, and Zhao Ming shook Zhu Zhuqing’s hand.
• Oscar interrupted them by advertising his sausages, and Zhao Ming called him sir, making Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing laugh.
• Zhao Ming pointed out Oscar’s beard, prompting the girls to look at it with disgust and leaving Oscar miserable.

Zhao Ming and the others showed their strength to the candidates and qualified to skip directly to Shrek Academy’s fourth test. They met Zhao Wuji and prepared to face his challenge, with Zhao Ming organizing the group before the test began.

• Li Yusong took Zhao Ming, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to the fourth test after other candidates questioned their right to skip ahead.
• Zhao Ming and the others released their Martial Souls, silencing the candidates’ objections with their Soul Power and Soul Rings.
• Li Yusong introduced Zhao Wuji, who explained that the four had to withstand his attacks for the time it took an incense stick to burn.
• Zhao Ming introduced himself as a twelve-year-old level-thirty-five Assault System Soul Master, surprising Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
• Zhao Ming arranged for Ning Rongrong to support from the rear, Xiao Wu and himself to attack from the front, and Zhu Zhuqing to ambush from the side.
• Zhao Ming took Ning Rongrong’s hand and told her he would protect her from Zhao Wuji as the test was about to begin.

Zhao Ming and the others fought Zhao Wuji during the academy entrance test, with Ning Rongrong’s support helping them evade his attack. Zhao Ming summoned Queen Medusa, whose powerful strike wounded Zhao Wuji and left him shocked by Zhao Ming’s Soul Skill.

• Ning Rongrong summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and boosted the group’s strength and speed.
• Zhao Ming pulled Ning Rongrong out of the way of Zhao Wuji’s ground-breaking attack, then she refocused on maintaining her support.
• Zhao Ming released his Puppet Martial Soul as Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing attacked Zhao Wuji together.
• Zhao Ming summoned Queen Medusa and ordered her to attack Zhao Wuji.
• Queen Medusa wounded Zhao Wuji with her snake-shaped attacks, and he dodged her follow-up strike before asking Zhao Ming about the eerie Soul Skill.

Zhao Ming and his summoned Queen Medusa fought Zhao Wuji while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing supported them, but Zhao Wuji turned his attack toward Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming summoned Tu Shan Ya Ya as he was struck and sent flying.

• Queen Medusa, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing attacked Zhao Wuji until he unleashed his first soul skill and blasted Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing away.
• Zhao Ming caught Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, told them to step back, and ordered Queen Medusa to use her strongest attack.
• Queen Medusa transformed into her Purple Abyssal Flame Serpent form and struck Zhao Wuji, who countered with his Great Strength Vajra Palm.
• Zhao Wuji rushed toward Zhao Ming and Ning Rongrong, then feinted at Ning Rongrong and redirected his strike toward Zhao Ming.
• Zhao Ming summoned Tu Shan Ya Ya and braced against Zhao Wuji's palm, but Zhao Wuji increased his force and sent him flying.

Zhao Ming's summoned Tu Shan Ya Ya confronted Zhao Wuji to protect him, joining Queen Medusa in the fight. Though Zhao Wuji overpowered Ya Ya at first, she unleashed three tails and used her ice powers to slow and restrict him, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Tu Shan Ya Ya woke behind Zhao Ming, wiped the blood from his mouth, and warned Zhao Wuji that Zhao Ming was under her protection.
• Tu Shan Ya Ya clashed with Zhao Wuji, but his greater Soul Power forced her back while Zhao Ming's Soul Power drained rapidly.
• Queen Medusa attacked Zhao Wuji with ranged crimson strikes as Tu Shan Ya Ya kept him from reaching Zhao Ming and Ning Rongrong.
• Zhao Wuji used his third and fourth Soul Skills and struck Tu Shan Ya Ya hard enough to send her flying.
• Tu Shan Ya Ya drank from her Endless Wine Gourd, revealed three tails, and attacked Zhao Wuji with Ice Swords and Ice Seal.
• Zhao Wuji slowed the Ice Swords with Gravity Amplification, but Tu Shan Ya Ya's freezing power coated him in ice and restricted his movements.

Zhao Ming and Tu Shan Ya Ya passed Zhao Wuji’s test at the last moment, then spent the evening together as Ya Ya prepared to leave the academy. She departed for Suotuo City after admitting that she had enjoyed watching the sunset with him.

• Zhao Ming recalled Queen Medusa when the incense burned out, ending the test before Zhao Wuji could use his stronger abilities.
• Zhao Wuji acknowledged Zhao Ming’s strength and left, and a teacher arranged a single dormitory for Zhao Ming.
• Zhao Ming and Tu Shan Ya Ya walked outside Shrek Academy, where she kicked him for making suggestive remarks about teaching her yoga.
• Zhao Ming held Tu Shan Ya Ya’s hand and led her up a hill to watch the sunset, then told her a tragic love story.
• Tu Shan Ya Ya told Zhao Ming to visit Xiao Wu and said she would go to Suotuo City, then turned back to admit she had liked their time together.

After joining Shrek Academy, Zhao Ming received a quest to win Zhu Zhuqing’s sincere affection and make her give up on Dai Mubai. He offered to train her in combat, then teased Ning Rongrong before she stormed back into the dormitory.

• Zhao Ming met Zhu Zhuqing outside the girls’ dormitory and received a quest to win her affection and sever her attachment to Dai Mubai.
• Zhu Zhuqing thanked Zhao Ming for helping the group pass the assessment, then grew discouraged as she compared her strength with the other new students.
• Zhao Ming offered to help Zhu Zhuqing become stronger through combat practice starting the day after tomorrow, and she agreed.
• Ning Rongrong came out of the dormitory and misunderstood Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing’s conversation.
• Zhao Ming told Ning Rongrong there was nothing worth looking at, and she angrily ran back inside.

Zhao Ming promised Xiao Wu he would take her, then encountered Ma Hongjun and Cuihua arguing over Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire. After revealing his Extreme Fire and offering to cure Ma Hongjun, Zhao Ming left Cuihua willing to stay with him.

• Xiao Wu admitted she had tried to change her body because she feared Zhao Ming preferred Flame Spirit Princess, and Zhao Ming reassured her and agreed to take her.
• Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu came upon Ma Hongjun trying to stop Cuihua from breaking up with him.
• Zhao Ming offered to cure Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire and explained that impurities in his mutated Fire Phoenix Martial Soul threatened his health.
• Zhao Ming displayed his black Undying Flame, convincing Ma Hongjun that he possessed Extreme Fire and could help purify his Martial Soul.
• Cuihua agreed to stay with Ma Hongjun if Zhao Ming cured him, while Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu regarded Zhao Ming with gratitude and admiration.

Zhao Ming purified Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire, turning his Martial Soul into a Fire Phoenix while secretly placing a Core Flame inside it. Ma Hongjun and Cuihua reconciled, while Zhao Ming kept his own plans concerning Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang in mind.

• Zhao Ming used his Undying Flame to burn the impurities out of Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire Phoenix, absorbing their essence as Flender arrived and witnessed the treatment.
• Ma Hongjun’s Martial Soul evolved into a Fire Phoenix, and Zhao Ming secretly planted a Core Flame of the Undying Flame within it.
• Zhao Ming reflected that the Core Flame would let him control Ma Hongjun if he became an enemy, especially if he competed for Bai Chenxiang.
• Zhao Ming credited Cuihua for inspiring him to help, and Ma Hongjun was moved by her concern and devotion.
• Ma Hongjun and Cuihua called to each other and met each other’s gaze as Zhao Ming watched with satisfaction.

After helping Flender’s disciple Ma Hongjun resolve his Evil Fire problem, Zhao Ming caught Ning Rongrong trying to sneak away from her assigned laps. Ning Rongrong threatened to leave Shrek Academy, but she stayed and continued running as Zhao Ming counted.

• Flender thanked Zhao Ming for helping Ma Hongjun and took Ma Hongjun away to test his Martial Soul.
• Ning Rongrong tried to leave for Suotuo City after running only eight of her twenty laps.
• Zhao Ming refused to cover for Ning Rongrong and told her he would report her to Flender if she skipped the rest.
• Ning Rongrong tearfully threatened to leave Shrek Academy, but stopped at the village entrance and resumed running.
• Zhao Ming called after Ning Rongrong and offered to keep counting her laps, while she angrily vowed to get back at him.

After Ning Rongrong completed her run, Zhao Ming examined her sore, injured feet and carried her back to the dormitory. His careful attention left Ning Rongrong feeling cared for and secure.

• Ning Rongrong finished her final lap despite her exhaustion, and Zhao Ming congratulated her.
• Zhao Ming checked Ning Rongrong's painful feet and found that her platform shoes had rubbed her skin raw.
• Zhao Ming carried Ning Rongrong back, gathering her skirt to keep her covered.
• Zhao Ming reminded Ning Rongrong to shower after they returned, and she realized how much his care meant to her.