Chapter Summaries

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.

Zhao Ming carried Ning Rongrong to the girls' dormitory, where she began to wonder whether she liked him after he left. Outside, Zhao Ming misled Oscar into believing that he and Ning Rongrong had become intimate, leaving Oscar devastated.

• Zhao Ming carried Ning Rongrong into the girls' dormitory and placed her on her bed.
• Zhao Ming drank from Ning Rongrong's cup, then left after she told him to get out.
• Ning Rongrong felt disappointed when Zhao Ming left and flustered as she considered whether she liked him.
• Zhao Ming encountered Oscar outside the dormitory as Oscar brought chicken soup for Ning Rongrong.
• Zhao Ming told Oscar that Ning Rongrong was alone in the dormitory, and Oscar wrongly concluded that Zhao Ming had already won her over.

Oscar made chicken soup for Ning Rongrong, but after misunderstanding Zhao Ming’s relationship with her, he handed the soup to him to deliver. Ning Rongrong appreciated Zhao Ming’s quiet gesture, while Oscar returned to his dormitory still hoping he might have a chance with her.

• Oscar admitted to himself that Ning Rongrong seemed like an ideal partner and a path to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but he believed Zhao Ming had gotten there first.
• Zhao Ming stopped Oscar from throwing away the chicken soup and said he would bring it to the exhausted Ning Rongrong.
• Oscar learned Zhao Ming had carried Ning Rongrong back after her run, then watched him take the soup to her dormitory and lamented giving away his own gift.
• Zhao Ming left the soup on Ning Rongrong’s desk while she was bathing.
• Ning Rongrong found the soup, saw Zhao Ming walking away, and felt her resentment fade as she appreciated that he had left it without boasting.

Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu grew closer after spending the night together, and Zhao Ming arranged better food for her at the cafeteria. He then exposed how Dai Mubai had lied to Zhu Zhuqing about the incident that injured him, leaving Zhu Zhuqing disgusted and walking away.

• Zhao Ming woke beside Xiao Wu, and they went together to the cafeteria.
• Zhao Ming arranged for the cafeteria ladies to prepare nourishing farm food for Xiao Wu.
• Zhao Ming greeted Dai Mubai and admitted he had caused Dai Mubai's injuries, prompting Zhu Zhuqing to ask what had happened.
• Xiao Wu told Zhu Zhuqing that Dai Mubai had rented a room with twins, provoked Zhao Ming while flirting, and then lied about the incident.
• Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Mubai with disgust and left, while Ning Rongrong and the others also looked down on him.

Zhu Zhuqing confronted Dai Mubai over his womanizing and forgave him because their engagement was bound by family and national obligations. At the academy, Ma Hongjun revealed that his Martial Soul had evolved into a true Fire Phoenix, while Zhao Ming learned the Undying Flame he left in Ma Hongjun could let him cripple it at will.

• Zhu Zhuqing asked Dai Mubai whether Xiao Wu’s accusation was true, and Dai Mubai admitted it through his silence and begged her forgiveness.
• Zhu Zhuqing forgave Dai Mubai because she felt unable to oppose the engagement arranged by their families and the Star Luo Empire.
• Flender and the other teachers studied Ma Hongjun’s transformed Martial Soul and concluded that its flames approached the level of Extreme Fire.
• Ma Hongjun thanked Zhao Ming for evolving his Martial Soul and demonstrated his majestic Fire Phoenix to the assembled students and teachers.
• Zhao Ming asked the system why Ma Hongjun’s Martial Soul had changed further, and the system explained that his Undying Flame had awakened the phoenix’s rebirth ability and could still cripple it.

Zhao Ming learned that the Undying Flame inside Ma Hongjun had fused with his Martial Soul, while Zhu Zhuqing decided to seek Zhao Ming’s help to grow stronger. As Zhu Zhuqing began training with him, Zhao Ming received the Divine Foot Sutra as a hidden-mission reward and considered teaching it to Xiao Wu and the others.

• Zhao Ming sensed that the Undying Flame had fused with Ma Hongjun’s Martial Soul and recognized it as a potential danger, though he would help Ma Hongjun if he chose to follow him.
• Zhu Zhuqing resolved to improve her strength after losing faith in Dai Mubai and comparing him unfavorably with Zhao Ming.
• Flender taught Shrek’s students practical cultivation knowledge in their first class instead of taking them to the Great Soul Arena.
• Zhu Zhuqing visited Zhao Ming’s dormitory and asked him to help her improve her strength, then agreed to attack him at full power.
• Zhu Zhuqing’s request triggered a hidden mission, and Zhao Ming received the Divine Foot Sutra, which he considered teaching to Xiao Wu and the others.