Chapter Summaries

Zhao Xuan and Hermione attended Xue Qinghe’s banquet, where Zhao Xuan deliberately snubbed the Crown Prince and spoke with Tang Yuehua. Tang San performed as Master Gu’s harp assistant and searched the crowd for Xue Qinghe, but Zhao Xuan called out to him before he could find her.

• Xue Qinghe welcomed Zhao Xuan and Hermione, but Zhao Xuan addressed Tang Yuehua instead and later pretended he had only just noticed the Crown Prince.
• Tang Yuehua introduced the visiting harpist Gu Pan and his young assistant, whom Hermione thought looked familiar.
• Tang San assessed the nobles at the banquet and suspected the affiliated kingdoms and duchies had secretly aligned with Spirit Hall.
• Tang San listened to Master Gu’s music, which eased his hostility, then looked through the crowd for Xue Qinghe.
• Zhao Xuan called Tang San a harp boy.

At Moonlight Pavilion, Zhao Xuan secretly encountered Tang San, who had returned to the imperial capital but was avoiding Shrek Academy while he purged the City of Slaughter’s influence. Xue Qinghe revealed that he was Qian Renxue and discussed Spirit Hall’s interests with Zhao Xuan, leaving their rivalry unresolved.

• Zhao Xuan spotted Tang San in the hall and promised to introduce him, while Tang San asked him not to reveal his presence because he feared losing control of his emotions.
• Zhao Xuan pretended to appreciate Madam Gu’s performance, and Hermione pointed out that she had played Flowing Water.
• Xue Qinghe asked Zhao Xuan to speak privately, then used a Spiritual Power barrier to separate them from Hermione and Tang Yuehua.
• Zhao Xuan recognized the barrier’s strength and challenged Xue Qinghe, who revealed his real name as Qian Renxue.
• Qian Renxue admitted Zhao Xuan had likely exposed his disguise and said Spirit Hall would value him despite his killing of its people, while Zhao Xuan called him cold-blooded.

Zhao Xuan spoke with Qian Renxue, then asked Tang Yuehua to show him her Noble Ring domain. After analyzing its soothing power, he realized he might be able to simulate domains within his illusions.

• Zhao Xuan refused to betray his companions to Qian Renxue and dismissed the idea of killing her, then teased her about having a woman’s name.
• Zhao Xuan broke the hidden Spirit Hall soul master’s Spiritual Power barrier and rejoined Hermione and Tang Yuehua.
• Zhao Xuan asked Tang Yuehua to demonstrate her domain, and she led him to a reception room after speaking with Xue Qinghe.
• Tang Yuehua unfolded her silver-white Noble Ring domain, and Zhao Xuan used the Starry Sky Construction Method to analyze its calming, supportive power.
• Zhao Xuan realized he might simulate domain powers within illusions and use many domains to overwhelm opponents.

After learning that Spirit Hall had devastated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Zhao Xuan gathered Shrek Academy’s leaders to discuss the attack. The Master called for Zhao Xuan to take them to Seven Treasures City so they could join forces against Spirit Hall.

• A messenger from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gave Zhao Xuan Ning Fengzhi’s letter reporting that an unknown force had destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan’s settlement and killed its old clan leader.
• Zhao Xuan learned that Spirit Hall had sent over ten thousand Soul Masters and five Title Douluo, and that the surviving clan members had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in Seven Treasures City.
• Zhao Xuan summoned Shrek Academy’s leaders, and the Master and Liu Erlong were devastated by news of the attack on their family.
• After Zhao Xuan identified Spirit Hall as the likely attacker, Liu Erlong tried to charge out, but the Master stopped her.
• The Master asked Zhao Xuan to take them to Seven Treasures City so they could unite with other forces against Spirit Hall.

After Spirit Hall devastated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Zhao Xuan, the master, and Liu Erlong arrived at Seven Treasures City to meet Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. The survivors took refuge with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, where Ning Rongrong organized aid as Zhao Xuan reunited with her.

• Zhao Xuan brought the master and Liu Erlong to Seven Treasures City while Flender, Jade Lord Douluo, and Zhao Wuji handled other tasks.
• Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo met Zhao Xuan alongside two injured members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of whom had lost an arm.
• The master ordered Liu Erlong to go down into the city with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan member who had taken her arm, and Zhao Xuan helped the master descend.
• Bone Douluo told Zhao Xuan that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had lost its old clan leader, its Titled Douluo, three Soul Douluo, and nearly seventy percent of its members.
• Zhao Xuan saw the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect treating wounded survivors and sheltering orphaned children in Seven Treasures City.
• Ning Rongrong directed relief efforts at the sect gates, and Zhao Xuan praised her growing ability as a leader.

Ning Fengzhi and Zhao Xuan discussed Spirit Hall’s attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and learned that Xue Qinghe had escaped the Heaven Dou Empire. When Zhao Xuan revealed Xue Qinghe’s real name, Qian Renxue, Ning Fengzhi explained her connection to Spirit Hall’s ruling Qian family, leaving Zhao Xuan stunned by the possibility that she was Bibi Dong’s daughter.

• Ning Fengzhi led Zhao Xuan into the reception hall to discuss the attack and Spirit Hall’s next moves.
• Ning Fengzhi told Zhao Xuan that the imperial family planned to act against Xue Qinghe, but a letter confirmed that Xue Qinghe had already escaped.
• Zhao Xuan admitted that he had just attended Xue Qinghe’s banquet and revealed that she had given him the name Qian Renxue.
• Ning Fengzhi explained that the Qian family inherited the Six-Winged Angel martial soul and had long ruled Spirit Hall.
• Ning Fengzhi speculated that Qian Renxue was Bibi Dong’s child, while Zhao Xuan struggled to process her identity and years-long disguise.

Zhao Xuan and Ning Fengzhi discussed Spirit Hall’s hidden influence and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan’s surviving elders. Yu Yuanzhen arrived with Yu Yuancian, the Master, and Liu Erlong, leaving the clan elders surprised to learn of Zhao Xuan’s connection to the Master and his standing at Shrek Academy.

• Zhao Xuan asked Ning Fengzhi which Soul Douluo remained in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Ning Fengzhi named Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Yuancian, and the injured Yu Fanghua.
• A guard announced that Yu Yuanzhen had requested an audience, and Ning Fengzhi ordered him brought in.
• Yu Yuanzhen entered with Yu Yuancian, the Master, and Liu Erlong, and Ning Fengzhi offered his condolences for the clan’s losses.
• The Master thanked Ning Fengzhi for helping the clan, and Ning Fengzhi explained that the upper three sects were bound by common interests and family ties through Rongrong.
• Yu Yuancian asked who Zhao Xuan was, and Zhao Xuan introduced himself as a special-grade instructor at Shrek Academy and a disciple of the Master.
• Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Yuancian were surprised by Zhao Xuan’s claimed relationship with the Master and his position at Shrek Academy.

Ning Fengzhi proposed uniting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the remnants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with the royal family to resist Spirit Hall. He sought help from the Clear Sky Sect through Tang Yuehua, appointed Grandmaster to train the united Soul Masters, and Zhao Xuan stepped outside as dawn approached.

• Ning Fengzhi proposed combining the clans’ remaining Soul Masters into a force to face Spirit Hall, and Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Yuancian reluctantly agreed they had to cooperate.
• Yu Yuancian lamented that they had no news of the Clear Sky Sect, so Zhao Xuan told Ning Fengzhi about Tang Yuehua and Moonlight Pavilion.
• Ning Fengzhi recognized Tang Yuehua as a possible Clear Sky Sect connection and sent a letter to Moonlight Pavilion at once.
• Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Yuancian left to rest, while Grandmaster watched them go and Liu Erlong comforted him.
• Ning Fengzhi asked Grandmaster to lead training for the united Soul Masters, and Grandmaster accepted after hesitating.
• Zhao Xuan went outside and looked toward the paling eastern sky as Seven Treasures City grew quiet.

Zhao Xuan joined a meeting at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as its leaders sought allies against Spirit Hall. Prince Xue Xing accepted the alliance proposal and appointed Grandmaster the empire's Chief Soul Master, while Tang Yuehua agreed to report the matter to the Clear Sky Sect.

• Zhao Xuan questioned whether the forces opposing Spirit Hall could win, then continued patrolling Seven Treasures City for threats and spies.
• A disciple summoned Zhao Xuan to a meeting attended by the leaders of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Grandmaster, Liu Erlong, Tang Yuehua, and Prince Xue Xing.
• Prince Xue Xing apologized to Zhao Xuan for his past conflict with Shrek Academy, and Yu Yuanzhen realized Zhao Xuan was the young Titled Douluo Yu Tianheng had mentioned.
• Tang Yuehua accused the upper three sects of abandoning the Clear Sky Sect when it fought Spirit Hall, then agreed to report the alliance effort to her sect.
• Prince Xue Xing accepted Ning Fengzhi's proposal on behalf of the imperial family and appointed Grandmaster the empire's Chief Soul Master.

After returning to Shrek Academy, Zhao Xuan secluded himself to assess his abilities and plan how to grow stronger, realizing that developing his Soul Power and Second Spirit could unlock a powerful illusion realm. Meanwhile, Spirit Hall expanded its influence as the alliance and factions across the continent prepared for a looming conflict.

• Zhao Xuan recounted the attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Grandmaster rested after returning to Shrek Academy.
• Zhao Xuan moved to a secluded courtyard on the academy's back mountain and reviewed his abilities, weaknesses, and prospects for growth.
• Zhao Xuan resolved to develop his Soul Power and use his Second Spirit to construct an illusion realm with simulated domains.
• Spirit Hall publicly condemned the attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan while secretly deploying forces, and intelligence reports revealed that factions were pledging allegiance to it.
• People across the continent reacted to the spreading tensions as soul masters trained, intelligence agents gathered reports, and a calamity brewed beneath Spirit City's sacred mountain.

Zhao Xuan investigated reports of villages destroyed by a black mist and recognized the lingering aura as that of the Evil God he had encountered before. He suspected the deity was seeking human vitality and continued to consider its purpose.

• In spring, Zhao Xuan reflected on Spirit Hall’s growing activity and learned from Flender that black mist had killed villagers near the Heaven Dou Empire’s border.
• Zhao Xuan recalled a similar incident at Canghui Ancient Castle and worried that the Evil Gods’ disturbances might be connected to Spirit Hall’s movements.
• Zhao Xuan left to investigate the affected villages, while Flender resolved to keep cultivating toward Rank 80.
• At the southwestern border, Zhao Xuan inspected the deserted villages and the graves of more than a hundred victims.
• Zhao Xuan recognized the black mist’s lingering aura as that of the same Evil God and suspected it was targeting human vitality.

Zhao Xuan searched the Gobi for the Evil God, confirmed the enemy's identity, and returned to Yellow Sand City without finding a trace. As he cultivated at the City Lord's Manor, hundreds of dark figures raced toward the city, and a guard sounded the alarm.

• Zhao Xuan searched the Gobi for a day but found no sign of the Evil God.
• Zhao Xuan returned to Yellow Sand City and told Xia Xing that he had identified the enemy but could not track him.
• Zhao Xuan settled into the City Lord's Manor and resumed cultivating, bringing his Soul Power to level sixty-nine.
• Old Zhang told a fellow soldier that Spirit Hall was suspected of destroying the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, prompting the Empire to strengthen its defenses.
• A Soul Master on the city wall spotted hundreds of dark figures approaching and ordered the alarm sounded.

Yellow Sand City came under attack by more than five hundred Black-clothed Soul Masters, and Xia Xing and Commander Bu joined the desperate defense. Zhao Xuan detected the Evil God's aura and captured a Soul Emperor who was gathering death energy from the dead, then unleashed his killing intent across the battlefield.

• More than five hundred Black-clothed Soul Masters attacked Yellow Sand City's walls, killing many defenders before Xia Xing arrived and ordered the city's Soul Masters to counterattack.
• A bow-wielding Soul King targeted Xia Xing, but Commander Bu blocked the arrow with his shield, and Xia Xing transformed into his Forest Demon Bear form and charged into battle.
• Zhao Xuan sensed the Evil God's faint aura in the city and spotted a hidden figure collecting death energy from corpses into a small box.
• The hidden Soul Emperor tried to flee, but Zhao Xuan imprisoned him in midair, then spread a vast wave of pale white killing intent across the battlefield.

Zhao Xuan subdued the Black-clothed Soul Masters attacking Yellow Sand City and questioned their Soul Emperor about a mysterious death-energy box and the God of Death. The surviving enemies surrendered, and Zhao Xuan took the Soul Emperor away to learn more.

• Zhao Xuan spread his Divine Slaughter's Domain across the battlefield and seized the Soul Emperor's square box.
• When the Soul Emperor tried to attack, Zhao Xuan disrupted his Soul Power, causing him to fall and injure himself.
• Zhao Xuan questioned the Soul Emperor about the box and the God of Death, then threatened him with Purple Gold lightning until he agreed to talk.
• Zhao Xuan killed one Soul King with lightning, prompting the other two Soul Kings and the remaining Black-clothed Soul Masters to surrender.
• Zhao Xuan ordered Xia Xing and Commander Bu to give the prisoners Soul Sealing Powder, then told the Soul Emperor to come with him.

Zhao Xuan interrogated a captured Soul Emperor and learned that Spirit Hall had sent teams to surprise attack five Heaven Dou border cities, while a mysterious, deathly figure had assigned the captive a separate task. After Yellow Sand City repelled its attackers, an urgent report confirmed the other four cities had fallen and ordered Zhao Xuan to return to the imperial capital.

• Zhao Xuan questioned the Black-clothed Soul Emperor, who revealed that he belonged to Cheng En Hall and had been assigned a secret task by a black-robed figure bearing the Empress's token.
• The Black-clothed Soul Emperor said Spirit Hall had sent Soul Emperor-led teams to attack five border cities, and Zhao Xuan suspected the mysterious figure was the God of Death.
• Zhao Xuan gave the captive Soul Sealing Powder, and Xia Xing and Commander Bu reported the battle's casualties and captured enemies.
• Xia Xing locked up the subdued Soul Emperor after Zhao Xuan ordered him held for instructions from the empire.
• The next day, an urgent report confirmed Spirit Hall had taken the other four border cities and ordered Zhao Xuan to return to the imperial capital for deliberations.

Zhao Xuan returned to Heaven Dou City amid rumors of an attack on the empire’s borderlands and was summoned to a palace council. As the leaders debated how to resist Spirit Hall, Flender proposed an alliance with the Star Luo Empire.

• Zhao Xuan heard that the Heaven Dou Empire’s borderlands had been attacked and learned that the academy’s dean had summoned him to the imperial palace.
• A palace guard commander recognized Zhao Xuan and respectfully escorted him into the palace.
• Xue Ye asked the council how to respond to Spirit Hall, and Marshal Gelong recommended preparing the army and recruiting Soul Masters.
• Grandmaster warned that Heaven Dou’s Soul Master Corps was outnumbered and weaker than Spirit Hall, then proposed winning over Soul Masters dissatisfied with Bibi Dong.
• Xue Ye assigned the chancellor to pursue Grandmaster’s proposal, and Flender suggested joining forces with the Star Luo Empire, shocking the council.

Flender urged Heaven Dou to cooperate with the Star Luo Empire against Spirit Hall, despite their longstanding feud. Zhao Xuan arrived and agreed to contact Star Luo, securing Xue Song’s support for the alliance.

• Flender argued that Heaven Dou could not oppose Spirit Hall alone, prompting Ge Long to set aside his family’s hatred of Star Luo for the empire’s sake.
• Xue Ye questioned whether Star Luo would agree to cooperate, noting that its crown prince could not decide for the empire.
• Zhao Xuan entered and used his pressure to silence a noble who insulted him, until Xue Song intervened and identified him as Thunder Douluo.
• Xue Song asked whether Zhao Xuan could secure Star Luo’s help, and Zhao Xuan assured him that Star Luo would understand the threat Spirit Hall posed.
• Xue Song entrusted Zhao Xuan with contacting Star Luo, and Zhao Xuan agreed on Shrek Academy’s behalf.

Zhao Xuan challenged the royal family’s decision to keep Xue Song safely behind the scenes, while others warned him not to underestimate the veteran emperor. Oscar returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a Soul Emperor and revealed that he had gained the soul skill he had sought for years.

• Zhao Xuan admitted that he had deliberately confronted Xue Song, and Bone Douluo, Dugu Bo, and Jade Lord Douluo discussed the former emperor’s strength and experience.
• Ning Fengzhi told Zhao Xuan and Flender that Oscar had returned.
• Flender chased Oscar for skipping the academy, then learned Oscar had become a Soul Emperor.
• Oscar said he had obtained his long-desired soul skill after three years of hardship, and Grandmaster recognized what kind of skill it might be.
• Zhao Xuan gave Oscar a drop of his blood, and Oscar began demonstrating his Mirror Sausage soul skill with its incantation.

Oscar demonstrated his sixth soul skill, the Mirror Image Sausage, which copied another spirit master's abilities using their blood. After it failed with Zhao Xuan, Oscar successfully copied Jade Lord Douluo Li Qing's Clear Wind Sword and revealed how the skill worked.

• Oscar revealed his six spirit rings and created a Mirror Image Sausage using Zhao Xuan's blood.
• Oscar ate the sausage but felt no change, so the Grandmaster urged him to test it on someone else.
• Li Qing gave Oscar a drop of blood, and Oscar used his sixth soul skill again.
• Oscar transformed and summoned the Clear Wind Sword, accidentally scattering sword qi that Zhao Xuan and the others destroyed.
• Oscar explained that his skill copied another spirit master's abilities for three minutes at seventy or eighty percent of his own Soul Power.

Oscar revealed that Spirit Hall had searched for him in the Extreme Cold Forest, prompting Zhao Xuan and his allies to prepare for threats against their people. Zhao Xuan sent Qin Ming to seek an alliance with the Star Luo Empire, helped mobilize recruits across Heaven Dou, and brought Xiao Wu back to Shrek Academy.

• Oscar demonstrated his Mirror Sausage and explained that it could not copy soul bone or domain skills and might have other limitations.
• Oscar revealed that Spirit Hall agents had searched for him in the Extreme Cold Forest using portraits, and Ning Fengzhi and Zhao Xuan suspected they planned to threaten their allies.
• Zhao Xuan urged Ning Fengzhi to recall vulnerable Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples and decided to bring Xiao Wu back to the imperial capital.
• Zhao Xuan sent Qin Ming to the Star Luo Empire with a letter and Dai Mubai's gold token to propose an alliance.
• Heaven Dou's recruitment notices drew ordinary people to the new recruit camps, and Zhao Xuan returned to the Star Dou Forest to bring Xiao Wu to Shrek Academy.