Chapter Summaries

After Tang Ya badly wounded Bei Bei and left with the Holy Spirit Cult, the Tang Sect members learned that the Sun Moon Empire was colluding with the Evil Soul Master organization. They regrouped in their cramped hotel room, where Xue Xiao Ran warned that the emperor’s worsening health could soon destabilize the balance between nations.

• Tang Ya struck Bei Bei and walked away with Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng and the other black-clad figures, while Wang Dong'er and Xu Sanshi helped purge the dark Soul Power from Bei Bei's body.
• Xue Xiao Ran explained that Tang Ya was likely being controlled by the Holy Spirit Cult and helped Bei Bei expel the remaining corruption; Huo Yu Hao promised that the Tang Sect would work to rescue her.
• Xu Sanshi told the Sun Moon Empire officials that the clash had been a misunderstanding, and the Tang Sect completed its examinations before moving into its low-ranked rooms at Ming Yue Hotel.
• Xue Xiao Ran told the Tang Sect that the Carefree Sword Sect had reported Xu Tian Ran's ties to the Holy Spirit Cult and that the Sun Moon Empire Emperor was gravely ill.
• Bei Bei and the others recognized that the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult could combine their soul tools and Evil Soul Masters, threatening the three original nations and Shrek Academy.

Huo Yu Hao went to report the Holy Spirit Cult’s threat to Princess Jiujiu while Xue Xiao Ran hid the effects of his Martial Soul backlash from Wang Dong’er. Xue Xiao Ran visited the Carefree Sword Sect’s disciples and took the gifted Chen Dao with him, recommending that he study under Elder Su.

• Huo Yu Hao left to tell Princess Jiujiu about the situation and continue the Tang Sect’s plans.
• Wang Dong’er urged Xue Xiao Ran to rest, but after she left, he slipped out through the window despite his blindness.
• Xue Xiao Ran met Cang Xue and the Carefree Sword Sect disciples, sensing their sword Martial Souls and praising Chen Dao’s sword.
• Xue Xiao Ran took Chen Dao with him and recommended that Chen Dao study under Elder Su because their sword styles suited each other.

Xue Xiao Ran introduced Chen Dao to Ji Juechen as a sparring partner before joining Huo Yu Hao to brief Princess Xu Jiujiu on the Holy Spirit Cult and the threat posed by the Sun Moon Empire. As Huo Yu Hao offered to show her a ring and discuss cooperation, an elderly Titled Douluo appeared and demanded to know which boy she should beat into submission.

• Xue Xiao Ran brought Chen Dao to Ji Juechen and asked him to spar without holding back.
• Chen Dao drew his sword, and he and Ji Juechen left to spar outside the hotel room.
• Xue Xiao Ran joined Huo Yu Hao and Xu Jiujiu, who confirmed that she believed their intelligence about the Holy Spirit Cult and the Sun Moon Empire.
• Huo Yu Hao offered to show Xu Jiujiu a ring as a possible starting point for cooperation.
• An elderly Titled Douluo appeared behind Xu Jiujiu and asked which boy she should beat until he gave in.

Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran met with Xu Jiujiu to discuss Tang Sect Soul Tools, while Grandma Manyi tested Xue Xiao Ran’s strength and noticed Xu Jiujiu’s feelings for him. After leaving the meeting, Huo Yu Hao admitted that his origins gave him special feelings for the Star Luo Empire, while Xu Jiujiu reflected on Tang Sect’s technological advantage and wondered whether Xue Xiao Ran was single.

• Grandma Manyi teased Xu Jiujiu about liking Xue Xiao Ran, then tested him by pressing him with her aura.
• Xu Jiujiu stopped Grandma Manyi and apologized to Xue Xiao Ran and Huo Yu Hao for her actions.
• Huo Yu Hao introduced Tang Sect’s newly developed Soul Tools to Xu Jiujiu, who was impressed by their designs.
• Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran left the meeting and discussed how cooperation with the Star Luo Empire could fund Tang Sect’s research while accelerating the war.
• Huo Yu Hao told Xue Xiao Ran that his complicated feelings for the Star Luo Empire concerned his origins, promising to explain when he was ready.
• Xu Jiujiu lamented that the Star Luo Empire lagged behind Tang Sect in Soul Tool research, while Grandma Manyi warned her that Xue Xiao Ran was unusually powerful and asked whether she knew his background.

Zhang Lexuan visited the injured Bei Bei, learned that the Holy Spirit Cult had attacked him, and prepared to report the threat to Shrek Academy. Bei Bei placed Xue Xiao Ran in charge of the team, who proposed sending one fighter into each preliminary match to conceal their strength.

• Zhang Lexuan and Qiu'er arrived at Bei Bei's room, where Zhang Lexuan examined Bei Bei's injuries and identified the attack as the work of an Evil Soul Master.
• Bei Bei described his encounter with Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng and the Holy Spirit Cult, while concealing Tang Ya's involvement.
• Zhang Lexuan said she would report the news to the academy, and Bei Bei told her that Xue Xiao Ran had taken command of the team.
• Xue Xiao Ran considered that the tournament could pit the Tang Sect against old acquaintances such as Yan Yuyan and Yu Ling Lin.
• Xue Xiao Ran outlined the tournament's elimination rounds and recommended that one person fight each match to keep the team's strength hidden.
• Xue Xiao Ran named himself, Huo Yu Hao, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou as fighters capable of defeating seven opponents alone.

Xue Xiao Ran learned that the tournament’s rules favored Soul Engineers and joined the Tang Sect team as it traveled to the arena. There, he saw Xu Tian Ran publicly take the throne and spotted familiar faces among the competitors and spectators.

• Xue Xiao Ran learned that the tournament would have preliminary and final stages, unrestricted arena height, and scoring based on the number of survivors in individual matches.
• The Tang Sect members dressed in their matching uniforms and left the Ming Yue Hotel under heavy military escort, while Bei Bei remained behind because of his injuries.
• Xue Xiao Ran and Wang Dong reached the eastern outskirts arena with the participating teams and saw a large viewing platform and crowds guarded by soldiers.
• Xu Tian Ran arrived in a Dragon Carriage and was carried out in a wheelchair, leading Xue Xiao Ran to recognize that he had become emperor of the Sun Moon Empire.
• Xue Xiao Ran used his Spiritual Power to inspect the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment and saw Yan Yuyan, Yu Ling Lin, Cang Xue, Chen Dao, and Carefree Sword Sect disciples among the attendees.

Xue Xiao Ran entered Tang Sect’s match against Earth Dragon Gate and defeated its first contestant with a single strike. He stood ready to face the rest of the opposing team.

• Cang Xue exchanged brief voice transmissions with Xue Xiao Ran, then reflected on the possibility of another era of turmoil.
• After the tournament’s second day began, Tang Sect prepared to face Earth Dragon Gate, and Xue Xiao Ran volunteered to fight first.
• Xue Xiao Ran walked onto the stage with his eyes closed and his hands in his pockets, drawing attention from Yan Yuyan and Yu Ling Lin.
• Xu Shen Shu charged Xue Xiao Ran using his Sabertooth Earth Dragon Martial Soul, but Xue Xiao Ran caught his punch and froze him into an ice sculpture.
• Xue Xiao Ran dismissed Xu Shen Shu and called for the next opponent.

Xue Xiao Ran effortlessly defeated Earth Dragon Gate’s first two contestants and then overwhelmed Nan Qiu Qiu, revealing himself to be a Soul Emperor. He encouraged Nan Qiu Qiu to cultivate well, while the match against Earth Dragon Gate remained underway.

• Xue Xiao Ran froze Earth Dragon Gate’s first contestant with one hand and then defeated Feng Jue with another effortless touch.
• Xu Tian Ran learned that Xue Xiao Ran was a blind Tang Sect disciple and ordered the referee to ensure he survived his later matches.
• Nan Qiu Qiu introduced herself, released her five-ring Annihilation Attribute Dragon martial soul, and shattered her Annihilation Light against Xue Xiao Ran’s palm.
• Xue Xiao Ran revealed his overwhelming pressure, blocked Nan Qiu Qiu’s Annihilation Hand, and shattered her martial soul defense with a slap.
• Xue Xiao Ran praised Nan Qiu Qiu’s martial soul and encouraged her to cultivate into a powerhouse.

Xue Xiao Ran swept Earth Dragon Gate’s remaining contestants in the tournament, securing Tang Sect a full twelve points. Afterward, Nan Qiu Qiu’s mother confronted Tang Sect, while Wang Dong’er punished Xue Xiao Ran for his behavior.

• The fifth Earth Dragon Gate contestant attacked the referee before the match began and was disqualified.
• Xue Xiao Ran defeated Earth Dragon Gate’s sixth contestant with a palm strike that froze him into an ice sculpture.
• Xiao Ye released his Night Dragon martial soul and shrouded the arena in darkness, but Xue Xiao Ran quickly knocked him unconscious.
• The referee declared Tang Sect the winner, and Nan Qiu Qiu guessed that Xue Xiao Ran had Soul Emperor-level cultivation.
• Nan Qiu Qiu’s mother scolded her and took her to Tang Sect’s lounge, while Wang Dong’er twisted Xue Xiao Ran’s waist as the Tang Sect members laughed.

Nan Shui Shui confronted Xue Xiao Ran over his treatment of Nan Qiu Qiu in the arena, then agreed to let her join the Tang Sect under a five-year arrangement. Reassured by the sect’s strength and its connection to Shrek City, Nan Shui Shui left Nan Qiu Qiu with the Tang Sect, where Qiu Qiu was stunned by her new companions.

• Nan Shui Shui confronted Xue Xiao Ran, demanding an explanation for how he had treated Nan Qiu Qiu during their arena match.
• Xue Xiao Ran offered Nan Qiu Qiu a place in the Tang Sect, and Nan Shui Shui agreed on the conditions that she could leave after three years or extend her term, and that she would not be forced to do anything against her will.
• Nan Shui Shui set a five-year limit on the arrangement, with a possible two-year extension if Nan Qiu Qiu gained more than eight cultivation levels, and asked Xue Xiao Ran where the Tang Sect was located.
• Xue Xiao Ran told Nan Shui Shui that the Tang Sect was in Shrek City, and she decided to entrust Nan Qiu Qiu to the sect after judging its members and their strength.
• Nan Shui Shui returned to the Earth Dragon Gate, while Nan Qiu Qiu stayed with the Tang Sect and admired its powerful and handsome members.

Xue Xiao Ran watched a Sacred Spirit Sect fighter kill a Tiandu Academy contestant with a cruel soul-devouring skill, then considered the threat the sect posed. After the match, he encountered Yan Yuyan, his former classmate from Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy, who confronted him about leaving five years earlier.

• A Sacred Spirit Sect youth used his Fourth Soul Skill, Soul Devouring Worm, to kill the Tiandu Academy fighter, and the referee declared the contestant dead.
• Three more Sacred Spirit Sect youths appeared, and one remarked that it was a pity the dead fighter had such vigorous blood and vitality.
• Xue Xiao Ran left the arena with the Tang Sect members and assessed the danger posed by the Holy Spirit Cult before returning to Ming Yue Hotel.
• After dinner, Xue Xiao Ran went out alone, and Wang Dong followed because he was worried about him.
• Yan Yuyan recognized Xue Xiao Ran and told him that his classmates had missed him after he left without a word five years earlier.

Xue Xiao Ran reunited with Yan Yuyan and learned she remained committed to the Sun Moon Empire, while he and Wang Dong'er discussed the possibility of war. The tournament's second elimination round began with Shrek Academy facing the Heavenly Armor Sect, whose disciples prepared to challenge the famous team.

• Xue Xiao Ran told Yan Yuyan that he had gone blind from a cultivation backlash, and she vowed not to hold back if they met in the arena.
• Yan Yuyan said her home was in the Sun Moon Empire, and Xue Xiao Ran explained to Wang Dong'er that he wanted her to leave the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy before it became a wartime reserve.
• Xue Xiao Ran and Wang Dong'er discussed the prospect of war between the empires, and he chose not to pursue Yan Yuyan's feelings.
• The second elimination round began, and the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy took their places in the VIP Lounge Area after the Tang Sect's strong first-round performance.
• Shrek Academy selected Wang Qiu'er, Dai Hua Bin, Zhu Lu, Ning Tian, Xie Huanyue, Wu Feng, and Cao Jinxuan to face the Heavenly Armor Sect.
• Han Zhan Hu instructed the nervous Heavenly Armor Sect competitors to fight Shrek Academy with everything they had.

After Shrek’s Qiu’er crushed the Heavenly Armor Sect’s Seven-in-One Combination Skill, Huo Yu Hao assigned tactics for the team’s next match while Xue Xiao Ran secretly investigated Tang Ya’s disappearance. Cang Xue reported that Tang Ya had likely been taken by the Holy Spirit Cult and controlled by a powerful Soul Master, leaving Xue Xiao Ran wary of the threat.

• Qiu’er broke the Heavenly Armor Sect’s Seven-in-One Combination Skill, impressing the spectators and making rival team leaders wary of Shrek Academy.
• Xue Xiao Ran observed that Shrek’s next match was against an unfamiliar sect team and handed command to Huo Yu Hao before claiming to enter seclusion.
• Huo Yu Hao assigned Xu Sanshi, the second senior brother, Xiao Xiao, and the fourth senior sister to fight in sequence, with Wang Dong’er as the final option if Xue Xiao Ran remained absent.
• Xue Xiao Ran secretly met Cang Xue, who told him that Tang Ya had disappeared after the former Tang Sect was massacred four years earlier.
• Cang Xue said the Holy Spirit Cult had likely taken Tang Ya and used hypnosis to control her, and estimated that the Control System Soul Master responsible was at least a Soul Douluo.

Xue Xiao Ran discussed the Holy Spirit Cult and the dangers facing Tang Ya before leaving to trust his own trial. Tang Sect arrived for its second-round match against Iron Sword Sect, where Xu Sanshi opened the first bout by flirting with his opponent, Wang Chengxi.

• Xue Xiao Ran told Cang Xue that the Carefree Sword Sect and Clear Sky Sect could not interfere in worldly affairs, then left to face his trial.
• Tang Sect rested before heading to the arena, where the injured Bei Bei's condition cast a shadow over their match.
• Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy watched as Tang Sect prepared to compete against Iron Sword Sect.
• Xu Sanshi took the stage for Tang Sect's first individual match and introduced himself to Wang Chengxi.
• Xu Sanshi flirted with Wang Chengxi until the referee separated them, then assured Jiang Nannan that he had only been confusing his opponent.

Xu Sanshi revealed his six-ring Soul Emperor strength and fought Wang Chengxi of the Iron Sword Sect, defeating her attack with his shield skills. Wang Chengxi survived his counter and showed signs of having a second martial soul, leaving their duel unresolved.

• Xu Sanshi revealed six soul rings, stunning the audience and changing their view of the Tang Sect.
• Wang Chengxi revealed her Iron Sword martial soul and five soul rings, then traded attacks with Xu Sanshi.
• Ji Juechen criticized Wang Chengxi’s swordsmanship, while Xue Xiao Ran explained that few sects had deeply cultivated the Sword Cultivator path.
• Wang Chengxi leaped over Xu Sanshi and attacked from behind, but Xu Sanshi blocked her sword radiance with his shield.
• Xu Sanshi used Mysterious Nether Tremor and Mysterious Nether Power to shatter Wang Chengxi’s fifth soul-ring attack and blast her away.
• Wang Chengxi recovered, and Xue Xiao Ran noticed that she appeared to possess another martial soul.

Xu Sanshi defeated Wang Chengxi after she revealed her Medusa Martial Soul and attacked him with sword light, snake-hair, and Medusa’s Gaze. He left the arena calling for the next opponent, while the referee reminded him that only the referee’s voice could pass through the Soul Tool Barrier.

• Wang Chengxi unleashed her Medusa Martial Soul’s attacks, surprising Xu Sanshi and the spectators.
• Xu Sanshi used Mysterious Nether Swap to evade Wang Chengxi’s attacks and then countered with his Black Tortoise Shield.
• Xu Sanshi trapped Wang Chengxi in a shield-wall cage, suppressed her Medusa’s Gaze, and knocked her unconscious with Mysterious Nether Tremor.
• Xu Sanshi signaled his team and called for the next opponent, but the referee warned him that his voice could not leave the Soul Tool Barrier.
• Nan Qiu Qiu remarked on Wang Chengxi’s Martial Soul, and Ji Juechen gave her a scornful look.

Tang Sect defeated Iron Sword Sect and advanced to the third round, while Huo Yu Hao learned that rare metals were being offered as prizes in a Black Market Soul Tool crafting tournament. He decided to discuss entering the tournament with Bei Bei, and Xue Xiao Ran warned that the Holy Spirit Cult might be involved.

• Xu Sanshi defeated Iron Sword Sect's second competitor, then conceded so his teammates could finish the matches and win the team battle.
• Wang Chengxi woke as the team battle ended, but Iron Sword Sect was eliminated and Tang Sect advanced to the third round.
• Huo Yu Hao told Xue Xiao Ran that the Black Markets were using rare metals as wagers and rewards in an underground Soul Tool crafting tournament.
• Huo Yu Hao explained that Soul Engineers under thirty could qualify by crafting a Level Four Soul Tool, with the first round allowing three days.
• Huo Yu Hao said he wanted to enter the tournament, and Xue Xiao Ran warned that the Holy Spirit Cult might be behind it.

Xue Xiao Ran and Huo Yu Hao planned to enter Ming Capital’s underground Soul Engineer tournament, disguising themselves before heading to the Xi Shui Alliance. Xue Xiao Ran chose the alliance because he knew the Holy Spirit Cult included Long Xiao Yao and Ye Xi Shui.

• Xue Xiao Ran considered the tournament’s rare-metal rewards and the danger posed by the Holy Spirit Cult, then concealed his plans from Wang Dong’er.
• Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran disguised themselves at night and agreed to address each other as brothers while carrying out their plan.
• The two headed toward the center of Ming Capital, where the Xi Shui Alliance, Ping Fan Alliance, and Ao Du Chamber of Commerce controlled the underground world.
• Xue Xiao Ran and Huo Yu Hao chose to approach the powerful Xi Shui Alliance because of its connection to the Holy Spirit Cult and Ye Xi Shui.

Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran used false names and a large wager to gain entry to the Xi Shui Alliance’s Ming Du Soul Engineer Elite Tournament preliminaries after they had nearly ended. The middle-aged host accepted them after they demonstrated their Soul Engineer abilities.

• At the entrance to Qing Se Hotel, a guard told Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran that the preliminaries were almost over and refused to let them in.
• Huo Yu Hao offered to bet one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins that he could advance, prompting the guard to bring out a middle-aged host.
• The host welcomed them inside and asked which of them wished to compete; Xue Xiao Ran gave the false name Wu Yan, while Huo Yu Hao called himself Tang Si.
• Huo Yu Hao showed a Black Gold VIP Card and displayed his dagger’s sword energy, while Xue Xiao Ran revealed armor with multiple gun barrels extending from his hand.
• The middle-aged host confirmed their identities as Soul Engineers and agreed to arrange their matches.

Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran arrived at the Xi Shui Alliance’s underground tournament and learned that they had to create a Third-rank Soul Tool before time ran out to qualify. After threatening their guide over the late entry and missing materials, they began at tables in the outer area under supervision.

• A middle-aged guide led Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran into the crowded underground competition hall, where hundreds of Soul Engineers were competing.
• The guide explained that the qualifying round required contestants to finish a Third-rank Soul Tool before the hourglass ran out, and Huo Yu Hao said they had enough time.
• Huo Yu Hao questioned the guide about the venue, and the guide explained that it was the largest auction house in Ming Capital.
• Tournament staff told the group that only contestants could enter and demanded they place their bets; Wu Yan and Xue Xiao Ran threatened the guide over the late arrival.
• The guide refused to provide materials, so Huo Yu Hao and Xue Xiao Ran were assigned tables in the outer area and told by an elderly supervisor to begin crafting under observation.