Chapter Summaries

Gu You argued that Fallen Ones were shaped by human actions rather than their Martial Souls, persuaded Qian Renxue to consider his research, and secured Spirit Hall’s research materials. He and Tang San left the Imperial Palace with tea, and Gu You reassured Tang San that Qian Renxue could obtain the Heaven Dou Empire by following their plan.

• Qian Renxue warned Gu You that Spirit Hall’s attempts to cure Fallen Ones had failed, but Gu You argued that evil came from people’s actions rather than their Martial Soul attributes.
• Gu You showed Qian Renxue his reports on the Evil Attribute and proposed replacing Ma Hongjun’s Lust attribute with Death so he could manage its influence through Phoenix rebirth.
• Qian Renxue accepted Gu You’s theory as plausible and agreed to provide Spirit Hall’s research materials on Fallen Ones, while Gu You requested ten jin of fine tea as an extra reward.
• Gu You and Tang San left the Imperial Palace on foot, and Tang San asked whether Qian Renxue could take control of the Heaven Dou Empire.
• Gu You explained that Qian Renxue should focus on Heaven Dou Royal Academy and said their plan could give the empire a new name in less than ten years.

Gu You had expected Qian Renxue to take control of Heaven Dou smoothly, then checked Ma Hongjun’s condition and returned to the Imperial Dou Team. Yu Tianheng offered him a Valstrax Fragment to secure a full-power duel, and the chapter ended as the two prepared to fight.

• Gu You and Tang San returned to Dragon-Snake Manor at dawn, where Lanta teased Gu You about eating street food before they rested.
• Tang San confirmed that Ma Hongjun’s Evil-Dispelling Tea kept his Evil Fire under control and left him a supply with instructions.
• Gu You visited the Training Ground and defeated Yu Feng and the Shi Brothers in a brief sparring session.
• Yu Tianheng challenged Gu You to a full-power fight and offered him a Valstrax Fragment as payment.
• Gu You and Xiao Wu recognized the fragment’s connection to Valstrax, and Yu Tianheng recounted how he had found it after Valstrax attacked during his Soul Ring hunt.
• Gu You accepted Yu Tianheng’s challenge, and both fighters powered up at opposite ends of the Training Ground.

Gu You and Yu Tianheng fought as Yu Tianheng tested his new lightning Soul Skills against Gu You’s strength and defense. After Yu Tianheng unleashed his all-out Thunder Dragon Thunderbolt, Gu You accepted his challenge and began revealing his full power with Ultimate Burst Stream of Destruction.

• Yu Tianheng opened with Thunderbolt Dragon Claw, and Gu You matched it before blocking Yu Tianheng’s follow-up and crippling his left shoulder with an elbow strike.
• Yu Tianheng used Thunderbolt Strike and Thunderbolt Fury, then activated Thunder Descent and unleashed Thunder Dragon Thunderbolt to blast Gu You away and badly injure his right arm.
• Yu Tianheng, still unable to use his left arm, declared he had strength for one final attack and challenged Gu You to face his true Thunder Dragon Thunderbolt.
• Gu You agreed to the challenge, lit all three Soul Rings, and began Ultimate Burst Stream of Destruction as Yu Tianheng combined his Soul Skills into a blood-red lightning attack.

Zhu Zhuqing and her team set out under Qin Ming’s supervision to hunt for Soul Beasts, following Gu You’s plan and Meng Yiran’s leadership. They reached Qingyun Town at the edge of Liuyun Plateau, where Meng Yiran assigned the team to investigate the area before entering the habitat.

• Zhu Zhuqing confirmed that she needed only Meng Yiran, the Shi Brothers, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, and Bai Chenxiang for the Soul Hunting Operation, and Qin Ming agreed to act only as their safeguard.
• Meng Yiran led the team on a four-day journey to Qingyun Town, where they rested and adjusted to the plateau’s thinner air.
• Zhu Zhuqing revealed that Gu You had chosen the team and given Meng Yiran full responsibility, then handed her Gu You’s written instructions.
• Meng Yiran explained Liuyun Plateau’s terrain and Soul Beast population, then assigned the Shi Brothers to investigate the Marketplace, herself and Ye Lingling to gather information, and Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang to observe the hotel’s guests.

Meng Yiran gathered the team’s supplies and intelligence for Zhu Zhuqing’s Soul hunt on Liuyun Plateau, where Zhuqing’s desired Soul Beast was confirmed to exist. The team planned to enter the plateau the next day, but a local legend warned that people vanished in its fog.

• Ning Rongrong reported that Qingyun Town’s hotel housed wealthy Soul Masters hiring teams to weaken Soul Beasts for them, while Shi Mo explained that none of their levels exceeded the Forty-Level Stage.
• Shi Mo showed the team Oufei Cotton, which collected moisture from the air for fresh water, and explained that a Return Stone pointed toward Spirit Peak to help travelers find north in fog.
• Meng Yiran reported that the plateau’s fog had lasted five days and was thinning, and that Zhu Zhuqing’s desired solitary Soul Beast could be found there in every age range.
• Meng Yiran set a one-week limit for the Soul hunt before the team would return to Qingyun Town to rest and resupply.
• Meng Yiran told the team a local legend called Divine Vanishing: people disappeared in the fog without leaving any trace.

Soul Masters prepared to enter Liuyun Plateau for herbs and Soul Hunting as the village chief opened the gate after reciting her warning ballad. Meng Yiran joined Zhu Zhuqing’s group despite a sleepless night, while a mysterious party in moon-white robes entered the plateau behind them.

• Before dawn, Xiao Li and Lao Liu discussed the risks of guiding nobles on Soul Hunting trips and the need to earn money from them.
• The village chief sang her warning about Divine Vanishing, unlocked the gate, and watched Soul Masters leave for Liuyun Plateau.
• Meng Yiran greeted Zhu Zhuqing, whose sharp eyesight noticed the dark circles beneath Meng Yiran’s makeup.
• At the inn, Meng Yiran drank Tang San’s Refreshing Potion and joined Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and the others as they set out with Qin Ming.
• An old man in a moon-white robe arrived with a middle-aged man and seven young Soul Masters, ordered them to set out, and led them into Liuyun Plateau.

Bai Chenxiang, Ye Lingling, and Meng Yiran tried to guide Ning Rongrong through ordinary Soul Hunting on the Liuyun Plateau, but Ning Rongrong grew impatient and clashed with Meng Yiran. Their duel began with Meng Yiran effortlessly blocking Ning Rongrong’s signature attack.

• Bai Chenxiang scouted ahead with her clone, then landed to recover from the high-altitude wind as the group continued across the plateau.
• Ye Lingling explained that Soul Hunting could take days or months, and Ning Rongrong mistakenly concluded that Gu You and Tang San had become strong by hunting Soul Beasts themselves.
• Ning Rongrong prepared to attack a group of Triangular Rhinoceros Oxen until Bai Chenxiang explained that they were docile Ten-Year Soul Beasts, prompting Ning Rongrong to sulk and refuse to continue.
• Meng Yiran ordered Ning Rongrong to keep moving, but Ning Rongrong insulted her authority and said she recognized only Gu You as captain.
• Meng Yiran challenged Ning Rongrong to settle their dispute through a fight, and Ning Rongrong used her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda boosts before striking with Flowing Light.
• Meng Yiran blocked Flowing Light with her Serpent Blade and said she had anticipated Ning Rongrong’s opening slash.

Meng Yiran used her knowledge of Ning Rongrong’s sword techniques to control their duel and expose how poorly Ning Rongrong handled setbacks. After Ning Rongrong’s confidence crumbled and she considered surrendering, she regained her resolve and challenged Meng Yiran to continue.

• Meng Yiran blocked Ning Rongrong’s opening Draw-Blade Slash and explained that she had learned to predict Ning Rongrong’s moves by watching her train.
• Meng Yiran deflected Ning Rongrong’s Starfall, kicked her away, and pointed out that she had also anticipated the attack.
• Ning Rongrong grew angry and launched a relentless barrage, while Shi Mo and Shi Mo recognized that Meng Yiran was letting her tire herself out.
• Meng Yiran waited until Ning Rongrong calmed down, then announced that it was her turn to attack.
• Ning Rongrong considered surrendering, but seeing her reflection in dew on Murasame restored her determination, and she told Meng Yiran to come.

Meng Yiran tested Ning Rongrong during the Soul Hunt, and Ning Rongrong earned her respect by landing a final strike before losing. After the group set out, a mysterious old man identified Qin Ming and watched them leave with keen interest.

• Meng Yiran challenged Ning Rongrong and overwhelmed her in close combat, while Ye Lingling realized how much stronger Meng Yiran had become.
• Ning Rongrong continued fighting despite her injuries and exhausted Soul Power, then surprised Meng Yiran with a counterattack that cut her waist.
• Meng Yiran defeated Ning Rongrong with her third soul skill, and Ning Rongrong agreed to follow her arrangements after waking.
• Meng Yiran wondered whether Gu You had taught Ning Rongrong the unusually fast final strike, then led the recovered group onward.
• A mysterious old man appeared after the group left, identified Qin Ming as a member of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and showed excitement about the group.

Gu You began training the Imperial Dou Team in Soul Power control through tree climbing and demonstrated a leaf-based Self-Created Soul Skill. Ning Rongrong showed unexpected aptitude with the technique, prompting Gu You to consider seeking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s Heart Separation Control secret.

• Gu You told Dugu Yan to keep her poison treatment and upcoming training confidential, and assured her that medicine was ready for her next rank.
• Gu You made Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng practice walking up a tree, then advised Yu Tianheng to pause and feel how his Soul Power moved instead of charging ahead blindly.
• Gu You demonstrated Plucking Flowers and Flying Leaves by reinforcing a leaf with Soul Power and launching it into a tree trunk.
• Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Yu Feng, and Shi Mo each failed to control their Soul Power without destroying the leaf they tried to strengthen.
• Ning Rongrong slowly guided Soul Power through a leaf, and Gu You recognized her control as an effect of Heart Separation Control and considered negotiating with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for the secret technique.

Gu You tested Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling’s physical Martial Souls and discovered that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Nine Heart Begonia were extremely fragile. He left the chapter heading toward Yu Tianheng and Zhu Zhuqing’s testing area after promising to improve Ye Lingling’s Martial Soul with her next Soul Ring.

• Ning Rongrong damaged a leaf while practicing Soul Power control, and Gu You advised her to build a foundation before attempting Plucking Flowers and Flying Leaves.
• Gu You summoned Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianheng, and Ye Lingling to test their Martial Souls and Soul Skills, while Lanta led Yu Tianheng and Zhu Zhuqing to the testing grounds.
• Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling manifested their physical Tool Martial Souls, and Gu You learned that Beast Martial Soul users could not practice their Virtual-Real Conversion secret technique.
• Gu You’s tests showed that Ning Rongrong’s Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had Destructive Power 0 and Strength 1, while Ye Lingling’s Nine Heart Begonia had Destructive Power 0 and Strength 3.
• Gu You concluded that Soul Incantations helped Soul Masters draw out Soul Ring power when their Martial Souls did not match their Soul Rings, and promised to choose Ye Lingling’s next Soul Ring carefully.
• Gu You left to check on Lanta’s tests of Yu Tianheng and Zhu Zhuqing.

Gu You watched Yu Tianheng train his lightning control and explained how his research had led him to value choosing his own fate. Zhu Zhuqing recognized Gu You as the author known as Master Gu You, accepted his past influence on her choices, and challenged him to a match; the chapter ended with Gu You asking whether she was sure she wanted to fight.

• Yu Tianheng used Thunder Descent to practice controlling his lightning within Gu You's Lightning Rod formation, lasting longer than Gu You had managed.
• Gu You explained to Zhu Zhuqing how Martial Soul lightning changed after dissipating and how the metal rods could train lightning control.
• Gu You told Zhu Zhuqing that he valued making his own choices, and she connected his actions to the Master Gu You she had encountered before.
• Zhu Zhuqing revealed that she had recognized Gu You as Master Gu You and said she was not angry because she had made her own choices.
• Gu You brought Zhu Zhuqing to the Training Ground, moved Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling beneath a tree, and gave them Recovery Potions.
• Zhu Zhuqing challenged Gu You to a match, and he asked whether she was sure she wanted to fight.

Zhuqing tested her newly strengthened Nether Power against Gu You in a spar, managing to wound him before he adapted and defeated her. She surrendered after Gu You slammed her into the ground.

• Zhuqing activated her Martial Soul and challenged Gu You, who answered with his Ultimate Conductor Tyranno and Haoshoku Haki.
• Zhuqing used Hell Stab to evade Gu You's charge and struck his back, while her King of Black Mist Soul Skill strengthened her Nether Power.
• Gu You assessed Zhuqing's increased speed and corrosive Nether Power, then used his tail to stop her from repeating her attack.
• Zhuqing continued dodging Gu You and blocking his lightning, but her Soul Power weakened and he caught her ankle with his tail.
• Gu You slammed Zhuqing into the ground, and she surrendered.

After reuniting for dinner, Gu You and Tang San explained that they would return to Dugu Bo’s dangerous research site, while Lanta resolved to grow strong enough to help them. The evening ended with Meng Yiran revealing that she had noticed an invisible guest, who appeared and asked when she had detected him.

• Gu You discovered that he had accidentally pressed an empty Recovery Potion bottle against Zhu Zhuqing’s face, and she left after recovering somewhat.
• Xiao Wu reminisced about the group’s time together and asked Gu You whether he and Tang San would leave again to work with Dugu Bo; Gu You confirmed they would return after their tests.
• Gu You warned Lanta that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well’s environment was too dangerous for her, and Lanta inferred that the site posed a serious environmental hazard and resolved to cultivate harder.
• Xiao Wu chose radish soup for dinner the next night, then hurried out with Lanta to meet Zhu Zhuqing.
• After Gu You and Tang San left, Meng Yiran offered tea to an unseen guest, used Soul Power to send him a cup, and watched an old man appear and ask when she had noticed him.

Shi Nian revealed himself as a Soul Saint and tried to recruit Meng Yiran, demonstrating his illusion-based Martial Soul while testing her skills. When he attempted to take her by force, the Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon burst into the restaurant and pierced his illusion.

• Shi Nian introduced himself as Remnant Dream Shi Nian and explained how his Martial Soul’s illusions could become uncontrollable when unleashed at full power.
• Meng Yiran summoned her Serpent Cane and attacked Shi Nian with her Third Soul Skill, while he evaded her snakes and advised her to switch between illusory and physical forms.
• Shi Nian revealed that he had watched Meng Yiran during a Soul Hunting trip and offered to make her captain of Canghui Academy’s team if she became his disciple.
• Meng Yiran refused to leave Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Shi Nian prepared to force her to go with him.
• The Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon crashed through the doors and pierced Shi Nian’s illusion as Meng Yiran revealed she had been waiting for it.

Xiao Wu’s coded warning reveals that a powerful enemy is targeting Meng Yiran, so Gu You and Tang San investigate while Xiao Wu takes Lanta to seek help. They identify the enemy as Shi Nian and return to confront him, ending as Shi Nian prepares to attack their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

• Xiao Wu uses her dislike of radish soup to warn Gu You, Tang San, Meng Yiran, and Lanta that danger is nearby, and Gu You sends Xiao Wu and Lanta away while he and Tang San leave the restaurant.
• Xiao Wu realizes the danger vanishes outside Dragon-Snake Manor and hurries with Lanta to the academy to seek help from the Three Education Committee Members.
• Gu You concludes that Meng Yiran is the target, stops Tang San from rushing back, and uses paper cups with him to listen through the restaurant window.
• Gu You and Tang San hear the enemy’s name, Shi Nian, and Gu You recognizes that Shi Nian’s Remnant Dream Martial Soul has covered the restaurant in an illusion.
• Gu You and Tang San return as the Tyrant Purple Dragon, their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and attack Shi Nian, who offers to take them as his students before preparing to fight.

Shi Nian used his mental abilities to overcome Gu You and Tang San’s Martial Soul Fusion Skill, then drew Gu You into the nightmare of his former life. Gu You recognized the illusion was deepening and waited for it to rebuild, hoping to find a way out.

• Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon saw through Shi Nian’s illusion, but Shi Nian revealed that his mental influence could still misdirect its attacks.
• Shi Nian activated his Soul Skills to control Gu You and Tang San’s senses, making their attacks miss before he shattered Odd-Eyes Venom Dragon and brought them down.
• Shi Nian used his Seventh Soul Skill, Nightmare, and Gu You found himself sitting at a card-game table with a familiar friend.
• Gu You played through a duel in the apparent world of his former life, then said farewell as the friend and scene dissolved.
• Gu You sensed that he was entering deeper layers of the illusion and waited for it to reconstruct, hoping to find the exit.

Gu You and Tang San endured Shi Nian’s Nightmare illusion, which forced Gu You through fears from his past before presenting Tang San as a blood-eyed attacker under the influence of Asura. Gu You and Dinosaur Big Brother fought Shi Nian while Meng Yiran and Tang San broke through the illusion, leaving Tang San attacking Shi Nian.

• Gu You recognized that Nightmare erased his awareness of the illusions and rebuilt his past fears, then the next vision showed a bloodied Tang San holding Xiao Wu.
• Shi Nian prepared to brainwash Gu You, but Gu You seized and broke his wrist while Tang San threw the unconscious Xiao Wu at him.
• A figure calling himself Asura appeared behind Tang San and crushed Gu You beneath immense pressure.
• Dinosaur Big Brother controlled Gu You’s body and savagely attacked Shi Nian, while Shi Nian struggled to escape his grip.
• Tang San called for Meng Yiran to use Erasure, then broke through the illusion and fired a black ray at Shi Nian, declaring that he had earned his death.

Gu You and Tang San defeated Shi Nian by trapping him long enough for Tang San’s Yama’s Invitation to pierce his defenses and kill him with its poison. Tang San recovered with Meng Yiran’s help, while an unknown multicolored object remained in Shi Nian’s black residue and a new guest arrived.

• Shi Nian entered a heightened state and tried to block Tang San’s black needle, but Gu You held his hands and prevented him from dodging.
• Shi Nian attempted to use Gu You as a shield, but Gu You released opposing energies that made Shi Nian freeze as Tang San’s needle struck his waist.
• Shi Nian believed the needle had failed and threatened Tang San and Gu You, but Tang San’s poison took effect and dissolved Shi Nian’s body into black blood and slime.
• Gu You praised his battle plan, and Tang San explained that they had needed to weaken and distract Shi Nian so Yama’s Invitation could bypass his Soul Power defense.
• Meng Yiran helped the exhausted Tang San, who noticed an unknown multicolored object in Shi Nian’s remains just as a gentle voice asked what had happened.

Xiao Wu and Lanta rushed to fetch reinforcements while Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong discussed Gu You’s character and his choice to serve the Heaven Dou Empire. Ning Fengzhi decided to win Gu You over for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, leaving the sect’s relationship with the Crown Prince and the Empire increasingly strained.

• Xiao Wu and Lanta hurried toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy but avoided using their Martial Souls to keep the City Guard from stopping them.
• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong recognized the two women as Xiao Wu and Lanta, companions of Gu You, and wondered why they were rushing to the academy.
• Gu Rong described Gu You as steadfast, and Ning Fengzhi agreed that this quality defined him.
• Ning Fengzhi questioned why Gu You had chosen the Heaven Dou Empire and Xue Qinghe instead of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Ning Fengzhi recalled that Xue Qinghe had begun making independent decisions and concluded that he needed to show Gu You his sincerity.
• Ning Fengzhi declared that Gu You belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and that even Spirit Hall’s Pope would not take him away.