Chapter Summaries

As the finals approached, spectators and commentators recognized that Gu You’s new Spirit Fight rules had transformed matches into contests of strategy. Skywater Academy faced a daunting matchup against Heaven Dou Royal Academy, while Gu You, Shui Bing’er, Oscar, and Huyan Li gathered before the match.

• Lu Qibin praised Gu You’s Spirit Fight rules as a world-changing advance in Soul Master Strategy after seeing how teams used the new format to shape their matches.
• Newspapers spread discussion of strategy through Heaven Dou City, while a woman in a baseball cap told two Skywater Academy students that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would likely avoid their Martial Soul Fusion Skill and defeat them.
• Oscar arrived at the arena after working overnight on the school newspaper, and Huyan Li gave him bread before they headed inside.
• At the press conference, Shui Bing’er said Skywater Academy’s match against the powerful Imperial Dou Team would be extremely difficult and that her team had to prepare for defeat.

At a press conference before the final, Gu You mocked Skywater Academy’s confidence in its Martial Soul Fusion Skill and claimed the Imperial Dou Team had five ways to counter it. As the teams prepared to face each other, Shui Bing’er told her teammates to follow their plan and tasked Yu Hairou with forcing Gu You to use his Fourth Soul Skill.

• Shui Bing’er admitted that Skywater Academy was weaker than Heaven Dou Royal Academy but said her team would fight on despite the gap.
• Gu You ridiculed the reporters’ concern about the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul Fusion Skill, called its users oversized stepping stones, and claimed his team had five counters.
• Gu You left the press conference embarrassed by his own grandstanding, while Qin Ming reminded him to lead the team to victory without overplaying their plans.
• Shui Bing’er told Xue Wu and the others to stick to their submitted lineup and strategy, then asked Yu Hairou to give everything she had and force out Gu You’s Fourth Soul Skill.

Huo Wu and the other elemental academy students discussed the crushing defeat that had shaken Yu Tianxin, while Huyan Li praised the fighter who had beaten them. In the VIP seats, Xue Qinghe welcomed Spirit Hall’s Chi Xue, and Yu Luomian approached Flender with an urgent matter to verify.

• Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, and Yu Tianxin encountered Huyan Li, who said he had come to witness the first step of the future world’s strongest Stall-Type Power Attack System soul master.
• Huo Wu argued that the Stall-Type Power Attack System could not become the strongest, but Yu Tianxin warned that the fighter who defeated them had a Martial Soul data score of at least forty-five.
• Huo Yuanlie teased Ling Xiaochen about Feng Xiaotian, and Ling Xiaochen threatened to break Feng Xiaotian’s legs for continuing to pursue Huo Wu.
• Dong Yinhan worried that Xue Qinghe’s assertive rule and the display of Gu You’s Artificial Spirit Bones could destabilize the empire.
• Xue Qinghe welcomed Chi Xue, who explained that the Pope had sent him to replace the supposedly ill Salas, prompting Chi Xue to realize She Long and Salas had arranged matters behind his back.
• Yu Luomian thanked Ning Fengzhi for his help, then interrupted Flender’s conversation with Huyan Zhen to verify an urgent matter.

Yu Luomian told Flender that Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang, and Dai Mubai had vanished, then asked him to persuade Xue Qinghe to use the empire’s power to search for Erlong. Ning Fengzhi recognized Yu Luomian’s offer as a calculated bid to secure Heaven Dou’s support and future access to Artificial Spirit Bones, and ordered the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to help with the search.

• Yu Luomian explained that Liu Erlong had disappeared after entering a Forest Cabin, while Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai were also missing.
• Yu Luomian told Flender that Erlong’s invitation to the finals had never reached her, and described bloodstains and rumors found at Blue Tyrant Academy.
• Yu Luomian offered the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect’s unconditional support to Heaven Dou in exchange for help locating Erlong.
• Ning Fengzhi concluded that Yu Luomian was positioning his sect to gain Artificial Spirit Bones and a strategic alliance with Heaven Dou.
• Ning Fengzhi ordered his disciples to strengthen security and cooperate with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect’s search for Liu Erlong.

Gu You sent Bai Chenxiang to face Yu Hairou so she could practice dodging without using Soul Skills, while Skywater Academy’s plan to draw out Gu You’s Fourth Soul Skill failed. Meng Yiran deduced Skywater’s strategy, and Xiao Wu prepared to take her turn against the opposing team.

• A craftsman reported that Gu You’s work was no more than a year old and showed considerable potential, prompting the Chief to plan to approach its maker at the banquet.
• Gu You sent Bai Chenxiang into the Spirit Fight Arena with instructions to last more than half an hour using technique rather than Soul Skills, then checked that Ning Rongrong was comfortable with her new Sword Case.
• Yu Hairou faced Bai Chenxiang, but Bai Chenxiang’s speed let her dodge the attacks, leaving Shui Bing’er frustrated that her intended target, Gu You, had not entered the match.
• Dong Yinhan explained that Shui Bing’er had rarely faced setbacks, and Meng Shenji suggested Gu You could serve as the whetstone she needed.
• Meng Yiran reasoned that Skywater Academy had sent Yu Hairou to force Gu You to reveal his Fourth Soul Skill, and she told Xiao Wu to prepare for her chance to redeem herself.

Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi discussed the Speed Clan’s limitations and Xue Qinghe’s interest in bringing it under imperial influence while Bai Chenxiang struggled against Skywater Academy’s cold-weather tactic. Bai Chenxiang eventually conceded, and Gu You had already left the arena passage before the outcome.

• Xiao Wu left the spectator area as Yu Feng and Osler discussed her chances against Gu You, while Meng Yiran and Dugu Yan spoke about the pressure of competing alongside him.
• Xue Qinghe and Chi Xue praised Ning Fengzhi’s leadership and the Speed Clan, prompting Ning Fengzhi to explain why the Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow had limited combat potential beyond reconnaissance and agility attacks.
• Xue Qinghe suggested that Artificial Spirit Bone skills could strengthen the Speed Clan and raised the possibility of bringing the clan into his sphere of influence, while Ning Fengzhi worried about its ties to the Clear Sky Sect.
• Yu Hairou’s repeated ice attacks lowered the arena’s temperature, tiring Bai Chenxiang and creating favorable conditions for Skywater Academy’s next fighters.
• Gu You analyzed Bai Chenxiang’s predicament and left through the passage; Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang noticed his departure.
• Bai Chenxiang returned to the ground, staggered, and conceded to the referee.

Ning Rongrong entered the finals wielding a Soul Tool sword named Huodou, while the Imperial Dou Team’s unexpected surrender of Bai Chenxiang caused tension with the academy’s education committee. As Ning Rongrong faced Ai Lijie, she activated her support abilities and prepared to unleash Huodou’s power.

• Bai Chenxiang surrendered, prompting Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin to demand an explanation from Ning Fengzhi.
• Xue Qinghe calmed the education committee members and expressed confidence that Gu You’s plans would soon make Bai Chenxiang shine.
• Shui Bing'er sent Ai Lijie into the match, while Gu You put Ning Rongrong forward to face her.
• Oscar explained that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s past attempts to fight with weapons had failed, but Huo Wu recognized Ning Rongrong’s sword as a Soul Tool.
• Ning Rongrong introduced her rank-thirty-one support abilities and the sword Huodou, while Ai Lijie revealed her Ice Soul Sword and began the duel.
• Ai Lijie used Ice Crystal Magic Mirror to surround Ning Rongrong, who infused Huodou with Soul Power and shouted, “Roar, Huodou!”

Ning Rongrong used the Huodou Soul Tool and the Seven Kills Sword Art to gain the advantage over Ai Lijie, but her lower Soul Power reserves eventually left her unable to continue. She conceded the match and left Gu You to face what came next.

• Ning Rongrong unleashed Huodou’s flames, destroyed Ai Lijie’s ice mirrors, and forced Ai Lijie to escape inside an ice rock.
• Ning Rongrong and Ai Lijie fought with their swords as Huo Yuanlie mourned the Fire Attribute weapon Soul Tool and Ning Fengzhi wondered where Rongrong had obtained it.
• Gu Rong explained Chen Xin’s Seven Kills Sword Art to Xue Qinghe, who became eager to learn the sword technique.
• After five minutes, Ning Rongrong exhausted her Soul Power and Ai Lijie pointed her sword at Rongrong’s neck, offering her a chance to admit defeat.
• Ning Rongrong signaled the referee to end the match, then asked Gu You to take over; Gu You told her to get treated and review her Soul Incantations.

After Heaven Dou Royal Academy won the third round, Ye Lingling explained to Osler that Qin Ming wanted the team to become a symbol of Spirit Fight competitions. Xiao Wu then faced Shui Bing'er, whose new ice power froze Soul Power, but Xiao Wu shattered her ice prison with a furious kick.

• Heaven Dou Royal Academy won the third round, and Ye Lingling told Osler that Qin Ming hoped the team would inspire people and represent Spirit Fight competitions.
• Osler began to understand Ye Lingling’s point as he left the arena, while Gu You warned Xiao Wu that even the Ice Phoenix had weaknesses.
• Shui Bing'er declined to skip her match against Xiao Wu and claimed the Soft Bone Rabbit was too weak to threaten her Ice Phoenix.
• Shui Bing'er and Xiao Wu began their match, and Shui Bing'er immediately used Soul Freeze to trap Xiao Wu in ice.
• Gu You and Dugu Bo recognized that Shui Bing'er's ice could freeze Soul Power and suspected it was Ultimate Ice.
• Xiao Wu broke through the ice wall with a blazing kick, and Shui Bing'er blocked it with her wings.

Xiao Wu used Gu You’s close-combat approach to pressure Shui Bing’er, while Oscar recruited the academy captains into a new student newspaper and wagered with Huo Wu over its editorial control. As Shui Bing’er descended to pursue Xiao Wu with her Ice Birds, Xiao Wu prepared to take advantage of the opening.

• Xiao Wu’s Waist Bow-powered kicks and chained attacks kept Shui Bing’er from counterattacking, and she dodged Shui Bing’er’s Ice Seal shots with an unusual pose.
• Dong Yinhan praised Xiao Wu’s conditioning while Meng Shenji described Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s holistic education, and Xue Ye grounded Xue Beng and Xue Xing until Xue Beng reached Soul Ancestor.
• Oscar invited the academy captains to establish the Academy United Morning Paper, and Huo Wu agreed on behalf of the Four Elements Academies after proposing a wager over control of its layout.
• Oscar challenged Huo Wu to raise the stakes, gave her an address, and left to return home for dinner.
• Shui Bing’er grew frustrated by Xiao Wu’s evasions and lowered her altitude to guide her Ice Birds more precisely, while Xiao Wu suddenly lightened her steps.

Xiao Wu confronted Shui Bing'er with the despair of a weak Soul Master, then used her will and combat technique to force their match into a draw. Afterward, Gu You praised her growth and predicted that someone would usher in a New Era during the upcoming team battle.

• Xiao Wu voiced her frustration over her weak Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, prompting ordinary spectators to recognize their own struggles in hers and rally behind her.
• Shui Bing'er refused to concede and sent her Ice Birds after Xiao Wu, who countered by using compressed movement and her Rasengan to smash through them.
• Shui Bing'er unleashed Soul Freeze as Xiao Wu pushed her Blazing Rasengan to its limit, and the resulting explosion knocked both fighters out of the air.
• Gu You and the opposing team leader both conceded, so Dugu Bo declared the match a draw and awarded one point to each side.
• Gu You comforted Xiao Wu and said she would win the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in two years, then predicted that someone would sound the horn of a New Era in the team battle.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy prepared to face Skywater Academy in the sixth-round team battle, while Gu You uncovered a secret behind Shui Bing’er’s Ultimate Ice. The match began with both teams taking unusual formations, and Gu You launched a surprising attack on Bai Chenxiang.

• Yu Tianheng defeated Tianshui Academy’s final fighter, securing Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s victory in the fifth round.
• Huo Wu overheard four hooded people arguing, while Dugu Bo and She Long discussed how their presence had deterred suspicious activity.
• Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang prepared to fight, and Gu You warned Shui Bing’er to strike decisively and never control power that did not belong to her.
• Gu You concluded that Shui Bing’er’s Ultimate Ice was connected to the Ice Jade Scorpion and the Ai Family’s plans in the Extreme North.
• Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Skywater Academy arranged unusual formations, and the referee started their team battle.
• As Xue Wu summoned dark clouds, Gu You activated his second Soul Ring and stabbed toward Bai Chenxiang.

Gu You used Bai Chenxiang’s evolution and Ning Rongrong’s support to create Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, which defeated the Ice Phoenix. Shui Bing’er acknowledged the loss but challenged Gu You’s team to defeat Skywater Academy to claim the championship.

• Gu You used [Ultimate Evolution Pill] to evolve Bai Chenxiang, who joined with Ning Rongrong in Martial Soul Synchro and became Clear Wing Synchro Dragon.
• Clear Wing Synchro Dragon battled the Ice Phoenix, eventually using its last Soul Power to slam it into the Spirit Fight Platform.
• The Synchro Dragon vanished, leaving Bai Chenxiang unconscious and Ning Rongrong exhausted, while Shui Yue’er fainted and Shui Bing’er remained standing.
• Gu You explained Martial Soul Synchro and [Ultimate Evolution Pill] to the gathered Imperial Dou Team members.
• Shui Bing’er conceded that the Ice Phoenix had lost but challenged Gu You’s team to defeat Skywater Academy for the championship.

Gu You led Heaven Dou Royal Academy to defeat Skywater Academy and win the first Star of Heaven Dou Tournament. After the victory, Ning Fengzhi restored the contestants’ strength, and Qin Ming accepted the championship reward on the team’s behalf.

• Gu You charged across Skywater Academy’s icy battlefield, knocked Shen Liuyu, Qiu Ruoshui, and Gu Qingbo from the platform, and overwhelmed Ai Lijie.
• Shui Bing’er admitted defeat for Skywater Academy after Gu You left only her and Xue Wu standing.
• Ning Fengzhi used his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to heal the contestants and replenish Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s Soul Power, prompting Gu You to consider visiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for research.
• Ning Rongrong asked whether she and Bai Chenxiang still needed to keep their abilities secret, and Gu You told them they could answer Ning Fengzhi’s questions directly.
• Xue Qinghe announced Heaven Dou Royal Academy as tournament champion and presented the three Artificial Spirit Bones to Qin Ming, whom Gu You had nominated to receive the reward.

After the Imperial Dou Team celebrated its championship, Gu You learned that Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Dai Mubai had disappeared and that a Fallen One’s aura had been found at Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong’s home. Gu You suspected Yu Xiaogang had become a Fallen One and killed Liu Erlong, while Xue Ke followed Tang Gui to meet Moonlight Pavilion’s Madam.

• Gu You dismissed a reporter’s attempt to provoke him, then slept before attending the championship banquet with the team.
• Xue Ke welcomed the Imperial Dou Team and told Gu You that Xue Qinghe planned sweeping reforms inspired by him.
• At the banquet, the academy leaders explained Tang San’s absence as secluded study and said Lanta was unable to compete; Yu Luomian also revealed that Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Dai Mubai were missing.
• Qian Renxue told Gu You that Elder She Long had found bloodstains and a Fallen One’s aura in Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong’s home, and Gu You suspected Yu Xiaogang had killed Liu Erlong and taken Dai Mubai.
• Tang Gui invited Xue Ke to meet Moonlight Pavilion’s Madam, who would assess her etiquette and potentially excuse her from enrolling; Xue Ke agreed to go.

Gu You escaped the palace gathering with Xiao Wu, Meng Yiran, and Lanta, but a Holy Spirit Cult Apostle ambushed them at Dragon-Snake Manor to seize his Artificial Spirit Bones and recruit him. As the cult’s three attackers surrounded the group, Tang San intervened with the King of Execution domain.

• Qin Ming let Gu You and his companions leave the palace gathering, then warned Gu You not to forget his roots.
• Gu You arrived at Dragon-Snake Manor with Xiao Wu, Meng Yiran, and Lanta and revealed that he had sent the servants away to prevent them from becoming hostages.
• Death Coffin, an Apostle of Apocalypse from the Holy Spirit Cult, demanded Gu You’s Artificial Spirit Bones and tried to recruit him with offers of forbidden research and resources.
• Gu You questioned Death Coffin’s research into Artificial Spirit Bones and learned that Tang Gui and Red Disaster Star had joined the ambush after Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny were detained.
• Tang San expanded an invisible domain over Dragon-Snake Manor and announced, “King of Execution.”

Gu You and Tang San ambushed Death Coffin in Heaven Dou City, but the Fallen One survived Gu You’s devastating attack by unleashing a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. As the battle continued, Dugu Bo and the others prepared to intervene if the group faltered.

• Tang San trapped Death Coffin with Blue Silver Grass while Gu You transformed and struck him with the Crimson Lotus Explosive Flame Blade, and Spirit Hall teams mobilized across Heaven Dou City.
• Death Coffin revealed a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear that had blocked Gu You’s attack, and Tang San recognized the danger of the powerful Soul Beast.
• Gu You recovered, assessed the bear, and charged back into battle alongside Tang San as the two reaffirmed their trust in each other.
• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong watched from a nearby roof while Dugu Bo, Chi Xue, and Yu Long discussed whether the group needed help.
• Dugu Bo ordered the others to prepare to intervene if Xiao Wu and Lanta weakened or Meng Yiran’s illusion failed, and they agreed to prevent Death Coffin from escaping.

While Xue Qinghe kept the nobles calm, Flender and the Shrek team searched their empty homes for evidence of corruption and other crimes. In the eastern district battle, Lanta and Xiao Wu fought Red Disaster Star and Tang Gui while Meng Yiran used an illusion to keep the Fallen Ones occupied until the Titled Douluo arrived.

• Xue Qinghe told the banquet guests that three Titled Douluo had gone to handle the explosion and asked them to resume the celebration.
• Ma Hongjun told Flender that suspicious details about a manor’s former owner and buyer suggested a hidden, illicit transaction, and Flender praised his investigation.
• Flender, Lu Qibin, Li Yusong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun searched noble homes for records of suspected human trafficking, embezzlement, corruption, and dealings with Fallen Ones.
• She Long asked about Lanta’s black Third Soul Ring, and Dugu Bo explained that she was Gu You’s younger sister.
• Lanta countered Red Disaster Star’s attacks, while Xiao Wu exploited Tang Gui’s injured arm and slow hammer swings.
• Meng Yiran used her illusion to steer Red Disaster Star away from changing opponents and continued testing Kyoka Suigetsu.

Meng Yiran withheld Kyoka Suigetsu during the practical training while Gu You and Tang San tested themselves against Death Coffin’s Chimera. The training ended with five Title Douluos capturing the three Fallen Ones, and Ning Fengzhi left with Gu Rong to find Ning Rongrong and learn more about Gu You.

• Skull Labyrinth urged Meng Yiran to use Kyoka Suigetsu, but she chose to conserve her strength and keep the illusion secret while helping Tang San wear down the Fallen Ones.
• Death Coffin transformed the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear into a Chimera, and Gu You identified its added Black Scale Python arm and spider legs before ending his own Martial Soul Possession.
• Meng Yiran dispelled her illusion, leaving Funeral Hammer, Red Disaster Star, and Death Coffin confused as Gu You declared the training over and called on the Title Douluos to capture them.
• Dugu Bo and Chrysanthemum Guan argued over Death Coffin and fought their way out of Heaven Dou City, while She Long and Chi Xue swiftly subdued Funeral Hammer and Red Disaster Star.
• Gui Mei stopped Death Coffin as he tried to flee, knocked him unconscious, and also left the Chimera motionless.
• Ning Fengzhi departed with Gu Rong to find Ning Rongrong and learn about Gu You so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could build ties with him.

Gu You explained his plan to use Ma Hongjun and the Fallen Ones to fracture the alliance between Heaven Dou’s nobles and the empire, while Tang San questioned why he had abandoned plans to recruit three powerful allies. Gu You wondered whether his increasingly ruthless methods made him a bad person, and Tang San reminded him that he did not have to act alone.

• Gu You told Tang San that Spirit Hall’s interrogation of Death Coffin was unlikely to reveal much because the Holy Spirit Cult could have ways to seal or alter its members’ memories.
• Gu You explained that Ma Hongjun’s clear-headed Fallen One condition could be used to make the Holy Spirit Cult appear responsible for killings targeting Heaven Dou’s nobles, provoking conflict between them.
• Gu You described how publicizing nobles’ secret collaboration with the Holy Spirit Cult would give Spirit Hall grounds to purge the old noble forces.
• Tang San asked why Gu You had changed his plan to give Artificial Spirit Bones to Godwind Academy, Skywater Academy, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and Gu You remained silent about why he had let that opportunity go.
• Gu You questioned whether his willingness to manipulate and endanger others made him a bad person, and Tang San answered that Gu You still had him.