Chapter Summaries

Ye Lingling cultivated alone near the Soul Beasts at Mysteries Pavilion and worried that Dugu Yan had not come to join her. Dugu Yan unexpectedly appeared, and the two reunited before a fire dragon’s warning sent them fleeing.

• Ye Lingling cultivated near Soul Beast Plaza and lamented that her former teammates had found other companions while Dugu Yan stayed away.
• Ye Lingling heard Dugu Yan calling her name and wondered whether her cultivation near the ferocious beasts had caused hallucinations.
• Dugu Yan arrived, pinched Ye Lingling’s cheek, and teased her for insulting her aloud.
• Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan played and caught up until a fire dragon roared at them.
• Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling fled, and Dugu Yan asked whether Mysteries Pavilion had brought the hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast under control.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan discussed Zhuge Lan’s power and their feelings for him. Dugu Yan revealed that Dugu Bo had brought her to Mysteries Pavilion for the Dance King Competition, while Ye Lingling resolved to learn more about Zhuge Lan.

• Ye Lingling told Dugu Yan that Zhuge Lan had four hundred-thousand-year-old ferocious beasts, startling her with the scale of his power.
• Dugu Yan wondered why Ye Lingling had come to Mysteries Pavilion, and Ye Lingling openly admitted she was attracted to Zhuge Lan but accepted that nothing was certain between them.
• Ye Lingling asked Dugu Yan why she had come, and Dugu Yan explained that Dugu Bo had been invited to teach at Mysteries Pavilion and judge the Dance King Competition, and had brought her along to compete.
• Ye Lingling recognized that she truly liked Zhuge Lan and decided to seek chances to understand him better rather than risk regretting never trying.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan’s conversation remained strained by an unspoken veil, while Meng Yiran settled into her role as Zhuge Lan’s maid after spending the night with him. She clung to Zhuge Lan to reassure herself that their relationship was real, then noticed that his body had suddenly become unusually hot.

• Ye Lingling reflected that people should act on what they wanted so they would not regret it, while Dugu Yan and Meng Yiran spoke with an inexplicable distance between them.
• Zhuge Lan woke and remembered how Meng Yiran had tried to turn the tables on him while he taught her a maid’s duties.
• Meng Yiran brought Zhuge Lan breakfast, stumbled as she approached, and blushed as he pulled her into his arms and teased her.
• Zhuge Lan forgave Meng Yiran for her clumsy service, and she recalled that Ning Rongrong’s advice had helped her get together with him.
• Meng Yiran hugged Zhuge Lan to convince herself she was not dreaming, then wondered why his body had suddenly become so hot.

Zhuge Lan and Meng Yiran ignored breakfast for an intimate morning together as Heaven Dou City grew tense with powerful factions gathering ahead of Zhuge Lan’s Dance King Competition. In the imperial palace, Qian Renxue reflected on the danger surrounding the event and the value of her early connection with Zhuge Lan, while worrying about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

• Zhuge Lan teased Meng Yiran and drew her back into bed, leaving their breakfast untouched.
• Powerful figures from many factions gathered in Heaven Dou City, driving street thugs into hiding as the city awaited a conflict.
• Zhuge Lan’s Dance King Competition was set to begin, and the factions saw it as the likely spark for the brewing confrontation.
• Qian Renxue reasoned that Zhuge Lan’s mysterious family had provoked powerful interests by disrupting their gains, but believed she was safe because she had allied with him early.
• Qian Renxue considered Zhuge Lan’s family a possible future aid to Spirit Hall, but remained frustrated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Qian Renxue worried that Spirit Hall would clash with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Zhuge Lan, so she warned Bibi Dong to keep Spirit Hall out of Heaven Dou City. Angered by the warning and curious about Zhuge Lan, Bibi Dong sent Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to investigate and make contact with him.

• Qian Renxue reflected on Ning Rongrong's luck and worried that Zhuge Lan might intervene if Spirit Hall went to war with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Qian Renxue noted that she had ordered Spirit Hall not to get involved in the situation in Heaven Dou City and hoped Bibi Dong would heed her warning.
• Bibi Dong read Qian Renxue's message, mocked her caution, and grew angry at what she saw as a loss of pride during her undercover years.
• Bibi Dong ordered Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to infiltrate Heaven Dou City, observe events, and contact Zhuge Lan.
• Bibi Dong instructed the two Douluo to capture Zhuge Lan if he might obstruct Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, and the Worship Hall elders learned of Qian Renxue’s attachment to Zhuge Lan and secretly headed for Heaven Dou City. Meanwhile, Xue Ye warned Xue Qinghe about the growing disturbance around Mysteries Pavilion and told him to handle Zhuge Lan carefully.

• Bibi Dong realized her anger stemmed from the thought of someone taking Qian Renxue away and guessed Qian Daoliu would react strongly.
• Qian Daoliu left Spirit City for Heaven Dou City, and the other Worship Hall elders secretly followed after learning what had happened.
• Unaware of the uproar her letter had caused, Qian Renxue met with Xue Ye in the imperial palace.
• Xue Ye voiced concern about the outsiders gathering in Heaven Dou City and asked Xue Qinghe about Zhuge Lan and Mysteries Pavilion.
• Xue Ye told Xue Qinghe to recruit Zhuge Lan if possible, resolve matters early if not, and ensure he did not cause too great a commotion.

Xue Ye became suspicious of how perfectly Xue Qinghe handled court affairs, but chose to leave him in the care of a trusted figure rather than test him amid the empire’s instability. Qian Renxue then vented her frustration over Zhuge Lan’s demands and teasing.

• Qian Renxue judged that Xue Ye’s million-strong army could not threaten Zhuge Lan because a god stood behind him.
• Xue Ye praised Xue Qinghe as an excellent heir, then admitted that his perfection felt unreal and suspicious.
• Xue Ye refused to test Xue Qinghe, fearing that turmoil could further destabilize the Heaven Dou Empire, and asked a shadowy figure to watch over him after his death.
• Qian Renxue returned to her own appearance in the secret chamber and smashed things in frustration over Zhuge Lan’s messages.
• Qian Renxue complained that Zhuge Lan had asked her for help, then made demands and teased her despite all the trouble she had gone to for him.

Qian Renxue angrily accepted Zhuge Lan’s agreement while secretly vowing to get even after the Dance King Competition, and Zhuge Lan enjoyed teasing her before preparing to welcome guests to Mysteries Pavilion. Meanwhile, Dugu Bo watched events unfold from Heaven Dou Royal Academy and continued putting Yu Tianheng through a punishing training session.

• Qian Renxue swallowed her anger and agreed to Zhuge Lan’s request, then threatened the Wave Communication Soul Guidance Device while alone in her secret chamber.
• Zhuge Lan celebrated teasing Qian Renxue and used his system to see the resentment behind her composed replies.
• Zhuge Lan tucked the exhausted Meng Yiran beneath a blanket and prepared to welcome the guests gathered near Mysteries Pavilion.
• Dugu Bo sensed that something was beginning in central Heaven Dou City and looked forward to seeing what Zhuge Lan would do.
• Dugu Bo scolded Yu Tianheng for his poor stance, and Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth and continued training because his clan had ordered him to endure it.

Yu Tianheng endured public humiliation after Dugu Bo made him stand punishment in an outrageous outfit, and he wondered whether the ordeal could really be training. Dugu Bo insisted it was meant to temper Yu Tianheng’s state of mind, leaving Yu Tianheng with no choice but to accept his instruction.

• Yu Tianheng stood in the academy square in green hair and bright red clothes while students mocked his appearance.
• Yu Tianheng felt so humiliated that he wanted to flee Heaven Dou City and even Douluo Continent.
• Yu Tianheng questioned whether Dugu Bo was deliberately tormenting him rather than training him.
• Dugu Bo told Yu Tianheng that he had no reason to scheme against him and that the outfit was meant to temper his state of mind.

Dugu Bo persuaded Yu Tianheng to abandon his pride and train harder, using Zhuge Lan’s hair dye as leverage. Yu Tianheng accepted the dye’s benefits and began cultivating rapidly, while Dugu Bo marveled at Zhuge Lan’s manipulative methods.

• Dugu Bo argued that Soul Masters needed strength and shamelessness more than pride, and Yu Tianheng was shaken by his words.
• Dugu Bo claimed that Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had willingly adopted the same humiliating appearance and training attitude.
• Dugu Bo revealed that Zhuge Lan’s hair dye absorbed nearby Soul Power to speed up cultivation, and said he had begged for it on Yu Tianheng’s behalf.
• Feeling guilty for doubting Dugu Bo, Yu Tianheng apologized and vowed to train without worrying about his green hair or lost pride.
• Yu Tianheng began cultivating and felt close to a breakthrough, while Dugu Bo grew more wary of Zhuge Lan’s schemes.

Dugu Bo used Zhuge Lan’s training method to trick Yu Tianheng into humiliating himself in front of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Afterward, Dugu Bo returned to Mysteries Pavilion and asked Zhuge Lan if he was ready to begin.

• Yu Tianheng accepted Dugu Bo’s training plan, believing it would help him grow stronger.
• Dugu Bo revealed that Yu Tianheng had to run on his hands around Heaven Dou Royal Academy and publicly shout, “I’m an idiot!”
• Yu Tianheng obeyed while the academy’s students and teachers watched in stunned silence, and Dugu Bo left satisfied.
• Dugu Bo hurried back to Mysteries Pavilion, where Zhuge Lan asked whether he had settled his worries.
• Dugu Bo said the plan had gone almost too well and asked whether Zhuge Lan was ready to begin his part.

Zhuge Lan revealed that his recent preparations were for the Dance King Competition, not for the hidden enemies, and Dugu Bo realized how confident he was in his powerful allies. As the competition approached, Ning Fengzhi gathered Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo and showed them a letter that appeared to describe a scheme to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

• Zhuge Lan told Dugu Bo that he had arranged special guests, lavish staging, and lighting for the Dance King Competition.
• Dugu Bo realized Zhuge Lan had not been preparing to deal with the hidden factions and grew angry, then remembered the powerful protection and allies backing him.
• Zhuge Lan hoped the hidden enemies would cause enough trouble to make the competition more entertaining, while Dugu Bo feared they could provoke a massacre.
• Ning Fengzhi summoned Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo as the Dance King Competition neared and discussed the danger posed by the hidden enemies.
• Ning Fengzhi handed the two Titled Douluo a letter, and they suspected it described a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain.

Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Sword Douluo debated how to respond to attacks on workshops producing Wave Communication Soul Guidance Devices and the kidnapping of their craftsmen. Ning Fengzhi ordered the two elders to recover the people and devices while following Zhuge Lan’s instruction to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, leaving them unsure whether Zhuge Lan was setting a trap or simply unconcerned.

• Ning Fengzhi received word that two Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect workshops producing Wave Communication Soul Guidance Devices had been attacked and their craftsmen kidnapped.
• Bone Douluo recognized the attacks as a ploy to draw him and Sword Douluo away from Mysteries Pavilion, while Ning Fengzhi warned that Soul Douluo alone might not be enough to handle the attackers.
• Sword Douluo proposed attacking the enemy forces, but Ning Fengzhi told him and Bone Douluo to recover the craftsmen and devices while minimizing losses.
• Ning Fengzhi explained that Zhuge Lan had instructed him to handle matters normally and not worry excessively about Mysteries Pavilion, prompting Bone Douluo to wonder whether Zhuge Lan was baiting the attackers.
• Ning Fengzhi ordered Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to make a visible but restrained rescue, bring back the craftsmen and Soul Tools, and avoid killing anyone.

Ning Fengzhi instructed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s two Titled Douluo to publicly distance themselves from Zhuge Lan, making their hidden support seem weaker and encouraging their enemies to act. As the Dance King Competition opened in central Heaven Dou City, the ambushers found themselves surrounded by enthusiastic fans and realized that attacking near the imperial palace would be dangerous.

• Ning Fengzhi ordered the two Titled Douluo to make a grand display of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s strength without killing anyone, giving the impression that the sect was distancing itself from Zhuge Lan.
• After the two Titled Douluo left, Ning Fengzhi accepted his decision to follow Zhuge Lan and hurried to the Dance King Competition venue as one of its judges.
• Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, placed the competition in Heaven Dou City’s busiest district, where Soul Tool screens broadcast the matches to crowds outside the venue.
• Zhuge Lan’s competition drew a huge audience, helped by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s promotion, prizes, and the public’s favorable memories of his role in stopping the Beast Tide.
• The hidden attackers complained that the competition had attracted too many fans and worried that an attack near the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace would bring the palace guards and enshrined experts against them.

As the Dance King Competition drew near, Zhuge Lan’s would-be attackers tried to blend into the crowd, while foolish opportunists exposed themselves and were expelled. Zhuge Lan noticed Academy A’s conspicuous infiltrators and decided to deal with them after the show began.

• The attack leader persuaded his uneasy allies to wait until the competition ended, hide among the fans, and cheer for Zhuge Lan to conceal their intentions.
• Several opportunists tried to rob civilian screen Soul Tools in public, and Zhuge Lan had them caught and thrown out of the venue.
• The expelled thieves left Heaven Dou City without realizing they had narrowly avoided danger.
• Zhuge Lan spotted undercover agents being removed and noticed that Academy A’s muscular members had hidden among civilians without disguising themselves.
• Zhuge Lan decided to settle accounts with the conspicuous infiltrators after the competition began.

Xue Ye and the Star Luo Great Emperor dismissed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s Soul Tools and Dance King Competition as mere entertainment, unaware of their potential impact. As the crowd gathered in Heaven Dou City, a hopeful song began and quieted the growing disorder.

• Crowds filled Heaven Dou City to see the Soul Tools Zhuge Lan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had set up for the Dance King Competition.
• Xue Ye examined a small screen and wondered what Ning Fengzhi intended, but concluded the Soul Tools were only entertainment for ordinary people.
• The Star Luo Great Emperor also dismissed the commotion and sent two spies to watch, unaware that their report might bring him an unwelcome surprise.
• As the crowd grew unruly, a gentle song began playing from the stage and gradually quieted the spectators.
• The song’s hopeful lyrics stirred the crowd as its climax approached.

Zhuge Lan performed “Breaking Out of the Cocoon,” igniting the crowd and drawing the attention of the hidden Tang Hao. The song stirred Tang Hao’s fighting spirit and left him struggling to stay concealed near the Heaven Dou Empire’s imperial palace.

• Zhuge Lan sang and danced to “Breaking Out of the Cocoon,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
• Zhuge Lan spotted a trembling figure in a black robe and realized it was Tang Hao.
• Tang Hao fought to suppress the surge of Soul Power and urge to battle so that he would not reveal his identity.
• Tang Hao blamed Zhuge Lan for taking opportunities from Tang San and resented the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile’s Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo for guarding Mysteries Pavilion.
• Tang Hao resolved to keep hiding near Heaven Dou City for Tang San’s safety, while worrying that Ning Fengzhi might betray him.

Tang Hao endured Zhuge Lan’s emotionally stirring performance of “Breaking Out of the Cocoon,” while his growing fury fed Zhuge Lan’s Emotional Value. When the lyrics echoed Tang Hao’s secret belief that the Clear Sky Hammer should protect Blue Silver Grass, Tang Hao began to suspect Zhuge Lan knew about Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls.

• Tang Hao restrained his anger toward Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Zhuge Lan, though his resentment continued to grow.
• Tang Hao’s suppressed fury generated large amounts of Emotional Value for Zhuge Lan, who noticed how strongly the song affected him.
• Zhuge Lan decided to intensify the song’s effect while keeping his performance seemingly sincere.
• Tang Hao convinced himself that he could endure the rest of the song and that Zhuge Lan could not know his identity or Tang San’s secrets.
• Zhuge Lan sang lyrics about a hammer protecting grass and twin martial souls, causing Tang Hao to wonder whether Zhuge Lan had discovered Tang San’s secret.

Tang Hao panicked as Zhuge Lan’s song stirred his Soul Power and risked exposing him near Heaven Dou City. As he struggled to contain it while the crowd complained about his behavior, his Soul Power erupted just as Zhuge Lan finished singing.

• Tang Hao was shocked that someone knew about Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and the words he had spoken to his son in Holy Soul Village.
• Tang Hao realized he had forgotten to suppress his Soul Power and feared Spirit Hall would discover his presence near Heaven Dou City.
• Tang Hao desperately tried to restrain his surging Soul Power because he wanted to protect Tang San from exposure.
• Nearby spectators complained about Tang Hao’s shaking and muttering, and he grew furious but held back from attacking them.
• Zhuge Lan finished singing Breaking Out of the Cocoon as Tang Hao’s Soul Power burst outward in a violent explosion.

Zhuge Lan finished his performance while explosions erupted elsewhere, and Tang Hao vanished after losing control of his Soul Power. Hidden Soul Masters noticed Tang Hao and sent someone to follow him, while two powerful figures appeared in the wilderness and began meditating.

• Zhuge Lan realized the first explosion had not come from Tang Hao, then left the stage after another explosion rang out from Tang Hao’s direction.
• The audience cheered the performance, while one man panicked after seeing Tang Hao disappear and wondered if his words had caused it.
• Hidden Soul Masters observed the place where Tang Hao had stood, recognized his leaked Soul Power, and decided to send someone after him.
• Two figures appeared on a remote mountain, exchanged a glance, and began meditating as their powerful auras and soul rings emerged.