Chapter Summaries

Yang Zhenzhen hunted a Sky Thunder Eagle in the Star Dou Great Forest and successfully absorbed its Soul Ring, gaining an area-attack skill. She also received the eagle's trunk bone and began fusing with it while Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan stood guard.

• Yang Zhenzhen told Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan that she wanted a Sky Thunder Eagle for her third Soul Ring.
• Zhu Ziyang captured a roughly thirteen-hundred-year-old Sky Thunder Eagle in the Core Region and brought it to Yang Zhenzhen.
• Yang Zhenzhen absorbed the Sky Thunder Eagle's Soul Ring after three hours and gained the Third Soul Skill Heavenly Thunder Descent.
• Jiang Nannan found a thousand-year Sky Thunder Eagle Trunk Bone, and Zhu Ziyang urged Yang Zhenzhen to take it.
• Yang Zhenzhen accepted the Soul Bone and began fusing with it as Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan stood guard.

After Yang Zhenzhen absorbed a Soul Bone, Zhu Ziyang encountered three Evil Soul Master brothers battling a Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear and killed them with his holy light. He rescued the bear's two cubs, claimed the Soul Bones and Soul Tools, and left the forest.

• Yang Zhenzhen absorbed the Sky Thunder Eagle Trunk Bone, reached Rank 33, and gained the Sky Thunder Transformation Soul Skill; Zhu Ziyang warned her to keep her Soul Bone secret.
• Zhu Ziyang sent Jiang Nannan and Yang Zhenzhen away before confronting three Soul Douluo Evil Soul Master triplets who were attacking a Ten-Thousand-Year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear.
• Zhu Ziyang identified the brothers' Underworld Serpent Martial Souls and their bonded Beast Souls, then purified the three brothers and freed the Beast Souls.
• Zhu Ziyang collected the brothers' three Grade Eight Soul Tools and three Soul Bones, then found two Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs hidden near their dying father.
• Zhu Ziyang took the cubs to the Holy Law Demigod Plane, found a right arm Soul Bone on the bear's corpse, buried it, and left.

Zhu Ziyang reunited with Jiang Nannan and brought two orphaned Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs back toward Shrek Academy. There, he introduced them to Xing Cai as playmates and entrusted her with keeping them safe.

• Zhu Ziyang caught up with Jiang Nannan and Yang Zhenzhen, and they escorted Yang Zhenzhen to Falan City Advanced Soul Master Academy before heading back to Shrek Academy.
• Zhu Ziyang told Jiang Nannan about the two Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs and let her meet them; she delightedly cuddled one before he returned both cubs to the Holy Law Demigod Plane.
• Zhu Ziyang gave Jiang Nannan the cubs' father's approximately fifty-thousand-year-old right arm bone, which she accepted happily.
• At Shrek Academy, Zhu Ziyang found Xing Cai with Fifth Huan'er and brought out the two cubs as Xing Cai's new playmates.
• Zhu Ziyang told Xing Cai to protect the cubs and let them grow normally, and she joked that he had given her masters to guard rather than playmates.

The night before Shrek Academy’s team departed for the tournament, Ma Xiaotao asked Zhu Ziyang to help suppress her Evil Fire, and the two became intimate. The next morning, she broke through to Titled Douluo, completed the God of Fire’s Seventh Trial, and received the God of Fire Sword as the challenge for her Eighth Trial.

• Zhu Ziyang’s Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs, Xiong Da and Xiong Er, became popular among the Inner Court disciples and received help from the Elders.
• Ma Xiaotao confronted Zhu Ziyang at his residence and insisted he help suppress her Evil Fire, reminding him of his promise.
• Ma Xiaotao woke the next morning having broken through her bottleneck, and Zhu Ziyang said she had likely just needed an opportunity to relax.
• Ma Xiaotao responded to the Seven Trials of the Fire God and received increased God of Fire affinity, Soul Power, Soul Ring lifespans, a God-bestowed Soul Ring, and a Divine Artifact.
• Ma Xiaotao revealed that the Divine Artifact was the God of Fire Sword and that her Eighth Trial required earning its recognition and drawing it from its sheath.
• Ma Xiaotao failed to draw the sword, then absorbed her Ninth Soul Ring while Zhu Ziyang protected her.

Ma Xiaotao broke through to Titled Douluo at age twenty-four and chose the title God of Fire Douluo. After her crowning, Shrek’s team and the Tang Sect team set out separately for the competition in Mingdu, with the Tang Sect team secretly bound to follow Zhu Ziyang’s commands outside the competition.

• Ma Xiaotao emerged from the Golden Ancient Tree as a Titled Douluo, and Shrek’s Elders proposed the title Phoenix Douluo.
• Ma Xiaotao chose the title God of Fire Douluo, and Yan Shaozhe crowned her as Shrek’s newest Titled Douluo.
• Zhu Ziyang assigned the teams’ roles: Xuan Zi and Ma Xiaotao would lead Shrek’s competition team, while Xian Liner and Qian Duoduo would reinforce Zhang Lexuan and Elder Song.
• Zhu Ziyang led Shrek’s team toward Mingdu with Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, and the other students.
• Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya, and the Tang Sect team departed separately, though they had agreed to follow Zhu Ziyang’s commands outside the competition.

As the Soul Master Tournament brought hundreds of teams to Mingdu, Xu Tianran and Ju Zi discussed the Sun Moon Empire’s looming succession struggle and the rival forces backing Xu Tianxuan. The Shrek Academy Team, led by Zhu Ziyang, arrived near Mingdu on foot.

• The tournament’s revived rules admitted sects, bringing the total to 367 teams, and the Sun Moon Empire offered Soul Tools as prizes.
• Ju Zi told Xu Tianran that the emperor was near death and that parts of the army had sided with the Second Prince and Xu Tianxuan.
• Xu Tianran dismissed his rivals as trash after Ju Zi explained Xu Tianxuan’s slogan calling for the Moon Vein to reclaim the throne.
• Ju Zi reported that Xu Tianxuan came from the Yin Clan and had support from a Titled Douluo named Xu Jianwei.
• The Shrek Academy Team, led by Zhu Ziyang, stopped more than a hundred kilometers from Mingdu and continued toward the city on foot.

The Shrek Academy Team arrived in Mingdu and checked into the Mingyue Hotel’s Emperor Suite, where they encountered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy. Ma Xiaotao assigned the team’s rooms, while Meng Hongchen left with unspoken words for Zhu Ziyang.

• Zhu Ziyang led the Shrek Academy Team into Mingdu and praised the city’s advanced Soul Tool Technology.
• The Shrek Academy Team arrived at the Mingyue Hotel, where Yan'er welcomed them and led them upstairs.
• Other teams in the lobby recognized Shrek Academy, and Yang Zhenzhen nearly called out to her siblings before a woman stopped her.
• Zhu Ziyang and the others crossed paths with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy, but no conflict broke out.
• Ma Xiaotao arranged the rooms in Shrek Academy’s Emperor Suite, assigning Zhu Ziyang the master bedroom and pairing the other team members.

Zhu Ziyang secretly met Zhang Lexuan and Elder Song to discuss the plan to kill Xu Tianran and position Zhang Lexuan to become empress. After spending the night with Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, he learned that delegations from the Heaven Soul and Star Luo academies had arrived to contact Shrek.

• Zhu Ziyang slipped away from Mingyue Hotel and appeared at Xiyue Inn, where he reunited with Zhang Lexuan and Elder Song.
• Zhu Ziyang explained that the academy planned to kill Xu Tianran and the Sun Vein's direct descendants, creating an opening for Zhang Lexuan to claim the throne.
• Zhu Ziyang told Zhang Lexuan to wait in Mingdu until he confirmed the assassination date with the Heaven Soul and Star Luo representatives.
• Elder Song left Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan alone, and they spent the night together after Zhang Lexuan said she wanted to become a mother.
• Ma Xiaotao confronted Zhu Ziyang the next morning after detecting Zhang Lexuan's scent on him, and he admitted what had happened.
• Representatives from Star Luo Royal Academy and Heaven Soul Di'ao Academy arrived at Mingyue Hotel and sent people to contact the Shrek Academy Team.

Princess Xu Jiujiu and Princess Vina visited Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao to request a meeting with Shrek Academy’s Elder. Ma Xiaotao revealed her overwhelming power and identity as the God of Fire Douluo, and Zhu Ziyang eased the standoff by assuring the princesses that they could speak directly with them.

• Xu Jiujiu and Vina met Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao, claiming they had come to meet Zhu Ziyang before Xu Jiujiu revealed they needed to speak with Shrek Academy’s Elder.
• Ma Xiaotao insisted they could represent Shrek Academy and rebuked the princesses for doubting them.
• A Red-robed Woman and a Blue-robed Woman appeared and used their pressure to challenge Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao.
• Ma Xiaotao overwhelmed the two women with her aura and revealed six black and three red Soul Rings, prompting the Red-robed Woman to identify her as Shrek Academy’s newly advanced God of Fire Douluo.
• Zhu Ziyang calmed the room, and the visitors accepted that he and Ma Xiaotao could represent Shrek Academy.

Zhu Ziyang confronted Xu Jiujiu and Vina during negotiations, revealing that he was the Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy’s Heavenly Origin Pavilion and forcing their groups to withdraw. Afterward, he and Ma Xiaotao flirted and wagered on whether the visitors would return that night, before Tang Ya and the others came back with news of a big deal.

• Ma Xiaotao’s strength made Xu Jiujiu and Vina’s Titled Douluo protectors back down, and the princesses apologized for their elders’ behavior.
• Zhu Ziyang rejected the proposed negotiations and told Xu Jiujiu and Vina that they were not qualified to negotiate with him as Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Origin Pavilion.
• Xu Jiujiu realized Zhu Ziyang had reached the Douluo realm and left with Manyi, while Vina and the others departed after promising to relay his demands.
• Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao relaxed together and made a wager about whether the visitors would return that night.
• Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, and Fifth Huan'er returned from Mingdu alongside Tang Ya, Beibei, Huo Yuhao, and the rest of the Tang Sect, and Tang Ya announced that they had a big deal to discuss.

Huo Yuhao presented the Tang Sect’s Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon to Zhu Ziyang, who praised its design and potential. Zhu Ziyang agreed to connect Tang Ya and Beibei with buyers from the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, and they left the cannon as a sample.

• Tang Ya explained that Huo Yuhao had developed a powerful Soul Tool and asked Zhu Ziyang to consider the Tang Sect’s business proposal.
• Huo Yuhao revealed the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon and described its firing modes, ammunition, mobility, and fourth-grade classification.
• Zhu Ziyang praised Huo Yuhao for creating a fourth-grade Fixed-Projectile Soul Tool using mostly ordinary materials.
• Beibei asked Zhu Ziyang to introduce potential customers rather than have Shrek Academy buy the cannon.
• Zhu Ziyang agreed to connect the Tang Sect with people from the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, and Tang Ya, Beibei, and Huo Yuhao left the cannon behind as a sample.

Zhu Ziyang met with Xu Luo and Du Busi to coordinate their alliance’s assassination of Xu Tianran. After tensions eased, the leaders revealed their forces and began planning the operation for the eve of the Soul Master Tournament finals.

• Zhu Ziyang detected Xu Luo and Du Busi outside his room and suppressed Du Busi’s pressure with his teacup.
• Xuan Zi defended Zhu Ziyang’s authority as Heavenly Origin Pavilion Pavilion Master after Du Busi complained about being summoned.
• Xu Luo said the Star Luo Empire had sent seven Titled Douluo, including himself and the Medical Immortal Douluo, because it needed time to prepare for the Sun Moon Empire’s Soul Tools.
• Du Busi reported that the Heaven Dou Empire had deployed five Super Douluo, ranging from Rank 95 to Rank 98.
• Zhu Ziyang, Xuan Zi, Xu Luo, and Du Busi discussed the assassination’s forces, arrangements, and tentative timing on the eve of the tournament finals.

On the tournament’s opening day, Zhu Ziyang explained Shrek Academy’s first-round bye and led the team to the venue, where they surveyed the tournament’s rules and advanced facilities. The teams gathered in the rest areas as the opening ceremony approached, with Shrek’s familiar rivals and allies among them.

• Zhu Ziyang told the Shrek Team that they had received a first-round bye and urged them not to hold back against the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy.
• Ma Xiaotao led the team to the tournament venue outside Mingdu to attend the opening ceremony and observe the other teams.
• Zhu Ziyang assessed the tournament format, the enormous arena, and the Sun Moon Empire’s Soul Tool technology.
• The Shrek Team took its premium rest area and spotted the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy, Star Luo Royal Academy, Snow Demon Sect Team, Tang Sect Team, and Falan Academy Team.
• All recognized teams filled the competitors’ rest areas, and a new development appeared.

Zhu Ziyang watched the Sun Moon Empire display its military power and welcome Crown Prince Xu Tianran as regent at the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. Ju Zi opened the tournament, and Zhu Ziyang recognized a Holy Spirit Cult member among the officials seated beside Xu Tianran.

• The Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Legion surrounded the grandstand with Soul Tool cannons and formations, and Zhu Ziyang identified the elite soldiers.
• Xu Tianran arrived with Ju Zi and Jing Hongchen, and Zhu Ziyang noted that the old emperor was apparently still alive despite Xu Tianran being called regent.
• Long Xiaoyao silenced the crowd with his pressure, allowing Ju Zi to announce that the tournament had begun.
• Xu Tianran signaled the ministers to sit, while a black-robed middle-aged man took Jing Hongchen's seat and Zhu Ziyang recognized him as a member of the Holy Spirit Cult.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy Team defeated the Dragon Slaying Sect Team in the tournament’s opening match, and the first day’s bouts sent thirty-eight teams onward. After returning to the hotel, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan relaxed together while Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao joined them.

• The tournament began with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy Team facing the Dragon Slaying Sect Team, and Meng Hongchen defeated two opponents before conceding.
• The Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy Team’s next contestant narrowly defeated the Dragon Slaying Sect captain, securing an eleven-point victory for the academy team.
• The day’s matches continued, and the Heaven Dou Empire’s Snow Demon Sect Team advanced with Muxue competing as its young sect master.
• Thirty-eight teams advanced after the first day, and the Shrek Academy Team returned to its hotel.
• Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan relaxed together in the tea restaurant, where Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao joined them and paired off on the sofas.

Tang Sect overwhelmed Earth Dragon Sect in its tournament debut, while Holy Spirit Sect revealed its brutal methods against Tiandu Academy. After the first round ended, Shrek Academy prepared to enter the second round against Taining Advanced Soul Master Academy.

• Beibei led Tang Sect to defeat Earth Dragon Sect, prompting the sect to forfeit after Nan Qiuqiu lost.
• Xu Tianran learned that Tang Sect’s contestants had all belonged to Shrek Academy’s previous tournament team, then became enraged when Zhu Ziyang greeted him indifferently.
• Holy Spirit Sect’s Evil Soul Master killed Tiandu Academy’s first contestant with a Brain-Eating Worm Martial Soul, and Tiandu Academy forfeited.
• The first round ended with 184 teams advancing, including Falan Advanced Soul Master Academy, where Yang Zhenzhen was a key member.
• Shrek Academy Team prepared to make its tournament debut against Taining Advanced Soul Master Academy in the second round.

Shrek Academy began its second-round knockout match against Taining Advanced Soul Master Academy, and Zhou Tianhe won the first three bouts. Zhu Ziyang then replaced him with Dai Huabin, explaining that Taining’s team belonged to a senior brother.

• Spectators booed Shrek Academy, and Zhu Ziyang urged his teammates to stay calm before the match.
• Zhu Ziyang chose Zhou Tianhe to fight first, and Zhou defeated Taining captain Niu Wei after a contest of strength.
• Zhou Tianhe won against Taining’s second and third contestants, leaving him poised to try for a seven-person sweep.
• Zhu Ziyang ordered Zhou Tianhe to leave the arena, and Dai Huabin took his place.
• Zhu Ziyang told Zhou Tianhe that Taining’s team belonged to a senior brother and Shrek should show him consideration.

Dai Huabin secured Shrek Academy’s victory over Taining Academy, and Zhu Ziyang reunited with former Inner Court disciple Zhu Lie, who revealed his role in expanding Heavenly Origin Academy. Shrek then advanced through the tournament, crushing Overlord Sect in the third round.

• Dai Huabin defeated Taining Academy’s final contestant, giving Shrek Academy eleven points and a place in the third round.
• Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao reunited with Taining Academy’s team leader, Zhu Lie, and learned about his life and work after leaving Shrek Academy.
• Zhu Lie revealed that he would become principal of Taining City Heavenly Origin Academy, helping keep it open to children beyond the aristocracy.
• Shrek Academy watched the tournament as Taining Academy and Falan Advanced Soul Master Academy departed after their defeats.
• Shrek Academy drew Overlord Sect for the third round, then Dai Huabin, Wu Feng, and Xie Huanyue won the match without Zhou Tianhe competing.

Jiang Nannan faced the Heavenly Armor Sect in the fourth round and defeated Han Yu with a single punch. Shrek Academy advanced, while Jiang Nannan’s restrained strength left the other contestants wary of her.

• The tournament’s third round ended with thirty-three deaths, and the fourth-round draw matched Shrek Academy against the Heavenly Armor Sect.
• The Tang Sect forfeited its match against the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy.
• Zhu Ziyang allowed Jiang Nannan to fight Han Yu after she asked for the chance to avenge Falan Academy.
• Jiang Nannan vanished at the start of the match and punched Han Yu through his shield, knocking him unconscious.
• Jiang Nannan called for the next opponent, unaware that her supposedly ordinary punch had frightened the Heavenly Armor Sect contestants.

Jiang Nannan single-handedly overwhelmed the Heavenly Armor Sect in the tournament, using overwhelming speed and strength to secure Shrek Academy’s advance. Her performance drew the attention of Xu Tianran and the other teams, while she left the platform to Zhu Ziyang’s praise.

• Jiang Nannan knocked out the Heavenly Armor Sect’s second and third contestants with single punches, revealing speed that astonished Xu Tianran, the Black-Robed Imperial Advisor, and Jing Hongchen.
• Jiang Nannan reflected that her hands struggled with the strain of moving at the speed of sound, while her legs could withstand far greater speed and force.
• Chen Cong pleaded with Jiang Nannan to go easy on him, but she distracted him with her smile and kicked him unconscious.
• Ju Zi gave Xu Tianran the limited information she had gathered about Jiang Nannan, and he remarked that it was a pity she was not a citizen of the Sun Moon Empire.
• Jiang Nannan defeated the Heavenly Armor Sect’s fifth contestant, prompting its leader to surrender and Shrek Academy to advance from the group stage.
• Jiang Nannan hugged Zhu Ziyang after the match, and he praised her performance.