Chapter Summaries

While Zhou Qing cultivated beside the sleeping Qingzhu Zhu, their Martial Souls unexpectedly fused, raising her Soul Power to level ten and his to level sixteen. Mother Zhu explained what she had witnessed, but neither Qingzhu Zhu nor Zhou Qing seemed to feel the mutual attraction usually caused by a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

• Mother Zhu took Zhou Qing, Qingzhu Zhu, and Wang Sheng to the inn, then kept watch while Qingzhu Zhu slept on Zhou Qing’s back.
• Zhou Qing entered cultivation, and Qingzhu Zhu’s Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul began cultivating in sync with his Blood Circulation System.
• The two Martial Souls fused, forming a giant Hell Spirit Cat with Zhou Qing’s heart and blood vessels before it scattered and returned to Qingzhu Zhu.
• Qingzhu Zhu awoke, discovered she had reached the level ten Soul Power bottleneck, and asked Mother Zhu whether she had really slept in Zhou Qing’s arms.
• Mother Zhu described the apparent Martial Soul fusion, while Qingzhu Zhu wondered what a Martial Soul Fusion Skill meant.

Zhou Qing considered why his Martial Soul had fused with Qingzhu Zhu’s, then taught Dormitory Seven’s work-study students Broadcast Gymnastics: Dancing Youth. The students embraced the exercises and Zhou Qing led them to breakfast ahead of Team Eighteen’s second-round match.

• Zhou Qing reasoned that his Martial Soul Fusion with Qingzhu Zhu might stem from his Qi-and-Blood attribute and the Innate Internal Scripture Chart, though he had felt no attraction to her afterward.
• After Tang San finished cultivating the Purple Demon Eye, Zhou Qing led Dormitory Seven’s work-study students through Broadcast Gymnastics: Dancing Youth.
• Tang San recognized that the exercises improved circulation and Soul Power while providing comprehensive physical training.
• Zhou Qing invited the students to run two laps and promised to treat them to breakfast to celebrate Team Eighteen advancing through the day’s second round.
• Wang Sheng thanked Zhou Qing for the exercises, and Zhou Qing urged him to call him by his full name, though Wang Sheng chose to keep calling him Boss at the academy.

After Xiao Wu challenged Zhou Qing’s ideas about leadership, he used Dormitory Seven to explain the Heaven Dou Empire’s relationship with its kingdoms and duchies, then argued that a true boss needed wholehearted loyalty. Tang San interpreted Zhou Qing’s thinking as ambition to reshape the continent and resolved to help him, while reaffirming his own roots in Holy Soul Village and his goal of rebuilding the Tang Sect.

• Xiao Wu complained about the morning exercise and claimed that Dormitory Seven’s students should listen to her as their boss, but Zhou Qing persuaded her to try Broadcast Gymnastics.
• Zhou Qing explained political alliances through the hierarchy between Dormitory Seven’s boss and its students, using the example to show why Heaven Dou’s kingdoms and duchies had not united against it.
• Zhou Qing told Xiao Wu that a real boss needed to understand and earn the wholehearted support of those under them, not merely dominate them with strength.
• Tang San concluded that Zhou Qing might aspire to reshape the world and resolved to encourage him, imagining the work-study students as a loyal foundation for that ambition.
• Tang San rejected the idea of serving the Clear Sky Sect and reaffirmed that he came from Holy Soul Village, while remaining determined to rebuild and surpass the Tang Sect.

Zhou Qing and the others gathered at Nuoding Plaza for the second round of the Friendly Tournament, where a brutal trick in the opening match reminded them how ruthless the Soul Master world could be. The chapter ended as Team Sixteen took the advantage over Team Eight, while Zhou Qing warned that real conflicts outside the tournament could be far deadlier.

• Tang San vowed to support Zhou Qing, imagining Great Zhou and Tang Sect fighting their enemies together in the open and in secret.
• On the way to Nuoding Plaza, Zhou Qing learned that many freelance Soul Masters lacked permanent homes, and Xiao Wu and Romantina joked about housing and living together.
• Qingzhu Zhu confirmed that she and Zhou Qing had apparently performed a Martial Soul Fusion, while Romantina reacted dramatically and Mo Hen encouraged them to practice it.
• Zhong Dingxiu drew Team Sixteen and Team Eight for the first match of the second round, and the poorly coordinated teams fought without cooperating.
• The Captain of Team Sixteen threw flour into the Captain of Team Eight's face and wounded him with a Soul Skill, shifting the advantage to Team Sixteen.
• Zhou Qing warned that Soul Masters might use even dirtier tactics in real conflicts, prompting the teachers to recognize how cruel the Soul Master world could be.

Zhou Qing warned his teammates about the dangers of fighting experienced Soul Masters outside the academy, then led Team Eighteen into a match against Team Six. As the battle began, he used Bloodline Power and a bull-like punch to knock out an opposing Soul Master without summoning his Martial Soul.

• Zhou Qing reminded Wang Sheng and the others to stay alert because Soul Masters outside the academy might attack without warning.
• Team Eighteen entered the arena to face Team Six, whose level-twenty-nine captain had years of combat experience.
• Zhou Qing assigned Mo Hen to keep the captain occupied while the others targeted Team Six's weaker members, especially its Agility-Attack System Soul Master.
• When the battle started, Zhou Qing used Bloodline Power to rush an Assault System Soul Master and strike him with a bull-like punch.
• Zhou Qing's punch sent the level-sixteen Soul Master flying and left him unable to get back up.

Zhou Qing and Team Eighteen overwhelmed Team Six, leaving its captain alone in the arena. Captain of Team Six realized he could not defeat the seven remaining opponents.

• Zhou Qing knocked out an opposing Soul Master with his Self-Created Soul Skill, Iron Bull Headbutt, impressing Dai Weisi and Zhong Dingxiu.
• Captain of Team Six blocked Mo Hen’s spear thrust and taunted him, but Mo Hen kept attacking to hold him back.
• Qingzhu Zhu, Tang San, and Wang Sheng brought down an Agility-Attack System Soul Master while Romantina, Zhou Qing, and Xiao Wu finished off three more opponents.
• Team Eighteen defeated the rest of Team Six in less than a minute, leaving Captain of Team Six as the only opponent still standing.
• Captain of Team Six feared Romantina’s Spiritual Impact and Tang San’s coin attacks and concluded he could not win against seven opponents.

After Team Six’s captain abandoned his teammates, Zhou Qing and the others helped treat the defeated Soul Masters and learned how difficult it was for commoners to enter Advanced Academies. Zhou Qing reflected on the divide between Soul Masters and nobles, while the commoner Soul Masters’ prospects remained limited.

• Team Six’s captain praised Zhou Qing’s group, declared them advanced to the Third Round, and fled, leaving his teammates behind.
• Zhou Qing, Tang San, and Wang Sheng carried the injured members of Team Six to a teacher for treatment, and the defeated Soul Masters cursed their captain.
• A Battle Soul Master explained that commoner Soul Masters rarely entered Advanced Academies, even when they had exceptional talent.
• Tang San recognized how established powers directed resources toward their own people, while Zhou Qing considered the faint hope commoners had of being recognized.
• The Battle Soul Master described an Advanced Academy in Heaven Dou City that accepted talented commoners, and Zhou Qing noted that Soul Master status did not itself make someone a noble.

Zhou Qing reassured Wang Sheng about affording further study, then took Dormitory Seven to lunch before the tournament’s Third Round. Meanwhile, Zhong Dingxiu praised Team 18’s rapid improvement to the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, but Dai Mubai remained dismissive of the Commoner Soul Masters.

• Mei Shi explained Soul Master academies’ rules to Zhou Qing and the others before leaving Nuoding City.
• Zhou Qing reminded Wang Sheng that he would receive a share of the Silver Moon Bracelet payment, enough to cover intermediate academy tuition.
• The nine teams advancing to the Third Round were announced, and Zhou Qing treated the Work-Study Students of Dormitory Seven to lunch.
• Zhong Dingxiu told the Star Luo Royal Academy Team that Team 18’s coordination and potential could let them defeat teams with Soul Elders.
• Dai Mubai, still nursing his injuries, dismissed Team 18 as Commoner Soul Masters and questioned their capabilities.

Dai Weisi and Zhong Dingxiu discussed recruiting Team Eighteen, while Dai Mubai resented their praise of the people who had beaten him and feared his brother would gain more allies. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun weighed Zhou Qing as a possible way to protect Zhu Zhuqing, but their plans depended on Zhu Zhuqing’s feelings and whether Dai Mubai would eventually flee or keep competing for the throne.

• Dai Mubai resented Zhong Dingxiu’s praise of Zhou Qing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, but apologized after Dai Weisi ordered him to do so.
• Dai Weisi and Zhong Dingxiu considered recruiting several members of Team Eighteen, while Dai Weisi ruled out Romantina because her family belonged to Heaven Dou.
• Dai Weisi ordered Dai Mubai to watch the afternoon matches despite his facial injuries, and Dai Mubai reluctantly agreed before hurrying away.
• Dai Weisi told Zhu Zhuyun that Dai Mubai’s conflicted desire to compete made him difficult to manage, while Zhu Zhuyun worried that her sister Zhu Zhuqing would be dragged into the rivalry.
• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun considered Zhou Qing another possible future for Zhu Zhuqing, but agreed their plans depended on her feelings and on whether Dai Mubai would run away.

After Team 18 received a bye to the Friendly Tournament final, Zhou Qing discussed Qingzhu Zhu’s first spirit ring and the Nether Spirit Cat’s traditional Soul Skills. Qingzhu Zhu confirmed that some clan members had chosen purely Dark Attribute Soul Beasts, leaving Zhou Qing’s questions about spirit-ring influence unresolved.

• Zhong Dingxiu drew lots and gave Team 18 a bye through the next two rounds to the final.
• Mother Zhu proposed taking Qingzhu Zhu to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain her first spirit ring.
• Zhou Qing asked which Soul Beasts could provide the Nether Spirit Cat’s First Soul Skill, and Qingzhu Zhu named Ghost Leopards, Shadow Wolves, and Leaping Nether Tigers as sources of Hell Stab.
• Zhou Qing reasoned that dark-attributed spirit rings helped the Nether Spirit Cat’s dark aspect develop, and Qingzhu Zhu agreed.
• Zhou Qing asked whether clan members had ever chosen purely Dark Attribute Soul Beasts, and Qingzhu Zhu said some had.

Qingzhu Zhu’s examples of Nether Spirit Cat Clan members harmed by pure Dark Attribute spirit rings led Zhou Qing to conclude that Martial Soul growth depended primarily on a Soul Master’s body and soul power, not spirit rings. He connected the cultivation system’s dangers to its lack of knowledge about meridians and acupoints, leaving Tang San’s Mysterious Heaven Skill as a crucial advantage.

• Qingzhu Zhu described how Zhu Mingzhu died absorbing a Dark Nether Tiger spirit ring and how Zhu Xiu survived but suffered damaged meridians and stalled cultivation.
• Zhou Qing concluded that a Martial Soul’s growth depended on the Soul Master’s body and soul power, while spirit rings acted only as potentially harmful fertilizer.
• Zhou Qing reasoned that newly awakened Nether Spirit Cat Martial Souls could be overwhelmed by pure Dark Attribute spirit rings, just as a seedling could be killed by too much fertilizer.
• Zhou Qing considered that Martial Souls might develop talents through growth and that Soul Masters could use those talents to create their own soul skills.
• Zhou Qing argued that the cultivation system’s ignorance of meridians and acupoints limited Soul Masters’ creativity and ability to recover from spirit ring injuries.
• Zhou Qing concluded that Tang San survived repeated over-limit spirit ring absorption through the Mysterious Heaven Skill’s knowledge of meridians and acupoints, unlike Soul Masters such as Tang Hao who lacked ways to heal hidden injuries.

Zhou Qing explained how Martial Souls developed and advised Qingzhu Zhu to build on the Hell Spirit Cat’s primary speed talent rather than pursue its secondary Dark Attribute. Qingzhu Zhu considered delaying her Soul Ring hunt while Zhou Qing proposed training her as a speed-focused assassin.

• Zhou Qing explained Martial Soul growth by comparing it to soul beasts maturing and trees growing, and said Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass could handle ordinary Plant Soul Beast Soul Rings because it was the Blue Silver Emperor and Tang San had complete cultivation methods.
• Zhou Qing learned Qingzhu Zhu planned to hunt a three- or four-hundred-year soul beast near Nuoding City and told her that the local forest lacked the Dark Attribute soul beasts her First Spirit Ring required.
• Qingzhu Zhu agreed with Mother Zhu that they could delay the hunt by a few days, and Zhou Qing offered to suggest another path.
• Zhou Qing proposed that Qingzhu Zhu become a pure speed-type Soul Master and develop the Hell Spirit Cat’s speed talent for assassination rather than trying to strengthen its secondary Dark Attribute.

Zhou Qing advised Qingzhu Zhu to build her Hell Spirit Cat around speed and recommended a Shadow Swift Cat for her first spirit ring. After Qingzhu Zhu set out to hunt one with Mother Zhu, Dai Weisi urged Zhu Zhuyun to find her and sound her out.

• Zhou Qing explained that Qingzhu Zhu should focus on speed rather than offensive Soul Skills and could add stronger attacks with her later spirit rings.
• Qingzhu Zhu revealed that her real name was Zhu Zhuqing but chose to keep using Qingzhu Zhu around Zhou Qing.
• Mother Zhu objected to Qingzhu Zhu choosing speed-focused Soul Skills, but Qingzhu Zhu defended the plan and asked Zhou Qing for a first spirit ring recommendation.
• Zhou Qing recommended the Shadow Swift Cat, whose spirit ring could grant powerful acceleration, and Qingzhu Zhu left with Mother Zhu to hunt one.
• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun noticed Qingzhu Zhu leaving, and Dai Weisi asked Zhu Zhuyun to find her and sound her out.

Zhu Zhuyun caught up with Qingzhu Zhu on her way to hunt a Soul Beast and questioned her about Zhou Qing. After Qingzhu Zhu revealed that she and Zhou Qing had already achieved a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Zhu Zhuyun warned her to keep it secret because Zhou Qing might otherwise be killed.

• Zhu Zhuyun boarded Qingzhu Zhu's carriage and asked why she had not told her about reaching level ten.
• Zhu Zhuyun teased Qingzhu Zhu about Zhou Qing, and Qingzhu Zhu insisted that he was only a friend.
• Zhu Zhuyun asked Qingzhu Zhu to describe Zhou Qing, then checked her for signs that he had harmed her.
• Qingzhu Zhu told Zhu Zhuyun that she and Zhou Qing had successfully fused their Martial Souls while asleep.
• Zhu Zhuyun warned Qingzhu Zhu not to tell anyone about the fusion, including their parents, because Zhou Qing could be killed.

Qingzhu Zhu chose a Shadow Swift Cat for her first Spirit Ring despite Zhu Zhuyun’s objections, hoping to help Team 18 win the Friendly Tournament. After absorbing it, she reached level eleven and revealed a sustained speed-boosting skill, leaving Zhu Zhuyun shocked by how fast she had become.

• Zhu Zhuyun told Qingzhu Zhu that their royal family’s competition would eventually force them to fight, but promised Zhou Qing would be safe if the secret stayed hidden.
• Qingzhu Zhu insisted on hunting a Shadow Swift Cat in the Nuoding Soul Hunting Forest rather than choosing one of the family’s recommended Soul Beasts.
• Qingzhu Zhu killed the Shadow Swift Cat and began absorbing its Soul Ring while Zhu Zhuyun and Mother Zhu watched anxiously.
• Qingzhu Zhu sensed her soul power’s circulation route clearly during absorption, then completed the process and reached level eleven.
• Qingzhu Zhu challenged Zhu Zhuyun and used her first Spirit Ring to move at extreme speed, revealing that its skill focused on sustained acceleration rather than stabbing.

Qingzhu Zhu showed Zhu Zhuyun how her first Soul Skill, Netherworld Swift Shadow, let her outrun her older sister, though Zhu Zhuyun criticized its lack of attack power. Qingzhu Zhu embraced Zhou Qing’s advice to pursue her own path and decided to keep developing her speed.

• Qingzhu Zhu evaded Zhu Zhuyun in a forest chase and tore her sister’s clothes with a controlled claw strike.
• Qingzhu Zhu revealed that Netherworld Swift Shadow tripled her speed, and Zhu Zhuyun scolded her for choosing a speed-boosting Spirit Ring instead of an attack skill.
• Zhu Zhuyun warned Qingzhu Zhu that her weak attack power was a serious flaw, while Qingzhu Zhu argued that her speed could make her an assassin.
• Qingzhu Zhu recalled Zhou Qing’s advice, felt happy about her choice, and resolved to keep increasing her speed.

Zhou Qing tested whether he could form a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Tang San and theorized that balanced Soul Power circulation was only part of the process. Their Soul Powers merged, but their Martial Souls did not, leaving Zhou Qing to identify a missing link.

• Zhou Qing explained his theory that fused Martial Souls could influence their Soul Masters, while Tang San and Romantina reacted to his planned experiment.
• Zhou Qing chose Tang San as his first subject, and they clasped hands while activating their Martial Souls.
• Zhou Qing and Tang San adjusted their Soul Power circulation until it balanced and produced a powerful white radiance and airwaves.
• Zhou Qing realized that their Martial Souls remained separate and suspected the Soul Power needed to carry each Martial Soul’s attributes.
• Tang San admitted that he had forgotten to circulate the Blue Silver Grass Skill, so his Soul Power had only maintained his Martial Soul.

Zhou Qing and Tang San successfully created a domain-type Martial Soul Fusion Skill that summoned a phantom of Ah Yin and strengthened those within its range. After the skill ended, they discussed its effects and joked about which of them had led the fusion.

• Tang San switched to the Soul Power cultivation method bestowed by the Blue Silver Grass, allowing his Soul Power to harmonize with Zhou Qing’s Blood Circulation System.
• Zhou Qing’s and Tang San’s Martial Souls fused into a woman’s phantom, while plants around Nuoding Academy flourished and a Blue Silver Grass in a distant cave responded.
• The phantom released a blue-gold domain that converted Heaven and Earth Energy into Life Energy and enhanced Xiao Wu, Romantina, Zhou Qing, and Tang San.
• After five minutes, Zhou Qing and Tang San collapsed from strain on their meridians, though they still had Soul Power remaining.
• Xiao Wu described the fusion skill’s restorative and strengthening effects, while Romantina teased Zhou Qing and he and Tang San argued over who had led the fusion.

Zhou Qing and Tang San recovered after using their Martial Soul Fusion Skill and discussed how its vibrations might help train their bodies. They settled on a name for the skill before Wang Sheng told them which teams had advanced from the Third Round.

• Zhou Qing refused to try a Martial Soul Fusion with Romantina, and she helped Xiao Wu support him and Tang San to the cafeteria.
• After eating, Zhou Qing argued that the fusion skill’s sound-wave vibrations could temper the whole body, while Tang San worried that it drained their strength dangerously.
• Zhou Qing proposed studying the skill’s vibrations to develop a way to train their physiques, and Tang San considered the growing burden of their research.
• Zhou Qing and Tang San proposed names for their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and Xiao Wu favored Blue Silver Empress's Wing Chun Heart Song.
• Zhou Qing noticed a faint blue change in Tang San’s pupils and wondered if the fusion had affected him, before Wang Sheng named Teams Thirteen, Fifteen, Twenty-Five, and Thirty as the teams advancing from the Third Round.

Zhou Qing rejected Wang Sheng’s suggestion to ask Mo Hen for tactical help, encouraging Wang Sheng to keep pursuing his Soul Master dreams instead. As the Friendly Tournament finals approached, the group discussed the rules and Zhou Qing reflected on how the competition served the interests of powerful factions.

• Wang Sheng suggested asking Mo Hen to help Team Eighteen prepare for Team Thirty, but Zhou Qing said they should adapt during the matches.
• Zhou Qing encouraged Wang Sheng by reminding him that the work-study students looked up to him, then stopped Wang Sheng from hugging him and sparked an awkward exchange with Tang San.
• Qingzhu Zhu returned with Mother Zhu, and Teams Thirty and Twenty-Five advanced from the fourth round to join Team Eighteen in the finals.
• Xiao Wu questioned why the tournament would determine the top three when only the champion could challenge the Star Luo Royal Academy Team, and Tang San and Zhou Qing discussed the format and its likely purpose.
• Zhou Qing considered how tournaments and faction allegiances gave powerful groups a way to compete for talented Soul Masters.