Chapter Summaries

Ye Qingxian absorbed the Snow Hoof Unicorn Horse's Soul Ring and demonstrated the greater healing power of her Nine Hearted Begonia True Body. As the group prepared to return, Lin Xiao challenged Dugu Bo's casual offer to arrange Yan Yan's marriage without asking her, leaving Dugu Bo embarrassed and eager to head home.

• Ye Qingxian absorbed the Snow Hoof Unicorn Horse's Soul Ring and explained that her Nine Hearted Begonia True Body tripled her healing power.
• Dugu Bo praised Ye Qingxian's battlefield support and suggested that he might arrange a future engagement between Lin Xiao and Yan Yan.
• Lin Xiao objected that Dugu Bo should not decide Yan Yan's marriage without asking her, and Ye Qingxian rebuked Dugu Bo for pushing the match.
• Lin Xiao recalled refusing a Soul Sage's proposals to resolve his Evil Fire and explained that he opposed elders arranging marriages without consulting the people involved.
• Dugu Bo admitted he had planned to tell Yan Yan afterward, then waved everyone on so they could return home.

After a month away, Lin Xiao returned to the Ye Family residence with two companions and helped Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling evolve their Martial Souls using Immortal Grass. The girls gained power and celebrated his return with a snowball fight, while Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo watched them play.

• Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling waited for Lin Xiao’s return and speculated about the fragrant letters girls had been sending him.
• Ye Lingling spotted three figures approaching through the snow, including Lin Xiao with his vivid maple-red hair.
• Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling completed their Martial Soul evolutions, reaching rank thirty and gaining further stored energy.
• Lin Xiao revealed his Thousand Year Second Soul Ring and bragged that he would look after Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
• Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling tossed Lin Xiao into the snow, and the three began a snowball fight as Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo watched.

After spending time with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, Lin Xiao read Shui Bing’er’s letters and decided to travel to Skywater City to meet her. Ye Qingxian agreed to let him go but insisted that someone escort him.

• Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan recruited Ye Qingxian into their snowball fight with Lin Xiao.
• Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan discussed the changes to their appearances after taking the Immortal Grass and fell asleep late.
• Lin Xiao reread Shui Bing’er’s letters, remembered their promise, and decided to surprise her in person.
• Ye Qingxian praised Lin Xiao’s Eight Section Brocade and said she would make Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan practice it.
• Lin Xiao told Ye Qingxian he planned to visit a friend in Skywater City, and she insisted on arranging an escort.

Ye Lingling learned that Lin Xiao had left to visit Shui Bing'er and reacted with embarrassment when others discovered how upset she was. Lin Xiao reached Skywater City with Li Bo and reunited with Shui Bing'er and Granny Shui Yuehua at the Shui Family.

• Ye Lingling panicked when she found Lin Xiao gone, then learned from Ye Qingxian that he had traveled to Skywater City to visit Shui Bing'er.
• Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo overheard Ye Qingxian's teasing, and Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling fell silent at the mention of Shui Bing'er.
• Lin Xiao arrived in Skywater City with Li Bo and hurried through town after local girls teased him about his appearance.
• Lin Xiao reached the Shui Family and greeted the guards, but Shui Bing'er recognized him before they could report his arrival.

Xiang Chi Sha Tang Ju reflected on the novel’s first ninety thousand words, responded to criticism, and thanked readers for their support. The author invited more comments and ended with New Year wishes.

• Xiang Chi Sha Tang Ju said the first story arc had nearly ended and discussed receiving abusive comments.
• The author explained the original setting, the protagonist’s refusal to treat women as commodities, and several criticized plot points.
• Xiang Chi Sha Tang Ju said readers could judge the book by their own preferences but asked them not to harass chapters with repeated insults.
• The author invited readers to share comments and plot ideas, described the book as mainly a leveling story, and thanked donors and other readers.
• Xiang Chi Sha Tang Ju wished readers success, wealth, and good health in the new year.

Lin Xiao gave Shui Bing'er rare herbs to evolve her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul, and she accepted after he insisted. Her Martial Soul transformed into the Ultimate Ice Phoenix, leaving her ready to seek a second Soul Ring.

• Lin Xiao asked Shui Bing'er to speak with him alone in her room, and Granny Shui Yuehua agreed to keep others away.
• Lin Xiao presented Shui Bing'er with the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and told her to consume it with the Phoenix Blood Herb and Cold Jade Mushroom.
• Shui Bing'er initially refused the treasure, but Lin Xiao threatened to leave, so she accepted and consumed the herbs while he watched.
• Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix Martial Soul evolved into the Ultimate Ice Phoenix, and the transformation raised her Soul Power to level twenty.
• Lin Xiao told Shui Bing'er she could now hunt for her second Soul Ring and wondered whether it would strengthen her Ice Seal skill.

Lin Xiao revealed that Shui Bing'er’s Martial Soul had evolved into an Ice Phoenix and reached level 20, astonishing her father, Shui Shengxiao. As they parted, Lin Xiao wondered how powerful a Martial Soul Fusion Skill between their compatible Ice Fire Phoenixes might be.

• Granny Shui Yuehua found extreme frost outside Shui Bing'er’s room, and Lin Xiao explained that he had given Bing'er a treasure to evolve her Martial Soul, presenting tokens from Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo.
• Shui Shengxiao saw Bing'er’s Ice Phoenix and learned that she had reached level 20, then thanked Lin Xiao and asked him to pass his greetings to Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo.
• Shui Shengxiao mistook Lin Xiao’s generous help for a possible courtship, but Lin Xiao said he had helped Bing'er purely because they were friends.
• Bing'er promised to listen to whatever Lin Xiao told her, while he told her to be herself and considered testing their Ice Fire Phoenixes’ Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Lin Xiao researched a ranged Flame Burst Technique, repeatedly blowing himself up before identifying the technique’s requirements and devising a new method. He launched a stable Mini Fire Phoenix infused with Evil Fire, leaving its effectiveness unconfirmed.

• Shui Shengxiao took Shui Bing'er to hunt for a Soul Ring while Lin Xiao stayed at the Shui Family’s home to research a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with her later.
• Lin Xiao practiced his punches as Shui Yue'er watched shyly, then went with Li Bo to the snowy outskirts of Skywater City to test his Flame Burst Technique.
• Lin Xiao’s early experiments destroyed boulders and repeatedly blew him into snowdrifts, while Li Bo watched from a distance.
• After several days of failures, Lin Xiao concluded the technique needed Extreme Attribute fire, a stable compressed Soul Power structure, and a fuse, and decided to use Evil Fire as the fuse.
• Lin Xiao stacked many Flame Burst-like Soul Power structures into a Mini Fire Phoenix, added Evil Fire, and sent it flying into the distance.

Lin Xiao successfully tested his improved Flame Burst Technique by detonating a miniature fire phoenix and blowing up a distant mountain. After returning to the Shui family, he learned that Shui Bing'er had gained a powerful second soul skill, leaving him wondering if he could keep relying on her.

• Lin Xiao detonated his miniature fire phoenix in a remote valley, causing a distant mountain to explode.
• Li Bo realized Lin Xiao had caused the explosion and warned him that his new self-created soul skill was too powerful to test without a strong Soul Master present.
• Lin Xiao named the improved technique the Flame Burst Phoenix and decided the original Flame Burst Technique still had practical uses in combat.
• Lin Xiao returned to the Shui family with Li Bo and asked Shui Shengxiao whether Shui Bing'er's second soul ring hunt had gone smoothly.
• Shui Bing'er told Lin Xiao her new soul skill, Frost Assault, boosted her recovery and attacks while slowing and injuring enemies with frost, and Lin Xiao wondered if he could keep relying on her.

Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er discovered that their complementary Fire Phoenix and Ice Phoenix Martial Souls were highly compatible and began trying to form a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Their first attempt succeeded, producing a Throne and a grown-looking Phantom Image of Lin Xiao that unleashed a beam of Extreme Flame into the sky.

• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er released their Martial Souls, and their phoenix Phantom Images circled and pursued each other as they sensed one another's emotions.
• Shui Shengxiao explained the conditions and power of Martial Soul Fusion Skills, then doubted Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er could develop one quickly.
• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er clasped hands in the backyard and focused on sensing each other's feelings as their Soul Power and Martial Souls began to merge.
• Their fusion created a blazing fire phoenix that became a Throne, where a Phantom Image resembling a grown Lin Xiao appeared and fired a beam of Extreme Flame into the sky.

Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er successfully unleashed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Emperor Flame: Sky Scorching Sea Boiling, nearly setting the Shui Family ablaze before Lin Xiao recalled the flames. Shui Shengxiao calmed the panicked family by claiming the attack was Shui Bing'er's ordinary fusion skill, while marveling at the pair's extraordinary compatibility.

• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er’s Martial Soul Fusion Skill turned a beam of flame into a vast sea of fire, which Lin Xiao gathered into a Fire Phoenix before it could devastate the Shui Family.
• Shui Shengxiao rushed to the rear courtyard and found Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er exhausted after the fusion skill drained their Soul Power.
• Shui Shengxiao reassured them that he would calm the family and handle the aftermath, while wondering how they had achieved such a powerful fusion skill so easily.
• Lin Xiao suggested they practice controlling the skill’s strength and take turns leading it, then named it Emperor Flame: Sky Scorching Sea Boiling.
• Shui Shengxiao told the panicked Shui Family that the attack had been Shui Bing’er’s ordinary Martial Soul Fusion Skill and let them marvel at its Soul King-level power.

Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er tested their Martial Soul Fusion Skill and discovered that it created a powerful ice Domain led by Shui Bing'er, which they named “Absolute Zero · Winter Kingdom.” They left the valley with their new abilities understood and their teamwork promising, while Lin Xiao considered how devastating their techniques might become as they grew stronger.

• Shui Shengxiao warned Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er to stay safe and return before sunset as they left to test their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er joined hands and summoned the Ice and Snow Empress, which controlled ice and snow across a hundred-meter radius.
• The Ice and Snow Empress's extreme cold froze the area, and Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er ended the fusion while retaining some Soul Power.
• Lin Xiao named Shui Bing'er's Domain-type Martial Soul Fusion Skill “Absolute Zero · Winter Kingdom.”
• Lin Xiao compared the ice Domain with his own flame Domain and imagined combining their burst techniques with their fusion forms.

Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er repeatedly practiced their Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the snow valley, and Lin Xiao realized that her ice powers could help him learn the Ice Burst Technique. After returning to the Shui Family, Lin Xiao showed Shui Bing'er a firework made with his Flame Burst Technique, leaving her enchanted and setting out to make explosions appeal to her.

• Lin Xiao recognized that Ice Burst Technique could be especially effective against living creatures and decided he had to learn it with Shui Bing'er's help.
• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er repeatedly practiced their Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the snow valley, recovering their Soul Power and trying to master its power.
• Li Bo called Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er back as the sun set, and Lin Xiao warmed Shui Bing'er before they returned to the Shui Family.
• Shui Shengxiao waited at the family gate and pretended he had only come outside to bask in the sun; Lin Xiao teased him and called him a good father.
• After dinner, Lin Xiao formed a tiny fire phoenix with the Flame Burst Technique and detonated it into fireworks for Shui Bing'er.
• Shui Bing'er watched the fireworks in wonder as Lin Xiao hoped their beauty would make her love explosions and study the Ice Burst Technique.

As his vacation in Skywater City neared its end, Lin Xiao spent time with Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er after failing to make progress on the Ice Burst Technique. He told the sisters he would soon leave, then took them around the city, where Shui Bing'er showed her thoughtfulness by buying him strawberry candied fruit.

• Lin Xiao and Shui Bing'er failed to make progress developing the Ice Burst Technique, so he decided to spend his remaining days exploring Skywater City with her.
• Lin Xiao invited Shui Yue'er to join them, and she guessed he was leaving because Shui Bing'er would soon return to school.
• Lin Xiao confirmed he would return soon and reassured the sisters that departure prepared the way for reunion.
• After practicing and bathing, Lin Xiao, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, Granny Shui Yuehua, and Li Bo went sightseeing in Skywater City.
• Shui Bing'er noticed Lin Xiao admiring the strawberry candied fruit and bought skewers for him and the others.

Lin Xiao said goodbye to the Shui Family, refusing Shui Shengxiao’s ten-thousand-year soul bone and giving Shui Yue'er precious cultivation treasures instead. The family discovered his gift after he departed, leaving Shui Yue'er urging Shui Bing'er to hold on to him.

• Lin Xiao said farewell to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, while Shui Shengxiao gave him an ancestral ten-thousand-year Ice Jade Scorpion right arm soul bone.
• Lin Xiao refused the soul bone and told Shui Bing'er to keep it, recognizing its Ice Burst skill suited her Ultimate Ice martial soul.
• Lin Xiao gave Shui Yue'er a jade box and left with Li Bo as Shui Bing'er watched him go and promised their friendship would last forever.
• Shui Shengxiao and Shui Yue'er opened the box and found a Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade Ganoderma, two thousand-year earth dragon fruits, and Lin Xiao's instructions for using them.
• Shui Yue'er realized how generous Lin Xiao was and told Shui Bing'er to hold on to him.

After a month away in Skywater City, Lin Xiao returned to Ye Residence and reassured Ye Qingxian that his Evil Fire was under control. Ye Qingxian then insisted he start school, but Lin Xiao asked whether he should attend an elementary or advanced academy.

• Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling discussed missing Lin Xiao and talked about their new third Soul Rings, while Ye Lingling complained that he had not returned.
• Ye Qingxian scolded Lin Xiao for staying away for a month without sending word, and he explained that his Evil Fire now took longer to erupt.
• Ye Qingxian told Lin Xiao that it was time to attend school and insisted that he could not skip it.
• Lin Xiao asked whether he should enroll in an Elementary Soul Master Academy or an Advanced Soul Master Academy, leaving Ye Qingxian speechless.

Lin Xiao tried to avoid enrolling in an academy, but Ye Qingxian arranged for him to transfer to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan. As the three walked together, Lin Xiao asked whether the academy let students skip class, and learned that ordinary lessons were loosely managed but battle-team training was strict.

• Lin Xiao argued that he could cultivate alone until he turned twelve, but Ye Qingxian refused and decided to send him to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan.
• Ye Lingling confronted Lin Xiao for leaving without a word and accused him of becoming Ye Qingxian's informant, but Lin Xiao distracted her with compliments about her and Dugu Yan.
• Ye Qingxian told Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan to help Lin Xiao settle in and introduce him to people at school.
• Lin Xiao quietly asked Ye Lingling whether Heaven Dou Royal Academy was strict and whether students could skip class, prompting Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan to tease him.
• Ye Lingling explained that regular classes were loosely supervised, while battle-team members had to attend training or request leave.

Lin Xiao helped Dugu Bo identify why his Poison Burst Technique lacked power and suggested a way to stabilize its toxins. Dugu Bo offered to make sure Heaven Dou Royal Academy left Lin Xiao alone, and the two settled on the Jade Phosphorous Seven Absolutes Flower as a model for improving the technique.

• Dugu Bo argued that Lin Xiao did not need to attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy, then asked him to help improve the Poison Burst Technique.
• Lin Xiao realized Dugu Bo would not challenge Ye Qingxian about school, but Dugu Bo promised to tell the academy not to interfere with Lin Xiao.
• Lin Xiao explained that Dugu Bo needed to let more toxins accumulate before triggering the explosion.
• Dugu Bo asked how to solve the toxin accumulation problem, and Lin Xiao asked about stable, deadly poisons.
• Dugu Bo identified the Jade Phosphorous Seven Absolutes Flower as a suitable model for the technique.

Lin Xiao developed Burst Step by applying Flame Burst to movement and spent two days training it at the cliffs. Dugu Bo watched him master the technique and prepared to return with him to Heaven Dou City for an auction.

• Dugu Bo became intrigued by Lin Xiao’s poison research ideas and agreed to think them over.
• Dugu Bo told Lin Xiao they would leave a day early to attend an auction, and Lin Xiao agreed to go with him.
• Lin Xiao trained his Second Soul Skill, Flame Burst Phoenix Body, to create and refine Burst Step.
• Dugu Bo arrived and watched Lin Xiao race across the cliffs with bursts of speed, sometimes crashing into rocks.
• Lin Xiao gained enough control over Burst Step to believe he could use it in actual combat.

Lin Xiao accompanied Dugu Bo to Heaven Dou Auction House, where he saw how the world’s hierarchy shaped people’s behavior and treatment. Dugu Bo sent away the female commentators and urged Lin Xiao to learn more about the world’s cruelty, leaving Lin Xiao grateful for his guidance.

• Dugu Bo questioned Lin Xiao about his Burst Step, and Lin Xiao explained that the technique’s main flaw was how badly it damaged his shoes.
• Dugu Bo took Lin Xiao to Heaven Dou Auction House, where he collected a jade-colored scorpion from the backstage staff and arranged a VIP box for them.
• Lin Xiao watched the auction house’s manager fawn over Dugu Bo and reflected on the strict hierarchy between ordinary people and powerful soul masters.
• Two female commentators entered the VIP box, but Dugu Bo noticed Lin Xiao’s discomfort and sent them away.
• Dugu Bo described the cruelty hidden beneath the privileges of the powerful, and Lin Xiao bowed to him and said he had learned from him.