Chapter Summaries

Xiao Xuan and Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo confronted Dugu Bo outside Heaven Dou City and urged him to join Spirit Hall. Dugu Bo weighed the danger of refusing against the loss of freedom, but had not yet made his choice.

• Xiao Xuan gave Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo Spirit Power Cards before they went to summon Dugu Bo from the prince's residence.
• Dugu Bo flew to the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, where Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo confronted him and denied Spirit Hall had destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family.
• Chrysanthemum Douluo offered Dugu Bo a place in Spirit Hall and revealed its alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Xiao Xuan appeared and warned Dugu Bo that his granddaughter Dugu Yan and her relationship with Yu Tianheng could put his family at risk.
• Xiao Xuan identified himself as Spirit Hall's Saint Son and promised to forgive past matters if Dugu Bo submitted.
• Dugu Bo restrained his aura and considered whether to join Spirit Hall or risk fighting his way out.

Dugu Bo agreed to join Spirit Hall after Xiao Xuan offered to spare his family and proposed sending Dugu Yan to Suotuo City for three years as proof of allegiance. Xiao Xuan then asked Dugu Bo to take him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the group arrived at Dugu Bo’s hidden dwelling.

• Xiao Xuan offered Dugu Bo the position of Tenth Elder and named Yu Tianheng as proof of allegiance, then proposed sending Dugu Yan to the Duel Academy of the Illusion God Sect for three years instead.
• Dugu Bo accepted the offer and said he would instruct Dugu Yan to go to Suotuo City, while asking when he could meet Bibi Dong.
• Xiao Xuan asked Dugu Bo to take him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and Dugu Bo agreed despite being unable to understand Xiao Xuan’s interest in it.
• Dugu Bo warned Xiao Xuan and Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo about the poisonous mist and the danger of staying near the well for too long.
• Dugu Bo led Xiao Xuan and the two Douluo through the forest to the mist-shrouded Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, offering them his dwelling while noting that he still needed to gather herbs there.

Xiao Xuan gave Dugu Bo a Spirit Power Card to cure the poison that Tang San had only temporarily suppressed, then chose not to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He left Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo and Dugu Bo to return to Spirit Hall after the detoxification, while he prepared to deal with the Strength Clan and begin the larger plan.

• Dugu Bo told Xiao Xuan that Tang San had only temporarily suppressed the poison affecting him and his granddaughter, and that it had begun flaring up again.
• Xiao Xuan gave Dugu Bo a healing Spirit Power Card, which Dugu Bo activated before meditating outside the formation.
• Xiao Xuan explained that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was valuable land for nurturing plants, but concealed its deeper secrets and decided not to enter.
• Xiao Xuan instructed Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo to guard the area, take Dugu Bo back to Spirit Hall once he recovered, and meet him afterward.
• Xiao Xuan said the Strength Clan might resist submission and warned that the larger plan involving Tian Dou Imperial Palace might soon begin.

Xiao Xuan met Qian Renxue, who revealed her true identity and tested his power before discussing her plans. She asked him to arrange the deaths of two Tian Dou royals and invited him to join the Angel Lineage.

• Hu Yan Zhen told Xiao Xuan that the Strength Clan had rejected his attempt to recruit them, and Xiao Xuan ordered him to monitor the clan for contact with outsiders such as Tang Hao and Tang San.
• Hu Yan Zhen brought an unfamiliar black-clad visitor bearing a Spirit Hall Council of Elders token to see Xiao Xuan.
• The visitor revealed herself as Qian Renxue, and Xiao Xuan realized she had come in her true identity rather than as Xue Qinghe.
• Qian Renxue tested Xiao Xuan with her Angel Domain, but his Illusion God Domain suppressed her.
• Qian Renxue asked Xiao Xuan to arrange the deaths of Xue Xing and Xue Beng within a year, then invited him to join her Angel Lineage.

Xiao Xuan rejected Qian Renxue’s offer to join the Angel Lineage, refusing to risk his position under Bibi Dong. After Qian Renxue left, he discussed his mission with the Three Illusion Gods and considered the next steps in their plans.

• Qian Renxue urged Xiao Xuan to join the Angel Lineage, but he refused and said he wanted to remain independent.
• Qian Renxue warned Xiao Xuan to settle the matter within a year, asked him to keep their meeting secret, and hurried away from Elephant Armored Academy.
• Xiao Xuan spoke with the Three Illusion Gods through his consciousness and confirmed that the seed he had secretly implanted in Qian Renxue had caused no harm.
• Xiao Xuan concluded that Qian Renxue’s request aligned with the latter half of his seventh-ring mission, while the first half required killing Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng.
• Xiao Xuan decided Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo could handle the killings and began considering the Illusion God Sect and Duel Academy.

Qian Renxue offered Xiao Xuan a place in the Angel Lineage, but he refused while trying not to expose their meeting. After she left, Xiao Xuan confirmed that he had planted a seed in her during their earlier domain clash and considered his next plans.

• Qian Renxue urged Xiao Xuan to join the Angel Lineage, arguing that it could support his rise in Spirit Hall.
• Xiao Xuan rejected the offer and said he wanted to remain independent rather than pursue the Pope's throne.
• Qian Renxue warned Xiao Xuan to handle the matter she had raised within a year, then left Elephant Armored Academy and told him to keep their meeting secret.
• Xiao Xuan communicated with the Three Illusion Gods and confirmed that the seed required for his seventh-ring mission had already been planted in Qian Renxue.
• Xiao Xuan decided that Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo could deal with Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, and began considering the Illusion God Sect and Duel Academy.

Tang Hao urged Tang San and the Shrek Four Monsters to establish the Tang Sect and strengthen their position against Spirit Hall, then sent them toward Sea God Island to seek rapid growth. Their journey seemed promising, but Xiao Xuan’s old injuries meant a God Trial there was destined to fail.

• Tang San proposed establishing the Tang Sect in Geng Xin City to recruit blacksmiths and prepare Hidden Weapons for a surprise attack on Spirit Hall.
• Tang San warned that Spirit Hall might have infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, based on information from Tang Hao and Dugu Bo.
• Tang Hao arrived and ordered the Tang Sect’s establishment and Dai Mubai’s rise to the Star Luo throne to proceed while Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar traveled to Sea God Island.
• Yu Xiaogang explained that Sea God Island had defeated Spirit Hall forces and might be home to a Limit Douluo connected to Tang Chen.
• Tang Hao confirmed the possibility and reassured the group that Sea God Island’s inhabitants were not hostile, prompting them to eagerly prepare for the journey.
• The narration revealed that Xiao Xuan’s injuries from the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament would surface during a God Trial, dooming the group’s Sea God Island journey.

Nine months after settling at Duel Academy, Xiao Xuan reached level seventy-three and unlocked Martial Soul Avatars for the Three Illusion Gods. After testing his new forms, he learned that Spirit Hall’s second Soul Hunting Operation had wiped out many factions, including the four single-attribute clans, while trouble also arose in both empires.

• Xiao Xuan absorbed three level-six Spirit Power Cards as spirit rings and advanced to level seventy-three, gaining Martial Soul Avatars for the Winged Dragon, Giant Soldier, and Sky Dragon.
• Xiao Xuan transformed into each of the Three Illusion Gods above Duel Academy, intimidating the sect’s members and estimating that he could fight Soul Masters below level eighty-five.
• Xiao Xuan questioned the academy leaders, who reported that the sect had developed normally during his nine months in seclusion and that Spirit Hall had sent someone with important news.
• Bibi Dong’s confidant told Xiao Xuan that Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo had led Spirit Hall’s second Soul Hunting Operation, which targeted many factions and wiped out the four single-attribute clans.
• Xiao Xuan showed no sympathy for the clans’ destruction and noted that trouble in both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo empires had helped keep the operation from drawing much attention.

After reaching level seventy-three, Xiao Xuan tested his Three Illusion Gods Martial Soul Avatars and demonstrated his strength to the members of Duel Academy and the Illusion God Sect. He then learned that Spirit Hall had launched a second Soul Hunting Operation while he was in seclusion, and that major troubles had also arisen in both empires.

• Xiao Xuan absorbed three sixty-thousand-year soul rings and advanced to level seventy-three, gaining a Martial Soul Avatar for each of the Three Illusion Gods.
• Xiao Xuan transformed into the Winged Dragon, Giant Soldier, and Sky Dragon forms, startling the academy and sect members and estimating that he could fight soul masters below level eighty-five.
• Xiao Xuan summoned the Illusion God Sect's higher-ups, who reported that the sect had developed normally during his seclusion and that Spirit Hall had sent someone with important news.
• Bibi Dong's confidant told Xiao Xuan that Ghost Chrysanthemum Douluo had led Spirit Hall's second Soul Hunting Operation, which had targeted many factions, including the four single-attribute families.
• Xiao Xuan accepted the destruction of the four families without concern and learned that troubles in the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had kept Spirit Hall's operation from attracting much attention.

Xiao Xuan learned of Spirit Hall’s plans and the Shrek group’s moves in the Star Luo Empire, then set out for Spirit City. Meanwhile, Tang San and his companions reached the waters near Sea God Island, where Ji Xiang warned them about its dangers.

• Xiao Xuan read reports about Spirit Hall eliminating threats in the Heaven Dou Empire and about Dai Mubai’s rise in Star Luo, then considered the coming conflicts.
• Xiao Xuan decided to return to Spirit Hall to visit Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong before the Seven Great Sects Ranking Tournament.
• Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar sailed toward Sea God Island after their group helped secure Dai Mubai’s position as heir and Yu Xiaogang’s appointment as Imperial Preceptor.
• Tang San saw through the Sea Demon’s captain and brought the group safely near Sea God Island without encountering the Deep Sea Demon Whale.
• Ji Xiang warned Tang San and his companions that Sea God Island’s guardians would destroy their ship and that outsiders might never leave, but Tang San remained eager to seek a powerful expert there.

The Shrek Four Monsters reached Sea God Island and underwent its entrance assessment, where Tang San received the legendary Sea God’s Nine Trials. Bo Saixi recognized him as Tang Chen’s great-grandson and welcomed the group, leaving Tang San confident that he could become a god and challenge Xiao Xuan and Spirit Hall.

• Tang San and the Shrek Four Monsters convinced the wary Sea Soul Masters to lead them to the Sea within the Sea.
• The four passed Sea Horse Douluo’s strength assessment and received their trials, with Tang San triggering a golden light and the mark of the Sea God’s Nine Trials.
• Bo Saixi appeared, identified Tang San as Tang Chen’s great-grandson, and declared the group honored guests of Sea God Island.
• Bo Saixi arranged accommodations for the four and vanished, while Tang San grew confident that becoming a god would let him confront Xiao Xuan and Spirit Hall.

Tang San and the Shrek members began their Sea God's Light assessment, a pressure trial on the Sea God Island stairway. Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai soon suffered recurring injuries from energy Xiao Xuan had secretly planted in them, leaving Tang San to wonder what had gone wrong.

• Tang San learned that his group had to climb the forbidden grounds' stairway and led Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar to the Sea God palace.
• Dai Mubai tested the Sea God's Light and managed to climb more than thirty steps before the pressure forced him to stop.
• At the thirty-seventh step, Oscar began cultivating under the pressure on Tang San's advice, but his old internal wounds reopened and he spat blood.
• The others carried Oscar away, while Ma Hongjun weakened a few days later and Dai Mubai began coughing up blood after passing sixty steps.
• Tang San realized that something beyond the stairway's pressure might be wrong but could not identify the cause.

As Tang San and the others climbed the Sea God’s trial stairs, Xiao Xuan’s hidden divine power clashed with the Sea God’s power and caused their old injuries to flare up. Bo Saixi treated them, discovered the foreign divine aura, and warned that it could prevent them from passing the trials.

• As the Sea God’s pressure increased, the divine power Xiao Xuan had left in Tang San and his companions’ old wounds clashed with it, causing severe internal injuries.
• Tang San moved the others out of the trial area, and Bo Saixi arrived to treat Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.
• Bo Saixi found traces of divine power in the injuries and asked Tang San whether they had encountered an overwhelming enemy.
• Tang San told Bo Saixi that Xiao Xuan of Spirit Hall had injured them, while privately hoping to stir conflict between Sea God Island and Spirit Hall.
• Bo Saixi identified the foreign aura as divine power from an existence greater than the Sea God and warned that the Shrek Four Monsters might struggle to pass the upcoming trials.

Xiao Xuan and Hu Liena attended Spirit Hall’s tournament to establish the Seven Great Sects, while Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stayed behind to rest. The rankings were announced, placing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first and Xiao Xuan’s Illusion God Sect second, as Bibi Dong’s ambitions remained hidden from the crowd.

• After spending three months with Xiao Xuan, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing declined to attend the tournament, so Hu Liena went with him.
• Xiao Xuan and Hu Liena arrived at the Pope’s Palace plaza, where the final fourteen sect teams competed before a huge crowd.
• Hu Liena asked which expert would represent the Illusion God Sect, and Xiao Xuan said Poison Douluo’s reputation made him suitable.
• Bibi Dong’s arranged results named the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first, the Illusion God Sect second, and the newly formed Four Symbols Sect third.
• The crowd discussed the Illusion God Sect’s connection to Xiao Xuan and Poison Douluo, and observers noticed that none of the seven ranked sects were based in the Star Luo Empire.

Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Tuoba Xi, and representatives of the Lower Four Sects petitioned Bibi Dong to establish the Spirit Empire, and she promised an answer within three months. In private, Bibi Dong ordered Spirit Hall to prepare for the empire’s founding and tasked Xiao Xuan with leading the final stage of the Soul Hunting Operation against factions that sided with the two great empires.

• Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Tuoba Xi, and the Lower Four Sects knelt before Bibi Dong and petitioned her to establish the Spirit Empire.
• Bibi Dong agreed to consider the petition and promised to respond within three months, telling the sects to await news in Spirit City.
• Bibi Dong dismissed the gathering and summoned Spirit Hall’s higher-ups to assign preparations for integrating dependent kingdoms and duchies.
• Bibi Dong warned her followers to watch the two great empires, especially the Star Luo Imperial Family, whose infiltration plan had failed.
• Bibi Dong ordered Xiao Xuan to lead the final stage of the Soul Hunting Operation and eliminate factions that chose the protection of the two empires.

Xiao Xuan investigated Star Luo’s preparations to resist Spirit Hall’s expansion while learning that powerful Soul Beasts had appeared in the Star Dou Forest. He realized the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm might help the Three Illusion Gods recover, but he was not yet strong enough to pursue it.

• Xiao Xuan, Ghostly Douluo, and Chrysanthemum Douluo discovered that Star Luo had restricted sect migrations, summoned Soul Masters to Star Luo City, and strengthened its border defenses.
• Xiao Xuan learned that Yu Xiaogang had become Star Luo’s Imperial Preceptor with Clear Sky Douluo’s support, while Spirit Hall’s plans in the Heavenly Dou Empire continued smoothly.
• Through Xiao Wu’s Mark, Xiao Xuan learned from Xiao Wu, Da Ming, and Er Ming that the Star Dou Forest’s inner-region Soul Beasts had grown stronger and withdrawn over the past two years.
• Xiao Xuan concluded that the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm had likely arrived and considered capturing it to provide energy for the Three Illusion Gods.
• Chrysanthemum Douluo mistook Xiao Xuan’s distraction for concern about the Spirit Empire, while Xiao Xuan reflected that he preferred wielding influence from behind the scenes.

Tang San and the others returned from Sea God Island after failing their trials and learned that Spirit Hall had become the Spirit Empire and annexed Xilu City. They also discovered that Xue Ye had died and Xue Qinghe had taken the throne, prompting Tang San to fear war and rush back to help his teacher.

• Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar entered Xilu City and noticed its soldiers wore Spirit Hall armor.
• Tang San paid a shopkeeper to explain the changes on the continent, and the shopkeeper said Spirit Hall had become the Spirit Empire and incorporated Xilu City.
• The shopkeeper told them that Xue Ye had died and Xue Qinghe had succeeded him, while the two empires were reportedly discussing cooperation.
• Tang San suspected Spirit Hall had infiltrated the Heavenly Dou Imperial Family and arranged Xue Ye's death.
• Tang San urged his companions to return immediately because war might be about to break out.

Tang San and the Shrek members returned to the Star Luo Empire to prepare for a power struggle and a possible war, while learning that Tang San had failed the Sea God assessment. After hearing about the Sea God and Asura God, Tang Hao suspected that the Asura God had chosen him and resolved to grow stronger.

• Tang San led the others out of Xilu City and urged Dai Mubai to inherit the Star Luo throne as their best chance against Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.
• The Shrek members agreed that Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang would persuade the old emperor to abdicate within half a month while the others rallied the nobles.
• Tang San told Yu Xiaogang that Bo Saixi had helped them leave Sea God Island, but his old injuries had caused him to fail the Sea God assessment.
• Yu Xiaogang reported that the Star Luo Empire's Hidden Weapons production and political preparations were progressing, and advised Tang San to seek Sea God Island's support later.
• Tang Hao secretly listened to the meeting and concluded that Yu Xiaogang was responsible for Tang San's failure, then suspected that the Asura God had chosen him and vowed to make his name resound again.

Xiao Xuan led six Titled Douluo to the secluded Star Crown Sect and forced its ancestor to accompany them to Spirit City. The sect’s leader was taken away, leaving the Star Luo Empire with one fewer Titled Douluo as Xiao Xuan turned his attention to the remaining targets.

• Xiao Xuan and six Titled Douluo arrived at the Star Crown Sect’s hidden village in the Star Luo Empire.
• The Star Crown Ancestor confronted them and realized Spirit Hall had come to demand the sect’s submission.
• Ju Hua Guan offered the ancestor a place as an elder in the Spirit Empire while allowing his clansmen to remain in the village.
• Xiao Xuan pressured the ancestor to decide quickly, and the elder agreed to go to Spirit City with them.
• Xiao Xuan noted that the Star Luo Empire had lost another Titled Douluo and considered the Clear Sky Sect and Bibi Dong’s Rakshasa God assessment.

Xiao Xuan returned to Spirit City as Spirit Hall prepared for war and went to check on Bibi Dong, who was undergoing the Rakshasa God trial. After she summoned him into the dark, mist-filled Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong attacked him, leaving Xiao Xuan bewildered.

• Xiao Xuan reviewed the countdown to his mission to annex the Star Luo Empire and considered the Clear Sky Sect and Sea God Island as potential obstacles.
• Xiao Xuan returned to Spirit City with the Star Crown Ancestor and saw Spirit Hall's forces preparing for war; Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo escorted the ancestor to the Elder Hall.
• Qian Jun and Jiang Mo invited Xiao Xuan to visit the Worship Hall, while Xiao Xuan decided to check whether Bibi Dong had left seclusion.
• A Fifth Elder initially barred Xiao Xuan from the Pope's Palace, but Bibi Dong sent another chilling signal that made the elder let him pass.
• Xiao Xuan entered the mist-filled hall, where Bibi Dong pounced on him and pinned him to the ground.