Chapter Summaries

Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing visited Lou Gao at the Blacksmith Association, where Han Li revealed his identity as Spirit Hall’s Saint Child and presented a hidden-weapon blueprint for Lou Gao to forge. After noticing an object on the reception-room wall, Han Li demanded an explanation from Lou Gao, leaving the reason for his anger unresolved.

• Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing entered the metalworking city and arranged a visit to Lou Gao through the Seven Profound Sect Commerce.
• Si Long escorted Han Li and Zhu Zhuqing into the Blacksmith Association, where they met Lou Gao in his reception room.
• Lou Gao asked their identities and agreed to discuss a forging commission after Han Li promised not to involve him in other matters.
• Han Li removed his disguise and revealed that he was the Spirit Hall Saint Child, then showed Lou Gao several hidden-weapon blueprints.
• Zhu Zhuqing pointed out an object on the wall, and Han Li confronted Lou Gao, demanding an explanation.

Han Li confronted Lou Gao over his analysis of Spirit Hall weapon blueprints and negotiated a deal to keep the incident quiet. Lou Gao swore a lengthy Martial Soul Oath alongside Han Li, unaware that its wording did not actually invoke the Angel God.

• Han Li tricked Lou Gao into revealing that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had commissioned him to analyze the weapons.
• Han Li threatened Lou Gao with the Tribunal, and Lou Gao offered to abandon his analysis and cover the costs of forging weapons.
• Han Li demanded ten sets of forged equipment in exchange for overlooking the incident, and Lou Gao agreed.
• Han Li presented Lou Gao with a lengthy Martial Soul Oath and insisted that they both swear upon their Martial Souls.
• Lou Gao read and accepted the oath, then he and Han Li began reciting it together.

Han Li secured Lou Gao’s help with forging and research, then accepted two sets of defensive soft armor for Zhu Zhuqing and Lingling. He explained why firearms would struggle to spread across Douluo Continent and concluded that even its weak, budget-version gunpowder could matter if produced in sufficient quantity.

• Han Li warned Lou Gao to honor their oath, accepted two sets of Eight Treasures Auspicious Soft Armor, and left him to work on the blueprints and research.
• Han Li gave Zhu Zhuqing one set of armor and proposed altering the other for Lingling; Zhu Zhuqing accepted her gift but decided to try it on later.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked whether Lou Gao could make the weapons Han Li described, and Han Li said basic firearms and cannons were feasible but would face political and manufacturing obstacles.
• Han Li explained that Soul Masters controlled Douluo Continent and that the Blacksmith Association lacked the production methods to mass-produce firearms, while he intended to guide Lou Gao toward Soul Tools in the future.
• Han Li concluded that Douluo Continent’s gunpowder would be weak, but sufficient quantities could still make it useful.

Zhu Zhuqing quietly visited her mother in Star Luo City before returning home with Han Li. Tang Hao discovered that Ah Yin and the Soul Bone were gone, destroyed the cave in grief, and returned to Holy Soul Village, where Spirit Hall and City Lord Manor personnel investigated the disturbance.

• Zhu Zhuqing secretly observed her mother's condition in Star Luo City, left her a letter and a Dragon Mushroom Leaf, then traveled home with Han Li.
• Tang Hao returned to Ah Yin's cave and found it empty except for a Wind Baboon skeleton, concluding that Wind Baboons had taken Ah Yin and the Soul Bone.
• Tang Hao demolished the cave and the surrounding mountain, then swore to slaughter the Wind Baboon race.
• Old Jack led the frightened villagers from Holy Soul Village toward Notting City after the collapse and Tang Hao's roar.
• Tang Hao returned to the deserted village, ate and slept, then denied knowing anything when Old Jack arrived with Spirit Hall and City Lord Manor personnel.
• The deacon declared the village safe and arranged patrols, while Tang Hao mocked Spirit Hall and Old Jack pursued him to ask about Tang San.

Tang Hao searched for Ah Yin’s relic and the Blue Silver Forest, but found neither, then tested Yu Xiaogang’s bone-replacement method with a Wind Baboon Soul Bone. Convinced the method would not interfere with Soul Bones, Tang Hao planned to use it to help Tang San and take him back to the Clear Sky Sect.

• Tang Hao dismissed Old Jack’s hopes of Tang San returning to Holy Soul Village, then searched nearby forests for Ah Yin’s relic without success.
• Tang Hao searched the Star Dou Great Forest for the Blue Silver Forest, failed to find it, and slaughtered a Wind Baboon settlement before returning to Heaven Dou City.
• Han Li returned to Heaven Dou City with Zhu Zhuqing and accepted the post of highest-ranking official of the Heaven Dou Division for the coming Soul Master Competition, leaving the work to Salas.
• Tang Hao overheard Tang San and Xiao Wu discussing Tai Long’s harassment, and three days later Tai Long withdrew from Blue Tyrant Academy’s team and joined Royal Heaven Dou Academy, treating them respectfully.
• Yu Xiaogang worried over Tang San’s slow progress and their worsening relationship as the Soul Master Competition approached.
• Tang Hao gave Yu Xiaogang a thousand-year Wind Baboon left-arm Soul Bone to absorb, confirmed that bone replacement would not prevent future Soul Bone absorption, and resolved to take Tang San to the Clear Sky Sect.

Yu Xiaogang absorbed a Soul Bone and learned that Tang Hao planned to test the Bone Exchange method on Tang San using a near-ten-thousand-year King Kong Baboon. Tang Hao secretly considered how the method could restore the Clear Sky Sect’s power, unaware that the three other Single Attribute Clan patriarchs had already agreed not to return to his side.

• Yu Xiaogang gained a Soul Skill from absorbing a Soul Bone, but Tang Hao dismissed his excitement and ordered him to discuss Bone Exchange with Tang San the next morning.
• Tang Hao revealed that he had prepared a near-ten-thousand-year King Kong Baboon for Tang San and explained that its bones would strengthen Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer.
• Yu Xiaogang eagerly agreed to approach Tang San, while Tang Hao warned him not to force Tang San if he refused.
• Alone, Tang Hao considered testing Bone Exchange on himself and imagined using the method to restore the Clear Sky Sect’s dominance and attack Spirit Hall.
• Tang Hao reflected that the three other Single Attribute Clans had not answered him and decided he might visit them after the Soul Master Competition.
• The patriarchs of the three clans had already held secret meetings and reached a unified decision, which Titan’s letter only reinforced.

Qian Renxue met Han Li to arrange her return and preparations for taking the throne, while Yu Xiaogang persuaded Tang San to undergo the bone exchange. After Tang San replaced all four limbs and grew stronger, he returned to the academy, where Xiao Wu told him he smelled good.

• Qian Renxue sparred with Han Li's companions, then asked him for disguising pendants and said she would claim the throne after the Soul Master Competition.
• Yu Xiaogang persuaded Tang San to undergo the bone exchange by promising it would help him grow stronger and see Tang Hao again.
• Tang San recognized signs that Tang Hao was secretly supporting him and believed the competition would be a test from his father.
• At Yu Xiaogang's residence, Tang San replaced the bones in all four limbs, while Tang Hao watched from the shadows and Han Li noticed the procedure through the spiritual world.
• Tang San returned to the academy with his Soul Power rising toward level 40 and met Xiao Wu, who remarked that he smelled good.

Tang San and Xiao Wu discussed their cultivation after his breakthrough, while Han Li observed Tang San’s unusual changes and the other characters’ progress. Half a month before the Soul Master Competition, Tang San reached Soul Ancestor and got Yu Xiaogang’s reluctant approval to pursue a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth Soul Ring on Tang Hao’s instruction.

• Xiao Wu sensed a rich fragrance and a change in Tang San, then resolved to cultivate harder so she could help him in the Soul Master Competition.
• Tang San wondered whether his growing physical strength would let him absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth Soul Ring, while Han Li secretly collected some of the Blue Silver Emperor Source leaking from him.
• Han Li noted the cultivation advances of Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Xiu'er, Shui Bing'er, and Qian Renxue as he looked forward to the Soul Master Competition.
• With half a month left before the competition, Tang San broke through to Soul Ancestor and revealed that his bone replacement had greatly increased his physical strength but also left him with a bloodthirsty urge to fight at close range.
• Tang San proposed obtaining a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth Soul Ring, and Yu Xiaogang agreed after Tang Hao instructed him to approve the plan and send Tang San to Sunset Forest with Flender.

Tang San absorbed a ten-thousand-year Fourth Ring with Tang Hao secretly protecting him, while Han Li harvested the Blue Silver Emperor's source and collected a sample of Tang San's blood. As the Soul Master Competition approached, Han Li prepared to make his public entrance alongside the Spirit Hall delegation and “Xue Qinghe.”

• Tang Hao arranged for Tang San to hunt a Crypt Demon Spider, and Tang San and Yu Xiaogang chose one as the source of his Fourth Ring.
• Flender found the Crypt Demon Spiders Tang Hao had subdued, and Tang San selected one that had just reached ten thousand years.
• Tang San endured three and a half hours of struggle and successfully absorbed the ten-thousand-year soul ring before collapsing unconscious.
• Tang Hao appeared, praised Tang San, and ordered Flender to take him back for treatment and supplements.
• Han Li collected the Blue Silver Emperor's source and some of Tang San's blood, then left the hunting site.
• With three days left before the Soul Master Competition, Xiu'er helped Han Li prepare his Spirit Hall Saint Child attire for his entrance with “Xue Qinghe.”

Han Li prepared for the Soul Master Competition, publicly appearing as Spirit Hall’s Holy Son and deciding Zhu Zhuqing no longer needed to hide her identity. As the competition began, he left for the venue while Zhu Zhuqing and the Skywater Academy girls set out to join it.

• Han Li met Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, in Heaven Dou City and dismissed her offer to assign him a Titled Douluo escort.
• Han Li traced hostile spies to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Thunder Academy, then set aside plans to deal with them later.
• Three days later, Han Li watched the Skywater girls put on their uniforms and noted that Tang San’s team would face Blue Tyrant Academy in the opening match.
• Han Li told Zhu Zhuqing to stop hiding her identity and urged the other girls to handle anyone who challenged them.
• Dugu Yan, Shui Bing'er, and Xiu'er comforted Zhu Zhuqing, then Shui Bing'er led the group out to meet the arriving Skywater Academy team.

Flender led Tang San’s group into the competition venue, where they clashed with Shi Nian and Canghui Academy over an old conflict. Ning Rongrong defused the confrontation by invoking her status, and the group’s attention then turned to Skywater Academy when they spotted Zhu Zhuqing.

• Flender led the Heaven Dou Second Team through the crowded venue and urged them to stay composed before their opening match.
• Shi Nian and Canghui Academy confronted Flender’s group over the earlier incident in which Ye Zhiqiu had been injured, while Ma Hongjun mocked them.
• Flender proposed settling the dispute on the stage, but Ning Rongrong stepped forward, denied involvement, and forced Shi Nian to apologize and let them pass.
• Flender warned the group that Shi Nian was a dangerous Spirit Sage and told them to focus on the tournament while he handled the old dispute.
• The group heard the crowd react to Skywater Academy and spotted Zhu Zhuqing among its students, prompting them to look toward Dai Mubai.

Tang San and Dai Mubai wanted to confront Zhu Zhuqing after seeing her with Skywater Academy, but Flender warned them against provoking Spirit Hall and the Holy Son. As Flender tried to keep the group focused on the tournament, Ning Rongrong arrived and spotted Skywater Academy, leaving him braced for trouble.

• Tang San and Dai Mubai recognized Zhu Zhuqing among Skywater Academy's team and prepared to demand an explanation, but Flender blocked them.
• Flender reminded them of Skywater Academy's ties to Spirit Hall and warned Dai Mubai not to accuse Han Li without evidence or risk their standing with the Crown Prince.
• Tang San suggested they could injure Zhu Zhuqing during a match by claiming they had lost control, then apologized when Flender rebuked him.
• Flender redirected the group toward their opening match against Blue Tyrant Academy and worried that Tang San and Dai Mubai might act against Zhu Zhuqing later.
• Ning Rongrong arrived, complained about the delay, and turned her attention to the approaching Skywater Team.

Ning Rongrong reunited with Zhu Zhuqing at the tournament, prompting Dugu Yan to confront Dai Mubai and expose how he had treated his former fiancée. When Flender tried to defuse the dispute, Dugu Yan revealed Shrek Academy’s alleged misconduct and questioned the fate of its missing students, leaving the crowd horrified.

• Ning Rongrong recognized Zhu Zhuqing among Skywater Academy and rushed to embrace her.
• Dugu Yan confronted Dai Mubai, accusing him of abandoning and pressuring Zhu Zhuqing, and turned the surrounding contestants against him.
• Flender intervened and urged everyone to focus on the competition, but Dugu Yan challenged his role in pressuring Zhu Zhuqing.
• Dugu Yan accused Flender of falsely claiming a Shrek graduate became Spirit Hall’s youngest elder and of sheltering the wanted Zhao Wuji.
• Dugu Yan questioned what had happened to Shrek Academy’s twenty-eight students who had not graduated, then claimed some had died obtaining soul rings and others had lost their chance to cultivate.
• The contestants reacted with alarm and fear as they suspected Flender had neglected the students in his care.

Dugu Yan publicly accused Flender of expelling students unfairly, and Han Li quietly arranged to use the uproar to remove him from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. At the competition’s opening ceremony, Xue Ye declared the event open, and Han Li began a speech by apologizing to Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen, leaving them visibly uneasy.

• Dugu Yan confronted Flender over his conduct, while Han Li reassured her and began coordinating a response with Xue Qinghe.
• Dugu Yan warned Flender that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would handle his conduct and that Spirit Hall could pursue him for fraud and sheltering Zhao Wuji; Zhu Zhuqing declined to engage with her former companions.
• Oscar escorted Flender and the others back to their rest area, while Ning Rongrong watched and Skywater Academy’s group stayed cheerful.
• Xue Ye officially opened the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition and praised the students, then returned to his seat beside Xue Qinghe and Han Li.
• Han Li took the stage to speak and apologized to Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen, turning to face them as the screen showed their reactions.

Han Li used the opening ceremony to embarrass Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo while publicly backing the Heaven Dou Empire and the Royal Academy Second Team. After Yu Yuanzhen addressed the crowd, Xue Qinghe announced the preliminary-round matchups and the competition began.

• Han Li greeted the audience, praised the competition, and left Ning Fengzhi unable to deliver his planned recruitment pitch.
• Han Li mocked Ning Fengzhi's inability to advance and hinted that he could help with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's martial soul defect, unsettling Sword Douluo.
• Ning Fengzhi asked Han Li to name his favored team, and Han Li chose the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team, noting that Ning Fengzhi's daughter was on it.
• Yu Yuanzhen gave his address and openly invited students to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
• Xue Qinghe announced the first preliminary matches, including Canghui Academy versus Purple Star Academy and Auckland Academy versus Flame Radiance Academy.

As Heaven Dou Royal Academy prepared to face Blue Tyrant Academy in the opening match, Tang San rallied his teammates, and Dai Mubai broke through to rank 40. Both teams entered the arena, where Blue Tyrant Academy faced Tai Long with anger over his unexplained departure.

• Xue Qinghe announced Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Blue Tyrant Academy as the opening match, and the teams prepared during the half-hour wait.
• Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Tang San urged the dispirited Royal Fight Second Team to recover and focus on the match.
• Tang San encouraged Dai Mubai to turn his anger into resolve, and Dai Mubai broke through from rank 39 to rank 40.
• Tang San led the Royal Fight Second Team onto the stage beneath golden light as the crowd cheered.
• Blue Tyrant Academy entered without fanfare, carrying resentment toward Tai Long for leaving without explanation and abandoning his longtime teammates.

Tang San led the Royal Fight Second Team into its first preliminary match against Blue Tyrant Academy, revealing a ten-thousand-year fourth spirit ring and directing an aggressive three-person charge. The battle began with Tang San and Dai Mubai engaging Blue Tyrant Academy’s strongest fighters while Tai Long charged toward the remaining opponents.

• Tang San reassured Tai Long and stood up to his former Blue Tyrant Academy teammates before both teams took their places for the match.
• Tang San revealed four spirit rings, including a ten-thousand-year fourth ring, shocking the audience and the officials watching from the stands.
• Xue Ye ordered the academy’s committee to protect Tang San and prevent anyone from contacting him until the preliminaries ended.
• Jing Ling and Huang Yuan led Blue Tyrant Academy’s counterattack with Jiang Zhu’s support, while Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Tai Long charged forward under Ning Rongrong’s enhancements.
• Tang San redirected Jing Ling’s attack, Dai Mubai fought Huang Yuan, and Tang San sent Tai Long after the opponents’ rear line.

Tang San’s team turned Tai Long’s attack on Jiang Zhu into a trap, knocking him unconscious and prompting Blue Tyrant Academy to surrender. The match ended with Tang San’s Self-Created Soul Skills drawing attention from the spectators and the rulers in the stands.

• Jing Ling and Huang Yuan struggled against Tang San and Dai Mubai as Tai Long charged toward Jiang Zhu.
• Han Li pointed out that Tang San was using two Self-Created Soul Skills, prompting Xue Ye and the others to reconsider his value and Ning Fengzhi’s interest in him.
• Tai Long attacked Jiang Zhu, but Hollow Vine pulled her clear while the Defense System Soul Master and Tang San’s team trapped Tai Long and blasted him unconscious.
• Blue Tyrant Academy’s members raised their hands and surrendered to the referee.

Blue Tyrant Academy defeated Tai Long with a revenge-driven tactic, then conceded, leaving the audience and Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team angered and confused. Han Li calmed the crowd by presenting the attack as tournament strategy and praising the victors, while Xue Ye ordered the academies warned against similar disruptions.

• Blue Tyrant Academy conceded after its students severely injured Tai Long, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team was declared the winner.
• Tang San and his teammates realized Blue Tyrant Academy had targeted Tai Long for revenge and worried other rival academies might copy the tactic.
• Han Li addressed the audience, explained Blue Tyrant Academy's attack as a calculated strategy, and praised the Royal Fight Second Team's strength.
• The crowd applauded Han Li's explanation, though Tang San remained convinced that Han Li was shielding Blue Tyrant Academy.
• Xue Ye ordered the Three Great Education Committee to warn the academies against causing trouble during the competition.

After the competition’s opening battle, Xue Ye learned of the disputes surrounding Royal Fight Second Team and ordered a purge of questionable teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Han Li dismissed concerns about Skywater Academy, gave Salas responsibility for the wanted matter, and returned home as the four women arrived.

• Xue Qinghe relayed reports about Royal Fight Second Team’s disputes with Canghui Academy and Skywater Academy, and Ning Fengzhi confirmed that Flender’s background had no major discrepancies.
• Xue Ye ordered Flender, Zhao Wuji, and later-hired teachers dismissed, called for Qin Ming to be investigated, and directed the empire to issue a statement placating the nobles.
• Han Li told Xue Ye not to worry about Spirit Hall’s involvement and assigned Salas to handle the wanted matter.
• Ning Fengzhi asked how Zhu Zhuqing had joined Skywater Academy, and Han Li claimed he had rescued her in the Star Dou Great Forest before learning who she was.
• Xue Ye delegated the academy plan to Xue Qinghe and the Three Great Education Committee, while Yu Yuanzhen chose to wait before acting on the matter.
• Han Li returned home after taking Flender’s fate energy, and the four women arrived at his courtyard.