Chapter Summaries

After escaping the Star Dou Great Forest, Tang San and the others treated their injuries and learned that Xiao Xiaoxiao’s Spiritual Power had been dangerously depleted. As the group rested, Tang San quietly placed a small metal component in her hand, and a faint sensation stirred in her Sea of Spiritual Consciousness.

• Zhao Wuji led the injured group out of the Star Dou Great Forest and into a sheltered hollow to camp.
• Oscar gave Recovery Big Sausages and Detoxifying Sausages to Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Xiaoxiao while Master treated their wounds.
• Master told the group that Xiao Xiaoxiao’s Spiritual Power had damaged her foundation and that he could not predict when she would awaken.
• Tang San remained awake, remembering how Xiao Xiaoxiao had saved him with her Mental Shock.
• Tang San placed a small metal component in Xiao Xiaoxiao’s palm, and a faint coolness stirred within her Sea of Spiritual Consciousness.

After the Star Dou Great Forest battle, the Shrek students recovered and accepted Xiao Xiaoxiao as one of the Eight Devils while Master reviewed their mistakes. Tang San kept watch over the unconscious Xiao Xiaoxiao, and she finally opened her eyes and asked for water.

• Teacher Shao Xin and Teacher Lu Qibin rushed the injured students to the infirmary, where Master treated Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing and stabilized Xiao Xiaoxiao.
• Master reported that Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing were recovering, but Xiao Xiaoxiao remained unconscious after overexerting her Spiritual Power.
• Oscar and Ma Hongjun proposed calling the group the Eight Devils, and Tang San and the others agreed that Xiao Xiaoxiao had earned her place among them.
• Master warned the students about underestimating enemies, lacking contingency plans, and relying too heavily on their companions, while Flender told them to focus on recovery and coordination.
• Tang San visited Xiao Xiaoxiao regularly and left a piece of osmanthus cake by her pillow during a moonlit visit.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao slowly opened her eyes and whispered for water.

After waking from a seven-day coma, Xiao Xiaoxiao recovered with Tang San and the others caring for her. Tang San gave her a handmade calming bell, and she began to cherish the quiet bond growing between them.

• Tang San helped Xiao Xiaoxiao drink water after she woke and told her she had been asleep for seven days.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao rested and recovered under Teacher Shao Xin's treatment and her companions' care, while Shrek Eight Devils welcomed her as one of their own.
• Tang San visited the infirmary often, bringing supplies and quietly keeping Xiao Xiaoxiao company.
• Tang San gave Xiao Xiaoxiao a finely crafted Silver Bell designed to calm her unstable Spiritual Power.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao shook the bell, felt her consciousness settle, and treasured the thought of Tang San staying by her side.

Xiao Xiaoxiao continued recovering from her Spiritual Power injury while Tang San quietly kept her company. After the team struggled to train without her support, Tang San reassured her that her role was to recover so she could rejoin them.

• Teacher Shao Xin warned Xiao Xiaoxiao not to use Soul Power or soul skills for a month, and she soothed her Spiritual Power by shaking Tang San’s bell.
• Tang San often stayed near Xiao Xiaoxiao as she rested, while Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong teased her about watching him train.
• Master began training the other seven members in their formation without Xiao Xiaoxiao, and their coordination repeatedly faltered.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao felt guilty watching Tang San overexert himself, but he told her that recovering was her role as part of the team.
• Tang San gave Xiao Xiaoxiao calming medicinal powder, and she resolved to recover and fight beside her companions again.

Xiao Xiaoxiao resumed light training and used her Spiritual Perception to help the Shrek team coordinate against Zhao Wuji’s simulated attacks. Tang San affirmed that she was already a qualified member of the Eight Devils, while their unspoken feelings continued to grow.

• Xiao Xiaoxiao resumed Soul Power cultivation and light exercise under Teacher Shao Xin’s approval, while Tang San quietly supported her.
• Master assigned Xiao Xiaoxiao to sense simulated enemy Soul Power and signal Dai Mubai and Tang San during team training.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao’s timely signals helped Dai Mubai defend against an attack and guided Tang San’s team to evade Zhao Wuji’s simulated control.
• Master praised Xiao Xiaoxiao’s perception, and Tang San warned her not to overuse her Spiritual Power.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao thanked Tang San for his care and said she would become a qualified member of the Eight Devils, and Tang San told her she already was.

The Shrek Eight Devils’ base-defense training turned dangerous when a centipede remnant soul erupted beneath the ruins. Xiaoxiao and Tang San were injured protecting the team, and the chapter ended with everyone rushing to save them.

• Master put the Shrek Eight Devils through a difficult base-assault simulation against Zhao Wuji, Flender, and Lu Qibin.
• Xiaoxiao used her Spiritual Perception to warn the team of the teachers’ attacks, despite the strain on her recovering body.
• Xiaoxiao sensed a powerful presence beneath the castle, and a centipede remnant soul burst from the ground as the group tried to evacuate.
• Xiaoxiao briefly trapped the remnant soul with Moonlight Illusion, giving Tang San time to pull Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu out of danger.
• The remnant soul struck back at Xiaoxiao, and Tang San shielded her from the blow, suffering severe injuries before the teachers drove the creature away.
• Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu helped uncover Tang San, who had protected the unconscious Xiaoxiao beneath the rubble, while the others called for medical help.

Xiao Xiaoxiao woke in the infirmary after exhausting her Spiritual Power during castle training, and learned Tang San had taken a blow to protect her. His concern and promise to keep her safe left them both quietly aware that their bond had deepened.

• Xiao Xiaoxiao woke and remembered using an illusion against the Centipede Remnant Soul before Tang San shielded her from the blow.
• Tang San told Xiao Xiaoxiao his injury was minor, though she noticed his right hand trembling.
• Tang San urged Xiao Xiaoxiao not to take such risks again and told her to stand behind him next time.
• Tang San left medicine beside Xiao Xiaoxiao's pillow and waited outside the infirmary door.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao drank the medicine and held her Silver Bell, feeling closer to Tang San.

As the tournament approached, Master intensified the Shrek Eight Devils’ training and reviewed their strongest opponents, including the Spirit Hall Team’s three Soul Kings. After discussing tactical weaknesses, Tang San reassured Xiao Xiaoxiao, and the team prepared to face the coming competition.

• Xiao Xiaoxiao recovered most of her Spiritual Power and developed new team tactics with her Phantom Moon Fox Martial Soul.
• Master warned the Shrek Eight Devils about powerful tournament teams, especially the Spirit Hall Team’s three Soul Kings.
• Ning Rongrong and Tang San identified vulnerabilities against fast and airborne opponents, and the team discussed ways to improve their coordination.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao proposed new combinations for her illusions and her teammates’ soul skills, earning Master’s approval.
• Tang San told Xiao Xiaoxiao not to be afraid and reminded her to trust their training as the tournament drew near.

In the final half month before the tournament, the Shrek Eight Devils slowed their training to recover, refine their teamwork, and prepare for the coming competition. As they shared a quiet evening on the back mountain, Xiao Xiaoxiao felt at home with the team, and Tang San gave her a Calming Sachet before the tournament began.

• Master shifted the Eight Devils from intense sparring to tactical review, Soul Power consolidation, and psychological adjustment.
• The Eight Devils gathered at the back mountain cultivation grounds, where they relaxed and discussed their prospects in the tournament.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao reflected on her growing bond with the team and exchanged a quiet, shy moment with Tang San.
• The group shared their confidence and resolve to take the tournament one match at a time.
• Tang San gave Xiao Xiaoxiao a Calming Sachet made by Teacher Shao, and they stood together beneath the stars.

The Shrek Eight Devils arrived in Heaven Dou Imperial City ahead of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and settled into an inn. After Master briefed them to gather intelligence and avoid trouble, they rested and took a short evening stroll, leaving the tournament’s draw three days away.

• The Shrek Eight Devils traveled through Heaven Dou Imperial City and took in its scale, prosperity, and watchful presence.
• Flender and Master brought the group to a quiet inn, where the Eight Devils divided into rooms and Zhao Wuji watched the surroundings.
• Master showed the group a map, explained that the tournament draw would begin in three days, and warned them to avoid trouble while preparing.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao glimpsed an extraordinary-looking figure on a street corner and wondered whether it was Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue.
• The Eight Devils split into two groups to sample local snacks near the inn, then returned early to rest.
• Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao watched the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena from nearby balconies and silently acknowledged each other.

The Shrek Eight Devils faced ridicule at the tournament venue before drawing Xisilan Academy as their first opponent. After Master assigned their battle tactics, Xiao Xiaoxiao gave Tang San a handmade calming pouch on the eve of the match.

• The Shrek Eight Devils arrived at the arena in their bizarre green uniforms and endured mockery from the other teams and spectators.
• Flender drew Xisilan Academy of the Balak Kingdom as Shrek’s first opponent in the preliminaries.
• Master explained Xisilan’s defensive strengths and assigned the team roles for the match.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao sewed a small pouch with calming herbs and gave it to Tang San before the battle.
• Tang San kept the pouch close and resumed cultivating with a calmer mind.

Shrek Academy faced Xisilan Academy in the first round of the preliminaries, overcoming ridicule from the crowd and breaking the enemy’s powerful defensive formation. Shrek won decisively, and Xiao Xiaoxiao earned Tang San’s praise as the team began its tournament journey.

• The Shrek Eight Devils entered the arena to jeers, but Tang San urged them to focus on proving their strength.
• Both teams revealed their martial souls, and Xisilan Academy formed its Immovable as a Mountain shield defense.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao used Mental Interference to disrupt Xisilan’s support member, helping Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai weaken the formation.
• Tang San coordinated the attack that let Xiao Wu break through the shields and knock an opponent down, shattering Xisilan’s formation.
• Shrek overwhelmed the remaining opponents, and Dai Mubai knocked Sirs out of the arena to secure the victory.
• Tang San praised Xiao Xiaoxiao for her performance after Shrek Academy won its first match.

After training, Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao explored Heaven Dou City’s old alleys, where they rescued a young girl from three thugs. Tang San later gave Xiao Xiaoxiao a metal hairpin, leaving her delighted and more emotionally drawn to him.

• Master warned the Eight Monsters that tougher tournament opponents, including Spirit Hall, still awaited them.
• Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao took a quiet walk through Heaven Dou City and Xiao Xiaoxiao bought a wooden hairpin from an elderly vendor.
• Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to defeat three thugs who were robbing a young girl of her mother’s medicine money.
• After returning to the inn, Tang San gave Xiao Xiaoxiao a sturdy metal hairpin, and she treasured both it and the wooden one.

Shrek Academy defeated Gale Academy to secure five consecutive preliminaries victories, with Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao’s coordination helping to shut down the opponents’ speed. After the team celebrated, Prince Xue Xing, Dugu Bo, and a Spirit Hall deacon discussed Shrek’s growing importance and the powerful factions watching them.

• Shrek Academy used Tang San’s control, Xiao Xiaoxiao’s precise insight, and the team’s coordinated attacks to overcome Gale Academy’s speed.
• Dai Mubai blasted Gale Academy’s captain out of the arena, giving Shrek Academy its fifth consecutive victory.
• Tang San praised Xiao Xiaoxiao’s perception after the match, and the two shared a moment of mutual understanding.
• Prince Xue Xing, Dugu Bo, and a Spirit Hall deacon watched Shrek Academy and discussed the team’s members, connections, and potential.
• Prince Xue Xing reflected on Crown Prince Xue Qinghe’s growing activity as the powers’ interest in Shrek Academy deepened.

Xiao Xiaoxiao reflected on Tang San’s quiet care after the match and found Spirit Calming Ointment outside her door, while Tang San watched over her from afar. Meanwhile, Prince Xue Xing learned of Spirit Hall’s recruitment efforts and Xue Qinghe’s contact with Oscar, and ordered closer surveillance of Shrek Academy.

• Xiao Xiaoxiao treasured the hairpins Tang San and the old woman had given her, then struggled to meditate because of a headache from overusing her Spiritual Power.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao heard someone pause outside her room, found a warm packet of Spirit Calming Ointment, and believed Tang San had left it for her.
• Tang San sensed Xiao Xiaoxiao’s Mental Fluctuation settle and relaxed, keeping his concern for her unspoken.
• Prince Xue Xing learned that Bishop Salas was recruiting powerful academies and increasing surveillance of Shrek Academy.
• Prince Xue Xing heard that Xue Qinghe had secretly met Oscar and ordered his informants to investigate him, Tang San, and Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Shrek Academy defeated Blazing Fire Academy through Tang San’s control, Xiao Xiaoxiao’s illusions, and the team’s coordinated counterattacks, earning their sixth consecutive victory. Their win drew widespread respect and intensified attention from future opponents.

• Master reviewed Blazing Fire Academy’s strengths and assigned Shrek’s team their battle roles.
• Huo Wu provoked Tang San before the match, but he ignored her and the teams entered the arena.
• Huo Wu opened with Blazing Sun Dance, but Xiao Xiaoxiao disrupted Blazing Fire Academy’s coordination and Tang San’s Blue Silver Cage blocked the attack.
• Shrek counterattacked with coordinated assaults while Ma Hongjun kept Huo Wushuang occupied and Ning Rongrong supported the team.
• Tang San restrained Huo Wu long enough for Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu to strike, and Shrek defeated Blazing Fire Academy.
• The exhausted Shrek Eight Devils celebrated their sixth consecutive win as Huo Wu watched, unwilling to accept her defeat.

After Shrek defeated Blazing Fire Academy, the exhausted team recovered at the inn while Tang San cared for Xiao Xiaoxiao and praised her role in the victory. Elsewhere in Heaven Dou City, a shadowy figure studied the team’s battle report, hinting that their growing reputation had attracted dangerous attention.

• The Shrek Eight Devils left the arena exhausted and injured after defeating Blazing Fire Academy, and Master arranged for them to receive treatment at the inn.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao returned to her room suffering from Spiritual Power backlash and recalled fighting alongside her teammates.
• Tang San brought Xiao Xiaoxiao medicinal soup, helped her drink it, and praised her illusion’s importance in defeating Huo Wu.
• After Tang San left, he reflected on his growing feelings for Xiao Xiaoxiao as she excitedly pondered his care and praise.
• A shadowy man in a hidden room in Heaven Dou City examined a report on Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao and remarked that the tournament would be interesting.

After Shrek Academy extended its winning streak against Purple Star Academy, Xiao Xiaoxiao’s feelings for Tang San grew clearer as she gave him Osmanthus Candy. An unseen observer watched their quiet exchange from outside the inn and vanished into the shadows.

• Shrek Academy celebrated its victory over Blazing Fire Academy, and Xiao Wu teased Xiao Xiaoxiao about watching Tang San.
• Tang San ended the teasing and organized training for the afternoon match against Purple Star Academy.
• Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar easily defeated Purple Star Academy, earning Shrek Academy its seventh consecutive win.
• Xiao Xiaoxiao used Tang San’s Calming Sachet to settle her thoughts, then gave him Osmanthus Candy from the neighboring balcony.
• Tang San tasted the candy and smiled faintly as an unknown watcher observed the pair through a telescope before disappearing.

Shrek Academy extended its tournament winning streak as Master's demanding training sharpened the team's tactics and Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao's coordination. A quiet exchange of water and Osmanthus Candy deepened their unspoken bond, while Prince Xue Xing learned that an unknown faction was secretly watching them.

• Shrek Academy continued winning its preliminary matches, and Master pushed the team through drills designed to counter formidable opponents.
• Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao strengthened their coordination, with his control and hidden weapons working alongside her Spiritual Power.
• After training, Tang San brought Xiao Xiaoxiao warm water, and she later found that some of the Osmanthus Candy she had given him remained on her table.
• Tang San wondered why his own packet of candy had dwindled, then returned to planning the next day's tactics.
• Prince Xue Xing learned that Bishop Salas was meeting with Hu Yan Zhen and that a third, unidentified faction was watching Shrek, so he ordered his agents to investigate and keep monitoring Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Shrek Academy faced Thunder Academy in the tenth preliminary round, where Tang San and Xiaoxiao’s split-second teamwork helped turn Yu Tianxin’s attack into a decisive counteroffensive. Shrek won its tenth consecutive match, though Tang San was badly injured and Xiaoxiao was left shaken by his sacrifice.

• Master warned Shrek about Yu Tianxin’s power and instructed Tang San to control him while Xiaoxiao disrupted the team’s rhythm.
• Yu Tianxin overwhelmed Dai Mubai in their opening clash and broke through Shrek’s defenses with his fourth soul skill, targeting Xiaoxiao.
• Tang San took Yu Tianxin’s lightning strike on his back and held his fist, giving Xiaoxiao time to use Mental Interference.
• Xiaoxiao’s interference created an opening for Tang San to ensnare Yu Tianxin in a poisoned metal net and order Shrek to attack.
• Shrek’s fighters unleashed their strongest attacks, defeating Yu Tianxin and Thunder Academy as the referee declared Shrek the winner.
• Tang San remained seriously wounded while Xiaoxiao supported him, and the arena celebrated Shrek’s tenth straight victory.