Chapter Summaries

Mu Rong Chen lured an old Soul Emperor who had followed him from the auction house into the outskirts and revealed his powerful Frost Giant Dragon Martial Soul and Ten Thousand Year fourth Soul Ring. He crushed the old man’s attacks and rose into the air, preparing to end the fight.

• Mu Rong Chen led the greedy old man following him from the auction house to a barren stretch outside Vast Sea City.
• The old man revealed himself as a level sixty-two Soul Emperor with a Blackiron Spear and demanded Mu Rong Chen’s Soul Tools and auction purchases.
• Mu Rong Chen revealed four Soul Rings, including a Ten Thousand Year fourth ring, and summoned his Frost Giant Dragon Martial Soul.
• Mu Rong Chen froze the old man with Ice Ring Wave and kicked the ice sculpture into rocks, leaving the old man injured.
• The old man attacked with a hundred-plus spear images, but Mu Rong Chen’s Ice Scale: Strangling shredded them, and he said he was done playing before rising into the air.

Mu Rong killed Zhang Lanfeng after freezing him with his Void Ice Seal, then visited the newly built Demon Blade Academy outside Suotuo City. There, Zhan Tai Lei tried to recruit Mu Rong and Qin Ming to the Historic Soul Eater Academy, but both turned him down.

• Mu Rong used Void Ice Seal and Shatter Space to freeze Zhang Lanfeng, then killed him with repeated dragon-claw strikes.
• Half a month later, Mu Rong visited the newly built Demon Blade Academy and compared it with the dilapidated Historic Soul Eater Academy.
• Zhan Tai Lei arrived with a young companion and invited Mu Rong to join the Historic Soul Eater Academy, but Mu Rong refused.
• Zhan Tai Lei then invited Qin Ming, who said he had already agreed to join the Historic Soul Eater Academy, angering Zhan Tai Lei.

Mu Rong returned and fought Zhan Tai Lei, revealing a powerful dragon martial spirit that challenged the Soul King. Feng Lanfeng recognized Mu Rong from five years earlier and stopped the fight, leaving the two facing each other with their old hostility unresolved.

• Zhan Tai Lei attacked Mu Rong, who answered with a dark-green dragon claw and struck him with a bone-chilling force.
• Zhan Tai Lei activated his Great Strength Golden Bear martial spirit, but Mu Rong's close-range attacks and ice storm began slowing and weakening him.
• Qin Ming watched in shock as Mu Rong pressured Demon Blade, while the commotion drew Feng Lanfeng and Ka Qiqi's groups out of their compounds.
• Feng Lanfeng recognized Mu Rong as the boy from Suotuo City five years earlier and rushed in to separate the fighters.
• Lin and Suo Ling greeted Mu Rong and complained about Li Yisong, while Mu Rong mocked Feng Lanfeng and promised he would not kill him or harm him.

Mu Rong returned to Lingering Light Academy after warning Zhang Lanfeng to leave, then organized preparations for the academy’s enrollment in two months. The chapter ended with Mu Rong considering how to secure official recognition for the academy.

• Mu Rong led Lin, Suo Ling, and Mu Hong back into Lingering Light Academy, shut the gates on Zhang Lanfeng and his men, and made Zhang Lanfeng decide to investigate Mu Rong’s strength before attacking.
• Lin and Suo Ling celebrated their confrontation with Cai Bo, while Mu Rong learned that Mu Hong had arranged the academy’s rebuilding.
• Mu Rong gave Cai Bo at least fifty thousand gold soul coins and tasked him with hiring cooks and workers for the students’ meals.
• Mu Rong told Lin and Suo Ling to train and later help teach students, and ordered Lin to arrange academy uniforms using designs Mu Rong would prepare.
• Lin asked what they should tell people about the academy’s reputation and registration, leaving Mu Rong concerned about obtaining official recognition from the Heaven Dou Empire.

Mu Rong sought to recruit Zhang Lanfeng, a renowned educator and Soul Saint with expertise in spiritual control, so he could remain behind the scenes as Lingering Light Academy prepared for the tournament. After locating Zhang Lanfeng at his secluded estate, Mu Rong drew him out, but Zhang’s illusion transformed the night into blinding white light.

• Mu Rong decided to stay hidden from Tang San and Bi Bi while seeking a capable figure to manage the academy in his place.
• Mu Rong chose Zhang Lanfeng, believing the Soul Saint’s strength, connections, and educational achievements made him a valuable recruit.
• Mu Rong traveled to Soto City and learned that Zhang Lanfeng lived in a secluded estate outside the city.
• Mu Rong slipped into the estate at night and openly sat at the courtyard’s stone table to make Zhang Lanfeng reveal himself.
• Zhang Lanfeng emerged and, on his third step toward Mu Rong, used a spiritual illusion that turned the dark night into blinding white light.

Mu Rong twice broke through Shi Nian’s Soul Orb illusions with his powerful spiritual attacks, revealing a skull-type soul bone that sent Shi Nian’s greed into a murderous frenzy. After the second illusion shattered and wounded him, Shi Nian was left stunned by Mu Rong’s spiritual strength.

• Mu Rong used his sword and spiritual power to shatter Soul Orb’s first illusion, stunning Shi Nian.
• Shi Nian recognized Mu Rong’s skull-type soul bone and, consumed by greed, attacked with his fifth soul skill, Soul Orb.
• Mu Rong dismissed the second illusion and unleashed his second soul skill, Ice Crystal Wave, freezing and breaking its visions of corpses and resentful souls.
• The destroyed illusion dealt Shi Nian a spiritual backlash, leaving him pale and shocked by Mu Rong’s power.

Mu Rong defeated Shi Nian in a fierce fight and offered him a choice between swearing loyalty and refusing. Shi Nian rejected the offer, leaving Mu Rong amused and ready to punish him.

• Shi Nian attacked Mu Rong with his Ice Blade, but the strike barely affected him.
• Mu Rong used Frost Venom and Ice Scale Whirl to wound Shi Nian and destroy his Shadow Doppelgangers.
• Shi Nian unleashed his fifth soul skill, but Mu Rong struck him with a powerful kick that shattered his barrier and left him gravely injured.
• Mu Rong offered Shi Nian the choice of pledging loyalty through a Martial Soul Oath or facing the alternative.
• Shi Nian refused to serve Mu Rong, and Mu Rong laughed at his defiance.

Mu Rong beat Lu Zhen and demanded his loyalty, offering him the principal position at a new academy. Lu Zhen swore allegiance, and Mu Rong presented him with a mysterious black substance and ordered him to eat it.

• Tang San struck Lu Zhen with his icy, bone-crushing right leg, leaving him badly injured and unable to fight back.
• Mu Rong told Lu Zhen he wanted him to pledge loyalty and offered him the principal position at the academy he was building.
• Lu Zhen, seeing no way to refuse and tempted by the offer, swore loyalty to Mu Rong by his Soul King title.
• Mu Rong produced an ominous black mass and ordered Lu Zhen to eat it.

Mu Rong forced Shi Nian to swallow a poison pill that left his life under Mu Rong’s control, then Zhang Lanfeng secretly searched Lingering Light Academy for Mu Rong. Three days later, Mu Rong and Shi Nian returned to the shabby academy, where Shi Nian’s resentment remained barely concealed.

• Mu Rong made Shi Nian swallow a poison pill and warned him that only a few people could cure it.
• Mu Rong kept Shi Nian alive because his illusion-based martial soul and domain could prove useful, then ordered him to find a vacant room.
• Zhang Lanfeng sneaked into Lingering Light Academy and found Kaka, Shilin, and Suo Ling, but he failed to locate Mu Rong.
• Zhang Lanfeng left the academy, vowing to uncover Mu Rong’s secrets while holding back because of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan’s order.
• Three days later, Mu Rong and Shi Nian returned to Lingering Light Academy, and Shi Nian privately resented its rundown appearance.

Mu Rong appointed Mu Rong as Lingering Light Academy’s head and Ka Ka as vice-head, but worried about finding a strong, trustworthy teacher. Across the road from Shrek Academy, he watched hopeful families line up to enroll their children and considered the hope they represented.

• Mu Rong told Mu Rong that Lingering Light Academy had only its old head so far, then appointed him to manage its daily affairs and teaching.
• Mu Rong named Ka Ka vice-head, and the group held a meal to welcome the new academy head.
• Mu Rong considered possible candidates to lead the academy but rejected Tang San and other factions’ representatives as unsuitable or too risky.
• Mu Rong decided to focus on finding teachers for the children while the academy remained small.
• Mu Rong watched a long line of families gather at Shrek Academy and reflected that their hopes mattered more than their ignorance.

Mu Rong witnessed Lingering Light Academy reject and mistreat ordinary families, including gifted children who were over the age limit. He challenged Zhang Lanfeng by announcing that History's Academy would accept everyone Lingering Light Academy rejected without charging a coin.

• Li Lansong demanded ten gold soul coins and turned away applicants who failed Lingering Light Academy's age or soul-power requirements.
• Li Lansong used his soul power to knock an old woman and a pleading father to the ground when they protested their children's rejections.
• Mu Rong condemned Lingering Light Academy's treatment of ordinary people while Zhang Lanfeng watched from a window.
• Mu Rong left History's Academy and announced that it would accept anyone Lingering Light Academy rejected without charging a single coin.
• The rejected families turned their attention toward the newly built History's Academy.

Mu Rong drew the Zhang family members driven from their homes to Lingering Light Academy by offering them admission and support for their cultivation. As the crowd rushed to enroll, Zhan Tai Lei attacked Mu Rong in a fury.

• Zhang family members recognized Headmaster Zhang at Lingering Light Academy and gathered around him, while Mu Rong saw their desperation as a chance to recruit them.
• Zhan Tai Lei burst from the Zhang family's academy and used his Soul Emperor pressure to threaten Mu Rong and the crowd.
• Mu Rong stood against Zhan Tai Lei, mocked the Zhang family, and announced Lingering Light Academy's admission requirements and generous student support.
• The Zhang family members abandoned the Zhang family's academy and surged toward Lingering Light Academy to enroll.
• Zhan Tai Lei roared at Mu Rong and swung a golden-powerful bear paw down at him.

Shi Nian used his spiritual soul skills against Zhan Tai Lei until Zhang Lanfeng intervened, while Mu Rong forced Lingering Light Academy to open its gates and begin accepting applicants. As Mu Rong personally inspected the candidates, Lin Dong stepped forward and revealed his Mysterious Iron Sword and innate full soul power.

• Shi Nian trapped Zhan Tai Lei in successive illusions, but Zhan Tai Lei broke through the first one with his Bear King's Wrath soul skill.
• Zhang Lanfeng arrived and used his soul force to separate Shi Nian and Zhan Tai Lei, then threatened Mu Rong for acting in his territory.
• Mu Rong pointed Zhang Lanfeng toward the waiting applicants, and Zhang Lanfeng held back because of Shi Nian's spiritual attack and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
• The gates of Lingering Light Academy opened, and Su Ling Chan organized the applicants into an orderly line for admissions.
• Mu Rong began inspecting each child himself, and Lin Dong introduced himself as the owner of a Mysterious Iron Sword martial soul with innate full soul power.

Mu Rong welcomed talented children rejected by the Martial Soul Hall into Sealed Void Demon Academy, giving them uniforms and admission stipends. The first group of thirty students gathered at the academy, where Mu Rong urged them to remember that weakness—not an ordinary birth—was what mattered.

• Suo Ling introduced her Ice Phoenix martial soul and rank-eight innate soul power, impressing Mu Rong and Zhang Lanfeng.
• Mu Rong encouraged Lin Dong and Suo Ling to join Sealed Void Demon Academy, and Zhang Lanfeng called them back to make the academy their home.
• Lin Dong chose to resign, and Mu Rong sent Cardi to enroll the two children and help them settle in.
• Cardi gave Lin Dong, Suo Ling, and the other rejected children uniforms and gold soul coin admission stipends, drawing more families to the academy.
• Mu Rong welcomed the thirty students and told them that being born ordinary was not a sin, but being weak was.

Mu Rong inspired Lingering Light Academy's students to overcome weakness while preparing for Zhang Lanfeng's retaliation. When officials arrived to investigate the academy, Shi Nian produced the 500,000 gold soul coins they demanded, leaving Di Wei stunned.

• Mu Rong told Lin Dong and the other children that weakness was a sin, and Shi Nian resolved to make the students the academy's chance at redemption.
• Lin and Suo Ling supervised thirty students in grueling morning runs near the Beast Clan's training grounds as Mu Rong watched for Zhang Lanfeng's next move.
• Zhang Lanfeng sent a letter to the Balak Kingdom's Education Department to trigger an investigation of Lingering Light Academy.
• Officials led by Di Wei arrived at Lingering Light Academy with armed soldiers, while Zhang Lanfeng and Zhan Tai Lei watched from nearby.
• Di Wei demanded 500,000 gold soul coins, and Shi Nian tossed him a gold soul card displaying that exact amount.

Shinian, Mu Rong, and Di Wei secured official recognition for Lingering Light Academy and exposed Zhang Lanfeng’s History Academy as an unapproved institution. Di Wei warned Zhang Lanfeng to stop recruiting students within three days or face an investigation and closure.

• Shinian gave Zhang Lanfeng a gold card and offered money for renovations, leaving Zhang Lanfeng humiliated.
• Di Wei hung the Education Department’s officially sealed Lingering Light Academy plaque above the gate.
• Mu Rong pointed out that History Academy lacked proper paperwork and urged Di Wei to enforce the kingdom’s laws.
• Di Wei declared History Academy a rogue academy and warned Zhang Lanfeng to stop recruiting students within three days or face an inspection and possible shutdown.
• Di Wei left with Mu Rong and Shinian after Zhang Lanfeng could not challenge the official notice.

Mu Rong prepared Lingering Light Academy’s opening after warning Zhang Lanfeng that the Soul Sect’s rise could bring war to Suotuo City’s southern suburbs. At the unveiling ceremony, Zhang Lanfeng confronted Mu Rong as a four-ring Soul Sect, leaving the crowd under his crushing pressure.

• Di Wei hung the factions’ sealed plaques at Lingering Light Academy’s gate, and Mu Rong warned Zhang Lanfeng that war might come to Suotuo City’s southern suburbs.
• Mu Rong addressed the thirty new students, urging them to grow strong and fight for what had been taken from them.
• Zhang Lanfeng secretly watched the academy and anticipated the arrival of the Soul Sect’s deputy leader.
• Mu Rong and the academy’s students held the official unveiling ceremony as local families gathered to celebrate.
• Zhang Lanfeng arrived, released his four soul rings, and fixed his killing intent on Mu Rong.

Mu Hong challenged Mu Rong to avenge his defeat from five years earlier, and Mu Rong accepted while wagering that Mu Hong would have to stay at Lingering Light Academy as a janitor if he lost. With the students gathered to watch, Mu Hong summoned his Blazing Tiger Martial Soul, and Mu Rong unleashed a terrifying pressure as their fight began.

• Mu Hong confronted Mu Rong at Lingering Light Academy and demanded a rematch to avenge his defeat five years earlier.
• Zhang Lanfeng and Zhan Tai Lei watched from Ka Ka Academy, and Zhang Lanfeng considered using the confrontation to test Mu Rong's strength.
• Mu Rong accepted the challenge and bet that Mu Hong would have to remain at Lingering Light Academy as a janitor if he lost; Mu Hong agreed.
• Mu Rong told Shi Nian and Ka Ka to clear the area and move the students to safety before the fight.
• Mu Hong summoned his four-ring Blazing Tiger Martial Soul, and Mu Rong responded by releasing a terrifying pressure.

Mu Rong revealed a powerful dragon Martial Soul and defeated Mu Hong in three moves, forcing him to surrender and swear loyalty to Lingering Light Academy. Mu Rong then reminded the new students that strength determined their standing and went to meet the affairs dean.

• Mu Rong revealed an immense icy dragon phantom, whose bloodline pressure terrified Mu Hong and Zhang Lanfeng.
• Mu Rong struck Mu Hong down with one blow, then kicked him into a crater with a second move.
• As Mu Rong prepared to deliver a final kick, Mu Hong admitted defeat and swore by his Fierce Tiger Martial Soul to serve Mu Rong and join Lingering Light Academy.
• Mu Rong helped Mu Hong up, then told the stunned new students that the weak were guilty.
• Mu Rong turned away from the students and walked toward the affairs dean.

Mu Rong appointed Shinian to manage Lingering Light Academy and entrusted him with protecting its students before leaving to seek a breakthrough. He reached the valley spring in the setting sun forest and began cultivating in its deadly cold waters.

• Mu Rong assigned Shinian responsibility for the academy’s daily affairs and provided one hundred gold Soul Coins as operating funds.
• Mu Rong ordered Shinian to protect Mu Hong and Zhan Tai Lei, telling him to deal with anyone who threatened them without mercy.
• Mu Rong told Ka Qi, Lin, and Suo Ling that he was leaving to become stronger, then slipped out of the academy alone.
• Mu Rong traveled through the setting sun forest and reached the poisonous mountain valley surrounding the spring.
• Mu Rong entered the bitterly cold spring, sat cross-legged, and drew its energy into his body as his ancient ice dragon martial soul absorbed the cold.