Chapter Summaries

Qian Renxue dreamed of Morax’s battle at Jialing Pass and doubted that Zhongli could be the powerful god she had glimpsed. Meanwhile, Zhongli and Paimon settled into life in Heaven Dou City, where they planned to try tofu pudding for breakfast.

• Qian Renxue woke from a recurring dream of Morax, Tang San, and Bibi Dong fighting above Jialing Pass and insisted Zhongli could not be Morax.
• Zhongli sneezed while staying in a mansion in Heaven Dou City, and Paimon was startled that he seemed to have caught a cold.
• Zhongli recalled transmigrating into Morax and arriving on Douluo Continent with Paimon after escaping the Corrosion threatening him in his former world.
• Zhongli remembered meeting a poisoned elderly man with dark green hair after he and Paimon arrived between Heaven Dou City and Sunset Forest.
• Paimon asked Zhongli to buy her breakfast, and he suggested tofu pudding from a shop in western Heaven Dou City.
• Paimon chose sweet tofu pudding while Zhongli suggested the savory kind.

Zhongli and Paimon walked through Heaven Dou City, where Paimon greeted their acquaintances while Zhongli stayed quiet. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe joined them for breakfast, and Paimon’s comments left Qian Renxue wondering about their strange Martial Soul and Zhongli’s tastes.

• Paimon greeted people on the streets of Heaven Dou City while Zhongli reflected on how she spoke for him.
• Zhongli and Paimon greeted Xue Qinghe and continued walking, prompting Qian Renxue to question whether Zhongli could be Vago Rock Emperor.
• Xue Qinghe caught up with them and asked where they were going.
• Paimon invited Xue Qinghe to join them for tofu pudding, and Xue Qinghe agreed to pay for breakfast.
• Paimon urged Zhongli to earn money so they could treat Xue Qinghe someday, then teased him for preferring savory tofu pudding.

At breakfast, Zhongli impressed “Xue Qinghe” with his analysis of Spirit Hall’s structure and internal power struggles. He revealed that Bibi Dong was a puppet, leaving “Xue Qinghe” so astonished that she offered him a future position as prime minister.

• Zhongli ordered savory tofu pudding while “Xue Qinghe” and Paimon protested his choice.
• “Xue Qinghe” asked Zhongli what he thought of Spirit Hall, and he described its recruitment network and support for commoner soul masters.
• Zhongli explained that Spirit Hall faced internal and external threats, then said the Elder Hall and Pope’s Palace were at odds.
• Zhongli identified Bibi Dong as a puppet supported by others, shocking “Xue Qinghe.”
• “Xue Qinghe” invited Zhongli to join her Eastern Palace and promised to make him prime minister if she became emperor.

After refusing Xue Qinghe’s invitation, Zhongli became a guest official at the Crown Prince’s Mansion and encountered Yu Xiaogang’s group at the city gate. Yu Xiaogang became fascinated by Paimon’s unusual martial soul and asked Zhongli about his Innate Soul Power.

• Zhongli accepted a guest-official position at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and Xue Qinghe gave him a token bearing the character “Xue.”
• Zhongli and Paimon met Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and their companions near the city gate after hearing someone complain about Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Gu Du Bo.
• Yu Xiaogang recognized Paimon as a Body Separation Beast Martial Soul and was astonished that she could fly and speak.
• Paimon hid behind Zhongli, then nicknamed Yu Xiaogang “Flat Top,” prompting Flender to laugh and Yu Xiaogang to protest.
• Yu Xiaogang praised Paimon as a unique miracle and asked Zhongli what level his Innate Soul Power was.

Zhongli explained Innate Soul Power to Paimon while the Shrek group mistook him for a powerless Martial Soul wielder. Zhu Zhuqing recognized echoes of the Vago Rock Emperor in him, and Dai Mubai approached Zhongli and Paimon looking for a fight.

• Zhongli explained that people awakened Martial Souls at six and needed Innate Soul Power to cultivate as Soul Masters.
• Paimon wished she had a Martial Soul, while Zhu Zhuqing wondered whether Zhongli resembled the Vago Rock Emperor from her dreams.
• Zhu Zhuqing rejected Dai Mubai’s familiarity and told him to use her full name.
• Dai Mubai, angered by the group’s expulsion from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, headed toward Zhongli and Paimon after Paimon called him “Blondie.”
• Dai Mubai threatened Paimon, and Zhu Zhuqing warned him not to attack ordinary people in Heaven Dou City.

Dai Mubai prepared to attack Zhongli after Paimon revealed that Zhongli was a respected Guest Official of the Crown Prince's Mansion. The arrival of “Xue Qinghe” halted the confrontation, and the chapter ended as he recognized Ning Rongrong and appeared to notice something about Zhongli.

• Paimon told the onlookers that Zhongli and she were Guest Officials of the Crown Prince's Mansion, making them reconsider Dai Mubai's challenge.
• Zhongli asked Zhu Zhuqing whether they had met, and she blushed despite denying it, provoking Dai Mubai's jealousy.
• Ma Hongjun blurted out that Dai Mubai had been cuckolded, and Dai Mubai clenched his fists and prepared to strike Zhongli.
• “Xue Qinghe” returned, and Paimon reported that Dai Mubai was about to attack Zhongli and her.
• Ning Rongrong recognized “Xue Qinghe” as her senior fellow disciple, and he recognized her before his expression changed as he looked toward Zhongli.

Xue Qinghe defended Zhongli after the Shrek group insulted him, but Xiao Wu and the others continued to provoke him. When Zhongli stepped forward to protect Paimon, he revealed overwhelming power and transformed into the Vago Rock Emperor, leaving the group terrified.

• Xue Qinghe angrily demanded to know who had sent the Shrek group to harm Zhongli and declared him a treasured guest official.
• Xiao Wu insulted Zhongli and praised Tang San, prompting Paimon to defend Zhongli and protest that the others were bullying her.
• Zhongli stepped forward after Paimon complained, and earthen-yellow light and immense pressure erupted around him.
• Xue Qinghe and Zhu Zhuqing recognized the familiar power of the Vago Rock Emperor as Zhongli's appearance changed and nine Soul Rings appeared, including a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
• Flender and the Shrek group realized Zhongli was a Titled Douluo, while Dai Mubai turned deathly pale after provoking both Dugu Bo and Zhongli.

Zhongli confronted the Shrek group, prompting Tang Hao to intervene and negotiate a contract to protect Xiao Wu. After Zhongli accepted compensation, Dai Mubai apologized and punished himself, while Paimon celebrated Zhongli's strength.

• The onlookers realized Zhongli was a Titled Douluo with Twin Martial Souls and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
• Tang Hao secretly asked Zhongli to spare the Shrek students, and Zhongli demanded an explanation.
• Tang Hao offered Zhongli an ancient box in exchange for a promise not to hunt Xiao Wu, and Zhongli agreed to the contract.
• Paimon stored the box, and Zhongli called Dai Mubai forward.
• Dai Mubai knelt, slapped himself, and begged Zhongli for mercy.
• Paimon praised Zhongli for punishing Dai Mubai, and the onlookers regarded her differently.

Zhongli ended his confrontation with Dai Mubai after the crowd praised him, while Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing reflected on their visions of the future. Ning Rongrong asked Xue Qinghe to spare Dai Mubai, but Xue Qinghe maintained that Zhongli’s punishment was justified.

• Zhongli dismissed his simulated Martial Soul and Soul Rings after Paimon judged Dai Mubai’s self-punishment sufficient.
• Qian Renxue realized her vision had cast her as a villain and considered recruiting or destroying the Shrek Seven Devils before they grew stronger.
• Zhu Zhuqing recognized Zhongli as Morax and wondered whether they would become friends in this life.
• Dai Mubai continued slapping himself until his face was badly injured, while his companions watched.
• Ning Rongrong asked Xue Qinghe to intervene for Dai Mubai, and Xue Qinghe replied that Zhongli had been right to punish him.

“Xue Qinghe” offered Zhongli and Paimon gifts, then joined them for a meal after Zhongli intervened to spare Dai Mubai. Afterward, Dugu Bo reflected on Zhongli’s overwhelming strength and decided to distance himself and Dugu Yan from Xue Xing and his people.

• Ning Rongrong pleaded with “Xue Qinghe” to spare the Shrek group, but Zhongli stepped in and said Dai Mubai had already received his punishment.
• “Xue Qinghe” gave Zhongli a Storage Soul Tool containing gifts for him and Paimon, and invited him to a meal.
• Paimon nearly revealed a secret, so Zhongli covered her mouth and pretended he had caught a chill.
• Zhongli, Paimon, and “Xue Qinghe” left together, while Ma Hongjun praised Zhongli’s strength and Dugu Bo appeared to compare himself unfavorably with him.
• Dugu Bo recalled how Zhongli had cured him and Dugu Yan, then resolved to keep his distance from Xue Xing and his people.

Zhongli, Paimon, and "Xue Qinghe" chose the Seven Treasure Hotel for a meal after avoiding Youjia Restaurant. As the hotel served their dishes, "Xue Qinghe" learned that Zhongli disliked seafood, and Zhongli recognized that the beef came from a soul beast.

• Zhongli, Paimon, and "Xue Qinghe" left Youjia Restaurant and went to the Seven Treasure Hotel instead.
• "Xue Qinghe" introduced the hotel, and its manager greeted the trio before mistaking Paimon for an unidentified flying object.
• Paimon told the manager to avoid seafood because Zhongli disliked it, and "Xue Qinghe" took note of his preference.
• Zhongli allowed Paimon and "Xue Qinghe" to order seafood, but Paimon claimed she disliked it too, so "Xue Qinghe" ordered signature dishes instead.
• The manager served four dishes and a soup, and Zhongli identified the beef as meat from a soul beast.

Zhongli, Paimon, and Xue Qinghe finished a lavish meal at the Seven Treasure Hotel, only to discover none of them had brought money, so Xue Qinghe put the bill on the Crown Prince's Mansion's tab. Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and the elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect discussed Ning Rongrong's near-offense against Zhongli and planned to meet him.

• Xue Qinghe told Zhongli and Paimon a story about mistaking soul beast beef for spoiled meat, while Zhongli suspected she had made it up.
• After the meal, Zhongli asked Xue Qinghe whether she had brought money, and Paimon explained that Zhongli never carried any.
• Xue Qinghe admitted she had no money with her and arranged for the Crown Prince's Mansion to pay the Seven Treasure Hotel bill later.
• Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong discussed Ning Rongrong's recklessness and her near-offense against Zhongli, a Titled Douluo with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Twin Martial Souls.
• Ning Fengzhi decided against bringing Ning Rongrong home and planned to meet Zhongli the next day, considering whether the powerful Guest Official might join their sect.

After Zhongli and Paimon parted ways with “Xue Qinghe,” they discussed exploring Douluo Continent but settled on preparing at a teahouse. Meanwhile, the Shrek group headed to Blue Tyrant Academy, and Xue Ye learned that Zhongli had become a guest official at “Xue Qinghe’s” residence.

• “Xue Qinghe” hurried away from Zhongli and Paimon after their meal, while Zhongli dismissed Paimon’s suggestion that they follow her.
• Paimon urged Zhongli to explore Douluo Continent, but he persuaded her to stop at a teahouse to prepare for their journey.
• Zhao Wuji and Ma Hongjun proposed returning to Shrek Academy, but Flender led the group to investigate Blue Tyrant Academy after spotting its recruitment notice.
• Several powers learned that Zhongli had Twin Martial Souls, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and Titled Douluo strength.
• “Xue Qinghe” told Xue Ye that Zhongli was a powerful genius whom she had recruited as a guest official, leaving Xue Ye astonished.

Xue Ye decided to win Zhongli’s loyalty by granting him wealth and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, while “Xue Qinghe” resolved to keep him close. Salas realized Zhongli was tied to Qian Renxue and chose to approach him openly.

• Xue Ye questioned “Xue Qinghe” about Zhongli’s personality and learned that Zhongli enjoyed antiques, art, famous singers, strolling, and listening to music.
• Xue Ye ordered a million Gold Soul Coins and ten chests of jewelry bestowed on Zhongli, then told “Xue Qinghe” to give him the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
• “Xue Qinghe” accepted Xue Ye’s guidance but privately resolved to tie Zhongli to her side and prevent the future she feared.
• Salas considered Zhongli a potential great enemy to Spirit Hall because of his twin martial souls and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
• Salas remembered that Zhongli was the Crown Prince’s Mansion Guest Official and decided to invite him openly, since he was effectively Qian Renxue’s guest official.

Zhongli told Paimon that peace no longer called for Morax, though he would still become the Vago Rock Emperor if Liyue or anyone else needed him. The next morning, Ning Fengzhi and an older, battle-hungry companion arrived at Zhongli Manor to meet him.

• Paimon asked Zhongli how much of his old strength remained, and Zhongli reflected on Morax, Corrosion, and his absent friends before saying he would answer the call if the world needed him.
• Zhongli predicted that visitors would come the next day, but left Paimon unsure whether he had meant Xue Qinghe or someone else.
• Zhongli prepared Pipi Pig soup dumplings for breakfast and showed Paimon how to eat them.
• A knock came at Zhongli Manor, and Zhongli went with Paimon to greet the two visitors.
• Ning Fengzhi introduced himself as the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and apologized for arriving uninvited.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin visited Zhongli, where they met Paimon and learned that he had anticipated their arrival. After Zhongli welcomed them and served tea, Ning Fengzhi praised his tea-making skill.

• Chen Xin introduced himself to Zhongli and Paimon as a level ninety-six Super Douluo and Supreme Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Paimon greeted Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, then revealed Zhongli had predicted distinguished guests would visit.
• Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin suspected Zhongli had foreseen their arrival, and Zhongli invited them inside.
• Zhongli served tea to Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, who initially hesitated to drink it.
• Ning Fengzhi tasted the tea and praised Zhongli's mastery of tea.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin cautiously tested Zhongli, then offered gifts to build a friendship with him. Zhongli accepted the gifts and praised Ning Rongrong while Ning Fengzhi apologized for her behavior.

• Ning Fengzhi tested the tea while Chen Xin stood ready, and Zhongli calmly recognized their caution.
• Ning Fengzhi presented Zhongli and Paimon with two valuable antique boxes, which Zhongli accepted and had Paimon store away.
• Ning Fengzhi explained that the gift also served as an apology for Ning Rongrong's words the previous day.
• Zhongli praised Ning Rongrong at length, leaving Paimon, Ning Fengzhi, and Chen Xin confused.

Ning Fengzhi tried to build a relationship with Zhongli after witnessing his power, while Chen Xin inferred that Zhongli intended to become a god. Paimon’s comments about their ages and Zhongli’s coughing left the group awkwardly concerned, and the chapter ended with Paimon questioning what they meant by remembering a guest from afar.

• Ning Fengzhi thanked Zhongli for overlooking Ning Rong Rong’s offense, and Zhongli effortlessly helped him rise, alarming Chen Xin with his faint display of power.
• Chen Xin concluded that Zhongli was a high-level Titled Douluo who had left his Second Martial Soul without Soul Rings so he could pursue godhood.
• Zhongli told Ning Fengzhi to call him Zhongli, while Ning Fengzhi offered to be called Younger Brother Ning or Fengzhi.
• Paimon reacted to Ning Fengzhi calling himself Zhongli’s younger brother and revealed that she considered Zhongli thousands of years old.
• After Zhongli coughed, Paimon asked Ning Fengzhi to find him a doctor, but Zhongli declined and thanked Younger Brother Ning.
• Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin claimed they had been remembering their guest from afar, and Paimon asked what they meant by “far.”

Ning Fengzhi offered Zhongli a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Token so he could put purchases at the sect’s businesses on their tab, strengthening their new friendship. Afterward, Chen Xin revealed that Zhongli was likely a level ninety-seven Soul Master who planned to add Soul Rings to his Second Martial Soul only after reaching level ninety-nine, leaving the sect leaders convinced they must befriend him and avoid making him an enemy.

• Paimon complained about Zhongli’s plans, and he promised to take her to the Seven Treasure Hotel and produced pastries to appease her.
• Ning Fengzhi gave Zhongli a Token that let him put expenses at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect businesses on the tab, and Zhongli accepted it.
• Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin left Zhongli Manor pleased that they had secured a friendship with Zhongli.
• Chen Xin told Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong that Zhongli’s Soul Power was likely around level ninety-seven and that he had not yet added Soul Rings to his Second Martial Soul.
• Chen Xin warned that Zhongli intended to add those Soul Rings after reaching level ninety-nine, and the three leaders resolved not to become his enemies.

After Salas and Ning Fengzhi visited Zhongli Manor, “Xue Qinghe” joined Zhongli and Paimon for lunch and told them she would soon seek a soul ring. Zhongli warned that the journey could be dangerous, while “Xue Qinghe” kept her real strength and identity secret.

• Salas visited Zhongli Manor, acted respectfully during their conversation, and left looking disappointed as part of a performance for watching observers.
• “Xue Qinghe” arrived, learned that Ning Fengzhi had visited first, and praised Salas’s convincing act in her thoughts.
• Paimon invited “Xue Qinghe” to lunch with her and Zhongli, and Zhongli reassured her that they had brought money this time.
• Zhongli patted “Xue Qinghe” on the shoulder, making her blush, and then kept a little more distance from her.
• “Xue Qinghe” told Zhongli that she would soon travel to seek a soul ring and said Soul Masters from the mansion would accompany her.
• Zhongli warned “Xue Qinghe” that the journey could be risky, and she wondered whether she should reveal her true identity to him before he learned it another way.