Chapter Summaries

Dugu Yan let Yu Tianheng keep a five- or six-thousand-year soul bone and reflected on the Immortal Herbs her grandfather had given Zhongli. After the qualifiers, Azure Radiance Team chose to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and told Ning Fengzhi about Zhongli’s Ten Thousand Year gem-type head soul bone.

• Dugu Yan gave Yu Tianheng a soul bone, and he vowed to grow strong enough to surpass her.
• Dugu Yan considered whether Zhongli might have an Immortal Herb for Yu Tianheng but decided not to ask for one.
• During the fifteen-day break after the qualifiers, Azure Radiance Team lost confidence in its championship prospects.
• Azure Radiance Team chose to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and decided to inform Ning Fengzhi about Zhongli’s gem-type soul bone.
• Ning Fengzhi reacted in disbelief when Azure Radiance Team’s captain reported the Ten Thousand Year head soul bone.

Ning Fengzhi decided to trade for Shi Nian’s ten-thousand-year Gem Type Head Soul Bone, but he also wanted to secure the Innate Sect’s neutrality in case conflict broke out. He and Gu Rong arrived at Zhongli Manor to meet Zhongli, leaving the exchange unresolved.

• Ning Fengzhi learned that Shi Nian’s Gem Type Head Soul Bone had come from Shi Nian and ordered the Azure Radiance Team captain to keep the matter secret.
• Ning Fengzhi discussed offering a left leg soul bone and five million Gold Soul Coins, but Chen Xin warned that the offer would make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take a huge loss.
• Ning Fengzhi explained that he feared the continent’s unusual calm would end in conflict and wanted assurance that the nearby Innate Sect would not turn against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Chen Xin recognized that Ning Fengzhi planned to offer tribute to the Innate Sect, then withdrew and left Gu Rong to accompany him.
• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong arrived at Zhongli Manor, where the gates opened automatically and they were invited to sit.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong visited Zhongli to trade for the Innate Sect’s unused ten-thousand-year Gem Type Head Soul Bone, and Zhongli agreed without hesitation. They traveled to the Innate Sect, where Du Bafang’s concern for whether the disciples had eaten left Ning Fengzhi understanding why the sect was so united.

• Paimon offered Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong buns, and Zhongli asked why they had come so early.
• Ning Fengzhi proposed exchanging a Soul Bone for the Innate Sect’s ten-thousand-year Gem Type Head Soul Bone, and Zhongli agreed readily.
• Zhongli, Paimon, Ning Fengzhi, and Gu Rong left for the Innate Sect after Paimon finished breakfast.
• On the way, Gu Rong took Zhongli’s words about not rushing as encouragement to steadily pursue a breakthrough.
• At the Innate Sect, Du Bafang asked whether the disciples had eaten, and Ning Fengzhi realized the acting sect master put them first.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exchanged a twenty-three-thousand-year Gem Type Head Soul Bone for a fifty-thousand-year left leg soul bone and five million Gold Soul Coins, which Zhongli accepted. The chapter left Du Bafang stunned by how much the Innate Sect had received, while Zhongli kept the Aromatic Silk Beauty that could repay the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s favors.

• Du Bafang told Zhongli that the Innate Sect's disciples had eaten and were studying the sect master's words.
• Zhongli brought Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong to the meeting hall to discuss the soul bone exchange.
• Ning Fengzhi opened the Gem Type Head Soul Bone box, and Zhongli recognized it as being over twenty-three thousand years old.
• Ning Fengzhi offered a left leg soul bone over fifty thousand years old and five million Gold Soul Coins, and Zhongli accepted the exchange.
• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while Du Bafang stared at the valuable items the Innate Sect had received.

Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong discussed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s prospects and realized Zhongli might know how to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Ning Fengzhi decided to visit the Innate Sect again that day, using Mid-Autumn mooncakes as a pretext.

• Ning Fengzhi explained that the Gem Type Head Soul Bone could not help him break through unless he found a way to evolve his martial soul beyond seven treasures.
• Gu Rong and Chen Xin discussed raising Ning Rongrong and Oscar’s future children more carefully than Ning Rongrong had been raised.
• Chen Xin suggested Zhongli might know how to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and Ning Fengzhi became eager to consult him.
• Ning Fengzhi proposed taking the disciples’ Mid-Autumn mooncakes to the Innate Sect as an excuse to visit Zhongli again.
• Chen Xin and Gu Rong praised Ning Fengzhi’s plan to use the holiday gift to make a favorable impression.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ning Fengzhi visited the Innate Sect with mooncakes and privately asked Zhongli to help him overcome the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda’s cultivation limit. Zhongli revealed an immortal-grade Aromatic Silk Beauty that could evolve it into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and offered it to repay Ning Fengzhi’s past kindness, leaving Ning to consider whether to accept.

• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong joined the Innate Sect’s Mid-Autumn gathering, and Ning’s disciples distributed mooncakes to everyone.
• After the others left, Ning Fengzhi asked Zhongli for a way to break the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda’s rank-seventy-nine limit, offering half the sect’s wealth in return.
• Zhongli recalled that Ning Rongrong’s evolution in the original timeline depended on an Aromatic Silk Beauty that was no longer available.
• Zhongli produced an immortal-grade Aromatic Silk Beauty and explained that it could evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
• Zhongli offered the herb to repay Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s past support, and Ning Fengzhi wondered whether accepting it would settle their favors.

Ning Fengzhi accepted Zhongli’s Aromatic Silk Beauty and used it to break through the limits of his martial soul, transforming his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The sect concealed his new strength, while the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition’s advancement rounds began.

• Ning Fengzhi accepted the Aromatic Silk Beauty from Zhongli and returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Gu Rong.
• Ning Fengzhi consumed the herb while Chen Xin and Gu Rong guarded him, then broke through to Rank 80 and discovered his martial soul had nine levels.
• Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong decided to conceal his breakthrough and new amplification ability.
• The advancement rounds of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition began, and the participating teams entered the military camp.
• The competitors discussed the Imperial Dou First Team and the Innate Sect, then fell silent when challenged about their strength.

The advancement tournament began with Shrek Academy facing Barak Academy in the first match, while Zhongli and “Xue Qinghe” attended as judges alongside Paimon. Tang San prepared to take on Barak’s team, and Xiao Wu watched the judges with restrained hatred.

• The competitors discussed the tournament’s Soul King powerhouses, the directly qualified teams, and the advancement tournament’s one-on-one arena format.
• “Xue Qinghe” offered Paimon the chance to experience military camp life, but Zhongli drew her away by mentioning the food prepared for her.
• Xue Ye gave a brief opening speech, and Shrek Academy was drawn against Barak Academy for the first match.
• Dai Mubai asked Tang San to leave him a few opponents, and Tang San promised he would if victory was secure.
• Xiao Wu chose not to compete and silently watched the judges’ seats with hatred as the two teams took the stage.
• A Barak competitor mocked Shrek for sending up a young-looking fighter and warned him to step down.

Tang San revealed his powerful soul ring configuration during Shrek Academy’s first match, prompting Barak Academy to concede. Afterward, Meng Yiran considered her feelings for Tang San against her responsibility to the Meng Family and decided that family came first.

• Tang San displayed four purple soul rings and one black soul ring, and Barak Academy conceded the match to Shrek Academy.
• The contestants learned that Tang San had Twin Martial Souls and had cultivated his Clear Sky Hammer as his Second Martial Soul.
• Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang teased Meng Yiran about her favorable impression of Tang San, then warned her to consider whether he was a suitable match.
• Meng Yiran reflected on her family’s need for an heir and told Meng Shu that she knew how to choose.
• Barak Academy’s quick concession left the teams scheduled to face Tang San under greater pressure.

The Imperial Dou Second Team and Exotic Beast Academy faced off in the promotion tournament, but Exotic Beast Academy surrendered after seeing Dugu Yan’s Soul King strength. Tang San also learned that Blazing Fire Academy and Skywater Academy had joined forces with other schools, leaving Paimon to question the tournament’s lax rules.

• The Balak team decided to conceal their abilities, while Exotic Beast Academy prepared to face the Imperial Dou Second Team and agreed to surrender if necessary.
• Tang San and Dai Mubai discussed how often opponents might forfeit, then noticed Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang among the contestants.
• Huo Wushuang explained that Blazing Fire Academy had joined Godwind Academy, while Skywater Academy had teamed up with Thunder Academy through their headmasters’ arrangements.
• Dugu Yan revealed five soul rings, including a black ring, and Exotic Beast Academy surrendered before the match began.
• Paimon asked why Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er were competing, and Xue Qinghe said the academies had exploited a tournament loophole.
• Paimon complained that the tournament remained lax, and Xue Qinghe promised the loophole would be closed for the next tournament.

Zhongli accepted that the competition’s rules had been exploited, while Xue Ye promised to close the loophole after Paimon raised the issue. As the promotion tournament exposed the strength of the Four Elements alliance and anticipation built around Imperial Dou First Team, Bibi Dong doubted that Spirit Hall’s Golden Generation could defend its glory.

• Zhongli accepted the competition loophole and considered contract-breaking by his followers a serious matter.
• Xue Ye promised Paimon that the next competition would not have the same loophole, and Xue Qinghe praised his fondness for her.
• Contestants discussed the Four Elements alliance’s combined teams and concluded that even its Soul Ancestors would struggle against a Soul King.
• Competitors anticipated Imperial Dou First Team’s powerful captain and vice-captain, while many teams resigned themselves to treating the promotion tournament as experience.
• Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan vowed to defend Spirit Hall’s glory, but Bibi Dong doubted they could overcome the talent gap against true prodigies.

Bibi Dong told Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan that the Innate Sect’s disciples made winning the competition nearly impossible, then gave them soul bones and explained which other opponents they should prepare to face. She left them to accept that an early match against the Imperial Dou First Team would depend on their luck.

• Bibi Dong told Hu Liena and the others that they had little chance of winning because the Innate Sect’s disciples were exceptionally powerful.
• Bibi Dong gave Hu Liena a personal head soul bone and lent Xie Yue and Yan soul bones from Spirit Hall’s treasury, which they would have to repay.
• Bibi Dong warned the three not to fight the Innate Sect’s disciples to the death and described Dugu Yan and Tang San as other formidable opponents.
• Hu Liena and the others agreed to test themselves against Dugu Yan and Tang San after securing second place.
• Bibi Dong said that if the draw matched them against the Imperial Dou First Team early, they would have to accept their bad luck.

Bibi Dong’s Golden Generation prepared to absorb their soul bones and compete despite her warning, while the Advancement Tournament reached the match between Shrek and the Imperial Dou Second Team. The teams began their battle with Huang Yuan facing Yu Tianheng, as both sides tried to wear down Tang San.

• Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan agreed to follow Bibi Dong’s advice, absorb their soul bones, and prepare carefully for the tournament.
• The Advancement Tournament reached its midpoint, and Shrek faced the powerful Imperial Dou Second Team.
• Liu Erlong assigned Huang Yuan and Jing Ling to wear down opponents before Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San fought.
• Yu Tianheng volunteered to lead the Imperial Dou Second Team, whose plan was to exhaust Tang San before Dugu Yan faced him.
• Huang Yuan and Yu Tianheng began the match, and Huang Yuan overcame his fear to attack first.

Yu Tianheng quickly defeated Huang Yuan and Jing Ling, leaving Shrek to continue the arena match short-handed. Dai Mubai noticed Zhu Zhuqing with Xue Qinghe, while Xiaofeilian defended their relationship to Innate Sect disciples who were considering confronting the Crown Prince.

• Yu Tianheng used Thunderclap Dragon Claw to incapacitate Huang Yuan, then defeated Jing Ling with another lightning strike.
• Spectators discussed Shrek's habit of boasting before being beaten and noted the talent of its young members despite their poor judgment.
• Dai Mubai saw Zhu Zhuqing sitting beside Xue Qinghe and grew furious, while Xue Ye considered using her to win over the Star Luo Zhu Clan.
• Innate Sect disciples offered to beat up Xue Qinghe for Xiaofeilian, but she defended Zhu Zhuqing and reminded them that Zhongli was a guest elder at her residence.
• The disciples reconsidered their hostility toward Xue Qinghe, whom they viewed as a benefactor to the Innate Sect.

Dai Mubai challenged Yu Tianheng but was defeated and kicked from the arena, after which Ma Hongjun took his place and revealed his Dark Phoenix martial soul. As Ma Hongjun fought Yu Tianheng, Salas confirmed his Soul Power was pure, leaving Liu Erlong and the others surprised that Spirit Hall did not accuse Shrek of using an evil technique.

• Dai Mubai activated two enhancement skills and fought Yu Tianheng, but Yu Tianheng overcame him and kicked him off the arena.
• Ma Hongjun stepped onto the arena to face Yu Tianheng, who recognized that Ma Hongjun had advanced to Soul Ancestor.
• Ma Hongjun summoned his Dark Phoenix and attacked Yu Tianheng with black flames, while relying on his ability to fly.
• Spectators speculated that Ma Hongjun had used an evil technique to break through, but Salas stated that his Soul Power was pure and stable.
• Liu Erlong and the others were stunned that Spirit Hall declined to use Ma Hongjun's rapid breakthrough as a charge against Shrek.

Ma Hongjun wore down the Imperial Dou Second Team’s Yu Tianheng and Yu Feng, but both admitted defeat before his powerful Soul Skills could hit them. Osler then exhausted Ma Hongjun’s remaining strength and knocked him from the arena, leaving Tang San to face the team alone.

• Yu Tianheng tried to provoke Ma Hongjun into close combat, but Ma Hongjun stayed airborne and waited for Yu Tianheng to tire.
• Ma Hongjun unleashed his Third Soul Skill to take revenge, but Yu Tianheng admitted defeat and the referee blocked the attack.
• Yu Feng replaced Yu Tianheng, and Ma Hongjun used his Fourth Soul Skill against him before Yu Feng also admitted defeat.
• Osler fought Ma Hongjun after the latter had spent much of his Soul Power, then struck him off the arena.
• The Imperial Dou Second Team told Tang San that he had no chance of winning alone.

Tang San faced the remaining members of the Imperial Dou Second Team alone and defeated four of them before Dugu Yan entered the arena. He charged her while avoiding her gaze, wary of Medusa's Gaze.

• Tang San used the Clear Sky Hammer and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to pressure Osler, then bound him with Blue Silver Grass and forced him to surrender.
• Tang San knocked the former Imperial Dou Second Team captain from the arena in two moves.
• Tang San defeated the Shi Mo brothers with three hammer strikes, leaving Dugu Yan as the team's final fighter.
• Dugu Yan activated Martial Soul Possession and revealed five soul rings, including a black one.
• Tang San charged Dugu Yan with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track while deliberately avoiding her eyes to guard against Medusa's Gaze.

Chen Xin questioned Dugu Bo about his and Dugu Yan’s improved Martial Souls, and Dugu Bo credited Zhongli with saving and guiding them. As the others considered the Innate Sect’s hidden strength, attention returned to the arena, where Dugu Yan was about to face Tang San.

• Chen Xin asked Dugu Bo whether his cultivation had improved along with Dugu Yan’s Martial Soul, and Dugu Bo credited Zhongli’s kindness and guidance.
• Zhongli dismissed his role, while Dugu Bo explained that Zhongli had recognized his poison and helped him make use of the treasures at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
• Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin realized the Innate Sect’s growth was linked to Dugu Bo’s treasures, while the narration revealed that the sect had many more Titled Douluo than outsiders believed.
• Dugu Bo predicted that Dugu Yan would not lose badly to Tang San, but Zhongli explained that Tang San’s strength relied on the Clear Sky Sect’s techniques and kept the Tang Sect secrets to himself.
• Paimon asked why Tang San was so strong compared with his peers, and Zhongli was unable to explain.

After the advancement tournament, the Heaven Dou teams traveled to Spirit City, where “Xue Qinghe” explained that Qian Daoliu wanted to meet Zhongli. Yue Guan welcomed Zhongli and Paimon and invited them to his home for food and wine.

• Tang San defeated Dugu Yan, securing Shrek Academy’s victory over the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, while the Imperial Dou Second Team took second place in the advancement tournament.
• “Xue Qinghe” led the tournament teams and five hundred Royal Knights on the month-long journey to Spirit City, and Paimon grew excited when she heard Yue Guan had prepared food for her.
• “Xue Qinghe” told Zhongli that her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, wished to meet him, and Zhongli accepted the explanation without concern.
• The Heaven Dou procession arrived in Spirit City without incident, and the tournament teams entered the city while the Royal Knights camped outside.
• Yue Guan welcomed Zhongli and Paimon at the city entrance and invited them to his home for food and wine.

Zhongli and Paimon stayed at Yue Guan’s residence in Spirit City, where Zhongli’s poem about flowers and beauty captivated Yue Guan and spread through the city. Qian Daoliu recognized Zhongli as a god and planned to meet him, while Xue Qinghe wondered if the poem had been written for her.

• Zhongli accepted Yue Guan’s invitation to stay at his flower-filled residence, while the tournament teams went to rest before the finals.
• Qian Daoliu sensed Zhongli’s arrival and concluded that the Martial God Douluo had become a god, then planned to invite him to the Angel Shrine.
• Zhongli recited Qing Ping Diao, and Yue Guan was astonished by the poem and asked for its remaining lines.
• Yue Guan arranged fresh food for Zhongli and Paimon, then copied the poem and spread it around Spirit City.
• Xue Qinghe read the leaflet bearing Zhongli’s name and wondered whether he had written the poem for her.