Chapter Summaries

Zhongli explained that he had shared the Power of Faith with the Innate Sect, then planned to fake a failed godhood breakthrough so he could pass the sect leadership to Du Bafang. He left the sect with Paimon for Heaven Dou City, where the guards greeted him with unusual respect.

• The Innate Sect members realized Zhongli had used the Power of Faith to improve their strength and heal their injuries, and they resolved to cultivate harder for his sake.
• Zhongli considered a plan to retire by pretending to fail a breakthrough to godhood, with Du Bafang eventually taking over the sect.
• Du Bafang felt an ominous chill, unaware that Zhongli was considering him as the next sect master.
• The sect members began cultivating fervently after Zhongli left, while Du Bafang’s knowledge of the Douluo Continent’s gods was recounted.
• Zhongli and Paimon arrived in Heaven Dou City, where the guards bowed respectfully to Zhongli as other visitors watched in confusion.

Zhongli and Paimon returned to Heaven Dou City, where the crowd recognized Zhongli as the Martial God and marveled at the city’s fashionable new clothing. After greeting the people, Zhongli heard someone call out to him, asking what he was doing.

• A guard told the crowd that Zhongli was the Martial God, a powerful figure respected even by the emperor, and the onlookers discussed his reputation.
• The crowd described how Zhongli’s music had inspired young nobles to pursue their passions, including cooking and fashion design.
• Paimon wondered whether the women wearing the new, revealing clothes would get cold, and Zhongli commented on the men admiring them.
• The people recognized Zhongli and Paimon, greeted them respectfully, and Zhongli waved them back up.
• A voice called to Zhongli, asking, "Guest Official, what are you doing?"

Qian Renxue sent Zhongli and Paimon to Seven Treasure Hotel, where Zhongli suspected she had a plan. On the way, Paimon asked what would happen if Teyvat’s Demon Gods descended on the Douluo Continent, then revealed that Teyvat was running out of time and asked Zhongli to resolve the crisis.

• Qian Renxue arrived while Zhongli and Paimon were discussing fashion, then invited them to try the new dishes at Seven Treasure Hotel before hurrying away.
• Zhongli agreed to go with Paimon and decided to charge the meal to the Crown Prince’s Mansion rather than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Zhongli noticed that Paimon seemed to have grown, but Paimon denied it and appeared guilty; Zhongli suspected her injuries had begun to heal.
• Paimon asked what would happen if people or Demon Gods from Teyvat descended on the Douluo Continent, and Zhongli warned that Osial could turn the land into an ocean.
• Paimon said Teyvat did not have much time left and asked Zhongli, one of the oldest and most powerful Demon Gods, to resolve the crisis.

Paimon intended to make Morax shoulder the coming Demon God War while she and Zhongli visited the Seven Treasure Hotel. Their meal was interrupted when Qian Renxue arrived wearing an unfamiliar outfit, leaving Zhongli and Paimon bewildered.

• Paimon privately planned to make Morax end the new Demon God War and keep Zhongli from retiring.
• Zhongli and Paimon arrived at the Seven Treasure Hotel, where the owner welcomed them and prepared their usual private room.
• Paimon charged their meal to the Crown Prince's Mansion, and the owner understood that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's relationship with the Innate Sect had changed.
• Zhongli wondered why Paimon seemed smarter and considered her earlier mention of Osial descending on the Douluo Continent.
• Qian Renxue entered wearing a small white top and black shorts, explaining that she had torn her black stockings.
• Paimon asked whether Qian Renxue felt cool, and Zhongli assumed she was simply curious about fashionable clothing.

Qian Renxue embarrassed herself by returning in damaged black stockings, then fled after Paimon and Zhongli criticized her outfit. Later, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun traveled toward Star Luo, where Demon Bear and Ghost Leopard Douluo ambushed them to demand Tang San’s Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

• Qian Renxue returned wearing battle-damaged black stockings, and Paimon and Zhongli told her the outfit was improper.
• Qian Renxue burned away the stockings and ran off, while Paimon and Zhongli continued their meal.
• Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun left Shrek Academy at night and planned to travel through Star Luo before heading to Star Dou Great Forest.
• Demon Bear and Ghost Leopard Douluo stopped the three travelers outside Heaven Dou City and demanded Tang San’s Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.
• Tang San refused to surrender the Soul Bone and warned the Titled Douluo that his Teleportation soul skill could help him escape.

Tang San was cornered by Demon Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo, but Tang Xiao arrived and drove them back. Two more Spirit Hall Titled Douluo appeared, leaving Tang Xiao facing four opponents and openly challenging Ghostly’s confidence in their strength.

• Demon Bear Douluo slapped Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, then sealed their Soul Power while demanding that Tang San surrender the soul bone.
• Tang San tried to provoke Demon Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo into a wager, but they refused and threatened to kill him.
• Tang Xiao appeared, identified himself as the Clear Sky Sect’s Sect Master, and ordered Demon Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo to leave.
• Ghostly and Yue Guan arrived, and Ghostly warned Tang Xiao to retreat or die.
• Tang Xiao challenged Ghostly, declaring that his level ninety-seven strength surpassed the four Spirit Hall Titled Douluo opposing him.

Ghostly revealed that he had reached level ninety-six as Spirit Hall’s elders confronted Tang Xiao over Tang San. The Innate Sect’s arrival made Spirit Hall’s group abandon the fight, while Gu Rong secretly watched the encounter.

• Ghostly revealed his level ninety-six breakthrough, and Tang Xiao told Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun to move away before he faced Spirit Hall’s four Titled Douluo.
• Ghostly and the other Spirit Hall elders unleashed their martial souls and soul rings, drawing the attention of Chen Xin and Gu Rong at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Gu Rong went to investigate, while Zhang Hu and another elder from the Innate Sect also arrived near the confrontation.
• Zhang Hu called the encounter Spirit Hall’s killing for treasure, told the group to settle it quickly, and left with the other elder.
• Yue Guan and the Spirit Hall elders blamed Tang Xiao for nearly disturbing the Innate Sect and its Martial God, while Gu Rong watched in disbelief.

Tang Xiao fought Ghostly and the other Spirit Hall elders, but Ghostly’s second awakening and the Two Extremes Forbidden Domain turned the battle against him. By the following morning, Zhongli and Paimon had left Heaven Dou City and encountered a huge cyan-blue bird whose rider rebuked Paimon.

• Tang Xiao identified himself as Tang San’s uncle and demonstrated the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes against Ghostly, Ghost Leopard, Demon Bear, and Yue Guan.
• Ghostly revealed his Silver Rank Second Awakening, and Gu Rong realized that Ghostly and Yue Guan could use their terrifying Two Extremes Forbidden Domain.
• Ghostly separated his soul from his body, leaving his soul unaffected by the domain, while a streak of red light entered Tang Xiao.
• The next morning, Zhongli and Paimon traveled away from Heaven Dou City and saw a huge cyan-blue bird overhead.
• Paimon wondered whether the bird belonged to a familiar woman, and the woman sharply demanded to know what she meant.

Zhongli and Paimon reunited with Xianyun on the Douluo Continent after she crossed worlds, and the three set off for Heaven Dou City. Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall group lamented their failed attempt to capture Tang San after Tang Xiao escaped with him.

• Cloud Retainer recognized Zhongli and Paimon, transformed into Xianyun, and explained how she had crossed into their world.
• Zhongli told Xianyun to call him Zhongli, and she said the Traveler, Barbatos, and others had searched for him and Paimon for three years.
• Paimon invited Xianyun to travel with them, and Xianyun declared she would protect Zhongli as they headed toward Heaven Dou City.
• The Spirit Hall group discussed how Tang Xiao had broken free, injured Ghostly and Yue Guan, and escaped with Tang San and the others.
• Demon Bear and the others wondered whether their excessive talking and failure to target Tang San sooner had cost them the mission.

Four Titled Douluo encountered strange Hillichurls and discovered that the Torch Hillichurl could severely injure Demon Bear with raw strength. Yue Guan’s powerful attacks failed to damage the Shield Hillichurl, which prepared to charge at him.

• Yue Guan, Demon Bear, Ghostly, and Ghost Leopard found several unfamiliar Hillichurls far from any forest and wondered what they were.
• Demon Bear attacked the Torch Hillichurl, which struck him with a series of torch swings and sent the level-ninety-four Titled Douluo flying and coughing blood.
• Yue Guan and the others realized the Hillichurls were extraordinarily strong, then prepared to fight them with their Martial Souls.
• Yue Guan’s attacks, including his Ninth Soul Skill amplified by his Martial Soul Avatar, failed to break the Shield Hillichurl’s wooden shield or hurt it.
• The Shield Hillichurl grew angry and assumed a charging stance, prompting Ghostly to warn Yue Guan.

Diluc rescued Yue Guan and the others from the black-flamed Hillichurls, but warned that the monsters could not be killed and led the group to flee. After learning that Yue Guan knew Zhongli, Diluc was stunned to hear the name of the first powerful stranger they had met.

• A Hillichurl Brute charged Yue Guan, and Gui Mei could not save him after their attacks failed to hurt the monsters.
• Diluc appeared and shattered the Brute’s shield with a flaming greatsword strike, sending the monster flying.
• The Brute rose unharmed, so Diluc grabbed Demon Seed Douluo and fled with Yue Guan and the others; the Hillichurls eventually stopped pursuing them.
• Yue Guan thanked Diluc and introduced himself, and Diluc gave his name as Diluc.
• Yue Guan said the first powerful stranger they had met was Lord Zhongli, and Diluc reacted in disbelief because he knew Zhongli’s true identity.

Diluc learned that Zhongli had adapted to the Douluo Continent by posing as a Martial Soul master and asked Yue Guan to take him to Zhongli for help against the powerful Hillichurls. At Zhongli Manor, Diluc reunited with Paimon and met Xianyun, who insisted she was not Cloud Retainer.

• Diluc learned from Yue Guan that Paimon was Zhongli’s Martial Soul and that Martial Souls were part of the Douluo Continent’s customs.
• Diluc asked Yue Guan to take him to Zhongli, while Ghost Leopard and Demon Bear returned to Spirit City to report the threat and request reinforcements.
• Qian Renxue visited Zhongli Manor after hearing Zhongli had brought home a beautiful woman, but left after deciding Zhongli and Xianyun seemed like superior and subordinate.
• Zhongli welcomed Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and Diluc into the manor, where Diluc greeted Paimon and spoke with Zhongli about Mondstadt’s drinks.
• Diluc mistook Xianyun for Cloud Retainer, and Xianyun insisted she was not Cloud Retainer.

Diluc revealed that Cloud Retainer was Xianyun and asked Zhongli and her to help defeat Abyss-connected Hillichurls. Meanwhile, Tang Xiao escaped Spirit Hall’s attack with Tang San and the others, but his injuries delayed their hunt for Tang San’s Sixth Soul Ring.

• Paimon questioned how Diluc had identified Xianyun, and Diluc explained that dangerous Hillichurls had gathered nearby.
• Diluc led Zhongli, Xianyun, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei toward the Hillichurls despite Yue Guan’s suggestion that they wait for reinforcements.
• Tang Xiao admitted he had suffered internal injuries after unexpectedly unleashing enough power to break the Two Extremes Stillness Domain.
• Tang Xiao brought Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai to the entrance of the Star Dou Great Forest and postponed hunting Tang San’s Sixth Soul Ring until he recovered.
• Tang San welcomed Tang Xiao as a powerful protector, while Tang Xiao privately wondered whether Tang San resembled Ah Yin at all.

Spirit Hall joined Zhongli and his companions to investigate the Abyss-corrupted Hillichurls. Golden Crocodile volunteered to face a Mutated Torch Hillichurl, and Xianyun privately remarked that his age of over one hundred fifty made him a little baby.

• Ghost Leopard returned to the Pope's Palace with the injured Demon Bear and reported the encounter with the Hillichurls and their terrifying creature.
• Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong agreed to lead Spirit Hall's forces to the Hillichurl camp, and their group arrived alongside Zhongli and his companions.
• Xianyun confirmed that the Hillichurls had been infected with Abyss Aura and feared the Abyss might have reached their world.
• Golden Crocodile challenged a Mutated Torch Hillichurl despite Diluc's warning, while Spirit Hall's members praised his strength and age.
• Xianyun heard that Golden Crocodile was over one hundred fifty years old and murmured that he was just a little baby.

Xianyun dismissed Golden Crocodile as a child, while Zhongli shielded the group as Golden Crocodile fought the Mutated Torch Hillichurl. Golden Crocodile's powerful Eighth Soul Skill barely harmed the creature, leaving him stunned by the gap in strength.

• Xianyun called Golden Crocodile a little kid, and Bibi Dong laughed before sensing that Xianyun was an extraordinary powerhouse.
• Zhongli stopped Xianyun from revealing her age and let the Spirit Hall party face the Mutated Torch Hillichurl while protecting everyone with amber shields.
• Golden Crocodile used his Golden Crocodile Avatar and charged the Mutated Torch Hillichurl, whose torch strikes halted him against Zhongli's shield.
• Golden Crocodile attacked the temporarily frozen Hillichurl with his Eighth Soul Skill, Death's Kiss, but the blow barely hurt it.

The Spirit Hall fighters faced the Hillichurl camp and realized how dangerous the creatures were after Golden Crocodile Douluo was overwhelmed. When the Rock Hillichurl King launched a devastating attack, Zhongli caught him effortlessly with one hand, leaving the others stunned as Zhongli prepared to deal with him.

• The Spirit Hall members saw Golden Crocodile Douluo struggle against a Torch Hillichurl and questioned whether they were truly the strongest force on the Douluo Continent.
• The Rock Hillichurl King and Hillichurl Brute joined the fight, and the Hillichurls charged the group as Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu moved to confront the Brute.
• Bibi Dong and the others noticed Zhongli had created their shields without releasing a Martial Soul or using Soul Skills, and they concluded he was not an ordinary human.
• The Rock Hillichurl King leapt toward Zhongli and Xianyun with a crushing attack, but Zhongli caught his entire body with one hand.

Zhongli revealed overwhelming power by stripping the Rock Hillichurl King of his Rock Element Power and destroying the Hillichurl horde with the All-Devouring Void. The witnesses accepted that he was far beyond a human or Titled Douluo, while Qian Daoliu reconsidered when Qian Renxue should ascend to godhood.

• Xianyun called Zhongli the Lord of Geo, and the witnesses began to suspect he was a god or ruler of another realm.
• Zhongli stripped the Rock Hillichurl King of its Rock Element Power and cast it aside.
• Zhongli summoned the Skyward Star with All-Devouring Void, petrifying every Hillichurl while shields protected the others.
• Zhongli shattered the petrified Hillichurls into dust, convincing the witnesses that they were gone for good.
• Qian Daoliu recognized how far Zhongli surpassed a Titled Douluo and decided Qian Renxue's ascension to godhood should wait until the continent settled down.

Zhongli warned the Douluo Continent's leaders about Abyss-tainted monsters and considered whether Ruo Tuo could help defend against future threats. After everyone left the Hillichurl camp, a golden-haired young man and Yuan Shang appeared, discovering that Morax had arrived three years before them and deciding to investigate this world.

• Zhongli reflected on how Tang San had drained the Douluo Continent's essence, unlike the original gods who had cared for it.
• The assembled leaders thanked Zhongli for saving them, and he told them to watch for strange creatures across the continent.
• Zhongli explained that ordinary Hillichurls could be defeated, but Abyss Aura had made the camp's creatures unusually dangerous.
• After the others departed, a golden-haired young man and Yuan Shang appeared in the Hillichurl camp.
• The young man realized Morax had arrived three years earlier and agreed with Yuan Shang to investigate the world before taking action.

Aether sent Yuan Shang to Heaven Dou City to investigate Morax while he gathered information about the Angel God’s followers and their leader, Bibi Dong. Yuan Shang reached the city but was stopped at the gate because he lacked the Gold Soul Coin required for entry.

• Aether ordered Yuan Shang to investigate what Morax had done during the three years since arriving, and promised to intervene if Yuan Shang could not escape him.
• Yuan Shang transformed into a human and set out for Heaven Dou City, while Aether vanished to gather intelligence on the local gods and the Angel God’s followers.
• Aether wondered why Bibi Dong, leader of an organization devoted to justice, carried an evil aura.
• Yuan Shang was stopped at Heaven Dou City’s gate because he had no Gold Soul Coin to pay the entry fee.

Yuan Shang entered Heaven Dou City after Ning Fengzhi paid his entry fee, while Tang Hao reunited with Tang San and reprimanded him for adding rings to his Clear Sky Hammer. Tang Hao then told Tang San he would awaken his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and later explain the matter of killing intent.

• Yuan Shang questioned the city-entry fee, and Ning Fengzhi paid one Gold Soul Coin for him before entering Heaven Dou City with Chen Xin.
• Tang Xiao brought Tang San to Tang Hao and recounted what had happened, including Xiao Wu's sacrifice.
• Tang Hao learned Tang San had added soul rings to his Clear Sky Hammer and slapped him repeatedly as Tang San tried to explain.
• Tang Xiao criticized Tang Hao for blaming Tang San, and Tang Hao held back from arguing with him.
• Tang Hao told Tang San he would help awaken his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and discuss killing intent afterward.