Chapter Summaries

After Zhongli’s teachings inspired Du Bafang and more than a thousand Innate Martial Soul masters to found the Innate Sect, Zhongli sensed their faith in Heaven Dou City and guessed it came from his disciple-taking ceremony. Yue Guan then arrived to see Paimon.

• More than a month after the disciple-taking ceremony, Xiaofeilian’s fame spread across the Douluo Continent, along with Zhongli’s teachings about Innate Martial Souls and stronger soul rings.
• Du Bafang announced that he had achieved a second awakening of his Innate Martial Soul and urged fellow Innate Martial Soul masters to reject recruitment by other forces.
• Du Bafang and over a thousand Innate Martial Soul masters founded the Innate Sect, naming Zhongli its first Sect Master and setting out for Heaven Dou City to welcome him.
• In a Heaven Dou City pleasure house, Zhongli sensed a surge of pure Power of Faith and traced it to news of his disciple-taking ceremony.
• Yue Guan arrived, and Paimon greeted him excitedly as he said he had come to see her.

Yue Guan and Ghostly visited Zhongli, bringing pastries for Paimon and asking about Ghostly’s unusual martial soul. Ghostly hoped to learn whether it was an Innate Martial Soul and could undergo a second awakening, but the chapter ended before Zhongli answered.

• Yue Guan visited Zhongli with Ghostly and offered pastries to Paimon, who eagerly ate them.
• Yue Guan praised Zhongli’s knowledge of Innate Martial Souls, then Ghostly emerged from the shadows to ask his question directly.
• Zhongli recognized that Ghostly was no longer truly human and invited him to explain his circumstances.
• Ghostly described his unusual martial soul and asked whether it counted as an Innate Martial Soul and could undergo a second awakening.

Zhongli explained that Ghostly’s Innate Martial Soul could undergo a second awakening, prompting Ghostly and Yue Guan to kneel and swear loyalty in exchange for his guidance. Zhongli then revealed that the awakening required Ghostly to repeatedly approach the brink of death to stimulate his potential.

• Ghostly asked Zhongli to call him Little Ghost or Ghostly, while Yue Guan was surprised by his deference.
• Zhongli confirmed that Ghostly’s Martial Soul counted as an Innate Martial Soul and could undergo a second awakening.
• Ghostly released his aura, and the other people in the inn quietly left after settling their bills.
• Ghostly knelt and asked Zhongli to teach him, and Yue Guan joined him and swore loyalty upon his Martial Soul.
• Ghostly also swore not to reveal Zhongli’s guidance without permission, but Zhongli lifted both men and told them such gestures were unnecessary.
• Zhongli explained that Ghostly had to repeatedly linger at death’s edge to stimulate his body’s potential and achieve a second awakening.

Zhongli explained that Ghostly's near-death experience and altered nature gave him an advantage in completing his Innate Martial Soul's second awakening. He outlined the dangerous trials Ghostly would need to face, leaving Ghostly and Yue Guan to consider the ordeal.

• Zhongli told Ghostly and Yue Guan that Ghostly would find his second awakening easier than other Innate Soul Masters, after briefly making them fear the opportunity was impossible.
• Zhongli explained that Ghostly was half-human and half-zombie and described how becoming a true zombie would require centuries of burial, but Ghostly refused that path.
• Zhongli accepted Ghostly's choice and explained that the second awakening was best attempted at the Soul Emperor or Soul Sage level, though Ghostly's Titled Douluo rank made inducing mortal danger difficult.
• Zhongli advised sealing Ghostly's Soul Power and exposing him to dangerous trials such as swimming in the sea among Sea Soul Beasts, climbing mountains, and sitting beneath waterfalls.
• Ghostly and Yue Guan listened gravely and recognized that energy was the most important factor.

Zhongli agreed to let Spirit Hall include his teachings in its library and accepted a Soul Bone and an Honorary Worship Token from Bibi Dong and the Great Worship. Meanwhile, Innate Soul Masters began traveling to Heaven Dou City, while Tang San continued to nurse his hatred for Zhongli and Xiaofeilian.

• Yue Guan asked Zhongli for permission to place his teachings on Innate Martial Souls and Soul Rings in Spirit Hall’s library, and Zhongli agreed.
• Yue Guan presented Zhongli with a ten-thousand-year head Soul Bone from Bibi Dong and an Honorary Worship Token, which Zhongli accepted.
• Paimon showed no interest in the Soul Bone and returned to eating pastries.
• Ghostly and Yue Guan left after Ghostly gained insight into his Martial Soul’s second awakening and Spirit Hall completed its mission.
• Innate Soul Masters across the continent set out for Heaven Dou City in response to Du Bafang’s call.
• At Shrek Academy, Tang San continued to blame Zhongli and Xiaofeilian for his defeat and vowed to test his hidden weapons against them.

Tang San brooded over his defeat by Chiyu and blamed Zhongli and Chiyu, while Xiao Wu and Yu Xiaogang cared for him as he recovered. Tang Hao remained conflicted about Xiao Wu’s Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and her unexplained ability to conceal her aura, and Yu Xiaogang prepared a training plan for Tang San.

• Tang San resolved to forge powerful Tang Sect hidden weapons and eventually challenge Zhongli and Chiyu, while Xiao Wu urged him to rest after caring for him.
• Tang San sent Xiao Wu back to recover, then vowed to take revenge on Chiyu despite knowing he was still far weaker than Zhongli.
• Tang Hao wondered why Xiao Wu’s aura seemed ordinary despite her being a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast, but decided the change was for the best.
• Yu Xiaogang visited Tang San, asked about his injuries, and told him to begin a body-tempering plan once he had healed.

Yu Xiaogang explained his Body Tempering Plan to Tang San, who resolved to strengthen himself to support his Twin Martial Souls. Meanwhile, Qian Renxue, disguised as "Xue Qinghe," vowed to improve commoners’ lives, and Bibi Dong appeared to offer Spirit Hall’s help establishing academies.

• Yu Xiaogang told Tang San that tempering his body would help him contain more Soul Power and absorb stronger Soul Rings.
• Tang San understood that his Twin Martial Souls made physical training especially important and promised to focus on recovering.
• At the Seven Treasure Hotel, "Xue Qinghe" discussed commoners’ hardships with Zhongli and declared that she wanted everyone to have a path beyond awakening a Martial Soul.
• Zhongli said that establishing such opportunities would be simple for the empire or Spirit Hall, though it would affect many people’s interests.
• "Xue Qinghe" resolved to persuade Xue Ye and become Emperor if necessary, but Bibi Dong appeared and offered Spirit Hall’s help with commoner academies.

Bibi Dong arrived in Heaven Dou City and confronted Qian Renxue, who was disguised as "Xue Qinghe," over their estranged relationship. When Bibi Dong tried to slap her, Zhongli stopped her, and Qian Renxue demanded that Bibi Dong strike her and then sever their ties.

• Bibi Dong arrived and was stunned when Qian Renxue called her "sister" instead of "Mom."
• Qian Renxue asked why Bibi Dong had come to Heaven Dou City and accused her of visiting Yu Xiaogang before coming to see her.
• Bibi Dong raised her hand to slap Qian Renxue, who closed her eyes and accepted the blow.
• Zhongli caught Bibi Dong's arm and stopped the slap.
• Qian Renxue asked Zhongli to let Bibi Dong hit her, saying they would sever all ties afterward, while Bibi Dong suppressed a surge of blood.

Zhongli urged Bibi Dong to reconsider how she treated Qian Renxue, but Qian Renxue refused to regret her choices. Bibi Dong left after agreeing that Spirit Hall would provide schooling for children without Soul Power, while her doubts about Zhongli’s knowledge deepened.

• Zhongli told Bibi Dong that she still had a chance to avoid regretting how she treated Qian Renxue.
• Qian Renxue declared that she did not regret her actions and praised Zhongli’s extensive knowledge.
• Paimon said Zhongli’s knowledge across the Douluo Continent made him powerful, prompting Bibi Dong to question how much he had influenced Yu Xiaogang’s book.
• “Xue Qinghe” told Bibi Dong to leave, and Bibi Dong admitted she had already regretted her impulsive actions.
• Bibi Dong said Spirit Hall would arrange schooling for children without Soul Power and told “Xue Qinghe” not to involve herself.

Bibi Dong reconsidered her assumptions about Zhongli and Yu Xiaogang as she returned to Spirit City. At the Great Soul Arena, Qian Renxue resolved to prove herself for Zhongli, while Paimon lifted her spirits and Zhongli watched the matches without interest.

• Bibi Dong concluded that Zhongli saw Qian Renxue only as a promising junior and realized her daughter's feelings were one-sided.
• Bibi Dong questioned Yu Xiaogang's knowledge and considered investigating why he had recorded Zhongli's words without naming him.
• Qian Renxue, disguised as "Xue Qinghe," told Paimon that Bibi Dong was her mother and decided to prove herself for the Vago Rock Emperor.
• Paimon noticed Qian Renxue's flushed face and chatted with her until she smiled again.
• At the Great Soul Arena, Zhongli watched the matches from a private box while "Xue Qinghe" asked whether he disliked Soul Fighting.

Zhongli explained to "Xue Qinghe" that he had once relied on overwhelming force but preferred peaceful years, prompting "Xue Qinghe" to suspect he was already a god. A month later, three thousand Innate Soul Masters formed the Body Sect near Heaven Dou City and gathered to ask Zhongli to become their sect master.

• Zhongli told "Xue Qinghe" that force could subdue almost anything, though he wished for peaceful years without battles or regrets.
• "Xue Qinghe" wondered if Zhongli had attained godhood, then invited him out for drinks, and Paimon eagerly joined when she heard there would be food.
• Over the next month, more than a thousand Innate Soul Masters gathered near Heaven Dou City, built residences, and applied to establish the Body Sect.
• Ning Fengzhi learned that the Body Sect had about three thousand members and planned to visit with Chen Xin and bring gifts.
• Du Bafang led the three thousand Body Sect members in asking Martial God Douluo to become their sect master as their shouts rang outside Heaven Dou City.

Three thousand Innate Soul Masters gathered to establish the Innate Sect and proclaim Zhongli their sect master, alarming Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin and drawing Xue Qinghe’s attention. Their fervent faith summoned a fleeting vision of Morax, whom Xue Qinghe recognized as a God, and the crowd renewed its call to welcome Zhongli.

• Three thousand Innate Soul Masters assembled beneath Heaven Dou City and shouted that they wished to honor Zhongli as their sect master.
• Chen Xin reassured Ning Fengzhi that the Innate Sect’s rise threatened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan more than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Xue Qinghe learned that Zhongli was drinking tea at a teahouse while the Innate Soul Masters called for him.
• The Innate Soul Masters’ faith gathered into a pure Power of Faith and briefly formed a phantom of Morax on a Divine Throne.
• Xue Qinghe recognized Morax and concluded that he had become a God, while the Innate Soul Masters intensified their welcome for Zhongli.

Zhongli accepted the leadership of the Innate Soul Masters and founded the Body Sect, establishing rules against evil and betrayal. He led the new sect toward its grounds as onlookers began preparing congratulatory gifts.

• Zhongli went to the city gate after Paimon told him that Innate Soul Masters were calling for the Martial God.
• Three thousand Innate Soul Masters knelt and asked Zhongli to become their sect master, and he agreed to lead them under strict rules.
• Zhongli declared that anyone who broke the sect's contract would suffer the Punishment of Eating Rocks, and the Body Sect hailed him as its first sect master.
• Zhongli entered Martial Soul Possession, raised the members to their feet, and told them to honor their parents rather than bow to him.
• Zhongli led the Body Sect members to their grounds while Xue Qinghe recognized the founding, and Salas arranged a generous congratulatory gift.

After establishing the Innate Sect, Zhongli focused on training its members while leaving Du Bafang to manage the sect. Du Bafang rose to become the new Innate Douluo, while Zhongli returned to his leisurely life in Heaven Dou City.

• Forces across the continent reacted to the Innate Sect's founding, and Salas delivered an unusually valuable congratulatory gift before leaving with a stern face.
• The Innate Sect trained deep in the mountains with financial support from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire.
• Zhongli made Du Bafang acting sect master and helped him complete a second Martial Soul awakening, reach level eighty, and obtain a powerful eighth Soul Ring and Soul Bone.
• Du Bafang later absorbed the Hundred-Thousand-Year Death Spider Emperor's Soul Ring and Soul Bone, becoming a Titled Douluo and taking the title of Innate Douluo from Zhongli.
• Ning Fengzhi learned that Zhongli had returned to frequenting pleasure houses while the Innate Sect continued training and hunting Soul Rings.

Ning Fengzhi received Innate Sect elder Zhang Hu, who proposed a business partnership involving perfume, soap, and incense. Ning Fengzhi mistook the Innate Sect’s modest profit request for an attempt to keep their ties weak and offered them an eighty-percent share instead.

• Ning Fengzhi agreed to meet Zhang Hu, an elder from the nearby Innate Sect.
• Zhang Hu presented perfume, soap, and incense, and female disciples tested the products for Ning Fengzhi.
• Zhang Hu proposed that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect produce and sell the products while the Innate Sect took a small share of the profits.
• Ning Fengzhi offered the Innate Sect sixty percent of the profits, believing Zhang Hu's modest request would leave their interests too loosely connected.
• When Zhang Hu tried to refuse the sixty-percent share, Ning Fengzhi raised the offer to eighty percent, leaving Zhang Hu dumbfounded.

Ning Fengzhi decided to strengthen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s ties with the Innate Sect while investing in Shrek Academy, then let Ning Rongrong out of confinement. Meanwhile, Zhongli and Paimon noticed Heaven Dou City growing busier ahead of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, and Du Bafang arrived with a matter to discuss.

• Ning Fengzhi urged deeper cooperation with the Innate Sect, and Chen Xin and Gu Rong agreed that the sect should also invest in Shrek Academy while maintaining a firm attitude.
• After nearly four months in confinement, Ning Rongrong escaped the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and headed for Heaven Dou City as Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong watched.
• Zhongli noticed Heaven Dou City had grown livelier and concluded that visitors and competitors were arriving early for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
• Du Bafang found Zhongli and Paimon, saying he needed to discuss Zhang Hu’s failed task and Ning Fengzhi’s unexpected offer.
• A passerby mistook Zhongli for the head of a small sect, and locals identified him as Martial God Douluo and acting Sect Master of the Innate Sect.

Zhongli approved Du Bafang’s plan to send the Innate Sect’s younger generation to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and promised them gifts. At Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong returned and the students discussed Tang San’s defeat by Xiaofeilian, with Yu Xiaogang pointing out that tournament rules would prevent her from using her sword.

• Du Bafang told Zhongli that Ning Fengzhi had acted in a way that raised the stakes between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Innate Sect, and Zhongli praised him.
• Du Bafang proposed entering the Innate Sect’s younger generation in the tournament, and Zhongli approved, urging them to surpass him and promising gifts.
• Ning Rongrong returned to Shrek Academy, where Ma Hongjun and the others welcomed her and she boasted about escaping her guards.
• Ning Rongrong asked about Tang San’s injuries from Xiaofeilian, and Dai Mubai said Tang San had spent a month and a half recovering after his External Soul Bone and Second Martial Soul were shattered.
• Yu Xiaogang told the group to train together for a rematch at the tournament, explaining that Xiaofeilian would be unable to use her sword there, which led Tang San to wonder how much of her strength would remain.

Ma Hongjun reminded Yu Xiaogang and the others that Xiaofeilian remained a formidable Soul King even without her sword, while Zhu Zhuqing rejected their plan to take revenge. She revealed that Tang San was hating the wrong person and began explaining what she had learned about his mother's murder.

• Ma Hongjun pointed out that Xiaofeilian's two purple and three black soul rings made her a dangerous opponent even without her sword, and Yu Xiaogang admitted he had overlooked her strength.
• Zhu Zhuqing said Xiaofeilian had never provoked Shrek and refused to join any revenge against her.
• Dai Mubai argued that Xiaofeilian had wronged Tang San by destroying his External Soul Bone and shattering his Second Martial Soul.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked Tang San whether his grudge against Xiaofeilian was greater than the murder of his mother, then said she had read old records about a major event from thirteen years earlier.

Zhu Zhuqing revealed that Tang San’s father was the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, and Yu Xiaogang and Flender confirmed it. Tang San was left bewildered by his father’s hidden identity and absence, while Zhongli asked Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s education board members for a favor.

• Zhu Zhuqing identified Tang San’s second Martial Soul as the Clear Sky Hammer and explained that the Clear Sky Sect had expelled Tang Hao before sealing its gates.
• Yu Xiaogang tried to stop Zhu Zhuqing from speaking, but Tang San insisted that she tell him what she knew.
• Zhu Zhuqing deduced that Tang San was likely Tang Hao’s son and named Tang Hao as the Clear Sky Douluo.
• Yu Xiaogang and Flender confirmed Tang Hao’s identity and recalled that he had asked them to look after Tang San.
• Tang San wondered why Tang Hao had stayed away, while Yu Xiaogang questioned how Zhu Zhuqing knew the cause of Tang Hao’s conflict with Spirit Hall.
• At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Zhongli asked the education board members for a favor, and they offered to comply.

Zhongli asked the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Education Committee to let the Innate Sect's young Soul Masters compete using its tournament slots, and the committee agreed to place them on the Imperial Dou First Team. The displaced team members confronted the committee, and Meng Shenji told them they needed experience.

• Zhongli asked Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin to secure tournament slots for the Innate Sect's young Soul Masters.
• Meng Shenji and the other Education Committee members agreed to put the Innate Sect members, including Chiyu, on the Imperial Dou First Team and send the original members to the Imperial Dou Second Team.
• Yu Feng, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the other displaced team members arrived at the Education Committee offices and demanded an explanation.
• Meng Shenji acknowledged that the team members were talented but told them they still needed experience.