Chapter Summaries

Bibi Dong pushed ahead with civilian academies despite Spirit Hall's opposition, strengthening its appeal among civilian Soul Masters. Meanwhile, Zhongli confirmed that Du Bafang was a Titled Douluo and praised his talent, leaving Xue Qinghe and Paimon puzzled by his rapid rise.

• Bibi Dong refused to abandon civilian academies, partly to honor her promise to Qian Renxue and prevent her from taking the risky step herself.
• Spirit Hall's plans to educate civilians and support their advancement increased its prestige and attracted more civilian Soul Masters.
• Xue Qinghe asked Zhongli whether Innate Sect acting sect master Du Bafang was a Titled Douluo.
• Zhongli confirmed Du Bafang's rank and spent five minutes praising his talent, astonishing Xue Qinghe and Paimon.

Zhongli and “Xue Qinghe” encountered the women of Skywater Academy, where Shui Yue'er openly praised Zhongli’s looks. Zhongli calmly explained her attraction as an instinctive response to beauty, until Paimon called it shallow.

• Shui Bing'er and the Skywater Academy women recognized Zhongli and greeted him and “Xue Qinghe.”
• Shui Yue'er blurted out that Zhongli was handsome, and Shui Bing'er apologized for her sister’s outburst.
• Zhongli waved away the apology and explained that people were naturally drawn to qualities they admired.
• Paimon asked if Shui Yue'er liked Zhongli, and Zhongli concluded that she was interested in his appearance.
• Paimon called that kind of attraction shallow, leaving Zhongli and Shui Yue'er speechless.

Zhongli discussed Shui Yue'er’s attraction to him so bluntly that she was embarrassed and lost her infatuation. After the Tianshui women fled, “Xue Qinghe” warned Zhongli that Shui Yue'er was still a teenage girl.

• Paimon asked whether Shui Yue'er would like Zhongli even more if she knew his inner nature, and Zhongli explained that people pursued beauty in different ways.
• Zhongli openly analyzed Shui Yue'er’s attraction while she stood nearby, leaving her mortified and “Xue Qinghe” pitying her.
• Zhongli’s reflections on Guizhong’s long-ago affection made Shui Yue'er rethink her impulsive crush and resolve to be more cautious around handsome men.
• Shui Bing'er led the Tianshui group away in a hurry, and Zhongli asked Paimon whether he had said something wrong.
• “Xue Qinghe” asked Zhongli whether he had considered that Shui Yue'er was still a teenage girl.

Zhongli explained why he had not offered Qian Renxue a quick route to greater strength, while the chapter described the Innate Sect’s unusual training and growing power. When Innate Sect disciples arrived in Heaven Dou City to buy supplies, their leader noticed Old Fifth was missing.

• After parting with Zhongli, "Xue Qinghe" realized he had avoided answering her question and decided to focus on cultivating.
• Zhongli told Paimon that Qian Renxue already had inherited Angel God soul bones and did not need an Immortal Herb, though he could help her draw on the Angel God statue’s Power of Faith or his Rock Element Power.
• The chapter contrasted orthodox ways of gaining strength with the brutal methods of Evil Soul Masters and explained that Zhongli had made the Innate Sect’s second awakening safer.
• Seven or eight Innate Sect disciples entered Heaven Dou City to buy supplies, alarming the guards and prompting their captain to suspect the sect’s numbers or strength had sharply increased.
• After the disciples split up to shop and regrouped about an hour later, their leader noticed Old Fifth had not returned.

Old Fifth confronted a group of students who tried to scam him over a staged collision, then revealed himself as an Innate Sect disciple and prepared to make them listen to reason. The students surrendered before he could strike, leaving Old Fifth unsure what to do as fellow disciples arrived and questioned the lack of traces of Dao or reason.

• More than a dozen uniformed students accused Old Fifth of bumping into them and tried to swindle his Storage Soul Tools.
• Old Fifth recognized their scam, invoked the sect master's words, and activated his Martial Soul with three Soul Rings.
• The students realized Old Fifth belonged to the Innate Sect and begged him to forgive their misunderstanding.
• Old Fifth declared that he would persuade them with virtue, but the group knelt before he could hit them.
• An Innate Sect disciple arrived, saw the kneeling students, and asked why they showed no traces of Dao or reason.

Yuan Batian and the Innate Sect disciples confronted a group that had tried to scam them, and Yuan Batian crippled the captain under the sect’s bizarre rules. The group left after Yuan Batian warned the crowd not to treat the injured man.

• Old Five recounted how the group had tried to scam the Innate Sect, and the disciples listened as the scammers knelt in fear.
• Yuan Batian slapped the captain and reminded Old Five to act decisively instead of hesitating when opponents surrendered.
• Yuan Batian questioned the captain about his earlier claim that an apology could solve the problem, and the captain admitted he had said it.
• Yuan Batian invoked the sect rule “He who first makes figurines shall have no descendants!” and kicked the captain’s leg, crippling him.
• Yuan Batian identified himself as the Innate Sect’s Procurement Department steward and warned that anyone who treated the captain would become an enemy of the sect.

Yuan Batian forced the people who had tried to scam the Innate Sect to hand over their Gold Soul Coins and warned them to show the sect proper respect. After Yuan Batian left, their injured teacher ordered them not to seek revenge and revealed how close they had come to disaster, while Zhongli and Paimon watched from hiding.

• Yuan Batian collected the kneeling group’s Gold Soul Coins, including the captain’s, and told Fourth Brother to use them for supplies and a better meal.
• Yuan Batian threatened to beat anyone who failed to show the Innate Sect proper etiquette, and the group loudly promised to obey.
• Yuan Batian led his brothers toward the city gates as Heaven Dou Imperial Knights ignored them under orders not to interfere unless Innate Sect disciples killed someone.
• After Yuan Batian left, the group discovered their Soul Sage teacher had a crushed shoulder and broken arm.
• The teacher warned everyone not to seek revenge and said they must respect the Innate Sect, while Zhongli and Paimon watched from the shadows.

Zhongli and Paimon watched the Innate Sect’s violent confrontation and considered how the Analects, renamed “Lunyu,” and a contract had shaped its disciples. Tang San condemned the Innate Sect as evil and resolved to oppose it when he became strong enough, while Flender led the Shrek group back to cultivate.

• Zhongli told Paimon that he could not judge the Innate Sect disciples’ interpretation of Lunyu as right or wrong, but thought their conduct had been shaped by its rules and their contract.
• Zhongli concluded that strength remained the ultimate authority and decided to wait and see whether Lunyu caused further problems among the Innate Sect disciples.
• Tang San recovered from his shock, called the Innate Sect an evil sect, and vowed to eradicate it once he was powerful enough.
• Tang San recalled that he had chosen a roughly six-thousand-year-old Earth Devil Spider for his fourth soul ring after Yu Xiaogang opposed the riskier ten-thousand-year option.
• Flender told the group to return and cultivate.

Tang San left the Innate Sect incident convinced the sect was evil, while news of its harsh response spread through Heaven Dou City and made other factions wary. As the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament approached, “Xue Qinghe” invited Zhongli to serve as a judge, and Paimon hinted that he might accept for the food.

• Tang San and the Shrek group left after witnessing the Innate Sect punish Shi Nian, while faction spies departed to report what had happened.
• Zhongli recognized the disciplined students as Canghui Academy members and recalled their earlier conflict with Shrek Academy, which Ma Hongjun had provoked.
• Major factions learned of the Innate Sect’s decisive punishment and warned their subordinates not to offend it.
• Tang Yuehua accepted Elephant Armored Sect disciples at Moonlight Pavilion after Hu Yan Zhen apologized to the Innate Sect for his grandson’s injuries.
• “Xue Qinghe” invited Zhongli to judge the upcoming tournament, and Paimon suggested he might want to attend because there would be delicious food.

"Xue Qinghe" persuaded Zhongli and Paimon to attend the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament by promising delicious food and mentioning that Zhongli could serve as a judge. She left excited about Spirit Hall's chances, and Yue Guan arrived at Zhongli Manor soon afterward with food for Paimon.

• Paimon asked Zhongli to watch the tournament preliminaries, and Zhongli reminded her that Chiyu and Four Seasons would compete later as a directly seeded team.
• Zhongli suggested they could attend the finals as judges instead of buying tickets, and "Xue Qinghe" promised Paimon a surprise meal.
• "Xue Qinghe" revealed that Qian Daoliu had moved the finals venue to Spirit City so he could meet Zhongli, and she looked forward to Spirit Hall defeating the Golden Generation's favored disciple.
• "Xue Qinghe" wondered why Shrek Academy was weaker than in her dream, unaware that Immortal Herbs had raised the original team's Soul Power.
• Yue Guan arrived at Zhongli Manor less than two hours after "Xue Qinghe" left and told Paimon he had brought her delicious food.

After completing a Silver Rank Second Awakening, Ghostly felt indebted to Zhongli, while Yue Guan visited with food for Paimon and tea for Zhongli. Yue Guan then invited Zhongli to Spirit City to meet Qian Daoliu, and Zhongli asked when the meeting would take place.

• Ghostly completed his Martial Soul's Second Awakening at Silver Rank and resolved to repay Zhongli's kindness whenever he needed help.
• Yue Guan brought Paimon beautifully prepared food and gave Zhongli fine tea and tea sets.
• Zhongli brewed tea for Yue Guan, who was astonished by how much better it tasted than his own brewing.
• Yue Guan invited Zhongli to Spirit City on Qian Daoliu's behalf, explaining that the Great Worship wished to meet him.
• Zhongli considered whether Qian Daoliu's invitation concealed a trap, accepted Yue Guan's reassurance, and asked when they should meet.

Zhongli accepted Qian Daoliu’s invitation to meet in Spirit City, then gave Yue Guan a seed of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Yue Guan accepted the precious gift and vowed that he and Ghostly would serve Zhongli, while the reason for Qian Daoliu’s meeting remained unknown.

• Zhongli considered why Qian Daoliu had arranged to meet him and decided to wait until he reached Spirit City to learn the reason.
• Yue Guan reported that Zhongli had agreed to attend the meeting with Qian Daoliu.
• Before Yue Guan left, Zhongli gave him a seed of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
• Yue Guan recognized the seed’s value and thanked Zhongli solemnly.
• Yue Guan vowed that he and Ghostly would follow Zhongli’s orders without hesitation.

Yue Guan and Zhongli discussed Paimon's lack of intelligence before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament began in Heaven Dou City. Xiaofeilian and the Innate Sect entered the arena, where she urged them to grow stronger and declared that they would face no enemy.

• Paimon misunderstood Yue Guan's promise to repay Zhongli's kindness, and Yue Guan suggested giving her Mental Power soul rings.
• Zhongli explained that Mental Power soul rings and soul bones strengthened mental power but did not improve intelligence.
• Crowds gathered outside the Great Soul Arena of Heaven Dou City to welcome the tournament teams, including Skywater Academy and the Divine Wind Team.
• Xiaofeilian and the six members of the Innate Sect entered the arena, and their imposing presence made the crowd fall silent.
• Xiaofeilian told the sect members to uphold Zhongli's dignity by becoming stronger, and she dismissed winning the championship as meaningless beyond the three soul bones.

Contestants and spectators gathered at the Great Soul Arena, where Zhongli’s presence reshaped the VIP seating and stirred resentment from Salas. Shrek Academy endured mockery for its uniforms, and the chapter ended as Chiyu Xiaofeilian was introduced as the Imperial Dou First Team’s captain and a record-setting Soul King.

• Zhongli and Paimon took the most honored VIP seats, leaving Salas displeased but unwilling to object.
• Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin watched Salas with contempt while Zhongli drank tea and Paimon ate the food prepared by Xue Qinghe.
• The host introduced the teams, and Shrek Academy faced jeers over its shit-green uniforms and advertisements.
• Tang San urged Shrek’s team to prove itself through strength, while Ma Hongjun admired the girls from Skywater Academy.
• The host introduced Chiyu Xiaofeilian as captain of the Imperial Dou First Team, Saintess of the Innate Sect, and the youngest Soul King in history.

The tournament ceremony introduced Chiyu and the Imperial Dou First Team as overwhelming competitors, stirring envy and apprehension among the other teams. After Xue Ye’s speech, Zhongli addressed the arena and announced that he would offer a prize for the competition.

• The audience learned that Chiyu was the youngest Soul King in history, an Innate Sect Saintess, and a disciple of Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s education committee members.
• The Imperial Dou First Team’s strength frightened rival contestants, while Shi Nian warned the Azure Radiance Team not to provoke them.
• Dai Mubai resented the Imperial Dou First Team’s advantages, and Tang San speculated that Zhongli had obtained an entire garden of Immortal Herbs.
• Xue Ye delivered his tournament speech and announced rewards before the host invited Zhongli to address the arena.
• Zhongli introduced himself as the Innate Sect’s Sect Master and a Crown Prince’s Mansion Guest Official, then announced that he would offer a prize.

Zhongli announced a five-thousand-six-hundred-year left leg Soul Bone as the prize for the team that placed first in the preliminary round, surprising contestants who had expected the reward to favor the Innate Sect. He left the arena inspired by his encouragement and eager for the prize, which he then revealed.

• Contestants suspected Spirit Hall's tournament prizes were intended to keep rewards within the Innate Sect, whose disciples were expected to dominate the competition.
• Zhongli announced that the preliminary-round winner would receive a Soul Bone, and contestants realized the Imperial Dou First Team would not compete in that round.
• Zhongli encouraged the contestants by telling them the future belonged to them, and they responded with gratitude and admiration.
• Zhongli explained that he had chosen a Thousand Year Soul Bone because more valuable ones could put its recipient in danger.
• Zhongli displayed a five-thousand-six-hundred-year strength-type left leg Soul Bone as the preliminary-round prize.

At the tournament opening ceremony, Dai Mubai asked the Shrek team to help him win a 5,600-year power-type left leg soul bone, while Tang San weighed his own claim to it. After Shrek drew ridicule for dividing up the prize before the competition began, Zhongli agreed to draw the opening match lots.

• Ma Hongjun pointed out that the power-type soul bone suited Dai Mubai, who decided he needed it to improve his chances against Dai Weisi and asked the Shrek group for help.
• Tailong argued that the soul bone also suited Tang San and that Dai Mubai could not simply claim it, prompting Tang San to rebuke him while privately considering the prize for himself.
• Tang San promised to help Dai Mubai obtain the soul bone, and Dai Mubai smiled as the other contestants mocked Shrek for dividing up the prize before the tournament began.
• Zhongli finished his speech, Ning Fengzhi and Salas gave their remarks, and the host announced that the first match would take place that day while the rest of the tournament began tomorrow.
• The host invited Zhongli to draw the opening match lots, and Zhongli agreed after seeing Ning Fengzhi, Salas, and Xue Ye make no objection.

Zhongli stepped in to conduct the tournament draw himself, astonishing the spectators with a display of power that deepened their fear and respect. The host praised Zhongli and the Innate Sect for honoring contracts, and the crowd accepted him as a trustworthy choice to draw the lots.

• Zhongli recalled that Salas had not rigged the original tournament draw and concluded there was no reason to suspect him of cheating.
• Zhongli appeared beside the host without using his martial soul or soul skills, shocking the people in the venue.
• Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong grew more wary of Zhongli, while Tang Hao privately felt relieved he had never challenged him directly.
• Salas abandoned any thought of showing off and feared offending Zhongli or the Innate Sect.
• The host declared that Zhongli would draw the lots, praised the Innate Sect's devotion to contracts, and assured the audience the draw would be honest.

Zhongli drew the first-round matchup, pairing Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Shrek Academy, despite making no effort to influence the draw. With Yu Tianheng's team seeking revenge for its earlier loss, Yu Xiaogang decided Shrek would have to field everyone.

• Xiao Qing blushed as she brought Zhongli the tray of battle badges, while Xiaofeilian grew jealous from the contestants' rest area.
• Du Siji accepted that he still could not defeat Xiaofeilian, even after reaching Soul King rank and gaining a Silver Rank Second Awakening and External Soul Bones.
• Zhongli drew a badge, and the host announced that Heaven Dou Royal Academy would face Shrek Academy in the first match.
• Yu Tianheng challenged Tang San to a rematch, and Tang San vowed that Shrek could defeat his team again.
• Yu Xiaogang told Flender that Shrek should send everyone out rather than risk losing while holding back.

The tournament teams prepared for the preliminaries as Feng Xiaotian resolved to pursue first place and Shrek planned to field its strongest members. Imperial Dou Second Team captain Yu Tianheng and the original captain avoided a dispute over who would take responsibility if the team lost.

• Feng Xiaotian decided to compete for first place and beat Blazing Fire Academy, leaving Huo Wu unsettled by his intense gaze.
• Yu Xiaogang allowed Tang San to use the Eight Spider Lances, and Tang San agreed to give the match his all despite his foreboding.
• Shrek's members warmed up to take the field, while Xiao Wu remained cautious about being recognized.
• Imperial Dou Second Team's original captain challenged Yu Tianheng's decision to play, but refused to take the blame for a possible loss.