Chapter Summaries

Wriothesley reassured Xue Qinghe and the others that he was only mentally tired before Xiao Wu fought Huo Wushuang in the tournament. Xiao Wu was defeated by his flames, leaving Tang San furious and Huo Wushuang mocking Shrek Academy.

• Wriothesley told Xue Qinghe and Sigewinne that he was not injured, though he felt mentally exhausted by the contestants' antics.
• Xiao Wu entered the arena to face Huo Wushuang, hoping her charm and close-combat skills would give her an advantage.
• Huo Wushuang resisted Xiao Wu's charm, and she moved behind him to attempt her Waist Bow technique.
• Huo Wushuang activated his third soul ring and burned Xiao Wu, sending her falling from the arena.
• Dai Mubai caught Xiao Wu, and Tang San took her into his arms and threatened those who had hurt her.
• Huo Wushuang mocked Tang San and Shrek Academy while Liu Erlong, restrained by Yu Xiaogang, seethed with anger.

Tang San entered the match against Blazing Fire Academy’s Huo Wushuang and used his Clear Sky Hammer, but Huo Wushuang exploited his charging attack and wounded him. Yu Xiaogang conceded the round, leaving Tang San injured and the match unresolved.

• Tang San took the arena after Huo Wushuang challenged Shrek Academy and summoned his Clear Sky Hammer to counter Huo Wushuang’s fire-based Martial Soul.
• Tang San unleashed Raging Storm Dance, while Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi reacted with surprise and Wriothesley recognized the technique.
• Huo Wushuang waited until Tang San had charged his attack, then rushed in and struck his waist as Tang San’s hammer hit his chest.
• Tang San and Huo Wushuang both suffered injuries, and Yu Xiaogang conceded the round to prevent Tang San from continuing.
• Wriothesley criticized Tang San for charging his attack in front of an opponent.

Wriothesley and the spectators criticized Tang San's immature combat skills after Huo Wushuang defeated him, while Salas mocked the Clear Sky Sect's reliance on inherited techniques. Huo Wushuang then conceded instead of defending the arena, leaving Huo Wu to face Shrek Academy's Zhu Zhuqing in the final match.

• Wriothesley, Gu Rong, and Ning Fengzhi assessed Tang San's flashy but inexperienced fighting, while Xue Ye praised his mastery of Chaotic Cloak.
• Salas mocked Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect, claiming their fame relied on Tang Chen's legacy rather than their own skill.
• Tang San insisted he could continue, but Dai Mubai stopped him; Tang San swallowed his anger and vowed to take revenge on Huo Wushuang.
• Huo Wushuang left the arena and conceded, then told Huo Wu to handle the remaining match.
• Zhu Zhuqing rose from Shrek Academy's bench to face Huo Wu in the final round.

Zhu Zhuqing defeated Huo Wu after avoiding the full force of her incomplete ring-fusion attack and exploiting the opening to strike from behind. Afterward, Wriothesley told Zhu Zhuqing to rest and asked whether she had made her decision.

• Huo Wu charged Zhu Zhuqing and attacked with flames, then used her four soul rings to launch a powerful final technique.
• Zhu Zhuqing used Huo Wu’s punch to leap into the air and escaped the blast by appearing behind her.
• Zhu Zhuqing cut Huo Wu with a wind blade and knocked her off the stage, securing the victory.
• Huo Wu acknowledged her loss and thanked Zhu Zhuqing for showing mercy, and Zhu Zhuqing accepted her words.
• Wriothesley congratulated Zhu Zhuqing, told her to rest, and asked if she had made her decision.

After defeating Blazing Fire Academy, Zhu Zhuqing chose to leave Shrek Academy and study under Wriothesley. Flender accepted her decision, and she prepared to go with the Duke.

• Wriothesley asked Zhu Zhuqing what she wanted to do, and she chose to follow him rather than join Blazing Fire Academy or stay at Shrek Academy.
• Flender protested that Shrek had trained Zhu Zhuqing for three years, while Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai urged her not to leave.
• Zhu Zhuqing insisted that her decision was her personal freedom and that she would not change her mind.
• Wriothesley defended Zhu Zhuqing's right to choose and asked Flender whether he objected.
• Flender acknowledged that Shrek lacked the resources to help Zhu Zhuqing grow further and agreed that keeping her would waste her talent.

Zhu Zhuqing chose to leave Shrek Academy and follow Wriothesley, despite Tang San and Dai Mubai's reluctance. After she departed, the remaining team faced their upcoming matches against Canghui and a strengthened Godwind Academy without her.

• Tang San tried to persuade Zhu Zhuqing to stay, but Yu Xiaogang told him to respect her decision.
• Zhu Zhuqing left with Wriothesley after Flender accepted her choice and asked the Duke to help her grow stronger.
• Liu Erlong protested Zhu Zhuqing's departure, but Flender pointed out that she could not defeat Wriothesley.
• Flender worried about Shrek Academy's remaining matches against Canghui and Godwind, then went to draw lots and speak with the organizing committee.
• Ning Que silently criticized Yu Xiaogang for avoiding responsibility, while Qin Ming urged the team not to lose heart.

Zhu Zhuqing left Shrek Academy and joined Blazing Fire Academy, where Wriothesley entrusted her to Huo Wu and urged her to grow stronger. Five days later, the tournament preliminaries ended, and the finalists set out for Spirit City under the Heaven Dou Empire's escort.

• Qin Ming told Shrek Academy to trust Tang San after Zhu Zhuqing left, while Dai Mubai worried about facing Dai Weisi without her.
• Wriothesley reassured Zhu Zhuqing that he would handle matters at Shrek Academy and that she should focus on becoming stronger.
• Wriothesley brought Zhu Zhuqing to Blazing Fire Academy, where Huo Wu welcomed her and promised to take care of her.
• Zhu Zhuqing greeted the Blazing Fire Academy students, and Huo Wushuang celebrated her decision to join them.
• Five days later, the tournament preliminaries ended, and the advancing teams traveled toward Spirit City with the Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Knights.

Wriothesley, Sigewinne, and Xue Qinghe continued their slow journey toward Spirit City, while Shrek Academy struggled with Zhu Zhuqing’s departure and the Tyrant Dragon’s temper. Yu Xiaogang reached the Hall of Souls using an Elder Token and was summoned to meet the Pope.

• Sigewinne complained about the long trip to Spirit City, and Xue Qinghe estimated they still had about half a month to travel.
• Xue Qinghe and Sigewinne told Wriothesley he had become more interesting during the journey, and Wriothesley wondered whether he had really been so serious before.
• Jiangzhu asked Xiao Wu why her godmother seemed irritable, and Xiao Wu warned everyone to avoid provoking her.
• Ma Hongjun joked about the Tyrant Dragon, while Oscar suggested she might also be angry because Zhu Zhuqing had left; Dai Mubai rebuked him for bringing it up.
• Yu Xiaogang presented his Elder Token at the Hall of Souls, and the knights recognized him and escorted him toward the Pope.
• The Pope ordered the knights to wait outside and forbade anyone from entering without permission.

Yu Xiaogang asked Bibi Dong how she had overcome the dangers of Twin Martial Souls so he could help Tang San, but she refused to trust him and warned that Tang San could become Spirit Hall’s enemy. After Yu Xiaogang threatened Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong accused him of aiding a wanted criminal and threatened to execute him.

• Bibi Dong entered and rebuked Yu Xiaogang for his affectations, demanding that he explain why he had come.
• Yu Xiaogang asked Bibi Dong how she had overcome the obstacle of Twin Martial Souls, explaining that his disciple Tang San also possessed two martial souls.
• Bibi Dong questioned why she should help Yu Xiaogang and pointed out that Tang San’s gifts and connections could make him Spirit Hall’s enemy.
• Yu Xiaogang became furious when Bibi Dong suggested Tang San might need to be dealt with, and she blasted him back with her Soul Power when he approached her.
• Yu Xiaogang vowed to protect Tang San and threatened Spirit Hall, but Bibi Dong mocked his lack of power and accused him of relying on a criminal wanted by Spirit Hall.
• Bibi Dong declared that Yu Xiaogang’s actions warranted immediate execution, leaving him terrified that she intended to kill him.

Bibi Dong humiliated Yu Xiaogang, expelled him from Spirit Hall, and ordered his Martial Soul abolished, but Ghost Douluo intervened to protect the tournament team’s image. Ten days into the journey toward Spirit City, the escort remained safe, while Ning Fengzhi’s secret plan was known only to Chen Xin.

• Bibi Dong forced Yu Xiaogang to kneel, then ordered his expulsion from Spirit Hall and the destruction of his published theories.
• Bibi Dong ordered Yu Xiaogang’s Martial Soul abolished and his disgrace announced to the world.
• Ghost Douluo intercepted the guards, struck Yu Xiaogang with black mist, and ordered them to leave him unharmed in an empty chair in Spirit City.
• The escort traveled peacefully for ten days and covered half the distance to Spirit City under the protection of five hundred Royal Knights and a guardian Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
• Ning Fengzhi kept his plan secret from everyone except Chen Xin.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin planned to let Spirit Hall wear Tang San down before rescuing him and earning his gratitude, while debating whether Wriothesley would interfere. Their party reached a narrow pass between two hills, where a whistle announced an attack.

• Ning Fengzhi told Chen Xin that Spirit Hall's pursuers were expected to arrive that day, and Chen Xin warned him that the rescue plan was too risky.
• Ning Fengzhi insisted on proceeding and planned to intervene only after Tang San was nearly unable to hold out against Spirit Hall.
• Chen Xin argued that Wriothesley would be occupied protecting the Crown Prince and academy students, giving Ning Fengzhi a chance to carry out the plan.
• A whistle sounded as the party traveled through the pass, and Chen Xin looked outside and announced that the attackers had arrived.
• The Royal Knights raised their spears and prepared for an ambush while the Soul Master Academy competitors remained confident in their strength.

Wriothesley protected the convoy from an ambush as black-clothed attackers descended on the Royal Knights and the Soul Master academies. The attackers revealed that Tang San was their target, while they deliberately avoided Wriothesley and his carriage.

• The Royal Knights formed a defensive line against the falling rocks while Flender urged Liu Erlong to focus on protecting the students.
• Wriothesley stopped the boulders with an Ice Element shield, and Ning Fengzhi realized the ambush plan had been disrupted.
• The Captain ordered a retreat when arrows rained down, and teachers from the fifteen academies used their soul skills to block them.
• Black-clothed attackers rushed from the hills as Wriothesley told Sigewinne they were not targeting his carriage.
• The attackers identified Tang San as their target and warned each other not to alarm the Duke.

Wriothesley watched the ambush unfold while trusting Zhu Zhuqing and Shui Binger to gain battlefield experience. Tang San fought freely with Blue Silver Grass and Hidden Weapons, but powerful assassins targeted him and forced Flender to warn him to flee.

• Wriothesley told Sigewinne the attack would not affect them and left the students to face the battle as training.
• Hundreds of assassins joined the assault, and Flender urged the teachers to form a protective circle around the students.
• Tang San used Blue Silver Grass and Hidden Weapons to overwhelm nearby bandits and clear the area around Shrek Academy.
• Three powerful assassins attacked Tang San, broke his control of his vines, and pressed him with lethal force.
• Flender and Liu Erlong recognized that the attackers included a Soul Douluo and two Soul Saints, and Flender shouted for Tang San to run, suspecting Spirit Hall had sent them.

Tang San faced a Soul Douluo in Martial Soul Avatar while Liu Erlong and Flender were blocked from reaching him. Wriothesley and Sigewinne chose not to intervene, and Tang San prepared to fight rather than seek help as Golden Eagle closed in.

• Golden Eagle transformed into his golden eagle Martial Soul Avatar and attacked Tang San, while two other Soul Douluos held back Liu Erlong and Flender.
• Flender noticed that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s carriage and the royal carriage were untouched, but Tang San refused to ask their occupants for help.
• Chen Xin alerted Ning Fengzhi to Tang San’s peril, while Sigewinne and Wriothesley decided not to intervene after spotting Yue Guan nearby.
• Yue Guan watched from the cliff, having joined the operation because he suspected the red-clad bishop’s plan was meant to make Tang San retreat or serve another purpose.
• Golden Eagle closed to within two meters of Tang San, who resolved that he could not die before establishing the Tang Sect.
• Liu Erlong and Flender charged to save Tang San, but their Soul Douluo opponents prevented them from reaching him.

Chen Xin intervened to protect Tang San from Golden Eagle, and Yue Guan joined the fight before Spirit Hall’s attackers withdrew. Xue Qinghe restored order among the survivors, while Tang San remained troubled that Wriothesley had not emerged from the carriage.

• Ning Fengzhi urged Chen Xin to intervene before Golden Eagle could kill Tang San.
• Chen Xin confronted Golden Eagle and refused to retreat, while Yue Guan entered the fight to protect Lor Diarra.
• Tang San wondered why Wriothesley had not come out of the carriage, unaware that Sigewinne was shielding him inside.
• Yue Guan ordered the attackers to retreat, and they gathered their dead and weapons as they left.
• Xue Qinghe directed the Royal Knights to tend the injured warhorses, move the intact carriages forward, and reform their ranks.

After the ambush, Xue Qinghe and Wriothesley helped the convoy recover, while Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin assessed the losses to Spirit Hall. As the group continued toward Spirit City, Tang San felt abandoned and Xiao Wu quietly reassured him.

• Shrek Academy suffered the most injuries, while Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin reflected that the operation had cost Spirit Hall more than twenty Soul Masters at Soul King rank or above.
• Xue Qinghe thanked Wriothesley, who praised her quick orders to restore the convoy after the enemies retreated.
• Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi agreed that Spirit Hall still had to maintain appearances and continue the journey toward Spirit City.
• Tang San felt ignored by the people around him, and Xiao Wu reassured him while concealing his identity.
• The convoy continued onward with a tense atmosphere, until a sudden scream broke the calm of evening in Spirit City.

Yu Xiaogang woke to find his Martial Soul destroyed and hurried to warn Tang San that Spirit Hall planned to kill him. Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe’s convoy reached Spirit City, where Yue Guan met them before an injured figure appeared in their path.

• Yu Xiaogang realized Ghost Douluo had crippled his Martial Soul and feared Bibi Dong would target Tang San, so he set off to stop him from competing.
• Xue Qinghe led the soul master teams into Spirit City while the Ironclad Army and Royal Knights camped outside to guard the city.
• Yue Guan welcomed Xue Qinghe, Wriothesley, and Sigewinne at the city gate, then prepared to ask Wriothesley how to grow the immortal herb seeds.
• An injured figure approached the Heaven Dou camp, and a guard sent another guard to investigate.
• The figure blocked Yue Guan and the others as they walked through Spirit City.

Yu Xiaogang collapsed after his Soul Power and Martial Soul were crippled, and Flender sought Sigewinne’s help. Wriothesley refused, leaving Flender standing in their way as they prepared to continue into Spirit City.

• Yu Xiaogang collapsed at the entrance, and Liu Erlong and Flender discovered that his Soul Power had been crippled.
• Ning Fengzhi said he could not treat Yu Xiaogang but suggested that Sigewinne could; Flender went to ask her for help.
• Tang San learned that Yu Xiaogang had been injured because of him and wondered whether Bibi Dong was responsible.
• Flender asked Wriothesley and Sigewinne to save Yu Xiaogang, but Wriothesley refused because Yu Xiaogang had defied him and had a poor relationship with the Head Nurse.
• Yue Guan urged Flender to move aside, but Flender refused to give up on Yu Xiaogang or Shrek Academy.

Wriothesley agreed to arrange treatment for Yu Xiaogang after Sigewinne asked, though he made clear he was helping only at her request. Sigewinne treated Yu Xiaogang and warned that his lost Soul Power and frail body left him with strict limits on treatment and few years to live.

• Sigewinne asked Wriothesley to help the injured Yu Xiaogang, and he told Yue Guan to arrange a place for him in Spirit City.
• Yue Guan warned Flender that Spirit City would not tolerate further obstruction, then escorted him back to the Shrek Academy tent.
• Sigewinne began treating Yu Xiaogang with potent medicinal herbs, while Yue Guan cautioned that his weakened body might not withstand them.
• Sigewinne reassured Yue Guan and gave Flender instructions and supplies, warning that Yu Xiaogang needed careful care and should avoid agitation.
• After Wriothesley and the others left, Yue Guan judged that Yu Xiaogang had brought his troubles on himself and noted that his condition would make treatment difficult.

Wriothesley visited Yue Guan’s residence with Sigewinne and Xue Qinghe, where Yue Guan complained that the immortal herb seeds he had planted had not sprouted. Sigewinne inspected the barren plot and confirmed that its soil was high-quality, though not as good as the soil from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

• Wriothesley said he would go see Yu Xiaogang, whom Gui Mei had helped injure, and then headed to Yue Guan’s home with Sigewinne and Xue Qinghe.
• The competing teams settled into their inn before the finals, with the drawing of lots set for the third day and the tournament scheduled to start on the fourth.
• Yue Guan showed Wriothesley, Sigewinne, and Xue Qinghe the barren patch where he had sown the immortal herb seeds.
• Wriothesley explained that the seeds could not be expected to sprout or mature after only two or three months.
• Sigewinne inspected the plot and told Yue Guan that its soil was high-quality, though inferior to the soil from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.