Chapter Summaries

Xia Yang and the Xuanjia Mercenary Group pursued the elusive Wolf Bandits for a month before Xia Yang mapped their movements into a circle around a canyon. The group headed into the canyon, where a wolf’s howl suddenly rang out.

• Tong Qian presented two missions, and Xia Shi chose to hunt the roaming Wolf Bandits rather than join a large-scale hunt.
• The six members of the Xuanjia Mercenary Group searched the Jianshan Mountain Range for a month, repeatedly finding signs of the Wolf Bandits but failing to catch them.
• Zhang Cang suspected the Wolf Bandits had been anticipating the group, while Zhang Dong dismissed the idea and Tong Qian noted their unusual origins.
• Xia Yang showed the group a map of attacks and failed pursuits, revealing that the marked locations formed a ring around a canyon.
• Xia Shi led the group toward the canyon, and a mournful wolf howl sounded as they entered the forest.

Xia Yang received the Soul-Shattering Iron Claws from Xia Shi as the Xuanjia Mercenary Group encountered Wolf Bandits in the mountain forest. After the group refused to follow the bandits’ attempted diversion, Zhang Dong trapped both sides in thorn cages, and Xia Yang killed two Wolf Bandits before the largest one unleashed Gale Slash.

• Xia Shi gave Xia Yang the Soul-Shattering Iron Claws to improve his combat ability.
• Xia Yang recognized that the Wolf Bandits were trying to lure the group away, and Xia Shi led everyone toward the canyon instead.
• The Wolf Bandits returned to block the group, so Xia Shi ordered an attack and assigned Xia Yang to fight the three Wolf Bandits.
• Zhang Dong used his soul skills to divide the battlefield into thorn cages, while Xia Shi, Zhang Cang, Wei Long, and Tong Qian fought the Swift Wind Demon Wolves.
• Xia Yang’s Purple Armor withstood the smaller Wolf Bandits’ attacks as he killed both of them with his iron claws.
• The last Wolf Bandit roared in fury and gathered azure Soul Power to use Gale Slash.

Xia Yang and the Xuanjia Mercenary Group defeated the Wolf Bandits and discovered the newborn pups and human victims in their nest. After the group returned and continued taking missions, half a year passed, but Xia Yang still could not break through his Soul Power bottleneck and continued to think of Bibi Dong.

• Xia Yang defeated the last Wolf Bandit with his Icefire Roar Bullet, and the group cleared the battlefield without finding any Spirit Bones.
• Xia Shi led the group into the gorge, where they found newborn Wolf Bandit pups and the remains of human women.
• Wei Long froze and shattered the nest, then the group left the gorge and submitted their mission.
• Xia Yang and the Xuanjia Mercenary Group completed more missions together, deepening their bonds over the following months.
• Xia Yang told Xia Shi and Huo Yang about his worries concerning himself and Bibi Dong, and his parents encouraged him to keep going and stay in contact.
• Xia Yang continued training for half a year without breaking through his Soul Power bottleneck, and he often thought of Bibi Dong at night.

After returning to Spirit City, Xia Yang reunited with Bibi Dong and agreed to travel the continent with her, beginning at Sunset Forest to search for a way past his Soul Power bottleneck. Bibi Dong also warned him that someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had infiltrated Martial Soul Academy looking for him.

• Xia Yang returned to Spirit City after nearly half a year away and found Bibi Dong waiting for him at the city gate.
• Bibi Dong took Xia Yang to a hotel, and they spent the day together before discussing his stalled Soul Power at level twenty-nine.
• Bibi Dong proposed that they travel the continent together, and Xia Yang chose Sunset Forest as their first destination.
• Bibi Dong told Xia Yang that Director Xuan had driven off an intruder who was spying on Martial Soul Academy and searching for Xia Yang.
• Bibi Dong said the intruder's soul skills suggested that the person belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

After learning that someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had sought him, Xia Yang discussed Yu Xiaogang’s possible motives with Bibi Dong before returning to Martial Soul Academy. Pope Qian Xunji confronted him about his relationship with Bibi Dong and handed him a wooden box, leaving its contents unknown.

• Xia Yang and Bibi Dong suspected Yu Xiaogang or someone from his clan had sought Xia Yang because of his knowledge of whale rubber.
• An attendant summoned Xia Yang to the Martial Soul Academy library, where Chrysanthemum Douluo was waiting for him.
• Chrysanthemum Douluo warned Xia Yang to watch his words and led him to Pope Qian Xunji.
• Qian Xunji pressured Xia Yang over his relationship with Bibi Dong, while Chrysanthemum Douluo pleaded for leniency by citing Xia Yang’s contributions to Spirit Hall.
• Qian Xunji eased his pressure, gave Xia Yang a wooden box, and ordered him to open it.

Qian Xunji humiliated Xia Yang and ordered him to leave Spirit City and cut ties with Bibi Dong. After vowing to return stronger, Xia Yang met Bibi Dong outside Martial Soul Academy and told her they should break up.

• Qian Xunji gave Xia Yang a Spirit Bone and ordered him to leave Spirit City that night and never contact Bibi Dong again.
• Qian Xunji used his pressure to force Xia Yang to his knees and humiliated him, while Chrysanthemum Douluo urged him to think of Bibi Dong and his parents.
• Chrysanthemum Douluo helped Xia Yang up and suggested he might reunite with Bibi Dong if he reached the Soul Douluo realm.
• Xia Yang vowed to remember Qian Xunji's humiliation and return one day, then left the library with the Spirit Bone.
• Bibi Dong learned Qian Xunji had summoned Xia Yang to separate them and hurried to Martial Soul Academy to stand with him.
• Bibi Dong found Xia Yang leaving Martial Soul Academy, but he pulled his hand away and calmly told her to break up.

Xia Yang broke up with Bibi Dong and left Spirit City, hoping to protect her from Qian Xunji. Qian Xunji ordered him killed under the guise of protection, and Director Xuan sent Meng Shan after him with a false story about a stolen spirit bone.

• Xia Yang told Bibi Dong he had traded their feelings for a three-thousand-year spirit bone and left her alone in tears.
• Qian Xunji ordered Director Xuan to arrange for Xia Yang to be killed, while Chrysanthemum Douluo could only watch helplessly.
• Director Xuan chose Meng Shan, a level thirty-nine Soul Elder who lived near Xia Yang, to carry out the mission.
• Director Xuan falsely told Meng Shan that Xia Yang had stolen a spirit bone and promised it as a reward to whoever killed him and retrieved it.
• Meng Shan accepted the mission and hurried out of the dormitory to pursue Xia Yang.

Xia Yang fled into the forest after leaving the city, but Meng Shan tracked him down and demanded the Spirit Bone. Xia Yang chose to fight, and their first clash ended in a draw.

• Director Xuan sent Meng Shan after Xia Yang, trusting him to track Xia Yang down.
• Xia Yang sprinted into the forest, heard someone following him, and realized Qian Xunji had not spared his life.
• Xia Yang returned to a moonlit clearing and waited for the pursuer while recovering his Soul Power.
• Meng Shan emerged, identified himself as the man sent by Director Xuan to retrieve the Spirit Bone, and summoned his Golden Snake Sword.
• Meng Shan attacked with Spirit Snake Blade, and Xia Yang answered with Icefire Roar Bullet, ending their first exchange in a draw.

Xia Yang and Meng Shan fought fiercely, each sustaining serious injuries as Xia Yang used his Left Arm Soul Bone to turn the battle. The fight remained unresolved, with Meng Shan still armed and Xia Yang badly wounded.

• Meng Shan used his Second Soul Skill to create two clones and attack Xia Yang from both sides, but Xia Yang blocked them with metal claws and countered with his Icefire Roar Bullet.
• Meng Shan's clones vanished, and his Golden Snake Slash expanded his Golden Snake Sword into a greatsword that clashed with Xia Yang's Rock Fist Shatter Soul Bone Skill.
• The collision injured Xia Yang's left arm and split Meng Shan's palm, while the vibrating force left Meng Shan briefly numb and stiff.
• Xia Yang broke Meng Shan's left arm with a kick, but Meng Shan cut a deep wound into Xia Yang's left arm as they struggled over the sword.
• Meng Shan barely escaped Xia Yang's claw aimed at his throat, then pointed out Xia Yang's Spirit Bone while preparing to fight on with his Golden Snake Sword.

Xia Yang defeated and killed Meng Shan by breaking through his defenses with the self-created Heartbreak Palm, but he was left badly injured. Yu Luosha then appeared, revealing that he had been waiting for Xia Yang and intended to question him about the secrets he knew.

• Xia Yang countered Meng Shan’s Spirit Snake Doppelganger and struck at both phantoms, forcing Meng Shan to reappear behind him.
• Meng Shan stabbed Xia Yang’s chest with the Golden Snake Sword, but Xia Yang’s armor held long enough for him to land his Heartbreak Palm.
• Xia Yang shattered Meng Shan’s heart veins and confirmed that he had won, then collapsed from his injuries.
• Yu Luosha emerged from the woods, praised Xia Yang, and revealed he had been waiting for him outside the city.
• Yu Luosha accused Xia Yang of knowing secrets without the strength to protect them, and Xia Yang offered to tell him what he knew in hopes of surviving.

Yu Luosha questioned Xia Yang about Whale Rubber, but a Clear Sky Sect man ambushed them before Xia Yang could answer. The stranger drove Yu Luosha away, rescued the unconscious Xia Yang, and took him toward the sect, while Director Xuan worried that Meng Shan had failed to kill Xia Yang.

• Yu Luosha pressed Xia Yang to explain why Spirit Hall had been buying Whale Rubber, but a Clear Sky Hammer attack interrupted them.
• Yu Luosha transformed into a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and unleashed Heaven-Breaking Dragon Roar, but the attacker detonated his hammer and knocked both Yu Luosha and Xia Yang unconscious.
• The Clear Sky Sect man threatened Yu Luosha, who fled toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan without Xia Yang.
• The Clear Sky Sect man treated Xia Yang’s wounds and took him by carriage back to his sect.
• Director Xuan concluded that Meng Shan’s mission had failed and worried about explaining the matter to the Pope.

Xia Yang woke in Tang Xiao’s carriage after being rescued from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and learned that Tang Xiao was taking him to the Clear Sky Sect. Xia Yang revealed Spirit Hall’s discovery about Whale Rubber and began writing a letter home about his conflict with Bibi Dong and Qian Xunji.

• Xia Yang woke in Tang Xiao’s carriage and recognized his missing storage belt and the box containing his Spirit Bone.
• Tang Xiao introduced himself as a Clear Sky Sect member who had rescued Xia Yang from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and invited him to the sect.
• Xia Yang offered Tang Xiao his Spirit Bone and disclosed that Spirit Hall had discovered Whale Rubber could improve Soul Masters’ physical abilities and let them absorb stronger Spirit Rings.
• Xia Yang explained that Spirit Hall had already acquired most Whale Rubber on the market, making high-year supplies difficult to obtain.
• Tang Xiao insisted that Xia Yang come to the Clear Sky Sect as a guest, and Xia Yang agreed after Tang Xiao guaranteed his safety.
• Xia Yang wrote a letter describing his dealings with Bibi Dong and Qian Xunji and how he had been pursued the previous night.

Xia Yang traveled with Tang Xiao toward the Clear Sky Sect, sending a letter to warn his parents in Precious Sword City to leave and explaining where he was going. At the sect, he met Tang Yuehua and suspected Tang Xiao had brought him there to examine her Martial Soul.

• Xia Yang urged his parents to leave Precious Sword City and told them he was heading to the Clear Sky Sect, then asked Tang Xiao to send his letter home.
• Tang Xiao assured Xia Yang that he had no ill intentions and said he had taken a fancy to him; in a nearby town, he arranged for the letter to be delivered through a Clear Sky Sect outpost and took Xia Yang to receive treatment.
• After Xia Yang recovered and rested, he continued traveling with Tang Xiao toward the Clear Sky Sect, while Tang Xiao privately considered Xia Yang's value and potential.
• Xia Yang and Tang Xiao reached the Clear Sky Sect and climbed to a plaza where young members of the Four Affiliated Clans were sparring.
• Tang Xiao called to Tang Yuehua, and she ran over to greet him; Xia Yang wondered if Tang Xiao had brought him back to examine her Martial Soul.

Xia Yang reunited with Tang Xiao at the Clear Sky Sect, then learned from his parents’ letter that they had fled to Vast Sea City for safety. Tang Xiao revealed that he had invited Xia Yang to help his younger sister Tang Yuehua, whose Ruyi Ring was a mutated Martial Soul that left her unable to cultivate.

• Tang Xiao introduced Xia Yang to Tang Yuehua and hosted a welcome feast at the Clear Sky Sect, where Xia Yang met sect master Tang Zhen and learned Tang Hao was away.
• Tang Yuehua fetched Xia Yang the next morning, and Tang Xiao gave him a letter from his father, Xia Shi.
• Xia Yang read that Xia Shi and Huo Yang had left Precious Sword City, with Huo Yang resigning from Spirit Hall, and settled in Vast Sea City to hunt soul beasts at sea.
• After Xia Yang offered to help, Tang Xiao said his purpose was to seek help for Tang Yuehua, who explained that her mutated Ruyi Ring Martial Soul prevented her from cultivating.

Xia Yang examined Tang Yuehua’s Ruyi Ring and its Noble Domain to investigate why her Rank Nine Innate Soul Power had not let her cultivate. He suspected that her Mental Attribute Martial Soul inherited a conflict between her parents’ Martial Souls, and Tang Yuehua confirmed that her mother had spiritual-leaning soul skills.

• Tang Yuehua told Xia Yang that her Ruyi Ring had an innate Noble Domain and Rank Nine Innate Soul Power, but she had been unable to cultivate for ten years.
• Tang Yuehua released her Ruyi Ring and Noble Domain at Xia Yang’s request, and he sensed that the domain affected the spirit and made his Soul Power more active.
• Xia Yang asked Tang Yuehua to withdraw her Martial Soul and explained that the Ruyi Ring leaned toward the Mental Attribute.
• Xia Yang suggested that a conflict between her parents’ Martial Souls had been inherited by Tang Yuehua and caused her cultivation problem.
• Tang Yuehua said her mother’s Martial Soul was not purely spiritual, but several of her soul skills leaned toward the spiritual level.

Xia Yang proposed three ways to help Tang Yuehua overcome her cultivation problem, then shared the Hunyuan Technique under Tang Xiao’s coercive conditions. He remained confined to the Clear Sky Sect and resolved to become strong enough that no one could control him again.

• Xia Yang proposed finding Tang Yuehua a high-quality Mental Attribute head Spirit Bone, but Tang Yuehua and Tang Xiao recognized that obtaining one would be difficult.
• Xia Yang suggested that Tang Yuehua strengthen her spiritual cultivation through pursuits such as painting or the zither and through spirit-nourishing treasures, giving her and Tang Xiao hope.
• Xia Yang asked Tang Xiao when he could leave the Clear Sky Sect, and Tang Xiao said he could go once Tang Yuehua could cultivate normally and promised to return his three-thousand-year-old Right Arm Bone if the result satisfied him.
• Xia Yang revealed that he, Bibi Dong, and Yu Xiaogang had developed the Hunyuan Technique, which he believed could help Tang Yuehua cultivate.
• Tang Xiao swore that only Tang Yuehua would learn the technique, and Xia Yang gave her the book before agreeing to guide her the next day.
• Xia Yang returned to his room furious at his weakness and vowed to surpass Tang Xiao and Qian Xunji.

Xia Yang guided Tang Yuehua through the Hunyuan Technique for the first time, teaching her to circulate Soul Power through her meridians. Tang Yuehua sensed a faint increase in her Soul Power, giving her hope that she could cultivate normally and Xia Yang a chance to leave the Clear Sky Sect.

• Tang Yuehua arrived at Xia Yang’s courtyard eager to begin learning the Hunyuan Technique.
• Tang Yuehua explained that she had studied the technique and was excited by its use of meridians to circulate Soul Power.
• Xia Yang had Tang Yuehua sit cross-legged and guided her Soul Power through the technique’s route while she memorized it and followed along for thirty-six cycles.
• Xia Yang withdrew his Soul Power and recovered, then asked Tang Yuehua how the cultivation had felt.
• Tang Yuehua reported that she sensed her Soul Power had increased slightly, delighting Xia Yang.

Xia Yang helped Tang Yuehua cultivate with the Hunyuan Technique and use her Noble Circle domain, while Tang Xiao searched for ways to strengthen her Mental Power. After Tang Zhen returned with a mental-attribute head Spirit Bone, Tang Xiao brought it to the courtyard where Tang Yuehua and Xia Yang were cultivating.

• Xia Yang encouraged Tang Yuehua when she sensed her Soul Power growing, then observed her steadily circulate the Hunyuan Technique.
• Tang Yuehua released her Ruyi Ring and Noble Circle domain so Xia Yang could cultivate within its calming influence, and they continued practicing together in the days that followed.
• Tang Xiao searched the continent for treasures to strengthen Tang Yuehua's Mental Power and eventually obtained several items that improved her Mental Power and cultivation speed.
• Tang Xiao concluded that a mental-attribute head Spirit Bone could help Tang Yuehua and persuaded Tang Zhen to seek one for her.
• Half a year later, Tang Zhen returned with a head Spirit Bone from a roughly twenty-thousand-year-old Mirror Image Beast and gave it to Tang Xiao for Tang Yuehua.
• Tang Xiao arrived at Xia Yang's courtyard while Xia Yang and Tang Yuehua were cultivating, and Tang Yuehua asked why he had come.

Tang Yuehua absorbed a twenty-thousand-year Mental Attribute Head Spirit Bone and broke through to Soul Power Level 10. Tang Xiao delayed Xia Yang’s departure from the Clear Sky Sect, while Xia Yang continued refining his Hunyuan Technique.

• Tang Xiao gave Tang Yuehua a Spirit Bone from their father, and she began absorbing it.
• Xia Yang asked Tang Xiao to let him leave, but Tang Xiao said he would wait until Tang Yuehua’s cultivation was stable.
• Xia Yang resumed cultivating and reflected on how he had used his sharpened Mental Power to test and improve the Hunyuan Technique.
• After about one shichen, Tang Yuehua finished absorbing the Spirit Bone and reached Soul Power Level 10.

Tang Yuehua broke through Rank 10 with Xia Yang’s guidance, then left with Tang Xiao to hunt for a Spirit Ring. While she was away, Xia Yang’s escape attempt was stopped by Tai Nuo, and the two began a spirit battle that ended with their fists colliding.

• Tang Yuehua thanked Xia Yang for teaching her the Hunyuan Technique after she broke through Rank 10, and Tang Xiao took her to tell Tang Zhen the news.
• The Clear Sky Sect celebrated Tang Yuehua’s breakthrough with a feast, while Xia Yang watched from his courtyard and resolved to escape.
• Xia Yang tried to leave during the festivities, but Tai Nuo stopped him under Tang Xiao’s orders and forced him back to his courtyard.
• After Tang Yuehua left to hunt for a Spirit Ring, Xia Yang cultivated alone and later invited Tai Nuo to have a spirit battle.
• Xia Yang attacked with his Soul Bone Skill, Rock Fist Shatter, while Tai Nuo released his Mighty Gorilla Martial Soul and countered with his first soul skill, Power Surge.