Chapter Summaries

Xue Lingyun heated and consumed the ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber he had mistaken for a cheap, weathered thousand-year specimen, carefully preparing for its powerful effects. After the energy strengthened his body and awakened the dark vortex he called the “Egg Yolk,” he began meditating to stabilize the changes.

• Xue Lingyun recognized the cracked, dark Whale Rubber as a rare ten-thousand-year specimen and prepared tools and Ice Attribute items to consume it safely.
• Xue Lingyun slowly roasted the Whale Rubber until it softened, then ate it while hot.
• Xue Lingyun endured the spreading heat as the “Egg Yolk” absorbed much of the energy and the rest strengthened his muscles, bones, and meridians.
• Xue Lingyun emerged with increased strength and a steadily rotating vortex that had begun to absorb nearby Soul Power.
• Xue Lingyun sat cross-legged and used the Heart Source Circulation Technique to stabilize the medicinal effects.

Xue Lingyun consulted Fan Yu about a fragment of a seventh-level Soul Tool design and considered whether its Layered Structure could be adapted for a Fourth-level Soul Tool. On his way back, he encountered Inner Court student Ling Luochen, who asked about his Ice Attribute Martial Soul, then returned to studying the design before heading out to eat.

• Xue Lingyun showed Fan Yu the design album he had obtained at the Treasure Appreciation Meeting, and Fan Yu explained the unusual Energy Circuit and its Loop Structure.
• Xue Lingyun asked whether the Layered Structure’s loop radius was affected by Soul Power attributes, and Fan Yu confirmed his reasoning and pointed out the design’s warning about using Fire Attribute.
• Xue Lingyun asked whether the structure could work in a Fourth-level Soul Tool, and Fan Yu described its material, precision, and inscription challenges.
• Xue Lingyun met Ling Luochen beside Sea God Lake, where she asked whether his Martial Soul was Ice Attribute and learned his name.
• Xue Lingyun returned to his dormitory, compared Fan Yu’s diagram with the design album, and then went out to get food.

Xue Lingyun advised Tang Ya on strengthening Blue Silver Grass by prioritizing its life attribute, then gave her a Life Mark to help her draw vitality from plants. After she demonstrated the Tang Sect’s secret arts, he studied their energy flows and continued investigating cultivation methods and Fan Yu’s diagram.

• Tang Ya asked Xue Lingyun to explain his advice about Blue Silver Grass and admitted that she doubted she could follow Ancestor Tang San’s path.
• Xue Lingyun explained that Tang Ya could strengthen Blue Silver Grass by cultivating its life force and agreed to help in exchange for Hidden Weapons, basic blueprints, and demonstrations of Tang Sect techniques.
• Tang Ya demonstrated Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Mysterious Jade Hand while Xue Lingyun observed how her Soul Power moved.
• Xue Lingyun infused a Life Mark into Tang Ya’s Blue Silver Grass, explaining that it could help her draw vitality from nearby plants as she cultivated.
• Tang Ya left after thanking Xue Lingyun, who reviewed the techniques’ energy flows and returned to studying Fan Yu’s diagram.

Xue Lingyun experienced Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Probe and explained how it could improve the accuracy of Soul Guidance Cannons. After Huo Yuhao hesitated to ask for help learning Soul Tools sooner, Xue Lingyun offered quiet encouragement, and Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong left.

• Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao came to Xue Lingyun’s room to use the bathroom, and Xue Lingyun showed Huo Yuhao a high-rank Soul Tool core diagram.
• Xue Lingyun asked about Huo Yuhao’s First Soul Skill, and Huo Yuhao demonstrated Spiritual Probe, sharing a detailed perception of the living room.
• Huo Yuhao explained that his probe’s range had grown to nearly forty meters and that a Soul Guidance Department teacher would teach him to make Soul Tools once it reached over a hundred meters in one direction.
• Xue Lingyun said Spiritual Probe could help a Soul Guidance Cannon target enemies accurately and asked whether Huo Yuhao wanted to learn earlier, but Huo Yuhao stayed silent rather than ask for help.
• Wang Dong finished bathing, and she and Huo Yuhao gathered their things and left; Xue Lingyun returned to studying the diagram.

Xue Lingyun helped He Caitou improve an energy circuit and persuaded Fan Yu to let Huo Yuhao begin studying Soul Guidance theory early. After telling Huo Yuhao, he later heard from Ma Xiaotao that Ling Luochen had asked about him.

• Xue Lingyun suggested widening the arc in He Caitou's Third-Grade Energy Circuit, and He Caitou tested the more stable design.
• Xue Lingyun asked Fan Yu to let Huo Yuhao study Soul Guidance theory in advance, and Fan Yu agreed that Huo Yuhao could learn from He Caitou.
• Xue Lingyun told Huo Yuhao to go to the Soul Guidance Department the next day, and Huo Yuhao was deeply moved by his support.
• Wang Dong noticed Huo Yuhao's red eyes but did not press him about them.
• Ma Xiaotao visited through Xue Lingyun's window and said Ling Luochen had asked about the friend who had been with him.

Xue Lingyun advised Huo Yuhao on combining Control System abilities with Soul Tools and received thanks from Xiao Xiao before meeting Tang Ya to collect Hidden Weapons and learn about her Life Mark. He returned to the dormitory and began studying the weapons and their assembly diagrams.

• Xue Lingyun suggested Huo Yuhao pursue Spiritual Impact and camouflage Soul Skills to complement his Soul Tools, and explained Shrek Academy’s class assignments after the Freshman Assessment.
• Xiao Xiao thanked Xue Lingyun for helping her during Physical Training Class and gave him homemade snacks, which he shared with Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao before slipping away.
• Xue Lingyun met Tang Ya in the Canteen, collected finished Hidden Weapons and Structure Diagrams, and explained that her Life Mark would need replenishment for a separate price.
• Xue Lingyun returned to the dormitory, dismantled and reassembled a Hidden Weapon using its diagram, and began studying how it worked.

Over three months, Xue Lingyun grew closer to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong while helping Huo Yuhao improve his cultivation and developing his own abilities. As the trio reached the Teaching Building, Huo Yuhao reminded them that the Freshman Assessment was the next day.

• Xue Lingyun gave Huo Yuhao two Mystic Water Pills, and the pills helped raise Huo Yuhao's cultivation to Level 17.
• Xue Lingyun often cooked medicinal cuisine for Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, and Wang Dong began cultivating more diligently.
• Xiao Xiao, Tang Ya, and Ma Xiaotao each encountered Xue Lingyun, while Ma Xiaotao told him that Ling Luochen had been treating her better.
• Xue Lingyun discussed Soul Tool ideas with He Caitou and startled Jiang Nannan by detecting her approach.
• Xue Lingyun reached Level 36, and his Egg Yolk formed a dual-core state with the Primal Heart.
• Huo Yuhao told Xue Lingyun and Wang Dong that the Freshman Assessment was the next day.

On the way to the Teaching Building, Xue Lingyun explained the Freshman Assessment and helped Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong consider their training paths. The three headed to class, with Wang Dong agreeing to choose the Assault Department so she could remain in Class One with them.

• Xue Lingyun predicted that Physical Training Class would be canceled and explained that students would likely learn the assessment rules and fill out training paths.
• Xue Lingyun advised Huo Yuhao that the Control System suited his spiritual Martial Soul, though Huo Yuhao needed to decide for himself.
• Xue Lingyun explained that the Freshman Assessment usually involved team battles, generally with teams of three and no more than one Assault Department student per team.
• Wang Dong considered choosing the Control System so she could team up with Huo Yuhao and Xue Lingyun, but Xue Lingyun told her Teacher Zhou would see through the choice.
• Xue Lingyun explained that choosing the Assault Department would keep them in Class One even if they could not be on the same assessment team, and Wang Dong agreed.
• Huo Yuhao imagined facing Xue Lingyun in combat, shuddered, and followed him and Wang Dong toward the Teaching Building as the preparatory bell rang.

Zhou Yi explained the Freshman Assessment and announced the teams, while Xue Lingyun volunteered to compete alone and gave the Special Enrollment Quota to Song Qinghan. Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao were assigned to a team, and Zhou Yi kept Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao behind after class to discuss their cultivation directions.

• Zhou Yi explained that the three-person team assessment would eliminate all but the top groups, then asked students to choose their cultivation paths.
• Xue Lingyun volunteered to compete alone and give up the Special Enrollment Quota, and Zhou Yi assigned the quota to Song Qinghan.
• Zhou Yi announced Xue Lingyun's solo group and assigned Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao to Group Two.
• After class, Zhou Yi asked Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao to stay, while Xue Lingyun explained to Wang Dong that Zhou Yi likely wanted to discuss their chosen cultivation directions.

Xue Lingyun explained the Freshman Assessment’s team format to Wang Dong and brushed off her concerns about competing alone. He revealed that he had Twin Martial Souls but refused to tell her what his second one was, leaving them chasing and teasing each other as they walked.

• Xue Lingyun told Wang Dong that choosing the Assault Department had spared her from being questioned by Zhou Yi about her choice of specialization.
• Xue Lingyun explained that teams would be divided among fifty zones for the Round Robin and that seeded teams would usually avoid each other.
• Wang Dong questioned whether Xue Lingyun could survive the Elimination Tournament alone against teams of Soul Grand Masters, but he said she did not know his Soul Skills or other Trump Cards.
• Wang Dong realized Xue Lingyun had said he possessed one of his Martial Souls, and he confirmed that he had Twin Martial Souls.
• Xue Lingyun refused to reveal his second Martial Soul, telling Wang Dong to guess, and dodged her as she chased him beneath the afternoon sun.

Xue Lingyun visited Yan Shaozhe’s office, discussed his solo Freshman Assessment entry, and secured a substantial reward if he won the championship. He left with the newly approved medicinal herbs and Ma Xiaotao’s promise to watch his assessment and try his cooking afterward.

• Xue Lingyun visited Yan Shaozhe to collect medicinal herbs, while Ma Xiaotao joined them and asked about his assessment team.
• Xue Lingyun explained that he would compete alone, and Yan Shaozhe warned him about strong teams, including one with a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Xue Lingyun and Ma Xiaotao chased each other around the office while he secretly pocketed valuables, continuing their established arrangement.
• Yan Shaozhe agreed that Xue Lingyun could receive a long list of valuable materials if he won the Freshman Assessment championship.
• Xue Lingyun accepted the medicinal herbs, and Ma Xiaotao said she would watch the assessment before teasing him about cooking her a meal.

After being dismissed early before the Freshman Assessment, Xue Lingyun spent the afternoon massaging Mu En and reflected on the token Snow Empress had made to establish that he had a powerful backer. He finished the massage and returned to the Dormitory Building, unaware that Mu En had briefly watched him closely.

• Xue Lingyun returned to the dormitory after finding he had nowhere else to go and found Mu En resting in the sun.
• While Xue Lingyun massaged him, Mu En asked about his home and parents, and Xue Lingyun said he had been adopted after never meeting his parents.
• Xue Lingyun recalled how Snow Empress had made him a token that concealed her Soul Beast aura and could serve as proof that someone powerful stood behind him.
• Xue Lingyun considered how the vague impression of a powerful backer could make major powers treat him more cautiously when trying to recruit him.
• Mu En briefly opened his eyes and watched Xue Lingyun as they sat quietly together in the sun.
• After Mu En praised his improved massage, Xue Lingyun headed into the Dormitory Building.

Xue Lingyun spent the day before the freshman assessment keeping to himself, then joined Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao on the way to the venue. He won his first match alone by immobilizing all three opponents with light touches and left the referee baffled.

• Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao visited Xue Lingyun, and Wang Dong ate his leftover chicken after arriving as if nothing had happened.
• Zhou Yi announced the Round Robin assessment rules and told the freshmen to meet at the assessment that afternoon.
• Xue Lingyun wished Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong luck before they split up for their assigned areas.
• Xue Lingyun learned he would face Wang Cuihua, Xiao Miao, and Ye Bufan alone in the first round.
• Xue Lingyun walked up to the opposing team and tapped each opponent, leaving all three unable to move.
• The referee confirmed Xue Lingyun's victory, and Xue Lingyun left while the referee wondered what he had done.

Xue Lingyun reunited with Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao after finishing his match, then invited them to eat by the riverside. As they left, he found a note from Ma Xiaotao saying she had gone back first, while Wang Dong teased him about it.

• The three students Xue Lingyun had immobilized recovered and wondered what had happened before leaving.
• Xue Lingyun explained to himself how he had mastered the Pressure-Point Technique and followed the signs toward the exit.
• Xue Lingyun met Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao, who told him they had won their match.
• Xue Lingyun invited the group to the riverside to cook, and they agreed to go with him.
• A paper note from Ma Xiaotao landed by Xue Lingyun's feet, saying she had headed back first.
• Wang Dong speculated that the note was a love letter, while Huo Yuhao muttered that she talked too much and Xiao Xiao prepared to ask him something.

Xue Lingyun prepared a riverside picnic with Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, serving grilled meat and soup. As they walked back, he promised to cook another meal if their team achieved Ten Consecutive Wins.

• Xue Lingyun set up a fire and cooking equipment by the river, while Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao helped prepare the ingredients.
• Xue Lingyun grilled meat with precise Soul Power control and cooked soup as Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao watched.
• Xue Lingyun served the food, and the group enjoyed the meal together.
• Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao helped Xue Lingyun pack away the cookware after the picnic.
• Wang Dong asked Xue Lingyun to cook again if the team earned Ten Consecutive Wins, and he agreed.

Xue Lingyun won all four of his assessment matches by disabling his opponents with quick taps, then met up with Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. He went to the Soul Guidance Department to attempt his first Fourth Rank Soul Tool Core.

• Xue Lingyun easily won his two morning matches and defeated three opponents in each of his afternoon matches with single taps.
• Xue Lingyun met Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao after the assessments and learned that their team had also remained undefeated.
• Xue Lingyun asked Wang Dong to bring him dinner and headed to the Soul Guidance Department.
• Xue Lingyun set out his tools and notes to begin engraving a Fourth Rank Soul Tool Core based on his layered structure design.

Xue Lingyun successfully engraved a Fourth Rank Soul Tool Core, prompting Qian Duoduo to recruit him as a Core Disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. He left the decision unresolved and returned to the dormitory, where Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao joined him as they discussed the next day's matches and food.

• Xue Lingyun completed a stable Fourth Rank Soul Tool Core while He Caitou watched and Qian Duoduo observed.
• Qian Duoduo praised Xue Lingyun's achievement and offered him Core Disciple status, resources, and teachers without requiring him to leave the Martial Soul Department.
• Xue Lingyun said Yan Shaozhe might oppose his joining, leaving Qian Duoduo to negotiate with the dean.
• Xue Lingyun returned to the dormitory with the core and planned to research the matching Soul Tool.
• Wang Dong brought Xue Lingyun a warm lunchbox, discussed the team's matches with Huo Yuhao, and listed dishes she wanted for the next day.

Xue Lingyun won all five of his Freshman Assessment matches without releasing his Martial Soul, drawing the attention of Teacher Wang Yan. After Xue revealed that he had a heart-based Body Martial Soul, Wang Yan invited him to seek advice whenever he wished.

• Xue Lingyun quickly defeated his first four opponents in Area Forty-One, tapping each one once.
• Xue Lingyun outmaneuvered three coordinated two-ring Soul Masters and tapped each of them until they fell unable to move.
• Wang Yan stopped Xue Lingyun after the match and asked why he had not released his Martial Soul during any of his five matches.
• Xue Lingyun revealed that his Martial Soul was a Body Martial Soul located in his heart and said he had never encountered the Ben Ti Sect.
• Wang Yan expressed amazement and invited Xue Lingyun to come to him if he ever wanted to discuss anything.

After Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao won ten consecutive matches, Xue Lingyun took them to the riverbank for a celebratory meal. They shared the feast he had prepared, leaving their friendship and celebration in good spirits.

• Wang Dong explained that her team had won their fourth and fifth matches, with Xiao Xiao finishing the final fight after Wang Dong was exhausted.
• Xue Lingyun used his Wood Attribute Soul Power to help Wang Dong recover, then led the group to the riverbank to cook.
• Xue Lingyun brought out cooking supplies and ingredients while Huo Yuhao prepared meat and fish, Xiao Xiao peeled potatoes and washed vegetables, and Wang Dong repeatedly struggled to help.
• Xue Lingyun cooked a large spread of dishes and grilled meat as Wang Dong eagerly waited and learned that he carried the ingredients for his own celebration meal.
• Xue Lingyun, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao sat down together and began eating the feast.

After Wang Dong described a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Xue Lingyun explained how his heart Martial Soul might fuse with others and tested his Soul Power with Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. Sky Dream Ice Silkworm seized Huo Yuhao’s body to rush at Xue Lingyun, who slapped him into a tree, leaving Huo Yuhao embarrassed as the meal resumed.

• Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao told Xue Lingyun and Huo Yuhao how two sisters’ Martial Soul Fusion Skill had nearly trapped Wang Dong.
• Huo Yuhao recalled how smoothly Xue Lingyun’s Soul Power had entered his body, and Xue Lingyun explained that his heart Martial Soul could theoretically fuse with others but its high quality made fusion difficult.
• Xue Lingyun sent a thread of Soul Power into Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, who felt its comfort and high quality but could not truly fuse with it.
• Sky Dream Ice Silkworm urged Huo Yuhao to hug Xue Lingyun and then took control of Huo Yuhao’s body, making him charge forward.
• Xue Lingyun slapped Huo Yuhao into a tree, and Huo Yuhao returned to his senses to find Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao disgusted with him.