Chapter Summaries

Xu Lanqing brought Xu Guozhong to the Underground Warehouse and revealed that he intended to reach the arsenal beneath Mingde Hall. After Ice Empress pressured Xu Guozhong, Xu Lanqing promised to protect him and his family, then demanded that he choose whether to help.

• Xu Lanqing met Xu Guozhong at night and took Ice Empress with him to the Underground Warehouse.
• Xu Guozhong showed Xu Lanqing the warehouse’s rare metals and advanced Soul Tools, including Level Seven Fixed Soul Tools and Mechas.
• Xu Lanqing asked whether Xu Guozhong’s secret space connected to the Underground Warehouse beneath Mingde Hall, where sixteen Level Nine Fixed Soul Cannonballs were stored.
• Xu Guozhong pleaded with Xu Lanqing not to target Mingde Hall, but Ice Empress used her Domain of Eternal Freeze to force him to listen.
• Xu Lanqing promised that Xu Guozhong and his family would be safe if he cooperated, then asked him to choose between helping and refusing.

Xu Lanqing forced Xu Guozhong to reveal the hidden passage leading to the Underground Warehouse beneath Mingde Hall, where Level Nine Fixed Soul Cannonballs were stored. They reached its heavily defended door but left without entering, planning to return later.

• Xu Guozhong gave in to Xu Lanqing's threat and explained that reaching the Underground Warehouse required a password and key, while the passage contained traps and alarms.
• Xu Guozhong opened a concealed entrance and used an access card to guide Xu Lanqing and Ice Empress through the passage without triggering its alarms.
• At the metal door, Xu Guozhong estimated it was fifteen to twenty meters thick and warned that breaking through could set off alarms or endanger the cannonballs inside.
• Xu Lanqing decided they should leave and return later, while Ice Empress offered to break through the door and blushed as Xu Lanqing teased her.

Xu Lanqing ordered stronger defenses for the Underground Warehouse and asked Xu Guozhong to build a Soul Tool that could preserve a Limit Douluo’s aura for five days. Xu Guozhong then proposed using Ice Empress’s precise ice control to bypass the warehouse’s alarm system.

• Xu Lanqing told Xu Guozhong to strengthen the Underground Warehouse’s defenses and keep the keys himself.
• Xu Lanqing asked Xu Guozhong to make an aura-preserving Soul Tool, and Xu Guozhong estimated it would take half a day.
• Xu Guozhong asked Ice Empress about her ice abilities, and she said she could reach minus two hundred and fifty degrees while Snow Maiden could go even lower.
• Xu Guozhong explained that Ice Empress might freeze the alarm system’s Soul Power before it transmitted and suggested she practice on the similar system in Mingde Hall.

Xu Lanqing and his companions planned to test the Ice Empress’s ability to freeze the Underground Warehouse, then he visited Kong Deming late at night to ask for advice about a difficult choice. The chapter ended with Kong Deming silently considering Xu Lanqing’s crossroads metaphor.

• Xu Guozhong proposed using the Underground Warehouse to test precise freezing, and the Ice Empress said she could lower the temperature to minus 200 degrees.
• Xu Lanqing decided they would begin the test the next morning, and the Ice Empress escorted Xu Guozhong home.
• Xu Lanqing returned to the Imperial Palace with the Ice Empress and went to the Royal Research Institute to meet Kong Deming.
• Xu Lanqing described a lost traveler choosing between a long flower-covered road and a short, thorny road while a wolf pursued him.
• Kong Deming recognized Xu Lanqing’s confusion and fell silent, while the Ice Empress listened with growing pain.

Xu Lanqing sought guidance from Kong Deming about the choices ahead, then declared he would turn back and kill the wolf first. In the elevator, he and the Ice Empress grew closer as he explained he had told his teacher the truth because he trusted her and the others.

• Kong Deming advised Xu Lanqing to follow his heart, learn from experience, and choose his own path.
• Xu Lanqing told Kong Deming he would turn back and kill the wolf first, and Kong Deming encouraged him to do what he wanted.
• The Ice Empress asked Xu Lanqing if he was all right, and he teased her before embracing her in the elevator.
• The Ice Empress realized she had grown to love Xu Lanqing and asked why he had been honest with Kong Deming.
• Xu Lanqing said he would rather tell Kong Deming now than reveal the truth too late, adding that he had the Ice Empress and the others.

Xu Lanqing sought Kong Deming’s advice about his choices, then decided to turn back and kill the wolf after his teacher encouraged him to follow his heart. In the elevator, the Ice Empress comforted him and realized she had begun to like him.

• Kong Deming advised Xu Lanqing to make his own choices, learn from experience, and follow his heart.
• Xu Lanqing told Kong Deming he would turn back and kill the wolf, and Kong Deming encouraged him to do what he wanted.
• The Ice Empress asked Xu Lanqing if he was all right in the elevator, and he teased her until she let him hug her.
• The Ice Empress relaxed in Xu Lanqing’s arms and realized she had begun to like him.
• Xu Lanqing told the Ice Empress he had spoken honestly to Kong Deming because it was better to tell the truth early, and said he still had her and the others.

Xu Lanqing returned to the dorm after school and reunited with the Ice Empress, who had made progress studying the Underground Warehouse alarm system. He told her he would marry her with the Snow Maiden’s blessing, and the Ice Empress admitted she loved him.

• Xu Bei introduced himself as the homeroom teacher and explained that class officers would be chosen by vote and rotation.
• Xu Lanqing left Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya to get dinner and told Meng Hongchen he was returning to the dorm to see his wife.
• The Ice Empress told Xu Lanqing she had nearly figured out the Underground Warehouse alarm system and needed two more days to finish.
• Xu Lanqing said he would marry the Ice Empress with the Snow Maiden’s blessing, and she confessed that she liked him.
• Xu Lanqing and the Ice Empress kissed as night fell and a storm began outside.

Xu Lanqing explained to Ice Empress why he planned to eliminate the threat facing the empire, then updated Snow Empress on his plans. The next morning, he began attending the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy with Ju Zi, Jiang Nannan, and Tang Ya, where Meng Hongchen joined their class.

• Ice Empress walked with Xu Lanqing to the Royal Research Institute, and he explained that he wanted to prevent more towns from suffering wartime atrocities by striking decisively against the threat.
• Ice Empress returned to her room, while Snow Empress joined Xu Lanqing in bed and asked about his plans and his father’s response.
• The next morning, Xu Lanqing went to register at the academy with Ju Zi, Jiang Nannan, and Tang Ya; Ice Empress worked on the Underground Warehouse alarm system, and Snow Empress secretly went to the Demonic Forest.
• Xu Lanqing settled into Grade One Class One, where Meng Hongchen arrived and sat beside him, saying she had deliberately arranged to join his class.
• Jiang Nannan laughed at Xu Lanqing and Meng Hongchen’s banter, drawing the classroom’s attention before Xu Lanqing reassured her.

Xu Lanqing watched Gu Yuexi defeat Xiao Hongchen with her Golden Dragon Spear and recognized her connection to the Golden Dragon King. He met her afterward, where she delivered Gu Yuena’s terms for cooperation and warned him that her sister would not help until he proved himself.

• Xu Lanqing noticed Gu Yuexi and felt his Golden Dragon King Martial Soul respond to her.
• Gu Yuexi defeated Xiao Hongchen after her Golden Dragon Spear broke through his defenses and she crossed the arena to threaten him.
• Xu Lanqing followed Gu Yuexi to a grove and introduced himself, but she initially ignored him.
• Gu Yuexi told Xu Lanqing that Gu Yuena was her older sister and relayed that he must demonstrate sufficient strength or potential before Gu Yuena would cooperate.
• Gu Yuexi warned Xu Lanqing that Gu Yuena would not let him die in mortal danger, though the experience might be nearly as bad.

Xu Lanqing accepted two invitations to the Mingyue Hotel auction after noticing who was organizing it, while Meng Hongchen insisted on accompanying him. At the palace, Xu Tianzhen challenged Xu Lanqing to a match, and he agreed to fight her outside.

• Meng Hongchen invited Xu Lanqing to the auction and gave him its invitation and catalog.
• Xu Lanqing recognized the auction organizer, took both invitations, and let Meng Hongchen follow him despite telling her to focus on her studies.
• Xiao Hongchen privately hoped Meng Hongchen would become discouraged by Xu Lanqing’s playboy behavior, while pretending to support her.
• Xu Tianzhen confronted Xu Lanqing, demanded the showdown they had agreed to six years earlier, and proposed that she would stay in Mingdu if he won.
• Xu Lanqing agreed to fight Xu Tianzhen and led the way outside the palace.

Xu Lanqing spent the morning with Ice Empress, then returned to the academy and got permission from Xu Bei to leave for the imperial palace. On his way out, he met Xiao Hongchen, who told him about a powerful new opponent and invited him to help with Spirit Forging.

• Xu Lanqing stayed with Ice Empress after skipping class, and she told him she had encountered Long Xiaoyao the previous night without fighting him.
• Xu Lanqing worried that Long Xiaoyao might detect Snow Empress and decided their plans needed to move faster.
• Xu Bei reprimanded Xu Lanqing for missing class, and Xu Lanqing asked to take the afternoon off to return to the imperial palace.
• Xu Lanqing met Xiao Hongchen, who described a mysterious woman powerful enough to overwhelm him and suggested Xu Lanqing watch their practical exercise at the Soul Fighting Arena.
• Xiao Hongchen told Xu Lanqing about his work on Battle Armor and his struggles with Spirit Forging, and Xu Lanqing offered to share ideas that evening.

Xu Tianran learned that Xu Pingzhong’s rebellion had captured four cities and considered using the crisis to remove Xu Lanqing, whose marriage to the Snow Empress threatened his bid for the throne. Meanwhile, Xu Lanqing went out in Mingdu with the Ice Empress and Meng Hongchen.

• Long Xiaoyao told Xu Tianran he was returning to the Holy Spirit Cult, unsettled by a growing premonition of danger.
• Xue Chen reported that Xu Pingzhong’s rebels had captured four cities, including Eastsea City, and that the news was being suppressed.
• Xu Tianran learned that only the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion was available to fight the rebels and considered what its departure from Mingdu would allow him to do.
• Xu Tianran asked about the preparations and ordered Xue Chen to take him to the emperor.
• Xu Lanqing left the palace with the Ice Empress and Meng Hongchen, disappointing Meng Hongchen, who had hoped to be alone with him.

After spending the morning with Ice Empress, Xu Lanqing returned to the academy and asked Xu Bei for leave to visit the imperial palace. On the way, he met Xiao Hongchen, who told him about a powerful girl at the Soul Fighting Arena and asked for help with Spirit Forging.

• Xu Lanqing skipped class to stay with Ice Empress, who said she had encountered Long Xiaoyao the previous night but had avoided a fight.
• Xu Lanqing told Ice Empress to rest, then worried that Long Xiaoyao might have noticed something unusual and considered speeding up their operation.
• Xu Bei reprimanded Xu Lanqing for missing class, and Xu Lanqing asked for the afternoon off to return to the imperial palace.
• Xu Lanqing met Xiao Hongchen on the way out, and Xiao Hongchen described a formidable girl he might face at the Soul Fighting Arena.
• Xiao Hongchen told Xu Lanqing that he was struggling with Spirit Forging, and Xu Lanqing offered to share some ideas that evening.

Xu Lanqing visited Shangguan Wei'er, leader of Mingdu's Pingfan Alliance, with the Ice Empress and Meng Hongchen. After discussing her rare-metals business, he asked how well she knew the Ye Family of the Holy Angel.

• Shangguan Wei'er flirted with Xu Lanqing, and the Ice Empress used her pressure to reveal Shangguan's strength as a Rank 91 Titled Douluo.
• Xu Lanqing introduced the Ice Empress as his wife and entered Shangguan's room with her and Meng Hongchen.
• Xu Lanqing asked Shangguan whether she sold rare metals, but she denied it and invoked the powerful figures backing her.
• Xu Lanqing assured Shangguan that he was not there to investigate her business, then asked about her ties to the Ye Family of the Holy Angel.

Xu Lanqing pressed Shangguan Wei'er to connect him with the Ye Family so he could recruit their Holy Angel Martial Soul users to hunt the Holy Spirit Cult. He urged her to help him and hinted at the upheaval ahead, but their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of two bloodied men.

• Xu Lanqing asked Shangguan Wei'er to introduce him to the Ye Family, but she hesitated because they avoided outsiders and she feared becoming entangled in imperial politics.
• Xu Lanqing revealed that the Xishui Alliance was backed by Xu Tianran and was made up of Evil Soul Masters from the Holy Spirit Cult.
• Xu Lanqing declared that he would destroy the Holy Spirit Cult and then confront Xu Tianran, prompting Shangguan Wei'er to consider which side to support.
• Shangguan Wei'er tried to postpone her decision by offering to arrange dinner, but Xu Lanqing argued that the old nobles would not protect her and asked only for discreet help.
• A bloodied black-clad bodyguard arrived supporting another badly wounded person, interrupting their conversation.

Shangguan Wei'er sought help for the gravely wounded Ye Guyi, but Elder Wen could only stabilize her. With Ye Guyi's life fading, Shangguan begged Xu Lanqing to save her and offered to serve him, leaving Xu Lanqing's answer unresolved.

• Shangguan Wei'er brought the bloodied, unconscious Ye Guyi inside and ordered a healing Soul Master and medicinal herbs.
• Elder Wen treated Ye Guyi with his Soul Power and a pill, but said he could only stabilize her and that she needed a stronger healer quickly.
• Xu Lanqing and the Ice Empress discussed whether Ye Guyi had been attacked nearby and concluded her assailant might have been far away or too powerful to sense.
• Shangguan Wei'er revealed that Ye Guyi was the Angel Family's only living inheritor and begged Xu Lanqing to save her.
• When Xu Lanqing questioned whether he was expected to help, Shangguan Wei'er offered to serve him if he saved Ye Guyi.

Xu Lanqing sent Meng Hongchen to take the wounded Ye Guyi to the imperial palace, then realized the Evil Soul Masters had likely tracked her back to Shangguan Wei'er. As they waited for the attackers, Shangguan Wei'er killed Elder Wen to keep him from revealing what had happened, while Xu Lanqing considered whether Long Xiaoyao might be among their enemies.

• Xu Lanqing concealed the evil aura in Ye Guyi and gave Meng Hongchen a White Jade Token to take her to Elder Sun Yuhuan for treatment.
• After Meng Hongchen left, Xu Lanqing asked Shangguan Wei'er who had wounded Ye Guyi, and she realized the Evil Soul Masters had probably followed Ye Guyi back to her.
• Xu Lanqing told Shangguan Wei'er to wait for the Evil Soul Masters, calming her with his composure.
• Elder Wen tried to leave, but Shangguan Wei'er killed him to prevent him from talking.
• Xu Lanqing joked that Shangguan Wei'er might betray him and considered fleeing if Long Xiaoyao was among the approaching enemies.

Shangguan Wei'er waited with Xu Lanqing and Ice Empress in an underground room as their enemies arrived in central Mingdu. Ice Empress launched a lethal attack on the younger woman, while Xu Lanqing prepared to face her husband.

• Shangguan Wei'er grew anxious about the approaching threat, and Xu Lanqing reassured her that he would not abandon her.
• Xu Lanqing warned Ice Empress not to fly during the fight and urged her to end the battle quickly before the City Defense Army arrived.
• An attacker shattered the door, and Ice Empress froze the flying fragments; Xu Lanqing saw an old man and two women enter past the bodies of black-clad guards.
• The intruders recognized Ice Empress as a Ferocious Beast and hesitated, realizing they had encountered powerful opponents.
• Ice Empress told her companions to face the old man and younger woman, then appeared before the younger woman and attacked her with an ice spike.
• The younger woman raised a shield of gray-blue flames that pushed back Ice Empress's cold as the fight began.

Ice Empress fought Feng Ling while Zhang Peng attacked Shangguan Wei'er and then moved toward Xu Lanqing. As Ma Xiaotao revealed her six black Soul Rings and Black Fire Phoenix, Zhang Peng reached for Xu Lanqing from behind.

• Ice Empress nearly killed Feng Ling with an opening strike, then suppressed her with Ultimate Ice as their fight damaged the corridor and shook Mingyue Hotel.
• Shangguan Wei'er used defensive Soul Tools to hold off Zhang Peng, whose rank-ninety-five strength overwhelmed her in direct combat.
• Zhang Peng abandoned his attack on Shangguan Wei'er and headed toward Xu Lanqing, intending to capture him as leverage against Ice Empress.
• Xu Lanqing faced Ma Xiaotao with his Dragon Slaying Blade as golden dragon scales appeared beneath his skin.
• Ma Xiaotao summoned inky-black flames and revealed six black Soul Rings, with a pitch-black phoenix phantom behind her.

Xu Lanqing fought Ma Xiaotao, a Six-Ring Soul Emperor raised by the Holy Spirit Cult, and discovered that her black phoenix flames carried an evil aura. As they prepared to clash again, Zhang Peng attacked Xu Lanqing from behind.

• Xu Lanqing recognized Ma Xiaotao and attacked her with his Dragon Slaying Blade.
• Ma Xiaotao caught Xu Lanqing's blade and unleashed a combined phoenix attack that blasted through the floor and ceiling.
• Xu Lanqing survived using Ice Dragon Protection, though black flames clung to him and corroded his defenses.
• Xu Lanqing noticed a trace of Ye Guyi's holy aura within Ma Xiaotao as they prepared to fight again.
• Zhang Peng appeared behind Xu Lanqing with an evil-spirits-wreathed hand poised to strike.