Recaps

Xiao Mingyue’s bear doll revealed itself as her second Martial Soul, Crazy Bear, and brutally injured Yu Xiaogang. Rui Wen confirmed that Xiao Mingyue possessed Companion Martial Souls, leaving the arena astonished while Qian Renxue privately asked Ye Qifeng to explain them.

• Xiao Mingyue ordered Crazy Bear to scratch Yu Xiaogang, leaving his face bloodied and badly injured.
• Ning Fengzhi recognized that Xiao Mingyue had Twin Martial Souls, and the crowd erupted in shock.
• Rui Wen helped Xiao Mingyue display Black Rose and Crazy Bear together, showing that they coexisted without conflict.
• Rui Wen explained that Xiao Mingyue’s two Martial Souls were Companion Martial Souls, a different form of Twin Martial Souls.
• Qian Renxue privately asked Ye Qifeng to tell her more about Xiao Mingyue’s Companion Martial Souls.

Ye Qifeng explained Xiao Mingyue’s Companion Martial Souls and reassured Qian Renxue about the dangers of Twin Martial Souls, while subtly trying to ease her resentment toward Bibi Dong. The referee dismissed Yu Xiaogang’s complaint, declared the Martial Soul Hall Second Team victorious, and Yu Xiaogang fainted amid the crowd’s ridicule.

• Qian Renxue worried that Ye Qifeng’s two Martial Souls might conflict, and Ye Qifeng reassured her that Bibi Dong had mastered a solution.
• Ye Qifeng explained that Xiao Mingyue’s Companion Martial Souls shared one set of Spirit Rings, could be used together, and could form a Self Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Rui Wen prompted the referee to announce the result, and the referee dismissed Yu Xiaogang’s Soul Tool complaint and declared the Spirit Hall Academy Second Battle Team victorious.
• The audience mocked Yu Xiaogang after learning that Xiao Mingyue’s bear doll was her Martial Soul, and Yu Xiaogang fainted under the humiliation.

The Heaven Dou City Preliminary Tournament ended with Spirit Hall Academy Second Battle Team in first place and Shrek Seven Devils in fifth, securing the five qualifying spots. Ye Qifeng returned to his team’s resting room, where Huo Wu, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Shui Bing’er gathered around him and vied for his attention.

• The tournament officials announced the final standings, with Spirit Hall Academy Second Battle Team first, Skywater Academy second, Blazing Academy third, and Godwind Academy and Shrek Seven Devils tied for fourth place.
• Thunder Academy lamented missing qualification by one point, while Elephant Armor Academy accepted seventh place and Blue Sunshine Academy remained bitter toward the Shrek Seven Devils.
• Ning Fengzhi healed Yu Xiaogang’s facial wounds, but Xiao Mingyue’s Forbidden Curse Power and Purple Fire left permanent scars, and Yu Xiaogang fainted again after waking.
• Qian Renxue flirted with Ye Qifeng and invited him to her bedchamber that night before leaving the venue.
• Ye Qifeng returned to the Martial Soul Hall Second Team’s resting room, where Huo Wu and Dugu Yan clung to him while arguing over him, and Ye Lingling and Shui Bing’er watched from nearby.

Lu Xin returned home to his bizarre adoptive family, where a violent dinner erupted while he calmly ate alone. Across the street, investigators observed his apparent telekinetic abilities and revealed that a Dream Weaver sent into his dream had never returned.

• Lu Xin arrived home and gave his younger sister a teddy bear while his parents continued their unsettling routines.
• Mother left to confront a neighbor and returned with blood on her sweater; the family sat down to dinner as sirens sounded outside.
• Father attacked Mother, and his body transformed as Lu Xin kept eating while his younger sister climbed onto the ceiling and laughed.
• A short-haired woman and two colleagues watched Lu Xin's apartment and discussed the telekinesis associated with his mental aberration.
• The short-haired woman told a stern-looking man that a Dream Weaver had entered Lu Xin's dream and never come back.

Dai Mubai resolved to seek revenge and asked Zhao Wuji and the others to conceal his castration, fearing his family would kill him if they found out. Elsewhere, Tang San remained shut away, shaken by his defeat and staring blankly at his two Martial Souls, when a powerful figure suddenly appeared in his room.

• Dai Mubai blamed Dai Weisi and his other enemies for his condition and fantasized about taking the Star Luo throne and exacting revenge on them.
• Zhao Wuji slapped Dai Mubai for exposing himself, then mocked his injury until the other teachers, Qin Ming, and Oscar restrained him.
• Dai Mubai asked Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, Shao Xin, Lu Qibin, Qin Ming, and Oscar to keep his castration secret, and they agreed.
• Tang San shut himself in his room for days after the defeat, brooding over Ye Lan's attack and staring at his Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
• A fierce black wind blew through Tang San's window, and a tall, powerfully built figure appeared in the room.

Tang Hao told Tang San he had confirmed Ye Lan carried Ah Yin’s Spirit Bone but had failed to retrieve it from the guarded Heaven Dou Spirit Temple. He restored Tang San’s confidence in his Blue Silver Grass and promised to help awaken his Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, while Qian Renxue and Ye Qifeng ended the chapter together in the Crown Prince’s underground room.

• Tang Hao returned to Tang San after watching the Martial Soul Hall Second Team for seven days without finding a chance to take Ye Lan’s Spirit Bone.
• Tang Hao confirmed that Ah Yin’s 100,000-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone was on Ye Lan, and Tang San eagerly asked whether his father had recovered it.
• Tang Hao admitted he had failed to retrieve the Spirit Bone, disappointing Tang San, then questioned him about his exhausted state.
• Tang San asked whether his Blue Silver Grass could rival the Clear Sky Hammer, and Tang Hao explained that he meant the evolved Blue Silver Emperor.
• Tang Hao encouraged Tang San and promised to take him to the Blue Silver Forest to awaken his Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline once he reached Level 50.
• Qian Renxue kissed Ye Qifeng repeatedly in the underground room of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family’s Crown Prince’s Bedchamber.

Qian Renxue questioned Ye Qifeng about the aura that made her feel safe and helped her cultivation advance, and he explained its connection to his Primordial Origin and Yin-Yang abilities. After reassuring her that the influence did not override anyone’s will, Ye Qifeng agreed to help her cultivate again.

• Qian Renxue told Ye Qifeng that his aura made her feel comfortable and that refining what he left inside her had helped her rise from Level 82 to Level 83.
• Ye Qifeng admitted that her gains were related to the Primordial Origin within him, whose aura could encourage nearby women’s cultivation.
• After Qian Renxue struggled to understand his explanation, Ye Qifeng described his abilities through the balance of Yin and Yang and said prolonged closeness could foster goodwill without controlling anyone’s feelings.
• Qian Renxue questioned Ye Qifeng about women who had been drawn to him during his travels, and he explained that he had once been unable to control the aura but now had it under control.
• Qian Renxue asked Ye Qifeng to help her cultivate, and he responded to her challenge by taking control as dawn approached.

Yu Xiaogang gathered the Shrek Seven Devils for twenty days of intensive training to master their Seven Devils Fusion Skill, with Sword Douluo Chen Xin assigned as their sparring partner. The team formed up and activated the skill as Chen Xin conjured a miniature Seven Kill Sword.

• Yu Xiaogang rallied the Shrek Seven Devils after their loss to the Martial Soul Hall Second Team and announced targeted training before the Qualifying Tournament.
• Yu Xiaogang explained that the team would practice the Seven Devils Fusion Skill, a powerful technique that combined all seven members' soul power through Tang San as its core.
• Yu Xiaogang introduced the Seven-in-One Potential Activation Plan and named Sword Douluo Chen Xin as the team's sparring partner, though Chen Xin privately resented being assigned the task.
• Tang San led the Shrek Seven Devils into formation as Chen Xin condensed soul power into a miniature Seven Kill Sword.
• Tang San called for the Seven-in-One formation, and the team rearranged into a column, released their martial souls and spirit rings, and began preparing the fusion skill.

The Shrek Seven Devils used a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill to combine their strength through Tang San, who repelled Sword Douluo Chen Xin’s first attack with his Clear Sky Hammer. As Chen Xin escalated his attack to Soul Saint-level power, Tang San began displaying what Yu Xiaogang recognized as Tool Soul Avatar.

• Oscar poured his soul power into Ning Rongrong, who used Ring Fusion to send her strength through Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and Yu Tianheng into Tang San.
• The Shrek Seven Devils completed their Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, impressing Sword Douluo Chen Xin with their ability to combine their different martial souls.
• Chen Xin attacked Tang San with his Seven Kill Sword, but Tang San used Purple Demon Eye and Clear Sky Flying Hammer to shatter it.
• Chen Xin increased the sword’s power to Soul Saint level and attacked again, prompting Tang San to raise his Clear Sky Hammer as it glowed dark gold.
• Yu Xiaogang recognized Tang San’s transformation as Tool Soul Avatar.

Tang San used the Shrek Seven Devils’ Seven-in-One Fusion Skill to unleash the Clear Sky Avatar and challenge Sword Douluo, but Sword Douluo overwhelmed him with a single strike. A mysterious voice stopped Tang San as the damaged avatar’s cost left him drained and in pain.

• Yu Xiaogang realized the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill had raised Tang San’s power enough to unleash the Clear Sky Avatar.
• Sword Douluo summoned a towering avatar projection and challenged Tang San to attack with everything he had.
• Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer collided with Sword Douluo’s Seven Kill Sword, and the shock wave sent the Shrek Six Devils and Yu Xiaogang flying.
• Sword Douluo’s strike drove Tang San into the ground and damaged the Clear Sky Avatar, causing Tang San to vomit blood as his soul power destabilized.
• Tang San tried to attack again, but a hoarse voice ordered him to withdraw his strength; the avatar’s cost left him physically and spiritually drained.

Tang San and the Shrek Seven Devils tested the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, discovering it could produce a Clear Sky Avatar powerful enough to restore their confidence after losing to the Martial Soul Hall Second Team. After a month of training, the Qualifying Tournament was about to begin at the Heaven Dou Imperial Family’s Royal Hunting Ground.

• Tang San withdrew his Clear Sky Avatar after clashing with Sword Douluo, and the exhausted Shrek Seven Devils realized the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill could give them a chance against their strongest rivals.
• Xiao Wu noticed Yu Xiaogang was missing, and the Shrek Seven Devils found him headfirst in a thorn thicket and pulled him free.
• Yu Xiaogang celebrated Tang San’s use of the Clear Sky Avatar and declared that Shrek could defeat the Martial Soul Hall Second Team.
• During the month-long break, the Shrek Seven Devils recovered and trained with Yu Xiaogang and Sword Douluo while Tang Hao privately coached Tang San.
• The Heaven Dou Imperial Family prepared to hold the Qualifying Tournament at the Royal Hunting Ground, where spectators would not be allowed.

Ye Qifeng and the Martial Soul Hall Second Team traveled to the Heaven Dou Imperial Hunting Grounds for the Qualifying Tournament, accompanied by Liu Erlong and Jiang Zhu. They arrived to find the Royal Knights waiting at the venue as the tournament was about to begin.

• The chapter explained how Qualifying Tournament rankings determined Grand Finals matchups and how the top teams could receive byes.
• The chapter contrasted the Heaven Dou Empire's Qualifying Tournament with the Star Luo Empire's harsher wilderness survival and Spirit Beast hunting format.
• Fifteen teams, including the ten teams from the Kingdoms and Duchies, gathered at the Heaven Dou Imperial Hunting Grounds for the Heaven Dou Division's Qualifying Tournament.
• Ye Qifeng's group traveled to the venue with two hundred Holy Emperor Warriors, Salas, and Temple Knights.
• Liu Erlong and Jiang Zhu accompanied Ye Qifeng after Blue Tyrant Academy failed to qualify and its team disbanded.
• Ye Qifeng and the others arrived and saw the Royal Knights assembled at the grounds.

Ye Qifeng and his group arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Hunting Ground for the Qualifying Tournament, which was set to begin the next day. In the courtyard, Liu Erlong’s feelings for Ye Qifeng became apparent, then two women rushed into his arms and realized they were rivals for his affection.

• Roxon inspected Spirit Hall’s tournament pass and escorted Ye Qifeng’s group to their private barracks at the Hunting Ground.
• Ye Qifeng’s group settled into the camp, where Holy Emperor Warriors were assigned to guard them while the Qualifying Tournament preparations continued.
• Jiang Zhu admired the Spirit Hall Second Team’s strength, and Liu Erlong encouraged her to cultivate diligently after taking an Immortal Grade Herb.
• Liu Erlong watched Rui Wen train and gazed at Ye Qifeng with affection, then became flustered when he noticed her.
• Two women rushed into Ye Qifeng’s arms, looked at each other, and each recognized the other as a rival.

Huo Wu and Meng Yiran met while both embraced Ye Qifeng, and their jealousy over him sparked an argument. Ye Qifeng calmed them, and he greeted Meng Yiran after their long separation.

• Huo Wu and Meng Yiran sized each other up and introduced themselves, each recognizing the other as a rival for Ye Qifeng.
• Meng Yiran revealed that she knew Huo Wu was Ye Qifeng's girlfriend, information Bibi Dong had deliberately passed along to provoke the two women.
• Huo Wu and Meng Yiran argued over whether each could claim Ye Qifeng as her boyfriend, drawing the attention of Liu Erlong, Jiang Zhu, and the girls exercising nearby.
• Ye Qifeng intervened, and both women stopped arguing and moved apart when he asked them to let him go.
• Ye Qifeng turned to the emotional Meng Yiran and told her that it had been a long time.

Ye Qifeng reunited with Meng Yiran, who confessed her devotion through her tears and joined the women around him, including his girlfriend Huo Wu. The gathering was interrupted by Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, who recognized Meng Yiran and privately suspected she had come to claim Ye Qifeng.

• Ye Qifeng comforted the tearful Meng Yiran, who reaffirmed her determination to become his woman forever.
• Ye Qifeng introduced Meng Yiran to Liu Erlong, Jiang Zhu, Zhu Zhuqing, and the Martial Soul Hall Second Team.
• Meng Yiran greeted Huo Wu as a sister, and Huo Wu accepted the address despite continuing to see her as a rival for Ye Qifeng.
• Qian Renxue arrived disguised as Xue Qinghe with two elderly men and told Ye Qifeng she had come to pay him a visit.
• Qian Renxue recognized Meng Yiran and privately guessed that Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang had sent her to pursue Ye Qifeng.

Qian Renxue visited Ye Qifeng’s camp and found Meng Yiran there with Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang, while Ye Qifeng introduced his visitors and companions. At the Shrek camp, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin arrived to see Ning Rongrong and speak with Flender, leaving Flender to hear Ning Fengzhi’s request.

• Qian Renxue arrived at Ye Qifeng’s camp, teased him about the women around him, and met Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang.
• Meng Yiran greeted her grandparents, who secretly encouraged her to pursue Ye Qifeng and even suggested arranging a wedding.
• Ye Qifeng introduced the visitors and the Martial Soul Hall Second Team, while the newcomers worried that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe might target their ties to Spirit Hall.
• Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin visited the Shrek Seven Devils’ camp, where Tang San greeted them and Ning Rongrong ran to embrace her father.
• Ning Fengzhi told Flender he had an unreasonable request, and Flender agreed to listen.

Ning Fengzhi offered to fund Shrek Academy’s rebuilding and operations in exchange for admitting Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect students, and Flender accepted. He then told Ning Rongrong that she was expected to become the sect’s next leader, but she resisted and demanded that he not force her while he was alive.

• Ning Fengzhi proposed financing Shrek Academy’s reconstruction and operation while leaving its management to Flender and the teachers.
• Ning Fengzhi asked to send young members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to study at Shrek Academy, and Flender agreed after suspecting Yu Xiaogang was part of the plan.
• Yu Xiaogang stayed silent about the proposed students after Sword Douluo’s intimidating gaze made him afraid to object.
• Ning Fengzhi encouraged the Shrek Seven Devils and told Ning Rongrong to keep studying and cultivating before preparing to leave.
• Ning Fengzhi announced that the sect planned to name Ning Rongrong its next Sect Master after graduation, but she protested that she did not want the position.
• Ning Rongrong agreed to postpone the decision and demanded that Ning Fengzhi not force her to become Sect Master while he was alive.

Ning Fengzhi weighed Oscar’s feelings for Ning Rongrong against the danger of pairing his heir with a weak support-type Spirit Master, while considering Tang San a more suitable but politically complicated match. The Qualifying Tournament began under heavy security, with Qian Renxue presiding as Xue Qinghe while the poisoned Emperor Xue Ye clung to military authority.

• Ning Fengzhi recognized Oscar’s devotion to Ning Rongrong but believed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s heir needed a powerful Combat-type partner, and he had previously warned Oscar to keep his distance.
• Ning Fengzhi reminded Ning Rongrong to get along with her teammates, then left the Shrek group under Sword Douluo’s escort.
• The Qualifying Tournament opened with fifteen teams competing in a fourteen-round individual gauntlet format on a single arena, under rules allowing broad tactics while prohibiting outside objects and deliberate killing.
• Ye Qifeng, Ning Fengzhi, Salas, and Xue Qinghe took seats in the VIP area as ten thousand Royal Knights secured the venue.
• Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, led the tournament while the poisoned Emperor Xue Ye remained bedridden and withheld military authority from her.

Zhu Zhuqing entered the Martial Soul Hall Second Team’s match against Bala Academy after its captain insulted her and underestimated her. She struck first with overwhelming speed, leaving the captain badly injured on the arena floor.

• Skywater Academy defeated Haagen-Dazs Academy without Shui Bing'er taking the field.
• Rui Wen selected Zhu Zhuqing to fight Bala Academy, and Jin Yue'er and Bai Chenxiang agreed to stand by as backups.
• Bala Academy’s captain mocked Zhu Zhuqing’s appearance and told her to send a man or someone uglier.
• Meng Yiran urged Zhu Zhuqing to beat Bala Academy hard, while she and Huo Wu glared at each other from the stands.
• Zhu Zhuqing activated her martial soul and crossed the twenty-meter distance before the captain could react.
• Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Stab struck Bala Academy’s captain in the chest and abdomen, hurling him to the ground in a cloud of blood.

Zhu Zhuqing defeated Bala Academy’s seven competitors in succession, becoming the first contestant in the Qualifying Tournament to sweep an entire team by herself. Afterward, Qian Renxue asked Ye Qifeng whether Zhu Zhuqing was pretty, and he answered honestly before reassuring her that she was prettier.

• Zhu Zhuqing overwhelmed Bala Academy’s captain, a rank 42 Soul Ancestor, and forced the team to send out another competitor.
• Bala Academy’s second Soul Ancestor tried to trap Zhu Zhuqing in toxic mist, but she used Nether Shadow Clones and Hell Stab to knock him unconscious.
• Zhu Zhuqing defeated Bala Academy’s remaining five competitors and secured seven consecutive victories without exhausting her Soul Power.
• Ye Qifeng watched Zhu Zhuqing leave the arena as the crowd cheered, and Qian Renxue asked him whether she was pretty.
• Ye Qifeng admitted Zhu Zhuqing was pretty, then told Qian Renxue that she was the prettiest.

Ye Qifeng and Qian Renxue traded jealous remarks during the Qualifying Tournament, while Liu Erlong mistook Qian Renxue’s attention for improper interest in her. The tournament continued with Godwind Academy narrowly defeating Silves Academy and Plant Academy overcoming Silas Academy.

• Qian Renxue accused Ye Qifeng of staring at Zhu Zhuqing, and Ye Qifeng soothed her jealousy by agreeing to visit her secret room after the tournament.
• Liu Erlong saw Qian Renxue smile at her and suspected that the disguised Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had improper intentions toward her.
• Godwind Academy struggled against Silves Academy’s savage fighters, so Feng Xiaotian entered the match and secured a five-to-three victory.
• Plant Academy used its Control System Spirit Masters’ delaying tactics to defeat Silas Academy by an overall score of four to three.

Meng Yiran faced Xiao Wu in the qualifying tournament, using Ye Qifeng’s detailed intelligence to anticipate her opponent’s skills. She caught Xiao Wu just after her teleportation and began suppressing her while Xiao Wu relied on Invincible Golden Body to withstand the opening blow.

• Spectators gathered to watch the Shrek Seven Devils face Meng Yiran’s Exotic Beast Academy, while rival academies chose sides for the match.
• Yu Xiaogang underestimated Exotic Beast Academy and sent Xiao Wu, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and four substitutes to compete, with Xiao Wu entering first.
• Meng Yiran recognized Xiao Wu’s abilities from information supplied by Ye Qifeng and resolved to fight without holding back after learning Xiao Wu was a transformed hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.
• At the referee’s signal, Xiao Wu teleported behind Meng Yiran, but Meng Yiran anticipated her move and swung her Serpent Cane at her head.
• Xiao Wu activated Invincible Golden Body to block the blow, and Meng Yiran pressed her attack, aiming to keep Xiao Wu trapped until the skill wore off.

Meng Yiran defeated Xiao Wu with her Serpent Cane and poison, prompting the Shrek Seven Devils to confront her before the Peerless Dragon and Snake and Platinum Bishop Salas restored order. Tang San carried Xiao Wu away, and Dai Mubai entered the arena to face Meng Yiran.

• Meng Yiran used Serpent Body to evade Xiao Wu’s Waist Bow, then struck her with her poisoned Snake Blade and knocked her unconscious.
• Tang San rushed to Xiao Wu’s side and angrily confronted Meng Yiran, prompting both teams to gather for a standoff.
• Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang and Dragon Duke Meng Shu appeared to defend Meng Yiran, but Platinum Bishop Salas ordered everyone back to their places and warned them against breaking tournament rules.
• Tang San carried Xiao Wu from the arena and urged Dai Mubai to avenge her as Dai Mubai entered to face Meng Yiran, despite doubting he could win.

Meng Yiran overwhelmed Dai Mubai in the arena, revealing the extreme ice-and-snow power of her evolved Dragon Spear. After wearing him down, she unleashed Dragon Spear Soul Transformation to crush him in one strike.

• Dai Mubai entered the arena wary of Meng Yiran and realized her soul power was five ranks higher than his.
• Dai Mubai activated White Tiger Martial Soul Possession and White Tiger Vajra Transformation, then used ranged attacks to stall Meng Yiran and charge White Tiger Meteor Shower.
• Meng Yiran changed her Serpent Cane into the Dragon Spear and countered the meteor volley with Dragon Spear Thrust, leaving two dragon phantoms to strike Dai Mubai.
• Meng Yiran closed in and battered Dai Mubai with relentless spear attacks, while his defenses and counterattacks failed to turn the fight.
• Meng Yiran unleashed Dragon Spear Soul Transformation and crushed Dai Mubai in one stroke.

Meng Yiran used her Dragon Spear Soul Transformation to overwhelm and defeat Dai Mubai, leaving the Shrek Seven Devils shocked by her strength. Tang San entered the arena to fight her, seeking revenge for Xiao Wu and for Meng Yiran’s rejection of him years earlier.

• Meng Yiran transformed her Dragon Spear into an Ice and Snow Dragon and unleashed a vast wave of extreme cold across the arena.
• The Shrek Seven Devils and their teachers were stunned by Meng Yiran’s four spirit rings, rank-forty-nine cultivation, and unusual two-form martial soul; Yu Xiaogang guessed that it had mutated after an opportunity.
• Yu Xiaogang told Tang San to fight next and promised that Meng Yiran had already shown her full strength, while Tang San vowed to avenge the unconscious Xiao Wu.
• Meng Yiran charged Dai Mubai with the Ice and Snow Dragon, blasted him across the arena, and left him unconscious.
• Tang San entered the arena, and Meng Yiran recognized him as the boy who had once pursued her and whom she had rejected.