Chapter Summaries

The students formed alliances for the melee, while Xuan Zi recognized that Xue Qingyao’s overwhelming strength made the contest unfair. He halted the match and advanced her directly to the next round.

• Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi watched Dai Huabin’s group assemble around Xue Qingyao and recognized the threat she posed.
• Ning Tian joined Dai Huabin’s group after Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun’er encouraged her to secure its support position.
• Dai Huabin assigned Ning Tian to support Wang Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, and Cui Yajie, completing the group of seven.
• Xuan Zi surveyed the students’ formations and decided that Xue Qingyao’s strength would make the melee one-sided.
• Xuan Zi stopped the students and sent Xue Qingyao straight through to the next round.

Xuan Zi removed Xue Qingyao from the free-for-all and started the contest for the remaining six spots. As Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian cleared out stragglers, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu approached Bei Bei's defensive formation, setting up a clash between the arena's strongest groups.

• Xuan Zi ranked Xue Qingyao among the top seven and began the fight for the remaining six spots.
• Dai Huabin assigned Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian to work together and eliminate the weaker contestants.
• Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, and Cui Yajie attacked in coordination while Ning Tian supported them, eliminating several stragglers in minutes.
• Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan formed a defensive formation and conserved their Soul Power.
• Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu walked up to Bei Bei's group, and Dai Huabin politely said they had come to learn from them.
• Xu Sanshi questioned whether Dai Huabin was looking down on them.

Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu challenged Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, then unleashed the Ice Empress’s and Snow Empress’s domain skills. Their powers fused into the Snow Dance Extreme Ice Domain, leaving the arena frozen and stunning the spectators.

• Dai Huabin challenged Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, while Jiang Nannan declined his invitation to fight.
• Dai Huabin assigned Zhu Lu to fight Bei Bei and prepared to face Xu Sanshi as both pairs released their Martial Souls.
• Dai Huabin unleashed the Domain of Eternal Freeze as Zhu Lu summoned a blizzard with Emperor Cold Heaven: Snow Dance Shining Sun.
• The two Ultimate Ice domains fused into the Snow Dance Extreme Ice Domain, suppressing the remaining fighters and prompting several to surrender.
• Xuan Zi and Du Weilun recognized the fused domain’s extraordinary power, while the Snow Empress smiled at Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu’s performance.

Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi struggled against Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu inside their opponents’ ice domains, which weakened their Soul Power and gave the second-years control of the arena. As the seniors faced defeat, Bei Bei awakened the Radiant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Xu Sanshi activated his incomplete Black Tortoise bloodline, leaving the fight’s outcome uncertain.

• Dai Huabin used Ultimate Ice attacks to batter Xu Sanshi’s defenses, while Zhu Lu’s speed and claws forced Bei Bei onto the defensive.
• Xu Sanshi’s Mysterious Underworld Displacement switched him with Bei Bei, but Dai Huabin quickly countered and challenged Xu Sanshi to use his trump cards.
• Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi agreed to fight at full strength as Xu Sanshi neared his limit.
• Bei Bei forcibly awakened the Radiant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, strengthening his Soul Skills and giving his lightning a golden, purifying light attribute.
• Xu Sanshi activated his incomplete Black Tortoise bloodline, doubling his defense as Xuan Zi watched from the stands.

Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu defeated Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi without using their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, leaving the other students stunned. With the remaining contestants surrendering, Dai Huabin challenged Jiang Nannan to face him.

• Zhu Lu used her Hell Ghost Leopard Right Leg Bone skill and Ultimate Ice attacks to defeat Bei Bei after his awakened Radiant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon began to falter.
• Dai Huabin fused his Ice Soul Earth-Splitting Claw and Ice Soul White Tiger Sky-Splitting Claw to break Xu Sanshi's awakened Black Tortoise defense and knock him unconscious.
• The mentors called Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi out, while Xuan Zi and Snow Empress watched Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu stand victorious.
• The remaining students huddled in the arena's corners, and some raised their hands to surrender.
• Dai Huabin approached Jiang Nannan and asked her to fight him.

Dai Huabin’s team cleared the field, and he defeated Jiang Nannan by forcing her to use all three charges of Invincible Golden Body. The seven advancement spots went to the Snow Empress and six second-years connected to Dai Huabin, who were told to report to the Inner Academy the next morning.

• Zhu Lu, Cui Yajie, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wang Dong'er worked together to clear the remaining contestants from the field.
• Jiang Nannan challenged Dai Huabin to see the gap between them, but her attacks and Gravity Control barely affected him, while his Ultimate Ice domain weakened her.
• Dai Huabin used Ice Soul Earth-Splitting Claw to make Jiang Nannan expend all three uses of Invincible Golden Body, and she admitted defeat.
• Dai Huabin caught Jiang Nannan when she slipped on the ice, and she blushed before leaving the field.
• Xuan Zi named Xue Qingyao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian as the seven who advanced, and told them to report to the Inner Academy the next morning.

After Dai Huabin’s group secured all seven spots in the Selection Tournament, he kissed Zhu Lu, stirring complicated feelings in Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, and the Snow Empress. The group left the Soul Fighting Arena to celebrate at the Nine Treasures Pavilion and brought the impatient Ice Empress along for a meal.

• Dai Huabin praised Zhu Lu for her performance, then kissed her in front of the others, leaving her bashful.
• Wang Dong'er watched the kiss and tried to suppress her uneasy feelings, while Xiao Xiao noticed her reaction and Cui Yajie observed that several girls had grown attached to Dai Huabin.
• The Snow Empress felt Zhu Lu's emotions through their Blood Pact and realized she did not dislike the echo of Zhu Lu's feelings for Dai Huabin.
• Dai Huabin announced that they had won all seven spots and invited the group to celebrate at the Nine Treasures Pavilion; Wang Dong'er complained but followed.
• Dai Huabin and the others exited the arena and found the Ice Empress waiting outside; he told her the group had won and promised to treat her to a meal.

After the Selection Tournament, Dai Huabin led his companions through training and agreed to visit the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to discuss a possible exchange for the Aromatic Silk Beauty. Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao heard how powerful Dai Huabin had become and wondered whether he should leave Shrek Academy to seek out the Body Sect.

• After lunch at the Nine Treasures Pavilion, Dai Huabin arranged training for the group because they were due to report to the Inner Academy the next day.
• Ning Tian told Dai Huabin that her mother was willing to give everything for the Aromatic Silk Beauty, and Dai Huabin agreed to visit the sect during the academy break to discuss the matter.
• Ning Tian told Wu Feng that no price was too high if the herb could evolve her Martial Soul from Seven Treasures to Nine Treasures.
• He Caitou told Huo Yuhao that Dai Huabin had defeated Xu Sanshi despite his awakened Black Tortoise defenses.
• Huo Yuhao wondered whether he could catch up to Dai Huabin at Shrek or should leave to seek out the Body Sect.

Huo Yuhao weighed his slow progress against Dai Huabin’s strength and decided to seek out the Body Sect during the holidays. Meanwhile, Ma Xiaotao confronted Yan Shaozhe about being barred from competition, and he revealed that the academy wanted her to marry Dai Huabin so his Ultimate Ice could suppress her Evil Fire.

• He Caitou told Huo Yuhao that the Selection Tournament was for senior students and encouraged him to aim for the Shrek Seven Devils in the next tournament.
• Huo Yuhao compared himself with Dai Huabin, considered the Body Sect’s cultivation method, and decided to seek the sect during the holidays.
• Ma Xiaotao demanded to know why Yan Shaozhe would not let her compete in the sparring match or the Soul Master Tournament.
• Yan Shaozhe explained that Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire could endanger her allies and that Mu En had forbidden her from official competitions and cultivation until it was resolved.
• Yan Shaozhe told Ma Xiaotao that the academy hoped she would marry Dai Huabin so his Ultimate Ice could suppress her Evil Fire.

Yan Shaozhe urged Ma Xiaotao to seek Dai Huabin’s help controlling her Evil Fire, prompting her to plan a meeting and consider apologizing to Xue Qingyao. The next morning, Dai Huabin and his companions arrived at Sea God Lake to make their way to Sea God Island for the Inner Academy registration.

• Yan Shaozhe told Ma Xiaotao that Dai Huabin’s Ultimate Ice could stabilize her Evil Fire and agreed she could join the Soul Master Tournament if Dai Huabin helped her.
• Ma Xiaotao decided to approach Dai Huabin the next morning and apologize to Xue Qingyao for their earlier conflict.
• Ma Xiaotao debated what to wear when meeting Dai Huabin, then spent ten minutes searching her wardrobe despite insisting she would not change.
• Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Snow Empress crossed toward Sea God Island, with Ning Tian joining them along the way.
• Mu Jin met the group at Sea God Lake and told them to make their own way to Sea God Island as a test.

Dai Huabin and the reserve students crossed Sea God Lake to reach Sea God Island, where Ma Xiaotao was waiting to meet them. Ma Xiaotao watched Dai Huabin freeze a path across the lake and recognized his power.

• Wang Dong'er flew across Sea God Lake, while Snow Empress crossed by forming ice beneath each step.
• Dai Huabin froze a wide path across the lake, and he led Zhu Lu, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian to Sea God Island.
• Dai Huabin's group found Ma Xiaotao waiting at a crossroads, and she greeted them after exchanging a brief look with Snow Empress.
• Ma Xiaotao recalled arriving early to take over from Xixi and watching Snow Empress and Dai Huabin cross the lake with ease.

Ma Xiaotao asked Dai Huabin to use his Ultimate Ice to suppress her Evil Fire, and he agreed, giving her hope of competing in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament. As she led him to Inner Academy registration while holding his wrist, they ran into Zhu Lu, Snow Empress, and the others, leaving Ma Xiaotao to realize how the scene looked.

• Ma Xiaotao approached Dai Huabin and asked him to help suppress her Evil Fire, while acknowledging that she had been wrong to provoke Xue Qingyao before.
• Dai Huabin accepted Ma Xiaotao's apology and said he could suppress her Evil Fire temporarily, though he would need to prepare.
• Ma Xiaotao explained that Dean Yan had removed her from Shrek's tournament roster because her Evil Fire was becoming harder to control.
• Relieved that Dai Huabin would help, Ma Xiaotao thanked him and offered to assist him in the Inner Academy.
• Ma Xiaotao took Dai Huabin by the wrist and led him toward registration, where they encountered Zhu Lu, Snow Empress, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian.
• Ma Xiaotao noticed the girls' reactions to her holding Dai Huabin's wrist and realized she might have caused trouble.

Dai Huabin and the others arrived at the Inner Academy's Soul Fighting Arena, where they met the Shrek Seven Devils' Main Team. Dai Yueheng focused on his younger brother and recognized how quickly Dai Huabin had grown.

• Ma Xiaotao led the group toward the arena while thinking about Dai Huabin and the hope of resolving her Evil Fire problem.
• Wang Dong'er waited at the entrance, and Dai Huabin continued inside with Zhu Lu, Ning Tian, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and the Snow Empress.
• Dai Huabin surveyed the Inner Academy arena and identified Dai Yueheng, Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochеn, Xixi, Chen Zifeng, and Yao Haoxuan as the six Main Team members present.
• Ma Xiaotao introduced the newcomers to Dai Yueheng and the others.
• Dai Yueheng fixed his attention on Dai Huabin and realized his younger brother had advanced to Soul Ancestor level in less than a year.

The Main Team and Reserve Team met for the first time, introduced their members, and prepared to train together. Xuan Zi proposed a seven-on-seven battle between them, leaving both teams ready to test their strength.

• Dai Yueheng and Ling Luochеn recognized Xue Qingyao's Ultimate Ice and noticed that Dai Huabin shared the same rare ice quality.
• Xuan Zi arrived with Du Weilun and announced that the Main Team would help the Reserve Team adapt to combat while the Reserve Team built teamwork.
• Ma Xiaotao introduced the seven Main Team members, then Dai Huabin listed the Reserve Team's members and levels.
• The Main Team reacted to the Reserve Team's lower cultivation levels, while Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er accepted the gap and Cui Yajie remained unfazed.
• Xuan Zi proposed a seven-on-seven group battle between the Main Team and Reserve Team, pointing out that Xue Qingyao gave the Reserve Team a powerful advantage.

Snow Empress unleashed her Ultimate Ice domain against the Inner Academy Main Team, suppressing Ma Xiaotao’s flames and isolating her from support. The fight was still underway as Ma Xiaotao discovered Gongyang Mo had been frozen solid.

• Dai Huabin assigned Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian to hold back Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan, while he and Zhu Lu took on Dai Yueheng, Xixi, and Ling Luochen.
• Ma Xiaotao planned to face Xue Qingyao head-on with Gongyang Mo supporting her, despite Dai Yueheng warning that Snow Empress had defeated her before.
• Xuan Zi began the Soul Fight, and Snow Empress immediately invoked Emperor Cold Heaven: Snow Dance Shining Sun, covering the arena in an Ultimate Ice blizzard.
• Ma Xiaotao activated her Evil Fire Phoenix and Bathing Fire Phoenix, but the blizzard suppressed her flames and drained her Soul Power.
• Ma Xiaotao called for Gongyang Mo’s support and saw that he had been frozen in place behind her.

Xue Qingyao froze Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo in seconds with her overwhelming ice domain, then left the remaining fight to Dai Huabin’s team. Wang Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian battled Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan while Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu prepared to face Dai Yueheng, Xixi, and Ling Luochen.

• Xue Qingyao expanded her domain, froze Gongyang Mo and Ma Xiaotao, and silenced the arena.
• Xuan Zi recognized the domain as Snow Dance Shining Sun and speculated that Xue Qingyao and Zhu Lu shared a reclusive family inheritance.
• Xue Qingyao weakened the blizzard and told Dai Huabin to take over the fight.
• Ning Tian enhanced Wang Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, and Cui Yajie as they attacked Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan, with Cui Yajie disrupting Yao Haoxuan’s mental skills.
• Dai Yueheng, Xixi, and Ling Luochen faced Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, whose Ultimate Ice Soul Power fused into the Extreme Ice—Hell White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Dai Huabin’s Reserve Team demonstrated its strength as the Extreme Ice Hell White Tiger overwhelmed Dai Yueheng’s attacks and Wang Dong’er’s group defeated Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan. Xuan Zi stopped the battle, leaving the Reserve Team’s victory clear.

• Dai Yueheng, Xixi, and Ling Luochеn attacked the Extreme Ice Hell White Tiger, but its Ultimate Ice nullified Ling Luochеn’s Ice Prison and absorbed most of Xixi’s lightning.
• The Extreme Ice Hell White Tiger drove Dai Yueheng back with Hell White Tiger Break, and he failed to break its ice shield with White Tiger Destruction Kill.
• Dai Huabin told Dai Yueheng to admit defeat, saying he had not used his full strength.
• Xiao Xiao’s Cauldron Might disrupted Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan, allowing Wang Dong’er to knock them down with Butterfly Goddess Slash while Ning Tian boosted her.
• Xuan Zi stood and stopped the battle.

The Reserve Team defeated the Main Team in four minutes and twenty-seven seconds, largely because Xue Qingyao’s Ultimate Ice suppressed their opponents. Xuan Zi kept the original team hierarchy, named Dai Huabin Reserve Team captain, and invited him to the Sea God Pavilion that afternoon.

• The Reserve Team subdued all seven Main Team members while none of its own members were defeated.
• Dai Huabin explained that Xue Qingyao’s domain had been decisive and warned Xuan Zi not to count on her competing regularly.
• Xuan Zi decided not to switch the teams and appointed Ma Xiaotao Main Team captain and Dai Huabin Reserve Team captain.
• Xuan Zi told both teams to spend the morning learning each other’s Soul Skills.
• Xuan Zi asked Dai Huabin to come to the Sea God Pavilion at two that afternoon and told Ma Xiaotao to bring him.

Dai Huabin visited the Sea God Pavilion at Xuan Zi’s request, where Mu En asked him to demonstrate the fusion of his spiritual power, Soul Power, and conviction. Mu En recognized the crude technique as a trace of Reign Over the World and praised Dai Huabin’s exceptional talent.

• After the battle, Dai Yueheng acknowledged Dai Huabin’s improvement, while Ling Luochеn watched him with conflicted feelings.
• Dai Huabin left the Soul Fighting Arena with the Reserve Team and agreed to meet Ma Xiaotao at the Sea God Pavilion that afternoon.
• Ma Xiaotao escorted Dai Huabin to the Sea God Pavilion, where Mu En asked him to recreate the technique he had shown during the Freshman Assessment.
• Dai Huabin fused spiritual power, Soul Power, blood and vitality, and conviction into a punch that cracked the stone floor.
• Mu En said Dai Huabin had already achieved the technique the previous year and was the only person at the academy his age to reach that level.

Mu En’s guidance led Dai Huabin to discover a conviction of his own and create the battle technique Defy Heaven and Slay Gods, Only I Am Supreme. Mu En warned him not to use the unstable technique too soon, then watched him leave and worried that Dai Huabin’s bond with Shrek Academy remained weak.

• Mu En told Dai Huabin that a personal battle technique required a firm conviction rather than merely combining spiritual power and physical force.
• Dai Huabin reflected on his struggle to survive and grow strong enough to control his own fate and protect those he cared about.
• Dai Huabin’s conviction united his spiritual power, Soul Power, and blood and qi, and he created the technique Defy Heaven and Slay Gods, Only I Am Supreme.
• Mu En recognized that Dai Huabin’s technique could shatter an opponent’s conviction, and Dai Huabin declared, “My fate is mine to command, not Heaven’s!”
• Electrolux sensed Dai Huabin’s conviction from within his Spiritual Sea and silently approved.
• Mu En cautioned Dai Huabin that his new technique was unstable, sent him to Xiaotao, and worried that Dai Huabin’s bond with Shrek Academy was too weak.