Chapter Summaries

The group reached the Star Luo Empire's Western Army Group camp after Xuan Zi hauled them through the night at extreme speed. As Dai Yueheng proudly described his father's rise through the ranks, Lu Ran questioned how Dai Hao could have concealed his origins and Soul Master status.

• The group practiced using Flight Soul Tools, then Xuan Zi tethered them to his Level 8 Soul Tool and flew them thousands of miles overnight.
• The exhausted group arrived near the military camp, where Du Leisi recognized Dai Yueheng and escorted them inside.
• Jiang Nannan stumbled and Lu Ran caught her, while Wang Dong later fell over a tree root and kicked it in frustration.
• Dai Yueheng recounted how his father rose from a foot soldier to commander-in-chief of the Western Army Group.
• Lu Ran privately noted several reasons Dai Hao's claimed anonymity as a common soldier seemed implausible.

Wang Yan led the Shrek team into the Mingdou Mountain Range to hunt the Death Messenger bandits, and they discovered the horrific atrocities inside the bandits’ cave. The group reached a cavern full of bandits, who remained unaware that the team had arrived.

• Dai Hao gave the team military intelligence identifying the Death Messenger as a bandit group of about three hundred, led by someone at least as strong as a Soul King.
• Wang Yan ordered Ma Xiaotao to lead the main team, and Lu Ran joined them to provide group-defense support.
• Ma Xiaotao led the team into a vine-hidden cave, where they found human skins, corpses, and blood-carved writing.
• Chen Zifeng killed three bandits who appeared around a bend, and the team continued deeper into the cave.
• The team entered a large cavern where more than fifty bandits lounged among corpses while a boy stirred a pot of cooking meat.

Lu Ran and the Shrek Inner Academy team fought the bandits in their cavern, but the Death Messenger triggered a chain of corpse explosions that devastated the team. Xuan Zi arrived and attacked the Death Messenger, who escaped as green smoke amid another blast.

• Ma Xiaotao and the others attacked the bandits, while Lu Ran used rock spikes and pillars to fight them and seal off a cave entrance.
• The Death Messenger shouted from deep in the cave, causing the bandits to panic as corpses began swelling and exploding; Lu Ran protected the team with Gilded Barriers.
• After the blasts ended, Lu Ran found Dai Yueheng unconscious and the other Inner Academy members badly injured, with several suffering severe wounds or missing limbs.
• Xuan Zi rushed into the cavern and struck at the Death Messenger, but the Death Messenger set off another group of corpse explosions and turned into green smoke with his fifth Soul Ring.

Lu Ran pursued the Death Messenger through an explosive-filled tunnel and overcame his Corpse Slaves with Electrolux’s necromancy. The Death Messenger’s servants turned against him and attacked as his escape failed.

• Xuan Zi suppressed the exploding corpses while Lu Ran pursued the Death Messenger into the underground passage.
• The Death Messenger detonated explosives to collapse the tunnel, but Lu Ran caught up with him after he teleported away.
• The Death Messenger ordered his twelve Corpse Slaves to attack Lu Ran at the cave exit.
• Electrolux used gray flames to free the Corpse Slaves from the Death Messenger’s control.
• The Corpse Slaves turned on the Death Messenger and tore into him as he screamed.

Lu Ran killed the Death Messenger and freed the Corpse Slaves, while Xuan Zi arrived too late to prevent severe losses among Shrek's students. Xuan Zi took the gravely injured students back to the Academy, leaving Wang Yan and Lu Ran to lead the survivors back to camp.

• Lu Ran killed the Death Messenger, and the freed Corpse Slaves thanked him before dissolving into bones.
• Xuan Zi broke through the collapsed tunnel and found the Death Messenger dead, then regretted the damage suffered by Shrek's students.
• Lu Ran told Xuan Zi that his medicines could only slow the corpse poison, so Xuan Zi hurried to take the worst-injured students back to the Academy.
• Xuan Zi loaded Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, and three other students onto the Flight Soul Tool and flew away for treatment.
• Wang Yan told the remaining students to return to camp and rest, while he planned to inform the White Tiger Duke about Dai Yueheng's injuries.

Dai Hao learned that Dai Yao Heng had been badly injured during the Shrek students’ mission and ordered an investigation into his condition and return to the academy. Meanwhile, the shaken students struggled to eat, and Wang Yan privately smoked before returning to camp.

• Wang Yan told Dai Hao that Dai Yao Heng had been injured by an Evil Soul Master and sent to Shrek Academy for treatment, while admitting he could not guarantee there would be no lasting effects.
• Dai Hao questioned who had taken the injured students back, and Wang Yan claimed an absent, exceptionally fast team leader had escorted them.
• Dai Hao arranged for Cheng Yan and Elder Hai to help the Shrek students recover, then secretly sent An Jian to Shrek Academy to investigate Dai Yao Heng’s condition and arrival.
• Wang Dong, Jiang Nannan, Ma Xiaotao, and the others sat before Cheng Yan’s lavish meal but had no appetite because they were still shaken by the mission.
• Wang Yan smoked alone in a forest, then put away the cigarette and returned to his neat appearance before walking back to the military camp.

Wang Yan led the Shrek group toward Star Luo City, assuring them they could register late while Lu Ran knew no reinforcements were coming. The group reached Star Luo City and marveled at its enormous walls as Lu Ran considered why they had been built so high.

• Wang Yan returned to the tent and told the group they would leave at dawn, while Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan worried whether Xuan Zi and the other Shrek students would arrive in time.
• Wang Yan reassured Jiang Nannan and the others that Shrek could register late, but Lu Ran silently realized there was no backup coming.
• Lu Ran and Wang Yan led the group toward Star Luo City on Level 5 Flight Soul Tools, taking turns at the front to cut through the wind.
• Wang Yan pointed out Star Luo City's enormous black wall, and Wang Dong, Jiang Nannan, and the others were awestruck as they approached.
• Lu Ran reflected that generations of Star Luo emperors had fortified the walls for security, a need later reinforced by the arrival of powerful enemies from the Sun Moon Continent.

Lu Ran and the Shrek Academy group arrived in Star Luo City, saw its immense defenses and bustling streets, and checked into the Star Emperor Hotel. Wang Yan then gathered the students for their first strategy meeting before the Soul Master Tournament.

• Lu Ran and the others descended near Star Luo City's massive defensive wall, drawing attention from people on the plain with their Flight Soul Tools.
• The group entered Star Luo City and marveled at its scale and prosperity as Wang Yan and Bei Bei discussed the tournament and why Shrek City could not host it.
• The Shrek Academy students registered at the Star Emperor Hotel and received luxurious rooms overlooking Star Luo Square, the tournament venue.
• Wang Yan called the students together for their first strategy meeting, and they prepared to discuss the coming competition.

Lu Ran told the Shrek team that no reinforcements were coming, then rallied them to prepare for the competition. Later that night, Wang Dong came to his room and asked to cultivate there.

• Wang Yan explained that the competition would begin with a knockout round, followed by a round-robin stage.
• Lu Ran revealed that someone in the Sea God Pavilion wanted Shrek to compete without reinforcements to expose the academy's need to adapt.
• Lu Ran encouraged the team by saying Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochеn were recovering and that his contracted Soul Beasts could fight alongside them.
• The students discussed tactics late into the night, then cultivated to prepare for the competition.
• Wang Dong came to Lu Ran's room after bathing and asked to cultivate there for the night.

Wang Dong visited Lu Ran, anxious about the competition and troubled by her feelings for him despite his relationship with Jiang Nannan. Lu Ran comforted her with homemade milk tea and assured her he would support her in the competition.

• Wang Dong entered Lu Ran's room, where he made her milk tea to ease her anxiety.
• Wang Dong admired a crooked teacup until Lu Ran explained that he had made it himself years earlier.
• Wang Dong remembered her growing feelings for Lu Ran and felt guilty toward Jiang Nannan.
• Lu Ran reassured Wang Dong that he had her back in the competition, while she mistook his words as a response to her thoughts and grew more ashamed.

Lu Ran and Wang Dong discussed an unexpected change between them, but Wang Dong’s attempt to spend the night with him was interrupted when Jiang Nannan arrived. Jiang Nannan noticed Wang Dong’s unusual appearance and behavior, then inspected Lu Ran suspiciously.

• Lu Ran reassured Wang Dong that he would accept whatever unexpected, harmless thing she had to tell him.
• Wang Dong suggested staying in Lu Ran’s room, but he agreed and told her to sleep in the bedroom while he stayed up.
• Jiang Nannan arrived at Lu Ran’s suite in the pajamas he had given her and found Wang Dong there.
• Jiang Nannan noticed Wang Dong looked different and avoided her gaze, while Wang Dong left to cultivate.
• Jiang Nannan embraced Lu Ran and sniffed his clothes and body, checking him closely.

Lu Ran comforted Jiang Nannan after she became uneasy about Wang Dong visiting, and the two spent the night together. The next morning, Jiang Nannan prepared for her first competition while Lu Ran promised to protect her, and Wang Dong woke after a sleepless night feeling strangely empty.

• Jiang Nannan asked Lu Ran why Wang Dong had visited, and he explained that she could not settle down to cultivate alone.
• Lu Ran soothed Jiang Nannan, carried her to the window, and shared tea and a quiet evening counting stars with her.
• Jiang Nannan and Lu Ran kissed and spent the night together.
• The next morning, Lu Ran urged Jiang Nannan to skip the competition and warned her not to take risks, but she insisted on participating.
• Wang Dong got out of bed after a sleepless night and felt as if something huge had happened.

The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament opened in Star Luo City, and Shrek’s young Reserve Team faced Tianling Academy in the first match. As both teams took the arena, Tianling resolved to eliminate at least one Shrek competitor, while Xiao Hongchen watched confidently from the stands.

• Emperor Xu Jiawei announced the tournament’s opening, and the prime minister introduced the first elimination match between Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy and Shrek Academy.
• Lu Ran led Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Bei Bei, and the other Shrek Reserve Team members into the arena, drawing the crowd’s attention to their youth.
• Tianling’s team entered and realized Shrek had fielded its Reserve Team, then grew hopeful that they could defeat at least one opponent.
• Xiao Hongchen studied the Shrek team, focused on Lu Ran, and confidently anticipated eventually defeating Shrek himself.
• Tianling’s captain rallied his teammates to target the Shrek member at the front and return to Ling Dou having eliminated at least one opponent.

Lu Ran faced the Heaven Spirit Team alone while the rest of the Shrek Team stayed back, using a single purple Soul Ring to unleash a devastating Rock Spike attack. He sent the Heaven Spirit captain flying in one clash, and the attack continued toward the stunned team.

• The referee began the elimination match, and the Heaven Spirit Team formed up while the Shrek Team remained still.
• Lu Ran told Jiang Nannan, Bei Bei, and the others to leave the fight to him, then stepped forward alone.
• The Heaven Spirit captain charged Lu Ran, boosted by his Soul Rings and a teammate's support.
• Lu Ran raised his hand and sent dozens of Earth Vein Rock Spikes surging across the arena.
• The Rock Spikes overwhelmed the captain and hurled him backward, then continued charging toward the Heaven Spirit Team.

Lu Ran overwhelmed the Heaven Spirit Team with his Rock Spike Snake Swarm and defeated a four-ring attacker with one punch. As the battle continued, a huge blue draconic Soul Beast appeared above the arena and attacked the Heaven Spirit Captain, leaving the match in chaos.

• The Rock Spike Snake Swarm trapped the Heaven Spirit Team while Lu Ran blocked a Wind-Splitting Eagle Soul Master's surprise attack with a tortoiseshell barrier.
• Lu Ran used his third Purple Soul Ring to catch the fleeing attacker and knock him unconscious with one punch.
• Xiao Hongchen watched Lu Ran's strength with new caution as spectators erupted in cheers for Shrek.
• The Heaven Spirit Captain recovered from his injuries and saw his teammate attack Lu Ran, but a gigantic draconic Soul Beast appeared above the arena.
• The Heaven Spirit Captain fled the crashing Rock Spikes, then was struck from behind and fell unconscious as a blue streak rushed toward him.

Lu Ran defeated the entire Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy team with the help of the Rock Crystal Dragon and Jade Azure Bird, stunning the spectators and rival teams. After the victory drew attention from every faction, Dai Huabin learned that his older brother and the rest of their team had been badly injured but were expected to recover.

• Lu Ran's Jade Slashes destroyed the arena, and the referee declared Shrek Academy the winner after the Heaven Spirit Team lost the ability to fight.
• The Rock Crystal Dragon and Jade Azure Bird revealed their immense power, while Emperor Xu Jiawei and Xiao Hongchen watched Lu Ran with surprise and suspicion.
• Ye Wuqing realized Shrek's unexpected lineup change had invalidated five years of preparation and took the Tianzheng Team back for a meeting.
• Lu Ran returned his Soul Beasts to the Small World and left the arena with his stunned teammates as news of his victory spread through Star Luo City.
• At Shrek Academy, Dai Huabin learned from Uncle An that Yao Heng and the other injured students were stable and expected to recover.

After Lu Ran won his match, Xu Jiujiu gave him a VIP card and invited him and the Shrek group to the Star Luo Auction House. Lu Ran urged them to attend the Soul Tool auction, arguing that Shrek needed to value Soul Guidance technology and that Soul Tools could address weaknesses in combat.

• Xu Jiujiu congratulated Lu Ran, gave him a Star Luo Auction House VIP card, and invited the Shrek group to the auction the next night.
• Wang Dong, Jiang Nannan, and Ning Tian insisted that the group should attend, while Wu Feng teased Lu Ran about Xu Jiujiu’s invitation.
• Lu Ran explained that the auction focused on precious Soul Tools and said the group might find something useful there.
• Wang Yan noted that only twenty percent of competition teams used Soul Tools, and Lu Ran challenged the group’s belief that Martial Souls mattered more.
• Lu Ran asked Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan how they would handle opponents using defensive or flight Soul Tools, then explained how flight equipment could give them new combat advantages.

Lu Ran persuaded the Shrek team to take Soul Tools seriously and attend Princess Xu Jiujiu’s auction. At the auction, the group bought several Soul Tools, and the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife was announced as the final lot.

• Lu Ran explained that Soul Tools could give Support-type Soul Masters combat ability and urged the team to embrace them, while Wang Dong remained conflicted about them.
• Wang Yan agreed that Soul Tools could prevent future casualties, and the team decided to attend the auction after Lu Ran noted the Star Luo Imperial Family’s invitation was also a diplomatic gesture.
• Lu Ran’s arena performance spread across the region, and the next night he led the Shrek group to the Starlight Auction House while Wang Dong stayed behind, claiming to feel unwell.
• Xu Jiujiu welcomed Lu Ran and guided the group into the level-four auction hall, where attendees recognized him despite his mask.
• Jiang Nannan, Ling Luochеn, Bei Bei, and the others bought Soul Tools, and Qingya announced the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife as the evening’s final lot.

Lu Ran bought the ominous Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife and had Electrolux purify it into Life Gold. Electrolux began fusing the Life Gold with Lu Ran, leaving him enduring immense pain as the vitality flooded his body and expanded his Sea of Consciousness.

• Electrolux urged Lu Ran to buy the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife because it could restore Electrolux's strength and help treat Mu En.
• Lu Ran outbid the silent auction hall and won the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife for one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
• Back at the hotel, Lu Ran took out the knife, and its ferocious aura chilled the room and threatened to erode his body and mind.
• Electrolux purified the knife's curses, malice, and hatred, revealing the Life Gold hidden beneath its blood-black surface.
• Electrolux began fusing the Life Gold with Lu Ran, whose Sea of Consciousness expanded as he endured excruciating pain.

Lu Ran endured the fusion with Life Gold, which strengthened his body, expanded his Sea of Consciousness, and doubled the Small World's Soul Power density. The next morning, he faced Qianling Academy alone in a team battle, and the opposing team charged as the match began.

• Electrolux used the Life Gold to nourish his divine soul and said he could also heal Mu En, while Lu Ran's Sea of Consciousness expanded around a Spring of Life.
• Lu Ran sensed that the Small World's Soul Power density had doubled, his body and senses had improved, and his Soul Power had reached level forty-nine.
• At Star Luo Square, Lu Ran entered the arena alone to face Qianling Team in a team battle, drawing cheers from the crowd.
• Qianling Team revealed its four Spirit Rhino Shield users, captain Shen Ce's silver spear, and An Lengye and Fei Yuyan's Ice Bear and Black-Spotted Fierce Tiger.
• As the referee began the match, Qianling Team charged at Lu Ran, determined to make him pay for underestimating them.