Recaps

After nearly ten months apart, Xia Yan returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and reunited with Ning Rongrong on a mountain bridge. She forgave him for leaving without her, accepted his necklace, and stayed in his arms as he praised her.

• Ning Rongrong walked toward Zhu Zhuqing’s training cave and reread Xia Yan’s last letter, remembering how long he had been gone.
• Xia Yan appeared behind Ning Rongrong, and she turned around and threw herself at him.
• Ning Rongrong stomped on Xia Yan’s foot for leaving without her, then clung to him and cried about how much she had missed and worried about him.
• Xia Yan apologized and gave Ning Rongrong a blue butterfly necklace engraved with their names.
• Ning Rongrong insisted Xia Yan put on the necklace while she held onto him, and Xia Yan told her she looked beautiful.

Xia Yan reunited with Zhu Zhuqing and gave her a personalized crescent-moon necklace, then took her and Ning Rongrong to a cliffside pavilion to hear about events in Heaven Dou City. Ning Rongrong began recounting how the factions had reacted to Xia Yan’s absence.

• Zhu Zhuqing noticed Ning Rongrong and Xia Yan acting strangely as she welcomed Xia Yan after eight months apart.
• Xia Yan gave Zhu Zhuqing a necklace engraved with their names, and she tearfully accepted it.
• Xia Yan put the necklace on Zhu Zhuqing and reassured her as Ning Rongrong watched.
• Xia Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing flew on Jade Green Luan to a cliffside pavilion.
• Ning Rongrong told Xia Yan that Crown Prince Brother had asked about him seven times, but Ning Fengzhi had not revealed where he had gone.

Ning Rongrong told Xia Yan about the political turmoil and rumors that followed his departure, including competing offers from Spirit Hall and both imperial families to recruit him. She also recounted changes at Shrek Academy and the transformations of Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo, leaving Xia Yan informed of events across the continent.

• Ning Rongrong told Xia Yan that the Heaven Dou Emperor had asked about him before his health worsened and that state affairs had passed to the Crown Prince and Prince Xue Xing.
• Ning Rongrong explained that Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and the Star Luo Imperial Family had each announced major tournament rewards aimed at recruiting Xia Yan.
• Ning Rongrong said Xue Xing had searched for Xia Yan and described how Shrek Academy had joined with Morning Water Academy, where Yu Xiaogang had become a teacher and Yu Tianheng had remained.
• Ning Rongrong told Xia Yan that the Imperial Heaven Dou Battle Team had continued training but lacked motivation without him, and that Dugu Yan had returned with changed looks and temperament.
• Ning Rongrong reported that Dugu Bo had emerged from seclusion with white hair, eyes, nails, and eyebrows, appearing healthier and having changed in personality.

Xia Yan returned to Heaven Dou City after nine months away, drawing attention from factions across the continent. Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong reacted to his return, and Xue Qinghe visited him at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with a costly gift while concealing their mutual hostility.

• Xia Yan went to Heaven Dou City with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, and crowds recognized him as soon as he appeared.
• Qian Renxue considered Xia Yan a threat but had avoided attacking him because Chen Xin and Gu Rong might be protecting him, risking war before she took the throne.
• Bibi Dong learned that Xia Yan had returned and reflected on her preparations and the factions she intended to destroy.
• Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe visited Xia Yan at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, where Xue Qinghe presented him with an ice wyrm inner core.
• Xia Yan and Xue Qinghe exchanged warm, familiar words while hiding their true hostility, and Xue Qinghe left to handle state affairs.

Xia Yan received the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud from Xue Xing, who pleaded with him not to help Xue Qinghe kill him. Xia Yan left without taking sides, while Tang Hao stood on a mountain remembering Ah Yin and the stolen Spirit Bone.

• Xue Xing gave Xia Yan the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and Xia Yan eagerly inspected the treasure.
• Xue Xing claimed he had given it out of concern for Xia Yan, then asked whether the treasure could make him stay and talk.
• Xue Xing pleaded with Xia Yan not to help Xue Qinghe kill him, promising the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud could remain Xia Yan's.
• Xia Yan said he was not on Xue Qinghe's side and would not act against Xue Xing unless Xue Xing schemed against him, then left.
• Xue Xing privately believed Xia Yan had revealed the truth and hoped he would probe the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud with spiritual power.
• Tang Hao stood on a mountain looking toward Holy Soul Village and mourned Ah Yin, blaming a thief for stealing the Spirit Bone she had left behind.

Tang Hao blamed Spirit Hall for his losses but also regretted not absorbing the Spirit Bone, while Xia Yan began bonding with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Xia Yan lost consciousness as the artifact’s power transformed his body and soul, leaving him in a strange state of heightened awareness.

• Tang Hao resolved to destroy Spirit Hall and use its defeat to bring the Clear Sky Sect out of seclusion, then regretted not absorbing the Spirit Bone earlier.
• Xia Yan returned to his detached house and told the Datura Snake to stay quiet while he examined the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
• Xia Yan activated the Shroud and let it pierce his palm, whereupon it reshaped itself and drew his blood.
• The Shroud released immense spiritual power into Xia Yan, causing him to lose consciousness as the Datura Snake anxiously watched over him.
• The Sea God’s voice praised Xia Yan’s blood, while Xia Yan experienced his body and soul being torn apart before sensing his organs, bones, meridians, and circulating blood with unusual clarity.

Xia Yan awakened the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and learned its four soul skills, including one that concealed all traces of his presence. He traveled to Morning Water Academy under its protection, while Liu Erlong despaired over Flender and Yu Xiaogang’s refusal to answer her longing.

• Xia Yan awakened after two nights and learned the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud’s four soul skills, gaining nine soul skills in total.
• Xia Yan used the Vast Sea Protective Shroud to conceal himself and the Datura Snake, then set out to find Xiao Wu.
• Liu Erlong read Flender’s letter and concluded that her relationship with him had become impossible after Yu Xiaogang ignored her letters and Flender avoided her.
• Xia Yan reached Morning Water Academy in Northfrost City, surveyed its small campus, and overheard two students discussing the next May competition and Shrek’s lack of unity.

Xia Yan investigated Shrek Academy and found Tang San undergoing a risky medicinal cultivation treatment under Yu Xiaogang’s supervision. Yu Xiaogang urged Tang San to abandon his attempt to reach level forty before the Soul Master Tournament, while privately fearing the consequences if Tang San was harmed.

• Xia Yan overheard two Morning Water Academy students discuss Shrek’s powerful students and teachers, including Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun.
• Xia Yan followed Tang San’s aura to a detached building and saw him soaking in a medicinal bath with silver needles inserted into his meridian points as Yu Xiaogang paced outside.
• Tang San finished absorbing the medicinal liquid, removed the needles, and emerged to reassure Yu Xiaogang that his cultivation was under control.
• Tang San condemned the insults directed at Yu Xiaogang and vowed to work hard and impress everyone at the Soul Master Tournament.
• Yu Xiaogang warned that Tang San’s plan to advance from level thirty-seven to level forty in eight months was dangerous and urged him to wait for a later tournament.

Tang San insisted on using his painful cultivation method and asked Yu Xiaogang to find a high-year Blue Silver Grass, while Xia Yan considered the limits of Tang San’s hidden weapons and searched for Xiao Wu. Xia Yan found Xiao Wu cultivating in a forest east of Morning Water Academy, where she sensed a familiar aura.

• Tang San refused Yu Xiaogang’s warning and vowed to reach rank forty before the tournament by cultivating constantly.
• Tang San asked Yu Xiaogang to find a three- or four-thousand-year Blue Silver Grass and privately blamed his Martial Soul for his troubles.
• Xia Yan reflected on the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, dismissed Tang San’s prospects, and left the detached residence.
• Xia Yan searched Shrek Academy’s grounds, found Xiao Wu’s empty residence, and discovered several others were away or occupied.
• Xia Yan used his spiritual power to search outside the academy and located Xiao Wu cultivating in a forest forty li east.
• Xiao Wu sensed a familiar aura in the grass ahead.

Xia Yan secretly reunited with Xiao Wu and used the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to prove Tang Hao could not detect him. He gave Xiao Wu the Lovesick Heartbreak Red to conceal her aura and promised she would be safe after the Soul Master Tournament.

• Xia Yan found Xiao Wu beneath a tree, and they embraced as she feared Tang Hao would discover him.
• Xia Yan demonstrated the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, which concealed his body and aura from Xiao Wu's senses.
• Xiao Wu wept as she told Xia Yan how much she had missed him and feared Tang Hao.
• Xia Yan promised to protect Xiao Wu when Tang Hao and Tang San faced Spirit Hall at the Soul Master Tournament in eight months.
• Xia Yan gave Xiao Wu the Lovesick Heartbreak Red and explained that she needed to drip her blood onto it and nourish it with true love.

Xia Yan and Xiao Wu reunited, and he helped her awaken the Lovesick Heartbreak Red before leaving her with promises of protection and a future together. After he returned to Royal Heaven Dou Academy, his teammates prepared to obtain Soul Rings, while Tang Hao decided it was time to take Tang San to the Blue Silver Forest.

• Xiao Wu gave the Lovesick Heartbreak Red a drop of blood, freeing it from the Black Severing Stone, and Xia Yan warned her to keep it close and hidden.
• Xia Yan gave Xiao Wu the unfinished wooden rabbit carving from her dormitory, and they shared stories about their years apart beneath the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
• As the sun set, Xia Yan promised to return after the Soul Master Tournament and left Xiao Wu, who vowed to take care of herself.
• Xia Yan returned to Royal Heaven Dou Academy, where Dugu Yan's hair and pupils had returned to black and most of the Imperial Heaven Dou Battle Team had reached level forty.
• Twenty-six days after the team left to obtain Soul Rings, the new year passed and winter ended.
• Seeing Tang San nearing level forty, Tang Hao decided to take him to the Blue Silver Forest.

Tang Hao traveled to the Blue Silver Forest to prepare a path for Tang San, but found the ancient forest destroyed and the Blue Silver King missing. The discovery left him trembling in a pit, fearing that the unknown culprit who erased the forest had also taken Ah Yin and her Spirit Bone.

• Tang Hao planned to have Tang San absorb a Four-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass so he could awaken the Blue Silver Emperor and join him in taking revenge on Spirit Hall.
• Tang Hao flew toward the Blue Silver Forest, struggling with guilt over Ah Yin and fear of facing the Blue Silver King.
• Tang Hao reached the forest and found only open ground and young plants where the ancient Blue Silver Forest had stood.
• Tang Hao called for the Blue Silver King and flew toward the forest's heart, where he found enormous pits left by uprooted plants.
• Tang Hao fell into a root pit and wondered who had destroyed the forest, taken Ah Yin, and stolen her Spirit Bone.

Tang San reached level forty at fifteen and celebrated with Yu Xiaogang, who urged him to prepare for the upcoming competition. Tang San remained determined to surpass Xia Yan and asked when they would find his next Blue Silver Grass Soul Ring.

• Tang San sprinted to Yu Xiaogang's residence and announced that he had reached level forty.
• Oscar heard the news and recognized Tang San's achievement as extraordinary for a fifteen-year-old with Blue Silver Grass.
• Yu Xiaogang congratulated Tang San and told him to prepare to win the competition alongside Yu Tianheng.
• Tang San recalled that Xiao Wu had obtained her fourth Soul Ring in the Sunset Forest after finding two wounded beasts fighting.
• Tang San chose Yu Tianheng's side in his conflict with Dai Mubai, following Yu Xiaogang's advice.
• Tang San asked Yu Xiaogang when they would go find the four-thousand-year Blue Silver Grass Soul Ring.

Yu Xiaogang worried that Tang Hao had not returned with the Four-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass, while Tang San questioned whether the mysterious man even existed. Before the Soul Master Tournament, Yu Xiaogang revealed that Tang San’s hidden hammer Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer.

• Yu Xiaogang speculated that Tang Hao had either failed to find the Blue Silver Grass or had been discovered by Spirit Hall, while Tang San grew frustrated and doubted the mysterious man’s existence.
• With the Soul Master Tournament approaching, Yu Xiaogang decided to warn Tang San about his hammer so that he would not expose it in public.
• Tang San visited Yu Xiaogang that night and said he already knew what his teacher wanted to discuss, then promised to win the tournament.
• Yu Xiaogang asked Tang San what his hammer Martial Soul was, and Tang San summoned the heavy black hammer, which crashed through the wooden floor.
• Yu Xiaogang told Tang San that his Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer, leaving Tang San stunned.

Tang San discovered that his second Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer and learned that his father shared its name and Martial Soul with Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, but mistakenly believed they were different men. He blamed Clear Sky Douluo and Spirit Hall for his father's supposed downfall, while Yu Xiaogang desperately tried to stop him from saying more.

• Yu Xiaogang revealed that Tang San's second Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer, and Tang San realized his father had the same Martial Soul.
• Tang San convinced himself that his father and Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao were separate men, then celebrated his own potential and imagined defeating Xia Yan and the other Shrek students.
• Yu Xiaogang asked Tang San what he knew about Clear Sky Douluo, and Tang San recalled that Tang Hao had killed the previous pope, Qian Xunji.
• Tang San wrongly concluded that Clear Sky Douluo and Spirit Hall had destroyed his father's Soul Power and ruined his life, then cursed them both.
• Yu Xiaogang repeatedly tried to silence Tang San, but Tang San announced he would grow stronger and kill Clear Sky Douluo before Yu Xiaogang shouted at him to shut up.

Yu Xiaogang panicked after realizing he had scolded Tang Hao’s son, while Tang San wrestled with resentment before recommitting himself to his teacher. The chapter then shifted to the Man Faced Demon Spider laying eggs and the opening of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, as Jiang Qinghe traveled to Heaven Dou City hoping to see Xia Yan.

• Yu Xiaogang tried to reassure Tang San that he had only warned him for his own good and urged him not to use the Clear Sky Hammer.
• Tang San left, briefly wondered whether his teacher had caused his current troubles, then rejected the thought and ran toward the forest to punish himself in a freezing river.
• Yu Xiaogang feared losing Tang San’s protection but decided he had to preserve their teacher-disciple bond.
• The Man Faced Demon Spider laid ten eggs inside the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, and Xia Yan prepared a special meal for her.
• The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament opened in Heaven Dou City, drawing enormous crowds eager to see Xia Yan.
• Jiang Qinghe and Fu Shen traveled toward Heaven Dou City, where Jiang Qinghe recalled meeting Xia Yan on the wasteland.

Xia Yan and Imperial Heaven Dou Team One arrived at the Great Soul Arena for the tournament opening ceremony, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. The Morning Water Shrek United Academy team arrived afterward in Flender’s newly designed pale-green uniforms, and Flender proudly praised the look while Zhao Wuji reluctantly agreed.

• Xia Yan changed into Royal Heaven Dou Academy’s pale-gold uniform with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing’s help.
• Xia Yan arrived at the Great Soul Arena with Imperial Heaven Dou Team One, where the crowd cheered him and Flender and Zhao Wuji watched from a distance.
• Imperial Heaven Dou Team Two received a muted welcome before the other Heaven Dou region teams entered the arena.
• Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the rest of the Morning Water Shrek United Academy team arrived in their combined pale-green uniforms, with five Morning Water Academy students filling out their roster.
• Flender boasted about the team’s new uniform color, and Zhao Wuji praised it despite his private doubts.

Xia Yan and Imperial Heaven Dou entered the Soul Master Tournament venue, where the crowd hailed him as a historic prodigy. As the tournament began, Ning Fengzhi took pride in his daughter’s choice, Salas sought Xia Yan’s favor, and Yu Xiaogang seethed over his past connection to him.

• Qin Ming led Imperial Heaven Dou into the arena, with Xia Yan at the front as the crowd erupted in cheers.
• The host introduced Xia Yan as a fifteen-year-old, level-fifty-eight Soul King and predicted he would win the championship.
• Ning Fengzhi watched Xia Yan and Ning Rongrong proudly, while Salas considered how to bring Xia Yan closer to Spirit Hall.
• Xue Ye struggled to conceal his exhaustion as Xue Xing praised his rule and Ning Fengzhi and the Education Committee members responded respectfully.
• Yu Xiaogang stared at Xia Yan and angrily blamed him for hiding his ability to manifest spirit beast souls.

Xia Yan’s Rank 58 strength stunned the tournament crowd, and Spirit Hall’s Salas openly offered him the status of Holy Son. After the preliminaries began, the early matches proceeded until the day before Morning Water Shrek United Academy was due to face Exotic Beast Academy, when Tang Hao returned.

• Jiang Qinghe recognized Xia Yan as the man who had saved her, Qian Renxue resolved that he could not be allowed to live, and Shi Nian restrained himself from attacking him.
• The academies entered the arena, where spectators focused on Yu Tianheng and the unconventional uniforms of Morning Water Shrek United Academy.
• Emperor Xue Ye declared the tournament open, Ning Fengzhi delivered an address, and Salas drew the preliminary matchups.
• Salas publicly offered outstanding contestants Spirit Hall’s resources and Holy Son status, directing his appeal at Xia Yan, who gave no response.
• The first preliminary matches began, and Purple Star Academy narrowly defeated Silas Academy.
• The tournament continued over the following days until Tang Hao returned on the day before Morning Water Shrek United Academy’s match against Exotic Beast Academy.

Tang Hao feared Qian Daoliu had uncovered his plans and decided he needed to hide with Tang San, but the loss of the Blue Silver Forest left him unsure how to choose Tang San’s Soul Rings. He returned to Yu Xiaogang for advice, while Yu Xiaogang was startled when Tang Hao appeared in his room.

• Tang Hao concluded that Qian Daoliu was behind the theft of Ah Yin’s Spirit Bone and the disappearance of the Blue Silver Forest, and feared his revenge plan was doomed.
• Tang Hao resolved to take Tang San into hiding and continue training him, but worried that Tang San’s missing Blue Silver Emperor awakening and suitable Blue Silver Grass Soul Rings would undermine his cultivation.
• Tang Hao searched the Blue Silver Forest and nearby locations but could not find a Four-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass, so he decided to seek Yu Xiaogang’s advice.
• Yu Xiaogang returned to his residence, blamed Xia Yan for his troubles, and reviewed information about Variant Academy and Xia Yan.
• Tang Hao appeared before Yu Xiaogang, who panicked and fell to his knees; Tang Hao ordered him to get up and said he had questions.

Tang Hao sought Yu Xiaogang’s advice on restoring Tang San’s damaged Martial Soul and learned that Yu insisted Blue Silver Grass was the only option. Still unable to find a suitable Soul Beast, Tang Hao left with revenge against Spirit Hall on his mind and resolved to take Tang San somewhere hidden.

• Tang Hao asked Yu Xiaogang whether Evening Primrose could replace Blue Silver Grass, but Yu Xiaogang warned that it might not work and urged him to find Blue Silver Grass instead.
• Yu Xiaogang privately felt relieved that Tang Hao could not find the right Soul Beast and planned to blame any failure on the Soul Ring’s age.
• Tang Hao left Yu Xiaogang and checked on Xiao Wu, sensing that her Soul Beast aura had disappeared.
• Tang Hao sensed Tang San cultivating at rank forty and regretted that he had not found a Four-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass Soul Ring.
• Tang Hao felt watched beneath the moon, blamed Qian Daoliu and Spirit Hall, and decided to take Tang San somewhere no one could find them.

Tang San fled from a mysterious intruder before discovering that the man was his father, Tang Hao, whom he had not seen for nine years. Tang Hao identified himself as the Clear Sky Douluo and asked Tang San to leave with him, while Tang San confronted him with years of unanswered questions.

• Tang San planned to use his Tang Sect Hidden Weapons in the Soul Master Tournament to prove himself despite his resentment toward Blue Silver Grass.
• Tang Hao appeared in Tang San's room, but Tang San attacked him with hidden weapons and fled while shouting for help.
• Tang San recognized Tang Hao through Purple Demon Eye after crashing into a tree, and Tang Hao confirmed that he was Tang San's father.
• Tang Hao told Tang San to come with him, and Tang San realized his father was the Clear Sky Douluo.
• Tang San returned to the room and demanded to know why Tang Hao had left him, where he had been, and why he had returned.

Tang Hao tried to take Tang San away because Spirit Hall had discovered them, but Tang San resisted, desperate to stay with Xiao Wu and compete in the Soul Master Tournament. As Tang Hao carried him away, Tang San drove a Sleeve Arrow through his own neck.

• Tang Hao told Tang San that Spirit Hall might have discovered them and ordered him to leave with his father, but Tang San refused to go without Xiao Wu and his teacher.
• Tang Hao seized Tang San and carried him away despite his struggles.
• Tang San begged to stay until the Soul Master Tournament so he could win the championship, but Tang Hao continued flying away from Heaven Dou City.
• Tang San threatened to kill himself with a Sleeve Arrow, then drove it through his neck as blood burst onto Tang Hao's robe.

Tang Hao reacted to Tang San’s defiance by gravely wounding him, then left him at Shrek Academy. Flender rushed Tang San to the healing Soul Masters while Zhao Wuji and Yu Xiaogang reeled from seeing Tang Hao attack his own son.

• Tang Hao crushed Tang San’s Sleeve Arrow, sealed his neck wound, and left him barely alive after deciding he could not bring himself to kill his son.
• Flender and Zhao Wuji talked in the headmaster’s courtyard as Yu Xiaogang approached.
• Tang Hao dropped Tang San in front of Flender and Zhao Wuji, told them to treat him, and flew away.
• Yu Xiaogang fainted after recognizing Tang Hao, while Flender carried Tang San toward the healing Soul Masters.
• Zhao Wuji realized Tang Hao could have killed him just as easily and was overcome with fear and relief.

After Tang San was gravely wounded and Yu Xiaogang collapsed, Xia Yan learned of the incident and secretly went to Shrek Academy to observe them. The cause remained unclear, while Xiao Wu left with concealed hostility toward Tang San, Tang Hao, and Yu Xiaogang.

• Flender and Zhao Wuji claimed Tang San had accidentally injured himself while enduring their Soul Saint pressure, and Meng Shenji asked Xia Yan for his perspective.
• Xia Yan hurried to Shrek Academy under the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud after reading Meng Shenji's letter.
• At Tang San's bedside, Flender and Zhao Wuji repeated their story while the others reacted with worry, suspicion, or indifference.
• Oscar asked Flender to help him find a healing-type Soul Beast for his fourth Soul Ring, and Flender agreed.
• Flender sent everyone away to rest before the next day's match, and Xiao Wu left while hiding her desire to kill Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.