Chapter Summaries

Xie Ru’s arrival subdued Salas as Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s Second Team entered the tournament with Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan. Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun swiftly overwhelmed their first opponents, leaving the venue stunned.

• Salas respectfully greeted Xie Ru, Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and the nobles, then wondered why Xie Ru and Chen Xuan had come to the tournament.
• The host announced Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan as Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s Second Team, prompting alarm among the contestants and confidence among Shrek’s team.
• Dai Mubai and his teammates decided that their seven-person roster gave them an advantage over the three newcomers, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong doubted their confidence.
• Zhou Qiubai defeated three opponents in three breaths without using a soul skill.
• Yang Guyun sent the opposing team’s main attacker flying with one spear thrust, while Chen Xuan remained silent and the rest of their opponents lost the will to fight.

Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan dominated their tournament match, drawing attention from the VIPs and Shrek Academy. That night, as the three discussed Chen Xuan’s claim that poetry could carry power, Xie Ru silently joined them at the inn.

• Zhou Qiubai defeated three opponents without using a soul skill, Yang Guyun sent a Soul Ancestor flying, and Chen Xuan read through the fight.
• Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Salas discussed the trio’s strength, while Dai Mubai tried to rally Shrek Academy’s team.
• The crowd cheered for Heaven Dou Second Team as Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan left the arena and discussed the opponents’ flawed formation.
• That night, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun questioned Chen Xuan about whether poetry could be used as a soul skill, but he answered cryptically.
• Zhou Qiubai sensed a Title Douluo’s presence, and Xie Ru silently entered the trio’s private room and took a seat.

Xie Ru praised Zhou Qiubai and discussed whether the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit should be hunted, explaining that she could live as long as she harmed no one. He warned Zhou Qiubai and Chen Xuan that tomorrow’s opponents would be stronger, and Zhou Qiubai went on to win the next day’s match using only his sword.

• Xie Ru praised Zhou Qiubai for fighting well without becoming arrogant, then asked Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun what they thought of 100,000-year Soul Rings and Spirit Bones.
• Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai said they preferred relying on their own paths rather than Spirit Bones, and Xie Ru said he had no need for external power.
• Xie Ru said the transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit could be left alone as long as she harmed no one, but she should be killed if she did.
• Xie Ru told Zhou Qiubai and Chen Xuan that their next opponents would be stronger and that they would need to draw their swords.
• The next day, Zhou Qiubai defeated Heaven Dou Second Team’s opponents with his sword before they could release their soul skills.

After Heaven Dou Second Team’s dominant victory drew the crowd’s attention, Yu Tianheng decided his first team should switch places with Second Team and compete in the Qualifying Tournament to gain experience. His teammates considered the proposal and agreed that the rules allowed the switch.

• Shrek Academy’s team resented Heaven Dou Second Team taking the spotlight, while Ning Rongrong wondered why her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda detected nothing unusual about Chen Xuan.
• Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan discussed Spirit Hall’s three Soul Kings and the need for harder training.
• Yu Tianheng proposed that Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s first team switch with Second Team and fight in the Qualifying Tournament.
• Yu Feng questioned the plan, while Shi Lei supported it and Osler checked whether the rules permitted the switch.
• Yu Tianheng explained that any academy roster member could compete, and Osler agreed the teams could exchange places.

Yu Tianheng asked Dean Xie for permission to switch the First Team with the Second Team so he and his teammates could face tougher matches and improve. Xie Ru allowed them to proceed if the Second Team agreed, then asked Yu Tianheng about his relationship with Yu Xiaogang.

• Yu Tianheng went to Dean Xie with Dugu Yan and the others to request the team switch.
• Yu Tianheng argued that the First Team was not strong enough to deserve direct advancement and needed to fight through the Qualifying Tournament to grow.
• Yu Tianheng explained that he accepted starting over in the Second Team, and Xie Ru said he had no objection if the three teammates agreed.
• Xie Ru asked whether Yu Tianheng was close to Yu Xiaogang, and Yu Tianheng replied that they had once been close but were now strangers.

Yu Tianheng and his teammates visited Zhou Qiubai’s group to ask to switch into their team for the Qualifying Tournament. Yu Tianheng explained that his uncle Yu Xiaogang’s failures had made him determined not to run from his own shortcomings, and Zhou Qiubai asked whether he feared becoming like him.

• Zhou Qiubai asked Chen Xuan how many books he read each day, and Yang Guyun explained that Chen Xuan read even more when he was in a bad mood.
• Chen Xuan predicted that guests would come after the next match, and Yu Tianheng arrived with four others.
• Dugu Yan announced that Yu Tianheng’s team wanted to switch teams with Zhou Qiubai’s group, and Chen Xuan and Yang Guyun left the decision to Zhou Qiubai.
• Yu Tianheng said that after visiting Dean Xie, he had thought of his uncle Yu Xiaogang and reflected on how Yu Xiaogang fled from difficulties and failed to live by his own theories.
• Yu Tianheng said Yu Xiaogang might have believed his theories because he needed to, and Zhou Qiubai asked whether Yu Tianheng feared becoming like him.

Yu Tianheng explained that his clan’s expectations felt like a shackle, and he chose to leave the Promotion Tournament path and challenge himself in the Qualifying Tournament with Zhou Qiubai’s team. After agreeing to make the change through the official procedure, the group went out to celebrate and Yu Tianheng reflected on his uncle’s choices.

• Yu Tianheng told Zhou Qiubai that he envied his freedom and wanted to avoid becoming like his uncle by choosing to temper himself in the Qualifying Tournament.
• Zhou Qiubai agreed to take Yu Tianheng’s group, but said they had to wait until the next match ended and report the switch to Salas.
• Dugu Yan and the others agreed to follow Yu Tianheng, and the group planned to meet Salas after the match.
• The group discussed the tournament, then went to a tavern for drinks before their match the next day.
• Yu Tianheng said he did not hate his uncle but regretted how his fear of losing face had shaped his choices, and Zhou Qiubai reassured him that his uncle’s fate was not his responsibility.

After sharing drinks with Yu Tianheng’s group, Zhou Qiubai praised Yu Tianheng’s leadership and the friends parted for the night. The next day, Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan faced Godwind Academy in the preliminaries, where Yang Guyun revealed Zhou Qiubai had lost half a month’s living expenses in a bet.

• Shi Mo and Shi Lei asked Zhou Qiubai about his Self-Created Soul Skill and his escape from a Title Douluo, and he said he had simply run.
• Yang Guyun asked whether Chen Xuan would fight in the next match, but Chen Xuan said he had never fought and did not know how strong he was.
• Yu Tianheng raised a toast to Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan, and the group drank together before heading back for the night.
• Zhou Qiubai praised Yu Tianheng for setting aside his pride and leading his team, while Yang Guyun teased Zhou Qiubai about wanting to beat Chen Xuan up.
• The next day, Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan entered the arena to face Godwind Academy in the Heaven Dou Division preliminaries.
• Feng Xiaotian invited Zhou Qiubai to drink after the match, but Yang Guyun revealed Zhou Qiubai had lost half a month’s living expenses the previous night, making Feng Xiaotian laugh.

Zhou Qiubai faced Feng Xiaotian and Godwind Academy, effortlessly evading their Wind Blade Array before calmly defending against Feng Xiaotian’s relentless Gale Demon Wolf Thirty-Six Continuous Slashes. As Feng Xiaotian’s strength and stamina waned, Xie Ru explained that Zhou Qiubai was waiting for him to make a mistake.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun prepared to face Godwind Academy while Chen Xuan sat aside to read.
• Zhou Qiubai slipped through Godwind Academy’s Wind Blade Array without being hit, then Feng Xiaotian ordered his teammates to encircle him.
• Feng Xiaotian attacked Zhou Qiubai with his Gale Demon Wolf Thirty-Six Continuous Slashes, but Zhou Qiubai redirected each strike with his sword.
• Feng Xiaotian used Gale Wings to speed up and cut Zhou Qiubai’s lapel, prompting Zhou Qiubai to privately vow to make him pay for the damaged clothes.
• As Feng Xiaotian’s Soul Power dwindled, Xie Ru told Xue Ye that Zhou Qiubai was waiting for Feng Xiaotian to reveal an opening.

Zhou Qiubai defeated Feng Xiaotian by waiting out the exhausting Gale Demon Wolf Thirty-Six Continuous Slashes and striking after its final blow. That night, the two shared drinks at a tavern, where Feng Xiaotian revealed he had pursued Huo Wu for three years without winning her over.

• Feng Xiaotian unleashed his final slash, but Zhou Qiubai evaded it and appeared behind him with the White Clothes Sword at his neck.
• Feng Xiaotian admitted defeat, and Zhou Qiubai told him he had lost to patience rather than the sword.
• Feng Xiaotian invited Zhou Qiubai and his companions to drink at Youjianxiao Tavern, where Yang Guyun teased him about his drinking and romantic troubles.
• Feng Xiaotian admitted that he liked Huo Wu and had pursued her for three years, while Yang Guyun told him his method was wrong.

Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan shared a meal and drinks with Feng Xiaotian, who asked them for advice about pursuing Huo Wu. Feng Xiaotian left considering a new approach, but remained determined to keep pursuing her.

• Feng Xiaotian told Zhou Qiubai about his devotion to Huo Wu, and Yang Guyun bluntly called him a dog.
• Zhou Qiubai explained that Feng Xiaotian's constant attention might pressure Huo Wu rather than win her over.
• Zhou Qiubai advised Feng Xiaotian to learn what Huo Wu liked and challenge her by winning against her.
• Chen Xuan teased Feng Xiaotian about pursuing Huo Wu for three years while still sleeping well.
• Feng Xiaotian discussed Godwind Academy and Extreme Style with the others, while Yang Guyun hinted that Chen Xuan was not being truthful about his ability to fight.
• Feng Xiaotian vowed to pursue Huo Wu until he won her, and Yang Guyun again warned him not to act like a dog.

Tang San restored his Martial Soul as the Blue Silver Emperor, gained a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring, and prepared to return to the academy to confront Zhou Qiubai and see Xiao Wu. At a tavern, Chen Xuan advised Feng Xiaotian to become stronger if he wanted Huo Wu to notice him.

• Tang San absorbed the Blue Silver Grass's life force and the Blue Silver King's cultivation, awakening the Blue Silver Emperor and gaining a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring.
• Tang San reached level forty-four and vowed to master Zhou Qiubai's abilities and avenge his humiliation.
• Tang Hao told Tang San to return to the academy, and Tang San eagerly thought of Xiao Wu and planned to prove himself against Zhou Qiubai.
• At the tavern, Feng Xiaotian complained to Yang Guyun about Huo Wu ignoring him after she lost to Shui Bing'er.
• Chen Xuan advised Feng Xiaotian to become stronger so Huo Wu would take notice of him.

Feng Xiaotian drank with Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan, who discussed why Huo Wu did not return his feelings. The next day, Zhou Qiubai and Heaven Dou Team 1 visited the Spirit Hall branch in Heaven Dou City to meet Bishop Salas.

• Feng Xiaotian told Zhou Qiubai he would not pursue anyone but Huo Wu, then drank until he was slumped over and muttering her name.
• Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan left the tavern and discussed how Huo Wu's pride and competitiveness affected her feelings for Feng Xiaotian.
• Tang San stopped at the edge of a forest and vowed to return to Heaven Dou City and face Zhou Qiubai.
• Zhou Qiubai and the nine other members of Heaven Dou Team 1 arrived at the Spirit Hall branch and asked to see Bishop Salas.
• Salas received the group in his reception room and remarked that Zhou Qiubai and his companions had become famous.

Zhou Qiubai and Yu Tianheng visited Salas to formalize the exchange of Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s first and second teams. After the group left, Shi Nian watched them from the street, and Salas learned that the Canghui Academy principal wanted to meet him.

• Yu Tianheng explained the team-switch plan, and Salas approved the exchange under the rules, making Zhou Qiubai’s group the Second Team.
• Salas praised Zhou Qiubai for following the proper procedure and reflected with relief after the group departed.
• Yu Tianheng thanked Zhou Qiubai for agreeing to the switch, and Zhou Qiubai teased him about being unusually polite.
• Yang Guyun remarked that Salas had seemed too polite, while Chen Xuan noticed a gray-robed figure watching them.
• A steward told Salas that Shi Nian had requested a meeting, and Shi Nian watched Zhou Qiubai’s group from a street corner.

Shi Nian targeted Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun after learning they lacked powerful backing, while Salas secretly encouraged him by sharing their backgrounds. Back at the inn, Zhou Qiubai learned a Canghui Academy teacher had been asking about them and suspected an attack was coming.

• Shi Nian watched Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Yu Tianheng leave, then decided to target Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun while avoiding Yu Tianheng.
• Shi Nian visited Salas and traded gifts for information about Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun's backgrounds and strength.
• Salas warned Shi Nian to leave no traces, then hoped Shi Nian would expose the group's true abilities and solve his own problem.
• At Yuelai Inn, Zhou Qiubai, Chen Xuan, and Yang Guyun discussed a sinister spiritual power directed at them.
• Chen Xuan reported that a Canghui Academy teacher had questioned Salas about them, and Zhou Qiubai suspected they were being targeted.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun waited for Shi Nian to attack, and Chen Xuan left to seek reinforcements. Shi Nian trapped Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun in an illusion that first showed a hospital corridor, then revealed a childhood memory of Yang Guyun failing to learn medicinal herbs.

• Chen Xuan said he would leave to find reinforcements, while Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun stayed behind to face Shi Nian.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun expected Shi Nian to attack that night and waited together at the inn.
• Zhou Qiubai sensed a powerful thread of spiritual power watching them, and he and Yang Guyun prepared for an attack.
• Shi Nian distorted the moonlight and drew Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun into an illusion.
• Zhou Qiubai recognized the hospital corridor as an illusion and remained calm as the scene shifted.
• The illusion showed a young Yang Guyun failing to answer his teacher's question about the antidote to Heartbreak Grass.

Yang Guyun confronted a vision of his regret and realized that hesitation had kept him from mastering the second level of his self-created spear technique. As Shi Nian waited for his illusion to break Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, Chen Xuan watched from the shadows, confident the two were safe.

• Young Yang Guyun continued practicing despite his grandfather’s criticism, then chose to forge his own path and named his spear technique the Returnless Spear.
• An illusion presented Yang Guyun with a version of himself who regretted his choice, but Yang Guyun rejected the accusation and pierced the vision with his spear.
• Yang Guyun understood that Abandon Self meant casting away self-denial, and he reached the second level of his spear technique.
• Shi Nian waited outside the inn, believing Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun were trapped in his Residual Dream Illusion and plotting to capture them.
• Chen Xuan watched Shi Nian from the shadows and knew the illusion could not harm Zhou Qiubai or Yang Guyun.

Zhou Qiubai broke Shi Nian’s illusion and emerged with Yang Guyun to confront him. Shi Nian unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, but Zhou Qiubai calmly drew his sword as the mist reached them.

• Chen Xuan stayed nearby, ready to protect Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun if anything went wrong.
• Zhou Qiubai saw scenes from his past life, rejected the pull of regret, and shattered Shi Nian’s illusion with the White Clothes Sword.
• The illusion’s collapse wounded Shi Nian and left people across southeastern Heaven Dou City feeling that something had changed.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun walked out of the inn, and Shi Nian chose to fight rather than flee.
• Shi Nian activated his seventh soul skill, Martial Soul Avatar, Nightmare, and spread black mist across the street.
• Zhou Qiubai warned Shi Nian that he trusted his illusion too much, then drew his sword.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun overwhelmed Shi Nian with attacks that bypassed his Nightmare mist and illusory defenses. After Yang Guyun shattered Shi Nian’s soul fragments, Zhou Qiubai’s river of sword light swept toward him, leaving his fate unresolved.

• Zhou Qiubai’s White Clothes Sword severed Shi Nian’s Nightmare mist, and Shi Nian narrowly dodged the slash.
• Yang Guyun pierced Shi Nian’s illusory body with the Returnless Spear, injuring his consciousness and making him fear the two young men.
• Zhou Qiubai advanced with his swift self-created technique as Shi Nian unleashed Nightmare Descent and sent soul fragments after him.
• Yang Guyun used Quake to shatter Shi Nian’s soul fragments, severely weakening his spiritual power.
• Zhou Qiubai unleashed a river of sword light toward Shi Nian, who could not react in time.

Zhou Qiubai summoned a bleak autumn phenomenon and unleashed his strongest sword strike against the badly injured Shi Nian. As the strike descended, Shi Nian recognized Zhou Qiubai’s unwavering resolve to kill him.

• Shi Nian activated his Head Spirit Bone, but Zhou Qiubai’s Sword River shattered its barrier and devastated his spiritual core.
• Maple leaves began falling over Heaven Dou City as Zhou Qiubai summoned an autumn aura, and Yang Guyun retreated from the strike he knew was coming.
• The autumn phenomenon reached people across the city and left Shi Nian immobilized beneath Zhou Qiubai’s sword intent.
• Zhou Qiubai slowly drew the White Clothes Sword and declared, "Half a scroll of autumn leaves, half a scroll of wind."
• Zhou Qiubai sent one sword strike toward Shi Nian, who could neither flee nor resist and understood that Zhou Qiubai had resolved to kill him.