Chapter Summaries

Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile discussed Bibi Dong, the future of the younger generation, and Zhou Qiubai before Xue Qinghe led the academy teams into Spirit City. Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan arrived in a city where every resident was a Soul Master, and Yang Guyun sensed killing intent among them.

• Golden Crocodile told Qian Daoliu that Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan could become Title Douluo, but Qian Daoliu said they needed to experience defeat to understand victory.
• Golden Crocodile asked how far Zhou Qiubai might go, and Qian Daoliu admitted he did not know while wondering whether Zhou Qiubai could become the next Xie Ru.
• One month later, Xue Qinghe ordered the accompanying soldiers to remain outside Spirit City while the academy teams entered with him.
• Zhou Qiubai joked with Yang Guyun during the carriage ride, and Chen Xuan told them to stop bickering.
• Zhou Qiubai observed Spirit City's unusually composed residents, while Yang Guyun sensed killing intent and Chen Xuan explained that everyone there could fight.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun settled into Spirit City and spent the afternoon exploring it before the Soul Master Tournament. Tang Hao watched them from an alley but refrained from attacking, wary of Qian Daoliu and focused on protecting Xiao San.

• Chen Xuan said that everyone in Spirit City was a Soul Master and continued reading as the group arrived at the Welcome Guest Building.
• Xue Qinghe and the Red-Robed Bishop explained the teams’ lodging, the tournament schedule, and Spirit City’s ban on private fighting.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun decided to tour the city while Chen Xuan headed out with his books and bamboo basket.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun explored Spirit City, bought sweet potatoes, examined Qian Daoliu’s statue, and identified unusual flowers using details Zhou had learned from Chen Xuan’s book.
• Tang Hao watched Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun from an alley but held back because Qian Daoliu could detect a fight and arrive within three breaths.

Tang Hao watched Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun from the crowd while Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong discussed Xiao Wu, Tang Hao, the tournament, and Zhou Qiubai. They expected Heaven Dou Team 1 to win, while Tang Hao remained poised to intervene when the time came.

• Tang Hao emerged from an alley and followed Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun through the crowd, but Zhou Qiubai sensed his gaze and continued on.
• Ning Fengzhi told Gu Rong that his plan to use Xiao Wu to restrain Tang Hao had failed, and Gu Rong said Xiao Wu had endangered herself by coming to Spirit City.
• Gu Rong predicted that Heaven Dou Team 1 would win the tournament because Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun could defeat Soul Saints, and he said he would not steal the three Spirit Bones from them.
• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong agreed that Tang Hao would likely intervene for Tang San or Xiao Wu, but that Spirit City and Qian Daoliu kept him from acting openly.
• Gu Rong praised Zhou Qiubai’s unity with his sword and explained that Chen Xin had wanted to bring him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As the Soul Master Tournament approached, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun prepared for the dangers awaiting them after it ended, while Tang Hao planned to ambush them once they left Spirit City. At the library, Chen Xuan collected books under his privileges, leaving Yu Xiaogang resentful of the unequal treatment.

• Ning Fengzhi worried over the eventful times, and Gu Rong urged him not to overthink matters.
• Zhou Qiubai anticipated Tang Hao attacking after the tournament, while Yang Guyun stayed alert to a shadow outside and Chen Xuan said everything would be revealed in three days.
• Tang Hao waited for the tournament to end so he could ambush Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun after they left Spirit City.
• One day before the tournament began, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left the inn as other contestants remarked on their direct advancement.
• Chen Xuan entered the Spirit Hall Library and encountered Yu Xiaogang, who resented Chen Xuan's greater access and ability to borrow books.
• Chen Xuan borrowed several ancient texts and left without further speaking to Yu Xiaogang, who departed in frustration.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun encountered Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun while strolling before the tournament, and Dai Weisi tried to recruit Yang Guyun. After Yang Guyun refused, Dai Weisi warned his team that the two would be their greatest opponents because they fought without the burdens that constrained others.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun continued their relaxed stroll despite the tournament beginning the next day.
• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun met Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun on the street, exchanged greetings, and praised their reputations.
• Dai Weisi offered Yang Guyun support from the Star Luo Imperial Family, but Yang Guyun refused to accept favors on behalf of the Breaking Clan.
• Dai Weisi told Zhu Zhuyun that he had made the offer to establish goodwill for possible future cooperation.
• Dai Weisi warned his companions that Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun were their greatest tournament opponents because they fought through instinct and will without burdens or reservations.

Dai Weisi reflected on Star Luo’s strengths and weaknesses before preparing his people for the Soul Master Tournament, while Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed their impressions of him and Chen Xuan. After Yue Guan summoned Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to meet the Pope on the eve of the tournament, Zhou Qiubai suspected they were being drawn into something serious.

• Dai Weisi decided that Star Luo must show its spirit in the tournament, whatever opponents it faced.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun praised Dai Weisi’s judgment and discussed Chen Xuan’s unexplained search in the library.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left an inn and encountered Yue Guan, who recognized them and praised their bearing.
• Yue Guan told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that the Pope requested their presence.
• Zhou Qiubai grew wary, suspecting the Pope’s summons on the eve of the tournament meant something serious.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun accepted Bibi Dong’s summons to Spirit Hall, suspecting she wanted to punish them for humiliating Yu Xiaogang. As they approached her, Yue Guan quietly urged Zhou Qiubai to endure whatever happened and secretly sent Gui Mei to alert Dugu Bo and Gu Rong.

• Zhou Qiubai suspected Bibi Dong had summoned him and Yang Guyun because they had publicly challenged Yu Xiaogang’s theories, and the two agreed they had no choice but to attend.
• Zhou Qiubai left Chen Xuan behind at the library and followed Yue Guan with Yang Guyun toward Spirit Hall.
• Yue Guan warned Zhou Qiubai not to act rashly when he met Bibi Dong and told him to endure her treatment.
• As the group entered Spirit Hall’s inner grounds, Zhou Qiubai steadied himself by gripping White Clothes Sword and considered why Bibi Dong had summoned them.
• Yue Guan sensed Gui Mei nearby and secretly asked him to notify Dugu Bo and Gu Rong.
• Yue Guan reflected on his kinship with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, whose independence and hard-won strength reminded him of his own youth.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun met with Bibi Dong, who confronted them over their past actions and ordered them to join Spirit Hall. Zhou Qiubai challenged her offer by asking whether Spirit Hall could grant them freedom, leaving Bibi Dong silent.

• Yue Guan led Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to Bibi Dong’s palace and left them at the entrance.
• Bibi Dong questioned Zhou Qiubai about killing an academy teacher and publicly refuting a Spirit Hall elder’s theory, while Zhou Qiubai defended his actions.
• Bibi Dong examined Zhou Qiubai’s White Clothes sword and said she had summoned the two men for two matters.
• Bibi Dong declared that their earlier conflict could not be left unresolved and ordered Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to join Spirit Hall.
• Zhou Qiubai asked what would happen if they refused and challenged Bibi Dong to grant them freedom, leaving her silent as she remembered her younger self.

Yue Guan explained that he had helped Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun out of selfish nostalgia, while Ghost warned him that Bibi Dong would be displeased. After Ghost alerted Dugu Bo that Bibi Dong had summoned the two boys, Dugu Bo rushed to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong for help, where Ning Fengzhi questioned whether the public summons meant the boys were truly in danger.

• Yue Guan told Ghost that he wanted to see whether Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun could live freely as he had once dreamed of doing.
• Yue Guan criticized Bibi Dong for letting her feelings for Yu Xiaogang damage Spirit Hall's interests, and Ghost reminded him that she would be unhappy.
• Ghost told Dugu Bo that Bibi Dong had just summoned his young friend, prompting Dugu Bo to hurry to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong.
• Dugu Bo told Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong that Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun had been summoned and urged them to help.
• Ning Fengzhi pointed out that Bibi Dong had invited the boys publicly, asking whether she would dare kill them in Pope Palace.

Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo went to Pope Palace to protect Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun from Bibi Dong, while Ning Fengzhi spread a rumor to make any mistreatment of them costly for Spirit Hall. Inside the palace, Bibi Dong pressured the two youths to join Spirit Hall, and Zhou Qiubai refused as she approached him.

• Ning Fengzhi warned Dugu Bo that Bibi Dong might cripple or tamper with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, and Dugu Bo vowed to poison Spirit City if she harmed them.
• Ning Fengzhi arranged for a rumor to spread that Bibi Dong planned to honor the two youths, then set off with Dugu Bo and Gu Rong for Pope Palace.
• Yue Guan waited outside Pope Palace, sensing Bibi Dong's soul pressure inside and hoping Dugu Bo and the others would arrive.
• Bibi Dong intensified her soul pressure on Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, but Zhou Qiubai's internal energy helped him resist while Yang Guyun stood ready with his spear.
• Bibi Dong asked Zhou Qiubai if he still refused to join Spirit Hall, and he confirmed his decision as she walked toward him.

Bibi Dong tried to recruit Zhou Qiubai into Spirit Hall, but he refused, insisting he valued freedom more than safety. When Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and Gu Rong arrived to support Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, Bibi Dong unleashed overwhelming pressure, leaving Ning Fengzhi to realize he had underestimated her.

• Bibi Dong offered Zhou Qiubai Spirit Hall’s resources and threatened him, but he refused to join and said he feared losing his freedom more than death.
• Yue Guan announced that Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi, and Gu Rong had come to see Bibi Dong, who allowed them into the hall.
• Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo explained their connections to Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, then challenged Bibi Dong’s attempt to recruit them against their wishes.
• Bibi Dong asked what the visitors could do if she refused to let the young men go, then released pressure beyond what Dugu Bo and Gu Rong could withstand.
• Ning Fengzhi realized he had misjudged Bibi Dong and her disregard for Spirit Hall’s reputation.

Qian Daoliu intervened when Bibi Dong threatened to keep Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun in the hall, then forced her to back down by threatening to have Qian Renxue replace her as Pope. He left Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to prepare for tomorrow’s match, while Bibi Dong warned that he would regret his actions.

• Bibi Dong insisted that Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun stay, and Dugu Bo and Gu Rong prepared to fight despite knowing they could not defeat her.
• Qian Daoliu entered with Golden Crocodile and dispersed Bibi Dong’s pressure, while Ning Fengzhi recognized him as the supposedly dead former Grand Pontiff.
• Golden Crocodile challenged Bibi Dong over Spirit Hall’s dignity, and Qian Daoliu told her to leave the papal position if she refused to relent.
• Qian Daoliu said Qian Renxue was ready to return and take on responsibilities, making Bibi Dong suppress her anger and sit back down.
• Qian Daoliu told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to prepare for tomorrow’s match, and Bibi Dong warned him that he would regret his decision.

After Qian Daoliu confronted Bibi Dong over Zhou Qiubai, Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo escorted Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun from Pope Palace and warned them to prepare for the next day’s match. The match day arrived, and the team entered the packed arena as Yang Guyun wondered what Spirit Hall’s growing Soul Master presence was preparing for.

• Qian Daoliu left Pope Palace with Golden Crocodile, and Ning Fengzhi led Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, Dugu Bo, and Gu Rong out after Bibi Dong dismissed them.
• Ning Fengzhi revealed that Qian Daoliu was a living Peerless Douluo, then told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun they owed him a favor for intervening.
• Dugu Bo thanked Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun for surviving the encounter and urged them to rest before their match.
• Bibi Dong reflected bitterly on the freedom she had once wanted, while Ghost told Yue Guan that he had helped him rather than Spirit Hall.
• Zhou Qiubai and the team entered the competition arena, where Yang Guyun noticed Spirit Hall’s Soul Masters gathering in growing numbers and wondered what they were waiting for.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun prepared to face Dai Weisi’s Star Luo Royal Academy after the tournament draw paired them against Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The match began with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun entering the arena as a two-person team, while Chen Xuan stayed behind.

• The teams gathered in the rest area, where Zhou Qiubai ignored Tang San and noticed Xiao Wu’s unease around the Spirit Hall higher-ups.
• Dai Mubai drew lots and encountered his brother Dai Weisi, then learned Shrek Academy would face Godwind Academy instead of Star Luo Royal Academy.
• Zhou Qiubai saw that Heaven Dou Royal Academy had drawn Star Luo Royal Academy and agreed with Yang Guyun to fight.
• Spirit Hall Academy defeated a small team in under five minutes using only four contestants.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun entered the arena to face Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, and Yang Guyun revealed that he was a level fifty-three Soul King.

Zhou Qiubai faced Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun without activating a Soul Ring, dodging Dai Weisi’s attacks and stopping Zhu Zhuyun’s assassination strike with a precise sword cut. Star Luo Royal Academy’s remaining fighters then joined the attack, surrounding Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun as the crowd watched the two Heaven Dou Royal Academy members face a seven-person assault.

• Dai Weisi attacked Zhou Qiubai with his White Tiger soul skills, but Zhou Qiubai evaded his blows by reading his movements.
• Zhu Zhuyun struck from behind with her third soul skill, and Zhou Qiubai drew the White Clothes Sword to cut her hand and dispel her phantom attack.
• Dai Weisi called on Zhu Zhuyun, Dong Hui, Yang Mingxin, Tang Hongning, Ying Wei, and Li Yang to attack alongside him.
• Dong Hui and Yang Mingxin enhanced their teammates, while Tang Hongning attacked Yang Guyun and the others surrounded Zhou Qiubai.
• Spectators debated whether Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun could withstand Star Luo Royal Academy’s seven-person attack.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun overwhelmed their opponents, forcing Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun to use the Hell White Tiger. Zhou Qiubai disrupted the fusion skill’s energy sphere with his sword, causing it to explode and leaving the pair injured and stunned.

• Zhou Qiubai sliced Ying Wei’s wrist guard and made him withdraw, while Yang Guyun sent Tang Hongning flying with a single spear strike that left her unable to fight.
• Dai Weisi recognized Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun’s Martial Way and decided to end the fight with a concentrated attack.
• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun fused into the Hell White Tiger and charged Zhou Qiubai.
• Zhou Qiubai’s silver-lit sword disrupted the Hell White Tiger’s energy sphere until it exploded inside the beast’s mouth.
• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun recovered from the blast, and Dai Weisi demanded to know what Zhou Qiubai had done.

Zhou Qiubai used his sword intent to evade the Hell White Tiger, while Yang Guyun stopped the fused beast with a decisive spear thrust. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun accepted their defeat, and Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left the arena with Dai Weisi’s invitation to visit Star Luo City.

• Zhou Qiubai reflected the Hell White Tiger’s attack and vanished from its reach, leading Gu Rong and Dugu Bo to recognize his unusual sword state.
• Yang Guyun charged with Returnless Spear and stopped its tip just before the Hell White Tiger’s forehead, forcing Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun to end their fusion.
• Dai Weisi admitted defeat and bowed to Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, while Zhu Zhuyun also bowed to them.
• Dai Weisi invited Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to visit Star Luo City, and they accepted before leaving the arena together.

Zhou Qiubai noticed Spirit Hall’s growing presence at the tournament but chose to focus on his matches and leave Spirit City afterward. As Shrek Academy prepared to face Skywater Academy, Shui Bing’er resolved to show Zhou Qiubai how much she had grown, and Chen Xuan teased him about keeping his sword hand steady.

• Chen Xuan told Zhou Qiubai that his last sword strike had used too much moonlight, and Zhou Qiubai accepted the advice.
• Over the next few days, Shrek Academy faced mediocre opponents while Zhou Qiubai noticed more Spirit Hall Soul Masters in the stands and few representatives from either empire or the sects.
• Zhou Qiubai decided to focus on the tournament and leaving Spirit City rather than investigate Spirit Hall’s plans or Tang San’s hidden rabbit.
• The draw matched Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team against Skywater Academy, and Yang Guyun offered to go easy before Zhou Qiubai refused.
• Shui Yue’er and the Skywater girls teased Shui Bing’er about Zhou Qiubai, but Shui Bing’er resolved to show him her growth as they exchanged a smile.
• As Zhou Qiubai left for the arena, Chen Xuan joked that he should keep his sword hand from shaking, and Zhou Qiubai laughed and cursed at him.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun faced the Skywater Team in the arena, where Shui Yue'er teased Zhou Qiubai about becoming her future brother-in-law. Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er fought with refined skill until the rest of the match stopped around them to watch.

• Yang Guyun told Zhou Qiubai not to let his feelings affect his sword as they entered the arena to face the Skywater Team.
• Shui Yue'er called Zhou Qiubai her future brother-in-law, drawing amused and astonished reactions from the spectators and nearby teams.
• After the match began, Shui Bing'er tried to freeze Zhou Qiubai with Ice Seal, but he evaded it with a light, flowing movement.
• Shui Bing'er attacked Zhou Qiubai with icicles and an ice sword, but he redirected her strikes and forced her to retreat.
• Shui Bing'er used Resist Ice Ring to push Zhou Qiubai away, and he floated back while turning with his sword as frost filled the arena.
• The Skywater women and Yang Guyun stopped fighting to watch Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er duel.

Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er shared a sword dance that moved the audience and stirred memories of lost love in Bibi Dong. Afterward, Shui Bing'er asked Zhou Qiubai to teach her, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong resolved to become stronger for themselves.

• Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er turned their exchange into a sword dance, and Shui Bing'er finished by sending frost and snow drifting across the arena.
• Watching Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er, Zhu Zhuqing told Ning Rongrong she no longer wanted to be anyone's accessory and wanted to grow stronger for herself, and Ning Rongrong agreed.
• Bibi Dong watched the pair with jealousy, recalling the love and dreams she had lost, while divine power from her Rakshasa God's trial sent a chill through Yue Guan and Ghost.
• The audience remained silent after the dance, and Shui Bing'er asked Zhou Qiubai to teach her.