Chapter Summaries

At a banquet in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi asked Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun about their plans after leaving Canghai City. Zhou Qiubai said Dantai Canglan was handling the city, and Ning Fengzhi was astonished that a Title Douluo had willingly served as Zhou Qiubai’s City Affairs Officer.

• Zhou Qiubai admired the expensive robe provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then joked that Ning Fengzhi was a capitalist.
• Chen Xin led Zhou Qiubai to the banquet hall, where Ning Fengzhi arranged the seats and served them dinner and wine.
• Ning Fengzhi asked Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun whether they planned to leave Canghai City unattended.
• Zhou Qiubai said Dantai Canglan was managing the city and described the former Title Douluo as a City Affairs Officer.
• Ning Fengzhi marveled that Dantai Canglan had willingly worked for Zhou Qiubai, while Zhou Qiubai insisted that Dantai Canglan had agreed to it himself.

Zhou Qiubai and Ning Fengzhi secured an understanding that allowed Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect caravans to pass through Canghai City, while Ning Fengzhi accepted that Zhou had no romantic feelings for Ning Rongrong and strengthened their friendship with a gift. The chapter ended with Ning Fengzhi warning Zhou that Spirit Hall was negotiating with the Shui Clan in Element City.

• Zhou Qiubai agreed to let Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect caravans travel through Canghai City and directed Ning Fengzhi to discuss the arrangements with Old Master Dantai.
• Ning Fengzhi asked Zhou what he thought of Ning Rongrong, and Zhou answered with formal praise that revealed no personal affection.
• Ning Fengzhi decided to build an alliance with Zhou rather than pursue a marriage between him and Ning Rongrong, then gave Zhou a dragon-bone treasure as a belated congratulatory gift.
• Ning Fengzhi warned Zhou that Spirit Hall had been visiting Element City and discussing conditions with the Shui Clan.

Tang San learned that the Speed Clan had agreed to join the Tang Sect, while the Defense Clan had refused and planned to move to Canghai City. He prepared to receive White Crane and prove the Tang Sect could offer the Speed Clan security, though he privately regarded Canghai City’s leaders as future enemies.

• Tang Yuehua told Tang San that White Crane had brought the Speed Clan to Heaven Dou City and that Niu Gao had rejected Tai Tan’s offer, severed ties, and planned to relocate the Defense Clan to Canghai City.
• Tang San wondered how Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun had gained control of Canghai City while he struggled to build power and fund the Tang Sect.
• Tang San said the Breaking and Defense Clans could be dealt with later and decided to welcome the Speed Clan first.
• Tang San explained that the Speed Clan’s speed and his hidden weapons could be combined for scouting, intelligence, logistics, and an assassin unit.
• Tang Yuehua warned Tang San that White Crane sought security for his clan rather than family affection, and Tang San assured her he would show his worth.

Tang San and Tang Yuehua met White Crane to discuss bringing the Speed Clan into the Tang Sect, and Tang San demonstrated the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. White Crane recognized how the weapon could address the clan’s lack of combat power and took out a jade box, leaving his decision pending.

• Tai Tan welcomed Tang Yuehua and Tang San to the Strength Clan courtyard, where White Crane met Tang San for the first time.
• Tang Yuehua apologized for the Clear Sky Sect’s past inability to help the Speed Clan and introduced Tang San’s plan to establish the Tang Sect.
• Tang San presented White Crane with a Godly Zhuge Crossbow and demonstrated its thirty-six bolts against a wall.
• Tang San explained that ordinary people could use the crossbow without Soul Power and that poisoned bolts could penetrate a Soul King’s defenses.
• White Crane considered how the crossbow could solve the Speed Clan’s lack of offensive strength, then took a jade box from his robes.

Tang San received a Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng from White Crane and recognized its immense value, while hiding how much he wanted it. White Crane decided to bring the Speed Clan into the Tang Sect, and Tang San promised to provide for the clan and help it grow stronger.

• White Crane presented Tang San with a Blood Ginseng, and Tang San recognized it as a five-thousand-year-old Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng that could greatly accelerate his cultivation.
• Tang San and Tang Yuehua concealed the herb’s true value, and White Crane believed Tang San regarded it as an ordinary medicinal gift.
• Tang San promised to supply the Speed Clan with cultivation resources and prioritize its hidden weapon equipment after it joined the Tang Sect.
• White Crane weighed the risks of breaking with Yang Wudi and Niu Gao against the needs of his clansmen, then declared that the Speed Clan belonged to the Tang Sect.
• Tang San bowed to White Crane and Tai Tan, promising not to betray White Crane’s trust and thanking Tai Tan for his service.

The Strength Clan and Speed Clan joined the Tang Sect, while Tang San left the door open to the other two clans. In Spirit City, Bibi Dong considered Canghai City's growing influence and discovered that the Rakshasa God's divine thought was fixated on destroying it.

• Tai Tan welcomed the Speed Clan into the Tang Sect, and White Crane praised Tang San's patience and shrewdness.
• Tang Yuehua privately considered White Crane's Blood Ginseng and his ability to keep secrets.
• At the Strength Clan's banquet, Tang San welcomed the absent Defense Clan and Breaking Clan, though White Crane and Tai Tan doubted they would join.
• News spread that the Strength Clan and Speed Clan had officially joined the Tang Sect.
• Bibi Dong reviewed the Soul Hunting Plan and weighed the threat posed by Canghai City's large, powerful population of Soul Masters.
• The Rakshasa God's divine thought urged Bibi Dong to destroy Canghai City, and she challenged its unexplained hostility.

Bibi Dong prepared Spirit Hall’s attack on Canghai City and ordered Ghost Leopard and Demon Bear to lead the operation. Meanwhile, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left Heaven Dou City and traveled east toward Canghai City, with Zhou recalling his rise from Rogue Cultivator to city lord.

• Bibi Dong approved an attack on Canghai City and learned that eight hundred elite Soul Masters and supplies for a half-month were ready.
• Bibi Dong ordered Ghost Leopard to locate and eliminate Canghai City's outer sentries before the main force arrived.
• Bibi Dong ordered Demon Bear to break Canghai City's defenses, spare ordinary citizens, and kill Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun if encountered.
• Bibi Dong told Ghost Leopard and Demon Bear not to worry about Qian Daoliu and said she would handle him herself.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun declined Ning Fengzhi's invitation to stay and left Heaven Dou City with provisions and wine.
• After two days on the road, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun entered the hilly region of Fasno Province, where Zhou remembered his past as a Rogue Cultivator.

Yang Guyun reached level seventy as he and Zhou Qiubai traveled toward Sunset Forest, but Xie Ru and Chen Xuan intercepted them to discuss their new responsibilities as Canghai City’s lords and the God Realm’s control over ascension. Xie Ru left them with a warning that the continent’s stagnant old order had to decay before new rules could take root.

• Yang Guyun revealed that he had broken through to level seventy, and Zhou Qiubai suggested they seek a suitable Spirit Beast in Sunset Forest.
• Zhou Qiubai sensed two people in a maple grove, where he and Yang Guyun found Xie Ru and Chen Xuan waiting.
• Xie Ru reminded Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that being Canghai City’s lords meant responsibility for its Soul Masters, their families, and the coastal commoners.
• Xie Ru asked whether they had met the thousand-year exile at Canghai Tower, then described how the God Realm controlled divine trials and the path to godhood.
• Xie Ru criticized the continent’s entrenched powers and old rules, saying new life could not emerge until the old order decayed.

Xie Ru explained to Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that Soul Masters may once have been able to create soul rings themselves, and that the God Realm had suppressed this alternative path. He suggested Zhou Qiubai’s self-created first soul ring and the clue left by the man atop Canghai Tower could help him rediscover it, then sent the two city lords on their way.

• Xie Ru told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that ancient Soul Masters had condensed their own soul rings before hunting Spirit Beasts became the accepted method.
• Xie Ru explained that the soul ring system kept humans and Spirit Beasts dependent on one another and prevented either from challenging the God Realm’s control.
• Xie Ru recognized that Zhou Qiubai had created his first soul ring himself and said his coming seventh ring might mark a turning point.
• Yang Guyun asked whether the Returnless Spear could follow the same path, and Xie Ru said the God Realm feared power gained outside its channels.
• Xie Ru told Zhou Qiubai that the man atop Canghai Tower had left him clues to the suppressed path, then asked Xuan'er to escort Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun out.

Chen Xuan left Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun with Xie Ru, who explained why he would protect ordinary people without trying to prevent inevitable political change. Xie Ru warned that Bibi Dong was mobilizing forces against Canghai City, while Qian Renxue learned the attack force included eight hundred elite Soul Masters and two Title Douluo.

• Chen Xuan gathered the leaves from the chessboard, departed the maple grove, and left Zhou Qiubai reflecting on how much he had changed.
• Xie Ru told Zhou Qiubai that choosing a side did not mean acting on its behalf, and urged him to protect the innocent, the weak, and others' livelihoods.
• Xie Ru warned Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that Bibi Dong had begun mobilizing forces against Canghai City, and told Zhou to prepare to defend his foundation.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun said farewell to Xie Ru and left the maple grove with their horses.
• Qian Renxue read a secret report revealing that Bibi Dong had assembled eight hundred elite Soul Masters and two Title Douluo to attack Canghai City.
• Qian Renxue mocked Bibi Dong's plan, doubting that the force could take a city renowned for being easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Qian Renxue learned that Bibi Dong had sent eight hundred Spirit Hall Soul Masters and two Title Douluo toward Canghai City without understanding its defenses, and she saw the expedition as a chance for Elder Hall to reclaim power. Heaven Dou spies detected the force heading for the East Sea, while the chapter left its confrontation with Canghai City still ahead.

• Pufferfish Douluo told Qian Renxue that Bibi Dong lacked access to Spirit Hall’s true intelligence on Canghai City, and Qian Renxue condemned her for risking eight hundred Soul Masters and two Title Douluo.
• She Long and Pufferfish Douluo explained that Canghai City was difficult to attack and could shelter powerful reclusive Soul Masters, and Qian Renxue warned that the city could fight if threatened.
• Qian Renxue decided Bibi Dong’s defeat could weaken her standing and let Elder Hall reclaim control of Spirit Hall, so she chose to let the expedition test Canghai City.
• Heaven Dou Empire covert agents noticed unusual troop movements near Spirit City and traced eight hundred unmarked Soul Masters as they headed toward the East Sea coast.

As Spirit Hall’s eight hundred Soul Masters marched east, Xue Xing and Xue Beng concluded that Canghai City and its City Lord, Zhou Qiubai, were likely their target. Xue Xing warned Xue Beng that a continent-wide war was approaching and urged him to prepare, leaving his advice unfinished.

• Observers linked Spirit Hall’s eastward march to Canghai City, whose young City Lord had recently taken office.
• At Prince Xue Xing’s residence, Xue Beng asked who Spirit Hall intended to attack, and Xue Xing identified Canghai City.
• Xue Beng lamented that Zhou Qiubai had become a city lord while he remained confined to Heaven Dou City and unable to mobilize forces.
• Xue Xing explained that Xue Beng’s rival, Xue Qinghe, controlled much of the court and had already eliminated his older brothers.
• Xue Xing recounted his own failed struggle for the throne and warned Xue Beng that a broader war was coming.
• Xue Beng asked whether he should accept his fate, and Xue Xing began to offer him a solemn reminder.

Xue Beng accepted that he had no leverage against Xue Qinghe, while Zhou Qiubai learned that Bibi Dong had sent eight hundred soul masters toward Canghai City and prepared to confront them. Dugu Bo warned Zhou Qiubai that Xue Ye had been poisoned, and Zhou Qiubai identified Xue Qinghe as the likely culprit before questioning whether Old Master Xie had acted.

• Xue Xing told Xue Beng that he lacked the strength and allies to challenge Xue Qinghe, and Xue Beng decided to keep playing the wastrel until he had to choose whether to kneel or flee.
• A merchant reported that eight hundred soul masters were heading east toward Canghai City, and Zhou Qiubai recognized Bibi Dong as the one who had sent them.
• Zhou Qiubai decided to let Bibi Dong's forces test Canghai City's strength and warned that their attack would bring consequences.
• Dugu Bo told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that Xue Ye showed signs of being slowly poisoned, and Zhou Qiubai said Xue Qinghe was responsible.
• Zhou Qiubai argued that Xue Qinghe had a motive to seize the throne, then asked whether Old Master Xie had made a move.

Dugu Bo joined Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun as they hurried to defend Canghai City from Spirit Hall’s forces. As reinforcements converged on the city, Ghost Leopard discovered that its defenses were far more carefully arranged than they appeared.

• Dugu Bo agreed to help Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun reach Canghai City and fight the eight hundred Soul Masters led by Ghost Leopard and Magic Bear.
• The three traveled through forest paths, and Zhou Qiubai detected Spirit Hall scouts watching the roads to prevent reinforcements from reaching the city.
• Shui Bing'er heard about the siege and rushed toward Canghai City, determined to reach the person whose city was under threat.
• Gu Rong took Ning Rongrong east toward Canghai City after learning that Zhou Qiubai and the others had already left.
• Ghost Leopard surveyed Canghai City after infiltrating it and realized its seemingly unguarded streets were covered by a carefully designed defensive layout.

Spirit Hall’s army demanded Canghai City’s surrender, while Lu Qinghou’s defenders prepared to resist. Ghost Leopard was caught in the city’s hidden formation by Dantai Canglan, who confronted his all-out attack.

• Ghost Leopard reported that Canghai City’s defenses had been built into the city and warned that its formation core was beyond his perception.
• At dawn, Demon Bear Douluo led eight hundred Spirit Hall Soul Masters to demand the city’s surrender, and Lu Qinghou mocked their threat before rallying Canghai City’s defenders.
• Lu Qinghou revealed that someone was waiting for the intruder who had entered the city, while Ghost Leopard slipped back into a narrow alley.
• Dantai Canglan sealed the alley with its formation, stopped Ghost Leopard’s escape, and told him that ten Title Douluo had entered the city before him and none had left.
• Ghost Leopard unleashed his soul rings and charged Dantai Canglan, who stood his ground and recited a phrase about the sea, moon, and rivers.

Dantai Canglan captured Ghost Leopard, and Zhou Qiubai returned to Canghai City with Dugu Bo and Yang Guyun as Spirit Hall's forces threatened the city. Zhou Qiubai revealed Ghost Leopard's capture and challenged Demon Bear to retreat, while Lu Qinghou pointed out that Canghai City's people stood ready to face the eight hundred attackers.

• Dantai Canglan slowed Ghost Leopard with his moonlike Soul Power and knocked him through a barrier into a wall, then ordered him bound.
• Dantai Canglan, Lu Qinghou, and Demon Bear sensed Dugu Bo, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun approaching Canghai City.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun landed on the city wall, where Zhou Qiubai vowed to return Bibi Dong's courtesy.
• Demon Bear demanded that Zhou Qiubai surrender Canghai City or face an attack by eight hundred Spirit Hall Soul Masters.
• Zhou Qiubai revealed the captured Ghost Leopard and offered Demon Bear a chance to retreat and warn Bibi Dong to send someone tougher next time.
• Demon Bear refused to back down, and Lu Qinghou observed that Canghai City had its own people to stand against the eight hundred attackers.

Zhou Qiubai refused Dugu Bo’s help as Spirit Hall’s force attacked Canghai City, insisting the city defend itself. Yang Guyun and Canghai City’s fighters disrupted the assault, while Qu Wuxian’s zither helped their Soul Masters sense one another; the battle was still underway.

• Zhou Qiubai told Canghai City’s residents that Demon Bear Douluo had threatened to destroy the city, and they answered that they were ready to fight.
• Zhou Qiubai asked Dugu Bo to let Canghai City handle its own first battle, and Dugu Bo agreed to stand by unless they began to lose.
• Demon Bear Douluo launched an attack with eight hundred Soul Masters after Zhou Qiubai’s final demand that he retreat.
• Yang Guyun leaped from the wall and struck the ground with his Returnless Spear, breaking the bones of more than twenty charging Soul Masters.
• Canghai City’s long-range Soul Masters targeted Spirit Hall’s support and control fighters, disrupting their formation.
• Qu Wuxian played his zither from the gatehouse, allowing Canghai City’s Soul Masters to sense the locations and conditions of nearby comrades.

Canghai City's Rogue Cultivators used coordinated tactics and Dantai Canglan's moonlight power to withstand Spirit Hall's assault, while Zhou Qiubai prepared to unleash the White Clothes Sword. As Yang Guyun and the defenders kept fighting, Shui Bing'er raced toward Canghai City.

• Qi Mingqian coordinated the defenders' movements through Soul Power threads, letting Qu Wuxian relay his guidance through her zither.
• Dantai Canglan halted Magic Bear's Flaming Meteor Fall with moonlight and sent the meteor back into Spirit Hall's long-range Soul Masters.
• Magic Bear charged Yang Guyun, who wounded him before being slammed into the city wall.
• Canghai City's Rogue Cultivators pressed Spirit Hall's forces back, and Zhou Qiubai continued preparing the White Clothes Sword's growing power.
• Shui Bing'er raced across the rocky shore three li west of Canghai City toward the battle.

Shui Bing'er reached Canghai City as Zhou Qiubai’s sword awakened a vast Sword Intent during the defense against Demon Bear Douluo’s forces. The Spirit Hall army halted before him, and Dantai Canglan unleashed his Canghai Moon martial soul.

• Shui Bing'er hurried toward Canghai City while Ning Rongrong asked Gu Rong to help, but Gu Rong said the city had to establish its prestige on its own.
• Yang Wudi and Niu Gao rushed toward the city with their clansmen, determined to help Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai.
• Yang Guyun endured Demon Bear Douluo’s attacks outside the gates as Zhou Qiubai raised the White Clothes Sword and released a growing Sword Intent.
• Dantai Canglan ordered the defenders to withdraw, and the Canghai City Rogue Cultivators retreated while the Spirit Hall Soul Masters hesitated under Zhou Qiubai’s Sword Intent.
• Dantai Canglan stepped forward and summoned his Canghai Moon martial soul, covering the city wall in silvery light.

Zhou Qiubai gathered his sword intent on Canghai City's wall as Demon Bear Douluo led Spirit Hall’s forces into a final assault. With his sword poised, Zhou Qiubai manifested a seventh soul ring and stepped beyond the wall.

• Demon Bear Douluo rejected Dantai Canglan’s offer to retreat and launched an all-out attack against Zhou Qiubai.
• Dantai Canglan shielded Zhou Qiubai while the sword light’s state of mind halted Shui Bing’er, Ning Rongrong, Gu Rong, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao.
• Yang Wudi and Niu Gao decided that bringing the Strength and Defense Clans to Canghai City had been the right choice.
• Demon Bear Douluo charged the city wall with more than a hundred Spirit Hall Soul Masters as Dantai Canglan dissolved their attacks with Canghai Moon.
• Yang Guyun drew the Returnless Spear and guarded Zhou Qiubai, who formed a seventh soul ring and stepped beyond the wall.