Chapter Summaries

Zhou Qiubai killed the Ice Wolf Soul Saint, but the Ice Howl Wolf King’s grief over its cub triggered a beast tide that trapped Zhou Qiubai, Shui Bing'er, and Yang Guyun. As the three faced a swarm of wolves, Zhou Qiubai began a risky plan to escape through the pack.

• Zhou Qiubai destroyed the Ice Wolf Avatar’s Soul Power node, causing the Ice Wolf Soul Saint to return to human form and collapse.
• The dying Ice Wolf Soul Saint killed the wolf cub, and the enraged Ice Howl Wolf King killed him and summoned a beast tide.
• Zhou Qiubai, Shui Bing'er, and Yang Guyun fought through the wolves, then spotted a cave they believed was the pack’s nest.
• Yang Guyun offered to clear a path at the cost of being left behind, but Zhou Qiubai refused to abandon him and announced he had a plan.
• Shui Bing'er used her third Soul Ring to shove wolves aside and open a narrow passage as Zhou Qiubai called for them to move.

Zhou Qiubai, Shui Bing'er, and Yang Guyun escaped the Ice Howl Wolf pack with a cub and a mortally wounded wolf after Zhou Qiubai used Sword Intent to halt the Wolf King. They returned to Cold Ice Lake at dawn, where Shui Yue'er greeted them in relief.

• Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai fought through the wolf pack while Shui Bing'er briefly slowed the Wolf King with Ice Seal.
• Zhou Qiubai used a thread of Sword Intent to confuse the Wolf King, giving the three time to enter a cave and defeat its guardian wolves.
• Shui Bing'er chose a wolf cub, and Zhou Qiubai ordered them to take a badly wounded Ice Howl Wolf as well.
• Zhou Qiubai told the Wolf King they would take the cub and wounded wolf; the Wolf King let the pack retreat and clear their path.
• The three dragged the wounded wolf out of the forest and reached Cold Ice Lake at dawn, where Shui Yue'er rushed to Shui Bing'er.

Zhou Qiubai helped Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er escape the Marquis Mansion's ambush, and Shui Yue'er obtained her third Soul Ring from the dying Ice Howl Wolf. The group traveled toward Heaven Dou City, while Shui Bing'er began questioning whether she could choose her own path.

• Shui Bing'er told Shui Yue'er that Uncle Wang and the guards had died creating an opening for them to escape the Marquis Mansion's ambush.
• Shui Yue'er absorbed a roughly two-thousand-five-hundred-year-old Soul Ring from the male Ice Howl Wolf and gained the area-control skill Extreme Cold Tornado.
• Zhou Qiubai agreed to travel to Heaven Dou City with Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Yang Guyun, and the sisters guided them past Marquis Mansion checkpoints.
• After three days, the group camped at the foot of an Ice Peak, beyond which lay the Heaven Dou Empire's official road.
• Shui Bing'er asked Zhou Qiubai about the way of the martial world, and he told her to follow her heart and accept the consequences of her choices.
• Shui Yue'er returned to camp and whispered to Shui Bing'er that Zhou Qiubai's swordsmanship and cooking made him a rare man.

Zhou Qiubai and Shui Bing'er exchanged keepsakes before parting ways with the Shui sisters, agreeing to meet again when their names resounded across the world. As Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun traveled east, Yang teased him about the gifts, leaving Zhou to insist that sentiment mattered more than price.

• After dinner, Shui Yue'er and Yang Guyun left Zhou Qiubai alone with Shui Bing'er, who gave him an ice crystal pendant as a Shui Clan token.
• Zhou Qiubai gave Shui Bing'er a jade sword tassel and spoke of roaming the martial world freely; she told him his ideal sounded wonderful.
• The next morning, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun said goodbye to Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, who headed back toward the Shui Clan's escort team.
• Shui Bing'er looked back at Zhou Qiubai, and Shui Yue'er teased her as they walked away after the sisters had agreed to meet him again when their names resounded across the world.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun traveled east, and Yang teased Zhou about Shui Bing'er's pendant and the inexpensive sword tassel he had given her.
• Zhou Qiubai defended his roadside-stall gift, insisting that thought and sentiment mattered more than its price.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun traveled east, intervening in four injustices before reaching Tianxing City and registering for Soul Fighting Arena matches. They waited in the preparation area, where someone approached them.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun defeated bandits robbing a medicinal-herb caravan in Clear Water Town, and Zhou Qiubai accepted herbs and dry rations as thanks.
• In Black Stone Village, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun broke the legs of a tyrant who had seized villagers' fields and abused them.
• Zhou Qiubai dealt with a remnant of the Slave Hunting Squad at Wild Goose Slope, leaving seven men dead in a fire and another man mad.
• After Zhou Qiubai paid the extra ferry fee at Azure Cloud Ferry, the tax collector was injured in a nighttime fall and replaced the next day.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun registered as solo and doubles competitors at Tianxing City's Soul Fighting Arena, naming their team Spear and Sword Peerless.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun went to the preparation area to await their matches, and someone beside them started a conversation.

Zhou Qiubai defeated Shi Yong at the Tianxing Soul Fighting Arena without releasing a Soul Ring, using precise swordsmanship to overcome the stronger defender. Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun then took turns fighting, and Yang Guyun’s single thrust stunned the arena’s Soul Masters.

• A burly spectator warned Zhou Qiubai that Shi Yong had won seven matches and was known for breaking bones, but Zhou Qiubai thanked him and continued.
• Zhou Qiubai entered the arena and fought Shi Yong without releasing his Soul Rings, exploiting openings in Shi Yong’s shield and attacks.
• Zhou Qiubai deflected the chains from Shi Yong’s Black Iron Cage, wounded his knee, and forced him to surrender.
• The audience erupted as the host declared Zhou Qiubai the winner, and Zhou Qiubai told Yang Guyun he had prolonged the fight to make an impression.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun alternated through later solo matches, and Yang Guyun defeated a level forty-four agility attack-type Soul Master with a single spear thrust.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun defeated the Wind and Fire Duo and built a seven-day winning streak at Tianxing City's Great Soul Arena without using Soul Rings or Soul Skills. After hearing that Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Imperial Fighting Team had arrived, they looked forward to a possible match.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun defeated the Wind and Fire Duo by combining their sword and spear techniques to break the twins' Combined Soul Skill.
• Over the next seven days, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun won every singles and doubles match at the Great Soul Arena without releasing their Soul Rings.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun collected their prize money after another day's victories, and Yang Guyun warned that the arena might send Soul Kings to challenge them.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun heard that Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Imperial Fighting Team had arrived in Tianxing City for training and public matches.
• Zhou Qiubai said they would wait for the Imperial Fighting Team to seek them out, and the two headed to their inn.

The Imperial Fighting Team learned that Spear and Sword Peerless had won every match in Tianxing City without releasing their Soul Rings. Qin Ming’s account left Yu Tianheng and the others reassessing the threat as they considered the duo’s remarkable techniques.

• Yu Tianheng told the Imperial Fighting Team to rest while they waited for Qin Ming to investigate the undefeated Spear and Sword Peerless.
• Dugu Yan told the team about the duo’s seven consecutive victories, and Yu Feng suggested arranging a match.
• At Yunlai Inn, Zhou Qiubai counted their winnings and urged Yang Guyun to spend some money, but Yang Guyun chose to keep saving.
• Qin Ming returned with the duo’s records, revealing that Zhou Qiubai was a level thirty-five Soul Elder and Yang Guyun a level forty-one Soul Ancestor, and that both had won seven individual matches and seven doubles matches.
• Yu Feng and the others read how the duo defeated opponents using precise techniques without releasing their Soul Rings.
• Qin Ming described seeing them break through two level forty-two Iron Armor Rhino Soul Masters’ defenses in fifteen moves, leaving the team shocked.

Qin Ming warned Yu Tianheng's team about Yang Guyun's Breaking Clan heritage and Zhou Qiubai's unusual swordsmanship and coordination. Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan chose to challenge the pair two-on-two, and the chapter ended when Supervisor Zhao delivered their invitation.

• Ye Lingling recognized Yang Guyun's name as belonging to a rebellious young genius from the Breaking Clan.
• Qin Ming described Zhou Qiubai's flexible swordsmanship, his ability to anticipate opponents, and the pair's close coordination.
• Yu Tianheng proposed a two-on-two challenge with Dugu Yan against Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai, and Qin Ming agreed to contact the arena.
• Supervisor Zhao arrived at night and told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that someone had challenged them by name.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun accepted a challenge from the Imperial Fighting Team and insisted on fighting all seven opponents together. As the teams prepared for the match, Qin Ming warned the Imperial Fighting Team not to underestimate them, and Ye Lingling pointed out that Yang Guyun followed Zhou Qiubai’s lead despite being the stronger soul master.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun agreed to face the Imperial Fighting Team in a two-on-seven match at the main venue.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun said they would not lose, despite Supervisor Zhao warning them about the opponents’ strength.
• Qin Ming told the Imperial Fighting Team that the match was scheduled for three days later and explained that they had accepted the challenge.
• Yu Feng objected to the two-on-seven format, while Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan recognized the challenge as a provocation to their team’s reputation.
• Qin Ming warned the team that underestimating Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun would guarantee defeat.
• Ye Lingling observed that Yang Guyun followed Zhou Qiubai’s lead in battle despite having a higher Soul Power Level.

Qin Ming prepared the Imperial Fighting Team for its two-against-seven match against Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, warning them that their opponents were treating the fight as a life-or-death trial. At Yunlai Inn, Zhou Qiubai revealed he was trying to break through to level thirty-six after gaining insights from recent matches.

• Qin Ming explained that Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun had trained with unusual discipline and proposed two against seven to push themselves toward a breakthrough.
• Yu Tianheng realized the challenge was meant to use the Imperial Fighting Team as a whetstone, and Qin Ming warned the team not to underestimate their opponents.
• Qin Ming outlined a three-stage battle plan and told the seven to prepare with him over the next three days.
• At Yunlai Inn, Yang Guyun questioned Zhou Qiubai about tactics, and Zhou said they would target the support member before breaking the opponents’ defense.
• Yang Guyun noticed Zhou Qiubai’s unstable aura and accelerated Internal Force, and Zhou admitted he was trying to reach level thirty-six after being inspired by an Iron Armor Rhino’s defense.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun prepared to face the seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team, hoping the dangerous match would push their skills forward. They entered the packed arena, and the referee began the formal introductions before the fight.

• Zhou Qiubai explained that he wanted difficult battles to push himself and Yang Guyun past their limits, and they planned their approach together.
• News of the two-versus-seven match spread through Tianxing City, and tickets to the Soul Fighting Arena sold out.
• Qin Ming warned the Imperial Fighting Team to take the match seriously, protect Lingling, and surrender if necessary.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left Yunlai Inn and walked through the cheering crowd to the arena.
• The two faced the Imperial Fighting Team in the packed arena as the referee announced the combatants and called for both sides to give their names.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun faced the Imperial Fighting Team in a Soul Master tournament match, using their sword and spear techniques to break through the team’s opening attacks. As Yang Guyun pressed Yu Tianheng and Zhou Qiubai countered Osler and Yu Feng, the Shi Mo brothers charged in with their Black Tortoise Barrier.

• The Imperial Fighting Team introduced its seven members and Soul Rings, while Zhou Qiubai named his White Clothes Sword and Yang Guyun named his Returnless Spear without revealing their Soul Rings.
• Dugu Yan spread poisonous mist as her teammates took their positions and Yu Tianheng charged Yang Guyun with Thunder Dragon Claw.
• Zhou Qiubai cut a path through the poison mist with his sword and signaled Yang Guyun to engage Yu Tianheng.
• Yang Guyun’s spear pierced through Yu Tianheng’s dragon scales and drove him back, even as Yu Tianheng unleashed Thunderbolt.
• Zhou Qiubai cut Osler’s wrist, then deflected Yu Feng’s wind blades by striking their weak points, prompting Qin Ming to recognize his ability to detect weaknesses in Soul Skills.
• The Shi Mo brothers charged Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun and activated Black Tortoise Barrier.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun revealed their Soul Rings and broke through the Imperial Fighting Team’s defenses with a coordinated strike. Yu Tianheng survived Zhou Qiubai’s near-fatal sword attack, then chose to keep fighting.

• Yu Tianheng empowered himself with Thunder Fury as Dugu Yan sent toxic mist toward Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun behind the advancing Black Tortoise Barrier.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun activated their first Soul Skills and revealed their Soul Rings, shocking the arena when Zhou Qiubai’s second ring proved to be a thousand-year ring.
• Zhou Qiubai’s One Sword From the West split the toxic mist, cracked the barrier, and cut Yu Tianheng’s neck while Yang Guyun forced Dugu Yan to defend herself.
• Zhou Qiubai asked Yu Tianheng whether he still wanted to fight, and Yu Tianheng accepted the challenge after understanding the sword had been a warning.
• Qin Ming watched Yu Tianheng stand his ground and felt gratified by his refusal to retreat.

Spear and Sword Peerless changed tactics against the Imperial Fighting Team, splitting up to take down Yu Feng and Osler before Yang Guyun pierced Yu Tianheng’s defenses. Yu Tianheng conceded with Yang Guyun’s spear at his heart, giving Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun the victory.

• Yu Tianheng ordered the Imperial Fighting Team to switch to its second set of tactics, using mobile attacks and coordinated defense.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun split apart to draw Yu Feng and Osler away from the rest of their team.
• Zhou Qiubai passed through Yu Feng’s tornadoes and shattered his Wing Blade defense with a sword strike.
• Yang Guyun saw through Osler’s afterimages, then pierced the Shi brothers’ Black Tortoise Barrier with the second form of his No Return Spear Technique.
• Yang Guyun’s spear pierced Yu Tianheng’s hand and stopped at his heart, and Yu Tianheng conceded.
• The referee declared Spear and Sword Peerless the victors.

After defeating the Imperial Fighting Team, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun declined Qin Ming’s invitation to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy and set out for Heaven Dou City. Along the way they righted wrongs and built local legends, and the chapter left them waiting to enter the city.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun broke through to levels thirty-six and forty-three after their battle with the Imperial Fighting Team.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun refused Qin Ming’s offer to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, while Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan acknowledged their strength and promised to meet again at the Soul Master Tournament.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left Tianxing City a week later and traveled east toward Heaven Dou City.
• On the journey, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun defeated bandits, stopped the city lord’s son from abducting a woman, and punished troublemaking mercenaries.
• After reaching Heaven Dou City, Zhou Qiubai asked an old man in the entry line what the city inspected at the gates.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun arrived in Heaven Dou City, rented rooms, and went to register at the Great Soul Arena. Zhou Qiubai’s reputation as the White Clothes Sword earned them a direct invitation to meet Supervisor Zhao Wuji.

• Zhou Qiubai paid the entry fee and entered Heaven Dou City with Yang Guyun.
• Zhou Qiubai negotiated a half-year stay at Yuelai Old Inn for eight hundred and seventy Gold Soul Coins.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun went to the Great Soul Arena to register for individual and two-person matches.
• A clerk verified Zhou Qiubai’s bronze badge and recognized his record of seven victories and no defeats in Suotuo City.
• Zhao Wuji received Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun in his office.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun registered as Gold Soul Fighters in Heaven Dou City and accepted a match against two Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino Soul Ancestors. Afterward, they intervened when Fourth Prince Xue Beng threatened an old man, and Zhou Qiubai challenged Xue Beng’s claim that his horse was a valuable Snow Dragon Steed.

• Zhao Wuji offered Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun Gold Soul Fighter status in exchange for at least five monthly matches, and Zhou Qiubai agreed while reserving the right to choose opponents.
• Zhou Qiubai accepted a two-man match against level forty-three and level forty-four Soul Ancestor brothers with Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino Martial Souls.
• Yang Guyun disarmed two guards who were about to punish an old man after Xue Beng accused him of startling a horse.
• Zhou Qiubai helped the old man and told Xue Beng to let the matter go, but Xue Beng identified himself as the Fourth Prince and ordered Zhou Qiubai away.
• Zhou Qiubai disputed Xue Beng’s claim that the horse was a Snow Dragon Steed and estimated it was worth no more than a hundred Gold Soul Coins.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun defeated Xue Beng’s six guards after the prince threatened them over the old man’s horses. Xue Beng withdrew vowing revenge, and bystanders warned the two young men to leave Heaven Dou City before he retaliated.

• Zhou Qiubai urged the old man to leave while he and Yang Guyun prepared to face Xue Beng’s six guards.
• Yang Guyun swiftly incapacitated the three Soul Ancestor guards, while Zhou Qiubai defeated two Soul Elders and stopped the last from fleeing.
• Zhou Qiubai warned Xue Beng that his guards needed three days to recover and challenged the prince’s threats.
• Xue Beng retreated with his guards, promising to repay the humiliation.
• An elderly bystander warned Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that Xue Beng held grudges and urged them to leave the city.

Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing plotted to win Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun’s favor without drawing suspicion from Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Unaware of the plan, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun enjoyed a meal in Heaven Dou City.

• Yang Guyun told the crowd that Xue Beng and his men would not return that day, and Zhou Qiubai gave the frightened old man money before leaving with him.
• Xue Beng dropped his playboy act and reported the street fight to Prince Xue Xing, who recognized Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun’s talent and strength.
• Xue Beng said he wanted to recruit the two independent Soul Masters, but Prince Xue Xing warned that doing so openly could make Xue Qinghe suspect his ambitions.
• Prince Xue Xing instructed Xue Beng to keep acting like a playboy, secretly help Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun in a future Soul Fighting Arena match, and use the favor to build trust.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun ate at Diaolou Cottage, unaware of Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng’s plan.