Chapter Summaries

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed Xue Beng’s act, their possible dealings with him, and how to prepare for their upcoming Soul Fighting Arena match. Three days later, they arrived at the crowded Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena for their bout against the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun agreed that Xue Beng had been pretending to act like a spoiled dandy and considered what terms they might accept if he tried to recruit them.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun planned how to use their spear and sword against the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers while avoiding serious injuries.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun heard that a caravan had been robbed in East Market and suspected that Heaven Dou City’s recent troubles were connected.
• The proprietor told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers had won thirteen consecutive matches and that many people had bet on their upcoming fight.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun noticed three people following them but returned to the inn without confronting the scouts.
• Three days later, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun arrived at the crowded Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena before its opening.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun faced the undefeated Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers in the Heaven Dou City Soul Fighting Arena, drawing the attention of Fourth Prince Xue Beng and other VIPs. The match began with Yang Guyun stopping Long Yue’s charge while Zhou Qiubai maneuvered around Long Yan’s defenses and attacked his ribs.

• Zhao Wuji told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers had won seventeen straight matches and revealed he had bet five thousand Gold Soul Coins on them.
• Zhou Qiubai learned that Xue Beng and representatives from major factions were watching the match, while no one from the Crown Prince’s Mansion had appeared openly.
• The Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers and Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun entered the arena for the Gold Soul Fighter two-man match without the latter pair releasing their Soul Rings.
• Long Yue charged Yang Guyun with his first Soul Skill, but Yang Guyun stopped the attack with a spear thrust.
• Zhou Qiubai circled Long Yan, endured his defensive Soul Skill, then drew the White Clothes Sword and aimed a strike at his ribs.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun fought the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers, whose combined strike nearly reached Soul King strength. Zhou Qiubai split the attack with one sword stroke without using a Soul Skill, leaving the arena stunned.

• Long Yan and Long Yue struggled against Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun as their sword-and-spear coordination exposed the brothers’ weaknesses.
• Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai wounded and staggered Long Yue, forcing Long Yan to protect his younger brother.
• Long Yan and Long Yue combined their fourth Soul Skills into the Dragon Rhino Combined Strike, producing a pillar of energy close to Soul King strength.
• Zhou Qiubai raised the White Clothes Sword and split the brothers’ attack with a single slash, while Yang Guyun guarded beside him.
• The sword light struck the arena barrier, and the spectators stared in shock as Zhou Qiubai still had not released his Soul Rings.

Zhou Qiubai defeated the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers, drawing attention from Heaven Dou City’s powerful factions. Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin discussed Zhou Qiubai’s swordsmanship and decided to wait while they watched Xue Qinghe and another influential figure.

• Zhou Qiubai defeated the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers, and the referee declared Spear and Sword Peerless the winner.
• Zhao Wuji congratulated Zhou Qiubai and warned him that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall were watching him, but Zhou Qiubai said he and Yang Guyun did not plan to join a sect.
• Reports of Zhou Qiubai’s victory spread through Heaven Dou City to its major powers.
• Ning Fengzhi read a detailed report of Zhou Qiubai’s sword strike and asked Chen Xin for his assessment.
• Chen Xin praised Zhou Qiubai’s Sword Intent and said their different sword paths might share a destination, but he agreed it was not yet the time to meet him.
• Ning Fengzhi decided to wait while he investigated Xue Qinghe’s recent moves and watched the mysterious person who had begun acting again.

Ning Fengzhi burned a secret letter as Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, discussed Zhou Qiubai’s victory and kept watch on a mysterious scholar at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The scholar left the academy’s recruitment decisions to its education committee and ordered them to treat the incoming Shrek students equally.

• Ning Fengzhi used Soul Power to burn the secret letter after Chen Xin left.
• She Long reported to Xue Qinghe that Zhou Qiubai had defeated the Iron-Armored Dragon Rhino brothers with a sword strike reminiscent of Sword Douluo’s style.
• Xue Qinghe judged Zhou Qiubai’s talent insufficient for the larger political struggle and told She Long to keep watching the person still inside the academy without alerting him.
• Meng Shenji, Zhi Lin, and Bai Baoshan discussed whether the academy should recruit Zhou Qiubai, and the scholar let them decide for themselves.
• Bai Baoshan reported that Qin Ming’s Shrek Academy students and teachers would arrive, and the scholar required the academy to treat them equally and provide proper resources.

Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai rose to fame in Heaven Dou City's Soul Fighting Arena, drawing attention from powerful factions and prompting Yang Wudi and Tai Tan to quietly look out for them. Meanwhile, Flender and the Shrek Seven Devils approached Heaven Dou City, hoping to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, with Dai Mubai troubled by news of the duo's success.

• Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin decided to have Yu Tianheng and the others contact Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun after Sir showed little interest in them.
• Yang Wudi learned that Yang Guyun and Zhou Qiubai had defeated powerful opponents without using soul skills, and he asked Tai Tan to keep an eye on his grandson.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun won match after match, including a battle against the veteran Wind and Fire Duo, while rebuffing recruitment efforts and coercive approaches.
• Tai Tan agreed to help Yang Guyun discreetly and ordered a clansman to investigate him and Zhou Qiubai in Heaven Dou City.
• Flender and the Shrek Seven Devils traveled toward Heaven Dou City to seek admission to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, while Dai Mubai brooded over the duo's growing reputation.

After reaching Level forty-one, Yu Tianheng sought out Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to invite them to visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy and share their unconventional fighting experience. They agreed to look around the academy the day after tomorrow, though Zhou Qiubai suspected the visit would not be peaceful.

• Yu Tianheng stabilized his Soul Power at Level forty-one and decided to meet Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun alone.
• Yu Tianheng invited Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to dinner at Star-Plucking Pavilion and asked them to visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
• Yu Tianheng offered them a Thunder Crystal in exchange for teaching the Imperial Fighting Team, but Zhou Qiubai declined the gift and agreed only to visit the academy and speak with any students who interested him.
• Yu Tianheng agreed to cover the meal and their future expenses in Heaven Dou City, and they arranged to meet at the academy entrance the morning after tomorrow.
• After leaving Yu Tianheng, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed the visit, and Zhou Qiubai predicted that it would not be peaceful.

Yu Tianheng brought Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where they discovered Shrek's group arguing over enrollment terms. The three education committee members addressed Flender, while Zhou Qiubai warned Yu Tianheng to watch the crowd.

• Yu Tianheng met Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun outside Heaven Dou City, and they walked toward the academy while sensing multiple groups following them.
• Yu Tianheng described Heaven Dou Royal Academy's rules, its restricted Core Zone, and its competitive student rankings as they passed through the gates.
• Yu Tianheng, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun found Flender's Shrek group arguing with Deacon Li, who rejected their proposed enrollment conditions.
• Zhou Qiubai stopped Yu Tianheng from intervening and directed his attention toward the crowd, where Yang Guyun also noticed three men.
• Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin approached Flender, and Meng Shenji acknowledged Shrek's talented students.

Flender and Yu Xiaogang negotiated Shrek Academy’s admission to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, defending their demands with Yu Xiaogang’s theories and a promise to win the next tournament. Zhou Qiubai’s arrival intensified the tension, and the chapter ended as Tang San stepped forward to demonstrate his talent.

• Meng Shenji questioned whether Shrek’s requested terms were too favorable in exchange for one tournament slot, and Flender argued that the group also offered seven gifted students and unique teaching theories.
• Yu Xiaogang introduced himself and claimed his theories had prepared the Shrek students to win the next Soul Master Tournament, despite students mocking his Rank 29 Soul Power.
• Yu Tianheng, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun arrived, drawing attention and prompting Dai Mubai and Tang San to recognize Zhou Qiubai as the person who had defeated them.
• Ma Hongjun disparaged Zhou Qiubai’s appearance, and Zhou Qiubai answered with a pointedly casual remark before Meng Shenji redirected the meeting toward assessing Shrek’s students.
• Zhi Lin asked to meet the outstanding control-type Soul Master, and Yu Xiaogang called Tang San forward to be examined.

Tang San endured Zhi Lin’s Soul Douluo pressure long enough to win Shrek Academy a chance to negotiate, while Zhou Qiubai watched the test. Yu Xiaogang then approached Zhou Qiubai, who responded as though he did not know him.

• Zhi Lin asked Tang San to release his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, and Yu Xiaogang explained its unusual form and Soul Rings.
• Zhi Lin increased his Soul Power pressure in stages, and Tang San finally fell to one knee and bled before Zhi Lin withdrew it.
• Meng Shenji praised Tang San and offered Shrek Academy a chance to stay while they discussed terms.
• The committee members warmly welcomed Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, and Yu Tianheng explained that they had come to visit the academy.
• Yu Xiaogang greeted Zhou Qiubai and praised his rise to fame, but Zhou Qiubai asked him whether he needed something.

Yu Xiaogang offered to take Zhou Qiubai as his disciple, but Zhou rejected him and exposed flaws in his Martial Soul theories before the academy committee. Zhou then challenged Tang San's understanding of his Blue Silver Grass, and a young man named Chen arrived to confirm Zhou was right.

• Yu Xiaogang offered to make Zhou Qiubai his disciple, promising to teach him and help him become a leading Soul Master.
• Zhou Qiubai rejected Yu Xiaogang and criticized his theories about Innate Soul Power, Soul Ring age limits, and plant Martial Souls absorbing animal Soul Rings.
• Zhou Qiubai explained the flaws to the Three Education Committee Members, while Yu Tianheng watched uneasily as his uncle was humiliated.
• Zhou Qiubai questioned whether Tang San's Martial Soul was truly Blue Silver Grass, and Tang San reacted with alarm.
• A young man carrying a bamboo basket arrived, agreed with Zhou Qiubai, and greeted the committee members, who addressed him as Young Master Chen.

Chen Xuan revealed that Tang San’s Martial Soul was likely the Blue Silver Emperor and condemned Yu Xiaogang’s theory as dangerous, while hinting that Tang San had unusual origins. Dai Mubai challenged Chen Xuan, who avoided fighting, and Yu Xiaogang urged Tang San to display his Martial Soul to salvage his reputation.

• Chen Xuan identified Tang San’s blue-gold Martial Soul as an awakening Blue Silver Emperor and explained that its strength, not Yu Xiaogang’s theory, let it withstand the Soul Ring.
• Chen Xuan cited records of a Soul Master who died after following Yu Xiaogang’s method, then questioned how Tang San could possess the rare Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul.
• Tang Hao noticed Chen Xuan’s glance toward his hiding place and realized the scholar was no ordinary person.
• Dai Mubai challenged Chen Xuan, who declined to fight and claimed he was only a weak scholar.
• Yu Xiaogang asked Tang San to release his Martial Soul so his achievements could speak for themselves.

Chen Xuan challenged Yu Xiaogang’s Martial Soul Mimicry Theory with an ancient case describing the deadly consequences of incompatible Soul Rings. Zhou Qiubai then demonstrated a thousand-year second Soul Ring and used Yang Guyun’s unusual fourth ring to challenge Yu Xiaogang’s limits, leaving the Three Education Committee Members to reach a decision while Tang Hao watched from the shadows.

• Tang San demonstrated his Blue Silver Grass and Yu Xiaogang praised it as proof of his Martial Soul Mimicry Theory.
• Chen Xuan read an ancient account of a Green Vine Soul Master whose incompatible Soul Ring eventually caused his Martial Soul to collapse and killed him.
• Chen Xuan warned Yu Xiaogang that Tang San could suffer similar backlash, making Tang San question Yu Xiaogang’s intentions.
• Zhou Qiubai revealed his thousand-year second Soul Ring and Yang Guyun displayed a fourth Soul Ring that appeared to exceed the accepted limit.
• Zhou Qiubai argued that Soul Rings were tools and people were the foundation, while the Three Education Committee Members silently reached a decision.
• Tang Hao watched Chen Xuan and Zhou Qiubai with killing intent but held back after sensing danger from Chen Xuan.

Prince Xue Xing arrived at the arena and rejected Shrek Academy’s proposed entry into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, insulting its students and Yu Xiaogang’s teachings. As tensions rose and Tang Hao worried that Tang San’s identity would be exposed, Dugu Bo appeared and interrupted Yu Xiaogang.

• Yu Xiaogang defended his theories by presenting Tang San as proof of the strength of control-type Soul Masters.
• Prince Xue Xing arrived with Xue Beng and accused Shrek Academy of being unworthy of entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
• Flender defended Shrek and Yu Xiaogang, while Meng Shenji argued that the academy should value talent over background.
• Prince Xue Xing attacked Yu Xiaogang’s theories, and Tang Hao considered whether to take Tang San away before his identity was exposed.
• Dugu Bo appeared at the edge of the arena and silenced Yu Xiaogang.

Dugu Bo confronted Yu Xiaogang over his claim about control-type Soul Masters and used his pressure to threaten the Shrek group, until Xie Ru appeared and stopped him. Xie Ru called for the dispute to be settled peacefully, and Zhou Qiubai learned the identity of the revered Confucian Sage.

• Dugu Bo challenged Yu Xiaogang's claim and unleashed his pressure on the Shrek group, injuring Flender and Zhao Wuji and leaving the students struggling to breathe.
• As Tang Hao prepared to intervene, Xie Ru arrived and erased Dugu Bo's pressure with a calm word.
• Prince Xue Xing, Dugu Bo, Chen Xuan, and the academy's nobles and officials showed Xie Ru respect, while Ma Hongjun's remark drew Flender's rebuke.
• Xie Ru asked Prince Xue Xing why he had come and urged everyone to resolve their dispute through discussion rather than fighting.
• Zhou Qiubai sensed something unusual about Xie Ru, and Yu Tianheng identified him as the emperor's teacher and the Confucian Sage.

Xie Ru intervened to end the dispute over Shrek Academy’s admission and challenged Yu Xiaogang’s unverified Soul Ring theories. Yu Xiaogang cited his research, but Xie Ru produced historical examples that contradicted his claimed limits, leaving Yu Xiaogang scrambling to dismiss them as legends.

• Xie Ru persuaded Dugu Bo and Prince Xue Xing to let the dispute end and said Shrek Academy’s application should be considered under the academy’s rules.
• Xie Ru criticized Yu Xiaogang for applying unverified theories to his disciples and argued that a Soul Ring’s safe age depended on a person’s foundation, spirit, and opportunity.
• Yu Xiaogang defended his decades of research and insisted that first and second Soul Rings had strict age limits backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall.
• Xie Ru cited Qian Qiurou and Dai Tianyang as historical examples of people who absorbed thousand-year second Soul Rings.
• Chen Xuan read records of their feats from two ancient books, and Yu Xiaogang dismissed the accounts as potentially false legends.

Zhou Qiubai and Chen Xuan exposed the flaws in Yu Xiaogang’s Soul Ring theory, leaving him devastated. The gathering then learned that Xie Ru, whom Ma Hongjun had insulted, was a powerful Titled Douluo, and the Shrek group realized they had provoked another dangerous figure.

• Zhou Qiubai challenged Yu Xiaogang to explain why no Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan genius had broken his supposed Soul Ring limit.
• Chen Xuan presented records of Lei Zhen, a Rank 96 Titled Douluo who had used Soul Rings beyond Yu Xiaogang’s claimed limits, and Yu Xiaogang staggered back in defeat.
• Ning Rongrong greeted Xie Ru and relayed her father’s regards, while Xie Ru asked her to pass a message to Chen about the sword he sought.
• Ma Hongjun disparaged Dean Chen, prompting others to reveal that Chen had slain three Titled Douluo as a Soul Douluo and was known as the Silent Douluo.
• Xiao Wu hid her fear, Tang San comforted her, and the Shrek group grew alarmed upon realizing Xie Ru was another Titled Douluo.

Xie Ru calmed the confrontation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, reprimanded Flender over his students’ conduct, and ordered Shrek Academy’s application handled by the rules. Tang Hao withdrew after Xie Ru identified him, while Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun were welcomed as guests.

• Ma Hongjun defied Oscar’s warning and continued challenging Xie Ru, drawing the scholars’ anger.
• Xie Ru silenced the crowd, cautioned Ma Hongjun about his words, and advised Flender to teach his students propriety.
• Yu Tianheng lost the last of his respect for Yu Xiaogang as he watched the Shrek group being reprimanded.
• Xie Ru detected Tang Hao in hiding and addressed him, and Tang Hao quietly withdrew after exchanging words with him.
• Xie Ru told Meng Shenji to handle Shrek Academy’s assessment by the rules and welcomed Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun as guests.
• Xie Ru reminded Prince Xue Xing to oversee academy affairs properly, and Xue Xing accepted that the matter was settled.

After Shrek Academy’s request to cooperate with Heaven Dou Royal Academy was postponed, Flender led his group away, while Qin Ming resigned from his teaching post rather than remain at odds with his former teacher. Tang San’s hidden killing intent toward Zhou Qiubai and the others was noticed, and Yu Xiaogang was left uneasy about his disciple.

• Meng Shenji told Flender that cooperation with Shrek Academy required further deliberation and offered the group guest quarters and a formal assessment in three days.
• Flender declined to stay and led the Shrek group out of the academy after their confrontation with Xue Xing, Dugu Bo, and Xie Ru.
• Tang San comforted the frightened Xiao Wu while Zhou Qiubai noticed Tang San’s concealed killing intent.
• Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing questioned the Shrek group’s conduct as they walked toward the mountain gate, and Yu Xiaogang felt a chill when Tang San showed concern for him.
• Qin Ming acknowledged that his teacher and junior schoolmates had caused the dispute, then told Xie Ru that he wished to resign from Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Qin Ming left Heaven Dou Royal Academy after choosing to follow his loyalty to Shrek, though he decided not to join them. Yu Tianheng struggled with his disillusionment over Yu Xiaogang and withdrew to think, while Dugu Yan stayed behind with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun.

• Qin Ming thanked the Education Committee and left the academy, choosing his own uncertain path rather than going to Shrek.
• Xie Ru and the other committee members accepted Qin Ming's decision and reflected on his service to the academy.
• Yu Tianheng questioned whether Yu Xiaogang had changed or had always been obstinate, and Zhou Qiubai urged him to let time clarify what to do next.
• Yu Tianheng asked Dugu Yan to entertain Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun while he went off alone to think.
• Dugu Yan apologized to Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, but Zhou Qiubai told her to go after Yu Tianheng while they explored the academy themselves.