Chapter Summaries

Yang Wudi arrived at the Strength Clan with Dugu Bo and found Tai Tan kneeling before Tang San, whom Tai Tan had accepted as his young master because he was Tang Hao's son. Yang Wudi challenged Tai Tan over the Clear Sky Sect's betrayal of their clans, and Tang Yuehua's claim that Tang San would found an independent sect failed to ease his suspicions.

• Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun heard Tang San's presence beyond the Strength Clan gates and entered to find Tai Tan welcoming him.
• Yang Wudi saw Tai Tan kneel to Tang San and demanded to know why he called him Young Master.
• Tai Tan explained that Tang San was the son of his master, Tang Hao, and defended Tang Hao by saying the Clear Sky Sect's leaders had made the decision to abandon the clans.
• Yang Wudi reminded Tai Tan of the clans' suffering and deaths after the Clear Sky Sect cast them aside, leaving Tai Tan unable to answer.
• Tang Yuehua said Tang San would establish an independent sect, but Yang Wudi argued that his ties to Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect made that distinction meaningless, angering Tang San.

Tang San tried to recruit Yang Wudi into the Tang Sect, but Yang Wudi rejected him after demanding accountability for the Clear Sky Sect’s past actions and Tang Hao’s hunt for Yang Guyun’s friend. As Yang Wudi left with Dugu Bo and the others, they suspected Tang Hao had been watching from the shadows.

• Yang Wudi told Tang San that Tang Hao had hunted Yang Guyun for three days to seize his friend’s Self-Created Soul Skill, and Tang San admitted he had known nothing about it.
• Tang Yuehua tried to explain the Clear Sky Sect’s silence, but Yang Wudi demanded a real accounting of the past and asked what Tang San would do about Tang Hao’s actions.
• Tang San could not answer Yang Wudi’s questions, so Yang Wudi abandoned the recruitment talks and left; Dugu Bo, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun followed.
• Tang San resented the Breaking Clan’s refusal and vowed to make them understand their choice, while Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi sensed a concealed killing intent outside the arena.
• Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi suspected Tang Hao was secretly guarding Tang San, then returned to the inn to pack; Zhou Qiubai looked back toward the Strength Clan’s residence and sensed someone watching them.

Yang Wudi rejected the Tang Clan’s claims and left his Spirit Bones with Dugu Bo, while Zhou Qiubai refused to take them. After Tang Hao secretly followed Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun in Heaven Dou City, they realized he was waiting for a chance to attack, and Tang Hao grew uneasy about Zhou Qiubai’s rapid progress.

• Yang Wudi recalled how Clear Sky Sect had sacrificed his son in battle and later claimed the credit, explaining why he had given up on trusting them.
• Yang Wudi kept the two Spirit Bones and left for Heaven Dou City, while Zhou Qiubai declined to take them.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun sensed Tang Hao watching them from the rooftops and returned to the inn without confronting him.
• Zhou Qiubai told Yang Guyun that Tang Hao was waiting for a chance to attack outside the city or in the Soul Beast Forest, but would not strike in Heaven Dou City.
• Tang Hao wondered whether Zhou Qiubai had spotted him and regretted letting him survive, recognizing how quickly he had grown to level forty.

Tang Hao considered killing Zhou Qiubai but withdrew rather than risk exposing himself in Heaven Dou City, while Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed his intentions. Tang San and Tang Yuehua returned to Shrek Academy, where Tang Yuehua promised him another chance to approach the Breaking Clan at the Four Clans’ gathering.

• Tang Hao suppressed his killing intent toward Zhou Qiubai because an attack in Heaven Dou City could expose him and damage the Clear Sky Sect’s reputation.
• Zhou Qiubai confirmed to Yang Guyun that Tang Hao had wanted to kill him but would likely wait for a safer opportunity.
• Tang Yuehua reassured Tang San that Yang Wudi’s anger might ease before the Four Clans’ gathering and offered to take Tang San there.
• Tang San acknowledged the Breaking Clan’s grievances while privately remaining determined to win them over and strengthen the Tang Sect.
• Tang Yuehua urged Tang San to endure the incident and look toward future opportunities as they entered Shrek Academy.

As the Soul Master Tournament approached in Heaven Dou City, Shui Bing'er and the Skywater Academy team heard rumors of Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun’s exploits and considered visiting them. Zhou Qiubai watched the busy streets from the Yuelai Old Inn, unaware that Shui Bing’er was nearby and thinking of him.

• A storyteller in Heaven Dou City recounted Zhou Qiubai’s rumored victory over a Soul King and Yang Guyun’s attack on a squad of Fallen Soul Masters.
• Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and the other Skywater Academy students discussed the two men’s strength and teased Shui Bing'er about Zhou Qiubai.
• Shui Bing'er said Zhou Qiubai was very close, and the team urged her to visit him before the tournament began.
• At the Yuelai Old Inn, Zhou Qiubai watched the crowds and told Yang Guyun that academy teams were arriving for the tournament.

Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed the tournament and waited for the right chance to join a team, while Zhou Qiubai resisted meeting Shui Bing'er before the competition. A rumor that temporary teams could compete was followed by Chen Xuan delivering an invitation for them to meet at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

• Yang Guyun told Zhou Qiubai that Feng Xiaotian had visited to recruit him, but Zhou Qiubai refused to meet him and said they would wait for a suitable team offer.
• Yang Guyun teased Zhou Qiubai about Shui Bing'er, but Zhou Qiubai said he would rather meet her in a fair fight at the tournament.
• At dinner, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun heard that temporary teams might be allowed to compete if an academy accepted them, though they did not know whether the rule change was confirmed.
• Chen Xuan arrived at the inn and delivered a letter inviting Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun to meet his Junior Martial Uncle at the Back Mountain of Heaven Dou Royal Academy the next day.

Xie Ru explained why he had persuaded the emperor to open the Soul Master Tournament to Rogue Cultivators and warned that Bibi Dong’s support might conceal a dangerous obsession. He offered Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun places on Heaven Dou’s Second Team if they could make its members submit, leaving them to decide how to proceed.

• Xie Ru told Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun that he had proposed changing the tournament rules to let Rogue Cultivators compete.
• Xie Ru said Bibi Dong’s agreement surprised him and warned that her obsession could bring bloodshed if Spirit Hall took control of the realm.
• Zhou Qiubai realized Xie Ru had also sought to give rootless wanderers a chance to become a force amid the coming turmoil.
• Xie Ru offered Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun places on the Heaven Dou Second Team, but said they had to earn the seven noble students’ submission or find another academy.
• Xie Ru invited Zhou Qiubai to test himself against him, but Zhou Qiubai refused, and Yang Guyun pointed out that he wanted to try but did not dare.

After Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun agreed to challenge Heaven Dou Royal Academy’s second team, Chen Xuan escorted them to the training grounds, where the team had been sparring. The chapter ended as their blue-clad leader greeted Chen Xuan.

• Zhou Qiubai asked Xie Ru who had given him a chance to choose, and Xie Ru said no one had, which was why he wanted others to have that chance.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun decided to fight the second team the next day, with Zhou Qiubai entering the match to avoid Yang Guyun causing trouble.
• On the way to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yang Guyun asked Zhou Qiubai about Shui Bing'er, and Zhou Qiubai said he would face her fairly in the arena.
• Chen Xuan met Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun at the academy gate and escorted them inside at his Junior Martial Uncle’s request.
• The three entered the training grounds and found six members of the second team surrounding and attacking a seventh; their blue-clad leader approached Chen Xuan and asked why he had come.

Zhou Qiubai challenged Cheng Jin and the six other newly promoted students to prove who deserved Heaven Dou Second Team’s slots. As the seven Soul Elders attacked him together, the fight began.

• Chen Xuan told the seven challengers that Xie Ru intended the Second Team slots for Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, prompting Cheng Jin to protest.
• Cheng Jin recognized Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun as the White Clothes Sword and Returnless Spear, then demanded a fight over the slots.
• Zhou Qiubai accepted the challenge and offered to face all seven alone, while Yang Guyun stepped aside.
• Cheng Jin and the six other Soul Elders surrounded Zhou Qiubai in formation and launched their first attacks.

Zhou Qiubai defeated seven challengers with his sword, then explained that he had taken their places because the rules allowed it, not because they were unworthy. After Chen Xuan offered to grant them a wish, the group thanked him, while Yang Guyun questioned Chen Xuan about when he would finally act.

• Zhou Qiubai used his flexible sword to disarm and defeat the seven challengers without using a Soul Skill, stopping short of seriously injuring them.
• Cheng Jin thanked Zhou Qiubai for showing mercy, and Zhou Qiubai said the challengers had lost only because he was stronger and the rules permitted it.
• Chen Xuan said Zhou Qiubai would grant the seven a wish, prompting them to thank Chen Xuan, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun.
• Zhou Qiubai learned that the challengers they had fought earlier were in the infirmary with injuries and agreed that Yang Guyun had been right to go up.
• Yang Guyun asked Chen Xuan when he planned to make his move as Chen Xuan read the Sword Scripture.

After Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun left the training grounds, they prepared for the tournament and judged Chen Xuan’s strength to be unfathomable. With the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament approaching, Yu Xiaogang struggled with Chen Xuan’s criticism while Tang San grew resentful and anxious about his own level and fourth Soul Ring.

• Chen Xuan named Zhou Qiubai’s sword strike “Green Light Condensing in Rivers and Seas” and praised the skill of his withdrawal.
• Yang Guyun ordered preparations for the tournament, and he and Zhou Qiubai agreed that Chen Xuan’s strength was unfathomable.
• Yu Xiaogang stayed in his room reviewing his theories and tried to ignore Tang San’s growing doubt in him.
• Tang San recalled Zhou Qiubai’s thousand-year second Soul Ring and convinced himself that luck or an extraordinary opportunity explained it.
• Tang San resolved that he needed to obtain his fourth Soul Ring before the tournament, though he was still only level forty.

Tang San worried that Shrek lacked the strength to win the tournament and decided to seek a powerful fourth Soul Ring. Doubting Yu Xiaogang’s theories, he secretly planned to absorb a true Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring in Sunset Forest.

• Tang San comforted Xiao Wu about raising his strength for the tournament, while Xiao Wu privately feared she would die if the finals came without the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
• Tai Tan offered to accompany Tang San to Sunset Forest, and Tang San agreed to leave the next morning.
• Ning Rongrong kept her distance from Tang San, who recognized that she and Zhu Zhuqing had grown colder toward Shrek.
• Tang San reviewed Yu Xiaogang’s notes and questioned the evidence behind his Soul Ring theories.
• Tang San decided to attempt a Ten-Thousand-Year fourth Soul Ring and prove himself stronger than Zhou Qiubai, keeping his plan secret from Yu Xiaogang.

Tang San secretly attempted to absorb a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring to surpass Zhou Qiubai, despite lacking the mental strength he once gained from a rare treasure. He and Tai Tan found a Blood-Veined Demon Vine in Sunset Forest, but Tang San's absorption went disastrously wrong, leaving his life in danger.

• Tang San left Shrek Academy with Tai Tan to seek a ten-thousand-year plant-type Soul Ring, while Xiao Wu saw him off and Ning Rongrong barely acknowledged him.
• Tai Tan led Tang San into Sunset Forest and identified a ten-thousand-year Blood-Veined Demon Vine as a suitable target.
• Tai Tan tore open the vine's defenses, and Tang San began absorbing its black Soul Ring.
• The Soul Ring's energy turned violent inside Tang San, overwhelming his meridians and mind as his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul struggled to endure it.
• Tai Tan tried to suppress the rampaging energy with his Soul Power, but realized it was already destroying Tang San's meridians and internal organs.

Tang San suffered severe backlash after forcibly absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and remained unconscious for several days. He awoke two days before the tournament, weak and troubled by his failure, while Xiao Wu and Tai Tan stayed by his side.

• Tai Tan severed Tang San's connection to the incomplete Soul Ring, then carried the injured Tang San to Heaven Dou City.
• At the Shrek Residence, Tai Tan told Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and the others that Tang San's life was saved but his meridians and Martial Soul were damaged.
• Yu Xiaogang learned that Tang San had suffered backlash while absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and left after urging everyone to let him rest.
• The others left Tang San's room one by one, while Xiao Wu stayed beside him through the night.
• Tang San awoke three days later, remembered his failure, and worried that he would not recover before the tournament began.
• Tai Tan visited the awake Tang San, who absolved him of blame and thanked him for saving his life.

After Tang San nearly died from absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Tang Hao decided he could no longer let him follow Yu Xiaogang and took him away to retrieve what his mother had left him. Xiao Wu woke to find Tang San gone and began wondering whether he had known her true identity as a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

• Tang San refused to withdraw from the tournament and focused on recovering while Xiao Wu stayed by his bedside.
• Tang Hao returned at night, blamed Yu Xiaogang’s influence for Tang San’s dangerous choice, and warned his son to stop following his teacher’s path.
• Tang Hao told Tang San they would leave that night to retrieve what his mother had left him and awaken the origin of his damaged Blue Silver Grass.
• Tang San left a letter for Xiao Wu and departed with Tang Hao while she slept.
• Xiao Wu found the letter in the morning and worried that Tang Hao, a Titled Douluo, might have discovered she was a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

After Tang San left Shrek to recover from his injuries, Xiao Wu and the others prepared to enter the tournament without him. Meanwhile, Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun aimed to win the tournament, while Salas struggled with Bibi Dong’s order to kill them and his fear of Qian Renxue.

• Xiao Wu told Dai Mubai that Tang San had left with his father and gave him Tang San’s letter; the Shrek team agreed to fight in the tournament without him.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun discussed Tang San’s failed Soul Ring absorption, then declared their intention to reach the end of the tournament.
• Salas read Bibi Dong’s secret order to eliminate Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun during the tournament.
• Salas worried that obeying Bibi Dong would anger Qian Renxue, who was close to the two fighters and could punish him.
• Salas decided to send people to test Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun, planning to claim either success or failure as a reasonable outcome.

Salas devised a way to appear to obey the Pope’s order to eliminate two targets without risking blame. In Heaven Dou City, Chen Xuan agreed to compete in the tournament if he found a worthy opponent, while Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun ended the night by deciding to drink before the event opened.

• Salas ordered subordinates to watch the two targets and attack only if an opportunity arose, retreating if they could not win.
• Chen Xuan discussed his ambitions and Yang Guyun’s single-minded spear cultivation with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun at an old bookstall.
• Zhou Qiubai told Chen Xuan that Dean Xie had asked whether he would compete in the tournament, and Chen Xuan agreed if his opponent was worth fighting.
• Chen Xuan warmly recalled Junior Martial Uncle’s advice not to put on airs, leaving Zhou Qiubai curious about the feelings he kept hidden.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun returned to the inn, where Zhou Qiubai suggested they have a few drinks before the tournament opened.

Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan arrived at the Great Soul Arena as a three-man team for the tournament, drawing disbelief and attention from the other competitors. As teams prepared to compete, Ning Rongrong doubted Shrek Academy’s confidence and reflected on the trio’s hidden strength.

• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun waited outside the arena for Chen Xuan, who stopped to browse a book stall despite the tournament.
• Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, and Chen Xuan entered the arena as a three-man team, and Chen Xuan said he was only there to make up the numbers and did not know how to fight.
• The contestants and staff reacted with shock to the trio’s small team and Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun’s reputations.
• Yu Tianxin warned his teammates not to underestimate Zhou Qiubai, while Huo Wu remarked that she found him handsome.
• Shrek Academy resented losing the room’s attention, and Dai Mubai encouraged the team to pursue the championship.
• Ning Rongrong doubted Shrek’s confidence and considered the trio’s likely strength, especially Chen Xuan’s connection to Xie Ru.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing questioned whether they belonged at Shrek as the tournament’s opening ceremony began. Xie Ru arrived to great respect, and Xue Ye welcomed his former teacher and gave him the seat of honor.

• Ning Rongrong told Zhu Zhuqing she thought she should return to her sect after the competition, and Zhu Zhuqing shared her growing desire to leave Shrek.
• Xue Ye entered the packed arena with Qian Renxue disguised as the Crown Prince and wondered whether Xie Ru would attend.
• Xie Ru arrived alone, and scholars and officials bowed as Xue Ye formally welcomed him as his honored teacher.
• Xie Ru asked Xue Ye to act like an emperor, but Xue Ye insisted on honoring him as a student and led him to the seat of honor.
• Chen Xin saluted Xie Ru and told Ning Fengzhi that he still revered him and knew he could not defeat him.

Xie Ru attended the tournament to watch Chen Xuan and his companions, while their team prepared to enter the arena. Salas arrived intending to provoke Emperor Xue Ye but stopped when he saw Xie Ru in the VIP seats.

• Meng Shenji said Xie Ru had likely come to watch Chen Xuan, Zhou Qiubai, and Yang Guyun compete.
• Chen Xuan joked with Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun about avoiding fights and fearing Xie Ru’s lectures.
• Xie Ru watched the three young men and told Xue Ye that the competition was about to begin.
• Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun prepared to enter the arena while Chen Xuan continued reading and said entering did not require fighting.
• Salas arrived late intending to insult Xue Ye, but halted when he noticed Xie Ru seated beside the emperor.