Ye Luochen

Biodata

Feature	Detail
Name	Ye Luochen 1 2 8
Alias	None established in context
Species	Human (implied throughout)
Gender	Male (referred to with masculine pronouns)
Age	15 years old 12 45
Martial Soul	Dark Iron Blade 24. Initially an ordinary martial soul; later underwent multiple postnatal evolutions after absorbing or responding to soul-tool innovations, eventually developing an emerging life force 24 43 68 70 117 122.
Innate Soul Power	Level 4 at awakening; raised to Level 5 after the first martial soul evolution, Level 6 after the second, and Level 7 following later successive evolutions and fortuitous gains 3 24 42 43 105 117 122.
Soul Power Level	Soul Ancestor. He was level 38 at age 15 upon enrolling at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy 3, broke through after absorbing his Fourth Soul Ring 39 40, and was approaching level 43 before departing for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament 48.
Soul Engineer Level	Level 3 Soul Engineer 45. He rose from no soul-tool foundation to Level 2 in fifteen days, then reached Level 3 shortly afterward 13 45.
Soul Rings	Yellow, yellow, purple, and black: a 500-year Steel-Tooth Mantis, 800-year Wind-Blade Phoenix Butterfly, 1,400-year Blade-Shadow Marten, and 12,000-year Thorn Vine 7 39 46.
Origin	Born in the Star Luo Empire. Orphaned at a young age; grew up relying on the charity of his village 8.
Background	Cultivated step by step from village to town to county to city, eventually entering Shrek Academy. Despite hard work, he was excluded from the Shrek Seven Devils reserve team due to his ordinary martial soul and left Shrek 1 2 8. He then transferred to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, where his talent in soul tools was recognized 3 4. He became a student of Xuan Ziwen and later a reserve team member for an inter-empire tournament 19 40 48.
Affiliation	Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy (enrolled after leaving Shrek) 3; Mingde Hall (authorization level 6, increased monthly quota of rare metals) 17; Reserve team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament 40 45 48.
Title	Hereditary Viscount of the Sun Moon Empire, granted by Crown Prince Xu Tianran in recognition of his contributions to Mingde Hall and the tournament 136.
Notable Attributes	Described as a “hexagonal warrior” with exceptional physical strength, power, speed, reaction, and mental power 7. Possesses outstanding soul-tool carving skill, carving a first-level soul core array on his first attempt 4 8. Demonstrates strategic thinking and high mental control 4 16. Following later martial soul evolutions and deep meditation, his physique, mental power, cultivation potential, and Dark Iron Blade underwent further substantial improvement 68 117 121 122.
Combat Role	Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor 45.
Personality	Determined, humble, values effort over innate talent, frustrated with Shrek’s emphasis on martial soul quality 1 2 8. Shows gratitude toward those who support him 24 and is cautious about drawing attention 16. He remains composed in the face of the feared Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife and discreetly honors confidences entrusted to him 68 79. He pragmatically accepts and makes use of the privileges Mingde Hall grants him, regarding them as part of a mutually beneficial investment rather than empty charity 94.
Key Relationships	Xuan Ziwen (mentor, mentor-mentee relationship) 19 24; Jing Hongchen (Hall Master of Mingde Hall, provides support and resources) 17 24 37; Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen (siblings, become friends) 12 48; Lin Yuan (admissions director, later team leader) 4 44; Wang Yan (former Shrek mentor who later defects to the Sun Moon Empire) 2 77 79 94 123.

Background

Born in the Star Luo Empire, Ye Luochen lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his village. He awakened his martial soul at six, a Dark Iron Blade with an innate soul power level of four—both considered ordinary 8. Determined to repay the village’s support, he cultivated relentlessly, progressing step by step from the village into the town, then the county, and finally the city 8. His exceptional efforts earned him a recommendation from a city lord, allowing him to gain admission to Shrek Academy, the continent’s foremost institution for soul masters 8.

At Shrek, Ye Luochen continued to push himself beyond all limits. He trained sixteen hours a day, took on dangerous missions that others avoided, and consistently performed among the best of his peers 1 2. Yet despite his dedication, his martial soul remained a point of contention. The academy’s culture heavily favored innate talent and bloodline superiority, and Ye Luochen’s ordinary martial soul was seen as a fundamental shortcoming 2. When the announcement ceremony for the new generation of the Shrek Seven Devils reserve team was held at Sea God Lake, Ye Luochen confidently awaited his name. Instead, Dean Yan Shaozhe declared Huo Yuhao the seventh member and explained that Ye Luochen’s martial soul was too ordinary to qualify 1. Stunned and disheartened, Ye Luochen removed his Shrek badge in public, placed it on the stone steps, and declared his withdrawal from the academy 1 2.

The decision sent ripples through the student body. Many felt a sense of injustice, pointing out that Ye Luochen had risked his life on inspection missions and soul-hunting operations, yet his hard work was dismissed because of his ordinary martial soul 2. Others defended the academy, arguing that the Shrek Seven Devils were reserved for the most top-tier geniuses and that a Dark Iron Blade with innate soul power of four was truly lacking 2. His mentor, Wang Yan, tried to convince him to stay, but Ye Luochen realized the academy would never value his efforts enough. He felt that Shrek only recognized monsters and that his hard work had been rendered meaningless by a single phrase 2. The elders of the Sea God Pavilion criticized his lack of perspective, and Yan Shaozhe showed no emotion, instructing the ceremony to continue as if nothing had happened 2.

Returning to his dormitory, Ye Luochen recalled a silver badge given to him by a teacher from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy during a past exchange. That teacher had noted that his martial soul, while ordinary for combat, was highly compatible with the carving knives used for engraving soul tools, and that Sun Moon could offer him opportunities Shrek would not 2. With no remaining attachment to Shrek and the last shred of expectation extinguished, Ye Luochen decided to travel to the Sun Moon Empire 2.

Upon arriving in the Ming Capital, Ye Luochen was struck by the technological advancements—soul-powered vehicles, towering metal structures, and a society that had fully embraced the technological age through soul devices 3. He went to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to register. When he presented the silver badge, the reception teacher immediately recognized its significance and summoned Lin Yuan, a Level 7 Soul Master and director of admissions 3. Lin Yuan personally oversaw Ye Luochen’s assessment, tasking him with engraving a Level 1 Core Array blueprint. On his first attempt, Ye Luochen carved it successfully, astonishing everyone present with his extraordinary control and precision 3 4.

Lin Yuan was impressed and insisted on reporting Ye Luochen directly to Mingde Hall—the academy’s core institution, equivalent in prestige to Shrek’s Sea God Pavilion 5. The other teachers were shocked, but Lin Yuan revealed that Ye Luochen had not only completed the first-level core array but also possessed a martial soul highly compatible with soul tool carving 5. At Mingde Hall, Ye Luochen met Elder Ma and other instructors. He recounted his past: his orphaned upbringing, his grueling ascent from village to Shrek, and his ultimate disillusionment when his ordinary martial soul was used to deny him a place in the Shrek Seven Devils reserve team. He emphasized that his efforts surpassed those of any other student at Shrek and that his strength was among the best of his peers, yet the academy refused to recognize him 8.

Elder Ma was moved by Ye Luochen’s story and criticized the shortsightedness of Shrek’s leadership, particularly Dean Yan Shaozhe’s belief that martial souls and innate talent determine everything 8. He argued that the Sun Moon Empire’s soul guidance technology was a testament to the power of hard work over natural gifts, and that Ye Luochen’s achievements were his own, not Shrek’s 9. Soon after, Jing Hongchen, the Hall Master of Mingde Hall, appeared and personally approved Ye Luochen’s enrollment, recognizing his potential and work ethic 9. He arranged for Ye Luochen to attend classes with the Hongchen siblings—Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen—in the mornings and to study at Mingde Hall in the afternoons. Jing Hongchen hoped that Ye Luochen’s dedication would inspire the talented but complacent siblings 9 10.

Ye Luochen settled into his new environment, feeling grateful for the opportunities and resources now available to him. He marveled at the contrast: while Shrek had denigrated his ordinary martial soul, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy had welcomed him without requiring a recommendation letter or mocking his background 10. He threw himself into his studies, spending long hours in Mingde Hall carving core arrays. Within fifteen days, he successfully carved a second-tier core array and passed the Level 2 Soul Engineer examination, impressing the instructors and Jing Hongchen with his rapid progress 13.

Later, an encounter with a soul guidance stamping machine triggered an evolution of his Dark Iron Blade, enhancing its appearance and durability, and raising his innate soul power from four to five, significantly accelerating his cultivation speed 24 25. A later absorption of a first-generation prototype machine tool triggered another evolution, raising his innate soul power to six 42 43. With Jing Hongchen’s support, Ye Luochen soon reached the rank of Soul Ancestor and successfully absorbed a 12,000-year Thorn Vine as his fourth soul ring 39 40. After this breakthrough, Jing Hongchen invited him to join the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy’s team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Jing Hongchen explained that for years the Sun Moon team had struggled to overcome Shrek’s dominance, lacking detailed intelligence on Shrek’s participating members. Ye Luochen, having come from Shrek, could provide that crucial advantage 40. Ye Luochen considered the proposal. He felt no loyalty to Shrek after his cultivation, his efforts, and his very identity had been dismissed. He had not received any significant favors from Shrek that would obligate him to refuse; even his robust physique was merely a byproduct of Shrek’s running drills, far from enough to make him stand on their side 41. He agreed to join the reserve team 41 44.

In the reserve team, Ye Luochen met Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen again. Xiao Hongchen was haughty and competitive, but Meng Hongchen quickly bonded with Ye Luochen, recognizing their similarities. She reprimanded her brother for his arrogance, and the three began to form a competitive dynamic 44 48. Lin Yuan was revealed to be the reserve team’s instructor, and the official team included the captain, Ma Rulong, a sixth-year soul emperor 44 48. Before departure, Ye Luochen focused on reaching peak condition and brought his soul power close to level 43 48.

During the tournament period, Ye Luochen experienced another martial soul evolution. The transformation expelled a large quantity of black, foul impurities from his body, substantially strengthening his physique and martial soul; the Dark Iron Blade also began to gestate life force 68. His Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, formerly archaic and pitch-black, acquired a pale green luster after this change 68. The life energy subsequently showed restorative effects, allowing injuries from Ji Juechen’s sword attacks to recover rapidly 111 119.

While the Sun Moon team celebrated its tournament progress, Ye Luochen and the Hongchen siblings felt detached from the academy-wide excitement and remained more concerned with Mingde Hall and their own paths 77. Ye Luochen subsequently encountered Wang Yan in the city. Wang Yan confided Shrek’s difficult circumstances and his inability to manage the team effectively; Ye Luochen agreed to keep the matter secret, then candidly suggested that his former mentor consider seeking a future at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy 77 79.

Wang Yan eventually chose to defect to the Sun Moon Empire. Ye Luochen helped convey Shrek intelligence and Wang Yan’s decision to Elder Ma, who secured the academy’s approval for the defection 94. Wang Yan escaped Star Luo City through the Sun Moon team’s special passage during the tournament and later arrived safely in the Sun Moon Empire 123 125. Once their positions were aligned, Ye Luochen began consulting Wang Yan about the repeated mutations of his Dark Iron Blade 116 129.

At an auction in Star Luo City, Ye Luochen resolved to obtain a hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo in hopes that it might offer the possibility of a second martial soul 105. Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, and Elder Ma supported his bid, and Ye Luochen’s group later returned safely to the Sun Moon Empire after deceiving the competing factions in Star Luo City 105 109. Jing Hongchen examined the embryo in Mingde Hall and intends for Ye Luochen to fuse with it when his cultivation and recovery abilities are sufficient 109 111 125.

After returning from the tournament, Ye Luochen assisted Xuan Ziwen’s research into mechanical drive technology and the broader goal of making soul tools accessible to ordinary households 114. He later challenged Ji Juechen, the academy’s renowned “Sword Maniac,” in the arena. Although Ji Juechen possessed Soul Emperor cultivation and overwhelming sword intent, Ye Luochen’s use of soul tools, exceptional defense, and final blade strike forced the senior combatant to take him seriously 117 118 119 120.

Following the battle and a period of deep meditation, Ye Luochen’s spiritual power reached the level normally associated with a Level 6 Soul Engineer. His mind, cultivation comprehension, and overall state became notably clearer and more refined 121. His martial soul subsequently evolved again, and his innate soul power reached Level 7, giving him greater confidence that he could continue competing with the continent’s foremost geniuses 117 122.

Following the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy’s tournament victory, Crown Prince Xu Tianran summoned Ye Luochen to an award ceremony, making clear that attendance carried political significance amid the Sun Moon Empire’s internal power struggle 123. Xu Tianran publicly praised Ye Luochen’s contributions to Mingde Hall’s soul-tool development and to the tournament, awarding him substantial funds, hereditary privileges, and the title of hereditary viscount 136.

Personality

• Hardworking and Persistent: Ye Luochen’s defining trait is an almost obsessive work ethic. He cultivates “desperately,” often pushing himself to train sixteen hours a day when others train eight, and takes on dangerous missions others avoid to break his limits 1 2 8. Even after achieving success at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, he spends half a month carving core arrays from morning till night, earning praise from instructors for his “exceptional dedication” 13. His efforts are driven by a deep-seated belief that hard work should be rewarded, a conviction that fuels his resentment when it is not 8.

• Humble and Self-Aware: Despite his exceptional abilities – he is a “hexagonal warrior” with near-perfect physical and mental attributes and a top-tier soul engineer – Ye Luochen remains grounded. He does not boast about his victories or seek the spotlight; after defeating Yang Ming, he simply tries to walk off stage, uninterested in explaining or refuting critics 16. He acknowledges his own limits, recognizing that his achievements come from “a lot” of experience and near-death situations, not innate genius 4. At the academy, he arrives early to classes, cultivates quietly, and appreciates the resources given to him without arrogance 10.

• Pragmatic and Unsentimental: Ye Luochen is brutally realistic about loyalty and relationships. He feels “no loyalty” to Shrek Academy because it never gave him significant favors, so he readily agrees to share intelligence with Jing Hongchen 41. He values straightforwardness over hollow pleasantries: when Jing Hongchen openly admits his support is a “heavy bet” expecting returns, Ye Luochen feels no resentment, calling the frankness “better” than pretense 24. He does not waste time on grudges; after leaving Shrek, he resolves to “devote myself wholeheartedly to studying well here” and moves on 10.

• Resilient and Determined in the Face of Rejection: Years of being overlooked because of his “ordinary martial soul” have made Ye Luochen deeply resilient. When Dean Yan Shaozhe tells him he is unqualified to be a Shrek Seven Devil due to his martial soul, he does not beg or argue – he removes his badge, announces his withdrawal with quiet finality, and walks away 1 2. He does not crumble under the weight of systemic discrimination; instead he channels his frustration into proving himself elsewhere, stating that the academy’s view “is not suited for me” 2.

• Independent and Self-Reliant: Ye Luochen’s history as an orphan who “cultivated with my life” from village to city has forged a fiercely independent spirit. He does not rely on others to validate his worth. When Elder Ma and Jing Hongchen offer support, he is grateful but not dependent – he views their backing as a transaction he can earn through his own effort 24. He makes his own decisions about his path, choosing to leave Shrek without being swayed by his teacher’s pleas 2.

• Focused on Practical Results, Not Image: Ye Luochen cares about tangible outcomes, not appearances. He uses Yang Ming as a “practice target” to test his combat soul tool skills, and when the crowd questions his victory, he dismisses the need to “waste my breath” on meaningless debate 16. He is driven by a desire to verify his own level, not to gain external approval. This practical mindset extends to his soul engineering work: he criticizes overly complex designs that lead to high failure rates, advocating for balance and efficiency over theoretical modularity 41.

• Grateful but Not Servile: While Ye Luochen appreciates those who help him, his gratitude is measured and earned. He bows earnestly to Jing Hongchen for standing by him during his martial soul crisis, moved because “in all his past years, there had never been anyone willing to stand by him” 24. However, he does not fawn over authority figures; he treats the Hall Master’s recognition as a welcome change from Shrek’s indifference, not as something that obligates him to blind obedience 9.

• Competitive Yet Unpretentious: Ye Luochen possesses “a competitiveness that others lack,” as he himself admits, but he does not flaunt it 8. He grinds in silence, letting his results speak. After his victory over Yang Ming, Xiao Hongchen notes that Ye Luochen “wants to keep a low profile,” a trait that contrasts sharply with the attention-seeking behavior of his peers 16. Even when his innate soul power rises from level four to five after his martial soul evolves, he simply expresses determination to continue improving, without boasting 24.

• Disillusioned with Meritocracy but Not Bitter: Ye Luochen’s experience at Shrek taught him that effort does not always equal recognition – that an “ordinary martial soul” can negate years of sacrifice 1. He voices this frustration openly to Elder Ma, calling Yan Shaozhe’s focus on innate talent “reckless and unwise” 8. Yet he is not consumed by bitterness; he channels his disillusionment into a pragmatic shift of allegiance, finding at the Sun Moon Academy a place where his efforts are finally valued 9 10.

• Straightforward and Unpretentious in Communication: Ye Luochen speaks directly and without embellishment. When asked about his past, he recounts his story plainly, from orphaned childhood to exclusion at Shrek 8. He does not use flowery language or deflect with false modesty. After successfully carving a core array, he simply says “it’s nothing special” because he has survived countless life-or-death situations that honed his control 4. His bluntness can be disarming, but it stems from honesty rather than rudeness.

• Discreet and Considerate Toward Former Connections: Despite his lack of allegiance to Shrek as an institution, Ye Luochen does not treat former acquaintances cruelly. When Wang Yan confides the Shrek team’s precarious circumstances during the tournament, Ye Luochen agrees to preserve the secret. His later suggestion that Wang Yan consider Sun Moon is direct but intended as a practical alternative for his former mentor rather than a betrayal for its own sake 77 79.

• Calculated in His Use of Privilege: After realizing how highly Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen, and the reserve team value him, Ye Luochen decides to use the special treatment available to him rather than reject it for appearances. He regards those privileges as the return on Mingde Hall’s investment and believes that demonstrating corresponding value is what makes the arrangement legitimate 94.

• Cautious About Secrets and Politics: Ye Luochen understands that information can be dangerous. He does not record his unproven speculation about He Caitou’s possible Sun Moon imperial ancestry when reporting intelligence to Elder Ma, and he carefully keeps Meng Hongchen’s political warning concerning Crown Prince Xu Tianran confidential 99 123. He likewise conceals his suspicion that his transmigration may be connected to the Dark Iron Blade’s evolutions when discussing divine trials with Wang Yan 130.

• Xiao Hongchen: Charismatic but Attention-Seeking: In contrast to Ye Luochen, Xiao Hongchen is flamboyant and eager for the spotlight. He publicly defends Ye Luochen’s victory with theatrical speeches, calling out the crowd’s ignorance and relishing his role as the truth-teller 16. His sister, Meng Hongchen, slaps him for being an “attention seeker” 16. He is sharply intelligent and perceptive – he instantly recognizes Ye Luochen’s talent and refuses to let him stay low-key – but his charisma is undermined by a need for recognition that others find off-putting 16 44.

• Meng Hongchen: Direct and Unfiltered: Meng Hongchen shows little patience for pretense. She physically reprimands her brother for his grandstanding, calling him “cheap” and saying his behavior makes her feel “deeply saddened” 16. She is independent and does not hesitate to take action, leaping onto the stage to slap Xiao Hongchen without a second thought. Her straightforwardness mirrors Ye Luochen’s pragmatism, though she expresses it with more visible emotion.

• Jing Hongchen: Utilitarian and Fair-Minded: The Hall Master of Mingde Hall is pragmatically generous. He makes clear that his support for Ye Luochen is an investment, but he is also transparent about it – a quality Ye Luochen appreciates 24. He believes in rewarding effort and providing “whatever he lacks” to talented individuals, recognizing that Ye Luochen’s greatest need is validation of his hard work 18. His decision to grant Ye Luochen a level-6 authorization and increased resources shows both his shrewdness and his desire to foster a sense of belonging in promising students 17.

• Elder Ma: Supportive and Passionate About Merit: Elder Ma embodies the Sun Moon Empire’s pride in overcoming innate deficiencies through effort. He assures Ye Luochen that in Mingde Hall, “regardless of your background, as long as you are willing to work hard … you will never be buried” 8. He is outspoken against elitism, criticizing Yan Shaozhe’s view that martial soul determines worth, and he actively champions Ye Luochen’s potential from the start 7 8 9. His passion is tempered by wisdom – he initially questions whether Ye Luochen is ready for advanced classes, showing a balanced concern for the student’s welfare 9.

Abilities

Martial Soul: Dark Iron Blade

Ye Luochen’s martial soul manifests as a carving knife shaped identically to a soul-tool carving knife, granting him near-perfect compatibility with soul-tool fabrication 7. This shape allows him to engrave core arrays with precision and speed that far exceeds conventional tools, as the martial soul is directly connected to his soul and responds to his will with absolute accuracy 5. The Dark Iron Blade’s innate attribute is sharpness; Ye Luochen deliberately developed this attribute from his first soul ring onward, avoiding a “flying-blade” path in favor of a direct enhancement of the blade’s cutting edge 7. The martial soul has undergone several documented postnatal evolutions.

The first evolution occurred after the Dark Iron Blade conveyed a sense of longing, generated a gravitational pull, and consumed a Fully Automatic Stamping Machine Tool. The blade became heavier, sharper, more durable, and capable of easily cutting rare metal that had previously required a Level 6 carving knife to process; Ye Luochen’s innate soul power rose from Level 4 to Level 5 23 24 25. The second occurred after it absorbed a first-generation prototype machine tool, raising his innate soul power to Level 6 and further accelerating his cultivation 42 43.

During the tournament period, the Dark Iron Blade experienced a third known mutation. The transformation expelled black, foul impurities from Ye Luochen’s body, strengthened his physical body and martial soul, and caused the formerly lifeless blade to begin gestating life force 68 70. That life energy later demonstrated self-repairing properties, enabling Ye Luochen to recover rapidly from injuries suffered against Ji Juechen 111 119.

After the tournament, the martial soul evolved again in conjunction with Ye Luochen’s deep meditation and accumulated gains. His innate soul power reached Level 7, while his martial soul, spiritual power, and cultivation potential all improved 117 121 122. The origin of these repeated evolutions remains uncertain. Jing Hongchen initially considered rare postnatal mutation and later raised the possibility of a divine trial, while Wang Yan concluded that an unusual fortuitous encounter or special identity would be more plausible than ordinary causes 24 43 44 129 130.

First Soul Ring: Steel-Tooth Mantis (500 years)

Ring Number	Color	Age	Attribute
1	Yellow	500 years	Strength / Sharpness Enhancement

The first soul ring, obtained from a five-hundred-year-old Steel-Tooth Mantis, enhances the Dark Iron Blade’s strength and sharpness, making it as tough and keen as the mantis’s scythes 7. This ability forms the foundation of Ye Luochen’s combat style, allowing him to carve through hard metals with ease—he once split a jet-black rare metal into four equal pieces with a single swing, leaving a mirror-smooth cut 7. In practice, this soul skill provides the raw cutting power needed to breach defensive soul tools and armor, and it also improves his soul-tool fabrication by giving his martial soul the edge characteristics of a high-quality carving knife.

Second Soul Ring: Wind-Blade Phoenix Butterfly (800 years)

Ring Number	Color	Age	Attribute
2	Yellow	800 years	Wind Blade Imbuement

The second soul ring, from an eight-hundred-year-old Wind-Blade Phoenix Butterfly, imbues Ye Luochen’s attacks with wind blades 7. This adds a long-range slicing component to his melee strikes, enabling him to project cutting force beyond the physical reach of his blade. The wind blades are not standalone projectiles but are attached to the blade’s swing, extending the effective attack range and allowing him to hit opponents from a distance while maintaining the sharpness attribute. In the Soul Guidance Combat Class, he used this versatility to dismantle Yang Ming’s soul-tool array while dodging suppressive fire, demonstrating tactical application of the wind-blade effect 14 16.

Third Soul Ring: Blade-Shadow Marten (1,400 years)

Ring Number	Color	Age	Attribute
3	Purple	1,400 years	Piercing and Laceration

The third soul ring, sourced from a fourteen-hundred-year-old Blade-Shadow Marten, grants the Dark Iron Blade piercing and laceration properties 7. This enhances the blade’s ability to penetrate hard surfaces, such as soul-tool armor or defensive barriers, and to cause deep, bleeding wounds. Combined with the first soul ring’s strength enhancement, Ye Luochen can cut through materials that would normally resist a standard blade. The piercing property is particularly effective against soul-tool shields, as he demonstrated when he rapidly dismantled multiple level-four soul tools under fire 16.

Fourth Soul Ring: Thorn Vine (12,000 years)

Ring Number	Color	Age	Attribute
4	Black	12,000 years	Specific soul skill not specified

Ye Luochen’s fourth soul ring is a black, twelve-thousand-year ring from a Thorn Vine, a rarity that places him far above typical Soul Ancestors 39 40 46. Ye Luochen selected it after deliberately seeking a ten-thousand-year ring rather than accepting the conventional five-to-six-thousand-year limit for a Soul Ancestor 38 39. His physical strength, flexibility, power, speed, and spiritual power all exceeded the usual standard for level forty, enabling him to take that risk 38. Although the specific soul skill has not been identified, the ring is compatible with his continued development toward sharpness and materially strengthened his overall combat ability 27 39.

Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife

Ye Luochen possesses the feared Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. Following his later martial soul evolution, the formerly archaic, pitch-black carving knife began to shimmer with a pale green luster 68. Ye Luochen used it to craft a simple combat blade for Xiao Hongchen, demonstrating that he can wield the dangerous tool with calm control rather than fear 68.

Physical Attributes: “Hexagonal Warrior”

Ye Luochen possesses an exceptional physical constitution that far surpasses his soul power level. In a special-grade evaluation at Mingde Hall, his measured attributes were: physical strength equivalent to a Soul King, physical flexibility equivalent to a Soul Emperor, power and speed at Soul King level, and spiritual power nearing that of a Level 5 Soul Guidance Master 7 38. These measurements, taken without any soul-bone bonuses, earned him the description of a “hexagonal warrior” with no shortcomings 7. This physical baseline enables him to wield his soul rings at full potential, absorb higher-age rings safely, and execute complex combat maneuvers such as dodging dozens of soul-cannon beams while simultaneously targeting an opponent’s soul-tool weak points 14 16. His mental power and soul power are in a state of “near-perfect convergence” with no leakage, a sign of extraordinary control honed through grueling practice 5.

A later martial soul evolution purified his body by expelling substantial black impurities, producing another marked improvement in his physical condition 68. The life force subsequently developing within the Dark Iron Blade also gives Ye Luochen exceptional self-repair capacity, while the spiritual gains from deep meditation elevated his spiritual power to the level normally possessed by a Level 6 Soul Engineer 111 119 121.

Soul Tool Proficiency

• First Contact (Entrance Exam, Chapter 3): Upon arriving at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Ye Luochen, who had never been exposed to soul tools, was handed a Level 1 Core Array blueprint. Despite his complete lack of foundation, he began carving with his martial soul, the Dark Iron Blade. His movements were slow and deliberate, yet he made not a single mistake, successfully activating the core array on his first attempt. This astonished Lin Yuan and the other examiners, who noted his exceptional mental control and soul power precision 3 4.

• Recognition of Innate Talent (Chapter 4-5): Lin Yuan publicly praised Ye Luochen’s martial soul as “one of the most suitable for soul tools” and emphasized that his true gift lay in his terrifyingly steady mental fluctuations and flawless soul power output during the carving process—control that surpassed even many official soul tool masters. Lin Yuan immediately reported this to Mingde Hall, securing Ye Luochen a special evaluation 4 5.

• Mingde Hall Evaluation (Chapter 7): During a special-grade evaluation supervised by Elder Ma, Ye Luochen’s physical strength, power, speed, reaction, and mental power all tested near-perfect, earning him the description “hexagonal warrior.” His martial soul was confirmed to be shaped exactly like a carving knife, and he demonstrated the ability to cut through extremely hard rare metals with ease, proving his martial soul’s development toward sharpness—ideal for soul tool carving 7.

• Fifteen Days to Level 2 Soul Grandmaster (Chapter 13): Ye Luochen spent half a month in Mingde Hall, carving core arrays from morning till night. He repeatedly succeeded in producing second-tier core arrays, eventually performing so consistently that his successes became routine and his rare failures more noteworthy than his triumphs. After declaring he had “pretty much mastered” the second-tier core array, he passed the Level 2 Soul Master examination in an hour, crafting a fully functional Soul Guidance Cannon. Jing Hongchen personally congratulated him on achieving Level 2 from zero foundation in just fifteen days 13.

• Permission Upgrade (Chapter 17): Impressed by his rapid progress and dedication, Jing Hongchen upgraded Ye Luochen’s Mingde Hall authorization to Level 6, granting him access to the Level 1-8 soul device theoretical database, core array database, high-level experimental areas, and a fivefold increase in his monthly rare metal quota—resources that would normally take years to earn 17.

• Xuan Ziwen’s Apprenticeship Challenge (Chapter 19-20): Xuan Ziwen, a Level 8 Soul Engineer, challenged Ye Luochen to create his best soul tool core array in 15 minutes. Ye Luochen used his Dark Iron Blade as a carving tool, astonishing Xuan Ziwen with the martial soul’s perfect compatibility. He produced a modular soul guidance shield that, while only reaching third-grade defensive power, introduced a novel production process with reserved energy interfaces and interchangeable sub-arrays—a concept that deeply impressed Xuan Ziwen and led to an agreement for Ye Luochen to prove his worth as an apprentice 19 20 21.

• Modular Design and Assembly Line (Chapter 22, 36): Ye Luochen proposed the idea of assembly-line production for soul tools. Xuan Ziwen, inspired, quickly built a simple stamping machine that could mass-produce first-level arrays independently. Later, they successfully established a full production line for Class 2 Soul Guidance Cannons, demonstrating Ye Luochen’s ability to conceptualize and implement revolutionary manufacturing methods 22 36.

• Combat Application (Chapter 14, 16): Despite his desk-based training, Ye Luochen participated in the Soul Guidance Combat Class and was paired against Yang Ming, a Level 4 Soul Master. Although initially overwhelmed by a dense bombardment of soul guidance rays, Ye Luochen adapted mid-fight. He used his soul engineering skills to dismantle Yang Ming’s soul tools and disrupt his strategy, ultimately winning the match. Xiao Hongchen later defended Ye Luochen’s victory, highlighting his speed in disabling Yang Ming’s ability to replenish his tools 14 16.

• Martial Soul Evolution via Soul Tool Innovation (Chapter 24, 42-43): Ye Luochen’s Dark Iron Blade evolved after absorbing a modular stamping machine tool—a first-of-its-kind innovation. The evolution enhanced the martial soul’s sharpness and durability, allowing it to cut through rare metals that previously required a Level 6 carving knife. A second evolution occurred after absorbing a large die-casting stamping machine and its complete assembly line, confirming a pattern: his martial soul evolves in response to groundbreaking advancements in soul tool technology. Jing Hongchen noted that such divine-like martial soul evolution was extremely rare but not unheard of 24 42 43.

• Fourth Soul Ring and Tournament Selection (Chapter 38, 40): By the time he prepared to absorb his Fourth Soul Ring, Ye Luochen’s proficiency had grown to the point where he ignored conventional age limits and directly approached ten-thousand-year soul beasts, trusting his exceptional physical and spiritual attributes. He successfully absorbed a 12,000-year Thorn Vine soul ring, becoming a Soul Ancestor. Jing Hongchen then invited him to join the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy’s team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, citing his remarkable growth and intelligence-gathering potential 38 39 40.

• Systematic Gaps and Continued Growth (Chapter 49): Despite his rapid advancements, Ye Luochen’s learning was largely crash-course based due to the focus of his mentor Xuan Ziwen on modularization and assembly lines. As a result, while his knowledge of general-purpose soul tools far exceeded that of a typical third-level soul tool master, he lacked systematic theoretical foundation. However, this gap was more a reflection of his accelerated pace than a limit on his ability 49.

• Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife Craftsmanship (Chapter 68): After the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife changed to a pale green luster, Ye Luochen used it to craft a simple combat blade and presented the finished weapon to Xiao Hongchen. The blade displayed a high degree of responsiveness to Xiao Hongchen’s thoughts, although Xiao initially feared handling an item made with the notorious carving knife 68.

• Mechanical Drive Technology (Chapter 114): Ye Luochen proposed the abstract concept of “Mechanical Drive Technology” as a potential route beyond conventional soul-power-driven machinery. Although he could not provide a full technical plan, Xuan Ziwen successfully converted the concept into a practical machine in little more than ten days, advancing their goal of putting useful soul tools into ordinary households 114.

• Soul Tool Combat Against Ji Juechen (Chapter 118-120): Ye Luochen challenged Ji Juechen, the Soul Emperor-level “Sword Maniac,” while equipped with two fully charged Class 9 defensive soul tools. He initially used costly Soul Guidance Cannon bombardment to disrupt Ji Juechen’s momentum, then relied on his blade techniques and complete integration of soul power, mental power, and physical force to withstand the latter stages of the fight. Jing Hongchen considered Ye Luochen’s final slash comparable in principle to techniques used by supreme experts 118 119 120.

• Deep Meditation and Spiritual Advancement (Chapter 121): Following his battle with Ji Juechen, Ye Luochen entered deep meditation. Subsequent measurements placed his spiritual power at the ordinary level of a Level 6 Soul Engineer, while his improved mental clarity substantially enhanced his understanding of cultivation and future soul-tool research 121.

Power Progression

Stage	Elder Tree Realm	Soul Power Level	Soul Engineer Rank	Key Event
Enrollment	Soul Elder (level 30–39 range)	38	None (demonstrated talent in first-level core array)	Carves a Level 1 core array on first attempt; Lin Yuan reports him to Mingde Hall 3 5
First Month – Level 2 Soul Engineer	Soul Elder	38	Level 2	Passes the Level 2 Soul Engineer exam after half a month of relentless practice, mastering the second-tier core array 13
Combat Class Victory	Soul Elder	38	Level 2	Defeats Yang Ming (a Level 4 Soul Engineer) in the monthly Soul Guidance Combat Class by dismantling his soul tools 16
First Martial Soul Evolution	Soul Elder	38 (innate soul power rises to 5)	Level 2	Dark Iron Blade absorbs a Fully Automatic Stamping Machine Tool; martial soul strength increases, and innate soul power rises from 4 to 5 24
Breakthrough to Soul Ancestor	Soul Ancestor	40 (after absorbing fourth soul ring)	Level 2	Absorbs a 12,000-year Thorn Vine as his fourth soul ring, becoming the first student at the academy with a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring 39 40
Second Martial Soul Evolution	Soul Ancestor	40 (innate soul power rises to 6)	Level 2	Dark Iron Blade devours the new assembly line prototype; innate soul power increases by another level, and he suspects a link to innovation in soul tools 42 43
Promotion to Level 3 Soul Engineer	Soul Ancestor	40 (showing signs of nearing level 41)	Level 3	Introduced as a Level 3 Soul Engineer during the reserve team selection; cultivation speed further boosted by innate level 6 44 45
Tournament Preparation	Soul Ancestor	Nearing 43	Level 3	Spends seven days optimizing his spirit, energy, and condition before the reserve team departs for the Star Luo Empire 48
Later Martial Soul Evolution	Soul Ancestor	Not specified	Level 3	Undergoes another evolution that purifies his body, greatly strengthens his physique and martial soul, causes the Dark Iron Blade to gestate life force, and changes the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife to a pale green luster 68
Acquisition of Hundred-Thousand-Year Embryo	Soul Ancestor	Not specified	Level 3	Secures a hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo with the support of the Hongchen siblings and Elder Ma; Jing Hongchen later reserves it for Ye Luochen’s potential fusion 105 109 111 125
Deep Meditation	Soul Ancestor	Not specified	Level 3	Following his clash with Ji Juechen, his spiritual power reaches the level normally associated with a Level 6 Soul Engineer and his overall comprehension improves 120 121
Fourth Martial Soul Evolution	Soul Ancestor	Innate soul power rises to 7	Level 3	Reveals that his martial soul evolved again; the cumulative gains of his evolutions raise his innate soul power to Level 7 117 122
Hereditary Viscountcy	Soul Ancestor	Not specified	Level 3	Crown Prince Xu Tianran grants Ye Luochen a hereditary viscount title, hereditary privileges, and additional funds for his contributions to Mingde Hall and the tournament 136

Relationships

• Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen: The siblings share a deep, protective bond rooted in their shared experience of facing malice due to their status as the grandchildren of Mingde Hall master Jing Hongchen and their exceptional martial souls. Meng Hongchen reveals that Xiao Hongchen deliberately adopts an arrogant and rude persona to draw animosity away from her, shielding her from the constant backstabbing and isolation she faces 47. She explains, "My brother would never bully me. He can't bear to. For so many years, he has always stood in front of me; whenever someone bullied me, he was the one to stand up for me." 47 However, she provokes him daily because "I don't want him to do this" — she feels the same malice is unbearable for him as it is for her, and she tries to prevent him from bearing it alone 47. Their dynamic is marked by constant bickering and physical comedy: Meng Hongchen frequently slaps Xiao Hongchen to silence his boasting or attention-seeking, as when she clamped a hand over his mouth in class and later slapped him for "acting arrogant all day long" 12 16 44. Despite the conflict, they trust each other implicitly, demonstrated when they combined their powers to release a Martial Soul Fusion Skill against the Evil Eye Tyrant, showing their bond and trust 33. Meng Hongchen also notes they share a "competitive dynamic" and find enjoyment in their rivalry 48. Ye Luochen observes that only Meng Hongchen can keep Xiao Hongchen in check, both as his sister and as a fellow Soul King 25 16.

• Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen: Their relationship begins with curiosity and evolves into camaraderie and mutual respect. Xiao Hongchen approaches Ye Luochen after class after noticing his lack of notes, asking, "Why didn't you take any notes?" and offers help: "If you don't understand anything in the future, feel free to ask me." 12 Xiao Hongchen later defends Ye Luochen's victory in a duel against Yang Ming, exposing the opponent's weaknesses 16. However, tension arises when Ye Luochen reveals his black Fourth Soul Ring; Xiao Hongchen becomes jealous and depressed, his confidence shaken 46. After the soul-hunting mission, Xiao Hongchen's reaction shows grudging approval: he leaves quickly when Ye Luochen's strength is demonstrated, and later Meng Hongchen says, "My brother is such a poser… Only you have earned his approval." 44 46 Xiao Hongchen also recognizes Ye Luochen's value, noting that his great-grandfather sent a Level 9 Soul Engineer to help Ye Luochen obtain his soul ring, indicating high regard 26. The two work together to break the Evil Eye Tyrant's illusion, with Xiao Hongchen providing strategic support 33. Following Ye Luochen’s later evolution, Ye Luochen crafted a simple combat blade for Xiao using the transformed Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife; Xiao initially feared the knife’s reputation but came to appreciate the weapon’s responsiveness to his thoughts 68. Xiao remains envious of Ye Luochen’s continuing good fortune and martial soul growth, reacting with frustration when Ye Luochen reveals his later evolution 117 122.

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen: Their relationship deepens from curious acquaintance to genuine friendship, built on mutual understanding of loneliness and isolation. Initially, Meng Hongchen is observant and provocative, often using Ye Luochen's impressive feats to tease Xiao Hongchen 46. Ye Luochen notes that Meng Hongchen remains calm and composed when faced with his black soul ring, hinting at her own strength 46. After the soul-hunting mission, she shares her personal struggles: the constant two-faced behavior from others who flatter her to her face and curse her behind her back, and her loneliness despite her status 47. Ye Luochen empathizes deeply because he experienced similar rejection at Shrek 47. This shared experience of being misunderstood and excluded leads to a bond. She confesses that she provokes Xiao Hongchen not just for fun, but because she wants to share the burden of animosity 47. Ye Luochen becomes one of the first people she trusts with this truth. By the time they join the reserve team, Ye Luochen and the siblings have "forged a bond through life-and-death experiences" 44. Meng Hongchen teases Ye Luochen directly, such as asking if he is jealous of the Level 9 Soul Engineer being sent for him 26, and she acknowledges his strength, saying after his soul ring reveal, "I didn't expect your Fourth Soul Ring to actually be at the ten-thousand-year level." 46 During the tournament, their conversations about Ye Luochen’s Shrek past and the prospect of facing Shrek reveal a point of tension between their differing views, though their familiar banter and mutual respect remain intact 51. Meng Hongchen later supports Ye Luochen’s attempt to purchase the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo without hesitation and personally warns him that Crown Prince Xu Tianran’s award invitation is politically consequential 105 123.

• Ye Luochen and Jing Hongchen: Jing Hongchen acts as a benefactor and mentor, providing resources, recognition, and opportunities that Ye Luochen was denied at Shrek. Jing Hongchen personally investigates Ye Luochen's background and decides to invest heavily in him, stating, "What he lacks most is recognition. … We will give him everything. Resources, status, access rights, recognition, training qualifications…" 18 He arranges for Ye Luochen to receive a Fourth Soul Ring, capturing many compatible soul beasts for him to choose from, and sends a Level 9 Soul Engineer to accompany the hunting mission 37 26. After the dangerous mission, Jing Hongchen compensates Ye Luochen with two Level 9 soul tools (Mirror of Protection), showing he values his students' lives 35. Jing Hongchen also invites Ye Luochen to join the reserve team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, valuing Ye Luochen's intelligence about Shrek Academy 40. Ye Luochen feels deep gratitude but is also aware of the obligations tied to these favors: "Ye Luochen feels increasingly indebted to Jing Hongchen, understanding that accepting these favors ties him closer to Mingde Hall." 37 He accepts Jing Hongchen's guidance as a mentor, as Jing Hongchen says, "It is quite fitting for you to mentor Ye Luochen" to Xuan Ziwen 24. Ultimately, Ye Luochen's loyalty shifts from Shrek to the Sun Moon Empire, driven by Jing Hongchen's genuine support 41.

  Jing Hongchen also personally retrieved Ye Luochen at the Sun Moon border after the successful return with the hundred-thousand-year embryo. He regards Ye Luochen’s potential fusion with the embryo as a possible breakthrough for the empire’s future soul-tool development and trusts Ye Luochen enough to reserve the opportunity for him despite his Star Luo origins 109 111 112. Ye Luochen responds by resolving to repay Jing Hongchen’s investment through continued effort and achievement 112.

• Ye Luochen and Xuan Ziwen: Xuan Ziwen becomes Ye Luochen's direct mentor in soul tool technology. After Ye Luochen's martial soul evolves from consuming a soul tool, Xuan Ziwen shows genuine concern and anxiety for his well-being 24. Jing Hongchen formalizes their mentor-mentee relationship, calling them "a perfect match" 24. Xuan Ziwen initially overemphasizes modularity in his soul guidance designs, but after Ye Luochen points out that excessive components lead to high failure rates, Xuan Ziwen learns from the insight and acknowledges his mistake 41. Their collaboration is productive, with Ye Luochen providing valuable insights that improve the design of third-level soul guidance devices 41. Their partnership later expands into mechanical drive technology, with Xuan Ziwen transforming Ye Luochen’s broad concept into a functional device intended to help bring soul tools into ordinary homes 114.

• Ye Luochen and Lin Yuan: Lin Yuan is the teacher in charge of the reserve team and later the official team. He expresses gratitude to Ye Luochen for his role in Lin Yuan's promotion and new responsibilities 45. Lin Yuan values Ye Luochen's intelligence and knowledge about Shrek Academy, seeing him as an asset 46. He also acknowledges Ye Luochen's strength and potential, including him in the reserve team lineup 45.

• Ye Luochen and Wang Yan: Wang Yan was Ye Luochen’s mentor at Shrek and attempted to persuade him not to leave after his exclusion from the reserve Seven Devils 2. They reunite by chance during the tournament, when Wang Yan reveals the severe pressures and management failures surrounding Shrek’s team 77. Ye Luochen retains enough respect for his former mentor to keep this information confidential. Rather than exploit Wang Yan’s vulnerability, he suggests that Wang Yan consider the opportunities available at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy 79. Wang Yan accepts the proposal, defects to the Sun Moon Empire, and safely reaches the academy after escaping during the tournament 94 123 125. As colleagues rather than opponents, Wang Yan becomes an important source of martial soul theory for Ye Luochen, studying the repeated mutations of the Dark Iron Blade and proposing that they may be linked to a divine trial, an unusual opportunity, or a special identity 116 129 130.

• Ye Luochen and Ju Zi: Ju Zi is Xuan Ziwen’s senior disciple and therefore Ye Luochen’s senior sister. Ye Luochen initially treats her with suspicion after finding an unfamiliar woman in Xuan Ziwen’s confidential laboratory, but her disciple badge verifies her identity and he apologizes for his caution 112 113. Their relationship begins as fellow disciples within Xuan Ziwen’s research group 113.

• Ye Luochen and Ji Juechen: Ye Luochen challenges Ji Juechen, the Soul Emperor-level “Sword Maniac,” to test the limits of his newly improved martial soul and combat strength 117 118. Ji Juechen initially dismisses Ye Luochen as weak, but accepts after sensing his restrained aura, fighting spirit, and dangerous presence 117. Their arena clash demonstrates Ye Luochen’s ability to force a powerful senior combatant into a serious battle despite the substantial gap in cultivation 119 120.

• Ye Luochen and Shrek Academy (negative): Ye Luochen's relationship with Shrek is one of rejection and disillusionment. He was excluded from the Shrek Seven Devils reserve team because Dean Yan Shaozhe considered his martial soul "too ordinary to qualify," leading Ye Luochen to remove his badge and withdraw from the academy 1. Despite years of effort, he received no significant favors or recognition — "no status, no attention, no rewards, and not even a fair chance to prove himself" 18. After leaving, he feels no loyalty to Shrek: "if I had received any favors from Shrek in the past, I might have had a reason to refuse Jing Hongchen… however, after Ye Luochen carefully recalled the past, he couldn't seem to think of any tangible favors or cultivation he had received." 41 He therefore willingly shares intelligence about Shrek with Jing Hongchen, viewing it as a fair exchange with the Sun Moon Academy 41. Nevertheless, his confidential handling of Wang Yan’s later disclosures shows that his hostility is directed at Shrek’s institution and treatment of him, rather than every individual associated with it 77 79.

Plot Summary

Leaving Shrek, Ye Luochen was widely regarded as the core candidate for the new generation of the Shrek Seven Devils reserve team. At the announcement ceremony by Sea God Lake, however, his name was not called; instead, Huo Yuhao was selected as the seventh member. Dean Yan Shaozhe explained that Ye Luochen’s martial soul, the Dark Iron Blade, was too ordinary to qualify for the Shrek Seven Devils 1. Publicly removing his Shrek badge and declaring his withdrawal from the academy, Ye Luochen walked away while the ceremony continued as if nothing had happened 2. His mentor Wang Yan tried to console him but ultimately respected his decision, while the elders of Sea God Pavilion criticized his actions as lacking perspective. The rejection crystallized Ye Luochen’s disillusionment: despite years of desperate effort and strength among his peers, the academy valued innate martial soul potential above all else 1 2 8. Recalling a silver badge given to him by a teacher from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy during a past exchange, he decided to see if the Sun Moon Empire truly offered a different path 2.

Journeying to the Sun Moon Empire, Ye Luochen arrived in the Ming Capital and marveled at its advanced soul-powered vehicles and metal architecture, a stark contrast to Shrek’s traditional environment 3. At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy registration office, his silver Recommendation Badge from Xuan Wu caused a stir; the teacher summoned Lin Yuan, a Level 7 Soul Master who personally oversaw Ye Luochen’s assessment 3. Ye Luochen was tasked with engraving a Level 1 Core Array blueprint. On his first attempt, he carved it perfectly, astonishing everyone present 3 5. Lin Yuan immediately announced he would report Ye Luochen to Mingde Hall—the academy’s core elite division—shocking the other teachers 5. Subsequent tests revealed Ye Luochen’s physical strength at the Soul King level, speed at Soul King, flexibility at Soul Emperor, and mental power approaching Level 4 Soul Engineer standards, confirming his exceptional potential for soul tool paths 7.

Admitted to Mingde Hall, Ye Luochen met Elder Ma and the Hall Master Jing Hongchen. Elder Ma spoke passionately about the Sun Moon Empire’s history of overcoming weak martial souls through hard work and soul guidance technology, inspiring Ye Luochen to believe that innate talent does not determine everything 9. Jing Hongchen personally approved Ye Luochen’s enrollment and arranged for him to attend classes with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen in the mornings and Mingde Hall in the afternoons, hoping his work ethic would challenge the siblings’ complacency 10. Settling into his dormitory and experiencing high-level medicinal cuisine for the first time, Ye Luochen felt grateful for the opportunities he had never received at Shrek 10.

In Mingde Hall, Ye Luochen devoted himself to carving core arrays for soul tools from morning till night. Within half a month, he successfully carved a second-tier core array and passed the Level 2 Soul Grandmaster exam 13. His dedication impressed the instructors, who had initially underestimated him. Jing Hongchen, however, remained cautious: he ordered a thorough investigation of Ye Luochen’s background, given the history of espionage between the Sun Moon Empire and the original three kingdoms. Only after confirming his authenticity did Jing Hongchen allow him to learn deeper techniques 14. Ye Luochen’s combat prowess was demonstrated in a soul guidance combat class when he defeated the proud Yang Ming by dismantling his soul tools with speed and precision. Xiao Hongchen defended Ye Luochen’s victory, exposing Yang Ming’s weaknesses, while Meng Hongchen slapped Xiao Hongchen for his attention-seeking behavior 16. Later, Ye Luochen’s martial soul underwent an evolution, prompting Jing Hongchen to offer to personally take him to Shrek for consultation if necessary—a risk given the hostile relationship between the empires—showing the value Jing Hongchen placed on him 24.

The first evolution of the Dark Iron Blade occurred when it developed a will-like sense of longing and consumed a Fully Automatic Stamping Machine Tool in Xuan Ziwen’s laboratory 23 24. Its cutting power rose dramatically and Ye Luochen’s innate soul power increased from Level 4 to Level 5 24 25. A later absorption of an assembly-line prototype produced a second evolution and raised his innate soul power again, to Level 6 42 43. Jing Hongchen considered the possibility that these unprecedented evolutions could be related to divine intervention, but warned Ye Luochen not to become distracted by an unproven theory 43 44.

Ye Luochen later undertook a soul ring hunt. At some point during training, he took significant risks, leading Jing Hongchen to scold the Hongchen siblings for interfering and promise Ye Luochen appropriate compensation from Mingde Hall, including helping him find his fourth soul ring 34. Eventually, Jing Hongchen personally prepared multiple compatible soul beasts for Ye Luochen to choose from. Ye Luochen selected a 12,000-year Thorn Vine and successfully absorbed it, becoming a Soul Ancestor 37 39 40.

Immediately after this breakthrough, Jing Hongchen raised the topic of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—a quadrennial event where Shrek had dominated for ten thousand years, with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy as its only serious challenger. Jing Hongchen explained that his academy had long struggled to obtain reliable intelligence on Shrek’s participants, and Ye Luochen, having been at Shrek until recently, possessed invaluable knowledge of their members, martial souls, and combat styles. He invited Ye Luochen to join the Sun Moon team as a reserve member, alongside Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen 40. Ye Luochen quickly agreed, feeling no loyalty to Shrek after the way he had been treated; he considered the sharing of intelligence entirely appropriate 40 41.

Ye Luochen officially joined the reserve team. He met the other members—Mu Yan, Lu Chen, Jiang Yue, Zhou Xiaowan, the Hongchen siblings, and himself—each introducing their ages, cultivation levels, and soul engineer ranks. Lin Yuan, the instructor who had overseen his entrance exam, was revealed to be the team leader 44 45. The collective strength of the reserve team surprised Ye Luochen; he realized that the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy was far more powerful in both soul tools and martial souls than the outside world believed 45. During the introductions, Ye Luochen revealed his soul rings, including his black ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring, which shocked Xiao Hongchen and provoked jealousy. Meng Hongchen, however, remained calm and hinted at her own strength 46. Later, Ye Luochen bonded with Meng Hongchen, learning about her competitive dynamic with her brother and forming a genuine friendship. The reserve team prepared to travel to the Star Luo Empire for the tournament using flight-type soul tools 48.

During the tournament, Ye Luochen supplied the Sun Moon team with extensive intelligence on Shrek Academy, identifying the combat capabilities, weaknesses, and possible counters for both the main and reserve members 54. His knowledge of Huo Yuhao’s twin martial souls also helped the group form a possible suspect after an attack involving spiritual and ice attributes 67. Ye Luochen’s Dark Iron Blade evolved again during this period, expelling black impurities from his body, strengthening his physique, and developing life force 68 70. The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife changed from pitch-black to pale green, and Ye Luochen used it to make a responsive combat blade for Xiao Hongchen 68.

As the Sun Moon team celebrated its tournament results, Ye Luochen, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen remained relatively detached from the wider excitement, prioritizing Mingde Hall and their own concerns 77. While wandering the city, Ye Luochen encountered his former Shrek mentor Wang Yan. Wang Yan disclosed the serious difficulties facing Shrek’s team and his own inability to control the situation. Ye Luochen agreed not to expose the secret and, recognizing Wang Yan’s frustration and helplessness, suggested that he consider joining the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy instead 77 79.

Wang Yan accepted the proposal to defect, and Ye Luochen informed Elder Ma while providing further current intelligence on Shrek 94. The plan was complicated by Xuanzi’s arrival in Star Luo City, but Wang Yan ultimately escaped via the Sun Moon team’s special passage and returned safely to the Sun Moon Empire 95 123 125. Ye Luochen later sought Wang Yan’s guidance concerning his martial soul’s repeated evolutions. Wang Yan explained the possible conditions for divine trials and judged that unusual opportunity or special identity were more likely explanations than strength or attribute compatibility; Ye Luochen did not disclose his thoughts about transmigration 129 130.

At an auction, Ye Luochen pursued a hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo because it offered him hope of gaining a second martial soul and overcoming the limitations of the Dark Iron Blade’s former aptitude 105. Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen contributed funds without hesitation, Elder Ma and the academy also supported the bid, and the reserve team successfully deceived rival factions before returning to the Sun Moon Empire with the embryo 105 109. Jing Hongchen identified Ye Luochen’s life-energy-based self-repair ability as a potential means to reduce the cultivation threshold for fusing with the embryo, and promised to let him attempt the fusion when feasible 111 125.

After returning to Mingde Hall, Ye Luochen reunited with Xuan Ziwen and met Ju Zi, Xuan Ziwen’s senior disciple 112 113. He resumed research, including work on Xuan Ziwen’s realization of his concept of mechanical drive technology, intended to support the wider popularization of soul tools 114. With his innate soul power eventually reaching Level 7, Ye Luochen became determined to test the true level of his martial soul and challenged Ji Juechen, the Soul Emperor-level “Sword Maniac,” in the academy arenas 117.

Ye Luochen relied on extensive Soul Guidance Cannon bombardment, Class 9 defensive soul tools, his evolved Dark Iron Blade, and his own control over soul power and spiritual power during his battle with Ji Juechen 118 119. Though Ji Juechen’s sword attacks injured him and demonstrated the gap in their cultivation, Ye Luochen’s life energy rapidly repaired the wounds, and his final slash forced Jing Hongchen to recognize a level of integration and potential comparable in principle to that of a supreme expert 119 120. The battle was followed by deep meditation, which increased Ye Luochen’s spiritual power to a Level 6 Soul Engineer standard and gave him greater clarity in both cultivation and thought 121.

After another martial soul evolution, Ye Luochen revealed that his innate soul power had reached Level 7 117 122. Meng Hongchen then informed him that the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy had defeated Shrek in the tournament after Shrek’s lineup collapsed under successive crises, including Ma Xiaotao’s Black Phoenix transformation and Xuanzi’s public intervention 122 123. The Crown Prince Xu Tianran personally named Ye Luochen for the post-tournament award ceremony, placing him within the Sun Moon Empire’s increasingly visible political struggles 123. At the ceremony, Xu Tianran publicly rewarded Ye Luochen for joining the Sun Moon Empire, advancing Mingde Hall’s soul-tool technology, and contributing to the tournament victory, granting him additional wealth, hereditary privileges, and the title of hereditary viscount 136.